Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Is God in a bad mood too?
Septermber in general is one of the greatest months of the year. October is the first greatest month followed by September, which is tied for second three-ways with April and Christmas (I know Christmas isn't a month, but I'm pretty sure that it would be more simple for everyone if December were renamed "Christmas".
Here a couple of September highlights:
1. It's the month just before October.
2. Yom Kippur
3. the First Day of Autumn
4. September 13- International Chocolate day
5. September 19- Talk like a pirate day
6. Of course there's Labor Day as well. Labor day would mean nothing to me if people didn't come to visit us every year. Why? Joel doesn't get the day off and neither do I. This year was fun because Labor day was Baby Mania with the Kruses. 5 babies, 2 and under just having a great time eating and trying to learn to share.
September 22, however, has been called (by me) the worst day of September, 2007.
Here's what happened:
I found out we ran out of grocery money.
Micah pooped 3 times in a single hour.
Silas cried without any breaks for about an hour. This was a temper tantrum like we haven't seen for a while complete with door slamming and screaming. After 45 minutes of trying to ignore him and after having woken Micah up TWICE, I called Andrea for help. And help she did because apparently Ava was doing the EXACT SAME THING at their house! I gave him yogurt and granola, tylenol and told him we would go see the Big Dam Bridge for a walk. This stopped the crying for the amount of time it took him to eat the snack and then the crying resumed until we got in the car.
A day before all this happened, I was having a mini-breakdown from all the crying and whining that both Silas AND Micah were throwing at me. I told God I needed some way to have a break from the insanity. I remember praying something like this: "God- I am SICK of tripping over toys, hearing that I'm doing a bad job all day long, and smelling poopy diapers!"
On the worst day of September, 2007, I woke and 2/3 of my prayer had been answered. I had cramps so bad I didn't care about the toys and head cold with a stuffy nose so I couldn't smell the diapers anymore.
Sorry. No pics for this post.
Here a couple of September highlights:
1. It's the month just before October.
2. Yom Kippur
3. the First Day of Autumn
4. September 13- International Chocolate day
5. September 19- Talk like a pirate day
6. Of course there's Labor Day as well. Labor day would mean nothing to me if people didn't come to visit us every year. Why? Joel doesn't get the day off and neither do I. This year was fun because Labor day was Baby Mania with the Kruses. 5 babies, 2 and under just having a great time eating and trying to learn to share.
September 22, however, has been called (by me) the worst day of September, 2007.
Here's what happened:
I found out we ran out of grocery money.
Micah pooped 3 times in a single hour.
Silas cried without any breaks for about an hour. This was a temper tantrum like we haven't seen for a while complete with door slamming and screaming. After 45 minutes of trying to ignore him and after having woken Micah up TWICE, I called Andrea for help. And help she did because apparently Ava was doing the EXACT SAME THING at their house! I gave him yogurt and granola, tylenol and told him we would go see the Big Dam Bridge for a walk. This stopped the crying for the amount of time it took him to eat the snack and then the crying resumed until we got in the car.
A day before all this happened, I was having a mini-breakdown from all the crying and whining that both Silas AND Micah were throwing at me. I told God I needed some way to have a break from the insanity. I remember praying something like this: "God- I am SICK of tripping over toys, hearing that I'm doing a bad job all day long, and smelling poopy diapers!"
On the worst day of September, 2007, I woke and 2/3 of my prayer had been answered. I had cramps so bad I didn't care about the toys and head cold with a stuffy nose so I couldn't smell the diapers anymore.
Sorry. No pics for this post.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
It's Silas' party! (but I'll cry if I want to, too)
I keep wanting to say that I can't believe that 2 years have passed today since Silas first made his introduction to us. But we've known Silas longer than that. He was long awaited and much loved months before his actual birthday. I get a little teary when I think about how quickly he's growing out of babyhood and into "child" hood. I've had flashback after flashback about many of the details of his birth, home-coming, and developmental mile stones over the last week and I can't think of one that doesn't make me smile or laugh.
The birthday celebration started yesterday with a party get-together with the LR/Hot Springs friends. I have to say that I wasn't the only one a little teary eyed. Events leading up to the party (which was at lunch time) didn't equal a party-time attitude. He bumped his head 2 times, got a mild spanking and had to have his diaper changed when he wanted to play.
I have to say that being consistent with discipline was particularly hard with friends here to celebrate Silas.
Sadly, Silas had to sit in time-out. After nearly 45 minutes of near-hysteria (not 45 minutes in time-out. Really it was only every other minute or so that a melt-down would occur; pretty predictably when it was Garrett's turn to play with the tonka truck), I thought he could use a little time to himself with his paci in his bed until we were ready to eat. Turned out to be a great idea. Apparently, 3 friends wasn't too few.
Everyone is happily eating sandwiches, grapes and TWISTY CHEETOHS!!
This is the same scene less than 30 seconds later.
That afternoon, Aunt Emily P. showed up and we went to our most frequent place for eating out: AR Children's Hospital Capital View Cafeteria! Silas ate crackers and tuna fish, celery, hard-boiled eggs and for desert, we shared a pudding parfait!
Every time we arrive at the hospital, and nearly every time we make our way back to the car, Silas reminds us that there is a bird in the hospital. We always get a better look from inside the elevator. Other than eating, this may be Silas' favorite part about ARCH.
This morning, we started off the actual birthday with some powdered sugar donuts. And then it was off to the Zoo where the new grizzly bear exhibit is open. Scary. The weather was perfect- the high today was 70 degrees. Very different than that summer day 2 years ago.
Here's Micah enjoying a plastic oreo cookie while Silas open his presents!
I think we've had a fantastic time celebrating. God has really given us much in Silas to celebrate.
The birthday celebration started yesterday with a party get-together with the LR/Hot Springs friends. I have to say that I wasn't the only one a little teary eyed. Events leading up to the party (which was at lunch time) didn't equal a party-time attitude. He bumped his head 2 times, got a mild spanking and had to have his diaper changed when he wanted to play.
I have to say that being consistent with discipline was particularly hard with friends here to celebrate Silas.
Sadly, Silas had to sit in time-out. After nearly 45 minutes of near-hysteria (not 45 minutes in time-out. Really it was only every other minute or so that a melt-down would occur; pretty predictably when it was Garrett's turn to play with the tonka truck), I thought he could use a little time to himself with his paci in his bed until we were ready to eat. Turned out to be a great idea. Apparently, 3 friends wasn't too few.
Everyone is happily eating sandwiches, grapes and TWISTY CHEETOHS!!
This is the same scene less than 30 seconds later.
That afternoon, Aunt Emily P. showed up and we went to our most frequent place for eating out: AR Children's Hospital Capital View Cafeteria! Silas ate crackers and tuna fish, celery, hard-boiled eggs and for desert, we shared a pudding parfait!
Every time we arrive at the hospital, and nearly every time we make our way back to the car, Silas reminds us that there is a bird in the hospital. We always get a better look from inside the elevator. Other than eating, this may be Silas' favorite part about ARCH.
This morning, we started off the actual birthday with some powdered sugar donuts. And then it was off to the Zoo where the new grizzly bear exhibit is open. Scary. The weather was perfect- the high today was 70 degrees. Very different than that summer day 2 years ago.
Here's Micah enjoying a plastic oreo cookie while Silas open his presents!
I think we've had a fantastic time celebrating. God has really given us much in Silas to celebrate.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
"Does this ever happen at anyone else's house?" Part II
Do you ever agree to teach beginning Spanish, choose a curriculum, make parents angry by having them spend about $90/YEAR for their child's instruction, book and supplies and then just as things get settled get moved to intermediate Spanish?
Just to do the whole thing over again?
The whole process makes me think maybe I'm not an educator after all.
Just to do the whole thing over again?
The whole process makes me think maybe I'm not an educator after all.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Bad Company Corrupts Good Character
But we haven't had any bad company, and most character here is still in its early formation. Now here's a word on both.
We've had the fun of hosting lots of people in the last 30 days. After the Morgans came to visit, the Bradleys came, then the adult Fanks, then the Lumpkins. Here are the highlights from each visit (excluding the Morgans since they got a blog post earlier).
THE BRADLEYS-
We ate supper, played at the park, went to the zoo, had naps, ate supper at Children's hospital and played at the hospital park, the men folk went to a ballgame while the women folk got to play with Kristen from the golden days of yore (that is, when I was 10 and Andrea was 9 and we lived on Pleasant Grove Rd.) Then Sunday we all went to church, came home, ate lunch and sent the Bradleys on their way. They only left behind 2 dresses. Anabelle and Ava were so much fun to be around. Ava did not kick or push Silas down the stairs or even strangle him. After the threat of a spanking for taking toys away from Silas, she even started sharing toys and giving hugs. Anabelle really liked running with Lewis. I think he was really glad to have someone to chase. The low point was church on Sunday. I won't write about it here, but I will say that we are visiting other churches again.
THE FANKS-
I baked a pasta dish that was fun to put together and we enjoyed eating leftover apple pie and seeing Pop's Ghana pictures. Sadly, Joel had to be at work all the next day but the rest of us took another great trip to the zoo. This was especially fun because the lowland gorilla's were running from one end of their exhibit to the other and the tigers were swimming in their swimming pool. After the zoo, we ate lunch at home and while the boys took naps, Pops and Debbie sent me to run fun errands. I bought a grill pan at Williams Sonoma that I have returned already because it's not for glass top stoves.
Why anyone would want a glass top stove for functionality is beyond me.
After I got home, we played outside in the pool and then ate pancakes for supper. I am especially grateful for all the dishes that Debbie cleaned up. Having others wash my dishes is certainaly a way that I understand that someone cares about me!
THE LUMPKINS-
The Lumpkins have moved out of their apartment. We were their first of several half-way houses on their journey to Fuller Seminary. Silas really liked waking up to find that Eleanor was here and Eleanor was sweetly attentive to Micah, informing me frequently of his name and location. For supper we ate a taco pizza and after the babies were asleep, or trying to fall asleep, we mixed frozen drinks and celebrated the creative triage systems of UAMS. The next day was a little crazy for the Lumpkins. I imagine if they ever have the internet again, they might write on their blog about their experience with a moving company. I hope so.
As far as good character is concerned, we are working daily to improve manners and attitudes in our home. We are hoping to replace "uh-huh" with "yes ma'am" or "yes sir" and the dramatic throwing of milk paired with the yelling of "Don't want it!" with "I'm finished." It's so rewarding to see success and to feel that we are hopefully instilling respect for parents and elders in a culture that is increasingly self-centered. We are thrilled to watch Silas try to comfort Micah when he's crying and even share some of his favorite toys with him. I pray that Silas' actions are the early signs of a compassionate heart and that we may continue to help him develop this to bring hope to hurting world.
I also pray that we can get the crayon off the screen of our laptop.
In other news,
Micah is rolling all over the place and scootching around and trying to eat everything in sight. He is almost sleeping from 10pm to 7am without waking up. A couple of other favorites about Micah: he loves the johnny jump up, apple sauce, and laughing at himself in the mirror.
Joel is working 8-5 this month and getting ready for his first time as a witness in a criminal trial. Joel is definitely sleeping from 10pm to 7am without waking up. He's fixing up his bike!
I am going to be the elementary Spanish teacher for the homeschooling co-op here. It's the perfect job right now as it's only 1 hour a week, and they will provide childcare.
We've had the fun of hosting lots of people in the last 30 days. After the Morgans came to visit, the Bradleys came, then the adult Fanks, then the Lumpkins. Here are the highlights from each visit (excluding the Morgans since they got a blog post earlier).
THE BRADLEYS-
We ate supper, played at the park, went to the zoo, had naps, ate supper at Children's hospital and played at the hospital park, the men folk went to a ballgame while the women folk got to play with Kristen from the golden days of yore (that is, when I was 10 and Andrea was 9 and we lived on Pleasant Grove Rd.) Then Sunday we all went to church, came home, ate lunch and sent the Bradleys on their way. They only left behind 2 dresses. Anabelle and Ava were so much fun to be around. Ava did not kick or push Silas down the stairs or even strangle him. After the threat of a spanking for taking toys away from Silas, she even started sharing toys and giving hugs. Anabelle really liked running with Lewis. I think he was really glad to have someone to chase. The low point was church on Sunday. I won't write about it here, but I will say that we are visiting other churches again.
THE FANKS-
I baked a pasta dish that was fun to put together and we enjoyed eating leftover apple pie and seeing Pop's Ghana pictures. Sadly, Joel had to be at work all the next day but the rest of us took another great trip to the zoo. This was especially fun because the lowland gorilla's were running from one end of their exhibit to the other and the tigers were swimming in their swimming pool. After the zoo, we ate lunch at home and while the boys took naps, Pops and Debbie sent me to run fun errands. I bought a grill pan at Williams Sonoma that I have returned already because it's not for glass top stoves.
Why anyone would want a glass top stove for functionality is beyond me.
After I got home, we played outside in the pool and then ate pancakes for supper. I am especially grateful for all the dishes that Debbie cleaned up. Having others wash my dishes is certainaly a way that I understand that someone cares about me!
THE LUMPKINS-
The Lumpkins have moved out of their apartment. We were their first of several half-way houses on their journey to Fuller Seminary. Silas really liked waking up to find that Eleanor was here and Eleanor was sweetly attentive to Micah, informing me frequently of his name and location. For supper we ate a taco pizza and after the babies were asleep, or trying to fall asleep, we mixed frozen drinks and celebrated the creative triage systems of UAMS. The next day was a little crazy for the Lumpkins. I imagine if they ever have the internet again, they might write on their blog about their experience with a moving company. I hope so.
As far as good character is concerned, we are working daily to improve manners and attitudes in our home. We are hoping to replace "uh-huh" with "yes ma'am" or "yes sir" and the dramatic throwing of milk paired with the yelling of "Don't want it!" with "I'm finished." It's so rewarding to see success and to feel that we are hopefully instilling respect for parents and elders in a culture that is increasingly self-centered. We are thrilled to watch Silas try to comfort Micah when he's crying and even share some of his favorite toys with him. I pray that Silas' actions are the early signs of a compassionate heart and that we may continue to help him develop this to bring hope to hurting world.
I also pray that we can get the crayon off the screen of our laptop.
In other news,
Micah is rolling all over the place and scootching around and trying to eat everything in sight. He is almost sleeping from 10pm to 7am without waking up. A couple of other favorites about Micah: he loves the johnny jump up, apple sauce, and laughing at himself in the mirror.
Joel is working 8-5 this month and getting ready for his first time as a witness in a criminal trial. Joel is definitely sleeping from 10pm to 7am without waking up. He's fixing up his bike!
I am going to be the elementary Spanish teacher for the homeschooling co-op here. It's the perfect job right now as it's only 1 hour a week, and they will provide childcare.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Vengence is mine, Old Navy! and other short news
I tried to buy some shorts at Old Navy with a Gap giftcard. This made good sense to me because I can and have used my Gap credit card at Old Navy. They are ALL THE SAME COMPANY for goodness sake, just selling different quality clothes. Case in point: one pair of shorts I bought began to fray at the bottom after only one wash. This was just the excuse I needed to take back the shorts.
It all started when I decided it was time to retire the green cargo maternity shorts I had been wearing every day since March, and that I wore pretty much every day LAST summer when I was pregnant with Micah and...that I wore nearly every day when I was pregnant the summer before that with Silas. That was an extremely long sentence and I think it really drives home the point here that I wore those shorts for an extremely long time. So I went to Old Navy and found 2 pair of shorts and some sweaters for $2 each. I went to check out, tried to use my Gap giftcard and here's the conversation we had.
Haughty Old Navy Check-out lady-"This is Old Navy." (Of course I knew it was Old Navy!)
Me-"I can't use this here? I use my Gap card here." (Very true. Back when I used to buy clothes, I used it there.)
Haughty Old Navy Check-out lady- "No. This is Old Navy. That's a Gap giftcard." (Again, I KNOW WHERE I AM!)
Me- "Really? The lady at Gap said it was good at 3 places." (I guess I could have dreamed the Gap lady said this.)
I wasn't trying to be argumentative. I had been saving my Gap giftcard for a long time because I knew I would need shorts this summer and even after the Great Garage Sale of Summer 2007, I still needed to be frugle in using money to buy much-needed clothes. That's why I felt myself getting red. It wasn't her fault I couldn't use my gift card there. It WAS her fault when she condescendingly picked the card up from the counter and read the back of the card to me.
For the rest of the week, I tried to find shorts at other stores for the same price. But I couldn't find what I was looking for. So after the first wash of those green shorts, I went to Old Navy to return them, feeling as though I'd received the unmistakable "go-ahead" from the clothing consumer gods that indeed, I should return the shorts and in my heart feel avenged for how I was treated.
In other news, we had such a fun time with Erin, Clark, Andrew and Corinne this weekend! We went to the zoo and cooked a lot and they graciously sent Joel and I on a date to see the new Harry Potter movie. Then the next day, they watched Micah while we got to go on a date to the orthopedist with Silas. The orthopedist told us that Silas didn't have to get a new cast because his splint was holding up so well and that we could likely remove it in a week! Other fun things that Silas and Andrew did together were (happy) yelling matches, trying to jump down the stairs, and playing some tunes on the little piano.
Now the good news and the bad news:
the good news is Joel doesn't have any more overnight call until September, there's leftovers from the Morgan visit and Micah is asleep again.
the bad news there was a string of robberies committed in our neighborhood this week. We didn't do it, nor were we robbed, but everyone I've talked to on our street is upset. Micah is teething and unusually fussy, and we still can't go swimming for another week and our community group is hanging out this weekend at a lakehouse with a lake where everyone else can get wet but Silas.
Tune in next time to hear about that trip to the lake house. Also coming up...the Bradleys come to visit!
**Pictures compliments of the Morgans.**
It all started when I decided it was time to retire the green cargo maternity shorts I had been wearing every day since March, and that I wore pretty much every day LAST summer when I was pregnant with Micah and...that I wore nearly every day when I was pregnant the summer before that with Silas. That was an extremely long sentence and I think it really drives home the point here that I wore those shorts for an extremely long time. So I went to Old Navy and found 2 pair of shorts and some sweaters for $2 each. I went to check out, tried to use my Gap giftcard and here's the conversation we had.
Haughty Old Navy Check-out lady-"This is Old Navy." (Of course I knew it was Old Navy!)
Me-"I can't use this here? I use my Gap card here." (Very true. Back when I used to buy clothes, I used it there.)
Haughty Old Navy Check-out lady- "No. This is Old Navy. That's a Gap giftcard." (Again, I KNOW WHERE I AM!)
Me- "Really? The lady at Gap said it was good at 3 places." (I guess I could have dreamed the Gap lady said this.)
I wasn't trying to be argumentative. I had been saving my Gap giftcard for a long time because I knew I would need shorts this summer and even after the Great Garage Sale of Summer 2007, I still needed to be frugle in using money to buy much-needed clothes. That's why I felt myself getting red. It wasn't her fault I couldn't use my gift card there. It WAS her fault when she condescendingly picked the card up from the counter and read the back of the card to me.
For the rest of the week, I tried to find shorts at other stores for the same price. But I couldn't find what I was looking for. So after the first wash of those green shorts, I went to Old Navy to return them, feeling as though I'd received the unmistakable "go-ahead" from the clothing consumer gods that indeed, I should return the shorts and in my heart feel avenged for how I was treated.
In other news, we had such a fun time with Erin, Clark, Andrew and Corinne this weekend! We went to the zoo and cooked a lot and they graciously sent Joel and I on a date to see the new Harry Potter movie. Then the next day, they watched Micah while we got to go on a date to the orthopedist with Silas. The orthopedist told us that Silas didn't have to get a new cast because his splint was holding up so well and that we could likely remove it in a week! Other fun things that Silas and Andrew did together were (happy) yelling matches, trying to jump down the stairs, and playing some tunes on the little piano.
Now the good news and the bad news:
the good news is Joel doesn't have any more overnight call until September, there's leftovers from the Morgan visit and Micah is asleep again.
the bad news there was a string of robberies committed in our neighborhood this week. We didn't do it, nor were we robbed, but everyone I've talked to on our street is upset. Micah is teething and unusually fussy, and we still can't go swimming for another week and our community group is hanging out this weekend at a lakehouse with a lake where everyone else can get wet but Silas.
Tune in next time to hear about that trip to the lake house. Also coming up...the Bradleys come to visit!
**Pictures compliments of the Morgans.**
Monday, July 09, 2007
Bob Loblaw got me the $400,000 I deserved
For all you parents out there, note that there are no warning labels on queen size beds or mattresses.
But there should be. They should read
"Warning: Jumping on beds may result in injury or death" or "Warning: Jumping on beds has resulted in serious injury"
Silas' fun and games landed him a trip to Children's ER, a splint, and a trip to see an orthopedist next Tuesday. Both bones in his arm are broken just above the wrist.
He's doing just fine. He was mad at everyone at the hospital, but I think it had partly to do with his not being allowed to run up and down the halls. In the frenzy of deciding he needed x-rays, we forgot to bring his shoes. He's been busy enough since we got home though. Except for the angry yelling because he can't get up as easily when he falls down and the HUGE thing on his arm, you would never know anything was wrong.
the 6 month Well-Baby Check-up
I would call it a total success if you don't count the down pour of rain as we were getting in and out of the car or the dresser than Silas pulled over on himself just before we left.
Micah is up from the 3rd percentile to the 4.5 percentile. He weighs 13.1 lbs and is getting long and has a big head. GOOD JOB, MICAH!
The pediatrician said that Silas might get a black eye from the huge bruise he had on his forehead. I don't know about that, but he sure is cranky.
Micah is up from the 3rd percentile to the 4.5 percentile. He weighs 13.1 lbs and is getting long and has a big head. GOOD JOB, MICAH!
The pediatrician said that Silas might get a black eye from the huge bruise he had on his forehead. I don't know about that, but he sure is cranky.
Friday, July 06, 2007
Today is the tomorrow of the past; yesterday's future, today.
I've been working on that title for a long time.
We went to the park to play on this.
But we played with this instead.
We went to the park to play on this.
But we played with this instead.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
the 6th love language
I've been practicing a new self-discipline. As I spend more time with Silas and he learns new skills and words, I realize what full-sensory oriented world he lives in. It's really marvelous. Silas is training me to listen, touch, smell and hear so many things that I've come to miss in the whirlwind that is my life here. I delight even more in cooking and baking. Because of Silas, I can enjoy the sound of soup simmering on the stove, take in the smells of sage and curry. I find kneading bread and feeling the smooth, rubbery texture of pizza dough therapeutic. Taste and oral texture have never escaped my attention, but I've also come to appreciate even more the presentation of a dish.
It is often difficult to enjoy intelligent conversation at the dinner table in out kitchen. There is nothing leisurely about feeding Micah oatmeal and pears at a rate that contents him. Silas invites Lewis to partake in our experience by throwing scraps from his highchair, which he asks for later. It is not uncommon for Joel and I to endure nearly an entire meal with crying or yelling from either side.
It can be draining, but usually by the end of a meal, I feel I've found myself again. In this communal and spiritual affair, I can satisfy multiple roles I've come to play in our household. I am mother to my children. Chef and banquet director of my kitchen. And even if only for a brief moment, I am friend and lover to my husband, as we can enjoy the culinary regalement together, amusing ourselves not only with taste, but with the sight and sound of our children enjoying what we've together put before them.
This is Silas enjoying pumpkin bean soup and vanilla pudding with walnuts. You can't tell, but this shirt has buttons.
It is often difficult to enjoy intelligent conversation at the dinner table in out kitchen. There is nothing leisurely about feeding Micah oatmeal and pears at a rate that contents him. Silas invites Lewis to partake in our experience by throwing scraps from his highchair, which he asks for later. It is not uncommon for Joel and I to endure nearly an entire meal with crying or yelling from either side.
It can be draining, but usually by the end of a meal, I feel I've found myself again. In this communal and spiritual affair, I can satisfy multiple roles I've come to play in our household. I am mother to my children. Chef and banquet director of my kitchen. And even if only for a brief moment, I am friend and lover to my husband, as we can enjoy the culinary regalement together, amusing ourselves not only with taste, but with the sight and sound of our children enjoying what we've together put before them.
This is Silas enjoying pumpkin bean soup and vanilla pudding with walnuts. You can't tell, but this shirt has buttons.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Best before June 28. 2008
First, the bad news: before all the fun, I fell down the stairs and broke my little toe. I'll make it.
Now the good news:
We went to the sisters (5-7) dance recital with the babies. I don't know why I thought that Silas wouldn't enjoy it. There was loud music, people dancing around the stage and lots of clapping involved. Those are the majority of things Silas loves. Joel's eyes are closed in this picture because he hadn't had any sleep. Besides L,K&S being fantastic dancers and definitly the best to watch, I thought the recital was fun because the boy's cousins Anabelle and Ava (4yrs/2yrs) kept dropping their toys over the rail into the aisle and telling Andrea after every dance "Mama, it's time to go home now." I was entertained by the variety of answers Andrea gave as to why it was not, in fact, time to go home. For some reason "No, we have to stay because it's about to get really great" and "Just 22 more songs before Laura dances her own special dance" did not deter them from asking over and over and over. I laugh out loud even now as I write about it. By the way, Joel and the babies didn't make it all the way to Laura's solo. They went home at intermission as planned.
So Joel headed home Sunday and the rest of us Fanks stayed on to help play with the various children coming and going throughout the week. At one point there were 12 children all under 4th grade, but 2/3 of them had mommies present.
We made it back to Little Rock just in time to welcome Phil and Kathleen in from Houston for a short visit. We walked the flat-double-jogging-stoller-friendly trail at Pinnacle Mountain and watched half of a new favorite movie: "Stranger than Fiction". I reccomend it.
Tuesday, I cooked dinner for a family I don't know with a new baby. I signed up through the spouses auxiliary because no one else was signing up. Then I found out that the family is living with mother's parents so I was supposed to provide a meal for everyone. I was kindof bitter about this (1. why do they need someone to cook for them? Surely it doens't take 4 adults to care for one little baby and a 5 year old! 2. We didn't have enough of what I cooked for us to eat so we ate mashed potatoes for dinner that night. OK, techically, that one was my fault.)
Anyway, since I had a bad attitude about it, I thought I should cook something nicer than I originally planned to see if I couldn't change the way I felt. I made pork tenderloin with fig and blue cheese, garlic whipped potatoes, mixed baby green salad with balsamic vinagrette, rolls (from the freezer) and chocolate chip pie. I didn't feel much better but I was proud of the menu I came up with.
We've nearly settled back into our routine here. We played with Garrett the neighbor and will play with Eleanor tomorrow- both activities scheduled into our weekly routine that I really enjoy about living here in Little Rock.
Here are developemental milestones worth noting:
Silas- has officially done away with morning nap/rest time. I miss this time dearly, but it also has allowed for time with just Silas and me. He is climbing and jumping on everything, including poor Lewis. It doesn't go over well with Lewis so we've nixed it. No more jumping on Lewis. It's a rule. I'm trying to find a way to incorporate another rule that fairly disallows children younger than 4 from grabbing things from off the countertop and carrying them around the house and up the stairs. So far, I haven't come up with anything, but it would sure solve a lot of problems around here if I could. Finally, Silas' most common phrase right now is "I'll be right back." But truth be told, he never comes right back.
Micah- is going to be mobile pretty soon. He likes to sleep on his tummy now so we dont' lay him on his back anymore. He just rolls right over, losing his paci in the process. I never know where I'm going to find him in his bed when he wakes up. In this picture. I put him directly under the toys. I'm not sure how he rolled over the green base. Micah is also trying new food. He likes oatmeal and squash- sometimes even together.
Joel-has one more night of night-float. I think his life will improve drastically when he doesn't have to work when everyone else gets to sleep. He'll be able to mow the backyard that has become very savannah-like, and join in our daily walk through the valley. There may even be time for a couple of dates.
I-have been learning things about life that are too personal to be adequately explained in a blog. Just know that I'm growing too.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Favorites
I took Silas to the LR Zoo this week with our new friends who live at the top of street. We had a nice time together and it was so great to see how excited Silas was when he recognized the real life animals that he had seen pictures of in books. His favorites were elephants, giraffes, fish in the fish pond and the fish food dispenser.
Micah loved the zoo too. He loved it so much he didn't take a nap the entire morning.
Father's day is coming up...
I'm really glad that Joel is the dad around here. He does a great job and I'm pretty sure that he is Silas' favorite adult. Even when he's tired from floating around the hospital all night long, he takes the time and musters the energy to play with the boys full blast for a little bit before heading off to work.
Good job, Joel. I'm really proud of you.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Real superhuman powers? Intuition? Divine providence?
This is a very strange series of events.
Sunday night, 7:00pm- Joel got in the car for work. I had a "feeling" he didn't have his ID.
Sunday night, 7:10pm- Joel pulls in the driveway and tells me he forgot his ID.
Sunday night, 7:45pm- I got bit by the spider. Called Dad. Dad asks me if I'm sure it wasn't a brown recluse. I am sure. I wash my swelling hand with soap and water. Everything is fine but I keep thinking about spiders because I've never been bit by one before
Tuesday morning, 10am- I post about my superhuman powers from getting bit by the spider because I'm still thinking about spiders.
Tuesday morning, 10:30am- Silas and I go play at the pool while Micah naps. From more than 4 feet away I see a small piece of dirt or something stuck to the hem of his shorts. For about 5 seconds I disregard it until I realize I'm having the same feeling I got when Joel left his ID. I thought about how I was right about the ID, and this new feeling that I should get whatever is on Silas' shorts ("it might be a spider!"; because I have spiders on the brain) off his shorts IMMEDIATELY.
It's a spider. It's a suspicious looking spider. I'm not sure if he's dead or not so I flick him off and he lands in the pool. He's NOT DEAD!!!! I catch him a plastic container with a lid and think to myself that I'll look him up to see if he is indeed what I fear: a brown recluse.
Tuesday afternoon, 3:30pm- I look up brown recluses on the omniscent internet, but I can't remember what my spider trapped in the tupperware box looks like.
Tuesday evening, 6:30pm- I tell Joel about the "feeling" and the spider and we return to the box.
It was a brown recluse.
Sunday night, 7:00pm- Joel got in the car for work. I had a "feeling" he didn't have his ID.
Sunday night, 7:10pm- Joel pulls in the driveway and tells me he forgot his ID.
Sunday night, 7:45pm- I got bit by the spider. Called Dad. Dad asks me if I'm sure it wasn't a brown recluse. I am sure. I wash my swelling hand with soap and water. Everything is fine but I keep thinking about spiders because I've never been bit by one before
Tuesday morning, 10am- I post about my superhuman powers from getting bit by the spider because I'm still thinking about spiders.
Tuesday morning, 10:30am- Silas and I go play at the pool while Micah naps. From more than 4 feet away I see a small piece of dirt or something stuck to the hem of his shorts. For about 5 seconds I disregard it until I realize I'm having the same feeling I got when Joel left his ID. I thought about how I was right about the ID, and this new feeling that I should get whatever is on Silas' shorts ("it might be a spider!"; because I have spiders on the brain) off his shorts IMMEDIATELY.
It's a spider. It's a suspicious looking spider. I'm not sure if he's dead or not so I flick him off and he lands in the pool. He's NOT DEAD!!!! I catch him a plastic container with a lid and think to myself that I'll look him up to see if he is indeed what I fear: a brown recluse.
Tuesday afternoon, 3:30pm- I look up brown recluses on the omniscent internet, but I can't remember what my spider trapped in the tupperware box looks like.
Tuesday evening, 6:30pm- I tell Joel about the "feeling" and the spider and we return to the box.
It was a brown recluse.
Most parts of this story are non-fictional
I got bit by a spider. I paged Joel at work because my hand was beginning to swell. He was busy so I called Dad at home during Emily's 21st birthday party. He said if I knew for sure that it wasn't a brown recluse, the only thing I could do was wash my hands and that I shouldn't be worried. I knew it wasn't a brown recluse but what Dad didn't tell me (or Joel, when he did call back) was that I should be aware of possible genetic mutations that would give me super powers.
With great power comes great responsibility. I used my powers yesterday to clean off the patio and cook macaroni and cheese for supper. I responsibily made macaroni and cheese by adding broccoli. We also ate fresh peaches and kiwi.
There is not enough adult conversation around here.
With great power comes great responsibility. I used my powers yesterday to clean off the patio and cook macaroni and cheese for supper. I responsibily made macaroni and cheese by adding broccoli. We also ate fresh peaches and kiwi.
There is not enough adult conversation around here.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Buckle up for the BIGGEST MOST GREATEST yet poorly formatted post ever
I picked up 4 empty or nearly empty water bottles in our bedroom yesterday. There are more in the car.
The Poteets had a yard-sale and we got rid of a bunch of stuff. It was wonderful. I sold some maternity clothes that were unused by me and pregnant friends. Joel threw in some books and we sold all our VHS tapes. The biggest sales were in mom's blankets and comforters and, if you can believe it, the prarie bride books. It was a good time with the sisters, and brought in a surprising amount of money.
Laura graduated from high school. This is significant to me because Laura is the first sister that I can clearly remember the details of birth on. She was valedictorian and gave a great, short speech. Afterwords, we had a great Poteet party. I was in charge of the food and drinks. Want the list? You do. You might want me to cater your next party. With the help of Andrea, Emily and others, we had prosciutto wrapped roasted asparagus, Baja shrimp cocktail salad, blue cheese with pears and honey, brie with raspberry preserves, chicken and tortellini skewers with tomato and basil, and a chocolate mousse dish. Oh, and White Sangria. I wish had thought to take a picture.
Another great part of vacation was returning the blue jeans that I bought at Gap outlet on our last vacation. I decided after one day of wearing them that I didn't like them that much. I got a skirt instead. Now I have a skirt.
Silas and Micah had a great vacation, except for all the sleeping that Micah DIDN'T do. He woke up a minimum of 2 times per night but the good news is we're working through this now. I am fully expecting him to sleep all night tonight, after 3 nights of putting his paci in over and over, but not getting up to eat. Silas had fun "swimming", that is- dumping pool water into cups and bowls by the pool, or occasionally standing on the first step of the pool. He also had fun playing with the cousins, eating cupcakes, taking walks with Gramma and Papa Fank., and going to the park with daddy and Uncle Heath.
We counted all the words we could think of that Silas uses correctly. We counted 140+. A couple of my favorites words and phrases are "Good job, Micah! You did it!" and "High five!" and "mouse". He chants "mouse, mouse, mouse," when he's looking for this little stuffed mouse that Andrea gave him. He has also changed our cat's name again from her German name, Frau Frau, to a middle eastern name, Namina. I'll add, "Namina, come here!" to one of my favorite phrases, especially when he tries to pick her up while shouting this to her.
Micah is getting REALLY wiggly. I can't leave him by himself anymore on couches or beds. He hasn't fallen off or anything, but he's started doing full circles in his crib. He can also roll over- but doesn't because he hates being on his tummy. He's also started eating solids. I'm glad for this because at his last dr.'s visit, he was too skinny and has dropped off his growth chart. He loves rice cereal, and we've also added apple sauce to keep the little system going. When he's not waking us up, he's such a good-natured and easy going baby.
If I may, I will toot my own horn by saying it's miraculous that I'm averaging reading a book a month. I have finished my fifth book of the year: _A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier_ It's a good book. Disturbing, redemptive, and eloquent.
We bought a pool for $9 at Walmart. I think this will be a fun summer.
STRAPPED FOR CASH, EVEN AFTER THE YARD SALE
Here's a few photos Joel and I plan to submit to a local modeling agency.
SNAKE BITE (no insults intended, mom)
This is where I got bit by a rattler. Ok, actually Joel threw a rock at me.
Alright, well, what really happened was this: I told Joel he should throw this rock that I tied to a rope over a tree so we could hang this hammock swing so I could read in the swing while Silas plays outside because swinging is so much more relaxing than sitting on the hard bench and I can see the whole yard from the corner but if i sit on the bench I can only see like half of the yard and it's not even the dangerous half. Anyway, the rock fell off the rope and rolled down the hill at breakneck speeds of more than 100 miles per hour and hit my ankle dead on. Joel suggested we call an ambulance because Micah was already asleep. I told him that was a good idea, but I would rather just watch the movie we got on Netflix. It was United 93. Very confusing.
The Poteets had a yard-sale and we got rid of a bunch of stuff. It was wonderful. I sold some maternity clothes that were unused by me and pregnant friends. Joel threw in some books and we sold all our VHS tapes. The biggest sales were in mom's blankets and comforters and, if you can believe it, the prarie bride books. It was a good time with the sisters, and brought in a surprising amount of money.
Laura graduated from high school. This is significant to me because Laura is the first sister that I can clearly remember the details of birth on. She was valedictorian and gave a great, short speech. Afterwords, we had a great Poteet party. I was in charge of the food and drinks. Want the list? You do. You might want me to cater your next party. With the help of Andrea, Emily and others, we had prosciutto wrapped roasted asparagus, Baja shrimp cocktail salad, blue cheese with pears and honey, brie with raspberry preserves, chicken and tortellini skewers with tomato and basil, and a chocolate mousse dish. Oh, and White Sangria. I wish had thought to take a picture.
Another great part of vacation was returning the blue jeans that I bought at Gap outlet on our last vacation. I decided after one day of wearing them that I didn't like them that much. I got a skirt instead. Now I have a skirt.
Silas and Micah had a great vacation, except for all the sleeping that Micah DIDN'T do. He woke up a minimum of 2 times per night but the good news is we're working through this now. I am fully expecting him to sleep all night tonight, after 3 nights of putting his paci in over and over, but not getting up to eat. Silas had fun "swimming", that is- dumping pool water into cups and bowls by the pool, or occasionally standing on the first step of the pool. He also had fun playing with the cousins, eating cupcakes, taking walks with Gramma and Papa Fank., and going to the park with daddy and Uncle Heath.
We counted all the words we could think of that Silas uses correctly. We counted 140+. A couple of my favorites words and phrases are "Good job, Micah! You did it!" and "High five!" and "mouse". He chants "mouse, mouse, mouse," when he's looking for this little stuffed mouse that Andrea gave him. He has also changed our cat's name again from her German name, Frau Frau, to a middle eastern name, Namina. I'll add, "Namina, come here!" to one of my favorite phrases, especially when he tries to pick her up while shouting this to her.
Micah is getting REALLY wiggly. I can't leave him by himself anymore on couches or beds. He hasn't fallen off or anything, but he's started doing full circles in his crib. He can also roll over- but doesn't because he hates being on his tummy. He's also started eating solids. I'm glad for this because at his last dr.'s visit, he was too skinny and has dropped off his growth chart. He loves rice cereal, and we've also added apple sauce to keep the little system going. When he's not waking us up, he's such a good-natured and easy going baby.
If I may, I will toot my own horn by saying it's miraculous that I'm averaging reading a book a month. I have finished my fifth book of the year: _A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier_ It's a good book. Disturbing, redemptive, and eloquent.
We bought a pool for $9 at Walmart. I think this will be a fun summer.
STRAPPED FOR CASH, EVEN AFTER THE YARD SALE
Here's a few photos Joel and I plan to submit to a local modeling agency.
SNAKE BITE (no insults intended, mom)
This is where I got bit by a rattler. Ok, actually Joel threw a rock at me.
Alright, well, what really happened was this: I told Joel he should throw this rock that I tied to a rope over a tree so we could hang this hammock swing so I could read in the swing while Silas plays outside because swinging is so much more relaxing than sitting on the hard bench and I can see the whole yard from the corner but if i sit on the bench I can only see like half of the yard and it's not even the dangerous half. Anyway, the rock fell off the rope and rolled down the hill at breakneck speeds of more than 100 miles per hour and hit my ankle dead on. Joel suggested we call an ambulance because Micah was already asleep. I told him that was a good idea, but I would rather just watch the movie we got on Netflix. It was United 93. Very confusing.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
A Supremely Interesting Fact
I took a supervillain quiz on the Lumpkin's blog today. Here are the results.
Your results:
You are Mystique
Click here to take the Super Villain Personality Test
Your results:
You are Mystique
| Sometimes motherly, sometimes a beautiful companion, but most of the time a deceiving vixen. |
Click here to take the Super Villain Personality Test
Saturday, May 05, 2007
The Age of Information
Silas picked out his own clothes on this day. He kept bringing me things to help him put on. This was the final product.
Here are the important developments we've been experiencing in physical growth, emotional stability, speech and language, and occupational skills.
JOEL
-Learned how to put the babies to bed ALL BY HIMSELF!!! I got the night off last night and he took charge of it all. When I came home it was so quiet and peaceful. I'm really thankful for the little break. I should say after putting the babies to bed all by myself night after night while Joel is hard at work in the ER, it really is no small task.
-Learned that he cannot send OB patients from the Children's ER to the UAMS ER when there are 10,000 bees swarming the ambulance entrance.
ALICE
-read the instructions for BOB Dualie and learned this: "to fold stroller: remove children from stroller..."
-Learned that even a couple hours away from home, deserved or not, improves mothering.
SILAS
-Learned that he cannot step off the edge of the deck without at least one bruise.
-Learned that taking toys away from Micah gets him a trip to time out. He's learned this and forgotten at least 8 times.
-Learned how to say mouse, umbrella, octopus, lion, recipe, drill bit, "Come on, Lewis!" and "I'm sorry,"
MICAH
-Learned that he can put things in his mouth.
-Is learning that nap time means nap time.
-Learned how to laugh.
LEWIS AND SABRINA
-Continue to ignore that the best way to avoid Silas is to leave the area.
Monday, April 30, 2007
"As Different as Silas and Micah"
Many of you have been asking me, "Alice, did that phrase originate with your boys? I've been hearing it all the time."
Well, it sure did. Here's the differences between Silas and Micah.
Silas liked to swing.
Micah doesn't. (who doesn't like to swing?)
Silas likes MAM pacifiers.
Micah likes Nuk pacifiers.
Silas still liked to be swaddled at 3.5 months. We had to "wean" him off the swaddling blanket.
Micah wants his hands free and gets really mad if we swaddle him.
Silas insisted on crying it out before he would sleep through the night.
Micah seems as though he's going to do it on his own.
Silas rarely slept in the carseat.
Micah really likes to sleep in the carseat.
Here's a picture of Silas at 3.5 months. As you can see, from the following picture, Micah is beginning to look like Silas.
Here is a picture of Silas at 19.5 months. I tried to upload my picture of Micah of the Future at 19.5 months, but iPhoto had some sort of problem exporting it.
Well, it sure did. Here's the differences between Silas and Micah.
Silas liked to swing.
Micah doesn't. (who doesn't like to swing?)
Silas likes MAM pacifiers.
Micah likes Nuk pacifiers.
Silas still liked to be swaddled at 3.5 months. We had to "wean" him off the swaddling blanket.
Micah wants his hands free and gets really mad if we swaddle him.
Silas insisted on crying it out before he would sleep through the night.
Micah seems as though he's going to do it on his own.
Silas rarely slept in the carseat.
Micah really likes to sleep in the carseat.
Here's a picture of Silas at 3.5 months. As you can see, from the following picture, Micah is beginning to look like Silas.
Here is a picture of Silas at 19.5 months. I tried to upload my picture of Micah of the Future at 19.5 months, but iPhoto had some sort of problem exporting it.
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