Cyber Monday

I never participated in Black Friday.  Cyber Monday, however, is another story.  I enjoy picking out Christmas gifts online, particularly for a baby.  So I picked out an activity table that was half price.  It looked like something right up Xander's alley--it has a little ball you throw into the center of the table, which then comes out in the leg.  Kind of like baby pool.  Xander loves balls of all shapes and sizes, so I know he'll love this table.

Unfortunately, hundreds of other parents, grandparents, and aunts and uncles had the same idea I did.  I was sidetracked during my shopping, and before I was able to check out, the table was sold out--curse you, job--and I was unable to find it anywhere else at the sale price.  Oh well, I thought, I'll just pay full price.  Unfortunately, every place that ships to an APO turned out to be sold out (Target, in a cruel tease, let me check out, and sent me an email the following day telling me the item was sold out).  So I registered for email alerts when the table is back in stock at a few places.

I currently have the table ordered with two stores, with plans to cancel my order with one when the other sends me a shipping notice.  I have spent countless hours hunting down this toy that I didn't know existed before Cyber Monday, but now am certain is the only Christmas present for my boy.

I guess I have eighteen years of this to look forward to.

Things Parenting Books Don't Tell You

You know how little boys discover their penises at a certain age?  And then you have to struggle to get that area clean before his hand gets down there during a diaper change?  And often, you fail and he gets poop on his hands?  Which he then rubs on his face, legs, and belly?  All the while, you're struggling to clean him in four different places with a diaper wipe while keeping his hands away from his weewee?

Yeah, nobody talks about that.

Xander's big day

Xander really had two big days.  On Saturday, his actual birthday, we gave him his presents, cooked his favorite meal, and went to Children's Hall.  Children's Hall is a big kids museum slash fun zone, and Xander had a blast, despite being too young for most of the attractions.  On Sunday, we had our friends over for his party.  We were horrid about taking pictures, so hopefully our unofficial family photographer will give me some better ones.  Jin gave Xander a Korean name: Jung Han, which roughly means "ones hopes/aspirations in Korea".  I think it's particularly appropriate because we wanted Xander before we got here, but we didn't have him until we were here.

Xanders "dol" was a part of the festivities.  This is a Korean birthday tradition in which the baby picks an item from a table.  The item he picks indicates something about his future.  Xander picked the computer mouse, so he will be technologically proficient.  He then went for the tennis ball, so I guess he'll be a technologically proficient athlete, just like his aunt Kate.  Xander also had a rainbow rice cake and a birthday ring--for long life-- both of which were provided by my staff for an authentic Korean birthday experience.  I'm not sure how Koreans deal with the ring.  He wore it for a few seconds before it went into his mouth.  It will be a nice keepsake from his birthday, but I don't anticipate him wearing it.

He's on the floor enjoying his gifts at the moment.  They were all hits, and we didn't get any duplicates, despite the PX's small selection of toys.

More birthday pics to come!

With Daddy at Children's Hall

Glockenspiel

His new tractor

Fun indoor playground (Mommy's in the log)

Obligatory cake picture.  It was a hit.

Xander's dol

He picks the mouse

Improvising

Xander's walker is on the way.  It's supposed to be his birthday present, but I may decide to give it to him early.  On Sunday night, he spontaneously decided to take his high chair for a spin.  We took the seat off and lowered the bar to make it easier for him.

Drowning in Rock Star Memoirs

After Keith Richards' biography, Life, was published to critical acclaim and commercial success, several other rock stars followed suit.  Many have made it onto the bestseller list, encouraging yet more rock stars to write yet more bestselling memoirs.  I'm hoping this trend is peaking now, because it has gotten ridiculous.  Last weeks bestseller list included three rock star memoirs, including one by the drummer from Duran Duran.  This week, Peter Criss's biography popped up.

Okay, I get it.  You people love to read real life stories about sex, drugs, and rock and roll.  But come on!  Who keeps buying these things?  I haven't read Life, but I'm sure it told a great story.  I have less faith in Duran Duran and Peter Criss.  And yet, I have to buy them for the library.

This reminds me of the years following Twilight when I thought, "if I see one more romance between a supernatural creature and a human, I'm going to throw it through a window."  Except lamer.