Fell off the roof today. Bllaaahhhhg.

The meeting with the lady at the church was really great. She made me feel very comfortable. I met the parish priest and she showed me around the church which is HUGE (intimidation factor #1). I signed Jax up for RE classes that start in September. I also signed Dex up for "preschool" that runs during Mass times. I now need to call another woman to make arrangements to baptize Cars.

Met an online friend today from my Aug2003 Babies forum. She has twin boys who are so cute! They are a few days older than Cars. She lives about two minutes from my house and used to live in my neighbourhood. Small world. I knew she lived in the Seattle-area but didn't realize she was in my city!

Stephen is golfing tonight so he won't be home for another hour or so. I am taking it easy tonight and letting the kids watch Cartoon Network.

Oh, I finally saw some pictures of the twins. They are beautiful! Ally (Alexandra) looks like she has curly blonde hair! There was just one picture of Tori (Victoria) and I couldn't see much because she has tubes in still and she had a hat on. They are both so wee.

Cars has a viral infection. At least that is what the doctor said. His fever keeps spiking to 102 and he is moody as hell. Doesn't help that he has had 3 teeth pop in the past week.

We canceled playgroup today because of Cars' sickness. So it just ended up being a very looooong day. Jax and Dex did pretty well though, pretending to be singers in a band most of the day. Stephen bought them a microphone and microphone stand yesterday when I was at my psych appt. They think they are IT and are trying to think of a name of their band.

One of my favourite online people will be going offline in the next day or two. I will really miss her and hope that her time offline will not last as long as she is anticipating.

Cute Roof Guy came today to collect the cheque for the roof. He also did another quick inspection so I am assured that all is well. Now I cannot wait for rainy season so I can laugh at the elements and know that I will be high and dry inside of my house.

The Liberals won the election in Canada yesterday with a minority government. So not much will get done over the next few years but at least those PC will keep their hands off of the social programs. I know JP is glad that the PC lost but also sad that the NDP didn't win. Even I am not as Pinko as my brother! lol

Tomorrow I am meeting with a woman at the Church. It is time to go back.

Puff-Puff

Ok, who knew an inhaler could clear up a cough? Ok, it isn't totally cleared but I can actually BREATHE! I got an Rx for Albuterol and was told to take Sudafed and Claritin - all safe for nursing moms. I should be back to normal in no time.

Cars has a fever today and he is miserable. And to make matters worse, I bought him his first pair of shoes and he HATES them. He screams and screams when they are on his feet. Before today, he has only ever worn Robeez so I think the walkers must feel so weird on his feet.

LOL - for snack tonight Dex wanted carrots. Usually they get a piece of fruit or some yogurt and he does not usually even eat carrots. He is an enigma.

Ash keeps talking about switching kids for a day. She says it will help them appreciate us. Thanks but no thanks. Her kids can be very sweet but can also be very difficult (as can mine!). At least I can yell at my kids and send them to their rooms!

Sunday Sunday

Usual weekend crap here. Fred Meyer's yesterday for a b-day present for a b-day party Dex was invited to. Also bought another baby gate and some flowers to plant in our containers. We are only a month and a half late on those flowers. Anyway, Stephen planted them today and they look good. Nice to finally have some colour in the backyard.

I filled the kiddy pool today and Cars had a blast in it. He was flopping around and laughing. Much better than last time I put him in and he screamed. Of course last time I had just filled the pool and it was ice-cold. This time I filled it in the morning and by the time he went in it was almost warm.

Stephen took the kids to the driving range and then to Home Depot today. I had 2.5 lovely hours to myself. I painted a painting while they were gone. I really like it too. (pat myself on the back much?) It is not like anything I have done before sans the COBALT colour that all of my paintings have. Anyway, I totally ripped the idea off someone on eBay too. But, the painting is just for me and I like it.

Tomorrow I am going to see the doctor about this cough I've had for nearly 3 weeks. I'm a little nervous because the last time I had a cough this long I had a thyroid problem which was causing my cough (nodules compressing on my windpipe).

I am so busy this week! Tomorrow is our summer playgroup, doctor appt and then psych appt; Tues is regular playgroup; Wed I am meeting someone from my August03 Babies forum; Thurs is summer playgroup again and Friday I am meeting Heidi et al at IKEA. Busy busy busy!

Ok, better run. Jax wants to talk to me and I need to cherish these moments since they are few and far between these days.

The cardiologist says Stephen is having unusual symptoms (atypical) so he is being sent for a stress test on July 8th. He also has to get a full blood work-up done to check to see if his cholesterol is fine, if he is anemic, etc. No sense worrying until then so I won't...much.

Greg called today. Jen was released from the hospital today but went to her parents' place because it is closer to the hospital and has no stairs. Greg is going back to work but his work right next door to the hospital so he can go in and see the girls often.

Alexandra has been upgraded to NICU 2 from NICU 3 (not exactly sure what it means but she is doing very well). Victoria is struggling a bit. She is the one with the kidney problems too. Poor little things!

Gladys Kravitz Watch
Not sure if I mentioned this before but the lady behind me is divorced. Her dh left her about 6 months after they moved in for a woman he met on the internet. Anyway, I was chatting with her the other day while she was working in the yard and I said I hated yardwork and just let my husband handle it. She said "I wish I could do that" and I was so embarrassed. I wish I hadn't said that. >:

Ok, so it is officially summer vacation. School is now over for both kids. Swimming lessons ended too. Now what do we do?

Stephen is going to see the cardiologist in a few hours. He was upset with me for telling his mom that he went to the doctor about pains in his chest. What-ever. Of course I am pissed at him for being upset with me. Stalemate.

I noticed this morning that Cars has a 4th tooth. It is his upper right tooth next to his incisor. No left incisor yet for the snaggle-tooth little boy.

Jax's report card was good but not stellar. Not sure why I expected him to have an exception report card for kindergarten. Aaargh. Why am I doing this to him (and me) already?

Oh great, he just jumped off of the swingset which is too close to the deck so off I go to bring him inside. *sigh*

Blah day.

Jax is at school. It is the next-to-last day for him. Then I will have a 1st grader-to-be! *gasp*

Cars vomited twice (well more like spit-up) since last night. Guess I over did the dairy with a big bowl of chocolate ice cream last night. I will go back to having the occasional piece of cheese and see how that goes.

The roofing company sent a drywall guy here to fix the big dings in the skylights and the whole in the master bedroom ceiling. He said he will finish patching the drywall and come back tomorrow to paint. Problem is we do not have any paint for the bedroom ceiling or upstairs skylight (we do for the kitchen skylight) so they are going to repaint the whole bedroom ceiling! Stephen is very impressed that they are doing all of this for us (whereas I expect them to do so).

Speaking of Stephen, he has been having chest pains for well over a month and so my DH finally went to the doctor yesterday. She said she thinks he probably just strained a muscle but to be sure (history of heart disease in his family) she is sending him to the cardiologist. He goes on Thursday.

Stephen is also trying out a motorcycle today. He wants to see what all of the fuss is about.

The babies are named Alexandra Mary and Victoria Jane. They are both doing well, as is Jen. The twins are expected to stay in the hospital for two weeks and are still on ventilators are the moment.

Lots of excitement on the forums this weekend. Chard is a woman, which I suspected for a long time. But the kicker is that Chard is Amie which just totally blows me away. Amie is a sociopath. Crys is just a freak.

We put up a permanent baby gate at the door from the kitchen to the dining room. One of the MouseTrap ball bearings went missing after Dex played with it and left it out. Stephen is SURE that Cars ate it. I am sure he did not. We'll see if it turns up in a couple of days.

Dad died five years ago today. June 20, 1999. It was Father's Day that year also. I miss him.

They're Here!

I am an aunt again! Twin A and Twin B were born last night at 2:41am ET and 2:44am ET. They were 8 weeks early and 4 weeks before their planned arrival via c-section. Jen was hospitalized on Thursday for pre-eclampsia. Last night her kidneys started to shut down so they had to take the babies. Jen has barely seen them and will not name them until she does (they are in NICU and she is under a special watch to make sure her pre-eclampsia goes away and her kidneys start working normally again). Greg is concerned but elated about being a dad. I cannot wait to see pictures of them!

Hot-Hot-Hot

Hot day today. The air-conditioner is keeping the family room around 79 which is much better than 85 that is usually gets in this hot weather.

And of course the hot weather brings out the big huge
spiders. Saw my first one last night in the bathroom. Had to awaken Stephen to kill it. ~shudder~ Even though I was really creeped out I kept my cool. I am proud of myself for that.

Climbed the Gladys Kravitz perch today to admire my new roof. They still haven't taken away the dumpster. They sent a follow-up guy came to inspect the roof. He said they need to come back and fix something near the chimney. I also showed him the hole in my master bedroom ceiling (!) and the big digs in both skylight wells. He said they would repair all of the drywall but I do not have any more paint to match my bedroom. :
Kindergartend end-of-year party. They tried to make ice cream in ziploc baggies. Not smart on the hottest day of the year so far. Of course the school is not air-conditioned. Anyway, Ash ran home and got a big tub on ice cream that she had just purchased (she said she knew the home made ice cream would not work out). Nosey Neighbour's nose got out of joint when Bossy Room Mom started going on about whose dumb idea was it anyway (Nosey Neighbours). LOL

The kindergarten teacher got all choked up when they presented her with a book "What I like about Miss C". She is a lovely person and did such a great job this year for her first year teaching!

Well, I am hot and tired so I am going to bed.

Roof: Day 2

They are still up there hammering away. Guess it is going to take longer than two days afterall. Snotty neighbour asked if they were going to go until 9pm again tonight. Since it is 8:50pm I would say apparently so.

I am FLYING. Ok, not exactly doing everything she say when she says it but I am inspired to clean up and out my house. It felt so good to purge all that shit into the dumpster last night. Although I did notice that the TV stand is OUT of the dumpster today. Not sure if it because it took up so much room or if one of the roof guys is going to take it home. We'll see if it gone when they leave today.

Ash is organizing a night out with all of the kindergarten moms (P.M. class only). I think she is miffed at me because I nixted her decision of Thai food. There is virtually no way to avoid peanuts in a Thai restaurant.

::short break::

Me, asking Stephen for the umpteenth time...

Me: What day are you going to come watch the kids swim?
Stephen: What time and day do they swim?
Me: (eyeroll) Monday and Wednesdays at 9 and at 1.
Stephen: Mondays are no good for me.
Me: They only have three lessons left.
Stephen: I can make it to one lesson - which one do you want me to come to?
Me: Pick one of your children.

Ok, that was pretty bitchy of me but for f*** sakes, I have been asking him since the first week of March to come out to one of their lessons. What does it take? I think I will start whistling "Cat's in the Cradle".

Can you tell I have PMS?

Frigging Flylady

Ok, the stupid witch told me to go shine my sink but first fill it up with water and bleach. Guess who has *7* bleach blobs on their shirt from splatter? Bugger! Bugger! Bugger! There is a reason why I do not use bleach in my laundry (I have ruined more things than you can imagine). Now "flying" I have managed to ruin a perfectly good shirt.

The roofing guys started on the roof today. Bang Boom Crash Bang Bang all day long. I have a headache.

Nosey Neighbour told me that when they did their roof, she filled the dumpster in her driveway with a bunch of old crap they had lying around in the garage. I told Stephen this (he was planning a trip to the dump next weekend) and he asked the roofing guys if it were ok for us to put some stuff in it. They said sure. So, we got rid of an old crib (Terry was not able to sell it at 2001 garage sale so it has sat in our garage ever since), a bunch of old broken pieces of wood from the fence, a broken desk chair, five old window blinds, an area rug, a tv stand, an "expired" carseat and some other stuff I cannot recall. Feels great to get rid of it all! I posted 300 pounds tossed at Flylady.net but I am sure it was more than that.

Baby Steps

First baby steps...I rejoined Flylady. I have gotten to the point where I would no longer consider her emails harrassment (although it would help if she did not send me emails at 8:30 telling me to go to bed!). Anyway, part of my back to my old self baby steps that I am taking.

And we have more baby steps. Cars took his first steps. He'll be running in no time.

He's home! He's home! And he even went to the airport early to see about getting on an earlier flight and arrived home three hours early! Whoo-hoo!

Five years and two days since I moved to Washington State.
Five years and one day since I realized that $230k did not go far in Washington State.
Five years to the day that we found "the" house and put in an offer.
Four years and fifty weeks since our offer was accepted.
Four years and forty-six weeks since we moved into "the" house.

Five years but it seems like yesterday. It was so hot that day and it was the end of the day. We were so done looking at houses but our agent insisted that we look at one more. It was not close to where we were looking but we agreed because it was close to Erik and Terry - the only people we knew in the state of Washington. A looooong trek during rush our and we arrived. We walked into the house and I loved it. We walked into the kitchen and I knew this was the house that we were going to live in. We had a few bumps in the house-buying process (the sellers were high maintenance!) but in the end, we had a very lovely house that became a home.

Funny thing is that after five years of living here I am just now considering Washington State home.

Rest assured that the exercise thing was a passing fancy. Whew! Back to slugville for me.

Ash's turn to watch the kids this afternoon. I had made up my mind to come back home, alone, and have a long bath. Of course all that changed when I saw the state of my bathroom so I spent the time cleaning the bathroom, including mopping the walls above the shower (high ceilings suck sometimes). I nearly fell off the step-stool and I smell of bleach but my bathroom is sparkling.

Dex is over his hissy fit from last night. He will be making a formal apology to Nanny when she returns tomorrow (if she returns - yes, it was THAT bad). I am still horrified at his behaviour. I won't go into all the details but it started when he kicked her as she told him to go to his room to get his pajamas on. It ended very badly too according to them both. *sigh* It is so out of character for him...

Today was Dex's last day of school and the last time we shall step foot into that preschool. After forking over $25 for teachers' gifts, I was in no mood to write the teachers little thank you notes so I didn't. One of the teachers I really, really loved too - she was Jax's preschool teacher too - but the other two I was indifferent towards. All of the Stepford Wives brought in gifts for all three teachers, even though they had already contributed $25 (or more) towards gifts. Laurie also felt the same way I did and she did give them additional cards or gifts (I believe we were the only two who didn't).

It is chilly in here. I think I need to turn the heat back on. The weather sucks - low 60's and overcast/rainy/windy. That Gladys Kravitz perch is beckoning but I cannot go out there until it warms up!

Much better day today (for me). Dex had a hard day but he can write about it in his blog.

Stephen met the other Stephen SameLastName and his wife Chacke (accent agu needed over the e) for dinner tonight in Minneapolis. He said it was so nice to see them. Friday night he sees our old gang. I am jealous!

I actually EXERCISED today. I mean it was real exercise. I did the WW exercise dvd that I got the first week of January before I quit going. It felt good to do it and who knows, perhaps I will do it again tomorrow.

Dex's tooth is popping through more. Cute little snaggle-tooth!

Gladys Kravitz Watch
New neighbour's children scream as much as mine do. teeheehee

Ok I am an emotional wreck. Broke down in the pediatrician office today. Told her about the ppd and she asked me why I wasn't on any meds. I explained to her that as long as I was nursing Cars I would not take anything that might affect him - passing any chemical to him in my breast milk. Much of that stems from my guilt of Jax's peanut allergy and the fact that he most likely became allergic due to the vast quantities of peanut butter I consumed while pregnant and nursing. Then through my sobs I had to convince her that I really was ok and that I was so much better than I was months ago.

On a better note, Cars' ear infection has cleared up completely. Dex has a sinus infection and the beginnings of an ear infection so he gets a round of Augmentin since the Amoxicillian did not clear it up last time. Today was his 4 year check-up. He weighs 39 pounds and is 42.25 inches tall which puts him in the 75th percentile for height.

Yesterday I went shopping at Old Navy (took a slight detour home from the psychologist's office). I bought Jax a Hooded Sweatshirt. When I gave it to him he was so delighted and he immediately put it on then ran for his ball cap, put that on too and said "Look at me! I'm a teenager!" He wore it all the rest of the evening. He thinks he looks ultra-cool. I think he looks like a hoodlum - a cute one. I also bought all three boys matching Flag t's in olive.

Dex's upper incisor finally popped through. See? He was teething!

Gladys Kravitz Watch
Too much rain lately for me to be up on the perch.

Can't sleep. Well, I did sleep - from 8:30pm until 1am because I had a horrible migraine. The worst in years. Then Cars awoke so I fed him, put him back to bed and I've been awake ever since. I've done the crossword from yesterday's paper, read some of the forums, paged through a magazine and ate some (you guessed it) Chips Ahoy! cookies. Hmmm...now what?

Stephen leaves in 3.5 hours for Mpls.

There was a nice article about my SIL and her business in the Vancouver Sun today (yesterday). Stupid site - you need to be a paid subscriber to access the article. Anyway, she is hoping it drums up some business for her company.

Took Dex to a b-day party on Sunday. Man, I thought I was an anal and controlling mom. Jen tried to control the 4 year olds way more than I did at Dex's party. At least I know I am not the only no-fun-mom around.

Stephen took Dex and Jax to see Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban on Sunday. I am a little jealous because I wanted to go see it. I could have arranged for a babysitter for Cars but really I want to go see it without any distractions (read: KIDS). Nanny is coming on Wednesday evening so perhaps I will go then.

As much as I would tell anyone who would listen that I DO NOT IRON. I do. In fact I think I use the iron virtually everyday to press my t-shirts or get the wrinkles out of my jeans that got all crispy and hard air-drying in the laundry "room". I even press the boys' clothes from time-to-time. Anyway, now that the dirty little secret it out, I can admit that I burnt myself on the iron today. I have a lovely check-mark shaped burn on my forearm from reaching around the iron and not quite clearing it. Did it ever hurt! Needed to nurse it with Chips Ahoy!

And speaking of Chips Ahoy!, I need to go back to bed before the package summons me back to the pantry.

Ok, so there is a little news.

1) I am back to Chocolate Macaroon after 7 horrible weeks of Chocolate Mousse (which really is "fucking scarlet" as Dmouse may concur).

2) I have eaten more Chips Ahoy! in the past couple of days than one would think is humanly possible.

3) I have gained five pounds. (see #2 for reason)

4) I am in desperate need of a good night's sleep.

I guess #4 isn't really news since I write about it all the time.

Nothing to see here. Move along, folks.

There is some buzzing behind the blinds on the window next to me. I am afraid to look for fear it might be a bee or wasp rather than a fly.

Today Dex and I rode the school bus with Jax. It was fun to see all the kids get on at their stops. Dex had the biggest grin on his face. He loved it! However, he did not love the walk home. "Why can't the bus drive us home?" and whimper, whimper, whimper all the way home. Oh well, I enjoyed the mile walk. Nosey Neighbour watched Cars who slept the whole time.

Nanny showed up unexpectedly this morning. She had told me that she wasn't available today but lo and behold she showed up a few minutes after 8. I had her stay and I went to lie back down since it was a relatively sleepless night last night. Cars was up most of the night and Dex was up several times too. I must go to bed by 9 tonight.

The boy who ran over the baby wrote a letter of apology to the baby's mom. It read "I am sorry I ran over your kid". I thought it was cute but the mom didn't really. Oh well. The baby is doing well, no concussion, he had a small blood clot in his nose that kept bleeding but he is fine now.

I am feeling a little sorry for myself lately. And I do not even want to snap out of it. I want to wallow in my self-pity. Thank goodness for Chips Ahoy! Nothing like throwing oneself a pity party stocked up with a few bags of Chips Ahoy!

Oooh, the buzzing just got more angry-sounding. I guess I will have to take a look afterall...

Walked to pick Jax up from school today. Dex did well considering I took the single stroller and he had to walk both ways. Usually I take the double jogger (best garage sale purchase EVER!) and I push him there and he walks home. Anyway, it was HOT today and I got all sweaty and stinky. Then not long after we got home (we were gone nearly 2 hours!) it was time to take Dex to t-ball practice. What a day!

It was also emotionally exhausting because I saw a baby get run over by a bicycle. Well, he is actually a toddler but anyone under 3 is a baby to me. The bike knocked him down then the tire ran right over his head. I could not believe it. Poor baby had a bloody nose, a big scrap on his forehead and several on his arms and legs. And the sickening thump as his head his the ground keeps echoing in my mind.

I was the first one to him and I picked him up but looking back I guess I should have left him in case he had some serious injuries. Well honestly, I don't think I could have just left him. Anyway, I picked him up and ran him over to his mom. Then I turned to the kid on the bike (who should not have been riding his bike on the school yard, nevermind that it was crowded and he was whipping) to chew him out then I saw that he was scared as hell. I felt so horrible that my first thought was yell at him. I asked him if he were ok, assured him that the baby would be fine, then suggested that he might want to walk his bike out of the school yard.

I called the mom this evening and the baby is fine. I guess the principal is going to contact the bike rider's parents (one of the other kids knew who he was). I hope he doesn't get in too much trouble. He is guilty of using bad judgment, riding in the school yard, but he is probably only 8 or 9 and he did try to avoid the baby who ran in front of him.

I keep getting choked up thinking about the whole thing though. The baby, the kid, the mom. I cried afterwards and am tearing up now. What an emotional wreck...

Stephen took the air conditioner out of the box today (we've had it since my b-day two months ago) and he hopes to have it set up this weekend. Even today the house warmed up to 79 and it was probably about that outside. Hotter weather tomorrow.

Allergies. Shit. I forgot how bad they can be. I never had any allergies until I moved here. Then every year at the end of May or beginning of June it starts. Constant dripping nose, sore throat and sneezing and sneezing and sneezing. And since I am nursing I am not sure if I can take anything. Aaa-chooo!

At 4:53am this morning I realized that Cars was NOT going back to sleep. He had been awake about 10 minutes. Today is going to be a very long day.

Oh, time to take Dex to school. Just three more classes. Actually, the last day is "come meet your child and his/her class for popsicles at 10am!" So basically they watch them for an hour and pawn them off on us. I am so glad that we are leaving this school!

Welcome back, Mr. Sun!

Gorgeous day today. Sunny, a few fluffly clouds in the sky and a slight breeze. Love it! Migraine is gone. Got some sleep last night. Chips Ahoy! are on sale. All is right with the world.

Dex got to swim this morning during Jax's lesson so we do not have to go back this afternoon. Three more weeks of lessons then that's it for the summer. We'll start back up again in the fall or maybe wait until next spring.

Dex has a friend over - C. They play really well together (so far) and I hope it keeps up. I've got another 2.25 hours to go until I drop C off with his mom at the school grounds.

Stephen is going to Minnesota next week. I am already panicking about the loooooong days. How do Katie and Heidi do it with such grace? I have Nanny coming one evening then all day on the Friday. That will help. At least the kids will still be in school! I would definitely go crazier if he were going away two weeks later.

Dex is so excited because on Friday I have arranged with Chris the Bus Driver for he and I to ride the bus to school. Nosey Neighbour is going to babysit Cars while Dex and I ride the bus then walk home. I don't think Dex is going to be thrilled about the walk home. He has already asked if we can get the bus to drive us back home too.

Ooops - emergency - ball under the deck!

Dex is officially 4 now. As of yesterday. We had birthday donuts rather than a birthday cake because that is what he wanted.

Now that Dex is 4, he told me he didn't need pull-ups anymore. Sure enough he woke up dry today. We've tried this before and he can usually go 2 nights dry then wet the next night and back to pull-ups for a couple of weeks. We'll see what happens tonight.

Oh, and now that Dex is 4, he says he is a big kid and needs to take a shower. Tonight was the first shower he took without screaming about the water getting in his eyes.

The sun shone most of today but it was still cool. I am looking forward to warm weather again. Oh, listen...there goes the ice cream minivan. Some guy drives around with his minivan full of coolers hocking ice cream and playing "TURKEY IN THE STRAW" really loud.

So I caved and donated my $25 towards the preschool teachers gifts. :(

Jax fell off the swings twice today. The first time I could not stop laughing. He was saying "Look, no hands!" and then did a face plant as he swung backwards. The second time he fell off because he leaned too far forward when going forward. That one wasn't nearly as funny because he did clunk his head then the swing came back and hit him in the noggin. Ok, so it was a little funny. The kind of thing one would see on "America's Funniest Home Videos".

I have a migraine so it is early to bed for me tonight.

Lifted from katiefleck:

I'm an apparently intelligent, liberal, not-too-generous, not-too-selfish, relatively well adjusted human being!
What are you?
Brought to you by Rum and Monkey

Which makes me 80% compatible with katiefleck@hotmail.com. (teeheehee)