Check Up Day - 2 Years and 6 Months - Updated

Wyatt and Aubrey had their checkups this week.

The appointments went better that we thought. Aubrey was good with the doctor listening to her heart and lungs, checking her eyes, and even let him check her ears. We got the Dr. to get the "bugs" out of Aubrey's ears. She had been telling us for about a week that she had "bugs" in her ears and he checked our her boo-boo on her finger. She hasn't mentioned either one of them since. He is a miracle worker. She even got her flu mist and didn't complain. She wasn't thrilled about the shots but when she got stickers and a dum dum everything was alright.

Wyatt checked out good. No bugs in his ears. He wasn't thrilled about the shots but he recovered quickly.

Here is the tale of the tape.

Aubrey

Height: 35.5" (+2.5" from 18 month checkup) - 90th percentile
Weight: 32lbs (+3.5lbs from 18 month checkup) - 95 percentile

She's healthy.

They don't measure her head anymore. I don't know why they just don't. I guess they just eyeball it...looks about the right size.

Wyatt

Length: 27.25" (+1.75" from 4 month appointment) - 75th percentile
Weight: 18lb 8oz (+6lb 2oz from 4 month appointment) - 50 percentile
Head: 17.25 (+.75" from 4 month appointment) - 50 percentile

For some reason, I can't find Aubrey's stats at 6 months.

I know what your thinking...it is the same thing we were thinking. He is only in the 50th percentile for weight and 75 for height. How big is a 90/95th percentile child? Let's be honest, you are really thinking - holy crap, he put on 6lbs 2oz in 2 months. When they weighed him and told us how much, LA and I looked at each other and were like wow, that's 6lbs in two months - almost a pound per week. Wyatt response was "Dont' judge me. I like to eat!". He became a little chunk almost overnight...it is all about formula vs mommy's milk. The formula will put the weight on.

Wyatt is getting busy in a hurry. He is already very grabby and into anything he can get his hands on, even Aubrey and her toys..."Wyatt is touching me", "Wyatt, that's mine". He is also almost crawling. He can get up on his hand and knees and get around. I guess it is not officially crawling but it is more than army crawling. We thought he was going to be the calm one but he is starting at about the same age when Aubrey started getting busy...everyone in the Ulmer family and Carter family has told us that child 2 was busier than child 1...God help us if that is the case for us, keep on praying for us.

Update
I had lunch with my fellow home remodeler, Danny and we were discussing Wyatt's impressive weight gain and I began to tell him that Wyatt had been demolishing his bottles the past couple of nights in record time and I attributed it to him just being hungry but as I was talking to Danny about this, I paused and the light went on - the reason he was demolishing the bottles - I told Danny "it's the nipples" and he replied "that's too much information" and I told him LA had changed the nipples on his bottles to number 3's to which Danny stared at me not fully understanding what I had told him and said "What are you talking about? You mean he's got the bottles with the vortex nipples." - that's funny. I busted out laughing and I said "Yep, now you understand". That would be a great product for a baby...if it makes Miller Lite taste better, what could it do for milk? Danny and I are going to be rich. You heard it hear first - VORTEX BABY BOTTLES in stores in early 2011. Tell all your friends.

Random Thoughts Monday

*Went to my first Thursday night high school football game, a Ashley Ridge victory against James Island - tried to get on tv by letting Aubrey run on the field but had her over the fence but she chickened out - she can probably tackle better than most of those kids

*The silence of no kids, not changing diapers and not taking Aubrey to potty is renewing

*LA and I can be extremely lazy given the right circumstances (for example, a couple of nights away in Savannah, GA or pretty much any night after 8:30pm at home)

*Savannah heard we were coming and had a huge fireworks display to welcome us on Friday night...talk about making us feel special.

*There is nothing better waking up on Saturday knowing that the only thing you have to worry about is eating and college football.

*Charleston is light years ahead of Savannah in the upscale dining options - Proof of Point - 2010 Best of Savannah Awards - Steaks
Winner - Ruth's Chris (can't argue that point, especially when you read who the runner up was)
Runner Up - Outback Steakhouse

Honestly, that is like two different categories. I love some Outback and we eat there often but you can't compare Outback to Ruth's Chris. It would be like saying Ryans was the runner up to Outback.

So you're in Savannah and want a steak but due to a minor construction accident that flooded out the the basement kitchen of Ruth's Chris they were closed - talk about being disappointed. We went to the Chart House - good food but not Ruth's Chris and fortunately, we ate before the party of 140 frat guys arrived...might should have stayed for the adventure but actually glad we missed them.

*River Street in Savannah is a cool place. You can actually have a toter in Savannah...not in Charleston, unless you want to visit cell block 39. (A tourist was actually arrested in Charleston over the summer for an open container - video, letter to the editor from victim). I am agreeing with the tourist in this case. How about pouring it out and a verbal warning or a ticket, fine and court date?

*Bohemian Hotel on River Street is a happening place - great food downstairs (very good, perfectly cooked hamburger, great crab cake) and a rocking roof top bar - a little to rocking when the old fuddy duds are ready to get some sleep after a long day of watching football...I kept yelling turn it down but they kept saying shut up old man...ps - a group of girls is exponentially louder than a group of guys.

*We had a coin toss to see if we were actually going to pick up the kids or leave them until the grandparents called wondering when we were coming to get them...did we say Sunday, we must have forgot the December 19th part...tell them we "love them". PS - Had to go 7 out of 9 to finally win the coin flip - left the kids in Lodge, SC until December. We are officially undercover until then.

*Everybody always says that "if I when the lottery, I am going to keep on working"...I will be honest, I am not working if I win. I am going to the office and leaving my keys on the front desk and saying "Good Bye, Good Luck, y'all figure it all out". Guess, I better start playing the lottery. Never going to win, if you don't play.

*2nd Place = 1st Loser

*I am glad to see Jim Furyk was able to win the golf tournament yesterday but more importantly that he won the $10 million FedEx Cup (the $10 million is differed into some kind of retirement account). His oversleeping earlier in the FedEx Cup almost cost him the $10 million, thank goodness that a couple of other guys laid an egg over the weekend.

*Auburn is the winner of the 2010 Battle of South Carolina. That's a tough place to get a victory...you would almost think they were Notre Dame with "Touchdown Jesus" watching over them. Next year the battles take place on our home turf, see you in Death Valley and Williams Brice.

*Carolina Panthers - horrible

*Buffalo Bills - terrible; CJ Spiller there only hope - 1st NFL Touchdown and followed it up with a 98 yard kickoff return

*Atlanta Braves - talk about limping home down the stretch. They are leaking some serious oil and are about to blow the engine and have an early fall

*I have a reality show idea - normal, average joe picks his position, pads up and trains for one week to play against an NFL team. Will he survive or be carried off on the golf cart? My prediction is Nielsen ratings smash (line up the advertisers) and a boom for the golf cart business and medical staff nearby.

*Speaking of Advertisers - Check out my post on The King of Beers

*Motorola will split into two companies in Q1 2011 - finally, the cellphone business will no longer be sucking the life out of the two-way radios that has been toting their behind for all these years since Nokia and everyone else started taking their market share - anybody in business school looking for a paper topic on how to go from market inventor and leader (800 pound gorilla) to also ran check out Motorola. Looks like Google is going to help save their bacon.

*Clemson vs The "Reformed" Convicts 12:00pm...ESPN 2
Honestly, 12:00pm?
The 3:30pm ABC game of the week is Virginia Tech vs NC State (Is this game really more exciting than the Clemson vs Miami game? Didn't V Tech lose to James Madison and Kyle Parker was drafted higher that Russell Wilson from NC State and the State fans do that silly (actually thinking of another word) wolfpack thing with their fingers.)

When Miami was in there bad boy days and were playing Notre Dame, you had to love the T-shirts "Catholics vs Convicts" and I don't even like Notre Dame.

I guess Florida is the new Miami and has the Al Davis motto "Just Win Baby"

*So I put off buying a new phone for almost a year until Aubrey finally finished off my ancient Motorola Q. I analyzed and had heartburn over which phone to purchase - Droid or Blackberry and finally picked the Motorola Droid. Only to have 60 days later two new Motorola Droid phones on the market - Droid X and Droid 2. So, I waited to buy and got the last of the 1st generation of Droids...that sucks, I hate cell phone companies and their contracts.

*You missed out on Moe's Thank You Thursday's (BOGOF, ended on Sept 23rd) just like I did or if you didn't and didn't tell me about it, I probably will block you from this blog. Evidently, it was a super secret.

*It's a rainy Monday...what does that mean for the rest of the week? Hold on it should be interesting.

*I am giving a shout out to my friend Brian Keels, who is on an adventure of a lifetime in Southeast Asia that started June 9th and ends Oct 13th. He has been blogging about his trip and it is well worth the read. If you don't have time or the desire to read the whole thing - check out this one post.

This Bud's On Me - What Free Beer!!!

This is for all my college readers or for all my readers that wish they were back in college.

Don't ever say I didn't give you something. Have the King of Beers on me. Talk about wishes coming true...how long has this been dreamed of by people.

This marketing campaign should get some attention but long term probably won't make a difference in gaining some market share back. I can count on my hand the number of people that I know that drink the Bud full octane. I almost know more people drinking Pabst Blue Ribbon(shocking that even have a web page) than the King of Beers and to me that is shocking because PRB is as my mother would say all beer is "horse pee". If they weren't gaining market share from their award winning commercials during every sporting event, sponsoring the number 9 Kasey Kahne Budweiser car in NASCAR (which should be a slam dunk, target market from them) and everywhere else the Budweiser logo is then this just something to create free media attention and to have people blog about it.

By The Way:
Don't start the I don't drink or I stopped drinking Budweiser because they were bought by InBev, a Belgium company. It is still brewed in the USA and the last time I checked, it doesn't brew itself or magically appear in the stores so a lot of people are still employed in the US because of Budweiser who pay taxes and support the economy. It isn't Mayberry anymore. We are a global economy and the last time I checked a bunch of American businesses are overseas (in Belgium) sending the profits to the USA. Find another argument...

If Budweiser/InBev want to be successful they have to create brand loyalty with the next generation of beer drinkers who are turning to their competitors (which according to the article they are going to use social media giant Facebook to give away free beer on your 22nd birthday...that's a start - I hope it is more than one but not a case, let's be realistic)...college kids (legal aged college kids...This blog does not endorse underage drinking...I might not agree with the whole 21 thing but it's the law). You have to create brand loyalty as soon as possible - Why do you think my friends are still drinking PBR? - brand loyalty. I assure you again it isn't because it tastes good. To help them out of this situation, I am applying today for the position of Sr. Vice President of Marketing with InBev to create the Next Generation of Bud Drinkers on college campuses all over the country. You give me that position, a travel budget, a marketing budget, LA as my assistant and an expense account and we will get you some loyal Bud drinkers.

Don't forget this one's on me...You don't even have to say "thank-you". You get the next round and don't spill'em bringing them back.

Random Thoughts After A Busy Week/Weekend

I would like to say this will be a regular feature of "Our Life" on Monday's but then I would feel obligated to do it each week and that adds pressure, stress and everything I don't want this blog to be and plus I am way to lazy to commit to having to do something every week and not get paid for it.

Clemson found yet another way to lose a game that they should have won. Man it is getting painful to watch how we are going to give it away. (I still remember watching the Ga Tech debacle in Death Valley - you can forget something like that it is a reoccurring nightmare). However, instead of getting punched in the mouth by Auburn, they came out and punched Auburn in the mouth, went up by 17, took a beating in the 3rd, were given a couple of standing 8's and shook the cobwebs off and now trailing Auburn responded with a touchdown late in the 4th to tie the game and then go on to lose in overtime. Not going to blame the kicker but maybe put a little blame on Mr. Long Snapper - on scholarship to do nothing but long snap and you double snap the ball...really - call mom and dad and let them know that tuition ($20,320 resident or $35,832 non-resident) is due immediately because they revoked your scholarship.

How does is this similar to Tommy B? We lost...If it would have been Tommy B we would have got hit in the mouth cried to mommy, got on the bus and lost the game 42 to 17. In order for Dabo to get over Clemson over the hump that Tommy couldn't we have to win those games (we are halfway there because we at least fight, now)...do the little things right, coaches and players (like catch the ball, don't have drive killing penalty's, stick to the game plan that is working, don't double snap the ball...etc) - all the stuff Alabama, Ohio State and the other contenders do.

I never agree much with Brent Musburger but him and Kirk Herbstreit said it was the hardest hitting game they had seen all year and I would agree. Check out Byron Maxwell knocking out Onterio McCalebb. Just step out of bounds next time.

The hit looked very similar to the guy who asked Deebo for his bike back in the classic movie Friday. Due to the nature of this blog be family oriented, I can not link the video, however if you happen to be one of two people who haven't seen Friday, go to YouTube and search for "Friday Deebo bike" you will see what I am talking about (this video is rated R for violence and language - I warned you)

This is who we lost to? Honestly....
A male (or a very husky female) with a lower back tatoo...nice. Dude, Where were your friends?

I think PETA is looking for the owner of this dog... is this Jenn and Clark's dog Auburn?
I like Dabo's philosophy. If you can't beat them, keep on playing them. Chick-Fil-A announced that Clemson and Auburn would play in Atlanta in the season opening game in 2012 which follows Auburn's visit to Death Valley next year - 2011. Your never going to beat them, if you don't play them.

Final thoughts on the game...Good win for Auburn. I hope you beat the crap out of everyone else this year, so I will know in my mind that we had a very good Auburn team on the ropes and alllllmost won. Once again, the question for Clemson is How do we respond? Last year we stood up and fought...I hope the same is true this year - bring on Miami in DEATH VALLEY.

We survived Birthday week. Aubrey had a great week got to see most of her friends and family, ate lots of cake and ice cream, got way too many presents, and stayed up way too late trying to cheer Clemson on to victory. She/We are blessed to have a bunch of friends and family that love Aubrey and us.

Everyone at Aubrey's 2nd Birthday Tiger Tailgate party on Saturday found out that we have a backyard. I guess we need to have people over more often.

No kids were hurt at any of Aubrey's parties...that's a miracle.

Tim and Arlette are still trying to recover from the chaos.

Is 11pm past Aubrey's bedtime?

Aubrey got a pink tricycle and mommy and daddy took her for a ride on Sunday.

Evidently, no one got the invitation to the Clean Up Party on Sunday the past two Sundays but the got the party invitations - interesting.

All future Carter's children parties will be like a rave. Date of party and time of party will be announced and all who RSVP will receive the location 1 hour before start. Location will not be at our house but at one of those that RSVP. You could be the lucky one to host! That's exciting! I am already looking forward to Wyatt's 1st birthday in March 2011.

Long Distance Award - A BIG shout out to my cousin Carter and his girlfriend Katie Parks (KP) for making the road trip from Atlanta via Savannah - 698 miles round trip for Aubrey's 2nd Birthday party. Love Ya!

Before you buy a refrigerator with double doors and bottom freezer with ice maker in the fridge, see me. I have an opinion you will want to hear.

Aubrey wants to climb the dogwood tree in the front yard...should be interesting. How much is our deductible?

Why does buying a car have to be such a pain in the rear? (LA, we are not looking to replace the Focus, yet....sooner than later but not tomorrow...I love you!)

I hate buying shoes. They say shoes tell you a lot about a man. Mine tell you that I am lazy and they are comfortable.

I love my wife and kids!

Summerville beat Fort Dorchester

Ashley Ridge beat West Ashley

High School Football games on Thursday night...really, it can't be good for student achievement. Is playing on TV really that important. We've got our priorities out of whack.

For the past 15+ years my Sunday nights have been spent at youth. I have decided to take a backseat and stay at home on Sunday nights to be with my wife and kids. It's a little weird being a home but you know what I am glad to be able to spend that extra 2 - 3 hours each week with my kids and wife. Every thing has a season and it was a great run and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I am trusting that God has something else planned for me to do.

One of my favorite pastor's has been doing a series on Who's Your Team?
September 5, 12, 19 and I assume the 26th is the grand finale. She has made a bunch of good points about our passion for sports and comparing it to our passion for Jesus. What a great series! I attended on Sept 5 but haven't listen to the 12th or 19th yet but I have read her After The Message posts.

My thoughts on this subject some Jenn but mostly mine:

Are you more passionate about your favorite team or the giver of all we have and all we are - God? It doesn't take anything to get 80,000 people to PAY money to give up an entire day of their life screaming and cheering to support their team but try to 100 people to gather together on any day other than Sunday to celebrate Jesus or do a service project and good luck getting them to attend. We have gotten our priorities out of whack.

How much money is spent on college athletics for an average donor at Clemson:
IPTAY - $140 for privilege of purchasing up to 2 season tickets (As you can see it isn't I Pay Ten A Year, anymore)
Season Tickets - $350/seat - $700.00
Seat Backs - $45/seat - $90 (got to be comfortable)
Gas - $80 x 6 home games - $480 (got to have the SUV to tailgate, you can't tailgate in a Honda)
Food and Beverages - $80 x 6 - $480
1 Weekend Overnight - $150

1 Football Season - $2,040.00

All the statistics on giving at any church say that your church wouldn't have any budget issues if every member gave at the poverty level (family of 4 - 22,050 - 10% - $2,205). Interesting almost the same about spent supporting your favorite team. What are we doing with what God has entrusted with us? Who are we living for?

That concludes the first Random Thoughts Post. Maybe their will be a week 2 sometime in the near future.

Stats

Here are some interesting facts about this blog:

How Did This Get Started?

1st Post - January 24, 2008
What? Yeah, Right

Number of Posts?

185 (Seems like a lot more than that...however I did take a few mini vacations)

Most Read Posts (Top 5)

1. You Heard It Hear First - Boom Goes The Dynamite (27)

2. We Are Retiring (16)

3. Time Machine (16)

4. Uhhh, Kevin You've Got A Problem (14)

5. DNA (13)

5. We Survived The Off Season & Are Finally Rewarded (13)

**No stats were recorded from post transferred from my first blog ourfirstbaby-kcandla.blogspot.com

Top Referrers

Greg Horres Blog

Jenn Williams Blog

Google

Facebook (My Profile)

Top Keywords

free hotwife blogs (perverts, sorry I disappointed them)

Pageviews By Country
This blog is making a difference world wide

United States (649)
Netherlands (35) (looking for the hotwife posts and pictures)
Canada (29)
Japan (25) (who knows why)
South Africa (12) (must be trying to send me the million dollars the government has given them but they want to deposit in my account if I give them my account numbers)

Pageviews By Browsers

Internet Explorer (487 - 61%) - The 800lb browser Gorilla
FireFox (163 - 23%) - The anti-establishment browser and my browser of choice
Safari (48 - 6%) - The Apple contingent
Opera (32 - 4%) - Never heard of it - must be the Netherlands readers
Java (23 - 2%) - They make a browser?
Chrome (11 - 1%) - The only thing Google has invented that hasn't created caught on

Operating System

Windows (675 - 90%)
MacIntosh (36 - 4%)
Blackberry (14 - 1%)
Linx (14 - 1%)

A Couple of My Favorite Posts

Doctors Visit
Child Birthing Class
Drano Test
Olympic Training
Labor Day - long story why this is a favorite
40 Weeks - Happy Anniversary
9/13/08 T+3 Days
9/14/08 Not Much Longer
I'm Back
Lesson in Parenting
Doctors Appointment - March 4th
March 5th, 2010
Back Track
43
Parenting Lessons - Here's Your Sign
Happy Father's Day - Belated
We're Retiring
Time Machine
You Heard It Hear First - Boom Goes The Dynamite
Excuse Me, What Did You Just Say?

Birthday Week

Aubrey turns two tomorrow and her birthday week celebration isn't just a one party affair that would be too simple...actually, it will be three and it started yesterday. But it is a good thing because she(we) are blessed to have a great group of friends that want to share and be active in her/our life and we have an awesome family that loves her and spoils her and a group of teachers and classmates that want to celebrate with her and because she is so blessed we are doing something with all three groups and to be honest it is too much for LA and I to do one big party (actually, three small payments, feels better on the pocketbook that that one large payment even though we end up at the same place - the loan office at the bank, paging Michael Wood.)

Yesterday, we had a finger painting/cake and ice cream party for Aubrey and some of our friends. Everyone seemed to have fun. The kids painted with brushes, sponges, fingers and we made a hand print collage with everyone in attendance, so we can always remember who was there and who wasn't. Were taking name just like Santa Claus. The adults seemed to have as much fun as the kids playing in the paint. I am pretty sure everyone got some good laughs from Caroline 2, Adi, Allen, Kate and Aubrey. The best free entertainment you can get on any day is attending a 2 year old's birthday party - something funny is guaranteed to happen.

The party got off to a fun start when I received a text message from Jen Horres at 3:59pm (party started at 4) - "can't make it - locked out of our house - susie inside sleeping - greg really mad at the wife ~ jen"...I am going to be honest and tell you, I read this aloud to everyone in attendance and we all laughed (the girls laughed after they made sure Suzie was ok). I am not going to make any comments, well maybe one since this is the second time this has happened (once with Greg and now once with Jen - Greg was in no way at fault in yesterday's adventure) - how about a hide-a-key, fake rock key holder, key under a plant, hide a key somewhere, anywhere. If you don't want to hide it at your house, hide it at your neighbors house and if someone (a yellow belly thief) finds it they are going to be mad when it won't open your neighbors doors and probably just throw a brick threw their window but at least it wasn't at your house.

Everybody needs a bag of excuses to pull from the "I'm sick" will only get you so far. To help out the readers of this blog, in case you need an excuse for your next birthday party, work or other function, I am going to keep a log of excuses from this weeks birthday parties and I will rank them and post them next week. I am going to have to tell you up front that it will be difficult to top that one but I am sure someone is up to the challenge.

Stay tuned for updates throughout the week and pictures...

5 Year Anniversary

September 10, 2005 6:00pm
5 Memories From The Wedding Day

1. Standing At The Gates Of Hell...Probably not what you should be thinking about on your wedding day but just before coming through the doors of the sanctuary, I was standing in the stairwell behind the doors on the pulpit side of the church. It is September and still hot and at 5:55pm the sun is shining directly through the glass and in that little area it is about 230 degrees. Hottest place I have ever been. I realized what an ant must feel like when as a kid, I used a magnifying glass to cause them to burst into flames. I cracked the door to the choir loft to get some cool air. I was sweating and asked Dr. Howell if this was what Hell felt like. He said "No that's not for another 5 years." I finally understand what he was talking about...ha!ha!

2. Counseling sessions with Dr. Howell (won't ever forget it and will never stop laughing about it). He skipped the "big" session with us (thank goodness) but we still have plenty to laugh about and learned about personality types (I think that's when he asked us if were sure we still wanted to get married...just kidding) and the meaning of the marriage ceremony.

3. A great two days surrounded by all our family and friends. We need to have more celebrations like that day more often. Wonder if mom and dad will pay for another party? They should have recovered by now.

4. I saw LA before she walked down the isle. It was quick and it was down a long hallway - she was at one end and me at the other. I heard LA say "Kevin, just saw me" and I said "Crap, I just saw LA". I asked Bob if that was bad luck and he replied "Do you believe in luck?", I said "No" but I was thinking "Yes, how do you think I got to this point...38 and marrying a young, hottie...You don't believe in luck? I am living proof".

5. Finally, after 38 years, I found and married the girl of my dreams and my best friend.

5a. I will never forget saying our wedding vows..I, Kevin take thee Leigh-Ann, to be my wife/husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better – for worse, for richer – for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, and thereto I pledge thee my faith.

5 Most Overheard Comments From The Guests

1. Is the A/C on in this place (at the reception)
2. What's the age difference between them?
2a. She looks young, How old is he? He doesn't look that old
3. The Bride sure is beautiful
3a. Missed out on that Sugar Daddy
3b. Kevin's got a young, hot wife...he did good, married up
4. When are they going to start having kids? He isn't a spring chicken you know.
5. Where's the bar, the food and start the music!

5 Memories Since We Been Married

1. Tahiti for the Honeymoon (5 more years before we go back...maybe, hoping, wishing)
2. Home Remodeling (still have some stuff to do...it will never end)
2a. First night sleeping in our house after coming home from the Honeymoon...thanks Tim and Arlette, Mom and Dad, Corey and everyone who helped us have a place to sleep when we got home.
3. September 14, 2008 and March 5th 2010
4. Reynolds Plantation / Amelia Island
5. Watching LA go medieval on a skank ( a snake with legs) with a hoe and realizing I better not ever make her mad
5a. The snake on the porch

It's been a wild ride and we wouldn't change anything (well, there is this one thing....). I am glad to share each day with LA and now our kids. Everyone was right, it isn't easy being married. There are good days and not so good days. However, it doesn't matter because on the good or not so good days, I am a better person because of LA and I hope she is a better person because of me.

Uhhh, Kevin You've Got A Problem

If you are a frequent reader of this blog, you are aware that Aubrey has been potty training for the past three months and it has gone pretty well and thought we were about at the completion of this project BUT as with most projects there are delays and setbacks - this project included. The old saying is true - two steps back one step forward.

"I want to wear my diaper"
Aubrey started back to daycare the first week of August and everything was going fine until a couple of weeks ago when she started pooping in her pants. Where is this coming from? She hasn't pooped in her pants since we started potty training except for the first time after we started this process and she didn't like it one bit - she started crying and saying "I'm dirty"...This became almost a daily problem at daycare and they began requiring her to start wearing pull ups. Trying to find the root cause of her actions, we asked some questions and found out that she was the only one in her class using the potty, everyone else was using diapers - a possible cause OR maybe she doesn't like the afternoon people and wants to give them something to do - the I'll Show You Syndrome. Also about the same time, she started telling us "I want to wear my diaper." We countered with the old "Babies wear diapers and you are a big girl and you wear panties.". We tried to work around the issue at daycare and settled on her wearing the pull ups in the afternoons when the accidents were occurring. Last week, we went back to underpants at daycare all day and only had one accident last week on Friday just before LA picked her up. I am thinking Aubrey is trying to teach the girl in the afternoon who is really in charge.

"Uhhh, Kevin You've Got A Problem"
After a good message (it should be posted in a couple of days) at Ashley Ridge Church, we went to lunch with the Wheeler's and the Wright's at Chili's and sat on their patio (thank goodness). They have the best chips, salsa and queso in town but I digress (it is the only reason I am willing to go there because they take forever - it is a chance for you to experience life in slow motion). I am going to skip the minor details of our lunch and our great conversations and get to the point. Aubrey was her normal busy self and tired which makes her that much more fun trying to keep her occupied and to stay seated in a booster or high chair. We started out in the booster and moved to a high chair (see earlier comment about taking forever). Aubrey grew restless it the high chair and starting standing up and sitting on the back of the high chair. LA was talking to the girls and I was in never, never land holding Aubrey's hand so she would fall out of the high chair when Travis tells me "Uhhh, Kevin You've Got A Problem". I look over at Aubrey and standing up in the high chair peeing. Are you kidding me? What is she thinking? I quickly jump up and pretend she isn't my child and that she belongs to Travis and Minde...just kidding (although it did cross my mind). Aubrey is so smart that she stood up so she wouldn't get her dress wet...actually that was just luck. Let me add that she had been and used the bathroom before leaving ARC and as soon as we got to Chili's. This wasn't a minor accident...we had a major haz mat spill taking place before our eyes...imagine a full cup of water spilling onto the floor starting at about 1.5 feet above a high chair. You get the picture? Now, we have high chair full of pee that has flowed onto the floor, under the table and is making a bee line for Jenn Wright (she politely picks up her feet and moves closer to Danny). Uhhh, Houston, we have a problem. The Chili's patio has become Bourbon Street in New Orleans or downtown Charleston after the horses pulling the carriages pee in the street. Clean up at Table 6 on the patio. We ask for some towels and a manager comes out with towels and disinfectant and cleans the high chair (I assisted) and I apologize to him and tell him we are going to need a mop (just in case he hasn't noticed) for the river on the floor and I apologize again. He gets a mop and I apologized again and he tells me "No, worries I've seen worse"...What could be worse? and Where did you see this? I'm listening because I need something to make me feel better about what just happened because I am pretty sure this isn't happening everyday. Kids are one first after another...A big shout out to Minde for stepping in with the assist to LA in getting Aubrey cleaned up.

Side Note To The Story
I don't know why but our kids seem to have it in for Danny and Jenn when it comes to bodily functions. This is like the fourth time something has happened when they are around or holding Aubrey or Wyatt. Our kids must like Jenn and Danny so much that they want to mark their territory. They will never want to have kids if all they got to interact with was our kids...I am pretty sure I am not offering to hold or babysit their kids (you know what they say about paybacks being twice as bad). Danny and Jenn thanks for always keeping extra clothes with you when you're out with us and for laughing with us (at least outwardly) when something happens.

I am not sure how many steps back I can take. Danny and Jenn are you busy this weekend?

Providence Moe Town Revue

Bethany had their kickoff to Wednesday night Bash tonight with the Bethany Talent Show and Providence class was represented by Ashley, Minde, Rebecca, Jordan, Travis and Jeremy. They put together a three song set.

Midnight Train to Georgia - Gladys Knight and The Pips
Ashley - Gladys
The Pips - Travis, Jordan and Jeremy

Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Diana Ross and The Supreme (less the Supremes)
Diana - Minde

ABC - The Jackson 5
Michael Jackson - Rebecca
Tito - Jeremy
Jermaine - Travis
Marlin - Jordan
Jackie - Ashley

They rocked the house. Sorry, I didn't participate but I could not have done that good.

Here is the link to the video...I am already looking forward to next years performance and them kicking it up a notch.

Providence Moe Town Revue

PS - it is currently not public and can only be viewed by sharing the web address

We Survived The Off Season & Are Finally Rewarded

It has been 8 months, 3 days since the Clemson Tigers took the field in the Music City Bowl and beat Kentucky.
It has been 8 months since South Carolina took the field in the Papa Johns Bowl and lost to Connecticut
It has been 7 months, 26 days since Alabama beat Texas in the BCS Championship game (the official end to the college football season)

It has been 6 months, 26 days since New Orleans beat Indianapolis in Super Bowl XLIV (the official end to any football being on TV - aka THE OFF SEASON).

Let's be honest, for us college football fans, you've been looking forward to today since the final play of your favorite team last year (or in some cases this year). After the final play, you been holding onto football season with signing day, spring practice, a meaningless spring game(but it gives you hope for the coming season and cause you to believe your team is on the brink of something special)...the boring days of summer...who you lost because college kids are still college kids and make stupid decisions, and finally August comes around and practice begins and everything is again right with the world. 118 (Division I, called something else today by big brother - NCAA) teams are 13/14 victories away from an undefeated season and the hope of at least a partial National Championship. Some fans are realistic and understand that going undefeated will not be a possibility and decide to make the best of it and party like it's 1999 (it eases the pain) and you have other fans that will rant and rave and call for the coaches head on a platter after every close game that should have been a blowout and after any loss and the groans get louder with each loss (in some cases, I agree...for example Tommy Bowden - great guy, crappy motivator, couldn't take Clemson any further, we got stuck climbing the hill...time to go, see ya). So who will it be this year? Alabama, Ohio State, Boise State and TCU (which based on strength of schedule, have the easiest road to the BCS Championship game), Flordia, Oregon, Texas or a dark horse that all the analysts has missed. I am going to watch every week and attend a couple of Clemson games (looking forward to Clemson's games against - Auburn, Miami, UNC and SC) and will even attend a SC game here or there (like tonight). I am going to tailgate at home and at the games. I am going to help the economy by spending some dollars on tickets, food, gas, lodging and maybe even a Clemson logo Snuggie for LA.

As I was finishing up writing this post, I began to wonder about how big of a business is college football and it is huge. The latest numbers just for football from 2008 are as follows.

College football is big business - 2008 2.4B (That B for BILLION).

ESPN - Outside The Lines
Top 25 School Total revenue in millions
1. Texas $87.6
2. Ohio State $68.2
3. Florida $66.2
4. Georgia $65.2
5. Alabama $64.6
6. LSU $61.9
7. Penn State $61.8
8. Auburn $58.6
9. South Carolina $57.1
10. Notre Dame $56.9
11. Nebraska $55.2
12. Michigan $52.2
13. Michigan State $43.5
14. Tennessee $42.8
15. Oklahoma $42.6
16. Wisconsin $40
17. Iowa $38.9
18. Arkansas $38.6
19. Texas A&M $38.4
20. Clemson $35.2
21. Southern Cal $35.2
22. Washington $34.2
23. Oregon State $30.9
24. Arizona State $29.9
25. Virginia Tech $27.7

There is a big difference from 1-12 to 13-118.

Based on the dollars spent just on college football (if you wanted to get the economy rolling again expand the college and pro football season to year around and do away with baseball) and the passionate fans who purchase anything with their favorite teams logo, I am not sure how baseball is called America's sport but I can only assume it is because it is played everyday from April to October (7 months, 162 regular season games + playoffs). For me, it is just SportsCenter filler until football season starts up again. For everyone I know, we are ready for some football (I am not linking or posting the silly MNF video by Hank Williams Jr...it's just corny to me and don't mistake that I don't love some Hank Jr. music because I am a fan from his early days.)

Here are a couple of interesting matchups coming up in September:

Alabama vs Duke (at Duke) - 9/18 (are you kidding me, how did Duke get a home and home with Alabama, there's got to be a basketball tie-in...as in we will not play you in basketball unless you come to Durham to play us in football...actually, Duke's new coach David Cutcliffe decided that Duke would not longer accept a buyout for Alabama not coming to Durham and would require them to play Duke at home...he said it was the only way to be taken seriously in football...and the Alabama fans bought all the available season tickets to get tickets to one game in Durham.)

Presbyterian vs Wake Forest 9/2 - 1,224 Students vs 7,089 Students (skip the football game and line up the students in a last man/women standing battle royal)

Presbyterian vs Clemson 9/11 - 1,224 Students vs 15,346 Students (After the conquering of Wake Forest it is actually 8,313 but not looking good for a battle royal two weeks in a row...if it was a night game maybe because the battle would be even because 3/4 of Clemson students couldn't walk or find the battle field by then)

Let The Games Begin and the money flow like water - spend today and win tomorrow. And to borrow a saying from Al Davis of the Oakland Raiders to my Clemson Tigers - "Just Win Baby" and "Wherever you go, you are the Clemson Tigers...I don't care who you are or what you've done. You're here now, and you're going to win, win, win."