Brain Dump

I have a running list of things to blog about:

• 1st Birthday party planning progress
• Jackson's latest skills
• Video of the boys in action
• Halloween

But for some reason it seems even busier than normal around here these days. There's the usual daily routine of: work, cook, clean, play, bath, bed, laundry. And now there is also holiday drama, party planning, gift hunting, and the burden of some ugliness about to go down at work (more staff reductions to come by the end of the year). As a result, by the time I find myself free to sit down at the computer I am either exhausted or uninspired - neither of which result in works of literary art.

So forgive me for this post - which I am calling a brain dump.

3 down 1 to go. Shots that is. As of today, Jackson has had 3 of the 4 flu shots necessary in order for him to be considered fully protected this season. His first seasonal flu shot was a month ago at his 9 month check-up. The booster shot was today (necessary as he is under 2 yrs.). In addition, the Douglas County Health Department conducted an H1N1 clinic yesterday for kids, childcare providers and pregnant women. Drew played super dad and got in line with Jackson an hour before the clinic began. There was a limited supply of vaccines and we didn't want to risk them running out. He estimated about 300 people were in front of him. Once the line started moving he was through in just over 30 min. Jack will need a booster in 30 days (necessary for all kids under 9 yrs.) and then he's done with flu shots for the year. Aunt Nikki, with her Masters degree in Public Health, will be very pleased.

Who knew there were so many types of flour? I've learned that in addition to wheat flour, all purpose flour, bleached flour and enriched flour there is also self-rising flour and cake flour. I have been on the hunt for the perfect cupcake recipe for Jackson's first birthday. No box mix for my boy - I'm talking from scratch! There are now 3 different bags of flour in my pantry. Fortunately (for my waistline) I struck gold on my 2nd white cake recipe. Now it's on to chocolate!

Ruby has fleas. We've had a dog in our house for over 10 years. This is the first case of fleas. It's a mild case. But it's grossing me out.

My iPod battery no longer holds a charge. It's especially annoying when you discover this problem about 35 minutes into a 50 minute episode of Mad Men that you just downloaded off iTunes. Oh yeah, and paid $25 for a cable that allows you to connect the iPod to your TV. Bummer. Now I have to decide if I should go the cheap route and get a replacement battery for my 5 year old iPod or buy a new iPod Touch. Hmmm....

Next Wednesday I am traveling to Palm Springs, CA. It will be my first business trip since traveling to State College, PA last October. For someone who used to travel every couple of months, it's a little hard to believe. But I really haven't missed it. Funny how your priorities change. Drew will be home alone with Jackson for 3 days. I will be away from my baby overnight for the first time. I sense a future blog post on this topic.

Earlier tonight Jackson and I were playing with his Halloween basket. You know, the .99 cent plastic pumpkins with a handle? I was showing him how to say "ohhhh" into the pumpkin and hear the echo of his voice. I demonstrated and he would mimic me in the tiniest little voice. So I tried again, this time in a much louder "ohhhh". Apparently, that is absolutely hysterical. He started to giggle, which of course only encouraged me to continue "ohhhh-ing" into the pumpkin, until he was eventually belly laughing and gasping for air. There is nothing better than the sound of little boy belly laughs. Even if it means you have to howl into a plastic pumpkin.

Thanks for bearing with me. I think that's enough of a brain dump for tonight. Besides, it's bedtime.