Cael: Mama, you are a girl. Allie: That's right. I am. Do you know any other girls? Cael: Lolo. Allie: Yup! Lolo's a girl. Anyone else? Cael: Grandma Tracey! Allie: Right! Anyone else? Cael: Andy! Allie: Andy's not a girl! Andy's a boy. Cael: That's silly, Mama. Andy's a girl! Allie: I'm pretty sure he's a boy. Cael: That's silly! Allie: And guess what's even sillier - your dad's...

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If you've ever eaten my homemade cuisine, you know that if the grater is involved the cuisine becomes more along the lines of "hand-crafted." Cheese, carrots, cucumbers - they typically come with a side of finger. I don't know how it happens, but I'd say at least a quarter of the times I bring out that shinning, metal death trap I lose a little something. Same goes for the peeler. (I'm convinced that's why humans evolved with...

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Martin's little helpers. Notice the only person not participating in exercises? That's right, suckers! No squats for me. I shall continue to sit here on the couch, multiple bars of chocolate within easy reach. (And yes, I know the picture is not the best quality. Turns out the only ones I got that weren't blurry had Cael picking his nose. I figure that's not something that needs to be immortalize...

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I love Christmas. Come November, I start playing Kenny and Dolly's Once Upon a Christmas soundtrack and planning where I'm going to put the decorations. I like seeing the bell ringers at Fred Meyer, the terribly hung lights on the neighbors' houses, those god-awful giant snow globes, the holiday themed car ads - the whole experience. As a child, I wanted this feeling to continue through February....

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Cael loves baths. Loves them right up until it's time to wash his hair. Then they become screaming fests. Full blown tantrums with swatting arms and big, crocodile tears. It's been that way for probably close to two years now. We only wash his hair every other bath, just to preserve some amount of pleasure in the experience. He got special toys, crayons, bubbles - every little thing possible to make his bath more entertaining....

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December 2008 December 2...

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Cael: Mama, don't feed Finn! Allie: I've got to feed him; he's hungry. Cael: No, he not hungry! Allie: Yeah, Butter, he's hungry. It's time for him to eat. Cael: No, he not hungry! He eat yesterd...

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Well, he took two steps today. But that's basically a baby marathon! In other news, don't forget to vote for Finn once a day (until early January, I think?) so that he can be a glorified extra! (Just like Mommy and Daddy were - except the "glorified" par...

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Diaper free and no accidents. All I want for Christmas is a potty trained 2 year old...

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I can't decide which was more fun: picking individual chunks of Cael's vomit out of the clothes in the washer (from the load that I started at 2am), or cleaning up a diaper so explosive that the poop traveled so far up Finn's back it got into his hair. And it's not even nine yet! (And, for posterity - Cael, the first time he ever puked: "Mama, I spilled...

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Thanks to Ellen for the amazing wreath! Cael can't wait to tear it down...

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Cael: Mama? Allie: Yeah? Cael: I want to play with Kailey. Allie: I want you to play with Kailey too, Buddy, but you can't right now. Cael: I want to play with Kailey! Allie: I know, but she's not here. Cael: Kailey's at home. Allie: Yeah, she's at her home in Arizona. Cael: Arizona! Allie: Yup. Cael: Can we go to Arizona? Allie: Not right now. But we will again. Cael: On airplane. Allie:...

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There is an Arizona. Home. Tir...

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Allie: What do you want for breakfast? Cael: Fish! Allie: Not for breakfast. How about toast? Cael: Fish! Allie: Yogurt? Cael: No, Mama. Fish! Allie: You can't have goldfish for breakfast, Cael. You can have them for a snack later. Cereal, toast, yogurt - those are your options right now. Cael: No, Mama. Those not my optio...

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If you think, "Weird. That sounded like a fish jumped out of the tank" - INVESTIGATE FURTHER. In related news: RIP, Bo the Fi...

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At least he kno...

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We had a fun little get together at our house for Finn's first Halloween and Cael's first Trick-or-Treat outing. Ryan cooked enough appetizers to feed a small nation, but they were awesome, so I'm not complaining about all the leftovers. Ele-Finn stayed home and helped man the door with Ryder and the rest of the gang while Ryan, Cael and I hit the pavement. Cael quickly figured out that if he went up to a door he'd come away...

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After the tragic loss of Lizzie, we found a new partner for John. She's smaller, cuter and spunkier. Lizzie would hate her, but I bet John thinks it's an upgrade. Meet Winona: When we got Winona we also got Bum and Bull, the bumblebee snails. They help Ryan clean the tank. This is Bum: We've had those three for a few months now. Unintentionally, we've also been collecting really freaky looking worm parasites and little...

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It's hard work growing teeth. Sometimes a little break is requir...

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Um... I don't think this is how it's supposed to work. I've created a villain. Cael's favorite television show is about a little girl and her best friend (a monkey). They travel around on adventures together, doing good, sharing, counting, speaking Spanish, and solving all the world's ills one hug at a time. This usually involves bringing or returning something to someone. Occasionally, they are...

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10/11/10 7lbs 3oz, 20...

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Still need improvement: knock-knock jokes. My best efforts resulted in him running around, knocking on doors and asking the room at large, "Why are you crying?" Really loses the humor when you skip to the end like that, du...

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When Cael is on the potty he likes to read. Since the newspaper is a bit beyond him at this point, we usually prefer Everyone Poops (Thanks, Uncle Chris!) since it is the most relevant to the subject at hand. Sometimes, though, he's in the mood for a little variety. The only variety we have on the back of the toilet is a collection of Vanity Fair magazines. We flip through it looking at the pictures...

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Most toys in the house are Cael's and he's well aware of this. He doesn't like Finn playing with his stuff and if he catches Finn in the act, things get nasty. In an effort to try and keep him from forcefully ripping toys out of Finn's mouth, I've explained to him that it's nice to share, but if he really wants Finn to give up whatever he's chewing on, it has to be replaced with another toy. Sharing...

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Allie: [Points to picture.] And what's that? Cael: Bicycle. Allie: That's right! Who do you know that rides a bicycle? Cael: Daddy! Allie: Yup. Your daddy rides a bicycle. Cael: Andy! Allie: Andy does? Have you seen Andy ride a bicycle? Cael: Yes. Allie: Oh, that's right. You saw him ride in Sunriver. Cael: Ryan ride bicycle with Cael. Allie: That's true. Your uncle Ryan pulled you and...

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Physical: When he's not doing Downward Facing Dog, Finn's an amazing crawler. He's so fast that you can't look away from him or you'll lose him - much to Cael and Clio's chagrin. He adores them both and will cross the house to get to them. They both do everything they can to get away. He pulled himself up for the first time today, so walking is soon to come! Eating: He ate rice cereal and oatmeal for a while, but as soon...

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I don't know where he got this idea, but he's convinced that changing batteries will solve any and all problems. Even when things don't have batteries. (And I might have made the mistake of telling him he could push his bellybutton and make the poop come out... oop...

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I feel a little cruel taking advantage of his good humor, but when you find a way to get the mouth open, you roll with ...

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Drool + dog hair = disas...

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Cael will not stop talking in a southern accent. You're in troubl...

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It was raining this morning when I went to get Cael up. I walked into his room and he said, "Mama! Bubbles popping outside. Bubbles poppin...

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(Click for full size) Last night we began the pooping/tuck in process at 6:55 and ended it shortly before 8:30. He's absolutely adorable when he stalls, but this is getting ridiculous. Shit or get off the pot has never been so aprop...

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Finn can now push himself up and sit all by himself! He was lying in his playpen in our bedroom this morning and Cael was in our bed playing with toys. I looked over to check on Finn and there was his little head poking out over the top of the pen. He was so eager to be able to watch Cael that he taught himself a new skill. He's such a pro now he's been doing it all day. Next stop: crawli...

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Cael and Finn meet their very first celebrity...

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I left Finn on the floor by a toy while I did a few dishes in the kitchen. Cael was running around with a soccer ball. After a few minutes I realized it was awfully quiet and went to investigate. Cael had settled himself next to Finn and was showing him how to work the toy. I grabbed the camera and snuck up behind them to take a picture. When Cael heard the flash, he turned around and looked at me. Then he turned to Finn....

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Allie: Do you want to go home now? Cael: No. Allie: Where do you want to go? Out on the town? Pick up chicks? Cael: Yes! [20 minutes later] Allie: Okay, buddy. Time to go home. Cael: Pick up chickens! Pick up chicke...

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[On the monitor: Finn cries and wiggles in his crib.] Allie: Well, it's been five minutes. How much longer should I let him fuss? Grandma: Maybe I should just go get him and hold him for a minute. Allie: He's getting worse lately. It takes 45 minutes to put him down. He's relying too much on me for sleeping. He needs to learn how to do this. Grandma: Maybe a few minutes more. It does sound like...

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Cael has a little slide projector that goes along with a storybook. He wanted to play with it today, but it wouldn't turn on. Cael: Mama, on. Allie: I can't turn it on. I'm sorry. Cael: On, Mama! Allie: It's broken, Buddy. It won't turn on. Cael: Fix batteries! Damn. He's good. When did he get so sma...

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Ryan: Okay, you get a special treat since you were so good. Cael: Special treat! Ryan: What would you like for your treat? Cael: Special treat! Ryan: Yup. You get a special treat! Cael: Special treat! Ryan: Can you tell me what you want for your treat? Cael: Yes! Ryan: And what do you want? Cael: Two special tre...

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Back to tummy - che...

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So. Very. Tired. And totally not up for reposting these elsewhere. Pics! In conclusion: Venezuelans are absolutely awesome. (Except the ones that drug and kidnap you, of cours...

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So, you know, just your average day. Awake at four and out the door a solid 45 minutes later than hoped. But we didn't forget anything! (That we've realized yet, anyway.) Both boys were much, much better on the plane than I dared hope. Things have gone downhill since then, but my airline-induced ulcer was for naught. The flight crew from Phoenix to Nashville fancied themselves a comedy troupe,...

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I was bored the other day and going through my Tivo suggestions. They're a little wonky because Cael likes to grab the remote and hit the green and red buttons (thumbs up/down). My Tivo seems to think I like SciFi, cartoons and Martha Stewart. Anyway, I found a movie that a friend had told me I had to see, like, ages ago. This got me thinking. Were there other movies playing on my (temporarily extended)...

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Cael frequently asks for his Aunt Lo Lo and Uncle Andy. He also asks for his Grandma (Brama) Tracey and Grandpa (Bapa) Tracey, and his Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Kathy. This morning, in between the verses of Baby Beluga he was belting from his high chair, and over his "Carty Scramble" (I totally forgot what you guys decided it was named but I couldn't bring myself to call it "Golden"), he started...

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It all started a month or so ago when I tried to eat breakfast. CRITICAL ERROR. Cael used to be a lover of plain yogurt out of the big tub. Alas, having been exposed to his mom's little containers of strawberry flavored yogurt, he realized that he had been missing out - not only on flavor, color and sugar, but on some fun little containers. So, like anyone with a heart a sucker, I started letting...

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Allie + Youtube = Plumbing expert.I think the pair of us could take over the wor...

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He sings the alphabet like I sing songs I don't know. In fact, I think I've used the same line he does after 'k' as the lyrics of many a song. I hadn't thought of shoving a toothbrush holder in my mouth to obfuscate it though. That's a pretty good idea. I might try th...

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You know all those quotes about how a mom is not simply a mom, but a housekeeper, a nurse, a teacher, etc? You know what they always forget to include? NINJA! I am a nin...

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Finn still won't take a bottle. Countdown to play in Portland: 3 days. Think they allow infants? And to ease my increasing headache and make this post worthwhile - the boys in their new Duallie Bob...

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Grandma: One, two, buckle my... Cael: Shoe! Grandma: Three, Four, open the... Cael: Door! Grandma: Five, Six, pick up... Cael: Mess! I'm such a proud ma...

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Go, Rescue Pack! Obviously, I have been watching enough Go, Diego, Go! that I, too, have become an animal rescuer. Authorities are still trying to determine whether it was accidental or attempted suicide, but one way or another, Medusa got herself sucked into the tank filter this morning. I walked by and saw her stretched into a skinny pink tube and all her arms were down the black hole. Because...

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Four out of five dentists agree: Cael is an awesome brusher of teeth. The fifth dentist thinks that one should use a Tigger instead. I'm not convinced the fifth dentist is wro...

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