Lifestyles of the Young + Suburban

Archive for December, 2007

A couple years ago, I discovered one of my favorite white elephant Christmas gifts. These little characters will poop out candies for your enjoyment. How great is that!

Although, I thought these were a little funny at first, I still wondered how someone could come up with an idea like this (I’m pretty weird and this was still a stretch for me).

So, what a great surprise when I read a blog post today that linked to an ad agency’s Christmas card. This site explains the 17th century Catalan tradition of El Caganer. Upon further extensive research (I searched Wikipedia), I was able to confirm that this was indeed a real tradition in Spain, Italy and France. El Caganer translates to “the pooper” is a statue of a man pooing that is strategically placed in a nativity scene and deemed holy by those who embrace this tradition.

Here is a link to the agency’s website where you can see the fun for yourself and share the Caganer fun with a friend!

And if you don’t believe, check the ultimate resource for yourself.

UPDATE: I got the pooping reindeer last weekend from my mom during our Texas family Christmas!

Some of the baby books I have read have sections for the dad-to-be mainly consisting of how I should be helping out with household chores and easing any fears I may have about being a good father.

Although it is not the ultimate litmus test, I am hoping my experiences being Jackson’s dad will help prepare me for some of the responsibilities and fun that is in store.

Between the monthly vet visits (both the regular and dermatologist), the weekly allergy shots, daily eye boogers, the specialty food, ear drops and all the other medical needs he has, I should at least be ready for that part of the parenting duties.

We’re going to sign up for a class at the hospital soon that will hopefully expand our knowledge. I know I am looking forward to learning how to change a diaper properly, though I will get some good practice with 2300 diapers used on average in the first year!

Tomorrow we will get some more sonogram pictures and I will see if we can scan one to share with everyone.

After three weeks of almost non-stop Christmas music (Music Choice from Time Warner truly is the devil) in the apartment, I have heard Billy Gilman sing all the holiday favorites at least 19 times a piece.

If you are fortunate enough to not know what/who I am talking about, check this out:

The big question I have – Is Billy Gilman the fourth and missing Chipmunk? See to the right for indisputable evidence —

With a lame remake of the Chipmunks movie coming out soon, you have to wonder how Billy is feeling not being involved. Whatever he is feeling, he has it coming to him as far as I am concerned with what I have had to put up with the past few weeks.

Now for the real Christmas music:

So despite my attempts to be funny, Lisa and I have been doing some serious deliberation.

With the countdown on (146 days as of today) to her due date, we need to figure out what we are going to name our baby boy.

I have created this survey to allow you – our family, friends and whatever stranger happens to find their way to this page a vote.

Remember to think about where you stand on the issues (multiple versus single syllables, ending in a vowel versus consonant rights, alliteration, and the war on embarrassing names, etc).

Enjoy!

UPDATE: I have moved the poll to the sidebar (look to your right about 4 inches), so it isn’t lost in future posts. You can click here to access it as well

I am not sure if it is the fact that I am wearing shorts with the door open or because we don’t have any Christmas decor out this year because we are stuck in the apartment, but this month is feeling a little strange.

Having never been one for conspiracy theories (I do like the movie, though) there is something going on because, I can’t help but notice a few other anomalies:

- Lowe’s put out a catalog that list “Family Trees”
view news video and article

- Santa’s in Australia (for now) can’t say Ho Ho Ho
view article

I am sure this is just the tip of the iceberg, but hopefully people will relax a little this season and stop being so hyper-sensitive.

My fingers are crossed the house in Atlanta will sell, so Lisa and I can stake our claim in Texas. Here is my goal for next year’s Christmas decorations. Merry Christmas Y’all!

(I swapped this out for one that we went to see in Plano’s Deerfield subdivision, we didn’t video tape, but you can get an idea of how cool the lights are from this person’s video)