Saturday, January 13, 2007
Rotavirus
Katrina caught a stomach bug from another little girl at day care, and the symptoms are showing in full force tonight. She got sick all over Ryan just as we were about to leave for the grocery store, and has thrown up/spit up several more times this evening.
We feel so helpless when she's sick. This is reminding me of when she first caught the rotavirus bug just about a year ago ... March 2006, when she was almost ten months old. Our poor little baby was so miserable. She had vomiting for several days followed by diarrhea which led to the rotavirus diagnosis. I remember she went from 16 pounds to 13 pounds in three days! If she lost any more weight she would have been hospitalized.
I pray she doesn't get that sick this time. The good news is that subsequent bouts of rotavirus tend to be not as bad as previous episodes. And there is a new vaccine called RotaTeq available for newborns and infants that protects against rotavirus. You can read about it in this Washington Post article. Please, moms and moms-to-be, get this vaccine for your babies. I can't tell you how scary rotavirus is. Most people think, "Oh, it's just a stomach bug," but it can quickly lead to weight loss and dehydration in infants and toddlers, which in turn leads to hospitalization and sadly, sometimes death. The RotaTeq vaccine came out after Katrina was past the age of getting it, but we are most definitely getting all of the rest of our babies vaccinated for rotavirus, and we'll encourage our friends to do the same.
We feel so helpless when she's sick. This is reminding me of when she first caught the rotavirus bug just about a year ago ... March 2006, when she was almost ten months old. Our poor little baby was so miserable. She had vomiting for several days followed by diarrhea which led to the rotavirus diagnosis. I remember she went from 16 pounds to 13 pounds in three days! If she lost any more weight she would have been hospitalized.
I pray she doesn't get that sick this time. The good news is that subsequent bouts of rotavirus tend to be not as bad as previous episodes. And there is a new vaccine called RotaTeq available for newborns and infants that protects against rotavirus. You can read about it in this Washington Post article. Please, moms and moms-to-be, get this vaccine for your babies. I can't tell you how scary rotavirus is. Most people think, "Oh, it's just a stomach bug," but it can quickly lead to weight loss and dehydration in infants and toddlers, which in turn leads to hospitalization and sadly, sometimes death. The RotaTeq vaccine came out after Katrina was past the age of getting it, but we are most definitely getting all of the rest of our babies vaccinated for rotavirus, and we'll encourage our friends to do the same.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
I can see clearly now!
The rain IS gone (and the snow flurries, too), but I hope tomorrow's not too much of a bright, sunny day because I'm still light-sensitive. Yes, folks, I survived laser eye surgery. My surgery lasted all of maybe five minutes (seriously) and I was on my way home less than an hour after I arrived at the vision center. Immediately I noticed improvement ... I could see the ceiling tiles in the surgery room! And I could see down the hall through the recovery room door. The irritation and light-sensitivity kicked in about 15 minutes after surgery, and that was rough. I wore those dorky sunglasses they give, plus I had my eyes closed, plus I held my coat over my head to block any light. I slept for about two hours and awoke to find the numbing drops had worn off. Ouch. But the steroid drops they gave for post-op care help a lot, and by 4:00 yesterday afternoon (6 hours after surgery), I felt GREAT! I could see fine, the achiness was gone, and I honestly felt like nothing had been done to my eyes. (Except that I could see without glasses or contacts.) So, if you are at all thinking about getting it done, I highly encourage it! It's been great!
We put Katrina's mattress back in her crib for the past few nights because Ryan was back in Colorado and we didn't want to try to deal with her getting up all the time. Just tonight I moved her back to her toddler bed, and sure enough she got up after I put her to bed. I ignored her for about 20 minutes (which is hard ... she's so darn cute!), then my friend Trish told me about Super Nanny. I seriously don't watch much television, but good ol' Google pointed me in the right direction. I'm not the only parent who struggles to keep their toddler in bed: http://www.supernanny.us.com/Advice/-/Parenting-Skills/-/Routine-and-Teamwork/Getting-Toddlers-to-Stay-in-Bed.aspx
A huge 'thank you' to Trish for sending me help just when I needed it! (Don't you think Trish would be a good mom? I think so.) :)
We put Katrina's mattress back in her crib for the past few nights because Ryan was back in Colorado and we didn't want to try to deal with her getting up all the time. Just tonight I moved her back to her toddler bed, and sure enough she got up after I put her to bed. I ignored her for about 20 minutes (which is hard ... she's so darn cute!), then my friend Trish told me about Super Nanny. I seriously don't watch much television, but good ol' Google pointed me in the right direction. I'm not the only parent who struggles to keep their toddler in bed: http://www.supernanny.us.com/Advice/-/Parenting-Skills/-/Routine-and-Teamwork/Getting-Toddlers-to-Stay-in-Bed.aspx
A huge 'thank you' to Trish for sending me help just when I needed it! (Don't you think Trish would be a good mom? I think so.) :)
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Bed Time at the Herberts
Wow, it's been awhile since I posted last! Highlights of the last two months:
- We traveled to Illinois for both Thanksgiving and Christmas; flew at Thanksgiving and drove for Christmas.
- Katrina moved from a crib to a toddler bed just before Thanksgiving.
- We wrapped up the State Department proposal at work on December 6 with an oral presentation. Hopefully we'll hear in March if we won an award, but then again, this has been the procurement from hell (originally due in July 2005, finally submitted 2nd printing in October 2005 only to be destroyed and reopened for oral proposals in December 2006)
- My friends from church (Jackie, Debbie and Lenora ... none have blogs, but Lenora does have a Creative Memories page) and I went to Super Suppers in December and it was a blast! I had to laugh when I read Jaime Bartling's post, because she wrote almost exactly what I had in mind! Except that Ryan doesn't care for cooking, like her Andy does.
- I had a great conversation with my boss just before Ryan and I left for IL for Christmas ... kind of an annual review, but not technically since I didn't fill out my portion ahead of time like I was supposed to do. Gordon was super sweet and encouraging and had a lot of great things to say ... which only confused me more. I so don't know what I want to do about working vs. staying home.
- There's some exciting news I want to tell you but I can't, not until after January 22nd or so. :)
- I'm getting my eyes fixed on Tuesday! LASIK surgery, that is. And of course, Ryan has to go to Colorado Sunday through Wednesday. My friend Laura is going to pick me up from the surgery instead.
- I'm also heading to Florida at the end of this month for the annual Children's Pastors' Conference. Some of you may remember I went in 2004. Our church is sending me again, along with my friend Jackie. We are very excited! (And yes, Sara, it's at Disney World!)
- Call me "Soccer Mom" - we bought a minivan! It's a 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan, light blue with Stow-n-Go seats and power sliding doors. I love it!!! It made driving to Illinois (a 14 hour trip) very nice.
Ummmm, that's about it. Life has be busy around here, but I'm not sure what we've been doing! It's good to be home after traveling. It's bedtime, but Katrina is refusing to stay in her bed. She's not crying or anything ... she just keeps getting back up and walking to the baby gate. Then she stands there until one of us takes pity on her. (This has been going on for 30 minutes.) This is so not like her! And of course Ryan and I are exhausted from traveling yesterday and can't wait to get to bed. So sleepy ....
- We traveled to Illinois for both Thanksgiving and Christmas; flew at Thanksgiving and drove for Christmas.
- Katrina moved from a crib to a toddler bed just before Thanksgiving.
- We wrapped up the State Department proposal at work on December 6 with an oral presentation. Hopefully we'll hear in March if we won an award, but then again, this has been the procurement from hell (originally due in July 2005, finally submitted 2nd printing in October 2005 only to be destroyed and reopened for oral proposals in December 2006)
- My friends from church (Jackie, Debbie and Lenora ... none have blogs, but Lenora does have a Creative Memories page) and I went to Super Suppers in December and it was a blast! I had to laugh when I read Jaime Bartling's post, because she wrote almost exactly what I had in mind! Except that Ryan doesn't care for cooking, like her Andy does.
- I had a great conversation with my boss just before Ryan and I left for IL for Christmas ... kind of an annual review, but not technically since I didn't fill out my portion ahead of time like I was supposed to do. Gordon was super sweet and encouraging and had a lot of great things to say ... which only confused me more. I so don't know what I want to do about working vs. staying home.
- There's some exciting news I want to tell you but I can't, not until after January 22nd or so. :)
- I'm getting my eyes fixed on Tuesday! LASIK surgery, that is. And of course, Ryan has to go to Colorado Sunday through Wednesday. My friend Laura is going to pick me up from the surgery instead.
- I'm also heading to Florida at the end of this month for the annual Children's Pastors' Conference. Some of you may remember I went in 2004. Our church is sending me again, along with my friend Jackie. We are very excited! (And yes, Sara, it's at Disney World!)
- Call me "Soccer Mom" - we bought a minivan! It's a 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan, light blue with Stow-n-Go seats and power sliding doors. I love it!!! It made driving to Illinois (a 14 hour trip) very nice.
Ummmm, that's about it. Life has be busy around here, but I'm not sure what we've been doing! It's good to be home after traveling. It's bedtime, but Katrina is refusing to stay in her bed. She's not crying or anything ... she just keeps getting back up and walking to the baby gate. Then she stands there until one of us takes pity on her. (This has been going on for 30 minutes.) This is so not like her! And of course Ryan and I are exhausted from traveling yesterday and can't wait to get to bed. So sleepy ....
Monday, November 13, 2006
Stupid carpoolers.
Scene:
9:54 p.m.
Me - at the office finishing up for a meeting tomorrow
Ryan - stuck in Virginia, thanks to a guy in his carpool who worked five hours later than planned
Katrina - asleep in her stroller in the conference room of my office
Did I mention Davis had her tail amputated today? And that she's at home, overdue for her pain medication by two hours.
Did I mention I still need to go to the store to get food for tomorrow's meeting?
Did I mention I still have to review our children's handbook for presentation for approval at the executive committee meeting tomorrow night?
Did I mention I am NOT in a good mood??!!!
9:54 p.m.
Me - at the office finishing up for a meeting tomorrow
Ryan - stuck in Virginia, thanks to a guy in his carpool who worked five hours later than planned
Katrina - asleep in her stroller in the conference room of my office
Did I mention Davis had her tail amputated today? And that she's at home, overdue for her pain medication by two hours.
Did I mention I still need to go to the store to get food for tomorrow's meeting?
Did I mention I still have to review our children's handbook for presentation for approval at the executive committee meeting tomorrow night?
Did I mention I am NOT in a good mood??!!!
Davis is about to lose her tail.
Warning: if you have a weak stomach or are sensitive to animal stories, do not read this post.
I just got back from taking Davis (one of our two cats) to the emergency veterinary hospital. While petting her tonight, I felt something ... moist ... on her tail. I thought it was stool (a la Avery - our other cat often gets stool particles stuck in his enormous hairy tail), but saw it was blood when I looked at my hand. Ryan examined her tail and found that approximately 1.5 inches of skin had been peeled back. We called the local emergency hospital and they said to bring her in. There, the vet informed me that it's a 'degloving' wound and may have actually happened yesterday, based on the dried edges of the wound. Poor kitty. We had no idea. :( The vet also said the tail wounds are poor healers, and she recommended amputating the tail from just below the wound (about halfway up the tail). She did leave it up to our regular vet's discretion, though. She said the wound was not life-threatening and could wait until morning. They shaved the area a little (not much - Davis wasn't cooperative), applied antibiotic ointment, as well as gave her an antibiotic shot and pain medicine. With strict instructions to call our regular vet first thing in the morning, we are home.
I'll spare you any photos. I had a hard time not gagging at the vet hospital during the exam tonight. Right now Davis seems to be doing well, if you don't notice the dangling length of tail. The pain medicine might make her disoriented, so we're not supposed to let her near stairs tonight. We're going to keep her in my computer room, just to be safe. Even with the baby gate closed at the top of the stairs, I'm afraid she might try to jump over the banister like she usually does and fall and hurt herself worse.
I'm thinking I am so not ready to be a parent. Yes, I know we have an 18-month old daughter (today, actually - happy eighteen-month birthday to Katrina!). But I'm so emotional about my cat's tail! I can't imagine what I will be like when Katrina has her first real wound.
I just got back from taking Davis (one of our two cats) to the emergency veterinary hospital. While petting her tonight, I felt something ... moist ... on her tail. I thought it was stool (a la Avery - our other cat often gets stool particles stuck in his enormous hairy tail), but saw it was blood when I looked at my hand. Ryan examined her tail and found that approximately 1.5 inches of skin had been peeled back. We called the local emergency hospital and they said to bring her in. There, the vet informed me that it's a 'degloving' wound and may have actually happened yesterday, based on the dried edges of the wound. Poor kitty. We had no idea. :( The vet also said the tail wounds are poor healers, and she recommended amputating the tail from just below the wound (about halfway up the tail). She did leave it up to our regular vet's discretion, though. She said the wound was not life-threatening and could wait until morning. They shaved the area a little (not much - Davis wasn't cooperative), applied antibiotic ointment, as well as gave her an antibiotic shot and pain medicine. With strict instructions to call our regular vet first thing in the morning, we are home.
I'll spare you any photos. I had a hard time not gagging at the vet hospital during the exam tonight. Right now Davis seems to be doing well, if you don't notice the dangling length of tail. The pain medicine might make her disoriented, so we're not supposed to let her near stairs tonight. We're going to keep her in my computer room, just to be safe. Even with the baby gate closed at the top of the stairs, I'm afraid she might try to jump over the banister like she usually does and fall and hurt herself worse.
I'm thinking I am so not ready to be a parent. Yes, I know we have an 18-month old daughter (today, actually - happy eighteen-month birthday to Katrina!). But I'm so emotional about my cat's tail! I can't imagine what I will be like when Katrina has her first real wound.
Monday, November 06, 2006
Now I understand.
I've always wondered how just one shoe of a pair ends up alongside the road. Now I understand. You see, it happened to us. :) We had a campaign dinner for church at the Holiday Inn Saturday night, with childcare provided at a pediatrician's office nearby. (The husband of the lady who headed up the event is the head of a pediatric group.) We got to the place to drop off Katrina when I noticed only one of her shoes was in the car. Ryan had set the other one on top of the car while buckling Katrina in ... and drove away. :) So Saturday night (in 30 degree weather, while the baby slept in her crib) we walked up and down our road looking for her shoe. We found it! It was on the opposite side of the road, slightly smashed, but still wearable. We spent forty minutes looking for a $9 shoe. (Actually, it was a $4.50 shoe. The pair was $9.)
God's been working on me and my attitude lately. Friday I was surprised to get an e-mail response from a coworker-friend that was a little strained. I talked with my manager, and he spoke some truth that I was totally oblivious to ... I've been coming across as rude and rather insensitive to two people in a specific department lately. :( I've been pushing a proofreading issue to them and they finally had enough, I guess. The more I thought about it and talked through it (and prayed!), I realized I've been pushing the wrong issue. I thought I was being unappreciated and ignored because of what was happening, and so I kept bringing up a certain problem. The ladies of the department did appreciate the proofreading I was providing to them, but not the way I was presenting it. I e-mailed them both on Friday to apologize and said that I'd like to talk to them more and hopefully find some ways to communicate better.
Carol (another coworker) has said all along that it's not what you commuincate, it's HOW you communicate, and she is so right. (I call her our wise office sage.) And I was SO surrounded by it all weekend, too. Sunday Pastor Paul preached about speaking the truth in love. He said all truth is harsh and hurtful, while all love is gushy and not necessarily helpful. It's important to find the right balance of truth and love. Then Sunday during Sunday School a lady apologized for pushing an issue where she thought she was right and that her way had to be the only way; she said she realized later she was wrong for forcing her way. Then Sunday night (I told you I was surrounded!) we were talking in small group about love and respect and one of the people in the group reminded us of a quote from early in the book we read. The quote was from the author's wife, and she said something to her husband like, "You may be right, but at the top of your voice, you are wrong." She was saying that it's HOW he was communicating that was hurting her, not what he was saying. That's where I was wrong, and I was totally blind to it, too. I was upset and frustrated that I was being ignored and unappreciated (as I perceived it), which was not true.
I know I have a long way to go in terms of interpersonal relationships. I'm so thankful for the friends who love me unconditionally! And honestly, I'm glad for the friends/coworkers/fellow church people who grate my nerves some times and I'm glad for the people whose nerves I grate and they tell me. I'm not perfect, that's for sure, and we all need shaping and molding in personality and communication.
And just for clarification, I AM NOT PREGNANT. :) Yes, I did post below that we are thinking about adding a sibling for Katrina, but not necessarily this very moment. I'll let you know when we're pregnant. We're not now. (It was so embarrassing! On Friday when I went to my boss for advice, I jokingly started the conversation with, "I'm not pregnant." And he said, "Ahh. I was going to ask. I heard a rumor." WHAT?!?! He may have been teasing, but still. I was so embarrassed!)
I better post this before Blogger decides to short curcuit and lose everything I've written. I leave you with this: fall family pictures. If you live in the Frederick area, give Sarah Spielvogel a call. She's great! (Leah, even though you don't quite live in Frederick, I bet she would head down your way. Think of the fun pictures she could take of your boys!)
God's been working on me and my attitude lately. Friday I was surprised to get an e-mail response from a coworker-friend that was a little strained. I talked with my manager, and he spoke some truth that I was totally oblivious to ... I've been coming across as rude and rather insensitive to two people in a specific department lately. :( I've been pushing a proofreading issue to them and they finally had enough, I guess. The more I thought about it and talked through it (and prayed!), I realized I've been pushing the wrong issue. I thought I was being unappreciated and ignored because of what was happening, and so I kept bringing up a certain problem. The ladies of the department did appreciate the proofreading I was providing to them, but not the way I was presenting it. I e-mailed them both on Friday to apologize and said that I'd like to talk to them more and hopefully find some ways to communicate better.
Carol (another coworker) has said all along that it's not what you commuincate, it's HOW you communicate, and she is so right. (I call her our wise office sage.) And I was SO surrounded by it all weekend, too. Sunday Pastor Paul preached about speaking the truth in love. He said all truth is harsh and hurtful, while all love is gushy and not necessarily helpful. It's important to find the right balance of truth and love. Then Sunday during Sunday School a lady apologized for pushing an issue where she thought she was right and that her way had to be the only way; she said she realized later she was wrong for forcing her way. Then Sunday night (I told you I was surrounded!) we were talking in small group about love and respect and one of the people in the group reminded us of a quote from early in the book we read. The quote was from the author's wife, and she said something to her husband like, "You may be right, but at the top of your voice, you are wrong." She was saying that it's HOW he was communicating that was hurting her, not what he was saying. That's where I was wrong, and I was totally blind to it, too. I was upset and frustrated that I was being ignored and unappreciated (as I perceived it), which was not true.
I know I have a long way to go in terms of interpersonal relationships. I'm so thankful for the friends who love me unconditionally! And honestly, I'm glad for the friends/coworkers/fellow church people who grate my nerves some times and I'm glad for the people whose nerves I grate and they tell me. I'm not perfect, that's for sure, and we all need shaping and molding in personality and communication.
And just for clarification, I AM NOT PREGNANT. :) Yes, I did post below that we are thinking about adding a sibling for Katrina, but not necessarily this very moment. I'll let you know when we're pregnant. We're not now. (It was so embarrassing! On Friday when I went to my boss for advice, I jokingly started the conversation with, "I'm not pregnant." And he said, "Ahh. I was going to ask. I heard a rumor." WHAT?!?! He may have been teasing, but still. I was so embarrassed!)
I better post this before Blogger decides to short curcuit and lose everything I've written. I leave you with this: fall family pictures. If you live in the Frederick area, give Sarah Spielvogel a call. She's great! (Leah, even though you don't quite live in Frederick, I bet she would head down your way. Think of the fun pictures she could take of your boys!)
Monday, October 30, 2006
Updated Gallery
Check out new photos in the gallery:
August 2006 - http://xar.us/gallery/August-2006
September 2006 - http://xar.us/gallery/September-2006
October 2006 - http://xar.us/gallery/October-2006
(October includes pictures from this weekend of Katrina in her bunny costume and playing pool.)
August 2006 - http://xar.us/gallery/August-2006
September 2006 - http://xar.us/gallery/September-2006
October 2006 - http://xar.us/gallery/October-2006
(October includes pictures from this weekend of Katrina in her bunny costume and playing pool.)
Sunday, October 22, 2006
BIG NEWS!!
I've had this post floating around in my head for almost two weeks now. I can't believe it's taken me this long to finally share the news. (Leah, I'm sorry if you heard it from Laura first - I've been meaning to call you!)
Our big news is ... Katrina is walking!! Finally! :) She basically just stood up and walked one day. Elaine, our regular daycare provider, was closed on Columbus Day, so Laura graciously watched Katrina for us. Laura IMed me about an hour after I dropped off Katrina and said, "You didn't tell me your daughter is walking." I replied, "She didn't tell me she is walking!!" Laura said Katrina sat watching her homeschool Cayden, slid to the edge of the furniture, stood up, and walked over to them. Yay!!!!! I was beginning to think Katrina was going to be the only 5-year old to crawl into kindergarten. Okay, maybe not that drastic, but she was four days shy of being 17-months old when she finally decided to walk. We were getting some pressure from the pediatrician to start her in physical therapy, since she wasn't walkng by 15-months. It's funny, in a way. Since she waited so long to walk, she's really good at it. I mean, she still stumbles every now and then, but she mastered leaning over to pick up things about two days after she started walking. Now she toddles around the house, picks up imaginary pieces of dirt from the floor, and brings them to me.
She is also talking a lot more in the last two weeks. I wonder if she was concentrating so hard on walking that talking kind of came in second place. Now that she's walking with ease, she's started saying at least three new words this week alone. She says "shoe-shoe" for both shoes and socks, "okay" even when she doesn't mean it, and the dreaded "no." But she doesn't speak "no" and mean it ... if you ask her if she loves you, she'll say "no" then smile. If she really doesn't want something, she still shakes her head no. And she's nodding now, too! This is such a fun age.
I'm pondering another child. Katrina is 17 months old. I have a Mirena IUD, so if I had it removed now, we'd want to wait approximately 3 months before trying to get pregnant again. (Assuming I get pregnant right away, which my doctor assures me I shouldn't have problems getting pregnant. She (my doctor) refers to me as "Fertile Myrtle" since I got pregnant on birth control.) So Katrina would be 29-ish months (2 1/2) when the baby came. Ryan and I have talked about having our kids three (3) years apart, but that seems so far away right now. Of course, I still haven't figured out what I want to do when I grow up (work/stay at home/get ordained/do it all), so adding another child to the equation probably wouldn't be a good idea right now.
Yikes! It's past 10:30 and I have to work tomorrow. Ryan is in Colorado but comes home tomorrow ... I'm so glad!! I want to get into work early (well, earlier than I have been recently) so I can get home and make dinner for when he gets home from the airport.
Also, please pray for our friends Leah and Mark. Leah e-mailed last night to say:
So we just heard from Mark's mom that his older cousin, Judy, was killed in a car accident this afternoon. Her husband was with her and is in critical condition in the hospital. They were on their way from their home in eastern Colorado to Pueblo where their Grandma, aunts/uncles, and Judy's sister lives. They have two boys, a 19-year-old who is in Iraq and a 16-year-old at home. Seems like she was in her mid to late 40s. Please pray for them and for Rory's recovery.
Our big news is ... Katrina is walking!! Finally! :) She basically just stood up and walked one day. Elaine, our regular daycare provider, was closed on Columbus Day, so Laura graciously watched Katrina for us. Laura IMed me about an hour after I dropped off Katrina and said, "You didn't tell me your daughter is walking." I replied, "She didn't tell me she is walking!!" Laura said Katrina sat watching her homeschool Cayden, slid to the edge of the furniture, stood up, and walked over to them. Yay!!!!! I was beginning to think Katrina was going to be the only 5-year old to crawl into kindergarten. Okay, maybe not that drastic, but she was four days shy of being 17-months old when she finally decided to walk. We were getting some pressure from the pediatrician to start her in physical therapy, since she wasn't walkng by 15-months. It's funny, in a way. Since she waited so long to walk, she's really good at it. I mean, she still stumbles every now and then, but she mastered leaning over to pick up things about two days after she started walking. Now she toddles around the house, picks up imaginary pieces of dirt from the floor, and brings them to me.
She is also talking a lot more in the last two weeks. I wonder if she was concentrating so hard on walking that talking kind of came in second place. Now that she's walking with ease, she's started saying at least three new words this week alone. She says "shoe-shoe" for both shoes and socks, "okay" even when she doesn't mean it, and the dreaded "no." But she doesn't speak "no" and mean it ... if you ask her if she loves you, she'll say "no" then smile. If she really doesn't want something, she still shakes her head no. And she's nodding now, too! This is such a fun age.
I'm pondering another child. Katrina is 17 months old. I have a Mirena IUD, so if I had it removed now, we'd want to wait approximately 3 months before trying to get pregnant again. (Assuming I get pregnant right away, which my doctor assures me I shouldn't have problems getting pregnant. She (my doctor) refers to me as "Fertile Myrtle" since I got pregnant on birth control.) So Katrina would be 29-ish months (2 1/2) when the baby came. Ryan and I have talked about having our kids three (3) years apart, but that seems so far away right now. Of course, I still haven't figured out what I want to do when I grow up (work/stay at home/get ordained/do it all), so adding another child to the equation probably wouldn't be a good idea right now.
Yikes! It's past 10:30 and I have to work tomorrow. Ryan is in Colorado but comes home tomorrow ... I'm so glad!! I want to get into work early (well, earlier than I have been recently) so I can get home and make dinner for when he gets home from the airport.
Also, please pray for our friends Leah and Mark. Leah e-mailed last night to say:
So we just heard from Mark's mom that his older cousin, Judy, was killed in a car accident this afternoon. Her husband was with her and is in critical condition in the hospital. They were on their way from their home in eastern Colorado to Pueblo where their Grandma, aunts/uncles, and Judy's sister lives. They have two boys, a 19-year-old who is in Iraq and a 16-year-old at home. Seems like she was in her mid to late 40s. Please pray for them and for Rory's recovery.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Monday, September 25, 2006
I saw a sign tonight that made me think of Erika Upchurch. It read,
FREE
HIGHS PEE
INTERNET
Obviously someone with a rather immature sense of humor was having fun with "Free Highspeed Internet" ... although I did have to read it a few times to understand it.
(The sign was at a hotel. That's why I thought of Erika.)
FREE
HIGHS PEE
INTERNET
Obviously someone with a rather immature sense of humor was having fun with "Free Highspeed Internet" ... although I did have to read it a few times to understand it.
(The sign was at a hotel. That's why I thought of Erika.)
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Random Concerns
Ryan and I have noticed an interesting habit of Katrina's lately. When it's time for bed, we get her in pajamas, brush her teeth, turn on a CD, and lay her in bed. And she is instantly quiet ... doesn't make a peep. At first we thought, "What a great baby! We are so blessed." Friends would comment on how she goes to sleep so quietly. But now we're noticing that she's almost ... scared. Zombie like. Tonight I walked in her room to replace the trash can (Sunday's trash night at our house) and she was laying in her crib with her eyes open. She used to sit up in bed if she was awake and one of us walked in, but now she just lays there. (Lies there? I never remember the difference.) Ryan commented on it yesterday. He put her down for a nap and she instantly was silent once she was in her bed. We don't know if it's her personality coming out, or if she's overly tired and is exhausted by bedtime. Or if it's something in response to naptime at Elaine's (her daycare provider).
Speaking of, we've noticed that it sounds like Katrina is saying sh*t. As in, "Oh, sh*t." I know I say "shoot" a lot, so maybe she's repeating that. One thing is for sure, we don't say the other word! I suspect if she is saying the swear word that she's picking it up at the babysitter, but I don't know for sure.
Sundays are now FOOTBALL days at our house. This is the time that I say we have no social life ... for sixteen weeks we leave immediately after church to get home for the one o'clock kickoff. Here's a fun picture of Katrina and Daddy watching football tonight:

(Yes, she's wearing dinosour pajamas. Daddy got them for her.)
And she PEED in the potty tonight!! Yay!!!!! I didn't take any pictures of that, though. :) We, okay, I, read a great book called Early Start Potty Training by Linda Sonna. It talks a lot about potty training from infancy, which I'm not into, but has a great section on potty training young toddlers (15 - 18 month old), which does interest me. The sooner Katrina is out of diapers, the happier we will be!
(No, she's not walking yet. She's close, though! She started standing up on her own more. Hopefully unassisted steps will soon follow.)
Ummmmm, that's about it. It's almost 11:30 p.m.! I need to carry the recycling down to the end of the lane and go to bed! Goodnight. :)
Speaking of, we've noticed that it sounds like Katrina is saying sh*t. As in, "Oh, sh*t." I know I say "shoot" a lot, so maybe she's repeating that. One thing is for sure, we don't say the other word! I suspect if she is saying the swear word that she's picking it up at the babysitter, but I don't know for sure.
Sundays are now FOOTBALL days at our house. This is the time that I say we have no social life ... for sixteen weeks we leave immediately after church to get home for the one o'clock kickoff. Here's a fun picture of Katrina and Daddy watching football tonight:

(Yes, she's wearing dinosour pajamas. Daddy got them for her.)
And she PEED in the potty tonight!! Yay!!!!! I didn't take any pictures of that, though. :) We, okay, I, read a great book called Early Start Potty Training by Linda Sonna. It talks a lot about potty training from infancy, which I'm not into, but has a great section on potty training young toddlers (15 - 18 month old), which does interest me. The sooner Katrina is out of diapers, the happier we will be!
(No, she's not walking yet. She's close, though! She started standing up on her own more. Hopefully unassisted steps will soon follow.)
Ummmmm, that's about it. It's almost 11:30 p.m.! I need to carry the recycling down to the end of the lane and go to bed! Goodnight. :)
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Friday, September 08, 2006
M-i-c-k-e-y ....
Found a great deal for a Disney vacation. Anybody interested in going? Maybe if somebody else wants to go, then I can convince Ryan. :)
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Sunday, August 20, 2006
DS Lite
Gah. So I got Ryan the DS for his birthday/anniversary and gave it to him on ... late Wednesday night (that's when he gave me his anniversary present to me). I'm TERRIBLE at waiting to give gifts, and I knew I couldn't wait a stinking week to give him his b-day gift. Plus I semi-suspected that he was going to get me a DS for my birthday (he tends to give me gifts he wants) and I wasn't going to let him ruin another gift (like the time I got him a PS2 and he got it from Sycamore, or the time I got him a glass chess set and he got one from friends, etc. etc.). I also purchased Brain Age, because I thought we'd both like it. Ryan made fun of me for getting excited when the game wished me a happy birthday today, but I thought it was fun. Anyway, long story short, it's nearly 11:00 p.m. and he's awake playing Brain Age!!! In fact, he just showed me where he beat me at something and it said, "You did better than Lexa today!" What have I done?!?!
Stupid husbands beating me at a brain game. Er, husband. I have only one.
On another random note, do you all use MySpace? It's funny, really. I made a profile awhile back when my April told me she used it, but not much happened ... only a few people 'asked' to be my friend (mostly Apey's sisters and Trish and Marte; and Tom ... who the heck is Tom?!). But now all the sudden all kinds of people are asking to be my friend!! Er, well, it's people I know, like from high school and Olivet, but still, it's weird. Oh, well. :)
Stupid husbands beating me at a brain game. Er, husband. I have only one.
On another random note, do you all use MySpace? It's funny, really. I made a profile awhile back when my April told me she used it, but not much happened ... only a few people 'asked' to be my friend (mostly Apey's sisters and Trish and Marte; and Tom ... who the heck is Tom?!). But now all the sudden all kinds of people are asking to be my friend!! Er, well, it's people I know, like from high school and Olivet, but still, it's weird. Oh, well. :)
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Can you name 21 people you think of right off the top of your head? This means, do them at random. Don't read the questions underneath until you write the names of all 21 people.
*this is a lot funnier if you actually list the names first!! No cheating!!!*
1. Ryan
2. Katrina
3. Trish
4. Sidra
5. Ma
6. Leea
7. Lalena
8. Davis
9. Carol
10. Mel
11. Donna
12. Donna (from preschool)
13. Ginny Quay
14. Ted Quay
15. Allison Paradise
16. Jenn (Trish's sister)
17. Gail
18. Carl
19. Shawna
20. Bobby
21. Laura Reynolds
Now answer the questions according to the names listed below
THE QUESTIONS:
How did you meet 10?
She works for Sycamore - I first met her at a Syc event.
What would you do if you had never met 6?
I don't think I can really answer that since she is my sister.
What would you do if 20 and 15 dated?
Whoa. That would be weird. Bobby might not be my brother-in-law, then!
Have you ever seen 4 cry?
I'm pretty sure I have. (I miss you, Marte!)
Would 4 and 12 make a good couple?
Uh, no.
Would number 1 and 2 make a good couple?
That would be incest.
Describe number 8
Cute as a kitten, a little crabby in her older age. Likes to lash out at small children.
Do you like 12?
Not really. She's the main reason I quit teaching.
Do you think 21 is attractive:
I like her freckles and red hair.
Tell something about 17.
She is an amazing woman of God. I'm blessed to have her as a mother-in-law and as Katrina's grandma. What a heritage!
What's 7's favorite color?
It was purple, when we were younger.
What would you do if 1 just confessed they liked you?
Probably be shocked, but only because that's not like Ryan to say stuff like that. :)
When was the last time you talked to number 19?
This morning!! She and Gail and Carl just left this morning after staying at our house for a week.
What language does 13 speak?
English. And medical-ese. (She works in a doctor's office, I think.)
Who is 2 going out with?
Better be nobody! She's too young!!
What grade is 16 in?
I think she's done with school.
What is 5's favorite music?
Ma likes Peter, Paul and Mary; Neil Diamond; Michael Crawford; etc.
Would you ever date number 7?
She's my sister!!
Would you ever date 1?
Ype - we're going on a date tomorrow night, as a matter of fact.
Is 11 single?
Npe, she's married. Multiple times.
What is 10s last name?
Wilson
Would you ever want to be in a serious relationship with 3?
If you mean dating her, heck no! That's gross! (No offense.)
Where does 18 live?
With number 17.
What do you think about 20?
He's so much like Ryan that it's scary.
What is the best thing about 4?
If this world runs out of lovers, we'll still have each other.
What would you like to tell 14 right now?
Get better soon! (He just had double-bypass surgery this morning.)
where did you meet 9?
She's also a Sycamore employee. I'm sure I met her at a Syc event when Ryan and I were dating, but I don't remember which one. Now I can't imagine not talking to her every day!
Are you going to know 15 forever!?
I suppose so. She's been on my mind all day today - the girl gang has been e-mailing back and forth today about Homecoming.
*this is a lot funnier if you actually list the names first!! No cheating!!!*
1. Ryan
2. Katrina
3. Trish
4. Sidra
5. Ma
6. Leea
7. Lalena
8. Davis
9. Carol
10. Mel
11. Donna
12. Donna (from preschool)
13. Ginny Quay
14. Ted Quay
15. Allison Paradise
16. Jenn (Trish's sister)
17. Gail
18. Carl
19. Shawna
20. Bobby
21. Laura Reynolds
Now answer the questions according to the names listed below
THE QUESTIONS:
How did you meet 10?
She works for Sycamore - I first met her at a Syc event.
What would you do if you had never met 6?
I don't think I can really answer that since she is my sister.
What would you do if 20 and 15 dated?
Whoa. That would be weird. Bobby might not be my brother-in-law, then!
Have you ever seen 4 cry?
I'm pretty sure I have. (I miss you, Marte!)
Would 4 and 12 make a good couple?
Uh, no.
Would number 1 and 2 make a good couple?
That would be incest.
Describe number 8
Cute as a kitten, a little crabby in her older age. Likes to lash out at small children.
Do you like 12?
Not really. She's the main reason I quit teaching.
Do you think 21 is attractive:
I like her freckles and red hair.
Tell something about 17.
She is an amazing woman of God. I'm blessed to have her as a mother-in-law and as Katrina's grandma. What a heritage!
What's 7's favorite color?
It was purple, when we were younger.
What would you do if 1 just confessed they liked you?
Probably be shocked, but only because that's not like Ryan to say stuff like that. :)
When was the last time you talked to number 19?
This morning!! She and Gail and Carl just left this morning after staying at our house for a week.
What language does 13 speak?
English. And medical-ese. (She works in a doctor's office, I think.)
Who is 2 going out with?
Better be nobody! She's too young!!
What grade is 16 in?
I think she's done with school.
What is 5's favorite music?
Ma likes Peter, Paul and Mary; Neil Diamond; Michael Crawford; etc.
Would you ever date number 7?
She's my sister!!
Would you ever date 1?
Ype - we're going on a date tomorrow night, as a matter of fact.
Is 11 single?
Npe, she's married. Multiple times.
What is 10s last name?
Wilson
Would you ever want to be in a serious relationship with 3?
If you mean dating her, heck no! That's gross! (No offense.)
Where does 18 live?
With number 17.
What do you think about 20?
He's so much like Ryan that it's scary.
What is the best thing about 4?
If this world runs out of lovers, we'll still have each other.
What would you like to tell 14 right now?
Get better soon! (He just had double-bypass surgery this morning.)
where did you meet 9?
She's also a Sycamore employee. I'm sure I met her at a Syc event when Ryan and I were dating, but I don't remember which one. Now I can't imagine not talking to her every day!
Are you going to know 15 forever!?
I suppose so. She's been on my mind all day today - the girl gang has been e-mailing back and forth today about Homecoming.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Yipee!!!
The pediatrician just called and Katrina's lab results for this month are in ... her iron levels are rising and the celiac tests came back negative!!
Monday, July 17, 2006
A Love of Bananas
This is what happens when I leave our daughter alone for a few moments.

I was back in the computer room looking up an address and Katrina was playing in the living room, or so I thought. I came back to find her with a pair of bananas in her hands. Upon closer inspection, I found that she had already eaten half of one of the bananas ... peel and all! She loves bananas and most fruit, especially nectarines and mangoes. (More about the mangoes later.) Yesterday morning she ate two whole nectarines by herself, yet she doesn't like peaches. I love peaches! I don't get how she can like nectarines but not peaches.
I posted some other recent pictures of Katrina here: http://xar.us/gallery/Katrina-14-months-July-2006
We got some couches at Costco this weekend! Er, well, a couch and a loveseat. They are dark brown leather - for the basement. Now I just have to convince Ryan that the walls would look good if painted orange. :) And we also got a Love Sac! It's a funny name for a huge bean bag. We got it in a medium brown suede cover so that it will coordinate with the basement couches and the living room furniture (which are a sage-y green color).
After I took the bananas away from Katrina and looked for something else for her to eat, she reached in the grocery sack on the floor and found a mango. And proceeded to eat it, flesh and all, too. She loves to eat the lemon wedges that come as garnish at restaurants and will often eat the whole thing - fruit and rind. I guess it's time we teach her to peel her fruit first. :)

I was back in the computer room looking up an address and Katrina was playing in the living room, or so I thought. I came back to find her with a pair of bananas in her hands. Upon closer inspection, I found that she had already eaten half of one of the bananas ... peel and all! She loves bananas and most fruit, especially nectarines and mangoes. (More about the mangoes later.) Yesterday morning she ate two whole nectarines by herself, yet she doesn't like peaches. I love peaches! I don't get how she can like nectarines but not peaches.
I posted some other recent pictures of Katrina here: http://xar.us/gallery/Katrina-14-months-July-2006
We got some couches at Costco this weekend! Er, well, a couch and a loveseat. They are dark brown leather - for the basement. Now I just have to convince Ryan that the walls would look good if painted orange. :) And we also got a Love Sac! It's a funny name for a huge bean bag. We got it in a medium brown suede cover so that it will coordinate with the basement couches and the living room furniture (which are a sage-y green color).
After I took the bananas away from Katrina and looked for something else for her to eat, she reached in the grocery sack on the floor and found a mango. And proceeded to eat it, flesh and all, too. She loves to eat the lemon wedges that come as garnish at restaurants and will often eat the whole thing - fruit and rind. I guess it's time we teach her to peel her fruit first. :)
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