You Tube Channel

Uploading video clips to this thing is a crapshoot--it takes forever, doesn't work, etc.-- so I set up a You Tube channel to make this easier.

Check out http://www.youtube.com/carrefourinmississip for live Billy action!

Billy Grows Up

My baby, he ain't so little anymore. He's about 20 pounds of muscle (no baby chubbiness, except for his chubby cheeks), coming up fast on 30 inches tall, and is moving towards crawling. He gets up on all fours and rocks back and forth, but still only moves in reverse or by rolling. I just ordered some of those foam mats for our living room floor, because the rug just isn't cushy or big enough, and if mama's reflexes weren't the cat-like skills of a much younger woman, he'd have a few knots on his head.

Observe his all-consuming cuteness. Here he is in his puffy coat, which actually makes him too thick to fit in his carrier--those things are supposed to last about the first year (they certainly cost enough), but he's about to grow out of his five months later.



Here, he models some new pajamas that make him look like a Glo-Worm. Remember those? My sister Julia had one--I think I used to vandalize it, because I am mean. He looks JUST LIKE IT.



Funny video to come if my internet connection cooperates.

The Way We Were

No special reason for posting this, other than nostalgia. Was looking back through old pictures (found some disks in my desk that I'd been carting from office to office and thought--what exactly is on here, anyway?).

This is from 2001, right before Ace quit the Tampa Trib. That's the two of us on the left--print reporters always hovered around the edge of the pack--we didn't need the shot, we just needed to listen. Notice that I am diligently taking notes and Ace is laid back. We had been dating for a while when this was taken (secretly! Ace pretended to "meet" me at this scene in front of one of the TV gals). This is how we actually met, as well, though at a different scene.

Don't we look young?

One day, I'll show this to Billy and he'll laugh at us. Especially me in those shoes. What was I thinking?

Christmas Downloads

Best. Christmas. Ever.

It's really true--Christmas becomes fun again when you have children. When I was young, I always felt sort of sorry for my parents on Christmas morning. My sisters and I would be surrounded my mountains of loot, so excited we could barely sit still long enough to pay attention to mom and dad opening their two little packages each (or so).

But now I know the secret--the packages you open are an afterthought. The good stuff is watching your kid discover the mountain of loot.

I don't believe in going absolutely crazy or anything--our loot mountain is modest by most standards. But the grandparents were also involved (see below and here).


Also, little things are fraught with meaning. You know how long I looked for Billy's first Christmas stocking? It had to be perfect, right? I nearly bought this one three times before finally rushing from work on Christmas Eve to pick it up. I really like it now, but I didn't want it to be wrong.


Ace has always loved buying presents much more than receiving them. He always exceeds our pre-determined limit. He hit Square Books Junior on Christmas Eve as well for some last minute Night Before Christmas gifts. You always get to open one early, he said.


When Ty and Charlie arrived later on Christmas day, the gift extravaganza continued. Guess what's under the bow and burlap?

The most awesome rocking horse ever. And, as with all things he really truly loves, Billy's first reaction was to try to eat it.

He gets that from me.