We are finally feeling better around here. Wow...what a flu-bug! I was feeling under the weather for 7 days...that is a long time for a mom to be out of commission. Thankfully, Lilly was the only other one in the house that had the prolonged symptoms that I did, everyone else mad it through OK. I generally felt OK enough to go to work last week, but I was kind of lazy, and now, I am WAY far behind on my paperwork. Thankfully, the week of Christmas is not too busy, and I am working all week (with the exception of the afternoon of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). So, I will hopefully get caught up.
Jess had her baby on Sunday, little Adella Grace Fresse was born at 3:43 pm. She is just a teeny little peanut of a thing, although she weighed 7 lbs, 2 oz, so she was a good-sized baby. But, boy, you sure do forget how teeny those little babes are! I really wanted to go down right away on Sunday, but the weather would not allow it, so I went down Monday afternoon. The roads were terrible in St. Cloud, but once I passed through Clearwater, things started to improve. It was so great to hold a teeny baby again! AND, it is so great to have someone else go through all of the misery, the late nights, the fussiness, the 3 am feedings, the poopy diapers, while I get the luxury of spoiling her, then giving her back to her parents. I have always been the one having the babies, so this is a nice change! Adella was very sweet, she was alert when I got there, and was so content when I was holding her. It was great! I can't wait to see her again on Sunday when we celebrate Christmas with my family.
Christmas...Christmas!!! I can't believe it is almost here! I haven't sent out my cards yet, wrapped any presents, or done any baking. Yikes! We also have Lilly's 4th birthday on Sunday, although we will be at my Dad's house celebrating Christmas, so we are pretending Lilly's birthday is on Saturday. She doesn't know the difference, plus this way, she can open her gifts from us at home and not have to share the spotlight on Sunday. We will have a birthday party for her at Dad's house, too, but the party will also be for Alex, since his birthday is on the 30th.
Not too much else going on around here...just trying to stay warm in the midst of this cold snap. I'm also coming to terms with the fact that winter is truly here, and isn't leaving for at least the next 4 months...
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
Gotta love the flu
We have been very sick over the past few days in our house. We, meaning me, and then it trickles down to everyone else. I have been mildly to moderately ill since Friday (I have not yet hit the wall, but just feel yucky, tired, etc). Lilly had the stomach flu complete with vomiting Saturday evening and through the night. So, I decided that since we were the two sick ones, that we should sleep together and contain our illness to my room. Well, I hardly got any sleep because every time she moved, I was afraid she would throw up in my bed. So I would jump up and grab the bucket. 90% of the time, she was just rolling over in her sleep. But there was one time that my quick efforts paid off, and I was able to get the bucket there in time.
Then, all day yesterday, I was cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. I shouldn't have been, because by late afternoon, I was wiped out. So, I go to bed last night, only to have Cameron come and visit me last night telling me his head and tummy hurt. Yep, crawl in. For the 2nd night running, I have had kids in bed with me, which equates to me not getting much sleep. I decide to err on the side of caution and keep Cameron home from school today. I kept having visions of the time I threw up in the hallway at school when I was in 4th grade in front of all of the grades on our floor. I didn't want him to get sick in school, so he stayed home. So far, this morning, he has eaten 2 bowls of Cheerios, played Wii, and is sitting by me singing me a beautiful song. I think he would have done OK at school. Oh, well, nevertheless, I still feel yucky, and I think it is best for me to lay low for one more day. I hope we can nip this flu in the bud, I am almost out of sick time at work!
We put up our tree this weekend, and Ed and I are planning to get some Christmas shopping done tonight, depending on the sickness situation and the weather. Hopefully we can get most of it done. That will really help get all of us into the Christmas spirit.
I am patiently (or impatiently) awaiting for Jess to go into labor. She is due on Friday, and is getting very close to going in. She has been having contractions on and off for a few days now, and so I'm thinking it will be any day. I can't wait to see my new little niece. This is my first niece on my side of the family! I can't wait to have a new baby around, it is so nice to let someone else have a baby, but I will (hopefully) get to spend lots of time with her, spoil her, then send her home :-).
I'm off, I have tons of work to do today. It is great that I can work from home if I need to. Well, sort of great, anyway.
Then, all day yesterday, I was cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. I shouldn't have been, because by late afternoon, I was wiped out. So, I go to bed last night, only to have Cameron come and visit me last night telling me his head and tummy hurt. Yep, crawl in. For the 2nd night running, I have had kids in bed with me, which equates to me not getting much sleep. I decide to err on the side of caution and keep Cameron home from school today. I kept having visions of the time I threw up in the hallway at school when I was in 4th grade in front of all of the grades on our floor. I didn't want him to get sick in school, so he stayed home. So far, this morning, he has eaten 2 bowls of Cheerios, played Wii, and is sitting by me singing me a beautiful song. I think he would have done OK at school. Oh, well, nevertheless, I still feel yucky, and I think it is best for me to lay low for one more day. I hope we can nip this flu in the bud, I am almost out of sick time at work!
We put up our tree this weekend, and Ed and I are planning to get some Christmas shopping done tonight, depending on the sickness situation and the weather. Hopefully we can get most of it done. That will really help get all of us into the Christmas spirit.
I am patiently (or impatiently) awaiting for Jess to go into labor. She is due on Friday, and is getting very close to going in. She has been having contractions on and off for a few days now, and so I'm thinking it will be any day. I can't wait to see my new little niece. This is my first niece on my side of the family! I can't wait to have a new baby around, it is so nice to let someone else have a baby, but I will (hopefully) get to spend lots of time with her, spoil her, then send her home :-).
I'm off, I have tons of work to do today. It is great that I can work from home if I need to. Well, sort of great, anyway.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Tonight we began "Decking Our Halls" in order to avoid the total chaos on Saturday that goes along with putting up the tree AND decorating the house at the same time. I am hoping that, perhaps, if we can get the decorating done first, get the house ready for the tree, maybe, just maybe, putting up the tree on Saturday won't be such a nightmare! I have a few ceramic pieces that my mom painted, and we have had them for as long as I can remember. I have a ceramic village, and a big Santa and Mrs. Claus. It was really special to put up the village with Alex, since he really appreciated the fact that his Grandma painted it. It is so nice when I can pass on a little tidbit from her to my kids in a way that is special, but doesn't make them cry. Alex, especially, can be very tender-hearted, and at times, when we talk about my mom, he will get sad (no, he never met her...he is just really sensitive). So, it was special and festive, and just the perfect evening to get me in the Christmas spirit. Unfortunately (for me...), our house is really small, so decking the halls really only took about an hour or so. Oh, well, it is less I will have to do after Christmas!
I am feeling such a need to get back to basics and to enjoy the simple joy of the holiday season instead of getting wrapped up in the shopping, gifts, cards, etc. In fact, I haven't even thought about sending out my Christmas cards yet. Maybe I'll get around to it, but maybe not. I just want to sit in my house, drink hot chocolate, and listen to Christmas music. Maybe this is my attitude since I haven't even started Christmas shopping. Maybe once I shop, the frenzied, frantic feeling will begin to set in...oh the joy!
This time of the year is duly joyful, yet stressful for us with celebrating the birthdays of 2 of our 3 children. I'm not sure what we were thinking, although I will say that with both Alex and Lilly, we tried for several months to concieve, and were unsuccessful until the cycle that put them due at the end of December (Alex is on the 30th, Lilly on the 21st). It is very special to contemplate and recall their birth around the time of Christmas, when the whole world is contemplating the birth of Christ...very timely. BUT, it is double the presents, double the work, and trying to squeeze in a birthday party into a very busy time is pretty stressful. I so look forward to January!
Things around here, are, as always, much the same. I am enjoying the laziness of winter, the nights where you get home from work, make supper, and cozy up on the couch. But, I miss the warmth. Better get used to it, though! The kids are good...all three have colds, which is no fun for them, but they refuse to take medicine to unclog their noses (the medicine I use tastes pretty nasty, but it is the best-working decongestant I have ever used). So, I just leave it up to them, their choice to be miserable or take the nasty medicine.
The boys are doing so well in school. Alex is surpassing many of my expectations, and is bringing home the highest grades he has ever brought home. I am so proud of him, he really is trying, and really is starting to care about his performance. Cameron is a 2nd grade rock star...he is such a sharp kid, and I am so proud of all of his hard work, too. He is the kind of kid that we actually find ourselves telling him to stop doing his homework, or stop reading. But he is very driven, and wants to get his work done immediately (Even in the middle of making supper and while I am on the phone--hence the telling him to stop doing his homework).
Lilly is FINALLY beginning to show an interest in learning her letters and numbers. I haven't pushed it too much (who has time??), but whenever I've tried, she becomes bored quickly. My daycare mom says that Lilly always asks during teaching time "can we paint?" "can we color now?" Just no interest. But in the past few weeks, her interest is emerging. Hopefully when she goes to preschool in the fall, she will be good to go with her letter recognition.
What a boring post. Sorry about the snooze-fest. Speaking of which...I am headed off to bed.
I am feeling such a need to get back to basics and to enjoy the simple joy of the holiday season instead of getting wrapped up in the shopping, gifts, cards, etc. In fact, I haven't even thought about sending out my Christmas cards yet. Maybe I'll get around to it, but maybe not. I just want to sit in my house, drink hot chocolate, and listen to Christmas music. Maybe this is my attitude since I haven't even started Christmas shopping. Maybe once I shop, the frenzied, frantic feeling will begin to set in...oh the joy!
This time of the year is duly joyful, yet stressful for us with celebrating the birthdays of 2 of our 3 children. I'm not sure what we were thinking, although I will say that with both Alex and Lilly, we tried for several months to concieve, and were unsuccessful until the cycle that put them due at the end of December (Alex is on the 30th, Lilly on the 21st). It is very special to contemplate and recall their birth around the time of Christmas, when the whole world is contemplating the birth of Christ...very timely. BUT, it is double the presents, double the work, and trying to squeeze in a birthday party into a very busy time is pretty stressful. I so look forward to January!
Things around here, are, as always, much the same. I am enjoying the laziness of winter, the nights where you get home from work, make supper, and cozy up on the couch. But, I miss the warmth. Better get used to it, though! The kids are good...all three have colds, which is no fun for them, but they refuse to take medicine to unclog their noses (the medicine I use tastes pretty nasty, but it is the best-working decongestant I have ever used). So, I just leave it up to them, their choice to be miserable or take the nasty medicine.
The boys are doing so well in school. Alex is surpassing many of my expectations, and is bringing home the highest grades he has ever brought home. I am so proud of him, he really is trying, and really is starting to care about his performance. Cameron is a 2nd grade rock star...he is such a sharp kid, and I am so proud of all of his hard work, too. He is the kind of kid that we actually find ourselves telling him to stop doing his homework, or stop reading. But he is very driven, and wants to get his work done immediately (Even in the middle of making supper and while I am on the phone--hence the telling him to stop doing his homework).
Lilly is FINALLY beginning to show an interest in learning her letters and numbers. I haven't pushed it too much (who has time??), but whenever I've tried, she becomes bored quickly. My daycare mom says that Lilly always asks during teaching time "can we paint?" "can we color now?" Just no interest. But in the past few weeks, her interest is emerging. Hopefully when she goes to preschool in the fall, she will be good to go with her letter recognition.
What a boring post. Sorry about the snooze-fest. Speaking of which...I am headed off to bed.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Today I went to see my grandma, who is 88 years old. I brought the kids with me, which can be interesting, although today it went very well. I love going to see her. Visiting with her is not like visiting with your grandma, it is like visiting with a friend. We talked all afternoon, about what she has been doing (basically nothing because she has been afflicted with an extremely itchy body rash since June...she is totally miserable and no Dr. can figure out why). We talked about my life, which is so busy that I don't often get to go see her. It is so nice to get her perspective on things in general. She raised 9 kids, lived on a farm, and I can imagine had many struggles. But, she loved her kids, thought they were all so precious. She reminds me to enjoy the years that my kids are small, not to get caught up in the stress and chaos, and to love them.
Things at work have been very stressful, it seems as though things just turn on a dime, which affects my happiness at work. I love my work....I hate my work. I talked to her about it, and she is probably the first person who really has ever just listened (other than Ed--he is a good listener). She didn't advise, she didn't offer suggestions, she just listened and sympathized with me. And sometimes, that is really all I need.
I realize each time I see her, that we are getting closer and closer to the end, she looks a little older each time I see her, and she moves a little more slowly. She is not in immediate poor health, but I know the years are shrinking. I want to make sure we get the most of our friendship, the most of our time together before we can't do that anymore. She is simply the best grandma in the world, and I am so thankful to have her in my life.
Well, that was deep, but I want to remember this day, this visit with her for a long time.
Things at work have been very stressful, it seems as though things just turn on a dime, which affects my happiness at work. I love my work....I hate my work. I talked to her about it, and she is probably the first person who really has ever just listened (other than Ed--he is a good listener). She didn't advise, she didn't offer suggestions, she just listened and sympathized with me. And sometimes, that is really all I need.
I realize each time I see her, that we are getting closer and closer to the end, she looks a little older each time I see her, and she moves a little more slowly. She is not in immediate poor health, but I know the years are shrinking. I want to make sure we get the most of our friendship, the most of our time together before we can't do that anymore. She is simply the best grandma in the world, and I am so thankful to have her in my life.
Well, that was deep, but I want to remember this day, this visit with her for a long time.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Well, I guess the Halloween pictures didn't upload. I'll try again. Things have been pretty busy around here, although that is proving to be the rule rather than the exception. Last weekend, I was at a workshop Friday and Saturday, which was a great learning experience, but very draining. Fortunately, I had Monday and Tuesday off of work because we didn't have any daycare. It was a restful two days, and it was very hard to get back to work! Of course, there is no "easing into it" at my job, it was hit-the-floor-running all day Wed., Thurs., and Fri. I love my job, but I do not like being that busy...it makes me feel crazy, exhausted, and I don't give my best to my patients. So, hopefully, next week will be better...I have all of my open time for the week blocked off so it won't get taken (I hope that works!!).
Alex had a Boy Scout meeting on Tuesday night, and he was so excited about that. I, of course, being the graceful person I am, totally embarassed myself by taking a tumble down the den leader's stairs. Why does that stuff always happen to me??? I can't relay the story to anyone without getting the giggles because I am such a klutz! Boy Scouts was fun for Alex, but he was surprised to learn that he actually has to do some work for his badges...what a shocker for that poor boy, who isn't quite a go-getter.
Cameron had his first karate lesson today. I have 2 months of lessons for him at a school in St. Cloud. The first lesson was a private lesson with an instructor, and I thought that would be just perfect for him to get started. Well, the lesson lasted 15 minutes!!!! I can't believe I drove 25 minutes each way for a stupid lesson that lasted 15 minutes! I am glad I only paid $10 for those 2 months because I wasn't very impressed with the school. I told Cam that after these two months, if he wants to continue, we can do it through Community Ed here in CS.
Lilly hasn't been doing much of anything, outside of her regular routine. She loves spending time at daycare, and actually was a bit disappointed on Tuesday that she was staying home with me. It was hard not to feel disappointed, but I realize that she has all of her friends there, and I suppose it isn't so fun to be the only kid home all day when the boys are in school.
I have been baking homemade bread every weekend probably for the past two or three months. I enjoy the process of bread-making, and it is rewarding to see that I can actually make bread that turns out. Well, I have been on the hunt for a good bread recipe, since Ed thinks the bread I have made is OK, but not great. I think I found a recipe that he likes, finally, so I am pretty excited about that.
I also got a Wii Fit this week, Ed surprised me with it! It was a verbal "Gift" for my birthday, which was in June, but everytime we would look for one, we couldn't find it. Well, he finally found one. I am sure sore from working muscles of my body that haven't worked in, oh, probably forever! I hope that my affinity for the TV and Video games will work to my advantage on this one, and I can actually get in shape!
Not too much else is going on around here, we are gearing up for the Holiday season, which includes Alex and Lilly's birthdays on the 21st and 30th of December. Looks like we will be broke at the end of 2008!!!
Adios
Adios
Sunday, November 9, 2008
A mini va-ca-tion
I am so happy because I am off of work until Wednesday. Our daycare is closed tomorrow and Tuesday, so I took those days off, and will (hopefully) enjoy a much-needed break. I was at a workshop yesterday, which was excellent!
Everything here is OK...the kids are fine, although Alex appeared to have a touch of a stomach bug earlier this weekend. Hope it doesn't spread throughout the house, especially on my days off.
I have been trying to squeeze in time to post some pics, so here are some Halloween pictures.
Everything here is OK...the kids are fine, although Alex appeared to have a touch of a stomach bug earlier this weekend. Hope it doesn't spread throughout the house, especially on my days off.
I have been trying to squeeze in time to post some pics, so here are some Halloween pictures.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Another week on tap
Things are perking up around here, I think we all just needed a little down time this weekend. Although, it really wasn't down time. We decided to get a bigger entertainment center and rearrange all of our furniture. I am kind of a neat freak on Sundays, and I like the house to be spotless and ready for the week on Sunday night. Well, I had to let that go because it just wasn't in the cards. We eventually figured out a way to arrange the furniture, and by the time I could clean, it was time for my Sunday Night TV (the only night of the week I watch any TV these days). So, I guess I'll get it done some other day.
Halloween was great. I will post pictures tomorrow, I am not at my computer tonight to get my pics. Lilly was sooooo cute as Sleeping Beauty, and all of the pictures we took of her were just so "gorgeous", since she made sure to have her most beautiful, princess-ey smile on for the camera. It was such a nice night, and since there was no school the next day, we went into Cold Spring and hit quite a few houses in town. Our kids should have enough candy to last them until they are 16!! The boys were all business on Halloween. I forgot how intense these "holidays" are for kids that age. I wouldn't say they were cute, at least not in the same way Lilly was, but it was cute to see how serious they were, and how cool they thought they were in their costumes.
We are so ready for November...even though the holidays are approaching, this month isn't nearly as busy as far as "extra" activities are concerned. We have our typical busy work schedules, but only one or two other commitments, which is so needed! I am actually keeping my eyes peeled for the weekend of the 15th and 16th of November in an attempt to keep our calendar clean. If my memory serves me correctly, this would be the first entire weekend since mid-September that there isn't something going on. Oh, what a break that could be!! I also took the 10th and 11th off of work because our daycare is closed. I am soooo looking forward to that. I really miss my days off, now that I am working 5 days. It will be a good chance to catch up on my "good mommy" time with the kids.
I will say, though, my extra day of work has taken on a new dimension. I am moving into more marketing for our company, and have blocked the entire afternoon on Mondays to devote to marketing. The beauty of that is that I can do much of that work from home. So, I have been coming home at noon on Mondays, which has been great! I usually spend most of the afternoon on work, but I can fold a load of laundry, eat lunch with Lilly, and give her a nap at home. If I have other commitments those afternoons, I can work anytime, which is so great. As a therapist, our options for a flexible work schedule or a telecommute are slim, so this is a great fit for me.
Well, enough rambling...I can be a bit long-winded at times! I'd better get to bed and enjoy that extra hour of sleep before my body adjusts to the new schedule:-)
Halloween was great. I will post pictures tomorrow, I am not at my computer tonight to get my pics. Lilly was sooooo cute as Sleeping Beauty, and all of the pictures we took of her were just so "gorgeous", since she made sure to have her most beautiful, princess-ey smile on for the camera. It was such a nice night, and since there was no school the next day, we went into Cold Spring and hit quite a few houses in town. Our kids should have enough candy to last them until they are 16!! The boys were all business on Halloween. I forgot how intense these "holidays" are for kids that age. I wouldn't say they were cute, at least not in the same way Lilly was, but it was cute to see how serious they were, and how cool they thought they were in their costumes.
We are so ready for November...even though the holidays are approaching, this month isn't nearly as busy as far as "extra" activities are concerned. We have our typical busy work schedules, but only one or two other commitments, which is so needed! I am actually keeping my eyes peeled for the weekend of the 15th and 16th of November in an attempt to keep our calendar clean. If my memory serves me correctly, this would be the first entire weekend since mid-September that there isn't something going on. Oh, what a break that could be!! I also took the 10th and 11th off of work because our daycare is closed. I am soooo looking forward to that. I really miss my days off, now that I am working 5 days. It will be a good chance to catch up on my "good mommy" time with the kids.
I will say, though, my extra day of work has taken on a new dimension. I am moving into more marketing for our company, and have blocked the entire afternoon on Mondays to devote to marketing. The beauty of that is that I can do much of that work from home. So, I have been coming home at noon on Mondays, which has been great! I usually spend most of the afternoon on work, but I can fold a load of laundry, eat lunch with Lilly, and give her a nap at home. If I have other commitments those afternoons, I can work anytime, which is so great. As a therapist, our options for a flexible work schedule or a telecommute are slim, so this is a great fit for me.
Well, enough rambling...I can be a bit long-winded at times! I'd better get to bed and enjoy that extra hour of sleep before my body adjusts to the new schedule:-)
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