Shots

Today was Chase's 7 year well check and Avery's 4 month appointment.

Remind me not to try to do more than one appointment at a time. It was NOT worth the time savings.

Everything seemed to be going smoothly until Chase discovered that we were somehow behind on one of her vaccinations and that she would be getting a shot. Melt down. She dissolved into tears and alternated those with yelling at me. Ellis decided that she was getting lost in the mix and started climbing me like a jungle gym--demanding to be kissed. And Avery thought it was funny. At least until the four shots and one oral vaccination came out with her name on them.

It got really ugly then. There was weeping [Chase] and wailing [Avery] and gnashing of teeth [ME]. I am sure that they were very glad to see us go.

So here are the stats.

Chase:
42 3/4 inches tall [She grew almost 2.5 inches this year] Doesn't even make it on the picture graph [So far below 3%]. Dr. comment was "Well, she's always been small. And she did grow. But we just can't put it on the chart. We'll just make a note." Um, OK.
44 lbs. She actually lost a pound this year. And we're all good with that. It puts her in the 25% height/weight percentile which is a healthy place. Finally figuring out how to balance her need for lemonade/orange juice for calcium dissolving issues versus too many empty calories.
Blood pressure was 80/50. Apparently that was very good.

Avery:
Major growth spurt on this baby!
12 lbs even. [5-10%]
22 inches long [below 3%]
16 inch head circ. [25-50%]
A big head on a short baby. She's definitely one of mine...

I have new pictures to post. Will try to do that tomorrow. Provided the cranks are all feeling better...

Dishing it up

Monday
Coconut Curry Spaghetti with Shrimp
Spinach Salad

Tuesday
English Muffin Pizzas [For Chase and Ellis]
Bean Burritos
Homemade Guacamole
Salad

Wednesday
Egg and Sausage Casserole
Spring Greens Salad
Rhubarb/Strawberry Shortcake

Thursday
Turkey Sandwiches
Tomato Soup

Friday
Honey Bunches of Oats
Nutri-grain Blueberry Waffles
Apples
It was just one of those nights...

Fine Distinction

This morning when I was getting dressed, Ellis commented:

"Mommy, that skirt looks fat."

I said, "Thanks a lot. Good to know that you think I look fat."

"No, Mommy. Not you. The skirt."

A distinction, to be sure, but...

New Mommy Book Club

Last spring I was startled to hear Anne Rice on Focus on the Family. She of Interview with the Vampire fame [I must admit to really enjoying her vampire books. A guilty pleasure]. She was on the show talking about her new books that focus on the life of Christ.

The interview was very interesting. She has had a fascinating life.

But I never managed to look up the book. This past week, it was sitting in the new book section at the library.

So I brought home Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt: A Novel. I really wanted to like this book. I did. Honest.

But I have one word for it: BORING.

The interview had talked about controversy. About what? It focuses on the 7 year old Jesus returning from being hidden away in Egypt. It is chapter after chapter of Jesus wanting to know what secrets His parents are keeping from Him, while having small flashes of the Divine. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen. But nothing did. This is supposed to be the first of a series. Not sure you'll see me combing the stacks looking for the sequels.

Instead, I think I am interested in her life story. Called Out of Darkness: A Spiritual Confession may be the next thing on my reading list.

Strange Rumbling

I just had the strangest thing happen. So I must share.

There is a thunderstorm brewing. And we've had some rumbling.

A few minutes ago, we had a nice long rumble. Followed by the ear piercing sound of glass breaking. I went to the cupboard and found this:

A glass, that to my knowledge, had no visible cracks was sitting there--broken.

Has anyone experienced anything like this before?

Mulch Fairy

My neighbors will wake up tomorrow and wonder if there is a Mulch Fairy.

Why you ask?

Because, crazy lady that I am, just mulched my front flower beds in the dark.

It was quiet and kind of relaxing...

Proof

I now have concrete proof that washing machines eat socks.

My washer decided to stop spinning. Everything else seemed to be working. A little internet research and a trip to the appliance repair store all pointed to the direct drive coupler. Brought the part home and Steve came to rescue me. Like a repair super hero, he swooped in with tool box in hand and dismantled the washer. But the coupler was fine.

Now what? Back to the internet. Next suggestion was the break. Directions were there on how to lube it. So I dashed off to Auto Zone for some Syl-Glide. While Steve was trying to lube the break, he asked me to spin the drum. It still didn't want to spin.

I glanced at the side of the drum, and through the frosted plastic I saw what looked like wadded up underwear! So we dismantled the machine a little further, shoved a clothes hanger down the side and extracted the underwear. And a sock.

Now who would have expected that?

Dishing it up

Sunday
Coconut Curry Spaghetti with Shrimp
Salad

Monday
Fish Tacos
(Even Chase ate the Talapia. Which surprised me a ton.)
Salad

Tuesday
Frozen Pizza--we all need a frozen pizza night from time to time!

Wednesday
Spicy Pork and Tofu
Rice
Salad

Thursday
Spaghetti and Meatless Meatballs
Spinach Salad

Friday
Dinner with the Hatfields! I am SO excited that they are moving back to Aurora!

Saturday
Grilled Cheese
Tomato Soup

Looking Up

Mr. Meercat at the LA Zoo

I'm putting on a happy face today. I hear that it can do wonders for your attitude.

79 degrees and sunny won't hurt, either.

Lovely RITA

Meter Maid [aka Her Dreaded Tax Madame]

I am in a funk. It's that April 15th time of year again. That time of year when I try to filter though a stack of papers and figure out why, once again, my record keeping isn't as organized as I want it to be, and how I am going to fill out the taxes. [It isn't actually that hard for me to figure out why-- the screaming banshees circling me and the lovely picture that someone drew on the W-2 are pretty good clues.]

But it always puts me in a funk. And just when Turbo Tax has gotten me through the worst of it, I remember the dreaded Regional Income Tax Agency. That hag known by the name of RITA. I shouldn't hate her that much. I only owe her a dollar this year. But because of that dollar, the forms tell me that I need to file quarterly estimates next year. Really? What are they going to do if I don't send in $0.25 each quarter?

Time to let it go.

It's been a crazy week. And it is only Wednesday.

Monday had me talking with the Principal, the reading teacher and Chase's new classroom teacher. All to establish that Chase's assessments that came home last week were totally inaccurate. This transition has been hard on us all. The good news is that she is on level. In between phone calls I was trying to work on the taxes. Good times.

Tuesday I was trying to make a work project deadline. But the editing system hard drive crashed. Just when I needed to make a major edit to a video. Our editor misspelled the word "Business" in some titles. Of all the ridiculous things to foil a project. While worrying about that, I missed some items in something I proofed. Then, while mentally beating myself up on the way home, I had a rock hit my windshield. Smack in the middle of the driver side. And there it stays. Lodged in the glass. New windshield being installed Friday.

Which brings us back to now. Taxes are done. State and RITA envelopes are ready for me to insert check and mail. And I should feel relieved to have that out of the way. But somehow I don't.

Hoping that my mood improves on the morrow.

She Speaks

At least that is the rumor around here...

Yesterday, Ellis came running.

E: Mommy, Avery said her first word!

M: Really? What did she say?

E: Uh oh!

M: How precocious.

And then Chase had to pipe in...

C: And I am pretty sure I heard her say "Hmmmm." What do you think she is wondering about?

Apparently they are desperate for this baby to talk.

With understandable words, that is.

Here is a little of what she really sounds like these days.

Egg Hunt

We had gorgeous weather over the weekend. On Saturday, Mark took Chase and Ellis down to the community lake for an egg hunt.

Birthday *part two*

This year we forwent the Family Party and had a Child's Party for Chase. It was her first.

Five little girls [in addition to Chase and Ellis] helped to celebrate by playing Musical Chairs and Pin the Wings on Tinkerbell. They sang Happy Birthday, ate cake and opened presents.

Chase had so much fun and I was happy to see her playing with such nice little girls.

My Gals

Easter Sunday 2010

Dishing it up

I am heading to the store soon. As soon as Avery finishes her morning nap. And I have a plan for the week. Here is what's on the Menu.

Monday
Tofu White Chili and Cornmeal Pancakes [This won the Chili contest at Mark's work a few weeks ago. If we like it, I'll post a recipe.]
Spinach Salad

Tuesday
Tilapia
Mushroom Rice Pilaf
Spinach Salad

Wednesday
Whole Wheat Spaghetti and meatless meatballs
Cheesy Chiabata bread
Salad

Thursday
Hot Roast Beef Sandwiches
Mashed Potatoes
Carrots
Salad

Friday
"Mock Buffalo Wild Wing night"
Mozzarella sticks
Wings
Celery with dip
Black and Blue Veggie Burgers

Hangover

I have an Easter Hangover. [This may account for the following ramblings]

We over indulged. Not on booze [although there were a few moments a drink would have come in handy] but on activities, candy, playing, and visiting.

I woke up at 3 AM to take some Advil and drink some juice and hoped for the best come morning. We got up late, and cranked our way to the bus stop.

But the gorgeous weather helped to perk me up! [Not so much for Chase]

The weather has been amazing here. We have spent tons of time outside. Naturally, injuries have come with that package. Ellis' face is a mess.

My house is a mess. I thought that eatable Easter grass would cut down on the mess. Turns out only Mom is willing to eat the stuff. But everyone had fun tossing it around.

If we plan on eating anything other than Easter candy or egg salad sandwiches, I need to get to the store today. I have my list. And a meal plan for the week. I guess that counts for something.

And I have lots of pictures to share. Soon. At least that's the plan.