Rosa Jane's 17month Photo Shoot

Click on the picture to see more from this adorable shortie, cutie-pants, precious-cat, sunshine-head girl.

I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her.

Where There's a Will, There's a Way

The city has been hard at work trying to figure out how to get to the sewer pipe without destroying our million dollar driveway. Their solution? To dig a tunnel under the driveway. It reminds me of the cartoon characters digging out of prison with a spork.

Anyway, they hope to be done by the end of the day today. We'll see.

It's amazing how little dirt there is here. It's all rock. A kid's project of digging to China would be a really great, ambitious feat.

Things That Make You Say Hmmm

Saturday our new friends Julie, Dave and Betti Grace invited us to join them downtown for datenight. I enjoyed seeing the neon and excitement of people dressed in their best, but I have to admit this country girl really loves the quiet life away from the vomit and alcohol on Rico Suave-o's breath. Lookie who's calling the kettle black.

The next morning the town had already schedule the imploding of the Intel structure that had been left abandoned after the dotcom bust of 2001. As you can see, it didn't quite implode as we all know they were hoping.

Thank goodness that the words "I meant to do that" didn't have to be invented and could be pulled out of the back pocket for just in time use.

"Just So We're Absolutely Clear on This,"

says the good doctor, "most babies are freaking out by now."

But not sweet Rosa Jane. She likes it.

She stays true to her original numbers -- 75% weight at 26 lbs and 50% height at 30". That would explain why her old pants now fit like highwaters and that cute dress hits just below her knees. I can't stress enough how heartbreaking it is to watch her outgrow my favorite outfits.

By the third shot her feelings were totally smashed but she tried to regain her composure. She gave the nurse a smile and a half-hearted "bye" when it was time to go.

Meanwhile, the car parked beside us in the parking lot had a bumpersticker that said, "Got Triplets?" And that of course has given us much about which to think.

A Must See Video

Hank in the Box.






Hank in the Box. Rosa Jane on the assist. on Vimeo

Lone Cowgirl in Big Texas

I don't know if embedding movies makes my website harder to view for some, so if so, let me know. Otherwise, I do hope you'll enjoy taking a little walk on a beautiful day with my Rosa Jane comin' atcha fast!


rj the cowgirl walks solo on Vimeo Go over to the Vimeo site to see more cute videos from today!

Showdown on Rudder

JetBlue's Apology for Kdogg's Missed Trip to Tejas.

This apology is sweet and seems heartfelt. But still, I cry when I think of Kdogg stranded at JFK and getting no answers from any one.


David's apology
Dear JetBlue Customers,

We are sorry and embarrassed. But most of all, we are deeply sorry.

Last week was the worst operational week in JetBlue’s seven year history. Many of you were either stranded, delayed or had flights cancelled following the severe winter ice storm in the Northeast. The storm disrupted the movement of aircraft, and, more importantly, disrupted the movement of JetBlue's pilot and inflight crewmembers who were depending on those planes to get them to the airports where they were scheduled to serve you. With the busy President’s Day weekend upon us, rebooking opportunities were scarce and hold times at 1-800-JETBLUE were unusually long or not even available, further hindering our recovery efforts.

Words cannot express how truly sorry we are for the anxiety, frustration and inconvenience that you, your family, friends and colleagues experienced. This is especially saddening because JetBlue was founded on the promise of bringing humanity back to air travel, and making the experience of flying happier and easier for everyone who chooses to fly with us. We know we failed to deliver on this promise last week.

We are committed to you, our valued customers, and are taking immediate corrective steps to regain your confidence in us. We have begun putting a comprehensive plan in place to provide better and more timely information to you, more tools and resources for our crewmembers and improved procedures for handling operational difficulties. Most importantly, we have published the JetBlue Airways Customer Bill of Rights – our official commitment to you of how we will handle operational interruptions going forward – including details of compensation. We invite you to learn more at jetblue.com/promise.

You deserved better - a lot better - from us last week and we let you down. Nothing is more important than regaining your trust and all of us here hope you will give us the opportunity to once again welcome you onboard and provide you the positive JetBlue Experience you have come to expect from us.

Sincerely,


David Neeleman
Founder and CEO

Peanut = CUTE!

Everyone asks us, "She's so cute, who does she look like?"

The answer? We have no idea really. She's her own special recipe of cute. The one and only. I see my Aunt's mouth and sometimes see the shape of Don's eyes on Rosa Jane. But that's about it. We were wondering what Reese (my dad) looked like as a baby. I don't think I've seen any pictures of him, but will have to raid my sister's house next time we're in the fair land of Riches. Of course we also think there are influences of the Ross Family, but it's been a while since I've recognized those traits on RJ. Who knows. I guess I'm glad she's not a total spitting image so that instead of saying "she's cute" they'd say, "she looks just like you" which may or may not be a compliment. Still, it would be nice if she resembled one of us more then we wouldn't feel like such biological imposters when we're out on the town.

Leaving Our Mark

This is the band stage outside the Austin Pop Culture Museum. We left our mark here, here and here. Click to view closer...

There's a Tear In My Beer

As I'm crying for you dear. You've been on my lonesome mind.

Kdogg flew from Bos to JFK only to get delay after delay after delay to cancelled to finally a hotel room at 2am to back at the airport at 7am to wait standby for a bird that was impossible to catch. At 3pm yesterday we finally heard from her that she was heading home to bite her pillow. It's the saddest story ever told. And so, we're sitting here trying not to drown in our tears.

We miss you, Kdogg.

BFF

Sweet Addison gives hugs to meanie Rosa Jane. Click on the picture to see more from our afternoon playdate.

There's a lot going on in this picture

Here we are at 5pm Storytime at Starbucks with our friend Andy behind the book. I'm obviously behind the camera in the far corner. Rosa Jane has wandered into the lap of her Kindermusik teacher in the far left corner, and Don has just walked in to meet us here. He's in the back right corner talking with my friend Chadwin who is explaining all this to him. He couldn't find us anywhere and he was more than surprised to see me without RJ!

Be Mine, Be Mine!

This is the Valentine we made for our special friend, Kelly. Woe to be a 6th grader without a cell phone!

1. I wish you would be hearing David Gray's "Be Mine" song when you read this blog entry. "...That everytime I'm talking with you
It's always over too soon
That everyday feels so incomplete
Till you walk into the room
Say the word now girl I'll jump that moon hey ..."

2. Pixie sent me a link this morning to an article in the NY Times all about Red Velvet Cake. Drat for making me salivate and think of nothing but Red Velvet Cake and how soon I can get me some!

3. I am ready to drop kick my computer outta here! It keeps freezing up and arggggg I just want to scream bloody murder until an Apple in my eye appears magically.

Bottled Munchkin Laughter

Remember if at any time you feel nauseous from the camera movement, just close your eyes and listen to that munchkin laughter coming from Baby Kate and Rosa Jane.



Kate and Rosa Jane Giggling with Stroller Delight on Vimeo

doran and rj

We went to Doran's yesterday to mark the third year he's walked/ crawled/ drooled on the planet. I had so much fun working with him and RJ had lots of fun feeding macaroni to his kitten. I love this photo of them together, though it's not the best one from the sitting. I just think my RJ looks like a little cherub. Click on the picture to see more of Doran.

Two Days. One. Two. Buckle My Shoe.

Two days until my friends get here. I've been holding my breath this whole entire time... from the very last day I saw them all at Z's bday party the night before I caught that big bird to sweet Texas soil. I can't wait until 1pm Thursday... that's when I'll start to deeply exhale. And deeply inhale. Knowing that I can do anything.

Meanwhile, RJ is learning to count, too. I say, "I have three kisses for you. Are you ready for them?"

MMMWAH one.

MMWAH two.

MMMWAH three.

And she knows when she's done receiving the kisses. In return I ask for five kisses from her. She gives them to me with just a little coaxing.



Man, I love this kid. Click the picture to see more.

Reason #999

Why I love Craigslist.

Because just yesterday Don and I were talking about how we really wanted to find a way to cozy up our back porch and make it a destination at our house.

Reason #1,000 Because everyone I've ever met via craigslist is so nice... just like Anna and Tom from last night

Reason #1,001 Because we got a helluva good deal on great furniture at a fraction of the cost it would have been retail. And when you have a kid in college, who has money to pay retail?

Reason #1,002 Because not only was it great furniture but the nice man Tom didn't mind making a couple of trips in his own car to help deliver the furniture at no extra cost.

Did I mention I love craigslist?

Now, does anyone know how to rid bamboo of mildew?

Put A Fork in Me! I'm Done!

Cute. Cute. Cute. There's really nothing more this mother can say. This video was taken at night after Daddy gets home from work, when RJ is just barely holding on. But she loves her daddy and will do anything he asks her to. Here, he says, "Hi Pixie!" which is what we affectionately call big sister, Sara. Pixie, I hope you have tissues near by 'cuz you will surely weep when you see your precious little sister in this snippet of night life at our house.

Overlook the moronic repeating adult, the burp and the silly parent conversation at the end. I really don't think that's too much to ask. ;-) You'll be glad you did and maybe one day I'll figure out the whole editing thing. But here you go: Rosa Jane in the RAW. (By the way, I didn't mean that in any way derogatory of my precious husband... it's just that it's a little distracting from the preciousness of Rosa Jane. Please understand...)

Also, check out the few new pictures on Flickr and the commentary there...



RJ says HI PIXIE! on Vimeo

First Time Ever: Home Alone -- So Awesome, It Sucked

Whew! Lordy, it was a long time a-coming! A sweet angel from heaven above (I won't mention any names, AMY!!) volunteered to keep RJ for an hour or so yesterday afternoon. What an exalting feeling it was -- 16.5 months later -- to know that my beloved still existed in the world, but I didn't have to watch her. I didn't have to listen to her whine (I know, I know, I've kept a brave front that she never does this, but she is human. she is baby).

I recently browsed over to TomKat's site and realized there are babies in the world that LOVE the vacuum. Mine is not one of them. And it's such a heart breaking shame, too because I LOVE MY NEW VACUUM. So when I had the afternoon to myself, guess what I did?

I got out my trusty dusty vacuum and had a ball!!!!! No more dog hair on me or my floors. Who could ask for more happiness than that?

Yes, I believe I am smarter with glasses

Just because you need to see this picture.

Check Out Our Little Rock Star Baby

She's so well-rounded. The most brilliant baby on the block one minute and ready to rock out the next. So much to love it could make you cry your eyes out if you stopped to think about it too much. ;-)

Bloggin' Like There's No Tomorrow!

Here's a movie that could've used some editing, but I don't know how. Check it out anyway. Rosa Jane says those sweet words I've been waiting all her life to hear, "Mommy." Boy, is it sweet!



RJ says MOMMY on Vimeo

Quick Show of Hands

If the city happened to be at the foot of your driveway repairing the road they tore up with brand new wet cement... then how many of you would be out there with your little one leaving your mark forever?

HMMM?

Be honest.


Leaving your mark is always more fun with others, so we went down the hill and grabbed our neighbor Addison to join us. That's RJ's claw mark in the lower right corner. I don't know what it is, but there's always a scrap whenever RJ is around Addison. RJ gets territorial and her claws come out.

Addison's mom said what if we just let'em go at it sometime and see if they really hurt each other. About five seconds later, Addison picked up RJ's favorite toy and RJ went at her screaming.

RJ grabbed Addison's shirt with one hand and started beating her repeatedly with the other. So much for that experiment. As they were leaving, Monique thought it would be funny to tell RJ they were going to take her favorite car down to their house. I said sure, egg her on, but we know where you live and don't be surprised if you wake up tomorrow to find your lawn thoroughly forked.

I sure do like having jokesters living so close. It makes life more fun!

Sweetening the Deal

Confession: I like to listen to "Oprah & Friends" on XM radio. It's so much more inspiring than listening/watching her TV show. All her "friends" have insights that I can appreciate.

It's funny, I've heard several of my most spiritual friends be down on Oprah and I really don't get it. Oprah gives it up for God and she also manages to inspire us all to live our best lives. You really can't beat her in my book.

The other day we (RJ and I) were listening to Jean Chatzky (O's financial guru) talk to this woman who owns an ad agency (the one that came up with the AFFLACK campaign.) The guest was talking about how you get much more from your employees when you "sweeten the deal." Which means not only be nice to your employees (even the lowly ones like messenger boy) but also have a bowl of M&Ms on your desk readily available for all who enter your office/cubical. It's proven that chocolate releases endorphins that make you feel good and so why wouldn't you share more of your million dollar ideas with co-workers when you have that feel-good chemical flowing through your blood.

I fully subscribe to this line of thought and see how it could be very powerful in day-to-day life. Too bad we can't really give candy to strangers -- or can we?

Anyway... the real point of this story comes back to Rosa Jane and this weekend.
Rosa Jane walks over to Hank in her sweetest voice with bone in hand saying something that sounds a lot like, "Here you go, Hanky." Hank takes the bone and starts chewing happily. Next, RJ tots as fast as she can over to her doll stroller or her push firetruck. Stroller in hand, she plows as fast as she can into Hanky, laughing her head off as he tries to scurry away in just the nick of time.

They do this over and over. He herds her. She herds him. Each laughing. Each having a good time. Each sweetening the deal. Now, just try to tell me we don't have the smartest baby on the block.

Shopping at Ikea

HPIM0475
Originally uploaded by l_zuehlke.

Friday, Laurie called while RJ was sleeping and said she was heading to the brand new Ikea store about an hour away. I was so excited I could barely leave RJ sleepin' so we could get there as soon as we could.

It was definitely a challenge to shop with the peanut. She likes to walk around but won't hold my hand. She will walk in my direction if I stay in front of her, but in this modern day world of childsnatchers it's an risky proposition.

Here I'm trying to entertain her with anything and these colanders seem to do just the trick . . .

Embrace the Shorties

Bring on all the shorties. I love'em! I want to scoop'em up. I have no fear of snot or chewed up bits of food that didn't want to be swallowed by little people.

My, my I've come a long way.

Last night we had a wonderful dinner with Kate's family. We each recounted living our past days in Nashville. We realized some of our days there overlapped but I can't recall ever meeting them though our favorite places were the same: hillsboro village, south street, west end community church, fido, belmont ave, woodmont and estes, and green hills. Who could possibly think about all those places without thinking of her best friend, Sal Pal? Ah, the charmed memories!

Don reminded me that we once lived in Franklin/Brentwood and how much sally and i hated living in suburbia where there were children's toys strewn about the front lawn. Ick. I hated that so much. I will state again... my, my how much I've changed.

Please don't drive by my house today and be disgusted with the toys strewn about the lawn. We're honestly doing the best we can. ;-)

For the Love of the Groundhog

I love Groundhog's day. Always have, always will. I love animals. I love any official holiday dedicated to what an animal will do. So far, I think the Groundhog has the corner on this market. I love that Hallmark hasn't even been able to make Dog's Day stick. I'm also glad it's not a more readily lovable animal, too -- like Dolphin's Day or Unicorn's Day. Anyone can love them, but this is the rodent groundhog. We've been celebrating him for what seems like forever. Some of my fondest childhood mems revolve around groundhogs day.

So get off your high horse and bring on your love for the groundhog, man.

(Thanks to wikipedia for providing the photo.)

What's Playing on my iPod

Seriously a list of songs I couldn't live without (played on shuffle of course).

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing - Sara Groves
This little light of mine - Elizabeth Williams
Golden Days - The Damnwells
Fill Me Up - Shawn Colvin
Turn my Camera On - Spoon
There's Hope - India.Arie
There Ain't No Reason - Brett Dennan
Darlin' Do Not Fear - Brett Dennan
All I Want Is You - U2
Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - U2
Lonesome Road - Madeleine Peyroux
Lil Bit - Madeleine Peyroux
Come Thou Fount - Jars of Clay
Smile - Madeleine Peyroux
Girl from Ipanema - (I forget who it's by but it's great!)
If you Want to Sing Out - Cat Stevens
Break Down - Jack Johnson
Drop It Like It's Hot - Snoop Dogg (inspired by Zdogg and RJ loves it!)
Yeah! - Usher
(It's great to hear RJ sing along with the Yeah, Yeah!even if some of the lyrics are R rated and i'm confident she can't say those words yet and hasn't heard them enough in context to know what they mean!)
Plus:
Garden State soundtrack entirety
What's not to love about every single song except that really, really sad song (of course).

RJ's favorites? Catch the Moon CD by Elizabeth Mitchell and Lisa Loeb
She also favors Car, Car by Elizabeth Mitchell and the It's gonna be alright song from the Land of Nod CD.
This is my all time fav children's cd, too. It's fun yet quiet. Who doesn't love quiet unless it's your all time favorite songs playing loudly!!

So, now it's your turn... what are you listening to?