Sunday, March 30, 2008

Robert is THREE!

We took Robert to the Strasburg Railroad on Friday for his birthday. He just loved seeing all the 'real life' trains and was thrilled to actually take a ride on one! We bought tickets for the dining car and enjoyed lunch
while we traveled 9 miles through Pennsylvania Amish hillsides on an actual historic traincar. It was such a nice day!

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Scary day for the Trifs

The kids were supposed to have their portraits done at noon today. I planned out their morning so they would nap and eat lunch before we left and we'd have a pleasant photo session.
A&A woke from their naps at 11 and I sat them down for lunch. Alex was a bit grumpy, as he sometimes is upon waking up. He wasn't eating much, so I took him out of his chair and noticed he was warm. I took his temp and it was 103.7. I called the pedi immediately but they were closed. I figured it was just another ear infection and I gave him some tylenol. I debated on whether or not to do the portraits (I had already canceled and resceduled this appt 3 times) so I decided to go. (I know, I am such a bad mom) I packed the kids in the car and ran back inside to get my purse and diaperbag. When I got back to the car, I noticed that Alex was in a daze - starring, almost like he was going to fall asleep. I got in the car and called my mom as I pulled out of the driveway. I told her about Alex and she told me to get him in a cold bath. Alex was in the carseat right behind my driver's seat, so I couldn't see him, but I could hear him and he sounded like he was hiccuping. I swung my head around and saw his eyes rolling in the back of his head as he convulsed. I screamed in panic (my mom said she could hear the fear in my voice) and I pulled over and called 911. I grabbed him out of his carseat and held him across my chest. He seized for about 4 minutes in my arms before the ambulance arrived. (They had trouble finding me - how's that for emergency service?) The operator stayed on the line with me until they arrived and tried to calm me down. When he stopped seizing, I freaked out even more because his whoe body went limp and he was gasping for air. I thought I was losing him.
The paramedics took him from me and the police arrived. They assured me he'd be okay and told me to follow them to the hospital. They told me that they would not use their lights or sirens unless they needed to get through a red light. I followed and after about 3 miles, they put on their sirens and lights and sped ahead. Within 10 seconds, they were out of sight. I freaked out like you wouldn't believe!!! I didn't get to the ER until about 15 minutes later. (they told me they sped up because he was screaming and crying)
A social worker greeted me and took Robert and Ava so I could be with Alex. A team of doctors and nurses were taking care of him - drawing blood, and monitoring him (his heart rate was really high) His temp was still pretty high, so they gave him more tylenol (apparently I didn't give him enough). He was miserable and he looked very dazed. The doctor assured me that was normal. I was worried he couldn't see, because his eyes looked lost. I layed on the guernie with him and sang to him until he fell asleep. Once he was stable, they took him for a chest x-ray to check for pnemonia. His heart rate began to return to normal and he was able to drink some pedialyte. My mom and dad and Bobby's mom arrived and Bobby came in a bit later.
We were discharged later in the afternoon and sent home with a script for an antibiotic (it was an ear infection after all) Alex sufferered from a Febrile Seizure -very commone in children when they experience a sudden change in body temperature. It is not life threatening, but I can attest that it is very scary. There is not any kind of brain damage associated with this type of seizure.
His fever has been wacky since we've been home. Even with Tylenol, it's been up to 102.6 and down to 100.5. So we have started alternating Tylenol and Motrin in hopes that his body temperature will stabilize. I have had to give him a cold bath once, and he has been sleeping a whole lot too. His little body must be exhausted from all the commotion. Needless to say, we will keep a close eye on him all night.
Ava seems to be well aware that something is just not right with her brother. She seems lost and sad.

Today was the scariest day of my life. I just thank God that it wasn't worse that it was, and that we are all home together again.

Go and kiss your babies. Thank God for them daily.

Saturday, March 22, 2008

The hole in my jeans

The other day I discovered a hole in my favorite jeans. These aren't my most favorite jeans, but they are my most favorite fat jeans - I only have 2 pairs of those. I have about 8 pairs of skinny jeans, and those are all my favorites, because they are, well, single digit sizes if we must be technical.
Anyway, this hole in my jeans in not in crotch and not in the butt - which are the typical places I'd expect to split my pants when I need to be reminded it's time to start dieting again. The hole is in the left knee, and it's actually kind of cool looking. But, let's face it, I'm not young and I'm not as cool as I used to be. BUT there is still hope... maybe, just maybe, I can be skinny again. Then it won't matter if there is a hole in my knee - cuz my ass (did I just type that!?) will look fantastic.

And so I have finally decided that I will be making the necessary lifestyle changes to turn me into the skinny person I was before there was Ava and Alex. My plan includes using Fitday to track and analyze my dietary needs. I have used this program in the past and it works for me. I love it. I'll also be starting to get some much needed exercise. I don't think I'll be able to run (which has been a major contribution to my past weight loss success) due to my back injuries, but I will start with walking, and maybe I can work up to jogging at some point.

My best friend Kate is getting married in July. I am flying to Hawaii (by myself!) for her wedding. I'd like to lose just 15 lbs in the next three months. I can do it, and now that I've let you in on it, you bet your ass (oops, I said it again!) I'll do it.

The only problem is.... everytime I get skinny, I get pregnant. Hmm, maybe I need to re-think my plan.

Friday, March 21, 2008

Part two (followup from yesterday's post)

Unless you are up for a challenge, I would highly recommend against serving rice to your toddler. I should have learned my lesson after last night's dinner disaster, but tonight they just couldn't hold off for the pizza daddy was bringing home, and I had to give them something... and leftovers it was. I thought I was being smart by putting the rice in a bowl when I served it. wrong! They examined it, and then preceeded to dump it (mostly on the tray) before they attempted to eat it. The result? Cheesy rice.... everywhere. I spent more time cleaning up the high chairs and the floor than they actually spent eating. And even tho I stripped them down to their onesies before removing them from their chairs, I still found little 'rice trails' leading to wherever the little grubs decided to wander. I even managed to come across some of the dried up rice from last night - much easier to clean than the 'fresh stuff.' Gross. Safe to say we won't be having rice again for awhile.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

it never ends....

I remember the days (not so long ago) when I longed for no more bottles - no more bottles to prepare and more importantly, no more bottles to WASH. I thought for sure I'd have so much time on my hands when the bottle washing days were behind me. I could start a new hobby - or maybe catch an extra hour or so of sleep. HAH. Now my bottle washing time has been replaced... by HIGH CHAIR clean up time. What's worse? I have to clean the highchairs (or at least the trays) EVERY TIME they eat - not to mention 4 hands, 10 fingers, 2 mouths and other occasional body parts - depending on what the meal was. (It's actually quite amazing to discover where a toddler can hide a a morsel! Isn't anatomy fun?) I spend endless hours (okay, minutes) on my hands and knees pushing crumbs into a pile once they are finished 'eating' only to discover that the floor has actually been fed more than the children. And we don't want them to eat those floor casualities (hah, if you think this doesn't happen in my house, you don't know me at all!) because that's just gross. And why is it that even after the 400th cheerio, they still need to eat the ones that feel on the floor? Perhaps we need to think about getting a dog.
After meal clean up is very important, but lately I'd give anything for a day of just bottles - the good ole days.

Monday, March 17, 2008

Not Irish today

Ava is dressed in red. Alex has on a blue/green plaid shirt- certainly not on purpose. I didn't remember it was actually St. Patrick's Day until after everyone was bathed and dressed this morning. Ever since I have been married, (the day I "became" Italian) this holiday has meant nothing to me. Let me rethink that... ever since I have been out of college and binge drinking was no longer a festive activity, this holiday has meant nothing to me. In fact, I never even considered myself Irish - yet my paternal grandmother's maiden name was Lavin. Shame on me.
I have memories of my mom making Irish potatoes, and corned beef and cabbage each year on this day when I was growing up. Yum! I guess when you 'become' Italian (or graduate college and have 3 kids) it just doesn't matter anymore.
So tonight, in honor of St. Patrick's Day, we will be having (Steak and) Potatoes for dinner. And maybe a side of pasta.

The abyss of the subwoofer

Some toys had gone missing. No big deal. I knew they were somewhere in this house - in between the sofa cousions, under my bed, in a laundry basket - who knows? But they always (usually) turn up somewhere. One day last week I caught Alex 'hiding' some toys in the subwoffer that sits next to our tv. That led to a new discovery... (some of) the missing toys! (in addition to some tissues and some other junk) My arm was barely skinny enough to fit inside to dig it all out. (note to self, eat more salad)
Now that I think of it, this may have been the same day Alex decided to show off his climbing abilities. Smarty Pants.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

The Amazing Alex

This table and chair set from Ikea sits in the foyer in our house...

How did he get up there? kid must have been a monkey in his past life. He loves to climb.

Socks and onesies, onesies and socks

If you have ever seen Max and Ruby on Noggin (Robert's favorite show these days) you can sing the title of this post to the tune of the theme song. Is anyone getting it? Anyone?
Anyway... I don't have a 'laundry schedule' I just kind of do it whenever it piles up enough. Today it was whites and it consisted of (you guessed it) mostly socks and onesies. My guess is that I hadn't done whites in 6 days - based solely on the fact that there were 12 onesies in this particular load.
And this is why I dread folding laundry...

Monday, March 10, 2008

FIghts and Water, not waterfights

Alex very much enjoys climbing the steps and seems to have radar that whenever the gate is open, he can climb. And boy is he fast! He'll crawl into the bathroom and entertain himself with a roll of toilet paper or he'll crawl into Robert's room and play with his toys. When I realize where he is, he thinks its a game, and lets out a squeal and will crawl away as fast as he can. I have noticed him 'talking' a whole lot more in the past couple of weeks and his appetite seems to be changing. He used to eat pretty much anything, but lately he has become more picky - just like his big brother - ugh.
Ava is practically running these days. She still boasts her 'in charge' attitude. Today I asked her where her baby was. She walked over to her doll and looked at her, then looked at me. I told her to hug the baby. She picked her up and snuggled with her - actually she kind of clenched the doll between her neck, but I knew what she meant. I was impressed. Today, she bit Alex's finger. I was surprised since Alex has been the 'biter' lately. They already fight like a brother and sister should. She wants what he has, He wants what she has. I give her the exact same thing that he has, and she still wants what he has. She eats off of his tray, he takes her sippycup, they pull eachother's hair. Then I pull my own hair! It's a wonderful life.
And then there is Robert. Roobert has a new fascination with water. Kid won't drink it, heck, he won't even take a bath these days. But for some reason he will take any recepticle he can find, run to the bathroom, fill it with water and find somewhere to dump it. Let's see, so far he has dumped it in a toy traincar, (which had holes in it and made for a mess on my kitchen floor) in his toy ball popper, and lastly, on the TV and cablebox in his playroom. That was an interesting evening. He claims he was trying to 'clean it.' Is this the same kid who pretends not to hear me when I sing the clean up song? how about picking up those trains, buddy? Leave the 'big cleaning' to mommy!

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

This takes the cake

The highlight of the birthday party...