Going to CO

Next week I will head up to Colorado to help my folks move. It's about an 8 hour drive. Normally, me and Mo take turns driving and talk to each other to keep it interesting. However, Mo and Jojo are staying here while I go alone.

Oy.

That's going to make the trip a bit more boring, at least on the way there. On the way back it will be with my folks and one of my sisters.

I've never been this far away from Jojo for this long. I'm not looking forward to it. I always miss Mo on trips like this. Last time I moved my folks from CA to CO it was horrid. By the time I got home I was desperate to see her. I imagine it will be the same for Jojo.

"Hey!"

Yes Pooka, I will miss you too.

Thankfully, this will likely be the easiest move I've ever done with my folks. They've gotten rid of a lot of stuff and over the past month, brought a few loads down. Much of the heaviest and most awkward stuff is already in storage. That will make the loading easier. I think the only really scary part is the piano, and only because it is heavy. The rest is fairly easy. More over, last time my day was still recovering from a procedure and his preparation had two parts: the part he did well and the part he didn't do. Made for a rough multi-day load in scorching heat.

The weather will be whatever it will be, but there is less to move, my dad has done a great job of preparing, much of it is already done, and the trip is shorter by more than half. So I am hopeful. Not excited about being away from Jojo and Mo though.

Son-day at the Zoo

Mo only worked 2 hours last night. She was put on call, then then called in to do a couple MRI scans or something. Then came home. It was pretty cool because it meant she got some sleep and we got to have some family time. Since the weather was pretty good, we went to the OKC Zoo.

Those who know me, know I love the zoo. OKC has a great zoo. Recently, they built a new elephant exhibit and one of the elephants had a baby. We've seen the new exhibit, but have yet to get a good look at the new elephant. Until today.

That right there is a 100+ pounds of "aaaahhhh"

As per usual, Jojo slept through most of the trip. He did wake up and got hungry right on schedule. Important fact: there is only one bathroom in the zoo with hot water. Also, no matter what signs you see, there is no bottle warmer in the nursing center.

After the zoo, we went to BJ's for lunch. I was craving a good root beer and they have one. During lunch, Jojo was good and talked almost the entire meal. It was cute.

That right there is a 100+ pounds of "aaaahhhh"

Shot-y Son-day

Wow, I miss a couple weeks. Sorry about that.

Today Jojo went to the doctor. He is doing well. Getting bigger (fatter) and longer. The ladies at the doctors office really seem to like him and get all excited when he comes. They pick him up and pass him around and everyone has a good time. Our doctor is really great and we like working with her. So, it's a good relationship.

But, today, we got shots. 4 shots.

"Excuse me, what?"

Of course, he cried and we had to keep him still, which meant holding him down a little. But, the nurse said it wasn't so bad. He didn't turn purple or anything, just cried.

We got a weight on him too. Little fatty is 15 pounds, 12 ounces. He will probably start some solid food soon.

"Twinkies?!"

No, just rice cereal. Twinkies are for daddy. mmmmm Twinkies.

Jojo loves to sit up and look around. He is a curious little guy. So, after the doctor, we went to target to get him a bumbo chair.

"Holy Crap! This is Awesome!"

He seemed to love it almost instantly and I fear will be in this thing until he can sit up on his own. Which I swear will be like next month or something.

Resolution check up

At the beginning of the year I set a few "resolutions". I wanna review how those are coming along.

1. Read 3 books.

I finished A Princess of Mars  last year and started Gods of Mars. I finished Warlord of Mars a few weeks ago. I started reading Pirates of Venus on my phone the other day, but I hate reading on my phone. I can't find a printed copy anywhere and I won't be buying a tablet till next month. I may look for something else until then.

2. Post stuff about Jojo on a weekly basis.

I'm late all the time, but I've been fairly consistent. It's nice looking back at stuff.

3. Attain a blue belt.

This might be out of reach this year. I only go about 2 times per week and that's not nearly often enough to get a blue belt by the end of the year. At this point, a green belt is an attainable goal, blue likely is not.

4. Lose 30 pounds.

I got a REALLY late start on this. The first few months with Jojo took a ton of energy and adjustment. I went to the gym less and ate poorly. Up till 3 weeks ago I hadn't lost a single pound and hovered at 215. I'm happy to say I've been watching my diet, working out more (even doing sit-ups at home), and I'm down 5 pounds in 3 weeks. We will call that a good start. There are 39 weeks left in this year. If I keep the same pace I've done the last 3 weeks (about 1.5 pounds per week), I can still make this goal, maybe even exceed it.

5. Learn Sign Language.

This was my "pie in the sky" goal and so far, it's been just that. I've made no progress and taken no action toward this goal.

6. Reduce Possessions.

It started out as a vague goal, it remains a vague goal. I have numerous intents, no plan to achieve them. I have concerns about what to get rid of and how to do it. This is not a difficult goal in the strictest sense, but without an idea of what to do about it, I'm never going to get there.

Easter Son-day

Before Jojo was born I learned something important about my wife. She likes baby hats. A Lot. Seriously.

Somehow we ended up with two bunny hats. She tried both of them on today. Can you believe that neither fit well? This kids head is huge...actually most parts of this kid are huge. He is so fat.

I poop jelly beans

I tell people he has three chins, but the second one ate the third one.

Happy Easter Everybody!

Medieval Son-Day

This weekend we went to the Medieval Fair in Norman. It was lots of fun as it is every year. We actually bought some stuff this time. I got a turkey leg, Mo got a corn-dog, Beka got mint lemonade or something. All was good.

The Med Faire is always an awesome place for people watching and I never take enough photos. We did see this group though.

people were stopping them for photos every 3 feet.

When we got home, I decided to go crazy on the ugly-as-hell hedges next to our doorway. I swear a billion bugs live in there and decide to vacation in our apartment.

I started with this, and Pooka's keen oversight

I ended with this, and Pooka's disapproving absence

We are thinking of filling the space with a rock garden or potted plants or something. Suggestions?

Oh, Mo got something for Jojo.

You let her do this to me, you bastard.

Centenial Son-day

I had a "spring break" this past week. I put that in quotes because it was hardly a break. I worked on a few reports and dealt with more than a few other things. I think the only thing different was I went to the clinic less than normal. That's cool though, I enjoyed being away from the office.

I spent a ton of time with Jojo. Mo worked an extra shift on Thursday so I got an extra night with the little guy. What's cool is this past Thursday (if my count is right) was Jojo's 100th day of life (post-birth).

Happy 100 days!