I can't even think of anything that went on this week... wasn't I going to start writing things down? I guess I forgot, just like everything else.
1. I took Bud to the big city to see the back specialist on Monday. His spine is just about as straight as it can get (a big change from its previous 27% curvature!). We'll try to squeeze a few more months out of his current brace before he really outgrows it, and then Bud will get 3 months off from wearing anything. After that, we'll do an x-ray to see how his spine has held its position.
AND, I managed the 4 flights of steps at the hospital without going into labor (or yelping in pain from my sciatica)!
2. Rophone and Bud got to have a lunch date on Wednesday. Big is a huge daddy-hog, so it's good that Bud got some time alone with his dad.
3. I am still somehow managing to keep up with the laundry and dishes, and even got the fridge cleaned out this week! I washed and folded the baby stuff, too-- it's getting closer!
4. Pen got 2nd place in her middle school's spelling bee!
5. Rophone didn't get selected for jury duty. I think not being chosen for jury duty is one of the few instances where it feels good to be told that you're not what someone had in mind.
Nothing too exciting this week, I guess we'll see what next week brings.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Pen Can Still Spell!
Some of you may remember when Pen won her elementary school spelling bee last year. She did well in the regional bee, but not quite as well as she had hoped. So much depends on the luck of the draw, and it just ended up that Pen was eliminated when she was given the only word used the entire day that she didn't know. Frustrating for her, to say the least.
So, this year, Pen was determined to win her middle school spelling bee so she'd have a chance to redeem herself at regionals and make it to the national bee. She studied for hours, wanting to be sure she was prepared. She wanted it so badly.
I would love to say that she won, but I can't. She did a fabulous job and took second. Obviously, Pen can still spell.
The word that she missed was 'apocalyptic'-- which she at first spelled correctly in her head, and then at the last moment second guessed herself and ended up getting it wrong. It didn't help that the guy reading the words couldn't provide a country of origin for some reason and kept messing up the definition.
To make things more frustrating, her remaining opponent then sealed the victory by spelling 'flamingo'. Maybe it's just me, but one of these words seems a tad more difficult than the other. Once again, Pen was eliminated by the only word used that she didn't know. Bummer.
If the other girl had won with another word that Pen didn't know, I think Pen would have felt that she had done her best and that the other girl was more deserving. There would have been some comfort in that. But, as it stands, Pen once again feels like she was defeated by the luck of the draw.
All I know is that we're proud of Pen and her fantastic spelling ability. I am so impressed by her determination and dedication to do well. Disappointment sucks and can be hard to swallow, but I think it will just serve to make her work even harder to attain her goal next year. We love you, Pen. Good job, and good luck next year!
So, this year, Pen was determined to win her middle school spelling bee so she'd have a chance to redeem herself at regionals and make it to the national bee. She studied for hours, wanting to be sure she was prepared. She wanted it so badly.
I would love to say that she won, but I can't. She did a fabulous job and took second. Obviously, Pen can still spell.
The word that she missed was 'apocalyptic'-- which she at first spelled correctly in her head, and then at the last moment second guessed herself and ended up getting it wrong. It didn't help that the guy reading the words couldn't provide a country of origin for some reason and kept messing up the definition.
To make things more frustrating, her remaining opponent then sealed the victory by spelling 'flamingo'. Maybe it's just me, but one of these words seems a tad more difficult than the other. Once again, Pen was eliminated by the only word used that she didn't know. Bummer.
If the other girl had won with another word that Pen didn't know, I think Pen would have felt that she had done her best and that the other girl was more deserving. There would have been some comfort in that. But, as it stands, Pen once again feels like she was defeated by the luck of the draw.
All I know is that we're proud of Pen and her fantastic spelling ability. I am so impressed by her determination and dedication to do well. Disappointment sucks and can be hard to swallow, but I think it will just serve to make her work even harder to attain her goal next year. We love you, Pen. Good job, and good luck next year!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
In Training
I have decided that the whole nesting thing is kind of like training for a big athletic event-- it's all about timing so you peak at the right time. If you nest too early, then by the time you have the baby everything looks like it did before you nested. But, if you leave it until too late your body might protest and not be up to the task.
Right now, I'm struggling to maintain the places I've already nested into fabulous-ness while I begin to attack the things I still have left to do. My body is beginning to protest. My Braxton Hicks contractions are really up there in number and intensity when I try to get things done, and my sciatica is trying to beat me down. I feel like I'm running out of time. I can really tell that it's getting closer to the big event.
I think I need some carbs.
Right now, I'm struggling to maintain the places I've already nested into fabulous-ness while I begin to attack the things I still have left to do. My body is beginning to protest. My Braxton Hicks contractions are really up there in number and intensity when I try to get things done, and my sciatica is trying to beat me down. I feel like I'm running out of time. I can really tell that it's getting closer to the big event.
I think I need some carbs.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
The Ball Player
It's that basketball time of year again. Ginger is playing for her second year, and I think she is enjoying it even more this year than last. It sure is fun to watch her play. The girls all seem to be picking up the rules of the game, but there is still plenty of double dribbling, running with the ball and overly aggressive defense to keep us entertained.
I am still waiting for one of my kids to have that competitive drive that comes in handy in athletics, but they all seem to be more content to just be along for the ride. At least Ginger is having fun and enjoying the scenery.
She has a great look of intensity, though. The twisted tongue helps.
Ginger loves to take the ball down the floor, and is learning not to pick up her dribble before she has someone open to pass the ball to.
She's also getting a lot better at defense, too, keeping her body between her opponent and the hoop. Way to bend those knees and move your feet, Ginger!
I am so glad Ginger decided to play again this year. Hopefully she'll keep it up.
Way to go, Ginger!
I am still waiting for one of my kids to have that competitive drive that comes in handy in athletics, but they all seem to be more content to just be along for the ride. At least Ginger is having fun and enjoying the scenery.
She has a great look of intensity, though. The twisted tongue helps.
Ginger loves to take the ball down the floor, and is learning not to pick up her dribble before she has someone open to pass the ball to.
She's also getting a lot better at defense, too, keeping her body between her opponent and the hoop. Way to bend those knees and move your feet, Ginger!
I am so glad Ginger decided to play again this year. Hopefully she'll keep it up.
Way to go, Ginger!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Friday Favorites
I'm so glad it's Friday! Even though Monday was a holiday, this week seemed to drag.
1. The long weekend was great, although it flew by. Having a lot to do will cause that to happen, I guess.
2. Rophone cleaned and organized the garage on Monday-- what a fabulous man. I Freecycled a few things that we are tired of hauling around with us every time we move. It just feels so good to unload.
3. The boys both have new car seats. Hooray for safety! (I saw two little kids, maybe 3 or 4 years old, riding standing up in the cargo area of a minivan yesterday. C'mon, people!)
4. A friend came to visit me yesterday. I'm really glad she made the effort to come by because it was fun.
5. We got the baby a new outfit to wear home from the hospital. It's teeny. I can't believe we're having another little baby, but I can't wait to see her in it.
6. I had an ultrasound today and everything looks great. It appears that she has big hands and HUGE feet, just like her sister Pen.
7. I'm still sleeping better with my new pillow than I ever have at this point in pregnancy. I may not be getting 8 hours anymore, but usually make a good, solid, 6 or so (as long as Big leaves me alone, that is). Getting sleep makes a huge difference.
Well, maybe not that much of a difference. I think I'd like a nap. ; )
1. The long weekend was great, although it flew by. Having a lot to do will cause that to happen, I guess.
2. Rophone cleaned and organized the garage on Monday-- what a fabulous man. I Freecycled a few things that we are tired of hauling around with us every time we move. It just feels so good to unload.
3. The boys both have new car seats. Hooray for safety! (I saw two little kids, maybe 3 or 4 years old, riding standing up in the cargo area of a minivan yesterday. C'mon, people!)
4. A friend came to visit me yesterday. I'm really glad she made the effort to come by because it was fun.
5. We got the baby a new outfit to wear home from the hospital. It's teeny. I can't believe we're having another little baby, but I can't wait to see her in it.
6. I had an ultrasound today and everything looks great. It appears that she has big hands and HUGE feet, just like her sister Pen.
7. I'm still sleeping better with my new pillow than I ever have at this point in pregnancy. I may not be getting 8 hours anymore, but usually make a good, solid, 6 or so (as long as Big leaves me alone, that is). Getting sleep makes a huge difference.
Well, maybe not that much of a difference. I think I'd like a nap. ; )
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Genetics
I find myself just assuming that this baby will look like Rophone.
I was a totally average sized baby at birth. According to Rophone he was on the large side, pushing 9 pounds. The two children who take after me in their coloring were average sized babies and the two who have his coloring were a little large-- 8 lbs 8 oz and 8 lbs 13 oz. And this baby seems to be running a bit on the side of big.
Not only that, but the two that look the most like Rophone were very active in the womb, and this baby is, too. This baby is crazy active. Watching my belly morph and bounce is just about the best entertainment around.
If I'm right, then maybe I know what to expect when this baby comes out. The kids who look like Rophone are notoriously bad sleepers (I'm talking not sleeping through the night until a year old), have blood sugar issues (if you don't keep them fed, look out!), and tend to think it's funny to disobey.
I really love all my kids, and I'm lucky that the ones who look like Rophone are also hilarious, outgoing, charming, and tend to obey better later (like they got it all out of the way early on), but I find myself kinda hoping the kid looks like me.
I'm 39. I need my sleep.
P.S. And, just for the record-- they may look like Rophone, but I'm pretty sure they're acting like ME!
I was a totally average sized baby at birth. According to Rophone he was on the large side, pushing 9 pounds. The two children who take after me in their coloring were average sized babies and the two who have his coloring were a little large-- 8 lbs 8 oz and 8 lbs 13 oz. And this baby seems to be running a bit on the side of big.
Not only that, but the two that look the most like Rophone were very active in the womb, and this baby is, too. This baby is crazy active. Watching my belly morph and bounce is just about the best entertainment around.
If I'm right, then maybe I know what to expect when this baby comes out. The kids who look like Rophone are notoriously bad sleepers (I'm talking not sleeping through the night until a year old), have blood sugar issues (if you don't keep them fed, look out!), and tend to think it's funny to disobey.
I really love all my kids, and I'm lucky that the ones who look like Rophone are also hilarious, outgoing, charming, and tend to obey better later (like they got it all out of the way early on), but I find myself kinda hoping the kid looks like me.
I'm 39. I need my sleep.
P.S. And, just for the record-- they may look like Rophone, but I'm pretty sure they're acting like ME!
Monday, January 17, 2011
34 Weeks!
I can't believe I'm 34 weeks! We will have a new baby girl to tote along (and diapers to change!) before we know it. I tried taking a picture of myself to mark the occasion. It's actually pretty tough to do it well-- I kept turning my body toward the mirror a little so the big-belly-effect was lost. Then I noticed that the boys' dirty handprints on the mirror really showed up in the photo... oh, well. You get the general idea. I'm big.
Then the other Big thing in my life decided he wanted in on the action.
This kid has no idea what he's in for when the baby comes. I've got my fingers (and everything else) crossed, hoping the transition goes well. Amen.
Then the other Big thing in my life decided he wanted in on the action.
This kid has no idea what he's in for when the baby comes. I've got my fingers (and everything else) crossed, hoping the transition goes well. Amen.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Friday Favorites
This week has gone by fairly quickly, thank heavens. There really wasn't all that much going on, so my list may be short.
1. Although I wish that I could levitate the laundry up off the floor into my arms, I have managed to keep up with the washing and folding this week. (Until the girls finally deign to bring theirs up from their room, that is. But I'm going to live in an alternate upstairs-reality for now)
2. Big has been really pleasant for the most part the past few days. There has been less whining and tantrum throwing. We had a talk about how good it makes him feel inside when he's obedient-- I think he may have listened.
3. Okay. This next one is HUGE. Monumental. I cut my toenails and shaved my legs this week. (Hey, if you could see how huge I am, you would agree with me. Monumental.)
4. Bud rubbed lotion on my lower legs and feet. Ahhhh.
5. I just drank a mug of the mocha hot cocoa that I got for Christmas. Heavenly.
6. I have been thinking today about how glad I am to be married to Rophone. Being married to him has allowed me to discover things about myself that I never would have known if I had married what I thought was my "type"-- like the fact that I love to sing, but much prefer doing it in a band rather than a choir, or the fact that not only do I like taking pictures, but that I might be really good at it if I tried.
Rophone recognizes that I have a quirky, alternative, maybe even creative side and urges me not to quash it, but also embraces my classy, granddaughter-of-Dorothy side and my athletic and outdoorsy sides. He understands who I am, sees my potential and nurtures my growth. He believes I can do anything and helps me to start to believe it, too.
So, obviously, Rophone makes the list of favorites.
7. Ginger played in her first basketball game last Saturday and has another one tomorrow. It's great to see her play because I can tell she really enjoys it. I hope we can help her keep it up.
8. Rophone finished all his work by noon today, so he met me and the boys for a nummy Thai lunch and now we're just hanging out together, looking forward to a long weekend of doing more of the same. I love it when we can be together.
Not such a short list after all....
1. Although I wish that I could levitate the laundry up off the floor into my arms, I have managed to keep up with the washing and folding this week. (Until the girls finally deign to bring theirs up from their room, that is. But I'm going to live in an alternate upstairs-reality for now)
2. Big has been really pleasant for the most part the past few days. There has been less whining and tantrum throwing. We had a talk about how good it makes him feel inside when he's obedient-- I think he may have listened.
3. Okay. This next one is HUGE. Monumental. I cut my toenails and shaved my legs this week. (Hey, if you could see how huge I am, you would agree with me. Monumental.)
4. Bud rubbed lotion on my lower legs and feet. Ahhhh.
5. I just drank a mug of the mocha hot cocoa that I got for Christmas. Heavenly.
6. I have been thinking today about how glad I am to be married to Rophone. Being married to him has allowed me to discover things about myself that I never would have known if I had married what I thought was my "type"-- like the fact that I love to sing, but much prefer doing it in a band rather than a choir, or the fact that not only do I like taking pictures, but that I might be really good at it if I tried.
Rophone recognizes that I have a quirky, alternative, maybe even creative side and urges me not to quash it, but also embraces my classy, granddaughter-of-Dorothy side and my athletic and outdoorsy sides. He understands who I am, sees my potential and nurtures my growth. He believes I can do anything and helps me to start to believe it, too.
So, obviously, Rophone makes the list of favorites.
7. Ginger played in her first basketball game last Saturday and has another one tomorrow. It's great to see her play because I can tell she really enjoys it. I hope we can help her keep it up.
8. Rophone finished all his work by noon today, so he met me and the boys for a nummy Thai lunch and now we're just hanging out together, looking forward to a long weekend of doing more of the same. I love it when we can be together.
Not such a short list after all....
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Creamed
Big has been on a real ball-sport kick this week. So much so, believe it or not, that his work trucks have gone mostly untouched. The kid tends to get a bit obsessive-- when he's into something, he's really into it. I have played so much bounce-pass basketball (practicing our bounce passes back and forth) and catch with the football and baseball this week that my arm is actually sore. It adds up to hours each day.
When we were playing basketball, Big kept on talking about how he was "creaming" the players on the other team so he could steal the ball. I tried to explain to him that you can't cream your opponents in basketball or it's a foul, and he let me know that what we were playing was actually basketballfootball. A combination of the two sports. Ahhhh.
I told Rophone about it later when he was playing with Big, and Big said to him, "Yeah. I carry this bottle of cream with me and then I walk up to them, squeeze the bottle, and smear cream all over them!"
Oh, how it made us laugh! Rophone and I realized that even though Big has an obsession with sports, his actual exposure to them (because of our limited TV watching) has been rather limited. So, watch out if you're ever playing sports with Big. He just might "cream" you!
When we were playing basketball, Big kept on talking about how he was "creaming" the players on the other team so he could steal the ball. I tried to explain to him that you can't cream your opponents in basketball or it's a foul, and he let me know that what we were playing was actually basketballfootball. A combination of the two sports. Ahhhh.
I told Rophone about it later when he was playing with Big, and Big said to him, "Yeah. I carry this bottle of cream with me and then I walk up to them, squeeze the bottle, and smear cream all over them!"
Oh, how it made us laugh! Rophone and I realized that even though Big has an obsession with sports, his actual exposure to them (because of our limited TV watching) has been rather limited. So, watch out if you're ever playing sports with Big. He just might "cream" you!
Friday, January 7, 2011
Friday Favorites
Ummm.... let me think.
1. I had a nice, long conversation with my opera singer sister yesterday. It doesn't happen very often, so it was good. She called to talk to me about my "Mice Wars" post. I guess mice can be good for something after all.
2. My youngest sister, Auntie Art, found out that the twins she's carrying are both BOYS. So exciting!
3. I played catch with Big both yesterday and today (baseball this time, instead of football). It's amazing how much better he was at catching with the mitt today-- the ball only bounced off his head twice! I even found his critiques of my throwing to be rather charming (he blamed some of his struggles with catching on my 'silly' throws) and learned a lot from his lectures, "baseball is a combination of throwing, catching and hitting..."-- anyway, I had fun. It was great when Bud quit his authoring to join us for a bit.
4. I had another appointment with the midwife this week. It always feels good when one of those comes around (and they go well!), because it means that I'm getting closer to the end. Now that my appointments are every two weeks for the next few, and then every week after that, I know the time will fly. (Yikes!)
5. Getting back into the school routine this week wasn't as painful as I'd feared. Everyone was on time getting where they needed to go, and I didn't forget to pick anyone up!
6. It's date night again tonight! Last week was so much fun-- fantastic company and fabulous gnocchi. I'm glad Rophone and I enjoy hanging out together so much.
7. Oh, and I'm still sleeping better with my new love. Feeling more rested is giving me some energy to get things done. Hooray!
1. I had a nice, long conversation with my opera singer sister yesterday. It doesn't happen very often, so it was good. She called to talk to me about my "Mice Wars" post. I guess mice can be good for something after all.
2. My youngest sister, Auntie Art, found out that the twins she's carrying are both BOYS. So exciting!
3. I played catch with Big both yesterday and today (baseball this time, instead of football). It's amazing how much better he was at catching with the mitt today-- the ball only bounced off his head twice! I even found his critiques of my throwing to be rather charming (he blamed some of his struggles with catching on my 'silly' throws) and learned a lot from his lectures, "baseball is a combination of throwing, catching and hitting..."-- anyway, I had fun. It was great when Bud quit his authoring to join us for a bit.
4. I had another appointment with the midwife this week. It always feels good when one of those comes around (and they go well!), because it means that I'm getting closer to the end. Now that my appointments are every two weeks for the next few, and then every week after that, I know the time will fly. (Yikes!)
5. Getting back into the school routine this week wasn't as painful as I'd feared. Everyone was on time getting where they needed to go, and I didn't forget to pick anyone up!
6. It's date night again tonight! Last week was so much fun-- fantastic company and fabulous gnocchi. I'm glad Rophone and I enjoy hanging out together so much.
7. Oh, and I'm still sleeping better with my new love. Feeling more rested is giving me some energy to get things done. Hooray!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
First Taste
Big just made an announcement:
Big (with some disgust in his voice): "Mom. Today I ate a booger."
Me: "Why did you do that?"
Big: "It just fell in my mouth when I opened it."
Me: "Well, that's why it's important to blow your nose. So things like that don't happen. Did you like it?"
Big: "Noooo! It was kinda crunchy."
Me: "That's gross."
Big: "Well, I kinda liked it. But then I took it out of my mouth with my finger and smooshed it on the tile."
Big: "And now it's dead."
Me: "I'm sure it is."
A few minutes later...
Big: "Well.. the crunchy part's not dead. It's in Ginger's library bag."
Big (with some disgust in his voice): "Mom. Today I ate a booger."
Me: "Why did you do that?"
Big: "It just fell in my mouth when I opened it."
Me: "Well, that's why it's important to blow your nose. So things like that don't happen. Did you like it?"
Big: "Noooo! It was kinda crunchy."
Me: "That's gross."
Big: "Well, I kinda liked it. But then I took it out of my mouth with my finger and smooshed it on the tile."
Big: "And now it's dead."
Me: "I'm sure it is."
A few minutes later...
Big: "Well.. the crunchy part's not dead. It's in Ginger's library bag."
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