The boys had their field trip to Washington Farms today. First, the kids marched around the petting zoo. There were baby cows, goats, bunnies, even a pig. Mrs. Washington taught the kids about how the 100,000 strawberry plants are planted, how they rent bees for pollenation, and how to pick the berries. During this portion, Addison of course had a lot to add. The UGA cable channel news program was there filming the strawberry farm and took notice in my Addison. They asked me if they could fit him with a wire during his strawberry-picking! He donned the mike, clipped the battery pack to his pocket, and went out to pick berries. After he filled his container, they briefly interviewed the three of us about coming out to the farm, the strawberries that we planted at home, and our preferrence for organic fruits, veggies, and meat.
You can check out the video and see the adorable little kids, but keep in mind that my pregnant self was feeling less than fabulous (and pretty queezy) at 9:45 this morning chasing a bunch of kids!! I've definitely looked better!
Click here: http://www.grady.uga.edu/NewSource15/Shows.html It may be under Thursday's archive.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Visiting Gram and Grandpa
We went by and visited Gram and Grandpa today. After dinner, the boys wanted to go fishing. So, Gram and Mom helped fix up a cane pole and I found a dozen worms (in record time). We all headed down to the lake. The fish weren't biting at all, but it was fun anyway!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Thursday, April 10, 2008
So this is what a routine OB appointment's like?
I had a OB appointment with one of the doctors that I haven't met. She joined the practice since my pregnancy with the boys. First of all, let me remind you that the last time I did all this, I was released from my RE (reproductive endocrinologist; AKA infertility doc) to the OBGYN at about 12 weeks... I had maybe two OBGYN appointments, a maternal/fetal scan, and then I was in the hospital in labor for a quarter of a year. I don't really know how these OB appointments usually work, heck, I don't even know how the maternal/fetal appointments are supposed to work. I saw a different doctor from my practice every morning that I was in the High Risk Unit, and Maternal/Fetal Specialists came every so often with their portable ultrasound machines and their pessimism.
I am getting to see what normal people visits are like. Sure, I'm a high risk patient. But, there was nothing special about today's appointment. They weighed me, listened to the baby's heartbeat on the doppler, found the top of my uterus and measured my fundal height, and asked me if I was having any problems. Ta da. I'm out the door. Can that really be right? I mean, what is the point exactly? With a doppler and a tape measure at home, I could have handled that one over the phone! I did ask about keeping me on my metformin, which the doc said was fine. The maternal/fetal guys were keen on taking me off, but I'm not so sure. I'm enjoying the lack of dizzy spells, hypoglycemia, etc. Who knows if the metformin really is making the difference, but if it won't hurt to stay on it, I'd rather side with caution. I was, however, thrilled that my RE gave me the okay to stop the Crinone. Without going into gory detail, that stuff is a mess. So now, I am no longer on progesterone and no longer wearing the estrogen patches.
I'm passing up all the lovely screening bloodtests, but I will have a level II ultrasound at 20 weeks. This is the same ultrasound that I had done with my boys that measured all the parts and pieces... and that one was in 3D no less! As for the OB, I will just come back in four weeks, which happens to be the same day as my next Maternal/Fetal appointment. I wish we could spread those out a bit. I'm really not sure how I'm going to handle childcare for that day. The maternal/fetal folks don't allow kids in the ultrasound rooms, so I've got to do something. With a 30+ minute drive one way, a 2-3 hour M/F appointment, a little gap, 1+ hours at the OBGYN office, and 30 more minutes home, it's going to make for a long day.
I am getting to see what normal people visits are like. Sure, I'm a high risk patient. But, there was nothing special about today's appointment. They weighed me, listened to the baby's heartbeat on the doppler, found the top of my uterus and measured my fundal height, and asked me if I was having any problems. Ta da. I'm out the door. Can that really be right? I mean, what is the point exactly? With a doppler and a tape measure at home, I could have handled that one over the phone! I did ask about keeping me on my metformin, which the doc said was fine. The maternal/fetal guys were keen on taking me off, but I'm not so sure. I'm enjoying the lack of dizzy spells, hypoglycemia, etc. Who knows if the metformin really is making the difference, but if it won't hurt to stay on it, I'd rather side with caution. I was, however, thrilled that my RE gave me the okay to stop the Crinone. Without going into gory detail, that stuff is a mess. So now, I am no longer on progesterone and no longer wearing the estrogen patches.
I'm passing up all the lovely screening bloodtests, but I will have a level II ultrasound at 20 weeks. This is the same ultrasound that I had done with my boys that measured all the parts and pieces... and that one was in 3D no less! As for the OB, I will just come back in four weeks, which happens to be the same day as my next Maternal/Fetal appointment. I wish we could spread those out a bit. I'm really not sure how I'm going to handle childcare for that day. The maternal/fetal folks don't allow kids in the ultrasound rooms, so I've got to do something. With a 30+ minute drive one way, a 2-3 hour M/F appointment, a little gap, 1+ hours at the OBGYN office, and 30 more minutes home, it's going to make for a long day.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Today's Visit - 12 weeks 4 days
Well, I spent three hours at the Maternal / Fetal Specialists office today. I guess it was probably half and half, waiting and action. I had to give my medical history, which takes forever given my reproductive woes. The nurse was only aware of 9 total pregnancies, and this was the 10th, so we were trying to figure out which was missing. Fun, fun. There was some preterm labor talk, the inevitable jotting down of all my many many medications that I've been on to get me this far, etc.
Jeff, in all his organizational glory, arranged for a meeting at work today... the day of the big ultrasound. If the ultrasound tech had come in to get me 10 minutes later he would have missed it. I had an abdominal ultrasound, which was nice for two reasons. First, the obvious lack of invasion by a foreign object and second, it gave me a visable excuse for my expanding waistline. And, to top it off, this fancy office has an ultrasound goo warmer.
The ultrasound tech began by apologizing for the long wait. They had two emergencies this morning... and at the maternal/fetal office, those aren't good. I was just so glad to be the person in the waiting room looking over yet another copy of Parenting Magazine and not the people whose lives were just thrown into a blender this morning. Thankfully, Jeff was able to see the baby for about 10 minutes before he had to go save the world.
The tech tried to get a good reading on the heartbeat first, which was a little hard because the little bugger was squirming around like crazy in there. She was finally able to get enough to tell the rate, which was around 168. The whole point of this visit was to have a NT ( Nuchal translucency) Scan. This is where they measure the space at the back of baby's neck. Babies with chromosomal abnormalities, like Down's, have fluid in this area. They measure this between weeks 11 and 13. The tech was trying to get a measurement of this space, but the little one wasn't in the right position. We tried for 20 minutes to get him/her to move. I rolled over to one side for a few minutes. We checked. I rolled over to the other side. No luck. He/She would move, but not the right way. After a bunch of prodding, she finally gave up. Although we did not get a measurement, the tech did say that everything appeared to her to be normal. Our little peanut is even measuring a few days ahead! (It's funny... looking at the pictures he/she looks big! It's hard to believe the little one is only 2 1/2 inches!)
She said that we could do it again this week, but I declined. I also turned down the series of tests: cystic fibrosis, Quad screen, etc. In my opinion, there is no real point to my having these tests since I would not terminate no matter the results. I don't want to have the stress of waiting for results or getting a false positive, which has happened to some that I've talked to.
After the ultrasound, I met with the actual Maternal/Fetal doctor. Now, the last time I saw these people, they were coming into my hospital room every few weeks to give me the gloom and doom report on the fragility of my situation. With the boys, I went to this specialist one time and then was hospitalized in labor that same week. I remember realizing, lying in the hospital bed probably watching reruns of Dawson's Creek, that I was about to miss my next appointment at their office. So, they came to me. I digress...
The doctor was very nice. He went over all of my losses, my preterm labor, my vast amount of past bloodwork: Antiphospholipids, autoimmune thrombocytopenia, Lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibodies, and every other antibody or clotting test known to man. Yes, all were normal. My OBGYN had suggested putting me on progesterone injections beginning at 16 weeks in effort to prevent preterm labor, just to be safe. This doctor said that he didn't think that it would be of any help to me. I didn't fit the criteria with this pregnancy (not multiples), which is fine. They are going to keep a very close eye on me. I will be seen every 2-4 weeks, with ultrasounds. I will also be seen by my OBGYN every 4 weeks for a little while until they move me up to every 2. My OBGYN has me on the high risk list, so I will move up to more frequent visits pretty early. So, I should be busy hoppin' from doctor to doctor, which is better than not hoppin' anywhere!
And hey, at least insurance covers this part.
Jeff, in all his organizational glory, arranged for a meeting at work today... the day of the big ultrasound. If the ultrasound tech had come in to get me 10 minutes later he would have missed it. I had an abdominal ultrasound, which was nice for two reasons. First, the obvious lack of invasion by a foreign object and second, it gave me a visable excuse for my expanding waistline. And, to top it off, this fancy office has an ultrasound goo warmer.
The ultrasound tech began by apologizing for the long wait. They had two emergencies this morning... and at the maternal/fetal office, those aren't good. I was just so glad to be the person in the waiting room looking over yet another copy of Parenting Magazine and not the people whose lives were just thrown into a blender this morning. Thankfully, Jeff was able to see the baby for about 10 minutes before he had to go save the world.
The tech tried to get a good reading on the heartbeat first, which was a little hard because the little bugger was squirming around like crazy in there. She was finally able to get enough to tell the rate, which was around 168. The whole point of this visit was to have a NT ( Nuchal translucency) Scan. This is where they measure the space at the back of baby's neck. Babies with chromosomal abnormalities, like Down's, have fluid in this area. They measure this between weeks 11 and 13. The tech was trying to get a measurement of this space, but the little one wasn't in the right position. We tried for 20 minutes to get him/her to move. I rolled over to one side for a few minutes. We checked. I rolled over to the other side. No luck. He/She would move, but not the right way. After a bunch of prodding, she finally gave up. Although we did not get a measurement, the tech did say that everything appeared to her to be normal. Our little peanut is even measuring a few days ahead! (It's funny... looking at the pictures he/she looks big! It's hard to believe the little one is only 2 1/2 inches!)
She said that we could do it again this week, but I declined. I also turned down the series of tests: cystic fibrosis, Quad screen, etc. In my opinion, there is no real point to my having these tests since I would not terminate no matter the results. I don't want to have the stress of waiting for results or getting a false positive, which has happened to some that I've talked to.
After the ultrasound, I met with the actual Maternal/Fetal doctor. Now, the last time I saw these people, they were coming into my hospital room every few weeks to give me the gloom and doom report on the fragility of my situation. With the boys, I went to this specialist one time and then was hospitalized in labor that same week. I remember realizing, lying in the hospital bed probably watching reruns of Dawson's Creek, that I was about to miss my next appointment at their office. So, they came to me. I digress...
The doctor was very nice. He went over all of my losses, my preterm labor, my vast amount of past bloodwork: Antiphospholipids, autoimmune thrombocytopenia, Lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibodies, and every other antibody or clotting test known to man. Yes, all were normal. My OBGYN had suggested putting me on progesterone injections beginning at 16 weeks in effort to prevent preterm labor, just to be safe. This doctor said that he didn't think that it would be of any help to me. I didn't fit the criteria with this pregnancy (not multiples), which is fine. They are going to keep a very close eye on me. I will be seen every 2-4 weeks, with ultrasounds. I will also be seen by my OBGYN every 4 weeks for a little while until they move me up to every 2. My OBGYN has me on the high risk list, so I will move up to more frequent visits pretty early. So, I should be busy hoppin' from doctor to doctor, which is better than not hoppin' anywhere!
And hey, at least insurance covers this part.
Friday, March 28, 2008
The News
Here is the latest picture of our new addition. This was taken at 8 weeks 6 days. I am now 11 weeks pregnant and due October 17th!
We are not technically out of the woods yet, but unlike the many other pregnancies in the past, things so far are looking good. Besides the boys, this is the farthest we have ever made it, so we are hopeful that things will be okay.
As you probably could have guessed, I have been watched very closely, monitored by multiple doctors, and already had 4 ultrasounds. Our Reproductive Endocrinologist (that helped us conceive this baby and the boys) has handed me off to my OBGYN at this point, who went ahead and put me in the "high risk" category. Tons of drugs, tons of visits, tons of needles, (and tons of money) later... we are on our way to the end of the first trimester.
The boys are very excited, although it did take Addison a little while to get comfortable with the idea. When we told them that I had a baby in my belly Asa shouted in excitement, "You mean we're gonna be triplets?!?!" Um. No. I explained multiples and singletons and how twins and triplets are all the same age. I explained that I had only one baby in my belly. Addison's remark was, "Well, when are we gonna have triplets?" I think they're going to realize soon enough that they don't really want triplets after all!
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Monday, December 3, 2007
Our Two Years at the Aquarium
This month wraps up our second year of annual passes to the aquarium. Man, have these boys enjoyed it. We have been able to go enough for Asa and Addison to really get to know the fish. We have gone with Hal, with Ellen and Anna, with Charles, Grandpa, anyone who is willing to come! From the first trip, I was amazed at the amount of information my two boys require. The other three and four year old would walk past and talk about the pretty yellow fish. Mine would ask me for the details, I had to know their names... their real names, what they ate, why they follow that shark around, how the workers clean the tank, and on and on. Each exhibit took me three times as long as the other parents, and a lot of times I would have to track down an expert to find the right answer. The employees were always thrilled to answer their questions. I loved watching them learn as much as they did doing it.
It is very funny to me the animals that captured their hearts. For me, it was the beluga whales. If I had been able to go without two active preschoolers, I would have watched them for hours! (This last time we went we were able to see them at feeding time. They were lined up at the aquarium wall with their heads above the waterline. We could watch their bottom half from the aquarium and the feeding live on the t.v. screens!) For the boys, they were much more enthralled with animals that were smaller in scale.
Their favorites are the giant crabs, the garden eels (little worm-like fish that stay with their tails in holes in the ground. One of the first times we went, they were poking out of their holes and fighting each other, which resulted in belly-rolls and about 20 minutes at the garden eel tank.), the jellyfish, the grouper, and a tiny fish called a jawfish. The jawfish is a little tiny white fish that spends all its time in a hole, digging up rocks with its mouth and spitting them outside. Asa and Addison love him. There used to be two, but I think there may only be one now.
The visit before last, the jawfish were nowhere to be found. The boys were devastated. Where were they? Did they die? Did they move them? I had to go to the information desk and ask about the well being of a tiny fish in a little tank in the tropical section. The very nice, very old woman had no idea. She saw that this was not going to fly and gave them both a book with pictures of the jawfish inside. It wasn't an answer, but it sufficed. We never found out what happened that trip, but there was one little jawfish back in his spot this time.
This trip, we took Grandpa on his first voyage. All the animals were out and on the move. Even the octopus was visable. The boys had a wonderful last trip. I'm sure we'll be back one day, but our two year ocean adventure has come to a close.
It is very funny to me the animals that captured their hearts. For me, it was the beluga whales. If I had been able to go without two active preschoolers, I would have watched them for hours! (This last time we went we were able to see them at feeding time. They were lined up at the aquarium wall with their heads above the waterline. We could watch their bottom half from the aquarium and the feeding live on the t.v. screens!) For the boys, they were much more enthralled with animals that were smaller in scale.
Their favorites are the giant crabs, the garden eels (little worm-like fish that stay with their tails in holes in the ground. One of the first times we went, they were poking out of their holes and fighting each other, which resulted in belly-rolls and about 20 minutes at the garden eel tank.), the jellyfish, the grouper, and a tiny fish called a jawfish. The jawfish is a little tiny white fish that spends all its time in a hole, digging up rocks with its mouth and spitting them outside. Asa and Addison love him. There used to be two, but I think there may only be one now.
The visit before last, the jawfish were nowhere to be found. The boys were devastated. Where were they? Did they die? Did they move them? I had to go to the information desk and ask about the well being of a tiny fish in a little tank in the tropical section. The very nice, very old woman had no idea. She saw that this was not going to fly and gave them both a book with pictures of the jawfish inside. It wasn't an answer, but it sufficed. We never found out what happened that trip, but there was one little jawfish back in his spot this time.
This trip, we took Grandpa on his first voyage. All the animals were out and on the move. Even the octopus was visable. The boys had a wonderful last trip. I'm sure we'll be back one day, but our two year ocean adventure has come to a close.
"Look Mom! I can catch the FLU!"
Monday, November 19, 2007
1st Violin Recital!
Today was the day! Asa and Addison have been looking forward to getting on stage and showing everyone what they know for weeks now. Mim, Papa, Grandmomma, Granddaddy, Hal, and Cool Mo Dee all came. It was a gorgeous fall day in Athens! We caravaned downtown and ate brunch at The Last Resort Grill. Afterward, we had time to kill, so instead of driving across campus to the recital hall, we all caught the UGA bus (one of the boys' favorite things to do!).
The recital went very well! The both did such a good job!
This video may take a while to load...
After the recital, we caught the bus back to our cars and went back home for dessert. It was a great day!
Thursday, November 8, 2007
What did he say?
Yesterday, the boys had group violin practice. They are getting ready for the big recital. Miss Kristin showed them where they will be standing and they went through the entire program. The parents sat and watched as our 14 children practiced. At the end, she asked if anyone had any questions about the recital. Of course, Addison's hand went up.
"Cool Mo Dee is coming to watch our recital!" He exclaimed. Everyone looked completely confused. What on earth did he just say? I started laughing so hard that I actually slammed my head into the chair in front of me. When I sat up, I realized that all the parents and teachers were looking at me waiting for some sort of explanation. I actually had to tell the class that the boys' uncle taught them to call him Cool Mo Dee. If violin class didn't already think we were a bunch of weirdos, they do now!
"Cool Mo Dee is coming to watch our recital!" He exclaimed. Everyone looked completely confused. What on earth did he just say? I started laughing so hard that I actually slammed my head into the chair in front of me. When I sat up, I realized that all the parents and teachers were looking at me waiting for some sort of explanation. I actually had to tell the class that the boys' uncle taught them to call him Cool Mo Dee. If violin class didn't already think we were a bunch of weirdos, they do now!
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
These aren't the boys you're looking for...
I have two major Star Wars fans in my family. They share the same giddy obsession with all that is Star Wars. They are Addison and Jeff. Addison came home on Tuesday talking about how a boy in his class has a Darth Vader bookbag AND a lunch box, too! We held off on letting the boys watch any of the movies as long as possible, and now they have seen the first two. (The REAL first two... OUR first two)
Asa loves the movies, too. But, when I'm driving to the grocery store only one of my children pull out questions like,
"Mom, is Darth Vader a bad guy?"
"Yes"
"I thought he was... but... how is he a bad guy and he's Luke's father and Luke it a good guy?"
Addison ponders Star Wars all the time. Once it is brought up, Asa will contemplate questions of his own...
"How does Darth Vader reach his hand out [like this] and make things move?"
I try to explain the force... the word "magic" seemed to help.
"Well, Luke isn't as good at it as Vader is."
"Well, Luke is just a boy." I answer.
"When are we going to learn how to use the force?"
All of us have watched "A New Hope" a few times. The boys were ready to move on, so we saw "The Empire Strikes Back" a little while ago. The boys watched, absolutely fascinated. Addison was a zombie... making sure not to miss a single detail. Towards the end of the movie, Asa was obviously confused about something. He tried to explain the source of his confusion. He fumbled with his words, asking how Darth Vader was alive if he was dead. Jeff and I struggled to figure out why he was confused so that we could answer him... when Addison piped in. "He's talking about how Luke goes into the cave where Yoda is and sees Darth Vader and kills him. How is Darth Vader not dead?" Wow. Addison was right, that's exactly what he meant. So, we attempted to explain how Vader at the beginning was just Luke's vision. Comparing it to a dream helped, and all was well.
At lunch one day last month, Jeff went to the mall near his office and spotted a replica Darth Vader mask. He acted like a little kid. He talked about it. He went back anxiously awaiting the price to drop to a level in which he could justify buying it. He always wanted one, and now he is a grown up! But, where was this intense need for the helmet coming from? We had no plans for dressing up for Halloween, not us anyways. One day he said that figured it out... as a kid, he always wanted a Darth Vader helmet. He wanted to be Darth Vader for Halloween, but was talked out of it. He said he was told it was, "just a piece of plastic". He had always wanted that helmet! After Halloween, we went to the mall and he showed it to me. It was a true replica. It was HUGE! The guy who played him in the movie was a giant- like 6' 7". I had no idea. They had it marked down 30% or so. Still not enough. We asked if they were going to reduce it any more, they said "no" and we left. Well, Jeff went back a couple days later and it was down some enormous amount, like 70%. So, he came home with his very own Darth Vader helmet.
And for this very small price, all three boys were happy.
Asa loves the movies, too. But, when I'm driving to the grocery store only one of my children pull out questions like,
"Mom, is Darth Vader a bad guy?"
"Yes"
"I thought he was... but... how is he a bad guy and he's Luke's father and Luke it a good guy?"
Addison ponders Star Wars all the time. Once it is brought up, Asa will contemplate questions of his own...
"How does Darth Vader reach his hand out [like this] and make things move?"
I try to explain the force... the word "magic" seemed to help.
"Well, Luke isn't as good at it as Vader is."
"Well, Luke is just a boy." I answer.
"When are we going to learn how to use the force?"
All of us have watched "A New Hope" a few times. The boys were ready to move on, so we saw "The Empire Strikes Back" a little while ago. The boys watched, absolutely fascinated. Addison was a zombie... making sure not to miss a single detail. Towards the end of the movie, Asa was obviously confused about something. He tried to explain the source of his confusion. He fumbled with his words, asking how Darth Vader was alive if he was dead. Jeff and I struggled to figure out why he was confused so that we could answer him... when Addison piped in. "He's talking about how Luke goes into the cave where Yoda is and sees Darth Vader and kills him. How is Darth Vader not dead?" Wow. Addison was right, that's exactly what he meant. So, we attempted to explain how Vader at the beginning was just Luke's vision. Comparing it to a dream helped, and all was well.
At lunch one day last month, Jeff went to the mall near his office and spotted a replica Darth Vader mask. He acted like a little kid. He talked about it. He went back anxiously awaiting the price to drop to a level in which he could justify buying it. He always wanted one, and now he is a grown up! But, where was this intense need for the helmet coming from? We had no plans for dressing up for Halloween, not us anyways. One day he said that figured it out... as a kid, he always wanted a Darth Vader helmet. He wanted to be Darth Vader for Halloween, but was talked out of it. He said he was told it was, "just a piece of plastic". He had always wanted that helmet! After Halloween, we went to the mall and he showed it to me. It was a true replica. It was HUGE! The guy who played him in the movie was a giant- like 6' 7". I had no idea. They had it marked down 30% or so. Still not enough. We asked if they were going to reduce it any more, they said "no" and we left. Well, Jeff went back a couple days later and it was down some enormous amount, like 70%. So, he came home with his very own Darth Vader helmet.
And for this very small price, all three boys were happy.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Grandpa's Birthday Party!
It was wonderful to see everyone (or almost everyone) for Grandpa's birthday party! The kids are all growing up entirely too fast, and my two think Lucas, Caleb, and Marissa are just super cool. I love it!!
Jeff went by his dad's house to borrow what he had just given his dad for his birthday... a canon. Yes, a canon. What's a birthday party without good ol' redneck fun?! It was a hit, the kids loved it, and by kids I included my uncles. It took no time at all before people were scavenging for projectiles- marbles, nuts, anything that would fit. Man, I love the south!
We took the boys down to the lake and went fishing. Although we tried, the fish were just off on vacation or something. We had a few nibbles, and Addison actually hooked one right at the dock. He just learned to yarn to set the hook... well, when you are fishing right off the dock, you don't need to yank very hard or else... you guessed it... a shiny little brem will come flying through the air aiming right for you! When you are sitting in your Mim's lap during this process, witht he aforementioned shiny fish sailing at her head everything gets a little blurry (and a lot loud). From what I gather, Mim actually grabbed Addison and used him as a human shield against the fish, leading to squeels of "the fish is getting me! The fish is getting me!" and people are rolling around, thr tip of Addison's rod broke, it was all kinds of fun. I was just impressed (sorely disappointed) that no one tumbled off the dock into the water. Ah, if I had only had my video camera...
Friday, October 26, 2007
Fishin'
We came down to visit the family for the weekend- and fished, fished, fished! The drought has done a number on the lake in Brooks, but I think it helped our fishin' odds. We probably could have knelt down and scooped some up in a net, swimming around in that little bit of water!
The boys had a great time. Thankfully, Dad's friend, Craig, was there so we actually outnumbered the four year olds wielding hooked lines! They aren't baiting their hooks yet, but I'll work on getting them to that point soon. Asa especially loves going to pick out the one particular worm for him... the "lucky worm". Each of them caught a fair number... Asa caught three "keepers", a bass and two brem. Addison caught also caught a bass and brem worth keeping for Grandpa to clean.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
My Costume? Space Cadet.
Today was the boys' Fall Parties at preschool. I had signed up to help out in Asa's room and the room mom called a few days ago to discuss what I would be doing. I was in charge of bringing the healthy snacks, to counteract the mass amounts of sugar that will no doubt be shoveled into our children. I took shaved deli ham and mixed it with shredded cheese. I laid out Pillsbury croissants, put a little bit of the mixture on top, rolled them up and baked them. I had one for breakfast- not bad at all! I also had apples, carrots, and pretzels. At 10:45 I scooted up to the church, where my kids were donning their prized costumes. I helped set up, putting the snacks on each plate. Right after the kids came in and began chowing down, the room mother from Addison's class came into Asa's classroom... "Did you bring the healthy snack?" Wow. Did I really do that?? Come on. Do people really get their mixed up on which kid's classroom they are supposed to be helping out? We did have some extra carrots and pretzels, so all was not lost. Geez. The good news- They are boys, they are four, and they didn't notice a thing. The parents and teachers on the other hand...
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Sunday Nap, Interrupted
Sunday naps are mandatory at our house. After church, our bodies are hit by a state of exhaustion as if we had been drugged with Benadryl. We have no choice. The boys are fed and shuffled off to bed and we quickly collapse. In the good 'ol days, the boys would fall asleep easily. We might have to sit on their toy box and wait for their eyes to close, but it would eventually happen. Now, that's a rarity. However, they usually are able to play quietly in their room while we get some rest. Usually.
Today, we came home from church, got into play clothes, wolfed down some sandwiches, and managed to make it upstairs before our bodies completely gave out of energy. The boys' nap looked promising. They have had their bunk beds for only a couple weeks now, so they are excited about getting into bed. Jeff and I were asleep in seconds flat. I could hear them playing, but they were playing quietly in their rooms... all was well.
I woke up to hear breathing in my face. Asa's little face was right in mine, "Mommy, I need to go potty." He went potty and went back to bed. A while later, he showed up again. "Mommy, can you fix my truck's wheel?" I fumbled around without truly opening my eyes, fixed the wheel, and told him this was rest time. He went back to his room. A while later I heard him again at my bed. "Asa, get back in your room." I said with all the energy I could muster. He didn't move. "Asa, you need to go get some rest, and Mommy and Daddy need our nap." He was quiet for a little while and then said, "But Addison isn't wearing any underwear and he's stinking up the room."
With that, Jeff and I went instantly propelled upright and were in their room in seconds flat. Sure enough, Addison was in a shirt and no underwear. He had an accident. A poo-poo accident. He looked like a deer in headlights... a deer with no underwear and poo smeared up his back and down his legs. Jeff and I went from a peaceful Sunday nap to a full out HAZMAT situation in .2 seconds. He took Addison to the bath, and I stripped his bed, and began disinfecting everything the child could have possibly touched. He had been up in his bed, on the top, so he had it on the rails and ladder. The doorknobs... what else... I was a whirlwind... I was Mr. Clean on speed. But, where are the underwear? I went downstairs and Jeff was almost finished with Addison.
I asked him where he stashed the evidence. "In the utility room in the laundry basket". Now, I applaud both his attempt to handle the situation himself and the fact that the underwear actually made it to the appropriate location (see the August 5th entry on the cornfield). However, I was mortified at the realization that he had been all over the entire house doing who knows what with poo on his hands and naked body.
Okay, utility room... I rushed off the disinfect the doorknobs and sides of the laundry basket before asking him what else he had done. "I tried to wash it off my hands". The sink, got it. The bathroom door, check. The next 10 minutes were spent in a mad rush to get any invisible trace of fecal matter off of every surface I could imagine. Finally, we were content with the clean up job, redressed Addison, and let him play for another 5 minutes while we collapsed yet again on the bed to regroup. We looked at each other and laughed. Ahh, the peace of Sunday naps. "I love you" Jeff said. "I love Clorox wipes" I replied.
Today, we came home from church, got into play clothes, wolfed down some sandwiches, and managed to make it upstairs before our bodies completely gave out of energy. The boys' nap looked promising. They have had their bunk beds for only a couple weeks now, so they are excited about getting into bed. Jeff and I were asleep in seconds flat. I could hear them playing, but they were playing quietly in their rooms... all was well.
I woke up to hear breathing in my face. Asa's little face was right in mine, "Mommy, I need to go potty." He went potty and went back to bed. A while later, he showed up again. "Mommy, can you fix my truck's wheel?" I fumbled around without truly opening my eyes, fixed the wheel, and told him this was rest time. He went back to his room. A while later I heard him again at my bed. "Asa, get back in your room." I said with all the energy I could muster. He didn't move. "Asa, you need to go get some rest, and Mommy and Daddy need our nap." He was quiet for a little while and then said, "But Addison isn't wearing any underwear and he's stinking up the room."
With that, Jeff and I went instantly propelled upright and were in their room in seconds flat. Sure enough, Addison was in a shirt and no underwear. He had an accident. A poo-poo accident. He looked like a deer in headlights... a deer with no underwear and poo smeared up his back and down his legs. Jeff and I went from a peaceful Sunday nap to a full out HAZMAT situation in .2 seconds. He took Addison to the bath, and I stripped his bed, and began disinfecting everything the child could have possibly touched. He had been up in his bed, on the top, so he had it on the rails and ladder. The doorknobs... what else... I was a whirlwind... I was Mr. Clean on speed. But, where are the underwear? I went downstairs and Jeff was almost finished with Addison.
I asked him where he stashed the evidence. "In the utility room in the laundry basket". Now, I applaud both his attempt to handle the situation himself and the fact that the underwear actually made it to the appropriate location (see the August 5th entry on the cornfield). However, I was mortified at the realization that he had been all over the entire house doing who knows what with poo on his hands and naked body.
Okay, utility room... I rushed off the disinfect the doorknobs and sides of the laundry basket before asking him what else he had done. "I tried to wash it off my hands". The sink, got it. The bathroom door, check. The next 10 minutes were spent in a mad rush to get any invisible trace of fecal matter off of every surface I could imagine. Finally, we were content with the clean up job, redressed Addison, and let him play for another 5 minutes while we collapsed yet again on the bed to regroup. We looked at each other and laughed. Ahh, the peace of Sunday naps. "I love you" Jeff said. "I love Clorox wipes" I replied.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Star Festival
Here are some pictures from today at Bethlehem's Star Festival. It is held in front of City Hall, across the street.
You can't really tell in the picture, but Asa's balloon hat looked an awful lot like, well, male genetalia. So Jeff, of course, had to confiscate it for himself.
You can't really tell in the picture, but Asa's balloon hat looked an awful lot like, well, male genetalia. So Jeff, of course, had to confiscate it for himself.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
First Field Trip Ever
Asa and Addison had a field trip today! They went with their classes to Washington Farms Pumpkin Patch. It was the first cold day so far, so it really set the Fall mood. We went on a hay ride, got to pet some animals at the little petting zoo, and each kid even was able to pick out their perfect little pumpkin. After we got home, Jeff made a pumpkin pie out of mine, but the boys are keeping theirs to carve.
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