The Burgstroms

there, I did it

2012-01-24T17:09:00.004-05:00

Catching up is sort of daunting. Here's what I can contribute today.
Christmas was good. Our girls are wonderful and sweet. Christmas excites them but Santa doesn't spoil them. Audrey asked for a Barbie house and the wish was granted even before Christmas day. Caitlin asked for Barbies again and a beautiful dress. Wish granted as well. Olivia did not ask for anything but was quite pleased opening everything she could get her hands on albeit at a snails pace. (Art and Mary, she even opened a gift tagged for you. That will be coming to you anytime now)
New Years was spent in Michigan with my family and we celebrated a late Christmas that weekend as well. We started out by seeing the Pistons opening game- a loss followed by several more losses if you are keeping track of the abbreviated NBA season.
I got a fancy new Garmin watch for Christmas to keep track of my miles and pace during my runs. I am registered for another flying pig race this May and am buckling down on my training. Running is not hard it just takes me a while. I am getting slightly faster though.
David's company moved to a new building in Downtown Cincinnati. Two days in and he is still okay with the move. I think some of the office logistics- like the fact they do not have enough desks for everyone...?- seem off to me. On the upside, he no longer has to walk downtown or take a shuttle downtown because he is already there. His commute is a little shorter now. And they gave him a little goody bag.
Girls are still growing like weeds. Caitlin is working hard in school and is even reading some familiar sight words. Audrey is talking more and more and the stuttering is deminishing. Olivia is growing more teeth and has been walking for about 1.5 months.

Weather

2011-12-14T13:22:00.002-05:00

It's December 14th and it is warm and wet here in Cincinnati. I'm the one to blame. I got Caitlin and Audge boots for Christmas and they are wrapped under the tree. I told myself that if it got really snowy they could open them early but really hoped it would not. And reason 2 is I still have a jack-o-latern rug, a fall wreath, and a pumpkin on my porch.

Quick Update

2011-12-09T12:21:00.002-05:00

Audge decided to potty train herself. Only 1 wet accident this week. Pretty cool.

Olivia has converted to walking. We no longer have a pet human.

I had 6 inches chopped off my incredibly long hair. It is still rather long.

We entertained a thought about moving. We're staying put.

We're still awesome even though I dropped the ball on Christmas cards... AGAIN.

2011-11-09T10:14:00.002-05:00

Audrey has been on a bat kick lately- probably about 4 months now. We have watched the bats come out and eat for the last 3 evenings. It's a peaceful time. Caitlin doesn't really like to just sit and watch quietly so she runs around in the backyard or stays inside and O has been napping. I've been sort of worried about Audge lately so this is a good thing for us. It might not be the "song of a bird, or the touch of a velvet rose" but I know that Heavenly Father has given this peaceful sweet time to me to help calm my worries and help my heart.

Audge

2011-11-07T13:35:00.003-05:00

Dear Audrey,

When a younger and less articulate Caitlin christened you Audge- it sort of stuck. It fits you. It is unique, and strong, and kind of like your title. Audge you are an entity, a force to be reckoned with. Well, you are me. A carbon copy. The looks, the stubborn streak, even down to the speech impediments. We but heads sometimes because we might be too much alike. But it sort of endears me to you as well.

On Wednesday you developed a stammer. My heart aches for you. I know how smart you are and how much you have to share. I want you to be able to share your smarts without judgement from your peers. I don't know if you have noticed the studder yet. I am trying to ignore it so you don't notice. But I worry ALL the time. I worry that it won't go away and it will cause others to tease you and it will turn into a major confidence issue down the line. I worry because my lisp was for me. I was teased and I spent a good deal of time (even now) figuring out ways around the letter "s". (I thought you were going to be a boy and wanted to name you Asher but knew I could not.) I have called doctors and left messages, read journals online and the read the dictionary to figure out what was read, and second guessed everything I have done lately.

Soon you will be three. I love you to pieces! I hope I have not ruined you,

Mom

5?!

2011-11-07T12:54:00.004-05:00

Dear Caitlin,

Thanks for making me a mom. you are incredible! I love you so much and I'm learning all the time. A concurrent Thank you and an apology are needed because I'm still learning and this parenting thing is sort of an experiment. Thank you for being an easy first child. If I were given a 2 year old Audge, that would have been the end of me.

I love that you still love to cuddle and hug and kiss. I wonder how much longer that will last? A year? perhaps two? I miss you while you are at school. I love that you run beside the fence waving goodbye to me as I drive away from pre-school drop off. Those few extra waves bolster me up with a smile. YOU make mw smile.

The other day I observed your class. You were amazing! You did work all day long, moving from one work station to the next. You spent time discovering, exploring, and doing. I saw other kids wander and wait and pout and tattle or cry even. Not you! You did an awesome job! You love learning and discovering. You are so smart and hard working.

Love,

Mom

No big parties this year. We just sort of stretched out the celebration for a few days. On Friday we celebrated with her class and Dad was able to take a 1/2 day and we went to Mt. Echo Park, and Saturday we went to the Cincinnati Art Museum for Family First Saturday and then out to lunch and Barnes and Noble for a birthday book followed by a Dance Party!, Sunday after church, David and Caitlin went on a trip down to the river- just the two of them.

We had chocolate chip cookies drizzled with chocolate and them sprinkled with rainbow jimmies for her class party. Caitlin and I baked them together that morning. She loves helping out in the kitchen. We had pumpkin cinnamon rolls on Saturday rather than cupcakes- they were delicious.

At 5: Caitlin is still super tall and skinny, is very helpful, loves preschool and her family, still loves to draw and write and is very thoughtful with her gifts and cards. She can manipulate and negotiate with the best of them. David likes to think he is above being manipulated by her but then recognizes her masterful skills and grants the request just because he is in awe of her genius navigation of the conversation.

Halloween

2011-11-01T14:11:00.003-04:00

Over the Hill

2011-11-01T14:00:00.002-04:00

Not sure when exactly this phrase can be properly used but David is the ripe old age of 30 now. No longer a spring chicken... he threw his back out last weekend. He was feeling up to celebrating last night and we nearly set the house ablazin'! All kidding aside, 30 looks good on him. I think we'll keept him around for atleast another 30 or so.

2 weeks ago

2011-11-01T13:42:00.003-04:00

Two weeks ago I ran 26.2 miles in one day. Since that day...

-The greatest distance I ran was from the porch to the car (the car that was in the driveway)

-I Enjoyed pumpkin pie, ice cream, and Halloween candy

-I Drank more chocolate milk than the girls- possibly combined...

-I Drained 2 black toe nails

-I Hurt for a week straight

-I signed up to do it all again in May

I really am liking this running thing. I weight less than the number on my license- who does that? I usually have more energy- not directly after a long run. I am feeling healthier and scored better on my health insurance screening than David. And it's pretty cool to be able to say you have run a marathon.

After a 2 week hiatus, I start running again tonight!

Yummy!

2011-11-01T13:28:00.003-04:00

Since O's birthday we have been introducing more and more foods. Slowly adding in the riskier allegens- like peanuts, dairy, etc. Lets just say it is good that she currently does not have shell fish allergies.

You could probably describe my uncle Scott as playing it "fast and loose" when it comes to generally accepted advice. He gave my baby shellfish. Had I known what was going on, I probably would have stopped it. But since she had already downed 3 shrimp before I knew it, I took a picture instead. She kept begging for more. LOVED the stuff.

One year!

2011-09-19T09:29:00.002-04:00

At the risk of sounding cliche, has it really been a year since Olivia joined us?

At age one Olivia can: babble things that sound like mom and dad, crawl really fast, go up the stairs, eat a variety of mashed foods and join us at the table for some real food too, pull her self to stand and cruise around furniture, stand independently for a few seconds.

She stil has slightly reddish hair that curls in the back, same 2 goofy bottom teeth, mellow attitude, and always a smile for her admirers.

Olivia likes: family, most foods, other babies, dolls, paper, teething rings, drinking out of big people cups, Holly the cat. And as evidenced by this picture, cupcakes!

Olivia has a hard time when her sisters get a little crazy, when mom cuts her off from another helping of food, when she climbs up the stairs and realizes she can't get back down, and when she is tired but not ready to go to bed.

Buried!

2011-08-23T14:07:00.002-04:00

We had a great trip to Michigan with family and friends. But we're sort of buried in stories and pictures and our regularly scheduled life now. I'll try to post little pieces over the next week or so.

School Days!

2011-08-23T13:38:00.002-04:00

Caitlin started school this week and LOVES it! Except I am not always sure what she loves about it because she says "I forgot everything that happened today" at every pick-up. I then spend about 20 minutes redirecting questions. I know that she built with wooden blocks and a teacher blows a whistle at the end of recess. I also know that 2 kids (a boy and a girl) have had birthday celebrations already- chocolate cupcakes and chocolate donuts were shared. She has told me that her two friends are both named Aleia- I know this is not true. Aleia is that name that she gives ALL her dolls and babies.

The drop-off is kind of crazy. Cars everywhere! We have to sign the kids in and out each day. And it is at 8:55 am. We have not left the house that early... maybe EVER! Pick-up is a little less crazy because it is only the Preschool kids. It will get even less crazy as we get into the swing of things. Yesterday at pick-up I saw one mom with the outline of Ohio tattooed on her calf. How much would you have to LOVE Ohio to get it tattooed on your leg? Perhaps a better question would be, How drunk do you have to be to get Ohio tattooed on your leg?

Today I am thankful for child-locks on our car doors. Silly, Precious Audge! She just loves her Caitlin so much. She unbuckled her carseat and attempted to jump out of the car and go with Caitlin. I pulled into the closest parking spot and strapped down a very angry Audge. She was basically moody until we picked Caitlin back up THREE HOURS later.

The triple threat showed off true to photographic form on this joyous day. Out of all the pictures I think one is usable. All are awesome! At top are a few randomly selected ones.

Justin Bieber, naked, movie

2011-07-14T11:54:00.003-04:00

At times we call Olivia, "O". And Olivia is our baby. Those two facts are crucial to the story.

The other day Caitlin asked me to turn on the Olivia song (she doesn't quite understand radio or television schedules yet nor do we have one of those new fangled iPod thingys) and I had no clue what she meant.

I started singing our Olivia chant. (What? You don't have a chant for your baby?) "No mom, this one" and Caitlin struck out with this, "Baby, baby, baby O, baby, baby, baby, baby O, baby." This went on for about 4 minutes with Audge joining in- It sort of sounded like a Bieber round, as Audge did not really know the words but is a great mimic with about a 10 secong lag. Olivia loved it.

Our typical routine is an evening bath, lotion, diapers, pajamas, and scriptures and prayer. It goes pretty smoothly because David does all the hard stuff. The other night I did the routine alone while David cut the grass. I bathed all three and then start lotioning Olivia and the girls were asked to find pajamas they wanted to wear. I finished Olivia's lotion and diaper and pajamas and start lotioning Caitlin. When Caitlin is done, I call for Audge. I stupidly said, "She couldn't have gotten too far, she's naked." Since when have social norms and mores stopped Audge? She was in the back yard swinging, wearing only a pacifier and a smile.

We watched a movie this morning that seemed like such an odd combination to me. It was the story of Pocahontas done in Japanimation. Huge eyes, ultra bushy hair, and either sharp angular bodies or short and excessively round ones- no average here. It struck me as odd.

Black mail?

2011-06-21T13:23:00.002-04:00

This is my brother Jacob. Usually you would think a photo of this type would be black mail but I think he is more proud of this than embarrased. He is inside a play tent tunnel but it sort of looks like a fitted prom dress on him.

BB Riverboat

2011-06-21T12:52:00.002-04:00

We took a sightseeing tour of the River the other day. Caitlin and Audge loved being on a big boat- Especially since it was the "Belle of Cincinnati." All the girls got ice cream sandwiches as treats. I had forgotten how messy those chocolate sandwich cookies were.

It was a little too warm for O and I. We liked being inside the dining area better than being on the observation deck. The stroller made for limited access as well.

We'll probably try it again in a little cooler weather. I think we will probably forego the stroller next time as well.

Caitlin

2011-06-21T12:38:00.002-04:00

Caitlin is so smart and loves learning new things and showing off. David is teaching her piano songs. She can play most of "Mary had a Little Lamb" and gives little impromptu concerts to our guests. She is very good at finding patterns and matches and this makes her great at finding keys in different octives. If you play a note, she can find another one.

She likes to dance a hybrid of ballet and vaudeville performance. It's kind of goofy and uncoordinated but she loves to do it, including jumps and spins. She at times claims to be shy but isn't at all shy. She integrates herself into almost anything. She likes to play with her friends and we are so lucky that her friend Becca is right next door.

She likes to figure things out and push buttons- both Mom's buttons and actual buttons. She was pushing buttons the other day and unlocked our piano's secret recordings. David and I had no clue or electric piano did that. Since then she has been using these secret songs to push mom's buttons. The piano is now unplugged.

Audrey

2011-06-21T12:05:00.005-04:00

Audrey is talking more and more but not all the time yet and still gross approximations for some words. She likes to sing nursery rhymes- especially "Sing a song of 6 pence..." with mom. She likes to copy the last few words of all Caitlin's sentences. And understands a lot more things even if she is not saying them. She knows all her colors and asks for things by the color name. Pink drink, red dress, etc. She joins in on night time songs and sings in her nursery class. She improvs songs while caitlin play the piano. We are still on the waiting list for speech therapy at Children's but I am thinking she might be talking great by the time we are off the list 2.5- She was screened in late March.

She is currently in a dress only phase. It makes keeping up on laundry more of a necessity because she would rather be naked than caught in shorts and a t-shirt.

But dresses and princess play are where the girly stuff end. She initiates jumping matches, with the launch pad being the back of the couch and the landing station a pile of couch pillows. She has also had 2 black eyes. She loves cars and trucks, digging in dirt, and playing in puddles, and is excellent at playing ball with dad. She is a better natural pitcher than Caitlin and mom. Caitlin can do better if she watches, analysizes, and focuses on her form. Mom has little hope of pitching to any sort of target.

She finally has been upgraded to the next size car seat, O needed her old one. And loves the big girl seat but cannot always be trusted with the freedom you get from the belt verse the 5 point system. She is testing the waters. Caitlin is a good informant and she is quickly sitting the correct way each time.

Things on the potty training front look bleak but not all hope is lost. She is no longer crying when she comes close to the toilet and will ask for diaper changers when she is wet or poopy. Maybe we will train this summer. She and Olivia are both in the same size diapers so atleast we don't have to buy two sizes anymore.

Her strong will is still here and comes up at some bad times. No tantrums for a while. she just gets silent and walks away. She can do this thing when she is pouting where it will seriously seem like she has quadrupled her weight and it is almost impossible to move her. I was a little Hellian Child too, I guess it is coming back to bite me.

Olivia

2011-06-21T11:43:00.004-04:00

Olivia is still growing like a weed. In a very unscientific approach (mom weighs self, mom weight self and baby, mom does the math), she weight about 27 pounds. For reference, Audge weighs 30 soaking wet right after a huge meal. She is really tall and has a remarkably long tounge- both Auntie and Grandma remarked on it.

Her favorite foods are sweet potatoes, yogurt melts, and Lil' Crunchies. She suplements her diet with grass every chance she gets. She loves going outside. She still takes 2 long naps a day and is very smiley and happy. She has no issue with being passed around and shared as long as she is well rested. Nothing but mom will do if she is tired.

She is always entertained by her sisters and will laugh at their antics. Her sisters enjoy hamming it up for her and will do almost anything to hear O laugh. She is so mellow and patient and happy.

After what has seemed like 6 months her first two teeth have come in on the bottom. She is constantly drooling and working on some more. She likes to gum her food and any toys she can get a hold of. She is excellent at document shreding and is available for daily rental.

We had a ball!

2011-06-21T11:33:00.002-04:00

Thanks Kaiden and Kameron for having us to your FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY! It was a lot of fun. The two day extravaganza might have been a little over the top- three cakes, 20+ pizzas, 2 bounce houses, a rented tent (some weddings and grad. parties have less), and about 100 guests. But you know what? We wouldn't have expected anything less. You have always been over the top- you're twins, you came unexpectedly early, you recovered in the NICU like champs, and you two are sure to keep it coming. We sure do love you!

David's graduation

2011-06-21T11:30:00.000-04:00

David graduated BYU in 2007 in Math Education and then UC in 2011 in Quantitative Analysis. I jokingly call the major career shift "a mid-life" crisis. But lets just hope it is not actually mid-life yet.

Here we are after the BYU graduation. BYU had the option of renting the gown, but other than that we still have those outfits. Olivia just wore Caitlin's ensemble last Sunday.

UC did not have the option of renting, we are now the owners of a graduation gown that we will most likely never be able to unload. How many people do you think are looking to purchase a used black gown with hood button fitted for 6'7"-6'-9"?

I never walked at my BYU graduation, I sort of look back and wish I had. I was several months pregnant and decided to make strawberry rhubarb freezer jam instead. At the time it seemed like the best option- to a pregnant woman, jam is so much better than walking across the stage in uncomfortable clothes and shoes.

We don't have a family image for the UC graduation. I was so over it and the girls had already spilled all over their outfits and we were slotted to take off for Michigan that night. It was predicted to last 2.5 hours- which is long for us. It ran over, WAY OVER.

Luckily UC had something BYU didn't- a "Family Friendly" Zone. Could you imagine who wouldn't end up in this zone at BYU? It was a separate air-conditioned room with closed circuit stream of the processions. They had snacks and games and there were other kids there.

So, to get to the point, he's done and we are seeing a little bit more of him. He did a great job because he is so smart, loves learning new things, and works super hard. His project was excellent (As it should have been, we bought another credit hour so he could have more time to work on it) and his faculty mentors commented that it was the best they had seen- so complete in its scope and depth of research and analysis. Good job David and I'm glad to have that one out of the way.

I scream for...

2011-05-20T15:35:00.000-04:00

Icecream, only not around these parts. Usually when an icecream truck rolls around, I offer a preemptive popsicle. Why? Our local icecream trucks are sort of creepy. We have three that come around regularly, ALL are bad.

The creepiest one reminds me of the Pied Piper attempting to lure small children away. Pretty much the best kidnapping mobile EVER. Instead of playing a jaunty song (namely "The Entertainer") it plays the Russian Tetris anthem. Kidnapping with a side of frozen dairy delight?

The next is a converted ambulance. Basically everything that goes on in an ambulance is nothing I want near my novelties.

The third is not too bad. It plays the correct music and has never been anything but an icecream truck. But Caitlin fully believes it sells dog. It has a poorly rendered cartoon dog on the side- clearly the wares. One day we were outside and heard the song. Caitlin asks if we could get some icecream and runs out to the front. She then turns around and says, "Nevermind, it's just a dog truck and Audge is afraid of dogs." I'm sort of okay letting her think it is a dog truck.

facebook

2011-05-03T10:16:00.001-04:00

Kind of doing a giant photo dump on facebook. Craving pictures? Check there. They might make it here a bit later.

2011-05-02T17:35:00.002-04:00

Easter was spent in Michigan this year. The girls were adorable and we got a few good family pictures.

I finished it!

2011-05-01T20:40:00.003-04:00

3 hours and 35 minutes, 3 blisters, 2 somersaults, and 5 bathroom breaks later I finished my first 1/2 marathon. I was blisteringly slow but I got it done.

The crowds were awesome. They braved the rain and early morning to come cheer us on. That's where the somersaults came in. I knew I wasn't setting any time records so I went at a pace that let me keep smiling and if I saw some really great fans, I did a somersault. It was basically drizzling all morning long. I was pretty wet at the end.

Things to know for next time: Alternate water and Gatorade, 3 waters for each G, expect to add about 5-10 minutes for waiting in line, park closer.

yuck

2011-04-27T08:41:00.002-04:00

I am supposed to run 13.1 miles soon. On my run this morning my legs felt like cement, I started out too fast and got shin splints, and I had to walk a bit. This does not bode well.
I also have another head cold and my Easter candy snacking might as well be called- breakfast, lunch and dinner.... Garbage in=Garbage out, I guess. I intend on finishing. I used to have a goal time in mind, that does seem quite as possible after today.

2011-04-22T10:59:00.004-04:00

Thursday was rough. Here's the long and short of it. Combine quiet time, pinking shears, a curious Caitlin, a sleeping Audrey.

PICTURES (L to R): Audge and Caitlin- late March, back of Audrey, Right side Audrey, Front of Audrey, Left of Caitlin, Right side Caitlin, Caitlin's fixed style, Audrey's fixed style, Girls together

David's a star!

2011-04-14T15:01:00.003-04:00

We still get a daily paper. I like being able to pick something up and just glance when I get a minute and David reads it right before work. The other day (April 9), an article bothered David so much that he wrote a letter to the editor. He spent a long time polishing and rephrasing- trying to get his point across without sounding loud, angry, irrational, etc. He finished and sent the letter off.

His letter impressed the author of the original article and he thanked David for his time and thoughfully drafted letter. David's letter was posted on the opinions page the very next day. Slightly after he was contacted by another reported wanting to do a follow up interview. They met over lunch today and a photographer is coming over for a picture tonight. They were thinking of a family picture or such- probably infront of our house. The article is slotted for tomorrow's paper. We're kind of excited over here. What a rockstar husband I have- smart and handsome to boot.

I have laundry going so we can all coordinate outfits. My contribution to the article: cute kids in matching clothes and an awesome orange door. Gotta love the orange door... and the cute kid.

Training

2011-04-11T10:50:00.003-04:00

I have less than 3 weeks to the 1/2 Marathon. I was suppossed to get in 11 miles on Saturday, I didn't. Pretty much the worst run ever. We headed out to Miami Whitewater Forest to use a paved trail system about 9 miles long (inner and outer loops). David took Audrey and Caitlin on a boat ride on the lake while I took O in the jogger. She cried the first 1.5 miles unceasingly. We stopped and I rocked her to sleep and I tried again, she woke up immediately and I decided to turn around and call it quits. I retraced the 1.5 miles back to the trail head- she is conveniently asleep at this point. Having only got in 3 miles and being as she is asleep, I decide to try the inner loop. Get about a mile in and then come to a flooded section of trail, I decide to go through the river and continue my run. I hate wet shoes but not as much as not completing my miles. I ended up having both wet shoes AND low miles. My run was a completely loss but the girls and David had a great time on the paddle boats and we had a great picnic of tinfoil dinners and juice boxes. David got Vibram fivefingers, I still chuckle when I see them. But they are pretty awesomely designed shoes- super light weight and razor sipped soles to curve and move with your foot. Pretty ridiculous looking but I'm almost to the point of wanting some. Their claim is that they strenghten the foot muscles that atrophy in the traditional heal lift running shoes. The downfall is it takes a lot of time for the foot to get used to running and using the new muscles. Maybe I'll grab some and run Detroit in them...

Trip

2011-04-05T12:34:00.003-04:00

Here are some pictures from our chilly Spring Break trip. The Zoesch side of the family at lunch in Shakopee, MN. Olivia at lunch.

David, Art, and Christian at dinner in Aurora, IL.

Mary putting the finishing touches on her delicious dinner.

Art and Mary with Olivia.

Dear George (An unsent letter to Mr. Foreman),

2011-04-04T10:45:00.003-04:00

I love your grill. I think it is amazing. Audge broke our first one and I cried- pretty much declared I would never cook pork chops ever again. Now we have one in active duty and one in reserves. Just one question: If you were so inventive as to create the "The Lean, Mean, Fat Reducing Grilling Machine" why was that creativity not put into the naming of your children? Really, ALL of them named George... even the girls... namesakes are cool but only to a point. I wonder if they had similar problems to the boy named Sue... maybe the opposite problems? Either way, they could always say "My Dad can beat up your Dad" and know it is true. -Me

black and whites

2011-03-22T22:20:00.002-04:00

A lot of my Audge images are black and white. Although I do like the look of them, it is a matter of necessity not style with her. See, black and white images disguise a myriad of things- dirt, pizza, chocolate milk, sticky stuff of unknown origin...
In the pirate image below, her face is smeared with tomato sauce. It was obvious in the colored image, not so much now. Pretty cool trick, right?

Audrey Burrrrgstrom

2011-03-19T19:28:00.002-04:00

The perfect way to cover a black eye... An eye patch.

Whipped this beauty of a pirates costume (x2) up in about 2 hours- hat, vest, eye patch.

not again...

2011-03-18T11:06:00.002-04:00

Audge has another black eye. And in true Audge-style (All or nothing), it is a beauty of a shiner. Here's the kicker, she got it while playing dress-up. Not wrestling, fighting, or running. Dress up... really? The dress was a little long, her legs are a little short, and the couch has a little wood. She cried for like 3 seconds, cuddled for 5 minutes, and then wanted down so she could continue playing. Again with the "beautiful destruction." Boy play and girl play is similar in one aspect- mess and destruction. Boys destroy with trolls and trucks and zombies and tanks and girls destroy with butterflies and fairies and (in our case) hoop skirts.

Parenting Tips and Tricks

2011-03-13T11:29:00.002-04:00

Western Hills Ward Parenting Tips and Tricks is at my house this week. Danielle reminded me of this last week and I attempted to come up with an article to discuss and the like. I was thinking healthy habits or such. I didn't find one because I ran out of time.
I need to organize, simplify, and schedule...
And then came the topic of the week... Organizational/scheduling habits that make your family life run a little smoother. I have a few of my own but I would love to hear how you run your home. Like how your library books make it back to the library, how you avoid a laundry mountain, how you are able to leave the house before 10, etc...
See you Thursday.

Fat Tuesday?

2011-03-08T15:15:00.001-05:00

Nah, this is how I look ALL the time.

quarter of the way there

2011-03-07T10:51:00.002-05:00

Well, almost. 6.16*4=24.6 Close enough to 26.2, right?

Saturday my long run was 6.16 miles. Which is pretty incredible because I know it was my first time in my life running that far. And I found a favorite 5 mile route- who would have thought?

I'm signed up for the Flying Pig 1/2 marathon on May 1 and feeling pretty comfortable that I will be prepared if I continue to follow my current training plan. I wasn't even sore after the 6 miles. 7 months to the Detroit Marathon, I'm getting excited and the distance is seeming more doable as I put in the time. The marathon training program is a six month program... still time to start if anyone wants to run Detroit with me.

Thought about joining a gym to get the long distance runs in... NEVER SPEND MONEY AT URBAN ACTIVE FITNESS- WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE EVER! And masterful at the bait and switch, I was not impressed or baited.

Thanks Dave

2011-03-03T21:23:00.002-05:00

Dave Matthews- that is. I usually tell the other one personally.
Day two of operation "Down with Dave" is underway. This is another unconventional parenting tactic for our little insurgent aka Audge. She has become a night time terror- not going to bed, not staying in bed, climbing into my bed, etc.
I started out with the classical music station and got rebellion on her part and then I searched for our Disney cd to no avail but I did find DMB's under the table and dreaming. Dreaming... Dreaming... Dreaming... hmmm... this is worth a shot. Plugged that in the old fangled technology and viola! Audge stayed in bed until 8:09 this morning and has stayed for about 42 minutes so far tonight. 42 minutes longer than any given February night. Maybe not a long term fix but something to be thankful for while it works.

Dear Jillian,

2011-02-09T09:56:00.002-05:00

Dear Jillian,

I hate you and I will pretty much hate you for 30 days, possibly longer. Maybe I will decide to shred you. See you tomorrow, okay?

Love,

Training log...

2011-02-01T21:31:00.002-05:00

So, the scheduled marathon training began today- guess what also began today.... A giant ice storm.
Kim and I started the evening negotiating around a huge fallen tree, discovering the roads are less icy than the sidewalk, and getting our feet wet in the rivers and gully that were once sidewalks and gutters. We were unable to run the entire time but atleast got out there and wracked up the suggested 2 miles.

Manners

2011-01-28T09:01:00.002-05:00

Audge is using good manners. David loves to hear her sweet "tankcoo."
Holly (the cat) was sitting on the wooden bridge. Audge says, "Holly! Go peas." Holly moves. Audge says, "Yea! Tankcoo" and continues over the bridge.

2011-01-27T12:19:00.002-05:00

Little Olivia is growing so much so fast. She is already 4 months- pretty soon a year will have gone by.
Elizabeth, Chris, and Jake have decided to shorten Olivia Jane to OJ. It probably won't stick like "Audge" has. But it does not bother me too much.
Since she is growing so rapidly and time is flying, I thought I'd compose a little birthday suggestion list.
1.) A white bronco
2.) Gloves that fit

CSO Lollipop series

2011-01-26T13:59:00.004-05:00

David took Caitlin to see the Mozart symphony series on Saturday. CSO does family friendly concerts every once and again. This was Caitlin's first and she loved it. Here is what she recalled and relayed to me as soon as she came home- she was so excited.

The concerts are recommended for children ages 3-10. Caitlin saw her friend Stella and 4 out of 5 Paulson boys there- that was exciting too.

Before the show they had an instrument petting zoo. Caitlin got to touch a tiny violin and play it a bit. She also got to hear a horn and a harp. She was excited about playing the violin. She thought the harp was so beautiful.

During the show they had both a play by a local theatre company and the orchestra. Mozart music in general is pretty kid friendly- Twinkle, twinkle, little star is one of his. Caitlin told me that they played that one.

At the end of the show they gave out lollipops. What's not to like about that? Two thumbs up from Caitlin. David was impressed as well.

O's blessing

2011-01-26T10:16:00.003-05:00

(Front Row: Caleb, Becca, Troy, Xander, Sofia
Row 2: Kim, Mike,James, Casey, Tracey and Audrey, Nancy and Olivia, Diane, Phylis
Row 3: Jace, Caitlin and Emily, Jake, Lauren, Sarah, Zena, Richard
Row 4: Nils, David, Amy, Emily, Steve)
O's blessing was over New Year's weekend and boy did she have a bunch of fans- 30 people at church and at a dinner party afterwards. 17 people sleeping at our home. We sure did miss our cousin's Kaiden and Kameron who were recovering from lots of holiday travel.
With 30 people, pictures are hard. Here's one of the better ones. Jake and my "New Kids on the Block" pose was totally unintentional (atleast on my part), David's eyes are shut (father like son), Caitlin is mid tantrum, something must be going on to draw the attention of Troy, Audge, and Diane, and some people are blocked... but Olivia is sweet and precious and the Kelley Family looks amazing in this one.
It was a crazy weekend followed by a long recovery period. Here are some highlights of recovery- I found the following: 1 sock in my storage closet, 1 fork in my couch, can of opened pop on my mantle, 2 toothbrushes- one in the bathroom and one on the windowsill by O's bed. Caitlin survived the "goodbyes" without acting out. It only took 2 days to return to nightime routine normalcy.
I cooked everything for the crowd- we had enchilladas on night one, and lasagna at the party. We even had leftovers- and not because the food sucked. I like to think grandpa's catering and culinary skills might have trickled down to me- if even just a tad.
Thanks everyone for coming out to support our family and witness Olivia's special day.

It will change your life

2011-01-24T12:35:00.002-05:00

My friend, Anne (yes, Anne with an "E"), once taught on how blogging can change your life. Unbelievable, right? Quite believeable actually...
Here's how- "Live each day as if it were a great blog post." Here's some examples: Go on an outing with the kids and blog about it, take some great snap shots at the park and post them, make an amazing meal and share the recipe. Three things to blog about and a changed life. You got out and did something fun as a family, you went to the park and documented your children's play, and you cooked and presented a great meal for your family.

Do you Object?... to Objectivism

2011-01-20T10:34:00.007-05:00

I would probably never find myself in a pew with Ayn Rand- or a mother's group, or a political event. We just aren't that similar. I'm pretty sure we're similar in the areas that really count... like... we both like sharp cheddar cheese. Mmmm.

Here's what I do know. I loved The Fountainhead. I love Howard Roark, it's okay David already knows.

This is a semi-related semi-tangential story of how much I love it. All growing up I wanted a dog. I had it all picked out in my mind, I wanted a chocolate lab. After reading it, I decided I wanted a dog that could bear the name, Ellsworth. The name doesn't really fit a chocolate lab. Here's the dogs that that name would fit: a chubby bulldog, or one of those hairless monstrosities. (Thanks to samugliestdog.com and wikipedia for images)

One day when I don't have children in toe, I would love to search used book shops and find an original copy. It would be even better if the original copy had notes- I'm a margin writer. It got really bad when I was reading Crime and Punishment and On the Road. It would probably take all day, maybe all year. I'd take David because he is a book smeller. I thought it was weird but my friend Rachel and Julia confirmed that they smell old books as well. Can't be too weird if 3 people I know and like are smellers.

One fired agent, a cancelled contract, and 12 publishing firms later- The Fountainhead was born. Ayn knew it was good when her penpal- Mr. Frank Lloyd Wright- wrote a note of approval and appreciation to Rand. Thanks Frank for being around to inspire the character of Roark- even if you totally blew Ayn off when she asked to meet with you and pick your brain. It all worked out in the end. He even designed a cottage for her.

Ways FLW and Roark are similar:

My way or the highway mentality... Roark took to dynamite when Cortland strayed from plans, Wright ignored structural engineers questioning cantilever support on Falling Waters- Early 2000's saw rebar reinforcments added to said structure.

Scoundrel ways (esp. with women)... my feminine sensabilities stop me here

Architectural style- clean, modern, amazing

They differ in career- Roark was great at alienating future clients and didn't get too many comissions. FLW was pretty prolific and has buildings everywhere... EVERYWHERE- 400 still standing. And an army of Wright inspired architects that will probably continue forever.

Although I love it, I'm hesitant to suggest it. Much like Roark, Ran is polarizing. It is long, and you have to think- not a beach read, and there are characters you might hate. And then there is Ayn's objectivism- you might object to that. I got frustrated a few times and mad that nothing good was happening to Howard. I also kind of hated the French names- I took French in college and passed by the skin of my teeth. Sometimes I'll interchange a Spanish accent rather than a French, it is quite horrible.

Sensitive Teeth

2011-01-19T15:23:00.002-05:00

I had some dental work done a bit ago and now my teeth are so sensitive. I've heard good things about the effectiveness of Sensodine toothpaste. Problem is, it tastes like rootbeer to me. Toothpaste is supposed to taste like toothpaste... not pop. Any other sensitive tooth solutions?
We got some cookies at a Christmas party and they tasted like toothpaste, I would have rather them tasted like rootbeer or cookies.

Kid update

2011-01-18T14:58:00.002-05:00

O is huge still and teething. We have her 4 month tomorrow. She's ready to impress.
Audge is still 2 and still asserting her independence. She is cuddly, especially at night.
Caitlin loves to hear and tell stories. She keeps asking about school, she'll start next Fall. I'm worried my decission to hold off this year might have been a bad one.

Martin is waiting for us.

2011-01-18T11:45:00.003-05:00

One of my favorite children's book is waiting for us at the main branch library. I have read it to the girls every Martin Luther King Day. Doreen Rapaport writes "Martin's Big Words" and I love it. I ordered it a little late this year and it just came in this morning. I like finding special books for special days and this one is great. Try it.

We also choose to spend yesterday museuming (totally a word). I'm in love with museums. I hope my kids get that love too. They are such great places to quench a thirst for knowledge. I want them to thirst for knowledge.

Yesterday we went to The Underground Railroad Freedom Center. We went yesterday for three reasons: 1.) To celebrate the holiday appropriately 2.) We hadn't been there 3.) It was free.

We have avoided it in the past for these reasons 1.) Slavery is not a warm fuzzy topic and can be a little intense for everyone- not just the kiddies 2.)We have never been there before and didn't know if it was worth the price of admission $12.00 3.) We were unsure of the family friendliness of the museum- would it hold their interest?

My thoughts. We started out on the guided tour and althought the docent was knowledgeable, he was long winded and did not seem to change his presentation to his audience- namely Casey (8), James (6), Caitlin and Becca (4), Caleb (3), and Audrey (2). Tours for kids have to be way different than for adults. We abandoned him a bit into the tour.

So, if you are going with kids skip the guided tour and go solo. Going solo allows for wandering and jumping to the good parts. Hit these areas: The slave pen, ESCAPE!, and the animated film in the Tubman Theatre. This will probably give you about 1.5-2 hours of interest. Also, if you are lucky- you'll run into a costumed story teller. If the kids are not too tired stay and listen. The one we listened to was good but it was time to take off before melt down. We avoided several exhibits because of intensity. The guards and website were very truthful about age range and how appropriate the specific exhibits were for children.

There were a lot of other things I would like to go back and see it without the kids and when I can look, learn, and relax. The guided tour would have worked without the kids too. It lasts about an hour and highlights mainpoints to give you an idea of what you want to see on your own time.

In a nutshell- Go alone or with someone that can read and doesn't run or touch and has atleast a little interest in history. This museum would be something I would take my Granny to see but probably not my sister or my mom.

Probably crazy

2011-01-05T09:45:00.002-05:00

Well, I probably am insane. I signed up for my first marathon. I have wanted to do one since after Caitlin was born (4 years ago) and then the kids kept pouring in. Right now I am working up to beginner status. I do about 2 miles each night. I'll start increasing in February once I have a good mileage base.
I choose to do the Detroit Marathon because it is close to family, has a cool border crossing aspect, and is in October-giving me 9 months to train. I invited my sister to join me, she was a little non-commital. David said he would try if he finished his school project... he has not worked on it since ;)
My goal is just finishing. No time goal. Detroit is about 4.5 hours away. Wanna join me?

2010-12-30T13:05:00.002-05:00

I'm teaching Caitlin our address. Not much luck so far.
I explained that if she got lost she could tell a police man where she lived.
After a few times of practice, she was frustrated and threw in the towel.

Here's how the towel was thrown...
Caitlin wanders over and brings me a scrap of paper and a pen.
"Here mom, write it and I will give it to the police when I get lost."

If only I got to choose when and where she got lost. I'd probably choose Never or choose our playroom as the location.

My big feet

2010-12-28T21:47:00.002-05:00

If you have a name like Bob Ronkers you are pretty much destined to have one of the following:
1.) A house full of rowdy youngsters
2.) An auto dealership- particularly "certified pre-owned"
3.) A running store named after you
Atleast in my book...

And that is where I began my shoe fitting experience (My Bob Ronkers choose option 3). Apparently I have a wide, high arch foot but other than that am neutral and normal. When hearing "wide" I got a little disappointed, hearing wide made me think fat. Fat is not exactly what you want to hear when you are doing a whole lot to get back in shape (Remember, I'm in Bob Ronkers's store?). Great, I have a fat foot...now what?
I got some shoes that fit in the right places and don't push and shove. The down side, they are light colors- white and silver, and baby blue. Once you get into wide sizes, your options plumet. I hate light colors on shoes. Who came up with that idea? Let's make shoes (that will be used to run and walk on the dirty ground) white..... Oh, here's another idea Let's make the wide shoes white as to emphasize the massive fatty foot inside. Don't they realize black is slimming and hides dirt and grim? Guess not.
The girl across from me had pretty much the most basic size foot ever, a 7. She got to try on cool blue Nikes with a neon swoosh. My foot was jealous. heck why stop there? My whole body was jealous. My last pair of shoes looked great. They were dark grey and black Pumas with accents of coral and a light blue and black sole. Looking great is where it stopped. Most times after running my foot would be cut up and bleeding between the toes. The toenail of my third toe cut into my second toe. I solved this by keeping my nails short. Never did it occur to me that my toes were too cramped because of my foot obesity. Never.
Function over form this time. I bought the old woman shoe. (I told my mom what shoes I bought and her comment was, "That's the brand grandma likes...." Just in case I wasn't already displeased aesthetically). I did the usual 2 mile loop tonight in the new shoes- no bloody toes. And that might make grandma shoes be okay with me. Atleast until there is another option.

in other news

2010-12-27T11:25:00.000-05:00

The plague has left me.
For now atleast.
No clue as to its roots.

2010-12-27T09:49:00.002-05:00

What hard work!

On Christmas morning the girls slept in until about 8:30. Caitlin came down with her head hanging...

Me: What's wrong?

C: Santa didn't come to my room.

Me: Santa doesn't come to your room, he comes to the tree. Let's see if he ate the cookies and drank the milk and left presents and filled stockings.

C: He did. Santa did drink his milk!

She was so excited for the rest of the day.

2010-12-27T09:43:00.000-05:00

Chaos begins.

2010-12-27T09:35:00.002-05:00

Triple threat with the tree. Little O. Audge just waking up and seeing the tree. Caitlin opening the stocking. The filled stockings, O's unfinished on account of the plague.

2010-12-27T09:29:00.000-05:00

More gingerbread. Santa came.

Christmas

2010-12-27T09:17:00.003-05:00

I took about 500 pictures this holiday and need to sort through. Here are a few.

Color change Ariel swimming (just minutes after opening), Gingerbread houses with Grandma, happy cousin Kaiden.

ugggh

2010-12-24T05:04:00.002-05:00

Pretty much the worst present ever....
I have hives all over and have no clue what they are from. My eyes and mouth are a little swollen and I itch everywhere.
Tried to find a doctor yesterday, no luck. FYI- Planned Parenthood doctors are listed as general practice and family medicine doctors- accidentally called them.
I'm on Benadryl now because it's okay for little O. It makes me so sleepy.

Cincinnati Recycles

2010-12-20T10:43:00.002-05:00

The City of Cincinnati recycles... a lot. Apparently enough that they decided to give all residents a 96 gallon recycling bin. It's HUGE. Like this thing can fit all three of our children (we tried) HUGE. And to tell you the truth- Yesterday I kind of wanted to recycle Audge....
We're having a better day today and the bin is still on the porch.

SURPRISE!

2010-12-20T10:31:00.002-05:00

David's surprise to me was a much cleaner playroom! While the girls and I were in Michigan, David started cleaning the playroom. If you have never been there, imagine Toys-R-Us exploding then add some deconstructed feather boas (the princess needed confetti, or so I was told). It was to a point where small children could get lost. It was also to the point that cleaning it was a little overwhelming. Last time it was cleaned was before the garage sale and it took about a week, several garbage bags, and a few trips to Good Will.
It was also to a point where the girls had no idea what was up there. And that is where David pulls out his genius card... His idea is regifting forgotten toys to the girls. Audrey likes unwrapping almost more than the gifts, so why not let her unwrap more? Puzzles, Duplos, and some babies are on the gift list.
I'm not so sure he'll be able to pull the wool over Caitlin's eyes though....

Our Christmas Shopping

2010-12-10T13:51:00.002-05:00

is not done yet. But I know what I need, sort of.

We have decided to follow this saying for gift giving:

Something they want
Something to wear
Something they need
Something to read

Got the reading covered. Still deciding if underwear counts as a need or a wear....

Having those guidelines will keep the commercial side of the season of Christ at bay. I stole this saying from Melanie Bush, I also stole her pizza sauce recipe.

2010-12-08T13:00:00.003-05:00

You just woke me up and you want me to do what? Get that flash outta here!
Her wide eyes and clenched fists tell the whole story.

Good thing I know she's cute because this is probably the worst baby picture EVER!

2010-12-08T12:45:00.001-05:00

One gift was a shave. The other was the camera that brought you these sequenced images.

My presents...

2010-12-08T11:33:00.002-05:00

Both are super smooth, one has burst mode. Any guesses? I'll post later and let you know if anyone was correct. (Hint: I've mentioned both in previous posts)

2010-12-07T11:36:00.000-05:00

Thoughts on snow

2010-12-06T11:35:00.002-05:00

I think snow is beautiful. It makes even the old industrial areas of Cincy look great and ugly craggy trees are vastly improved as well. I like giant snowflakes and intricate designs on each one.
Areas where snow could improve: Snow gets too dirty too fast, snow is cold. I think snow should be self cleansing and should happen and survive at about 45-55 degrees.

My failed attempt at a protest

2010-12-06T11:20:00.002-05:00

David is attempting to grown a beard. We are starting on week 3. It looks straggely and is still struggling to grow. I don't like it- it is scratchy and weird. Out of protest, I decided not to shave either. It didn't work. At first David didn't notice and then he didn't care. Atleast someone will be shaving today- ME.

back to work

2010-12-02T11:00:00.004-05:00

Remember these...

Hand quilted stockings, one for each of us. They take pretty much forever- especially since I am without a rotary cutter. (Hmmm sounds like a stocking stuffer idea...)
I have to make another one this year.

Merry Christmas Little O, this is probably all you're gonna get.

Merry Christmas

2010-11-30T12:13:00.004-05:00

Those that were on top of Christmas shopping (NOT ME) gave the girls a Michigan family Christmas over Thanksgiving weekend. Thank you Auntie and Uncle Friss, Liam and Finn, and Sarah. Here is Audrey opening one. She is just so cute (even as Tinkerbell)!

For Auntie

2010-11-30T11:28:00.002-05:00

Here are your boys- I love super close up shots of babies. Definately not identical.

stuffed

2010-11-30T11:24:00.002-05:00

I'm pretty sure she ate her weight in carbs this past holiday.

Here is Audge snacking on 8 loaves of bread that was to become dressing for our Thanksgiving dinner.

the triple threat... in true photographic form

2010-11-28T07:59:00.002-05:00

Remember when I said the triple threat did not do well in photos....

Lets add a few more babies into the mix...

How about 7 kids total? This was the best....

Olivia

2010-11-23T10:21:00.002-05:00

At the risk of being redundent...
Drink it up Baby Bibendum! Eat, eat, eat! Friday was O's 2 month check up, she is 15 pounds. What a tank! She sure loves to eat and is even sleeping through the nights several days a week. She loves to coo and smile- especially at me because I'm her favorite.

Dinner

2010-11-17T09:16:00.002-05:00

No pictures because I'm not really accustom to taking pictures of my food...
Last night I experimented and made calzones- a twist on the classic pizza. I included a list of our fillings but you can be creative there.

The fillings:
thinly sliced green peppers
chopped olives
mozerella cheese
deli ham cut in strips
pepperoni

The sauce:
15 oz. tomato sauce
6 oz. tomato paste
generous pinch of:
sugar, oregano, pepper, salt
a drizzle of olive oil
Simmer over low heat for about 20 minutes

The dough:
Proof the following for 15 minutes
1 1/2 Tablespoons yeast
1 1/2 Cups warm water
1 Tablespoon honey
Then add 3 Tablespoons olive oil (do not stir, just pour in)
Sift the following
4 1/2 cups flour (3 white 1.5 cups whole wheat if you want wheat- also increase honey to 2 Ts)
1 Tablespoon salt
1 Tablespoon sugar

Slowly add the proofed yeast mix to the dry mix (We used our stand mixer) and mix until the edges of the bowl come clean. It will be a sticky dough. Oil a large bowl, cover dough with a towel and let rise about 1 hour. Punch down, make about 8 balls (small orange size) and let those rise covered on a greased cookie sheet or two for 40 minutes.

Roll balls into circles and fill with cheese and sauce and extra desired toppings- leave the edges without toppings. Fold the dough over to make a 1/2 moon shape and crimp the edges with a fork to seal.
Cook at about 350 for 20 minutes or until golden.
Brush with melted butter and parmesian cheese (optional)

We served with chicken caesar salad and had way too much food- this recipe (with a side salad)would probably feed about 6-8 adults or an army of children. I experimented with this so I kept adding things until it was perfect. We had left over sauce as well but we used it as a dip for the calzones.

It's me, you know... Elizabeth?

2010-11-16T10:56:00.002-05:00

I have an older sister named Elizabeth. Growing up, several people would slip and call me her name. (I used to be jealous and upset when this happened because she was so smart and popular and I was a wall flower and a little awkward. Now I just really love her.) Teachers in school and church, parents, grandparents- Elizabeth just came out first at times. It was something that I thought would change as we moved out and on and joined different circles, etc.
Well, apparently not.
Last Sunday I was called Elizabeth 3 times by the same person (notwithstanding my prominantly placed scriptures with name embossed...). In fact, I do not recall one time when this person called me Emily. I corrected her on the third time- her response, "Oh, I meant Emily. I knew that." Sure ya did... You knew that for the last 2 years, didn't ya?

...It was almost as good as when I was introduced as a new sister on my last Sunday in Oak Hills...

soup for sickies

2010-11-15T12:30:00.002-05:00

Chicken soup- the cheater's way
C'mon, do you really want to make chicken stock, debone the chicken, and wait all day while the soup simmers and your fever and dillusions steadily climb?

Soup in 10 minutes

chop the following:
1 large onion
3 carrots
2 stalks celery
microwave the vegetables about 7 minutes

bring one box of chicken stock and 1 cup water to a boil and dump in the vegetables and one can of chicken (we get ours at Costco)
salt and pepper and garlic powder to taste

optional: add cooked rice right at end (left over rice freezes well for soups)

To cool hot soups for little toungues- I add frozen corn or peas

Or you could open a can of Campbells... if you like more sodium and less veggies and chicken in about the same time

HELP

2010-11-12T10:32:00.003-05:00

So, after a two year break....
I am attempting to get on top of all things seasonal and do holiday cards.
Here's how we did them in the past, went through the wedding invite list (hard copy not digital) and wrote one out to the people we thought might want one. This past August, we celebrated 5 years of marriage... that list is a little outdated. People have moved (including us X3), names have changed, people have passed away, new friends have been made.
Our list needs a major overhaul and we need some help- your help. Could you send us your name and address? (But only if we know you- no weirdos allowed) You can send it via facebook message to me or email me at the gmail account, Emily.Burgstrom@gmail.com. I would advise you not to post it in an open comment or message- again, the weirdo factor.
Thanks in advance, Me

Caitlin

2010-11-11T11:14:00.003-05:00

She is now four and still loves Barbies and Princesses. Here are a couple of her photos.

Look who's smiling

2010-11-11T10:55:00.004-05:00

This is not her first but it is the first captured smile. Doesn't she look so cute with her "cheeks for days"?

Here is another cute one- a peaceful slumber.

Audrey is 2!

2010-11-11T10:47:00.003-05:00

Audge turned 2 on November 10th. We celebrated all day long at the museum center- we sure do love that place- trains, sand, dinosaurs, pretend play.

We had dinner, Audge decided not to eat it. She basically had ice cream for dinner... Even better than Caitlin's cookie breakfast on her birthday.

Here's a cute picture from the day. (I'm pretty much in love with the new camera. It will be my birthday and Christmas presents for a time being)

We're expecting

2010-11-11T10:35:00.002-05:00

Not David and I, these two.

They also breast feed...

Friends?

2010-11-04T16:03:00.004-04:00

Do you have any friends that take large sums of your money?
Do you have friends that like to play with sharp instruments and drill on you?
How about friends you see semi-annually?
Well, I might.
Today my dentist requested to be my facebook friend, after drilling and manipulating my teeth and gums for a couple hours. Weird. I haven't accepted yet.

EDIT: I became his friend and now I get reminders of whitening specials and know that his favorite music artist is J LO (more than I needed to know about my doctor...). Also, Facebook suggests the dentist's friends as people I might know. The other day it told me to be friends with John Matareese, a local newscaster- he is friends (or atleast a patient) of the dentist as well.

First and Last political post EVER

2010-11-03T09:06:00.003-04:00

You don't need to read this, it is just my rant.
So, last night at 7:27 I voted (polls close at 7:30). David convinced me that it was my civic right and duty. I vote blue. I really only wanted to see one thing happen, it didn't. Steve Chabot is back again. I can't believe it- I blame the tea party. He had 14 years to prove his salt and failed- two years ago people had given up on him and voted him out. I was part of that. Driehaus was only given two years to fix the garbage he was given- not enough time to undo 14 years- and he gets voted out. Ohio, what are you thinking?

I'd pick you

2010-11-02T09:41:00.005-04:00

We did go pumpkin patching this year (no pictures- dead camera) and Audrey found us an awesome pumpkin to carve. I carved it up as a skeleton- Caitlin picked the image- it was time consuming to carve but looks great. Quite Halloweeny.

We went Trunk or Treating twice and Trick or Treating once, even Olivia went. The cute caterpillar- with no teeth and on a liquid diet- got the most candy. Audge got the least, she wasn't always pleasant. If her hair curled at all... we could say this, "There was a little girl /Who had a little curl/ Right in the middle of her forehead/ And when she was good/ she was very, very good/ And when she was bad/ She was horrid." Even the least amount of candy is still too much it seems.

We went to the trunk or treat parties as a big group of cousins and family. In the picture an unhappy Audrey is being held by Lightning McQueen (aka Sarah), sleeping Olivia is being held by Emily (Sarah's twin who later became Filmore) and Caitlin is behind the Capn' Hook (minus the Hook) and Luigi- you can see her hand and trick or treat bag and Cinderella is looking at her.

The baby cousins had a photo shoot day. As far as pumpkins go, I'd pick the one on the right- with the pink socks. Like I said in the previous post, Olivia is about the size of her cousins- this caused some confusion. Olivia and Kameron (same hair line) were the subject of several double takes- me included- Wait... you're not my baby!

(thanks again to Auntie for the pictures)

Cousins

2010-11-01T09:36:00.003-04:00

Kaiden and Kameron were born a couple months early but that hasn't seemed to slow them down much. They are strong and healthy and in Kameron's case, CHUBBY. Well, our Olivia is catching up. They still have about 1/2 a pound on her but she falls between them in lenght. What a big girl we have!

(Thanks Auntie for the picture)

hallZOOween

2010-10-25T10:34:00.003-04:00

Went to the Cincinnati Zoo for trick or treating this weekend. Girls ate all the treats en route. Audge was a ladybug, Caitlin a bee, and Olivia a caterpillar. I wanted to get a couple of pictures- girls in the spider web at the play ground, girls at the bug house. Didn't happen, camera still dead. Just imagine it.

Caitlin and Audge

2010-10-25T10:12:00.002-04:00

Well, I usually hunt and peck while typing- I am now doing that with one hand.
So, Audge doesn't talk much yet. We encourage her vocalization by having her repeat us. Like this:
We'll see a dog
Me: "Audge say dog"
Audge: "uff uff"
Me: "say DOOOG"
Audge: "daaaaaaa-oooooog"
And then the praise comes flowing

Caitlin has caught on to this parrot like attribute of Audge....
Caitlin: "Audge, can I have the Barbie? (the one you have not let out of you grubby paws for about 46 hours) "
Audge: clutches tighter to the doll and backs away
C: "say yes"
A: "yes"
C: proceeds to take Barbie
A: wailing and gnashing of teeth
Me: "Caitlin STOP!"
C: "But mom, Audge said I could have it"
Me: "Just give it back, please"
C: "FINE!" throws Barbie

a question

2010-10-22T11:50:00.002-04:00

Do you have anything about 2 feet long and 13 pounds?
What is it?
We do, her name is Olivia.

Our new shower

2010-10-20T13:21:00.003-04:00

Our shower is about 2/3rds in now. I'm pretty excited because it has been several months since we have had a shower in our house. For the last 7 months I have had to take baths exclusively. This made me so excited for the hospital facilities- I took three showers over 2 days. Our bathtub is big and fantastic but I don't think I'll be sad when the shower takes back its rightful place. Woohoo.
sorry, no pictures. Our camera is refusing to charge batteries.

careful

2010-10-07T12:19:00.003-04:00

Don't read the post below if bodily functions irritate you.

I pretty much do not have the ability or the luxury of being irritated or extremely grossed out anymore. If I did, our house could not function and I could not be mom.

You know when something happens and it seems horrible at the time- someone will usually come out and say, "we'll laugh about this someday"? I'm already laughing about this morning. Intrigued? Read on...

the triple threat takes a bath... or two.. or four

2010-10-07T11:21:00.002-04:00

We had pancakes and syrup and canned peaches and milk for breakfast. The Audge wore all of the above on her naked and just bathed last night stomach. Time for another bath. Caitlin could use a good scrubbing as well.
Run the bath, get children one and two in the bath, and scrub and shampoo both. Let them play for a bit while I attempt to wash number three in the sink.
Just as I get together the washcloth, baby wash, and towel- Number two goes number two in the tub. Gross. But unfortunately not all that uncommon for Audge.
Number three's bath is postponed. She is laid back in her bed for safe keeping.
It is time to remove number one, number two, and number two from the tub. Scrub, scrub, scrub! (The tub- that is)
Caitlin refuses to bath with Audge again. Could ya blame her?
Scrub her down for probably the third time in less than 24 hours. A quick yet comprehensive scrub this time. Audge's turn next. Equally as thorough. They are shipped downstairs with oversized towels and an almost empty bottle of baby lotion. (I try to give them almost empty things as often as possible- Could you image what could be down with a full bottle of lotion, or powder, of shampoo? I learn from my past experiences.)
Olivia is asleep! Yes, I can now get clean. Pop in Peter Pan for the older 2 (still lotioning themselves... in between toes for Audge and inside the ears for Caitlin currently) and start running my water. Covet Katy's candy corn trick or treat bag (via a lemon squeezy home blog- I'm still clueless about creating active links on blogger) and contemplate making it... times 3?... we'll see. Lather, rinse, repeat. All clean.
Olivia decides she's hungry... or maybe she just blew out her diaper... or both... Yep, it was both. Thank you number three for getting that out of your system (quite literally) before bathtime. Clean and feed her. Spits up in my hair... Gross. Bummer as well, I had expected this wash to last atleast a day or two. Toss my hair in the typical ponytail (just like yesterday and the day before, and the day before that, ad infinatum) because I'm out of "me" time. It is time for lunch and the downstairs natives are getting restless and Capn Hook is being chased by the crocodile and that bottle of lotion is gone.

Olivia- the transition impact statement

2010-10-01T10:31:00.003-04:00

Here it is- a rather disjointed and blabbering update...
At times I confuse the cat's meows with Olivia's cries. I usually check the bassinet only to find a sleeping babe. Holly has gotten a bit of the shaft since Olivia came home.
Although I don't have an exact number, I know she is solidly in the 9 pounds range. When we left the hospital she had lost only 6 ounces and came in at 8 pounds even. Mere days later at her 1 week appointment she was 8#13 oz. So she basically (3 oz. short) gained a pound in just a few days. The nurse even did a double check on her scales and recalibrated the one she was using. What a champion eater! She also does well with sleeping during the day and soiling diapers.

The transition is what I thought it would be. I expected to be awakened at night for feedings. I expected a diaper and laundry increase. I enjoy cuddling, the smell of baby right after bath, and watching her sleep. I could do with out the spitting up. I don't mind the diapers yet- so much better than Audrey's.
Speaking of Audrey... transition for her is okay. She really loves babies so she gets excited when she is allowed to hold Olivia, loves to help with getting diapers and supplies for changing, and calls out Olivia's name several times a day. She struggles only when she is sleepy. It is then that she demands some uninterrupted mom time.
Yesterday Audrey woke up from her nap on the wrong side of the bed. I came into comfort her but made a big mistake bringing Olivia with me. I put Olivia down and held a clingy Audrey whimpering for about 20 minutes. Then Olivia got hungry and let everyone know. Meanwhile Caitlin ventured downstairs and figured out the television.
David walked into find Caitlin inches away from a blaring Curious George, the sound of screaming children, and no dinner ready (I had planned on leftovers but not followed through with it yet.)
And it is a good thing that he did- walk in that is. What a great help he is. He took Olivia for a bit while I attempted to coax Audrey off my lap. It did not work. I had to pluck her off-which lead to a tantrum. David and I traded girls, Olivia got fed, Audrey got cuddled, Caitlin got some more George time, Dinner came later than usual. We're still figuring out new and adjusting old routines.
Caitlin has done quite well. Probably because she enjoys television. I admit I have turned to the electronic babysitter more than I would like or should- I am working on this. I have turned it on less and less each day. She is also doing well because she has done this all before, she knows the ropes and it is now old hat.
As mentioned before, Holly the cat is not doing so well with the transition. She now is an indoor/outdoor pet and is a little spastic and fickle about what she wants. When she wants out that is her singular focus. She will meow and paw at the door until someone takes pity. Caitlin is usually her helper. Minutes later she wants back in. She will run from one window to the next trying to make eye contact with a sympathiser- meowing also plays a part. Either I will get annoyed by the whining or Caitlin comes to her rescue. Rarely is David phased by her antics.

David made this comment to one of Olivia's special care nurses, "I like when she cries." They probably thought... "we are sending this sweet girl home with the man that likes to hear her cry...?" Here's the reason: Because of her birth trauma (meconium and blood gases), we did not hear her cry right after birth. It freaked us out. Her cry was our signal she was healthy and it didn't come. So when she cried later, we knew she was alright. Her cry was reassuring- Who doesn't need reassurance after a life altering event?
I think attending school last year prepared David for this transition. Before school, David would get grumpy when hungry or dehydrated or tired. School was good for him. It was there he learned to live without a full complement of sleep. He is able to help out with some late night/early morning diaper changes and still have a decently productive next day at work. He just expects to be tired most of the time and the grump does not come out.

The triple threat: an omen

2010-09-22T12:59:00.002-04:00

Shutterbugs beware! Photogs hide your lenses!

20 pictores and about zero good ones. One of the best is posted...

So Christmas pictures should be fun for the next few years. Actually any group holiday or event.

Eyes open?, Facing the right direction?, smiling?, no goo/smile/food/etc? X THESE THREE

And FYI: I DID NOT declare #1 a silly face picture.

BAD THINGS (in the photography realm) are yet to come...

pics

2010-09-22T12:51:00.002-04:00

Audge and Olivia.

Audge became "Audge" because that was what our little 2 year old Caitlin could say.

If we used that for Olivia... we would have ya-e-ya. I think we will stick to Olivia. (1 week old- 3 days old)

Olivia came crashing in

2010-09-17T11:37:00.003-04:00

Olivia Jane 8 lbs 6 oz 21 inches

On Tuesday at about 6:20 my water broke. It was on of the most disgusting feelings ever. No steady contractions yet. At 8 we were admitted to the hospital. The contractions were about 3 minutes apart. I was getting an epidural during transition contractions. At about 9:15 Olivia was born. The doctor hustled in at 9:20.

We had a little scare at first- no cry! Her placenta was starting to fail during labor and she was unable to get rid of CO2 buildup in her body. The doctors and nurses quickly pinked her up, got a cry out, and brought her to special care for observation. She's home and healthy now.

We're doing well over here. Ohio Grandma is taking care of the girls and the house while we recover even more.

Caitlin

2010-09-14T13:28:00.000-04:00

This is one of the last pictures we have with Caitlin sporting a little belly (July 2010). She has grown so fast recently that her belly has stretched out to almost nothing.

She's always hungry, clothes basically fall off her waist, She looks a lot older than she actually is. The last one is hard for me to help her with.

Caitlin is a social butterfly and loves to call everyone a "friend" but some kids are mean. The older the meaner. She looks to be about 5- and some 5 year old neighbors expect her to act at age 5. Problem being- she isn't 5 yet. She will still play, act, talk, relate like a 3.5 year old. After a bad interaction with these kids, I asked those neighbors not to come play for a while.

The good part of being 3 is sometimes you don't quite understand what just happened. I'm okay with that.

She is testing boundaries and learning limits right now which is challenging for us. She is so smart. She is writing letters and wants to know how to spell her favorite words. We are looking at words and pictures to help her learning early reading skills. We are not doing preschool yet. We have thought it through and decided against it this year for a few reasons: 1.) Her November birthday misses the September deadline for school enrollment, meaning she will not start kindergarten until she is nearly 6. If we started her now, she would be doing 2 years of preschool. 2.) Preschool isn't even required. Some kids go straight to kindergarten. We may or may not do this. 3.) I'm a stay at home mom. I don't really need school to serve as childcare. I like having her here most of the time. I miss her when she's away. 4.) I am working on preschool and kindergarten topics here and she is picking up quickly, she is so smart!

Growing up

2010-09-14T13:18:00.000-04:00

I'm getting sick of waiting and you are probably getting sick of hearing that I'm still waiting. Here is something that is not waiting at all, AUDREY.

She has quite the independent streak- picks out clothes and dresses herself- shoes included, brushes her teeth, combs her hair, cleans up toys and food dishes (occassionally).

She loves doing what Caitlin does and probably doesn't realize the age or size difference- Jumping, climbing, running, etc.

She sings and dances and makes us laugh a lot. She doesn't say much and we really have to coax her words out of her but we know she understands a lot and listens quite well.

Olivia Watch: Day 281

2010-09-13T18:36:00.000-04:00

Ultrasound today estimated this tanker at 8#14oz (give or take 1 pound- most likely take). So she is BIG and healthy. Next appointment is Thursday with a non-stress test. I'll keep you posted.

still here

2010-09-10T18:15:00.000-04:00

This is her weekend- Let's see if Olivia makes her debut.
My doctor today thought no. Still at 3, still high, not dropped.
We scheduled another ultrasound and an appointment for Monday.
Time sure moves like a slug when you want something to come 2 weeks early and it decides to be late.