It may not seem like many, but I've written exactly 150 posts in almost exactly three years, since I began writing in this blog that Greg made me start.
On my blog entry written on July 26, 2003, I wrote about counting down the last few days before our baby's birth. I also commented that Greg had picked up Allie and they were galloping all over the basement to bluegrass music as I typed. I said, "oh, the energy of a three-year-old."
And now Julia's turning three on Sunday. She's very excited. She's been talking about when her birthday was going to come since Allie had her birthday. I guess she thinks birthdays are a pretty good deal, what with the cake, ice cream, presents, and massive attention.
Our girls were born exactly three-and-a-half years apart, so it's been a long six months for the poor child.
Her party is on Saturday. It'll be the third annual Julia's Birthday Party Water Fight, an Elmo cake, great food cooked by Chef Greg, and a houseful of family who don't visit often enough.
She can't wait. I can't wait. Here's to happy birthdays!
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Physicians are our friends
As you've probably heard from Greg, we went a little Ikea crazy this weekend. This was after we spent all day inside in air conditioning in Chicago (it was 95 outside) and after we had a lovely night's stay at a very nice suite hotel.
We got home Sunday evening and spent literally 4 hours assembling various pieces of new furniture (in Greg's case, assembling, then disassembling, then assembling again correctly--like the one I put together!). Sorry honey, but you don't make that many mistakes and I have to rub it in when it happens.
I don't even think I walked through tall grass all weekend, let alone brushed against any other plants. It was strictly concrete and carpeting. And we were inside approximately 99 percent of the time. So how did I get some kind of bite or plant reaction on each of my legs?
Nasty bites too--ones that were really itchy at first, then growing, then still growing until the one on my left leg was about six inches across. I talked to the nurse at work and then decided it might be prudent to see a doctor.
Dr. Bluemel was very nice but clueless as to what I actually had on my legs. He said, however, that there was obviously a secondary infection going on now and therefore an antibiotic would be a good idea.
Now it's about 29 hours later and the bites are much better. They both actually got even bigger after I saw the doctor before the pills kicked in and kicked butt. I'm planning on scrubbing off the lines drawn on my legs (used to measure where the swelling was progressing) in the morning.
In the meantime, it looks a little like I have some kind of Target tattoo. I love to shop there, but not that much. I guess I'll just have to continue getting better.
We got home Sunday evening and spent literally 4 hours assembling various pieces of new furniture (in Greg's case, assembling, then disassembling, then assembling again correctly--like the one I put together!). Sorry honey, but you don't make that many mistakes and I have to rub it in when it happens.
I don't even think I walked through tall grass all weekend, let alone brushed against any other plants. It was strictly concrete and carpeting. And we were inside approximately 99 percent of the time. So how did I get some kind of bite or plant reaction on each of my legs?
Nasty bites too--ones that were really itchy at first, then growing, then still growing until the one on my left leg was about six inches across. I talked to the nurse at work and then decided it might be prudent to see a doctor.
Dr. Bluemel was very nice but clueless as to what I actually had on my legs. He said, however, that there was obviously a secondary infection going on now and therefore an antibiotic would be a good idea.
Now it's about 29 hours later and the bites are much better. They both actually got even bigger after I saw the doctor before the pills kicked in and kicked butt. I'm planning on scrubbing off the lines drawn on my legs (used to measure where the swelling was progressing) in the morning.
In the meantime, it looks a little like I have some kind of Target tattoo. I love to shop there, but not that much. I guess I'll just have to continue getting better.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Creaky and old
I can't believe how much I enjoy watching "I Love the (70s, 80s, 90s)" on VH1. It's all so familiar and some of it seems so recent, not twenty years ago or longer.
I turned 40 last year and Greg turns 40 this year. I'm starting to have trouble reading really tiny type on things and I usually turn on a light when I need to do something detailed. I have some gray hair (though not as much as my sisters!). I sometimes feel creaky in the morning when I first get up, for a minute or two--usually my feet or my left knee (if I sat with my leg under me the night before).
I was thinking the other day that when my mom was the age I am now, I was already 15 years old and her oldest was 19 and on her own.
On the other hand, I have a six and a half year old and an almost three year old. I didn't plan it that way, but I think they'll keep me young for a good while yet.
I turned 40 last year and Greg turns 40 this year. I'm starting to have trouble reading really tiny type on things and I usually turn on a light when I need to do something detailed. I have some gray hair (though not as much as my sisters!). I sometimes feel creaky in the morning when I first get up, for a minute or two--usually my feet or my left knee (if I sat with my leg under me the night before).
I was thinking the other day that when my mom was the age I am now, I was already 15 years old and her oldest was 19 and on her own.
On the other hand, I have a six and a half year old and an almost three year old. I didn't plan it that way, but I think they'll keep me young for a good while yet.
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Green trees and hugs
The other night, we drove up to Madison for dinner and it was just too nice of an evening to go straight back home (though that same situation landed us in trouble not too long ago--remember the horror of the Asian market!).
With these long summer evenings, we thought we'd have time to go to the nearby zoo, so we headed over there. Unfortunately, the zoo personnel must not share our belief that long summer evenings are a good time to look at animals, so they were closed.
Instead, we headed into the nearby arboretum, which is one of those places that we've read about and always thought would be fun to explore but we'd never actually been in yet despite the fact that we once drove around a good part of it trying to find Monroe Street or somewhere and we've lived here for nearly 9 years now (phew!).
So we drove in and it was kind of magical. Cool green tunnel of trees, water on one side, lots of bikers and joggers, and many, many squirrels. You would certainly never have thought that you were in a place surrounded on all sides by a city of 250,000. We saw more bunnies than you could shake a stick at, lots of birds, and even two sandhill cranes.
We parked and walked around exploring for almost an hour. My favorite memory of the evening--Greg and the girls had wandered away a little bit to explore a willow arbor/hut type of structure. Julia decided that instead of exploring further with them, she was going to head back to me.
And with a wide grin, arms outflung, giggling, she raced back towards me. I squatted down and caught her in a great, big hug. What a treat. Especially since that became a game for the rest of the evening.
She'd walk away, turn around, yell, "Sit down on your legs," wait for me to squat and open my arms, and come running like a madwoman.
I'm saving this stuff up, you know. She already tells me sometimes that she doesn't like me and I'm not looking forward to the first time she says she hates me.
I'll read this blog entry someday when she's 9 or 13 or 16 (or maybe all three) and I'll remember that enormous, joyous hug.
I love you, Julia.
With these long summer evenings, we thought we'd have time to go to the nearby zoo, so we headed over there. Unfortunately, the zoo personnel must not share our belief that long summer evenings are a good time to look at animals, so they were closed.
Instead, we headed into the nearby arboretum, which is one of those places that we've read about and always thought would be fun to explore but we'd never actually been in yet despite the fact that we once drove around a good part of it trying to find Monroe Street or somewhere and we've lived here for nearly 9 years now (phew!).
So we drove in and it was kind of magical. Cool green tunnel of trees, water on one side, lots of bikers and joggers, and many, many squirrels. You would certainly never have thought that you were in a place surrounded on all sides by a city of 250,000. We saw more bunnies than you could shake a stick at, lots of birds, and even two sandhill cranes.
We parked and walked around exploring for almost an hour. My favorite memory of the evening--Greg and the girls had wandered away a little bit to explore a willow arbor/hut type of structure. Julia decided that instead of exploring further with them, she was going to head back to me.
And with a wide grin, arms outflung, giggling, she raced back towards me. I squatted down and caught her in a great, big hug. What a treat. Especially since that became a game for the rest of the evening.
She'd walk away, turn around, yell, "Sit down on your legs," wait for me to squat and open my arms, and come running like a madwoman.
I'm saving this stuff up, you know. She already tells me sometimes that she doesn't like me and I'm not looking forward to the first time she says she hates me.
I'll read this blog entry someday when she's 9 or 13 or 16 (or maybe all three) and I'll remember that enormous, joyous hug.
I love you, Julia.
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Naked sliding
I don't know what type of paragraph you were expecting when you read that title, but the naked refers to an almost 3-year-old who refused to wear clothes while on the slip and slide the other day.
The slip and slide is new, you see. I got it out of the box on July 4th and put both girls in t-shirts and shorts to try it out (their swimsuits having been forgotten at daycare that day).
As you can see from the pictures on Greg's blog, Allie was perfectly happy keeping on her outfit while she got wet. Julia, however, is apparently a budding nudist.
Initially, she was OK getting wet wearing her t-shirt-and-shorts "swimsuit." Then she said she was cold, so I bundled her next to me on the blanket while we watched her sister slide, Julia wrapped tightly in a towel.
I thought she'd be more comfortable sitting there without her clingy wet t-shirt, so I helped her out of it, keeping the towel wrapped around her shoulders so she wouldn't get colder.
Almost immediately, she got over her goosebumps and decided she was ready to slide again. Except she decided she didn't need to wear her wet shorts or panties either. She pushed them off and took off towards the slide. I was laughing too hard to insist immediately, and by the time I started to press the issue, she was busy sliding and repeatedly told me, "I OK, I OK."
My daughter, the naturist. I got some cute pictures of her bare backside. I've got big plans for blackmail in about 14 years!
The slip and slide is new, you see. I got it out of the box on July 4th and put both girls in t-shirts and shorts to try it out (their swimsuits having been forgotten at daycare that day).
As you can see from the pictures on Greg's blog, Allie was perfectly happy keeping on her outfit while she got wet. Julia, however, is apparently a budding nudist.
Initially, she was OK getting wet wearing her t-shirt-and-shorts "swimsuit." Then she said she was cold, so I bundled her next to me on the blanket while we watched her sister slide, Julia wrapped tightly in a towel.
I thought she'd be more comfortable sitting there without her clingy wet t-shirt, so I helped her out of it, keeping the towel wrapped around her shoulders so she wouldn't get colder.
Almost immediately, she got over her goosebumps and decided she was ready to slide again. Except she decided she didn't need to wear her wet shorts or panties either. She pushed them off and took off towards the slide. I was laughing too hard to insist immediately, and by the time I started to press the issue, she was busy sliding and repeatedly told me, "I OK, I OK."
My daughter, the naturist. I got some cute pictures of her bare backside. I've got big plans for blackmail in about 14 years!
Monday, July 03, 2006
Showers ending early
It was pretty warm here today but the evening was nice, so the girls and I went out on the deck to read books.
We've had some nearby severe weather lately, but the worst has gone to the north and south of us. As a result, it hasn't rained much for awhile. I decided we should water my mini-garden.
My garden has three daylilies, two chewed down the nubs by rabbits and one glorious (183 blossoms this year despite no real care), some habernero peppers that don't seem to be growing (planted for my husband who loves hot food), a bunch of orange pansies (not that you would know they were orange because the aforementioned bunnies have eaten every last flower), a few marigolds (thank god bunnies don't like marigolds), and some tomato plants, which actually seem to be doing well and some of which have little green Roma tomatoes on them.
Naturally, both Allie and Julia wanted to hold the nozzle of the hose, which naturally drips. I cautioned them once to be careful of their clothes and then gave up, since it was within a half hour of bedtime (and pajamas) anyway.
Five minutes later, Allie asked if she could run through the shower of spray, and five minutes after that, they were both completely drenched, shrieking in joy, and giggling helplessly. And that water was cold!
Daddy was nice enough to get towels and both girls went to bed with damp, towel-dried hair. Actually, Allie just went to bed five minutes ago because she begged Daddy to catch fireflies tonight.
And who knows when she'll be able to get to sleep. It's the night before Independence Day (yes, from those long-ago nasty British, but we like them now!) and everyone is showing off their fireworks. Snap, crackle, pop, and boom!
Happy Fourth of July, a little early.
We've had some nearby severe weather lately, but the worst has gone to the north and south of us. As a result, it hasn't rained much for awhile. I decided we should water my mini-garden.
My garden has three daylilies, two chewed down the nubs by rabbits and one glorious (183 blossoms this year despite no real care), some habernero peppers that don't seem to be growing (planted for my husband who loves hot food), a bunch of orange pansies (not that you would know they were orange because the aforementioned bunnies have eaten every last flower), a few marigolds (thank god bunnies don't like marigolds), and some tomato plants, which actually seem to be doing well and some of which have little green Roma tomatoes on them.
Naturally, both Allie and Julia wanted to hold the nozzle of the hose, which naturally drips. I cautioned them once to be careful of their clothes and then gave up, since it was within a half hour of bedtime (and pajamas) anyway.
Five minutes later, Allie asked if she could run through the shower of spray, and five minutes after that, they were both completely drenched, shrieking in joy, and giggling helplessly. And that water was cold!
Daddy was nice enough to get towels and both girls went to bed with damp, towel-dried hair. Actually, Allie just went to bed five minutes ago because she begged Daddy to catch fireflies tonight.
And who knows when she'll be able to get to sleep. It's the night before Independence Day (yes, from those long-ago nasty British, but we like them now!) and everyone is showing off their fireworks. Snap, crackle, pop, and boom!
Happy Fourth of July, a little early.
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Feline friends
I've always loved cats. When I was a kid, my sisters and I brought home two cats (sequentially), but they were mostly my mom's pets. One died in the street in front of our house while I was in first grade. The other died at home while I was away at college. My parents haven't had another cat since.
After I had moved out on my own for a few years, I moved to a new apartment just so I could get a cat. I had Butterscotch for twelve years, until he became very ill with liver cancer and we had him put to sleep. His ashes are in a small urn on our fireplace mantel. They've been there for four years now.
We were going to bury the ashes in the yard, but somehow we've never done it. I don't hold the urn and remember him or anything, but I kind of like having them near.
Now today my sister called to say that her ten-year-old cat, Reebok, has been diagnosed with kidney failure. I've been searching websites for information, trying to find out what therapies are available and if kitty dialysis is even a possibility.
Our current cat, Pig, has diabetes. I wrote about her awhile back. Other than giving her prescription cat food and the fact that she pees a LOT, she's been stable for more than a year without further treatment.
When she was diagnosed, I also did research on the web. There is alot of information available. There are also lots of stories of the ups and downs some people have gone through as they fight to keep their cats alive through various illnesses.
And there are memorial pages with stories of how cats have changed the lives of people forever.
Reebok is a wonderful cat. I wish strength for my sister and her husband as they make the difficult choices that lie ahead.
After I had moved out on my own for a few years, I moved to a new apartment just so I could get a cat. I had Butterscotch for twelve years, until he became very ill with liver cancer and we had him put to sleep. His ashes are in a small urn on our fireplace mantel. They've been there for four years now.
We were going to bury the ashes in the yard, but somehow we've never done it. I don't hold the urn and remember him or anything, but I kind of like having them near.
Now today my sister called to say that her ten-year-old cat, Reebok, has been diagnosed with kidney failure. I've been searching websites for information, trying to find out what therapies are available and if kitty dialysis is even a possibility.
Our current cat, Pig, has diabetes. I wrote about her awhile back. Other than giving her prescription cat food and the fact that she pees a LOT, she's been stable for more than a year without further treatment.
When she was diagnosed, I also did research on the web. There is alot of information available. There are also lots of stories of the ups and downs some people have gone through as they fight to keep their cats alive through various illnesses.
And there are memorial pages with stories of how cats have changed the lives of people forever.
Reebok is a wonderful cat. I wish strength for my sister and her husband as they make the difficult choices that lie ahead.
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