June 30, 2004
How much wood could a woodchuck chuck.....
I wonder how long it would take me to build an ark?
We've had rain everyday for the last week and a half. My backyard (though tiny in it's own right) had grass so high Steven had to cut it twice. The clippings were so thick, we had to rake them for fear of the tender grass underneath never getting any light. My pitiful vinca is desperate for some sunshine and a drying out period.
Who needs to live in Washington state when you can have the same amount of rain here?
June 29, 2004
Two Things
Ok, here's the deal. When we reformatted the hard drive my email address book was hosed. Wondering how this effects you? Here's how: my Notify List for the blog has disappeared into the oblivion. If you were on the list and wish to remain so, email me. If you were not but would like to be added, email me.
Newest Lizzy antics are sure to give me a handful of grey hairs or a coronary.
She fell off the couch last night. Backwards. Instant goose egg. Much crying. The worst part was the sound. Because of that sound I took her to the ER to be safe. Katy's fallen before and had a nasty goose egg just like that. But when she fell, the sound was completely different. By the time we reached the ER she was giggling with Daddy. They pronounced her as having a blunt head trauma with a contusion.
Today, no goose egg just a bruise. I have no idea how Steven's mom managed to stomach holding him down while they stitched his tongue back together or taped his ear back on.
June 26, 2004
The Walls Have Been Breached
You guessed it. Lizzy has figured out how to artfully climb over the baby gates. We knew it wouldn't take Madame Houdini long to figure it out anyway. Yesterday, we found her in the upstairs bathroom carefully adding toothpaste to her toothbrush (and her sisters') so she could brush her teeth. Today, I found her in the laundry room with a spoon and the scoop digging in the cat litter box.
Joy of joys.
Now we just have to teach her the boundaries:
- It is not ok to slip out the front door when
- It's not ok to play in the toilet no matter how pretty the water is.
- It's not ok to fling kitty litter about the laundry room floor even if your intentions were noble and you've seen Mama do it.
- It is ok to eat as many of Mama's chocolate chip cookies as she'll give you.
- It is not ok to sneak into the kitchen, roll the computer chair up to the counter and quietly snitch a few cookies from the container.
- It is ok to come to Mama after you've enjoyed your stolen goodies and tell her "Dat's gooooood!" with your little cheeks all covered in chocolate.
Photo of the Day:
Posted by christy at 06:33 PM | Comments (2)
June 24, 2004
Lizzy-isms
Heard from the Doctor yesterday about my ultrasounds, finally. After some confusion about me having already had the second ultrasound, Dr. Jones read the results and her lackey called me back.
I have a "simple" cyst on my right ovary. Simple, meaning it is normally shaped and formed. More like a bouncy ball than a clod of dirt. Bouncy ball shape=good. Clod of dirt=not so good.
What happens from here? Basically, I get sent to Women's Health where I will then have a consult with an Ob/Gyn. Dr. Jones is a primary care Family Practice doctor. The cyst stuff is out of her scope of practice. I'll tell more when I know more.
Mama's visit has been a hoot. We've been cracking up over Lizzy and her antics. Some of the best of the best from the last few days:
-"Hit 'em Mimi!!"
-"Gimme' dat ice ceeem!"
-"But I wann mooore!"
She's a hoot, I tell ya.
June 22, 2004
Small Glitch
We've reformatted the computers and so far I don't have my mail back up and running. If you've tried to email me in the last two days, I haven't read it yet.
I haven't been home long enough to reinstall AIM either. I'll work on that tomorrow since we're staying here all day.
June 21, 2004
Call off the dogs
You can call back the search parties, I'm not lost. Or dead. Or depressed. Or any such. I am, however, enjoying my Mom's visit.
Katy and Lizzy had their combined birthday party on Saturday. While they had a blast and enjoyed themselves thoroughly, only one child who'd been invited, showed up. And he was an hour late. See, the problem is the two people who had RSVP'd they could come were not military families. I had their names on a list at the Visitor's Center and SP shack hoping to ease their ability to obtain a day pass.
Problems arose when the SP asked for the registration for the Dad's van. After a trip home, another trip to the Visitor's Center they arrived. Much fun was had by the kids and the grown ups, though.
Yesterday, after church, lunch and naps we took the girls to the local fair. I took some pictures that I'll put up later. We had a good time, though it was stinkin' hot out. The girls rode the kiddie rides and giggled and enjoyed themsleves.
Steven decided he wanted to ride the Tilt-A-Whirl and asked the girls if they wanted to ride with him. Em and Lizzy said yes, so off they went. About three spins into it, Lizzy was sobbing. Steven motioned for the guy to stop the ride and they all hopped off. Lizzy was instantly in a better mood and headed off to ride the train.
Today, Mama and I are going to the Outlets in Gulfport to do a little shopping. Some time this week we're going to New Orleans for a visit to the Aquarium and River Walk. Should be loads of fun!
The biggest news from recent events involves Lizzy and her new found desire to use the potty. We've been spending a good deal of time outside in the pool and she wears swim diapers when we're out there.
The other day, she came over to me and was pulling on her swim diaper asking for help. I helped her out of it and she'd just tinkled in it right then. She has asked several times to go to the potty in the last two days and we take her each time. She sits up there but hasn't gone yet. I can't even believe that she's showing readiness for this now. Katy and Em didn't show interest until they were three.
So, enough of the potty news. I'm going to get ready for a day of fun with my Mama!
June 17, 2004
They've Been Captured
Basically, the gist of the story is this, they suck at ransom notes. The girls left fingerprints all over the note as well as Dj's lip prints where she left a lipstick kiss for The Beagle.
They've been shipped off to "do time" at a minimum security facility near California where Robin can keep an eye on them. Apparently, she's let them out for some R&R as these shots were sent recently as evidence of their escapades even in correctional custody.
Apparently they tried to bribe Robin.
Looks like she didn't fall for the bribe.
June 15, 2004
The Saga Continues
Last we heard, our heroines had survived the Ice Age despite their lack of appropriate clothing. The next morning dawned bright and cheery so the girls set out for the Outlet Center to remedy their clothing situation.
Many hours and many dollars later, the two departed. Famished from their shopping extravaganza they moseyed into the nearest O'Charleys for a salad and some water. (sheeyeah) Dj needed resuscitation after she attempted to use her powers of mental telepathy to get our waiter to take off his shirt. He was a hottie, after all.
Waiter Stud was so saddened by the knowledge that Dj was married and unavailable that he ran, crying, from the store. The girls decided their presence was no longer necessary and off they went. Much (yes, more) shopping and several hours drive, brought them home again.
Don't worry, they didn't get a ticket. Dj's powers are a sight to behold! She had that police officer begging for mercy and kisses by the time she was through with him.
After a restless day or two, the two gals decided a road trip was in order. Wanting to score some Kinder Eggs, Dj suggested riding up to the Great White North and visiting with Emma, the Princess. Knowing that tea with royalty requires rather genteel manners, the girls practiced their table etiquette on the tray tables of the plane.
Princess Emma's servants, Andrea and Ron, jump at her beck and call. You can't find service like that in the States. We were amazed at how well she's trained them.
After the Princess summarily dismissed the rowdy hooligans, the servant girl Andrea began to tell them about a story she'd recently read in the National Enquirer. They learned that an infamous criminal, The Beagle, had been publishing slanderous tales of their escapades. Shocked, the girls plotted to find this Beagle and demand the truth be told.
We shall see what becomes of this Beagle as our two heroines chase her to the ends of the earth. Justice will prevail.
June 14, 2004
The Story of Us
Bright and early Scott dropped Dj off at the bus station in Columbia. After a much needed potty break, Dj had to use her flashy smile to get the driver's attention. He had headed out after she didn't show for her seat assignment thirty minutes after departure time. She had to pee, man!
Many, many, many, many hours later Dj arrived in Biloxi. Hungry, worn, irritated and threatening a small Asian boy with death by her patented Tae Kwon Do move the "Gameboy Orifice Shove", Dj hopped into Christy's van.
They drove to Christy's house so Dj could wash of the Greyhound Grunge and settle her horrid heartburn with some eggs and toast. Much chatting and van stuffing later, they headed out.
Foley, Alabama is a very lovely little city. They sure weren't expecting the likes of those two showing up.
First stop, the beach. Dj hung out under the "supposedly" UV protecting umbrella while Christy managed to get sunburned.
Lots of eye candy passed their way and Dj discovered that her powers of mental telepathy are indeed strong mojo.
After peeling Eye Candy Boy from her side and depositing him in his tiny plastic box, we headed home. Dj assessed her sunburn and vowed "It's not as bad as it looks." We thought long and hard, ok maybe not, about our choices for the night. Finally, the decision was made to experience some crappy CGI edits. Off to see Day After Tomorrow we went.
Swimming late into the evening after we enjoyed analyzing the movie to death, Dj finally decided she'd had enough. She promptly passed out and the rest of us swam a while longer.
To be continued..........
June 10, 2004
Are you ready to rummmmmmbbbbbllllle?
I think I'm finished. I've cleaned. I've packed a cooler and a suitcase. Remembered batteries for the camera, towels, swimsuit and sunscreen. Packed my Empirizone for after the beach/pool visit. Remembered my meds and packed socks.
Just before 9:00AM tomorrow I pick up Dj! This is going to be a hoot. Poor thing has to ride with us for another 1 1/2 hours after riding almost a full day to get here. Maybe she'll get a nap. Hopefully we'll all have a blast and come home tan, shopped out and blissfully contented with our getaway.
After some consideration (and having to delete one too many spam commenters advertising their porn) I'm going to set up registration in order to leave a comment. That simply means you'll sign up (so to speak) to comment. You'll only have to do that once and after that you'll be peachy. I'll be asking Dj to walk me through the process when we get back. I found the place to do it I just want to make sure I'm doing it correctly.
Lizzy just will not go to sleep tonight. I'm off to try to calm her and get her in to bed.
June 09, 2004
Such a young lady
How did we go from this
to this
in what seems like such a short time?
Katy turns seven today. Around 10:00am June 9th, 1997 Kathryn Marie was making her much anticipated entrance into this world. At not even a full ounce over six pounds, who knew that tiny little girl would fill our hearts to overflowing. She is such a happy, loving girl young lady. Yes, some days she could try the patience of Job but even then you can't help but smile at her. She's a sparkles and pink wearing, crown adoring, dress obsessing, book loving, ball of kinetic motion. She keeps me on my toes and knocks me to my knees with hugs and kisses.
We love you sweet pea! Happy 7th Birthday to our Katy Bug!
June 08, 2004
The Forgotten Stories
When I was recapping the weekend's highlights yesterday, I forgot one story that was rather interesting.
Katy has taken Melatonin since early this year to help her rest at night. She has always been a fidgety sleeper much as she's a non-stop motion machine during the day. She never rested well and always complained of still being tired when she woke. When we began giving her the Melatonin we noticed she had less trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep. She's only missed a night or two since she started. Emily has had one two times on nights when she's had major difficulty getting to sleep. Those times with her are rather rare. Emily tends to lay down and just pass out most of the time. Lizzy's had one twice as well but they always seemed to have the opposite effect on her. Getting her settled for bed was much more difficult when she'd taken one.
One of the afternoons this weekend (can't remember if it was Friday or Saturday), I'd gone upstairs to lay down and read a bit. I'd read a good long while and had just laid the book down to close my eyes for a few minutes when Steven came in. "How many Melatonin were in Katy's bottle?"
I hopped out of bed and went downstairs to help solve the mystery. Apparently, Katy had decided she didn't like getting the step stool out to reach the cabinet where the Melatonin (and other things) are kept. She put the Melatonin on the counter the night before after she'd taken hers, thinking she could just walk up and get one the next night. She also left the cap unscrewed to alleviate that job as well.
Steven didn't hear her getting them down. He found out she was into them when she walked up to him, bottle in hand, open mouth showing one melting on her tongue and reeking of peppermint. They are peppermint flavored which is one of the reasons Katy likes this brand and part of the appeal for Lizzy's foray as well.
None of us knew exactly how many were in the bottle. After some phone calls and some digging, we decided there were no more than 10 left in the bottle and most likely less than that. As suggested, I gave her a bit of soda in a cup with a straw, the "leaded" version, to counteract the sleepies. She'd just woken up from a long, late nap at 5:30pm. I knew she wouldn't, under normal circumstances, be tired by bed time. She was definately tired. She ate her dinner and we kept them all up for a bath. She rubbed her eyes quite a bit but she still played and splashed as long as she could.
I noticed no other effects of it until it was time to lay her down. Some nights she sleeps in the bed in Emily's room now. When she does I sit in a little chair next to the bed and try to settle her in so she'll drift off to sleep. Most nights when I do this, it takes quite a while for her to settle.
Not this night. We turned off the lights and snuggled her up with her blanket and her baby and she was still from that moment on. She went to sleep fairly quickly and didn't make a peep until around 7:00 the next morning.
June 07, 2004
Dj made me do it
I was casually reminded today, ahem, that I hadn't blogged since Friday. Suffice it to say the word busy covers every moment since then. Some highlights of the last few days:
-Lizzy went cold turkey from the paci as of Saturday night. I had been waffling about the decision for a while now. She mostly only used it nap and bed time now. The problem was/is that her teeth were being effected. First night was ROUGH! She didn't drift off until 10:30. She slept, though fitfully, until 6:00am. Yesterday's nap wasn't horrible since she'd played rather hard at church. We'd gone to lunch with friends after and when we were driving home (around 2:00) she passed out in her seat. Last night was a tiny bit better. Today's nap I ended up rocking her and she fell asleep. Wasn't hard to get her to sleep, I knew she was tired, but she didn't want to just lay down. So, rock we did. Here's hoping things continue to become easier.
-Sunday morning while I was showering and Steven was getting things together and ready for church, Lizzy decided to feed the fish. Two conainers of fish food that were at least 1/2 full if not 3/4. We emptied all but about a few inches from the tank and used the cleaner tube to clean out what we could. We changed the old filter for a new one and since then we've added new water and rinsed the new filter three times. The water still looks bad.
-We bought the Honda.
-Watched one fairly good movie (Master and Commander) and one not so good (Open Range). Don't get me wrong, it was interesting. The main problem was it felt slow and very choppy. Normally when a movie irritates me that much I stop watching. This time I waded through it.
-Started the new Ted Dekker book Blink. I've read his book Three and devoured it. I'll be getting a list of his books and reading every last one.
-I sobbed in church. They sang I Can Only Imagine by MercyMe. Somehow I've managed not to hear that song since Daddy's funeral. That was the song Joe, my brother, chose to have played. When they began to sing, I couldn't stop the tears. I love the song, always have, but it never had a memory like that associated with it before.
I couldn't choose which picture to use today. So, I give you three.
June 04, 2004
My my my
While the camera downloads my 78 photos I thought I'd do some catching up.
Katy will be seven in a few short days. I am amazed at how fast time seems as an adult. As a child I remember complaining about how summer was too short and the school year was too long. She seems to have grown up over night.
They all amaze me at how fast they are growing. How fast they soak up knowledge like little sponges. Full of a thousand and one questions and desperate for answers.
My sweet girls. When I get less uptight and less "parent for my convenience" I enjoy them so much more.
June 03, 2004
Mr. Papa and his standards
Normally I pick through the mail like a "junk mail vulture" as I weed out the crud. If there is a coupon attached for say pizza I may stop to peruse it and decide on it's keep-worthy-ness. Steven brought in two pieces of mail yesterday, that's it. One was a Delta Sky Miles letter that wanted us to upgrade our card in order to get more miles. Sheehhh, right.
The other post card sized piece of mail was from Papa John's pizza. We frequent them when we aren't making homemade pizza and still want some. Typically, I scan their ads for coupons and ignore the other advertising stuff. For some reason, this time, I stopped to read.
"Try us again for a better experience." was written across the front.
"I don't think your last experience with us met my standards..." as well as "Good for a FREE large two topping pizza" were written inside (along with some other mushy please come back stuff).
I don't think I ever told the story of our last encounter with the Papa. We had been out of the house all afternoon (after Steven got off work and Katy got out of school). We'd had teeball and no dinner so we decided to call Papa John's and pick up our order on the way home since the store was nearby. We order over the phone, tell them we want to pick it up....blah blah blah. We get there having alotted plenty of time for the making and baking. Steven goes in, I see (through the window) a conversation ensue with the desk clerk and then the manager. The clerk makes a phone call during all this and Steven walks out with a look of "oooookay" written all over his face.
Turns out, the delivery person was in our neighborhood waiting to deliver the pizza to us. Yeah.
We get home and see the delivery person trying to give the pizza to our neighbors. She'd never even read the house number or the name off the order. Because our neighbors were sitting outside (smoking and drinking as usual) she assumed it was theirs. Steven had to walk over and ask for the pizza......
Yeah. Not a good experience there Mr. Papa.
Moving on.
The girls are going to gymnastics tonight to give it a try. I hope they'll enjoy it. There is a parent and tot class available on Thursdays from 3:00-3:45 which I'm sure Lizzy would love. Only question is what to do with the older two during class time if Steven can't watch them. They have classes for the older girls at 4:00, 5:00 and 6:00 so they'd most likely be going right into class when Lizzy's class finished. Just not sure they could stay restrained (ha!) for 45 minutes without direct supervision.
That's about it on the home front today. We're still contemplating the van situation. I'm not getting my hopes up again. I'll believe it when I drive it off the lot for good.
Nancy and Kenneth, Father Daughter Dance, January 2004
June 02, 2004
Milestones of a sort
For over a week now we've managed to keep the gates down in the kitchen/computer area without much "hoo-haa" from Elizabeth. She still seems fairly interested in things she can't really play with (or eat) but she's doing very well about most of it.
There was an episode day before yesterday. I'd given all three of them a bath, everyone was dry and dressed so I head out to take a shower. When I finish up (my speedy mama essentials only shower) I come downstairs. Emily and Katy are playing on the computer. Elizabeth has managed to plunder around and find a black magic marker (washable thankfully) and colored her face, arms and feet. Joy joy. Most of the marks came off with relative ease. The palms of her hands still had a "tint" to them for a while.
Today, I decided to try another gate removing experiment. The other gate removal was a fluke. We'd taken the large gate down becuase we'd grown tired of walking all the way around the house to get from the kitchen to the dining room. Without that gate in place, we could walk right in. Leaving the gate down wasn't intentional. I just never put it up and didn't give it a second thought. Today, I moved the gate that is on the laundry room back until it's just covering the bathroom door. The main source of concern would be the cat's litter box. Their food and water sit on the dryer and are completely out of her reach. So far, she's only grabbed my shorts "m'here" and dragged me in to point to the box and ask "wha'sat?" once. She was satisfied with my answer and seems uninterested in it for now. Hopefully this trend will remain. I'm sure the bathroom gates will have to stay up a while. She's overly fascinated with water and isn't concerned in the slightest about the source of it.
Steven added brake fluid to the van yesterday. He drove it in to work and says the light hasn't come back on. He hadn't taken any notice of whether the brakes were making that sound/feeling still. He was driving at 5:30am and Lizzy'd been awake and in our room from 3:00 until he left. (She finally went back to sleep around 6:00.) Maybe that fluid refill fixed it.
Is it sad that I was hoping the problem was bigger and the repair cost would make the trade in idea seem more palatable?
June 01, 2004
Scarcity
Several days have passed since I wrote last. I think that must be a record or some sort. I'm not really sure what's going on. Most of the time I feel like no one is reading anyway so what's the point. But I do still need the release of writing on occasion.
Van is acting up. Yes, again. I don't trust it at all anymore. I'm almost afraid to drive it. Hopefully this problem will be minor (i.e. inexpensive) to fix. We're already $2400 "under" in terms of the trade in value. We went to check out the Honda and see what we could do but Steven didn't want to roll the $2400 into a new loan.
Don't get me wrong, I completely understand the logic. I think, at this point, I really don't care anymore. I want to be able to get into my car and not freak every time I hear a noise or hit a bump. I'm nervous enough when I'm driving it alone. Add in the girls and the anxiety doubles.
Wonder if Steven would mind me driving the truck until we get the van paid down and traded?
Dj is coming to visit next week!!!! She'll get to stay around a week with us cuckoo birds here in Mississippi. Hopefully she won't be bored out of her skull. After the girls terrorize her for a few days she'll probably be in need of some "don't touch me" time. Heh. I get that way, I'm sure people who get bombarded with it when they show up here must, too.
My mom arrives on the 19th!!! The girls are going to be spoiled slap rotten with all these people to shower them with extra lovin'. Mama says she gets "Mimi-itis" after a while with the girls. She says she needs a day to rest when she goes home before returning to work. I think it's a day to have some peace and quiet and regain some sanity.
I've got to head upstairs. I need to shower before I go to bed. The restaurant we ate at (meeting) really had no definitive smoking/non-smoking section. I smell pretty horrid. I couldn't go straight in when I got home because there was a small child in my bed. She'd have woken up if I started making racket in there.
