Thursday, March 13, 2008

Monday, March 10, 2008

photos

Hi everyone, I know you want birthday photos. I'll be on spring break soon. My plans:
1. Post birthday photos.
2. Sleep.
3. Organize my filing system.
4. Go to Cancun and get so drunk I pass out on a beach.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting


Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting


Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting


Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting


Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting


Friday, March 07, 2008

lots o' stuff

Elliott turned one last weekend. Some highlights: Grandma Wanda in all red nearly running over a baby who was rolling on the floor. Actually, why go into more highlights? That's really the best one. We try to make the party less crazy, but we both have big families, and so it always ends up loud and insane and fun. Elliott slept most of the time because that kid is smart. The few hours he was downstairs, his mouth gaped open in awe, and it also gaped open to allow me to shove food into it, as he is constantly eating. We took him to the doctor today and we were told that his height and head size is at the 76th percentile, but his weight is only at the 6th. I don't know how this is possible as he eats almost every minute he is awake, but I guess he has a good metabolism. Or a tapeworm. I am so happy he is one. He is starting to say things like kitty and cracker and dada and mama. He has started waving and trying to play pat-a-cake. He is eager to put his hands and mouth on every surface he comes into contact with him, and I love watching him learn in fast-forward.

Ben has been having a good couple of weeks as well. He has always been good with Elliott, but he has developed into a beautiful older brother. He warns Elliott to not touch dangerous things, he shares his food with him, and he sings lullabies to him. It is such a lovely thing to watch, and since Ben isn't the type of kid who goes out of his way to please anyone, I know it is genuine. It is strange to imagine the house without one of the boys--they fit together.

We were told today that Ben definitely has obsessive compulsive disorder and possibly Asperger's. We knew something was going on with him, and I wasn't that surprised. Ryan took it harder than me because he feels like it is his fault. But we all have crappy things we pass onto our kids, and we all spend our adult lives trying to overcome those crappy things. I told Ryan that at least he has good parents (and humble ones) that will always put him first and love him. A lot of kids don't have that. In the waiting room, a woman sat with her teenage son. He was wearing a helmet on his head, drooling, and spitting out words uncontrollably. It was one of those situations where you try not to look and try not to act like you are not looking and wonder what would your life be like if you were the parent of a child with all of those problems. Ryan and I can't complain. This week I also learned that two of my colleagues at work lost their children. I can't imagine the pain they are feeling. Even thinking about induces a physical reaction in me. Ryan and I really can't complain.

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Serious Pinata Business


pinataaction, originally uploaded by offgood2000.

There was money in there...all I got was a quarter. Not fair!

Pretty Girl


zoe2, originally uploaded by offgood2000.

Sal and Zoe


salzoe, originally uploaded by offgood2000.

They Find They Have Something In Common


benzoe, originally uploaded by offgood2000.

The Pinata Posse


posse, originally uploaded by offgood2000.

Beautiful Boys


boys.jpg, originally uploaded by offgood2000.

The Cake the Birthday Girl Made Herself


cake.jpg, originally uploaded by offgood2000.

Birthday Girl


danie.jpg, originally uploaded by offgood2000.

Pausing the Partying to Examine Things


fun.jpg, originally uploaded by offgood2000.

Ben Partying


fun2.jpg, originally uploaded by offgood2000.

Elliott


imagew2.aspx.jpg, originally uploaded by offgood2000.

Jaden and Ben


jadenben.jpg, originally uploaded by offgood2000.

Kris


kirs.jpg, originally uploaded by offgood2000.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

a form of torture

Benjamin wakes up in the morning, goes to the pantry and retrieves his morning smoothie, and Elliott sees that bright red box and he quickly crawls towards Ben, panting and drooling, and Ben curls his body around his drink, protecting his treasure. Elliott pulls himself up using Ben's lap as leverage, and Ben, still sucking away at his smoothie as quickly as possible takes a break and says, "No, Baby Ot. No, Baby Ot." Elliott pays him no mind and reaches his hand out and clumsily touches Ben's face and attempts to grab the box. Ben has had it. "No, baby!" He gets up and he goes to the dining room table and finishes his smoothie, and then he throws the box away so Elliott can't even play with that. When it is time for Ben's Cheerios, Elliott is far away, two rooms over in the kitchen, but the memory of the smoothie incident has scarred Ben. "No, baby!" Ben's says. He is filled with paranoia, but Elliott doesn't care about Ben's Cheerios. Not yet anyway.