Saturday, August 28, 2010

To make you smile :)

T and I were walking down the street the other day when this totally ghetto guy came up to us, looked down at the kid (in his stroller) and said, "Yo, what's up shawty."

***

Laffy Taffy joke of the day-
Q. What are the strongest days of the week?
A. Saturday and Sunday. The rest are weekdays.


***

Me (after Jim did something sneaky): Jem, you better watch it or I'm going to sue you.
Jem (pretending to be me): Jem, I'm going to hire you to sue you.
Jem (pretending to be himself, oh wait, being himself): Your honor, she's got a point. I'm pretty lame!

***

A brand new camera is making it's way to New York as we speak. Now if that doesn't make you smile, I don't know what does.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Cupcake Thievery

WANTED
For sneakily, oh-so-sneakily, stealing an oatmeal chocolate chip cupcake off of the kitchen counter and running like heck (but still very sneakily) into the living room where he stuffed the said cupcake into his mouth...and ground it into the rug...and smeared it on the hardwood floor... all before his Mother even knew what hit her. (PS--that same Mother just may have spent a good portion of the afternoon mopping that floor and cleaning that rug. Not that she's bitter or anything).
The most severe crime: making bad look so cute!
REWARD:
At least one oatmeal chocolate chip cupcake. Believe T, they're worth the effort!
Oh yeah, and here is the long-awaited first day of school pic. What cute boys I have!

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

On how I almost killed him

(My mom's favorite picture of the little rascal)

Monday was Jim's first day back to school. I knew the time would come when he would have to go back, but I can honestly say I was not looking forward to it. You see, since about mid-May the three of us have been basically inseparable. Where he went, I went. Where we went, the kid followed. I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed having Jim's constant companionship. Not only is he sweet and funny and cute, but he is SUCH a good Daddy and did almost everything for Mr. Talmage. I knew back to school meant back to being a University-induced single parent, not a fan.

As a sidenote, I do like the idea of having a real job and real income someday, so three cheers for law school, huh?

When James left for school, Talmage cried at the door screaming "Daddy" and I just sat and stared at him, trying to remember how I used to parent when my other half wasn't around. Once I was finally able to peel T from the doorway we easily slipped into a routine. Snacks. Naps. Toys. Books. Dancing. We were having a good day (except for random moments when he would realize Daddy was gone and lead me to the front door repeating his name) and we were getting along quite nicely.

And then, disaster struck.

Our incredible building has a HUGE playroom downstairs for the children, and since our stuff is still not here we decided to go play. When lunchtime was upon us, we got in the elevator on our way back up to our apartment. Riding in an elevator is new for the peanut, and he finds it very entertaining...well, he did at least.

He was hitting the door with his hands on our way up and having a fabulous time when all of a sudden the door opened and T's hand went with it (we were on our floor, luckily). In a second, no, a fraction of a second, Talmage's hand was dragged with the door into the opening and the elevator door was stuck halfway open. All of his fingers and part of his palm were stuck in the door and he errupted in tears and shrieks of agony. I tried opening the door. I tried closing it. Nothing worked.

So, I went into mama-bear-need-to-protect-her-cub mode and went balistic. I started pressing the emergency button in the elevator and screaming "HELP" as loud as I could. You've heard of people staying cool under pressure, unfortunately I don't have that skill. When the doorman came running down the hall he started screaming unmentionable words at the sight of T's hand. It just looked awful. He got on his walkie talkie and called for back-up (we were both thinking we'd need tools to break the elevator apart). But then, the doorman (who was my hero of the day) used all his manliness and pushed the elevator as hard as he could which allowed me to pull Talmage's purple, lifeless hand from the space.

When his hand came out, it looked mangled and awful. I was sure it had multiple brakes and the doorman asked me to run to the front desk with him where we could meet the manager and others. When they saw my poor, wimpering babies hand, they said we should probably a) call an ambulance or b) go to the emergency room.

And then, a miracle occurred.

As we are discussing our options, Talmage completely stoped crying, and started moving his little hand as though nothing was wrong. Within seconds, color was back and he was using his fingers as if nothing had happened. I decided to wait it out and see if we needed to go to the hospital, and we didn't. He is 100% perfect and has no mark, no disoloration, no pain, no nothing. He was giving us all high-fives and pounds and didn't even flinch when I felt his hand for issues. He is truly a medical miracle (on many accounts) and I'm so grateful that Heavenly Father allowed him to be quickly (like, really, really quickly) healed and back to normal.

So...how about that for our first day at home together? Oh bother.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Things We Cannot Prove

We walked the whole length of Central Park and we were serenaded by street performers, hydrated by men with carts and entertained by Mr. T's excitement over playgrounds, grass and balls. Unfortunately, I have no pictures to prove that any of this really occured.

We visited Chinatown. Talmage had his first bubble tea and the expression on his face when he realized what entered his mouth was priceless. Jim ate a dragonfruit and loved it. I spoke Chinese with everyone I could. No videos. No pictures.

We walked the Brooklyn Bridge and saw the gorgeous New York skyline. The weather was perfect and I was wearing my favorite sister hand-me-down, a yellow sundress. No pictures of the view or the clothes. Bummer.

Talmage had his first day of nursery. No, he's not exactly 18 months, but in this ward they want kids to come in a little early (like, when I say a little, I mean there are 10 month olds in nursery. Yikes!) He played with the kids, he devoured snacks, he even sat down for circle time. He was wearing his church slacks, a white shirt and a tie and multiple times I looked at him and thought, "Is that ginormous child mine? You're kidding me, right? I still refer to him as my newborn and he's in nursery!" I cried...a little from sadness and a little from relief...actually learning and feeling the spirit at church is just around the corner! But did I get a picture, nope.

Jim started school yesterday. His first day of Law School, now that's amazing! Ever since preschool he has had his picture taken on the first day of school, and luckily he did yesterday as well thanks to his computer. BUT...I didn't get the picture off of his computer and on to mine, and now he's at his second day of law school and I have nothing to prove that he even had a first day, or a second. Darn. Picture to come, maybe.


Dear Panasonic,
For the hundreth, millionth time, please, please, please send me a new camera. I've given you nearly nine months and now it's getting kind of ridiculous. I've got memories to document here.
Sincerely,
Heather
P.S. One more request, please stop calling me Ms. Whittington. Let's practice together, WIGGINTON!

Friday, August 13, 2010

All the Perks for a Fraction of the Price

WE are official.
***
Well,
if you want to be completely, technically and wholly honest, Jim is the only "official" Columbia student in the family. BUT if you want to be completely, fully and matrimonily fair, I think WE is a better term to use. Sure, our student lives are different, but they are both vital to the Wiggy's existence. For example, while in school, Jim is trying to figure out how to make a living someday and, at the same time, I am trying to figure out how to keep our family afloat until that happens. Jim is reading law texts and fighting cases and I am teaching our son the alphabet and wrestling the 18-month-old. Jim, I'm sure, will be tired at the end of a long day, and you know what, I'll be right there with him.
***
WE are students, and we make a pretty good team, huh?
***
Anyway, usually Universities are lacking in the family-friendly department (and we already have a few examples from this Uni) BUT Columbia has given me something that Cambridge never did, and I am beyond stoked. Columbia has given me my very own Student Card. They understand that WE are students...score one for families! Sure, I had to pay $20, but it enables me to get student discounts, I can get into/use all of the libraries, I have access to the printers, and more. And, this card is valid until 2013. Considering the amount we are paying for Jim's student card (we won't talk about it because believe me, it'll make your tummy hurt), I think I got a pretty good deal.
***
Now if I could only figure out how to get my name on a diploma ;)

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Christmas in July

Meet Santa Clause. Of course, that's not his real name. We call him Uncle Buck. But that, unfortunately, is not the name his parents gave him either. You see, Uncle Buck is Jim's Dad's brother. Dad calls Buck Buck. Buck calls Dad Buck. So, Buck's kids have an Uncle Buck (Jim's Dad) and we have an Uncle Buck (Uncle Buck). Confused? If so, don't worry, because this weekend Uncle Buck was no Uncle Buck, he was Santa Clause!

Uncle Buck was the winner, winner of being our very first New York guest (although I think we were the ones who won!). We were in New York all of 48 hours when he arrived and as you can imagine NOTHING was in order. Poor thing, our furniture hadn't (make that hasn't) come yet so he spent the weekend sitting on the floor (although he did bring his own blow-up mattress so he didn't sleep on the floor), eating microwave hot dogs and Easy-Mac (no pots) and basically spoiling us rotten (AKA Santa Clause).

Other than buying us groceries and household necessities every day, Uncle Bucko took us out for a day of FUN exploring the city. He treated us to everything and all we had to do was lead the way. It was so nice of him and such a great start to our New York adventure.

Talmage loved the Subway, although he threw a HUGE fit everytime I tried to sit him on my lap. Mr. Independent himself wanted to sit all by himself. One time while he was sitting on my lap, a woman looked at me and said, "Your baby looks just like Grandpa" referring to Uncle Buck (those Wiggy genes sure are strong). We explained to her that he was T's Great Uncle. Then she said, "He has Daddy's eyes, he looks like Grandpa, but really, he looks absolutely nothing like his Mother." Thank you Subway Lady, I don't think I hear that enough!

When I worked in New York (it feels like it was a lifetime ago) this was my old building. It was fun walking around my old stomping grounds.

After a long day exploring the city, Santa treated us to dinner at the self-proclaimed World's Best Deli. I must admit, the pastrami sandwich was to die for and that cheesecake, please people, don't get me started. Just come visit soon and I'll take you there, Ok?

Talmage's highlight of the day: ELMO! I was surprised to learn that Elmo has a really strong Hispanic accent and required payment for pictures and hugs, nothing like I remembered on TV ;) Nonetheless, all three/four of us were looking at the camera so I guess that was $1 well spent!

Has Times Square gotten busier/crazier/brighter/more crowded/hotter/awesomer since I was last here? It's funny how some things I remember just the same...and some things I remember so differently. Uncle Buck described Times Square as a sensory overload--pretty true!

There were so many other places we hit during the day, like Radio City Music Hall, FoxNews station, the TODAY show, Ground Zero, Staten Island Ferry, Wall Street, etc. Let's just say, the day was wonderful and busy, wonderfully busy! Thanks Uncle Buck for a perfect first weekend. We love you and miss you already!

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

NYC, Just Got Here This Morning

Truth be told, we actually arrived in NYC about five mornings ago...but that title is for you Ash!

After a fairly uneventful red-eye (minus the thunderstorm we flew threw, the plane was rocking up and down and side to side and Jim saw lightning out the window) we landed at JFK and started heading in the direction of our new home. After visiting Columbia's housing office and signing our new lease, we were official! We settled in (as much as we could without any of our stuff, which the movers promise will be here next Monday, sheesh) and are having so much fun getting to know our new area.

WE (heart) NY!

Friday, August 6, 2010

Cousinly LOVE

There is nothing better than having an amazing friend (AKA lovely sister) whose kid is my kid's best friend (AKA cute cousin). They have had so much fun getting to know each other the last week and I can't wait for them to grow up together (now if we could just live in the same part of the world!)

Here's proof that they love each other. A lot, a lot. Talmage pretty much can't keep his fingers off the baby!


Dear Kai,

Wanna come an' play?

Love, T

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Summer project: Cessna 180

James had one and only one request at the beginning of our California summer: make and fly a model airplane. Naive me thought this was a 30 minute project, so I encouraged him to go for the gold with this baby! A trip to the hobby shop and about a billion hours later, Jim had finally constructed his plane. Phew.

With only one day left on Cali turf he decided to try it out. Jim and Chase were so cute working together for take-off!

And boy, oh boy, did that baby fly. It flew high--way higher than I thought it would! But unfortunately what comes up, must come down. We only got one flight out of her...but it was a good one!

Mr. T is excited to make a model plane with his Daddy-o someday. But until then, he's rad like dad! And cute like dad. And smart like dad. And kind like dad. And stubborn like mom. Woops!

After the flight, we took Talmage to the park next door and let him run around while we enjoyed some rest on the bench. Well...we attempted to rest...really we ended up running after the kid.

Funny story. This little boy in the orange shirt (probably 4ish) says to Talmage, "How big are you? How many fingers?" He obviously didn't respond and ended up running away, so the little kid said, "Hey, little boyyy!" In Talmage's mind, I think he's at least as old as these other little muchachos!
Mr. T and Uncle Chase. He is such a good uncle and LOVES to play with his little nephew!

Our fam at the park. What the heck am I going to do when I don't have 8+ extra hands around to help a sistah out? Anyone want to visit NYC?

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

State Fair 2010

The California State Fair is one of my all-time favorite events of the year, and this year was extra special because almost all of the McKee Clan was there to party (although this post might make you think that Mr. T was the only one in attendance! So maybe I'm obsessed with my kid!)
I call the following series of photos:
T at the Fair.
Incredibly original, I know.

Mommy and T smiling in the petting zoo.

Mr. T pointing at the animals.

The super-cute/super-sad sad face after being mauled by a baby goat.

I love these people! Talmage is sharing some popcorn with cousin Kai.

Making amends with animals--Daddy and T riding the merry-go-round.
Grandma treated Talmage to a snow cone, and needless to say he was red from head to toe!
While Ash fed the baby, Talmage played in the cornbox. Kind of corny, huh?
The kid eating his HUGE corndog...and LOVING it.

So charitable. Unfortunately, T's attempt to feed his Uncle Chase drew blood. Who knew a corndog stick could be so sharp!


After a long day of walking, Grampa and Talmage enjoyed a nice foot massage.

I'm not sure where Uncle Logo was when we took this picture, but it's cute anyway! Look at those two little boys!

At the end of the night we met up with Care and Bryce who where enjoying their last day of Cali amazingness before returning to Portland.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

a Terrific Time in Tahoe

We had another wonderful Wiggy family reunion/vaca in Tahoe. I am still without a camera (I don't even want to begin to tell you about the nightmare experience I've had with Panasonic) so I've mooched these pictures from my lovely SIL Carolyn. When I get more pictures from the week, I'll put them up!

One of our outings was to Virginia City, an old mining town which had incredible personality and charm. The weather was perfect (mostly sunshine with a two-minute rainstorm, just enough to create that delicious just-rained smell in the air) and the city was full of things to do.


We went on a train ride and Talmage spent 90 percent of the time with his bum in the air looking out of the window! Above is a picture of Talmage with Papa. Those Wiggy genes are awfully strong! As I'm sure you noticed, Jim looks a lot like his Dad, and everyone says that Mr. T looks identical to his Daddy-o.

Mom and Dad treated us like Southern royalty during our entire Tahoe trip, and don't they look way too cute on that camel-back?
We totally enjoyed spending time together with the fam. I love this picture because it looks like Talmage is getting sick from all the PDA!

A picture of a picture.

We finished the day in Virginia City with a ride on an old Wells Fargo stagecoach. Supposedly this is the only original replica that is still running and it was so much fun to ride around in it. It was super bumpy and rocky and I can only imagine a full day would leave you pretty sore in the tail.
In other Tahoe news, Talmage beyond enjoyed swimming in the icy, clean lake water...or whatever water he could find...

...Jim and Bryce ate mac and cheese on top of hot dogs (an idea they pinched from the food network)...

...and we all took turns row, row, rowing the boat. What a blast! More pics to come...I hope!