Inspirational Reads

I created a new list on the left-hand side of inspirational blogs that I love to read, so if anyone wants to check them out, you can click.

The newest one I've stumbled across is "We are THAT family". I don't know much about it, but what I do know is that they live in the Houston-ish area and have neighbors who fled Uzbekistan because they were going to be killed for being Christians.


Killed.

For more information on it, click on her icon that's called "The Persecuted Church Next Door" link. You can read Part 1, 2, 3, 4 on it and then the latest of what's going on.

Kleen Kanteen for Babies

I'm pretty excited about these. I can't wait until Kaylynn is old enough to use a sippy or straw cup! No need to worry about BPA-Free plastics when you've got stainless!

http://www.greenfeet.com/itemmatrix.asp?kw=Teenie-Weenie-Klean-Kanteen-w-Sippy-Top&ic=8502-06591-0004&eq=&matrixtype=2

Best part - water just plain tastes better from these containers than plastic ones. You can bet that the unopened plastic sippy cups that she already has will be going back to the store!

Actually, another best part is that you can use them as bottles, just by using the Avent nipples (I actually think my Born Free ones will work, as they are the same size as Avent ones).

Now, I begin my 18 month search for an organic frozen yogurt, because after she's 2 (and established a healthy eating regimine) that's the only "ice cream" that she's going to be getting...on occasion. Right now, I can only find Stoneyfields, but if you know of any, please let me know!

Comment

I think that I, Brian von Frinkenhagen, am going to be making this my last post ever. To be honest, I'm just not sure that anyone reads this page anymore. I do my best to make my comments interactive and to solicit feedback/comments, but no one ever comments (unless it has to do with our ultra-cute baby girl - and she's just so adorable, I don't blame the few that do comment). I look at other blogs (occasionally) and they have a gazillion comments for every post. Perhaps it is because this blog isn't really mine and is dominated by people I don't know. Maybe that's what I'll tell myself.

A short while ago, I mentioned that finals season was upon me and that I was taking suggestions on what I should do with my newly found (though unevenly grown) facial hair. I even gave some possibilities to get the ball rolling. And yet, nothing. Just two comments from my (lovely) wife regarding my insult of her (non-existent) facial hair and the misspelling of the word "mountain" (hey, I was on the bus, half asleep, typing with tiny keys on that stupid PDA that I'm addicted to, with no spell checker, fat fingers, and a bumpy road - I thought I did pretty well).

Since no one decided to make any comments or suggestions, I've decided that the facial hair is going to be a countdown of sorts. For my first final (on Friday...ugh), it will be the full, scruffy, mountain man "beard".

On Monday, before heading to my second final (which I will be less prepared for than my first final - if that's possible), I will shave it down to a goatee.

(You probably see where this is headed).

For my third final on Wednesday (which I'm less concerned about since it is all multiple choice - my specialty - under the professor's theory that the bar exam teaches Torts through multiple choice and so should he. This is code for "I don't want to have to sit there and grade essays. Rather, I'd prefer to run the exam through a machine, let it spit out the grades, determine the curve, and be on my way." I swear, if this guy doesn't have grades up on the first day...), it will be the Jason Giambi-esque "mustachio" (with the music rolling through my head - may be a distraction, I don't know).

And for my last final on Friday (which may well be my last law school final ever if they kick me out), it will be the return of the clean-shaven von Frinkenhagen.

10-4, over and out.

Information disclosed pursuant the I Hate Google's Blogspot Interface Act (passed by the von Frinkenhagen Congress and signed into von Frinkenhagen law by Brian von Frinkenhagen; held constitutional on the basis that the interface SUCKS):

Time taken to write this post - 4 minutes

Time taken to format this post is this Piece of Sh...ahem...Crap Google Software Interface: 17 minutes (AAAAHHHHHH!!! I'd rather take law school finals that have to format crap in this interface. Seriously, billions and billions and billions of dollars and Google can't fix this? Quit insulting Microsoft and do something productive!)

P.S. Ok, that's it. I'm officially taking on an aside to this post. Google wants to help protect the environment by getting people to use black screens. Well guess what? Everything to do to help in that initiative is offset by the fact that people have to spend half their day trying to get separate paragraphs in this interface. Note that the blogspot interface is WHITE, which uses more electricity and such. They need to spot their hypocracy and do something productive.

On a further aside, writing this post and the post script has not been productive. Who's the hypocrite now?

Time taken to write this post script - 2 minutes

Time taken to format this post script into separate paragraphs: 6 minutes

Raspberries!

Now, I realize the faces she makes only emphasize her cute, chubby cheeks, but how can you not laugh at all her "spitting". Since this video, she's gotten really good (and doesn't look as much like she's trying to "go".) She can blow a proper raspberry, using her tongue and all. Quite entertaining. It's really funny when she does it right after a bath, but my absolute favorite is to wake up in the morning to hear her on the monitor blowing them. She's just as content as can be, laying in bed, talking to herself and blowing raspberries. She's such a happy little girl.

The second video shows how smart she is! She's learned to take out her soothie and put it back in! She falls over at the end, because we're still practicing the whole "sitting up by yourself" thing (she's still young, it's usually a 6 month+ milestone, so we've got some time to master it.) But don't worry, she fell into my hands, so she didn't really fall.

Have a great weekend. I just layed my sweet girl down for the night, without a swaddle, for the first time EVER! We'll see how this goes. On the monitor she looks asleep, lets just hope she won't wake herself up.

What am I getting myself into...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_aRYNHjFr4

Let's Play Pyramid

Category:

Things you make out of dishtowels

Clue: It's white and...

Answer: paper, snow, A GHOST!

Clue: ...and maroon.

Clue: ...it's girly.

Clue: ...and flowy

Answer: A SKIRT FOR YOUR BABY GIRL'S FIRST FIGHTIN' TEXAS AGGIE BASEBALL GAME!

Ding! Ding! Ding!

You won a whole lotta nothing, but wasn't that fun?! I know I stretched it a bit with the "paper, snow, a ghost" but its one of the frequently quoted "Friends" episodes in the Frink house. See here, you might get a good laugh. Seriously, we can just say "paper, snow, A GHOST" and start laughing. That's just how we roll.

Stay tuned until this weekend when we take some pictures of Kaylynn looking cute in her Aggie outfits. I'm very excited. :)

Spring Has Arrived

Yep, it's that time of year again. Spring has sprung. The flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping (actually, the birds are dive-bombing - that damn mockingbird in our front yard just doesn't like us), the humidity is showing up, and the allergies are kicking in.

And law school finals are here.

This really only means one thing for me. Two and a half weeks of no sleep (seriously - I didn't sleep last night because I was taking my Constitutional Law exam in my head. The professor gives us the questions so we have time to think about them. Pure torture to someone like me. However, before you go saying that the exam should be easy, let me tell you - as he has - that the questions do not have an answer. He said he just wants to read something fun and to see what we come up with. Fantastic.), constant reading, and the hope that South Texas College of Law will let me stay just one more semester.

Like the spring season, law school exams also signal the arrival of something: facial hair (on me, not Hayley. Well, maybe a little on Hayley).

Yep, I'm not going to work for the next two weeks, so it's a montain man's life for me. I just haven't decided the style yet. Do I go for the goatee with the trimmed but faded beard, the foo man choo, the lazy ass beard (i.e. no grooming; it is what it is), or the Jason Giambi retro mustache (cue the music: bow chicka bow chicka bow chicka bow wow)?

Any input would be much appreciated. Oh, and if you know anything about Con Law, Contracts, Property, or Torts, I would appreciate your input (that is, everything and anything you know) on those topics as well.

Dr. Update

Some boring info that some may be curious about (parents probably). We had Kaylynn's 4 month appointment yesterday. She weighed 13lbs, 10oz and was 24 inches long, 50th percentile on both....average sized baby all around.

We're going to switch her formula, as she is spitting up ALL.THE.TIME. Of course, it's more expensive, but I bet we spend more in washing clothes than we do in the price differential of the formulas. That and spit up stinks. Literally. Chest congestion that she's had since birth is because of her reflux (the spitting up) and will clear up eventually, nothing to worry about.

Other than that, the doc said she couldn't believe how happy Kaylynn is. She's just happy smiley all the time, unless we're hungry or tired and we know how to remedy that. She's very social and said that she's got great muscle tone for her age and is very strong. YAY! Brian and I haven't messed up!

In the next 3-4 weeks we'll start giving her cereal once a day, just so she can practice with the texture, not for any nutritional value. After that, we'll start trying veggies, one at a time. Again, not for nutrition, just to see what she likes. We're supposed to talk about real feeding at the 6 month appointment. That works for me, because I didn't want to start really feeding her solids until the summer, when I'm around to see how it goes, get her in a schedule and all that for when her daycare starts back up in the fall. She'll only get it at home for now....so grandparents don't go buying food...I'm supplying when the time comes! (thanks to my way fun cookbook from Melissa!!)

I guess that's all. I have papers to grade. Peace out. Have a happy stormy Friday.

Out of it

You know you're out of it when you go to google.com and then type in google in the search box.

I need a vacation. :)

The Serious Side of Things

I'm going to make this short and sweet. You need to follow the link below and watch the video. You need sound. This is not a joke that will take you to some website that scares the crap out of you. It was a pick-me-up for me and I hope it will be for you.

I know that not everyone will appreciate this, but I'm hoping that those who do outnumber those who don't.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPZh4AnWyk

A Couple of Videos

I wish I had video editing software. Maybe I do...I just don't know it. If I did, I would totally edit most of this video (including my over-the-top excited Mommy voice). I've hesitated putting this up here, because I hate listening to myself, but I thought blogworld needed to see our sweet girl go rolling. Mostly because it hasn't happened since this documented day.

This one was taken tonight. Kaylynn was hanging out with us while Brian did some work on the laptop in bed. I was getting close enough to her face where she could grab on and feel my face. This provoked a squeal/scream/shriek from her. We found it quite entertaining. She really likes trying to grab my face though. Sorry my hair got in the way.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter from your local vonFrinkenhagen clan.

4th Month Old Little Girl!

Dear Kaylynn,

4 months, how time flies! While I've gotten in the routine of dropping your off and picking you up each day, it doesn't get easier. Everyone says it does, but what I think they mean is that it becomes the normal pattern of habit. Only 30something school days until we have a whole summer to play together!

You took your first 4+ hour car trip this month, to Fredericksburg to see your friend Will. You got to see him later on in the month and I think he still knew who you were. He likes to reach for your hand. Sweet boy.

We go to the doctor next week to see how well you've grown and get some more shots. You've definitely gotten more rolls in your cute little thighs, but I don't know that we're packing on the pounds. You wear the 3-6 month clothes, but sometimes you can get away with the 0-3 month ones (at least the ones that run big), though I have put most of those away for now.

You rolled over for the first time, just 3 days before your 4 month birthday. I'd post the video of it, but I sound ridiculous, so we're just going to wait until next time. You haven't felt like showing us your trick since then.

Thanks to Auntie Jenno and Will, you've got a new favorite place to sit - the Bumbo chair! Your dad and I like it, as you can sit up with us and hang out. You definitely love playing with toys, especially the ones that crinkle. You're picking things up all on your own and don't need our help for that anymore.

You talk so much! I love that you talk to me all the way to daycare and all the way home. You talk to your elephant friend in the car. You talk to Daddy when he comes home from work. You talk and kick and bounce and flail your arms when you get out of the bath. You are such a happy, talkative girl!

Other than that, you've just enjoyed being a happy girl. Everyone asks us, "Is she always this happy?" We enjoy getting to say everytime, "yup, she seems to only cry if she's hungry or sleepy." It makes others jealous. Your daddy and I just count ourselves lucky to have gotten such a sweet baby girl.

On your 4 month birthday, I had off of work for Good Friday and decided to try out your "high chair", just in case your doctor wants us to starts foods soon (though I'd rather wait until 6 months, so I can regulate it more). I think you enjoyed your chair as much as the Bumbo.

5 months will be another great month with you! I just know it! Keep on being that sweet girl that lights up when we come in the room!

Love,

Mommy

Daddy's little Nike Girl. :)

Praying for Stellan

Many of you blog stalkers (ahem, readers) may have read about McMama and her "charming kids". Well her youngest McMuffin (Stellan) is battleing SVT (there's more to it, but in a nutshell, his heart beats crazy fast). Without going into all the details (which you can read here), there is an awesome thing going around where people take a picture of Stellan's name and email it to her to let her know that they are praying for her sweet boy. They have photos from all over the world.

Amazing. Simply amazing. Have a look. And while you're at it, say a prayer for this little 4 month old.

Kaylynn is 4 months tomorrow. I could not fathom being in this woman's shoes right now. She is strong in her faith, which is getting her and her family through the days. Strong, amazing people.

Leg Warmers!!!

I love them!

Too Good to Pass Up

This is good. Really good. In fact, it's too good to pass up. And believe me, I can't make this stuff up.

I just read an article, then laughed my behind off, and then cried a little because I realized what was wrong with this world. And it all eminates from the great State of Texas. In fact, the very source is in Austin. And no, it's not the Texas Legislature.

It is the "higher education" institution that is t.u. I can hear all you Longhorns now: "What the hell are you talking about, dumb Aggie?". I'm talking about crybabies. I'm talking about those that agree to abide by a set of rules but then turn around and say the rules are unfair when they don't go their way. I'm talking about an institution that believes that rules do not apply to them. And I'm talking about an institution that apparently encourages the dissemination of this type of thinking.

"That's a bit extreme, isn't it Brian?". Maybe. Maybe not. But I just read that the Texas Longhorn football team, an agent for the school "on and off the field", has updated their list of accomplishments. They have claimed a share of the 2008 Big 12 South title. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I get it. They were in a 3-way tie with two other schools. Yeah, they had a good season. So yeah, they are deserving of a share of the Big 12 South title.

However, they have also laid claim to a share of the overall Big 12 title. Let that soak in for a minute... Keep soaking... Just a little more...

Ok. No more soaking for you. Yes, I just said that they laid claim to the Big 12 title, with an asterisk of course. Why an asterisk? BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T EVEN PLAY IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!!!

I understand that their panties were in a knot because Oklahoma made it to the championship game...AND WON. I understand that they beat Oklahoma. But I also understand that they lost to Tech, a team that Oklahoma absolutely destroyed.

Here's the thing t.u.: Get over it. You agreed to follow a certain set of rules related to tie-breakers. Just because those rules do not work out in your favor does not mean that you get to simply ignore them and do your own little dance. What kind of example does that set? Oh, I know. It's the macho "Rules are meant to be broken" mentality. Real mature.

I would have expected this out of Tech, but not t.u. I suppose there's little distinction between the schools now.

With all that said, I am laying claim to all of the national championships (with an asterisk) from the time I started attending Texas A&M (2000) until the present. Here's my reasoning. I know the standard rules of football state that you play four 15-minute quarters, but that doesn't apply to Texas A&M. I simply know that if we could have kept playing, we would have gone undefeated because Aggies do not give up. Given this perfect record, we are the rightful national champions for the past 8 years.

In addition, I am claiming a record for the longest unbeaten streak in college football history*. Texas A&M has not lost a game since 1999. Pretty amazing, huh?

On behalf of Texas A&M university, I would like to congratulate all you Aggies out there. You should feel proud of what our football team has been able to accomplish despite two coaching changes.

Putzes.

Here's the story: http://myespn.go.com/blogs/big12/0-8-185/Longhorns%20-have-claimed-the-2008-Big-12-title----with-an-ast%20erisk.html

Here's the picture proof: http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/shared-blogs/austin/bohls/upload/2009/04/big_12_champs/big12champs.jpg

"Sick and Tired..

...of being sick and tired." One of those good ole' CCR songs that take me back to College Station.

Well, I have always told Brian that I don't get sick...and usually it is true. It is rare that I get really sick. I'm not talking about a silly little cold, I'm talking SICK. And this time I got SICK. Started out feeling bad Thursday afternoon, getting progressively worse throughout the evening. I had half a mind to go to the RediClinic at HEB during 1st block (my conference period) Friday morning.

Shoulda. Woulda. Coulda. Coach Loper would have told me to put those behind me (cross country pals will remember those pep talks!)

Brian has an uber big appellate brief due Monday (tomorrow), so I had planned on taking sweet girl up to Frankston to hang out with my mom and dad to give him much needed quiet to work. That turned out to be a blessing in disguise, because as we drove to Frankston, I was getting worse and worse. When I show up in Frankston, I'm burning up with a 100.9 fever. I NEVER get fevers. I am achy. My throat hurts. I go straight to bed (in fact, everyone in that house was in bed before 10pm.)

I wake up Saturday morning and I can hardly swallow anything. I'm talking, holding my throat to swallow, hurt. I always have this thing with checking out my throat when it hurts and this time, it was so disgusting that I had to share with mom and dad. That's when we decided I had strep throat. Thanks to some antibiotics I began to feel better, but I didn't have enough to last the requisite 10 days, so in the end, I wound up going to that RediClinic.

Turns out, I did in fact have strep throat, the good old streptococcus bacteria. Now, I find out, even though I am feeling just fine, ( I say just fine, my throat still hurts and I'm pretty tired) I am very contagious. Apparently when you start taking antibiotics, you are most contagious 24 hrs afterwards. Well the doc counted today as my day 1 and so now I'm stuck at home tomorrow. Ordinarily, I'd be excited for a day at home, but its no fun when you can't hang out with your sweet baby because you are contagious (but don't worry, the doctor told me that babies under 18 months can't get strep...though Brian and I don't buy it, so she's still going to grandma's).

If I hadn't gone up to Mom and Dad's, I would have never started antibiotics early (thus probably having to miss 2 days of work, which I do NOT need/want to do) and Brian would never have gotten his paper done (since I couldn't take care of Kaylynn). Mom gladly took care of Kaylynn all weekend long (thanks mom!). Like I said, blessing in disguise! Oh, and to those of you who are skeptical about those doc's in the grocery store...so great to have when it's a Sunday at 4:00 and you need a prescription. $20 co-pay vs. $100 ER visit, for the same purpose. Use them. They aren't bad at all. Very clean too.

And if I can't spend a day with my sweet girl, then I'd rather spend it with my smart-mouthed 8th graders (seriously...I know you are laughing, but they really keep you on your toes. They are fun.)


And just for fun, here's a link to the CCR song "Sick and Tired".

Enlightenment

Was informed I was getting my Contracts mid-term back today. Oh boy. Couldn't wait.

One theme: lots of red pen. Chickenscratch. Scanning, scanning, scanning. Found something legible.

"It is clear that you have misconceived the problem as presented and that you do not have a basic understanding of the principle of constructive conditions."

Uh oh. Final in a month.

Two problems with what the professor wrote. First, the problem had nothing to do with constructive conditions. I was unable to figure out what was going on so I attempted to write about a legal principle and make it fit the fact pattern. Oops. Wrong approach.

Second, I wasn't even able to correctly write about the legal principle that I thought I knew. Not a good sign.

A wise lawyer once told me "if you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullsh*t". I tried. I failed.

Not much time.

What's that Sound?

Can anyone tell me what in the world that sound she's making sounds like??? Anyone? Gizmo??