S is for...

...STITCHES. The liquid kind.

November 21, 2009

I thought I could get a lot done for our up-coming Ward Christmas party while Jed and Zander were away. Ha ha! Our first stop on our list of errands was Hobby Lobby. The minute we walk in, Elle slips on the wet tile floor and falls right on the corner of a display case. I check to see the damage--praying that by some chance she had missed it--but alas, no instead gushing blood. Of course I don't have anything to put on it (I really should carry an entire box of Kleenex tissue with me at all times!) so I just apply pressure with my fingers while a kind passer-by gets me some Kleenex from their purse. So here is how the scene looks at this point. I am kneeling helplessly on the floor with Elle's head resting in one hand and the other hand on the wound trying to stop the flow of blood. Elle is screaming from the top of her lungs which makes me cry. Plus I start to feel very alone with Jed and Zander gone. I keep trying to tell myself to just "suck it up" which in turn makes it worse. Elle is covered in blood, as well as my arm and hand, and the floor. Got to love head wounds! Other people are staring at us wondering what in the world happened--remember we are at the front of the store. And over the loud speaker I hear the manager being paged. He eventually shows up with a first-aid kit and some paper towels. Phew! I get Elle and myself calmed down, cleaned up, and leave the building with crying stained eyes and blood covered clothes. I get out to the car and call Jed to ask him the age old question--stitches or no stitches? After calling three people in the Ward who work in the medical field (two nurses and an M.D.) and finding nobody home on a Saturday night, I have Jed call a friend of ours who is a third year med student (and who's daughter is well rehearsed in getting stitches) to come take a look. Luckily he was in the neighborhood anyway. After looking at the wound he suggests we go to the ER to get it stitched. The wound is too deep to use Super Glue and it wouldn't hold the skin closed.

Shucks :(

Thanks for coming over guys :)
So we head to Clear Lake (After Jed's kidney stone Elle calls it "Dad's hosibal" (that's how she says hospital). The Dr. says the wound is very clean and liquid stitches are as strong as regular stitches. I'm thinking "and less traumatic." So long story short Elle does better than expected being wrapped up in a sheet and sat on by a three hundred lb. male nurse. I got to be the "good guy" and sit by her head telling her what the Dr. is doing and that she's going to be fine. Here is a picture of the damage. So sad.

When our friends left our house they told Elle that if she was brave I would buy her something. Well as we are leaving the ER, Elle remembers this and holds me to it. She picked out this kitty and puppy. The puppy is quite appropriate; it is a hug and heal puppy that comes with a Vet kit and makes sounds.This is a couple of days later. The bruise looks incredible as the blood settled into her eye tissue. The cut kind of bled out of the Dermabond. Hopefully, there won't be a next time, but if so I will make sure she gets real stitches and not the deramond. I don't think it holds very well.

...Sea World, San Antonio
Thanksgiving Day
November 26, 2009

With no family around and no one coming to visit, we decided to take up a friends' offer to join them in San Antonio for Thanksgiving weekend. We actually spent Thanksgiving day at Sea World.This was Zander's first trip to Sea World and first encounter with Shamu. We loved the Shamu Show...miracles. There is just something so wonderful in watching your child experience the awe and wonder of Shamu; the flips, the jumps, the big tail, the power... I was so filled with joy I nearly cried. Of course we can't come to Sea World without feeding the dolphins--my absolute favorite thing. I actually talked Elle into holding a fish out for the dolphin and Jed even held one out with Zander! Shocking! I can't even get the man to pet a rabbit :)

...SANTA

November 28, 2009

2nd Day at Sea World

While at Sea World we got to visit Santa--in a couple of ways. Elle would have nothing to do with this Santa and of course wouldn't sit on his lap. And this is Zander screaming in terror. Got to love it! Notice the seashells on Santa's belt. Even the fish in sea get visited by Santa.

Our trip to Sea World wouldn't have been complete without a visit with Shamu himself. The Holiday Season has officially begun.

We had a wonderful little getaway thanks to some wonderful friends. In addition to Sea World we managed to fit in some Black Friday Christmas shopping (never forget that will we!!!), went underground to explore some caves, captured Zander's first visit to the Alamo, and as tradition took a stroll on the River Walk--which was incredibly crowed in part to exceptionally warm weather. Yes, Mark we didn't even need a coat. Can you believe it?!

Thanks again for letting us tote along. It says something when you can be together for five whole days and enjoy every minute of it :)

...Snow

December 4, 2009

Proof that nothing is impossible. Last year you may remember that we got snow and it was a complete miracle. Well it happened again! This time not as much and it didn't stick...but still SNOW. This fluke snow storm broke two records. 1) Earliest snow storm on record. 2) Snow in Houston for two consecutive years. Quite exciting and I was SO glad I bought Zander a coat during the Black Friday sale! Some years we could do without one, but not this one. What a wonderful way to usher in the Christmas season. Remember Jed and I are from up North and get very home sick for the frozen white stuff. It's just not Christmas without it :)

He's #1!

Growing UP!

Zander went to the Dr. today for his 15 mnth check-up. We were really shooting for at LEAST the first percentile...he made it!

Weight: 19lbs 15 oz. (I wanted to spit on the scale just so that it would hit 20 lbs!)

so it puts him in the First Percentile! Height: 32 inches (60%)

The Dr. was also asking what words he says and activities:

Words:

Up

Drink (as well as the sign)

Thank You

Hot Dog

Ma (I think he was from New York or Chicago in a previous life :)

Dadda

Sissy

Didi (means baby, binky, or blankie)

Diaper

Cracker (his latest)

Activities:

climbing (esp. on the table!)

coloring

Can stack and sort blocks to the corresponding colored peg

going for rides in Sissy's car or in the stroller

Loves Being outside (and I do too now that the weather is finally "fallish")

I just love this little boy and can't believe how fast the time flies. Jed (yes, Jed) cut Zander's hair yesterday and it turned out pretty well. I asked him if he wanted to cut my hair next (just being funny) and he told me "No." I'll have to get the camera out and snap some pics. I'm not used to cutting hair so often. I don't think Elle even got her first haircut until she was two.

Little Brother For Sale

Sunday's just seem to be incredibly busy. I am always rushing to get everyone dressed, fed and out the door for church. Well today was no exception. While I was trying to get my hair to cooperate, Zander was busy getting into my jewelry. I was getting a little on edge considering this was the hundredth time (Okay, I'm over exaggerating :) I had put all the jewlery back, shut the door, and scooted him out of the way. Elle could sense this and said, "Mom, are you frustrated? "
Me: "Yes Elle. Zander won't stay out of my stuff."
Elle: "Do you still want to keep him?"
Me: "Well, where would we take him? (Curious to know where she would take her brother.)
Elle: "To Walgreens."
It made me smile and remember to slow down life. My kids aren't always going to be so small and say the funniest, simplest things. One day they won't be interested in what I am doing or need to follow me everywhere. They won't need or want me to do their hair or help them brush their teeth or read two books (at least!) to them before going to bed. Or need to be hugged and want me to hold them. And while those days seem nice now, I know somehow I'll miss those every day things of caring for them while they are little.

From Our Haunted House to Yours...

Happy Halloween!

Trick or Treating at the neighbors.

Zander had a hard time carrying the bucket, it's nearly as big as he is. However, he quickly learned that people put candy in it and then wouldn't let go of it.

My little monster

That girl's so sweet just like her name. Strawb-b-b-b-berry Shortcake.

We had the best weather--perfect for Trick-or-Treating. In the past four years (I can't believe we have been here that long!) we have had terrential rain, hot humid mosquito infested jungle like weather, more rain...but this year perfect. Love it! After trick-or-treating around our neighborhood we met up with some friends and went around their neighborhood for another two hours. The kids were exhausted (as was evident by Elle's tantrum on someone's front lawn. Oh, how she frustrates me to death!!) after a full night of gathering their loot of candy.

Domestic Divas (Part II)

I must say it's so much fun to have a friend to be crazy with. We must have this strong underlying desire to become domestic because we (I should say Emmaly) come up with all kinds of crazy ideas we want to try. This time she Skyped me (our favorite and fasted form of communication) to say that she had bought a retro pattern for a "sexy" apron. hhmm. Without seeing it I wasn't really sure what she was getting at. Not to worry. Seconds later she e-mailed me a picture of the finished product as well as the material required. They were indeed very cute and looked easy enough so we decided to get together on a quest to become domestic divas-- yet again.

Everything was going great. We got the pattern pieces, cut out the material and were well on our way. The kids hadn't started beating each other up so we had some time.

Step 1.
With right sides together, pin pocket band to pocket. Sew. Press seam up.

Easy right! For the life of us, we could not figure out what in the world it meant! After an hour conversation with my mom via web cam (thank heavens for technology) I finally figured it out. PHEW!! The first step is always the hardest right? :)

After two and half days of sewing, and retrieving a pattern piece out of the garbage, we finally finished our "sexy" retro aprons. We are so proud of ourselves! Our grandmother's however would wonder where they went wrong :)

So until next time in the adventures of DOMESTIC DIVAS...apple butter.

Having Another One...

Kidney Stone that is!! They say that passing a kidney stone is akin to having a baby, but after having a baby naturally myself, and seeing Jed literally yelling at the top of his lungs in pain, I beg to differ. Or maybe I'm just tougher :) Anyway, every trip to the ER begins with a story.

ONCE UPON A TIME...

Jed called me Thursday afternoon. I was talking to Emmaly when he first called and planned on calling him right back. But he kept calling and calling and I knew something was up. He was on the bus heading home early due to pain in his back. He told me he thought it was going to be bad and to call the Urologist to see if there was anything he could do in office. Well the Dr. wasn't in on Thursday (and I doubted if he could do anything any way) and advised us to go to the ER if necessary. So I called Jed back and let him know. By this point Jed was in a lot of pain and wondered if he would make it home without throwing-up all over the bus. I hopped in the car with the kids to go meet him at the bus stop because at this point he didn't think he was able to drive his car home.

As I watched Jed hobble off the bus I thought to myself, "Here we go again." So he gets in the car and I ask him if he wants to go home first or to the ER. He decides to go home first, to at least get out of his work clothes. But on the way home he begins moaning. We just did this in January so I quickly remember what this moaning quickly progresses to. "Let's just go to the ER. If we are going to end up there any way, why not go before you are in excruciating pain and start barfing." So I turn the car around and head straight to the ER. At this point both of the kids have fallen asleep in the back seat. Jed walks in hunched over and I'm carrying Zander over one shoulder and Elle over the other. I had planned on just picking Jed up and in my haste didn't put shoes in the car for Elle. We fill out all the necessary forms involved and wait for them to say "Now servicing number seven at the cutting counter"--oh wait that was at Joanne's but it was about the same :) Eventually Jed GETS to go back to a room and motions for me to come too. So I again grab both children and proceed to walk back there only to be told that with all the swine flu crap going on children under 16 are not allowed. Great! I leave to go back to the car. No sense waiting in there with all the "sickies" and besides I've now got to find somebody to come get my kids :(
While I am waiting for my visiting teacher to come get the kids, Jed is having a screaming good time. I guess he got pretty loud because the NEXT day I got into an elevator with a lady and she looks at me and asks, "Were you in the ER with your husband yesterday?"
"Yes."
"How is he doing? He was sure in a lot of pain. I felt so sorry for him."
Great. It was that memorable, people are making sure he's still alive!
Any way, by the time I got back to see Jed he was drugged up and feeling good. The Dr. finally came in to tell us that it was indeed a kidney stone (duh!) and that it was 6.5mm by 5mm by 4mm. Too big to pass and would require surgery.
So after 30 hours of throwing up non-stop (even with anti-nausea meds) ; surgery to break the stone up and to put in a stent; two nights in the hospital (He was suppose to come home Friday night after surgery but he was STILL throwing up and completely out of it.); and one day off work (technically two, but Jed was off Friday any way), Jed is nearly back to himself again. He was so weak that even carrying Zander upstairs winded him.
A BIG thanks to Levi and Brandon; Tiffani for tending my kids (overnight!) and a pizza party; Sara for bringing us dinner; Aubrie for driving me to get Jed's car that luckily hadn't been towed away and Rachel for tending Zander while we went; and Irene for tending so that I could go pick Jed up from the hospital.
I don't know how I could have made it through the weekend without the help of my ward family and neighbors. I must say that I miss my family the most at times like these!!!

Just a Little Funny

So here is a conversation I had with Elle tonight:
Me: Hey Elle, what have you got in your pants?
Elle: Hot Dogs. These are my pockets. (The plastic hot dogs were tucked into the elastic waist band of her jammies.)
Me: How come you have hot dogs in your pants? (Let's hope I never have to say that when she is any older!)
Elle: They're for my puppy. Zander is my baby poodle and I feed them to him when he gets hungry. Here little puppy! (As she shakes the hot dog in front of Zander who is chasing her around like a puppy.)
Who needs a pet when you have a little brother :)

Stampin' Up Party

You're Invited to A Stampin' Up Party!
Thursday October 8
7:00 p.m.
My house
I have so much fun designing cards and making cute gifts for my friends and family. I want to show you where I get a lot of my inspiration from. Join me and Diane Stanton for a fun night socializing, learning and creating together. She'll even have the new Sizzix line of Stampin' Up dies. Lots of fun and just in time for the holidays.
Let me know if you plan to come. E-mail me or leave a comment. See you Thursday!

Crash and Burn

I almost called the Dentist and told him that we weren't coming. From the moment Elle woke up she was against going to the Dentist. But I thought maybe once we get there it wouldn't be so bad. Ha Ha Ha. She literally was kicking and screaming when I put her in the chair. And you all know how loud and defiant she can be. So the Dentist came in and tried to look at her teeth with me holding her, but that was not much help. They all seemed very relaxed and unconcerned with the whole ordeal, but I was completely embarrassed. Why can't I go anywhere with this child??!! They suggested that I just bring her with me to my next appointment so she can watch. When we got home I made her sit on the couch and brushed her teeth just like the hygienist would have. "See that wasn't scary at all."
"No it wasn't mom. Can I watch a movie now?"

What's your sign?

I'm a libra and therefore it means that it is my sign's turn to shine! (And my birthday will soon be here :)

This was kind of interesting. Keep in mind that Jed is also a libra. How can we be so similar and yet so very different? I guess that is why we get along so well. Where I lack, he fills in the gaps and vice versa.

Libra (Sep. 23-OCt.22)

Balance is the keyword for this sign, and when it comes to keeping everything on an even keel, a Libra will lead the pack. Peace loving and judicial, this sign abhors being alone. Partnerships are very important for the Libra, especially those on a personal level. With their winning personalities and cooperative style, they aren't apt to be alone for long! Friends and FamilyFun loving and willing to help out, the Libra makes an excellent friend. Even though they can be late and indecisive, once they're on the scene, they're ready to go. This flexible sign loves to spend time with friends and family and doesn't hesitate to initiate gatherings. Sociable and suave, Librans naturally draw people to them. They have a way of creating a compelling aura of harmony around them. When it comes to challenges, this balancing sign can see both perspectives in a disagreement, making them excellent problem-solvers. Companionable, they're apt to keep their friends and family busy. Career and MoneyHarmony is the keyword for this sign. For the Libra, maintaining this is of the utmost importance. They can be excellent leaders and will work hard to earn and deserve the privilege. Truth and justice always prevail for Librans as they go about their days. Working with others or in a partnership is ideal for this social sign. Artistic and persuasive, these folks are gifted talkers who do well in any position that provides a platform for them to chat. Careers that involve justice such as police officer, lawyer, or judge are excellent choices for Libra. They will also succeed at such occupations as diplomat, civil servant, interior decorator, composer, and fashion designer. Group settings pose no challenge for Librans - in fact, the more the merrier. Their strong sense of diplomacy serves well in almost anything they do. If you go shopping with a Libra, best to plan some extra time! This sign can be terribly indecisive when it comes to purchasing. Balancing their money, however, is a snap for Libra. Keeping a good balance between savings and spending money is a real talent for these folks. Their love of fashion and housewares can see them out and about in stores quite often. One of Libra's favorite pastimes is to shop for someone special. Love and SexFinding the right partner will be a priority in the Libra's life. For those already in a relationship, maintaining the peace and harmony takes center stage. A Libra alone is a sad thing indeed, not to mention unnatural. They need to connect with others. As lovers they are expressive, creative, and balanced. They love to make their partners feel completely and thoroughly satisfied from conversation to lovemaking. Librans' charm and dedication to striking the perfect balance with others makes them wonderful partners. LIBRA TIDBITS HealthEach sign has a part of the anatomy attached to it, making this the area of the body that is most sensitive to stimulation. The anatomical areas for Libra are the kidneys, lower back, adrenal glands, and appendix. Ruling PlanetThe ruling planet for Libra is Venus. This planet's action is gentle and harmonious. It governs beauty, charm, emotional contacts, possessions, unions of all kinds, singing, art, culture, sweets and sugar, and moral character. ColorThe color of choice for Libra is blue. GemstoneLibra's star stone is the sapphire. Lucky NumbersLibra's lucky numbers are 1, 2, and 7. CompatibilityLibrans are most compatible with Aquarius and Gemini. Opposite SignThe opposite sign for Libra is Aries. The Perfect GiftThe best gifts for a Libra are music and items that create relaxation. LikesPleasant conversation, beauty, balance, fairness, romance DislikesBeing treated unfairly, ugly places, rough people, making a final decision HouseNatural sign of the Seventh House. This house focuses on marriage, partnerships, public relations, open enemies, and other people. Famous LibransWill Smith, Gwen Stefani, Matt Damon, Eminem, Sting, Viggo Mortensen Best travel destinationsTibet, Japan, Burma, Austria, Johannesburg, Copenhagen, Vienna StrengthsSocial, fair-minded, cooperative, diplomatic, gracious WeaknessesIndecisive, will carry a grudge, avoids confrontations, self-pity Charismatic marksAttractive, graceful, medium build, no sharp features Best environmentAny place that is beautiful where the company is harmonious. Very social and happiest doing things in the company of another.

And the award goes to...

We went to the Doctor's yesterday and I am the officially the worst mother ever. First off, the nurse was surprised and shocked that Elle wasn't in any kind of sports and activities or that she was in a preschool that didn't do routine eye exams. Second, after weighing Zander, she reported that he was in the 0.92% (18lbs. 13 oz.) I looked at the paper and didn't see the decimal point and read it as 92% and told her that that possibly couldn't be right. And she looked at me like I was the dumbest person ever and said "It's point 92% Not even 1%." Oh, so that little flick mark was indeed a decimal. Thirdly, I refused the MMR shot for Zander (I am planning on him getting it at his 15 month check-up. I just want him to weigh more and I don't want it combined with the varicella.) I even had to sign a waiver. Ridiculous! I am just very concerned because I know a whole slew of two year old's that have hearing problems and I wonder if it is indeed the MMR shot and the varicella together. Any way, I know a lot of you are going to agree that I am being ridiculous and other's are going to agree that I'm not. Keep it to yourself either way. But I did cry the whole way home thinking, "You watch he's going to get one of those diseases because I didn't have him get the shot. I'm going to regret it forever."

The Dr. said I should be more concerned with his third ear infection (item #4) Who knew? The kid doesn't even act sick! So also at the 15mnth check-up he's going to determine if Zander needs to have tubes put in. I accredit that to crappy genes (thanks Gram Gram :{ I don't get it. Every time Zander gets another tooth, he gets an ear infection with it. Which makes sense. When teeth are coming in there is more saliva and mucus produced right? That's why they druel and get a runny nose. The Dr. dissagrees. "Teething does not cause ear infections", he said. (Time to find a new Dr?) He's getting all four molars at once. Two have popped through and the other two are about there. If we could just get all the teeth to cooperate and come in at once! Any way, I'm a little hesistent to fill the prescription for anti-biotics and perhaps I will wait and see. If we have further SS then I'll go visit the friendly pharmacist at Target. Any one got a coupon?

So after getting Elle to pee in a cup--nothing short of impossible! and holding two children down for shorts, It was officially a horrible visit. Elle said it best when she declared, "I do not like the Dr! I don't ever want to see him again!"

I can't wait to see what she will say after we go to the dentist on Thursday!

Yay me!

Did you notice the sunflower heading on our blog? I know it looks like a stock photo, but I took it. Pretty cool huh? I love the sunflowers around the home I grew up. They always meant that it was time for school to start again--and I loved school and couldn't wait to start back. So while we were driving around town, I brought some clippers along with me and stopped along side of the road to cut a bunch. And got this great shot too. Yay me!

Zander's First Astros Game

Happy First Birthday!!

MY little guy is ONE year today!!
A year ago today I held this tiny baby boy in my arms and wondered what on earth I was going to do with a boy. But I say it all the time, "I didn't know I could love a little boy so much!" I couldn't be more happy to have Zander in my life. He is the SWEETEST thing. I love his smiles and the way he walks with his arms in the air, the way he gives WET WET "sugar" (kisses) and the fact that he LOVES to play in the water (not so thrilled about the way he LOVES eating rocks, sand, and dirt--you can't win em' all!) Happy Birthday Z! I love you to the moon and back.

Happy Flag Day

Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened that day by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777.[1]
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day; in August 1949, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress. (source: wikipedia)


Your flag and my flag, And how it flies today
In your land and my land And half a world away!
Rose-red and blood-red The stripes for ever gleam;
Snow-white and souldwhite– The good forefathers’ dream;
Sky-blue and true-blue, with stars to gleam aright–
The gloried guidon of the day; a shelter through the night.
- Wilbur D. Nesbit, “A Song for Flag Day.”

Going Green

A little green monster came to visit me today.
He left a nice green trail up the entire 16 stairs to come find me.
And then I saw the little green monster...

AAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!

I guess one of the down falls of being crafty is having crafty things around the house. Well Zander found a new ink cube that I hadn't put away yet. I'm not even sure how he got it. And well the pictures tell the story. I seized the moment and stamped his hands before giving him (and the stairs) a bath. This is one of those moments that you laugh so as to keep from crying...and a story to tell the grandkids.

Oh Baby Baby

Jed came home from the Doctor yesterday with a proud picture of his kidney stones. The large stone is the little bugger that ruined our Anniversary and sent us celebrating in the E.R. Nothing says I love you like a hospital bill and cleaning up vomit! After all the testing, the stones are made of Calcium Oxalate which is VERY common and not really treatable. The Dr. sent a list of food to avoid, but in the end his advice was to "drink a whole lot more--be it water, soda, juice, coffee, beer..." Hmm. :) I guess we should add this picture to our family portrait after all the intense labor Jed went through to get it out--that or have the stones mounted in a platinum setting.

Create

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhLlnq5yY7k
I quite enjoyed this and wanted to share it with you. It's from Women's Conference held in Feb. 2009

Strawberries and Spring

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

She has a name

After much deliberation our cute little niece has a name (finally!)

Savanna Shay White

Here are a few first pictures of the little doll!

Our New Addition

We officially have a new niece! Lora was scheduled to have a C-section on April 8th, but her water broke early this morning. Our new baby girl was born at 5:07 a.m. weighing in at 7 lbs 1oz. and 20" long. We are still waiting on the name. We are sooo excited to have her in the family and can't wait to meet her. Congratulations White family!

St. Patrick's Day

Growing-up (teenage years) my mom would put together a fabulous green dinner for St. Patrick's Day--spinach fettichini noodles with pesto sauce, green jello with pears, limeade, you get the idea. Well this year I felt depressed (I don't know why, this isn't the first year I've been away from home) that I wasn't doing the same with my family. Instead we celebrated more traditionally by eating fish from the sea and drinking our beer warm. So next year when St. Patrick's Day roles around and I feel homesick for that family tradition, I'll think of my ancestors from Ireland who still continued celebrating their family traditions even hundreds of miles away.

Vocabulary Lesson of the Day

Get your dictionary out.
I was reading a book to Elle last night before bed and ran into a few perplexing words. (This was only a picture book mind you... and not Dr. Seuss.) So being the ever studious person that I am, I ran and got my "American Webster Handy College dictionary" to look them up. And lo and behold those words weren't in it! So I'll give you a little time to research these words as I did. It'll make you feel like you're in Elementary school again.
Enjoy!

Vocabulary Words
fumphered
furmuzzled
wassle
wamboodle
Brobdingnagian

Zander Update

Well we went to the Dr. today for Zander's 6 Month check-up (we got a month behind with the hurricane evac.) I thought for sure that he would be at least in the 10th percentile for weight because we have upped his food intake like crazy... but no. He is only in the 4th! The Dr. is not worried and neither am I. Zander is growing, and moving around the house like crazy. He even pulls himself up on the stairs, bathtub, and his crib. Elle was so cute at the doctor's. She held Zander's hand while he got his shots and kept saying,"It's okay Son."

Valentine's Day

Love you Lots...

How much... this much

(arms stretched out as far as they can reach)

How long...forever.

O O (kiss,kiss)

10-Step Program Before Having Kids

I thought this was so funny. I just had to post it for my "groupies" to see.
Thanks Em!

*Step 1*
1. Go to the grocery store.
2. Arrange to have your salary paid directly to the grocery store's head office.
3. Go home.
4. Pick up the paper.
5. Read it for the last time. Ever.

*Step 2*
Before you finally go ahead and have children, find a couple who are parents already and berate them about their:

1. Methods of discipline.
2. Lack of patience.
3. Appallingly low tolerance levels.
4. Allowing their children to run wild.

Suggest ways in which they might improve their child's breastfeeding, sleep habits, toilet training, table manners and overall behavior.

Then enjoy it because it will be the last time in your life you will have all the answers.


* Step 3 *
This lesson is a really good way to discover how the nights might feel once you become a parent.

1. Get home from work and immediately begin walking around the living room from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. carrying a wet bag weighing approximately 8 to 12 pounds with the radio set to static (or some other obnoxious sound) playing loudly. Eat cold food with one hand for dinner.
2. At 10 p.m., put the bag gently down, set the alarm for midnight, and go to sleep.
3. Get up at midnight and walk around the living room again with the bag until 1 a.m.
4. Set the alarm for 3 a.m.
5. When you can't get back to sleep, get up at 2 a.m. and make a drink and watch an infomercial.
6. Go to bed at 2:45 a.m.
7. Get up at 3 a.m. when the alarm goes off again.
8. Sing songs quietly in the dark until 4 a.m.
9. It's finally 6 a.m. Get up. Make breakfast. Get ready for work and go to work (work hard and be productive).

Repeat steps 1-9 each night for 3 to 5 years. Look cheerful and together.


* Step 4 *
Can you stand the mess children make? To find out:

1. Smear peanut butter onto the sofa and jam onto the curtains.
2. Hide a piece of raw chicken behind the stereo and leave it there all summer.
3. Stick your fingers in the flower bed.
4. Then rub them on the clean walls.
5. Take your favorite book, photo album, etc. -- the one that you would grab if ever there was a fire, the one that is more precious to you than words can possibly express -- and tear out random, individual pages. Potato stamp the rest.
6. Spill milk on your new pillows. Cover the stains with crayons.
How does that look?

* Step 5 *
Dressing small children is not as easy as it seems.

1. Buy an octopus and a small bag made out of loose mesh.
2. Attempt to put the octopus into the bag so that none of the arms hang out.

*Step 6 *
Forget the BMW and buy a minivan. And don't think that you can leave it out in the driveway spotless and shining. Family cars don't look like that.

1. Buy a chocolate ice cream cone and put it in the glove compartment. Leave it there.
2. Get a dime. Stick it in the CD player.
3. Take a family-size package of chocolate cookies and mash them into the back seat. Sprinkle Cheerios all over the floor, then smash them with your foot.
4. Run a garden rake along both sides of the car.

* Step 7 *
Here are a few steps to determine whether or not you are ready to feed a 9 month-old baby.

1. Hollow out a cantaloupe or honeydew melon.
2. Make a small hole in the other side.
3. Suspend it from the ceiling and swing it from side to side.
4. Now get a bowl of soggy Cheerios and attempt to spoon them into the swaying melon by pretending to be an airplane.
5. Continue until half the Cheerios are gone.
6. Tip half into your lap. The other half, just throw up in the air.

*Step 8*
To build up the endurance necessary to take a long trip with a toddler:

1. Make a recording of Fran Drescher saying 'Mommy' repeatedly.
(Important: no more than a four-second delay between each 'Mommy."
Occasional crescendo to the level of a supersonic jet is also required).
2. Play this tape in your car everywhere you go for the next four years.

*Step 9 *
Are you ready to have a conversation with an adult while there is a child in the room?

1. Start talking to an adult of your choice.
2. Have someone else continually tug on your skirt hem, shirt sleeve, or elbow while playing the 'Mommy' tape made from Lesson 9 above.
3. Repeat for every single conversation for the next 8 years and 7 months.
4. If you decide to have a PHONE conversation with another adult, make sure to have TWO other people tug on your skirt, shirt, or elbow while simultaneously stripping naked, pouring Draino into your shoes, and attempting to feed GoGurt to the cat.

Do not let on to the person on the other end that there is anything amiss.

* Step 10 *
A final pre-parenting test:

1. Go to the local grocery store.
2. Take with you the closest thing you can find to a preschool-age child. (A full-grown goat is an excellent choice.)
If you intend to have more than one child, then definitely take more than one goat.
3. Buy your week's groceries without letting the goats out of your sight.
4. Pay for everything the goats eat or destroy.

Until you can easily accomplish this, do not even contemplate having children.

Remember, a sense of humor is one of the most important things you'll need when you become a parent

A Little Update

This is Z's first taste of solid food--rice cereal. So yummy! He also is up to eating fresh peas and now carrots. What a mess!


While cleaning out the garage we came across this cool skeleton. I thought it was a snake at first, but further research indicates that is actually the skeleton of a Gecko. Elle was afraid to hold it at first so I put my glove on her.

It didn't take long for her to warm-up. This picture just captures the real Elle that I get to see everyday that others don't. My funny little girl.

So on our recent vacation we opened our bag to find this. What is it you say? Sand? Snow? Moon dust?
No way--38 oz. (the big can that you buy at Costco) of powdered baby formula! I had bought a can just before we came home because it beats driving an hour and fighting traffic to get to the nearest Costco here. Well, our luggage got lost on the flight home and when it finally arrived a day later I opened the bag to find the contents covered in a thin dusting of white powder. As I kept digging I found the culprit. The can was literally squished in half--no wonder the lid popped off spilling the contents. Next time I'll just drive the hour to Costco--it beats washing sticky laundry. This just put the finishing touch on a rather rough vacation.