Hot time in the city tonight

Second day of 90 degrees. And I know that I shouldn't be complaining. After all, it was only in the high 50s only 5 days ago. And it is wonderful to see the sun. In fact my biggest complaint has little to do with the temperature, and more about dressing the growing bump around my middle. There is a fine line between comfort and obscene or unsightly... in my personal opinion. This summer is sure to be a struggle for me.

We had a super busy Memorial Day weekend. Highlights included me having more than six inches of hair cut off--one way to feel a little lighter! The Chagrin Falls Blossom Time parade and cookout at Grandma Jean's. The Aurora Memorial Day Parade [Chase's Girl Scout Troop carried flags... in the 86 degree morning... before the 92 degree "heat" of the day. Guess who says she's never doing that again. Guess who agrees with her.]

But all that fun came at a cost. Napping and bedtimes just didn't happen the way that they should. And we paid for it big time this morning. Chase was up, staring at her ceiling, until nearly 11pm last night. Let's just say that getting ready for school this morning was U.G.L.Y. And it wasn't much prettier for me. Avery was up crying from 2-3am-- we have tooth number two to show for it [Why can't they break through at say... 10 am????] But it isn't as if I have been sleeping lately anyway. I find that I sleep for about an hour or two and then wake and can't fall back asleep. Not sure if it's hormones, discomfort, or what.

Despite all of that, I am counting our blessings... it might be hot, but the sun looks SO good! We need a little more of this to dry things out around here! And I will forever be in debt to Willis Haviland Carrier--the father of air conditioning. I can enjoy the sun out my window and watch it while sitting comfortably next to a vent blowing cold air. Life is good.

Orthodontia

We are entering the grand old world of orthodontia.

Yesterday, Chase had her teeth molded. This was a long and arduous task. She was a trooper! It took many tries. Chase's lower jaw is so small that even the smallest tray was on the big size. The molding material was supposed to be French Vanilla Flavor.

Chase's comment: "Who do they think they are fooling?"

They feel pretty confident that the molds are good.

Chase's comment: "They better be, because I am never doing THAT again."

She might have to go back and do another set of wax bite registration.

Chase's comment: "That's okay, that was EASY. I didn't mind that part."

If everything dries and looks good, all these molds will be sent out and by the beginning of July Chase will be the owner of a Twin Block with expanders. Chase chose a sparkly purple for the bottom and a sparkly red for the top. But this is the general idea:


She will sleep in this for the next one to two years. Somehow, they will help her hold her jaw in the correct position when she is sleeping and encourages the lower jaw to expand from back to front. The palates will also be expanded from side to side to make room for the larger adult teeth that are presently jammed into her jaw with no place to go. And if enough room is created, there is a chance to avoid or minimize the need for braces in the future.

So far, Chase has a positive attitude about the process and has been very cooperative. I think that when she heard the Orthodontist talking about the surgical options--including breaking the jaw--Chase was sold on wearing an appliance. Of course, she hasn't had to try to sleep in it yet.

Keeping my fingers crossed that adjusting to the appliance goes smoothly and that it works quickly for Chase!

Zombie Mom

Feeling like a Zombie Mom these days. Lack of sleep will do that to a gal.

The kiddos have been struck by a snotty, coughing bug. Days they seem fine. Nights, not so much. Avery had a few tragic nights. Stuffy noses effect thumb sucking, and lack of thumb sucking appears to effect sleep. Dramatically.

But we seem to have turned the corner-- and she slept all night last night, and is in fact, still sleeping.

Couple of all night Avery duties, with pregnancy related sleep disorder, aka... up 10 times to pee, severe and side swapping sciatic pain and new rounds of sporadic and painful contracting [at 25 weeks, I have been contracting a little less with this pregnancy, but a little more intensely when I do] and you get a mom that doesn't even know what day it is anymore.

I woke last night and my first thought was "Good, we can sleep in a bit tomorrow since it is Sunday. No wait a minute, I think it's Monday, what will I pack in Chase's lunch... NO, I went to work yesterday... it has to be TUESDAY and my to do list is a mile long..." Spent some panic time on that long list and fell back asleep. Only to wake up, glance at the clock and panic again "Yikes, it's 8:45! We've all overslept... got to get moving and repair the damage..." Only to discover that it was 6:45.

Going to blame the vision issues on the fact that one eye is glued shut. YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME. After joking with my mom last night about how I get pink eye every time someone in Chase's class gets strep [she brought home a confirmed case sheet last night] I woke up to what appears to be round FIVE. Add a stop to the pharmacy for a drop refill to my list of to dos.

Minting Dollar Bills

No, there is no fake money being made here.

But Ellis was running her own Mint last night.

She brought be a dollar bill and excitedly told me to smell it.

"Mom, I minted this."

She sure had. She had taken a sprig of mint from the flower bed and rubbed it all over the dollar bill. It smelled very nice.

And she gave me a good chuckle.

Bad Behavior

It seems that her goal is to break her neck. Or give me a heart attack. Or at least be in the highest place in any room.

She is still attracted to the top bunk. The table behind the couch. The kitchen table.


Or just on top of a toy.


She is as happy as a clam perched atop whatever it is. And screams like a banshee when she is taken down.

Journaling

Ellis just came and made me slowly spell "because."

Mom: What are you writing Ellis?
Ellis: I am keeping a journal and writing down all of my memories.
M: That's nice. May I read it?
E: Just this page. It says "I love boxes because they are fun."

She did an amazingly good job. It actually reads:

I love box because they r fun.

I'm not really sure that that is a journal worthy topic, but her writing effort certainly impressed me!

AWANA

Wednesday was the closing award ceremony for AWANA.

Avery loved it! She clapped for EVERY child.


And it was nice to see Chase and Ellis conquer some of their shyness and head up to receive their awards. It helps that they had such nice warm leaders!

Ellis with her Cubbies' leader and receiving her award:

Chase receiving two awards. One for having memorized 45 verses!

Shades

Sometimes all it takes to make my day is a picture.


If you didn't already know it, hares wear their sunglasses at night.

Breaking News

I can't share a picture... it would require holding Avery down, pushing her tongue out of the way and shining a light in her mouth...

BUT.

It is official, her first tooth has broken through the gum!

Mother's Day Breakfast

This morning I was showered with poems and cards and crafts and flowers. And breakfast in bed.

Chase and Ellis worked together to make me a bowl of Cinnamon Life Cereal (more like a large bowl of milk with a few pieces of cereal floating in it) and a glass of orange juice.

After I had finished my cereal, Chase asked me if I was ready to go make them pancakes and bacon*.

Happy Mothers Day.

*I did make pancakes and bacon. Which I enjoyed as much as they did.

Easy Target

Mark is still recovering from his back injury. I use the term "recovering" lightly. He is still in a lot of pain and not moving much, but this morning he headed out for a run. Not sure if there will actually be much running involved... or if he just wanted to join the running club for breakfast so he can complain about his injury. He did however put on running clothes and shoes.

I think that two weekends of being home with the crew in the morning might have been enough. You see, the poor guy is too easy of a target. When you can't move and just lay on the floor--well, you can imagine that appears to be an invitation for jungle gym action from your three monkeys.


Any moaning or grumbling that occurs just adds to the fun. Lots of squeals. "It's a monster! Attack the monster!"

Easter Dresses

Girls in Easter Dresses. One of my favorite things. But getting a picture of these things at our house is complicated. You will notice that I only attempted two out of three. I think Avery was busy trying to climb Mount Kitchen Table.

I asked them to strike a pose... but not each other.