Rambo's Rampages...

Happy week after Thanksgiving! We have been basically trying to relax and  digest all our food since then. I think this is the first year I actually enjoyed the turkey and didn't just eat it because it was Thanksgiving. If you're anything like us than the turkey is most likely the only left over that lasts longer than a day. I hope that you can find delicious things to do with it. I've tried. Let me know if you have any good ideas. I'm not a turkey expert. Anyway, for more pictures of Israel's intense stare and other such nonsense, if you care to see, you can check it out under the fam tab. Thank you and goodnight.

Thanksgiving always makes me think of Christmas movies. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because the two holidays are so close. Maybe a few connections in my brain have been a bit.... frazzled. Either way, I have thought more about A Christmas Story and National Lampoons Christmas Vacation in the past week than I usually do during the entire month of December. (Or maybe *gasp* I'm morphing more and more into a Taylor every day - let's hope that's not the case). But considering it's the day after Thanksgiving I have finally been given permission by my husband to speak of all things Christmas. *Speaking of the day after Thanksgiving, it's my hubs birthday. Happy birthday!! Love you!* Side note: I actually hate the phrase 'hubs' or 'hubby' but 'husband' feels so formal. So I find myself stuck in between a rock and a hard place where I'm going to either be over the top or trendy. Both of which I hate. This is my life. Our Thanksgivin

I'm supposed to be looking up mac and cheese crock pot recipes considering it's one of the three things I'm responsible for for Thanksgiving dinner. That's what I'm supposed to be doing anyway. Obviously, I'm not.  Instead, I decided to share a few photos of the little man showing that maybe he's not that different from other babies after all. This is one of the things I am thankful for today: No one can resist the cell phone. You can almost see it in the last picture, but each time he got ahold of it he would have this sly smile on his face because he was so proud of himself. It made my day :) Here are few more things that I'm thankful for:     So proud of themselves for taking a self portrait. I'm also thankful for my husband but he's like a sasquatch or the loch ness monster when a camera is around. I'll see what I can do.  Happy birthday to him and my mother-in-law! (A day early but that's okay

This week has been quiet on the blogging front. Not the blogging world as a whole (well, I don't know, maybe it has been but I doubt it.) but for this blogger in particular. And for one reason alone. I AM LOSING MY FREAKING MIND. This has been one of those having-four-children-was-not-my-proudest-moment weeks. If you know what I mean. I love my children. I really do. I just need to remind myself of that sometimes. So this leads me to Things I Don't Understand: Episode 4 1) How children literally have endless amounts of energy. 2) Why they fight to the death one minute and then are instantly sad the second they are apart. 3) Why I have to tell them a million and a half times to do something and then, in the midst of doing it, remind them what it is they are doing. 4) How they can wipe their noses on their sleeves. 5) How they sit mesmerized by the most mind-numbing show just because the 'big box' is glowing.  6) Why they want to do the exact opposite of wha

Why not add more weight to this already sinking ship? Yeah, I couldn't think of a reason either. I think that's why this happened. ignore the nail polish that needs terribly to be redone. To those of you who don't know the history of my middle toe: it's long and boring. The gist of it is I have basically dislocated it three times and chipped the bone and now there is some kind of a cyst on the bone. Each time you dislocate it, it gets weaker. Hence this most recent picture. It got snagged somewhere between Rambo's oxygen cord and his diaper bag. Stinking baby.  And it is excruciating. That's the best part.  So now I am stuck limping in serious pain just to make it around the house.  But it's all okay. No. Seriously. It's okay.  Did anyone just believe that??? I really am making an effort to take this all in stride and make the best of it. Complaining isn't going to make it any easier. In fact, it will probably only make it seem twi

I have decided to look at this week as an extended weekend. Not because I'm enjoying all the relaxing, fun, refreshing times one would look forward to on a weekend. No no no. But because I would rather tell myself I had a crappy weekend than an entire crappy week. In my head, this makes me feel just a teensy bit better about it.  So what has made up this extended crappy weekend? Nothing in particular and EVERYTHING.  After having a rather traumatic doctors appointment last Thursday Rambo has been non stop coughing, gagging and restless since then. We're talking day and night.  Mother pussbucket. And we were doing so well!!! Since Rambo got out of the hospital he was the best he's EVER been. Way less suctioning. Staying level on his oxygen needs, even throughout the night. Happy. Progressing developmentally. And then the doctor decided not only would she put the scope down his nose into his throat and literally bang around to see if she could get a reaction out of hi

I was just informed by my son that I MIGHT be the best mom in the world. There's apparently some steep competition. So to all you moms out there just know that I'm not going down without a fight. I also uploaded a new video of Rambo which you can watch  here . I know I'm biased, but really, he.is.cute. I love  how he rubs his head to soothe himself :) But now it's time to get down to business. It was close but at the eleventh hour you all pulled through and got to at least 25 comments. Good job! I can't say all of you followed the rule about the phrases, but I'll let that one slide. Majority wins on this one. :)  And the random winner of the delicious Amish treats is: Dorothy! (Ben, no one cheated.) So message me on facebook or email me: tooguccicute@gmail.com so I can get your info :) I want to give a big thank you to everyone who commented but right this second my life is chaotic and making me feel extremely flustered. So I'm going to wait until I

Well, maybe not romance... but the last call for comments! I'm extending it by a few days so we can hopefully meet the minimum! If you haven't commented yet, now's your chance. Click  here  to comment and a chance to win. Keep them coming! I'll do the drawing on Wednesday. 

Looking back is hard. To remember is almost too much. Too much pain. Too many times death came too close. Too much recognition in his eyes. Too much time away from family. Too much lonliness. Too many memories Too much pain. Too small. Too many things that didn't have to be. Too many scars. It hurts to even look at pictures. You won't see all of them. Ever.  It's too hard. BUT There were also special moments. Never too many smiles. Never too much love. And a very special Christmas. I know. I know h e is fearfully and wonderfully made. I know he is loved. I know he is created to do great things. I know I am not the same. What His(God's) methods will be with you I cannot fortell. But you may be sure that He never works in an arbitrary way. He has a reason for everything He does. You may not understand why He leads you now in this way and now in that, but you ma

Happy Veterans Day!! picture courtesy of www.deviantart.com Thank you to all who serve and have served for our country, for my freedom!   picture courtesy of www.insiderpassport.com To every soldier in every war and battle - Thank you. pictures courtesy of youthedesigner.com, onlinecnnnews.com, and vfw.org respectively To the willing, the brave, our heroes... pictures courtesy of photos.mlive.com and photos 8.com To those who sacrificed... to the fallen. Today we honor you. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 99th post!! Be looking for the 100th later today!! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

....er....something like that.  Theodore had his 9 month visit today. Only about 2 months too late. He came in at 26" long and 18 pounds 3 ounces. That's right, ladies and gentlemen, he is short. Like way short. Like short enough that we now have another specialist added to our already semi-long list of specialists. Endocrinology is now something we will be becoming familiar with. We'll see how that goes. Although, honestly, I'm not expecting much other than what we normally get: "Well, I just don't know what's going on." but I'm hoping for more.  The next specialist involves adult content. Parental discretion is advised.  So.... hmmmm.... how do I say this? Theodore is hiding his jewels. Well, one of them anyway. In fact, he's hiding it so well his doctor actually said "I really can't find it." So it appears a treasure hunt is in the near future for Rambo. Urology: check. That leaves us with podiatry and..... well, that

Indulge myself, that is. **Looking from side to side questioningly to see if anyone actually paid attention to that or if I got away with it.** But tonight I am going to. I am going to *gasp* post a recipe. Because I want to. There will sadly be no pictures involved because my family and I scarfed it all down (with the exception of Emma who we basically had to force feed) before I even thought to get one . My inspiration for this meal came from my dear friend Ashley who wrote a post titled  Embrace the Fishsticks  (funny and witty she is says I). So tonight as I was looking for another dinner to be made by 4:30pm because Ben is on night shift, I  remembered her post. "Ah ha!" I thought. Of course, then I realized that I had neither mac and cheese nor fish sticks. BUT I did have applesauce (glory be!) and some salmon fillets. And really, who can have fish sticks without applesauce??  I know that you have all been on the edge of your seats so without further ado: My Salmo

"Gimme a kiss. Gimme a kiss." Those words proceeded out of my mouth this morning directed towards Rambo. No big deal, right? Well, that would be true if I wasn't actually expecting him to understand and respond by giving me a kiss. It's like I had a momentary lapse of sense. I'm sitting there face to face asking him to give me kisses and waiting for him to pucker up, lean forward and plant one on me. I might as well have asked him to go feed the cats. It actually makes me laugh. Not in a pitiful or sad way but in a truly funny what-was-I-thinking way. Do I expect him to understand one day? Absolutely. And at the moment he is making amazing strides. But for one brief moment I really saw him as a 'normal' baby. And then was smacked in the face by the reality of his goofy sublime wonderful grin and the look of mommy-i-have-no-idea-what-you're-saying-but-you-make-me-laugh on his face. I love that little boy. I realized again today how literally kids ta

I know I've done several posts today but this is the last one. I promise. I was just noticing that this is post #95 for me. Yay!! So I have an idea. On the 100th post I am going to have a giveaway. Holler!! So you all need to give Rambo your support and tell him how much you love him (and me by proxy, of course). And one of you will get something special. I'm still trying to decide between a Shoney's gift card or a piece of American cheese I will send you in the mail.  It will be better than that, of course!! And I'll be sure to let you know on my 100th post what it is.  Here are the rules: 1) At least 25 people have to comment. Come on! You can do it! 2) You have to use one of the following phrases in a sentence: short stack, genetically questionable, or tubage tubage everywhere. 3) Leave your name, email, and website (if you have one) So get those minds thinking and be looking for my 100th post!

Milk and butter and eggs and cheese Straight from the farm to you. If you don't own a cow call Cloverland now. North-nine-two-two-two-two. I hope that sounds familiar to someone else. I couldn't have had the only dad in the entire universe who would sing that song anytime any of the above foods were mentioned. This is what I am referring to when I say that I am a product of my environment. Usually these little diddies were made up and could be about anything: pancakes, shoes, going to bed, having a headache.... The point is there was always a song being sung about something in my house. And it was usually coming from my dad. Not so anymore. Now they're coming from me. And Ben too if we're being honest. I don't know if Ben's parents went around making up songs when he was young. (I do, however, know that they listened to some bad  interesting music. 'Acapella', anyone??? :)) The point is that this habit of singing little diddies is strong a

    Things I Don't Understand: Episode 3 1) "Poking" on Facebook 2)  What the point of mosquitos is.... 3) Cats 4) Chain emails 5) HTML stuff- although, I'm trying..... So grab a button and tell me the things that you don't understand!  [a href="http://www.rambosrampages.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k487/tooguccicute/TIDU.jpg"/></a> *Here's hoping this works because I've never actually done the whole button thing before. And, referencing #5 above, this is really way over my head.

Today marks one week home. At 4:30pm it will be exactly one week since discharge. And we're still home..... for the moment. That is breaking the record already since our last trip. If we can make it through the day that will really be something.  Rambo seems to be enjoying his life at home. In fact, he has really taken off. The desire to move and develop has suddenly hit him full force and he can not keep himself still.   Just a normal day in the life of Rambo: When he is up on my leg he constantly rocks himself like that. Is crawling in our near future?? I hope so.... kind of. The tangling of the tubes is not going to be my favorite but whatever.  Isn't he the most adorable little thing? Of course, his big head does make him resemble Giada De Laurentiis a little. I'm not hating, I'm just saying they both have heads that could, by some, be considered a little large for the rest of their body. In any case... he's a cutie. And at least he st

Today is an exciting day :)  I got the chance to share a little about my life, my faith, my dreams and how I make it through the day over at  Heather's blog .  She is an amazing lady who loves God and inspires many. Check it out! And be sure to check back in with her for her Real Life Dreamers Series.  Thanks, Heather!

A quick thank you to everyone who voted on the new look of this blog. Considering all except one (that 'one' being a provoking Ben) like it this way I will keep it :) In all honesty, I was going to keep it anyway, but I'm glad that most of you approve.

It has been one of those  mornings. You know, the kind where you wake up in a delightful mood and then everything in the world does it's best to bring you down. Nothing big, but subtle little 'screw you' moments.  Like wanting to download pictures on the computer but realizing the camera is out in the van. No big deal, right? Except you run out to the van in slipper socks only to find it locked. Back inside for the keys than outside again to grab the camera - now your socks are soaked through from the dew. Like getting Rambo's bottle full and then spilling it - ALL of it out on the counter. Now I have to refill the bottle and clean up the mess. Like getting his food out to the food pump and finding that I don't have a bag there so I have to go get one. Like those darn fruit flies everywhere!!!! Still!!!! Like my children needing me to repeat myself a dozen times before, according to them, they hear me.  Like going to sweep the kitchen floor because I fo