Kyle’s first trip to the beach September 23, 2009
Posted by emuleman in Family.Tags: beach, Family, happy, personal
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Yesterday Monica and Kyle took a trip to a small secluded beach. One of the Moms in the playgroup discovered a nice beach where the waves weren’t out of control big, and the little toddlers could play in the water.
This was Kyle first trip to the beach. According to Monica he had a great time sitting on the sand playing in the water. I am sure it will be the first of many trips to the beach over the next several years since we are pretty close to the water.
Here are a few photos for you to enjoy.
2009 Bike Show August 31, 2009
Posted by emuleman in Work.Tags: Bike show, harley-davidson, life, personal, Work
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Yesterday we had our yearly hot summer bike show at my work, and it sure was hot! I am taking about the beautiful custom motorcycles as well as the weather. It was a fun filled afternoon for all, and everyone had a wonderful time.
Below is a short video I took for you all to enjoy.
Dodgers vs Cubs game August 22, 2009
Posted by emuleman in Thoughts.Tags: chicago cubs, Entertainment, los angeles dodgers, personal, ricketts, wrigley field
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Last night my Boss and friend Alan invited me and two others from my work to go enjoy a Dodgers baseball game. He invited me because they were playing the Chicago Cubs, and he knows I am a big fan.
It had been a while since I was at a baseball game, and it certain was fun. The hot dogs seem to taste better at a baseball stadium, and the beer does also.
It was unfortunate that my favorite team lost, but it was still quite enjoyable to get to the ballpark and relax. The Dodgers are doing quite well this year, and the place was definitely packed with fans.
I just heard that the Chicago Cubs were sold earlier today, for only $845 million. It was purchased by the Ricketts family, who founded the online brokerage TD Ameritrade Holding Corp. Joe Rickett is a die-hard Cubs fan who grew up watching the team, once lived in an apartment across the street from Wrigley and first met his wife in the stands at a game there.
“My family and I are Cubs fans,” said Tom Ricketts, the family’s point person in the Cubs purchase. “We share the goal of Cubs fans everywhere to win a World Series and build the consistent championship tradition that the fans deserve.”
So this might be a good thing for the Cubs, and most fans are hoping this new ownership might be just what the Cubs need. It is rumored that the family is willing to invest some money into the team, Wrigley Field, and also the players which might eventually mean the Cubs might actually make it to a World Series. I certainly would like to see the Cubs win a World Series sometime in my lifetime.
Thanks again to Alan for inviting me to the game. I really had a great time.
A gift for Kyle August 18, 2009
Posted by emuleman in Family.Tags: Entertainment, finding Nemo, happy, personal, son
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A few days ago my friend and co-worker Katy purchased one of her favorite movies for Kyle. That movie was Finding Nemo.
One day she asked me if Kyle has ever saw the movie, and I told her he hadn’t seen many movie in his 19 months, but he did seem to have a fascination with fish. Monica has taken Kyle to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, and he always loved looking at the brightly colored fish. This movie seemed like a perfect match for Kyle.
Katy remembered that conversation and surprised me the other day with a special gift for Kyle. I was touched that Katy would do that, and both Kyle and I wanted to thank Katy for such a great gift that will bring many hours of pleasure. She is a very sweet person, and Kyle was so happy to watch the movie, and I am sure will enjoy watching it many more times.
Below is a short movie of Kyle unwrapping his gift, and him enjoying watching the movie for the first time. Thanks again Katy, Kyle really appreciates it!
Orange County Fair July 16, 2009
Posted by emuleman in Family.Tags: Entertainment, Family, life, orange county fair, personal
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Today the whole family went to the Orange County Fair. It comes to town once a year in the summer, and we always try to go. There is plenty of things to see and do, and it is a nice family activity. We are lucky because it is just around one mile away from where we live, and we also got free admission today. It was the food drive day, and all you needed to do was bring five canned food items to get a free admission and one free carnival ride. Since I was lucky enough to have the day off we all headed on down this afternoon.
They also have farm animals there for you to see, and children seem to enjoy that very much. We were anxious to see Kyle interacting with the various animals. We took Kyle last year, but he was only 6 months old, and not really alert enough to enjoy seeing the animals. He just turned 18 months old today, and boy did he have a great time!
I think my favorite part is eating the food they serve. I know it isn’t the best for you, especially all the deep fried stuff, but it only comes to town once a year, so we make an exception. I love this food stand that makes homemade, fresh potato chips slices paper thin. Monica and I always get them. We also enjoy the BBQ food they serve. Tri-Tip, Beef Brisket, Ribs and Pork always gets me hungry! I also saw they were serving up some stuff I wasn’t real sure about trying or eating. Deep fried Twinkies and Oreos, and something new this year, Chocolate covered bacon. I guess I am not that adventurous to try that just yet.
We all had a wonderful time. I think I got a little too much sun, but I seem to burn after being out for just a little bit. Luckily Monica remembered to bring the suntan lotion, or else it could have been worse.
The Orange County Fair will continue to be a yearly tradition for us. Below is a video of our trip to the fair. Enjoy, and comments are always welcome as usual.
Kyle is learning to walk June 21, 2009
Posted by emuleman in Family.Tags: epilepsy, Family, life, personal, son, walking
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Both Monica and I had been a little bit concerned that Kyle hadn’t seem too interested in standing up and walking. He could stand for several seconds before he would lose his balance and fall down. He just seemed more comfortable falling down and crawling along the floor to get around. Most children his age, and some much younger had already began walking. We thought maybe the fact he was wearing glasses might be causing him to be dizzy, or that maybe his medicine for epilepsy was too strong and also might have something to do with his lack of interest in trying to walk.
Monica would ask the Doctor if everything was alright with his development progress. We were told that some children take longer to walk, and we shouldn’t be too concerned unless he still isn’t doing it by 18 months old. I was getting nervous because Kyle only has around one month before he would reach that age, and he still wasn’t walking.
We were lucky to have Monica’s younger sister Mandy visiting us this week. Kyle is fascinated to have a new younger person to play with, and he also seems to show off for her to get her attention. I think it was just what we needed to get him motivated to start walking.
The other night he was standing in the living room spinning around and laughing trying to get Mandys attention. Then he began walking around the room to really get her to stop reading and watch him. We were all amazed and happy to see he finally had the courage to try to walk.
He is of course still a bit shaky, and always seems to walk from the couch to the other couch so he has something to lean up against to get him balance. I always joke around that he looks like Daddy after a few beers the way he staggers around the room.
We are both very pleased and happy that he seems facinated that he is actually walking around like a big boy, and it is a relief to see him finally doing it literally at the last possible moment. Below is a short video of him walking around and having fun, enjoy.
Baby loves Disco, and so does Kyle! June 15, 2009
Posted by emuleman in Family.Tags: baby, baby loves disco, Entertainment, Family, O.C. Half Pints, personal
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Monica and a few people from her playgroup went to a new fun event for toddlers called Baby loves Disco.
Baby Loves Disco basically transforms the hippest night clubs into child proof discos for toddlers, pre-schoolers and parents looking for a break from the routine playground. The toddlers can let loose for some post naptime, pre-dinner fun. Baby loves Disco is an afternoon dance party featuring real music and classic disco tunes from the 70’s and 80’s guaranteed to get those little booties moving and groving. The fun spills out from all corners of the club with bubble machines, baskets of scarves and egg-shakers, face painting, a chill-out room with tents books and puzzles, diaper changing stations, and a full spread of healthy snacks and dancing. It is a community event that brings families together looking for some fun. Both Monica and Kyle had a wonderful time, and I am sure they will do it again real soon.
One Year Anniversary of Website and Blog May 19, 2009
Posted by emuleman in Family.Tags: blog, Family, life, personal, statistics
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This week marks the one year anniversary of this website and blog. I cannot believe a year has gone by already. My first post was about Kyle coming home from the hospital after having a very bad seizure. You can read it again by clicking here. He was such a small baby then, and now he is a toddler, and getting bigger every day. We are so happy that the medicine has kept the seizures under control, and he has been seizure free for a year. We both are hoping that we will be able to ween him completely off his medicine at the end of this year.
We also wanted to thank everybody who comes to the website to check up on our family. We both really enjoy keeping the website up to date, and enjoy all the great comments from family and friends.
A few statistics from the last year of this website: (as of 5/19/2009)
Total number of visitors: 16,906
Total number of countries that have visited: 119
Total number of posts: 75
Total number of comments left: 72
Busiest day: 644 —Friday, August 29, 2008
Thanks again to everyone for making our blog popular and we will continue to keep you all informed on our family.
Aunt Gail’s Birthday Party May 7, 2009
Posted by emuleman in Family.Tags: Birthday, glasses, happy, life, personal
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Last Saturday Monica, Kyle and I were lucky enough to celebrate Aunt Gail’s birthday party with her and some friends. She has been a friend with me for many years since I first came out to California in 1987.
Many other friends were there also to celebrate, including Kyle’s friend Finn, who is only 3 months younger than Kyle. They had fun seeing each other again.
This was also the first public place where Kyle was showing off his new eyeglasses. He is finally getting to the point where he doesn’t seem to mind wearing them, and he also appears to be seeing better. His eyes also are not crossing anymore, so it appears they are working well. He still pulls them off occasionally, but this is because he probably isn’t completly use to wearing them yet. Monica and I were concerned a little bit about him wearing glasses, but he seems to be adjusting to them well. We also were happy to hear many people tell us he looks very cute wearing them.
We all had a wonderful time, and it was great to celebrate Gail’s birthday with her and our friends. Below are a few photos for everyone to enjoy.
Kyle’s new car and new glasses April 30, 2009
Posted by emuleman in Family.Tags: Family, life, personal, son
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Kyle was lucky enough to get a new car that he absolutely loves! We first discovered it in Sam’s club when Monica let Kyle sit in it for a few minutes and pushed him around. He started crying when we took him out of it a few minutes later. After Monica told her Grandparents the story they decided that they needed to go purchase it for him.
Kyle loves being pushed around in the car. He has a little cup holder, and he can push the horn on the steering wheel. He likes to be pushed around the neighborhood.
Kyle also got his new glasses this week. His eyes were starting to get crossed and the doctor sent us to see an eye doctor. He takes after his Dad, and needs glasses. Once the glasses are on Kyle seems to be able to see better, and the eyes no longer cross. We are both happy that he can see better, and he also seems to like having then as well.
Below are a few photos for you all to enjoy.
