Wow... It's been quite a couple of days. I've been incredibly busy, and by the end of the last few days ... absolutely exhausted. By the time the kids go to bed, I'm ready to crawl into bed myself and turn the world off.
To say that Matt hasn't been around much would be the understatement of the year. First he was in Canada for 8 days for that CFA prep class. Then, every night last week, he went straight to the Drake Law Library after work and studied until 10 or so. This week, he took the entire week off work and is studying at the Drake Law Library from 8 am until 10 pm or so. He's not even home for meals... So, that makes 3 full weeks this month that he's been gone, and it's just the kids and I. Can you tell I'm ready for Sunday??? This test can't come soon enough for me. After this test is done, I'm getting a much deserved day to myself... getting my hair done, scrapping, taking a nap...
Yesterday was one of those days... If it could go wrong, it did. I was living Murphy's Law, and I wasn't laughing....
For starters, I had to run by the post office to mail a package to Kim. As I filled out the customs sheet (she lives in Canada), I hear, that'll be $14.45, please. What??? I asked her to double check the postage, because it was a small package and I thought that was a fortune! She looked up at me and gave me a dirty look and asked if I still wanted to mail it. DUH, that's why I'm here. Of course I still want to mail it!! So I pay the postage, throw the receipt in the car and head to the park with the kids.
Caleb was in rare form yesterday. Typically, he's a happy & energetic toddler, but yesterday, he was anything but... I decided to take the kids to Dewey park before lunch. It's a great park that actually contains two separate parks -- one designed for 2 -5 year olds, the other for 5 - 12 year olds. When we first got there, Katherine and Caleb were playing on the toddler side. They were having a great time! Caleb was following Katherine around and she was showing off her little brother to anyone who would listen. She's so proud of him, and I've got to say.... I love that!
About 30 minutes later, Grant (one of our neighbor boys who is Katherine's age) arrived, and came over to play with us. Grant's grandma watches him and his little sister during the day, so I got to meet her for the first time. (*first time* being key here). I was thrilled at how wonderfully the two of them were playing alone together -- without all of the other neighbor kids around. They were taking turns, Katherine was insisting that Grant be the leader at times (for her, this is HUGE), and they were playing little made up games. At one point, Katherine dropped her flip-flop on the ground, and Grant raced over to pick it up and he told her to hold out her foot, and he slipped her shoe on for her. It was adorable!!
After a while, Katherine and Grant wanted to go over to the "big kids" park, so we all went with them. Caleb doesn't realize that he's only 20 months old and that physically he can't do everything that his big sister can. When he realized that he couldn't climb to the top of the play structure with Katherine and Grant, he threw a tantrum. And I'm talking just any old tantrum... he threw the mother of all tantrums. I've seen meltdowns before, but never in my life have I seen such a spectacle ...... not from my kids, not from any other child. He was uncontrollable. He was inconsolable. And there was nothing, and I mean NOTHING I could do about it.
He started off by falling in the wood chips, throwing them all over including in his hair, down his shirt, and all over me. Fearing he'd get a splinter or poke his eyes out, I decided to pick him up and move him into the grass. WRONG MOVE. It made a bad situation worse.... He totally freaked out and tried to get away from me with all his might. He started kicking and screaming NO, NO, NOOOOO and crying so hard he was yelling. Tears, snot and spit were all over.
Wouldn't you know... about 5 minutes into this, I realize he's got a nasty, smelly diaper that I've got to change immediately. So I pick him up and take him out the car so that I can change his pants. OK -- I've done this a billion times before. I open the back of the Lexus, take out the stroller, and change his pants in the back trunk part. OMG -- he'd have none of it!! He was trying, with all of his might, to get away from me -- hitting, kicking, throwing his body all over the place. It was a battle of wills!! 20 minutes later (literally) I'm dripping with sweat and cussing under my breath, but I've won... if you can call it that.
In the meantime, Grant's grandma is watching Katherine while I tend to Mr. Meltdown. Evidently she had fallen and broke her knee open -- blood running down her shin. She had been crying for me, but I couldn't hear her, so Grant's grandma picked her up, and brought he to me. Wouldn't you know... Grant's grandma's pants were COVERED in blood, and I'm not talking a drop or two, I'm talking tons of bright red streaks all over the front of her pants. Ay-yi-yi.
OK -- so to top that off.....
Earlier in the week I had gotten a call from church to bring a meal to a new mom. No big deal -- I like to cook, love seeing the babies, and if I can help someone out, great!! Now, without sounding snotty and exclusionary, this is the conversation that we have, AFTER I AGREE TO BRING THE MEAL.
** Amy is the girl that sets up these meals.
Amy: Do you know "so and so".
Me: No, but that's fine. I'm more than happy to bring them a meal.
Amy: Well, the meal isn't exactly for them. "So and So" go to our church, but her daughter in law just had a baby and they requested that we send them meals.
Me: I'm bringing a meal to someone who doesn't go to our church?
Amy: Ah, yea, it that OK. Her mother in law thought it would be nice.
Me: Sure that's fine. What's the address?
Amy gives me the address, and it's somewhere I've never heard of. Not unusual, I'm not great with directions anyway, so it's par for me. Anyway, after I get off the phone and do a little investigating, I find out that I'm going more than 50 MILES round trip to get to this place. WTH? YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME. Oh, and it's in a not so great part of town, and Matt's studying. So I decide to drag my mom with me. Let's just say, that there is NO WAY I'd leave my kids alone in the car for 30 seconds in this area..... UUUUUGH.
I feel so bad complaining about this, but come on.... The whole idea of this dinner thing is so that new moms in our church can have a break after they give birth and focus on their babies. I'm not trying to sound exclusionary, but I don't bring a meal to everyone in Des Moines that has a baby.... I don't have time. I don't know them. I've got enough going on in my own life. (yea, I know how this sounds. I'm whining...). Thinking of the lesson I'd be teaching Katherine if I complained about this in her presence, I keep my mouth shut, put a smile on my face, and rant over email to Kim.
So as I'm feeding the kids lunch yesterday, I start to make this dinner. When they're done eating, I open up the patio door so that they can play on the deck while I finish dinner. I'm totally lost in thought -- fuming about making this dinner in the first place, still wondering what in the world got into Caleb at the park, and worrying about my Grandma (my mom and aunt went to the funeral home to get things in order....). So, I've got a lot on my mind, and I hear Katherine start screaming and laughing. I look up and it's down pouring outside. The kids are out on the deck and dancing in the rain. They're having a wonderful time, and I'm just thankful that they're having fun.
While they're napping, I start to pack up the car with the dinner I made and notice my receipt from the post office. Still wondering how it could be sooo expensive, I take a look at it. GET THIS.... My receipt says first class to CHINA. That's right, China, not Canada. That explains the pricey postage... So I immediately call the post office, worried that my package will end up in Beijing. They tell me that everything is fine, the package will be delivered to Canada, and I'm just due a refund on my postage. Great!!
As soon as the kids wake up from their naps, we pick up my mom, and head off to the south/east side to deliver this meal -- in the pouring rain. When I get there, the new mom barely looks at me, her husband takes the food, I chat with their little girl for a couple of minutes and leave. Not that I expect it, but it would have been nice if they had said "thank you". UUUGH! I'll never understand, I'm not even going to try. Caleb was saying "thank you" at 10 months. He didn't need to be prompted after 12 months, and these grown adults don't know how to be gracious.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Photo overload...
AAAHHH -- It's been a great day. I'm still not feeling well..... actually I feel horrible. My sore throat and earache is gone, but it's been replaced with a horrible cough and typical asthma problems. I sound like an 80 year old that's been smoking all my life. LOVELY!
Today we went to the zoo with Monique and her two kids, Waverly and Kevin. They live across the street from us, and Katherine & Caleb adore them. When we got home it was nap time for all of us. What a luxury!! I was so exhausted from being sick, that I crashed when we got home. It was GREAT!
When Matt got home from studying and the kids woke up, we decided to pack a picnic and head to the park. After we were done eating, we took off to feed the ducks at a local pond. The kids had a great time, and it was so wonderful to have Matt with us.
Here's a ton of pictures. Sorry, I'm still not feeling well, so I'm not funny, not overly forthcoming details, and ready for bed. Enjoy the pics!!
Today we went to the zoo with Monique and her two kids, Waverly and Kevin. They live across the street from us, and Katherine & Caleb adore them. When we got home it was nap time for all of us. What a luxury!! I was so exhausted from being sick, that I crashed when we got home. It was GREAT!
When Matt got home from studying and the kids woke up, we decided to pack a picnic and head to the park. After we were done eating, we took off to feed the ducks at a local pond. The kids had a great time, and it was so wonderful to have Matt with us.
Here's a ton of pictures. Sorry, I'm still not feeling well, so I'm not funny, not overly forthcoming details, and ready for bed. Enjoy the pics!!
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Just wondering....
Why is it that when the kids are sick they have as much energy, IF NOT MORE, than when they're well.... UUUUUUGH! I'm beginning to wonder if the medicine doesn't make him hyper... Val???
My asthma is acting up -- I'm coughing up a lung, and my throat is so sore I can barely talk. Caleb has the same thing -- but it doesn't phase him a bit. He's been running around the house like he's had 5 cups of coffee. Ridiculous!!
Oh -- and the best part.... It's been raining all day -- dark and cold. Caleb decides that it's the perfect day to wake up 1.5 hours BEFORE normal. And Matt -- he's studying. The test is a week from today. THANK GOODNESS!!
My asthma is acting up -- I'm coughing up a lung, and my throat is so sore I can barely talk. Caleb has the same thing -- but it doesn't phase him a bit. He's been running around the house like he's had 5 cups of coffee. Ridiculous!!
Oh -- and the best part.... It's been raining all day -- dark and cold. Caleb decides that it's the perfect day to wake up 1.5 hours BEFORE normal. And Matt -- he's studying. The test is a week from today. THANK GOODNESS!!
Friday, May 25, 2007
It is so not about me....
As a mother, I feel this way often. Actually, what mom doesn't feel this way from time to time??? There are days when I'd love to sleep in for an extra hour, take a bubble bath, scrap, chat on the phone, heck.. even clean the house. But, the reality is... as a mother, I can't do these little things whenever I want and I'm often reminded that...... IT IS SO NOT ABOUT ME. Life is not about what *I* want, it's about what *they* want and need. And the other reality is... I'm so thankful for that. I'm eternally grateful that I have two wonderful, happy kids, and that life is not just about me anymore. It's so much more that... my life is so much better for the two smiling faces I wake up to each morning, and for the little hands that clasp mine as we walk to the park, and for the wet slobbery kisses that I receive each day. Life is so much better for them, knowing them, loving them...
Yesterday morning I started feeling a little under the weather -- sore throat, earache, nagging cough -- just all around yuck. As much as I would have liked to sleep in for an extra 30 minutes, I got up to get ready for Katherine's big day -- OUR big day. It was her last day of preschool. She was so looking forward to the picnic her class was having with all of the parents, showing off her most recent "craft" creations, taking lots of pictures and playing with her friends for the last time before summer break. So I got up early to make her favorite lunch, chicken salad, and got everything ready for her big day.
We were supposed to have a picnic in the park and feed the ducks, but since it was POURING rain, the picnic was moved inside to the gym. I had an hour between the time I brought her to preschool and the time I had to be back for the "picnic". I was *hoping* that she'd let me drop her off at the door, so that I wouldn't have to drag Caleb out in the rain either. Her preschool has a wonderful little drop off system in which I could drive up in a little area, and the assistant teachers take them out of the car and walk them into the classrooms. But no --- she was adamant that I had to walk her in. "Only mommies who don't care about their kids just drop them off and leave" she tells me. "They don't take the time to hug and kiss them goodbye. They don't watch their kids turn their name tag over and say hello to their friends". *SIGH* I try to explain to Katherine that I don't feel well, that I really don't want to haul Caleb out in the downpour, that I still love her with all my heart, but of course, she wouldn't hear of it. So I'm reminded that, IT IS SO NOT ABOUT ME. It doesn't matter that I'm not feeling well and I suspect Caleb is also sick. It's completely irrelevant that it's cold and raining. She wants me to walk her in... So in we all go, the three of us in the rain, huddling under one umbrella and shivering cold.
As soon as I dropped her off at school, Caleb and I ran to Target. I had to pick up a few things for the preschool picnic, and get another gift for her teachers. Thankfully, the rain let up a bit so Caleb and I made a run for it. However by the time we were ready to go it was raining really hard -- as in coming down sideways. I would have loved to wait it out for a few minutes, but since I needed to be back at school, Caleb and I dashed to the car. I had to stand out in the rain so that I could get him buckled in, and by the time I was done, my entire left side was soaking wet. I looked like I stepped out of the shower. It was horrible!! As much as I would have LOVED to run home to change my clothes and dry off, I couldn't. I would have 5 or 10 minutes late for the all important picnic, and I wouldn't do that to Katherine. I just couldn't. So once again I'm reminded... IT'S SO NOT ABOUT ME!! I showed up for the picnic soaking wet and freezing. Let me tell ya -- I looked GREAT! LOL.
Katherine (and Caleb) had a wonderful time at the picnic. Katherine's teacher, Mrs. Schramm, is also a Kindermusic teacher, and since the "picnic" had to be moved inside, we had a big Kindermusic session. Caleb loved it. He played instruments, clapped to the beat, danced, and swayed with the colorful scarves to the beat of the music. The little guy has rhythm!! After lunch, the kids ran around in the gym and played all sorts of wonderful little games.
Later in the day, Caleb started getting really crabby (and not eating) so I suspected that he wasn't feeling well either. Since Dr. Jon doesn't work on Thursdays, I decided to hold off and take him this morning. By the time this morning rolled around, I was feeling HORRIBLE! I tried to get into my doctor, but no such luck.... So I was planning on taking Caleb to Jon's and then heading into the walk-in clinic for myself.
When we saw Jon, he asked the usual questions... How was he feeling, what was wrong, was he eating, etc.... I told him that I wasn't totally sure if he was sick or not, but he wasn't eating as much as usual and was super crabby. I then went on to tell him that I was on my way to the walk-in clinic because I was sick with a sore throat and earache and I suspected that Caleb had what I did. He shot me a this puzzled/confused/dirty look and told me that he was going to take a look at Caleb and Katherine. (Katherine didn't have an appointment). After he looked at the kids he told me to open up. The end result... Caleb and I have strep throat, Katherine is as healthy as can be. So he saved me a trip to the walk-in and wrote me a script. LOVE HIM. Since Matt's taking the big test this weekend, he also got a prescription just in case. I know I've mentioned this before, but I am soooo thankful for Dr. Jon. He's a pediatrician, so technically he's not supposed to treat me, but today he did. And his dirty look.... I soon found out that it was a "don't be ridiculous, I'll help you out" type of look.
Nap time could not come soon enough for me today. I was lusting after sleep like I can't even tell you. I was running a fever, coughing up a lung, and could barely swallow. My head was pounding.... All I wanted to do was to crawl into bed and turn off the lights. But yet again, IT'S SO NOT ABOUT ME. Katherine and Caleb wanted to run around outside, play on the swing set and go for a walk, so I indulged them. But when nap time did come, I took a power nap, and it was wonderful!!
I'm very aware at how quickly the kids will grow up -- and have already grown up. The days that Katherine begs me to walk her into school will fade and her constant need for me to be by her side, will be replaced by her need to fit in with her peers. It won't be every day that Caleb and I can run in the rain and laugh until we cry. I won't have the opportunity every day to watch his little hands stretch to the sky in hopes of catching a raindrop. So, I'm grateful for these days. I'm so very thankful that life is bigger than me, that it's so not about me anymore.... that it's about them.
Yesterday morning I started feeling a little under the weather -- sore throat, earache, nagging cough -- just all around yuck. As much as I would have liked to sleep in for an extra 30 minutes, I got up to get ready for Katherine's big day -- OUR big day. It was her last day of preschool. She was so looking forward to the picnic her class was having with all of the parents, showing off her most recent "craft" creations, taking lots of pictures and playing with her friends for the last time before summer break. So I got up early to make her favorite lunch, chicken salad, and got everything ready for her big day.
We were supposed to have a picnic in the park and feed the ducks, but since it was POURING rain, the picnic was moved inside to the gym. I had an hour between the time I brought her to preschool and the time I had to be back for the "picnic". I was *hoping* that she'd let me drop her off at the door, so that I wouldn't have to drag Caleb out in the rain either. Her preschool has a wonderful little drop off system in which I could drive up in a little area, and the assistant teachers take them out of the car and walk them into the classrooms. But no --- she was adamant that I had to walk her in. "Only mommies who don't care about their kids just drop them off and leave" she tells me. "They don't take the time to hug and kiss them goodbye. They don't watch their kids turn their name tag over and say hello to their friends". *SIGH* I try to explain to Katherine that I don't feel well, that I really don't want to haul Caleb out in the downpour, that I still love her with all my heart, but of course, she wouldn't hear of it. So I'm reminded that, IT IS SO NOT ABOUT ME. It doesn't matter that I'm not feeling well and I suspect Caleb is also sick. It's completely irrelevant that it's cold and raining. She wants me to walk her in... So in we all go, the three of us in the rain, huddling under one umbrella and shivering cold.
As soon as I dropped her off at school, Caleb and I ran to Target. I had to pick up a few things for the preschool picnic, and get another gift for her teachers. Thankfully, the rain let up a bit so Caleb and I made a run for it. However by the time we were ready to go it was raining really hard -- as in coming down sideways. I would have loved to wait it out for a few minutes, but since I needed to be back at school, Caleb and I dashed to the car. I had to stand out in the rain so that I could get him buckled in, and by the time I was done, my entire left side was soaking wet. I looked like I stepped out of the shower. It was horrible!! As much as I would have LOVED to run home to change my clothes and dry off, I couldn't. I would have 5 or 10 minutes late for the all important picnic, and I wouldn't do that to Katherine. I just couldn't. So once again I'm reminded... IT'S SO NOT ABOUT ME!! I showed up for the picnic soaking wet and freezing. Let me tell ya -- I looked GREAT! LOL.
Katherine (and Caleb) had a wonderful time at the picnic. Katherine's teacher, Mrs. Schramm, is also a Kindermusic teacher, and since the "picnic" had to be moved inside, we had a big Kindermusic session. Caleb loved it. He played instruments, clapped to the beat, danced, and swayed with the colorful scarves to the beat of the music. The little guy has rhythm!! After lunch, the kids ran around in the gym and played all sorts of wonderful little games.
Later in the day, Caleb started getting really crabby (and not eating) so I suspected that he wasn't feeling well either. Since Dr. Jon doesn't work on Thursdays, I decided to hold off and take him this morning. By the time this morning rolled around, I was feeling HORRIBLE! I tried to get into my doctor, but no such luck.... So I was planning on taking Caleb to Jon's and then heading into the walk-in clinic for myself.
When we saw Jon, he asked the usual questions... How was he feeling, what was wrong, was he eating, etc.... I told him that I wasn't totally sure if he was sick or not, but he wasn't eating as much as usual and was super crabby. I then went on to tell him that I was on my way to the walk-in clinic because I was sick with a sore throat and earache and I suspected that Caleb had what I did. He shot me a this puzzled/confused/dirty look and told me that he was going to take a look at Caleb and Katherine. (Katherine didn't have an appointment). After he looked at the kids he told me to open up. The end result... Caleb and I have strep throat, Katherine is as healthy as can be. So he saved me a trip to the walk-in and wrote me a script. LOVE HIM. Since Matt's taking the big test this weekend, he also got a prescription just in case. I know I've mentioned this before, but I am soooo thankful for Dr. Jon. He's a pediatrician, so technically he's not supposed to treat me, but today he did. And his dirty look.... I soon found out that it was a "don't be ridiculous, I'll help you out" type of look.
Nap time could not come soon enough for me today. I was lusting after sleep like I can't even tell you. I was running a fever, coughing up a lung, and could barely swallow. My head was pounding.... All I wanted to do was to crawl into bed and turn off the lights. But yet again, IT'S SO NOT ABOUT ME. Katherine and Caleb wanted to run around outside, play on the swing set and go for a walk, so I indulged them. But when nap time did come, I took a power nap, and it was wonderful!!
I'm very aware at how quickly the kids will grow up -- and have already grown up. The days that Katherine begs me to walk her into school will fade and her constant need for me to be by her side, will be replaced by her need to fit in with her peers. It won't be every day that Caleb and I can run in the rain and laugh until we cry. I won't have the opportunity every day to watch his little hands stretch to the sky in hopes of catching a raindrop. So, I'm grateful for these days. I'm so very thankful that life is bigger than me, that it's so not about me anymore.... that it's about them.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Bumps... Bruises... Scrapes.... Scabs
Poor little Caleb looks like he just arrived home from a war zone. His forehead is bruised and swollen, his knees are bloody and scabbed over, and his shins are purple. You hurt all over just looking at him... And you know what??? In typical Caleb fashion, it doesn't seem to bother him a bit. He ran around outside all night tonight ... laughing, playing baseball with 5 of the neighbor boys and went digging in the sandbox as long as we'd let him. He was a bundle of energy and as happy as could be!!
Caleb's long streak of battle wounds started last Thursday. While I was making lunch, Katherine and Caleb were running around the house playing. Caleb was riding on this, and Katherine was pushing him around the kitchen. Then they decided to start running from the living room (the only room on the main level that has carpet -- all of the other rooms are hardwood floors) to the kitchen. Caleb was about 5 steps ahead of Katherine and running toward me. All of a sudden, he trips over his own feet and falls to the floor. The sound of his head bouncing off of the hardwood was chilling. It instantly started turned purple, and within a few minutes it was swollen to about the size of a small walnut. I was scared to death!! He cried for a minute or two and then he was off to play again. But, because of the swelling, I called in to Dr. Jon's office. They gave me the run down of what to look for and after talking to the nurse, we decided that Caleb was probably just fine. Anyway, he still has a pretty good bump and a really ugly purple bruise.
Fast forward to today... It's my aunt's birthday, so after I dropped Katherine off at preschool, Caleb and I met my mom and aunt at Panera's for breakfast. Caleb was in heaven. He ate over half of my cinnamon roll and then downed an entire glass of orange juice. He then decided to modify his new "chair diving" game and bounce off my mom and I in the booth. He thought he was pretty funny.... so funny that he threw his head back and let out a huge belly laugh. We were all laughing with him until his foot slipped and he fell between the bench and table. The result -- a scrape on his arm.
Then, when it was time to go, Caleb and I were walking out, and he decided to stop and chat with a random lady in a nearby booth. When he was done, he ran to catch up with me. I was waiting by the door for him and I'm not sure if his depth perception was off, or if he truly didn't see it, but he ran full speed right into the glass wall (which the door is a part of) and literally bounced off and fell to the ground. He hit his head again pretty good, but wasn't about to let it show. He just looked up at me and said, "N-n-n-n-n-ooooo door. My bum-bum". (Bottom). I picked him up, gave him a kiss and off we went. We left with a scrape on his arm and another bruise on his forehead.
Then tonight.... We were outside playing at Andrea's house. Caleb followed the older boys out of the fence and into Tiffany's yard. For whatever reason, he ran around to the front of the house so I followed him, and started chatting with Carolyn. Caleb was running up and down the sidewalk and all of a sudden took a really good spill. He got up and came running to me with outstretched hands so that I'd kiss them. I noticed that they were really scraped up, but I kissed him and sent him on his way -- he wasn't crying or anything... Anyway, a couple of minutes later, Carolyn and I notice that there is blood running down his leg. He must have skinned his knee really badly when he fell. Poor little guy. It had to hurt! So I took him in the house and cleaned him up. But his legs... they are full of bruises ... one is his knees is bloody and the other was is scabbed over. So glad pictures were taken before this fiasco!
I'll try and take a picture tomorrow of all of his battle wounds. You won't believe how beat-up he looks!
Totally switching subjects, but....
Today was Katherine's last day of preschool. I can't believe how quickly this school year has gone, but at the same time, I'm so ready for summer and am thrilled that she's back with me everyday. When it was time to pick up the kids, Mrs. Schramm had all of the parents come in the room and she gave us these great bags full of goodies! It was full of all sorts of wonderful stuff -- art projects that the kids had made, little notes from them, magnets they made, pictures from the year, etc... Then she walked around and gave all of the parents a scrapbook page that she had made for each of the kids. Talk about thoughtful! I am thrilled that she took the time to make something like that for the kids. It's definitely going in the scrapbook!!
Caleb's long streak of battle wounds started last Thursday. While I was making lunch, Katherine and Caleb were running around the house playing. Caleb was riding on this, and Katherine was pushing him around the kitchen. Then they decided to start running from the living room (the only room on the main level that has carpet -- all of the other rooms are hardwood floors) to the kitchen. Caleb was about 5 steps ahead of Katherine and running toward me. All of a sudden, he trips over his own feet and falls to the floor. The sound of his head bouncing off of the hardwood was chilling. It instantly started turned purple, and within a few minutes it was swollen to about the size of a small walnut. I was scared to death!! He cried for a minute or two and then he was off to play again. But, because of the swelling, I called in to Dr. Jon's office. They gave me the run down of what to look for and after talking to the nurse, we decided that Caleb was probably just fine. Anyway, he still has a pretty good bump and a really ugly purple bruise.
Fast forward to today... It's my aunt's birthday, so after I dropped Katherine off at preschool, Caleb and I met my mom and aunt at Panera's for breakfast. Caleb was in heaven. He ate over half of my cinnamon roll and then downed an entire glass of orange juice. He then decided to modify his new "chair diving" game and bounce off my mom and I in the booth. He thought he was pretty funny.... so funny that he threw his head back and let out a huge belly laugh. We were all laughing with him until his foot slipped and he fell between the bench and table. The result -- a scrape on his arm.
Then, when it was time to go, Caleb and I were walking out, and he decided to stop and chat with a random lady in a nearby booth. When he was done, he ran to catch up with me. I was waiting by the door for him and I'm not sure if his depth perception was off, or if he truly didn't see it, but he ran full speed right into the glass wall (which the door is a part of) and literally bounced off and fell to the ground. He hit his head again pretty good, but wasn't about to let it show. He just looked up at me and said, "N-n-n-n-n-ooooo door. My bum-bum". (Bottom). I picked him up, gave him a kiss and off we went. We left with a scrape on his arm and another bruise on his forehead.
Then tonight.... We were outside playing at Andrea's house. Caleb followed the older boys out of the fence and into Tiffany's yard. For whatever reason, he ran around to the front of the house so I followed him, and started chatting with Carolyn. Caleb was running up and down the sidewalk and all of a sudden took a really good spill. He got up and came running to me with outstretched hands so that I'd kiss them. I noticed that they were really scraped up, but I kissed him and sent him on his way -- he wasn't crying or anything... Anyway, a couple of minutes later, Carolyn and I notice that there is blood running down his leg. He must have skinned his knee really badly when he fell. Poor little guy. It had to hurt! So I took him in the house and cleaned him up. But his legs... they are full of bruises ... one is his knees is bloody and the other was is scabbed over. So glad pictures were taken before this fiasco!
I'll try and take a picture tomorrow of all of his battle wounds. You won't believe how beat-up he looks!
Totally switching subjects, but....
Today was Katherine's last day of preschool. I can't believe how quickly this school year has gone, but at the same time, I'm so ready for summer and am thrilled that she's back with me everyday. When it was time to pick up the kids, Mrs. Schramm had all of the parents come in the room and she gave us these great bags full of goodies! It was full of all sorts of wonderful stuff -- art projects that the kids had made, little notes from them, magnets they made, pictures from the year, etc... Then she walked around and gave all of the parents a scrapbook page that she had made for each of the kids. Talk about thoughtful! I am thrilled that she took the time to make something like that for the kids. It's definitely going in the scrapbook!!
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Challenge...
Kim posted a challenge in her blog. It was listing your favorite things in each room or the main room in your house. Here's mine --
Kitchen --
Bar Keepers Friend... Probably the best cleaning product ever invented. It cleans EVERYTHING and is super cheap.
Magic Erasers -- again, they work wonders. Perfect for almost everything!
The 8 X 10 picture of Katherine and Matt walking in the woods that I have by the sink. Love it!
All Clad pans.
My under the cabinet CD player. Perfect for the kids and I to get our groove on and sing and dance whenever the mood strikes -- which is pretty much all the time!
My ginormous walk in corner pantry.
My cookbooks -- some are sentimental, and some are just plain good (think Ina).
Living room --
the Waterford music box that my mom gave me (Kim -- this is the same music box that I keep one of my little "treasures" in -- Katherine's).
The picture of Matt and I that sits on the bookshelves.
The lamp I got Matt for Christmas one year. It's a Iowa Hawkeye lamp with his name and the year he graduated with his MBA engraved on it.
Scrapbook room (really the formal dining room, but who's keeping track???) --
I love everything about this room. It faces the front of the house and has a huge window, so it's really bright and cheery. It also has all of my scrap supplies which I love, and is filled with pictures -- which again ... I love. It's also the one room in the house that's mine... it's off limits to the kids (unless they are in there with me) and Matt has no interest in patterned paper, eyelets, ribbon, ink, stickers and rubons! It's also where I keep my journals for the kids.
Caleb's room --
The quilt Matt's mom made when he was born.
His chair.
His little silver race car bank.
His growing collection of stuffed Sesame Street characters that he sleeps with -- Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Grover, and Ernie.
Katherine's room --
The quilt Matt's mom made when she was born.
Her books.
Her little gold bracelet. My Grandma, mom and I all wore it in our baby pictures, and I'm hoping she'll pass it along someday.
My bedroom ---
shoes.... shoes..... and more shoes!!
The box of clothes I have saved in my closet. It contains every outfit Katherine has ever had her pictures taken in. I'm still working on Caleb's.
The cross that hangs from the mirror on my dresser. It's nothing valuable, but is something my dad gave me on a trip. It's a constant reminder of a very important lesson he taught me long ago.
The earrings my mom gave me on my wedding day.
Our Drexel furniture. It's the first nice thing Matt and I bought together and I still love it.
Basement - I love the fact that the big screen TV is down there because I can send Matt down to the basement to yell at the TV during football season. We don't have a TV on the main level of the house (GASP, SHOCK, HORROR) so it's easy to banish him to the basement. Now if only it was soundproof!
The little area under the stairs that I'm making for the kids. It's going to be a wonderful little play cove when I'm finished.
It's not really a room of the house, but....
Most of all, I love our neighborhood. It's filled with kids and is a wonderful place for Katherine and Caleb to grow up. Even though we often think about getting a bigger house, neither of us wants to leave this neighborhood, and all the friends we have here.
Kitchen --
Bar Keepers Friend... Probably the best cleaning product ever invented. It cleans EVERYTHING and is super cheap.
Magic Erasers -- again, they work wonders. Perfect for almost everything!
The 8 X 10 picture of Katherine and Matt walking in the woods that I have by the sink. Love it!
All Clad pans.
My under the cabinet CD player. Perfect for the kids and I to get our groove on and sing and dance whenever the mood strikes -- which is pretty much all the time!
My ginormous walk in corner pantry.
My cookbooks -- some are sentimental, and some are just plain good (think Ina).
Living room --
the Waterford music box that my mom gave me (Kim -- this is the same music box that I keep one of my little "treasures" in -- Katherine's).
The picture of Matt and I that sits on the bookshelves.
The lamp I got Matt for Christmas one year. It's a Iowa Hawkeye lamp with his name and the year he graduated with his MBA engraved on it.
Scrapbook room (really the formal dining room, but who's keeping track???) --
I love everything about this room. It faces the front of the house and has a huge window, so it's really bright and cheery. It also has all of my scrap supplies which I love, and is filled with pictures -- which again ... I love. It's also the one room in the house that's mine... it's off limits to the kids (unless they are in there with me) and Matt has no interest in patterned paper, eyelets, ribbon, ink, stickers and rubons! It's also where I keep my journals for the kids.
Caleb's room --
The quilt Matt's mom made when he was born.
His chair.
His little silver race car bank.
His growing collection of stuffed Sesame Street characters that he sleeps with -- Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Grover, and Ernie.
Katherine's room --
The quilt Matt's mom made when she was born.
Her books.
Her little gold bracelet. My Grandma, mom and I all wore it in our baby pictures, and I'm hoping she'll pass it along someday.
My bedroom ---
shoes.... shoes..... and more shoes!!
The box of clothes I have saved in my closet. It contains every outfit Katherine has ever had her pictures taken in. I'm still working on Caleb's.
The cross that hangs from the mirror on my dresser. It's nothing valuable, but is something my dad gave me on a trip. It's a constant reminder of a very important lesson he taught me long ago.
The earrings my mom gave me on my wedding day.
Our Drexel furniture. It's the first nice thing Matt and I bought together and I still love it.
Basement - I love the fact that the big screen TV is down there because I can send Matt down to the basement to yell at the TV during football season. We don't have a TV on the main level of the house (GASP, SHOCK, HORROR) so it's easy to banish him to the basement. Now if only it was soundproof!
The little area under the stairs that I'm making for the kids. It's going to be a wonderful little play cove when I'm finished.
It's not really a room of the house, but....
Most of all, I love our neighborhood. It's filled with kids and is a wonderful place for Katherine and Caleb to grow up. Even though we often think about getting a bigger house, neither of us wants to leave this neighborhood, and all the friends we have here.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Proud Momma Moment....
Today the kids and I went to the zoo with Jodi and Abby (one of my neighbors and her little girl who plays with Katherine). Matt had left early in the morning to study, so the kids and I were on our own for the day. And with such a wonderful warm sunny day, there was NO WAY we were going to be stuck inside!
I've got to brag!! I had such a proud momma moment today! Shortly after we got to the zoo, we went into the Australian exhibit. It's one of those exhibits that you walk into the gate with the emu and wallabies, so they're running all around you. Katherine is a very curious child and we're always talking about totally random stuff. She's got a million questions, so there's NEVER a quiet (or dull) moment! ** And I wouldn't have it any other way!** Anyway, since we were in the Australian exhibit we were talking about animals that carry their babies in pouches (kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, etc...). So I asked her what these types of animals were called, and she proudly answered "marsupials". The grandpa behind me about went into cardiac arrest! He was shocked that she'd know that, and he confessed that he didn't even know what the answer was!!!! LOL!! Katherine just beamed, and told him that her mommy teaches her all kinds of stuff.
By the time we made our way up to the snack bar, the kids were hungry for lunch. While the kids were eating their chicken strips, a male peacock came right up next to Katherine and started pecking at the ground directly next to her chair. His tail bumped into her leg several times and she could have patted him on the head if she would have wanted to. It was insane! I've never been that close to a peacock before.... And Katherine was all giggles! She was in awe of his tail and couldn't believe how huge it was!
I've got to brag!! I had such a proud momma moment today! Shortly after we got to the zoo, we went into the Australian exhibit. It's one of those exhibits that you walk into the gate with the emu and wallabies, so they're running all around you. Katherine is a very curious child and we're always talking about totally random stuff. She's got a million questions, so there's NEVER a quiet (or dull) moment! ** And I wouldn't have it any other way!** Anyway, since we were in the Australian exhibit we were talking about animals that carry their babies in pouches (kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, etc...). So I asked her what these types of animals were called, and she proudly answered "marsupials". The grandpa behind me about went into cardiac arrest! He was shocked that she'd know that, and he confessed that he didn't even know what the answer was!!!! LOL!! Katherine just beamed, and told him that her mommy teaches her all kinds of stuff.
By the time we made our way up to the snack bar, the kids were hungry for lunch. While the kids were eating their chicken strips, a male peacock came right up next to Katherine and started pecking at the ground directly next to her chair. His tail bumped into her leg several times and she could have patted him on the head if she would have wanted to. It was insane! I've never been that close to a peacock before.... And Katherine was all giggles! She was in awe of his tail and couldn't believe how huge it was!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
