Lead Baby

2009-08-20T12:03:00.001-04:00

My, isn't life interesting?

2009-08-19T15:05:00.001-04:00

Barney Frank is my hero!

Historic moments.

2008-08-28T22:26:00.002-04:00

Listening to the speech - cuddled with Victor. Listening to an amazing moment. I don't know if he'll remember it - but he listened for as long as possible before he fell asleep.
Falling asleep with hope tonight.

Little House in Knoxville

2008-08-28T22:24:00.000-04:00

Silly boy

2008-08-22T22:32:00.002-04:00

I get the bike that has been passed down from kid to kid in the neighborhood down from a shelf in the garage...attempt to attach the training wheels. Victor sees it -- COOL! is the response.
We wheel it up to the road. I'm trying to show him how to push with one foot....push with the other foot....round and round...He pushes the brakes more than anything.

After a couple minutes he hops off --"let's go for a walk" he tells me.

Sounds like a plan!

Friday Fill In

2008-08-22T22:26:00.002-04:00

1. Dancing to the chicken dance while at a wedding makes me wish I could tackle the DJ.

2. The last time I had blood drawn I nearly passed out and threw up -- it's an arm, not something to poke and dig around in thank you very much. The bruising is much better.

3. When I drive I listen to NPR and talk too much on the phone.

4. I saw George Clooney standing in my dreams -- ha ha.

5. Give me chocolate, give me sleep, give me hugs.

6. Next week I am looking forward to having time with my buddy Lynn on Monday.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to sleeping and reading, tomorrow my plans include picking up Lynn from the airport & having dinner and Sunday, I want to go to the waterpark on my birthday!

Summer....

2008-08-16T22:55:00.004-04:00

Here - all is well. Victor was afraid of the Goodyear Blimp -- here in town with the PGA tour. He wanted it to get out of the sky. He didn't like it one bit. He does like Vampire Weekend -- singing along to it in time. A happy surprise. He also can sing along with Gnarls Barkley's Crazy too.
He says things like -- this is tasty. I'm starting school again this week -- back to the grind of that.

Happy happy. You can feel fall at times -- but I try not to admit it -- instead pretending summer is here for a little while longer.

Friday Fill-ins

2008-08-08T21:38:00.002-04:00

1. You know you're old when you complain more than celebrate.

2. My heart is divided between watching the Olympics and going to bed.

3. SLEEP is what I need RIGHT NOW!

4. I have felt the wonder of friendship, I have known the depths of caring for and being cared for.

5. Gah, won't these people dance?

6. Smile & laugh as soon as you can!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to watching the opening ceremony of the Olympics , tomorrow my plans include driving to Knoxvillie and Sunday, I want to scrapbook and visit with Paula!

Sandbox Park Disco

2008-08-05T08:19:00.003-04:00

The embend link from YouTube and I have a difference of opinion on what it means..to work! (grrrr)

So please click here to see our adventure at the sandbox park.

Sorry Blog Land

2008-08-03T21:04:00.002-04:00

Sorry I've been slow to post -- I was taking a summer session class which meant
a. more work crammed into a smaller amount of time
b. by the end of work and school, I am really done with the computer
c. sometimes there just isn't enough time in the day.

But here I am now with a little of this and that to report.

First -- it's my third blogserversary -- it was a little over three years ago that I was very pregnant, having had pre-term labor trying to be restful, being that I was the swollen like the girl in Willy Wonka....I wasn't moving too quickly. In blog years, I'm ready for AARP or something. I had started a blog on my observations of moving below the Mason/Dixon Line in 2004, but I did not maintain it.....so this is one I've stuck with (despite the times I don't post now and again).
Thank you dear blog readers for sticking with us -- for following our thrilling and mundane adventures.

Yuri is settling into his life in California. He has a job in Silicon Valley and it seems like it really suits him. He visits my grandparents in Sacramento a couple times a month, which everyone loves. He gets to sleep on a bed (vs. the studio apartment air mattress) and they feed him all weekend. Next weekend he's going camping in Oregon with a friend from work -- I'm glad he's connecting with the folks he's working with (considering it's a small company of 10 or so, I guess it's expected)
We keep connected via Skype and the webcam -- as much as I can get Victor to sit..still...and actually talk to him. Victor will ask about Daddy 100 times a day -- but when I get the 2 of them on the phone, Victor clams up.

The other day Victor and my mom were playing guitar -- my mom maintaining a strong strum while Victor added his little riff -- he was standing towards the closet door -- towards his audience of pants and t-shirts singing his song "I said BOOM BOOM BOOM. I said BOOM BOOM BOOM!" after singing this, dancing and bobbing his head, he would raise his hand and say
"Thank you . Thank you very much. I appreciate it" I think he listens to a lot of Elvis when he's at Erma's house, where he goes to for childcare. He loves music of all types for sure. When he's tired of listening to the headlines of the daily news -- I hear a quiet "Music on please".....wait....listen to Carl Kasell a little more....wait....a little louder now "Music On Please!" and if there is a longer musical interlude on NPR that he doesn't feel is enough music, when it finishes I hear an exasperated toddler voice "Music Please!".

Tonight he helped me make salad -- he loves to to help me cook. The lettuce, truthfully, was on it's last leg -- I picked what was edible from the pile of greens -- and Victor was in charge of the salad spinner and getting it into the bowl. He has been really into imagining he works at Papa John's Pizza, and will tell little stories of cheese, pepperoni, Diet Coke and pizza slices. So as he's telling this story, while he moves the salad from bowl to bowl, the lettuce is looking a little worse. He pulls out a spoon and starts mixing the salad -- quickly turning what was already a little rough....into a lettuce mash. We had cantaloupe for dinner instead.
Yesterday he and I made ice cream cone cupcakes for our fantablous friend Felecia's birthday -- the day should have been renamed "FingerInFrosting Day". All day long he had frosting on his face, on his shirt, on his arms -- but when I asked where he found it: HUH? was the reply. Near the end of the day, we delivered the cupcones to Felecia -- and he was really proud to deliver them.

Victor is still awake right now -- nearly 10pm. Fighting sleep by scratching his spots...asking questions (that I don't answer) and trying to read in the dark. Go to sleep little man. Tomorrow's a new day.

Make you smile -- tear up a little too

2008-07-21T16:45:00.002-04:00

Love this -- it just makes you believe in the world a little more. People are good -- sometimes when you slug through all the headlines, it's easy to loose sight of that a little.

Children's Museum Morning

2008-07-12T23:15:00.003-04:00

I am loving the Flip camera - it's small, easy to use and I was able to make this while I was talking on the phone...well..I do a lot while I talk on the phone (weeding, Christmas tree removal, Christmas lights on the porch) so it's easier than multi-tasking those things. Fun fun.

Some pics of the little man

2008-07-07T22:20:00.002-04:00

4th of July -- really hot at the tennis courts -- wanting to catch the camera -- I'm playing with the fisheye lens

Target...

2008-07-01T21:26:00.002-04:00

Hello Team Target --
I am a loyal and happy Target shopper - choosing you over other stores because of the environment in your store and the great customer service.
Plus my son loves the popcorn -- so we often call it Popcorn Target or Popcorn Place.
I know that part of customer service is having the check out lines work quickly and easily. But I'm sure you are also aware that many families are working to change their behavior by bringing their own bags. If your check out clerks feel pressure to maintain a certain time per transaction, it's difficult for them to provide good customer service when we bring our own bag.
It's important for our environment that we begin to change our habits related to plastic bags (and so much more) -- but if we are greeted with a frustrated employee (who wants to provide good service but is under pressure to maintain a time standard) when the customer brings their own bags - and it doesn't work as smoothly as it would with the normal plastic bag routine, it creates another barrier to changing behavior.
Perhaps there could be a key that could be pressed when a guest brings their own bags - so that if there were 20 seconds too long on the transaction, you would know why.
Perhaps training the staff on how to use the various bags people bring.
Perhaps encouraging staff to place items back into the cart and the guest and arrange it in their bag after the transaction is complete -- I'm not sure what will work for such a large operation as you have.
But I do know -- that having to face a grumpy Target employee, who would normally provide stellar service, because of a change in customer habits for the greater good is too bad.
And it could change if you developed and acted on a plan.
Looking forward to your reply.
All the best - Marie

Photo update

2008-06-28T22:27:00.006-04:00

Things have been a little crazy here - Yuri is in California (he drove there this week -- poor thing is resting before starting his new job in San Jose on Monday). We're here, adjusting to our many changes.

To try and have some smiles - we went to the Tweetsie Railroad today. It's an old fashioned amusement park -- lots of cowboys and indians (I guess they haven't read A People's History) and simple rides that are big hits for the toddler set. And....today...was....Bob the Builder Day. I envisioned a day of frolic, where there was no wining, no crying and only cotton candy and fairy tales -- it was pretty good. Yes, we had crying and some wining -- and we skipped the cotton candy -- but we had fun! And we laughed. And we smiled. It was a good day.

Mom and I thought we were at an Obama rally with all the YES WE CAN!'s that were shouted. Before we got to Tweetsie -- I asked Victor who he was going to see today -- Obama was the reply.

They had all sorts of equipment out by the Bob area --- which of course we thought was for kids to check out....well....someone didn't realize that if they park a tractor by a toddler play area, that maybe kids will play on it...and maybe if they didn't want kids climbing on it -- it might be a good idea to park it some place else. Before we got shut down, we did enjoy the machines.

He was pleasently surprised when the play started going up!

This picture so captures Victor -- having hi to the people below -- saying 'Hi! How You Doing?!' to them all. I saw it and I got a little teary. I speaks of hope to me -- and it reminds me that for all the tough times we've been slugging through -- it's going to be ok.

Seattle Tastey Treat

2008-06-17T18:03:00.002-04:00

I've been enjoying my time in Seattle -- savoring, thinking and just taking time. to. be.

One thing that I've enjoyed is all the little bites that are passed around at events -- here's one that I really enjoyed

Poached pears in slices
Creamed Blue cheese atop rye bread. So so yummmy.

Will post pictures before long.

Swimmy

2008-06-16T00:26:00.004-04:00

That smile ---- because of candy.....as part of the reward for letting me dress him in a dorky outfit and cut his hair. Simple pleasures for the toddler set.

Interpretive dance with Victor.

I'm traveling -- in Seattle for a conference --- nice to get away -- but I sure miss this little man.

I'm already scouting out cool things to bring home for the little guy.

Uncle Nick

2008-06-15T16:20:00.002-04:00

Uncle Nick is in Ireland playing rugby --

He's number 15 -- and makes a great breakaway score.

Airplane Playlist

2008-06-14T07:46:00.001-04:00

Garbage trucks are even cooler -- but just in case you want to see some airplanes.

Garbage Truck Playlist

2008-06-14T07:45:00.001-04:00

Love YouTube....this is one of our favorites.

Sweetness

2008-06-12T21:28:00.003-04:00

As we were eating dinner with Sarah and Emma, I winked at Victor. So he started blinking his eyes over and over.

It's thunder.

It's lightening.

I make rain."

I tried it -- when you do that a lot, it does have storm qualities to it.

Learn something new everyday -- delighted to learn with him.

After dinner (thank you Sarah!) we went for a walk. The kids rolled on bikes and trikes. Victor managed to roll down the big hill on his own, without stopping. Yaa hoo!

He found a pack of older girls (like 6 years old) and started keeping up with them. Big kids.....

The other night Yuri and I went to see REM - and like most concerts these days - it made for interesting people watching. The twenty year old acting drunk. The EMO boys with mesh arm bands, t-shirts and ties. The dad sleeping next to the EMO boys. The stripper and her girlfriend dancing in front of a delighted group of preppy (but just edgy enough) frat boys.

What I thought about as I watched all these people -- was what story do they have to tell? I know behind our doors a new story is unfolding -- one that unless I filled you in, you might not guess it. What would I be surprised about these people's lives? What are they facing that they didn't expect or plan for? What are their worries, joys, dreams and fears? I watched the hippie mom toss the football with her son. The tan, blond guy who some how reminded me of Dazed and Confused. As I watched and overheard their conversation's - I would imagine what their lives are like -- make up a little story of what their day was like and what they'll do after the show. I always grump at myself for not remembering a notebook - because there are so many observations to be made. When I was younger -- I supposed I wanted to be seen and noticed -- now I'm happy to observe and take it all in (and hope that I'll toss the football with Victor when I take him and some friends to a concert -- to see a band we both like).

2008-06-06T20:58:00.002-04:00

1. Idle hands are available to give me a massage.
2. I love to think about my day in the shower.
3. My favorite time of the day is when we are laughing and enjoying being together.
4. The last tea I drank was mint/lemon/decaf tea -- yummy.
5. I like to go to freezing cold movies, eat ice cream, swim, stay up late and eat peaches in the Summer.
6. My mother always said I love you.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to editing pictures and staying cool, tomorrow my plans include a 3 year old's pool party and Sunday, I want to enjoy Baden's 2nd b-day and go to the farmer's market.

Listening to Dreams

2008-06-04T21:44:00.003-04:00

Victor is asleep next to me. After rubbing my ear and singing the banana phone song and making a sleepy attempt at jumping on the bed.....after all of that....he's drifted off.
His little body curled like a fiddlehead.
Toddler coos and single words come out --- juice.......play.....then a second of laughther.
I've tried to explain to him what dreaming is -- the movies you watch while you're asleep, but I'm not sure he understands it yet.
But he did wake up the other day and ask to be Emma's brother -- love that. I love his heart. Chock'full'a'sweetness the boy is.

Summer has arrived in North Carolina. It's in the 90's but with the breeze today - I almost felt like I was in Hawaii again. I'm trying to be outside with him more in the evening. Running, spraying water, trying to get the last bit of energy out so bedtime is a little easier.

At the end of these hot days, he stinks. Like boy. Sweat. Dirt. Sand. Dried juice and food. All mixed together to make boy smell. He needs a bath everyday. He leaves dirt in the bath everyday -- there was a ring around the bath on Monday. His head was so dirty with red Carolina clay I had to wash it twice.

Love this dirty boy.

Let's play a little

2008-06-02T17:04:00.004-04:00

1. Marie A ntoinette in BHC set :), 2. I give you... DrupliBacon™, 3. High School sign,
4. Sunset at Haystack, 5. Colin_Firth_003, 6. Sunday confessional...,
7. Milan Train Station at Midnight, 8. Raspberry - Swirl Cheesecake, 9. Story Corps Girl,
10. The Joy of Life, 11. Step by step… steadily ♫♫, 12. IMG_0163

The concept:
a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd's mosaic maker).
The Questions:
1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What high school did you go to?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. Favorite drink?
7. Dream vacation?
8. Favorite dessert?
9. What you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. One Word to describe you.
12. Your flickr name

Off to Photograph

2008-05-31T12:03:00.002-04:00

Victor and our buddy Felecia are headed to West Jefferson to take pictures at the last wedding I have booked at this point. This has been a lot of fun -- it's been wonderful to be part of the big day for these friends, it's been fun to see how many different ways people do the day, what they bring to it, how many ways to celebrate the love people share. It's gotten less stressful for me too -- I have a little better idea of how to go about it which is good. Learning little by little.
I don't have anything else coming down the pike -- with all the transition in our lives, I'm going to wait until the dust settles a little.

Musical Memoirs

2008-05-30T22:10:00.004-04:00

Since my creative well is a little low -- but my extroverted nature still wants to chat -- a prompt is in order.

Here's one that I enjoyed thinking about --

From Music Memoirs

Remember name the first song/artist/album etc that you think of when you see these 10 words.

Country: She thinks my tractor's sexy -- of course I've only heard this song in the grocery store -- but it has some serious ear worm qualities -- I'll be singing it as I try to go to sleep tonight.

Patriotic: Star Spangled Banner -- followed by This Land is Your Land -- I had to sing SSB at my high school graduation -- anyone who was there would let you know it wasn't a good moment to have hearing. I still tear up when I hear that song -- but more out of my own embarrassed self than anything else.

Summer: Summertime -- by Will Smith

Heat: Hot in Here -- Last time I was in Key West that was the song that was on repeat there -- as you walked by nearly every store front "I'm getting so hot...I'm going to take my clothes off" was what you heard.

Fun: The Poopsmith Song -- I love this song. It's always so fun to sing along to -- and I love potty humor. I hope you do too.

Beach: Rockaway Beach -- I heard this song the other day - and it amazed me how cutting edge it was at the time -- and now my toddler likes it.

Surf: The surf music from Pulp Fiction --

Park: Saturday in the Park by Chicago -- I had to sing this song in chorus in high school -- I don't know if I had ever heard it before -- but I hear it all the time now.

Live: In the Name of Love by U2 -- love that song live.

South: Sweet Home Alabama and Carolina on my Mind

Friday Fill-Ins

2008-05-30T21:52:00.002-04:00

1. For me excuses are the opposite of creativity (because it's often with excuses that we stop creating -- I know it happens to me.
2. Firefly Lane was the last excellent book I read.
3. I like fill-ins because I loved MadLibs as a kid, and fill-in's have a wonderful madlibby quality to them.
4. In nature I like looking at water moving -- waves crashing, rivers flowing, currents -- love water.
5. Obama (!!!!) should win the US elections.
6. The last time I laughed with all my belly was when I thought I broke the fancy coffee machine at work -- it made a popping noise and coffee started pouring out the bottom of the machine -- I laughed so hard I needed my inhaler.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching Bob the Builder,
tomorrow my plans include taking pictures at Kelly's wedding and Sunday, I want to relax!

Tagtastic 7 + 7

2008-05-27T20:41:00.003-04:00

I've been tagged -- which is nice b/c it gives me something to write about -- so here are the rules I'm following (since I was tagged twice I'll share 14 things -- but still stick with tagging 7 people) If you are one of my lucky 7 below then you need to also do the following:
1. Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
Here are my 14:

1. I have to read before bed....even if it's reading an Time magazine from 2 years ago....gotta read something. I'm a chronic bathroom reader too -- I'll read shampoo bottles if there's nothing else.

2. I have a size 12 foot.....which means I should be tall.....someone forgot to give me that memo.

3. I once bought a carp from the neighborhood traveling fish monger. I thought I was getting something tropical. We put it in the bathtub and tried to convince my mom we should keep it.

4. I only liked FunDip Lickastick because I thought it was a good value for my 50 cents...it made my tongue bleed and didn't really taste good.

5. Whenever I planned to run away I always packed my library card.

6. I stink at math. Really stink. It's a good thing I taught 5th grade math -- because after that...it was all greek to me.

7. I met and lobbied Sen. Kennedy in 1996. His office called me days later to invite me to testify before the Senate about higher education funding -- and when I answered the phone I nearly hung up because I thought it was a joke. (I didn't get to go because a student from the late, great Sen. Wellstone's state went instead)

8. I didn't know Boy George was gay.

9. I don't like true-crime or creepy TV shows. Nope. Not one bit. I do like cheesy reality tv most of the time.

10. But I love following the news. Love love love NPR. I want to work at NPR or at least get a photo taken in front of the headquarters.

11. When I used to petition, I used it as an excuse to talk to all the hot guys that normally wouldn't talk to me. Amazing what a clipboard will do.

12. I've taken the Greyhound across the country twice (Vermont to Seattle, Nevada to Vermont) -- it was long but amazing. I think every 19 year old should do it at least once.

13. I've never been to Europe but I've been to lots of states....but not overseas. Humm. Maybe tomorrow I'll get a scratch ticket.

14. I firmly believe that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger and my cup is half full (even when someone knocks it over and the glass breaks) --- but it's through support, love and laughter I can keep my head above water.

14.5 Being honest about the struggles we're facing has amazed me -- so many people are in the same boat or have had something along the same lines come their way -- it's a comfort to know.

Tagged:
Sarah
Helen
TravelGirl
Lisa
CraftyLibrarian
Elise
LisaG

Toddler Talk

2008-05-25T21:24:00.003-04:00

These days Victor is talking up a storm -- from the time when we were counting on our hands the words he knows (and uses) to now -- when he knows things like candidate, drizzle and tornado. It's been an amazing transformation. In October, the county speech professionals came and started services -- a few months ago he graduated from those and has become a chatter box.
That taught me a couple things -- go with my instinct -- even if people think my instinct would be not not worry about it (it wasn't). I know that getting a little help here and there does us all some good -- and it certainly didn't hurt Victor. Having Ms. Carla come was as much about training us as it was helping Victor get words out of us mouth. It helped us better notice the subtle changes he had from week to week -- that in the blur of life, I might have just not noticed.
It also taught me the benefit of having more than one person worry about your kiddo. There is so much to worry about - so many plates to keep in the air -- that if you have a worry about your little person (or any person really) get someone else on board to watch and worry with you. Having the speech therapist helped me know that someone else was watching out for that piece that I wasn't 100% sure about -- so I could worry about other things, like how to catch him or where to find a train to watch or which roads at the airport give us the best views of landing and taking off.

Of course many of you are wondering why is she writing about speech when there are so many other things on your plate that we want to know about.....well, as I was putting little man to bed, as he reached over and stroked my arm and said "I love you Momma" -- I was so thankful that he's talking, expressing himself and sharing his heart with us. It's a gift and we're thankful for it.

Friday Fill-In

2008-05-16T07:55:00.002-04:00

1. There is absolutely NO way you can get me to be a pole dancer!

2. Strawberries and cutting the lawn reminds me that summer is almost here!

3. I cannot live without my family -- even if they make me crazy at the same time.

4. Riding in a hot air balloon and writing a book are two things I'd like to try.

5. When life hands you lemons you make lemon bars.

6. Cooking and organizing my books are my favorite childhood memories.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to visiting with Sarah, David and Emma, tomorrow my plans include getting clothes for Yuri's interviews and Sunday, I want to go to the farmer's market!

Keep on keeping on

2008-05-14T12:12:00.004-04:00

It's been a week since our lives have been shaken up - and we're doing ok. It's not easy not knowing what's going to happen next (I'm a planner....I like to know) but we all feel positive that good will come.

As I sat in the meeting, where they brought everyone in and told them their employment was no longer needed - people we had gotten to know over the years were in the room with us - I was thankful that Yuri has his GreenCard -- friends on H1B Visas have a very small window to find new work or go back to their home country. I was thankful I didn't work there too -- we have friends that both husband and wife lost their job. I am still thankful that Yuri has a great attitude and is working hard getting himself out there in the job market. Calls are coming in, phone interviews are being had. We don't know where all this will take us -- San Deigo, San Jose, Dallas, Portland --- hard to know.

It hasn't been easy on Victor - he knows something is up. He absorbs the stress like a little sponge it seems -- which is means he's been showing us his toddler side a little more clearly (No!...I want candy....I want it....Go that way.....Please hold you). He wants to be held. He wants to stay connected - so I've made dinner with him on my back. I've mowed the lawn with him in the backpack. It's not easy to remember the big picture -- that he doesn't know, he doesn't understand stress, he is being normal -- but a couple deep breaths - and I take care of us both.

This is very much a one foot in front of the other time of our lives.

For sure.

Hitting the Fan

2008-05-06T21:42:00.002-04:00

My husband's been laid off.
We are dealing with some really big issues.
Global warming is very real.
Gas prices...arg.
Can we sell the house if we have to?
Where will we land next?

Perfect time to eat Cheetos in bed with your toddler.

A weekly holiday in our house.

2008-05-01T08:44:00.002-04:00

Like most homes where a toddler is running around - trash day is a special day.

Here's what it looks like at our house.

Victor can be completely asleep - but the moment the sounds of the garbage trucks rumbling can be heard.....he's running downstairs like the wind. Yuri or I shuffle downstairs and close an eye on the couch while the recyling truck and then the trash truck moves along the road.

I love how this window is just the right size for him right now. There will be a time when he looks at this little window and won't believe he could stand in it. Easily.

The hard part of trash day is post-pick up, when Victor wants to play with the trash cans, which are generally gross and stinky. And not just ours. The other day he walked through our yard, to the neighbors, pulled their trash can over and got inside. Yuck.

Once he can handle it a little better, we'll redirect this interest into a little business where he'll pull the trash out and return the cans for people. That would be better than just hanging out inside the cans.

Cleanie cleanie

2008-04-24T16:07:00.003-04:00

You can go and do a little touch down dance -- you can praise and thank -- you can hug and smile.
My head is clot free.
Nothing clogging my head.
Yaa hooo!
I love it when the nurse calls.
You see the office number on the caller ID....your heart skips a beat....you feel mildly sick to your stomach. And nervously, answer...."Hello?"
"Hello -- it's Ronda from Dr. T's office, he wanted you to know everything is clear. Your scan came back normal."
"Normal?! Normal?! That's awesome! Thank you so much!"
When the nurse calls and they don't call to schedule an appointment to go over the results, you start to brighten.
When the nurse calls to just give you results, you do a little excited dance while cleaning the sink.
I've been given an all clear signal.
I celebrated the best way I know how --- I snuggled close to Victor, listening to his sweet breath and took a nap.
Recharged, I'm ready to dance.

Some little man love

2008-04-23T14:06:00.006-04:00

I am home with Victor today - he's sick and pretty low-key. But he's happy to watch a video and look at his garbage truck.

Here's some pictures from when he's feeling better.
Playing toss the diaper when he thought he should be able to run around naked.

Happy when my mom thought what the heck -- and threw it right back at him (it was a pee diaper in case you worried).

Some more pictures to come from Victor's attempt at being a ring bearer.

Me and my head

2008-04-23T11:18:00.002-04:00

Well...it's time to come clean here in blog land. The last month I've had some worrying health junk come my way, and in my New Englandness I've put my head down and gotten to work. Like if I posted here, I might unravel the worry, fear and concern. But if I just keep going at daily life I won't think about what's on the table.

Here's what's happening and how we got here.

In March, I had an appointment with an audiologist - my left ear is going numb/tingling/ants are crawling out of it -- with a family history of deafness, I figured I was losing some hearing. Nope hearing is great but "that's strange" the doc said, and recommended I visit the ear, nose and throat doc.

About a week later - I got to visit with him. In the 3 minute visit he looked in all the holes my head has and said that 'well, it could be tumor or just something strange'...hummm. Not a lot of information about the chances of anything, just a huge WHAT IF for you to play with for a while. Have a nice day.

So a couple days later I had an MRI -- an hour of clanking and banging in a tube that makes you feel like you are about to get launched in to outer space. After I confirmed that it was not a rodent running in my head, I was on my way -- to hang out with the WHAT IF's for another week or so.
Towards the end of the week when I called to see if there was any information I got the delightful receptionist....My name is Marie, I had an MRI on Tuesday, I wondered if there was any results'
Sigh....hufff....sighhhhh...It's going to be 48-72 hours before we get the report, then we'll call you.
Well, it's been 3 days, and I haven't heard anything. It would be great not to worry for the weekend.
Sigh...the doctor is in surgery. You'll have to call back this afternoon.
So I call back - he's out for the weekend (imagine that). Finally on Monday I get some results. There's no tumor, but the blood in my head in collecting in a funny way. He's going to consult a neurologist to see - if it's just a normal "every one's made differently" or it's something to be worried about. He calls back to recommend I meet with the neurologist to get some more information and see what needs to be done next.

It's now April 17th. Our anniversary. We get to visit the Neurologist. (Who happens to be a hot Italian Orlando Bloom type - who can pull off a soul patch nicely - simple pleasures). He explains that it's a blood clot that is in my head, in the vein that lets the blood flow out of my brain. It seems like my body has adapted to this by taking some of the smaller veins and rerouting to use those. I'm a-typical in that I'm not having symptoms (knock on wood) like seizures, thunderclap head aches, stoke, etc. -- I feel what I think is normal.
He poked me with toothpicks to see if there's a difference in sensation from side to side, checked reflexes, put cold things on my skin, looked into my brain via my eyes and generally was hot during the exam.
He showed me the MRI - a normal person's head and my head. The vein that leaves is black, not normal. The smaller veins are larger than normal. To compare the two pictures, it was pretty clear to me that there was a difference.
He wanted to do an MRV (looking at the veins) to confirm what he thought was going on, and see the extent of what's up. That was yesterday. So hopefully by the end of the week I'll know some more.
I would get to work with another doctor if there is a need for greater treatment. I liked that my doctor consulted with the other docs in the practice before meeting with me to review my films, since it's not an everyday case. I also liked that he said I would be out of his treatment comfort zone and would refer me to someone he trusted and knew would be able to take this on.
The issue is called sagittal sinus thrombosis - here's an article from Wikipedia.
The treatments are blood thinners, shunts, poking like they would in the heart but there isn't much information I've found out there that is easy to understand or outlines what to expect. Most of the articles are technical, or sad (like they discovered it after the person died) or the person presents in a typical way (like having a seizure that can only be stopped by putting them into a drug induced coma) so I've stopped looking around there. It just makes me more freaked out.

My worries are -- can the clot easily get dislodged? Should I avoid roller coasters or the water park slides? Can I ride an airplane? Can I have more little people? Once this clears up, can it come back? Why did this happen? Where did it come from? What the heck!

Do you know when you hear about someone having lice - and then your head starts to itch? That's what's happening to me these days - but every twinge or rattle in my head...is that a stoke....what's happening in there? I look in the mirror --- are my eyes both looking the same? Why did I just walk into that corner? (oh....I guess I always was a klutz)

To add to the fun and games - layoff rumors are flying around Yuri's work. Numbers like 20% are being thrown around. Makes us all a little nervous. Luckily, my work offers health care, so if it all flies at us at once - we can take care of the basics that way.

So that's the long and the short of it - I have had a lot of say - but haven't had the focus, energy or discipline to really put it all into words. To admit it in words makes it even more real than just talking "oh, I'm doing great, not worried". Actually, it's a little scary. It's like it's happening to someone else I know. It's makes me want to drink up each day and put my worry on a shelf. I try to do that. I lament when I mow the lawn (can I still do that?...humm) but I think this has likely been there for a while, and I've been ok. I will be ok. Ok. And that's fine with me.

Friday Fill-In

2008-04-18T15:21:00.003-04:00

Getting back into the blog habit these days....here's an easy way to get rolling.

1. The last time I lost my temper I said dirty words!
2. My eye twitching....I'm fed up with the twitch!
3. The next book I'd like to read is The Middle Place -- check out Kelly at the Half Full Blog
4. Victor feeling better and more answers for me...that's what I'm looking forward to.
5. If you can't get rid of the skeleton[s] in your closet, you should find creative ways to come clean!
6. The best thing I got in the mail recently was an unexpected promotional copy of Peony in Love .
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to the rehearsal dinner for the Felecia's mom's wedding, tomorrow my plans include the actual wedding and Sunday, I want to take a deep breath!

Friday Fill-Ins: Friday Fill In #68

TV....turn it off...for a week

2008-04-13T09:47:00.002-04:00

I was reading The Not Quite Crunchy Parent and was thinking about her ideas about turning off the tv (good stuff if you have a moment to check it out) and trying to reduce the amount of time the tv is on over all. We aren't crazy tv junkies - but we do have some favorites on DVR.
We're going to give it a shot.
Here are some ideas of what we could do during that week of no tv...

Read books
Paint with watercolors
Pull good stuff from the magazine pile
Go or walks
Plant more things

We'll see if we can manage not to use the "here watch this train movie" during those special moments of toddler parenting.

Gratitude ....

2008-04-06T21:55:00.002-04:00

To be written.

I am getting a little tired of looking at my computer...not the best time to feel thankful.

No Books in 2008.....

2008-04-06T21:38:00.003-04:00

In case you don't remember - I have committed to not buy any new books in 2008.

I've been able to stick to this so far - but I have figured out some ways to keep track of the books I would like to read once the year is wrapped up. I have my librarything and goodreads account that I can toss a title in as a "to-be read". I've also been using WorldCat.org as another way to keep titles -- and so I can see if the book is available in a library. I've been using the library a lot -- I have been using their request system a ton, so I've been able to get to lots of the newer titles people have been talking about (as long as I'm not on a to-be-read timeline).

I did buy 4 books for various book clubs that I'm in --- I did try to find them from the library or from other people first, but a couple of the more off the beaten trail books weren't available. I still read Publisher's Weekly, Entertainment Weekly's book section, and Bookreporter -- but rather than hoping I'll get to an interesting book right away....I have to wait and savor the book I am reading today.

I have also been lucky enough to get 4 books so far this year to review from publishers (Early Reviewers from Librarything and another one just arrived on my doorstep) - perhaps the UPS man will bring me something to read tomorrow.

A couple books have been given to me as well - 2 so far this year. (Thank YOU!). I guess I could have put them on a shelf until 09...but that just seems silly. They are in my house - they will be read.

Go Update....

2008-04-06T21:15:00.003-04:00

I have tried hard to make GO! part of my daily and weekly routine - this was part of my 2oo8 commitments. My had a goal to try to fit activity into my life as a way to get fit and hopefully find myself a little smaller by the end of the year.
Like most things, it's about getting into a routine. Getting used to a new way of feeling and spending time. So far, I have made it to the gym at least once a week most weeks...which isn't going to get me a gold star.... Part of our progress that has been exciting -- Victor enjoys going to "gym-playground", so I don't feel sad when I leave him there screaming and grabbing for us. We have been going to the park and outside more (with sir moves a lot it's just the way we have to be) and I try to play with little man as much as possible (which also keeps him from launching himself off the top decks of the play structure).
I need to recommit myself to this - try to go twice a week and go for a walk at least 4 other times. I don't expect or need to be on an alternate on the Olympic track team, but I would like to be able to keep up with Victor even better.
I'm going to a Run/Stroll/Walk 5K with Victor that will help the YWCA of Greensboro in a couple weeks....one step in front of the other...I'll GO!

Still here...

2008-04-02T21:57:00.002-04:00

I'm working on my homework right now....sleepy and ready for bed, I thought I would let me e-family know we're still here. ;)

Here's a couple things to share --

Last night, at dinner, we were talking about the dismal economic news and Victor shook his head and sadly said "Economics"...
Surprised we asked if he was worried about the current state of the economy?
"Yes." with a fore lorn tone.
I asked "Who do you think can fix it?"
Seriously he said "Obama. 'Bama for president."
Yuri was shocked -- "How does he know this stuff?!"
I guess making him listen to NPR all the time does something.......
This morning at breakfast, while we watched the Today Show, he pointed and said "Clinton", "Obama" and then when they showed McCain "Candidate"...so in the spirit of bipartisanship, I've been teaching him to say McCain.

Victor thinks everyone has a penis. He isn't really understanding the difference between girls and boys these days. I have to remind him that girls have girl parts, but he usually replies "penis!" It's fun when he tells this to people we don't really know.

I am shooting 3 weddings this spring! Crazy! They are all friends, they are all kind people who don't have an ounce of bridezilla in them -- so I am looking forward to capturing their day. Maybe this is something that will grow further.....but no bridezilla's...can I have that on a business card?

To-do's this weekend:

Go update
Gratitude catch up (bottled up thanks inside me for sure!)
No Book buying challenge update
General Victorness

Back Home

2008-03-23T20:33:00.006-04:00

We went to Como, North Carolina to visit Sarah's family -- it was a joy for us all. Victor loved the freedom to RUN RUN RUN and see tractors (!!!) I loved the quiet and the space that rural living brings. I also really loved getting to meet Sarah's family -- place names and faces together - and I loved how welcoming they were to me and Victor. I had 101 blog posts in my mind throughout the weekend - thoughts of traveling with toddlers, fun with kids in the woods, letting kids find their own fun, books and other thoughts - but like most times, alas, I didn't jot those ideas down (gotta get better at that).

Victor got to drive a tractor with Uncle Sammy -- who he loves and wants to visit again.

They farm cotton, peanuts, corn, soybeans and winter wheat - so there was a ton of wonderful equipment to look at, touch and just be near.

There was a wonderful amount of time for outside time, enjoyment of fresh air and running. The wonderful gift of the country -- space to run without a parent right on top of you. Victor found the trail the dogs made between the houses through the fields and happily ran along the path.

Friday Fill-in

2008-03-14T08:59:00.003-04:00

1. Contact may cause hives, redness and swelling.
2. The parties hereto do mutually agree smile, laugh and have fun.
3. Disney parks sound like a perfect place to visit before too long.
4. A hot tub sounds really good right about now!
5. I positively love the sweet smell of spring in the air lately.
6. A Venti Coffee always makes me smile :-)
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to scrapbooking at CCL, tomorrow my plans include enjoying the day and Sunday, I want to go to the zoo with Rich, Val and Enzo!

Top 20 Things Victor Loves Now

2008-03-13T21:00:00.002-04:00

I've been thinking a lot and noticing how Victor continues to share more of who is he and what he enjoys. In the spirit of not wanting to forget, wanting to share and marvel - here are some things he really likes right now.

1. Airplanes & the airport

2. YouTube videos of Garbage Trucks (bless the people who tape these things too!)

3. Daddy's ear and ears in general

4. His monster truck bike - the push bike he got from Lynn last year for Christmas

5. Cooking -- chopping mushrooms and making pizza

6. Watching videos in his big cozy chair

7. Being outside!

8. Playing with recycling

9. Looking at trucks -- basically anything that moves

10. Visiting with friends

11. Looking at books

12. Baba, paci, bobo

13. Being tickled

14. Playing with water in the sink -- or at least until mommy freaks out about all the water on the floor

15. Going to the park

16. Listening to music (he's moved on from NPR and requests music now)

17. Asking "How are you doing this morning?"

18. Playing his harmonica

19. Get the mail

20. Going to chicken place -- ie: Chik-Fil-A

There's also -- painting, calling friends and laughing into the phone while running away from mommy with the cell phone, flushing pacis down the toilet (this has happened 3 times), saying "Ohhhh-weeee STINKKY!" when something smells, farts and burps (is it genetic, is it a boy thing, is it all of the above?), getting dirty, watering plants, looking at pictures of snakes (he's a little freaked about going to the zoo and having to actually see a snake), did I mention YouTube?!

Two isn't easy - but it's really a lot of fun - I feel like being around Victor these days has helped me to be more in touch with my creativity, my sense of fun and happiness. Two is like the weather -- it can be so blissfully lovely - it can be pretty gray and sad -- but 9 times of out 10 -- wait 20 minutes and it will be different.

Pictures...at last! Some pictures.

2008-03-08T22:13:00.008-05:00

I know this picture isn't perfect - but it captures his joy after he belly flopped into the puddle. He was soaked...and we all loved it.

Victor love to splash......

I received some feedback that I've been a little slack with photos...so here's some photo fun for you.

At a sheep farm - we used all means possible to keep the boy away from the electric fence and the rooster that liked to peck.

Love our way

2008-03-05T14:08:00.002-05:00

Yuri's meeting gets cancelled because the participants are stuck in Detroit. They cancelled the meeting -- but never cancelled the catered lunch.

I get a call – he’s explaining -- excitedly this culinary find. He’s really excited by this mistake.

An email follow up: I will let you know if there will be any leftovers.

Followed by: We are all set with the dinner tonight: three different salads and three sandwiches.
Do you want me to grab one more sandwich for the bug?

I replied – That would be great!

He calls a little while later – excited still..maybe even a little out of breath – “Do you want cookies? There are cookies!” He doesn’t like cookies – but he got 5 for us.

This is an example of our kind of love. It’s not about butterflies and rainbows, but everyday little ways to make life good.

Need a laugh?

2008-03-02T11:27:00.002-05:00

If you're not going to be offended ...... click here. It's a reponse to something you might have already seen --- if not...click here.
It just made me laugh...

Need to see a movie -- go rent "Once" -- it won an Oscar for best song. We saw it a while ago and it was the type of movie you rewind and watch it again right then.

Gratitude Week 8

2008-02-25T20:24:00.003-05:00

No image this week -- there isn't one that fits all of this just right. But I am thankful for laughter because we've been laughing a lot these days.

Here are a couple reasons we've been laughing lately ---

The other day a woman I work with asked if I wanted to stuffed raccoon.

She had won it at a local grocery store, they were having some sort of promotion she had thrown her name in.

"A stuffed raccoon? Really?"

"Yeah, it stands about 3 feet tall. It's standing on its hind legs, but it falls over now and again."

"Humm, that's pretty tall. Is it scary? Does it smell?"

At this point another co-worker chimes in "Taxidermy doesn't smell when it's done right."

"No it doesn't smell, but it does need to be vacuumed now and again. And it has a 3 foot tail."

You can imagine what I'm picturing -- a raccoon on its hind legs, snarling, teeth bared with a huge tail attached to some type of wooden base.

"I bet Victor would be interested in the racccoon for a little while. Could we give it to the daycare or the environmental center once we're done having it around the house?"

That's when she understood that I had misunderstood -- "Marie - this is the raccoon from the movie from the movie Pocahontas."

I was a little dense, I suppose "Wow -- a raccoon from the set! That's really cool, a real movie set animal. You got this from the grocery store? You live in the country, so they have taxidermists that give things like this away -- Cool!"

"Marie - Pocahontas - the Disney movie - a cartoon."

Light bulb goes off....we aren't talking about a stuffed, formally alive raccoon...we're talking about a giant stuffed animal -- a toy.

Not the balding taxidermy raccoon I had pictured but a happy stuffed raccoon, known as Meeko from the Disney movie.

On the day Jean brought Meeko to the library (where I work -- in a corporate library for an international leadership organization, not a place where large stuffed animals normally appear), many people stopped by and laughed about my confusion. We had Meeko doing story time with the favorite Wikinomics, although most patrons requested the nap time and cookies session Meeko was going to lead @ 1pm.

Needless to say, now that Meeko is home, Victor is completely in love with Meeko and greets him each morning with a hug and a happy "Good Morning Meeko!".

Edited to add: Felecia was reading this at work and said, "Marie, you forgot about the eye! That's when I joined the converstation."

"Really? What was being said?"

"You asked something like -- humm what's the eye made out of, glass? Is it safe? And Jean said, oh they are large plastic eyes, totally safe for kids."

Needless to say we laughed until we turned red, again....and I like it that way.

Friday Fill-in

2008-02-22T17:51:00.002-05:00

For when you're not able to think of what to write on a Friday afternoon - this website has some ideas.

It's just what I'm needing today -- a little prompt to get me rolling.

1. Having a good excuse to go to Starbucks more than once a day is the best thing about traveling.

2. I love a good hot bath and a heating pad when I'm cold.

3. I often use Napster to find awesome kids music that does make me want to scream.

4. I'm reading A Version of the Truth right now; I am really enjoying it.

5. Money and mistakes are something I dislike talking about.

6. When I visited the airport I most looked forward to seeing the boys getting off the plane.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to yummy dinner & watching Gone Baby Gone, tomorrow my plans include visiting Sarah and Emma and Sunday, I want to DANCE at Baby Loves Disco!

Sarah is on the mend!

2008-02-22T17:49:00.001-05:00

Yaaa hooo! Sarah is doing well and recovering like a champ. Really, she must be tough as nails because she sounded strong, at ease and comfortable. Seriously amazing.
Awesome.
Victor and I are going over tomorrow to visit and bring fun things. Even more yaa hoo! Victor's been asking about Emma - so it will be nice to bring the little wilds together.

Hold Sarah in the Light!

2008-02-20T09:54:00.003-05:00

My friend Sarah - (aka: Emma's mom) is having a partial mastectomy with sentinel node biopsy this morning. She has already had one surgery this year for this, so we all hope this will take care of this breast cancer.
Sarah is a wonderful mother and friend, she is upbeat, thoughtful and loving. I know she will kick some cancer butt today and good thoughts, vibes and prayers will help along her healing journey. So send them her way!

Gratitude Week 7

2008-02-18T18:06:00.005-05:00

Today I was home sick. A sinus vice-grip held onto my head for the better part of the day. Thankfully after sleeping for a while (and having celebrity filled dreams) I feel much much better. I am thankful for the power of sleep.

Since I had some free time, I was looking for something random and found a CD of photos my HLN (hot latin neighbor - alas he's moved it seems) took of Victor last year. I am thankful for little surprises like this.

Happy to have the boys back

2008-02-14T21:41:00.007-05:00

They made it back. You know it's a good flight when strangers come up to you and say "I don't care what anyone says -- you are a good boy.".....

There was snow, snow thunder and lightening even! So this morning we got to play -- yaa hoo.

Victor didn't want to keep this gloves on -- so he eventually did a Christmas Story style face plant in the snow and was stuck there crying until I was able to right him. His little icy hands were bright red. Poor thing.

We baked a cake together Victor and I. Bless his heart - he tried to do the eggs -- and just like mommy -- he smashed it on the counter and threw the shells in the batter. I couldn't even get upset because the way he did it with such intent and flair - we both laughed. The counter got an egg mask and Victor got a better lesson on how eggs are done. We decorated too. Piles of sprinkles, sugar and frosting. While I was gathering the materials -- I turned around and found Victor having pulled up a chair -- with the end of the cake in his mouth but with his head on the platter -- I don't know if I've described it right -- but it made me laugh too. Happy day!

"Ya gotta teach 'em the meaning of no"

2008-02-12T17:05:00.000-05:00

I'm on the phone with my grandpa (ie: Robert DeNiro from Meet the Parents) today on my lunch break. Victor's been there for nearly 12 days visiting with Yuri.

"Marie, I gotta tell you something."

"What? What is it?"

"You gotta teach the boy the meaning of no."

"Yeah, that's something we're working on."

"Really, it's something you need to do."

"Yep, uh-huh. You have any suggestions?"

"Well, you get yourself a bat. You know a plastic on. Not big, just a little bat.
And you just pop him every time you say no and he don't listen. He'll figure it out."

Yep...I'm getting right on that.

Gratitude Week 6: Ladies Craft Weekend

2008-02-09T20:56:00.000-05:00

I am thankful for having a chance to create and laugh and create and eat and laugh some more. I am thankful for music and movies. I am thankful for friends who can come together and share their lives freely and with trust. I am thankful they would want to spend time with me in my home creating, laughing, eating and sharing.

I am thankful I like to create and don't worry too much about the results. I don't need to fuss or worry - I just like to make things. For better or worse I suppose....

Early Review Copy of "Is God Sad?"

2008-02-07T22:22:00.000-05:00

I managed to get an early review copy of Is God Sad?
Here's my 2 cents ---
This is an interesting book that tackles a huge, difficult to explain topic in a way that many children would find comforting. While it might not be a book that a child would chose on their own, it could used in a variety of settings to help start a conversations about God. I could see myself reading this with my son if he had questions about God or if life events made him wonder the who/what/how/why's that children will often ask about God. The illustrations did not take away from the text, but I didn't feel they added to the book overall. If nothing else, they seemed very childlike, I imagine most children would think child did the drawings. This would be a good book to have in any church resource library, parenting section, classroom (of a religious school). It didn't seem that it leaned in any one faith direction but was very general, so I think it could work in any church's teachings with young children.

In honor of Victor's Presidental Endorsement

2008-02-05T14:41:00.000-05:00

Gratitude Week 5

2008-02-03T20:47:00.000-05:00

I am thankful that this year we have the problem that there are so many wonderful canidates to choose from. I am thankful that it seems that for the first time in my memory, the debates have been meaningful, interesting and engaging. Granted there has been some uglyness and infighting -- but it seemed to have been overcome.

I am thankful that it seems that people are willing to think outside the box - to look beyond what I think of as the 'bedroom issues' that are so divisive and look at other very important issues that are facing our country.

I am thankful that we have canidates that make me hopeful for the future.

Hope for the future -- I am thankful.

Gift giving ideas.....

2008-02-03T12:21:00.000-05:00

In case you need some ideas what to avoid for your toddler Valentine's Day gift giving -- click here.

A Little of This and That

2008-02-01T21:21:00.000-05:00

The boys are headed to California to visit my grandparents (while Yuri works, Victor hangs out with my grandparents). It's always a huge exercise in trust for me to let Victor travel like that.
I know he is always surrounded by people who care for him and watch him like a hawk -- but it's still hard as a mom to let him go 3,000 miles away like that. I think of how lucky Victor is that he gets to spend so much time with his great-grandparents -- hopefully deep in his head some memories of them will be imprinted in there.

Here's a lesson in don't leave them for a second -
We were in the process of getting ready to take the boys to the airport -- I was putting away all the toys that Victor had pulled out in his nap less afternoon (i.e.: all of them) and Yuri was carrying bags up and down the stairs -- the gate wasn't locked, so Victor went upstairs and poked around the diaper bag -- that had Yuri's meds for the trip in it (do you know where this is heading?).

Like most times when they are getting in trouble - it became strangely quiet.
Suddenly it hits you that it's quiet and as I went upstairs, I saw pills all over the carpet - vitamins, meds, and fish oil -- a pile of OH CRAP!
He was jumping on his bed, excited to go to the airport -- I asked him if he ate any medicine, he said no.....but I didn’t' want to trust that he knew what I was asking him -- so I took him to the bathroom and stuck my finger in his throat.
He gagged but didn't throw up.
I asked him to just throw up in my hand (like he had done when he was sick) but this was not something he was interested in. I tried it a couple more times with no luck.
I called his pedi to ask if they had any vomit inducing tricks - they said I should call poison control. By this time Yuri had accounted for all but one pill -- so I called poison control.
They were great -- asked lots of questions and said that he would be ok. The pill he might have scarfed is bitter, so they didn't think it was likely if he crunched it, he would swallow it because of the taste - and since he didn't have any white residue in his mouth, the poison control lady was pretty sure he didn't have anything and would be ok. The pill in question is for ADD/Anxiety so it wouldn't hurt him if he had 1 -- 100..maybe, but one would just make him sleepy.
But to she told me to
1. Stop sticking my finger in his mouth
2. Give him something to drink and eat. And call back if I had any questions.

Victor (bless his heart) was so excited about riding on an airplane; he quickly recovered from this torture and was pretty happy.
Of course, once they were off -- as I was vacuuming I found it -- on the white part of the staircase -- hiding. Arg.
Lessons learned --- when you are packing put the kiddo in the car 1st -- at least strapped in they can't get into much -- have one parent be the car minder and pack the stuff as the other person brings it -- if this isn't possible - lock them inside at least.
Go find a child-proof travel container for meds
When it's quiet -- they are getting in trouble
Call poison control before torturing your child.
In case you need a smile (and aren't easily offended) click here and if you want to see a good movie -- go see Juno. Get in your car. Go see it.

Hey universe -- thanks for watching out for the boy this afternoon -- and thanks for watching out for them as they travel. I appreciate it. I love them boys.

Gratitude Week 4

2008-01-27T21:17:00.000-05:00

I love this picture of Victor and his buddy E rolling down the hill at our house. I am thankful for kids laughing -- and laughter in general. It really is good for the soul. This week we have found ourselves laughing a lot -- lots of times at body functions....lots of times for silly things...lots of times just because it's plain old catchy. I am also thankful for Victor's buddies -- they are all important to him. He tells us as he goes to sleep, mentioning them in his drifting off time.

Hold WhyMommy in the Light

2008-01-21T17:29:00.000-05:00

I've been following WhyMommy's battle against inflamitory breast cancer. It's been a tough journey she's been on - ups and downs, struggles and set-backs. Tomorrow she will have a double mastectomy, which is a serious surgery without a doubt.
If you have a chance hold her in the light - send good momma and poppa vibes her way - prayers for Little Bear and Widget (her sweet little guys) and WhyDaddy - who is amazingly supportive. Our health is such a gift without a doubt.

Gratitude Week 3

2008-01-20T20:59:00.000-05:00

The neat thing about this, being more aware of being thankful, is I find myself noticing things to be thankful about more often. Today we went for a walk, it was cold, and we all had rosy cheeks and cold hands -- I was thankful for how cute we all looked. I had a really good apple and peanut butter, I was thankful for that too. I read a good book last week and have moved on to another good one -- yes, thankful for that!

Here's a pictures of us last week at the zoo -- back when it was acting like spring around here (we moved back to winter). I chose this because I am thankful for my little family. I am thankful for Yuri and the support and teamwork we share. I am thankful for his patience and his spazzy ways too. I am thankful for Victor because he just is. I am thankful for the time we get to spend together, just walking or running errands or looking for airplanes. Simple, fun, safe, silly love.

Gratitiude: week 2

2008-01-13T20:30:00.000-05:00

I am thankful for how much Victor loves books. He loves to look at them on his own and he loves to be read to. I am also thankful to find an old childhood favorite one of the Richard Scary books about things that go. (For those of you keeping up on the no new book pledge - my mom got it for him. :)

GO! Update!

2008-01-13T20:14:00.000-05:00

There are many reasons not to GO! And it's really easy to just let them take over.

There are many, many more reasons to GO! Like feeling better, getting relaxed, and getting to listen to cheesy pop music that gets you moving. Plus, when you go to the store still in your gym clothes, you have a reason.....not just that you've lost the will to live.

Today was a example of how I'm trying to shift my attitude -- the gym provides child care until 4. Victor woke up at 2:45 - rather than skip it, we still went. I had been studying at a cafe (easier to avoid distracting myself when the reading isn't thrilling) and got to the gym @ 3:10 and Victor was in the process of getting dropped at "gym-playground" - and not impressed. At all. Rather than just going back home -- I showed him around and got him calm enough to leave and still worked out - even though it was only for 20 minutes. It wasn't long but I went. I didn't go home. Little Victories.

We also have been going for walks (it helps that last week it was 70). Today we walked downtown and looked at the train-tracks. Little GO! can add up over time.

Gratitude -- Week 1

2008-01-11T21:45:00.000-05:00

I'm thankful for friends who are willing to get bone tired playing with your kiddo at the park.

GO! check-in

2008-01-05T21:32:00.000-05:00

I didn't want to GO! I really wanted to watch the debate. But I had already told someone I would walk with them. So I did GO! It was a good thing. 2 miles in 25 minutes. Brisk night and good conversation.
Lesson learned - make a plan that involves someone else -- it's harder to bail on someone else. It shouldn't be that I need someone else - but getting into the grove, I'll take the crutch for now.

We attempted to GO! to the gym - got dressed, got Victor excited to go to the gym playground (they have free childcare). We got there....childcare was closed. Now I know the hours. 9-3 on Saturdays. 1-4 on Sundays. The intent was there...that counts for something? Yes?
I made it there on Thursday while Victor was at FunSchool (preschool). They have a ladies fitness area that is awesome and today the pool was open. Yaa hoo.

Tomorrow Victor and I will get out for sure.

Also baked 2 loaves of my own bread (the nut allergy makes most good store bread risky) - not bad. I have to get it to have more taste and more a more chewy/less dense texture.

Yaa hoo! GO! Momma GO!

Watching the Trash Trucks

2008-01-04T21:25:00.000-05:00

Trash day is a big deal at our house. While we're still trying to pretend it's not time to get up, you can hear them rumbling down the street. Victor will peek through the crack in our door through the front window to the street to see the trucks going by. It's pretty cute to see him pressed one eye to the door, trying to catch a glimpse of the recycle truck.

This morning he got to see round two as they went down the street behind us. I love the way he's moved the curtains. He was standing here looking for long enough for me to go, get my camera and come back -- that's some serious attention span for Victor.

Trash day is a simple happy routine in our house - get up and watch for the big trucks. Wave at the guys, thankful for them working in the cold (and later in the blazing hot). Listen for the rumble of the yard waste truck - that one has a grabber on we're waiting to see get used.

Happy Friday!

Welcome 2008

2007-12-31T15:48:00.000-05:00

As we approach the final hours of 2007, it's a good time to think a little about the coming year. Soon the clean slate of a new year will arrive - and it's a great time to make some commitments for the next 12 months. Ideas to guide my actions - my inner compass setting for the next 12 months.

Of course there are so many cool things people are doing - from living plastic free for a year, taking a self-portrait everyday, reading 2-3 books a week, living off the grid - the list of interesting and noble commitments goes on and on. I've been giving this some thought -so here's my commitments --

1. No book buying in 2008 -- I have to read what I have. I have entire bookcases that are my to be read (TBR) books. A couple things to know -- I can purchase a book for book club if it's not available at the library and I can check books out from the library. I will save all my read books and bring them in at the start of 2009 for an awesome visit to the used bookstore.

2. 52 week gratitude journal -- I will photograph one thing (at least) that I am thankful for and collect them into a journal. I want to be sure I realize how fortunate I am because it's easy to gloss over and take for granted so many awesome parts of life. I love the idea of the self-portrait everyday - but I want to commit to something I can achieve - so once a week - I can handle that. Look for gratitude related posts!

3. GO -- I want this word to guide many of my actions -- I want to get out there - be active - I want to act more and think about it less. I want to work fitness into my life -- regularly. I know that focusing on losing weight will frustrate me - but focusing on fitness -- on GOING! -- I think I'll be able to feel better about myself if I focus on fitness and activity. GO! can be a part of my life in other ways too -- like going to events, the movies, getting out there. GO! do -- GO! create -- GO! walk -- GO! listen -- GO!

4. Election 2008 - This will be an important year for our country - like all elections there are so many possibilities, so much potential. I want to GO! and support a candidate - in the primary season Obama is our pick and as the year goes on and it becomes clear who will run - I want to volunteer for a campaign - a local, state or national Candide.

5. Learn -- I'm going to continue in my Master's program (3 classes this year), so I hope there will be some learning there...But I also want to learn about photography more - it doesn't have to be formal or official but I want to understand more. In this same vein I want to share what I know too -- which helps me learn or realize what I know

6. be a good wife, mother & friend.

7. Laugh -- a lot and often --try not to take life and myself too seriously.

I've been working on this post since...last year :) I know these are things I can work on and achieve. I believe they will enrich my life and hopefully develop some inner and outer self things.

Got Offspring? May have Offspring? Know someone with Offspring?

2007-12-30T21:59:00.000-05:00

I've been reading about Maternal Profiling (basically not hiring or promoting women who are of child bearing age b/c of the potential of having to take leave for kids) Something interesting to think about - we've come far - but it's not perfect everywhere. And even if you don't have kids or are planning on having kids - employers might assume because you are of a certain age that you might have kids and so maybe Mr. Nearly as Qualified might be a better bet.
Read more here... the comments are just as interesting as the article.

Music for kids

2007-12-30T17:51:00.000-05:00

The other day on my drive home I heard a reviewer on NPR talking about the best music for kids. Often when I hear about music for kids, I cringe at hearing the same lame song over and over again. I think about having to hear "Who Built the Ark" repeatedly on a 6 hour drive and wonder how I can prevent this from happening to me (I can still sing most of the song on comand, and it's been nearly 20 years since that drive).
So far my approach to music has been to let Victor listen to music I like - figuring between Yuri, Momma Hedy & I, he'll be exposed to a wide range of music and musical styles. At the same time, part of me wants him to be able to know some of the classic kids songs that should be a part of childhood. With Kindergarten as a SAT-Prep course now a days - I thought I should figure out something that works for both of us.
Lucky me I heard Stephan Shepard's reviews, which led me to his blog, Zooglobble. The mother load of awesome children's music. Yaa hooo.
His approach to kids music makes sense to me -- it's not bad to expose them to adult music - but if there is great music that both parents and kids can enjoy -- all the better. The reviews have helped me to make some great playlists and today when I grocery shopped - I actually brought the MP3 player w/me and listened to awesome kids music - I think I walked around the grocery store w/a silly smile on my face listening to awesome renditions of classic kids music and songs I've never heard before. Yaaaaaa hooooo! Simple pleasures for me.
If you have some good kids music that you enjoy listening to - please share. :)

Merry Christmas to all!

2007-12-24T22:09:00.000-05:00

Victor is still awake. Is it that he's waiting for Santa? Is it all the cookie dough he ate? Is it the large full moon? Hard to know what it is - but it's after 10pm -- and he's still plugged in.....perhaps he is starting to understand what all this Christmas excitment is all about.

He's still just getting the idea of it all, I'm sure next year he'll really start to get the whole picture.

A couple fun stories......

Yesterday we went to see Santa (because who would be there so close to Christmas....? Everyone and their mother in case you wondered) Victor didn't manage a nap - so that would be the perfect time for a visit to Santa - right?

We got to Santa's house (ie: the mall). We had been prepping him on the ride over -- we're going to see Santa, he's going to bring you presents because you are a good boy.....

As we stroll in, a Sear's employee is taking a break outside --

"Oh little boy, you are all dressed up. Who are you going to go see?"

"Obama! Obama! Obama! Yeah!!!!"...Victor starts clapping.

"Oh...it's a little Democrat we have here...this is a Republican store...just kidding y'all."

My mom's comment later on...."Yeah, maybe Sears is Republican...they don't have a lot of color there."

We get to the Santa area - and the line is long....long....long....long...but sweet too -- kids all dressed up with their letters to Santa in their hands, reading their list, pacing as they wait.

Plus -- Santa was on his hour break.

The line was long, and he wasn't even there.

It was going to be an hour maybe more.

So we told Victor Santa was taking a break..

"Ca-ca? Poopy?"

"Yes, maybe Santa is pooping, he's a man and uses the potty (always trying to get a potty reference in there)."

"Santa...peee-u! Stinky! Santa stinky!"

So Victor didn't get to see Santa because Santa was taking a potty break.

Tonight. We're trying to explain the Christmas tradition to him --

"Victor who is coming tonight to bring you presents?"

"Obama! Obama!"

Victor will watch for Obama on TV, listen for his voice on the radio or pictures in print. The other day we watched videos on Obama's website - a toddler watching debate highlights.

Well -- it's getting a little late even for me -- the little toddler dance upstairs has stopped so I guess it's safe for me to go to bed. I'll listen for some sleigh bells tonight. In case you wondered why Santa lives up north -- listen in and you'll know!

Welcome Megan

2007-12-23T18:23:00.000-05:00

Welcome Megan...we can't wait to play with you and have fun times.

Catching up

2007-12-19T21:23:00.000-05:00

Lately I've found myself in awe and thankful for my family and friends - near and far - that help to make our life rich with laughter, support and love - yaa hoo.

When the day starts off hard - friends make it a little easier -- a kind husband deals with the snarls with a smile and all is well in the world. Yaa hoo.

Victor is loving candle light - he'll ask for Fire On...Fire on....whenever he sits down to eat - so we have many candlelight meals these days.
Including breakfast by candlelight.

Chillin' with the sick one

2007-12-16T21:59:00.000-05:00

After the double-ear-infection, sinus infection goodness (which was preceded by a cold), we found out today (at another trip to the doctors) that poor V likely has another virus. The joys of a toddler winter. Poor kid. He feels good enough to be grumpy -- earlier in the week he just wanted to be held and comforted. Now he likes just walking around grumping at thing, us, the world in general. I try to be sympathetic, but I'm afraid it does wear you down after a while.
Since he doesn't have anything completely horrible, we still try to get out for a little while, even if it is just to the gas station. Just getting out of the house, going for a little drive is helpful for us both. Victor gets to see big trucks, Mommy can get a coffee. Life is good.
I am an extrovert (on the MBTI, I'm a 30 out of 3o on extroversion) so I get antsy if I'm home too much (I've learned). I like to talk, I like to be around people - even if I might seem a little desperate at the checkout line - I'll still chat with people.
I think this is what I realized during my maternity leave - that being at home too much makes me grumpy. While some people love and and thrive on being home (bless you all without a doubt), getting out helps me recharge and refocus. I'm glad I can work the way to do right now. My job is great while I'm there, and I can leave it when I leave. (no grading papers, worries or late night phone calls) If I have to miss a few days, by and large, it's ok. Of course people would like me there but they understand or remember these toddler days. The hardest part - is being kind to myself when the plan falls apart. Like many people, I am much harder on myself than anyone else is. If I were sick, I would drag myself in most likely - but if Victor's sick, it's different. Perhaps I'm still getting used to the change in perspective and priorities? Perhaps it is easier to take care of someone else vs. taking care of myself?
I'm not 100% what it is for sure -- but what I do know is this -- when your kiddo is sick, you take care of them - you patch the rest of life together to make it work so you can get your little one feeling human again.
You make phone calls to feel like a grown up who hasn't watched the same episode of Thomas at least 20 times.
You get Venti because you didn't get to eat breakfast.
You walk up and down the isles because the little one is happy to look around and say "Hi! How are you!?" to everyone we pass by.
You check your email way too many times a day, hoping someone will email you and you'll have to call them.
You bring lunch to your husband and drive the long way there.
You snuggle in during nap time, and savor that little breath on your ear because it's there and you are so glad for it.

Little sickie

2007-12-12T11:06:00.000-05:00

Victor has a flu/cold/fever yuck thing. It's the sort of bug that you think is over, then the tylenol wears off and he's sick again. Right now, it's warm (will be high 70's before long - crazy North Carolina weather) so we're on the back porch. Victor is in the kiddie pool with 3 pounds of split peas. He is SO HAPPY. Really happy.
He had measuring cups, some funnels, a couple bowls and a spoon in with him. He's been pouring, dumping and shaking for the last hour. He only stops to look at an airplane overhead or right now he's stopped to watch the lawn behind us get mowed.
The pool idea is thanks to Momma Hedy. Victor has been loving playing with the dried peas - which started at the kitchen counter (proved messy and hard on your feet), then moved to the back deck (fun until the peas get stuck between the boards), so we had to come up with a better solution. This has proved to be the best. We got some rice and pinto beans too for later play when new textures are needed. Who needs questionable toys from China when you play with split peas, beans and rice?! For under ten dollars, we have hours of fun - and that is a beautiful thing.

If anyone has other ideas for cool things to play with in our pea pool - let us know. I'm going to look for some good ideas on some of the preschool teacher websites out there.

Photos....yaa hoooo

2007-12-02T20:17:00.000-05:00

A little static in the slide makes for some really good hair. Remember when it looked like that all the time?

Grandma Hedy helps Victor on the high bar at the park.

Also fun to note the Spanish phrases she's taught him -- like Ai Dios Mio....Ai Dios Mucho....and I'm sure more is to come.

Happy in the park over Thanksgiving weekend

A picture update

2007-11-30T21:44:00.000-05:00

This juggling business gets hard sometimes - and you have to let a couple things go here and there -- so posting has a little slow. But luckly for you, I have a bunch of photos to share.

Toddlerhood is a funny thing. Victor is a pretty good kid overall - of course he's a nuge here and there, but generally pretty fun. We've really come to understand that he needs a healthy dose of outside time each day. At night, after dinner and before bath, we've been going for a walk -- looking at the holiday lights and burning off any left over energy he has stored up. It seems like it's been a good routine for him. We have him on his kiddie leash so we can snatch him up easily when there are cars -- it's so dark and there are some chances I'm not willing to take. So kiddie leash it is. We look at the stars and the moon. Tonight we were trying to spot the international space station which was visible for 1 minute in our southern sky at 6:59 -- but if we saw it..we didn't know.

Victor loves to cook. He uses the pumpkin carving knives to chop bread, veggies or whatever he can get his hands on. He'll sneak over to the coffee maker and try to get coffee started too. Of course, coffee ends up more on the counter and floor - but his heart is in a good place. He did help me make the pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving - which was tons of fun. The hard part now is he wants to cook all the time -- and sometimes I don't need help or we're not cooking...we're trying to get ready for bed. I know before long, he'll understand there are times to cook and times we won't be doing that. I also know how important it was for me to be included in cooking when I was a kid -- I'm grateful for the extra effort my mom and grandma put out so that I could take part in cooking. I think we'll make cookies (slice and bake -- maybe homemade...maybe not) and I think he'll enjoy decorating them.

It's been a while -- but here are some things he loves -- and other things he would be happy to skip.

Loves --
Paci - also known as Baba
Going on top of grandma's bunk bed
Going to sleep with Daddy
Oatmeal that Mamma Hedy makes
Quesadillas -- also known as "dia"
Trains
Airplanes
Helicopters
Trucks
School buses
Climbing (after nap today he climbed out of the crib and opened the door to his room -- that was a surprise)
Flushing
Reading his airplane book (which is a guide to commercial aircraft -- with a photograph and a description of various airplanes - it's an adult book, but he looks at it every night)
Reading books in general
The poopy corner
Riding the car past the airport
Going to the park
Being outside
Being in the garage
Coffee (with milk and no sugar)
Screaming -- more like a dolphin call it's so high pitched.
Squeezing as much diaper creme as possible from the tube
French fries
Green beans from a can - not heated
Cranberry juice - also known as Dada milk

Dislikes
Having the diaper creme tube taken away
Going inside
Not be able to go outside
Being told no
Not being able to cook
Going to sleep without Daddy
Being put on the porch so he can scream if he feels like it outside
When his buddy Michael isn't home on our nightly walks

Well -- it seems like photos will be coming soon. Blogger is grumpy right now -- next post.

2007-11-25T10:01:00.000-05:00

For the family in Russia who've been wondering what Yuri's been up to -- here's a couple pictures --

Попытка перевести - извиняет ошибки пожалуйста.... Для семьи в России, кто задался вопросом, что Юрий, до - вот является картинами пары--

Sorry no posts......

2007-11-25T08:24:00.000-05:00

Sorry LeadBaby readers I have been so slow to post lately --- when we returned from New York our house was a dusty, empty mess, so most of the week was spent getting everything in order (and trying to organize/reduce/let go at the same time) so that week was a little crazy. Touch up painting...going through boxes.....lifting & moving -- all while trying to be a grad student and take care of my little guy. It didn't leave much energy for much else.
Now things are in order -- what a delight! Of course, like most home projects, it makes you realize some other thing you haven't completed but meant to -- so we have a new list of to-do's to tackle -- but none of them involve emptying our entire downstairs and covering it all with a thick layer of dust! :)
Victor was a real trooper through the whole process, and calling on help from friends also really helped (learning to ask for help when I need it) Rather than having Victor underfoot, he got to have adventures with Felecia & Kevin or Emma & Sarah that he talked about for days after. Yaa hoo!
Victor has become a little parrot -- which we have just loved. Of course, there are a few phrases that would have been better to not repeat....but we'll hope those get forgotten before too long.
He even says some of my mom's favorite Spanish phrases -- and in context too!
I've learned something about this speech business -- that is -- yes they will all get it at their own pace --- but getting support helps you know that you aren't missing the boat on something he needs. The phrase "I wish we knew about this earlier" isn't something I want to have to say. Regret is not an emotion I like. So -- he's been evaluated and gets speech services from the county. I don't know if Miss Carla will come for long, but the activities are helpful.
It seems like a lot of things in the world -- you loose the library book, you get the replacement -- the missing one turns up. You worry about bug's speech, you get him evaluated and then he starts talking. Something about putting the energy out into the universe I suppose.

More to come ---- it's time to shower....thanks for your patience in my slow posting!

TRAINS!

2007-11-09T22:07:00.000-05:00

Outside the windows - less than 30 feet away are at least 5 train tracks - with commuter trains going by every couple minutes. When we put the shades down in the morning, seeing the trains so close, Victor was so shocked he started crying. When we got back from our adventures tonight, he's been asking about the trains. We told him he would need to go the sleep and then in the morning the trains would be there -- so all evening he was saying 'morning, morning, morning'. Sweet boy.

Look....addacopter

2007-11-09T21:50:00.000-05:00

Look look momma -- addacopter -- (helicopter) with Manhattan in the background on our way to see the Statue of Liberty.

The Big Apple (peeled and in thin slices)

2007-11-08T21:45:00.001-05:00

We were going to go to Charleston, but instead we went to New York to visit Yuri's good friends and Victor's godfather. It's amazing how different life is here. It's just a matter of getting used to the differences, but it's still amazing to take it all in. The subway (it's above ground here, so I should call it the train) but it's outside the window and we can watch it pass by - Victor is in love.
Considering the drive (it took 10 hours), Victor did great. He loved watching the trucks going by, and was giving us the running truck commentary. We went to the huge Cabella's store somewhere in PA, it was a pretty big hit w/Victor they had an airplane, lots of stuffed animals and a fish pond. Fun.
Tomorrow we'll go to the Russian part of Brooklyn so Yuri can get some food and Victor can get some culture. We'll try to visit the Statue of Liberty - at least the state park which is near where we're staying in Jersey City.
More to come.

And this...

2007-10-31T22:34:00.000-04:00

Is where they'll put the candy...and that makes me happy.

Oh so this is Halloween

2007-10-31T22:33:00.000-04:00

Newborn - PeaPod....
Year one - Frog...
Year two...The King of Rock and Roll.
He really does love Elvis's music, so long ago I thought this would be a great costume for him. He will dance fast for the rock and roll songs, and sway meaningfully for the ballads. Next stop Memphis! :)
If our warm weather had continued, perhaps you could have been able to see his hairy chest, but alas, it was hidden tonight.

You'll also note our subfloor is there -- Yuri and my mom pulled up our tile entrance today and yesterday. We were told it would take days - they did it in 6 hours. Pretty neat to have a son-in-law and mother-in-law be able to work together on a project like that (and still like each other at the end of it). There's also a hint of the sagey green we just painted our downstairs -- it's been project city around here these days.

Elvis had a caddie

2007-10-31T22:29:00.000-04:00

Victor has a wagon....it all works out. The guitar and the lamay make it complete.

Wait wait...

2007-10-31T22:27:00.000-04:00

This is what a lot of people saw today -- Little Elvis running by - a blur of a boy. He pretty much ran from house to house. If I wanted to try to get him to slow down and go to a door, I would say "Victor, Victor, Ding Dong" and he would stop and start running to the door. He did get excited at one house about the stars that appeared in the sky. He climbed up on their porch, sat down next to them, nice and close and said, pointing, STARS...STARS..!
Watching him figure this door-to-door candy give away was good for the soul -- we had a lot of laughs.

Little ideas from the little guy

2007-10-30T20:27:00.000-04:00

Said today -- Ca-ca Bush....Bush Ca-Ca.....for those of you who aren't familiar with toddler-speak at our house -- ca-ca is poop. I don't know how he figure that out. Maybe all that listening to NPR has sunk in over these years....Pretty soon he'll start calling out other world leader's names with more commentary.

Thank goodness for rain!

2007-10-25T22:14:00.000-04:00

We've had a rainy day -- 2 inches of rain today. And we are so thankful for it. Our local lakes are covered in grass and nearly empty - some over 60 inches below normal. We need 14 inches to get back to normal -- slowly we'll get there I hope. We've been re-using our bath water to water the plants -- trying to figure out creative solutions to the problem we're facing.

Enjoying the rain

2007-10-25T22:02:00.000-04:00

Victor took my latest issue of Mothering magazine & curled up on the sofa to read. All on his own...no prompting from me..read on Victor!

Little Man Paint Co. Inc.

2007-10-25T22:00:00.000-04:00

Get painting little guy

2007-10-25T18:45:00.000-04:00

No use fighting the urge to help -- we gave Victor a paintbrush and he did a great job lending a hand. He did also think we needed to cover our windows with paint too.....with a little redirection, he could help with painting the carpet and the tile. (no worries b/c they are both coming out)

A little of this....a little of that...

2007-10-22T13:35:00.000-04:00

We are getting hardwood floors installed starting November 5th - and like most things, when you start one project, you realize that 2 or 3 other projects that can piggy back on the 1st one. In our case it was painting - suddenly realzing that if the tile & carpet were being taken out, then perhaps we wouldn't need to be so careful with edges etc. So we are having at it - but like most things you do with a toddler, it's a different experience.
Like a dipped hand in paint and can act as a brush around the room with that color (worked out because it was the right color)
Or trying to paint the walls with a brush, with paint is fun..until you want to paint the trim and a window.
Or perhaps best of all - if your parents are occupied with a painting project you can sneak onto the kitchen island and eat the coffee cake your dad left out.
Learning so many exciting things.

Victor has enjoyed having the downstairs pretty much empty - there is tons of space to run around, which is wicked fun when you're 2.

We had Victor's speach eval last week - it looks like he'll get services. I know he'll get it before too long, but any help along the way is great. It's like everything in life - you can get fit on your own, but isn't it nice to have a personal trainer.
We also had a cardiology appointment for an eccocardiogram & EKG - it was an experience. Trying to keep a toddler still while someone rubs cold gel and then moves a strange instrument all over you is not something you want to sit still for.
I understand that the staff that has to do that sort of thing doesn't really want to have a moving kid there, but it's not easy to keep a toddler still for so long....so any grumpy attitude doesn't help the situation. Oh well, I suppose not everyone can be Mary Poppins....
We were checking Victor to see if he has what Yuri has - Wolff-Parkinson-White (50/50 chance he does because it's gentic. Victor also has a heart murmor they found at his 2 year old appointment, so his pedi wanted to get some baseline information on where it's at, what it's doing, what we might need to watch out for. Next step will be to hear from the pediatric cardiologist at Baptist Medical Center's Brenner's Children's Hosptial. I hope that we'll continue to hear the all-clear bell from all these appointments.

Before my lunch break is over -- Victor is in love the with moon and stars.

Bug is back in town

2007-10-16T16:13:00.001-04:00

Sorry for the delay in posting...the boys came back on Friday, late - we actually got home around midnight. They had a terrific time w/my grandparents in Sacramento.

So now we're getting back into the swing of things - Erma (who wrangles the kids when I work)is on break, so today I'm home with Emma & Victor. Today we went to the park to wear them out a little. There was a clan of 2 year olds - and like all 2 year olds they were big and little, tall and short, talking and quiet. In fact Victor and 2 girls were all born within a week of eachother. One of the mom's asked how old Victor is -- I mentioned he just turned two last month. She then asked - why is he so small.
My reply - oh...we don't feed him much. Laughing I said, actually he doesn't eat much I guess. Then kidding, I said to Victor, put those acorns in your pockets honey for supper. (he was filling his pockets w/'corns)
I thought I had naviagated that little blip, when she mentioned that Emma, who is 2 months younger was bigger then him. I said..well someone has to help get you 98 percentile kids on the charts - because we're now back on the charts now and we're happy at 10th percentile.
Hummmm, I guess he is small....but I love him little the way he is....I think of it as an economical thing - he's just trying to wear his clothes as a long as possible. :)

Not much else going on - made it through mid-terms - getting ready to put in hardwood floors in a couple weeks.

I just got the toys put away mostly....as I type this I hear the banging crashing that sounds like I need wash....rinse....repeat.... on the toys.

Sacramento Happenings --

2007-10-04T15:52:00.000-04:00

(A picture from the birthday archives of Victor towing a couple buddies in the wagon around the park - we were all surprised he could pull them both!)

Victor & Yuri are still in California. I check in enough not to be annoying. I trust my grandparents from here to the moon to take good care - but it's nice to know everything is ok, and get a little kid-fix with a "Hi Momma" now & again.

They are spending their days playing the backyard, poking at bugs, going to the park, riding the bus and light rail and just having fun. My grandma is just so wonderful with him - she is able to stop....and play....sit and look at bugs for much longer than I can, and of course, Victor is soaking it up like a sponge. Great-grandparents are good for us.

Victor has a re-developed his love of rice (you might remember the rice controversy from last year) and wants to make sure the neighbor, Leno, is eating his rice. He'll stand in the front yard calling out LEEENOOOO COOOOOK RRIIIIICCE!!! over and over again. Leno lives aross the street from my grandparents & have known me since I was born!

Yuri is doing well -- he's recovered from the stomach bug (that I like to think of as a new diet rather than thinking of it as being sick) we all had. Traveling with a stomach thing is pretty much the worse thing ever.

Mom & I are heading to Boone this weekend to meet up with friends to scrapbook & have some fun! Can't wait. I think I need to stop at Blockbuster for Pretty in Pink and Sixteen Candles!

They made it!

2007-09-29T16:59:00.000-04:00

Touch down -- Victor & Yuri made it to California -- phew. Victor thought he would rattle our cage a little by starting to throw up at 4 in the morning, which made things stressful -- wondering if we should cancel, or reschedule, etc. But in the end, it was a one time deal, so they went and it went smoothly! Ahhhh..

It's even better that they went because we found out (in typical fashion in my family) that my grandpa -- known as Papa, was in the hospital for 3 days (he was discharged Friday) being treated for a sudden drop in blood pressure, related to a imbalance of minerals. But I don't know if they are sugar-coating the situation for us or not -- but I'm glad that Victor & Yuri are there to spend time together and perhaps keep up to date on what's happening. Papa has been a father figure to me and is an important part of our family -- so facing his mortality isn't a walk in the park. Both Yuri and I lost our dad's early in life, so Papa is Victor's only grandfather.
It sounds like so far in the visit, Papa is really spending time with Victor, going for walks.

Here's a couple highlights from the trip so far --
Victor got a credit card out of Yuri's wallet & runs around the house shouting "MONEY..MONEY!" I wonder how he figured that out.

In the Dallas, with all the lights and people moving around, Victor managed to catch a view of the moon -- and started shouting -- MOON! MOON! Pretty cool.

Fly safe little guy & big guy too

2007-09-27T22:17:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow (Friday) Victor & Yuri are going to Sacramento to visit my grandparents for 2 weeks. Yuri has a meeting for 1 week, so he'll be in San Jose. The Great'rents will be flying solo for 1 week.
This is a huge exercise in trust without a doubt.
They are as packed and prepared as they can be.
I'm sure they will have terrific adventures, and I will enjoy doing my mid-term without as much juggling.

A thought here and there

2007-09-25T21:51:00.001-04:00

I was putting Victor to bed tonight (normally a Daddy and V event) but gave Daddy a night off -- so after reading some stories, talking about the day (train, big truck, Emma, tooot tooot, train) and some snuggles -- there was some wait while he settles into sleep time. Curled next to me, he was cozy but figety until sleep took over. I got to just lay in the dark, awake but relaxed and think. You forget how nice that is to do every now and again.
I love how during that time thoughts can string together -- from one thing to an other -- Britney....Iran....homework.....need to find something to wear.....did I mail that off....what will I read next.... So wonderfully random.

We've been waiting for Victor to talk - and we had hints here and there that he does have something to say -- so I wanted to stop and document the words he has now (some more clear than others of course)

Train
Toot toot
Bus
Emma
Bye (which he also uses when he would like us to stop something - like giving him medicine that doesn't taste good -- he turns his head and says Bye -- bless his little heart)
Annie (Felecia & Kevin's dog who visited for a couple days)
ANNIEWHEREAREYOU?
Momma
Da-da
Big truck
See ya
See you guys
All right
Shoes -- saying like my grandma does -- more like cheews
Help
Moon
Pervez Musharraf (are you paying attention?) :)
Juice -- which sounds a lot like shoes
Motorcycle
Helicopter

This has been a huge area of growth for him who just 8 weeks ago figured out Momma. YEAH VICTOR!

Want to see a cute picture? Check out what Sarah posted!

Edited to add:

Bye Girl or Bye Girls
Baba (for his paci)

Spreading the word.....

2007-09-24T15:53:00.000-04:00

Who knew a little mother blog would have such a wide reach.....

You can play here....