Monday, January 30, 2006
January 27-29, 2006
Another weekend tainted by sickness. ACK.
So, on Thursday after work I picked up Liam from Daycare. As I entered, Anna says, "Sorry it smells like bleach,
one of the kids just threw up." Lovely.
I gathered up Liam and brought him home. I had to do a couple of minor things to the truck, so since it was warm,
I left Liam in his carseat while I glued a couple of things in spots they'd come loose from. Liam fell asleep.
At dinner Liam didn't eat much, and was irritable. I put him to bed early. As expected, around 1:30 am, I
awoke to hear Liam coughing and crying. Sure enough, he'd done a bang up job of his pajamas and crib. I knew this
early morning would come. So, I began stripping the bed in between his spouting. Within about a half an hour I
was back in bed and we were both relatively clean.
I woke the next... I mean, later that morning with a headache and slight nausea. Since a guy was coming to look
at my truck (for sale) and we had a Baby Doctor's appt, I attributed it to just nerves. I kept trying to convince myself
of this until about 5:00 when I was proved wrong. It was my turn - twice. It had been years since I'd been that
sick! Russ did his best to comfort me while praying that he'd not get a turn too. Liam was much better, although
still a little sleepy.
Sidenote: No tellling if that guy will buy my truck or not. He liked it, and said that he wanted to consult
the Credit Union, but I haven't heard from him since.
Another Sidenote: Doctor's appt went very well. Baby's heartbeat was clear and strong, and all tests so far
have had good results. I gave a bit of blood for the Triple Screen Genetic Testing, but we won't know those results
until probably our next appt. We also got a referral for a second ultrasound - where we might be able to tell the gender.
I scheduled that appt for February 10th, so place your bets now!
Ok, so Saturday morning, I was better but VERY dizzy. I spent the majority of the day on the couch, but did manage
to get my truck to Tires Plus for an oil change. Again, Russ was patient, and Liam kept himself entertained or deep
in a nap.
By the evening, I was well enough to enjoy dinner, but had a hard time keeping myself awake much past 9:00.
Sunday, I felt better entirely. I had more energy, and took the dogs for an early morning walk. Then
I made us all a dandy breakfast of French Toast. We didn't do a lot that day except some laundry, but I think it did
us good to recoup a little. Russ is having a lot of fun with his new Football computer game, and I practiced a little
in prep for my Babywearing Workshop on Tuesday evening. I hope I have as good attendance as I did last time!
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
January 21-22
It was a weekend of showers and baby related things. On Saturday Liam went with his mom to a co-worker of mines surprise
shower. I debated going but after Erin got back she said no guys went so I was glad I stayed home. Meredith is a
really nice gal I work with and Erin and her hit it off at a picnic at work last summer. She already has a daughter with
another on the way. We all ate lunch and then got ready to go to the Hicks surprise co-ed Baby shower. We had a good time
there and Karens family went all out with games, activities, and food. We had a lot of fun making a short for Baby Hicks and
trying to guess the word scramble. The food was delcious. Karen and Bob looked great and ready to go. The nursery was beautiful.
Erin made Baby wraps and a changing kit and Target GC's for both Meredith and Karen. I threw in a Geocaching Travel
Bug for the Hicks who we met through geocaching. We also got to say to Carla and Steve briefly as they were late upon
arriving. I enjoyed seeing Carl, Jodi, Caleb and holding there little baby girl. Felt pretty good. I wouldn;t mind having
a little girl but I am sure I have said that plenty lately. ;-)
Saturday night we ate at Nicolletti's. That was the first time we went here in a while and Erin was in a Lasagna mood.
I notice more cravings with her this time. We also saw my old boss Melissa and her husband Rod and their kids briefly.
Satirday night we watched
Red Eye. It was not your typical Wes Cravenm slasher flick but actually had a story. I notoced the lead actor was the dude from Batman.
Man he plays creepy well. It was a decent three out of five stars! Very watchable and sometimes suspenseful but also predictable.
On Sunday Erin psyched herself up to clean up the jeep for sale. We need to sell that in order to start looking for a
van and another little economical car to replace the Saturn which will go to Noah. Liam and I went to the grocery for some
items as well as Scallops and Alaskan Crab that was on sale.
Erin went to the Play Group on Sunday Afternoon while I watched the Playoff game and rooted for Bettis and the Steelers
to upset the Broncos which they did. Erin bought some nice maternity where from Amy, who was hosting the play group. The kids
enjoyed playing together.
Sunday evening we had a wonderful Seafood meal. My attempt at Scallops wrapped in Bacon turned out okay. The Scallops
were done well but the bacon dominated the flavor. I should have cooked them on different surfaces. Lesson learned. We settled
in and watched the Panthers get destroyed by the Seahawks. Man the Redskins were lucky the Seahawks didn't play like this
the weekend before or iot would have been even uglier.
Unfortunately Liam woke screaming in the night with a fever. I took him to the doctor on Monday and the good news is
his strept is all gone but the bad news is his pesky right ear has another infection. Doctor Sheth prescribed a stronger old
fashioned medicine. It is grape flavored and we are having a dickens of a time diguising it to get ot down him. Erin stayed
home with him today Tuesday. Hopefully we can get the little guy better soon. He has had a tough winter thus far. :-(
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
January 13-16, 2006
On a whim, we decided early last week, that since Liam (and the rest of us) had recovered from his illness, that we'd
go visit Mom & Dad up "Home Home."
So, Friday morning, we loaded the truck, left a note and some $$ for Justin the Petsitter, and hit the road North.
As usual, it was a long drive. We stopped for lunch at Applebees, and made it home home around 3:00. This
allowed Liam to get his toys all set up, and share a story with Grandpa before Gramma got home. Russ and I attempted
to get my work Laptop functioning offline, but to no avail.
Gramma joined us after her day working at the Doctor's office. She'd put some dandy goods in the crockpot, and
soon, we'd all settled down to a family meal together. Even Liam dug in with gusto. That evening, we were all
tuckered from our adventures playing with Liam, so we just enjoyed each other's company in the living room, while wactching
some sort or Reality Cowboy show on CMT. It was entertaining, that's for sure. A bunch of "City Slickers"
put to the test of becoming "real" cow ranchers.
Saturday morning, Liam was raring to go. He helped Grandpa feed the dogs, and played trains and blocks with Gramma.
Russ and I thought we'd steal a couple hours away, so we went to town to do a little fun shopping. Actually, we didn't
plan on making any purchases, but when the Celler Door revealed a nice display of Byers Choice Dolls at 50% off, I couldn't
resist making a double purchase of a Waterman AND the Ghost of Christmas Present. I told Mom, I wanted Scrooge in his
Nightshirt for my birthday. I've officially become a collector. Russ, too, found some nice deals on a few Christmas
ornaments that he simply couldn't pass up. To top off our spree (and our budget) we called a halt to our browsing, and
went to the Diner for lunch, since Russ had never been there. It was fun, although we got the full ambiance by sitting
at the counter next to the grungiest guy in town! Oh well, the food was outstanding, and we still had fun.
We returned home and found Grandpa and Liam asleep in the chair. I'm sure it did them both good. Mom,
Russ and I chatted at the kitchen table, while Mom finished off the Pumkpin Roll she'd started much to my delight.
MMMMMMMM.
The afternoon brought some snow flurries, and Russ got excited. We'd purchased a cheap, plastic laundry basket
at the dollar store, and Russ was determined to show us what a nice sled it makes! He remembered sending Noah down the
slopes in one, and wanted Liam to have the experience. Although, the flakes dropped, so did the temperatures, so we
decided to see what Sunday's temperatures brought. The meager snowfall certainly wasn't in danger of melting.
That evening, we watched the remake of Bewitched. It was okay. Cute story, and Nicole Kidman was pretty good,
although I don't think the role was all that demanding.
Sunday morning we all went to church. I was very surprised, but Liam actually made it through the entire service
without trying out the Sanctuary's echo, or testing the structure of the pews, or hollering because he couldn't scribble
in the hymnals. It was a nice service, and Liam's drowsiness, combined with my full pack of "distractions" seemed to
make it a nice experience all around.
After church Mom and Dad treated us to brunch at the Penn Wells. Liam could hardley get in the booster chair
fast enough. He seemed ravenous! Must be going through a growth spurt!! We ell enjoyed the scrumptious buffet
before heading home to digest.
After a nap, Liam was in good spirits, so Russ and Mom figured it'd be a good time to try out the Laundry Sled.
So it was. We all bundled up good, went out to the side of the driveway, and launched the mission! Liam LOVED
it! He didn't even complain or whine when snow went right up his back. We didn't stay out very long, because it
was still not much warmer than 20 degrees, but the short time was nothing but fun. So much, that once we returned inside,
we continued the sledding up and down the hallway. Even Rita took a jaunt! See the movies of the sledding in Liam's
Monthly Movies on his page.
Later that day, Dad and I downloaded some plans for building a "Twin over Full" bunk bed set, in preparation for
Liam's new room after the baby arrives. We hope to find some time to build it together.
That evening we got a suprise visit from Aunt Pat and Uncle Wally! Liam went right up to Wally for a Hello Hug,
and then proceeded to tell Aunt Pat all about his new truck - of course, none of us could understand him, but he sure had
points to make!
Monday morning, our departure was delayed, due to laundering diapers. Ok, I planned that a little, but no one objected.
Liam and Granpa shared a few more stories.
We began packing up, and were back on the road South right around noon. Our trip home seemed rather lenghty.
We did stop for dinner at Cracker Barrel, but we still didn't get in the door until 8:00. Since Liam had slept for a
good majority of the ride home, he was wild and had no interested in settling down for bed. We got a nice phone call
from Brian and Jo, though, so he got to chat on the phone with them for a little bit too.
Finally, Russ began downloading the pictures and movies, and it wasn't long before I'd drifted off with pleasent thoughts
of a nice weekend with family.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
January 7-8, 2006
Though it was a short one, it was a pleasent weekend. Saturday we got around and ran a few errands in the morning.
We were home and had the groceries put away by noon, so we made ourselves some sandwiches before diving into the REAL work
for the day - putting away the Christmas decorations. Oh how I dreaded this task. We seemed to have gone all out
this year, and though the house looked festive and cozy, we really covered nearly every nook and cranny. This meant
the task of packing away the season was rather daunting. Actually, though, with Russ's help, and Liam napping out of
the way, it went fairly well. Russ tackled the tree, and I cleared out the greens in the windows and the wreaths and
the slew of Christmas cards. Russ gathered up the snowmen and the other various knick knacks, and soon we had it all
packed in boxes. However, the lights outside remained on the bushes. I took those down on Monday. I still
need to get the one strand along the roof, but we need to borrow our friend's ladder for that. Unfortunately, though,
the packed boxes remain in the guest room. We hope to get them in the attic before the weekend.
Yes, we need to get the boxes in the attic, so our Petsitter, Justin, can make his way to the bed! We've planned
an impromptu jaunt up "home home" this weekend. It seemed that we just didn't get enough time with the folks over Christmas,
and now that Liam's feeling better, we just yearned to head to Gramma and Grampa's house. Considering it's a 4 day weekend
for us it worked out rather well.
Anyway, on Sunday, Russ continued to help me spruce up the house a little, and we just enjoyed spending time with each
other. Russ got a kick out of being Redskins fans with Liam. We all settled in to watch the game against the Bucaneers
that afternoon.
After Liam went to bed, Russ and I wrapped up the weekend by watching a good, albeit CREEPY, movie called
Skeleton Key. It stars Kate Hudson, daughter of Goldie Hawn. It's set in Louisiana, and deals with magical Hoodoo. Like
I said, creepy, but had a really great story.
Tuesday, January 3, 2006
Holiday Week 2005
Well even with all the sniffling and colds and sickness we had a nice holiday week. Unfortunately my Mom could not make
it as she was sick. We heard Kate got sick to as well as Erin;s Parents after Christmas. Things really got around. Liam was
not really himself all week. Noah seemed to enjoy the downtime. We watched a few movies like
Surviving Christmas. After a few minutes Noah knew he had seen it before and it seemed strangely familiar to me but not Erin. It was entertaining
so we watched it. At the end of the movie I finally remembered I watched it either on a flight or Erin fell asleep on it before.
We also watched the
Dukes of Hazzard movie. Erin really wanted to see this one being a big Dukes fan. I complained that the 0 looked to round on the door and that
they opened. Of course much to my delightment both of these mysteries were solved in the movie. We all found it to be a pretty
good movie. Not the old Dukes but entertaining all in the same.
Erin took off Tuesday to get Liam to the Doctor and hang out with Noah. Liam had Strep throat so high powered Anti-Biotics
were prescribed. On Wednesday Noah watched Liam and did a great job. He is an awesome big brother. Noah also kept in
contact with hsi friends a bit text messaging and finally called Kayla, his girlfriend, and caught up with her as well.
I took off on Thursday to help out with Liam and give Noah a break and spend some time with Noah. Liam was a bit better
so we all took a run down to CiCi's for lunch. Noah and I then did some sample work with the Congas, Bass, and Keyboards and
various pedals and worked on a bad switch on his mixer that we remedied. We had a lot of fun that night taping interviews
with God and Satan. Using teh vocal processor Noah and I were able to change our voices to represent both. Noah seems to really
enjoy working with audio and his board work is great for a kid his age. Liam slept alot that day which was just as well. We
were going to the movies to go see King Kong but with no sitter and Liam not that great Erin begged to have the tickets exchanged
for the next day. She was lucky as the theatre cut her a break and let her exchange them.
So on Friday we took Liam, who was doing much better and not contagious anymore (cleared by the Doctor the day before)
to Daycare and we all went to the 10:30 showing of
King Kong. At least we thought we were going. When we arrived at the theatre all teh workers were standing outside. The manager was
over an hour late and no one knew what to do. Erin asked them if they had a phone. One of them did and then remembered they
could call there mom for the Managers number. We decided to go to the 2:30 showing with the gurantee we could use these tickets.
After getting the clear with Daycare to pick Liam up a half hour late we went back to see the 2:30 showing and it is funny
that NO ONE checked our tickets AT ALL. The movie was very long but great. Definitely BIG SCREEN! The action was incredible
as were the effects and Peter Jackson really stays true to the Original movie. The New York scenes of the 30s were really
cool and you see so much emotion from Kong. Glad we finally got to see it.
On Saturday we decided to make that Noah's virtual birthday (turned 16 yesterday January 2nd - HAPPY BIRTHDAY NOAH big
16!!). We wnet to Applebees for lunch and then had a cake that evening and celebrated! Noah has had an outstanding year and
we have seen a lot of growth in him physically and in his maturity.
After dinner Erin decided the Vocal Processor and doing a show sounded like fun. She came up with the idea of doing a
Holiday Icon Festival in which all the biggies were interviewed. Noah just did the sound and Erin and I traded off characters.
I did Santa (on his way to the Caribbean), a bitter Grim Reaper who wanted to be known as the Halloween Icon, Cupid (very
much like Richard Simmons) and a very Southern sounding Uncle Sam. Erin did a post rehab (Chocolate addiction found lying
in a ditch outside Hershey - Mr. McGregor doing the intervention with Flopsy and Mopsy) Easter Bunny. The bunny was also competeing
with teh Energizer Bunny to keep his job. Erin also did a Leprachan who we interviewed from teh bathroom (nice bathroom
echo effects Noah on the sound). Lets just say old St Paddy had a few too many. We all had a blast doing it and it made
the time pass quickly as we waited for the New Year to arrive.
We had barely finsihed and I got out some fireworks that the ball was almost ready to drop. Noah and I set up some fireworks
and I popped the cork on a small bottle of champagne of which Erin treated herself to a snall glass as we allowed Noah too
to. The ball dropped and we all celebrated and hugged and Noah and I ran out the door to light firworks and listen to all
the fire engines and other fireworks! It was so much fun having Noah with us. We were supposed to see all our friends in Pennsylvania
but they got sick and with Liam sick it was just as well as we had a wonderful evening at home.
We were up pretty early on Sunday as we were doing a round tripper to Pennsylvania. We helped Noah load up his gear and
I gave him the old MacIntosh from the 80s. He wanted it so why not. The trip was uneventful and light in traffic and Noah
arrived about 1:00. I think he was glad to be home and anxious to see Kayla. It was a great week even with all the sickness.
We stopped by Moms for an hour to strectch our legs and take Mom to the grocery. We also stopped at a Pizzeria Uno for some
dinner after the Cracker Barrel had an hour wait. Too long too wait on this long travel day. Traffic was a bit heavier
on teh way home and Erin and I split up the driving. We arrived home after 11 and 1/2 hours on the road ready to hit the hay!
Om Monday we puttered around and enjoyed teh extra day off and watched
The Polar Express with Liam who was captivated for about half a movie which is pretty good for him.
