Medically Speaking

She's as healthy as a horse!!!!

She who?? you ask....

Why Miss Samantha, of course!!

She had her well baby check (first one in a year!) and she's HEALTHY!!!!

She's weighing in at 25 lbs, 6 oz....and got to stand on the scale...that took a bit of doing as she was quite please she was nekkid in public! LOL My little nudist!!!

She's standing tall at 33.25 inches!!!! That's exactly half of Howie's height!!!! She's still got a half inch to go before she's half my height. But she's above the 95th percentile for height!
It's funny to me....I think she's short, but that's because I compare her to DJ all the time....and he's head and shoulders above her....no clue how tall he really is as today wasn't about him.

Her head circumference is 18.25 inches...quite normal apparently!

Sam also go 3 needles....poor thing, but she really did much better than I thought she would! When DJ takes a toy away from her, she lets the world know!!! But today, she was giving the nurse, Jennifer, dirty looks while whining crying....it was odd! But over all she did fabulous!!!

I also got the results (not explained in any way!) of the ultrasounds I had done on my abdomen and thyroid...remember....about 6 weeks ago now....and it seems I was right (*Gasp*) and I have another hernia! This one has 9 cm (3.6 inches) or more of bowel poking thru it...which explains the extreme gas pains I sometimes have....it all makes sense now!!! Unfortunately, I can't do anything about it surgically just yet....it's a 6 week recovery period, with NO lifting...and my 25lb 6oz kid won't allow me to NOT pick her up on any given day....so it'll have to wait. Quite possibly, til they're both in school....sux huh?
And my thyroid...the results were inconclusive....meaning it's enlarged, but no reason why...say what?? So she may have me repeat blood work...we'll see. I have an appt with her next week. She's currently pregnant with her 3rd child and has a c-section scheduled for the 28th, so her time is coming to an end til Nov....so in I go!! I'd really like to chat with her about why I'm not losing the weight I think I should be....something's gotta give!!

Sitting here watching the Mariners on tv....it's bottom of the 11th with the Tampa Rays...Jake came home from a friends house all excited to watch it, but couldn't stay awake any longer, so he went to bed...and now I want to know the outcome!!! GO MARINERS!!!!!!!!!

Til next time...ciao!

It is SOOOO

Past my bed time!! I'm a lollygagger tonite....just been poking around on the Internet more than paying attention to my loyal readers!!! LOL So, tonite might be short...we'll see...but I still haven't made Howie's lunch yet for tomorrow! That's how lazy I've been!

This morning we got out of the house early enough that I was able to go to the bank, Walmart (where else?) and Food Emporium...... where they have these teeny tiny grocery carts that are perfect for a certain 3 year old....so he got to push his own cart. The novelty of that did NOT wear off the entire time we were there!! His smile did NOT wear off either!!! Of course we put things in his cart, but they were of the non-breakable variety. And he even got to unload it all and hand the cashier every thing in his cart! Oh the little things that make him so happy!!! SamSam, yeah, she knew she'd been shafted! As soon as she saw him with a cart she started gurning and crying for her own...but there was no way I was gonna chase after two of them!! Cute fact: we call DJ "Freddy Fast Fingers" and Samantha "Grabby Gabby" they are both that quick!!! LOL

Got home just in time for lunch with Jake and then naps....during which I was able to make all my gray go away....whew! It's really noticeable nowadays....I don't like this part of the aging process!!!

After Howie got home I ran out by myself and did another store....typically I do 3 stores, but lately the good specials have been spread out! Howie changed my mind tho, as I was going to go to costco...but since we were doing burgers for dinner he wanted jalapenos, so that meant going to Albertsons. I was a day early for the asparagus sale...dagnabit! I hate going out for just one thing! oh well...I know I will....I love asparagus! And I love watching Jake eat it...hee hee hee!

Tonite we saw the most bizarrely built house...it was a 4 bedroom 2 bath rambler with a basement.... but we counted 7 (SEVEN) doors into the house...why on earth would anyone want 7 doors into a house?!??!?!! It makes NO sense!!! And the back yard wasn't a back yard...it was all paved....but not nicely....concrete...Howie thinks there was a bomb shelter under it...could very well be! Needless to say, we scratched off the list! lol

OK, really gotta go and get Howie's lunch ready and then get to bed!!!

Til next time...ciao!

Wake up call

Oh boy did we get one today!!!! This morning I had plans to go to Greenlake with my g/f Andie and her little girl Malorie....so she arrived around 10 am and we took off. It was a rather overcast morning but we were ever hopeful that the sun would join us so the kids could go in the wading pool. Got there, and found a parking spot super close to the park that was teeming with children!!!

Sidebar: I typically dress DJ in colours I think will be easy to spot in a crowded area such as a park....and today, I apparently wasn't alone!! I chose lime green....so did MANY other moms!

So, the kids played for almost an hour before we went walking in the direction of the wading pool...it was a good hike from the park area!! What a nice walk we had tho!! I do wish I'd worn different shoes tho....thongs aren't suitable for all that walking! lol

DJ decided he was hungry and we needed to stop for lunch....so we did! It was just after noon, so good timing! I totally cheated and bought them Lunchables...which they both gobbled up!! Andie and I shared a Subway sub and it was yummy!!

After lunch we started walking again in the direction of the wading pool when I got a phone call from Howie....not all that unusual....but he asked me if I'd gotten a call from the Snohomish Sheriff....say what??? No....no call to me! This is where the wake up call comes in....

Jake had football practice this morning, but it was a light day, only weights, so he was home about 11am....around 1 he was sitting in the living room in Howie's chair when he saw some guy in an orange tank top walk thru our gate in the front yard...and then try to open the slider...only to get run off by our normally super sweet dog, Snickers. Jake called 911 immediately and didn't stick around. In his panic, he ran downstairs to his room and crawled thru a window (which wasn't locked) in the storage room down there (not even thinking he could use HIS door!!) and took off to a friends house. When the cops came by he came back and let them in the house....and again Snickers barked the cop out of the yard...and then bared her teeth at another one in the kitchen while she was outside. (my heart is pounding just typing this out!) Then they checked all the rooms in the house, and had their guns drawn when they came to our room as the door was shut to keep the cats out. They searched the area and from the lack of communication with them, we're assuming they didn't find him. Needless to say, it's more than creepy!!! Broad daylight!! And Snickers...she earned her keep today!!! We'll let her stick around a little while longer!! :P

After nap (DJ didn't get one) I took Jake over to his last driving lesson....and then came home to be here when our land lady came by for the rent....but ended up leaving to go get some corn on the cob before picking Jake up again. And I let him drive me home....BOTH of us were nervous for that one!!!! Granted he has never driven the Durango before...but that doesn't excuse the red light he ran *snickers*

OK it's WAY late now and I'm off to la la land! Oh, speaking of la la land...DJ seems to be getting there MUCH quicker these days!! Since Sunday nite, I've been telling him that I'm going out shopping....and he doesn't get out of bed! AND then I beat him at his own game, in that I take him potty before I go to bed....that way he doesn't scare me awake anymore! Working like a charm!! Til tonite....he woke up about an hour after going to bed and must have gotten lost in his room as he peed his pj's 2 ft from his bed....better the pj's than the bed!

Sorry this is such a long one....

Til next time...ciao!

By George

I think we got it figured out!!!! The bed time fiasco that is! Like I blogged about last nite, my leaving on Sunday and Monday nites caused DJ to stay in bed and give no fuss...well tonite I didn't have anywhere to go really, so I faked it. *gasp!* lol But y'know...it worked!!! I told him I had to go shopping (he asked for a BIG apple) and I'd see him in the morning....he asked if Daddy was still going to be here, to which I assured him, that yes, he would be. And that was the end of it! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?!?!?!! If I'd known that's all it took....I would have done this weeks ago!!! He didn't get out of bed once!! Not once!! Howie said he was in there talking to himself, but that's it! Didn't even call out to Daddy!! I know!! I'm shocked too!!! It worked! :)

Today was story time at the library, so we took off shortly after breakfast....and was actually a little too early...so we drove over to where my g/f Andie lives as I'd seen a For Rent sign on the main road and wanted to investigate...I found it...and it's way out of our price range!!! Nice area, but you get what you pay for...ifyaknowwhatImean!
Both kids did great at story time today!! They shared well...one of them sat with me pretty much the whole time...DJ even marched with the pom pom today!!! While Sam stood off near a corner with a pout AND a scowl on her face!! Then, the minute the music stopped she ran into the center of the circle of chairs and started shaking her pom pom....whatta kid!!

So, as you know we've been looking for a new place to live....and this past weekend we thought we'd found THE place!!!! *sigh* Sadly, it wasn't meant to bed....the owners are deciding to sell in 4 or 5 months and they knew we were looking for a long term house. I'm so bummed!! It was a 4 bedroom, 3 bath house with over 2000 sq ft!! AND a double car garage!!! The house we're in now has 4 bedrooms, 2 baths and NO garage!! And is total 1600 sq ft...I know, it sounds good, but remember that list??? Most times it feels like we're on top of each other in the common areas. In any case, we're still on the look out...the good thing is we don't HAVE to be out of here by any date, so we can take our time looking and find another PERFECT house for us! Just woulda been nice....*sigh*

After dinner Howie took Jake out for a driving lesson...and he says Jake "got the hang of it" as far as the clutch goes....just needs more practice to get that confidence. So, while they were off doing that, I took the kids to the park and let them run off that extra energy food gives them! And it would seem that both Jake AND DJ are going thru a growth spurt!! You should have seen the amount of food they both ate!!! DANG!!! Good thing they're not BOTH teenagers at the same time!! Whew!

OK, gonna go veg a bit and then get to bed...another full day ahead of us tomorrow!!!


Til next time...ciao!

Eureka!!

I have discovered the trick to getting DJ to stay in bed!!! It worked last nite and it worked tonite...all I have to do is LEAVE THE HOUSE!!! Last nite I went to my g/f Andie's house after tucking DJ in bed, and telling him that I was leaving to go visiting, and that I'd see him in the morning. Howie said he stayed in bed without so much as a peep!
So, tonite, I had to run to Albertsons after they went to bed, and while tucking DJ in, I told him this. Again, no peeping!!! Huh....I think I could go for his arrangement!!!!

Today was errand day!! Had to run to the post office...pay that ticket I got last month on the drive here....the bank, and then Walmart (where else??) to get an oil change on the Durango (put over 4,000 miles on it just driving across Canada!!) and a head light for the Jetta, and order Howie some new contacts. The oil change took an hour and a half! And by the time they were done, it was 12:30!!!! Hey, wait a minute...it took an hour and 50 minutes!! I got there for 10:40! Dang!! they really were slow!

I raced home to be here for Jake coming home from football practice, and when I saw his shoes at the door, knew I'd missed him!! He came home right before I put the kids to bed, had lunch and took off again! Not to be seen til dinner!

Then he played with DJ outside, while I took a bath with Sam.....um yeah, won't be doing that again!! She wasn't sure what to make of me being in there with her or with that much water being in the bath tub! LOL
Howie came and got her and dried her off and dressed her....and while I hadn't planned on it, DJ joined me in the bath...he thought it was fun! I did not! Won't be doing that again! :)

Now, I'm vegging with Jake...and then hitting the hay! DJ woke up 10 minutes after I shut the light off last nite with a hand on my calf....scared the crap outta me!!! He peed and went right back to bed...only to wake up at 6:30! And he didn't get the memo about going back to sleep til 8! grrrrrr

Til next time...ciao!

Busy Bees

That's what we've been today!! Busy busy bees!! We all got up early enough that we were ALL out the door for 9:10am! Do you have any idea what a chore that is?!?!! Both Howie and Jake showered before we left too!!!

Where did we go you ask?


Why, we went to the StanwoodCamano Fair!!! I have an online g/f, Sarah, who lives in Vermont, but grew up here in Washington...and usually once a year she comes for a visit! This year was no different!! She was in a wedding yesterday, so she's been here since last weekend with her little girl Hallie. She asked months ago if we'd be around to go to the fair with her, and it worked out perfectly that I happen to be here!!! So, we went!!!!

DJ, who's never been to a fair, was super excited to be going to the "fun fair"!!!! We arrived just as they opened at 10 am and the entrance we chose was where the goats and other animals were...so DJ was already hooked!!! But we had a goal, and that was to meet up with my g/f at the info booth...so off we trudged...well, I trudged, the rest walked. Pushing a stroller in gravel is like trying to catch a fly with chop sticks!!! But we did meet up with her and off we all went! Walked around looking a the various booths of information and wares. They were test running the rides, so we had to bypass them. We ended up at the horse riding corral and watched some riders racing. Along the way we passed pony rides, and DJ said he'd love to do that...so we headed back and let the kids ride the ponies.....not Sam tho...and boy was she not happy with that decision!!! At least with DJ he'll remember it, Sam won't!

It was THE cutest thing ever!!! DJ was on the pony, strapped on, by himself!, and riding along when all of a sudden (and I kid you not!) he takes his hat off with his right hand and yells "Yeehaw" and then put his hat back on! He cracked everyone up with his spontaneous burst!!! It was awesome!!! I did get pix, but they're on the regular camera...so I'll have to upload them tomorrow and post some!


We then watched a doggy entertainment show...it was okay....the kids were more into the goldfish than watching! I think it was over their heads a bit. They did ask DJ to come up on stage so a dog could jump over him and 4 other kids, but he declined...very shyly!!! LOL


And what else is there to do at a fair....fair FOOD!!! I'd brought lunch with me for SamSam and DJ...so we got Jake a pizza, and I got some hummus and pita...and then came the fries....a MOUND of them....well really, a block of them! Just look! And before you ask...no, we didn't even get thru them all!!! Maybe half of them...lol Anybody for some clogged arteries!??!?!



Around 12:30 we headed for home...Sam was gettin fussy and DJ was getting annoying! And both of them conked out on the way...so it was a nice quiet ride! We stopped at Jake's house to get his football gear for tomorrow's practice...and decided to bring his car with us. He's happy now that he can show it off to his friends that live around here.



Tonite...I got to watch Twilight over at my g/f Andie's house....I could never be a movie critic...I'm FAR too critical!!! Especially if it's from a book....I nit pick it to death! Just ask Andie...lol

It was good tho...and I do realize they have to fit a HUGE book into such a small time frame and do it with proper set up...I get that....there were just silly things that shouldn't have been done! Oh well....next time I see it, and you know there'll be a next time...I won't be as picky!! LOL



Ok...it's now way past my normal blogging time and I gotta get to bed!!


Til next time...ciao!

What a SWEET ride!

Jake is now the proud owner of a 1996 Ford Mustang that is the most beautiful blue I've seen in a while!!! Now, he's only 15 and a half, but he's got his learner's permit and has taken the driving course, so he's now working on road hours to be able to go get is license in December when he turns 16. Oh, and it's a 5 speed...so he really can't drive it yet!! hahaha Once his mom gets the insurance card for it, it'll come stay with us for the two weeks we have Jake here, and between Howie and I, we'll teach him (hopefully) how to drive standard!

Gosh does this bring back memories...my parents had a VW Jetta when I got my license....standard too! But I learned on automatic...and they weren't the kind of parents to just rush out and buy me a car just for turning 16. So when it came time for me to go for my driving test, the first time we rented a car...the second and third time (yes, I failed it twice!!! Being deaf is not an asset when taking these nerve filled tests!!!) we borrowed a car for me to use. So, when I did finally get it just before Christmas in 1989, I had the choice of driving the Jetta, had to learn how first, or driving this camper van we had that my parents had painted this gorgeous chocolate brown....and then had scriptures painted ALLLLLLLLL over it!! Ummm at 17, driving that van was NOT cool!!! So, after many failed lessons at learning standard, I finally had a dream about driving it and saw what I was supposed to do....and it all clicked into place for me!!!
So, the first time I take the Jetta out to my BFF's house....are ya ready for a laugh??...I stalled it 10 times at the light just before her street (remember this RJ!?!?) and it took 3 turns of green for me to finally get thru...NOBODY moved til I was out of the intersection....oh the horror!!! I was so embarrassed!!! When I finally got to her house, I called my mom in tears and told her what happened and begged her to come pick me up...of course she said "no" and that I had to figure it out and get myself home....such a mean parent!! Kidding mom! :P

So, now the chore is half mine to teach this boy how to operate a manual transmission vehicle...AHHHHHHHHHHHH When did I get so grown up!?!?!?! Stop the ride...I want off!!

Oh and I gave him crap for not smiling...if it was me, I'd be smiling ear to ear!!! In fact, I told him how freakin lucky he truly is!!! I didn't get my own car til I was 22....and even then it was my sister's cast off!!! And I had to pay for it!!!!!

Other than that, our day was pretty low key...Howie and Jake went fishing this morning with another friend, and we had chicken for dinner....getting tired of that! lol Ran some errands, did some laundry, played with the kids...played cards with Jake once the kids were both in bed....watched some gory movie (I'm blogging instead) and then bed time!

DJ did pretty good again tonite...and was asleep by 9:15...not sure what we're doing differently, but he seems to be settling better!! I'll take it!!!!

Oh and so far, and I'm not even a full chapter in, I'm liking Keeping Faith...it's grabbed me from the prologue!!! Not many books do that!

Til next time...ciao!!