my beautiful girls...

my beautiful girls...
Originally uploaded by KDCNMorales.

yes, life is good! Kim (my beautiful wife) got to see (our beautiful daughter) Mei Mei today before I took her home. Mei Mei WAS sleeping! 20 minutes into the drive, she got restless and started SCREAMING!!! I have never heard such sounds come out of this girl before! What tone! What pitch! What VOLUME! What is going on here? She is turning into a little banshee! Upon arriving at my wonderful little abode, our beautiful (don't tell him that I wrote this!) son Dallas helped me unload the truck and (allegedly) change Mei Mei's diaper. Later I learned that he DIDN'T change her diaper as I got the atomic load later. He also didn't fill the water trough with water for the horses or the dogs or the chickens... "It was a hundred out there" he wailed. Really? So the animals didn't require refreshment? Or was it that HE couldn't stand the heat? Hmmmm? Oh yes, the television was on... Cursed device. He promptly did the chores when asked though. AFTER he went to the pool and I learned that he

wasn't allowed to until he had done his chores! AAAAAAARRRGH! It was a great day today! My wonderful wife will be arriving soon and that will just seal the deal for me today.

storm chaser extraordinaire...

storm chaser extraordinaire...
Originally uploaded by KDCNMorales.

'nuff said!

fanatical weather spotter/chaser

fanatical weather spotter/chaser
Originally uploaded by KDCNMorales.

spotted this guy while doing errands one day... has a california license plate which might explain a few things!

Local wildlife...

Local wildlife...
Originally uploaded by KDCNMorales.

these little rascals are pretty elusive! i kept telling Kim and Dallas that there were some of these critters running around close to 183 but they wouldn't believe me! i kept seeing them on my way to or from work regularly as they played or just hung out. finally, while travelling with Dallas, i spotted one them again and slammed on the brakes, scaring the tar out of Dallas in the process... i took one picture and he took two, including this one. his hand is much more steady than mine! nice shot Dallas! thank you!

Mei Mei got shot today!

Well, went to the doctor's to get a checkup really! She recieved 4, yes, FOUR injections! Two nurses on either side shot 'er up! Double teamed her! Gramma had to leave... She now weighs 18.4 pounds! Heck, she eats everything in sight! She is now also almost 30" in length. Enfamil Lipid w/Iron works great, huh? As do mashed potatoes, rice, corn, cereal, mom's food, big brother's food and daddies food too. You should see this little eating machine! She cracks me up! She will not lay or sit still anymore either. Constantly on the go and curious about everything! I love it! Taking her outside is the best! What a great child! What a wonderful baby! I have a great family!

Kim and Isa getting ready for the July 4 parade!

Kim and Isa getting ready for the July 4 parade!
Originally uploaded by KDCNMorales.

The official training/warming up period has started again for Isa Pushy Pants! This Fjord needs a workout! The new pasture has made her fat and lazy. Kim will whip her into shape in no time! They went into town, past grain trucks, over railroad tracks and all over McCracken with no injuries or problems whatsoever! What a good horse! What an excellent trainer! They worry the tar outta me! Horses are not my thing... I am just the stall boy. I'll help groom 'em, trim 'em and what not but that's it! Chickens are more my speed. Yup. Chickens. wanna see? ;-)

I'll go if YOU go first!

I'll go if YOU go first!
Originally uploaded by KDCNMorales.

Mei Mei LOVES to be outdoors! She is constantly on the go! She is talking more, eating more, sleeping well... I love it! What a blessing! What a wonderful child! You gotta see her play with everything! She just lights up when Dallas comes around! He just makes her laugh and laugh! She has an incredible smile! All four teeth showing! We went to eat tonight at the local restaurant, excellent by the way, and again, she had mashed potatoes, bread, watermellon, a bit of fish from brother, baby fruit puffs, 6 oz of formula and some beets. Goodness! Yes, it'll be MY job tomorrow to change her diaper! This will be very interesting!

I like THIS big machine better!

I like THIS big machine better!
Originally uploaded by KDCNMorales.

There is so much to do and see and touch on a farm! This is great! Come and see! Why can't my momma and papa go any faster? I love this stuff!

My first ride on a real mower! Weeeee!

My first ride on a real mower! Weeeee!
Originally uploaded by KDCNMorales.

This is great! What fun! I just laughed and laughed! Talked up a storm, I did! I love it out here!

I LOVE sticky rice! But...

I LOVE sticky rice! But...
Originally uploaded by KDCNMorales.

Sticky rice is sooo good! I just love to eat it all day! Mommy makes great rice! Why can't I get it off though? What's going on? Papa?

What IS that stuff?

What IS that stuff?
Originally uploaded by KDCNMorales.

Yech! I don't like that stuff! I thought that I could play in it but it sticks to everything! I think that it even smells a little funny! I just don't know about this cake thing...

Mei Mei's 1st Birthday Party!

Mei Mei's 1st Birthday Party!
Originally uploaded by KDCNMorales.

What fun! All the children wanted the gifts all to themselves! It was such a riot! There was paper everywhere! The children loved it, of course. We adults had a ball just watching the mayhem! Yup, this will become an annual event. It was a smashing success! Next year will be a blowout event! (someone please explain that to me - blowout?) I was surprised that Mei Mei was not interested in Mei Mei cake! Not much for sweets, that's for sure! Good for her!

What a FINE day today!

Yup! Today was just great! Work went great! Dallas was great! It was a beautiful day! Brendan and January have their baby! How great is that? My day has ended on a fine note also... We, as a family, went walking in McCracken today and had dinner at The Mustang Restaurant. Mmmm, mmmm, mmmm! You know what? Mei Mei eats mashed potatoes too! Of course! Carrots? Yup. Corn? You bet! Some noodles? You tell me! This girl is an eating machine! She cracks me up! If I don't feed her fast enough, she'll pout! I love it when she pouts, really I do, but it amazes me how fast she can pack away the food! That dinner was wonderful. Got to meet some locals and get aquainted somewhat. They already knew about us. Small town. Love it. Then we took a walk to the park and had a great time till the monster skeeters came out! Almost picked up Mei Mei! Just kidding. Mei Mei was just a gigling fool on the little 'bee' swing! Don't stop swinging me! She just smiled her biggest toothy smile and giggled all the time. She also looked for brother and laughed at his antics on the big swing. What fun! The weather was perfect! I love it out here. Didn't take my camera though. Gotta get a card reader to post pictures without having to download the whole file from the camera... Can we way 'gift for Nixy on his birthday'? Come on! It's an inexpensive item at walmart! Goodnight ya'll! Gonna research lambs and musk thistles a bit...

Bah Bap! Thrrrrrr Mahp!

It seems like virtually every day, Mei Mei comes up with something new to say or a longer string of 'words' to utter. I love it! What else is she going to come up with? When will she say her first real word? When will she start walking on her own? I bet that by my birthday (coming up soon!) she will have taken her first tentative steps! I love to listen to her talk! Right now, way past her bedtime, she is screaming! We can't get her to fall asleep! I wonder if grandma and grandpa put her to bed for naptime a little late today? Kim and I had some time together, courtesy of her parents, to go and see a movie. Now though, Mei Mei just wants to play. I could sit there and listen to her but we all need to sleep! Monday morning is just around the corner! I wish that I could post some quick clips of her but alas, I cannot. You have got to see all the facial expressions that she can come up with! She makes stuff up all the time. Today, while outside doing chores with Dallas and myself, I saw her, getting bored I presume, sucking or slobbering on her toes! Yuck Mei Mei! Then she started biting her chair and then on the buckles that held her in place... Oh yeah! She's hungry! Not bored daddy! What an easy child! What a precious baby! I am now taking more video than pictures and playing around with making movies out of all this material that I have! Gonna send some CD's to family. This is so much fun! This is too good to be true. I wonder how January and Brendan are fairing about now? It should be Monday afternoon in China right now...

Tuesday 6-7-05

Yahoooooo! or, Wooohoooo! I am ONLINE from my own home!!!! AND CONNECTING AT A BLAZING 46.6!!! Yeah baby! livin' the life now! Kim hooked us up with DSL though to be connected soon! I'm livin large... whatever

You know, I love coming home! It may be a half an hour drive but it is nice. Until I get behind that dude going 10-15mph SLOWER than the speed limit! What is up with that? Puhleez people! It was nice and toasty today, about 100F by some accounts. It just might be a hot summer, what do you think?

Dallas, Mei Mei and I are alone! Kim went off to train some Halflings (I fear for her everytime she goes out to train horses!) so I get daddy duty! Dallas is a huge help too, I might add! I love it! You should hear this baby's voice... So sweet and melodious! How cute can a baby be? Life is good.

I'm going to burn some picture CD's of my trip! I've never done that either so wish me luck. Those of you who want one, email me! I am sending out about 10 of them initially to family. It is a 400 picture file. Could've been bigger! Much bigger. Perhaps next time that we go, I will do better and the weather will cooperate! Yes folks, we are adopting another baby in two years time. Please stay tuned.

Gonna go finish my errands/chores... Goodnight gang.

Oh yes, January and Brendan have now left for their trip to China to bring back baby Coleen! Yeah! They have no idea what they are up for! It is a trip of a lifetime, let me tell you. They will be gone for a little longer than we were... Hope they can make it! It's exhausting! So very much worth it though. Next up? Jake and Amy! Wow.

O.K. G'night all...

Yin and Yang...

Didn't I just mention about the Yin and Yang of things? It rules my life. Yesterday I had a wonderful day! Everything went well! This morning? Kim calls with the bad news... More dead chickens. Pandemonium ensued last night while the house was empty. Empty of humans that is! Kim didn't close the master bedroom door tight and the white cat Dander let herself in, releasing the Dachshund Daisy in the process. Daisy found the box of baby chickens that Dallas had just purchased and proceeded to kill at least one of them and presumably scattered the rest. I think that one of the inside animals either peed or poohed in the house also. The two baby kittens were fine. Outside the house? More dead chickens. The Bantams decided that life was no longer fun or something and drowned themselves. Cotton (the Great Pyrenees) had nothing to do with their demise this time! What is going on here? Kim arrived last night around 10:30 to find the house in the dark. 90% of the outlets didn't work! We knew that a few of them didn't work but now the rest of them too? Is this property jinxed? What next? At least the horses are doing well! So far! I think that I am going to put the two Pointers in the Humane Society. Well, maybe just the bigger crazy one Kimber. Ruger still has hope. I think. What a way to start the day! Kim had more bad news for me but I need not keep going here about it! My life is crazy. I love my family though. Never a dull moment!

I'm gonna go have breakfast now...

I had some Mei Mei cake today!

First time ever folks! First annual Mei Mei party was a success today! A big thanks to all who came and participated in our little shindig thingamajig. The weather was perfect and the company was great, what can I say? We all had a good time. Oh yes, the food was excellent too! Jake Grillmaster did the honors, I believe. Mmmmmm. Mei Mei even got Mei Mei cake on her shoes! How did THAT happen? Finally she got some on her hands, which is where all babies are supposed to get it first, right? Didn't like the cake though! Loved all the other foods that were around including pickles but not the mei mei cake... Weird. This little girl is extremely active! It's been a few days since I last saw her (I stay in Hays when on-call, remember?) and I swear that she got a tiny bit bigger and just a tad more active! Yikes! Skipping a day or two in this childs life is missing a lot! We had so much fun. Again, thank you to all who came by! Later, EVERONE left, leaving me alone with Kim and Mei Mei... Mmmm... That was heaven! To spend some quality time alone with the two most beautiful, wonderful women in the world was just plain awesome! What a day I've had! It's the Yin and Yang of things. Bad one day? Don't worry! It'll be better the next! I am happy.

Good Night for now though! Wan an!

Mei Mei's first annual party today!

Hey gang! Today is the day! Yes folks, she was born on the 5th but due to logistical considerations, we will be having the party today! Those of you that have seen her know that she is a petite cute little Asian baby! How precious! Three P.M. Be here! (call me for details)

On another note... My first week of work is past and I am thoroughly exhausted! I thought that I was in shape because I have been moving heavy items for two weeks straight but nope! I was not prepared for the intricasies of cardiac work! Standing still, holding my arms up, using fine motor movements is a world away from brute strength! What a long week this has been! Not really. It flew by but I am tired! This is ridiculous. Through it all though, we made lemonade from the lemons that were dealt us and I really like that. I appreciate and enjoy working with those that can just kick butt, do what needs to be done and don't complain. High fives and cheers, "Good Job!!!" were the norm and before we knew it, the day was over. Job well done.

Lastly, I was saddened to hear that two of the Jack Russell Terriers that we placed in homes have died. It was tough to hear that two members of my family passed in the manner that they did but, well, things happen right? They were dogs after all. High energy, full bore do everything to the max happy go lucky dogs. May they rest in peace. I loved them very much and I know that their new families loved them unconditionally also and that makes me happy.

See you later! You all are great...

Mei Mei turns ONE this Sunday!

Hey gang! Catarina Nicole Le Mei Morales will turn the big ONE OH this Sunday! Can you believe it? Party will be at Jake & Amy's place this Saturday! Bring your kids! Bring pictures! Bring stories! This will be the first annual Baby Fest! What fun! I can't wait! Did I mention that I am proud to be a new dad? Dallas is almost 13 and as tall as I am... Unbelievable. Gotta quit feeding him so much! He is very handsome. Mei Mei will be Miss Universe one day or perhaps the first female U.S. President! Famous musician maybe? Our children can do anything! What do you think? What are YOUR kids gonna be some day? Astronauts? Politicians? Veterinarians? Maybe they will save the world or manatees or something noble, who knows? How awesome is that? Me? I am content working as a peon in cardiology, being a husband and dad. Not known world wide but loved by my family. That is important to me. I happen to have a very wonderful family! Very good looking too, may I add.

So when I finally have long distance service at home and my computer back up and running, I'll catch up on world events and/or call my friends and family. For now, I must do these things from other peoples' homes, cellphones, computers and credit cards... Just kidding. We are still very busy at home! We have to paint the exterior now or have our insurance cancelled. Huh? Good grief. Our cellphones have shoddy reception out in McCracken and as of yet, no long distance service from the house. Hmmm... Life is good. My sincere thanks to those families which are hosting me when I am on-call and have to be in town! What an honor for me... Thank you so much.