sigh...

Just a few of the fun play options we have available!

Kevin's left for his first conference since BDR's arrival. Clever readers may realize that Kevin's absence means Peter and I are home, alone, together, for something like 90 hours straight. This will certainly be Very Tiring, but also Very Rewarding.

Tonight's lessons?

(1) It is really SO much easier to bathe a baby with four adult hands.
(2) Diapers have a purpose. Namely: keeping things clean. If you have a freshly-cleaned baby, it's probably wise to put a diaper on him pronto.
(3) Even if you want to get your dinner started, you can't really put the baby down an hour early. Because he won't go to sleep. And you'll just get frustrated. And no one wins. So, kick back, watch Dr. Phil, smile at the baby, and wait for him to smile back. You're in love with the booger, right?
(4) Then - eat dinner! Stop posting! Then, have some Ben and Jerry's Creme Brulee ice cream, because you're at home all alone and no one can stop you from eating straight from the pint. (Bonus points for doing this while watching Shaq's Big Challenge.)

(Note: I realized two weeks ago that I'll be going back to work at the end of August, and, unless I plan on wearing my okay-if-pregnant-but-kind-of-ugly-if-just-post-pregnant maternity clothes, I need to start dropping some of this baby weight. I was kind of hoping the Breastfeeding Fairy would come and take these extra pounds away, but she seems to be held up in customs or something. So...the diet must start. Sigh. I was really getting used to dessert three times a day, too.)

matchy-matchy

Kevin and Peter rocked their semi-matching Carolina pride yesterday.

Davis Family Adventure: The Conclusion

My parents left very early yesterday morning for their flight back to Indiana. Whew! (That's for my father, who told me I was free to blog about how "relieved" we were that they were gone.)

But seriously - whew! We did a ton with them during their two weeks home. Yesterday was spent in recovery: both Peter and I were power nappers, and Kevin pulled out the Battlestar Galactica, a sure sign that nothing of consequence will be accomplished on a well-deserved lazy Saturday.

It was nice they could spend so much time here, because they were able to see just how much Peter changes daily. And, in a few weeks, they'll get to see him again as we visit Indiana.

Until then, some memories of the last week of their trip:

Mission San Juan Bautista
The largest of California's 21 missions, and site of Hitchcock's Vertigo. It was pretty cool, if only for the crazy statue of John the Baptist outside.

Peter's Opinion: Nice, because it was mostly inside or in the shade. Plus, it was only a short car ride - always a plus! Thee out of four Pampers.

Locusts and wild honey, indeed! SJB's looking a little too much like a Calvin Klein model here.

Old Town Sacramento
It looks old, but it's full of all kinds of modern treats, like taffy and ice cream. As Kevin said, "I didn't expect it to be full of stores, but they're the kind of stores I like - candy stores and joke shops."

Peter's Opinion: Kind of a far drive, and a little sunny for me to enjoy it fully. Plus. there were too many loud trains. (This is true: the loudest Kevin and I have ever heard Peter cry, aside from those times when he received a shot, was when a train chugged past us and unexpectedly blew its whistle. It was pretty heartbreaking how upset the little dude was.) Two out of four Pampers.

The Uncle Sam Handshake Rater told me that I'm an "expert on everything." Damn straight.

Taffy, taffy everywhere...but it's all dolphin free (??).

Jelly Belly Factory
So, yeah, we've been here before, but it was on the way, the baby needed a diaper change, my father wanted to collect the "elongated coin" found inside, and Kevin and I knew that it serves Blue Bunny ice cream. And we love that Blue Bunny ice cream! This is how we came to enjoy ice cream before 11 a.m.
Peter's Opinion: Love those bathrooms! Four out of four Pampers.

For the record: Birthday cake and cotton candy ice cream goes down really easy at 10:37 a.m.
Also note: Kevin's watch is 5 minutes fast.

Egyptian Museum
Pretty interesting, even if we all were exhausted! Peter's Opinion: I was very, very quiet. Three out of four Pampers.

A probabilist's work is never done.

Mission San Juan Bautista

Jelly Belly Factory

Old Town Sacramento

Egyptian Museum

adventures

The Davis Family Adventure continues, with trips to:

Big Sur

Big Sur

11 photos

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Monterey Bay Aquarium

22 photos

Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz

26 photos

Stanford

Stanford

12 photos

My sister left this morning, but my parents will remain for another week. The non-stop momentum of their visit will wane now that my sister is gone, which is a bit of a relief since it's exhausting to be on vacation with a newborn. (Especially since Kevin's needed to work most of the past week.)

tall trees and a tiny baby

The Davis Family Adventure began in earnest today, as we trekked across the Golden Gate Bridge to Muir Woods National Monument and Stinson Beach.

We saw some tall trees, some beautiful beaches, and dressed our baby in a truly ridiculous manner.

My mother patiently waits for us.

Did you know Peter is half reptile?

Kimberly and me.

Kevin and I decided that we'll never, ever, ever, ever try to go north of San Francisco on a summer weekend, even if there were a free festival of all-you-can-eat ice cream and cotton candy and popcorn and a dance party featuring all of our favorite bands and professional athletes. The drive is..."needlessly painful" is perhaps the most charitable way I can describe it.

Davis Family Adventure

29 photos | Edit

Kevin faces 32 with a grin

so many ripples

Peter's a bit...er...zaftig.

..

Half Moon Bay

Yesterday, we took my mother and our baby to Half Moon Bay.

Fish was eaten by some; fun was had by all.

Half Moon Bay

Who's in Amy's Belly Round 5: Peter Joseph Davis-Ross

BDR = Peter Joseph Davis-Ross

His stats:
Born: 5:53 a.m. on Monday, May 7
Weight: 8 pounds, 10 ounces
Length: 21 inches

Peter's doing great now, but he had a rough start to life. Toward the end of labor, he became a little stressed out, which caused him to have a bowel movement. Unfortunately, he then inhaled some of that bowel movement...which is just as terrible as it sounds. He couldn't recover his breath after being born, so he was whisked away to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. This was tough, since I only got to "hold" him for 10 seconds or so, and Kevin not at all.

But, he's doing GREAT now. Both Peter and I were discharged today, and our instructions are to treat him as a well baby.

Peter's already bored with Dad's stories.

You can read a ton more about Peter's first days, if you so desire, here.

And, of course, a gagillion pictures.

Hello, Peter

56 photos

the leather anniversary

A few memories from three years ago:

wedding

16 photos

our neighbor

While leaving the house last night, I spotted this owl just outside our door. And while it was pretty cool, I'm ashamed to admit that Kevin and I spent like 10 minutes talking about how cool it was.

At any rate, it totally trumps the malevolent Canadian squirrels and feral cats that live in a perverted harmony in our complex. I suspect it also might be cooler than the nasty mole that Kevin's brother and brother's girlfriend have living in their yard.

Christmas Photos - the last bits

Our camera finally arrived today, which means new photos for all!

What's Christmas like in Indiana? It's a lot of games, followed by some general mischief.

Exhibit A:

Games...

...then Mischief

Christmas in Indiana

31 photos

Christmas, 2006

This was the Christmas That Never Ended. Every few days, Kevin and I would pull up our stakes and head out to another family to celebrate Christmas cheer (and collect some great presents along the way.)

Even Baby Shaquilla O'Neala got into the festivities. Not only the recipient of some surprise gifts, she had her own stocking and showed off her kicker's foot a few times for Kevin.

Some highlights, in no particular order:

- A huge Christmas morning at the Ross's, with all siblings and most significant others in tow.
- And, it's not Christmas at the Ross's without the Macy's née Lord and Taylor née Wanamaker's light show and the freaky Dickens Village.


- Finding out Baby Davis-Ross has a bum kidney. (This isn't really true. She's fine, but one of her kidney drainage tubes is a little big, which doesn't cause problems other than UTIs. Our doctor: "I hope I have impressed upon you how not serious this problem is.")
- Reading Kari's email updates from the Congo, which invariably involved some sort of gorilla (or was it guerrilla?) spotting, tale of woe, or mention of foul drink.
- Discovering a bag of long-forgotten TVP in our suitcase. (Which is kind of sad, since I've been looking for TVP everywhere.)
- According to the new James Bond movie Casino Royale, Ugandan war lords are surprisingly risk-averse in their investment portfolios. I suppose it makes sense.
- Deciding what Baby Davis-Ross likes, based on her movements during the activity. For example, Baby Davis-Ross likes The Sopranos, Carolina basketball, and (alas) Polvo. Baby Davis-Ross remained skeptical about real East Coast pizza though. Hmm. I've probably already fed her too much Mexican and Asian food for her to appreciate a $7 cheese pie.
- Abby Gray's Dance Class, in which Kevin was allowed to learn more about Irish dancing than I was because, "he's more Irish." True enough.
- Visiting with the Grays in Columbus.
- Seeing the whole Davis clan, even soon-to-be-members of the Davis clan, except for my punk cousins.
- Trying to convince my nephew how lame Purdue is.
- Coming home! It was great to be able to visit our families and be away for so long, but we were very much ready to get back to our own place.

Now, we have a crazy amount of work head of us, including setting up the alcove - er, nursery - for Baby Davis-Ross.

Photos are posted below, via Flickr. There are more to come, pending the arrival of our left-behind camera.

Christmas in New Jersey

Christmas in Columbus

Thanksgiving

Our National Holiday of Gluttony and Excess found us in Indiana.

Other than a one-day delay in our flight, travel went smoothly.

The highlight of the trip might include a sinful chocolate silk pie I made. I really made it for the crust - shortbread cookies and crushed pecans. Oh, man, it was crazy good. It was a hit with my chocolate-averse father and husband.

We also got to spend some time with my cousins, and we finally visited the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. My cousins confirmed The Female Hypothesis, and were very excited for Baby Davis-Ross. (My uncle lobbied for a boy; I told him I'd "try my hardest.") Despite their best intentions, no one could guess the baby name, although my mother's guess of Hilary was interesting.

Alas, I gained about 4 pound during this week, which is a bit too much. Kevin said I can blame 3 pounds on our significant lack of healthy food options and 1 pound on that chocolate silk pie.

Link to some photos below, via Flickr:

Thanksgiving 2006

17 photos

Kevin Ross, Secret MC

The last pieces of my birthday extravaganza came into place last night, as Kevin presented me with Ice Bat.

However, this being a gift from Kevin, it also came with a song-and-dance routine. Specifically, something called the "Ice Bat Dance" and a specially-crafted rap.

It was tears-running-down-my-face hysterical.

ICE BAT RAP
to "Ice Ice Baby"

Ice B-A-T
Can't kick it

All right, stop. Refrigerate and listen
Da Bat is commandin' your attention
If I grab ahold of you tightly
You'll freeze like an ice cube, I don't mean that lightly
Will I ever chill, fo sho
Cause once I get to know you, I'm really mellow
I love ice cream over wine and a candle
Lied in a cave where the glaciers did amble
Packed my bags and flew out my room
Now I'm chillin' with you as a present from your groom
Ugly, and I ain't got no alibi
"Ice" cause I'm frozen, "bat" cause I fly
Love it or hate it, you better apreesh
Your husband's been working on these gifts for weeks,
Any math problem, Kevin'll solve it
Check out my tush while IB revolves it.

True Love

Kevin's first act upon picking me up at the airport after a long weekend in Vancouver? A kiss? A hug? An "it's great to see you?"

No.

Handing me Arrested Development, Season 3.

Let's get this boy a medal.

California, through Kevin's eyes

Now, experience California through state-of-the-art Kevin-o-Vision.

"Do you think you'll ever get to know people here? They're nice, but they're different."
While walking down Castro Street to get some gelato.

"It's 3 p.m., and Monday Night Football's in double overtime!!"
While - duh- watching MNF.

"This guy's our governor."
While watching True Lies on soul-sucking digital cable.

"This place is weird. How many Quiznos have you seen?"
While driving down El Camino.

I've made a huge mistake

Season 3 of Arrested Development will be released just in time for my birthday. Just a heads up.

T-26 Days

In all of the moving-ness, I've forgotten to trumpet my upcoming birthday.

I've grown increasingly fascinated with my birthday as the years have progressed, and the authoritarian deathgrip it affords on those I love. I suspect that every would-be dictator begins on this same slippery slope - first I demand a day, then a week, then (heaven help us all) a month.

Truly, though, my birthday is amazing. My mother was in labor on Labor Day. Come on!

So, please be prepared. I'm not certain what form my tyrannical reign will take this year, but I'm hoping it will involve cratorious lakes or ipods.

Amy's Prostitute Days (or, Blackmail)

So one of the first times I came home with Kevin, my mother trotted out this photo of me and my sister. It's from my grandmother's house, and I think I'm in first or second grade, which means that Kimberly's like in pre-K or kindergarten.

Anyway, what can I say about this picture? This is what I think is happening in this photo: I'm pretty sure my sister and I made these outfits. My grandmother went through a "making sweatshirts" phase around this time, and I think these were scrap castoffs. Which implies that if you put me, my sister, and a bunch of fabric in a room we'll walk out looking like this.

Every time I see this picture, I laugh. It's seriously one of the most hilarious things I've ever seen. There are so many nuances - look at the way I've got my hand on my hip. I don't think they teach that kind of street-savvy in elementary school. You've got to be born with that. Also, my face has this really hard look to it, like, at the tender age of 10 (or whatever I am), I've forgotten how to smile. The pocketbook is nice, too. I'm pretty sure I made that as well. And, taking a look at my sister, please notice these details: the pocket sewed onto her skirt. That's attention to detail, my friend, and shows one of us is a type-A personality in training. Also, my sister has this great anklette/shackle thing on; again, it's probably something we made. But I like how it implies that she's ready for some S&M action, for the right price. With my sister's hair, she might be rocking more of a jungle woman vibe than I am - I'm definitely all-out street walker. And my stockings!! I can't imagine where they came from, but they're a brilliant touch.

Also, I really should note here that my mother refers to this as her "blackmail" photo, and has implied several times that she'll use it one day. Perhaps nothing more accurately describes the (dys)function of our mother-daughter relationship than the fact that my mother would ever conceive of a time in which she would blackmail her daughter with a tramp trump card. So, to steal her thunder, I'll post it here.