Home Again

Well, we went on vacation to the fabulous Bahamas. Paridise Island to be exact. And it was in fact, paradise!
My mom and her best friend went with us and actually we stayed in my mom's best friend's time share which was the best!
The flight down was great...we almost missed the flight and it was crazy actually getting to the airport in time. My mom was in so much pain from the residual effects of having a kidney stone removed the week before...we had to get a perscription filled before we were able to leave and it made us late. When we finally got to the airport check in, we were told, "Sorry, you're too late." even though our flight didn't leave for an hour. (you really are supposed to be there at least two hours before hand.)
The kids did great on the flight.
THe resort we stayed in was ginormous. Atlantis is awesome though, so much to see and do. We spent our days poolside or at the beach. Loved it. Despite my mom being on her death bed every other day, we had a great time. When my mom was feeling well, she and the boys and Mrs. Mac would play together at the beach and hunt for seashells. Scott and I got to nap a little on the beach which was heaven.
The kids pools were so cool, Q definately developed a love for the water. Previously he was very timid in the water, but I picked up some water wings for him and they seem to have given him confidence and finally let go of me and started treading water. The last day we were there, he spent the whole day in the pool. Like from 10 am to 4pm. The two boys were so tired they crashed and are still crashing today 4 days later...
B loved the water too, we found him a B sized life jacket and he was unstoppable as well. I didn't take many pictures cause I was too busy following the two of them around in the water. My mom though took enough pictures and hopefully will share.

Vacation or not, it was still lots of work. Its just not the same when you have kids. We all returned exhausted. The flight home was rocky and we got caught in a holding patern for a while, and the descend was so rough. B was an absolute brat on the flight. He fell asleep for about 45 minutes and woke up an absolute crab. Nothing would please him. He threw things at me and demanded more toys and snacks. Ugh, it wasn't pretty. Thankfully he didn't make too much noise about it, but it was enough to make me want to drug him next time we fly. (which will be no sooner than never). To make matters worse, we sat in terrible traffic once we got in the car. B was beside himself and cried and screamed on the ride home. My mom tried her best to distract him but by that point everyone was done.

I'm glad to be home. Scott is off for the next week and I'm enjoying his company.

Packing for Vacation

Yesterday, I pulled out the large suitcase and began packing the boys things for vacation. Q seeing what I was doing ran upstairs and came down with his most important items to pack. What did he pack?
A wall clock, an alarm clock, a watch and headphones.
When he came downstairs, Scott had burst into laughter but quickly stiffled it.
Then Scott asked, "What's your name? Flava-Flav?"
Oh my goodness. 3 clocks and headphones?

Zwei Jahre Alt

Two Years Old.
Eek gads, B turned two yesterday. Yes, it went fast, and I DO remember him being teeny tiny, and don't miss that part anymore. He's so fun right now. Talking up a storm, talks in sentences as a matter of fact. He's still stupid cute too. And its still working for him.
He loves all things cars and vehicles. Just like another son of mine.
Plays well by himself. Doesn't play nice w/ other kids his own age. Plays nicely w/ Q for a while, until one wants what the other has. I love listening to that part, and I have learned a great skill which Scott calls, "burying my head in the sand." I can tune it out for the most part, there is no reasoning w/ them when they get like that. So I don't bother stepping in, I think that they'll figure it out.
Some of my favorite quotes from him are:
-After I return home from somewhere w/out him (could be as little as a half hour away), he says: "I missed Mommy." and hugs me. so cute.
-When I say, "B, come here." he says, "NO! I NOT!" --OK, sometimes it makes me laugh and sometimes it makes me angry...
-He calls Q, "Kin." Which is too cute. And after he wakes up in the morning or after nap, he always says, "Hi Kin!"
-When he requests a beverage, "I want milk-juice." And then the Abbot and Costello act ensues, "Well, do you want milk? or juice." B: "I want milk-juice." Milk? B: "Milk....juice".
-"I pick Easter eggs." when he at Easter egg hunts.
-"Bunny, carrot eat." (observing the carrot 'left out' for the Easter bunny).


He still eats great, but gains little weight. We shall see what he weighs on Wednesday.
He prefers daddy over me, but who doesn't? Daddy is a popular guy in this house. I tend to like him more than anyone here too.
Still cries when I drop him off at childcare, but just long enough to make me feel a little bit guilty.
He's loving and snuggly and loves everybody. He's super friendly to old people, which makes me want to hug him. We were at Wal-mart today and an old lady sitting in a wheelchair was passing by and he waves and says "Hi!", so cute. Its only to old people and babies that he does this too. Makes me thing he knows they need a bright spot in their day or something.
He has a flare for the dramatic and throws a great tantrum when he doesn't get his way. It starts w/ a pout, he walks away slowly, lays on the ground face down, and then begins kicking and screaming.

For his birthday, Scott built him (and Q) and rocking sandbox. They have played in there for hours since he built it on Friday. Grammy took him and Q and me to the zoo on Saturday and we had a grandparent birthday cake and presents party. Oddly enough though, he didn't eat his whole cupcake. He's definitely Scott's kid. Q and I could down a cupcake or two or three in a sitting, without stopping to think about consequences. Scott is not much of a sweet eater, neither is B.
Since his birthday was actually on Easter we did everything on Saturday, and it turned out great.

It'll be interesting to see how the year progresses with him. He's definitely so different than Q and I have no idea what the future holds for this kid. He's definitely more rough and tumble and brace compare to Q. I keep thinking he'll be my ER kid. We shall see.

The First Call to Poison Control

OK, I promised a friend I would update w/ the story of the first call I made to poison control last week. Thankfully, this one did not involve my kids.

So last week, I had a babysitter come and watch my kids during nap time so I could go to an appointment. She came and I cleaned my house thoroughly before she got here to hide my terrible housekeeping skills. In the midst of cleaning, I discovered that the fish tank needed water, so I poured a pitcher full of water and added the water conditioner to it and let it come to room temperature on the kitchen counter.
I told myself...'tell the babysitter not to drink that water'. Well, I forgot to. When I got back after my appointment and the babysitter left, I noticed that the water was half gone in the pitcher. Oh crap. Then I remembered that the sitter did NOT have her cell phone on her, so I couldn't call her immediately to find out if she had actually drank the water. So, I read the bottle of water conditioner and it plainly stated, "Not for human consumption, keep out of reach of children (and babysitters)."
So, I placed the call to Poison Control. Ring Ring...
"Poison control, how can I help you?"
me: "well, I have a question."
PC: "OK, go ahead."
Me: "I have this Marine Water Conditioner that I treated a pitcher full of water full, and then my babysitter drank it. Is that bad?"
PC: "Well, is there a list of ingredients?"
Me: "No, it just says don't ingest it."
PC:"How's the babysitter feeling right now?"
Me: "I don't know, she left, and I can't contact her."
PC: "well, I have to contact the company to see what's exactly in it..."
So he takes my name and number and hangs up and goes on his mission to find out if my babysitter will die or not.
He called me back later said the company didn't answer and was going to try something else. In the meantime, I got in touch with the babysitter.
Me: "Hello, ugh, do you know that water that was in that pitcher on the kitchen counter?"
BS: "yes?"
Me: "Did you drink it?"
BS: "yes, and it tasted baaad! And I thought to myself, Wow! Their water is bad, but I drank a lot of it, why?"
Me: "Well, it was water I treated with a water conditioner for the fish tank."
BS: Laughter. Lots of Laughter.
Me: "are you feeling OK?" and I apologized over and over and explained that PC was going to call me back.
BS: more laughter. "Yes Kate, I'm fine."
Me: More apologizing.
PC later called me back and said that it was fine. She might get an upset stomach but it should be fine.
And all was fine. But I still feel bad. Really bad about it. And also have learned to label an old milk jug w/ fish water on it, so that this does not happen again.

Mother of the Year: Part Deux

Well, I have long ago declared that I am the best mother in my immediate area that I know of at least. And yesterday, in response to my greatest mothering evidence that has surfaced yet, I recieved my second Mother of the Year award. For what you ask?
Well, for leaving a potentially harmful hypodermic needle that automatically injects itself(spring loaded actually) in reach of a four year-old.
It gets better.
B was behaving poorly yesterday, jumping on the sofa and diving off it. An activity I try to supress. I have just started putting the boy in time-out and its work, lots of work. After about 30times of me saying "No, you need to sit in time-out", I went upstairs to put him in his crib. While I was upstairs, Q calmly called to me. "MOM." "Mooom." "Mom!" me: "Hold on Q, I'll be right down." So, I'm all proud of myself at this point, because I did NOT begin screaming or acting frustrated w/ B for not obeying, and walk calmly downstairs to Q. Once I get in the kitchen Q says "Mom, look." Expecting to see another great picture colored (since he was sitting so pleasantly coloring at the kitchen island), I look to discover that he had injected my epi-pen THROUGH his thumb. He sat there with the entire length of the needle in one side of his thumb and out the other. In an instant I was soo pissed that he did that, and then in the second instant I was worried about what effects the epinepherine would have on his 39lb system. So, I pulled the needle out and then the screaming began. Oh the screaming. It bled for a short time, like less than a minute, but it must have hurt.
So, I picked up the phone and called the pediatrician, who told me to watch out for hyper behavior, his heart racing etc...Then they asked me how much medicine actually got injected. Uh, I have no idea? They also informed me to watch for his finger turning white, which would be a sign that the digit wasn't getting any blood flow. Then I was supposed to call Poison Control. So I did. For the second time this week. (more on the first call later).
Poison control people are very nice, if you need to call, they're at least sympathetic. However, when I called, the BOTH of them were screaming at this point. I couldn't hear her to save the life of me (or my boy). Well, I was given instructions again to watch it, and it did start turning white, but just around the injection site, but I thought, I'm not waiting around to watch the rest of it turn white and just hauled it on over to the Pediatrician's office. I was beginning to miss them anyway, it had been a month since either of them has been there. Well, he turned out to be fine. The needle went thru and thru (the bone as well), and we just have to keep it clean, and prevent him from sucking it. So we came home with a big bandage on it.
It was an interesting incident. When we got home, Q begged me not to tell Daddy. (I already had, and I will not make that mistake again). He was so ashamed or embarrassed. Even when Scott got home, he would not tell him anything about it. He said , "I just want to be a great boy and you not be sad". Poor kid. I think he got a lot of guilt about it at the doctor's office, as did I.
For the record, I don't make a habit of leaving an epi-pen out for the kids to play with. I keep one in my purse and last week, B was rifling thru my purse and I pulled it out and put it up on the counter thinking it'd be safe from him. Not thinking that it would be in Q's reach. And then I forgot I put it there.
I do have a lot of guilt about leaving it out, and maybe I shouldn't be taking it so lightly. But I have learned an important lesson. Well, several really. Hide the epi-pens, and never tell Scott that you injured one of his children until AFTER you seek medical attention and have everything under control. I am very thankful it wasn't worse. Thank you God for your protection.

Sooo....

An update of sorts.
B had his GI appointment two weeks ago, and the Dr doesn't seem to think his random vomiting and constant diarrhea are anything to worry about. Good news. He has not vomited in 4 weeks now. The runny belly is less consistent now. Also, we know he isn't allergic to milk or soy or eggs, so I reintroduced cow's milk and he LOVES it. The doctor wanted him back on whole milk to get more fat into his diet, although he wasn't concerned about his weight gain like I am.
He still has to have an upper GI series next Tuesday (which I'm wish I could just not do, i guess I could not do it). He has to drink some liquid and then they take x-rays...I'm sure he'll do fine.

We are blessed to be going on a vacation in April to Atlantis, Bahamas. My mom's roommate asked if we wanted to go and use her timeshare. How could I say no to that? My mom and her roommate are going, but we all get along really well, and the condo we're staying in seems big enough to accommodate all of us. I'm excited about having a kitchen on vacation because I have come to learn that I DO NOT like to take my children out to eat more than I have to. Every once in a while, I get a notion that it would be a great idea to eat out, and then I am reminded why I dread it. B is a terror of sorts in a restaurant. He's fine for the first 30mins, maybe. Then he's full and bored and colors on everything, and throws things at people and cries to get down. Q is fine at a restaurant, normally, when B is not around, he seems to enjoy copying his little brother's antics which annoys me MORE than B being a stinker. He should know better. But anyway...
We're going on vacation to a hopefully sunny and warm get-away, for 7 whole days. I'm excited! And we already got B his passport so we're good to go!

Q is down for the count with a high fever and general malaise...(did you like that dr term?? Its my effort in life to talk like a doctor!ha!) He awoke Sunday am and threw up and then just laid on the couch all day, and maybe said two words to me. This the day after my birthday which is the EXACT time last year an AWFUL month of sickness overcame our family and I didn't leave the house for almost the whole month of March. I wrote this post about it.
Q getting sick does not make me sweat that bad anymore. I pray that the "sick season" ends soon though.

The weather out today was so beautiful. I made Q go out in his PJ's and a coat just to breathe some fresh air. So beautiful, the sun was so warm, almost hot on my jeans. I cannot wait for spring to be here in full bloom. I noticed today that my hyacinths are popping up from the ground. Ohh, I cannot wait.

The Mess Makers

A cute pair aren't they? If you only knew what they were capable of. Let me introduce you to the MessMakers. We have two models, the 2005 model who is super smart and cute and extremely good at his job. We also have a younger model, the 2008 who is super cute and somewhat better at his job than the older model...
Observe the picture evidence.......I think this was created by both. (and this is a pretty tame version of what the two of them can accomplish in under 30 seconds).


The 2008 Model


The 2005 Model


Here we are training them in their mess making capabilities. Yes, I purposefully give them media to make a mess in. This was a particularly fun mess to make, it was all fun and games until the 2008 got some in his eyes.