I feel clean inside

And here's why: C __ L __ N __ S C __ P Y.

Yes, everything came out all right. The best part of having this procedure today was the four hour nap that followed when I got home. Evan suggested I choose a colonoscopy image for our holiday card this year. I say yes to that, but only if everyone else will do it, too. I don't want to be the only a _ _ hole in the family.

Sunday was better

If you're looking for something to do on a Sunday morning, brunch at the Highland Grill in St. Paul is a great choice. We joined Angie and Charlie for a breakfeast (yes, feast) this morning to catch up on the details of their 20-mile run on Saturday--it snowed, the wind blew, but they prevailed-- and other bits-and-pieces of this-and-that. Topics discussed during brunch included, but were not limited to: the failed attempt to Skype yesterday with Elisabeth and Hannah, the new president of Gustavus, Elisabeth and Evan's travels, the Grimmius visit this weekend, Glenn's engagement (news to us!), Dad's upcoming retirement and all that he'll accomplish around the house to make up for the last 35 years...stuff like that. We had a great time and send our thanks to CP and A2P2 for spending part of their day with us.

Saturday silliness

Another day of coughing. Ugh. This morning I went to a brunch, and had to excuse myself at least five times to go into another room to cough, sputter, and gag. Later in the day, I had another coughing fit while holding a sleeping Miles. Thank goodness Annie was sitting next to me and caught the little guy as he flew out of my arms in the midst of a particularly harsh cough.

Speaking of Miley, he still loves to read. He chuckles and coos and listens intently when someone reads him a story. He mostly reads fiction, but today he added nonfiction to his repertoire. We read the current Newsweek issue together. He's a bit frustrated with the political situation, which we concluded from his shrieks when we read about the campaign nastiness between Clinton and Obama. Miles begs to know, "Why can't they all just get along?"

Nose in the news

Notice the headline of the news story coming up.
Miles wonders if it's about baby marathoners.

Miles was Mr. Smiles today, except when the camera tried to capture him. Here are some Mommy/Baby pics, each of which was preceded by a Miley smile. Little stinker.
We attempted a Skype session with Hannah and Elisabeth this afternoon, but it was short because the babies weren't all that cooperative. Hannah was sleepy from a nap, and Miles was getting ready to nap. Tanner brought Miles close to the camera the babies could say hello, then he (Miles, not Tanner) started to cry, which set Hannah in motion, and she burst into tears in empathy for her tired little cousin. Although I don't want the babies to cry and be sad, I love hearing their voices in the same room. Only a little over a month and they can cry together in person! Yaaay!

Tomorrow we're going to brunch with Angie and Charlie so we can hear about their 20 mile run today. Yes, 20 miles today, with snow, wild wind, and cold temps. Angie, are you still trying to convince Charlie that the two of you should audition for The Amazing Race?

Time to down a large quantity of Nyquil and hope for the best. Good night, Miles. Good night, Hannah. Good night, Annie and Tanner. Good night, Angie and Charlie. Good night, Elisabeth and Evan. Good night, Larry. Good night, moon.

Friday evening fun

A cute little fella visited us tonight (no, not Charlie). Miles stopped by for supper with his mom and dad before going to Grandpa Dave's and Grandma Doreen's for a sleepover. He stayed long enough to enjoy rice cereal and a bottle, strip down to his birthday suit and roll around on the floor, and to entertain us by talking, giggling, and shrieking. We hadn't seen Miley and family for two weeks, so he had lots to share with us, including some new hair, which is nearly visible in these pics!
That's about all I've got. I feel like crap, after nearly a week of coughing and blowing my nose. Last night I coughed more than I slept. Tonight I want to sleep more than I cough. Miley's appearance was a happy end to an otherwise dreary day.

Hannah has competition

It just isn't right that Hannah has to wear a bow in her hair when she goes out in public in order to avoid being mistaken for her alter-ego, Henry R. Dellon.
Good grief, does a baby girl have to dress like a delicate pink princess to be recognized?? Annie and Tanner, do you call Miles "Millie Jane" when he's mistaken for a girl?

We tried a little experiment to see if feminizing a hairstyle really does make a difference in gender recognition. Here's the result--YOU decide!

Fairy tales can come true, it can happen to you...

...if you're young at heart.

The words to that lovely old Frank Sinatra tune might be going through your head right now if you happened to catch a few minutes of Friday's Good Morning America. One of the segments was a clip from a documentary featuring the musical stylings of Young@Heart. They're not your average rock group, punk or otherwise, but they're a joy to watch. Check out their rendition of Staying Alive and other songs on YouTube, then do some web searching for interviews and such. It's worth the time. Miles, I think you might be in their movie poster (see "O-Town Easter" entry for photos of Miles, similarly attired).

April Calendar

What's happening during April? I'm wondering
about this myself.

Here's a list of dates to remember (or not):

April 1: April Fool's Day (no kidding)
April 2: Hannah's 10-month birthday
April 5: Merry Lundby's birthday. Merry is a friend from days of yore. She and her mom, Gladys, share a birthday, only Gladys--
her children referred to her as "Happy Bottom" (Get it? Glad ass...)--
is older.
April 7: Angie goes back to work after spring break today. Teresa has interview #2 for a new job.
April 8: Aunt Mare's birthday
April 15: Pay your taxes, or else
April 17: Nephew/Cousin Matt's 21st birthday
April 18: Uncle Mike's birthday (also Conan O'Brien's)
April 21: Charlie, Charlotte Bronte would be 192 today.
April 22: Earth Day (Uranus Day is in July this year)
April 23: Miley's 5-month birthday; Shakespeare's 444th
April 25: This would have been Grandma Bene's 83rd
birthday.
April 27: . . . - - - . . . Samuel Morse's 217th

Other birthdays or important dates to add to the list? Send 'em my way.