Monday, December 13, 2010

This Entry is about Vomit and Poop

Warning - if you have a week stomach it is probably best to stop here.

Our weekend started off great, I had my work Christmas party on Friday afternoon, and then Leah and I went out to dinner with my family. My aunt was in town from Florida, so there was a big group of us. Scott stayed home with the boys. I was in great spirits. Leah had thrown up at my moms earlier that day, but I figured it was probably just a sour stomach, no big deal. Boy was I wrong.

I got home around 8, Joey and Tyler were just getting ready for bed. Everyone got tucked in and Scott and I ordered up Twilight - Eclipse on pay per view, which I will say is one of the dumbest movies ever. Anyway, it was nice to lay on the couch, relax, and then with about 20 minutes left in the movie, Ty starts whaling. Scott goes back to get him and shouts from the bedroom, Tara - I need help.

Tyler was covered in vomit, he was screaming crying. The crib was a mess. Scott starts taking the sheets off the crib, I start cleaning him up and bam, he throws up again, all over me. He is so upset, he wants to snuggle, so I stay on the couch with him, every 30 minutes he throws up - then around 2 in the morning, the diarrhea starts. The foulest smelling diapers I have ever had the pleasure to change. This all continues on through the night. By 4 o'clock I have changed my clothes no less than 4 times. Somewhere in there Leah wakes up and needs a bottle. It was mass chaos, covered in vomit.

The next morning starts out fine. Ty is drinking water and eating saltines. But, I leave him home with Scott and take Leah and Joey over to my parents house for breakfast. When I return home Ty is napping. We feed Joey lunch and then put him down. I clean up the house some more. Four o’clock rolls around, the kids get up. Scott puts a ham in the oven. This is when I start to feel it. The fever, the chills, the achiness. I new something was wrong. I drag myself to the couch. I get myself to the table for dinner, but can't eat. Around seven thirty, I put myself to bed. At around 1:30, a wake and run to the bathroom. Vomit. Painful, I vomited like I haven't since college after one too many shots of tequila.

Sunday morning, Ty sleeps in, Scott goes to check on him around 8 only to find him and his crib once again covered in vomit. Ty is clearly under the weather and he and I spend the better part of the morning lying in my bed. After a while, we get up, head out to the living room and set up camp on the couch. Scott has been such a trooper. He makes lunch for the boys, launders endless puke covered cribs sheets and blanket. The house is a bit of a mess, but I can hardly fault him. When the boys go down for naps, I do too. I wake up, house smells great. My husband has made a soup using the left over ham, and various veggies and broth he found in the fridge. I am very impressed. We all sit down for a soup dinner, I am finally well enough to eat a little. At about 8 o’clock, Scott puts Ty down for bed, and announces that he is going out to watch football. I can't argue, he's been a saint and deserves some time out. I get Joey and Leah to bed and promptly pass out myself.

I woke up this morning feeling fine. There was no puke in Tyler's crib. I think we are over whatever it was that hit our house. But, wow, that was the worst little stomach bug I have ever been in contact with.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Picture Perfect

Having kids changes things, and I’m not just talking about the ability to close down bars on Saturday nights…

I always thought that I would do things a certain way. Christmas is no exception. I envisioned perfect little argyle sweater clad angel children decorating the perfect Christmas tree that we picked from the best lot in town. We would make hot cocoa and beef stew and strategically place precious memory filled ornaments on each branch. But here is how it really happened.

Friday after work, I rushed to my Moms house to pick up Leah, Scott got the boys and we met at Home Depot, and there came our first balk worthy Christmas event. Yes, I bought my tree at a big box chain. I am unsure why I am so ashamed of this. I just feel like it is so wrong. As far as I know the tree was not imported from China but, it was about $20 less than we usually spend at aforementioned tree lot.

Now in my picture perfect holiday dream me and my children scout out each tree and pick out that special, tree. At home depot, I take Tyler and Leah inside because it is freezing, while Joey tells Scott that he wants “that one” as he points to each tree in the row. The trees are all netted up, so it’s a crap shoot as to what you are getting. Scott picks out “any” tree and goes to strap it to the car.

Meanwhile, I am looking at lights and I stumble across these:

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I have always thought that color coordinated trees were, well stupid. In my mind ornaments are more than just tree décor, they are special Christmas memories. Every one of my ornaments has been gifted to me by my parents or grandparents and represents family and sharing the holidays together. I wouldn’t trade my hodge-podge of glorious ornaments for anything. In my very humble opinion family Christmas trees are not meant to look like they belong on display at Macy’s.

So, as I stared at that box of 100 Martha Stewart matching shatter resistant ornaments, I recoiled a bit. But then I thought SHATTER RESISTANT and it really just made sense. I threw that $30 plastic canister in my cart. I knew at that point that my Christmas vision was officially shattered.

We get home and I have nothing planned for dinner, so I throw in a frozen pizza. Later that night after the kids are in bed, Scott and I put up the tree in the living room, we hang the lights and beads we are one strand of lights short. So, we will deal with that tomorrow. We go to bed. Joey comes out in the morning and about dies. He LOVES the tree. LOVES IT. I don’t think he even cared that it was from Home Depot.

The plan had been that, Friday, we get the tree, and Saturday we decorate it - after we see Santa. Which in the land of perfect made great sense. We would go to the store in the morning and get the ingredients for Beef Stew, then we would get all dressed up and go see Santa, come home and decorate our perfect family Christmas Tree. I’d get priceless magazine worthy photographs. It would be great. But, it snowed on Friday night, so here is what actually happened.

The kids woke up and saw the snow. Scott, being the big kid in the family immediately got them all bundled up and took them out to play. They shoveled the drive way, jumped in the snow, and had an all together great time. So, scratch the trip to the grocery store and scratch getting dressed up in our perfect sweaters, it’s a snow day. And after all, this too is picture perfect.

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We went and saw Santa. Joey and I practiced for days. Joey, you have to tell Santa what you want for Christmas. Okay mama, okay mama. We get there, Joey gets up on Santa’s lap and says “I want presents”. “What kind of presents?”, Santa asks. “I want toys” says Joey. Tyler wouldn’t have any of it. Leah was precious as always. The associated press was there and asked for our names, so we may be featured in our local paper. It was perfect.

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We get home; have lunch and then the kids go down for naps. I head back to Home Depot to find that last strand of lights. I get home only to discover that the strand I bought has purple lights in it, and the ones that are on the tree already do not. Well, of course we can’t mix lights and we simply can’t decorate the tree until the lights are done, so Saturday goes by and the tree remains undecorated. So, Sunday will be the big day..

Sunday morning, I take the kids to my parent’s house while Scott picks up his Dad from the airport and runs some errands. Most important of said errands, find a strand of lights that does not have purple on it. Scott tries three different stores before coming home empty handed. Unsure of how to proceed, the day goes on, when all of a sudden Scott say “screw it, let’s decorate”. He opens the big plastic canister and starts putting hooks on the shatterproof ornaments. We let the kids decorate the tree. Joey in jeans and an Iron Man T-shirt, Tyler in a rugby shirt and diaper. They put ornaments on the tree. They had a great time. I have nothing planned for dinner, so I reheat some deep dish pizza from Thursday night. And our weekend was complete.

There was no tree lot, no argyle sweaters, no beef stew, no hot cocoa, no memory filled ornaments. But it was nevertheless picture perfect.

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Monday, November 22, 2010

Dance Like No One is Watching

There is nothing in the world funnier to watch than a toddler dancing. They are just so uncoordinated and jaunty. Joey is no exception. But, the boy has got some moves. And rhythm. And a kick ass splits move. The video is a little on the long side (2:11) but you won't regret dedicating the time to this special performance.


Friday, November 19, 2010

Want To See Leah's Nursery?

I am so in love with this room. Granted it never actually looks like this, but when it's clean, it really is adorable.

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I made the wall letters myself. And I am not crafty, so I am really proud of them. I think they turned out great.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Firetrucks!

I love it when the kids all play together and no one is screaming or being tackled. This happens about once every 48-64 hours and last on average about 2 minutes, but those 2 minutes make it all worth it.

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Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Joey's Big Boy Bed

Joey has officially been moved into his big boy bed. Which apparently means that he doesn't nap anymore, but that aside, it's been great. We got him new bedding with cars on it. And Joey jumps in his little bed and looks up at me and says "cars on it?" He is so sweet. Here is a picture, this will probably be the last time the bed is made until he is old enough to do it himself, so I figure I better capture it.

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Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Leah's New Thumb

Leah's thumb is free to be opposable again. She is not longer wrapped up or splinted, so it's time to start working on that pincer grasp! Here are some pictures of the final product. She was such a trooper through this whole process. I am so proud of her.

Before:

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After

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In other exciting news, she is now holding her own bottle and only getting up once a night. Yippee!

Friday, November 5, 2010

Trick or Treat

I know I am really late on these, but I have been sick all week so cut me some slack. The kids had a great time Trick or Treating. Mom and Dad had a pretty good time too. Here are the pics!

This is how we rolled:

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Leah went as a Butterfly:

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Trick or Treat!

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I want candy!!

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Too Cute!

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Friday, October 29, 2010

The Pumpkin Patch

Our second annual trip to Didier Farms:

Waiting for the Hayride

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Picking Pumpkins:

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Driving Cars:
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Pony Ride:

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Thursday, October 28, 2010

Reason #851 that I am officially all grown up

Last night I went to a Tupperware party - and I had a really good time. Tupperware has so many fascinating products - Like these shot glasses with handy lids.

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I ended up buying a $20 spatula.

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And some cups and bowls for the kiddos.

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I could have easily spent about $500 on this stuff. I am still trying to explain to Scott why someone who considers Betty Crocker Brownie mix the creme de la creme of baking should own a $20 spatula, but it was great getting out and visiting with adults. Can't wait for the next one!

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Leah's New Hat

Our day care provider Patty bought Leah this adorable winter hat! I can not wait for it to get chilly enough for her to wear it. That's all, nothing more to see here...

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Monday, October 25, 2010

Elephant Hunting **No Elephants were harmed...

A couple weeks ago, I picked up Joey from daycare and asked him if he wanted to see an elephant. He responded "elephant?" Have I ever mentioned that every word that Joey said is pronounced as a question. With the emphasis on the last syllable. Yeah, he's cute. Anyway, I told him that tomorrow morning we would wake up and go find an elephant. He was psyched. So, the next morning, we got up and headed to the zoo.

It was a lot of fun.

Joey loved watching the train go by, but when it came to riding it, he was not so sure. He sat with his hands at his side holding the seat with this really serious look on his face. It was cute.

Tyler loved the animals too. But I think he was pretty content just to be running around and probably wouldn't have even noticed if the exhibits had been totally empty.

Leah was a trooper. Didn't cry the whole time, and loved the train.

Here are some pictures:

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This was a GREAT outing. I can't wait to go again.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

A Trip to the Farm

A Couple Pictures from our recent trip to Lambs Farm. This is a great place for kids and families and a great cause to support. Lambs farm provides assisted adult living for people with developmental disabilities. If you live in the Chicago area I urge you to check it out.


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Monday, October 18, 2010

The Lost Notion of Privacy

One of my greatest complaints about being married and having children is the total loss of all the privacy I once enjoyed. This morning I got on the scale and let out an audible curse, to which my husband shouts from bed "how much?" Is nothing sacred anymore? That is really just the beginning of it though. It is non-stop.

I open the refrigerator, "what are you eating?", I get up off the couch "where are you going?". I get off the phone, "who were you talking to?" I get on the internet, "what are you reading"…it never ends.

Then, there are the kids, I am sitting on the toilet and suddenly the door swings open and Joey is standing there saying "hi mama". Hi Joey…

I won't even get into the concept of taking care of personal maintenance. I mean, can I just get 5 minutes to do some hair removal on my upper lip with out someone barging in and asking what I am doing. A few seconds to pluck the stray hair that has sprouted on my chin since I had kids.

How do I get away? How do I make it stop? I just want to be able to grab a snack with out the inquisition, or for that matter the judgment. For instance, last night when I went to grab a mini candy bar out of the jar and Scott hollers out "how's the diet going?". I just want a candy bar, not a lecture on my diet, and certainly not a check in the next morning regarding my correlating weight gain.

I want to get up and go downstairs to change the laundry with out having to give a play by play of my actions. I want to talk on the phone without someone begging in the background, "who are you talking to?"

I want to find a tactful way of telling Scott to mind his own damn business and leave me the hell alone. Then I remember that I am married and those nuptials come with a promise that I will never be alone, ever again, and most of the time that is actually a good thing, even if it comes with some strings attached. And when you decide to have a child you forgo any rights to your personal space. And the sound of Joey's little voice singing out "hi mama" so innocently as I take care of my business is truly priceless and worth every sacrifice in the world.

So, there you have it, my privacy is a thing of the past and I guess I am learning to be okay with that.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Fall Photo Shoot

Fall is my absolute favorite time of year. I love the crinkle of the leaves under my feet. I love the crisp cool air. I love throwing a sweater on with some jeans and boots. I love decorating my house in a harvest décor and pouring through cookbooks looking for new Thanksgiving recipes. I love tiny candy bars that you eat guilt free, because they are small and "don't count". And I love squash, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie. I love football and how the trees transform to bright red, orange and yellow…I love it all.

Now, I don't fancy myself a professional photographer or anything, but last time I tried to take the boys to a studio for professional pictures, it was a big fat fail. They came out horrible. One of them was always running out the door, so I was constantly chasing a kid. It was a complete debacle and I paid $50 bucks for a sitting and then didn't order a single print. So, I thought I would try taking them to the forest preserve and doing my own little shoot. Now, I took about 50 pictures and only got about 4 that I liked. But, hey at least I got 4, and the shoot was free.

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I like Ty's shot the least. But I have others of him that I love and might swap out. I'm just not liking the way his shirt is laying. Anyway, once again, it was free, so no complaints.

Leah's New Sweatshirt

I mentioned how Leah can only wear sleeveless tops...well Grandma was not about to let that fly, what with it being fall and the weather cool. So, grandma got crafty. She bought Leah a little hoodie, and then chopped off the arm.

Check it out!

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Thursday, October 14, 2010

Leah's Surgery - Part Two

So, the surgery was a success and Leah is doing great! She has a huge old cast on her arm, but she is handling it so well. She has conked herself in the noggin n a couple of times, but seems to be adjusting. She is kind of fascinated with it. We'll do a follow up appointment on Monday, and then hopefully the cast will come off in two weeks.

The surgeon did say that her tendons around the thumb that we retained were weak. He used some of the tendons from the amputated thumb to try to rebuild them, but there is a chance that we will need a second surgery down the road. If that were to do that,he would take tendons from her wrist to strengthen the thumb. Hopefully she will be fine though and that won't be required.

The only glitch is that she can only wear sleeveless tops and since she was in a different size over the summer, she doesn't really have many that fit. I managed to scrounge up a couple, but she is going to be a bit pressed for clothing. I have a box downstairs from my sister in law, so I'll sort through that and see if there is anything in there. We'll make do.

Here are some pics from Leah's big day! Can't wait to see how it came out.

The last photo of Leah's double thumb:

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Leah pre-surgery

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Leah post-surgery

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