February - already???

WOW! I can't believe it is February already! Trust me, I am not complaining...I just can't believe it! This means we are that much closer to spring!!! I am really happy because usually winter seems to drag on forever but I feel like time is flying right now.

Since we got back from Chicago we have been pretty busy. Just getting back into the groove of things. Patrick's work continues to be fun and a much better schedule...so that makes life good too.

The bad part of this week was that Evie got pretty sick. Basically just real high temps but she was MISERABLE!!!! Poor thing. It started wednesday morning with playgroup. She felt a bit warm, so we left early and I took her home and her temp got to close to 103! So we started our regimen of tylenol every 4 hours to avoid her febrile seizures. But after about 2 hours she would spike up again. I didn't have motrin on hand to supplement but she did ok without. That night I was able to sneak away for a "downline meeting" for Stampin' Up. Evie fell asleep right as I left and woke up when I got home. 2 hours. Then it was off an d on sleep every hour or two through the night. Poor thing. And poor mom! But I remember I wrote in an earlier blog that I don't mind those nights because it is when I feel most important. You know the feeling of wanting your mom when you are sick. Well, now I am the mom, and all she wanted/needed was me. So I'll sacrifice some sleep to make her feel more comforted.

Thursday was really rough as she was tired (up again all night) and still spiking fevers. So we didn't even get out of our pjs until close to dinner time! But her fevers started to wear off around then and she was starting to perk up. So Patrick watched her and Gavin AGAIN (thanks Babe) and I met up with some friends for our Spouses meeting...which happened to be movie night.

We went to the Movie Tavern where you can eat and drink in the theater - and it was so fun! We saw 27 dresses and loved it! There were 16 of us there - so it was a great turnout! I hope everyone enjoyed the night out as much as I did!

Patrick got home around 3pm on friday so I ran errands (without the kids!) and then we just watched a movie and went to sleep! I was tired!!!! But luckily Evie slept through the night and I caught up on some sleep. This morning I worked out, came home to a home made breakfast, and we have NOTHING planned for the rest of the weekend! I love it!

Chicago visit

Patrick had a course he had to attend right outside of Chicago for his work. It was an arthroscopy course where he was in lectures and labs all day for 3.5 days. He learned how to used the arthroscope on cadavers (a process he has seen in real OR rooms - but was not allowed to do until he took this course...you know, can't mess up a dead guys knee) and had one-on-one time with the instructor because his lab partner was too hung over some days to come in :-)

Anyway, the kids and I joined him since I have relatives in Chi-town. The first night we stayed with my cousin Nicole and her hubby Joe in the city. Joe is an architect and designed this HUGE house in the city - but since the market to sell sucks right now, they moved into the house instead of trying to sell it. It is just the 2 of them - and a 5 level house - so way too big for their needs. But really cool. It just was NOT kid friendly. Lots of stairs and no doors to the rooms = trouble for little kids! So we only stayed one night there and then spent the other 3 nights at the hotel. It actually wasn't bad except Evie got up at 5am Chicago time almost every day.

We went to the best aquarium I have ever been too (The Shedd) and saw a dolphin show. I had never seen one and I was pretty impressed. And the kids were great for it too. Gavin loved it and oohed and aahed the whole time. Evelyn sat and just stared the whole time. Patrick took some pics of us watching and admitted he got a little emotional watching us. It was one of those picturesque moments when things are just right. One of those times you imagine yourself having "when you grow up", with your wife and kids watching a cool show, having fun together. That in and of itself made the trip worth it.

The kids and I also met up with my Uncle Rod to go to the Children's Museum on Navy Pier. Again, one of the coolest I have been too. Gavin loved every inch of it and Evelyn was able to get down and have fun too! It had soooo many sections that we didn't even do them all. There was a dinosaur excursion, a treehouse, a river with fishing and canoing, drive a bus, dress up like a fireman, a build your own airplane, bowling, shopping...you name it and it was there. Plus when you left there was a cool train to ride and great shopping and food for mom!!! Super fun - thanks for joining us Uncle Rod! PS - Gavin was totally in love with Uncle Rod - and a really good boy for him!!!

The next day the kids and I went to Uncle Rod and Aunt Linda's house. We went to their gym for some pool time and some moon bouncing! Then we went back to the hotel and met up with good friends from PA (who live there now) for some deep dish pizza! YUM! We were ALL in bed by 8 o'clock that night and slept until almost 7!!! YEAH!

Sunday morning the kids and I went back to Linda and Rod's for some brunch. They have a cute dog, Boo, that the kids loved so they played with her and we ate and hung out. Joe and Nicole were there too so it was a nice relaxing time to catch up! Then back to the hotel, pick up Patrick, and back home. I had a great time - but I am ready to stay put for a while! NO MORE TRIPS FOR US FOR A LONG TIME!!!!

My 1st Stampin' Up Club!!!

Last night I held my first Stampin' Up monthly club meeting at my house. We will meet once a month here at 7:30 (after the kiddies are down for bed) and do 3 projects. This month we focused on Valentine's Day and made a card, a candy bag topper and a 6x6 scrapbook layout. Ashli Welsh and I decided on what projects to make together, so we could split the costs of supplies, etc and it makes it more fun designing with someone else. We tweaked things a bit individually - but the theme is the same overall.

4 girls from the Doctor's group (Michal, Carrie, Jessica and Cara) and 2 neighbors (Christa and Beth) make up our club. We whipped out some wine, Christa made brownies, and we just had a fun night with the girls making some projects. I had a great time and want to thank everyone for making my first club a success! I can't wait for next month! Anyone that wants to come can contact me...we will be meeting next on Feb 19th.

I attached pics of the projects we made as well as some of the girls making them...

Fun Day and Fun Night

Yesterday Patrick was super tired from a rough night on call so the kids and I went to the Columbus Reading Festival. It was really fun (although a bit more for older kids) but had characters, authors, games, face painting, etc. I think Gavin was overwhelmed by it and he was pretty content just staying in the stroller. He did, of course, go on the jumpy moon bounce thing! He wouldn't come out! I had to go in and get him - but he was so cute about it that I didn't care. He was giggling so much and it really was fun for him - so what's a little naughty behavior? I guess he caught Mommy on a good day so I played along instead of yelling for him to listen to me!!! I think he responded better to that anyway.

When we got home we ALL took long naps and then had some of our very good friends over. Mike, Martina and Ellie came (until about 8pm) and Cara and Phillip stayed until after midnight!!! We got pizza, chatted, played with kids...so much fun. Then when the Pokablas left, we played boys against girls games with Cara and Phillip. Cara is another super competitive girl - so we made a great team! And we crushed the boys!!! We lost in Apples to Apples (we think the boys were cheating) but beat them bad in Mad Gab and especially in Pictionary. In their defense, they were getting drunker and drunker while we sobered up a bit. But we beat them TWICE - and even gave them a head start! Look out ladies at our 2/7 meeting.... Cara and I are a force to be reckoned with!!!

Mall visit

Today a few of us went to the Tuttle Mall for a little play time and some shopping. I bought - NOTHING!!! Can you believe it?!?!?!?! I was so surprised! I did allow myself to get lunch at Panera even though I planned on going home to save money. But Gavin had a good time - here is a pic of him holding hands with his friend Greg...

Fine Motor Skills

I have been practicing with Gavin to develop some of his fine motor skills. Here he is creating a beautiful pasta letter board spelling his name. Bonus to the activity = he wants to try to eat pasta for dinner tonight (a first)!

some belated christmas pics

Here are some fun pics from our Christmas in PA...

What happens when your kids get overtired

We have had such a great weekend so far...date night last night which included Brazenhead Pub, bowling and touch screen games, slept in until after 7, worked out, had homemade breakfast when I walked in the door after the gym, Patrick got the deck finished, I organized my scrapbook stuff, we all visited great friends... But I knew if we kept the kids out too long it would backfire, and it did. After our visit to the Napoleons, we got home around 8:30. Not too late except Gavin has been outside running and playing due to the nice weather and also playing at the Napoleons in their open basement (meant to be a soccer play area). They also had a mini-trampoline that Gavin was on the majority of the time there. So an hour past bedtime when he is that beat = bad news. He wanted me to carry him in from the car but I had Evie...so Patrick tried to be sweet and carry him. Not happening. So Patrick tried to fool around with him and turn him upside down while walking upstairs to get in the bath. Well, that was the straw that broke the camel's back. Gavin totally started to freak. And not cry-baby, whining freak. I mean, head spinning, eyes bulging, meltdown. The kind that is so scary to watch as a mom, and even scarier to happen to that child. I quickly took him into my room to start the cool-down but was not very successful. So Patrick convinced me just to throw him in the tub, wash him quick and off to bed. Well good thing we made it to the tub because all 3 slices of pizza + dessert came right out!!! Yuck! His eyes are all bloodshot and he broke blood vessels in his face from screaming. I don't remember him ever doing this this bad before. I brought him back in my room and he REFUSED to put clothes on. Kicking and screaming - totally possessed. He eventually hurled some more and then, as quick as it started, it stopped (thank God). We were able to convince him to brush his teeth, drink some water, put on clothes and get into bed. He could barely keep his poor eyes open. What a tragic night for him. Just too much stimulation and fun during the day!!! And bad parents that keep him out too late at night!!!

Graeters Ice Cream Playgroup

Here are some cute pics of this week's playgroup...Gavin got a bit of his own medicine when there was a bigger kid that picked on him and pushed him around a bit. Hopefully he'll start to realize that it is not nice to push people!!!!!

While the eatin' is good!!!

So although I still have so much to do around the house, anyone who knows me knows that I will find any excuse to avoid it. So today we went to the zoo to enjoy the almost 70 degree weather that we have had for 2 days. We couldn't do much on Monday due to doctor appointments and pre-school stuff so I was NOT about to miss the chance to get out with the kids (and get some fresh air myself)! I called the girls this morning and ended up meeting Julie and Mary (by chance). It was great to get Gavin out to run around with their boys (Seth is almost 3 and Greg just turned 3 in Dec) so they were all close in age. The had fun watching the monkeys and seeing all the animals that were out and active. It was a great day (pretty windy though) for the zoo and I am so glad we got out! (PS - Thanks Mary for the pics...PPS - Ignore Evelyn's dried snot nose).

When we came home, Cara and Baby Hailey (not so baby anymore - she's almost 2 but Gavin still calls her Baby Hailey) came over to work on our schedule for the Advocates meetings. It was fun to hang out while Gavin and Hailey played (Evie slept) and just catch up with Cara. Plus, it helped me avoid working on the house more!!!

100

So I think this is my 100th post. I am mad I still have not gotten my holiday pictures downloaded but Patrick and I have been on a purging rampage that has occupied so much of my free time. It all started when we decided to move our computer/desk out of Evelyn's room and put it into our room. To do that, we needed to get rid of his old dresser (where our old tv was and he had 2 drawers of clothes). Since he was getting rid of that, I had to get rid of some of my dresser drawers to make room for him. So I went through my clothes and got rid of anything I haven't worn in over a year, things that were ripped or stained, and things that just didn't (and won't) fit. More than 1/2 of my wardrobe - gone. Shoes too. Then I had to do it for the kids also, since we got clothes for them from Christmas that just wouldn't shove into the closet because it was too full. So 1/2 of their stuff - gone. I have taken my stuff to a used clothing store and am waiting to get paid for some of it. The rest will be generously donated. The kids stuff is being sent to friends with kids that can benefit from them. Then they too will be eventually sold and donated. Patrick is pretty amazed that I am actually doing it, but is also annoyed at how long the process is taking me. He would have had it done - but I have a certain methodology to it - and I knew it would be 2+ weeks. We're almost there.
And since our old tv had to go - we used gift cards and some money from Christmas to purchase a flat screen for our room. It looks cool and we love it. We are really starting to settle in now (after 2.5 years).
Once I download pics I'll post them...

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone! I can't write long as I am in between Christmases (4 of them due to inlaws, daddy working and coming home today, sisters and divorces). So far so good - although I did have to take Santa's gift away since Gavin wouldn't even look at anything else. So for the sake of opening gifts and getting on with our day - the train carnival had to be put in time out... but I think it was for the greater good!

Holiday Party

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Well...it was a hit! The holiday party that I was planning for the Advocates (Spouse) Support Group was on Thursday and was quite a success, even after about a DOZEN last minute cancellations. One of those cancellations happened to be my own husband - so I know that most everyone had really good excuses. He had a huge grand round presentation that he just couldn't finish in time. So he had to bail. He thought I was going to divorce him, but of any group of people at a party, I knew I wouldn't have to explain why he wasn't there. Just say Ground Rounds...and people get it. I was a bit bummed about other people that couldn't come, as I knew how great it was going to be and really wanted them to enjoy it too. The wives work all year trying to support the hubby doctors, and we really needed a nice night to ourselves.

It was at a nice country club and we had butlered hors d'oeuvres, a delicious dinner, OPEN BAR, and desserts. The food was great and the staff was super friendly. Thank you Made-From-Scratch Events! It was a delight to work with you!

I really want to thank some of my friends who knew how important this was to me and supported me through it all! To my friends who watched my kids while I got my hair done, helped me set up, came 9 months pregnant, came without their husbands or brought husbands even if they didn't feel well...it truly means a lot to me! You girls rock!!!

Here are some fun pics! I think everyone had a good time - and it was nice to see people out of "mommy" clothes!!!

playgroup christmas party

Today was our annual playgroup Christmas Party. Unfortunately, Evelyn is really sick so I dropped Gavin off (along with our presents, food, etc) and ran some errands with Evie so she wasn't around the other kids too much. She was actually doing much better this morning since her fever broke, but I didn't want her to come in contact with the other kiddos. So I dropped Gavin off, ran errands and swung back around to pick him up. When I got back, they still hadn't opened gifts or anything so I brought Evie in and strapped her to a feeding chair so she wouldn't play/touch other kids.

Luckily, I did get some cute shots of the kids opening gifts. It was a great day - but Gavin was acting very aggressive. He gets that way in large groups. Alpha Male Syndrome I guess. Anyway, it was so cute to see the kids exchange and open gifts - I can't wait for Christmas morning!

Ornament Exchange Party

This week has been so hectic - yet I feel like nothing was done. But this morning I got to attend the Annual Christmas Ornament Exchange Party held by Nancy Reed. Patrick is working (again) and my sitter was not available so I left the kids with Ashli's hubby, Ian. Much thanks!!!

The kids and I ran errands in the morning before the party and mid-way through it started snowing. Hard! It came down fast and by the time we got to Nancy's, the roads were pretty yucky. But the snow made for an even more festive feel to the party, which was a nice bonus.

Everyone brought some food or drink so we socialized at first, ate some, then sat down for fun. Nancy always does a great job at making up Christmas related games, so this time we played Reindeer vs Snowmen Family Feud. It was a great time as always! We then followed it up with the pink elephant style exchange. The ornament I bought was a large ball with a bell in it (like from the movie The Polar Express). Gavin picked it out since it reminded him of that movie. I ended up with a really cute "joy" ornament that has a crystal in the o. It totally matched our decor...so that worked out well!

I spent the rest of the day finishing up Christmas cards and baking cookies. Laundry, cleaning... typical stuff to do when Daddy is on call. I just got done checking my emails and got an update from my girlfriend, Melanie in Charleston. Her baby girl (almost 4 y/o) just underwent kidney surgery on Wednesday and is starting to make positive progress. She is off the ventilator and asking for food. Her husband donated his kidney to her, so my girlfriend had to watch 2 of the most important people in her life get wheeled to the OR. Please pray for her strength, for her daughter's recovery and her husband's health as he is now at home recuperating.

Super Fun Playgroup

Today playgroup was at my house. We were making up for last week when it snowed so much - and created cards to give to an assistance living home. Ashli did a great job preparing everything and we made super cute cards - one with handprints that turned into Santa, and another with thumbprints that were reindeer. Most of the kids cooperated very well - and some were with the occasional painted hand in mom's face.

We had a large turnout which is great, but unfortunately my house is super small so it got HOT and crowded!!! But the kids all seemed to have a blast, plus it was the first time in a while that the moms sat, drank coffee or water, and talked since the kids were in viewing range at almost all times. Some of the older kids (Gavin's age is now considered older kids - aahhhh!) played in the basement and had fun trashing that area too! At the end we drew names for our gift exchange next week at our kiddie holiday party! Can you believe the holidays aer here?!?!?!!? Aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh again!

I had a great time and hope everyone else did. One of my girlfriends even stayed late and just hung out with me while Evie slept and Gavin and her son Bryce played...I love girlfriend chat time!