OK, I know why I've been MIA recently, but where is everyone else?
=P
For anyone that is still out there and listening to me, Catherine is much better. Still in recovery with various unpleasant symptoms, but much much better. She has boundless energy and eats everything in sight, so that's all I really care about. Everything else we can deal with.
In other news, I managed to register for my new class starting in September. I say "managed" because it took 3 days of fighting with my school's unorganized system to squeeze in. And Stephen and I are starting to through all the details together for our trip that is in FIVE WEEKS!!! EEEKKK!!!!
We've heard so much good news from several friends and family lately - hooray for everyone! I'm not sure what I can and can't say, so I'll keep details to myself for now. But let's just say that it makes me want to have some of our own good news to share... OK, not now. Maybe in a couple of years. But I'm getting to the point where I want to be "there" again and I don't want to wait that long. We'll see.
So that's how we're doing - how are you doing?
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Sunday, May 25, 2008
test of parenting
Starting Friday morning, Catherine has been sick. And the way that you don't really want to be sick, let alone see your child be sick. She had over 24 hours of not keeping any liquids down, and then was getting better. She still wasn't eating anything, but was able to keep liquids down for almost 16 hours.
Then today, although she wasn't throwing up, she started having a high fever and being very lethargic and irritable. My goodness, I know that when I'm sick like that I'm irritable and just want to lay around, too, so I feel for her. She's been very clingy, wanting to be held and sleeping on my chest. Like she did when she was first born, though now she is much, much bigger. She used to fit with her head just under my chin and her feet barely reaching my belly; now she sprawls out all over me.
This afternoon she started getting a little better. She's not wanting to drink anything right now, but she's not showing any signs of dehydration, so she's OK. And then she was playing for a few hours on her own, smiling and laughing again. Hopefully that's a sign that she won't be getting worse, but will be getting better instead. Your thoughts and prayers would be much appreciated.
Then today, although she wasn't throwing up, she started having a high fever and being very lethargic and irritable. My goodness, I know that when I'm sick like that I'm irritable and just want to lay around, too, so I feel for her. She's been very clingy, wanting to be held and sleeping on my chest. Like she did when she was first born, though now she is much, much bigger. She used to fit with her head just under my chin and her feet barely reaching my belly; now she sprawls out all over me.
This afternoon she started getting a little better. She's not wanting to drink anything right now, but she's not showing any signs of dehydration, so she's OK. And then she was playing for a few hours on her own, smiling and laughing again. Hopefully that's a sign that she won't be getting worse, but will be getting better instead. Your thoughts and prayers would be much appreciated.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Cousins
I can't say enough about how much I love that Catherine and Toby are so close in age. Not just for them, but being able to share the adventures of parenting with Jen and Phil is priceless. What's funny is that now that the two kids (Jen and I realized we're starting to call them "kids" instead of "babies") are getting older, into the toddler age, they are starting to act more like brother and sister. They get along so well, but they can really fight, too. They know each other well enough that they can really push each other's buttons to no end. It's actually pretty amusing!
The funniest "sibling" story recently is one of these last weekends when we were at Jen and Phil's and we were all out in their garage. Phil has a big stereo that happens to be at kid level, and in no time the kids were pushing buttons on the stereo and learned which buttons turn it on and off. Catherine pushes the button to turn on the stereo, the music comes on and she dances to the music (so cute - she kind of waddles her butt and has a big smile on her face!). Then Toby says "NO!" and pushes the button to turn it off. Catherine looks at him in disbelief, and promptly turns it back on. The music comes on, she dances, and Toby says "NO!" and turns it off. They did this back and forth for about 10 minutes. We were rolling on the floor laughing. These kids know how to entertain!
It was SO HOT this last Saturday that we went to get a kiddie pool. Before we got there, Toby was already sort of refusing to try it. He just really wasn't interested. But then Catherine gets there and bolts toward the water, splashes and squealing with glee. She nearly jumped in before I could even get her swimsuit on. Then naturally Toby wanted in on the fun. Funny how that works, huh?
We were loading some stuff in the truck, so the kids got to play in the cab. They both had sets of keys that they were playing with. And what do you know - they both already know that the key goes in the ignition. Toby even sat down by the steering wheel, put the key in the ignition (but didn't turn it of course), and put his hands up on the wheel and bounced like the truck was going. He is so freaking smart!
Here they are playing a B-E-A-OOtiful duet on Jen's piano. They were playing nice and actually played some pretty decent music next to each other. Hmm... budding pianists perhaps?
Monday, May 12, 2008
Happy mother's day to me and all the wonderful mothers in my life!
I was concerned that I wouldn't have any mother's day at all, knowing that I had to work full days both Saturday and Sunday. I was completely bummed. But Stephen said "leave it to me", and that was that. I wasn't allowed to ask questions or know any details whatsoever. I could tell that he was boasting with pride for his plans, so I knew it had to be good.
Finally I found out Saturday morning. He helped me get up and get ready (including watching the baby while I took a long shower!), and told me that a bunch of my favorite moms were meeting me to get mani/pedis, and then we would all come back here to play with our kids and have a full brunch, which the dads were making and serving. WOW!!!!
So I met with my mom (who drove all the way from Vancouver just to surprise me), Stephen's mom (also my godmother; double bonus), Jen (who has shared motherhood with me from the very beginning), Jen's mother-in-law, and one of my best friends and also a mother, Sarah.
And to top it off, a toast with mimosas. From Stephen: "To mothers and diapers, both of which have to deal with all of our shit!"
I thought I wouldn't have any mother's day at all. No way. I had the best mother's day EVER! And I officially have the best husband in the world (Sorry girls, I think this wins the prize!).
To all of the mothers who are in my life: I hope you had an excellent day, but more importantly I hope that you know how important you are and how much you influence and inspire everyone around you every day of the year. I would not be the mother that I am without learning love and compassion from my mom, wisdom and faith from my grandmother, patience and calm from my godmother/mother-in-law, and how to still be myself and have fun in life from my girlfriends. And thank you to Stephen, because without your support I would not survive motherhood. Period. Thank you to all.
I honestly don't know why she was upset. Probably because I stopped giving her food to take the picture.
Does this really need explanation?
Finally I found out Saturday morning. He helped me get up and get ready (including watching the baby while I took a long shower!), and told me that a bunch of my favorite moms were meeting me to get mani/pedis, and then we would all come back here to play with our kids and have a full brunch, which the dads were making and serving. WOW!!!!
So I met with my mom (who drove all the way from Vancouver just to surprise me), Stephen's mom (also my godmother; double bonus), Jen (who has shared motherhood with me from the very beginning), Jen's mother-in-law, and one of my best friends and also a mother, Sarah.
And to top it off, a toast with mimosas. From Stephen: "To mothers and diapers, both of which have to deal with all of our shit!"
I thought I wouldn't have any mother's day at all. No way. I had the best mother's day EVER! And I officially have the best husband in the world (Sorry girls, I think this wins the prize!).
To all of the mothers who are in my life: I hope you had an excellent day, but more importantly I hope that you know how important you are and how much you influence and inspire everyone around you every day of the year. I would not be the mother that I am without learning love and compassion from my mom, wisdom and faith from my grandmother, patience and calm from my godmother/mother-in-law, and how to still be myself and have fun in life from my girlfriends. And thank you to Stephen, because without your support I would not survive motherhood. Period. Thank you to all.
I honestly don't know why she was upset. Probably because I stopped giving her food to take the picture.
Does this really need explanation?
OK, something must have been REALLY funny! 
Road rage in its early stages
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Yes!!!
It finally happened! Dull dreadlocks dude was FINALLY voted off AI last night!! Wahoo!
My predictions for the next 2 weeks:
Sayesha will be voted off first
Then it will be the battle of the Davids
And as much as I LOVE David Cook
I think David Archuletta will take the top prize
We'll see if I'm right... =)
My predictions for the next 2 weeks:
Sayesha will be voted off first
Then it will be the battle of the Davids
And as much as I LOVE David Cook
I think David Archuletta will take the top prize
We'll see if I'm right... =)
Growing up in church
This last Sunday, Catherine and I went to mass together. It wasn't exactly the first time, but there's been only once or twice since her baptism over a year ago that we've gone. I've been talking myself out of it for months: the stress of getting her to be quiet and sitting still, chasing her around when she absolutely won't sit still, and not being able to enjoy the experience of mass that I'm used to.
Well, the experience definitely was different and stressful. She didn't want to sit at all and fussed all too much when I even tried to corral her in the pew. I think she liked it though. She liked all the other kids and the new faces. She loved exploring the new space, and was fascinated with the in-ground baptismal font. Of course, she wanted to play in the water and jump right in, but that's OK. That's what I was there for.
I still don't know about going every week. I like taking her, and it's so important to me that she gets the experience and grows up in the church, learning about God, faith, and love. I wish I would have realized when she was so much younger how easy it would have been to take her weekly. She was so much more "portable" then. We'll see. I need a bit of encouragement to keep at it, and hopefully I can get Stephen to come with me a few times.
Well, the experience definitely was different and stressful. She didn't want to sit at all and fussed all too much when I even tried to corral her in the pew. I think she liked it though. She liked all the other kids and the new faces. She loved exploring the new space, and was fascinated with the in-ground baptismal font. Of course, she wanted to play in the water and jump right in, but that's OK. That's what I was there for.
I still don't know about going every week. I like taking her, and it's so important to me that she gets the experience and grows up in the church, learning about God, faith, and love. I wish I would have realized when she was so much younger how easy it would have been to take her weekly. She was so much more "portable" then. We'll see. I need a bit of encouragement to keep at it, and hopefully I can get Stephen to come with me a few times.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
My baby can...
... say that she is now bigger than her cousin Toby (she weighs 28 lbs, Toby weighs 27 lbs)
... open the refrigerator by herself (oh Lord...)
... chew, chew, chew! She has 12 teeth now! 4 molars (one on each side, top and bottom), 4 upper front teeth, and 4 lower front teeth
... sign "please", "want", "eat", "milk", "monkey", "bird", "duck".
... blow kisses!
... nod her head, and in a really cute way. She hasn't completely mastered the neck action, so it's more of a full upper body nod. So cute!
... give the best hugs EVER, and she'll even give you a hug when you ask for one. Well, most of the time.
... put her shoes on by herself. OK, almost... she gets the concept though and will spend hours (one minute=one hour in toddler time, in case you didn't know) trying to put the shoes on her feet.
... reach the doorknob, and totally understands the purpose of it - we're only a step away from her opening doors by herself... again, oh Lord!
... wash her hands and brush her teeth all by herself - and she LOVES it! She actually will throw a mini-tantrum when we say "all done!" and usher her out of the bathroom.
... open the refrigerator by herself (oh Lord...)
... chew, chew, chew! She has 12 teeth now! 4 molars (one on each side, top and bottom), 4 upper front teeth, and 4 lower front teeth
... sign "please", "want", "eat", "milk", "monkey", "bird", "duck".
... blow kisses!
... nod her head, and in a really cute way. She hasn't completely mastered the neck action, so it's more of a full upper body nod. So cute!
... give the best hugs EVER, and she'll even give you a hug when you ask for one. Well, most of the time.
... put her shoes on by herself. OK, almost... she gets the concept though and will spend hours (one minute=one hour in toddler time, in case you didn't know) trying to put the shoes on her feet.
... reach the doorknob, and totally understands the purpose of it - we're only a step away from her opening doors by herself... again, oh Lord!
... wash her hands and brush her teeth all by herself - and she LOVES it! She actually will throw a mini-tantrum when we say "all done!" and usher her out of the bathroom.
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