Prejean v. Hilton

I am not sure if anyone has been following the latest debacle that Fox News has been spotlighting. Actually, it was last week so who knows what is going on now in "Fox Nation". But, the drama that has unfolded has really begun to exasperate me!

As much as I hate to admit it, I think...maybe it's the whole getting older thing, or maybe my values/ideals have changed a bit due to the fact that I have more than myself to think about these days...but my political ideals are beginning to take a change. There. I said it. It's out. Not saying that I am a full-fledged, card-carrying Right-Wing Extremist now, but there are some definite points that I feel strongly about and if that labels me as a right-winger, then so be it. And just to preface, I'm not against gay marriage...I'm not a homophobe either, I just believe in everyone's equal right in every way possible. People can't be all "equal rights for us" and then when someone holds an opposite view say they aren't allowed to feel that way. It doesn't work that way, folks. Free Speech - - look it up.

Back to the point at hand...Perez Hilton and the Miss California pageant. Anyone? Anyone? Well, if nobody is aware of the issue - here it is. First, and I still don't understand this, but P-Hilton was a judge for the pageant. Okay? So, during the Q&A session, Carrie Prejean is asked about her support for gay marriage, and much to the dismay of Captian Dumbass, replied, "—"In my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman". WOW. How controversial. How dare she say what she really believes! How dare she NOT be for gay marriage! And how dare she say it to the great and wonderful Perez Hilton - the know-all, be-all for gays everywhere.

Now, don't get me wrong, just because I stated that my ideals were changing, doesn't mean that I am against gay marriage. I have always been a supporter and really don't see the big deal of allowing same-sex marriage. That issue isn't what my rant is about. Rather, it's about the fact that this girl expressed her belief and she is then blasted for it. I watched an interview with her on CNN a few days after the pageant and days after P-Hil went onto his website and called her out for being a "dumb bitch" and a "cunt", and whatever else he felt the need to describe her as. What gives? Can he not deal with a 21-year beauty queen who isn't interested in his bullshit website or who isn't afraid to say what she means? The CNN anchor was rightly appalled at the behavior exhibited by Hilton. Just another reason to compound my growing loathsome feelings towards P-Hilton.

All in all, I think it's sad that someone can be threatened and berated for believing in something that is, after all, in her full rights as a human being to believe. I don't agree with the outrage towards her and I hope she gets to keep her crown (nekkid photos aside), and be in the running for Miss America. I think it's quite refreshing for a young woman to hold her values and ideals to the utmost and not waver with her beliefs when faced with anger and violence.

The Check-Up

We went to Lola's 9-month check up yesterday - her measurements to ensure that she is definitely a growing baby:

Length: 28.5; Weight: 19.09 pounds; Head: 17.75 inches.

Yep, she is growing for sure! She is ahead of the curve on standing, creeping (holding onto things while walking). I'm hoping this means that she may well walk before she is one year old! That is what we are working on now. Oh, and she's clapping! I have clapped with her since she was about 3 months old and now she will sit and clap, very lightly, and laugh and laugh. It seems to be her new favorite thing. So sweet.

Oh! And I am seriously considering changing our pediatrician. He just seems so nonchalant about everything. Doesn't really make me feel like he has time to listen to our concerns. I know we don't really have any, but still. We could at least feel like he wouldn't be bothered if we did have a concern! AND - I'm pretty sure Lola has pink eye. This morning her eye was crusty and throughout the day it has been draining and now it is pink inside. He checked her eyes...shouldn't he have caught that? Seriously. Dude has me pissed off. Now MY freaking eye is hurting. Great. I remember what having the "junk" or conjunctivitis feels like and it's no walk in the park. Bitch hurts! AND I have no insurance so, if I do have it, then I will have to see an eye doctor and get antibiotics and who knows how much that shiz costs! UGH. So, I'm kind of irritated about this whole thing. And yes, I blame it on the doctor. I don't care.

9 Months

Lola bear is nine months. She hasn't had her check-up yet, so the update on her weight and length will have to wait until next week. She's growing up so fast! It's so much fun. I think her top teeth are beginning to bother her. That means they will be cutting through pretty soon! She is such a happy baby. I think I've almost got her to start clapping! she grasps her hands together and shakes them up and down; but I think that's her way of clapping. And, she is quickly learning what "no" means. While she is crawling and creeping around, she is of course, into everything! She is so close to walking, too. She stood by herself two times already. Once was on our bed, which was quite a wobbly attempt. The next she stood in front of the couch. She let go of my hands and stood there! I swear it seemed like a long time, but I'm sure it was a short 3-5 seconds. The next step is to take a step! I'm both excited and scared! We're going to have to start chasing her around pretty soon. Fun!

This is her mischevious look.

?

It's almost been a month since her passing. March. It's still surreal. I still can't believe that one of my best friends is gone.

I loved her so much and I am going to miss her immensely. Her laugh, her smile, her sense of humor, her advice and her love...

The memories are all we have left. I feel like I haven't mourned enough. But, when is it enough?
I hope that we are reunited in the end.

Guad, you were a great friend, I will always love you and the times we shared.

Boxing Gloves

Max made a Boxing Glove cake and cookies for one of his pals son's First Birthday. They turned out awesome!!

Close-up

48 Cookies!

I didn't get the final picture with the Happy Birthday written, but it was cool! They loved it!!

7 and 8

Some new pics...Lola's 7 & 8 month photos.

Yo Gabba Gabba!

My new block tower

Crawling around...

Looking outside

Playing with my food

Climbing into Mommy's lap

Passed out

Play time!

Bath Time!

Mommy's Little Monster

Cars

Well, Max finally got a car! After two weeks of searching and haggling with car dealers, he found a nice 2005 Chevy Tahoe. It's really nice. It's red with tan interior, and it's pretty huge! We figured he only drives about 7 miles to work, so the gas guzzling should be kept to a minimum. It's nice to have an additional vehicle, but it was also nice not having an additional car payment! Oh well, it's for the best.

Lola has been sick this week. Tuesday she left daycare early due to a high fever. Wednesday I was feeling pretty crappy as well, so we stayed home that day. Took her to the doctor and he confirmed that she does not have the flu, which I somewhat suspected. Glad to hear that it's nothing more than a cold.

Went back to work today, wishing it was Friday all day. I am hoping that soon I will be moving into a full-time position. There is a slight possibility that the current researcher will be leaving soon. He has a pretty good business opportunity that he is working on that he is pretty sure will happen. So, if that happens, I hope they will offer me that vacancy. I think I've proven myself to be a pretty competent researcher. We will see what happens, though. It is time for me to work full-time. I love my part-time hours, but it's reaching a point to where I need my benefits and the opportunity to contribute to my retirement! Yay 401K!

Just another Manic Monday

Hard to believe that February is almost over. Time sure does fly! Weigh-in today at 149, still. Did not track at all the past two weeks. I did, however, enjoy some Root Beer Creme Brulee from Max's Wine Dive. My goodness, the best creme brulee I've had yet. Seriously, it was scrumptious! Yeah, so I have motivated myself to get back on track and set a goal to work towards by the end of March. So, I have a little over 30 days to lose 10 pounds and hopefully leave the 140's behind me. Trying not to worry about it too much, therefore making it easier on myself. I have high hopes.

As I write this, I am listening to Lola babble away whilst she watches Baby Mozart. One thing that I have noticed about this baby is that she loves music. I don't know if this is common to every 6-9 month old ankle-biter, but anytime music, especially female vocals is on, she automatically stops what she is doing and focuses her attention on the song. For instance, during Jennifer Hudson's rendition of the National Anthem at the Super Bowl, Lola stared at the television, with a huge smile on her face and watched the performance. Super cute! She does it during other things too, but that instance was most notable.

Oh yeah, little bear will be the big 8-months on Wednesday! Shit! They really do grow up too fast!

One Five O

I am officially out of the 150's! Hopefully forever. I don't remember if I was ever at or above 150 before, but for some reason I think I might have been back in my early 20's. You know that stage where all you did was drink and eat fast food?! Yeah, I think back while Guad and I lived together, (wow, seems like forever ago), I was at or pretty close to 150. Well, with not paying much attention to WW, I have finally left them. Yes, it's true. I think WW has done me well, but I think maybe I was trying to hard or something? Because as soon as I stopped really logging and all of that is when I started to see a good loss. I'm still going to use it as a reference, but just continue what I'm doing on my own. So, my weigh in on Monday was 149. I "started" this week, and I did indulge in some cookies and such, but my weight is holding steady at 148-149. I was hoping to get down to 146 by next weigh-in, but I'm not really sure if that will happen. But, I am super duper happy that I have left the 150's. I still am pretty uncomfortable with the extra baggage I'm carrying aorund, but it's getting better. I didn't get to the gym or the park at all this week. Just wasn't feeling it, due to feeling kind of under the weather and the womanly aspect. I plan on getting to work out a few days next week, and that may help me get to 145 by the following Monday. That's the goal!

A few other non-weight related things:

What's up with all of these plane crashes?! Seriously. I actually had a dream the other night about seeing a plane crash, while in a plane, and seriously freaking out about dying. I was even writing a letter to Max & Lola! But, for real...scratch taking a serious trip anywhere soon. I'm officially freaked.

My new favorite cartoon is The Backyardigans. The songs are so damn catchy!! Love it. As does Lola!

Speaking of Lola...I am SURE she will get her two bottom teeth if not this weekend, then next week, for sure! They are inflamed and look like they are about to burst! I can't wait for that little girl to have some teeth. My baby is getting so big! She's the best.

Oh, and here is the BEST PICTURE EVER! Ben is hott! I love it.

February

February got off to a good start, you know with my Steelers winning their 6th championship! That game was super awesome. I was about poop my pants there at the end. Geez. But, in the end my sexy Big Ben made it happen. Yes, I said sexy...Woot!

My diet is just the same. Haven't really tracked anything all week, but my weight has stayed the same. I plan on getting to the gym and hopefully the park in the next few days.

Lola is officially a crawler now. She is crawling all around. Well, maybe not "officially". She doesn't technically get up on her knees and move, but she goes to her knees and pulls her body with her arms and then her legs go into this frog like move. So, maybe she's officially scooting. AND, she's began saying her "b's". She is constantly saying, "bah bah bah blah blah blah!" It's pretty cute. I will need to add a video of her babbling soon. For now, some new pics!

Ready for Valentine's Day!

Standing Tall

Getting so big!

When she learned to stand...she has no pants.

Morning play time.