Leo and Da Boys

Here's Leo (when he was known as BS) and his other fetus friends:

And here they are now, out of the womb! We had to switch the order because John (middle) got here earlier than expected (April 13th). Dawson (right) is the big kid of the group, born March 19th. And Leo is the youngest, arriving last on April 30th.

They look like a bunch of trouble-makers, don't they?

Over our Heads

We already knew that Leo was smart AND pretty but now we know he's strong too.

He was having tummy time with his little face burrowed into Frank's chest and suddenly he lifted his head, looked right at Frank and held it there for TWO minutes (at least that's what Frank claims).

By the time I got into the room he was down again but amazingly did the trick again when the camera came out.

Now the kid has set the bar high. If he's not crawling by next week, we'll ask for our money back.

$55

For $55 you could get...

Dinner for two (with a glass of wine each)
A decent ensemble at Old Navy
55 lottery tickets
36 McDonald's Snack Wraps
Four nose-bleed seats at a Major League baseball game
16 boxes of Fiber One bars

I, however, spent $55 to have an electrician come out and tell me that my circuit breaker to my office wasn't broken. I just didn't flip it right. Apparently, if breaker is in the wrong position, causing the power to go out, you're supposed to flip it off, wait a few seconds and then flip it on.

I didn't wait a few seconds.

Did you just learn something? Good. You owe me $55.

My name is Leo. But you can call me Leo.

We liked the name Leo not only because it's a family name but because it's so simple. You can't mess it up. You can't spell it wrong, you can't pronounce it wrong...and if you do you're an idiot and Leo doesn't want to be associated with you anyway.

Plus, how many other three-week-olds can already spell their name?

Working Mom

Leo has to stay upright for 20-30 minutes after eats--doctor's orders. You see, my three-week-old is quite the spitter-upper. So after feeding him for 20-30 minutes and then holding him upright for another 20-30, I end up sitting on my butt for an hour, not getting a whole lot accomplished (unless you count nourishing and bonding with my child).

But then I remembered the Baby Bjorn from Auntie Alicia. When I first tried to put Leo in it he screamed and hollered. I thought, "Aren't these Bjorn people smart enough to make a contraption that babies will like?" But as soon as I got the last hook fastened, Leo melted. He freakin' loves his Bjorn. We've done laundry, walked to a neighbor's, washed the dishes and now we're working at Writinggal Headquarters, all here in the Bjorn.

I hope his kindergarten class doesn't make fun of him when he shows up on the first day attached to his mommy by a Bjorn.

(I included this pic because I thought it would be rude to post a blog with only a picture of me. Yes, I think I bought too big diapers.)

We've Moved!

Please note that Writinggal headquarters has relocated to a new location to better serve you!

Our new space is more open, doesn't require us to take stairs and allows for easy access to the kitchen. It's the dining room.

It's a temporary move...just until somebody wants to eat here.

One more for the fashion show

"I'm new to earth"

And another thing...

As long as I'm venting about stores wanting your email address, I've got another one:

Does this ever happen to you?

You (checking email): Hmmm...I don't remember signing up for this email from the Austin American Statesman. I don't even live in Austin. I don't care about their breaking news, even if it is a tornado. Well, I care a little since I have friends/family there but I don't need an email about it.

I think I will unsubscribe to this email. (Click)

Ugh. It wants my password. Do I even have a password? I didn't think I even signed up for this! (rummaging through password files, typing in email and password).

What? You don't recognize my email? But you just emailed me! Now I can't unsubscribe! I'm on this list forever. I would email the contact on the email directly and yell at him about his fake unsubscribe button (which I've done before to other phony systems such as this) but I used to work with his wife and if he recognizes my name that could be awkward.

Plus, he might be busy hiding in a bathroom on account of the tornado.

Shopper Protection Program

I'm still on blog maternity leave but I had something I wanted to quickly vent about:

Has this been happening to you more and more when you go shopping?

Clothing Store Employee: Okay, so you're getting one skirt, one top and two pairs of pants. Will this be all?

You: Yes.

CSE: Great. Can I get your phone number?

You: Oh, that's very flattering but I'm not single...and I'm not gay...

CSE: No, we just need to get your phone number so you can buy the clothes.

You: Um, okay. 555-blah blah blah.

CSE: And can I get your address?

You: Um, I guess...blah blah blah...

CSE: And your email address?

You (frustrated but not wanting to cause a scene in the middle of Ann Taylor, Old Navy, Chico's or whatever your apparel store of choice is): I suppose so...it's...

And then you finally pay and you wonder why you can't just BUY something without having to give out all your personal information.

I invite you to join me in the Shopper Protection Program. We in the SPP demand to make purchases anonymously. We have three approaches:

1. Question all their questions:
Why do you need my phone number?
Why do you need my address?
Why do you need my email?

They will usually say it's just for the records and they won't call you, mail junk to you or spam you. You come back with, "Well then why do you need it?"

This approach is good because it challenges the whole system. The downside is that it's time consuming and scene provoking.

2. Lie:
Just give them fake information. Have fun with it. Give a funky name like, um, Funky Medina or use a celebrity name like Angelina Jolie. Give a fake number, fake address and fake email (something weird like paula.abdul.number.one.fan@hotmail.com)

3. Play like you're technologically inept. (This is the one I do the most.)
I don't have a phone. What's email?

Together, we can win back our right to make simple transactions. Just join the SPP by utilizing one of the approaches. I'd also like to start collecting dues...but I don't want to give you my address.

Not Always Nekkid

Liz pointed out that my kid rarely wears clothes. This is somewhat true. But when we do dress him, he looks pretty cute. Here are some of his favorite outfits:

This is actually daddy's favorite:

This one's got feet connected!

His MC Hammer look:

Making Bono proud:

Modeling a strapless number...

Hmmm...now you see why he prefers to be nekkid.

The Good Son

"Leo, that was so thoughtful of you to buy mommy flowers for Mother's Day."

"No problem, Mom. Now can you put some clothes on me?"

Baby on the Brain

Seriously, I have nothing to report because I'm consumed by babies. Well, one baby.

One day I will blog about trivial topics like my cart crusade and love of Fiber One bars.

Until then, check in with me at my other blog for updates on this guy:

It was bound to happen...

It was only a matter of time.

I went to Kroger tonight and the cashier guy said, "So when's the baby due?"

Ugh.

And on a completely unrelated topic, here is Leo after a big meal:

Big First Week

Wow...they really do grow up so fast.

Just in the past week Leo...

was born:

got a bath from daddy:

went on a car ride:

and now we're rolling him off to college:

Important Enough for Both Blogs

Head over to my other blog for more adorable pictures like this. This should hold you over since I won't be able to post a blog for awhile.

BS's First Request

"Quit calling me BS! I have a name!"

Leo James Simcik

Born April 30th, 2008

Atlanta, GA, USA

He was born at 12:44am so he just barely missed being born on Baby Charlie's b-day, the 29th. He was comforted when we told him he would share a b-day with Willie Nelson though.

7 pounds, 1 ounce

20.25 inches long

BS's Second Request: "Please take me out of this straight-jacket."