Gunk. A Quick Update

I do indeed have the dreaded Gunk. For me it is manifesting as a sore throat and fatigue. Didn't stop me from going to work today to meet with the graphics department about somethings that have deadlines that can't be moved.

I *got* to take the girls with me. Chase didn't have a fever today, but the school requires 24 hours fever free before return to school. And even so, I hesitate to send her tomorrow because she has been coughing to the point of throwing up. At lunch today, I was a victim. Wrong place and the wrong time. Despite all that, they were SUPER well behaved [for 6 hours!] and I was very proud of them. Just wish they acted the same way at home.

And I am still horribly itchy. Tonight I went to pick up my prescriptions [I had been using the samples sent home with me yesterday-- which are now gone] only to be told that the doctor had not signed the prescription and that they were unable to reach anyone at the office [all day??? really CVS???] So I am hopeful that I can get something TOMORROW.

And I am on my 12 hour fast. Have you ever noticed that you are never so hungry or so thirsty as when you are not allowed to have anything? And that lovely bottle of orange syrup that I get to have for "breakfast" makes me gag just thinking about it.

And on that note, I hear Ellis crying about her stuffy nose. And I need to TRY to sleep.

Gunk

Our household has been hit by Gunk. Chase has a hacking cough and a low grade fever and Ellis woke up at 1am, 4am, and 6am because she was all stuffed up and it was freaking her out. I think she was repeatedly screaming "I can't get all the boogers OUT. Make it STOP." My comments that crying just makes more phlegm went over like bricks.

But it wasn't like they were keeping me from a good nights sleep. I was awake anyway. Trying hard not to rip the skin off my body. Going on 20 days of this. But it seemed like the Poison Ivyishness went away awhile ago. Now it is just a rash. A full body rash.

A rash that freaked my OB out today.

A rash that got me sent directly to another doctor. Apparently there are some nasty causes of full body rashes during pregnancy. They wanted to rule out some scary ones. The verdict was that this isn't a pregnancy rash in the normal sense [of either scary, or even just annoying like PUPP.] But they do think that it is a result of a suppressed immune system, which is the normal pregnant state. Once I got the Poison Ivy rash and my body was fighting it off, it just went into overdrive and can't shut itself down. I have been given a few medications to try that are considered relatively safe. If there is no improvement by the end of the week, they will discuss the possibility of steroids [benefit may outweigh the risk.] Apparently there is some risk to the baby to have my body in this hyperactive mode for too long.

My appointment today was just a 25 week check up. This was the first time in any pregnancy that I had my belly measured. Apparently I am measuring small. I am guessing that I probably did with both Chase and Ellis, since I think I am bigger at this point than I was with them. But it earns me an appointment for an ultrasound on Thursday morning. Just to make sure that the baby is growing. I get to do this immediately following my glucose tolerance test. Which I know will make me feel horrible. Always does. Oh, the joys of pregnancy.

And as I type this my throat is starting to feel a little funky. Considering the number of times that I have been hacked on, I am sure that it is just a matter of time... until I can add GUNK to my list of ailments.

Is it nap time yet? I think I really need a nap.

Fresh and Clean

Sharing a picture from my latest project.

I got out the infant car seat, to check the expiration date and see how much clean-up it might need. We are good to go for another year on the date [thank goodness, have you priced these things lately?] But a little critter had been stealing fabric from the cover. Nice.

So, after contacting Graco to find out that they wanted more than $50 for a new cover, and checking out the offerings on EBay, only to decide that I didn't want to risk smoke, pet, or other people's crud, I decided to head to JoAnn's and make my own.

So for less than $12, we have a fresh and clean cover. And I think it is a little bit styling, too.

Rainy Saturday

Today was a dark and dreary, hide in bed and read a book kind of day.

The girls and I slept in until nearly 9am and it felt like such a treat. A little laundry. A little clogged sink patrol [And doing dishes after 3 days of no sink was actually a TREAT.] And a little snuggling with girls and books [I read a pile of library books with the girls, and read the final book in the twilight series. FYI - Reading and washing dishes at the same time can get a little tricky.]

By lunch time we were ready for a little distraction. We headed to the library for a t-shirt decorating party. It wasn't the best organized event that I have ever attended, but the girls seemed to have fun, and that is what counts. And I am always happy to support the programs at my local library!

I thought that they looked like they were ready to do some serious chemical experiments. Check out the gloves!


And they were primarily interested in using the "Fairy Dust," and matching one another. Little else going on there was of any interest to them.

Ellis' shirt

Chase's shirt

After that little break, it was back to listening to the rain and reading more books! It was just that kind of day. And I was able to finish my book [Which I picked up at the library yesterday and read all 755 pages in less than 24 hours...] But after all that down time, I am up late and wondering if I feel like sleeping at all. Hmmm. A little too much of a good thing.

Dishing it up

Monday
Bean, Cheese, and Avocado Enchiladas
Salad
Banana Cake

Awesome Banana (Shortcut) Cake
This is the best kind of recipe. So delicious, that when I took the leftovers into work on Tuesday, everyone wanted the recipe. [I had to get it out of the house before I ate it all] But SO simple.

Start with a boxed yellow cake.
Modify mix by using oil and water. My mix called for 1/3C oil, and I used 1/4C. Mix called for 1C water and I used 3/4C. Then add in 3-4 mushy bananas. Mix well. Bake according to package directions.

Once cake is cooled, frost with Butter Cream frosting. One lb. confectioner sugar, 1 stick of butter, 3-4 Tbsp cold milk, and a dash of vanilla. Yum! I actually frosted while still warm so the frosting would melt a bit, and then did lattice cross-work on the top. Made it a mixture of frosting and glaze. So tasty.

Tuesday
Tomato Soup
Honey Turkey Sandwiches on Toasted Bagels

Wednesday
Cheese and Spinach Ravioli with Marinara Sauce
Salad

Thursday
Mo Po Tofu and Brown Rice
Fruit Salad
Salad

Friday
Slow-cooker Pork Roast
Rice Pilaf (with Lima beans)
Corn on the Cob
Salad
Cranberry Oatmeal cookies.

My Every Growing To Do List

I like it. I love it. I want some more of it.*

I will also be happy if I can keep my head on and my house together for the next 6 weeks. A years worth of planning all comes down to the details, and pulling it all together.

The Rockwell Automation Process Solution User Group. Coming at you [Well coming at all those Process Engineers] this November in Anaheim, CA.

Good times.

Check out the video E-vite. It will give you just the tiniest glimpse into what I have been up to these days.

*Apparently this is a Tim McGraw song. I had to Google the lyrics. I knew that I had heard the phrase, but didn't know who to credit.

Dishing it up

Hey, I guess I am a little distracted these days. I found this draft from last Friday which I never posted. And since I am crazy busy planning an event that will happen in less than 7 weeks - across the country from where I live. And the fact that I am still suffering badly from Poison Sumac - it will be my post for the day.

Better late than never.

Monday
Salad
Bean, Cheese and Avocado Enchiladas
Fruit Salad

Tuesday
Mark ate out with the track group. The girls and I had:
Mushroom Rice Pilaf with baby Lima beans
Ice Cream Sundaes at the PTO Social

Wednesday
Crook Neck Squash Parmesan (I have a lot of squash and was craving Eggplant Parm.- believe it or not, once you bread, cook with sauce and top with cheese, you can't tell the difference.)
Whole Wheat Pasta
Salad

Thursday
Vegetarian Sloppy Joe on Kaiser Rolls
Baked Beans
Baked Potato
Corn on the Cob
Mushroom Rice Pilaf with baby Lima beans (I really like this a lot and the girls do, too. It was not leftover- it was a new batch!)
Salad
Fruit Salad

Friday
Tomato Soup
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

When no one is looking

Yesterday afternoon, we headed out to my Dad's to see the progress that he made this week on his latest project. Chase and Ellis saw some yellow jackets and decided to go hang in the car. No one was paying any attention to what they were doing.

My camera was in the car.

They recorded their shenanigans.

I went to download some pictures this morning and had a good laugh! Thought that I would share a few pictures with you.

Monkeying around.












Time for a rest, I guess. Doesn't look very comfortable!

24 Weeks

We have reached a major milestone.

24 weeks.

What, you ask, is important about 24 weeks? We have reached the point of intervention, if needed [Prior to this, my doctor told me that should I go into labor, that they would likely do nothing to stop it, which would end in a loss.]

I have an irritable uterus [sorry if this is TMI.] I am prone to contractions. A LOT of contractions.

This played a role in both of my prior pregnancies, but took a more dramatic turn in pre-term labor with Ellis. I never had a real doctor's appointment after 30 weeks. Why you ask? Because my regular trips to the hospital, to have labor stopped, made those last week visits unnecessary.

Of course, every pregnancy can be different. And this time could prove to be the time that I am begging for labor at 40 weeks... but I have had several bouts of seriously painful contractions [not just my normal ALL DAY, EVERY DAY, noticeable but painless contractions]... soooo, I am guessing that MAY not be the case. My new OB doesn't seem concerned at all about all the contracting. So I am trying to take it all in stride. But it is disconcerting.

And this baby is growing! You can see what a dramatic difference we have from only 3 weeks ago. Here we are at 24 weeks.

Rip it off

Please. Take my leg.

My hubby brought home some nasty stuff. He didn't know he had been in contact. He used a towel and hung it innocently on a hook in the bathroom. I, just as innocently, grabbed a towel when getting out of the shower.

The result?


Mark was lucky enough to be able to get a steroid shot. Me not so lucky. I want to rip the skin off my leg. I AM trying to leave it alone [Mark saying "Don't scratch at it" is not really welcome advice.] Last night I couldn't sleep. It BURNS more than it itches. I had to put an ice pack on it at 2am to get any relief. My left leg is the worst. I have it on both legs, in my eyebrow, and little on my arms and belly, too. Hoping it passes SOON.

Grins -- They are a Changing

The Tooth Fairy has made her 3rd visit to our house!

This time, Chase lost her top right front tooth. It seems like it was a LONG time coming.

Last Fall, we had that very tooth fixed. It had been discolored from a fall and she was self conscious about it at school.

Shortly after that, she had the New Year's Eve Treadmill Incident, and I have been expecting the top teeth to fall out ever since! I am amazed that they have been hanging in there for 9 and a half months!

So here it is. Chase's newest grin!

Punxy 2009

I know, I know. We Godale's hit all of the most wonderful vacation destinations.

The family with Phil and his handler.

This past weekend, we spent some time in the lovely Burg of Punxutawny, PA. Mark was there to run a 50K race [He came in second. Considering that his leg is so badly swollen from poison oak that it looks like he has elephantiasis, I think it was a good showing.] And well, we went along for the sight seeing.

I LOVE a town that embraces a theme.


In Punxy, you grocery shop at Groundhog Plaza. Bank at Groundhog First National. And the library is actually labeled "The Groundhog Zoo" because that is where Phil, Phylis, and one other perky pest live. And the town is riddled with Groundhog statues.
















After sightseeing, and the race, the awards were handed out. Mark's award looks a little like a tombstone to me. I am thinking that I can just get it engraved, add the Huff Gargoyles and we are all set on future burying needs.

Mark and His friend Vince.
Vince took first place.
Two local NE Ohio runners taking on Punxy!

Then it was time to head home. We considered extending the trip and seeing what Western Penn had to offer in excitement, but we were done and ready to head back to our own beds.

How to get home? Forget AAA and GPS. Ellis provided the map!

Blogoversary

Wow.

It has been 1 year since I started sharing tidbits of my family life and times.

So much has changed [My mother is busy killing off the namesakes.] And so much stays the same [Chase still feels VERY much this way, and tells us regularly.]

And today is an Anniversary of even larger scale. 8 years since the tragedy of 9/11.

Remembering how quickly things can change, both for good and for bad. And cherishing all the moments that I have with my family.

Day Three

The excitement continues.

We started our day with the announcement:
"I am not going to school. I am not getting dressed. I am not going ANYWHERE today. I am DONE!"

Ahh, That isn't going to fly.

Next announcement:
"There is NOTHING that I am willing to eat in a lunch. If I can't have a waffle and I can't have cereal [interjection from mom "I can put cereal in your thermos and you can add the milk at school. That could work."] NO. I don't think it is ALLOWED. NO. NOPE. NO WAY. And I am NOT eating breakfast."

Another announcement:
"I can NOT stand at the bus stop. The neighbors are having their lawns mowed. It is TOO LOUD. No. Won't do it."

Have I mentioned the pounding headache I have?

And it wasn't even 8am yet!

Flash forward.

Overall, the day was a dramatic improvement over yesterday. Her first day of Art Class. No playground injuries. And the afternoon bus got her dropped off without a problem.

Now if only Friday can fully redeem the week. After all, it has "Friday Fun" and Zeppe's Pizza.

The Second Day

Is the second day ever as good or as much fun as the second? The bloom wears off quickly.

Getting up early was harder on us all today. None of the "First Day Excitement" to get us moving. And packing lunch caused all kinds of drama.

But Chase was excited to run to the bus stop by herself. Happy that it wasn't raining. Excited to wave "Good-bye" to Daddy as he drove off to work.

Of course, then, she spied the camera.

Which means you can toss all natural shots out the window.

The Girl. Must. Pose.


She looks ready to take on the world!

Report from the trenches: It was downhill from here. She hurt herself on the playground. Just a scraped knee. She decided she wasn't thrilled with her lunch [after all the drama packing it] and ate one strawberry and a handful of peanut butter pretzels, and drank a chocolate milk. Needless to say she got hungry [Chase "Nothing that I like for lunch is packable. I really wanted a nutri-grain waffle."] And then to top off the day, the bus driver forgot to let her off at her stop. I went running after the bus and he told me she wasn't on the bus. I FREAKED out. The school didn't know what bus they put her on, and the bus garage put out an all call to find her. Turns out she WAS on the bus. He turned around and brought her back. She was SOBBING. And it wasn't soon enough to prevent me from having lost a few years off of my life.

Oh, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE let us survive this first week of school!

09/09/09

I'm no numerologist. I won't be formulating anything. But it's still a fun date. I won't live to see it again. [I would be 134 years old in 2109.]

So how to celebrate?

Chase's lunch has 9 grapes. You think that counts? [BTW: There was much drama over lunch this morning. She refused to have anything resembling a sandwich. Didn't want anything hot in the thermos. What does that leave us? Apparently she is fine with Strawberries, Grapes, A bag of Peanut Butter Pretzel Sandwiches (which may be contraband) and she plans on buying milk.]

Hmmm... I think I might have 9 loads of laundry.

I'm not sure I really have the hang of celebrating this kind of special day.

First Day. First Grade.

A day of many firsts.

First morning of riding the bus. [I was informed that the bus ride was FOREVER long and filled with HUGE kids. She is not a fan, but she'll get over it. I HOPE.]


The first day of getting dropped off at Grandma and Grandpa's at the end of the day. [They got it right today, but have messed up and gave her a tag saying that is where she goes every afternoon. I filled out all the forms, but apparently have to make some calls tomorrow, so she can come home on MWFs.]

The first day of buying her lunch [it was corn dogs, and she really wanted to give them a whirl. She made me pack a "Back up lunch" just in case. She sampled from both.]

First day of All Day School. [She has reported the she is TIRE- D! Let's see if that is still true at bedtime!]

And the most hopeful thing she had to report? "Mom, there is one other short girl in the first grade! And she IS in my class! Her locker is next to mine! But she sits FAR AWAY! But I hope we can be friends. It is scary for us both on the playground. So MANY BIG KIDS. But I think it will be okay."

Yippee. Looks like I'll be trying to arrange some play dates!

It Wasn't Funny

At the time.

But a few days out, and I can't help but laugh.

The other day we had a pinch of drama. Or should I say a BITE of drama?

To set the stage. Chase and Ellis are at the kitchen table-- drawing. Mark is in the living room watching TV. I am at the stove baking something, back turned to the girls.

Everything is quiet. And then it isn't. Both Ellis and Chase start WAILING and SCREAMING. I turn around and say 'What is wrong???" Ellis sobs out "She bit me." But Chase is wailing too. What is going on? I rush over to see what the damage to Ellis is, and trip over the running shoes that Mark left in the middle of the floor. Now I am laying on the floor and wailing too [and trying VERY HARD NOT TO SWEAR AT MY HUSBAND who is now standing over all of this. I might have thrown his shoe at him. Maybe.]

He made sure that Ellis had all her fingers intact, that I hadn't smashed my skull open, and then retreated to the relative safety of the couch [He probably figured that I couldn't throw the other shoe AROUND a corner. Maybe.]

Ellis stopped sobbing and went back to coloring. But Chase kept crying--I thought it was remorse. Well, NOT EXACTLY. Between the sobs of "It was an accident." [Huh? how do you accidentally bite someone?] "She stuck her finger in my face. And it was an accident" [Still not getting it, but OK. Let's stop crying and apologize and get on with the day.] "But she hurt me. My tooth hurts and is falling out!"

To recap, when Ellis poked Chase in the face, Chase had a moment of primal rage and bit her sister. She obviously wasn't thinking things through [Although I thought I heard her say, through the sobs, "But I used my back teeth"] , and didn't think about the fact that her front tooth is wiggly. It dislodged the tooth a bit more--and hurt.

Now I am walking around with stiff neck and a bruised hip [but otherwise unscathed.] Chase has a very wiggly tooth, that will probably come out sometime this week. Ellis is none the worse for wear. And Mark thinks that I throw like a girl.

I am just really thankful that we didn't have a trip to the emergency room. This one would have been a hard one to explain...

Lovely

Isn't it lovely?


Sweet Corn from the garden. Chemical free. Sweet and tasty.

A mighty thanks to my Dad, who generously hand pollinated the corn for me when it came up sparsely.

A tasty addition to dinner!

20 Years

Last night was Mark's 20 year High School Reunion. Wow. How did that happen? Made me realize that I have only 4 years to mentally prepare for this milestone of my own.

Will that be enough time?

It was a small turn out. Only about 25 out of 110 classmates and their spouses. Everyone one mixed easily and had a nice time. One thing got out of hand. The alcohol was flowing like a river. Rounds of shots ruled the later part of the evening. And my husband, who, for training, has had very little to drink in the six months--and is 25 lbs lighter than usual-- tried to keep up with the rest of them.

The result was not pretty. And has resulted in a full couch washing and me being thankful for slip covers! Peer pressure is a B*t@&-- even at the ripe old, should know better, age of 39.

Anyway...
Mark waited until 10 minutes before we had to leave to shave and change [one benefit of being Male]. While we waited, Chase took some pictures [and didn't stand still. So they are pretty blurry] Not the best, but should give you an idea. I was glad that I ignored my husband when he said he thought that the reunion was "Casual."

Lunar Insomnia

It's a real term folks. Not one that has any science behind it. The stuff made of myth.

Or so they say.

They were not at my house last night. [Or many other nights of a Full Moon.]

It all started at Midnight. Ellis wandering in the hall and telling me that it was time to get up. She was bright eyed and bushy tailed. And since she had fallen asleep earlier than usual, I knew that there was no fighting her on this one. I took her downstairs for a snack. Yogurt and pretzels. We sat on the couch. And sat on the couch. I suggested bed. NO. We sat on the couch some more.

It is now 3am. Chase wakes. She is thirsty and nervous [having dreams about giant children and school] and I give her a drink. She manages to fall back asleep.

And Ellis and I continue to sit on the couch. She is still bright eyed and bushy tailed.

It is now 4am. The cat is marching around the living room. Howling up a storm. March. March. Meow. Meeeeeoooow! Ellis tells me that the cat is telling her that it is time for Ellis to eat breakfast, and could I please get her a Gogurt and a peach. OKAY?

Mark is now wandering. Wants to know how long we have all been awake. Ah. A long time, honey. The suggestion of her bed brings HUGE and LOUD protest. Chase wakes again.

It is now 5am. I feed Ellis and escape the living room under the pretense of using the bathroom. I honestly have no idea what went on from 5-7:30am. I was sleeping. And Ellis was asleep when I came downstairs. How little sleep, I don't know.

It's 8am and we are all now awake and starting the day.

Nights like these are not common. But when they happen. Wow-za. And a common trend [unfortunate coincidence?] are full moons. Logically, I know that there is no real science behind it. But when you live it--and relive it-- it does give you pause.

I am thinking that it is going to be one LONG day.

Tears

Add hormones, and emotionally charged situations and you will get tears.

At least I waited until I got home and could go hide for a few minutes.

This afternoon, we had the Meet and Greet for Chase's first grade teacher.

The good news is that her teacher seems nice enough.

If uninformed. No one mentioned to her that Chase had an interventionist working with her last year because she refused to talk at all in the classroom and they were unable to do any oral testing with her unless she was in a room with no one else. You would think that someone would have made note of that.

The sad news. There is no one in her class that she knows. And Chase has issues with familiarity, and anxiety. And, she is, by far, the shortest person in her class [one girl was not at the meet and greet and I am holding out hopes that she might be short, too.] She doesn't even come up to any of the children's shoulders. I guess everyone had a growth spurt this summer, except Chase. And no way was I going to mention it, but when Chase struggled to get up into her desk and her feet were swinging a good 5 inches from the floor, her teacher noted that they would try to make some adjustments for her. And her desk isn't the only thing that is too big. She is too short to easily open her locker, cannot reach the hooks for her book bag or coat, and cannot reach her mail slot. Almost everything in the classroom is out of reach for her.

And it makes me sad to know that these simple things are going to be struggle. School is hard enough, even when you don't stand out as being different.

But she is still excited about school. So I will try to just be excited with her and deal with the issues as they come.

Fight, Fight!

What is a day without a rip roaring, screeching fight?

I don't think I am likely to find out any time soon.

Chase and Ellis argue like Pro's.

Over some of the most INSANE things.

[Can't wait until they are teens...]

Our, most recent, favorite topic?

C: [In a sing songy voice] "I'm going to be the baby's big sister."
E: [Screeching loudly] "NO! I am going to be the baby's big sister."
Mom: "Girls, you will BOTH be big sisters."
C and E together [they CAN show a unified front]: "NO! You are wrong!"

If they really want to get worked up, they might add some pushing or hair pulling.

Then repeat.