Everything is food...everything is food.

These days Haven is leading the simple life. Eat, poop, then sleep and start the process all over again two hours later. Of all these lovely activities, her favorite is eating. She likes to flirt with anyone or anything that may remotely have milking potential. This is just a taste of her wicked, weasel ways.

Haven's 1st Picnic

This weekend we took Haven to Pecos. It was pretty windy and all she wanted to do was eat and sleep--I guess she has the idea of mountain living down nicely. Chris made a campfire, my dad tried to fish with a discarded pole, my mom cleaned up the campsite, and I spent most of my time in the car feeding a ravenous baby. I think we'll have to wait until she's a bit older to get any kind of adventure going.

Allen Expose

This post has been a long time in coming. I've known my father-in-law for a long time. Since I was 7 or 8 years old, in fact. So, you could say we're pretty close. Perhaps closer than even I knew.

My in-laws were here over Easter weekend, staying at my folk's house. Allen was in the bathroom and when I walked by he said, "hey, baby." He was quick to inform me later that he thought I was his wife. And, I would have dropped it at that, except that later that day we all went to Costco. I was walking beside him minding my own business when he slapped my butt. For some reason it didn't phase me, but he immediately gasped and turned bright red. He thought I was Majaunta. We are about the same size and have the same color and length of hair. I don't think I've ever seen him so embarrassed. It was worth it just to torture him about it later...and don't think I'm above kicking someone when they're down--because I'm not, let me tell you.

I love to pick on Allen. He's an easy target, kinda like his son(s). The McKean men share some startling similarities. Most especially with their valuing of efficiency above all. If you want to sale something to a McKean, you don't regale them with tales of beauty, you dazzle them with functionality. I guess us girls that married them are full of workable parts and that's why we were chosen (I think that my "cooking part" may have a defective piece, however).

Back to Allen. He's a good man. He even recycles. Last Thanksgiving I was helping him make deviled eggs and we were discussing the best way to get the yellow gunk efficiently back into the egg after we'd mixed all the mayo in. He suggested piping it out of a sandwich bag by cutting a hole in the corner of the bag and squeezing it back into the egg. Fantastic. So, he searched through his drawer of used sandwich bags. Would any old bag do? Absolutely not! He had to pick the most used one to desecrate. After all, we wouldn't want to destroy without provocation a nice, new-looking used bag.

I should mention his vehicles. Last time I counted he had about twenty. But, he doesn't drive the nicer ones. He's real into scrap metal especially his early 80's model Ford Escort with red interior. He has prettier vehicles, but the Escort got something like 900 miles a gallon. Which is crucial when you live in Pampa. I think the farthest grocery store is at least 5 miles away. I heard a rumor, perhaps spread by vicious gossip mongers, that he purchased a GPS for his wife for an anniversary gift. GPS is critical in a town fast approaching a population of 15,000 in which you've lived your whole life. What if they add a new street? Where would you be? Lost is where you would be, Allen. Lost.

I'm not finished with the car issue, though. He drives his dad's (Papa) truck instead of his own. And here I should insert an interesting tidbit about Papa. Papa is blind as a bat. He can barely see his hand in front of his face, but he purchases new vehicles every year or so to drive to the mailbox. I find this odd. See, all the McKeans are truly fascinating species.

I can't see Allen purchasing a new vehicle to drive to the mailbox, though. That wouldn't happen. Because Allen is nothing if not efficient and economical. He has a new dishwasher. But, he won't use it because it uses too much water or electricity or soap (it's one of those things, I just can't remember which). And, he won't let Majaunta use it either. So, he has to do all the dishes by hand. Even when all of us come home for a holiday, and there are somewhere around 5,765 dishes he still does them by hand.

I could go on and on. Perhaps a series about Allen? But, before I close, it would be remiss of me if I did not mention his affinity for buffets. We all know how delicious a good buffet is. Any food that can manage not to degrade while warmed under a heat lamp for 42 hours is food I don't want to miss! Where else can you get a plate heaped full of fried goodness for only $8.99? Heartburn? Reflux? Clogged arteries? Small prices to pay when the food is in abundance at such a low price. Besides, all you have to do is take Fiber Therapy and rid your body of those pesky saturated fats.

He's hard not to love, my father-in-law. I hope that this little post doesn't affect in any way the one item that I can't wait to get my hands on. That would be the deep-fat frier he rescued from the side of the road. It's got my name on it.

Back By Popular Demand

I've had a request for a new post. By my husband, but I guess that still counts, right? He told me specifically that I didn't have to write anything, just post pictures. Ever the obedient wife, I have decided to do just that. So, if you are truly missing my sharp wit and stunning portrayals of life with Chris, well, you'll just have to wait.

I do have a few things to reveal about my father-in-law's time here a couple weekends ago. But, I don't wish to embarrass him too badly. Actually, that's not true at all. I'll just wait a few days and then I'll expose him.

So, without further ado...

This was taken on Friday right out our front window. It's sunny and beautiful now, but we had 6 inches of snow this past week! When is Spring going to take control here?

Miss Fuss

Showin' off her tights Aunt Christine bought her...

About to leave for church--she gets to wear her Easter dress finally.

My Easter Egg-Headedness

In general, Haven does not care for me changing her clothes. It makes her irratable. But, since she doesn't fit in the majority of her clothing yet, it sometimes takes two or three changes before we settle on something that won't fall off of her.

Easter is upon us and I needed to figure out what she would wear before the actual day arrived, I waited until she was in a mellow mood and proceeded to try on outfits to see what fit. We made it through three before she had enough. Fortunately the 3rd one actually worked, and Haven and I both agreed that it was quite cute on her. I folded it nicely on the dressing table, very happy with our choice.

Unfortunately, Haven's been having some tummy issues, so I made an appointment with the pediatrician. However, at the moment we should be leaving, she decided that she was hungry. And then I remembered that her diaper was dirty and rather than arriving at the doctor's looking like a negligent parent because my baby's bottom was poopy, I chose to change her even though we should be well on our way into town.

We haven't had a diaper incident in quite awhile. I guess we were overdue so she decided to have one while we were running late. And all over her Easter dress. I probably should have seen that coming.

Bragging Rights

Maybe it's kind of shameless to brag about your spouse--I mean, after all, I did pick him out of the bunch--and there were a bunch, let me assure you! (ha!). It's kind of like tooting your own horn. What a genius am I to choose this handsome, wonderful man? But, I think my hubby deserves a little respect. Every day I am reminded of what a great guy I have. I don't tell him often enough to his face, but I'm better writing it anyway.

My sweet husband has been more than willing to watch Haven while I go to the gym to work out a few times a week. He doesn't complain, and he tries to come home earlier than usual so I have the opportunity to be on my own for an hour. He also makes dinner for me on those nights. OK, the truth of the matter is, he makes dinner for me most nights. As much as I hate to admit it, I am not the cook of the family. Actually, come to think of it, it doesn't really phase me at all to admit that he's a better cook than I am.

He's really and truly amazing with Haven. There are few men that are comfortable with babies. Even less that are as hands-on a dad as Chris is. He tells me nearly every day that he can't wait until she's older so he can take her on dates. When I was young, I loved it when my dad would single me out and ask me to go with him somewhere. It was usually to the dump, because for some reason my dad really likes to go to the dump, but the actual locale didn't matter because it was just us.

Chris changes diapers, gives Haven baths, burps her, feeds her. He pays attention to her. After I had her, he kept the house spotless and food in my belly. Things I didn't have time to do on my own. He's been incredibly generous when I've wanted something to make my life a bit easier. He's always encouraging me to just get it if I think I'll use it.

I knew I had snagged a special man. My hope is that Haven will have inherited many of her daddy's qualities...especially his wonderfully giving nature.

Already a Month Old!

I can't believe my little girl is already over a month old. We're still trying to get the hang of her sleep schedule. Which is tough since it changes frequently. She has begun sleeping at least 3-4 hours at the beginning of every night. So, I have to make sure I am in bed and sleeping during that time. The general advice of parenting is to stay in bed for as long as it takes to get 8 hours of sleep. I don't nap, so I try to follow this advice. Therefore, I'm usually in bed from about 8:30 at night til 8:30 in the morning! How life has changed!

The other change is that we were able to leave Haven with her grandparents while Chris and I rode our bikes. I've been itching to get back on my bike for about a week. I think I might have built it up to be more than it was because I was a little disappointed and pretty sore almost immediately. Especially my neck and shoulders. Ugh. I guess I'm going to have to break them back in. We had to road bike because we were by my parent's house. I find road biking to be rather boring compared to mountain biking. The thrill of a nice wreck just isn't there on a flat surface. Maybe in a few weeks I'll get to try my hand at the mountain.

So, these are the Days of our Lives: a lack of sleep, a painful journey to getting back into shape, and a complete fascination with our daughter that grows every day.

Chris's family is coming up this week to see Haven. She's going to be meeting two of her uncles and her aunt Jenny for the first time. Her Aunt Hannah has been asking if Haven can walk and talk yet. Not quite yet, but I'm sure it will be happening way before I'm ready.