The Ohio State University College of Dentistry

I have been weighed in the balances and have been found wanting. I received an email this morning from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry regarding my admission status. They have informed me that I am on the alternate list. Question: What is an alternate? Fact: An alternate is an applicant that did not make the top 26 out of 60 non-residents. Question: What does an alternate do? Fact: Alternates will wait until December 5th, contact the aforementioned university and hope they are high up on the list.

I believe we have received this particular waiting experience to instruct The Better Half with patience. Indeed, I will entreat her suffering until Wednesday next week. Pray for us.

Louisifer At His Best

The picture below captures Louisifer's personality, humor and ambition for life remarkebly well. He tends to incline towards female sensitivity and has a passion for hair design. Beginning with his own sideburn curls and blonde locks, Louisifer's luster exceeds even the experienced. Take him for what he is worth and you will not be disappointed. Rather you will find your own preferences slowly adapting in mimicry of this ostentatious comic.

My "cute" Brother-in-law

Here is what happens when the hour is late, your younger sisters are visiting, and everyone is in need of a good laugh...

Origin of Hoju

Hoju has been growing out of his newborn clothes. He's turned from his newborn alien status into a real boy. Pinocchio would be jealous. In the following photos he is sporting a tan overall-long sleeve shirt combo, courtesy of Babys'R'Us. Question: Does he look anything like me? Answer: The Milk Man.

The Unfortunate Truth

I feel that a very dear friend has been weaving untrue information regarding the care of my son. The Truth is far different. I think the perp will agree that he/she has been trying to undermine my validity. Look at this picture below. Would I neglect my son?

Riley

Ok, so maybe this isn't the best picture of Riley, but his eyes are REALLY open!

I never thought that I could be so in love with someone just after a month of knowing them! He is perfect, maybe that's the mother in me, but he is. Today he is one month old and growing every second, literally he is in 3 month clothing. He is his father's child. I think that he wants to smile at me but again maybe that's the mother in me. When I was pregnant and imagining the hard part of being a mom, I thought about poopie diapers, up all night, bath time and breastfeeding, but all of those have been a piece of cake compared to "the pacifier" or whatever you prefer to call it. When Riley was a couple days old we gave it to him and he could take it or not take it, but not anymore, he thinks that he needs it anytime he is sleepy (he's a newborn, you do the math) So needless to say my hand is attached to his pacifier which is attached to his mouth (you can imagine how much I get done around the house). But Riley is happy and that's all that matters. Ryan keeps asking for scotch tape every time he is trying to put him to sleep, so now I always hold the pacifier in his mouth till he falls asleep.

Uncalled For

Ryan and I are in a feud. he wants to put nicknames such as Ryan = Homer, Riley = Hoju (Homer Junior) and I= The Better Half which is true (just kidding!) I think that everyone that looks at this is going to know our real names anyway..right? So needless to say, if you see a post that says our real names, and you go back later and see that the names have been changed to nicknames, you'll know why. :)

The Lone Thanksgiving

Tommorow is one of my favorite holidays. Why? because I can stuff myself to oblivion and not feel guilty. Last year we had ALL of Ryan's family come from Oregon and it was a blast! This year there are three people attending our Thanksgiving "feed", as Ryan would put it. Ryan, Riley, and I, and one of us can't even eat real food. So, two of us are going to stuff ourselves to the rafters. Happy Turkey Day Everyone!

Umaremashita!

The time has come. The son is born. Hoju entered this world on Saturday, October 27th at 8:34 PM weighing in at 8lbs 12 ounces. He's the highlight of our lives. Labor and delivery were fascinating. I never knew how much stuff comes out with the baby. My favorite part (beside seeing my son slide out of my wife) was when the delivery nurse pushed on her uterus and the fluid/blood hit the doctor in the chest. Pretty stinking cool. I think the nurses and the doctor were either creeped out or annoyed with all the questions I was asking. I did stump some of them, which was not my intention, but fun none the less. To describe and relate everything that happened within the 12 hour labor, delivery and two days in the hospital would be long and tedious. Instead I will list the highlights - comments and events. You get to fill in the details with your imagination.

• "We're adopting the rest of our children"
• "We Shurtz's produce very thirsty babies"
• "Turn off the camera"
• Birthing is stinky.
• Glen hiding in the curtain.
• Genetics test.
• Motivation to push harder - doctor leaving the room and the use of the vacuum.
• Cutting the cord.
• Juices squirting on my arm.
• Sutures
• 1:00Am - 2:00AM - 3:00AM - 4:00AM.....
• The SPACIOUS father's chair/bed
• Passing out
• Official bathroom/shower monitor
• The Yellow Stickers
• Raiding the guest fridge and cupboards.
• Survey and Hospital Quality
• Breastfeeding = Sore Nipples
• Figuring out how I knew Fay.
• Is she old enough to be a nurse?
• Janet - the woman with all the answers
• Pediatric Manhandling
• "Can I have some percocet?"
• Myconeum anyone?

Just to name a few.