Monday, October 31, 2011

Ashford Living Mobile - or - My first winter this fall

Dylan says: Happy Halloween Everyone!



We're broadcasting this fine All Hallow's eve from Ashford Living's Southern Command post about 3 miles outside of beautiful downtown Madison, CT. It's shore living for us this week!

Why, you ask?



Winter Storm A-hole.



We only got 6 inches or so, but every single tree within 500 feet of my house fell onto a power line. I think I saw trees pull up roots and walk over the power lines to fall. Honest.



So when the power went out Saturday, we hunkered down, made dinner, started a fire and had a nice family evening. Christina and I read New Yorker articles to each other (we are the 99%). Robby and Wee-one slept by the fire as the temperature dropped, and dropped, and dropped...



Sunday morning started with bacon, eggs, and fresh coffee on the camp stove. Bigger fire. I shoveled the driveway. And Robby kept snuggled in front of the fire.



Trees down on both sides of my road. We had to shovel a path through a neighbors yard and move trees off of power lines. I say "we" liberally, as my neighbors did most of the work.

So when the path was clear, I took stock of the situation: No power, No heat, little food, One wife, one baby (one month old) and one Subaru. One phone call to Jim and Sue and we were out of there!



So we're settled down in Madison on the shore with heat and hot water. Balmy spring days down here.



Thank you Jim, Sue, Chris, and Nick for taking in the Ash-Fugees.



And thank you Nick for the smiles! Keeps up our wayward traveler spirits!

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Special Intrest Report: Surviving Childbirth

Here's a repost of a very well written analysis on the ins and outs of surviving a childbirth. Virtual Stina posted this blog on October 17th, 2011:












Saturday, October 29, 2011

Tonight on the B


And we're back! Hello everyone, I'm Colin Bellows and you're watching The B, the only channel created for young parents, by young parents. Wake up out there! It's only 7:30!

I'd like to welcome everyone back to tonight's addition of the latest and greatest investigational game show; but first: a special thanks to our sponsor--Diaper Dandy.

"Wrinkles? Red Spots? If you want the best looking kid on the block, be sure to use Diaper Dandy diaper cream: polishing tiny hineys for that just born look and feel! From Diapertron, a division of Toddletronics."

So, it's time to play the quiz show that has all the young parents reciting this catch phrase all day long:

Pooh or Fart!

That's right folks. The only show on cable television that asks you that age old diaper question. And until the good folks at Diapertron deliver the see through diaper bottom, we'll have to continue to guess based on only 3 of our five senses. And remember, as the stakes get higher, you'll need them!
Let's take a second to meet our contestants tonight:

From Cleveland, OH, meet the Jonsons!

They claim to have an uncanny sense of knowing when the change needs to occur, and with their 4 month old Livia churning through milk and mashed peas like a vacuum, they're likely to have the requisite experience to be today's big winner!

A round of applause, please.

And to their right, hailing from Newport, KS are the Goughs! A real down to earth couple whose 10 week old Billy has been giving them 6 to 8 chances a day to practice their size and consistency estimating skills.
And isn't that just adorable!

Good luck to you both!

So, Before the last commercial break we completed the sound round, and the Goughs are firmly in the lead with 4 points to the Jonson's 1. Now we're ready to begin the look and listen portion of tonight's contest. And as the leaders, the Goughs will be starting things off.

Is everyone ready? Then it's time to play:

Pooh or Fart!

Here's how it works: We'll show you a video of a small child whose bowels are giving him or her quite the bother. We'll follow this with a sound, similar to the first round, after which you'll have 10 seconds to determine whether that activity will require a new diaper. Basically, you now have two active clues to help you determine whether its a, Audience:

Pooh or Fart!

That's right.

So, Goughs, here's the first clip:

Very interesting. Very Interesting indeed. Lots of depth to that one, and a real contorted face on the little guy. His eyes closed and his forehead turned a bit red. There's the buzzer which means it's time...

And you're right! While it seemed so, your changing would be in vain!

So, with a successful go of it by the Goughs, we turn out attention to the Jonsons. You've heard the rules, so now it's your chance to pick up a precious point. Without delay, here's your clip:

That's a tough one. I couldn't here what happened, so your guess would be as good as mine. By the look on your faces you seem rather confident. Maybe you're thinking back to Livia's early days to see if you can make any comparisons...

And you're right! Look at that! There was little change to the child's demeanor, just the subtlest of sounds and WOW was that a cause for the Hazmat crew! Good instincts Johnsons!

So with that we have to take one more commercial break before we return for the penultimate 5 point final round in order to crown tonight's champion. And as you all know, we'll add a powerful new sense to the mix to aid these young parents: Smell!

Stay tuned Young parents, we'll be right back after a word from our sponsor: Pluggies

"When your little girl or boy
Is cranky, tired, or broke his toy.
Avoid a visit from your town crier
Try a Pluggies Sugared Pacifier!

Pluggies, a Toddletronics/DAPRA Venture"

Thursday, October 27, 2011

The Sounds and the Furry, Chapter 2

Im awake

Im awake

Im awake

Hello

Im awake Im awake Im awake Im awake Pick me up pick me up pick me up now now now now Im awake

Hello

I'm awake
thank you lowewr lower lower better
Im hungry Its bright in here can we go to the darker room darker room darker room darker room thank you better

Im hungry

Im hungry

The bigger one that smells weird no good food old and cold and drips on my neck and he doesnt feed me long enough

Im cold Im Cold Im cold Im cold Im cold
The long noise again the long noise stop hands Im listening what is that long noise sound hmmmmm

Im hot

Im hot

hello Im hot Im hot

Im hot

Wheres the small one Im hungry

Im humgry

Im hungry

Pick me up Pick me up Pick me up Pick me up

Im hungry Mmmmmm cold Mmmmmmmm cold Mmmmmmm dripping Mmmmmmm

Ch CH Ch Ch Slrp Slrp

Hmmmmmmmm

Oh Oh OH oh Ow Ow Ow Ow Ow Ow OW OW OW ohhhhhhhhh

Im tired

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Every New Parents' Favorite Game Show!


Check out the latest post on Ashford Anthology:  http://ashfordanthology.blogspot.com/2011/10/tonight-on-b.html

It's a Baby Game Show. You'll be surprised what our baby raising heroes are watching this week! And if you want to follow my fiction blog, you can do that as well. Robby would like that.



"Read my Daddy's Blogs", he says.

That's a serious look. You better do what he says. I'm just saying: what the baby wants, the baby gets. I don't make the rules around here. Just click on the link above and nobody has to deal with the consequences.


Such as Robby coming after you.

Or waiting around in your house on your carpet for you to return.



Or mooning you.


 
I warned you.
"Read my Daddy's Blogs", he says.
"Make it Happen", he says...






Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Every Body Get:

Footloose!

Monday, October 24, 2011

Eggy Cakes: Combo Breakfast

I don't like syrup. I like to have a fried egg with my pancakes. What better way to accomplish this than putting the egg in the pancake.



Straight up stole this from Diners, Drive ins, and Dives. Although Stina thought for a minute that I had actually invented a new way to eat breakfast.



Pretty darn good.


Maryland Mug rocks too.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Great American Pastime, Rolls and Satay!

Robby, Christina and I settled in to watch the World series last night. There truly is no better way for a young family to spend an evening than watching the best of America's game squaring off against each other in your warm living room on a crisp fall evening. And with teams hailing from two of the best BBQ states in the country, It only made sense that we would make sushi and chicken satay.



Veggie rolls and grilled chicken on a skewer.



The chicken was marinated in soy and sesame oil.



Rolls included radish, carrots, cuke, avocado, and wasabi (yeah, from the bud commercials). Wee one liked the Chicken. Ate a piece on her own. Not too keen on the rolls.

Another Big Baby Weekend!

Look who dressed for the World Series. Go Cards!


Robby's had another big weekend (this his 4th) and he's got the pictures to prove it. Just like a college undergrad, he started his weekend on Thursday! A trip over the Connecticut river and through the woods (or Southington) to Grandma's house for a visit that lasted most of the day ( 3 feedings!)

Check out these fancy Robby Picks by way of the real Peter Hall photography:

http://www.therealpeterhall.com/babyrobby.html

Thanks Pete--

Baby Robby has been spending more and more of his time building up the strength needed to be a super baby. Check out these action shots as he lifts his head and looks around.




My Theory: he's looking for the TV so he can watch his favorite international Footballer: Mesut Ozil



Here's a shot of clean-up and muscle rehab after a long day of exercise. Bath time is the best. Thanks Grandma!



And Sunday was a day spent in reflection of all the things he'd learned:


That's a thinking baby if I do say so myself. Kinda Cute, Too!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Super Baby Grow Lamp

As it turns out, both Christina and I grossly under estimated the amount of food Robby has been eating over the past 3 weeks. You'll remember from Yesterday's post that we had a little bet going on:

My Guess: 8 lbs even
Stina:       8 lbs 2 ounces

The scale will decide who's the better parent!


Well, the verdict is in. The current tally on the boy is: 9 lbs 6 ounces!



Apparently, he's a tubby little guy! (and Christina was closest without going over, meaning she gets the new Living Room Sofa set. How much is the Rice-a-Roni?)

I take full credit for the growth spurt: All the great food I keep making for Christina is filtering (ha!) through to Robby. C'mon Bacon Cheeseburgers and Crispy Crowns: do your thing!

Up next: Counting little piggies

Mommy's got a Camera: Live action cute attack

Here's another "parents with too much time and a blog" post. And this time we're coming equipped with video camera skills! I can't help it though...with the stellar pair Christina and Robby as a muse...well, what would you do?

Below is our first live action shots of Robby on his back bouncing for the camera. He doesn't take to direction well, but boy does he look cute doing it! Future movie star, Right?




Stay tuned: next week we'll post some of him on his stomach.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Thai Stir Fry: Sweet and Sour Chicken Yum Yum!

We haven't featured a good stir fry dish here at Ashford Living for a few weeks, so here goes:



The dish was very simple (as is all stir fry) and very clean tasting. The cauliflower made for a very filling dish, while the tomatoes gave it as fresh acidic kick. the star of the show was the cucumbers, which were sweet and meaty, balancing out the sour fish sauce/vinegar combo. No heat in this dish, but I liked it just the same.



Live action shot. I actually growled when she came me near with the camera. Don't mind the thumb.



Christina was a fan as well! You can't go wrong with fresh veggies...



And Robby caught a few more minutes of snooze. This kid puts in more sleep in one day that I put in time at work. It's a hard job doing all that growing!



Tomorrow we see how we've been doing fattening him up---

My Guess: 8 lbs even
Stina:       8 lbs 2 ounces

The scale will decide who's the better parent!

Saturday, October 15, 2011

The Sound and the Furry

At first I didn't get this whole "new baby human" thing that my housemates were planning. I mean: what's the point of having a squishy, bouncy, crying little person in the house if he can't feed me or pet me or change the litter box? It's 2011 people, we have to think practically, right?



Then they brought him home and I realized what was really going on around here. He gets all the prime sunshine, he gets all the good lap spots, and he gets a special bed to sleep in at night.



Really? After 8  years of sharing my house with them this is how I get repaid? I spent nights sleeping on their pillows to keep their heads warm. In the fall I bring them as many mice as I can find for them to eat (I'm great with presents). In the mornings I remind them that the sun has come up and it's time to go to work--and at night I make sure they know it's time to feed me, so they know that they can eat as well.



I just don't see what it is they see in this new guy. "Robby" they keep saying. Is it the new smell he brings to the house? The noises he makes that keep me up at night? The constant eating?



It can't be much else. I mean he doesn't walk or talk (squirms and cries, though), he can't jump worth a darn or finish a can of Tuna for them when they leave it on the floor, and he hasn't brought them a single maimed squirrel to play with. Seriously? Who could ask for more than that? Maybe they think he's cuter than me? They seem to forget that I was pretty cute when I was his age.



I'm going to see what I can do about this. WeeOne's don't play second fiddle to just any little baby that fills a crib around this joint. He'll see...

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Is that what I think it is?

Look what showed up in my yard today:


I seem to remember something associated with this:


That's not it.


Getting closer.













Maybe?













Lets back up a bit. In the past, If I have this delivered:




It usually means:









Crap.