My Very Own Dance Video

I'm very theatrical.  See below? I'm my very own Comedy/Tragedy.

Today is my 7 week-a-versary of the exile from the womb.  Because I made it to the outside, I dance for you.

I present to you...

My song and dance.

"Baby Acne," Dry Skin and Burt's Bees to the Rescue!

After trying many different products for my 6 wk old "baby acne" (we've read that there's no cure for this, but it should go away by 6 months) and dry, flaky skin, Mom picked up Burt's Bees Baby Bee Buttermilk Lotion. I've been slathered with it twice or more per day and after just a few days, it's nearly cleared up completely! My face is almost back to being baby soft, instead of "sandpaper and scaly" as Dad likes to say. THANKS BURT'S BEES!

Before Burt's Bees, I'm all red, dry, bumpy, scaly.

Three days after starting Burt's Bees, redness almost gone, bumps and flakes almost gone. Baby soft skin, almost totally! Just LOOK at my Cheruby cheeks!

Thanks Burt!

*We have not, in any form, been paid for our product reviews or raves (though it would be cool). The above stated opinions are our own.

Uncle Eric & Lindsey are Crazy!

Uncle Eric (Mom's brother) and his beautiful girlfriend (whom I will someday steal and conquer as my own) FINALLY came all the way from Arizona to visit.  I mean, I'm 6 weeks old already.  What the hell?

Mom and Grandpa went to pick them up from the airport and decided to leave me home with Grandma.  We took care of each other:

(YES, this is boob milk...mom couldn't be 2 places at once. Don't go thinking I'm a formula drinker ::shudder:: I've never touched the stuff)

 As soon as Eric and The Lovely Lindsey hopped in the car, both exclaimed their disappointment regarding the lack of babyness in the car.  Oops! I was home, being all well-fed and snugly.

When the finally did arrive, both rushed over to see me.  The last time we saw each other looked like this:

First, Unc decided that I needed to be hoisted like Simba from The Lion King:

See the similarities?  Yeah I think the above picture should have gone a little more like this:

But I just didn't have it in me.

Anyway.  Lindsey anxiously awaited the hand-off from Mr. Stingy Pants Eric so that she could make faces at me in attempts to win a smile.

It worked momentarily, but it was late and I really just wanted to grunt, stretch, eat and go back to sleep.

So, we met again in the morning.

See how gorgeous she is?  Looks like I'm sleeping; but really, I'm taking a peak down her shirt.  Hey! It's what I do...I'm a boob man.  And see? No ring on her finger? Yeah Unc, I'm going to steal her.

Mom had decided that night that it was late, she didn't want to drive back home, she didn't feel well since she was passing those awesome kidney stones I had been hearing so much about, and she wanted to spend maximum time with Unc and My Lady Friend so we decided to spend the night.  

Also that morning, I hung out with Grandpa: 

Nice jammies.

Then we went to wake Eric.  We had some skin-time, but it was me who fell asleep.  I also managed to find my thumb for the first time:

(to see how Mom got rid of my horrible baby acne, click HERE)

Check out my killer biceps.

After that, we went downstairs for a diaper change, where I proceeded to assstound and assstonish with my "Big Noises From Little Butt Cheeks" routine.  Seriously, I'm amazing.  (It even says so in the 'Labels' at the bottom of this post. [ok fine, it says "I'm Awesome" but really, same thing.])

Later that weekend, we went home to get things ready to go to my other Aunt and Uncle's house for Easter.  Dad discovered there was something wrong with our dog, Brutus:

(handsome doggy)

So Mom called the Emergency Vet, because after all, it was Easter and the regular vet wasn't open.  They confirmed what she suspected, that Bloat.  Because of his age and the fact that it is incurable, Mom and Dad thought certain that they were taking him to put him down. :(  I got to go hang out with Uncle Eric and my girlfriend Lady Lindsey while they handled business. [luckily, it wasn't the bloat, but degenerative disk disease,  causing the poor bastard pain when he bent to try to poo, thus not poo-ing for a few days, resulting in poo back up and protrusion of his left rib cage.]  Mom says it was one hell of a vet bill to find out your dog has a bad back and can't poo.

So there ya have it. I love Uncle Eric and Lindsey and I'm sad they don't live closer.  We have however, decided to shoot periodical videos (that's right, I've now added "Movie Star" to my repertoire) and link them to our YouTube channel so they can see all of the super fantastical things I can do.  You're welcome to check them out as well. 

(I hope I'm as good looking as this guy when I get to be old like him)

The Loss of a Great Life

A Note From My Momma: 

As many of you know, Leland was scheduled to be delivered via Cesarean Section on March 1st, 2011.  Leland's Grandpa Becker (Marty) was also scheduled for a simple heart procedure to correct his problem with Atrial Fibrillation.  Because of this, the C Section was cancelled, so that we could all be with Mike's Mom (Sue) during the time of the surgery.

While recovering in the Intensive Care Unit at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Pontiac, he was given a medication to regulate his blood pressure. Due to allergies to numerous medications (including the administered blood pressure medication), Sue advised that Marty’s care team call the family’s physician to obtain a current list of known allergens.  They were supposed to have called that morning, prior to any medication being administered.

Later that next afternoon, Sue arrived to see a blur of activity in Marty's room; he had coded. The staff was feverishly administering CPR.  He was a shade of dark purple.  Initially, they weren't sure what exactly caused him to code.  Later, they figured it was anaphylaxis, or anaphylactic shock.  Truly, it was all downhill from there.  After a few baby steps forward and many monstrous steps back, Marty went home to be with the Lord, 1 month and 2 days after his original surgery.

I'm happy for him.  Surely, I am.  He's no longer suffering.  However, the most painful part in all of this: he never got to meet his youngest son's only child, Leland.  Except the day of his death, the two were never in the same room.  Marty had seen pictures. He new that Leland had his eyes, and the nickname of "Mini-Mart" because he looked just like a Mini-Marty. But in life, the two never met.  I am confident now, that Marty knows Leland very well.

Marty was a great man; he was the type of person to give you the shirt off of his back, if need be.  Walking into his house, he'd instantly offer you a shot and a beer.  Even after declining, he still made sure you had a drink in your hand shortly after.  He would always ask how you were doing, and be genuinely interested in your answer.  Marty was up for a challenge, unless it was physical. I think he secretly liked when his kids had car trouble...if it meant spending time with them in his garage.

He was a funny man. Marty loved to laugh. He liked his beer, his cigarettes, working on cars, and being outdoors. He liked dirty jokes, but he loved to tell them more.  He loved his neighbors and co-workers; he considered all of them to be friends, not just acquaintances. He sincerely loved his wife and his children, but he truly and deeply cherished his grand children.

Toward the end of his life, even with the challenge of his illness, Marty would tell you life was good.   He overcame so many obstacles during his short life time, I guess he finally found one, he simply could not conquer.

Rest in peace Marty. You are forever in our hearts.

(My favorite picture of Marty. circa 2006)

Shit Happens. But Shit in Your Mouth? That Shouldn't Happen.

(Mom after I shat in her mouth.  Welcome Mommy!)

It is possible for a baby to spray shit (in the literal sense) into your mouth. Even when they're not aimed at you. Fact of the day. You're welcome.

Post Format

I've added a new aspect to the posts at the bottom. Here, you'll be able to tell me if you think a post is Awesome, Awesomer, Awesomeeest. Feel free to be honest! I mean, I know I'm always awesome, but just HOW awesome is key.

Below is what it looks like, only with the words "Awesome, Awesomer, Awesomeeest."

Ready to Rumble!

Before I was born, Mom started collecting these cool cloth diapers. This is a lot she got off of ebay. They're a little big and not as nice as the Rump-a-Rooz or FuzziBunz she has on her NaturalWayBaby.com registry, but they're fun colors and patterns.

When Uncle Eric saw the animal print ones, he decided they were waaaay too girly for me. Mom told him they were awesome and that I am awesome and that I'll wear what I want. She told me she'd even put a little chain necklace around my neck to make me even more awesomer. I think it worked. Now all I need is a spray tan, some chest pubes, a sick beat and I'm ready to fist pump through the night.

(No, I didn't wear the chain for any longer than to take this picture.)

Unc only wishes he was as cool as me.

Also, Unc and Lindsey gave me this sweet blanket, thank you. It's so soft and warm. Perfect for right after bath time!

In conclusion, Mom and I are going out tonight; since I'm 3 weeks old and all. I'm wearing my sweet diapie to pick up the ladies. They'll probably be cougs- seeing as they generally like animal print and younger men. I think I'm a shoo-in.