Friday, December 26, 2008

I was going to write a post about our wonderful Christmas, but I'm really quite distracted right now, because Isaac is at the hospital getting stitches at this moment. He is okay, but he fell pretty hard and cut the area right below his lip with his teeth. I'm hoping the plastic surgeon does a good job and that all goes well. Caroline is a complete wreck and is wondering where Isaac is and why he is not in bed. I keep saying that he got hurt and is with the doctor right now and she seems to understand, but she is very unhappy about Isaac being gone. She even talked to Isaac on the phone, which I believe is a first for them.

I forgot to add that Caroline was not home at the time Isaac got hurt. She was at a friend's apartment, so that is why she's confused, I think.

UPDATE: 9pm Isaac is home now. He had 5 stitches on his lip :(. He is very tired and is going to bed now.
 
The kids had fun unwrapping their gifts!
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Merry Christmas!

 


We had a wonderful Christmas yesterday. Anna started walking too!
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Wednesday, December 17, 2008

My little helper

Isaac came to me the other day and stated "I need a tissue." I gave him a tissue and proceeded to follow him. He went to the kitchen and on the floor next to his cup, there was a little milk spilled. He wiped it up and announced happily "All clean!"

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Sleep adventures, part II

Last night all three kids slept in the same room again. After finally getting everyone to sleep (Isaac posed a problem here) the evening went well. Isaac woke up around midnight and ended up in our bed, but his restlessness made this situation untenable for long. I moved him back to his bed and he did not stir until 7am! Anna slept really well too, only waking up once at 6:15am. I'm so glad I moved her!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Sleep adventures

I moved Anna's crib to her brother and sister's room last night. She has slept in our room from day 1 and I thought I would try moving her finally. The 3 kids do not sleep very well at all and I figured that they could wake each other up for a change and *I* could get some sleep. Just joking. A little.

Getting all 3 kids to sleep was challenging, though not impossible, as they were all finally asleep at 9pm. At around 11pm, Isaac and Anna woke up screaming and Todd and I quieted them both back to sleep. Caroline woke up screaming about an hour later. Then she went back to sleep. At around 4am, I heard Anna crying and I tried to get myself out of bed, but I was weighed down by *something*. I looked down and it was Isaac nestled in arm. He had the forethought to secure a stool from the kitchen in order to climb onto our bed. I was so exhausted I did not even notice his presence. I had Todd move him to the middle of our bed, because my arm was completely "asleep" and tingling horribly. It's much better now. Anyway, the kids are going to "school" for a day and I am thrilled. I'm going to wrap presents and run a few errands.

Saturday, December 06, 2008

Caroline is 4!



Caroline had her 4th birthday a few days ago and we had a wonderful celebration. Her dad took her to the American Museum of Natural History, which has amazing animal exhibits and dinosaur models and skeletons. She had a fantastic time and came home to see some friends and open some birthday presents.

Thanksgiving

I started planning for turkey day about a week before Thanksgiving. I planned our menu, recipes, shopping lists and so on. I made about half of our meal the night before and stuck it in the refrigerator (or as Caroline says "Defrigidator") to ease the work load in our tiny kitchen. I will try to post the recipes somewhere on the blog, just in case any one is interested. Anyway, I watched about 5 minutes of the Macy's Day Parade in the morning. I wanted to watch the whole thing, but our morning's can be crazy, so I missed the big parade. I was a little sad about that, but maybe next year I can see the whole thing (maybe I can even go in person!).

We had:

Turkey Stuffing
Crockpot Turkey Breast
Green Bean Casserole (2 kinds)
Cranberry Sauce
Sweet Potato Casserole

This year was the first year I actually cooked turkey. It was not a whole turkey or anything, but it was a 5.5 lb bone-in turkey breast. I was a little nervous about cooking it, because I know nothing about cooking turkeys, so I decided to try cooking it in the crockpot. I rubbed a package of dry onion soup mix over the bird and placed it in the slow cooker. I poured a can of whole-berry cranberry sauce over the top and spread it around evenly. I cooked it on high for 3 hours and then low for about 4 hours. It was juicy and delicious in a way turkey cooked in the oven is not. I really enjoyed it, even.

I made cranberry sauce too. It's a simple recipe, but it was very tasty.



I have some more pictures to share when I get a chance, but for now enjoy my mini-thanksgiving post.

Friday, December 05, 2008

This is the best picture...

 

Out of the many I took. It always seems like someone is not coopoerating.
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Monday, December 01, 2008

Sunday, November 23, 2008

It's cold!

It's 26 degrees this morning! It's usually in the 40s at this time of year, and on good days in the 50s. This weather isn't supposed to be here until January.

This morning I heard Caroline quietly talking to Isaac. This is what she said:

"Isaac, go ask mommy for egg sandwich" She initially asked me and I responded "maybe" (a response I used to detest as a child) so she sent in Isaac to ask me. We get egg sandwiches from the deli in our building. We go probably once a week for egg sandwiches and coffee, but I didn't feel like venturing into our sub-zero hallway. I ended up giving them banana bread from yesterday (It was great!) and some frozen waffles. (well, I toasted the waffles first, but they were originally frozen)

Saturday, November 22, 2008

The Baby Dragon and little arms.

We live in a sea of cuteness. Caroline has started referring to Anna as "Baby Dragon." Isaac is also a Baby Dragon. Mommy is a cat. Daddy is a Hippo.

This morning, Caroline was asking me to fetch a toy for her. She wasn't far away from it (maybe 5 feet) and she doesn't have any broken legs, so I told her that she needed to get it. She whined and complained. "But mom, I don't want to." Finally, she claimed "But I can't mommy! My arms are too little."

Friday, November 21, 2008

An update about Isaac...

We've been having GI issues with Isaac. Diarrhea, vomiting, fevers and really all kinds of unpleasantness. I don't want to go into much detail, but we have been dealing with this for a year now. He has been tested for Celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, and worked up and down for answers. His most recent blood work came back normal. We have a new symptom now, though. It's Anna. She has started having diarrhea. I called his doctor and we discussed this most recent development. We think that it is either infectious (possibly) or a milk allergy. I hope that we can get this resolved soon! Either that, I will need to buy stock in pampers wipes and lysol!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

School!

I sent Caroline and Isaac off to school today! They were really excited (well, Caroline at least) and I was happy for a little peace. It's a one day thing and they didn't really go to school (they went to a factory!) Ok, just kidding about that. It's a daycare that is part of Todd's work. It's a really, really nice daycare with castles and pirate ships built into the center. They have great toys and do fun art projects. I'm starting to get a bit jealous that I didn't go! The kid/teacher ratio is like 1:2 or something insane like that. Anyway, I've had a nice break today.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

A first!

I just caught Anna Sophia standing the in the middle of the living room clapping and laughing. I didn't know she could clap, but she has been standing up unsupported here and there for a few weeks. Caroline thought it was funny and was clapping too chanting "she did it!" several times.

A box of dinosaurs in every corner

I was changing a rather interesting diaper yesterday and needed wipes, so I reached for the wipes container and opened it. Much to my surprise, I found that it was filled with little dinosaurs. What does one do in this situation? I called for Caroline and handed her the box of dinosaurs and asked her to get me the wipes. She brought a handful to me from the floor of her room, which I then used.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Caroline asked me the other day to call her "dragon." I don't know what started this, but she spent hours insisting that she was "dragon" and not Caroline.

ME: Caroline, please clean up your toys.
C: I not Caroline. I dragon.
ME: Okay, Dragon, please clean up your toys.
C: Dragons don't clean up toys.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Q: How many economists does it take to screw in a light bulb?

A: None. The invisible hand does it for them.
Sorry for the long absence again. We are fine, just busy. The kids are sitting in a box beside me playing "pirate ships and dinosaurs" a game that has been a favorite lately. Isaac is becoming more and more vocal. Instead of saying, "no" he says, "no, I don't want to" or "my not want it". Caroline is learning how to negotiate and will tell me that she will indeed eat her broccoli, but only after I give her a banana. I, of course, don't let her negotiate her dinner, but she tries and I admire her diligence. Anna remains very active, not quite walking, but not just crawling either.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

 
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I'm trying to get a nice photo of the kids for our Christmas card and I've been taking take pics for a few days now. This is the best one. Yeah, 2 of the kids have their tongues sticking out. *sigh*
 
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Sunday, October 12, 2008

Wow! Has it really been this long?

Let me first say that the little ones are fine. We have been busy, all of us, doing fun things like learning how to read (Caroline) drawing on the floors/walls/furniture with marker (Isaac) and cruising around the furniture (Anna). Seriously though, Isaac has a knack for coloring. He loves markers and most importantly loves to connect them end to end into long poles. When he's not making light sabers, he's coloring on the walls! Boy he is quick! I leave to change Anna's diaper (which has been extremely unpleasant this week, by the way) and he's turning our wall into Picasso's canvas. How do you get marker off walls? I have no idea. Anyway, things really have been going well.

Caroline is starting to read the Bob Books (volume 1) and she is really excited to be able to sound out small words. She knows how to spell her name now too. One morning, she said to me Caroline C-A-R-O-L-I-N-E spells Caroline. I have no idea where she learned that. She can spell some smaller words to, like Cat and Sam. Since she is turning 4 in December, I'm starting to think more about homeschooling and what specific things I want to teach her this year. Reading and counting/math are at the top of my list. Caroline can add and subtract small sets of objects if it is in front of her.

Isaac is learning the periodic table of elements and trying to keep up with his sister (who, by the way knows the first 54) and he knows all the planets in our solar system (Pluto included), shapes, colors, animals but his favorite thing now is trucks and cars. When we walk to the playground, he identifies everything. Yesterday he saw a concrete mixer and a tow truck and a taxi cab. The other day it was a crane, a bus, and a helicopter. Sometimes he will be looking out the window and he will be able to point out "the Staten Island Ferry" and "cruise ship."

Anna Sophia is going to be walking soon. She is cruising around furniture now, but she has her sights set on being more independent. Anna weighs about 16 lbs now, so she is still small, but she is starting to get chubby cheeks and fill out into more toddlerish proportions.

She is starting to wean, which sort of makes me sad. I really want her to breastfeed for at least a year. She is comfort nursing at nights mostly, but there is too much action going on during the day for her to nurse. She simply doesn't want to. Oh well. She is healthy and growing and I really shouldn't complain about it.

It has been a lot of fun these last few weeks. All the kids in our neighborhood are in school, the tourists are not around as much, and the weather is gorgeous, so we are really taking advantage of the empty playgrounds.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

I got my cast off today. I was really looking forward to it and now that it's off, moving my hand is very difficult. I can't bend my wrist much at all or even hold things. I've started wearing my old splint, because I almost feel like I have more freedom with it on. I will start physical therapy on Friday and I hope to gain my regular mobility soon.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Anna is better now...

And better yet, she is now sleeping through the night! Almost. She woke up once last night and I was able to get her back to sleep without nursing her, which is progress for us. Oh, and my cast comes off tomorrow!

Friday, September 19, 2008

Anna is sick.

Last night she started throwing up and during the night she developed a fever. Todd gave her some tylenol, which brought the fever down for a few hours but it wore off and the fever returned. I gave her some more tylenol and she finally slept for about 2 hours.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

I've moved some posts...

I'm trying to keep all my political posts off this blog. I moved them to my political blog for those who are interested.

I can stand up now!

 
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Tuesday, September 16, 2008

The Year of The Bailout!

2008 is going to go down as the Year of the Bailout. How many more will there be? Sure Bear Stearns was 'bought' by JP Morgan, but only because the government backed all those trashy mortgage bonds that no one else wanted to pony up for. Fannie and Freddie were just bought by the government outright and we will be paying dearly for it for YEARS. All the bank failures are going to be paid for by us. Are we bailing out the failing automakers too? The airlines? When is enough enough? I'm outraged!

One Week!

I have one week left of cast-hood and then the cast comes off. It seems like forever away, but it will be 6 more days. Once it is off, I hope to write a more substantial post.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Sunday, September 14, 2008

teensy update

Anna Sophia just started pulling herself to a stand. Not even 7 months old yet and she already wants to walk (and wean, which is a post for another day) Hand is still feeling like poo, but I guess it is to be expected. Hope all my readers are doing well!

Friday, September 12, 2008

Surgery...bleh

I'm feeling a bit under the weather today (where in the world did that saying come from?). Don't expect much blogging until my cast comes off, which will be Sept 23. Hope to be back on soon!

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

Back from surgery! Everything seems to have gone well, but now I have to type with one hand, so this post is short.

Isaac and cars

Isaac loves anything with wheels these days. I think his favorite thing, though, is not even a toy, it's a book with pictures of cars and trucks. He brings it to me 4 or 5 times a day to read (which really means that I read it 15 times). He even sleeps with this book! He is speaking in complete sentences now, though sometimes his pronouns are mixed up or verbs are used incorrectly. His favorite phrase starts "My need...(milk, book, truck, train, cookie)"

I think I could really use a cookie too, but as my surgery is today, there is no food for me!

Monday, September 08, 2008

I'm sure you've all heard about the Fannie/Freddie bailout. Only $200 billion. I suspect that it will be more, because bailouts are always underestimated. I guess the bailout has been in the works for a while, but it's still a bit of a surprise. Of course, big business has the concerned ear of government and can squeeze out goodies for itself by the barrel. After all, the government is not paying for it, at least not in any meaningful way. WE are paying for it.

Sunday, September 07, 2008

Sisters

 
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Sippy Cup Art

 
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I'm so tired! This pile of cuteness has refused her naps today and she kept me awake a lot last night. She's been crawling around the floor playing with toys and crying intermittently. I don't see any teeth coming in so I can't figure out why she is so fussy these days.
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Saturday, September 06, 2008

I want to rename this blog as its present name is getting a bit long. Suggestions? Anyone?

Thursday, September 04, 2008

News...

I'm having another surgery performed on Tuesday. For those who know me well, you might have noticed that I have a bump on the back of my left hand. It's not supposed to be there and it's causing me a few problems, so I'm getting it removed. I have a similar bump on the right hand, but it's much smaller and is not causing me problems. Anyway, say a little prayer that it all goes well. The bump is officially called a Carpal Boss.

The kids are all doing well. We are going to the playground a lot these days and generally enjoying spending time outside. Anyway, I'm sorry this post is uninspired. I'm really tired.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Involuntary volunteering?

I heard about Barack Obama's plan to require community service of its citizens. Is he serious?

Apparently.

This is absurd. Volunteering should be voluntary. I'm all for volunteering but it isn't necessarily the "right" thing to do. And requiring people to "volunteer" without pay seems wrong to me.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

We've been busy these last few weeks (honestly, when am I not busy??) and it has been tough for me to post, so here is a quick update:

(1) No, I am NOT pregnant. Just because I crocheted some itty bitty baby shoes does not mean I'm pregnant. Silly readers.

(2) Anna is crawling. She has been crawling for 2 weeks now. Yikes! She's not even 6 months old.

(3) Caroline thinks that Tyrannosaurus Rex is the best dinosaur ever.

(4) Isaac likes chicken. Anytime I'm making food, he asks hopefully: "chicken?"

(5) Caroline calls fish sticks "fish fingers"

I don't even like meat, but the kids are always asking for it, so they are eating lots of chicken and fish these days.

Well, that's all for now.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Here are some more photos...

 
 

These photos show a little more detail if anyone is interested. The stitches are mostly double crochet (dc), but the stitches single crochet(sc), half double crochet(hdc), and double crochet 2 together (dc2tog) are also used. I have the pattern if anyone is interested (it is a freebie).
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My latest crochet project.

 

I haven't really crocheted much recently, but I did this little project last week. They are baby booties for Anna Sophia. Unfortunately, since she has started crawling, they don't really work for her as she kicks them off any chance she gets. Oh well.
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Tuesday, August 05, 2008

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