Quirks-Part 2

I enjoyed the post regarding quirks (and enjoyed reading other peoples'). As random as they were, that's kind of what I'm about, so here's another one I recognized today:

I am a FREAK about license plates.

My license plate is nothing spectacular - vehicle registration in WI costs enough the way it is - personalization is out of the question. In general, I am obsessed with figuring out what custom plates stand for. Recently I saw one that said 4x4FRVR. Clearly this person didn't think the 4x4 truck they were driving was enough to show everyone they like 4x4s. I've also been known to send text messages (specifically to my brother) with fun, crazy or ridiculous license plates I see just because I feel like someone else should share in the moment. But I digress...

Others I've seen:
I M 10S
KAYS CAR - best when driven by a man :)
PRNCESS
TWNS CAR - this one triggered a text to a friend since I remembered (from high school) this car is driven by a twin friend of hers

Ha, apparently I'm a stalker, too. I sometimes associate personalized plates with a location if I see the vehicle there on multiple occasions. A couple months ago I noticed the owner of 'JEALOUS' (consistently seen at a retail establishment I frequent) got a new car when it switched from one sport's car to another. I should be committed.

In addition to solving the puzzles that are personalized license plates, I have an unusual ability to remember non-personalized plates. Today while on driving on the highway, I glanced at the license plate of the car ahead of me and after thinking it looked oddly familiar realized it was that of a close friend. It wasn't until after I recognized her plate that I thought to myself, "Red Rav-4, yes, that would make sense." What? Is that normal? How about you? Would you recognize the vehicle, then license plate or vice versa? Do you even PAY ATTENTION to license plates?

While we're on the topic of quirks, I'll throw in a pet peeve for you as well: I can SEE what make and model of car you drive, so there is no need to plaster it across your windshield or back window in 12" letters, ex.: if you drive a Chevy Cavalier, it's not necessary to buy a decal that says 'Cavalier' and put it ANYWHERE on your car. Save your money. In fact, if you're interested in expressing yourself, you could spend it on personalized plates. Just stay away from CVALIER. We get it.

Stay tuned for more quirks - there are bound to be more where that came from.

Mallory's First Pumpkin

Casey and I have gone to a pumpkin carving party at a friend's house the last three years in a row. But Kari, you say, that sounds like an awfully childish party to attend. Well, I respond, it may be, but there are prizes and a traveling trophy involved and let's be real...we (Casey) takes this all very seriously. We actually won the first year, but wouldn't you know it? The trophy wasn't constructed until the second year. Anyway, it was imperative that we attend this year (the 4th Annual) so Mallory could join in on the tradition. After talking to her it was clear that she was up for the challenge.

Here's her game face................
I didn't manage to get any pictures at the party and long story short, we didn't win the trophy, but there's always next year. Not for nothing, it only took Casey about 4 1/2 minutes to carve the face in Mallory's pumpkin (de-gutting not included) with his electric pumpkin carver. (You too could have one - $9.99 at your local Ace Hardware store.)

Anyway, here's the final product and it's proud owner. (Cute pumpkin stand courtesy of Mallory's Meme.) Casey and I might get turned into DCFS since these pictures were taken on our porch at 10:30pm in 50 degree fall weather, but they were worth it. (At least she's wearing socks!)

Okay, Momma, take the picture...
Hey, whose hand is that?
Oh, I thought I recognized you - hi Daddy!I can't get over how intently she is staring at him. I was talking to her while taking the pictures and as soon as she heard her daddy's voice her head turned toward him. She sure loves her daddy.

Baby Smiles

Mallory is **************THIS CLOSE************** to smiling an actual smile. I can feel it. We're waiting for that 'honest-to-goodness, whole-hearted, I recognize your face' smile. But for now, we'll just eat up the smiles we get when she sleeps.
These were taken after a long walk the other day. I guess she was exhausted. :)

She absolutely takes my breath away.

Narcoleptic??

So, I put Mallory down on the bed so I could...well, I don't know...to do something, I don't remember what. I turned around...she was asleep. It couldn't have been five minutes.


If she weren't a newborn I would consider getting her checked for narcolepsy.

Tired girl. So sweet.

Third time's a charm!

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Genelogy - Free pedigree charts

Clearly this is not fool proof, but okay...

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities - Collage - Morph

Come on! Equally??

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebs - Collage - Morph

Go Green!

Do you receive too many catalogs in the mail?? You can eliminate unwanted catalogs by visiting: www.catalogchoice.org

Setup an account today in an effort to reduce junk mail and save a tree!

One Month Well Visit

One Month??? Where has the time gone?

There's really not much excitement involved in a visit to the doctor's office, but Mallory asked me to take a few pictures anyway. She really can't complain about the comfort of her carseat...did I mention she sleeps like a champ?

Baby feet and toes KILL me!

A few wide-eyed shots...there are those cheeks again...

The moment we've all been waiting for:

9lbs 14.4oz!

21 3/4 in

(up from 8lbs 4oz & 20 3/4 in on 9/26/08)

Overall, a happy, healthy baby!

Mommy Time

Since I'm always the one taking the pictures - here's a few of me and Mallory. I do wonder what she's thinking in the first two.

I just want to squeeze her little cheeks!

Starbucks anyone??

There's always a 'thinker' on the side of the cup and due to my craving for a 'decaf grande nonfat no whip white mocha'...here's today's:

The Way I See It #141

I used to feel so alone in the city. All of those gazillions of people and then me, on the outside. Because how do you meet a new person? I was very stumped by this for many years. And then I realized, you just say, "Hi." They may ignore you. Or you may marry them. And that possibility is worth that one word.

--Augusten Burroughs
Author of Running with Scissors.

Quirks!

First, here are the rules of the game:
1. Link to the person that tagged you. Megan: Jack of All Trades
2. Mention the rules.
3. Tell six (6) quirky, yet boring and unspectacular details about yourself.
4. Tag other bloggers by linking to them. (I'm going to tag 3 people...you can do however many you choose.)
5. Go to each person's blog and leave them a comment so they know they've been tagged.

My 6 quirky, boring details...

1. I have long, skinny, monkey toes and have been known to pick things up with them. (Sadly...Mallory got them too!)

2. I can't eat macaroni and cheese without sugar on it.

3. Before going to sleep at night, I have to make sure the covers on the bed are straight. (Drives Casey INSANE.)

4. I'm freakishly strong, according to my sister-in-laws, Megan and Shannon.

5. I make a crazy noise with my throat when I laugh really hard - you'd swear it's a snort, but no...

6. My freshman and sophomore years in high school I attended 'Wizard of Oz Fest' in Chesterton, IN due to my ridiculous obsession with the movie.

TAG! Missy, Marit, and Meggie - YOU'RE IT!

First Visit to IL

We went to Galesburg this weekend - it was Mallory's first trip out of state and her first time meeting Uncle Sean, Aunt Mo, Braden and Finley. Brady and Fin fought over who would get to hold her first. She wasn't feeling the love here, but I assure you she can't wait to see them again.

Finley kept saying, "It's Baby Ma-o-wee! She's so cute!"

I had to include multiple pictures of Uncle Steve as we didn't get ANY pictures of him holding Mallory the weekend she was born - and they were staying at our house! (Funny thing, Stevie, we just spent the weekend in IL and I didn't get any pictures of Aunt Mo holding Mallory - I need to get A LOT better at this whole taking pictures thing!)

Mallory and Uncle Seanie

It was a great, relaxing weekend! Mallory proved to be a good little traveler. She slept in the car all the way there and all the way home. (It might just be because she sleeps a lot, but we'd like to think it's because she's so eager to please...) Thanks for having us - we'll be back soon!

You've heard of Bats in the Belfry...

but have you heard about the bats in the Kane's attic? Well, it's true - they've been there as long as I've known Casey. Here are a few photos of my sister-in-law, Megan on her brave journey to get one of Brady's toys out of the bat infested attic.

Jacket with a hood so bats can't land in your hair...$55

Old tennis racket to protect against dive bombers...$35

Having Casey stand guard at the door...$5

Having someone else get the toy from the attic after all that work...Priceless!

The Moral of the Story is...

...don't lick your wounds after having spay surgery or having your dew claws removed.

Claddagh was apparently not satisified leaving well enough alone and figured she'd give the dreaded "cone" a run for it's money...

It really is the saddest sight I've ever seen.