Splash Pad

 It was in the upper 70s and windy but we had fun at the splash pad (especially Jack, he always loves time in the water). The kite flying was less successful and ended with downed kites and tangled strings.

Trampolines

This morning we met up with some friends at a local trampoline park. I still had complimentary return passes from Rose's birthday 1.5 years ago... so you can guess how long the kiddos have been asking to go.

It's hard to take pictures of children in motion on trampolines but here's what I got. In addition to the strictly trampoline section, there was a trampoline dodgeball section, obstacle coarse, and giant slide.

Rainy Day

 

The Bus Rainboots

Today was a rare rainy morning. Jack wanted his bus rainboots but I donated them last year when they could only be removed with me yanking the boot off Jack's foot while he held the stair railing. His current rainboots are hand-me-downs from Rose and were fun for Rose when she got them but not Jack's style and big enough that his feet fell out a time or two.

Walking in the Gutter

We followed the sidewalk around our apartment complex. Unlike past rainy day walks, Rose chose to join me and Jack. Similar to his other rainy day jaunts, Jack tromped through the watery rain gutters.

Jack making a dam

Rose making a dam

They used their booted feet to create dams so leaves couldn't pass.

A leaf called "boat".

Jack held onto this leaf for the entire walk and named it "boat". Two others were named Poppy and Leafie but they didn't last as long.

Jumping in Puddles

After a while, Rose preferred jumping in puddles.

City Parade

 

The school "float"

Today was the culmination of Orem Summerfest - the annual city celebration. It ended with a parade followed by fireworks. At Jack's request, we participated in his school's float for the parade. The younger students rode on a flatbed truck while the older students walked beside the truck during the parade route, tossing candy to the crowd. Rose was a trouper and walked two miles in the 95-degree heat.

Rose ready to hand out goodies.

We were all tired after the parade (especially Rosie!) but we went home, spread out the lawn blanket, and watched the city's fireworks from our side lawn. We shared some strawberries and cream while we waited for the show to start. R and J are usually asleep by 8 and fireworks started at nearly 10 so I had two exhausted kiddos on my hands. I did a lot of nudging to get them to stay awake for the fireworks.

An Accidental Replay

N and I just passed our twelfth wedding anniversary. Thanks to some generous family members who love animals and babies (at times it's hard to tell the difference between the two beasts), we were able to get away for a night and sleep in until 8. I've come a long way because last year sleeping in would have been at least 10. Something that amused me was that we unintentionally repeated our plans from last year. Same babysitters, same hotel, same restaurant for dinner, and same plan to wrap things up with a matinee at the local Cinemark.

We deliberated between staying at a Crystal Inn or Hampton hotel (narrowed down to these two choices by: proximity/walk-ability to where we wanted to dine, offering of complementary breakfast, and openings of rooms with king-size bed and jetted tub). Finally, I said it didn't matter and let's sign up for xxx because I really don't remember why, I was that tired. And the next day, out of curiosity, I checked my email from last year and found a reservation confirmation for the same lodgings. I was satisfied with my stay but hopefully next time around it will stand out enough that I can make an educated decision. Such as, we stayed there last time so let's try the other one, or hey, that place didn't irritate me so let's go there again.

So that was the funny part of the story to me, that we ended up staying at the same place as last year and didn't even remember... For you it may be that, in my habit of over-analyzing choices, I actually made a table with two columns - the first listing the names of all hotels in SLC and the second listing the primary reason I wouldn't choose it, 1) no complementary breakfast, 2) no jetted tub, or 3) too pricey.

Easter Bunny Time

Last week we got an Easter package from my mom. Here's a few pics to show what R thought of her bunny. Thanks grandma!

Caspian

Caspian: Our little Prince Caspian was suddenly called to return to his heavenly throne  Thursday, December 13th 2012....

Words cannot express how much this hurts my heart. The Behrends are such a beautiful young family. I was blessed to meet them a few years ago when we were both members of the same church congregation. When I started at my current job I found out that they bring their children to see one of the pediatrician's I work and have had the opportunity to serve them from time to time. I was never very close friends with the parents but I know them enough to say that each of the children are very sweet and little Caspian will be missed terribly. Our entire office mourns his passing.

Locked Out

So Nathan called me twenty minutes after his yoga class ended, about when I was expecting him home, and told me he'd run into some trouble. One thing led to another and he'd locked his keys in the trunk of the car. His solution was to walk home (3 miles in below 40 degrees), pick up my keys, then bike back to the University, drive home, and the next day I could drive him over so he could ride his bike home. It sounded complicated and time consuming to me. Or maybe we could ask a friend or neighbor to drop my car keys off to Nathan. I asked him to give me five minutes and I'd get back to him.

I Googled "locked out of car" for inspiration and saw several ads for companies to call for this kind of situation. Which led me to think of AAA roadside service which reminded me that we have Emergency Roadside Service (ERS) as part of our auto insurance through Geico. So I called Geico to ask if such a thing would be covered. When I called the ERS (wondering how I'd get the number to do so if I was in fact the individual locked out of my car with the auto insurance card in my glove compartment), the first question they asked was if I was safe and in a safe place. I was touched. And then explained that I was calling for my husband. After giving the Geico man more information, he got Nathan on the line before I hung up. This part was a little funny. Nathan answered his cell phone, Geico Guy asked if it was Nathan A**** and N said yes but this was a bad time. At which point I interrupted and explained why Geico Guy was calling. Then N came in the front door half an hour later. Overall, much faster than N's "Plan A" and didn't have to bother any friends.

I solved the problem and felt really clever about doing so. I tell you, it's the little things in life.

A Pair of Sneakers

Yesterday, I pointed to my feet and said to a coworker "look, I'm wearing sneakers on both feet today!" And because I see her four days a week and probably spend more hours with her than my husband, she new this was exciting and didn't think I was especially daft. Because that's my good news of the week. I'm back in regular shoes now - a matching pair for the first time in over three months. Was it worth it? I hope so. I think my feet still look ugly but I have a thing about feet. As in, I generally think they're ugly. My feet, especially the right one, are still tender and I flinch away from things about to touch it. However, I have good range of motion and can walk and minimal scarring. And the walking is more than I could do this time last year. So yay.

The backstory: The first Friday of September, I had a bunionectomy (surgery to fix a bunion) done on my left foot. Was in a cast for two weeks and then a post-operative "boot" for another month or so. Then, the first Thursday of November, I used a different doctor and had a bunionectomy done on my right foot. Recovery time from the second surgery was immensely better than the first time around. However, I think the left foot looks straighter than the right foot. Oh well. And I had these things done because my insurance would foot (hah-hah) the entire bill this calendar year and surgery was already recommended two years ago when my feet starting limiting how far I could walk. As in, I would be limping by the time I walked the half-mile home from work at a leisurely pace.

9 Months

10/19/2012: 9 Month Well Check

Weight: 18 lb, 13 oz
Length/Height: 29 in
Head Circumference: Who actually cares?
Disposition: Cranky. Diagnosed with an ear infection two days after the 9 month check up.

Things That Should NOT Be Allowed...

A Vent Prompted by Todd & Erin

My list of things that should not be allowed:
- socks and sandals
- dark blue dress socks and black pants
- poor exhausted toddlers at WalMart after midnight
- leaky/non-absorbent diapers
- babies in bikinis. what's the bra for?
- plus size mini skirts. why are companies even making them?
- wire shelving in closets and pantries. it's just annoying.
- radiant heating in small apartments with minimal storage space. gee, I can store items under my bed or couch but my home's a few degrees colder.
- suing a person or company for something that happened because of your own stupidity

My Fave Baby Pics from August

Fun in the grass.

Playing on the balcony is a good distraction.

So sleepy.

See my two front teeth!

I really like her pink sunhat.

She has lots of fun with bathtime and her rubber ducks.

Slice And Diced

Last Friday I had a bunionectomy performed -- surgery to correct the bunion on my left foot. It involved cutting up some bones of my big toe and putting them back together (in better alignment) with screws and pins. I try not to think about foreign objects permanently in my body.

The procedure went fine and I'm doing good, except for having to wear a cast for a month (erm, 4-6 weeks). Already had enough of that. I'm thinking I'll have a water "accident" in a few weeks because this cast is really inconvenient. Heavy, hard, hot... annoying. Then again, that may just be wishful thinking and I'll more likely be a good little patient and let the doctor take it off. Maybe.

That's Awkward

This was the name of a segment on the Dr Oz show today. It featured women asking questions that they were too embarrassed to ask their own doctor (such as is it safe to dye grey pubic hairs and is it okay to "shave the crack"). Which made me wonder, why in the world are they comfortable saying these things on public television? And maybe they need to find a doctor that they feel more at ease with.

Baby Chat Session

It's Getting Hot

ok, so blaming wet elbow on drooling baby was less gross than realizing elbow-pit was dripping sweat

Discoveries Of Bad Smells & Meatloaf Cupcakes

1. Today we found out what was causing mystery smell in the car when Nathan reached under the passenger seat to retrieve his cell phone and his fingers came back sticky. Turns out the JC Penney bag I'd shoved under the seat because I didn't want to tell Nathan yet about the baby clothes I'd bought and the bag of plastic shopping bags that were waiting to be dropped off at a recycling bin and the Macey's bag with a wet diaper were all helping to hide that a container of frozen OJ had rolled under the seat, melted, and leaked onto the floor. We'd been smelling sour orange juice concentrate. Gross.

2. Cooking meatloaf in a cupcake tin instead of a bread pan not only makes for cute little mini-meatloafs, but is easy to serve and takes less time to cook. I think I'll continue to use this method in the future.

Defining Moments

"I've lived too long with pain. I won't know who I am without it." Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

Everyone experiences pain. It's a part of life. At times it may feel as if it is life. There are many possible responses to pain. Some find comfort in belief that "everything happens for a reason", some work to avoid people or situations that may cause similar hurt, while some become cold and bitter, some nurse their grievances and foster feelings of self-pity, and some internalize the hurt to blame themselves. 

Whether in fact or in exaggeration, the bad can easily overshadow the good. Spirituality seems to be tied to making sense of grief caused by painful events. Many religions teach answers to "why me?" Personally, I hate the trite sentiments of "everything happens for a reason", "silver linings", "when one door closes a window opens", "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade". Painful things happen and those feelings need to be honored and processed instead of shoved away. 

As for me, when life gives me crap, I am not going to make crap-ade. I'm going to feel sad, upset, frustrated, and often angry because there really is no upside or purpose to most of the sucky things that have happened to me. 

Have You Been Vaccinated?

No, not really a poll or even a soapbox. But I did get my influenza ("flu") vaccine this afternoon. Now my left arm is sore and it's not because of my coworker's ability. It's because I didn't follow the advice that I give patients. I didn't use my arm or massage the muscle. I sat in front of the computer and used my right hand to click the mouse as I browsed online.

Really though, I'm more bothered by the anticipation of feeling sick for two days. At least that's what I expect is going to happen sometime tomorrow or the next day based on experience from the past two years of getting the flu shot. That's part of the reason why I put off the immunization. The other part of my delay (and it's a toss up as to which was a bigger factor) is due to an announcement a couple weeks ago by administration at work that all employees had to get the flu vaccine by October 1st. No options or explanations given. And I objected on principle. I was planning on getting the vaccine anyway (because let's face it, with my immune system I'd be stupid not to) but what gives them the right to tell me what to do with my body?

And if any coworkers read this - don't rat on me.

P.S. Coincidentally, a local newspaper ran an article about this topic just last week. Read it on Utah County's Daily Herald.

Bad Computah Dae

Bad n-ght fo- me computah hestahdae.One, bent USB connectah on flash d--ve. Can't use at all. Next, spclled watah on keeboa-d. Thwee lettahs don't wo-k. Oh, and no numbahs except '2'.

Good luck makeng sense of thes. We'll talk agaen aftev shoppcng at Best Bun/Offcce Depot /Offcce Max  ugh ... STAPLES