What next...scurvy?!?

For some reason my weak Oregonian immune system has trouble fighting off English illnesses. I seem to acquire a new one each time I move here. The first trip saw me swollen, unhappy and in pain with shingles. Which has left me with a nasty scar on my nose that Charlie likes to point at. He's also real handy when you have a zit.

I fell victim to "Glue Ear" a year ago. I'm sure you have all heard me moaning on and on about it for the last year. But it really is a most annoying condition. I was at my worst last Christmas time. I remember sitting in the dining room with Paul and our friend Marcus not being able to participate in the conversation whatsoever. I could not understand a thing that Marcus said. This situation was made worse by his deep voice, Brummie accent and the copious amounts of Christmas cheer they were consuming. I quietly retired to the living room to watch TV turned up to the max.

I've been on an NHS waiting list for 6 months now for an operation to get grommets inserted which will help the fluid drain and therefore restore my hearing. And just yesterday I finally got my long awaited for letter in the mail! I have a pre-admission session on July 26th and my surgery on August 3. They have included the visiting hours and a warning about no longer allowing flowers to be brought onto the wards. Does this mean I have to stay in the hospital over night?? I hope not, we all know I've spent more than enough time on shared hospital wards.

I'm nervous about the operation but very excited to get back to normal. This condition has impacted my life in so many negative ways and put a halt to any socializing for months. But it's not all bad. Here are a few good things about being deaf:
~I can't hear Paul snoring at night.
~My ears don't pop on car journeys over hills.
~If I'm asked to do something I don't wanna do I just pretend I didn't hear the request.
~It's a great excuse for not answering the door/phone to someone I don't wanna see/talk to.

Yay deaf! I'll keep y'all posted on these upcoming events.

First Haircut

The boy got his first haircut last week at Declan's salon Curl Up and Dye. And judging from the length of that bathhawk in the last post, which was the clear winner by an overwhelming majority...thank you Ri-Ri, not a minute too soon. He was very good and still for the first 10 minutes but then got a bit squirmy when Daddy walked in.

Here the basic hair cutting technique is being described to Chachi.

"Short back and sides please, love."

Taking the new haircut for a spin at Phoebe's birthday party (Yeah, we're still waiting for some side hair to start growin').



And introducing the new and improved bathhawk!

BathHawk vs. BedHead

Who will win? You decide...

"Put down that box of broken glass Charlie!"

As a Mom you do everything you can to protect your children, unless you are trying to cook dinner and your child is tugging on your pant leg while you carry a pot of boiling water to the sink. In that case you will do anything to keep that child entertained and away from your generally klutzy legs. Short of playing with rat poison, an actual rat or sharp knives the boy can entertain himself with anything that will keep him out of my hair for at least 10 minutes.

The other night he played in the freezer. Not so great for the electric bill or the planet, but damnit, I got dinner finished without a single pot of boiling water being spilled on anyone.

As I write this he's bringing me all the contents of the food cabinet. I'm surrounded by custard powder, peanut butter, coffee and taco shells. But hey, I got to post something finally! Totally worth the clean up. Who wants tacos?!

By Popular Demand: The Walking Video

Sorry about the horrible noise I managed to create at the end. Utterly ear shattering.

Train Wrecks Are Funny!!

Daddy, this blogs for you. We miss you like crazy!

My Son Is One!

Name: Charles Allan Dooney

Nicknames: Chachi, Charlie, Chacharelli, Babykins, Chimps, Cha Cha

Age: One year old today!

Occupation: Full time baby

Hobbies: Being naked, pushing buttons, chasing Bean around the house, playing in the ball pit, turning pages of books, trying to eat Bean's food, pulling hair, having his picture taken, taking walks in the park, biting noses, giving love slaps to loved ones, opening prezzies, feeding Bean his food and having a good nursing session

Likes: Pointing, music, clean laundry, Pee-Wee Herman, standing up, paper, stripy socks and cars

Dislikes: Getting dressed, having his hair washed, being told "No", when Mommy goes upstairs without him and when Daddy leaves

Best Mates: Ernie and Leo

Favorite Foods: Spaghetti, fish, cookies of any kind, scrambled eggs, toast, yogurt, cheese and Mango Chicken sandwiches from Gregg's

Favorite Song: The music to the end credits of Gilmore Girls

Favorite Person In The World (besides Mom & Dad): Big sister Maria

Best Features: Big green eyes and long legs

Best Attribute: Amazing sense of humor

Worst Habit: Farting in the bathtub

Perfect Day: Pancakes and scrambled eggs for brekkie then a super long nap in between Mommy and Daddy in their bed. Then off to Hickory Dickory Playhouse for fun on cushy mats followed by another nap with Harvey the rabbit in my crib. And after my nap a full evening of climbing on Mommy and Daddy while eating cookies. And to top it all off absolutely no bath but lots of nursing, my "Night, Night Baby" book and then off to sleep!

Two Most Favorite Things In The World: Boobs and butterflies

From This...

To This...

Charlie laughed so hard in the bath this night that he pooped in the tub! You can sorta make it out under his left elbow.