Adam is calling my radioactive woman today because I received my radioactive iodine treatment today for my messed up thyroid. My morning experience left me wondering if I'd made the right choice, but it's too late to change things now.
I was up early with the boys and gave them lost of kisses and hugs before I left for the endocrinologists office. I won't be able to give them kisses for a week :( They then left to go to Manchester with Adam where they will be away from me until tomorrow night. The doc said the first 48 hours are when the iodine is most concentrated, though I will have to follow some precautions for the rest of the week.
Anyway, I made it to my appointment in the rain (will it ever stop?) and was brought into a little metal room where the doctor opened a metal safe and took out a metal canister. Inside the metal canister was a vial of one horse-sized pill that I had the joy of swallowing. I was then escorted out the back door. I felt a little like a leper.
It's okay for me to be around other people, but I can't share food or drinks and I should limit my time with pregnant women and children for the next few days. I had a nice relaxing day. I went to Borders and looked at tons of different kids of books... even read some magazine articles. I walked around the mall and had a pedicure. Yay for pedicure. I have pretty feet now ;)
Tomorrow I spend the day visit my regular doctor for a follow up, picking up prescriptions for both Ryan and myself (he started a script for GERD and broke out in a rash from it so we have to change the med) and then I get to go to a movie with my friend Jenni. This has been a nice break from the kids, but I do miss Adam and the boys a lot. It's soooo quite here without them. I am getting a lot of reading done!
In six weeks I'll have some blood work done to see how things with my thyroid are progressing. In most cases, people end up hypothyroid after this treatment and have to take thyroid replacement drugs for the rest of their lives. Some end up having their thyroid work like normal again, but that percentage is really low. The blood work will let them know how much replacement drugs, if any, I will need.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
I love my kids
Some days Ryan can be a handful. There are days when I'm so ready to pull my hair out because he's cried all day about nothing. Yesterday wasn't too bad, but he did have a few moments where I could feel my blood pressure rising.
He was up late waiting for his daddy to come home. He's always wanted to be with his daddy at bedtime since he was little. He'd just wake up at the time Adam was supposed to be home and wait. He was so excited to see Adam last night. I love how they get when they're together.
Anyway, at bedtime, Ryan was playing with these magnetic balls and sticks and Adam made two microphones and started singing. I love how Ryan gets into the music and tries to sing. He sways from side to side and bops his head and sings the lyrics a bit late. I couldn't help but laugh last night because he has this little southern drawl when he sings. I'm not sure where he gets it from, but it's funny and cute at the same time.
I also love how Ryan will say "uh huh" when he doesn't know the answer to something and the default color of everything is green. We have these Brain Quest flash cards that we sometimes play with Ryan. I'm always surprised and humored at the answers he gives us. Last night was no exception. There was a picture of a mouse yawning and it asks "what should you do when you yawn." Ryan's response was "go night-night." Then there was a card with the letter "R" on it and we asked if he knew what it was. He said "uh huh" and we try to help him by saying it was the letter his name starts with. And he then goes, "Oh, it's MY letter." We kept trying, but only got answers like "it's my name letter." Of course we told him what it was and then moved on, but I just love these moments with him.
The other day at the grocery store he attempted to pay for the groceries with an expired LL Bean gift certificate. How cute! He wanted to pay with his money because he "eat(s) too."
All of these moments make up for those days when he's most difficult. They make me smile when I think of them and I'm trying to write as many of them down as possible so I can show him later just how cute he was.
Of course, Tim is also a lot of fun these days. He's my little talker and yesterday when we were leaving the park he started crying and pointing at the park and saying "park" in his little Mainer way. He's doing so much right now and it's a lot of fun. He's walking and trying to do everything Ryan does like jumping on the bed.
So while there are days where I feel overwhelmed, I love that I have days when they are angels and we have tons of fun together and they just make me laugh.
He was up late waiting for his daddy to come home. He's always wanted to be with his daddy at bedtime since he was little. He'd just wake up at the time Adam was supposed to be home and wait. He was so excited to see Adam last night. I love how they get when they're together.
Anyway, at bedtime, Ryan was playing with these magnetic balls and sticks and Adam made two microphones and started singing. I love how Ryan gets into the music and tries to sing. He sways from side to side and bops his head and sings the lyrics a bit late. I couldn't help but laugh last night because he has this little southern drawl when he sings. I'm not sure where he gets it from, but it's funny and cute at the same time.
I also love how Ryan will say "uh huh" when he doesn't know the answer to something and the default color of everything is green. We have these Brain Quest flash cards that we sometimes play with Ryan. I'm always surprised and humored at the answers he gives us. Last night was no exception. There was a picture of a mouse yawning and it asks "what should you do when you yawn." Ryan's response was "go night-night." Then there was a card with the letter "R" on it and we asked if he knew what it was. He said "uh huh" and we try to help him by saying it was the letter his name starts with. And he then goes, "Oh, it's MY letter." We kept trying, but only got answers like "it's my name letter." Of course we told him what it was and then moved on, but I just love these moments with him.
The other day at the grocery store he attempted to pay for the groceries with an expired LL Bean gift certificate. How cute! He wanted to pay with his money because he "eat(s) too."
All of these moments make up for those days when he's most difficult. They make me smile when I think of them and I'm trying to write as many of them down as possible so I can show him later just how cute he was.
Of course, Tim is also a lot of fun these days. He's my little talker and yesterday when we were leaving the park he started crying and pointing at the park and saying "park" in his little Mainer way. He's doing so much right now and it's a lot of fun. He's walking and trying to do everything Ryan does like jumping on the bed.
So while there are days where I feel overwhelmed, I love that I have days when they are angels and we have tons of fun together and they just make me laugh.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Photos and an update
The guys playing TMNT... I think.
The girls outside Shain's.
Can you see his chocolate ice cream mustache?
I love this photo of my boys. Right before I took this photo, they were all sitting in a row.My update is that I will be having radioactive iodine treatment on my thyroid on June 24. The endocrinologist said this would be his best suggestion, though we did talk about going back to PTU (really not good long term for my heart) and surgery (not very cost effective and does have some risks). I knew my options because I had the same ones about three years ago. I took the PTU option because I wanted to be sure we could have a second baby. Adam and I had both decided that when the options were put on the table this time, we'd go with RAI and get life back to normal. I'm so ready for that, even if it will take 1-4 months to feel like a regular person again. Because I will not be able to hold the kids for two days after the treatment, Adam will be taking two days off with me and hanging out with the boys. I'll be packing to move back to our house, which we do the weekend of July 4! (that's some big news I haven't yet blogged about).
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
beach time!
Tim really didn't keep the hat on, but we tried!
Katy would have wandered right into the ocean if Sarah wasn't watching her. She loved it!
I love this photo!
Isn't she a cutie?
Ryan would not let the sand get on him. He stayed on the towel the entire time. Tim was covered in sand, went crawling in it, ate it... he had a blast!Friday, June 05, 2009
Five minute photos
Yesterday, I went to the nuclear department of the hospital and swallowed two pills which were in a plastic bottle and the plastic bottle was in a metal vial. The pills contained a trace amount of radioactive iodine... Adam called me radioactive woman all day.
Today, I had photos taken of my thyroid. I lay in this thing that looks like a CT scanner with a cone-shaped camera while four photos were taken. Each photo took five minutes. Five minutes of only breathing and swallowing. The weird thing is that my nose, neck, chin and other parts of your face itch when I have to sit still for five minutes at a time.
I also had a test in which this robotic arm looking thing tested how much radioactive iodine was in my body versus the amount in my thyroid.
I am awaiting test results (which the nurse at my doctor's office says she'll let me know as soon as she does!) and I see the endocrinologist next week. I bet this week will drag on, but that's okay since Kyle, Sarah and Miss Katy are in town.
Today, I had photos taken of my thyroid. I lay in this thing that looks like a CT scanner with a cone-shaped camera while four photos were taken. Each photo took five minutes. Five minutes of only breathing and swallowing. The weird thing is that my nose, neck, chin and other parts of your face itch when I have to sit still for five minutes at a time.
I also had a test in which this robotic arm looking thing tested how much radioactive iodine was in my body versus the amount in my thyroid.
I am awaiting test results (which the nurse at my doctor's office says she'll let me know as soon as she does!) and I see the endocrinologist next week. I bet this week will drag on, but that's okay since Kyle, Sarah and Miss Katy are in town.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Thyroid Update
So, here's the update on my thyroid. The ultrasound I had last week shows that the nodules on my thyroid have grown and my blood tests indicate that my thyroid is producing too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism).
I'll go to visit my old friend, the endocrinologist, who I like as a doctor, in two weeks. But this week I get to take a thyroid uptake scan. Basically, I show up on the day of the test, take a pill with radio active iodine in it and then return to the hospital four hours later to have images taken of my thyroid. I'm told that this test will show whether my nodules are the reason for my thyroid being nutty or if it's just my thyroid all by itself.
I've done lots of reading about this test. I worry about radio active iodine and being around the kids. I won't be able to hold them on the day of the test and will have to do extra cleaning of the toilet after I use it (since the radio active iodine will be eliminated from my body this way). Adam is taking the day off to be with us, but I still imagine I will have to find time to do things outside of the house or away from the kids. They are both mama's boys. I think Adam will have his hands full with the two of them. Ryan constantly wants to play outside and Tim just always wants to be held these days (he has a cold again!). I'm sure he'll do fine.
That's my update.
I'll go to visit my old friend, the endocrinologist, who I like as a doctor, in two weeks. But this week I get to take a thyroid uptake scan. Basically, I show up on the day of the test, take a pill with radio active iodine in it and then return to the hospital four hours later to have images taken of my thyroid. I'm told that this test will show whether my nodules are the reason for my thyroid being nutty or if it's just my thyroid all by itself.
I've done lots of reading about this test. I worry about radio active iodine and being around the kids. I won't be able to hold them on the day of the test and will have to do extra cleaning of the toilet after I use it (since the radio active iodine will be eliminated from my body this way). Adam is taking the day off to be with us, but I still imagine I will have to find time to do things outside of the house or away from the kids. They are both mama's boys. I think Adam will have his hands full with the two of them. Ryan constantly wants to play outside and Tim just always wants to be held these days (he has a cold again!). I'm sure he'll do fine.
That's my update.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Here we go again
I thought about making this a good, bad and ugly post, but then it just didn't say enough so I'm making it a longer one.
The last few weeks I've been exhausted. Like sleep for 12 hours at night and nap during the day and still feel beat, exhausted. It stinks because I want to do things with the kids, but I go outside and yawn while I watch Ryan run around and Tim is attached to my hip.
I scheduled an appointment with the doctor. I just couldn't take being tired anymore. I was convinced it was my thyroid.
The good news: I am not pregnant! While I knew that I wasn't, I hate taking that test "just in case" because I would hate to be blindsided by a pregnancy. I especially would hate to be blindsided with that info when Tim is just one and I don't think I want more kids.
The bad news is that I was right and my thyroid is being bad again. So today I had an ultrasound which revealed I have two nodules on my thyroid (I think I had two three years ago, but I'm not sure) and I had more bloodwork done on thyroid hormones.
The ugly is that I have to be tired probably until Thursday when I have my follow up visit again.
At least we have a diagnosis!
The last few weeks I've been exhausted. Like sleep for 12 hours at night and nap during the day and still feel beat, exhausted. It stinks because I want to do things with the kids, but I go outside and yawn while I watch Ryan run around and Tim is attached to my hip.
I scheduled an appointment with the doctor. I just couldn't take being tired anymore. I was convinced it was my thyroid.
The good news: I am not pregnant! While I knew that I wasn't, I hate taking that test "just in case" because I would hate to be blindsided by a pregnancy. I especially would hate to be blindsided with that info when Tim is just one and I don't think I want more kids.
The bad news is that I was right and my thyroid is being bad again. So today I had an ultrasound which revealed I have two nodules on my thyroid (I think I had two three years ago, but I'm not sure) and I had more bloodwork done on thyroid hormones.
The ugly is that I have to be tired probably until Thursday when I have my follow up visit again.
At least we have a diagnosis!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Potty Train Part Two
Ryan finally gets the whole using the potty thing! For a long time he's known what to do when on it, but this week it just clicked that he can tell us when he has to go. I am so proud! I am also so very excited that he just gets it.
About a week ago I told him I wouldn't be purchasing any more pull ups simply because they cost too much money. I told him I believed he was my big boy
and that he would do awesome using the potty. The first few days were hard. He wet himself often. We changed a lot of pants and did lots of loads of laundry. But we'd go on trips from Manchester to Maine and he would stay try, not wanting his car seat to get wet. I just knew he could do it. I didn't scold the accidents, though I kept reminding him he could let me know when he had to go so I could help him get to the potty on time.
Today, he stayed dry all day. I want to do the happy dance! It was so cute to see him doing that "potty dance" when he had to go and saying "mom, I don't want to be wet.'" and he'd run to the bathroom.
The only pull ups we buy now are for bedtime. He wears Imse Vimse training pants when we go out of the house (these things are worth every penny!) and regular training pants or underwear when we are at home. He loves picking out Mater or McQueen underwear to put on.
About a week ago I told him I wouldn't be purchasing any more pull ups simply because they cost too much money. I told him I believed he was my big boy
and that he would do awesome using the potty. The first few days were hard. He wet himself often. We changed a lot of pants and did lots of loads of laundry. But we'd go on trips from Manchester to Maine and he would stay try, not wanting his car seat to get wet. I just knew he could do it. I didn't scold the accidents, though I kept reminding him he could let me know when he had to go so I could help him get to the potty on time.Today, he stayed dry all day. I want to do the happy dance! It was so cute to see him doing that "potty dance" when he had to go and saying "mom, I don't want to be wet.'" and he'd run to the bathroom.
The only pull ups we buy now are for bedtime. He wears Imse Vimse training pants when we go out of the house (these things are worth every penny!) and regular training pants or underwear when we are at home. He loves picking out Mater or McQueen underwear to put on.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Ford Fusion
We are now the owners of a 2009 Ford Fusion. I was so stressed yesterday as we went through the whole car buying process. I was exhausted mentally when we got home and I couldn't believe how long the whole thing took.
Adam left right away to go back to work and I stayed behind to figure out what will happen with the Passat which is still sitting at a local repair shop. I will be taking care of that on this rainy Thursday.
I have no photos, but I hope to post some soon. Ryan likes the new car, which is good, not that it really matters. I'm just glad he won't keep saying "Mom, our car is broke and is at the doctor's office to get fixed." He's said it about a million times since Sunday night.
Yay for a new car.
Adam left right away to go back to work and I stayed behind to figure out what will happen with the Passat which is still sitting at a local repair shop. I will be taking care of that on this rainy Thursday.
I have no photos, but I hope to post some soon. Ryan likes the new car, which is good, not that it really matters. I'm just glad he won't keep saying "Mom, our car is broke and is at the doctor's office to get fixed." He's said it about a million times since Sunday night.
Yay for a new car.
Sunday, May 03, 2009
grrr
We were on the way to Wal-Mart to buy Ryan new shoes, since he keeps telling us his feet hurt in the ones he currently wears, when the car broke down. I was the driver and I looked at Adam and said, "I'm pushing the gas, but we're going slower."
We just made it to the side of the road as it died on us. Something smelled like it was burning. We called our friend Kristin (we're again in Manchester visiting) and she hooked us up with th towing company and local mechanic that Enterprise uses (that's where she and her husband work). The towing was cheaper than I expected (Kyle, I was thinking of you and Adam's late night break down in college). Now we wait for the repairs.
We're all trying to think of the positive stuff instead of the cost of the towing, the rental and the repairs. For one, at least this didn't happen at 8:30 this evening on the way home. We'd have gotten there a lot later than planned. The towing did not cost $300. We are all safe. It didn't happen when I was alone in the car with th kids. I tend to panic and not know what to do. I love that Adam is so calm during these situations.
That said, it still doesn't make me happy that we broke down, but we do have a lot to be thankful for.
We just made it to the side of the road as it died on us. Something smelled like it was burning. We called our friend Kristin (we're again in Manchester visiting) and she hooked us up with th towing company and local mechanic that Enterprise uses (that's where she and her husband work). The towing was cheaper than I expected (Kyle, I was thinking of you and Adam's late night break down in college). Now we wait for the repairs.
We're all trying to think of the positive stuff instead of the cost of the towing, the rental and the repairs. For one, at least this didn't happen at 8:30 this evening on the way home. We'd have gotten there a lot later than planned. The towing did not cost $300. We are all safe. It didn't happen when I was alone in the car with th kids. I tend to panic and not know what to do. I love that Adam is so calm during these situations.
That said, it still doesn't make me happy that we broke down, but we do have a lot to be thankful for.
Saturday, May 02, 2009
good day
We had a nice Thursday together as a family. Adam took four days off to spend with us, mainly because he needed time off, but also because Ry has been acting out because he misses him. I should first mention that Ryan wanted a new piece of his train set and we told him he could get one if he stayed dry all day.
We took Ryan to the Foxrun mall and let him play on the cars and at the little indoor playground. The big kids (Adam and myself) enjoyed some Gloria Jeans. Yum! Ryan used the family restroom kid potty... we were shocked! The pull up was dry.
Ryan then asked to go to Jokers so we took the trip there while everyone except me napped. We played there for a few hours and then decided to go grab dinner with the kids. We went to Famous Daves and let me just say the food is so yummy, but not in anyway diet friendly. I enjoyed my chicken, ribs, corn bread, corn on the cob and spicy green beans. I highly recommend this place.
And we got home and Ryan asked for his train and we said he could get it if he was still dry. And he was dry! He peed on our little potty at home and had been clearly holding it for a long time. Of course, the following day he did not stay dry, but we think we're moving in the right direction.
We took Ryan to the Foxrun mall and let him play on the cars and at the little indoor playground. The big kids (Adam and myself) enjoyed some Gloria Jeans. Yum! Ryan used the family restroom kid potty... we were shocked! The pull up was dry.
Ryan then asked to go to Jokers so we took the trip there while everyone except me napped. We played there for a few hours and then decided to go grab dinner with the kids. We went to Famous Daves and let me just say the food is so yummy, but not in anyway diet friendly. I enjoyed my chicken, ribs, corn bread, corn on the cob and spicy green beans. I highly recommend this place.
And we got home and Ryan asked for his train and we said he could get it if he was still dry. And he was dry! He peed on our little potty at home and had been clearly holding it for a long time. Of course, the following day he did not stay dry, but we think we're moving in the right direction.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Ohio
We were in Ohio last week for my grandfather's funeral. I decided to go because I wanted to be with my mom on the loss of her parent (I missed grandma's funeral about two years ago because we had no money) and also to have that possible one last time to see all the aunts, uncles and cousins.
I can now say that I have performed with my Uncle Tom. He sang a beautiful song called "If you could see me now" and I did sign language for it during the service. I liked this type of funeral since just about every member of the immediate family did some part. It felt special more than just having a service done by a pastor.
I was nervous about flying by myself with two kids. The flight there was perfect. Both boy fell asleep during takeoff and woke up when we landed. The flight back was awful. Ryan cried for 40 minutes straight about a car that didn't exist. He then fell asleep. The guy next to me was really nice, but I wanted so badly to crawl under a rock. I was so embarrassed because it wasn't just crying it was screaming as loud as he could.
I had fun with my aunts, uncles and cousins while in Ohio. My aunt has a new dog named Nessarose and she is so sweet. Ryan was scared of her the first few days (he's been scared of dogs since a pug jumped on him and took his chips), but by the end of our stay he was telling me he liked Nessa and wanted a dog like her. We got home and he was still talking about her and telling me his dog is going to be named Presto. Nessa is a toy poodle and costs about $300... I don't think we're getting one anytime soon. Even Tim liked Nessa, except when she barked at him.
We spent afternoons at a local park and Ryan loved it. It was huge and awesome. I even liked it.
And now we're back and enjoying some warm weather in Maine and wishing to be with family again.
I can now say that I have performed with my Uncle Tom. He sang a beautiful song called "If you could see me now" and I did sign language for it during the service. I liked this type of funeral since just about every member of the immediate family did some part. It felt special more than just having a service done by a pastor.
I was nervous about flying by myself with two kids. The flight there was perfect. Both boy fell asleep during takeoff and woke up when we landed. The flight back was awful. Ryan cried for 40 minutes straight about a car that didn't exist. He then fell asleep. The guy next to me was really nice, but I wanted so badly to crawl under a rock. I was so embarrassed because it wasn't just crying it was screaming as loud as he could.
I had fun with my aunts, uncles and cousins while in Ohio. My aunt has a new dog named Nessarose and she is so sweet. Ryan was scared of her the first few days (he's been scared of dogs since a pug jumped on him and took his chips), but by the end of our stay he was telling me he liked Nessa and wanted a dog like her. We got home and he was still talking about her and telling me his dog is going to be named Presto. Nessa is a toy poodle and costs about $300... I don't think we're getting one anytime soon. Even Tim liked Nessa, except when she barked at him.
We spent afternoons at a local park and Ryan loved it. It was huge and awesome. I even liked it.
And now we're back and enjoying some warm weather in Maine and wishing to be with family again.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
A good Friday
We had a lovely Friday this week. Adam, the boys, my sister-in-law and brother-in-law and niece all went to Old Orchard Beach to enjoy the nice weather we were having. The pizza and pier fries were yummy. I have to admit I was pretty upset when I dropped my Lisa's Pizza on the train tracks and then had to settle for Bills because we were crossing the street. I am a Lisa's fan.
We took the kids for a walk on the beach. Tim wanted badly to get down and explore, but I could only imagine having to take handfuls of sand out of his mouth. Ryan wanted to go home, apparently sand is not his thing, especially when the wind is blowing.
We had an amazing time. The sunshine on my skin and the sand between my toes made me feel at home.
Adam and I then went to dinner at the Steakhouse in Wells. We both had baked stuffed lobster and steak. Oh so yummy! I love the Steakhouse and was so glad we were able to have a date night. Neither of us could really recall a date night since maybe my birthday in January.
We also had to go to the opening night of Big Daddy's ice cream shop. I ended my perfect day with Kahlua brownie ice cream.
We took the kids for a walk on the beach. Tim wanted badly to get down and explore, but I could only imagine having to take handfuls of sand out of his mouth. Ryan wanted to go home, apparently sand is not his thing, especially when the wind is blowing.
We had an amazing time. The sunshine on my skin and the sand between my toes made me feel at home.
Adam and I then went to dinner at the Steakhouse in Wells. We both had baked stuffed lobster and steak. Oh so yummy! I love the Steakhouse and was so glad we were able to have a date night. Neither of us could really recall a date night since maybe my birthday in January.
We also had to go to the opening night of Big Daddy's ice cream shop. I ended my perfect day with Kahlua brownie ice cream.
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Four days
I am really excited for the next four days. Adam is here with us in Manchester. On Saturday, we take Ryan (and Tim, but mostly Ryan) to see the Easter Bunny and do an Easter egg hunt. I think it will be so much fun. Today is supposed to get sunny and warm and we'll play outside and bbq our dinner! It will be nice to go to church together on Sunday. It seems like a long time, but I'm sure those four days will fly by.
It's hard being away from Adam for a week at a time, but being here in Manchester has been so refreshing. The sunshine has been awesome. Change has been good.
Ryan draws and paints for Adam and hangs his artwork up to show daddy. He says, "Daddy be so happy of my work!" He's growing into a boy. He's not my baby from a year or two ago. Since we've been here he's managed to tuck himself into bed. He "reads" his books to his Uncle Vince instead of the other way around. And last night he said, "I have to go potty." Then he went in and did the whole thing himself!
And Tim.... he's just getting into trouble while here. He LOVES the cats, but they hate him. He chases them and they run away. He tortured Princess one day till she swiped at him. He isn't allowed to be near the cats or their food. He teases Ryan by stealing his toys and he fights back when Ryan hits him or takes his toys now.
And me....I've gotten to read books during the afternoon because I have managed to get both boys to nap at the same time every day. I've also been working on my Wii skills. Adam brought a new workout game for me so we can continue to work on those stubborn 20 lbs.
And for the next four days I get t hang out with my husband and the kids and have like a mini vacation here in Manchester.
It's hard being away from Adam for a week at a time, but being here in Manchester has been so refreshing. The sunshine has been awesome. Change has been good.
Ryan draws and paints for Adam and hangs his artwork up to show daddy. He says, "Daddy be so happy of my work!" He's growing into a boy. He's not my baby from a year or two ago. Since we've been here he's managed to tuck himself into bed. He "reads" his books to his Uncle Vince instead of the other way around. And last night he said, "I have to go potty." Then he went in and did the whole thing himself!
And Tim.... he's just getting into trouble while here. He LOVES the cats, but they hate him. He chases them and they run away. He tortured Princess one day till she swiped at him. He isn't allowed to be near the cats or their food. He teases Ryan by stealing his toys and he fights back when Ryan hits him or takes his toys now.
And me....I've gotten to read books during the afternoon because I have managed to get both boys to nap at the same time every day. I've also been working on my Wii skills. Adam brought a new workout game for me so we can continue to work on those stubborn 20 lbs.
And for the next four days I get t hang out with my husband and the kids and have like a mini vacation here in Manchester.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Hmmm...
So I was in a store today where the woman asked to see my ID so I could use my debit card as credit. I gave it to her and she said, "Wow, you're from Nevada?"
WHAT?
How do you get Nevada out of a driver's license that has MAINE printed right across the top? Did she even read it?
WHAT?
How do you get Nevada out of a driver's license that has MAINE printed right across the top? Did she even read it?
Getting Tim to sleep
Timothy has been a great sleeper since we brought him home from the hospital. We put him in the crib and he goes to sleep sucking his thumb.
Lately, that hasn't been the case at all. He gets up in the middle of the night and will not sleep in his bed. Being on a higher dose of meds lately has made me extra sleepy, so instead of getting him back in his bed, he ends up sleeping in mine. I needed a solution.
I attempted the Ferber method for going to bed so I wouldn't have to rock him and also for night time wakings. But Tim would cry for an hour if we let him and get all worked up and literally covered in snot and tears. This method worked great for Ryan, but it wasn't working at all for little Tim. He knows what he wants and will stop at nothing to get it.
So I started searching for other methods online and came across a blog in which a mother praised the Super Nanny's gradual method of being in the room as they fall asleep and then eventually not being there at all. I kind of modified it a little and I stand next to his crib while I tell him I'm there and that he doesn't have to worry and can go to sleep. Once I hear somewhat relaxed breathing I start to move out of the room. Tonight I won't be standing next to the crib as he starts that relaxed breathing. I'll be a little bit farther away. It's worked in the middle of the night without waking Ryan up since the boys share a room and I'm happy with our progress. The only time Tim was in our bed last night was for a middle of the night feeding because he didn't finish his bottle before bed.
I guess it's true what they say... every child really is different and requires different styles of parenting. The sure keep me on my toes!
Lately, that hasn't been the case at all. He gets up in the middle of the night and will not sleep in his bed. Being on a higher dose of meds lately has made me extra sleepy, so instead of getting him back in his bed, he ends up sleeping in mine. I needed a solution.
I attempted the Ferber method for going to bed so I wouldn't have to rock him and also for night time wakings. But Tim would cry for an hour if we let him and get all worked up and literally covered in snot and tears. This method worked great for Ryan, but it wasn't working at all for little Tim. He knows what he wants and will stop at nothing to get it.
So I started searching for other methods online and came across a blog in which a mother praised the Super Nanny's gradual method of being in the room as they fall asleep and then eventually not being there at all. I kind of modified it a little and I stand next to his crib while I tell him I'm there and that he doesn't have to worry and can go to sleep. Once I hear somewhat relaxed breathing I start to move out of the room. Tonight I won't be standing next to the crib as he starts that relaxed breathing. I'll be a little bit farther away. It's worked in the middle of the night without waking Ryan up since the boys share a room and I'm happy with our progress. The only time Tim was in our bed last night was for a middle of the night feeding because he didn't finish his bottle before bed.
I guess it's true what they say... every child really is different and requires different styles of parenting. The sure keep me on my toes!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Growing up
My boys are growing up. For the last two nights, Ryan has put himself to bed. He doesn't want to be tucked in or anything. He just says good night and goes to bed :(
And Tim tries to climb the stairs! YIKES! We have to keep close eyes on him.
And Tim tries to climb the stairs! YIKES! We have to keep close eyes on him.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Vacation in Manchester
The boys and I have taken a vacation in Manchester. We're with our friends Vince and Kristin. I had lots of photos to post, but apparently, blogger is currently not allowing me to do that.
We've had fun this far, though we do miss Adam who is still in Maine working hard. His store has a remodel and he'll be working long hours, which is the main reason for this trip. I at least get to see people my own age and have someone to hang out with in the evenings.
The other reason for this trip (which will be a much more detailed later post) is for me to have some change in hopes of having my PPD get a bit better. I don't think I've ever posted here about my postpartum depression, but I am one of the many women who are on this journey. I will recover. I will be myself again.
The boys are having lots of fun and we're on our way to do more painting. I'll post pictures as soon as blogger lets me!
Monday, March 16, 2009
A fun week
I can't even being to post about how much fun we had this past week. On Saturday and Sunday it was so nice out. The kids and I were able to get some much needed doses of warm weather and sunshine. Then it snowed on Monday and we had freezing rain on Tuesday, or was it Wednesday? 
I discovered that Tim LOVES the sled. He laughed when I pulled him around and cried when I stopped. It was really cold out the day we did this and we didn't stay out long. We came in and had a warm bath. I think he's so cute here!
Ryan on Wednesday driving his car in the slush. This was the day Tim came down with this horrible bug. Snotty nose, horrible cough and diarrhea! Not fun at all!!!
I discovered that Tim LOVES the sled. He laughed when I pulled him around and cried when I stopped. It was really cold out the day we did this and we didn't stay out long. We came in and had a warm bath. I think he's so cute here!We spent a few days in Manchester with our friends Vince and Kristin. This is Tim playing in Ryan's Police house thingy. He's saying, "yeah, I'm in here, what you gonna do about it?"
We had such a good time at Vin and Kris' place, even though every one of our girl night things kept getting ruined. First, the salon closed at 6 the night we arrived and there was no pedi and eyebrow wax with facial massage (wicked cheap), so we went to Big Lots instead and bought stuff, mainly for the kids. The second night we were going to do one of those paint your own pottery things and the place was PACKED. The lady said it is never like that. Just our luck. We did more shopping, this time at Wal-Mart and Target. Sigh.
We also went to see the train come in on Friday. Vince's friend John was coming for a visit and Ryan was super excited to see a train again. It ended up being way colder than we thought it would. When we left it was sunny and 50 and when we got to the train station the wind had picked up and it was like 40 or something crazy like that. Here's Tim wearing Ryan's Elmer Fudd hat. Sooo cute!
Ryan freezing with Vince while waiting for the train.
We also went to see the train come in on Friday. Vince's friend John was coming for a visit and Ryan was super excited to see a train again. It ended up being way colder than we thought it would. When we left it was sunny and 50 and when we got to the train station the wind had picked up and it was like 40 or something crazy like that. Here's Tim wearing Ryan's Elmer Fudd hat. Sooo cute!
Ryan freezing with Vince while waiting for the train.Ryan on Wednesday driving his car in the slush. This was the day Tim came down with this horrible bug. Snotty nose, horrible cough and diarrhea! Not fun at all!!!Ryan didn't want to leave Manchester. Lucky for him, we'll be back very soon (coming in a post later this week).
Oh and I'm reading The Historian. It's so good and I don't want to put it down, but we did painting today and tried to play outside. And we had to play with Play Doh and drive trucks on roads too and neither of my kids too an afternoon nap. Now Ryan's fast asleep and Tim is kinda asleep. He keeps moaning and then crying... poor baby. I hope he gets better soon.
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Crusin'
I can't belive how fast Tim is learning new things. He's been crusin' the furniture all week. Not only can he slowly make his way from one end of the couch to the other, he can also move from the couch to his activity table (as long as it's close). He goes from Ryan's fire truck to the activity table to Ryan's ride-on Mater and then to the couch. It takes time, but he's really getting it.
I tried to get a video of this, but he just stood there and smiled.
I'm afraid I'll be posting in a few weeks that he's walking! Then the fighting will really get bad. Ryan doesn't want Tim touching his stuff. He just takes stuff away and then Tim cries. We've done time-out, taken things away and instead it's gotten worse. Today he was hitting Tim. Of course, Tim was doing lots of crying. So, we need to figure this out.
It's funny because some days he keeps asking where Tim is and when he is coming to play (if he's napping) and then there are days like today where he doesn't want him around.
Kids...
I tried to get a video of this, but he just stood there and smiled.
I'm afraid I'll be posting in a few weeks that he's walking! Then the fighting will really get bad. Ryan doesn't want Tim touching his stuff. He just takes stuff away and then Tim cries. We've done time-out, taken things away and instead it's gotten worse. Today he was hitting Tim. Of course, Tim was doing lots of crying. So, we need to figure this out.
It's funny because some days he keeps asking where Tim is and when he is coming to play (if he's napping) and then there are days like today where he doesn't want him around.
Kids...
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Cute
I wish I had a photo to show you how Tim fell asleep last night. Since he was born, we've been putting him to bed awake, but sleepy. He's never given us much trouble unless he was still hungry or had a diaper that needed changing...until recently, that is.
Now that he can crawl and pull up to standing in the crib, he crawls to the edge, stands up and screams. We have to go in occasionally and lay him back down, tuck him in and leave the room. After two or three times, he'll settle down and go to sleep.
Last night was the same as it's been for the past two weeks. I put him in bed knowing he was tired and then went to read Ryan the new books we took out of the library. Tim was okay for a bit, but could hear us reading so he started crying. I finished one book and went to put Tim down again (Adam was upstairs talking with his parents). We were interrupted while reading the other two books quite frequently, but Tim refused a bottle and did not need a new diaper.
Then Adam came down and dealt with Tim while Ryan and I finished books nine and 10 (since they were new we had to test them all out...after the first night he has his favorites and we just read those over and over again for the week). Tim settled down and so did Ryan.
When I walked Ryan to his bed, I didn't see Tim. Of course, it was dark, except for the dim night light, so I walked closer to see where Tim was hiding in the crib. I couldn't find him and started to panic a little. He really couldn't get far right? I looked a little closer at the blankets and discovered that Tim was asleep sitting up... head on lap, thumb in mouth. He looked just like the rest of the crumpled up blanket that he sleeps with.
I called Adam over so he could see, and then gently pushed him back on his side and tucked him in again.
Like I said, I wish I had a photo to show you....it was cute.
Now that he can crawl and pull up to standing in the crib, he crawls to the edge, stands up and screams. We have to go in occasionally and lay him back down, tuck him in and leave the room. After two or three times, he'll settle down and go to sleep.
Last night was the same as it's been for the past two weeks. I put him in bed knowing he was tired and then went to read Ryan the new books we took out of the library. Tim was okay for a bit, but could hear us reading so he started crying. I finished one book and went to put Tim down again (Adam was upstairs talking with his parents). We were interrupted while reading the other two books quite frequently, but Tim refused a bottle and did not need a new diaper.
Then Adam came down and dealt with Tim while Ryan and I finished books nine and 10 (since they were new we had to test them all out...after the first night he has his favorites and we just read those over and over again for the week). Tim settled down and so did Ryan.
When I walked Ryan to his bed, I didn't see Tim. Of course, it was dark, except for the dim night light, so I walked closer to see where Tim was hiding in the crib. I couldn't find him and started to panic a little. He really couldn't get far right? I looked a little closer at the blankets and discovered that Tim was asleep sitting up... head on lap, thumb in mouth. He looked just like the rest of the crumpled up blanket that he sleeps with.
I called Adam over so he could see, and then gently pushed him back on his side and tucked him in again.
Like I said, I wish I had a photo to show you....it was cute.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Done with winter
It's official. I am ready to be done with winter. The snow was fun in December, but it's not so fun now. I'm ready for the big thaw. I want spring flowers. I want lots of warm days spent playing at the park with the boys. But this is Maine and I'm afraid it will still be snowing in April.
On Sunday when I went to work it was raining. I was okay with that. An hour into my shift it was snowing big wet snowflakes and were sticking to the ground and piling up. Two hours into my shift I was one of two cashiers left in the store. And three and a half hours later I was being sent home since I was the cashier who lived the farthest from the store.
I made my way out to the car in what seemed to be about 6 inches of snow and started cleaning off the car. By the time I was done there was snow on the parts I'd already cleaned... quite a bit of it actually. I took a photo on my cell phone and sent it to Adam (I'd already called him and told him I was on my way home in almost white-out conditions).
It took an hour to drive what normally takes about 20 minutes. That's an hour of me in a silent car (when it's snowing I don't turn the radio or my mp3 player on) with super white knuckles attempting to see the road and hoping to get home safely. It was slow going.... like 20 -25 mph slow. There was one car off the road (there had been reports of two cars that had flipped over on route 4, but I was going in a completely different direction) and the police and a tow truck were working to get it out of the ditch. At times, I couldn't see which direction the road was going.... that wasn't fun at all. But I made it home safely.
To think of more snow next Sunday night doesn't make me happy at all. It's so cold we can't really enjoy playing in it, so that means I'm done with it.
Spring, please do your thing and make an early appearance this year!
On Sunday when I went to work it was raining. I was okay with that. An hour into my shift it was snowing big wet snowflakes and were sticking to the ground and piling up. Two hours into my shift I was one of two cashiers left in the store. And three and a half hours later I was being sent home since I was the cashier who lived the farthest from the store.
I made my way out to the car in what seemed to be about 6 inches of snow and started cleaning off the car. By the time I was done there was snow on the parts I'd already cleaned... quite a bit of it actually. I took a photo on my cell phone and sent it to Adam (I'd already called him and told him I was on my way home in almost white-out conditions).
It took an hour to drive what normally takes about 20 minutes. That's an hour of me in a silent car (when it's snowing I don't turn the radio or my mp3 player on) with super white knuckles attempting to see the road and hoping to get home safely. It was slow going.... like 20 -25 mph slow. There was one car off the road (there had been reports of two cars that had flipped over on route 4, but I was going in a completely different direction) and the police and a tow truck were working to get it out of the ditch. At times, I couldn't see which direction the road was going.... that wasn't fun at all. But I made it home safely.
To think of more snow next Sunday night doesn't make me happy at all. It's so cold we can't really enjoy playing in it, so that means I'm done with it.
Spring, please do your thing and make an early appearance this year!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
On Marriage
Today I was browsing Facebook when I got a message from an old friend. It said she needed to talk with me right away. She'd left her husband.
My heart sank.
Since we've been in touch over the last few months she's told me about how her marriage of seven years hasn't been all that she dreamed it would be. Now, I don't consider myself a marriage expert at all. All I really know is that it takes work by both people. At times it takes a lot of effort and at other times it just is right and easy.
Of course, I am just getting one side of the story from this friend and there are always two sides to a story. From what she tells me her husband is stuck in the 1940s or 50s where the wife does all the work and he sits in his favorite chair and watches the news or game. But it's not the 1940s and generally, both husband and wife work. When both people work it makes a wife feel like she's doing it all. Working, doing the household stuff and taking care of the kids. That's a lot on one person's plate.
Of course, I am a stay-at-home mum. I just work two days a week for maybe 10 hours total in a week. I do a lot around the house, but I consider that my full-time job. When we both worked, things were split down the middle as best as it could be. We both helped with washing and putting away the dishes, we both did the laundry and we both shared the cleaning of the house. Then there were things we did separately. Adam mowed the lawn and shoveled the driveway (while I can shovel the driveway, I can't start a lawn mower to save my life). I cooked the dinner and ironed the clothes. I've also always been the bookkeeper.
Then when I came to stay at home, things changed. Probably the only things Adam still does is mow the lawn, shovel the driveway and help put the dishes away. I do the rest. Like I said, I consider that my full-time job these days and I don't mind. When I really need help, I ask and I get it.
Before we got married we always said divorce was not an option. There is counseling, things can be worked out. We'd sort of laid out this plan, too. It was THE PLAN and in the original PLAN, I wasn't supposed to work at all while staying home, but things change and you adapt.
Now, all that said, things haven't always been all roses. There have been times I've been so frustrated with Adam and his idea of the floor being a "low shelf" on which he stored clean and dirty laundry that I wanted to scream at him. But I didn't. I'm sure he's been annoyed many a night when he comes home and finds that I haven't bothered to cook dinner and suggest he have a hot dog or sandwich. And I'm sure he's been annoyed on days when he goes to get dressed for work and can't find a shirt or pair of pants. But he's always been gentle with me, even to the point of wearing wrinkled clothes, much to my pure horror.
That said, it's not like we've never yelled or fought, but we have always been able to resolve things. In fact, our first fight about a dust pan being in the sink is now the biggest joke between us.
So it breaks my heart to know that my friend has given up. But I get that she's been talking to a wall for over seven years. I just hope things will sort themselves out. I want the best for both her and her husband and their little boy.
While the distance separates us, I am glad she was able to talk to me. I just hope I was a source of encouragement.
So after our conversation yesterday, I had this song running through my head. "Can you reach my friend, you're the only one who can. Lord, I know that you love her, help her understand...."
My heart sank.
Since we've been in touch over the last few months she's told me about how her marriage of seven years hasn't been all that she dreamed it would be. Now, I don't consider myself a marriage expert at all. All I really know is that it takes work by both people. At times it takes a lot of effort and at other times it just is right and easy.
Of course, I am just getting one side of the story from this friend and there are always two sides to a story. From what she tells me her husband is stuck in the 1940s or 50s where the wife does all the work and he sits in his favorite chair and watches the news or game. But it's not the 1940s and generally, both husband and wife work. When both people work it makes a wife feel like she's doing it all. Working, doing the household stuff and taking care of the kids. That's a lot on one person's plate.
Of course, I am a stay-at-home mum. I just work two days a week for maybe 10 hours total in a week. I do a lot around the house, but I consider that my full-time job. When we both worked, things were split down the middle as best as it could be. We both helped with washing and putting away the dishes, we both did the laundry and we both shared the cleaning of the house. Then there were things we did separately. Adam mowed the lawn and shoveled the driveway (while I can shovel the driveway, I can't start a lawn mower to save my life). I cooked the dinner and ironed the clothes. I've also always been the bookkeeper.
Then when I came to stay at home, things changed. Probably the only things Adam still does is mow the lawn, shovel the driveway and help put the dishes away. I do the rest. Like I said, I consider that my full-time job these days and I don't mind. When I really need help, I ask and I get it.
Before we got married we always said divorce was not an option. There is counseling, things can be worked out. We'd sort of laid out this plan, too. It was THE PLAN and in the original PLAN, I wasn't supposed to work at all while staying home, but things change and you adapt.
Now, all that said, things haven't always been all roses. There have been times I've been so frustrated with Adam and his idea of the floor being a "low shelf" on which he stored clean and dirty laundry that I wanted to scream at him. But I didn't. I'm sure he's been annoyed many a night when he comes home and finds that I haven't bothered to cook dinner and suggest he have a hot dog or sandwich. And I'm sure he's been annoyed on days when he goes to get dressed for work and can't find a shirt or pair of pants. But he's always been gentle with me, even to the point of wearing wrinkled clothes, much to my pure horror.
That said, it's not like we've never yelled or fought, but we have always been able to resolve things. In fact, our first fight about a dust pan being in the sink is now the biggest joke between us.
So it breaks my heart to know that my friend has given up. But I get that she's been talking to a wall for over seven years. I just hope things will sort themselves out. I want the best for both her and her husband and their little boy.
While the distance separates us, I am glad she was able to talk to me. I just hope I was a source of encouragement.
So after our conversation yesterday, I had this song running through my head. "Can you reach my friend, you're the only one who can. Lord, I know that you love her, help her understand...."
Monday, February 16, 2009
Mommy workouts and cute Ryan sayings
So this mommy wants to know how other moms find time to work out. I can never seem to find a good time. I'll take any advice I can get. It's like 9 p.m. and I am just now getting done all the stuff that I do. Ryan didn't nap today so there was no time for that. I'd love to take a walk outside, but it's too cold. So, how do you workout in the winter inside when you are always with the kids?
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Ryan asked to read The Hungry Caterpillar before bed tonight. We have nine other books we've checked out from the library, but each time we check this one out, we read it a lot. So, tonight we were going through the book and I was letting Ryan fill in the pauses in my sentences. "He ate through one...." and Ryan says, "apple." "He ate through two...." and Ryan says, "Mushrooms!" (if you've never read the book, the pictures are of pears. I couldn't stop laughing. Ryan laughed, too.
Then we get to the part of the book where he eats through everything under the sun. The second to last picture is of a muffin and what does Ryan say? You guessed right: mushroom! At least I could get how he could get a mushroom out of that one. What a funny kid.
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Ryan asked to read The Hungry Caterpillar before bed tonight. We have nine other books we've checked out from the library, but each time we check this one out, we read it a lot. So, tonight we were going through the book and I was letting Ryan fill in the pauses in my sentences. "He ate through one...." and Ryan says, "apple." "He ate through two...." and Ryan says, "Mushrooms!" (if you've never read the book, the pictures are of pears. I couldn't stop laughing. Ryan laughed, too.
Then we get to the part of the book where he eats through everything under the sun. The second to last picture is of a muffin and what does Ryan say? You guessed right: mushroom! At least I could get how he could get a mushroom out of that one. What a funny kid.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Da Boys
I love that you can see Tim's eyelashes really well in this photo!
Ryan always wants to take baths with Tim. He's getting better at playing with him in there rather than rushing me to get him out. Tim loves to splash at the drain.
Tim's official eighth month photo... almost a month late uploading it here.
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Random things
- The other day a older guy with a white beard was dressed in a red ski suit. He looked like Santa. It was funny.
- WM: "Save Money. Live Better while our associates work themselves to death." (I'm not so happy with WM these days, if you couldn't guess. Adam is working himself silly because one of his associates has cancer, which is really sad, and is out indefinitely and they won't temporarily replace them. There are more projects on the way too. I'd like to see my husband this year.)
- I can't believe how big Tim is getting. We recently had to move him from a baby car seat to the "big boy" one. He loves it!
- I am ready for spring. I'm done seeing dirty snow.
- Ryan cracks me up. He makes me laugh out loud a lot. I love that he has a great imagination and uses it to create stories and play games.
- Tim now has a passport. It makes me want to pack up and go home to my parents for a month. I know Adam would miss us, but I'd like to see the sun and no more snow.
- I have lots of photos to post. I'll try to do that soon.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
An addition and a toll story
I was reminded today that I forgot to add someone I love to my 'N' list. That would be my brother Nathan. So I am adding to my list.
11. Nathan - The man who taught me the art of driving. He taught me the key rule when parking: "Go until you hear crunch." It works well :) The guy who bandaged my cut when I slid into third base unnecessarily. He's the one who taught me how to ride a bike, cheat at Monopoly and play Spades! He's been my friend and we've had lots of fun together through the years. He's an awesome guy who deserves a wonderful wife. Know anyone around 30 who would be a match?
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On a completely different note I went to Portland on Thursday. When we went to go through the tolls in Wells there was no one in the toll booth. For those who are familiar with Maine, you know that to get on the pike you need to pay $0.60. We used to have lines with baskets to put the money in, but recently those were replaced and are all EZ Pass Lanes. So if you want to pay cash you have to see a toll collector. Anyway, there was no toll collector there. Instead, a sign on the window read "Toll collector temporarily unavailable, please proceed with caution." I looked at the sign and was a bit puzzles, but did continue on to the pike. The guy behind me was equally puzzled and sat at the toll with his had out reading the sign. He proceeded really slowly.
As I drove down the pike I thought to myself... "I'm glad God is never temporarily unavailable."
11. Nathan - The man who taught me the art of driving. He taught me the key rule when parking: "Go until you hear crunch." It works well :) The guy who bandaged my cut when I slid into third base unnecessarily. He's the one who taught me how to ride a bike, cheat at Monopoly and play Spades! He's been my friend and we've had lots of fun together through the years. He's an awesome guy who deserves a wonderful wife. Know anyone around 30 who would be a match?
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On a completely different note I went to Portland on Thursday. When we went to go through the tolls in Wells there was no one in the toll booth. For those who are familiar with Maine, you know that to get on the pike you need to pay $0.60. We used to have lines with baskets to put the money in, but recently those were replaced and are all EZ Pass Lanes. So if you want to pay cash you have to see a toll collector. Anyway, there was no toll collector there. Instead, a sign on the window read "Toll collector temporarily unavailable, please proceed with caution." I looked at the sign and was a bit puzzles, but did continue on to the pike. The guy behind me was equally puzzled and sat at the toll with his had out reading the sign. He proceeded really slowly.
As I drove down the pike I thought to myself... "I'm glad God is never temporarily unavailable."
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
My letter is 'N'
Val gave me the letter 'N.' I get to write a list of ten things I love that begin with this letter.
1. Nuts - I like just about all kinds. I love pecans, almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, psittacosis... the list goes on.
2. Nutella - need I say more? It's chocolately and nutty. Good stuff!
3. Naps - I especially love it when both boys nap at the same time and I can always drift off into nap land. I love getting that little refresher in the middle of the day.
4. Nike running shoes - of all the sneakers I have ever owned, Nike running shoes are my favs. I just got a new pair last week at Kohls on sale.... the only way I purchase Nike running shoes. I don't really run, but they are great for using on the treadmill and outdoors.
5. Notting Hill - I love this movie with Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant. It's so funny and so cute.
6. New Plymouth - It's the settlement on Green Turtle Cay, Abaco, Bahamas that we visit whenever we get a chance. I love how quiet it is and how people drive around in golf carts. It's here Adam proposed to me on the beach. It's the location of my favorite beach.
7. Navy - As in the color. I hate that it's our uniform at WM, but I like to wear the color all the same. I think it looks good on me.
8. NCIS - Like I've said before, I am addicted to this show and I am unavailable at 8 p.m. on Tuesdays for this reason. I've watched every season and ever episode (thank you Netflix) and know way too much about the characters and their lives in the show. Accidentally, our son Tim is named after Timothy McGee in the show. Wonder if he'll be a computer geek?
9. Netflix - I can queue up as many movies as I like and they just show up. It's $10 a month for unlimited entertainment. It's something Adam and I enjoy doing together. He likes coming up with movies he thinks I'll like and then sits me down to watch them. He LOVES it when I say, "Oh I've never seen X movie." And it shows up in the mail and I have to watch it. Netflix, worth the money and cheaper than going to the movies every weekend (like we once did).
10. Nana - Oh, what would we do without this lovely lady? She sends my kids surprises in the mail, spoils them when she's here and listens to me babble on about being a mommy. She is my mommy and we love Nana. She spoils me too :)
That's my list. Anyone else want a letter?
1. Nuts - I like just about all kinds. I love pecans, almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, psittacosis... the list goes on.
2. Nutella - need I say more? It's chocolately and nutty. Good stuff!
3. Naps - I especially love it when both boys nap at the same time and I can always drift off into nap land. I love getting that little refresher in the middle of the day.
4. Nike running shoes - of all the sneakers I have ever owned, Nike running shoes are my favs. I just got a new pair last week at Kohls on sale.... the only way I purchase Nike running shoes. I don't really run, but they are great for using on the treadmill and outdoors.
5. Notting Hill - I love this movie with Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant. It's so funny and so cute.
6. New Plymouth - It's the settlement on Green Turtle Cay, Abaco, Bahamas that we visit whenever we get a chance. I love how quiet it is and how people drive around in golf carts. It's here Adam proposed to me on the beach. It's the location of my favorite beach.
7. Navy - As in the color. I hate that it's our uniform at WM, but I like to wear the color all the same. I think it looks good on me.
8. NCIS - Like I've said before, I am addicted to this show and I am unavailable at 8 p.m. on Tuesdays for this reason. I've watched every season and ever episode (thank you Netflix) and know way too much about the characters and their lives in the show. Accidentally, our son Tim is named after Timothy McGee in the show. Wonder if he'll be a computer geek?
9. Netflix - I can queue up as many movies as I like and they just show up. It's $10 a month for unlimited entertainment. It's something Adam and I enjoy doing together. He likes coming up with movies he thinks I'll like and then sits me down to watch them. He LOVES it when I say, "Oh I've never seen X movie." And it shows up in the mail and I have to watch it. Netflix, worth the money and cheaper than going to the movies every weekend (like we once did).
10. Nana - Oh, what would we do without this lovely lady? She sends my kids surprises in the mail, spoils them when she's here and listens to me babble on about being a mommy. She is my mommy and we love Nana. She spoils me too :)
That's my list. Anyone else want a letter?
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Kids say the cutest things...
Sometimes the things Ryan says just make me smile. He's expanding his vocabulary every day! Here are a few of the random things that have had me laughing or smiling at him recently.
"Hello Uncle Bince, you come over to my house and play with my new tool box? Okay, see you soon." (pretending to call his Uncle Vince to come over and play with him.)
"Mom, can I have one cookie? Not two cookies, just one cookie. Thanks." (as if I would give him two at a time, espeically for breakfast!)
"This is a big problem." (when a wheel to his truck fell off...the wheels are meant to be taken off and put back on)
"Stay out of the kitchen." (just a random thing he told me one day)
"Mom, this room does not have little potty for me." (speaking of the bathroom at the library).
"This orange juice is not right." (upon getting real oj instead of orange gatorade)
"Mom, I am two and you are eight." (he's just 20 years off)
"Memere is O.L.D!" (in response to my question "if I am eight, then how old is memere?)
"Put your big bum-bum right here." (asking me to sit in a specific chair...)
And one I'm glad he said at home and not in public...
"Tim has little penis. I have BIG penis." (how do you respond to that????)
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Ten year reunion, my ear and da boys
My ten year high school reunion is this year. Plans are a bit slow for the big event, but I'm hoping it all comes together so I can be there to hang out with my old friends.
In the past few weeks my classmates have been posting photos from our high school days on Facebook. Today, I scanned a bunch and put them up there too. It's been fun watching them comment on the pictures. It brings back great memories. Life was so different thing... so carefree!
Ten years seems like ages ago, but most people look the same. I'll be thrilled to post photos of the actualy reunion.
In addition to posting photos on Facebook today, I also visited my second home. For those of you who don't know, I consider my doctor's office my second home. I swear I am there multiple times every month. I was just there last week for Tim's second flu shot and then I was there today. It was a follow up on my ear and all of the infections. Since seeing the ENT, things have been fairly good. My ear hurts some days, but nothing like before.
So I'm thinking I'm all good and she says my ear is still swollen inside. So, we're trying some new allergy medicine to see if it's related to my sinuses (which we red and runny today). If it's still swollen or giving me pain in the next few months, she'll send me to a TMJ specialist. I really hope I don't have TMJ. I don't have a lot of the symptoms, but I keep reading that it's different for everyone.
The kids have been fun the last few weeks. I have photos on the other computer to post of Ryan taking a sled ride. He took one ride and then insisted on pulling the sled himself. He brought in the newspaper on the sled.
Timothy is almost crawling. Some days I can't wait for him to walk and other days I keep telling myself that he's just fine when he's little and barely moving. He's getting creative, though. He likes the speakers on the surround sound system for the TV so he rolls over a few times and scoots over until he can reach it on the low shelf and pull it down. He also likes DVDs.... not good.
More photos soon... probably later this week on an afternoon when Adam isn't here playing WoW.
In the past few weeks my classmates have been posting photos from our high school days on Facebook. Today, I scanned a bunch and put them up there too. It's been fun watching them comment on the pictures. It brings back great memories. Life was so different thing... so carefree!
Ten years seems like ages ago, but most people look the same. I'll be thrilled to post photos of the actualy reunion.
In addition to posting photos on Facebook today, I also visited my second home. For those of you who don't know, I consider my doctor's office my second home. I swear I am there multiple times every month. I was just there last week for Tim's second flu shot and then I was there today. It was a follow up on my ear and all of the infections. Since seeing the ENT, things have been fairly good. My ear hurts some days, but nothing like before.
So I'm thinking I'm all good and she says my ear is still swollen inside. So, we're trying some new allergy medicine to see if it's related to my sinuses (which we red and runny today). If it's still swollen or giving me pain in the next few months, she'll send me to a TMJ specialist. I really hope I don't have TMJ. I don't have a lot of the symptoms, but I keep reading that it's different for everyone.
The kids have been fun the last few weeks. I have photos on the other computer to post of Ryan taking a sled ride. He took one ride and then insisted on pulling the sled himself. He brought in the newspaper on the sled.
Timothy is almost crawling. Some days I can't wait for him to walk and other days I keep telling myself that he's just fine when he's little and barely moving. He's getting creative, though. He likes the speakers on the surround sound system for the TV so he rolls over a few times and scoots over until he can reach it on the low shelf and pull it down. He also likes DVDs.... not good.
More photos soon... probably later this week on an afternoon when Adam isn't here playing WoW.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
100 things about me
So here's 1oo things you may or may not have known about me!
- I love Pizzeria Combos.
- I can eat an entire loaf of homemade white bread on my own.
- I love fishing, especially with my Uncle Carroll.
- I don't like it when people I don't know call me "hon" or "sweetie."
- I am addicted to NCIS. I am unavailable on Tuesday nights from 8 -9.
- I've always wanted to open my own restaurant and call it Mizpah's (after my grandmother).
- Emeralds are my favorite gem.
- I met George H. W. Bush at Walker's Point while I was a reporter.
- We used to own six guinea pigs.
- I miss driving my Saturn Vue.
- I enjoy working at Wal-Mart (I just get annoyed with the customers).
- I think everyone should have to work some sort of service job (waiter, cashier, receptionist) just so they know what it's like.
- My big toe is mammoth.
- I can quote many of the lines from the movie Cool Runnings.
- My favorite scene from from Cool Runnings is where they are naming the bobsled.
- I witnessed a car hit something on my way to deliver Ryan.
- I consider 13 a lucky number since it's my birth date.
- I don't like going to bed with dirty feet.
- I consider myself an excellent cook and I am offended when someone doesn't like something I make.
- I washed my husband's first cell phone.
- I washed my green iPod that my husband got me as a gift. (neither the iPod nor the phone survived).
- I once faked a sprained ankle to get out of P.E. (gym).
- I think it's fun to play in the snow.
- I like building snowmen.
- I ate salt and vinegar chips with ranch dip while pregnant with Ryan.
- I craved spoon fulls of mayo (but never ate it) while pregnant with Tim.
- I think it's hard to pick out good boy names.
- I hate it when I use the car and the gas light comes on (especially since I use it just twice a week).
- I have quite a few characters on World of Warcraft. My main (character) is named after a high school classmate.
- While trying to impress my husband on one of our first dates, I stepped on a ping-pong ball while attempting to stop it from rolling away (it didn't survive either).
- I used to play marbles in elementary school.
- I was the catcher on our high school girl's softball team.
- I've never been skiing.
- I've never been scuba diving.
- Driving is one of my favorite pastimes.
- My first drivers license had no photo and was laminated.
- I've never voted in a Bahamian election.
- I want to travel to Germany someday.
- A friend of mine took me for a ride in a city plow when I was a reporter so I could write a story about it.
- I enjoyed staying in the hospital after the kids were born. I was in no rush to get home either time.
- My first car was a K car.
- I have bad luck with cars and automatic transmissions.
- I've started a collection of Junkanoo dolls.
- I once bit into a piece of cracked conch and found a conch pearl.
- I had the conch pearl set into a ring.
- It's hard for me to keep gifts a secret.
- My favorite pair of shoes are my Danskos.
- I wish I had more than one pair of Danskos.
- I drove my husband's car (we weren't married yet) off the road in a snowstorm. It took an hour to get it out of the ditch. I also almost hit a utility pole. Thanks Julie!
- My part-time job at college required me to sort student and faculty mail.
- Adam and I have matching wedding bands.
- One of my favorite kids books is Mr. Popper's Penguins.
- My favorite chocolate bar is a Cadbury's Crunchie.
- The first CD I ever owned was Mariah Carey's Christmas Album. My brother gave it to me for a Christmas gift.
- My high school graduation gift was a Citizen Eco Drive watch. It died last year.
- Going to the British store in Freeport makes me feel like I'm a home.
- The only time I've been in Chicago was on the Bible and Culture trip my freshman year of college.
- I purchased six CDs at the HUGE Borders on that trip.
- Six CDs is the most I've ever purchased at one time.
- My best friend and I made up actions to the Christmas Song. It still makes me laugh.
- I used to get dizzy after having a vaccination or blood drawn.
- Needles don't bother me so much after my pregnancy with Ryan.
- Fall is my favorite season.
- I really like seafood.
- I've eaten squid and thought it wasn't so bad. I'd eat it again.
- I like baked stuffed lobster.
- I think Red Lobster makes the best fried shrimp.
- My favorite seafood is conch.
- I like catching triggerfish when I go fishing.
- I watched the Bone Collector the night before my wedding.
- The smell of cigar smoke reminds me of my Uncle Ross.
- I like the smell of pipe smoke.
- My favorite beach is in Green Turtle Cay.
- I can sing lots of commercial jingles.
- I sang commercial jingles to Adam on Sunday night when he was trying to go to sleep.
- The Real Men of Genius Budwiser commercials are some of my all time favorites.
- I still think the Dominos commercial for free cheesy bread is funny. "You're free cheesy bread. Free!"
- I used to play the piano.
- I used to play the piano for our youth group at church.
- My favorite classical music piece is Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven.
- I think chocolate should be a food group.
- The farthest I've been away from home is when I went to Papua New Guinea.
- There was a massive tsunami while I was in Papua New Guinea, but we were on the other side of the island.
- One of my editors always pronounced the tsunami, "too sommy."
- I think it's an unwritten rule that all newspaper publishers have to be weird.
- I love taking photos.
- I wish I had more time to work on my photography skills.
- One of my professors in college did some sort of test on a peanut for Jimmy Carter in 1981.
- We still make fun of this professor because he always started his stories "Back in 1981, when I was in Atlanta..."
- I miss living close to St. Louis.
- I am the bookkeeper in the house.
- I know more about the eye than I ever thought possible.
- Our first apartment after we were married was infested with cave crickets.
- Big Daddy's and Shain's of Maine are my favorite ice cream shops. Ted Drewes comes in third.
- Homemade coconut ice cream is my favorite ice cream.
- I once had a fishing "pole" made out of a length of fishing line and a half of a clothes pin.
- I can still remember playing Raiders of the Lost Ark on our Atari.
- I often have pajama days with the kids. We all get a bath or shower and then put on clean pjs for the day. We go nowhere and it's awesome!
- My dad used to tickle my feet to get me to go to sleep at night.
- I still like it when someone touches my feet.
Monday, January 12, 2009
It keeps me up late
I haven't stayed up late on purpose for a long time. I have two boys who insist on getting up at the crack of dawn. I need my sleep. I like to sleep. I like lots of sleep.
But the Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyers is keeping me up well into the early morning. The kids bedtime and nap time are really my only times to read. I've devoured the first three books in record time for me.
Here's the thing you need to know. I wasn't interested in reading these books. I thought it was silly, just like I thought the whole Harry Potter craze was silly. When Adam and I saw the preview for the movie, we looked at each other and said, "nope." We do this with all previews. We either say "yes" or some version of "no" to determine if we will see a movie. We often disagree...
Just two months after the movie's release and here I am impatiently waiting for my friend Jenni to finish Breaking Dawn so I can read it too. (Jenni was the one to lend me Twilight and convince me to read the books). I also want to rent Twilight when it's available on Netflix.... March 22 according to the Stephanie Meyer website. I'm curious about how Bella's Lullaby sounds. I'm curious how certain aspects of the book play out in the movie.
I am also excited there will be other movies. I'm excited to see what Meyers writes next.
So this morning I typed Twilight into the search bar on Facebook and discovered there are some funny groups like "I wanna be a Cullen," "Because I read Twilight I have unrealistic expectations in Men," and "After reading Twilight human boys seems lacking." Jenni and I can't stop talking about it. I sense a girls night of lots of Twilight Saga talk.
And though I stayed up till well past my bedtime (giving me just 5ish hours of sleep last night) I am feeling okay. I know the boys will nap later and I can nap too... if there's time (there's laundry to do, a cake to bake, dinner to make.... you know the usual). Because Jenni is probably not done with the last book, I can go to bed early.
Breaking Dawn will probably keep me up late the night it comes home in Adam's work bag!
But the Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyers is keeping me up well into the early morning. The kids bedtime and nap time are really my only times to read. I've devoured the first three books in record time for me.
Here's the thing you need to know. I wasn't interested in reading these books. I thought it was silly, just like I thought the whole Harry Potter craze was silly. When Adam and I saw the preview for the movie, we looked at each other and said, "nope." We do this with all previews. We either say "yes" or some version of "no" to determine if we will see a movie. We often disagree...
Just two months after the movie's release and here I am impatiently waiting for my friend Jenni to finish Breaking Dawn so I can read it too. (Jenni was the one to lend me Twilight and convince me to read the books). I also want to rent Twilight when it's available on Netflix.... March 22 according to the Stephanie Meyer website. I'm curious about how Bella's Lullaby sounds. I'm curious how certain aspects of the book play out in the movie.
I am also excited there will be other movies. I'm excited to see what Meyers writes next.
So this morning I typed Twilight into the search bar on Facebook and discovered there are some funny groups like "I wanna be a Cullen," "Because I read Twilight I have unrealistic expectations in Men," and "After reading Twilight human boys seems lacking." Jenni and I can't stop talking about it. I sense a girls night of lots of Twilight Saga talk.
And though I stayed up till well past my bedtime (giving me just 5ish hours of sleep last night) I am feeling okay. I know the boys will nap later and I can nap too... if there's time (there's laundry to do, a cake to bake, dinner to make.... you know the usual). Because Jenni is probably not done with the last book, I can go to bed early.
Breaking Dawn will probably keep me up late the night it comes home in Adam's work bag!
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Smiles
Tim loves to smile. I can't believe how big he's getting.
He's so good at sitting up by himself and recently started army crawling. He also gets up on his hands and knees, but isn't sure what to do next. Crawling is on the way.
Ryan loves Winnie the Pooh too!
Pooh and my two boys. Ryan really wanted his photo taken too and I had to agree to it. This is the first time he's sat next to him without getting upset that he'll be in the photo too. We're making progress!
And our New Year's photo at my brother-in-law's house.
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Gnomes
I hate it when the gnomes come to our house and take things we need. Like today I was going to vacuum the floors and there's a part of the vacuum missing. I asked Ryan if he knew where it was, but he had no clue. I searched through toys and under things.... things that are all cluttered up because we have no space. It doesn't help that I am already grry. I ended up borrowing the vacuum from upstairs. I don't even know if you can replace the part that's missing. I wish the gnomes would just leave me alone and that our little space in the basement would just magically clean itself!
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Tim's growing up
Timothy is growing quickly. He's getting better at sitting up on his own and no longer needs something behind him incase he falls over. He even scoots around these days. He is good at going backward, turning around and has figured out do a tiny bit of army crawling. I'm not ready for full out crawling yet. I kind of just want him to stay little.
The funniest thing is that he really, really wants to eat our food. He has zero teeth, which makes it so funny to watch. We've always known he's wanted to eat our food since the day he stole my bacon at breakfast with my parents. The other day Ryan left his banana in Timothy's reach and he ate quite a bit of it. And this week Timothy ate some bread, turkey and bacon from my turkey club sandwich.
At his last visit with the doctor Tim was 17 lbs 5oz and just about 28 inches long. He's tall and easily fits into 12 month clothes. I fear it won't be long before we get into 18 month stuff. We've even had to dig out bigger socks from Ryan's old stuff. He's only got one more inch and then he can transition to the big car seat.
It's lots of fun watching him grow, but I wouldn't mind it if he stayed little for awhile.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Christmas 08
Here's a quick review of our Christmas.
Christmas Eve
We traveled to New Hampshire to spend Christmas with our friends (and Ryan's Godparents) Vince and Kristin. We ate a lovely seafood stew for dinner with some really yummy herb bread. There was dessert, but I was so full I never tasted it. Ryan insisted on opening gifts. Kristin decided it would be good to let him open one. It was a sippy cup. Ryan said he didn't want it and was completely uninterested in opening gifts after that.
Christmas Day
Breakfast, church and present opening filled the morning. We played in the snow and with the kids in the basement until it was time to cook dinner. Dinner was yummy and we were all so sleepy we went to bed early. Ryan LOVED opening every one's gifts, including his gifts. Little did he know there were more to come. Ryan didn't want to leave his Uncle Vince. He thinks Vince is the most awesome person, which is great. We know we can leave him with them and he'll always be happy and fine.
Boxing Day
My friend and former high school maths teacher, Tom Barkley, came to visit. We had a nice time catching up. When he left Ryan was so excited to open the rest of the gifts under the tree. He opened every one's gifts again and didn't want to go to bed. He's particularly in love with his new road that Nana and Papa got him, his travel auto repair shop and his tool box. Tim got a new buddy (so he can leave Ryan's beloved Paws alone). He was picked out by Ryan at Build-a-Bear. He's black and his name is Duke. Tim thinks he's great. Ryan holds him sometimes for Tim. It's really cute.
And now for the ear update...
I saw the ENT today... he says the swelling in my ear will go away in one week if I just take some ibuprofen. I am not convinced, but will try it anyway. He says the pain I feel is from swelling from the last infection. He was nice and all, but I'm just not convinced. The pain is intense and ibuprofen doesn't do anything for it. Sigh.
And I tried to add photos, but blogger wasn't interested in letting me do that. They are on Facebook for those of you who have that. The rest of you will have to wait. Sorry!
Christmas Eve
We traveled to New Hampshire to spend Christmas with our friends (and Ryan's Godparents) Vince and Kristin. We ate a lovely seafood stew for dinner with some really yummy herb bread. There was dessert, but I was so full I never tasted it. Ryan insisted on opening gifts. Kristin decided it would be good to let him open one. It was a sippy cup. Ryan said he didn't want it and was completely uninterested in opening gifts after that.
Christmas Day
Breakfast, church and present opening filled the morning. We played in the snow and with the kids in the basement until it was time to cook dinner. Dinner was yummy and we were all so sleepy we went to bed early. Ryan LOVED opening every one's gifts, including his gifts. Little did he know there were more to come. Ryan didn't want to leave his Uncle Vince. He thinks Vince is the most awesome person, which is great. We know we can leave him with them and he'll always be happy and fine.
Boxing Day
My friend and former high school maths teacher, Tom Barkley, came to visit. We had a nice time catching up. When he left Ryan was so excited to open the rest of the gifts under the tree. He opened every one's gifts again and didn't want to go to bed. He's particularly in love with his new road that Nana and Papa got him, his travel auto repair shop and his tool box. Tim got a new buddy (so he can leave Ryan's beloved Paws alone). He was picked out by Ryan at Build-a-Bear. He's black and his name is Duke. Tim thinks he's great. Ryan holds him sometimes for Tim. It's really cute.
And now for the ear update...
I saw the ENT today... he says the swelling in my ear will go away in one week if I just take some ibuprofen. I am not convinced, but will try it anyway. He says the pain I feel is from swelling from the last infection. He was nice and all, but I'm just not convinced. The pain is intense and ibuprofen doesn't do anything for it. Sigh.
And I tried to add photos, but blogger wasn't interested in letting me do that. They are on Facebook for those of you who have that. The rest of you will have to wait. Sorry!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Ready
I am so ready to see that ENT tomorrow. The pain in my ear is insane. It's like giving birth in my ear... not fun. I hate that I've been living off of pain killers since Tuesday... I've been sleeping a lot, but that doesn't seem to help. The pain is still there when I wake up. It's only dulled a little by the painkillers from the doc, but it's better than feeling like someone is stabbing me in my ear. Sigh.
I promise to post more happy Christmas stuff after this ear is feeling better. Promise.
I promise to post more happy Christmas stuff after this ear is feeling better. Promise.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
A Christmas Good, Bad and Ugly post
The good: It didn't snow like this today. Yay!
The bad: The coconut fudge didn't quite come out right. It still tastes good, but I think it's a keep at home dessert.
The ugly: I went to my second home again today (that's the doctor's office). My ear is not better. It's still all swollen and has "goop" all stuck to the eardrum. I get to see an Ear, Nose and Throat doc on Monday. It's frustrating... it's like having a fairly new car that you take care of and it just keeps breaking down and costing you money. Grr! For now I take some super pain meds and some steroids. Just what I always wanted for Christmas.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
The First Noel
We missed church this morning. Thanks to another snowstorm and yet another earache we stayed home. There were pretty much whiteout conditions all day (more about that tomorrow) so we were playing it safe by staying home. I was really sad to miss this Sunday. I like the Sunday before Christmas. I like the Christmas Eve service too.
Adam was probably breathing a sigh of relief. After all, he had no tears to wipe up with his scarf this morning during the singing of certain Christmas carols.
Since Adam and I have been married we’ve spent all six Christmas holidays with his family. I have longed to be with my family and spend a Christmas showing him our Bahamian traditions. I’d love to take him to Junkanoo, to see the Police Band play, to a Christmas Cantata and to the Live Manger scene at church. Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult, yea, impossible, to get time off at this time of the year when you work for a certain company. We’ve never been able to spend that Christmas in the Bahamas.
The first year of our marriage we went to church on Christmas Eve just like we always do now. I love Christmas carols. I could sing them with the best of the best. I can sing the harmony and all the special do da’s that go with them. We started to sing Joy to the World at the end of the service and I cried my little eyes out. Of course, Adam wanted to know what was wrong. He understood missing my family and was very gentle and comforting about the whole situation.
I figured that each year being away from my family at Christmastime would get easier. Each year we’d build on our own traditions and our Christmas holidays in our family would become special and the norm.
But I think each year gets harder. I long to be with my family more. I keep wishing that I had just that one more Christmas with my parents (they wont’ be around forever). Now that we have children, I want the boys to see what Christmas is like in the Bahamas. I don’t want Junaknoo, the police band and other items to just be stories that I tell them.
This Christmas Eve will be a bit different. Ryan’s Godparents have asked us to spend Christmas with them. Instead of being at church we will be on the road (provided the forecast is correct). On Christmas morning we will be in church. I will be prepared. Not only will I have Adam’s scarf to wipe my tears into, I will also have a package of tissues, used especially for the carol The First Noel.
Why The First Noel? Well, the year we were married I started working on a family history book. It was about my dad’s family and what their life was like for them growing up. My Aunt Gloria wrote to me about memories she had of her father (my Pa Ernest, whom I never met) while growing up. In it she wrote, “He also enjoyed a drink occasionally, and I remember once during a midnight Christmas Eve carol service at the Anglican church he staggered in and sat down. He wasn't the only man who had had one drink too many, and the man behind him leaned forward during a lull in the singing of The First Noel and said to him in a voice all the church could hear, ‘You hear that ol' Ern, no hell, no hell.’"
I can easily make it through the first verse and maybe the first “Noel, noel” before choking up. I know it’s a silly thing to choke up on, but it’s a memory, one connected to my family who I miss dearly during the Christmas season.
There are other Christmas carols that make me tear up, all for different reasons. They are all associated with different stories that remind me of my childhood. Like I can hear my brother singing “While Shepherds washed their socks at night…” Once we were singing O Holy Night and I was wearing socks with many holes in them. Silent Night is the first song I learned all the signs to in sign language. Once in Royal David’s City is a super favorite of mine. While working at the Christian Book Shop, we sang Christmas carols before devotions and we could really mess some up like Angles from the Realms of Glory.
Christmas carols are a big part of my Christmas. I love to sing these songs that tell of the birth of Christ.
While I anticipate celebrating that First Noel with my children, husband and dear friends, I will be missing my family. I’ll be missing those good old times with friends and co-workers too.
Maybe next year we’ll spend Christmas together. And without tears I’ll be able to sing that final verse of this beautiful carol (which I think sums up why we celebrate Christmas).
“Then let us all with one accord, sing praises to our Heavenly Lord
Who hath made Heaven and earth of naught and with his blood mankind has bough.
“Noel, noel, noel, noel. Born is the King of Israel!”
Adam was probably breathing a sigh of relief. After all, he had no tears to wipe up with his scarf this morning during the singing of certain Christmas carols.
Since Adam and I have been married we’ve spent all six Christmas holidays with his family. I have longed to be with my family and spend a Christmas showing him our Bahamian traditions. I’d love to take him to Junkanoo, to see the Police Band play, to a Christmas Cantata and to the Live Manger scene at church. Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult, yea, impossible, to get time off at this time of the year when you work for a certain company. We’ve never been able to spend that Christmas in the Bahamas.
The first year of our marriage we went to church on Christmas Eve just like we always do now. I love Christmas carols. I could sing them with the best of the best. I can sing the harmony and all the special do da’s that go with them. We started to sing Joy to the World at the end of the service and I cried my little eyes out. Of course, Adam wanted to know what was wrong. He understood missing my family and was very gentle and comforting about the whole situation.
I figured that each year being away from my family at Christmastime would get easier. Each year we’d build on our own traditions and our Christmas holidays in our family would become special and the norm.
But I think each year gets harder. I long to be with my family more. I keep wishing that I had just that one more Christmas with my parents (they wont’ be around forever). Now that we have children, I want the boys to see what Christmas is like in the Bahamas. I don’t want Junaknoo, the police band and other items to just be stories that I tell them.
This Christmas Eve will be a bit different. Ryan’s Godparents have asked us to spend Christmas with them. Instead of being at church we will be on the road (provided the forecast is correct). On Christmas morning we will be in church. I will be prepared. Not only will I have Adam’s scarf to wipe my tears into, I will also have a package of tissues, used especially for the carol The First Noel.
Why The First Noel? Well, the year we were married I started working on a family history book. It was about my dad’s family and what their life was like for them growing up. My Aunt Gloria wrote to me about memories she had of her father (my Pa Ernest, whom I never met) while growing up. In it she wrote, “He also enjoyed a drink occasionally, and I remember once during a midnight Christmas Eve carol service at the Anglican church he staggered in and sat down. He wasn't the only man who had had one drink too many, and the man behind him leaned forward during a lull in the singing of The First Noel and said to him in a voice all the church could hear, ‘You hear that ol' Ern, no hell, no hell.’"
I can easily make it through the first verse and maybe the first “Noel, noel” before choking up. I know it’s a silly thing to choke up on, but it’s a memory, one connected to my family who I miss dearly during the Christmas season.
There are other Christmas carols that make me tear up, all for different reasons. They are all associated with different stories that remind me of my childhood. Like I can hear my brother singing “While Shepherds washed their socks at night…” Once we were singing O Holy Night and I was wearing socks with many holes in them. Silent Night is the first song I learned all the signs to in sign language. Once in Royal David’s City is a super favorite of mine. While working at the Christian Book Shop, we sang Christmas carols before devotions and we could really mess some up like Angles from the Realms of Glory.
Christmas carols are a big part of my Christmas. I love to sing these songs that tell of the birth of Christ.
While I anticipate celebrating that First Noel with my children, husband and dear friends, I will be missing my family. I’ll be missing those good old times with friends and co-workers too.
Maybe next year we’ll spend Christmas together. And without tears I’ll be able to sing that final verse of this beautiful carol (which I think sums up why we celebrate Christmas).
“Then let us all with one accord, sing praises to our Heavenly Lord
Who hath made Heaven and earth of naught and with his blood mankind has bough.
“Noel, noel, noel, noel. Born is the King of Israel!”
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Polar Express
It snowed yesterday, but thankfully, that didn't stop us from going on the Polar Express. It took us over an hour to get to Portland in the snow on Wednesday morning. It's a drive that normally takes a half hour. The roads weren't so nice in town, but the Turnpike was okay. First, Ryan had a final check of his fingers at a doctor in Portland. He'll have some scaring, but is fine. Yay! We then spent the afternoon at my brother-in-law's house just to prevent a million trips to Portland on the snowy roads.
At 3:30, we left Tim with his uncle and cousin and made our way into town for our trip on the train. Ryan was VERY excited.
Here's the train. We waited in a heated tent until it was time to board. The trip took us through a wintery wonderland. Seeing the ocean was really nice too because the tracks run along the coast. We had cookies and hot chocolate, too.... just like in the movie.
It was SOOOO cold when we first got on the train. My feet, though clad in winter boots were frozen. Ryan refused to put his gloves on and was using his buddy Paws as a hand warmer. He had to borrow my hat because his was "too cold." Once the train got going it did get a little more warm, but I think I would have liked a blanket. I felt really bad for the little babies on the train. They had on snow suits and still looked cold.
At the end of our trip we got to sing Christmas carols. Ryan tried his best at Jingle Bells and Frosty the Snowman. He did pretty good. He tries to sing more now, but is usually a few words behind because he's repeating what he's already heard. We had our photo taken with Santa and purchased a train as a souvenir. I was glad to get into the truck and put the heat on just my feet.I was exhausted at the end of the day. I suppose shoveling snow in the driveway, driving white knuckled to Portland and spending the day with three kids is a lot, but it was worth it because Ryan had fun and is still saying "Went on a train and it went fast, fast, fast." (which. by the way, it didn't go so fast, but he can think that it was fast.)
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Ice Storm
We were lucky only to lose power for a few hours in the early morning of this weekend's ice storm. We've been warm and comfortable. I think it stinks that so many people have not been these things. Some people are still without electricity.
While the ice caused lots of damage, I think it was pretty. It was like one of those scenes from a postcard or something. Really wintery.
I missed work. They had no electricity. I was acutally a bit sad. It was going to be my first full eight hour shift since I had Timothy. I was really looking forward to it. To earning that extra money. Adam's Wal-Mart opened at 10 after turning customers away earlier in the morning.
We enjoyed the day together as a family. We watched some movies, played a few games... Adam did ABO certification stuff and I got to do some Bahamian Word Finds (Thanks Dad!).
We were crazy enough to actually venture out on Friday night. Ryan was out of milk and we thought we'd pick that up and do our grocery shopping. How silly of us. Everyone and their mother was out at Wal-Mart and the gas stations. Restaurants were PACKED. It was worse than the height of Tourists Season here in Maine (that's summer for all of you people who are "from away" like me).
It should have been no surprise to us what WM was like. Thinking back on it, we were really lucky to be able to purchase the milk we wanted. There's something about winter storms and Mainers buying milk. Next to water, snow shovels and ice scrapers it is one of the hot items during a storm. It's kind of weird. Maybe there are lots of people out there with kids like Ryan who are addicted to milk. I suppose it can be kept cold outdoors.
Anyway, here are a few of my photos. I don't think they do the beautiful scenery justice.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Winter is fun
I like winter. I like the first snowfall. I like hot chocolate. I like soup. I like the things that go with winter like jackets and scarves. I like cookies and anything chocolate, especially hot chocolate. I like snowballs and snowball fights. I like snowmen.
But I hate driving in the snow. While I think I've gotten better at it over the years, I still don't enjoy it.
This morning I had an appointment at my second home... the doctor's office. It was a Post Partum Depression follow up. We'll do meds through the winter and then attempt to get off of them. I'm ready to be done with them now that I am feeling much better. It was also a visit for my poor ear which is killing me again. My ear infection is back... sigh.
Anyway, it was snowing when we were leaving. Ryan thinks this is awesome. Mom does not think it is awesome. Tim just hates the car seat and would rather be playing on the floor or in the exer-saucer. It wasn't too bad on the way there because it had just started snowing.
But then I had to go pick up another prescription, which may cause me an allergic reaction since it's made from penicillin, but will get rid of whatever has been bothering my ear for three months now (off and on, not continuous). So I debate weather to go to WM or to pick it up at the local Rite Aide. I decide to go to WM... I need a few things to finish this craft Ryan and I are working on anyway.
By the time they fill the prescription it's really snowing and I'm white knuckled driving home. The roads are slippery and people are fish-tailing like no other. We make it home in one piece and Ryan asks if we can go to the library. "Uh, not today kiddo. Maybe tomorrow."
We eat a warm, yummy lunch and put Tim down for a nap. We bundle up and go to play outside in the snow. We had lots of fun building a snowman and having a snowball fight.
And now for some hot chocolate.
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Meeting Mr. & Mrs. Claus
Ryan was much better at meeting Santa than he was at meeting the Easter Bunny. He was even smiling before the photo was taken. Ryan told Santa he wants a big fire truck and a fire hat (we already have four of them...the trucks that is). The photo was taken for free at Kittery Trading Post. Yay for free, instant photos!
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