Baxter is Thomas the Tank Engine ("the REAL Thomas, not just a Conductor, Mommy!") and Madeline is a Pink Princess.
updated website
2 months ago
Sunday, December 05, 2004
Sophie's Talking Up a Storm
Sophie's completely recovered (except for some residual clinginess, which is driving me a little crazy), and has started talking a blue streak. She mimics with great accuracy ANYTHING she hears (so watch your language if you run into her), but she has some great words for things, too. A sandwich is a "mamich," her cup is still her "goock," and Madeline is "maa-maa" (with a short "a," the same thing Baxter called Madeline). My favorite, perhaps because it's been so long in coming, is what she calls Baxter: Basha (also with a short first "a"). One of her most frequently-used words is "NO!", often screamed directly into the offending person's face, and always accompanied by clenched fist and jaw. Whew-- she's gonna be a handful, people!
The Things They Say, Part Two (of many, I'm sure)
Baxter was sitting at the breakfast table when I was telling about Madeline's friend Jacob having hard, blue noodle in his ear that had to be removed at the doctor's office. Baxter pipes up: "I have a hard noodle in my lap!" Mmm-hmm...
Saturday, October 23, 2004
About the Tooth Fairy
Madeline’s proving to be pretty precocious generally, and regarding certain magical childhood myths in particular. She lost her first tooth at the end of August and, a few days after getting a “golden dollar” from the Tooth Fairy, announced that she had “a theory.”
“There’s no Tooth Fairy,” she explained.
“No?” I asked, “Then who brought you the dollar?”
“You did, Mommy!”
“I DID? You mean to tell me that I go all over the world, leaving things for kids who lose their teeth?”
(Laughing) “No, Mommy, the OTHER mommies and daddies do. You just leave them for ME!”
Okay, then.
Days later, something about Santa Claus came up and she said, “I have a theory…” before I shushed her because her brother was there. Later discussion revealed that, though she wasn't the least bit upset about it, she "knew" there was no Santa. She denied that anyone told her this, saying "I just figured it out." Many people (including Jon, I think), think this is sad, that it represents a loss of innocence. I think, on the other hand, that's she's quite the little scientist, and these "myths" are simply hypotheses to be proved or disproved.
The hard part, of course, is making sure she doesn't burst anyone else's bubble. We're working on that!
Sophie's Better
We had a little scare this morning when Sophie started throwing up again, but after six (!) hours in the E.R., the doctors were convinced it was just a virus and unrelated to last week's troubles. Whew.
She's about 95% back to herself; she's still a little clingy, but is eating and playing normally. Thanks to all who've sent their good wishes. They seem to be working!
She's about 95% back to herself; she's still a little clingy, but is eating and playing normally. Thanks to all who've sent their good wishes. They seem to be working!
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
Second Tooth is History
Madeline "lost" her second tooth yesterday. Okay, her teacher pulled it out. I thought that was odd, but apparently pulling teeth is part of a Kindergarten teacher's job description. According to Madeline, she pulled another little girl's tooth last week!
Madeline's is a lower tooth, just below the top tooth she lost, so she has a big, rectangular hole. No word on her spitting ability yet; updates will follow, no doubt.
Madeline's is a lower tooth, just below the top tooth she lost, so she has a big, rectangular hole. No word on her spitting ability yet; updates will follow, no doubt.
Sophie's Home
After a night in the ER/surgery waiting room and two nights in the hospital, Sophie came home Tuesday morning. She was really glad to leave the hospital; every time she woke up there she seemed pretty ticked off about it. She slept most of the day yesterday (as she had in the hospital, too), and today has been up for five hours, a post-surgical record by a long shot. She is finally coming back to herself, and has had the all-important poop this morning (the primary measure of surgical success). She took her first steps in four days, a little tentatively at first, but is now toddling around the house getting into everything again.
Thanks to all who've sent their well wishes. Take care, and let us know how you are!
Thanks to all who've sent their well wishes. Take care, and let us know how you are!
Monday, October 18, 2004
Sophie Had Surgery
We've been swept along the last couple of months with school, homework, soccer (more on that in another post) and the like, but we got stopped in our tracks Saturday night. Sophie had spiked a fever (103.7) on Thursday, was increasingly listless on Friday (I had to call Jon to bring home dinner because Sophie would NOT let me put her down to cook), and started throwing up on Saturday morning. We took her to the pediatrician, who felt she had a virus and sent us home to watch for signs of dehydration. She continued to throw up EVERYTHING she took in, which was really only Pedialyte. She was even sticking her hand down her throat; the doctor had never seen such a thing, and Jon theorized that she was uncomfortable enough with anything in her to want to get it back out. She wanted desperately to drink, though, so she'd drink and then make herself throw it up.
About dinner time I called the doctor back and told him it was getting worse instead of better; he said we could take her in for IV fluids, to an acute care center close by or to Children's Hospital, farther away. I opted to go to Children's, thinking that you might as well have every service at your fingertips, just in case-- that turned out to be an excellent decision. Fortunately, Jon's mom got home just as we were doing "rock, paper, scissors" to decide which of us should take her in, and we were both able to go while Susan stayed with Madeline & Baxter. We got to the ER around 6:00, and just as a doctor was taking our history, she (and everyone else in the ER) was called away to deal with an emergency. We waited a couple of hours before she was free again, and she got an IV in Sophie right away. That two-hour wait turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as Sophie's IV was almost done dripping when we changed her diaper to find it full of blood.
That changed the demeanor of everyone, and it became clear that throwing up bile (as she had done just before we left for the ER) and pooping blood is NOT a good combination. She had some x-rays of her belly, which indicated a likely intussuception, which is a telescoping of the intestine, a not-uncommon condition in kids her age. The diagnostic/treatment procedure for this is an "air enema," where they use air to force the intestine out of its telescoped state while they watch on the fluoroscope (sort of a video x-ray). The wonderful radiologist, Dr. Hay, told us that if he actually found the intussuception, he would keep trying until he was no longer making progress, and that even if he got most but not all of it, it would make the job of the surgeons much easier.
Yes, that's right, the surgeons. This condition is basically a surgical emergency, since nothing can pass through the intestines (hence the vomiting). Dr. Hay got most of the two-foot (!) length of the blockage pushed out on the first try, let Sophie rest, and went back to try to dislodge the last couple of inches. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to and feared making a hole in her intestine if he continued to try. By this time Saturday Night Live was on; we collected Sophie and went back to the ER to wait for the surgeons. She was increasingly agitated (even before the "air enema"), and Jon has bruises on his chest from holding a 24-pound human gyroscope. Finally, at 3:00 they took her into surgery. Jon and I finally slept, him on a couch and me on the floor of the surgery waiting room, until the surgeon came out at 4:00 to say it had been a big success. The remaining blockage had been very small, and though the intestine was bruised, there was no permanent damage.
I went to the recovery room while Jon fetched our things, and they let me hold Sophie. A few minutes later, though, after Jon returned, her oxygen saturation began to drop. They snatched her from my arms, put her on the bed, and used an "ambu bag" to force air into her lungs. She was ashy and gray, but pinked up quickly. After that, they watched her closely and she had a couple of more drops in saturation, especially when she got mad (you know how kids cry so hard they can't breathe well?).
Eventually she stabilized, and they sent us (me and Sophie; Jon had gone home to be there when Madeline and Baxter woke up) to a room. There was only a rocking chair, and I slept with my head lolled back for an hour and a half or so.
Long story short (ha! there's nothing short about this story), they moved us to a lovely, spacious private room (with daybed for me to sleep on), and Sophie's medical markers have steadily improved. Her oxygen is good, her bowels are starting to work again, and she has eaten a tiny bit. She is still VERY cranky, though; she does not want to be held OR to be put down, doesn't want to eat or drink or watch TV or be read to or play with toys... The hardest part for me is not being able to do anything to console her.
They may release her this afternoon (Monday), but it's not certain yet, since she's not really eating. I'll send more info when we have it! And forgive any typos, as I don't have time to spell-check; I must get back up and relieve the lovely volunteer who came to sit with Sophie so I could have a break and come use the hospital's wonderful patient library to access the web.
MK
About dinner time I called the doctor back and told him it was getting worse instead of better; he said we could take her in for IV fluids, to an acute care center close by or to Children's Hospital, farther away. I opted to go to Children's, thinking that you might as well have every service at your fingertips, just in case-- that turned out to be an excellent decision. Fortunately, Jon's mom got home just as we were doing "rock, paper, scissors" to decide which of us should take her in, and we were both able to go while Susan stayed with Madeline & Baxter. We got to the ER around 6:00, and just as a doctor was taking our history, she (and everyone else in the ER) was called away to deal with an emergency. We waited a couple of hours before she was free again, and she got an IV in Sophie right away. That two-hour wait turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as Sophie's IV was almost done dripping when we changed her diaper to find it full of blood.
That changed the demeanor of everyone, and it became clear that throwing up bile (as she had done just before we left for the ER) and pooping blood is NOT a good combination. She had some x-rays of her belly, which indicated a likely intussuception, which is a telescoping of the intestine, a not-uncommon condition in kids her age. The diagnostic/treatment procedure for this is an "air enema," where they use air to force the intestine out of its telescoped state while they watch on the fluoroscope (sort of a video x-ray). The wonderful radiologist, Dr. Hay, told us that if he actually found the intussuception, he would keep trying until he was no longer making progress, and that even if he got most but not all of it, it would make the job of the surgeons much easier.
Yes, that's right, the surgeons. This condition is basically a surgical emergency, since nothing can pass through the intestines (hence the vomiting). Dr. Hay got most of the two-foot (!) length of the blockage pushed out on the first try, let Sophie rest, and went back to try to dislodge the last couple of inches. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to and feared making a hole in her intestine if he continued to try. By this time Saturday Night Live was on; we collected Sophie and went back to the ER to wait for the surgeons. She was increasingly agitated (even before the "air enema"), and Jon has bruises on his chest from holding a 24-pound human gyroscope. Finally, at 3:00 they took her into surgery. Jon and I finally slept, him on a couch and me on the floor of the surgery waiting room, until the surgeon came out at 4:00 to say it had been a big success. The remaining blockage had been very small, and though the intestine was bruised, there was no permanent damage.
I went to the recovery room while Jon fetched our things, and they let me hold Sophie. A few minutes later, though, after Jon returned, her oxygen saturation began to drop. They snatched her from my arms, put her on the bed, and used an "ambu bag" to force air into her lungs. She was ashy and gray, but pinked up quickly. After that, they watched her closely and she had a couple of more drops in saturation, especially when she got mad (you know how kids cry so hard they can't breathe well?).
Eventually she stabilized, and they sent us (me and Sophie; Jon had gone home to be there when Madeline and Baxter woke up) to a room. There was only a rocking chair, and I slept with my head lolled back for an hour and a half or so.
Long story short (ha! there's nothing short about this story), they moved us to a lovely, spacious private room (with daybed for me to sleep on), and Sophie's medical markers have steadily improved. Her oxygen is good, her bowels are starting to work again, and she has eaten a tiny bit. She is still VERY cranky, though; she does not want to be held OR to be put down, doesn't want to eat or drink or watch TV or be read to or play with toys... The hardest part for me is not being able to do anything to console her.
They may release her this afternoon (Monday), but it's not certain yet, since she's not really eating. I'll send more info when we have it! And forgive any typos, as I don't have time to spell-check; I must get back up and relieve the lovely volunteer who came to sit with Sophie so I could have a break and come use the hospital's wonderful patient library to access the web.
MK
Monday, August 30, 2004
First Day of School
Today was the first day of school for Madeline, Baxter, AND Sophie. Sophie is in a "Parents' Day Out" program from 9:00-2:30 on Mondays. Along with Baxter's MWF schedule at Temple Sinai, and Madeline's 8-3:30 kindergarten day, that means I have ONE DAY OFF a week. After going to the bread store, the milk store, the doctor's office, and the grocery store (with a trip home to drop off milk in the middle), I sat in the perfectly quiet house and read a book for two hours. Nothing short of miraculous! On future Mondays I hope to go to a scrapbooking session, but today the silence was priceless. I figured out that, apart from an hour or so the morning of Madeline's fourth birthday party, I have NEVER been completely alone in this house in the three years we've lived here.
Okay, enough about my day (did I mention how peaceful it was?). After waking us at 6:00 AM to remind us, Madeline had a wonderful first day of kindergarten. Her teacher, Ms. Gurney, is "very nice," and they read stories, had snack and did math ("Math is hard. Chloe, a girl from China, said it's hard"). She looked adorable in her uniform, as you can see. She also has a khaki jumper and plaid and navy "skorts," but the plaid jumper is her favorite. There was one little boy crying his eyes out, and another mom nearly hysterical (her son was fine), but Madeline took it all in stride.
Baxter didn't have much to say about his first day in Sherrie & Carol's class (they were Madeline's three-year-old teachers, too), but he was enjoying a snack when I picked him up: a bagel with olive eyes, cheese hair, cucumber ears, red pepper mouth... their art project was their afternoon snack! His buddies Jackson and Michael are in his class, so it should be great.
Sophie was one of two kids in her class, and she reveled in the attention. She didn't bat an eye when I left, as usual, since the bubble machine and ball pit were infinitely more interesting than Mom. In fact, she was reluctant to leave when I showed up fifteen minutes after she'd gotten up from nap.
Well, that's our day. Drop us a line and let us know how you're doing!
Okay, enough about my day (did I mention how peaceful it was?). After waking us at 6:00 AM to remind us, Madeline had a wonderful first day of kindergarten. Her teacher, Ms. Gurney, is "very nice," and they read stories, had snack and did math ("Math is hard. Chloe, a girl from China, said it's hard"). She looked adorable in her uniform, as you can see. She also has a khaki jumper and plaid and navy "skorts," but the plaid jumper is her favorite. There was one little boy crying his eyes out, and another mom nearly hysterical (her son was fine), but Madeline took it all in stride.
Baxter didn't have much to say about his first day in Sherrie & Carol's class (they were Madeline's three-year-old teachers, too), but he was enjoying a snack when I picked him up: a bagel with olive eyes, cheese hair, cucumber ears, red pepper mouth... their art project was their afternoon snack! His buddies Jackson and Michael are in his class, so it should be great.
Sophie was one of two kids in her class, and she reveled in the attention. She didn't bat an eye when I left, as usual, since the bubble machine and ball pit were infinitely more interesting than Mom. In fact, she was reluctant to leave when I showed up fifteen minutes after she'd gotten up from nap.
Well, that's our day. Drop us a line and let us know how you're doing!
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
EXTRA! EXTRA! MADELINE LOSES A TOOTH!
Well, we've known it was coming for a while now, but it finally happened. Madeline lost her first tooth today. It seems early to me, but the dentist x-rayed her months ago and said it could happen any time, as the roots were starting to shrink for her two front teeth. It may have been accelerated a little, though, a few weeks ago when she hit her teeth on her brother's head.
She's been wiggling it for a few weeks, and it was hanging on by a thread today. Madeline was VERY reluctant to let Jon touch it, but he convinced her it was okay, I supplied a wet paper towel (at it was already bleeding), and he yanked it right out. She screamed for a while, but is now thrilled that she'll likely be the first kid in her class to have lost a tooth.
I'm a little freaked out that I have a snaggletoothed kid already, as I had originally expected it to happen a year or more from now. As Jon points out, I've known for a long time it was coming, but it was still a shock to see her with that big space! I think I'm more weirded out by this than by the start of kindergarten.
Speaking of kindergarten-- we've been busy lately with Madeline's new school. It's a Denver Public Schools Charter school (http://www.highlineacademy.org), with a "core knowledge" curriculum (http://www.coreknowledge.org). They wear uniforms, and a photo of Madeline in hers will appear here next week. She was signed up for half-day kindergarten (because full-day was closed) and a half-day of child care on-site at the school, since that's what she wanted. We got the call today, though, that a spot in full-day opened up, so she's in. School starts Monday and we're all thrilled, especially since the teacher is a 26-year veteran who was given her choice of seven grades and chose kindergarten.
More on school after Monday.
She's been wiggling it for a few weeks, and it was hanging on by a thread today. Madeline was VERY reluctant to let Jon touch it, but he convinced her it was okay, I supplied a wet paper towel (at it was already bleeding), and he yanked it right out. She screamed for a while, but is now thrilled that she'll likely be the first kid in her class to have lost a tooth.
I'm a little freaked out that I have a snaggletoothed kid already, as I had originally expected it to happen a year or more from now. As Jon points out, I've known for a long time it was coming, but it was still a shock to see her with that big space! I think I'm more weirded out by this than by the start of kindergarten.
Speaking of kindergarten-- we've been busy lately with Madeline's new school. It's a Denver Public Schools Charter school (http://www.highlineacademy.org), with a "core knowledge" curriculum (http://www.coreknowledge.org). They wear uniforms, and a photo of Madeline in hers will appear here next week. She was signed up for half-day kindergarten (because full-day was closed) and a half-day of child care on-site at the school, since that's what she wanted. We got the call today, though, that a spot in full-day opened up, so she's in. School starts Monday and we're all thrilled, especially since the teacher is a 26-year veteran who was given her choice of seven grades and chose kindergarten.
More on school after Monday.
Sunday, August 01, 2004
Our friend Nicholas had a "Campout Birthday" this weekend. Mary Kay & Sophie went for dinner and cake (where we got this rare family photo), and Jon, Madeline & Baxter stayed overnight. It was their first camping experience... They made S'mores and played at the "beach." Mary Kay wonders what she'll do when Sophie's too big to be a good excuse to come home for the night.
Sunday, July 25, 2004
Things they say sometimes...
You never know what's going to come out of these kids' mouths!
Baxter, while Dad's helping him finish up after a potty break: "The buckle [on his favorite shorts] is just a decoration."
Madeline, upon being told by her babysitter that she's a good big sister: "[Sigh.] Sometimes it's hard."
Baxter, entering the kitchen at 7:30 one morning: "Mommy, smell my breaf!"
MK: "Your breath? Why? What does it smell like?"
B: "It smells like M uh Ms!"
MK: "It does?"
B: "Uh-huh. I found one on the table. And I ate it!"
Baxter, while Dad's helping him finish up after a potty break: "The buckle [on his favorite shorts] is just a decoration."
Madeline, upon being told by her babysitter that she's a good big sister: "[Sigh.] Sometimes it's hard."
Baxter, entering the kitchen at 7:30 one morning: "Mommy, smell my breaf!"
MK: "Your breath? Why? What does it smell like?"
B: "It smells like M uh Ms!"
MK: "It does?"
B: "Uh-huh. I found one on the table. And I ate it!"
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
A Birthday and a Birthday Suit (sort of)
Jon took last week off to get ready for Madeline's backyard birthday party (more on that later), and he was out front Thursday with the kids while they played t-ball and he did yard work. He turned around in time to see Baxter zipping up behind our big cottonwood tree.
"What are you doing, buddy?"
"I peed on the tree, Daddy!"
"Baxter, we don't pee outside. We ONLY pee on the potty, okay? Where do we pee?"
"On the potty."
The next day, they're out front again and Baxter whips it out and pees on the grass. They go through approximately the same exchange, and throughout the day Jon rehearses him: "On the potty, Daddy!"
Saturday. I'm sitting at the kitchen table, by the glass door to the backyard. Jon asks where Baxter is and I say he's outside. I follow Jon's eyes to the back door in time to see Baxter letting it fly on the grass just beyond the back patio.
Sunday, after Madeline's beach party, Madeline & Baxter got back in the kiddie pool we'd set up in the back yard. Jon and his brother Chad are out there with them, and Chad looks up and says, "What are you doing, Buddy?" Baxter has his bathing suit around his ankles and is about to pee IN THE POOL.
As far as we know, he has not peed outside in two days. (The key phrase is, "as far as we know.")
So, on to Madeline's party. We had two pools, though the inflatable one leaked air and, consequently, leaked water through most of the party. Most of her buddies came (though one mom called an hour before the party to say that her son had decided he wanted to stay home!), and there were pretzels, pizza, smiley-face cupcakes (in rainbow hues), and ice cream. We have a new playset, complete with fort and three swing positions, and that was a big hit, too. See photos...
"What are you doing, buddy?"
"I peed on the tree, Daddy!"
"Baxter, we don't pee outside. We ONLY pee on the potty, okay? Where do we pee?"
"On the potty."
The next day, they're out front again and Baxter whips it out and pees on the grass. They go through approximately the same exchange, and throughout the day Jon rehearses him: "On the potty, Daddy!"
Saturday. I'm sitting at the kitchen table, by the glass door to the backyard. Jon asks where Baxter is and I say he's outside. I follow Jon's eyes to the back door in time to see Baxter letting it fly on the grass just beyond the back patio.
Sunday, after Madeline's beach party, Madeline & Baxter got back in the kiddie pool we'd set up in the back yard. Jon and his brother Chad are out there with them, and Chad looks up and says, "What are you doing, Buddy?" Baxter has his bathing suit around his ankles and is about to pee IN THE POOL.
As far as we know, he has not peed outside in two days. (The key phrase is, "as far as we know.")
So, on to Madeline's party. We had two pools, though the inflatable one leaked air and, consequently, leaked water through most of the party. Most of her buddies came (though one mom called an hour before the party to say that her son had decided he wanted to stay home!), and there were pretzels, pizza, smiley-face cupcakes (in rainbow hues), and ice cream. We have a new playset, complete with fort and three swing positions, and that was a big hit, too. See photos...
Monday, July 05, 2004
Recent Adventures
We try to go to an "activity" (as the kids call it) every Sunday after we go out to breakfast. A couple of weeks ago we went to the Colorado Railroad Museum, which we thought would be thrilling to Baxter. He loves Thomas, and trains in general, so we were caught off-guard when, entering through the gift shop, he wanted to just stay there and play with the big Thomas model railroad setup rather than going to see the real trains. We dragged him out anyway, though, and he had a good time.
On the 4th we went to breakfast as usual, with Jon's brother Chad in tow, and ran into friends of ours. They have kids the same ages as ours (yes, three of them), and they were going to a neighborhood Fourth of July parade. We went, too, and the kids enjoyed marching behind a decked-out car (with speakers blaring patriotic music), wearing their red, white & blue finest. The parade ended at a park, where the local fire station brought a truck for the kids to climb on, and there was watermelon, cookies, and games. Baxter & Madeline each won an orange ribbon for participating in the sack race (Baxter still doesn't really jump with both feet, so it was a bit of a challenge for him). That was enough for Mary Kay, who was hot, and Sophie, who was covered in watermelon juice, so we all went home and took a nap. Well, all but Baxter, who "played trains" in his room while the rest of us slept.
I wish I had pictures, but we forgot our camera. Maybe next time. Watch this space!
On the 4th we went to breakfast as usual, with Jon's brother Chad in tow, and ran into friends of ours. They have kids the same ages as ours (yes, three of them), and they were going to a neighborhood Fourth of July parade. We went, too, and the kids enjoyed marching behind a decked-out car (with speakers blaring patriotic music), wearing their red, white & blue finest. The parade ended at a park, where the local fire station brought a truck for the kids to climb on, and there was watermelon, cookies, and games. Baxter & Madeline each won an orange ribbon for participating in the sack race (Baxter still doesn't really jump with both feet, so it was a bit of a challenge for him). That was enough for Mary Kay, who was hot, and Sophie, who was covered in watermelon juice, so we all went home and took a nap. Well, all but Baxter, who "played trains" in his room while the rest of us slept.
I wish I had pictures, but we forgot our camera. Maybe next time. Watch this space!
Thursday, June 24, 2004
Monday, June 21, 2004
Baxter's Latest Obsession
We got a catalog in the mail from a company called Smith & Thompson, with all things Thomas the Tank Engine (or, as Baxter usually says, “Ank Engine”). Since the moment I gave it to him, he’s been dragging it all over the house, poring over it for an hour at a time. He’ll bring it to any available adult and say, “Let me show you what I don’t want,” which is actually a wise move since it’s a shorter list than what he DOES want. Fortunately he hasn’t latched onto the Thomas-shaped toddler bed, but it may only be a matter of time. I’ve had to tape the catalog together once already. Sigh.
Monday, June 14, 2004
A "Fun" Activity
On the Sunday before Memorial Day, we got lucky and all three kids had a good nap. This was unusual, as Madeline has not napped regularly since I was pregnant with Sophie, and Baxter has not napped in well over a year, either. Jon & I talked about it, noting they’d probably be up late, and I said, “we should do something we can’t ordinarily do because it’s too late.” Jon had the BRILLIANT idea of taking them to the drive-in movie. There’s still one near us, and it was supposed to close last year but is open for one final season. “Shrek 2” was playing, and we got all three kids in their jammies, fed them dinner, popped corn, and set off about 45 minutes before the movie was to start.
Our first sign of trouble was a line that backed up onto the limited-access road above the theater. We slowed to a crawl, and gradually made our way down to the road the theater’s on. As we crept toward the entrance, taking odds on the likelihood they’d be sold out when we got there, Baxter said “my tummy hurts.” I questioned him, and he didn’t seem to be nauseous, but it wasn’t completely clear. Just as we got to the turn to the box office, people began to leave, telling us the movie was sold out. We thought we should do SOMETHING for them, as they had not known where we were headed in the first place, and there were some Little League fields a couple of exits away. I checked with Baxter—“My tummy’s fine”--- and we headed off. After the first exit he wailed, “My tummy hurts!” and we talked about pulling over. I asked if he felt like he had to throw up, and he said he did. Jon dismissed this, noting that he’d hardly ever thrown up and how would he know if he had to. We passed the second exit. Less than a minute later, Baxter started to ralph. He threw up all over his jammies, his car seat, his blankie (but narrowly missed his Stuffed Buzz)…
The next exit was (it seemed) miles away, and Madeline was screaming, “Stop! He’s throwing up! Stop! Help him!” Finally we pulled over, and Jon got him out of his seat (yuck), peeled off his jammies & underpants (ewwww), and I put the still-dry side of his blankie over the wet parts of the car seat for him to sit in--- naked. Since we weren’t in the van (we’d thought they’d be able to see better from Jon’s Impala), we didn’t have the change of clothes I usually carry everywhere. I found a burp cloth in Sophie’s bag that I stuffed between the seat buckle and his little parts, and we headed home.
As we passed the screen from the highway, Baxter said, “Mom! There’s a movie! Outside!” It wasn’t Shrek (it was the other screen), but I felt compelled to tell them that’s where we’d been going. Madeline started to yell in outrage, “We’re going HOME? Why can’t we go to the movie? I want to go!” Her brother’s plight, nauseous and naked on the other side of the back seat, left her unmoved.
Needless to say, when we got home about 9:00, they were all nodding off. An inauspicious ending to our big adventure!
Our first sign of trouble was a line that backed up onto the limited-access road above the theater. We slowed to a crawl, and gradually made our way down to the road the theater’s on. As we crept toward the entrance, taking odds on the likelihood they’d be sold out when we got there, Baxter said “my tummy hurts.” I questioned him, and he didn’t seem to be nauseous, but it wasn’t completely clear. Just as we got to the turn to the box office, people began to leave, telling us the movie was sold out. We thought we should do SOMETHING for them, as they had not known where we were headed in the first place, and there were some Little League fields a couple of exits away. I checked with Baxter—“My tummy’s fine”--- and we headed off. After the first exit he wailed, “My tummy hurts!” and we talked about pulling over. I asked if he felt like he had to throw up, and he said he did. Jon dismissed this, noting that he’d hardly ever thrown up and how would he know if he had to. We passed the second exit. Less than a minute later, Baxter started to ralph. He threw up all over his jammies, his car seat, his blankie (but narrowly missed his Stuffed Buzz)…
The next exit was (it seemed) miles away, and Madeline was screaming, “Stop! He’s throwing up! Stop! Help him!” Finally we pulled over, and Jon got him out of his seat (yuck), peeled off his jammies & underpants (ewwww), and I put the still-dry side of his blankie over the wet parts of the car seat for him to sit in--- naked. Since we weren’t in the van (we’d thought they’d be able to see better from Jon’s Impala), we didn’t have the change of clothes I usually carry everywhere. I found a burp cloth in Sophie’s bag that I stuffed between the seat buckle and his little parts, and we headed home.
As we passed the screen from the highway, Baxter said, “Mom! There’s a movie! Outside!” It wasn’t Shrek (it was the other screen), but I felt compelled to tell them that’s where we’d been going. Madeline started to yell in outrage, “We’re going HOME? Why can’t we go to the movie? I want to go!” Her brother’s plight, nauseous and naked on the other side of the back seat, left her unmoved.
Needless to say, when we got home about 9:00, they were all nodding off. An inauspicious ending to our big adventure!
Saturday, June 12, 2004
Thursday, June 10, 2004
Trying Something New
Hi, all. We're trying to keep up with technology, so we're moving our family site to a blog format. Don't expect daily postings, but we hope to be able to put out quick updates on a more regular basis. (In addition to time pressures, technological problems prevented an update of our previous site after Sophie was born.)
So here's the latest:
Sophie's nearly 16 months old and she has a TEMPER. She reminds us of Madeline in that way, though neither of us remember it being quite this challenging with Madeline. Perhaps this is because we had ONLY Madeline to deal with? Most of the time Sophie is incredibly sunny and sweet, giving kisses, petting the dogs, following her brother and sister around... but deny her what she wants, and you think her head's gonna spin around. She has several words now, including "mick" (milk), "boock" (book), "baby," and the all-purpose "goock," which means, "look at that!" or "I want that!" or "what on earth could that thing be?" She also says "whazzat" like her brother did, and imitates most any word or sound. "Yee-hah" while she rode the horse at the supermarket this morning is one of the best.
Baxter is a little over three and lives on Planet Baxter. He is stoic but not gloomy, just having little to say much of the time. He and Madeline have been in day camp for a couple of weeks; if you ask him what he does there, it's "I dunno." If you ask who's in his class (or most any question to which he doesn't know the answer but suspects he should), it's "I not going to tell you." He's a mischievous little bugger, too, not above sneaking a treat if you're not looking or breaking any rule he deems unneccessary or inconvenient. He's so sweet and loving, though, it's hard to stay mad about his various antics. He often says to one of us "I want to love on you!" or "I want to be wif you." His obsessions, and I do NOT use that word lightly, are Buzz Lightyear and Thomas the Tank Engine. Rarely does a sentence pass his lips without one of those in it (unless it contains "snack").
Madeline will be starting kindergarten in the fall, and she is quite excited. She's a bit ambivalent, though, as it means leaving behind nearly all of her buddies from the last three years of preschool. She's just on the cusp of reading (and can occasionally make out a word, as when she announced, "My jammies say 'cat nap'!"). She loves art and Disney Princesses (ewwww-- but better than Barbie, says her mom), and she and Baxter play so well together. They will often disappear for an hour or so, playing some elaborate game (usually involving Buzz Lightyear and the Space Ranger persona Jon made up for Madeline, Micheline Morningstar). She is looking forward to her 5th birthday party, an encore beach party (her 3rd was as well). We have strict instructions that the pool must have fish on it. Um, okay, Madeline.
In other news, Jon has been working 13-hour days as Dex rolls out its new, all-encompassing computer system (replacing something like 70 separate, legacy systems) and he runs the "Solution Center." The center, which Mary Kay likes to call Mission Control or Command Central, is the place everyone calls to report defects, problems, etc. It has been a very demanding couple of weeks since the first regional roll-out; there are two more roll-outs to go before summer's over. Sigh. We're both chronically exhausted, and need a vacation.
Hope you all are well, and we'd love to hear from you. E-mail or call!
So here's the latest:
Sophie's nearly 16 months old and she has a TEMPER. She reminds us of Madeline in that way, though neither of us remember it being quite this challenging with Madeline. Perhaps this is because we had ONLY Madeline to deal with? Most of the time Sophie is incredibly sunny and sweet, giving kisses, petting the dogs, following her brother and sister around... but deny her what she wants, and you think her head's gonna spin around. She has several words now, including "mick" (milk), "boock" (book), "baby," and the all-purpose "goock," which means, "look at that!" or "I want that!" or "what on earth could that thing be?" She also says "whazzat" like her brother did, and imitates most any word or sound. "Yee-hah" while she rode the horse at the supermarket this morning is one of the best.
Baxter is a little over three and lives on Planet Baxter. He is stoic but not gloomy, just having little to say much of the time. He and Madeline have been in day camp for a couple of weeks; if you ask him what he does there, it's "I dunno." If you ask who's in his class (or most any question to which he doesn't know the answer but suspects he should), it's "I not going to tell you." He's a mischievous little bugger, too, not above sneaking a treat if you're not looking or breaking any rule he deems unneccessary or inconvenient. He's so sweet and loving, though, it's hard to stay mad about his various antics. He often says to one of us "I want to love on you!" or "I want to be wif you." His obsessions, and I do NOT use that word lightly, are Buzz Lightyear and Thomas the Tank Engine. Rarely does a sentence pass his lips without one of those in it (unless it contains "snack").
Madeline will be starting kindergarten in the fall, and she is quite excited. She's a bit ambivalent, though, as it means leaving behind nearly all of her buddies from the last three years of preschool. She's just on the cusp of reading (and can occasionally make out a word, as when she announced, "My jammies say 'cat nap'!"). She loves art and Disney Princesses (ewwww-- but better than Barbie, says her mom), and she and Baxter play so well together. They will often disappear for an hour or so, playing some elaborate game (usually involving Buzz Lightyear and the Space Ranger persona Jon made up for Madeline, Micheline Morningstar). She is looking forward to her 5th birthday party, an encore beach party (her 3rd was as well). We have strict instructions that the pool must have fish on it. Um, okay, Madeline.
In other news, Jon has been working 13-hour days as Dex rolls out its new, all-encompassing computer system (replacing something like 70 separate, legacy systems) and he runs the "Solution Center." The center, which Mary Kay likes to call Mission Control or Command Central, is the place everyone calls to report defects, problems, etc. It has been a very demanding couple of weeks since the first regional roll-out; there are two more roll-outs to go before summer's over. Sigh. We're both chronically exhausted, and need a vacation.
Hope you all are well, and we'd love to hear from you. E-mail or call!
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