Wordless Wednesday (French Toast Batter)

Tanya & Eve

My sister, Tanya, is going to be featured in my favorite magazine, Eve. Eve was a magazine I wrote about a million blogs ago. They are Spokane based. I love reading it. I wish they'd let people subscribe. Don't get me wrong, I love picking up free issues but I would actually pay just to get it in my mailbox. Once the issue comes out I will definitely be posting another blog.

On another Tanya note, I am getting a little excited and a little sad. She is leaving on Thursday to Seattle (I AM SO JEALOUS), to start school at AIS. I will miss her but I am so excited for her new adventures.

Sleeping Baby

Oh Happy Day

I found my wedding ring

By accident of course...

....in an almost empty bag of Always maxi-pads.

Let me explain how it got there.

See, when I was pregnant, my fingers would always swell at night so there were two places either Dan or I would stash my ring. If we were downstairs when I took it off, it would be placed on the fireplace mantle. If we were upstairs, it would go in one of my three nightstand drawers. When I couldn't find it one day I panicked. We have been checking everywhere since.

Since having a baby, I have been dealing with the wonderful after effects of my body cleansing itself. I knew I had a few pads left over in my nightstand. Today, I grabbed one out of the bag and out fell my ring on the bathroom floor.



Now for an update:

My body is slowly recovering from the affects of the antibiotics but the mastitis is still in full swing. I will be calling the doc tomorrow. Thanks to the mommies who have left comments. I love you all, you are great friends.

I'm Dying

A bit dramatic, I know.

I have mastitis.

For everyone who hasn't has the deathly pleasure, trust me, you feel like you're dying. And for anyone who HAS gone through mastitis and thinks I'm playing martyr, then either you don't remember the horrible pain and symptoms or you're some kind of Iron (wo)Man.

Thursday:
I thought it was just a clogged duct. I was actually doing okay with it until 9pm that night. I took a second bath and when I got out I was shivering uncontrollably. I could not get warm. It was 75 degrees in our house, and I was in a sweatshirt and jammie pants, begging Dan to turn the heat on. I took my temp and it was only 99.8. An hour later my teeth were still chattering and I took my temp again - this time it was 102.7. My right breast was bright red and I flinched with even the slightest brush from my shirt. I called my mom who convinced me to contact the on-call doc. Dr. Sestero called me back and said he was going to send an antibiotic prescription to the pharmacy. The pharmacist called me and told me that the prescription was something I would most likely be allergic to as it was in the same family as amoxicillin. Sooo I called the doc back and it was nerve wracking being on the phone with him while he tried to come up with something I could take. At that point he said my only choice was to go to the hospital for IV antibiotics - however he decided to give the pharmacist a call first and see if he had any ideas. 20 min later they came up with clindamycin - an antibiotic that is usually given through IV and rarely dispensed in pill form. He said it wouldn't be as effective as other antibiotics but it was worth a try.

Friday:
Vomiting started in the middle of the night. Slept all day friday. alternating chills & sweats. Too painful to nurse so I pumped instead. Fever to 103.7. Only consumed water & Gatorade. Hips & legs were hurting so badly I couldn't get comfortable. Tylenol wasn't cutting it so I resorted to leftover 10mg hydrocodone which just barely took the edge off. More hot baths.

Saturday:
Body still hurts, fever is up and down. Killer headache. Need sleep. Mastitis is still very present - May have to call doc office on Monday. no energy, can barely get off the couch. feels like it's getting worse rather than getting better.

I have slowly typed all this the past couple days and just posted it today. most of it typed when I've gotten up to go to the bathroom or get a drink.

The Sickies

Both of my boys are sick. Poor babies.

Ian missed therapy today because he is struggling with a lingering cough and runny nose. I hate drugging him up with medicines; he's been on kiddie Dimetapp during the day and half of a Triaminic cough strip at night. It's the only way he can get rest. If he's like this tomorrow, he will have to stay home from school as well.

Aidan has bacterial conjuctivitis (pink eye, eye infection) in both eyes. He's on prescription eye drops that have already helped him immensely in the past 2 days.

Other than those little obstacles, the boys are doing well. Aidan's cord fell off today and he and Ian had a little brotherly adventure in the tub.

Too Funny

Yesterday, Dan did me a favor by getting Ian dressed for the day. Out of the bedroom came Ian, wearing a pair of shortalls and a plaid button down shirt. I didn't have my glasses on but I could tell that it wasn't a shirt I had seen him wear recently. I then noticed it was kind of tight around his arms, making it look like a muscle shirt. As if reading my mind, Dan said "I think this is the last time Ian will get to wear this shirt." - Then it clicked! I said "Dan, I am pretty sure the last time he wore that shirt was a really long time ago, check the size." I already knew what size the shirt was but I wanted to see the look on Dan's face when he checked the tag. As soon as he saw it he burst out laughing and said "No way!"

It was a size 0-3 months.

How he squeezed Ian into it, I have no idea.

We had a good laugh.

Bye Bye Stratus

We are down to one car. As previously mentioned, the Stratus has a catalytic converter problem. We knew we'd have to sell it before May of next year because of it not passing emissions. So yesterday we listed it on Craigslist, just for kicks. Today, we wrangled a buyer. All of the car's problems were listed up front and all parties walked away happy. We had originally decided to wait until tax time to either sell it or use it as a trade in on a new car but with the economy being as it is, we thought we'd have better luck now, as opposed to spring time when tabs are due. We were able to sell it for what we wanted out of it, too. So for now, we will be sharing a vehicle until spring. Alls well that ends well.

Shutterfly News

I would like to share an email we received from Shutterfly - How wonderful is this?

Hi Dan,

As you know, we at Shutterfly absolutely fell in love with your book and accompanying video. If you are open to it, we would like to include an audio clip of Steve when he is looking through his Shutterfly 60th birthday book and put it into a onsite piece that highlights the great reaction that folks have when they receive a photo book as a gift.

We would feature approx 15 seconds or less of the audio and would just refer to Steve by first name. Wanted to see if there is interest/any objection to this request. We were hoping we could get a copy of the video so that we could get the raw audio to work with (we would send back the video upon completion of course). We would also be happy to provide some product codes for additional copies of the book or other Shutterfly products for your efforts in getting us the raw audio.

If we could get this information as soon as possible, we would REALLY appreciate it! Please let us know your thoughts.

Thanks so much,

Rachel

1 Week & First Day of School

Aidan is 1 week old today. I used to be able to blog something everyday and already it's been a week. Not a lot of time to get on here right now but wanted to give a quick pic update of the boys. Ian also started school this week. He goes twice a week for an hour and a half each day. He loves it so far. Dan took a pic of him heading out to the car for his first day...

Announcing...

Aidan O'Brien

Born: September 11, 2008 @ 8:11 am
Fun Fact: Dan's 27th birthday was today also!
Height & Weight: 20" & 9lbs 9oz (and he was delivered 4 days early! Imagine if he had gone overdue!)
Middle Names: Darby Steven

He is taking to breastfeeding (yay!) and had absolutely no delivery problems.

Birth story and more photos (slideshow maybe) to come!

Here We Go...

On the way to the hospital :)

We had a great BBQ last night, it was so nice to have my family here.

Thank you to all my mommy friends from AB for the encouraging comments on my last post; you guys really made me feel tons better too.

Talk at you later!!!


Misty

Nerves

I have a nervous tummy. Anxiety, chills, no appetite, on the edge. It's not like I'm going skydiving or anything, just having a baby tomorrow. And I've done it before, so why so nervous/anxious? Maybe it's because I KNOW the c-section routine and I will tell you what, the edpidural part STILL terrifies me. And I remember the tugging and pulling and the throwing up. You'd think the fear of the unknown would be worse but I think just knowing the drill is taking its toll on me. Plus the recovery.

I will be thankful to have the family here tonight. The anticipation of the BBQ is the only thing that's relaxing me a bit, keeping my mind a little distracted. Normally hosting family dinner would be nerve wracking but it's having the opposite affect.

Hmmm a getting it out on a blog seems to be somewhat soothing also.

Maybe more updates later!

Names

We are getting close to a name... I feel a tad sad that we are giving baby a different first name but all in all I do really love how Darby Steven sounds as a middle name. (I feel sad because I felt so strongly about it in the beginning but as the big day approaches I feel better about our decision to choose a different first name). We've narrowed it down to a handful of names we like with one as a front runner. Tomorrow we will know for sure! :)

Tuesday

Last night I lost a temporary filling in one of the teeth I had a root canal done in. So I went to the dentist this afternoon and again, they were great. It took the assistant about 60 seconds to place another one and I was on my way. No charge either. Love that office, they have been so nice to me.

Today, Dan worked day shift. After work we ran some errands and Ian picked up a new Thomas & Friends tank engine "Spencer" - he now has 4 motorized engines and miles of track - not to mention the buildings, bridges, and extra freight cars. This kid is in heaven with his Thomas collection. We went to the Spirit store to see if they have a train conductor costume (they do online but not in the store) and we found a Thomas the Train treat bucket! (Last year he used a plastic sack for candy cause mom and dad were not prepared).

Speaking of Thomas, we have also started planning his birthday party. Our original plan was to do something similar to last year's pizza party at Savage House (maybe Chuck E Cheese?) but instead we are going to take the money we would have spent on pizza and games and put it towards a Power Wheels or similar vehicle for him. We've been checking reviews for the last few months and have narrowed it down to either a Ford F-150, a John Deere or Cub Cadet lawn mower/tractor, or the Harley motorcyle. I think his party will end up being at Nana Kate's - and it will be totally Thomas themed. Last year it was the Backyardigans. I made him a 4in round cake last year and topped it with a Backyardigans candle. Today I bought the Thomas candle and will do the same sized cake again this year. He gets excited when he sees the Thomas party supplies. He even has Thomas invitations.

Sidebar: Dan's dad, Steve, is arriving from Costa Rica this evening, we are excited to see him tomorrow, as well as the rest of the family for the BBQ.

I guess that's all for now. Dan and I are spending the evening semi-relaxing. Just catching up on laundry. Right now the boys are playing with their trains :)

Nesting

"Clean clean clean, all day long, clean clean clean while I sing this song."

I have the urge to make things clean. Dan started it this morning. He let me sleep in (for the last time in awhile, lol!) and when I got up at about 9:30 this morning, he had just finished scrubbing the kitchen floor on his hands and knees. What a husband!!! I was so appreciative and so thankful. My kitchen looks fantastic. I feel like scrubbing the bathtub now. :)

I just got my bzz kit for the new Pledge multi-surface cleaner and am excited to use it - yes, me who never gets excited over cleaning products.

Better get to it, Dan left for work half an hour ago and Ian will be up from his nap soon!

Final Weekend

So this was our last weekend of just the 3 of us. Dan went back to work today (swing shift). He will work today, tomorrow, Tuesday, and Wednesday - but Tues and Wed he will work days. Then he will be off for 2.5 weeks. I know those 17 days or so are going to fly by too quickly.

4 more go to sleep and wake ups!

Potty Time

We've had the potty chair for months now. Ian hasn't used it since the first day (which is okay, no big deal), but he knows what the potty chair is when you ask him about it. He will periodically go in there and sit down in his diaper, just for a few minutes. Today, Dan and I were watching him and he tugged at the crotch of his diaper, signaling he had to go. We asked if he had to go potty and he ran into the bedroom and shut the door, which means he was going #2. Dan immediately followed him and asked him about going potty. Dan took him into the bathroom, stripped him down and put him on the chair. Ian sort of whined/cried at first but Dan gave him a board book of Thomas the Train to read and all was better.

All and all this is Ian's second time using the potty and we are very happy! We know this will be a long process and probably an intermittent process but this little bit of progress is good.

Of course, I whipped out the video camera to get him on the potty (no toilet bowl shots or anything.)

2008 Spokane Fair

Today we went to the fair! Grammie Janie and cousin Keenan came with us. We started off walking through the exhibits inside, ate some lunch, and then headed on to the animals. By the end of the visit, the kids were ready to ride the llamas and drive a corvette :) They were sooo tired, they fell asleep on the way home. It was great fun and I only had 2 contractions from all that walking!

You can click on the slideshow to make the pictures bigger :)

Enjoy!

Final Appointment

Today was my last appointment at the OBGYN. I was having contractions all morning (and some intermittently now) but none that caused any dilation. However, baby has dropped since last week and is causing intense pressure. The dropping is also responsible for the occasional waddle I have seemed to develop. We are still on for next Thursday. She did advise me NOT to go the fair (haha, and I didn't even tell her I was going!) and walk around in the heat. She said the walking would cause more contractions and her advice would be to sit with my feet up as much as possible. (Does this mean I get out of the rest of the house prep this week? lol) As of right now, we are still planning on the fair tomorrow. I do not plan on walking ALL over the fairgrounds but at least enough that Ian can see some animals; maybe he'll share his stroller with me. Even if we are only there for an hour it will be worth it to me.

Tomorrow we will also be getting Dan's leather Dania couch back from my parents. He had it in his apartment in Seattle and when we got married and bought the condo in Kenmore we bought a microfiber suede couch and oversized chair set. After debating, we decided to sell that set and get the couch back (my parents have been storing the couch for us since 2006). We listed an ad on Craigslist a couple days ago and today a couple bought both pieces. Right now our living room looks pretty bare except for my leather rocking recliner and the leather ottoman.

Saturday my grandparents are bringing a dresser by. (Where the heck am I going to put that?). If I can't find a spot I may end up getting rid of it too. I had asked them a while back to grab me one from their friend's estate sale. Well since that was months ago, I just assumed they didn't find one and I made other arrangements. Grandpa called today and said he wanted to bring it by on Saturday and that Dan and I could come and pick up the OTHER one. The OTHER one? I barely have room for one and there is no way I can take two. I had Dan tell him that I only asked for one and absolutely cannot take two dressers. I feel a little guilty sticking them with the second dresser but I didn't ask for it and I have nowhere to put it! Sigh...

Shutterfly Gallery Featured

Dan & I received the following email today:

My name is Rachel Bakker and I manage the Shutterfly Gallery. Your photo book, ‘Sixty Sentiments from Sixty Loved Ones’, is so special that I have decided to feature it in our Shutterfly Gallery home page, Birthday, Family, and Tribute categories.


Gallery Home Page
Birthdays
Family
Tribute

Your book will be featured for at least 3 days, possibly more. Thanks so much for sharing.



Best,
Rachel Bakker

P.S. I am so impressed that you gathered sixty contributions for your father’s book. What a feat of organization and energy. I also love the way you and your wife put the book together using unique digiscrap backgrounds, journaling, and people pictures. Wonderful to look through. I’m sure your dad is going to cherish this book forever.

1 Week

Next week is it. The day I have been so patiently waiting for. I remember at this time with Ian I was desperate to have him and kept searching the internet for natural induction methods. This time, I am content. Uncomfortable but content. Sort of savoring it because I know I will miss it after I forget all of the miserable moments.

We are also having some last minute baby name issues. We are still keeping Darby Steven, but it may end up being baby's middle names. Just not sure yet. I can't explain how or why we are considering a new first name (it just happened one conversational night between Dan and me). We have no concrete plan at this point. There are names flowing in and out and while Darby is still grabbing at us mostly, we just can't promise it's going to be on the birth certificate first. We will know for sure on Sept 11!

In other events, we are gearing up for a fair visit on Friday. Ian loved the animals last year and we can't wait to take him again this year. I have my pre-op appt tomorrow to discuss procedure etc for the c-section next week. Lots going on but I wouldn't have it any other way. Keeps my mind occupied!

Hiccum-ups

I swear this baby gets the hiccups at least 10 times a day. I would much rather be kicked in random organs than feel the rhythmic pulsating in various areas of my abdomen.

In another issue, Ian is having asthma episodes again. I think he caught a cold at Gymboree last Wednesday because on Friday the runny nose started, and then on Saturday the coughing. Sunday the wheezing started and he earned himself some breathing treatments. He also had a fever. Poor kid. As of this evening he still has a cold and has had trouble sleeping and staying asleep for the last 5 nights. Naps go well but night time is troublesome.

Here's to hoping tonight is a better night! 8 days to go~

Etsy - R Willis Glass Artist

Glass jewelry is so beautiful. R Willis Glass Artist creates some very intricate pieces. There are several pendants I would love to wear (and I don't even wear jewelry! Maybe I will start?) The fall inspired piece above is my favorite.

Check out this Florida shop, there's something for everyone!

R Willis Glass Artist



all pictures owned by R Willis Glass Artist