Make New Friends But Keep the OLD

And by old I do not mean numeric age but more like years at the helm....You know a real friend..... when you haven't spoke to them in 10 plus years, and when you do, it is like it was yesterday. Jamie, I am glad you found me and can't wait to catch up! I have missed you.

Easter

Sorry for the radio silence, I will explain later, however here are some recent pics of my boys!

Jump Around

What have we been up to you ask (so, you didn't ask, I just want to tell, SO listen)?

There has been lots of Jumping...

TOns of Falling....

An enormous amount of Water Spray and Stink-Face

Topped with more outragous Jumping...............




This is the best toy yet, and we love it enough to sleep with/on it.

(and it safely cages the wild beast (gage))

To Be or Not to Bee (x's 3)

A week ago......

To make matters (more entertaining) worse......3 DAYS BEFORE

Scene: Walking the neighborhood looking for the stupid cat

Daimen - "I have never been stung by a bee"

Mom - "Son, you better watch what you say, those are famous last words"

KidZ Cracked Up

Who knew a trip to get shots at the Doc's could be so much fun....

1 great kid (+) a bag of Funions (x) the new breaking skill = a great time!

Free FuN 4 HourS

And Then

Friday the 23rd, the baby and I flew out of our small town airport in a "turbo prop" tiny tiny plane...

The baby screamed when it took off, shaking down the runway, and I tinkled a bit.

He did become a pro after awhile, yanno, he is a thrill seeker and wouldn't let anything like shaking seats and rattling metal stop his curiosity.

"MOM, are we there yet?"

After a long day of airport running, security, more running (to catch a delayed plane!!), some waiting, followed by a shuttle van driven by a gentleman whom must have been in a delusion involing a yellow cab and New York City traffic. The van ride should have had the traditional amusement park warnings......

We did get to see, the Swan & the Dolphin Hotel on Disney Property and the coolest transport around.

All in all, Gage did swimmingly! and I, well I, Survived!

The Beginning

Thursday Morning, July 22nd, the Road Warriors departed in delight, from what I heard, they had a blast! and arrived a whole um 14 HOURS earlier than the map program said!.!. Slow down Pappy, ha!

Not only where they fast but they got some sight seeing in along the way...

We're Back

Check out my THINGS....

Erica- I am in Florida.. I don't hav your #, call me plz

In 5-4-3-2-1........Liftoff

Drive OFF today....ROAD WARRIORS (Mu, Pappy, Jeremy, Daimen & Kollen)

THEN....the Gage-man and I fly off tomorrow...

And we are in paradise.......(kids paradise even)

Please say a prayer for our Road warriors safe arrival and for lil-mans ears on the plane.

Wordless Wednesday

Traveling MAN, woman indeed

I have been working fingers to the bone creating training guides and manuals for our consultants at work. Currently I am training in the most remote locations (even no bars on the phone yesterday). It is not glorious work by but if it means not being at work until 3am scrubbing data than I will do it.

We last trip I was a helper, this one I am the trainer and I could not think of a better time to come down with some gastrointestinal virus that also seems to have my neck lymph nodes "barking" hard enough to take my voice away...

All I have to say....the boys will be pleased when I get home tonight and can't talk


*Ashley* Congrats on the baby girl. Glad you found me again, hehe. Any pics on your blog on Gman and sis? hint hint

SHoot the perfectionisT

Alright so live has not changed since the previous entry, BUT i will not let my perfectionalitisic (is that word) personality alter my blog anymore. I am a ALL or nothing kind of person and I hate that it stops me from doing things. Yanno, sometimes you can't give something a 100% of what you want but that DOesn't mean it is not worthy of what you can give<------------me yelling at myself! So at the level to which life is functioning I know I can not keep up blogging like I did before, cute pictures with every post, funny stories, great use of punctuation (ha, just kidding) etc... However I love tracking our lives and sharing with all my family, friends, and bloggers our new experiences SO I am declaring right now that I will throw away my all or nothing attitude *that is stopping me from blogging* and just do my best! Deal?


Some updates:
Work is INSANE!! I am working long hours, 7:30am until 5pm, going home to do dinner and fun with the kids, bath and nightime rituals, put the kids to bed and go back to work around 8:30pm until 3:30am. I am doing a couple times a week and also a rigorous exercises program called P90X. If it was not for the intense workout everyday I would not have the energy to maintain the level I am at and so far it looks to stay intense through the summer. I am also happy to say that since Feb 2010, I have gone from a size 15 to a 9, I am LOVING it.

Daimen is brilliant as always and a complete Joy. He has had another Bday since my last post and It shocks me to admit I have a 12 year old son! Wow where did the time go? He is a superstar at school and tested into 9th grade level Allegra next year for high school credit (he is starting 7th grade).
I just got his final grades in and even moving 8weeks after the start of school into another district and Gifted classes he still managed to shock me....
Final Grade Averages for the year:
Reading 98
Math 95
PE 100
Band 95
Language 96
Science 97
Keyboarding 93
Social Studies 96
So Proud!!!

Gage is a rockstar....
he is growing out of his stomach sensitivities everyday,
eats like a champion,
is huge wearing size 3-4 toddler(only 17months people)
Loves going buhbye
has 16 teeth
says these new words: shoes, hi, buhbye really clear
says: where's Dada??? all the time lol, hmm where did he get that from?


That's it for now, will update more soon.

A Ride

Ok, I really was never gone, just on a wild ride that I like to call "Life's Roller Coaster"! It has taken every bit of my energy and reserves to stay in my seat, hold onto the handlebars, and find some kind of enjoyment in all the chaos.

I will get into more on that soon, I promise but for now I wanted to say...I am still here (if anyone comes here anymore anyway), and that I will write more soon.
(They should've printed...MOM, WIFE, & EMPLOYEE...to that sign..

And lastly...my self portrait...

I wouldn't change a thing...ok maybe more sleep, less snot, more...AHh never mind, I wouldn't change a thing!

OooPs

So,

A bee decided to go all evil on me and attack (fly into) my unsuspecting face, and I defended myself with my blackberry.

The bee won.

Family and friends to whom I "used" to have your number, please email or text message me with it please. My blackberry does work but the screen is black so I can see nothing. I do however have a new phone for bug fighting and maybe phone calling (if I ever get numbers in it again).


In other news: We have been busy body's

Work is keeping me past dark lately (nice to feel wanted and fought over, but am ready for some help)

Here are some recent Happens in our life....

In Gage's World.....

Gage has been a straight up "Monkey butt", fit throwing has become almost a daily occurrence which leads to figuring out the best plan of discipline (earlier than expected) for our 1 year old.

He has cut 3 molars in 3 weeks, poor baby. (1 to go)

Started taking steps the Sunday after his surgery. Not a full on walker by any means but big improvements in balance since the tubes were put in.

With the gracious help of M&P we painted his nursery this past weekend and it is awesome! I did not plan a easy paint job so it was a task for sure... THANKS a bunch M&P! (pictures soon)

He tried Dog food and had a belly ache and rash for days following the yummy treat....No, it did not sway him from wanting more so we had to move the dogs food from the kitchen.

He waves buh-bye now (usually not until you turn to walk away though).

Last night even, he started blowing kisses, SOooo cute.

Loves the show Yo Gab.ba Gabba

Because he loves the annoying show (above) he also got the first flat screen TV in our house, a 19inch tv with a dvd player built in, for watching his show in his room.

And lastly his vocab is getting larger these are the words so far in order:
Jay-Ya =Jabba= (dog) grrr
DaDa= (duh)
Nuc-nuc =Cat (thought it was the cat's name)
Sign language for dog- (grrrrrr)
Mama = (bout time son!)
Ca-ca = Cracker
Baba = bottle
Kitty = Cat (really high pitched when saying kitty)
Babo = Brother
and last night he added....
"Eh-Ar" =Guitar

In Daimen's World....

He moved up to 6th chair in band, from 11th I believe..so we are very proud.

He has been a huge help with his brother and even given me a (needed) 30min break here and there. He likes to invent toys to keep Gage busy.

Got straight A's on his report card.

Was grounded because he was wrestling with the neighborhood kids 5 houses down the street and all the kids were pretending they were in the UFC but not "pretending" when they were choking each other. ugh. Daimen did not choke anyone, actually was the one almost choked out, but was guilty by bad choices and served his time.

And lastly is attending a night out with Mom this weekend, where ever he wants to go.

JER & I....

Got each other a 32" flat screen Tv for Valentines day and will get it picked up this week.

Started a new diet two weeks ago and so far have lost a combined weight of 17lbs in 11 days but then you get 3 cheat days so we gained a few back,
Grand total combined weight loss
(including cheat days).......Drumroll........
13 Pounds

We just started our second rotation of the diet yesterday and are ready to loss loss loss.
It is a - 11 day on, 3 day off diet that tricks your metabolism into burning more and is by far the best diet plan yet (no starving).
13lbs

I got my 5 year service award and received a gift from the company. A home theatre surround sound system. Jer hooked part of it up last night and I think it is going to be great.

that's it for now.....Please text or email me with your contact info...

Hiatus

Sorry for the long hiatus but (there is always a but, right) life has been a bit curvy lately. To sum it up, sortly after Kollen flew home Gage's ear infection came back soon after it left (uninvited) and his allergy doc had exhausted all classes of antibiotics (to which he was allergic in some fashion to all of them). He sat on a ear infection for 4-5 days until we got in to see a ear, nose, and throat doc who scheduled surgery ASAP.

Adenoid gland removal, ear tubes, and a metabolic blood panel (immunity testing ish).

Fast forward 6 days and you get these pictures at 6am.....

Here is Gage, sporting the new faboulous sea blue whale printed fashionable hospital johnny, he is ready for a day in the ice cold O.R. or a stroll through central park, to spice up the look he has dangled via a sporty metal clip, the new, hip, Paci clip. Yes people we know it doesn't match which is soooooooooooo 2010. Go get yourself hives from all the worlds antibiotics and you too can get a crazy stylish Johnny of your own.....


With a smile like that who knew he had been fasting.

7:15am-

the first child of the day (they go by age)
They took him back and the worry set in.

A very long 30 mins later

I could here my baby screaming across the corridor.

Insert another 2-5 mins

of me wanting to hurt someone if they don't lead me to my screaming baby.

45mins ish of...
Holding and comforting a writhing, screaming, crying, and very angry little boy. until the codeine kicks in and he falls asleep.

30mins ish

We are home.

Arrived in the hospital at 6am and home at 9am. Success!

Currently....
Gage's lungs are a bit junky from the breathing tube, his lip is split on one side where they had to stretch it open, and congestion I am assuming caused from having his glands removed....is what we are dealing with now.

Future.... A baby's whose ears drums function better than 50%, maybe he will start crawling or even walking (speaking of that a post coming soon), less snot production from his nose/ on my clothes, and most of all a happier less sick child.

I am excited to hopefully get off this rotation....
Infection - antibiotic-med allergic response-stop med-infection comes back-new antibiotic-med allergic response etc......
And I am sure Gage is also...

Happy 8th Birthday Kollen!!

HAPPY BLOGGY BIRTHDAY TO YOU...

4 DAYS LATE

HAPPY BLOGGY BIRTHDAY TO YOU...

4 DAYS LATE

HAPPY BLOGGY BIRTHDAY DEAR KOLLEN

HAPPY BLOGGY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

Love you Son!

We did celebrate in real life during his Christmas visit and at the Great Wolf Lodge on his actual Birthday Day, January 1st. It was the first time he has had a swimming celebration on his birthday, seeing as it was about 35-40 degrees ferinheight outside.

A Birthday celebration on New Years Eve shared with his brother Gage took place at M&P's before we left for the Lodge, I will post about it soon and of course the pictures of the amazing (difficult, stressful, frustrating, sorry Mu) cake she made, it was delightful.

For those of you who may be confused, Kollen came into my life when his Dad did, 6 years ago, he is a great boy and a wonderful son who is a huge part of our family. He lives further away then we would like (3 hour plane ride), but enjoy the time when he is here the most. I am honored that this boy calls me Mum.

50/50

We have 3 out of 6 infected little men ears in our house right now. Our average is not looking good.

Thats HALF (for those who are not quick on there mathematical toes)


We had a good Christmas with the kids on Sunday (when Kollen got home). Our gift to the kids was to go to their favorite vacation spot, The G.reat W.olf Lodge, indoor waterpark and resort. We go this weekend and then Kollen goes back up North until spring break. He arrived out of sorts on Sunday with a sore ear and Monday we took him to the clinic he had a fever and dual ear infection. He is doing better now he has good meds on board. I missed that little squirt and am glad he is here.

The other munchkin (Gage), with a new nickname "fussy butt" fell to pieces all day yesterday and into the night. I came to conclusion he has fallen into middle brothers footsteps and also had a ear infection. Who needs a ear scope, give me a baby with weird breath (I can smell his ear infections, weird eh), falls to pieces for nothing, and is extra needy, gotta be a ear infection.

Daddy took him into the allergy doc this morning and sure enough my nose did not let me down, littlest munchkin is also a red ear monkey. You may be wondering why the "allergy doc" and not regular one, well the cliff notes are that....on top of most foods and seasonal chronic sinusitis, Gage is allergic to all antibiotics so far. We will be doing some more evasive testing next week because the doctor is concerned that he has no more antibiotic classes left to try. The testing will tell us if the reaction to the penicillin class of meds is a IgE reaction or IgG, to break that down if I am understanding correctly it means....

IgE reaction - could equal consequences that include but not limited to shock and death

IgG reaction - can be treated through and will just make him miserable during the treatment, it is more like a drug reaction then an immune system reaction.

A list of symptoms and meds so far are as follows (forgive spelling). I need to write this somewhere because it is starting to blend together.

Zithramicin - after 4 days, full body rash, swollen tongue with bumps
Amoxicilian - after 5 days, full body rash
Omnicef - after 2 days, full body rash, swollen hot red cheeks
Bactrim - after 24hours, (tried twice), red swollen hot cheeks

Today, after much studying, doc decided we should try Clindamycin. So here's to praying for a non-reaction to the "back pocket" antibiotic and we will deal with his teeth coming in stained yellow if we have to.

Fun times....
Speaking of fun times, daddy had his first full day with the boys yesterday and when he came to work to pass me the baby so he could take Kollen to the doctors, I walked out into the lobby....

Jer - looked very defeated
Gage - was crying
Kollen - was crying
Daimen - was fine

I almost turned around and went back inside, lol poor babies. I think my husband has a new found respect for mom's.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO GAGE

8,736 hours ago at 8:06am December 17th 2008, this belly

Gave us this super sweet boucing 9lb 1oz, 21.5 inch Baby Boy

Who today has turned into my bouncing 1 year old Boy (even if he is not a morning person on his bday)

My baby is no longer a baby (well to everyone else that is), no longer a cute cuddly zero but a very brilliant

1 Year old toddler

Happy Birthday Little Man,! We Love You!

Coming Soon: A Birthday post is in the making and some pictures of him opening gifts and his first time at Chucky Cheese