Halloween Costume

Here is Libby doing her impression of a squealing pig. A few more pig pictures are posted here.

The End

Great News

My mom's whipple procedure went great. The surgeon was very optimistic that most all of the cancer was removed. They removed about 40% of the pancreas and a foot of the intestines, but the stomach was not touched. The also removed a lymph node that the cancer had probably moved into. The doctor said that hopefully my mom should be in the hospital for the next week to 10 days and after that will be able to go home. Then she will undergo chemo/radiation in Michigan.

My mom had to be over at the St. Marys Hospital by 5:45 a.m. for her surgery prep. It was suppose to start at around 11 a.m. , but because of some changes in the schedule, they started at 8:15 a.m. First of all they went in with a scope to make sure the cancer hadn't spread. The GREAT news is, it looks like it hasn't. So now they will continue on with the Whipple. It will probably take between 4-6 hours to complete. Please pray for my family and the surgeon and all the nurses and support staff.

Best baby ever

Libby is on such a good schedule. After her doctor appoint last week, we started letting her sleep longer at night and it has worked out great. She gets breast feed from about 8:15 to 8:45 p.m., a bath after that for about 15 mintues. Then she gets a bottle at 9:15 and is usually sleeping in her cradle by 9:45-10:00 p.m. She sleeps until about 3-3:30 a.m. and then gets up to eat and is back sleeping by 4 a.m. At 4 a.m. we put her in her own room, and that way if she cries she can cry herself to sleep. I stayed up a couple of times to listen for her and she usually only cries for about 2-3 minutes before exhausting herself. Beth then wakes her up around 7 a.m. to feed her before she heads out to work.

Since part of the reason I started this Blog was to help others "raise their kids the right way", I will now start taking questions from people and answering them in the Blog. So please send your questions to askathomedad@yahoo.com. I will do my best to answer all of them in a timely manner.

Smiling Baby

I know this post will anger my brother Dave, who apparently hates Libby, but here are some cute pictures of Libby that Beth took.

I'm Sorry

I just want to apoligize to everyone and let them know that this will be my last blog posting. According to my brother Dave, I am boring everyone, here is his comment:

"It's official. Dan's blog is more interesting and humerous than Jon's. It looks like Jon's trying some of Dan's old tricks - like posting old pictures of stuff. Next we'll see meaningless random quotes of stuff. Could you please get a hobby or something? No more recipes, no more doctors office visits and no more naked pictures of your daughter. That's weird. "

I apoligize if I love my daughter and thought everyone wanted to know more about and see pictures of her since we live across the country and my family won't be able to see her grow up.

I guess I could turn this into a hate blog and make fun of the mentally challenged like Dave does.

Even more Awkward

Not even sure what to say about this picture of my sister Susan. So feel free to post your own captions in the comment section.

Awkward...

Yesterday at the doctor's office, the pediatrician and I were talking about Libby's eating and sleeping habits. When I mentioned that Beth sometimes had to wake Libby up in the middle of the night to breastfeed because of her engorged breasts, she started talking about what Beth could do to relieve the pressure. She kept saying "your breasts" and then quickly correcting herself saying "your wife's breasts" or "mom's breasts". For example she said "You can massage your areola and catch the flow into a cup". Now I am sure she dosen't get alot of stay-at-home-dad's in the office, but it was still a little awkward for both of us.

On that note, I found a couple of very intersting website about men breastfeeding. This one asks the question: Can men breastfeed? ( I think the answer is no)

Bathing Beauties

The first picture is of Beth when she was a fat baby, below is Libby. I guess we now know who Libby looks like.

eBay Savvy

We bought a duvet cover from Pottery Barn Outlet about 2 months ago for $80. After living with it for a while Beth decided she didn't really like it and found a new one she liked more. Yesterday the old one sold on eBay for $40. Now I have to paint the bedroom to match the new duvet cover.

2 Month Appointment

This morning Libby went in for her 2 month appointment with Dr. Geiger. She was very pleased with Libby's growth and progress, but wanted her to start sleeping longer at night. Even if that means letting her cry herself back to sleep. Libby should be able to sleep at least 5 hours straight. This will be much easier for me to do then Beth as I can sleep through anything. Libby now weighs 9 lbs 4 oz and is in the 12th percentile for weight. She is 22 inches long and that puts her in the 25th percentile for height. Libby cried like a stuck monkey after each of her 3 shots, but then promptly fell asleep for the car ride home, and is still asleep.

Chicken Pot Pie Recipe

Since I got such great feedback from my smoothie recipe, I have decided that once a week or so I will post a new recipe. This one I got off of foodtv. It was on Paula Dean's show. My brother Dave called me yesterday and he and his "friend" Will went to see Paula Dean's new movie Elizabethtown. You won't meet two bigger Paula Dean fans anywhere. He said the parts that take place in the restaurant were really funny, although a little crude. I didn't realize that Dane Cook was also in the movie.



4 chicken breast halves, or 2 cups leftover cooked chicken
Seasoned salt and pepper
2 tablespoons cooking oil
1/3 cup butter 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 quart heavy cream
1/4 cup chicken base
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/2 small yellow onion, minced
1 cup frozen green peas, cooked
1 cup chopped cooked carrots
Pinch fresh grated nutmeg, optional

Season chicken with seasoned salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and saute until cooked through. Remove from heat and cut into chunks. Alternatively, you may use precooked chicken.
In a large saucepan, melt butter and then slowly add flour, stirring until consistency of peanut butter, but not brown like a roux. Slowly add cream and keep stirring. Add chicken base, garlic, and onion and stir until thickened. Add peas, carrots, nutmeg, if using, and cut up chicken. Remove from heat. Any remaining pie filling may be frozen.

*I used 1 pint of heavy cream and 1 pint of milk
** I also added a can of corn
*** I served this over homemade biscuits

Sleeping Beauty

Today was the first time that Libby slept in her cradle during a nap. Usually she would sleep in her car seat that we put in the craddle. Interesting fact: Everyone of my siblings and everyone one of my neices and nephews (except Elise) have used the cradle.

She Passed

My wife Beth is now a Board Certifed member of the American Board of Internal Medicine. Two days before Libby was born she took her Internal Medicine boards and we just found out yesterday that she passed with flying colors. Of the 8,715 people who took the exam, 81% passed. Beth of course passed with a great score, she was in the top 10th percentile (so she did better then 90% of the group).

Favorite time of day

Bath time has become Libbster's favorite time of day. No matter how much she is screaming or crying sitting in the tub always calms her down. Click here to see more of her bathing pictures, they are all G-rated.

Grandma Visting

After church today we got some pictures of 3 generations of Bonner woman. 

Tired baby

Libby was exhausted today after her travels all over Memphis. She was so good all day.

Memphis Botanical Garden

Today we went to the Memphis Botanical Garden with Beth's Grandma and her Great Aunt Ev and Great Uncle Glenn. They are in town for a few days for a visit, mostly to see Libby we believe. At the gardens there was a professional tree climbing contest going on. It was based on the skill and difficulty of the climb, not speed. If you look close enough at the picture you can see the tree climbers. Afterwards we went to Beale Street, saw the infamous Peabody ducks, and then ate BBQ at Corky's, which is the best in Memphis.

Smoothie Recipe

Here is a great Smoothie recipe I made up. And my "made up" I mean that I saw it on the Oprah Show.

4 oz milk
1 scoop protein powder
1 heaping scoop peanut butter
2 tablespoons honey
2 bananas

I call it the Nutty Monkey. It tastes great and is very filling.

Another newbie

My brother-in-law Rudi (married to my wife's youngest sister Ernie) finally stepped into the wonderful world of Blogging. Well at least he went out and signed up for a Blogger acccount. I think he could get the award for the best Blog name.

Reason #418

About 10 years ago when my nephew Matt was born, my parents went out and bought a bunch of toys for the grandkids to play with when they came to their house. One of the items they bought was a thing of stacking cups. Since then at every family gathering all the brothers sit around seeing how high they can stack the cups on top of each other, alternating upside down then right side up. Until last month when we were visiting my parents in Michigan, the best anyone had ever done was 7 (done by Kevin about 3 years ago). I was sitting there after dinner, really feeling in the zone, my dad noticed how steady my hands were and the focused look in my eyes and grabbed the camera. He got the entire event on film. 1..2..3...4..5..6..7...8..9..10. I held it steady for about 20 seconds and then stood up screaming and shouting. My mom came into the room with tears in her eyes...tears of pride. And that is reason #418 why I am the favorite son. To see all the pictures click here.

For those of you wondering, Dave's record is 5 high, Dan's is 6.

Isn't it ironic.....don't you think

How ironic. Her shirt says "Precious Giggles". As long as ironic dosen't mean "made completely of iron"

A Novel by Chris Elliott

Chris Elliott, one of the funniest men alive (second to Will Ferrell) just wrote a book. He was on Conan O'Brian last night talking about it. It takes place in the 1800s and is about a serial killer. It sounds hilarious. If anyone would like to buy it for me, its on my amazon wishlist.

Like Mother Like Daughter

Beth has an annoying habit of when she goes to bed her feet are cold so she wears socks to bed, but keeps them only half way on her feet. Then when she warms up she kicks them all the way off. So before I do laundry I have to pull the sheets all the way off to find a pile of socks, usually 3 to 4 pairs. Well today I went to do Libby's laundry and knew we had lost a few socks. So I was searching under the bed, near her cradle, but where did I find her socks? Under the sheets next to her mom's.

Sad news

Today it was confirmed that my mother has Pancreatic Cancer, from what I have read and been told it seems like a pretty scary type of cancer to have. I am very thankful that my Mother is one of the strongest people I know and if there is anyone who can beat this thing, it is her. Hopefully she will be heading out to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN (Mayos if your from the U.P.) either this week or early next week to undergo a Whipple Procedure. They are one of the top places in the world to get this done, and my Mom deserves nothing but the best.

She is such an amazing person, she would do anything to help anyone in need and is always praying for the world and everyone who needs it. I am sure that God is being overwhelmed right now with prayers for my Mom. And one of my favorite comes from my neice Emily: She prayed that "Grandma's leg not get cut off with a saw, because then she couldn't walk and it would take 25 people to carry her." As Art Linkletter said "Kids say the Damnest things".

King of Beers

Interesting fact: 1 out of every 5 beers drunk in the USA is a Budweiser.

Screw You Washington, D.C.

The North American Folk and Dance Alliance has moved its headquarters from Washington, D.C. down here to Memphis. I'll be able to go to the annual convention here starting in 2007. Who says there isn't alot to do here in Memphis.

My week in TV

Here is what my PVR records each week. I'm pretty sure I got them all. It may seem like a lot, but you have to remember that some of the shows are brand new and I feel I have to watch them until I find out if they suck or not. I wouldn't want to miss the next "Seinfeld".

Sunday:
King of the Hill
Simpsons
War at Home
Family Guy
American Dad
Extreme Makeover-Home Edition

Monday:
Arrested Development
Kitchen Confidential
King of Queens
How I Meet Your Mother
Two and Half Men
Out of Practice
Prison Break

Tuesday:
Dirty Jobs
Adam Corolla Project
Amazing Race-Family Edition
My Name is Earl
The Office
Rodney
The Biggest Loser
Nip/Tuck

Wedneday:
Yes Dear
Still Standing
The Apprentice-Martha Stewart
Freddie
Good Eats

Thursday:
Survivor
The Apprentice
Will and Grace
Everyone Hates Chris

Friday:
Hope and Faith
Malcom in the Middle
The Soup
Best Week Ever

Saturday:
Saturday Night Live

Face of an Angel

Miss Libby may have the face of an Angel, but she was a stinker today. We took her out shopping to the mall where Beth had to purchase some new shoes, her feet got longer, not wider while she was pregant. While Beth was trying on her shoes, I was holding Libby because she would not stay in her stroller. Everytime she was set down she would cry like a baby. All of the sudden I felt a wetness on my jeans and I noticed urine dripping onto the floor. Libby had peed through her diaper, through her outfit and all over the floor. We quickly bought the shoes, I took off my pants and we went to the Dillard's restroom and got her changed. For those of you in the mid-south and lower north region of the USA, stop by your local Dillard's if you are in the need of a restroom. They were VERY clean (even my mother would approve) and they had the nicest changing table I have ever seen, it was like upholstered piece of furniture.

History has been made!

Today is my niece Elise's first birthday. I was the first person in the world to call her and wish her a happy birthday. That should make the baby book for sure. The picture is of me holding on the day of her birth.

Python Bursts After Trying to Eat Gator

Python Bursts After Trying to Eat Gator. I have seen alot of amazing things in my life, but this could be the coolest thing ever.

Welcome

Welcome Danielson to the wonderful world of blogging. Please keep it interesting.

Beth and Libby Outside

We took some pictures of Beth and Libby today so that Beth would have something to bring to work to show her co-workers. See more of the pictures here.

How angelic does Libby look wearing her bunny-ear blanket. The plaid bag on her lap is full of rice. It usually covers her hands and keeps her from waking up during her night terrors. 

Today we decided to capture Libby's foot and hand prints in plaster of paris. The directions clearly state that it should be tried when baby is sleepy or asleep. She started off asleep, but quickly woke up and starting splattering the plaster all over herself (head, hands, feet, arms) once her foot was placed in the gooey plaster. After two attempts with her hand, we decided to just go with her other foot. You can see that it looks like she has a deformed left foot (more like a bear claw). Afterwards a bath was the only way to clean her up. So much for capturing precious moments. 

Sometimes Zoe is a very messy eater so we decided to use one of Libby's bibs. 

Libby's new dress

Aunt Kris gave this dress to Libby when she came down to meet her. It finally fits her. See more of the photos from this shoot here.

Libby enjoying some tummy-time. 

30 Days til Halloween

Last year my brother Dave came in 2nd place in his office Halloween contest dressed as a Thundercat. This year he is going as He-man (who happens to be the Master of the Universe).

New haircut

On Thursday Beth went to visit her Aunt Susan, who use to be a hairdresser, and got her first "mom" haircut. She looks so cute. She didnt' want me to post this picture because she hadn't had time to "do" her do yet, but I thought it looked great anyway. The black blob behind her is our dog Stretch who likes to sit on the back of the chair while Beth is studying.