Even Republicans Want Change...

If you want to help make a change in the White House, go to Moveon.org Political Action page and make a difference!!

Bush's Stupidity...

SNL Obama/Clinton Only One Ad...

SNL took the NBA "There Can Only Be One" ads and added a twist. They did it for Obama and Clinton. The funny part is they are still tearing Clinton apart. Even SNL knows when enough should be enough.

Eating With a Spoon...

Mikayla has been asking (not verbally) to use her own spoon to eat. This is the result. This was the only time that we have given her a spoon to eat with on her own. She still needs more practice. It took forever to get the sweet potatoes out of her hair. Click picture to make larger.

Wake Up America...

I am not sure if I mentioned it before, but Keith Olbermann is my hero. Of all the newscasters out there (and there are many) he seems to tell it like it should be told. Yes, he is giving his opinion, but isn't that what news is all about now? There is no more news, there is only a perception of the world that we see and how it is reported depends on the person sitting behind the desk. With that said, I like Olbermann's perception on the news. With Bush's approval rating at an all time low (sorry dad), how can Olbermann be wrong.

This is from a while back, but it still resonates with me and how I feel about the dumb-ass, dick-head that has taken the country, that so many love, and driven it into the ground. To give you a little setup. On May 13, 2008, the president sat down with Politico.com to answer some questions from online users of Yahoo. His answers to some of the questions should not have been spoken from a president. But of course we all have to realize that this was unscripted (very rare for this idiot) and we all know that Bush cannot think and talk at the same time.

Here is Olbermann's comments. When you watch him, you can tell that what he is saying means a lot to him.



Update: Here is an update on the "cold-blooded killer comment" that Olbermann made during the video above. It is amazing that when I watched the video and he made the comment on the "cold-blooded killers" I thought only of the Bush administration, not the troops. Why do the Right Wing lunatics hate our troops?

Ear Problems...

Once again we have fallen into the area of trying to do the best for Mikayla and other things have happened instead. As I have mentioned before, we have been feeding her the organic formula, giving her the organic solid food, not letting her have sugary food until she is around two or three. But no matter how hard you try, life decides that it has other things planned. Now this may sound dire, but I assure you that it is all in my head. Nothing terrible has happened to Mikayla. I just look at the worst possible things that can happen and start t get depressed.

Mikayla has (in layman's terms) an "congenital ear pit". You are probably asking the same question that I did, "What?". The medical term is "Preauricular Sinuses". What is preauricular sinuses you may ask (because I know I did). Here is a definition:

Preauricular sinuses are common congenital malformations first described by Heusinger in 1864. They are frequently noted on routine physical examination as small dells adjacent to the external ear, usually at the anterior margin of the ascending limb of the helix. However, they have been reported to occur along the lateral surface of the helicine crus and the superior posterior margin of the helix, the tragus, or the lobule. Anatomically, they are lateral and superior to the facial nerve and the parotid gland.

(via eMedicine)

Our pediatrician wanted us to get an ultrasound done. The reason was to determine the depth of the "pit". The problem that Mark and I had was putting a 1-year-old under anesthesia. It didn't feel right. We had canceled the appointment that they had set up for us and we did some research. The information that follows is from a friend. We are also going to be talking with our pediatrician as well as the anesthesiologists. Here is what we found out:

The three issues I saw repeatedly were hearing loss, infection and possible link to kidney dysfunction.

Hearing loss
I would ask about this. Measurement is not invasive and should not be too expensive.

Infection
It looks really important to avoid infection. The infection itself can cause pain and disfigurement. Surgery would be recommended if infections occurred frequently. However, once chronic infection happens, it could continue after surgery (something like a 40% chance). If the pit is deep, I could see the recommendation for surgery before multiple infections so the surgery would have a chance to be more effective (does this make sense?) This looks like the most probable area of difficulty. Infections could be painful, occur frequently, and cause scarring/disfigurement.

Kidney Issues
I might ask for information about symptoms of kidney dysfunction so that I could keep an eye out for them. If there is a problem, it might be wise to investigate treatments sooner so that future kidney damage could be avoided.

Ultrasound
The ultrasound would give you information about the depth of the pit, which relates most closely to potential infections, and a look at the structure of her kidneys. If the pit is not deep and kidneys are fine, then no action would be needed (as far as I can see). If the pit is deep, then it might be time to consider what to do (if anything). The kidney issue seems like a long shot, but having the information sooner may be helpful.

So as a quick recap and my opinions:

1. I would be most concerned about the potential for frequent infection and want to know the depth of the pit. I would also want to know what to look for so that I could recognize an infection quickly. Although infection is not life threatening (as far as I can see), it could be a serious hassle for her in terms of management and her physical appearance.
2. I would want to know what to look for to signal kidney dysfunction and what would happen next so that I could act quickly if needed
3. I would ask about hearing loss and probably have a hearing test at some point
4. I would consider the ultrasound so that I had more information about what to expect. I might not do it tomorrow, but plan for it while I wait and see if infection or kidney issues develop. In planning for it, I would ask about cost management.
5. Overall, I would try to do what would cause her the least amount of pain (physical and emotional), considering today and tomorrow (as best that I could judge).
6. So there could be no impact, a hassle with infections ranging from mild to serious, or scary kidney stuff (which probably isn’t likely).

So needless to say, I have been tossing things around in my head for the past week now and I hope all is well. We will be talking with our pediatrician this week and try to figure out how urgent the ultrasound is. Mikayla has not had an infection in the "pit" as of yet, but I don't want to wait to long if the possibility is great.

Wow...

Things in the house have gone from extremely busy to extremely and stressed (for me at least). I just logged on today and noticed that the last time I made a post was more than a week ago. So many things have happened, but my mind has not been able to rest or to think about all the new information. I have comments to make about earlier post, Mikayla, and other things that seem relevant to me anyway.

There are times at night that I wish I could just clear my head by coming down to the office and write what I can't seem to get out of the vast emptiness of my mind. Last night was one of those nights. Mikayla is sick again (hanging around those other kids). She has gotten another cold that seems to make her restless and keeps her kicking me throughout the night. I think it's her way of saying "I am still here!"

Will She Just Stop Now...

TIME's circulation is nearly 5 million. But TIME's impact goes far beyond its voluminous subscribers. In doctors' offices across America, every mom, dad, and kid is going to see Obama's smiling face and TIME magazine proclaiming him the victor. Most of America now thinks that Hillary lost and Obama won, and conventional wisdom setters like TIME only cement that notion even further. Why does this matter? Because of the SuperDelegates. Who wants to fall on their sword for Hillary AFTER everyone think - knows - she's lost? These are politicians. They have a choice between supporting the guy who may very well be our next president, or the lady who won't. At some point, opportunity overtakes loyalty, and even fear.

UPDATE: Rahm is now saying it's over too. This is rather huge. Not only did Rahm work for Bill in the White House, and on the campaign, but Rahm is also one of the most powerful Dems in the House. This will put added pressure on Democratic House members to side with Obama and put this thing to rest.

(via America Blog)

Another Reason...

So Michigan has given us another reason for us never to move there. In a 5-2 decision, the Michigan Supreme Court has decided that Mark and I do not deserve to have domestic partner benefits. What does this mean? The court decided that a 2004 ban on "gay marriage" also allows governments and state universities from offering health insurance to the partners of gay workers. So up to 375 gay couple have lost the right to support their spouse with health insurance. If Mark and I lived in Michigan with OUR daughter, I would have no health insurance. If Mikayla was adopted in Michigan by us (a loving couple that has been in a relationship for eight years) only one of us would be her "legal" parent. That person would probably have been me and then she would have lost her insurance as well.

This is what people consider equal rights. Just because the religious right feels that my relationship with Mark (that has probably lasted longer than most straight couples) is evil or worst than terrorism, we lose what most people take for granted.

Justice Stephen Markman, writing for the majority, said that while marriages and domestic partnerships aren't identical, they are similar. He was joined by Chief Justice Clifford Taylor and Justices Maura Corrigan, Elizabeth Weaver and Robert Young Jr.

Dissenting Justices Michael Cavanagh and Marilyn Kelly said the constitutional amendment prohibits nothing more than same-sex marriages or similar unions. They argued that circumstances surrounding the election suggest Michigan voters didn't intent to take away people's benefits.

To read more, click here.

Taking Care of Baby - The Instructions...

Mark and I just received these instructions on how to care for your baby. Wish we had them sooner, we are obviously doing some things wrong. For one, the way you calm a baby. It works for us why not them? Then washing and drying. I would just toss Mikayla in with the regular laundry - how was I supposed to know? And Mikayla really doesn't like to bond over coffee. She is more of a tea person!

The Bush-McCain Challenge...

I just took The Bush-McCain Challenge -- an online quiz to see if you can tell the difference between George W. Bush and John McCain. Check it out, and see if you can do any better than I did! I only got 2 out of 5 right. Just click the link below and see how you do.

The Bush-McCain Challenge

Success...

Well finally after seven and a half LONG years, George Bush has finally succeeded at something. According to CNN, 71 percent of the American people "disapprove of how Bush is handling his job as president". Now think about this people. Obviously the Democratic party does not make up 71 percent of America so there are some republicans that feel this way as well. I know that this information is going to do nothing to my father's ideals which are "George Bush is the best president ever, right after Ronald (let's not talk about AIDS) Reagan".

How can people, even jokingly, think that this moron is doing a good job? Gas will surpass $4 a gallon soon, 4065 (as of 5/2/08) American service men and women have died in a false war, 1,205,025 Iraqis have perished since our occupation, and we have spent more than $515,918,607,081 on Iraq alone. Take the last number into consideration. That is $4,681 per household, $1,721 per person, $341.4 million per day. (National Priorities Project).

So back to only "The Worst President EVER". Although Harry Truman and Richard Nixon's approval rating were in the low 20's, their "disapproval" rating never broke the 70 percentile. Isn't this dick-head an employee of the American people? Isn't he supposed to care what we think and how we feel?

"No president has ever had a higher disapproval rating in any CNN or Gallup Poll; in fact, this is the first time that any president's disapproval rating has cracked the 70 percent mark," said Keating Holland, CNN's polling director.

Read the rest of the story: Disapproval Rating

Puppy Mill In Michigan...

The owner of Lornich Kennels in Sterling Heights has a long history of animal neglect, according to a Local News 4 report.

Court documents showed hundreds of complaints and lawsuits were filed over the years against the owner, Lorri Nichiow.

Police and volunteers rescued about 60 dogs, a dozen cats and a horse at Lornich Kennels on 15 Mile and Mound roads in Sterling Heights Wednesday after an abuse complaint against Nichiow was filed last week.

Nichiow was investigated in 2004 after animal control found the kennel overcrowded. They said they also found unclean cages, some animals without drinking water and animals shivering.

Local 4 also learned Nichiow was convicted of animal cruelty and her license was suspended in 2005. In 2007, Nichiow was convicted with six counts of animal abandonment or cruelty and six dogs were seized and taken for medical treatment.

Both the Attorney General's Office and the Better Business Bureau said they received dozens of complaints over the years.

(via Pet-Abuse.com)

Read more about this puppy mill here.

Summer?...

The last week seemed like summer here in Vermont, which is very unusual. We had temperatures in the upper 70's. This is not supposed to happen until August. There is a saying that Vermont has two seasons, Winter and August 15th. Some years it is very true.

Mark's mom came up this last weekend to help with the yard work. They planted new flowers and dug up old ones and moved many around. During this time Mikayla got to play outside with the dogs and she had a great time. She is such an outside girl. She always starts to scream and cry when we come back inside and she isn't ready.

Below is a picture of Phoebe, Mikayla, and Bailey playing ball.

Gorgeous Tiny Chicken Machine Show...

While looking for a new show (or old if you like) to watch on Hulu, we came across this show. It has a warped sense of humor and I like it. This is the first episode with paleontologist Lick Poop (Rick Pope). The second episode is with "Chief Itchy Balls". It goes downhill from there. My favorite character is Unicow - half unicorn, half cow, never happy and always horny! His song is introduced in the second episode. So enjoy.

Don't Buy Stuff You Cannot Afford...

It's amazing that SNL can put a slit together that sums up why people are in debt and we still laugh at it. It's the sad truth that Americans don't seem to get, but should.