Calling All Guest Bloggers

Anyone interested in writing a piece for The Mer Show? I know you people have something to say - let's hear it!!

Is there something in the news that irks or inspires you?
Do you have pictures to share?
Got any exercise or diet tips?
PG-rated stories about your family, friends, or even Mer to share?

Let me know if you think you might be interested in participating in the guest blogger program on The Mer Show! :)

Love, Mer

Fun With the Sippy Cup

OK, what am I supposed to do with this thing?

Investigating...

I think I'll chew on it...

OK, I think I might get it!

OMG, there's juice in here!

Second attempt not as successful...

New House Pics

It's coming along!!!! We're so excited. :)

R.I.P. Blue Ball

If you've ever been to my house for a visit, you KNOW this blue ball. It's probably been stuffed in your face/hands/lap, you've probably found it on the pillow in our guest room waiting for you to throw it, or been totally annoyed by it at one point or another. This is one of the first toys I ever bought for Baci, and it has lasted the longest - this ball made it through Jasmine the Dobie (when we were roommates with Prasad), several major moves, and 2.5 years of puppyhood with a crazy, lunatic Maltipoo. It's dirty, stinky, sticky, and disgusting, but it has been the apple of my puppy dog's eye ever since it arrived, all blue and beautiful, straight from Petco off Sports Arena in San Diego, California.

But alas, it has died. This is how I found it yesterday in a corner of the living room.


Rest in peace, blue ball! Thanks for all the good times.

Love, Mer (and Baci)

-------------------------------

On a Much Lighter Note...

Pictures of Patrick with his sweet buddy, Finley! We had lunch with Shan at J Christopher's (mmmmmmm) yesterday in Kingwood and got some cute shots of the boys.

Deep Thoughts on the Healthcare Overhaul

Oh yes, I'm taking this on. And honestly, I'm still trying to determine what I think about this whole debacle and am trying to decipher what all the changes really MEAN. Especially when it's being politicized so much and the message on both sides is being twisted with partisan embellishments (and I mean both sides).

It makes me very upset that Fox News and other right-slanted bodies are using their usual scare tactics to stir up partisan opposition. Someone/some group (probably Fox News, which I would love to dismantle with a jackhammer, because it's such a prime source of these scare tactics) has scared the crap out of my senior citizen parents with all kinds of twisted messages about what to expect. I guess they're telling seniors that once they reach a certain age, if they get sick, they'll receive "end of life counseling" instead of treatment and that they'll just have to die. This is just the beginning of the madness that has my parents absolutely freaking out... I could go on and on.

You know, I guess if you're freaking out about what kind of care you're going to get (or not get), you can pay for private insurance. Sure, it'll be pricy, but if it's that important to you, make it happen! Done.

And getting back to the topic of seniors, I have a tough time with the 65+ set using Medicare and cashing Social Security checks with gusto, but opposing government assistance with healthcare because they don't want to "live in a socialized country" like "Nazi Germany" (other fun phrases I learned from Fox News). I mean, do I even need to explain the hypocrisy here?

And lastly (and I feel, most importantly)... This plan is designed to help provide health care to ALL AMERICANS - rich, poor, black, white, Asian, Latino, purple, green, etc. Yes, you might have healthcare already and be happy with your coverage. Good for you, really! However, do you realize that there are millions of people in America - kids, adults, seniors alike - that do not have healthcare because either they can't afford it or are not able to obtain it? Especially as millions of Americans are unemployed right now during this time of economic challenge... we need to consider helping others, not just whether or not we, ourselves, are happy with our coverage. Please consider how (un)happy people are that don't have or can't get health coverage!

Two years ago, I was dealing with a medical issue and was working as a contractor, so my job didn't offer benefits. Therefore, I was looking at thousands and thousands of dollars in medical bills to start treatment... I was beside myself, because I could hardly pay my spendy San Diego rent - how was I going to deal with this? I could have made room in the budget for coverage, but was denied by several insurance companies for "pre-existing conditions". So there I was, stuck with no medical coverage, up a stream without a paddle. Fortunately, the great state of California saved my ass with a special program for those that didn't have or couldn't obtain insurance. Thank God for the government providing assistance to me in my time of need!!!

So I guess, for me, this debate has a personal meaning to it. I hope that you'll consider that poor and needy people also get cancer, break bones, and need all kinds of treatment just like those that are perfectly happy with the way things are now. Maybe it doesn't mean socializing medicine for everyone or what the current bill has in mind - maybe there's another solution. But I really do believe that if we can figure out a solution to provide care to ALL Americans, we'd be a better country.

Just my $.02! Mer

Update

Well, I've been pretty quiet here lately, but that's the product of one busy mama!!! Since I went back to work, I've been trying to figure out how to be a working parent, manage the household, lose the baby weight, take care of my husband, be a good friend/sister/daughter, and OH YES, be the best mommy I know how to be. Whew, it's hard work!!

Things with the house are coming along nicely. As you can see from the photos, the foundation has been laid and the walls have gotten framed too. Yay! We went over to the house on Sunday to walk the property and it now looks like the floorplan we envisioned - the rooms are partitioned, the stairs built, and now I have an idea of the size of the place. It feels really cozy for a 3,000 square foot house! People keep saying that it's going to fly up for a couple of months and then it'll drag on and on after that... so we're prepared for the weeks to come. We CAN'T WAIT to move into our new home!!!

In baby news, Patrick has sprouted 2 new teeth (those little buggers) and is chowing on solid food like you wouldn't believe. He probably eats more than some adults! He loves carrots, sweet potatoes, applesauce, and green beans. Peas and pears seem to wreck his little stomach, so he doesn't get those anymore (Can you say diarrhea and diaper rash? Ugh!), and he's not so fond of blueberries and bananas. His little teeth kept us up quite a bit last week, but now that they've cut the skin and we don't have any new ones on the horizon, I think we'll get a bit more rest. Thank God!! :) Otherwise, he has learned to SIT UP! We've been working on it and this last week, he finally got it down. The little dude is pushing 20 pounds now and is a big, healthy boy. I'm so thankful and grateful for that.

Work is GREAT! I love being back at work, talking to adults about things other than teething, baby poop, and pureed food. I mean, being a mommy is the best thing ever, but I love having the combination of (corporate) work and family - it's a very full life for me, personally. This week and last week, Patrick's school was closed for vacation (it's a family-owned business), so my mother came into town to help out with Patrick while I worked. This week, I'm in Houston working from here while Mom and Dad help out with P. It's been nice sharing Patrick with the parental unit - they've enjoyed him SO much. My mother got my high chair down from the attic and restained it, along with making a special safari-themed cushion just for Patrick. Look how cute he is in his mommy's high chair...

Next week, things return to normal - Patrick goes back to school, I'll be home (in Austin with no in-laws in the house), and Sheridan and I can resume our normal routine of work, baby, couple time. I'm looking forward to that, FO SHO!

So that's it from command central. I hope all is well with my Mer Show bloggies.

Love, Mer

How Toxic Are Your Cleaning Supplies?

Oh man, this stuff scares the bejeezus out of me! You all know that I'm a (not so) closet hippie and try to live as naturally as I can, especially as it relates to little Patrick. I really want to expose him to the least amount of carcinogens possible, in order to help him live a super healthy life. My father, a former chemical engineer, battled a really aggressive form of cancer, and I personally believe it has a lot to do with all the chemicals he had exposure to occupationally. (He's in remission now and doing great, thankfully, but only after an unbelievable amount of treatment.)

I've done my best to switch to natural products as much as I can (I use eco-friendly laundry detergent, dish soap, baby bath soap and lotion, cloth diapers, and natural cleaners), but seeing this makes me want to throw all my Lysol and antibacterial wipes right out the window. Check this out and educate yourself - take what you will from it, but I got a LOT out of it!

Love, Mer

Patrick Star

So when Sheridan and I decided to name our first born son Patrick, we had no idea that the moniker is also that of Spongebob Squarepants' BFF, Patrick Star. Patrick Star is an overweight sea star who lives at 120 Conch Street, Bikini Bottom, Pacific Ocean, attended Bikini Bottom Community College, and loves to eat and cause trouble. :) Apparently, he's pretty clueless, but loveable. Especially to kids!

So every toddler and young kid that meets Patrick always says "oh, Patrick like Spongebob!" and is pretty instantly enamored with my sweet little dude. He's a HUGE hit at the Montessori school he attends, and I have a feeling it might have to do with the affiliation to Spongebob Squarepants. hahahaha

More about Patrick Star, of Spongebob Squarepants fame, according to Wikipedia (this is pretty funny stuff, I might have to check out this show sometime...):

Gender:	Male
Color:	Pink
Eye Color:	Blue-green, though portrayed as green in a scene in Wormy, black and as blue in Gone and The Battle of Bikini Bottom
Birthday:	February 27, 1978
Height:	6 and a half inches
Weight:	3.5 ounces
Address:	120 Conch Street, Bikini Bottom, Pacific Ocean
Occupation(s):	Employee at The Krusty Krab Waiter of The Krusty Krab Hat check guy of Krusty Krab Fry Cook at the Chum Bucket and bouncer of the Secret Krusty Krab.
Aliases:	Pat Patrick SmartPants Mr. Dr. Professor Patrick Patricia Boy Patrick The Elastic Waistband Patrick the Snowman Pinky Pink Tubbie />Pally The Pink Menace (alter ego in Battle For Bikini Bottom: video game The Pink Patty, Bother Rick The Big One Patrick
Family & Friends
Family:	Bus Stop/Conch Road sign("wife") Herb Star (Father) Margie Star (Mother) Ed (Cousin) Gary (Cousin) (Rule of Dumb, Technically their cousins in every Episode/Movie) Sluggo (Uncle) Billy Bob (Grandfather) Maw Titter (Grandmother) Shriek (Great Grandfather) Princess Tulsa (Great Grandmother) Prince Callows (Great Granduncle) Carl (Great Granduncle) Prince Dingus (Great Granduncle) King Amoeba (2nd Great Grandfather) Queen Mildew (2nd Great Grandmother) Patrick Revere
Friends:	SpongeBob SquarePants Squidward Tentacles Sandy Cheeks Flatts the Flounder Princess Mindy Mr. Krabs Sandy Wormy[Plankton][
Pet(s):	Gary the Snail Rocky Wormy and Gummy
Employer:	Eugene Krabs \, and Bummer Vacation Sheldon J. Plankton Squidward Tentacles
Employees:	SpongeBob, servant
Enemies:	Plankton Dirty Bubble Man Ray Dennis
Other Information
Interests:	Doing nothing, Jellyfishing, bubble blowing, sleeping, lying dormant, eating, hanging out with SpongeBob and panty-raiding, art
Education:	Bikini Bottom Community College Mrs. Puff's Boating School
Awards:	A trophy "For doing nothing for longer than anyone else in Bikini Bottom" . Great snail race winner. A trophy for Dirty Bubble challenge by hitting the ball 29,998,559,671,349 times in a row, but soon lost it , and won the Champion Dancing Competition Trophy in Slimy Dancing for being the only single-dancer.

Uh Buh Bye

On the last day of Sarah Palin's leadership of Alaska, let me just say... don't let the door hit ya on the ass, lady!!

What degeneration her career has experienced the last few months - on top of the world flying in private jets, shopping at Saks and buying fabulous designer clothes on the tab of Republican donors, being stroked by the old, rich, conservative contingent of the US, eventually reduced to ethics probes, public, defensive feuds with David Letterman and Levi Johnston, provoking ugly, divisive politics, and showing her true colors as an unreliable, greedy quitter. What would have happened if she had ended up as our Vice President? Would she have resigned halfway through the term, not completing her commitment to the American people, so that she could concentrate on book deals and speaking engagements?

Can you say... loose cannon?! It should be interesting to see what train wreck ole Sarah Palin creates next. I'm in the front row with popcorn.

Mer

HAPPY HALF BIRTHDAY, PATRICK!

Half a year ago, our little guy came in our life and changed everything for the better. I can't imagine life without the little tyke there to light up our days (and nights too, but we're working on that)! We have learned SO much, worked so hard together, played, cuddled, kissed, and even cried at times, and it's been the time of my life; I know it has been for Sheridan too.

Enjoy these new photos to commemorate this special day; they were taken this morning before Sheridan took our baby boy to school. Happy birthday, Patrick!! I love you more than anything in the world and thank you for being the cutest, sweetest kid I could ever hope to love.

Love, Mommy

Back to Work!

Well, the time was bound to come and here it is... time to return to the corporate world! Wow, I think (between you and me) that when I was saying that I was ready to get back to work and that I knew that I would eventually return to the masses of corporate drones, I wasn't *serious*! ;) I didn't really believe it would really happen when I said it, but lo and behold... I held up my end of the bargain. Wow again.

So anyway, I have landed a super cool short term contract in Austin as a contract recruiter. The company I'm working for has been retained by a major employer in Austin to provide technical sourcing services, which means that I'll be recruiting for hard-to-find technical folks from my jammies at home. I was thinking that I was going to enjoy getting back into the workplace - coffee talk in the breakroom, the smell of burnt popcorn permeating through the office, sneaking offsite for long lunches, etc. - but I am indeed glad that I get to work from home because I think it'll be a good way to ease into being a working mommy. I bet I'll particularly enjoy working from home when we get to the new house! I'm going to PIMP that office OUT (if my contract lasts that long, which I think it will if I do a good job, and I intend to do a great job) and make it super user friendly, comfortable, and stylish. Look out!

I originally thought that I would try to figure out how to balance caring for Patrick while working full time from home, but when I went to interview for this job, Sheridan tried to work from home and watch him, and got absolutely nothing done. I think it might be more realistic in the future once Patrick's more independent, but not now. But I think it's great that he'll be attending a Montessori school with lots of older kids to watch and emulate, and cultivate strong social skills. He's really good with other kids and adults, so I think he'll probably really enjoy it!

But every mommy is a control freak when it comes to their babies... so with that, I'm sure I'll find it hard that someone else is helping raise my baby boy. I find it difficult to consider that the care givers at Patrick's "school" might see him take his first steps or say his first word instead of me, but I guess I need to concentrate on the fact that when I hear him say his first word or when I see his first steps, they'll still be the first ones for ME. Right? OK yeah, let's go with that.

Anyway, many mommies before me (and millions after me will) have put their babies into child care and gone back to work. That's just how things work in this century. I think it'll be good for me too, though! I'm looking forward to getting my brain back in the corporate game and living a very full life which includes both working and being a mommy. I think it'll be great for our whole family and am excited. :D

So Monday's the big day. Wish me luck!

Love, Mer

Big Boy Food

Patrick had his first bites of solid food last week. We started with rice cereal and it didn't go that well - he was looking at me like "uh, what do I do with this?". I wasn't sure if he just didn't like the taste or if he was confused by the spoon. So I introduced applesauce to him and what do you know... he LOVED it! He had two jars (I made him homemade stuff, so it was about 4 tablespoons worth) of it at the first tasting!! He's also tried sweet potatoes and loved those, so next is pureed peas and then carrots. Nom nom nom!

As if the kid isn't already enormous enough, I have a feeling that eating solid foods is going to make him even bigger and stronger! Here are some shots of the food extravaganza and how big he's gotten. As you can see, he's about to outgrow his carseat, which was the mongo-sized one that's supposed to take babies to their first birthday. Oh boy!

And yesterday, Patrick had his first upright ride in the grocery store. He usually hangs out in the carseat while I shop, but given that the stupid carseat is 10 pounds and he is almost 18 or so, it's just too big to lug around these days. Genny bought Patrick one of those "cootie covers" and so he had a nice, soft place to sit in the cart. OMG, he LOVED looking at all the stuff in the store, seeing all the people, and was just talking, talking, talking all the way through the store ("ooooh, ooooooh, gooooooo"). We had FIVE people stop to coo and poke at him because he was just being so charming. I was a proud mama!!

Next project - weaning P Shizzle from the swaddle blanket when he sleeps. He escapes from the blanket at night and doesn't know how to put himself back to sleep without it - he flails his arms, rubs his eyes, and pulls out the pacifier, which he also needs to fall asleep. It's time for him to learn how to fall asleep without being bound... we'll work on the pacifier issue later. :)

That's it from Command Central.

Love, Mer

Police: McNair shot dead in sleep by girlfriend

Dear Men of the World:

Reason #9087251254 not to cheat on your wife - if your wife doesn't shoot you in the head for cheating on her, your mistress might! Especially if she's young enough to be your daughter - the really young ones can be a little volatile! Mmmm hmmm (insert disapproving face here)...

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-mcnairkilled&prov=ap&type=lgns


Rest in peace, Steve McNair. Steve, you will always have a special place in my heart as the last quarterback of my beloved Houston Oilers. (But you shouldn't have been messing around with a 20 year old... dummy.)

Love, Mer

Fourth of July

Ohhh, how my Fourth of July celebrations have changed over the last few years! It wasn't long ago that my Independence Day celebrations entailed blurry days of Malibu shots on the ice luge on the beaches of San Diego... and heading to work the next day completely exhausted (and worthless)! ;) These days my celebrations are much tamer and much more filled with meaning. This year, my hubby, baby and I joined some of our new neighbors in Cedar Park for a gathering at the neighborhood pool where my little boy will undoubtedly create some fun memories with friends and hopefully, his family.

The first of those memories we created this weekend - Patrick's first swim!! Our little water baby had a fun time floating with us in the baby pool, watching all the big kids with their toys and cannonballs. Sheridan and I had a fun time with our new neighbors, eating, drinking, and being merry. It felt like HOME - we can't wait to move into our new house and neighborhood.

Enjoy some new shots of our fun afternoon.

Love, Mer

New Pics of P Dizzle