Breakfast in the Hunt Household

This is another example of why Izzers is so skinny.

A Moment in the Hunt Household - This Is My New Hair Cut

(Scene: Casa Us, aka the Hunt House, where Eye of the Tiger is only a click away. . . (and yes, this is almost a week late, I know. . .)

Okay, so the tall ones talk about a key to get to the loops. . . but I don't see anything in the kitchen that you would use to start a vehicle. . .

Hey, Tank, crack open the Lazy Susan yet? And, Lazy Susan, what kind of a nickname is that for a cabinet that is so hard to get in to? I just want to steal your loops. . .

Excuse you? Steal my what now?

I mean the Cheerios. . . and the Special K. . . yeah that's it.

That's better. Now where was I, the bald one always pushes here, maybe the key is just a hoax. . . (leans on door). Nothing. This is so frustrating! (Head butts door)

Baby Daddy: Justin Mitchell. . . (sighs) it's a good thing it is time for your haircut. I'll go get your jacket, and we'll be off. . .

What's a haircut?

Only one of the worst things you can experience. They take you to the same place you get shots and your poop looked at, and they leave you there ALL DAY. You get put in a cage with some water. They give you a splish splash, with shampoo and everything (ugh), and THEN, they shave your fur so that you're freezing. Then, they put you back in a cage, and you wait for the tall ones to pick you up.

But, I don't have fur. . .and I like splish splash time. . .

You say that now. I'd run while you have the chance. . .

Baby Daddy: Alright, time to go. . .

Too late. Good luck.

(15 minutes later. . . )

Okay, no need to panic. . .(Looks around). Wait, are those the crappy picture books that the tall one with the long hair complains about? And what is 'Magic The Gathering. . .' Is that Ginger Wolverine, X-Men, Avenger, and general grumpy Canadian? Is he going to use his claws to cut my precious curls? What will the ladies think of just the blue eyes. . . Hold On, is that a Dum Dum Pop? Is that for me? All I have to do is sit in the bald one's lap? This, this. . .

This is the most awesome thing ever! The pups is getting hosed. . .

Genuine Technical Difficulties

So, a week and a half ago, I posted a promise that we would have three new blog posts in a week's time...

Well obviously I have failed, although Baby Mamma helped bail me out by doing the New Year's post, I did not come out with a new Adventures in the Hunt Household. . .

Now, I have an excuse for the lack of Christmas posting: a lack of Christmas pictures. They are currently on a computer in rural Iowa, that Baby Mamma has to access before we can hammer out that post. So, there's that. . .

But, I did promise three posts, and did not come through. Therefore, I owe anyone who is interested kisses from Izzers. . .I would recommend peanut butter and Milk Bones for maximum licking effectiveness. Izzers thanks you in advance. :)

A New Year, Some Reflection and some New Goals

(Most Original Title Evah . . . I know).


So here is the deal - Baby Daddy promised a post about Christmas, but forgot that half of our Christmas pictures are on my parent's computer. We hope to get them soon, but for now I'd like to look at the next holiday - the New Year. Last year, we made goals for ourselves as parents, and I'd like to comment on our progress.


1. Watch our language - We don't want JFrog to become 'That Baby' - the one who drops the Fbomb at daycare. I would much rather hear 'Momma' before any other expletive (or dad for that matter ;) )


Tank has yet to drop the F-bomb at daycare. However, he can say 'cookie'. Perhaps our nutritional choices need to be reevaluated. 

2. Watch less television - We've been addicted to a few shows lately - one being Breaking Bad which focuses around a high school chemistry teacher who cooks meth. JFrog's medicine comes in bottles with syringes to measure out the appropriate dosage. Again, we hope he doesn't see one lying around and try to put it in his elbow

No syringes have been put in elbows. We have been good at watching DVR'd television shows after Justin goes to bed, and the only 'TV' he has watched has been a Baby Einstein Nursery Rhymes dvd that he loves to dance to. Granted, he wants to watch it everyday (we don't let him), and we're certainly not opposed to educational tv shows for children, but the longer I can go without listening to Elmo, the better. That little puppet may make me stick a syringe in my elbow . . . 

3. Instill Appropriate Values in JFrog - the basics - that he should respect his elders, not trust strangers, not be prejudiced, and avoid scientologists, the french, and republicans like the plague


Justin has muted FOX News, and changed the channels when republicans have been on the tv, so it is safe to say that in seventeen years Justin will not be a party to anything like the Rick Santorum debacle that just happened here (Seriously Iowa??? . . . really??). I can only believe he would do the same to scientology. 

4. That we act appropriately financially so JFrog doesn't starve - We're hoping (jinx) to make a major purchase this year so we've been good at monitoring our budget. Plus, our little tank is already over 17.5 pounds (that's an average 'rate of gain' of more than 0.5 pounds a week - his grandpas will appreciate that terminology)


Well, we made that major purchase (our home) and completed Financial Peace University this fall. We budget each month and have both become better at curbing unnecessary spending. We're hoping to get a lot of debt paid off in the coming years. Also, Tank is still Tank - his consumption, by amount, has not changed.

5. Play nicely with Izzers - Izzers is not a fan of being grabbed by small children, as we learned with Annabanana (she only got a small handful), so we need to teach Justin early to 'pet nicely'. Annabanana is very curious and tries to catch Izzers - it's pretty cute.


This will carry over to next year's goals - Justin did well for awhile but has picked up Annabanana's crazy face which is only followed by a grab of fur. Izzers spends much of her day in hiding. 

6. Teach Justin while playing with him - Much of the first three months was spent trying to calm Justin when his 'colic flared' so we spent lots of time rocking. carrying, swinging, or trying to distract/stimulate him with lights and sounds. We now can actually play with him and it's been great! Hopefully we can help him develop many skills along the way.


This has gotten easier as Justin has gotten older - We read a lot of books and play with his puzzles, have him put together blocks and legos - it's been wonderful!

7. Foster Justin's Sense of Humor - We need to teach him what is funny and what is not - for example - Making farting noises = Funny, Pulling Momma's Hair = Not Funny; Daddy's Dance Moves = Funny, Turning on the Waterworks while getting his diaper changed = Not Funny


Still working on this. (See #5). Also, pulling Mama's hair is still funny. 

8. Raise a Gentleman - I refuse to believe that 'Boys will be Boys', and will do my best to raise Justin to be kind, courteous, and an all-around little Gentleman


Ha! We are currently trying to teach "Please", which sounds like "cheese" for Justin. Sometimes it goes well (i.e. when there is fruit involved) but if he is already in a fussy mood, he says "No". Then he fusses more . . . and the circle begins . . . This will be interesting in 2012.

So, (if you are still reading this, good for you!!), let's get onto our goals for 2012, when our little dude turns two. 


1. Raise a Gentleman - Teach please and thank you, to start with


2. Handle meltdowns with patience. Neither of us is intrinsically awesome at patience, but we do well when together. We have had glimpses into Tank's meltdowns (typically involving the removal of snack at the store when he throws it on the ground), and hope to bring a calm front so the neighbors don't think they need to phone DHS. 


3. Teach playing nice with Izzers. Isabelle's current 'safe zone' involves the back of the couch. The top of the chair is no longer safe. He can reach her tail on his toes. Under the bed is no longer safe. We have pulled him out from under the bed twice. Goal: Expand the safe zone by teaching Justin it is not okay to hit/grab the dog. 


4. Teach Not-Funny: Hitting and headbutting. Enough said. (Annabanana does not do this - is this a boy thing??)


5. Foster my little liberal. I want to raise Justin to be tolerant of others at the very least. I figure you can never start too early. 

16 Months

Tank, this is the (much delayed) 16 month post. Mamma and Daddy apologize for the tardiness of this to you (and to the readers). As we can see in the 'official' 16 month picture, you appear to be too busy being coy/flirtatious to be too upset.

To the highlights. . .

Starting with the topic that seems to come up first the most often on the monthly updates, sleeping habits. Month 16 was better than the previous 3. Mamma and I credit that to getting you back into a nightly routine, where we read your 'nighttime' book. You seem to be sleeping less restlessly, and there are a few days where you're still sleeping at 6:30 A.M.

This has been Baby Mamma's computer desktop background since about, oh 2 minutes after it was taken.

Next, your eating habits have been pretty consistent (aka you still are a Tank), with one exception. You seem to be getting more finicky about eating meat. Plain chicken and burger doesn't seem to trip your trigger. You still hammer especially fruits and veggies, and you had your first taste of sugar cookies.

See Iz, I still have room for about 2 or 3 of those cookies in here.

Speaking of Iz, you have continued to banshee after her. We have worked on 'Nice Pet' to get you to not try to maul her. While this has gotten you to be a little gentler with the puppy, we have had multiple instances where Mamma and Daddy have had to pull strands of white hair out of your hands.

An outtake of double trouble. That is all.

Your mobility has presented new opportunities and challenges to the Hunt Family. If given the chance, you had a tendency to climb on the fireplace stoop, open the glass doors, and play with the metal 'curtains' inside.

Yes, you liked to do this.

To attempt to stop this, we built a barricade that ran the length of the living room wall. It consisted of two ottomans, a dog kennel, a pack and play, pillows, a baby gate, and a computer tower.

This is the North Side of the Barricade. . .

The South Side of the Barricade. . .

And the proof that our barricade did nothing more than entertain you.

You also helped with decorating our new home for Christmas for the 1st time.

This is the base of the green thing that Santa drops stuff off at. You should get this set up ASAP

Yea, that's what I'm talking about. Now, about Santa visiting. . .

You also got the chance to be captured by the Mammarazzi for Hunt Family Chirstmas cards. Below are some outtakes.

This smirk, this is going to get the ladies.

If you thought I was bright before, just wait until I get a strand full of Christmas Lights.

Here we go, this shows my workmanlike attitude and my boyish good looks.

You have also become quite the vocal child in this month. Your vocabulary has increased noticeably, and you humor us when we ask you what certain animals say. You've been doing cattle for the last few months (thanks Grandma and Grandpa Hunt :)), and you added a 'dinosaur roar' that we were able to capture on video.

You have also picked up on every toddler's favorite word. . .

Finally, you have decided to start the 'Terrible Twos' a full 8 months ahead of schedule. One thing Mamma and Daddy have found we really don't appreciate is the tantrum throwing when you are being pulled away/picked up/ moved when you don't want to be moved. You are great at throwing your arms up, arc you back, and make your legs go limp, which makes it great fun to try and hold on to you/ get you to stand up. And while we don't have a picture of the "Tank Throw," we do have you looking oh so enthused. . .

Nope, the hair isn't calm in this picture either.

And with that, we move into the 17th month, and to our first Christmas in our new home!