I'm so sick of dealing with sick. My own mild cold symptoms have endured for what seems like weeks. I had a brief visit with actual sickness - sore throat, coughing that kept me up at night - but now it just feels like my ears are plugged a lot of the time, mildly annoying is about all.
Kids, on the other hand...Lola's had a cold the last week or so as well. Nightly filling of humidifers I can handle, but the pinnacle of sick was a few nights ago (between holidays and general daze of sick, inauguration, busy life, etc. I can't keep track of when anything actually occurred) when Lola was coughing her head off, up and down throughout the 2am-5am period, finally coming to bed with us at 5-something. She seems to be getting better, in that slow, long-tail kind of way where you get close the gap between sick and well by half each day but never actually get there.
Sid joined the movement tonight, sort of. He's had a little runny nose for a few days, nothing major. A bit of a cough set in, but still pretty mild, thankfully. He also has a molar coming in, so he's been a bit cranky. The real treat was after putting him to bed, he cried a bit longer than normal so we "rescued" him like we do, giving him a few more minutes of awake time before putting him back in his crib. Only this time, Morgan gave him a squirt of Tylenol to help him sleep with teething pain, followed by a sip of water. Apparently the Tylenol/water combo triggered his gag reflex and, well, let's just say we found out exactly how much mac and cheese he ate and that he doesn't chew his food. Cleanup on aisle 12.
Please, let us get well and stay that way for a while...I can't decide whether sleepless nights or cleaning up "pew-hawk" (Lola's expression for Sid's eruptus) is less desirable in the annals of parental duties.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Back to it
Sheesh, over two weeks since last I wrote here. Between holidays and the usual busy-ness of life with two kids and running a business, blogging has taken a back seat, clearly.
We had a nice Christmas, snow and all, and a visit from Aunt Patty to round things out. Lola has hardly had any time on her trampoline that Santa brought, between cold, snow, and punishment for some pretty bad naughty times we've seen in recent weeks, she hasn't had more than a dozen bounces on it, poor thing. We're all enjoying the Wii Fit we got, and myself, I've used my Skeletool and new headlamp multiple times, but hardly touched the two books I got that I'm very excited about. I was truly rewarded with some great stuff.
Weather-wise, irony abounds - our friend in Portland barely made it out of there they had so much snow last month, and today, 2nd week of January, it was almost 60 degrees here. I saw a guy in shorts and short-sleeve shirt outside today! (Oh, and reports from southern France, normally balmy on the Mediterranean coast, are of COLD nasty weather there too!) Weird winter, to say the least.
At EcoReno, business was pretty good leading up to the holidays, but has certainly slowed now. That's not unexpected in retail, particularly in the economic climate we find ourselves in. We're starting our monthly EcoChats, little environmental lectures/seminars, this Saturday, expanding our product selection all the time, building lots of great word of mouth and buzz in the community, and getting publicity more and more. We got a mention on the radio and a TV spot - if you check the EcoReno blog (and if you don't, you really should, we do post stuff there that's worth seeing, and if you like us enough to read this site, you should definitely read that one too), you've already seen this, but it's worth including here too. May I present, a small portion of my 15 minutes of fame:
[flv:http://goecoreno.com/EcoRenoKRNV.flv 480 368]
And lastly, I'm happy to say I've updated photos in Lola's album, Sid's album, and added photos from Lola's (sort of broken second-hand) new digital camera she got for Christmas.
We're nine days away from a new President. Happy 2009 to all.
We had a nice Christmas, snow and all, and a visit from Aunt Patty to round things out. Lola has hardly had any time on her trampoline that Santa brought, between cold, snow, and punishment for some pretty bad naughty times we've seen in recent weeks, she hasn't had more than a dozen bounces on it, poor thing. We're all enjoying the Wii Fit we got, and myself, I've used my Skeletool and new headlamp multiple times, but hardly touched the two books I got that I'm very excited about. I was truly rewarded with some great stuff.
Weather-wise, irony abounds - our friend in Portland barely made it out of there they had so much snow last month, and today, 2nd week of January, it was almost 60 degrees here. I saw a guy in shorts and short-sleeve shirt outside today! (Oh, and reports from southern France, normally balmy on the Mediterranean coast, are of COLD nasty weather there too!) Weird winter, to say the least.
At EcoReno, business was pretty good leading up to the holidays, but has certainly slowed now. That's not unexpected in retail, particularly in the economic climate we find ourselves in. We're starting our monthly EcoChats, little environmental lectures/seminars, this Saturday, expanding our product selection all the time, building lots of great word of mouth and buzz in the community, and getting publicity more and more. We got a mention on the radio and a TV spot - if you check the EcoReno blog (and if you don't, you really should, we do post stuff there that's worth seeing, and if you like us enough to read this site, you should definitely read that one too), you've already seen this, but it's worth including here too. May I present, a small portion of my 15 minutes of fame:
[flv:http://goecoreno.com/EcoRenoKRNV.flv 480 368]
And lastly, I'm happy to say I've updated photos in Lola's album, Sid's album, and added photos from Lola's (sort of broken second-hand) new digital camera she got for Christmas.
We're nine days away from a new President. Happy 2009 to all.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Post maddness
I have to say that I do feel a bit of relief with the end of Christmas. No more worries about what gifts to get anyone, what needs to be cooked, who is coming over, tackling the excess of dishes, etc.
My Aunt Patty came up from CA to spend Christmas with us. She took a bus up and after a bit of miscommunication, we picked her up at the Greyhound station 2 hours after she arrived. Needless to say, it will be a story that she will tell over and over again.
We had Salmon Chowder for dinner on Christmas Eve, and as tradition, Santa came to visit while we went out to look at some Christmas lights. Upon arrival back home, Lola and Sidney were presented with a wagon and a note from Santa. He stated that there was one gt he could not fit under the tree, upon which Lola exclaimed, "It's a trampoline!" Indeed it was. Out there alone in the backyard. When presented with it and an opportunity to jump, her reply was, "No," and "Is Santa still here?" We came back in and let the kids tear into their gifts. Lola looking for more and more. Sid getting caught up with each gift.
We have a habit of going overboard. And another year, we did. It was fun and in the spirit. We all received gifts we wanted, things we never thought of, and stuff we love and won't give up. Lola has taken over my new bed and body warmer. Ah, I love it. Warm feet every night in bed and a perfect solution to my sore neck (which I received after Lola climbed into our bed way too early one night.)
Lola was also gifted with a modern day, decent digital camera that lacks a good screen. She tens to want to center her focus where she can see, but we are trying to get her to understand that it is not working properly. Here are a few of the better shots....and she does take some good photos.
My Aunt Patty came up from CA to spend Christmas with us. She took a bus up and after a bit of miscommunication, we picked her up at the Greyhound station 2 hours after she arrived. Needless to say, it will be a story that she will tell over and over again.
We had Salmon Chowder for dinner on Christmas Eve, and as tradition, Santa came to visit while we went out to look at some Christmas lights. Upon arrival back home, Lola and Sidney were presented with a wagon and a note from Santa. He stated that there was one gt he could not fit under the tree, upon which Lola exclaimed, "It's a trampoline!" Indeed it was. Out there alone in the backyard. When presented with it and an opportunity to jump, her reply was, "No," and "Is Santa still here?" We came back in and let the kids tear into their gifts. Lola looking for more and more. Sid getting caught up with each gift.
We have a habit of going overboard. And another year, we did. It was fun and in the spirit. We all received gifts we wanted, things we never thought of, and stuff we love and won't give up. Lola has taken over my new bed and body warmer. Ah, I love it. Warm feet every night in bed and a perfect solution to my sore neck (which I received after Lola climbed into our bed way too early one night.)
Lola was also gifted with a modern day, decent digital camera that lacks a good screen. She tens to want to center her focus where she can see, but we are trying to get her to understand that it is not working properly. Here are a few of the better shots....and she does take some good photos.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
A moment
It's bright and early Christmas Eve, a big storm is coming, Morgan should be on her way back from grocery shopping and I'll be getting ready for work soon. I'm sort of sore from building a trampoline and a wagon last night for the kids' Christmas, the stretching of the springs and the pumping up of the wagon tires I think was what did it. Aunt Patty got in yesterday to visit for Christmas. Waiting for Morgan to return, I did some web surfing a bit a got all caught up in this site. All these "top xx" lists of odd things. Strangely compelling. So that's what's happening right here, right now. Morgan's home, time to get ready.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
More videos
These are guaranteed to make you smile and/or laugh. Two new videos on Sids page and one new one on Lola's page. Good stuff.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
New photos
Finally loaded some new pictures. See Lola's Album, Sid's album, and a few in Miscellany.
There are some more movies to come, but for now, check this magnificent collage of our kids dancing. It probably won't get linked from the other pages so this is your only chance to click on it. Do it now!
There are some more movies to come, but for now, check this magnificent collage of our kids dancing. It probably won't get linked from the other pages so this is your only chance to click on it. Do it now!
Monday, December 8, 2008
Hell hath no fury
Wow, keeping up some semblance of a regular schedule of posting amusing anecdotes here is getting harder and harder. Between family, the store, and now the holidays descending upon us, blogging keeps getting pushed further and further down the priority list.
I'm here to tell you about what happens when a four-year-old cumulatively loses about 4 hours sleep in a weekend. We had people over on Friday and Lola was up late being the life of the party. Then Saturday, we went to dinner at friends and she stayed up late with her DG who was babysitting. So last night, the trifecta was completed and Rayna and Kelly came over for dinner. We were determined to put Lola down and hour early, at 8pm, because she didn't even get a good nap. We started at 8. Over the course of the next hour, we bargained, scolded, spanked (yes, we spank, but it's pretty rare and really just for these most hellish occasions), coerced, and generally fought with our daughter. She wants Dada, she wants Mama, she wants milk, she's cold, she's hot, her head hurts. One thing after another, the games get played. And Dada gets more and more frustrated and pissed off. The screaming reaches a crescendo and another round of spanking. Eventually, Lola got so upset she threw up in her bed. And then on her floor while we were stripping the bed. Great. We took away her little Christmas tree. Finally, after what felt like hours of battle, she settled in and went to sleep. Let us never schedule a weekend like this again.
In other family news, we're gearing up for the holidaze, the (real) tree is up, stockings are hung, and "we'll tell Santa if you're naughty" threats are tossed around casually. I can only think of two things that might comprise my list, so I should really be thankful for all I have and don't lack. EcoReno is joining in - Morgan's building a trash Christmas tree to show off during the CalAve merchants' annual Holiday Stroll (in which we are participating). Winter is a mere two weeks away according to the calendar, but we have yet to see any real snow, and people are still riding bikes outside.
Library work is its typical self, but we're circling our wagons for yet another cut to the budget. People are now getting concerned about layoffs, but they are still telling us that's the last possible option. I'm feeling pretty solid and lucky to be able to feel that way - we're seeing more and more people we know, or one degree of separation away, that are impacted negatively by the state of the economy. If someone could please turn things around, now would be a good time to do it.
Been drinking some interesting beers lately. Between two friends, I secured three bottles of The Abyss this year, as well as some Hallertau, and one precious bottle of Palo Santo. As long as we're talking festive, Morgan and I got a chance to go out to a movie recently, saw the new James Bond movie. A little disappointing as a Bond movie, acceptable as a movie, and enjoyable as an opportunity to go out for an evening.
Not much else to report really, so I'll sign off here. I've got some EcoReno blogging to do too, so take a look there if you'd like. We did just buy a new camera since the old one started failing, so I'll have a whole slew of new photos of kids and holidays and stuff to post soon, but for now, check out this cool website.
I'm here to tell you about what happens when a four-year-old cumulatively loses about 4 hours sleep in a weekend. We had people over on Friday and Lola was up late being the life of the party. Then Saturday, we went to dinner at friends and she stayed up late with her DG who was babysitting. So last night, the trifecta was completed and Rayna and Kelly came over for dinner. We were determined to put Lola down and hour early, at 8pm, because she didn't even get a good nap. We started at 8. Over the course of the next hour, we bargained, scolded, spanked (yes, we spank, but it's pretty rare and really just for these most hellish occasions), coerced, and generally fought with our daughter. She wants Dada, she wants Mama, she wants milk, she's cold, she's hot, her head hurts. One thing after another, the games get played. And Dada gets more and more frustrated and pissed off. The screaming reaches a crescendo and another round of spanking. Eventually, Lola got so upset she threw up in her bed. And then on her floor while we were stripping the bed. Great. We took away her little Christmas tree. Finally, after what felt like hours of battle, she settled in and went to sleep. Let us never schedule a weekend like this again.
In other family news, we're gearing up for the holidaze, the (real) tree is up, stockings are hung, and "we'll tell Santa if you're naughty" threats are tossed around casually. I can only think of two things that might comprise my list, so I should really be thankful for all I have and don't lack. EcoReno is joining in - Morgan's building a trash Christmas tree to show off during the CalAve merchants' annual Holiday Stroll (in which we are participating). Winter is a mere two weeks away according to the calendar, but we have yet to see any real snow, and people are still riding bikes outside.
Library work is its typical self, but we're circling our wagons for yet another cut to the budget. People are now getting concerned about layoffs, but they are still telling us that's the last possible option. I'm feeling pretty solid and lucky to be able to feel that way - we're seeing more and more people we know, or one degree of separation away, that are impacted negatively by the state of the economy. If someone could please turn things around, now would be a good time to do it.
Been drinking some interesting beers lately. Between two friends, I secured three bottles of The Abyss this year, as well as some Hallertau, and one precious bottle of Palo Santo. As long as we're talking festive, Morgan and I got a chance to go out to a movie recently, saw the new James Bond movie. A little disappointing as a Bond movie, acceptable as a movie, and enjoyable as an opportunity to go out for an evening.
Not much else to report really, so I'll sign off here. I've got some EcoReno blogging to do too, so take a look there if you'd like. We did just buy a new camera since the old one started failing, so I'll have a whole slew of new photos of kids and holidays and stuff to post soon, but for now, check out this cool website.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Ho, ho, ho
Up until about April of this year, Lola thought every random sound or someone at the door was Santa and would freak out. I mean panic, run, take cover. Her fear had subsided, but we don't ever tease that random noises are Santa either. It was strategy, I swear. I was trying to teach her that he is so far away that time of year and that there is no way he would come seek us out anyway.
She exclaimed about 10 days ago that she wanted to go and see Santa and tell him what she wanted. She kept saying, "I won't cry." I said that we could go on Sunday and she asked when she was going everyday after. So Sunday came and we made our usual game plan of errand running and other miscellaneous tasks that we tackle on this one day we have off together. We headed out and ended up eating lunch at Port of Subs in Shopper's Square. As we were sitting there, I realized that they probably had a Santa and we could avoid the whole annoyance and turmoil of going to Meadowood and pick up our Christmas tree from the Boy Scouts. And yes indeed, there was a Santa who sat very alone and idle as we approached. We had to detour to wash hands, but Lola gave a wave and a big," HI SANTA," as we walked by. She even asked the lady in the bathroom if she was going to see Santa and proudly announced that she was going to go and tell him what she wanted for Christmas and again, that she wasn't going to cry.
As we prepared for our meeting, Lola was asked by the gentleman working Santa's Workshop if she knew what she wanted for Christmas. She told him she wanted a trampoline. He told her to go ahead and go tell Santa. She quickly answered, "You go tell him."
We made our way over to the man in red and as we approached, I felt a bit more weight and tugging on my shirt. I looked down to find Lola clawing at me and whispering not to leave her. I encouraged her and told her it was fine. I even plopped Sid down on Santa's lap to prove how easy and okay it was. Uh, no. Sid started to get red and slowly looked around to take it in. I knew he was only going to last about another 20 seconds before he reached break down. He just quickly put his arms out to be picked up and every attempt to put him back on Santa's lap for a picture was more clawing and grabbing on for dear life. Lola was still hanging on one leg and refused to even stand alone at the side of Santa's chair. There was no way she was going to sit on that lap. There were some AWFUL photos taken of me with the kids, neck bent in an awful position, with Santa. Lola was finally bribed with three candy canes (she calls them candy cans) to sit on Santa's lap, but only after they put a stool six inches away so that I could sit right there. We got two quick shots and she was off in the blink of an eye.
These are the pictures that we got:
Yay. Done and easy. No lines or crowds.
As soon as we hit the parking lot, Lola asked if we could go see Santa again!
She exclaimed about 10 days ago that she wanted to go and see Santa and tell him what she wanted. She kept saying, "I won't cry." I said that we could go on Sunday and she asked when she was going everyday after. So Sunday came and we made our usual game plan of errand running and other miscellaneous tasks that we tackle on this one day we have off together. We headed out and ended up eating lunch at Port of Subs in Shopper's Square. As we were sitting there, I realized that they probably had a Santa and we could avoid the whole annoyance and turmoil of going to Meadowood and pick up our Christmas tree from the Boy Scouts. And yes indeed, there was a Santa who sat very alone and idle as we approached. We had to detour to wash hands, but Lola gave a wave and a big," HI SANTA," as we walked by. She even asked the lady in the bathroom if she was going to see Santa and proudly announced that she was going to go and tell him what she wanted for Christmas and again, that she wasn't going to cry.
As we prepared for our meeting, Lola was asked by the gentleman working Santa's Workshop if she knew what she wanted for Christmas. She told him she wanted a trampoline. He told her to go ahead and go tell Santa. She quickly answered, "You go tell him."
We made our way over to the man in red and as we approached, I felt a bit more weight and tugging on my shirt. I looked down to find Lola clawing at me and whispering not to leave her. I encouraged her and told her it was fine. I even plopped Sid down on Santa's lap to prove how easy and okay it was. Uh, no. Sid started to get red and slowly looked around to take it in. I knew he was only going to last about another 20 seconds before he reached break down. He just quickly put his arms out to be picked up and every attempt to put him back on Santa's lap for a picture was more clawing and grabbing on for dear life. Lola was still hanging on one leg and refused to even stand alone at the side of Santa's chair. There was no way she was going to sit on that lap. There were some AWFUL photos taken of me with the kids, neck bent in an awful position, with Santa. Lola was finally bribed with three candy canes (she calls them candy cans) to sit on Santa's lap, but only after they put a stool six inches away so that I could sit right there. We got two quick shots and she was off in the blink of an eye.
These are the pictures that we got:
Yay. Done and easy. No lines or crowds.
As soon as we hit the parking lot, Lola asked if we could go see Santa again!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Busy and about to combust
It has been 4 years since I have slept in. (Sorry to any of those w/o kids - it is worth it!) This was preceded by late night and early mornings followed by early mornings of work. What can I say? I worked on a golf course, so it was work and then play and then led into a long night of.....socializing? Hey, it all led me to meet and marry Marc. Best thing that ever happened until the birth of our children which has led to no sleep, which leads me to this blog about an even bigger loss of sleep.
I was so lucky to stay home with both kids for as long as I did. I also feel lucky to take this opportunity to start a business for the benefit of their future - both environmentally and (hopefully) financially! But with this great endeavor has come a lack of sleep. Who cares that I fall asleep at 9pm right after Lola goes to bed and am facing away from Marc, convince him that, no, I am really not sleeping. I don't care that I drag myself out of bed and let the shower wake me up or that I depend on caffeine. Even being told that the microwave breaks down the caffeine molecules (thanks, Paige) has led me to drink cold coffee as to not lose any source of energy. What does bother me....blood shot eyes. Gross. At first I thought I might have to fight off a nasty eye infection as I have done it before. I am horrible about my contacts. Nope. No pain, just a lot of redness. A lot. I had to stop and think about it. I thought it was a mythical thing. Something that some people experience, but for me, it only existed in cartoon format. That was until yesterday. And going to bed, I crossed Marc's path ask him why his were so red....same thing...tired. I tried to get to bed even earlier, and the half hour really helped and the redness has subsided, thankfully.
I was so lucky to stay home with both kids for as long as I did. I also feel lucky to take this opportunity to start a business for the benefit of their future - both environmentally and (hopefully) financially! But with this great endeavor has come a lack of sleep. Who cares that I fall asleep at 9pm right after Lola goes to bed and am facing away from Marc, convince him that, no, I am really not sleeping. I don't care that I drag myself out of bed and let the shower wake me up or that I depend on caffeine. Even being told that the microwave breaks down the caffeine molecules (thanks, Paige) has led me to drink cold coffee as to not lose any source of energy. What does bother me....blood shot eyes. Gross. At first I thought I might have to fight off a nasty eye infection as I have done it before. I am horrible about my contacts. Nope. No pain, just a lot of redness. A lot. I had to stop and think about it. I thought it was a mythical thing. Something that some people experience, but for me, it only existed in cartoon format. That was until yesterday. And going to bed, I crossed Marc's path ask him why his were so red....same thing...tired. I tried to get to bed even earlier, and the half hour really helped and the redness has subsided, thankfully.
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