Drivin' In My Car

O.k., well when I tried to start this post I was riding in my car and decided to put my iPhone to the test and see if I could post from there. Either I don't know what I am doing (which is entirely possible) or it doesn't work. Chris tried to explain that it was a script and iPhones can't do that, but he lost me and I just gave up for the time being...

So, we drove to DC and met Richelle, Jamie, and Bobby for the day at the Museum of Natural History for the afternoon. We had a really great time. Cookie really liked seeing the Hope Diamond. When I called Gommy and told her thatshe said that he likes rocks as much as his Poppy does. Tater Tot growled at all of the dinosaurs, even the skull of a prehistoric rhino skull he saw outside on the sidewalk that he called Nemo. Jana took Nosey on a few rides in his wheelchair down the ramps throughout the museum, so he could get a few laughs.

We walked around the White House to show Jana. She said it was much smaller than she had thought it would be. Pretty much like everything in life, right? We drove around at the end of the day partly to show Jana the city, partly because we took a few wrong turns. It was pretty to see things at night. Chris had lots of interesting facts to share that he had picked up on his trip to DC while he was working on his MBA. You know that trip where he got to go into the West Wing and have his picture taken behind the podium in the Press Room? Punk.

So, this morning we have come down to the lobby of the hotel and had breakfast in our pj's. While I am typing there is a guy sitting next to me at the next computer singing his heart out so loud that he can be heard all over the lobby while we watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. He is jamming out, and is totally oblivious to the rest of the world. GrandBob just came and picked Cookie up so that he could go play his new Mario Kart that they gave him for his birthday a little early.

I am looking forward to the rest of this lazy day. I hope you all have a great turkey day, and spend some time being thankful for what you have. I know I will!

Turkey Day is Coming!

I don't even know if I have anything to talk about really. I am realizing that I am just not very good at keeping in touch no matter the method. I wish I was. Some people just have the gift, and for me it is next to impossible. 

Just sitting across the room from Jana speaking in German to her mother on iChat. I have absolutely NO IDEA what in the world they are talking about, but it is always cool hearing another language spoken. Having Jana here has been so good for us in so many ways. It helps me see just how small minded I, as an American, am. I think a lot of Americans are this way, though. Jana knows so much about our country compared to what I know about Germany or most other countries. Not that I am much of a world traveler, unfortunately. I guess I am showing my world ignorance, but that's just me...

So, today is my mom's birthday. I feel very fortunate to have both of my parents in my life, and to have the relationship with them that I do. That doesn't happen everyday anymore. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!! I Love You!

So, next week is Thanksgiving, and we are going to Maryland. The family hasn't been in a while, and it has been even longer since I have been. When I started to think about it I began to realize that it been a LONG time since I was up there. I think the big boys are going to go skiing on Friday. It's opening day at nearby ski resort. I am going to skip those crowds and all of the grass and rocks that are sure to be still sticking through the snow on the slopes. That is how I know I am getting old. When I was younger it didn't matter about any of those things. I would have jumped at any chance to go snow skiing. 

We are also going to DC. I am looking forward to it too. Jana will get to see some more of America, so that will be good too. I haven't been to DC in a long time. The kids have never been, so that'll be cool. And, we are going to get to see Jamie and Richelle on their stomping grounds. I hope the drive won't be too awful. 

Next week the Kindergarteners are having a Thanksgiving Program as usual. And I just found out today that Nosey is the turkey in this year's program. There never was a turkey before, but this year the turkey's name is Nosey. I can't wait. I hope he feels better by then. He has a skin infection, so he is taking an antibiotic and it is making his tummy hurt. He is such a tough boy. Can't wait to see him in his starring role.

Trick-or-Treat!

So, here we all sit watching the election results wondering what the future holds for this country... I would be lying if I didn't say that I am greatly concerned. Chris and I waited a little over 2 1/2 hours to vote, so that we could make a difference as Jana put it. I am already trying to tune it out, though, by writing here. Even Chris keeps flipping it to the NASA channel every now and then-- I am not quite sure what that is all about... However, the most amusing part of this election has been listening to Cookie discuss politics. He says he knew he was going to vote for McCain when he found out Obama planned to raise taxes. LOL :) He is his father's son.

Soooooo, I wanted to just update everyone on our recent exploits. Halloween was a blast! The kids were so stinkin' cute! Cookie was the best looking Indiana Jones I have ever seen!

He put Gommy to work on his costume last month, and we were still finalizing the details the afternoon of Halloween. He had it down to the whip, hat, gun and holster. He even got 

a leather jacket to perfect his look. He was insistent on looking EXACTLY like Indy! I think he achieved his goal, don't you?

Now dressing Nosey up was my favorite part, but don't tell the other boys. He was a rock star. We always call him that, so it seemed fitting. He was soooooooo cute. He went all around school in his wheelchair carrying his toy guitar jamming out all day long. The blue hair, tattooed arms, and skull and cross bones earring were my favorite part of the costume. He had so much fun riding around in the golf cart while we were trick-or-treating because it was decorated with hanging lights.  He really is a ROCK STAR!

And Tater Tot... He was our Little Devil on Halloween. like most other days. He was so

 precious. He loved his costume, the cape especially. He also really enjoyed 

trick-or-treating even though it was very time consuming with him going up and down all of the front steps on DI. He was definitely working his costume, so people would give him more candy. It worked. He had quite the stash. His bag was bigger than he was, but that didn't stop him from dragging it from house to house, and you better keep your hands off or else he would let you have it! And after spending most of October trying to teach him to say "Trick-or-Treat" we had to finally settle for "Ween" followed by his devilish smile. Still very cute, maybe even more so.

Probably More Than You Want to Know

You know, so many wrestle with when to tell people they are pregnant. I really never thought I would miscarry, so when we found out that we were pregnant this time we shared with everyone very early--even Cookie. That was the hardest thing for me so far. Telling him on his level--not too much information, but just enough so that he could understand what had happened on a 7 year old level. He was so hurt.  He has such a big heart, and he is so transparent. I love that about him. He is o.k. with it now, but that really sucked big time. What a punch in the gut.

So, you know I was kinda banking on the fact that the odds of nothing bad happening that was pregnancy related were in our favor. I am not going out to buy any lottery tickets any time soon, let me tell you. I guess that's just not the way it is going to work for us, which I admit is very unsettling.

Seeing the heartbeat at the first appointment was reassuring, but I am thankful that my OB was so tactful that she was able to begin to prepare me for the possibility even then. But, that was one long weekend waiting for the follow-up ultrasound. Once we found out there was no heartbeat it was like someone had died, but we couldn't have the funeral. Having the D&C was such a relief that I am not sure I have been able to process much else since I got that behind me. I keep waiting on it to really hit me. It is definitely a process.

I am so thankful for what I have. I have thought so much about how much more awful it is for women to miscarry who have no children. I am so thankful for my family. The day of the follow-up ultrasound I just wanted to get home and be with my boys - to just look at them and hug them. The fact that life goes on is so good for me. To not be able to stop for too long is good for me too, I think. Focusing on what I do have is what I need to do. It's what we all need to do, right?

I am again thankful for my support system. The fact that my friends and family continue to stick by me, and don't run for the hills is such a good feeling. I have felt so loved by you all. The flowers, the cards, the phone calls, the prayers... the fact that you give me my space, but keep coming back to check on me. Thanks. I haven't forgotten how great my support system is since Nosey was born, but this has been a great reminder. My cup runneth over. Despite what has happened, I see how blessed I am. I have the best husband in the world, and the best friends and family anyone could ever hope for.

Baseball and Brotherly Love

You know, I love being a mom. Today I woke up with the same migraine I had gone to bed with. Luckily Jana was with Tater Tot, so I went back to bed, and when I got up I was so pleased to be headache-free that I whisked Chris away from his desk, and we went to the school to surprise the boys at lunch. We got to see Cookie and Nosey. And, it is so cool to see No-No at school. He is pretty popular, ya know. His assistant says she can't make it down the hall with him without being stopped by several students all wanting to say hello to him. He is cute, I know, but it really does feel good as a mommy to see that he has a special place at his school. He is known wherever he goes, and I am confident that he is well loved. He has been spending a good bit of time in the regular classroom for art and music. I know he has really enjoyed it, and apparently the other students have too.

So, Nosey had his first baseball game with the Charleston Miracle League and apparently made it into the Summerville newspaper. I have yet to get a copy of it, but it's hanging up at school already. He is a star once again.

Anyway, the game last weekend was priceless. They run that program like a well oiled machine. I expected to be impressed by my boy playing ball, but I was blown away by how well things ran. It was so much fun being there. All the kids were at varying developmental levels, and they made the game of baseball as relevant to each child as possible. Each child had a buddy that stayed with him/her the whole game. Nosey hit for himself the first time he was up at bat, but the second time up Cookie hit for him and even ran the bases with him. Cookie says that Nosey's baseball team is even cooler than his was last Spring. He is such a good big brother--it makes my heart sing!

I wish I had a picture, but of course I don't. I don't think a picture would capture the moment fully anyway. I need to have it on film. Anyway, yesterday when Nosey got up from his nap Tater Tot crawled up on his bed and kissed Nosey all over, and then started to tickle him. No-No was cracking up. He just couldn't stop giggling. It was the cutest thing to see their brotherly relationship. Words aren't necessary at all between brothers. Nothing could feel better than that to me.

P-Baby's Arm, The Miracle League, and The Cat's Out Of The Bag

Well, we took tater tot back to Pediatric Orthopedist on Wednesday hoping to get his cast off. So, we of course should have known better. One of the bones in his forearm has still not healed enough to take the cast off. It looks pretty bad still in the x-ray (which I, of course, have included). So, he is now on his third cast (this time it only comes up his forearm and not over his elbow) and this one should come off on October 15th. We'll keep our fingers crossed. Luckily, having a cast on his arm hasn't slowed him down one bit, as you can see from the picture I took of he and Jana playing at Gymboree the day after he got his new cast.

Well, this weekend a long awaited event will take place. Nosey is finally old enough to play in the Charleston Miracle League. I am so excited! He is a member the Cardinals, and his first game is Saturday morning at 10a.m. We went to the groundbreaking ceremony in Summerville

 yesterday where they are about to construct a field for players to use starting this spring. Anyway, they had an impromptu baseball game, and Nosey's buddy was a little cutie from CSU. Nosey was so adorable! He was such a flirt too. He had so much fun running the bases that everyone kept commenting on what a great smile he has. I was interviewed for a local paper, and the kids were all on the local news. Anyway, we are really looking forward to his first game. I am hoping it will work out for Cookie to be his buddy. I will be sure to take pictures, and update with them.

Lastly, but certainly not least... It seems that almost everyone knows this by now even though it is still very early on. Yep, we are pregnant with #4, and we are praying for pink, but assuming it will be blue. At least I am anyway. This time when we have shared the news with people it seems that the most popular comment sounds something like "We're happy for you if this is what y'all want", or some reference to how crazy we are. That begins to wear on you after a while, so we are still digesting the fact that we will have FOUR children as of May 23rd, 2009. Holy Cow! We are very excited. And thankfully, Jana and Grace are excited as well:). Still overwhelmed with the thought of it all...

Chris is a ROCK STAR!

Well, yesterday was the long awaited day...Chris got the call that he has officially been selected as the Operator of the new store in Goose Creek! YAY! Yippee! It has been a long road. I couldn't be more proud of him if I tried. He has worked so hard, and I am so happy his efforts have been rewarded. 

The store should open in the spring. The grand opening date has changed many times in the past, so I think it will probably change again before it's all over. Construction should start in December and it's supposed to open April 23rd. Mark your calendars (in pencil)!

On a sadder note, Nosey had an appointment with Ortho last week. I thought it was just going to be for a shot of Botox, and then on his way, so I sent Chris for the appointment. However, things went a little differently. He ended up coming home with a new brace that he now has to sleep in. The orthopedist said that things are going well overall, but that he would like to see the ball sit deeper in his hip socket. So, to avoid surgery again, we are going to try the brace that will keep his legs in a position that will be good for his hip development. It makes me so sad to make him sleep in it, though. This is the kid who giggles every time you put him in his bed. It is truly his favorite place on earth. He loves his bed, and to have to make him wear an uncomfortable brace while he sleeps just breaks my heart. We are easing into it. When he cries at night and can't be comforted by repositioning, we just take it off for the night. He is making it longer and longer. What a good boy...

This past weekend was a really relaxing one. Cookie had his first soccer game of the season. Most of the rest of our free time was spent at the dock. It was pretty hot and buggy, but it

 was great on the water. Chris took the boys kayaking. They all loved it, especially Nosey!

Tater has just one more week in the cast. He is scheduled to have it removed next week. I hope and pray that he is healing well under there.

Chris is traveling this week and next. And this weekend, he and Cookie are going on the Cub Scout Campout. I am not planning on going. I am a little sad about it, but they will have lots of big boy fun I am sure.

Oh, I almost forgot! Today I looked across the street and saw two men and a pregnant woman going all around from door to door. I thought it was a little odd. Then, the pregnant lady rang our doorbell and asked for a fire extinguisher. Turns out the room over the garage was on fire. Apparently, the gas lantern somehow caused the fire. So, everybody and their brother came out to see what all of the commotion was about. I took a bunch of pictures, and sweated while we watched the DI Fire Department put the fire out. One of my pictures may end up in the newspaper too. I hear they even pay $50. That will be the only time anyone ever pays me for any of my photography!!