Jack went outside for a true total of 2 minutes then came back in to the den. He told me his leg was itching. Upon inspection I discovered 2 very large red swollen bumps that were hard as rocks and hot to the touch. He didn't feel anything bite or sting him....but you could see a huge "bite" mark on one bump. I figured it was a spider bite. Jack has absolutely no allergies whatsoever. He was stung by a yellow jacket a couple of weeks ago and it didn't even leave a red mark for more than a minute. So, I was slightly alarmed....I looked up all I could find on the information super highway and wasn't convinced about what it was. I rather err on the side of caution, so I took him to the Dr. She tells me he has had an allergic reaction to a mosquito bite. Said he'd be fine with Benadryl, but if the swelling is worse tomorrow he'll have to be put on an antibiotic. I know she's a Dr.....but I'm STILL not convinced....MOSQUITO? She's a Pediatrician not an entomologist....She said they are really bad this year.....little does she know that we are from swamp land USA....We have mosquitos who are relatives....Jack has played outside EVERY day since the snow melted and even played in the water and has YET to swell from a mosquito bite....
Well, anyway...another copay later and he's been fine, hasn't had any pain, shortness of breath, wheezing, nausea, or vomiting....can you tell I've studied all the signs and symptoms lists?
Just another ZANY happening to add to this WILD WEEK!
Yes, Chris is still out of town.....
Guess it gives us something to chat about on the phone at the end of the day besides him telling of his undying love and affection for me......;^0)
Triple Trouble...
Margaret got her 2 month shots yesterday. The DTap vaccine information states that 1 in 1000 children will cry inconsolably for several hours. I always wondered who those lucky people were that were 1 in a large number.....I REALLY should quit wondering. Yes, Margaret was the 1 in 1000......I've never felt so helpless, yet I remained calm....Today she has been a dream....all smiles, sweetness, and light.....
Jack was riding his bike as fast as he could yesterday into the garage and stopped suddenly to jump off....instead of jumping off he was thrust forward and was stopped suddenly with his crotch.....
He refused to go to the bathroom because he was in excruciating pain until I told him all about catheters....he went on his own and is now doing great and very proud of himself for being brave in the bathroom.....
Thatcher was riding his bike yesterday in the driveway. He was making loops, but on one he turned a little too sharply. He fell forward and hit face first on the concrete. He has a red skinned and swollen lip and nose. He also has what looks to be a 5 o'clock shadow, but it's really a stain from all of the sympathy blue Gatorade he has ingested. He's fine now...back on the bike still turning sharply....
P.S.....Chris is out of town...
Luckily, my Mom was able to fly up here to help me out, so granted, I wasn't ALL alone! Thank goodness! Otherwise I might not have been so calm by 10 PM last night! ;0)
Jack was riding his bike as fast as he could yesterday into the garage and stopped suddenly to jump off....instead of jumping off he was thrust forward and was stopped suddenly with his crotch.....
He refused to go to the bathroom because he was in excruciating pain until I told him all about catheters....he went on his own and is now doing great and very proud of himself for being brave in the bathroom.....
Thatcher was riding his bike yesterday in the driveway. He was making loops, but on one he turned a little too sharply. He fell forward and hit face first on the concrete. He has a red skinned and swollen lip and nose. He also has what looks to be a 5 o'clock shadow, but it's really a stain from all of the sympathy blue Gatorade he has ingested. He's fine now...back on the bike still turning sharply....
P.S.....Chris is out of town...
Luckily, my Mom was able to fly up here to help me out, so granted, I wasn't ALL alone! Thank goodness! Otherwise I might not have been so calm by 10 PM last night! ;0)
Hope You Like The New Look....
I like to mix things up and rearrange quite often, so this blog will change colors and layout on spur of the moment!! Always scroll to the end cause I'll be addin' pictures too!! I just got through rearranging my den and kitchen last week, so I figured it was time for a blog makeover too!! :)
Done For The Year.....
The LEGO party was a big hit! I made a LEGO cake and luckily everyone knew what it was and didn't question my craftsmanship!! The weather cooperated even though, yet again, there WAS a chance for rain!
Thatcher began the party by showing all of Jack's friends that he could burp on demand....I think that was the hit of the party....They built LEGO cars and Chris built a ramp for them to race! We gave a prize for the fastest car. We had a tower building contest and gave a prize for that! They played on the playground behind our house, ate lots of cake and icecream...one child had 2 helpings of cake and a big scoop of icecream....I figured he was leaving before all the sugar kicked in, so it was his mom's problem!! :) That's what birthdays are all about! Margaret was great for both parties. She napped the entire time, so Chris and I could both help out and be involved in the parties!!
I didn't mention the games for Thatcher's and I'm feeling mother guilt about it, so.....
For Thatcher's Cowboy party, we had a water bottle shoot out. They were given a water gun and had to "shoot" at the empty bottles to knock them over....played lasso the horse with a stick horse and a rope....they also played on the playground until it started raining, then ended up playing in our basement!
All in all we had fun, the boys are partied up for another year....then in a couple of years...a "GIRL" party! YIPEE!!!
How much is a nickel worth?.....
Okay, here's the story.....first, some background information....
Thatcher is one of those "oral" children....yes, he's vocal and loud, but what I'm talking about is that he likes to put things in his mouth....not like a toddler, but more like an adult might chew on a pencil or a pen top....He does it to get a rise at this point and he LOVES to push the limits!! I'm always getting on to him about that and telling him he might choke....with that said....
Sunday after church the boys flew upstairs to rip off the church clothes and change to play clothes. We heard them giggling and wrestling up there and then Jack came down dressed ready to go outside. He told us that Thatcher was upstairs "piddling" as usual.
So, Jack goes outside and about 10 minutes later we hear bawling from upstairs....Thatcher comes bolting downstairs and runs to us in the den. He's gagging and putting his finger in his mouth. We thought he was sick and trying to throw up. We both start towards him and he throws up. Chris takes him to the bathroom to clean him up and I head for the carpet cleaner. I get down on my knees to clean and notice something "shiney" in the mess....
yes, a nickel......................................................................
I instantly knew what had happened and my heart skipped a few hundred beats. I asked him if he swallowed the nickel and he said he did.......We were in shock.....I wanted to burst into tears, but I had to help him be "okay"......
I couldn't stop thinking about it.....I haven't stopped thinking about it.....I thought of all the worst case scenarios....what if he hadn't made it down the stairs......what if it was so lodged in there he couldn't cry....what if......
Later, I was looking at the very nickel that had been stuck in my little boy's throat hours before.
I was drawn into the tiny writing of words so powerful "In God We Trust"....God was telling me then what he'd been telling me all along. I can't be there with them 24/7......I can't control every situation.....I can't force them to always make good decisions...but I can take 4 tiny words and imprint them on my heart everytime I'm fearful.....because it is In God I trust! Thank you God that you are ALWAYS in control. That you WILL be with them 24/7.....that if they start NOW hiding YOUR word in their hearts they might not sin against YOU.....
That was a moment in time worth a whole lot more......than five cents....
One Down, One To Go....
Party, that is....Yes, today we celebrated Thatcher's birthday with a Cowboy Party. Next Saturday we will have a LEGO Party for Jack. These themes were their choosing even though I would have welcomed a Chuck E. Cheese Party Palooza at this point!! EVERY time we have had a party, it has been outside. AND at EVERY party there has been a chance of rain....today was NO different, except this time the chance became a reality 10 minutes into the party. All hope was not lost....I think they all had fun anyway and now I'm exhausted!!!
I made a horse cake....I am NO Ace of Cakes by ANY means, but it was fun trying....I brought him out and proudly placed him in front of Thatcher. Then one little guest with a not so little mouth yells out "WHAT IS THAT!!!???" I yelled back (with a smile of course...ahem....) "IT'S A HORSE!" Hoping that when I pronounced the S's in that sentence that perhaps a bit of spittle might end up on his piece of HORSE CAKE!
So, here are some photos of this momentus occasion....and one of the horse.....of course....
I Hate BIrthdays....
and I'm not even talking about mine. Thatcher turned 5 on July 15th and Jack turned 7 July 17th . They always get SOOO excited on their birthdays. I always get SOOO emotional on their birthdays. I'm not a big fan of them getting older. The other day I was listening to music while I was exercising on my ellyptical machine in the basement. Jack and Thatcher plopped down on the couch and started laughing and wrestling. Then the song "Your Gonna Miss This" by Trace Adkins came on through my ear phones....I cried and cried....it was like watching a video of them being little and having the song in the background...I know I'm gonna miss this....I already miss it and I still have it.
They have both been truly testing our patience lately...we go from one day thinking we've done good as parents to the next day wondering if we've done anything good at all!
BUT...even still...I know I'm gonna miss this time....
Ice Skating on a Wood Floor....
So, yesterday Thatcher comes to get me and tell me he has "helped" me clean the floor. He said " I sprayed your cleaner thing and then wiped it up with a paper towel to help you."
I calmly asked him to show me what "cleaner thing" he sprayed. He brought it to me and this is what it was.......
Athough the floor is now a lot shinier than I've ever witnessed it to be, it also has a "glass" top finish!! I thanked him for helping...not wanting to break his spirit......even though we've all come close to breaking our legs on that section of the kitchen. I REcleaned it with my Orange Glo, so it's now safe to traverse across while toting a newborn....that's when you ask "Is it helping or HINDERING!!?" ;^)
DONUTS ANYONE???
We made DONUTS today!! My kitchen floor was glazed and sprinkled by the end of it, but it was worth it.....I think.....yes, it WAS worth it! We had fun and their chocolate covered smiles confirmed it!!
Look Closely At This Picture....
I thought this was so cute of Margaret until I realized I was snapping away on the camera and she.............well..................she was......spitting up! What kind of mother am I?
What Does It Take To Get a Good Picture Around Here?
These pictures remind me of those little photo booth shots in the mall....just as goofy as ever. I threatened to take away their birthdays (which are both next week) if they wouldn't let me take their picture...there's a moral here : You can lead the children to the camera, but there's no guarantee you'll get a decent picture of em'!
6 Weeks Already?
It's hard to believe how time can fly with a newborn. The days seem to be eternal, yet 6 weeks have passed! I long for these TOTAL dependence days to be over. I miss that freedom of everyone hopping in the car, buckling themselves in, and going!... but then I look at my 2 boys and realize how fast this innocent baby time flies! She's so sweet we could eat her...We LOVE her! Even though as I type this, I can hear on the monitor that she's woken up prematurely from her nap....
Now I'm typing with my off hand (the right) and feeding her with the other. I've become a contortionist by the 3rd child. Gives a whole new meaning to multi tasking....I've now developed a pinched nerve in my neck that radiates through my shoulder. It began a few weeks ago when I was stirring dinner while holding her then never got better...perhaps it has something to do with the fact that at times I am holding her on the left, balancing the bottle with my neck, and opening a popsicle for a 6 year old....who knows...
BREAKING NEWS.....
Margaret slept 6 and a half hours last night! What's even better: It was MY night to get up with her!! ;) Chris and I tag team when it comes to feedings. We don't pretend to be sleeping so that the other person will get up....we just nip it in the bud in the beginning and we alternate. He gets up one night, I get up the next! That way we are both assured a night's sleep and an equal share in the interrupted sleep!
Jack was 4 weeks old when he started sleeping thru the night. Thatcher was 8 weeks, but then didn't do it consistently until around 12 weeks. She may never do this again for awhile...could be a total fluke...but I take it as a gift and smile!
We also had a second gift last night...it rained...actually POURED all night long...so guess who DIDN'T venture out from his little garage....YEP- the POLICE DOG! A night of REALLY good sleep...NO barking! YAHOO!! Isn't God's Mercy Grand?!!!
Jack was 4 weeks old when he started sleeping thru the night. Thatcher was 8 weeks, but then didn't do it consistently until around 12 weeks. She may never do this again for awhile...could be a total fluke...but I take it as a gift and smile!
We also had a second gift last night...it rained...actually POURED all night long...so guess who DIDN'T venture out from his little garage....YEP- the POLICE DOG! A night of REALLY good sleep...NO barking! YAHOO!! Isn't God's Mercy Grand?!!!
The Brown Family...
Any chance I get I sit outside on the deck and soak up the Vitamin D....does wonders for being semi cooped up with a newborn and no hopes of going to the beach this year. The boys LIVE outside. Fortunately, summers in Michigan are quite lovely most of the time with little humidity, a nice breeze coming off of the Great Lakes, plus the golden sun!!
Yesterday, Thatcher and I were sitting on the floor watching Margaret who was gurgling and smiling. Thatcher was sitting quietly for awhile and then asked me "Why are you changing into a different family?" I said "What?" and again he asked "Why are you changing into a different family?" I thought...here it is...not being the baby anymore is finally getting to him...I need to be sensitive to his needs and emotions and delve into his inner circle....so I asked "What do you mean?"
He proceeded to point to my leg and said "look...you're turning brown..."
I had to think about it a minute and then I thought....a different family....a BROWN family....
I didn't think I was THAT tan, but I guess enough for him to notice my color change.
I then explained about the reason for sunSCREAM (as he calls it) and what the sun does to the epidermis (didn't use that term, just makes me feel smarter to type it) and how it doesn't change your race, just your skin color....(:^0)
I'd love to get into his mind for a moment and see his pondering process!! I wish I could still be as simple with my thinking and let all the other junk go! I could probably write a whole blog on "Thatcherisms" alone!
Yesterday, Thatcher and I were sitting on the floor watching Margaret who was gurgling and smiling. Thatcher was sitting quietly for awhile and then asked me "Why are you changing into a different family?" I said "What?" and again he asked "Why are you changing into a different family?" I thought...here it is...not being the baby anymore is finally getting to him...I need to be sensitive to his needs and emotions and delve into his inner circle....so I asked "What do you mean?"
He proceeded to point to my leg and said "look...you're turning brown..."
I had to think about it a minute and then I thought....a different family....a BROWN family....
I didn't think I was THAT tan, but I guess enough for him to notice my color change.
I then explained about the reason for sunSCREAM (as he calls it) and what the sun does to the epidermis (didn't use that term, just makes me feel smarter to type it) and how it doesn't change your race, just your skin color....(:^0)
I'd love to get into his mind for a moment and see his pondering process!! I wish I could still be as simple with my thinking and let all the other junk go! I could probably write a whole blog on "Thatcherisms" alone!
Update from Chris
If y'all have been like me, you have checked this blog faithfully, waiting for the next update from Amy and been deeply saddened by her absence. Never fear she is still here and is as clever and witty as before. Parenthood is exhausting. We are both so tired of tending to our charges and there are two of us. Bravo to those who have gone it alone.
Margaret is doing very well. We are still trying to get her on a somewhat normal cycle, she likes to eat a bunch one day and stay up all day and the next she doesn't want as much and prefers to sleep. I had the pleasure of attention for quite some time at 2:40AM. She ate like a champ and then wanted to stay up with her Dad. I am so grateful for Amy taking her from me so I could sleep a little more.
Jack is squirrelling away any knick-knacks he can find so that he can build a robot. I noticed Thatcher only had one nut holding on his front wheel and Jack told me he took it off to use on his robot. He is waiting for me to help him build it so it will fly and change into a ship. He believes I can do anything.
Thatcher is growing up faster. He took his training wheels off, jumped on his bike, and hasn't looked back. He didn't need any help. I have already busted him for riding down the street when he wasn't supposed to. He makes me smile so much because of how much he loves his sister. He is always staring and smiling at her and touching her head and face. He has run around with the "Groucho" face for the past week. Outside. Bathtub. In bed while he is sleeping. When he whips out the cigar, I will draw the line.
Thanks for your attention . . . and now the hijack of the blog is done.
Margaret is doing very well. We are still trying to get her on a somewhat normal cycle, she likes to eat a bunch one day and stay up all day and the next she doesn't want as much and prefers to sleep. I had the pleasure of attention for quite some time at 2:40AM. She ate like a champ and then wanted to stay up with her Dad. I am so grateful for Amy taking her from me so I could sleep a little more.
Jack is squirrelling away any knick-knacks he can find so that he can build a robot. I noticed Thatcher only had one nut holding on his front wheel and Jack told me he took it off to use on his robot. He is waiting for me to help him build it so it will fly and change into a ship. He believes I can do anything.
Thatcher is growing up faster. He took his training wheels off, jumped on his bike, and hasn't looked back. He didn't need any help. I have already busted him for riding down the street when he wasn't supposed to. He makes me smile so much because of how much he loves his sister. He is always staring and smiling at her and touching her head and face. He has run around with the "Groucho" face for the past week. Outside. Bathtub. In bed while he is sleeping. When he whips out the cigar, I will draw the line.
Thanks for your attention . . . and now the hijack of the blog is done.
Good Fences Make Good Neighbors...
but not good for sound proofing....
Well, they don't allow fences up here because Michiganders think they are ugly and take away from the scenery. You can fence in a pool and you can put up a small fence on the side of your house for a garbage can. People with pets have to get an invisible fence installed or take them out on a leash in below zero temperatures.
We LOVE our neighbors on the right...the one on the left...well...he'll take up a whole new post on the blog in the future. So, again we LOVE our neighbors on the right! He's a K-9 officer and they have a 2 year old little girl the boys adore as if she was their sister. The mom is super nice and she is pregnant and due in August. Let me chase THAT rabbit for a minute...She is carrying her unborn child in a TEENY TINY pouch on the front of her body...I, HOWEVER, carried mine BEHIND ME.... Never could figure out what God wanted me to learn from that....
Okay, so I mentioned he's a K-9 officer which obviously means he has a German Shepard that lives with them and goes to work with him everyday. The dog can't live IN the house with them, so he's partly in the garage and can go out a door to a fenced in area on the side of their house. The fenced in area is RIGHT under the window to our master bedroom.
A few blogs back I mentioned that we live in Animal Kingdom. Well, the nocturnal ones like to harrass this dog at night which causes him to......BARK & BARK & BARK & BARK & BARK & BARK SOME MORE. It had BETTER not be the chipmunks cause I thought we had a little deal worked out with the almonds...
I guess in the winter he stays in the garage, but in the summer he's outside. We dealt with it all last summer and now this one. You can hear the barking in Margaret's room which makes it worse. Since sleep is such a precious commodity these days, we need every second we can get of UNINTERRUPTED sleep!
We think they either don't hear it, or are just simply used to it. I considered anonymously calling the PD and sharing my concern, but I could just hear the conversation "Some lady in your neighborhood with a thick southern accent called to complain about the dog barking at night." There goes the anonymous part....
Something has to give....I nominate Chris! He's diplomatic and kind....I'd probably burst into tears and blame it on the hormones.... ;^)
Well, this is a to be continued post and perhaps a prayer request to shut the mouth of the "lion" next door!! I'll keep you posted...;)
Well, they don't allow fences up here because Michiganders think they are ugly and take away from the scenery. You can fence in a pool and you can put up a small fence on the side of your house for a garbage can. People with pets have to get an invisible fence installed or take them out on a leash in below zero temperatures.
We LOVE our neighbors on the right...the one on the left...well...he'll take up a whole new post on the blog in the future. So, again we LOVE our neighbors on the right! He's a K-9 officer and they have a 2 year old little girl the boys adore as if she was their sister. The mom is super nice and she is pregnant and due in August. Let me chase THAT rabbit for a minute...She is carrying her unborn child in a TEENY TINY pouch on the front of her body...I, HOWEVER, carried mine BEHIND ME.... Never could figure out what God wanted me to learn from that....
Okay, so I mentioned he's a K-9 officer which obviously means he has a German Shepard that lives with them and goes to work with him everyday. The dog can't live IN the house with them, so he's partly in the garage and can go out a door to a fenced in area on the side of their house. The fenced in area is RIGHT under the window to our master bedroom.
A few blogs back I mentioned that we live in Animal Kingdom. Well, the nocturnal ones like to harrass this dog at night which causes him to......BARK & BARK & BARK & BARK & BARK & BARK SOME MORE. It had BETTER not be the chipmunks cause I thought we had a little deal worked out with the almonds...
I guess in the winter he stays in the garage, but in the summer he's outside. We dealt with it all last summer and now this one. You can hear the barking in Margaret's room which makes it worse. Since sleep is such a precious commodity these days, we need every second we can get of UNINTERRUPTED sleep!
We think they either don't hear it, or are just simply used to it. I considered anonymously calling the PD and sharing my concern, but I could just hear the conversation "Some lady in your neighborhood with a thick southern accent called to complain about the dog barking at night." There goes the anonymous part....
Something has to give....I nominate Chris! He's diplomatic and kind....I'd probably burst into tears and blame it on the hormones.... ;^)
Well, this is a to be continued post and perhaps a prayer request to shut the mouth of the "lion" next door!! I'll keep you posted...;)
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