A new-found respect

I think Patrick gained a little new found respect for me and all other stay at home moms today. We got a great little surprise when he ended up not having to go into work until almost 6pm (he was supposed to go in at 6am - but the other guy on call did rounds for him since he was already there, and then there were no traumas until 6pm). Anyway, he went to the grocery store, made breakfast, read the paper, went to the library with the kids, ate lunch, took a little nap, played Wii, played games with Gavin, taught Gavin how to play Guitar Hero, built a train track, talked on the phone to friends, and by 3 o'clock - was TOTALLY BORED! He didn't know what to do. He was so antsy and just wanted to go outside but it was too cold. He wanted to exercise, but didn't want to wake up Evelyn. He wanted to go to a store, but didn't want to spend money (that we don't have). He felt bad that he was losing ideas to do to keep Gavin busy, let alone himself.

All in just ONE afternoon. Imagine that day - after day - after day. I think he now understands that when I call and practically BEG him to let us come to the hospital to eat dinner with him, it is not because we miss him terribly (I mean we miss him some - but can deal with it). It is because I AM SO BORED and need to get out of the house, break up the mundane routine!!! I think he finally gets it.

humongous!

Another Daddy-Gavin shower conversation:

Gavin: "Daddy - your butt is humongous!"
Patrick: "Oh yeah, what about Mommy's butt?"
G: "Her butt is pretty tiny."
P: "Good answer."
G: "But she doesn't have a penis."
P: "No, she has a vagina. Girls have vaginas, and boys have penises." (side note - we decided to use proper anatomical terms for teaching purposes - but we also have silly names like Shina).
G: "Hmm. I think that vagina means tiny butt in spanish."

Potty Training Pitfalls

Now that Evelyn is potty training - she feels she has free use of the toilet. Point in case, as I was typing out an email, I hear her in the bathroom...

"Bye Bye poopy". - Hmmm, I think to myself, I know she didn't go so she must just be pretending.
"Bye Bye pretty (what she calls her hairbands)".
"Bye Bye watch".
"Bye Bye tooth brush". Now I think it is cute that she having a conversation with herself.
Then I hear the flush, in which I immediately jumped up and ran to find the toilet overflowing with hairbands, a watch, and a toothbrush - and Evelyn waving proudly. Luckily there was no poopy or peepee...but for now, I think I will continue to keep the bathroom doors shut and locked.

blue

February - the shortest, yet LONGEST month in the year.

I always get a little blue this time of year. Post holidays. Pre sunny weather. It sucks. I know everyone else gets bummed around here too. Days blend into each other. It doesn't help that Patrick is on trauma (the worst rotation) and is working on call every other night. That means weekends don't exist. Which makes the week even longer. I swear I am so in cycle with my routine, I don't even know the day of the week. I just know it as Spanish lesson day, or Pilates day. I come up with stupid things to do - like go to Target to buy diaper wipes - just to get out of the house. I BEG Patrick to let us come visit him at the hospital and eat dinner with him so it breaks up our mundane evening. I do lessons out of the preschool book. I let the kids watch tons of movies and play countless games. The kids bedtimes get earlier and earlier. I facebook to feel connected since so many people hibernate here. I go tanning to feel some warmth. I go to the gym for fun.

March 20th cannot get here soon enough.

Out of the mouths of babes...

After getting out of the shower together and drying off, the following conversation was said between father and son.

Gavin: "Daddy, why are you so hairy on your body?"
Patrick: "Well, that's what happens when you get older - you get hair on your body."
Gavin: "You must be REALLY old because you are REALLY hairy."

5 amazing things...

Here are 5 amazing things that Patrick did for me this Valentine's Day:

5. Bought me PINK roses.
4. Made sure the kids got me a card and something sweet.
3. Watched Fireproof.
2. Bought Evelyn the sweetest card.
1. Snuck home from his trauma shift to make me homemade buttermilk pancakes!!!

He also cleaned, did laundry, and remembered our first Valentine's together - 8 years ago. We were only friends at the time, getting together for lunch at the mall for a work project. At lunch, he gave me one of those cheesy valentine's cards that kids give to each other, but when I went out to my car there was a single red rose with a very romantic card....the beginning of our story.

V day mailboxes

Last night I finished up the mailboxes for Gavin's class party today! They are from the dollar spot at Target, finished with some stampin' up designer paper, and some punched out hearts. Each mailbox is stuffed with yummy cupcake treats (3 cups strawberry yogurt blast cheerios, 1 1/2 cups melted white chocolate, 1/2 cup dries strawberries), snack sized candy bars, some hershey kisses and a valentines card signed by Gavin. They took a while - but I am sure the kids will love them!

Double Rainbow

Tonight we got to view an amazing site...obviously it was much cooler in person. The one rainbow was so bright - it almost looked fake!

Who do you love, baby?

The good old boys club

Dropping off our Valenitne's!

Making our bags

Eating the goods

Storytime!

This week we have had lots of love going on around here! We had lots of fun activities planned since we thought our friends Cara and Hailey were going to be staying with us, but Hailey got really sick and they went back home to Illinois :-(

Sunday we had our friend Ellie's birthday party. Then another party for Nathan and Carter (at the famous Pump It Up) on Monday.

Tuesday, we had our weekly storytime and read some Valentine's books about loving your mommy and daddy. It was really cute when Erin (who reads the stories) asked the kids who they were going to love this Valentine's day. One of the boys, Seth, being the good Christian child, said "Jesus". Some other kids said their families. But Gavin said "Brenna", one of the other little girls in the group that I think he may have a crush on. What a pimp!

Wednesday we had our playgroup V-day party. The kids made valentines for each other and we decorated the bags and lined them up and gave each of our friends some love (and candy!). The moms made some yummy treats and we had a crazy good time. Crazy being the main word there.

Thursday Gavin will have his class "friendship party". It's their PC way of saying Valentines party. I am making 15 mailboxes and special treats for it! So fun!

Friday is our only down day - but we will probably do something special with Daddy since he is on-call on Saturday, actual Valentine's Day. We made special gifts for Daddy - and Mommy made a really cool photo book on Shutterfly (called "I love you more than..." it has cute pictures of the kids and little quotes like "I love you more than eating ice cream in the tub" - and has a picture of Evie eating ice cream in the tub). And Saturday we have ANOTHER birthday party! It has been busy - but we LOVE it!

Who had more fun?

The Moms? Or the Kids?

We went to Pump It Up for playgroup this week and I think the moms were just as excited (if not more) to get out of the house and run off some energy! Lucky for us, we are going there again this week for a birthday party!!!

ER renovations

Before


The Ladies hard at work!



After!

Tonight, the ladies (wives) did a service project where we updated/renovated the children's waiting area in the ER. This ER is not as big as most (the real traumas go downtown) so it really had a pathetic little room with a cardboard box to hold toys!!! They are building a brand new ER (due 2010) so we didn't want to invest too much $$$ into this. I think we did a great job! Some IKEA furniture, Target, and the almighty, Once Upon a Child...and we were set! Ashli redid the border and some cute wall pictures and we added a colorful mat too! What do you think?!!?? I think we did a great job!

She did it again!

She did it again! More poopy on the potty! I do have a picture - but thought it wasn't what everyone would want to see.

up again...

It seems like every night Patrick is on call (when he has to actually stay overnight at the hospital), I avoid going to sleep. I don't think I feel like I miss him, but obviously, psychologically/physically/emotionally, I do. I put off going to bed without him. I read books. I watch tv. I blog or go on facebook. Because when I lay in bed without him I can hear everything. The wind, the refrigerator, the heater, the ice melting off the shingles...everything. I fear someone will break into the house. Or that the house will catch fire - all bad things that will happen on my watch, without Patrick here to save us. I know it is crazy - but it is true. I've resorted to taking cold medicine (ok -I actually do have an awful cold) just to try to sleep better - but it doesn't work...I just get groggy in the morning.

When he is on block nights or an away rotation, I get used to it. The first night or two are rough, but then I suck it up and get through it. But this rotation he is on call like this every other night or every third night. So I can't get used to it. I sucks. I am sooooo tired! I know he is working hard (although he has been so lucky to actually get a lot of sleep compared to what some people get on trauma) - but I will be happy to have him home again. I am in no way a co-dependant person (anymore :-) but I need him to be home to get a good night sleep!!!!

The kids and I decided earlier that we wanted to go out to eat - so I took them to Red Robin's. I actually had a blast! They were so well behaved and funny and polite. The waitress loved Gavin and when he acts good, so does Evie. So it was a nice evening - even without Daddy.

On another note, the moms in our group have started a a storytime each week. We have our normal wednesday play groups, but now we also have tuesday storytime! Erin Ross started it and has had it at her house most of the time, but today we went to Julie's for a change. I think it may be at my place next week. The kids get together and play (as usual) but we also read a book or two (or more) and try to get the kids in a learning environment. There are babies to Preschoolers and almost all of them love to sit down and listen to Miss Erin read! She does a great job of interacting with them!

This picture is only of some of the kids (thanks for the pic Laura). Evie was playing in the back and some of the littler (sp?) ones weren't listening - but this picture will show you what an awesome support system I have here in Ohio. And this is just a sampling of the exposure and friends my kids have!!! Mondays are family day - but Tuesdays are storytime, wednesday is play group, thursday is spanish lessons and fridays are just fun!

Here are 12 of the kids in the group...we are so blessed!

She did it!!!!!!

She did it!!!!!!She did it!!!!!!She did it!!!!!!She did it!!!!!!She did it!!!!!!

This morning Evelyn was playing downstairs and she started talking to her dollies - saying "Poopy on Potty." I asked her if she needed to go to the potty and she said yes - and then ran in. We have done this before and she will sit for a while, but no success, but this time...we hit the jackpot! At first she was scared, but when Gavin and I started cheering and clapping, she loved it and pushed again for more poop. It was the most beautiful sight ever!

Bragging post

I know some of my posts can be used to vent, or discuss weird things that occurred that day. But this one is different. This is a total bragging blog. I am bragging about how great my kids were today.

We got a mother storm that came through last night and into today - so school was canceled. We spent most of the morning in pjs, playing games, playing in our rooms, eating a slow breakfast of whatever the kids wanted. Patrick was working - so it was just me and my babies.

The morning flew and we had a nice lunch. Then, Gavin and I played some Wii, and took our "mandatory snow day naps" (something I came up with). 3 hours later, we got on our snow suits and played outside for 2.5 hours. The kids played while I shoveled the ice/snow (1 inch of ice with 8 inches of snow on top) then we came in for dinner. They ate their whole meal and asked for more (using pleases and thank yous). Then, Gavin asked if he could be excused when he was done!

The two of them played so well I almost didn't want to break it up for bath/shower time. But they went willingly and got dressed and played again together. Laughing, whispering, playing - no fighting. The only bad part of the day was Gavin staying up late because of the 3 hours nap. But - that is to be expected I guess! School is canceled for tomorrow, so cross your fingers for another great day!

supernumery tooth

Gavin had his 6 month cleaning at the Dentist yesterday. Last time was a nightmare. He doesn't/didn't have any cavities - but he was deathly afraid of the chair. He felt like he was going to fall off - and hated when they moved it up and down. They could barely get the cleaning done. So this time, Dr. JoJo was ready - but he was a perfect patient. He opened wide, held the spit sucker, and helped count his teeth with her. But, to her surprise...Gavin counted one more than what she expected. So she recounted herself - and sure enough, he has a hereditary trait of having an extra tooth. He has a lot of room in his mouth, so it doesn't look weird and may never become a problem. She took x-rays to see if he has an extra "big" tooth under it - and he does. She says it is pretty common - and not a big deal. I was a little freaked out - thinking I caused it by drinking wine during pregnancy or not taking my vitamins every day - but she said it is genetic.

So when I got home, Evie woke up from her nap and I looked in her mouth and, sure enough, she has an extra one in the same place too. On the bottom row of teeth, they have 5 teeth between the eye teeth (the pointy ones) when there should only be four. I can't believe I never noticed - and the dentist said the same. We even got Evie's teeth x-rayed when she tore her frenulum. It is possible they just popped up - but most likely they were there all along, and mother of the year just didn't see them!

Would you eat this?

Seriously - this is gross. I found it at Giant Eagle. I think what is even funnier than the name of this "sponge pudding" was me in the aisle taking a picture of it. Am I 10 years old, or what?!?!!?


Here is what Wikipedia has to say: Spotted dick is a steamed suet pudding containing dried fruit (usually currants), commonly served with either custard or butter and brown sugar. Spotted refers to the dried fruit (which resemble spots) and Dick may be a contraction/corruption of the word pudding (from the last syllable) or possibly a corruption of the word dough.^[1] Another explanation offered for the latter half of the name is that it comes from the German word for "thick," in reference to the thickened suet mixture.

My Little Pony

This year we did another gift exchange between the kids in our playgroup. Hannah had Evelyn as her Pollyanna and got her Starsong - one of the my little ponies - and a DVD of all the ponies. This has become Evie's new favorite thing. We collected some of the My little ponies from McDonald's happy meals and Evie really has loved them. She calls them "my ponies" and carries them everywhere. She takes them to bed, holds them while watching tv, etc. Last night we were visiting our friends, the Napoleons, and they were purging after the Christmas gifts their kids received. They were donating tons of used toys, clothes etc. When they learned of Evelyn's love of "My Ponies" they gave us TONS of things. Dozens of ponies, accesories, playlands, even the scooter! Bags full of great items that Evelyn LOVED! We cleared out her room before Christmas and have put her new kitchen in there, but no we can finish her room by adding these new toys. She has been in high Heaven since she got them - and I know the Napoleons felt good "donating" to Evelyn when they knew how happy is was making her! Thanks so much guys!!!!

bacon bits

One of our friends (Leah) has introduced me to a friend of hers blog...she lost her daughter in a tragic choking incident earlier this year. I keep an update of her blog as it helps me keep perspective on how lucky I am to have each day with my kids. On her site, she has more blogs of fellow "angels'...kids who passed way too early. One of her posts was about other parents who lost children to choking. Her daughter was on an apple, but others included grapes, gum, bacon, and other ordinary foods. I always am super careful when my kids are eating any of these items that she listed - but this morning, Evie started choking on a piece of bacon. It may have lasted only about 20 seconds - but scared me to death! Patrick remained calm - but I freaked and ran to her, patting her back (which you are not supposed to do) while Patrick caught the inevitable puke and bacon bits that came flying out. Again - a super quick incident but still scary! Evie cried for a minute - then asked to eat again. She downed another waffle and went for more bacon...I guess it's her way of getting back on the horse!

Hey Wait...

On December 31st, Patrick had to go in to the hospital to have an upper GI scope done. This is minor outpatient surgery - but they still dope you up good with meds. It is called awake sedation. The procedure lasts about 4 minutes and since he is a Doctor there, they took him right away so I didn't have to wait long for him to come back. He was wheeled away on a bed - since the drugs would make him woozy and disoriented. It was a different nurse wheeling him back, and she missed where I was sitting. All of a sudden Patrick pipes up and says, "Hey wait! She's mine. That is my first wife." I was cracking up..."she's mine." Some of you may know our inside joke about the first wife...but for everyone else...just know it is an endearing comment!