A Year to Remember

A year.... a year! This week we will have owned our house for a whole year. So much has happened that it is no wonder that I rarely update this blog and when I do it is just a few photos. We're in the midst of starting our next adventure. In less than 3 weeks we will be on another plane headed for another foreign country. We're excited that we won't need to cart a Pack 'n' Play through the airport because after a mild accident involving The Girl's neck and the crib she is now sleeping in a big girl bed. But we wouldn't mind carting the dog kennel so much. The Boy is constantly telling us that he needs a dog.

This will probably be my last post until we get settled (or at least packed-out and settled in a hotel room!). Here are some pictures of September and October followed by some of our trip to California in August (Hey, you're getting pictures. Who cares if they are in consecutive order?!).

RIP Sylvia

It has been a hard year at our house. The past 2 weeks have probably been the worst... if not of the year, but of our lives. Today we said our last goodbye to my MIL. Still doesn't seem real.

Sylvia and Reno, summer 2007

RIP Girlie

Lula passed away in her sleep last night. We're all devastated. She was the sweetest dog ever. She traveled around the world with us and shared in all of our greatest memories and adventures. She loved walks, vegetables, snow-shoeing, laying by the fire, laying under the high chairs, laying in the backyard, laying next to The Boy's bed, and being right under our feet. We were lucky to have her.

Thirtysomething 2.0

OMG, we're adults. Wait, we're adults so I have to type that out. Ohhh my God! Wait, real adults would say, "Oh my goodness graciousness, we have achieved adult status!" Today we closed on our first ever home. Wow. We've made it this far into our 30s with the most expensive possessions being a car (or two) and a couple carpets... and the kids (I guess they aren't expenses, but they sure incur a lot of them).

We're planning on moving in at the end of the month when a few construction projects are done. Check out the front of the townhouse and the view from the back yard. And then register for your Spring visit.

Aug/Sep Photos

We've been a little tied up recently so I haven't been able to download, upload, and post photos. Here's a few from August and a few more from September. My favorites are the ones of the kids waiting to see MH after our 10 week+ separation and then the photo of them all together. I also love when The Boy plays the air guitar and when The Girl picks out her own outfits.

Rest in Peace Baci

MH's grandmother, Baci, passed away today. She was one of the classiest, quick-tongued ladies I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. She'll be sorely missed - like a strawberry rhubarb pie without the strawberries.

With The Boy in April 2006

With MH and The Boy in April 2006


With The Girl in September 2008

And the hits keep coming...

As if we don't have enough to keep us busy... The Boy took a spill at my mom's last night. It was a gusher. I think I was a little in shock because I could only follow my sister's directions to get ice, water, etc. She was amazing.

We visited the dentist today (our goal is to benefit all medical specialties in the Bay Area) for an exam and (more) xrays. The prognosis: his tooth may turn a different color (we're hoping for Penn State blue if we can't have white) or it might fall out. Given that it will eventually fall out, we're not too freaked. No more riding Gigi's lawn cart, though!

Here he is after we cleaned up all of the blood. What a toughie!

Pixieland

Click the Pixies for more photos

Welcome to the Family!

My newest nephew Owen Henry (a Hypnobaby) - born July 1.

My incredible sister with Owen on Day 2

February photos

Here are some pictures from The Boy's birthday party (at the school he no longer attends), our trip to Arica, Chile with our friends that have since left us (sniff, sniff), and day to day stuff.

You had better look at these pictures, or else!

On Our Way, Again

Finally. We finally got some people to listen to us about The Boy's stool withholding/encopresis? issues after his last blockage. We're heading off to CA in the next few days to meet with some specialists who will ease our minds and help us figure out the best way to help The Boy go. He's been miserable. We've been miserable.

We've almost murdered a handful of people who told us that he'd be fine if we'd just give him some papaya... or olive oil. Oh, what a F-ing genius you are. Why didn't WE think of changing his diet. My personal favorite for murder-candidate was the doc who told us that The Boy probably has this problem because attention was taken away from him when his little sister was born. Oh, that's just brilliant, too. Somehow, The Boy sensed that we were going to have The Girl, so 13 months before she was born, he started withholding his stools. Now, while I agree his is the smartest kid in the world, I still think that is beyond his abilities.

So, we're on our way to CA for an undetermined amount of time. State said it could be 6-12 months but our nurse thinks it will be a shorter period of time. I'll write more when we get settled next week.

We're Home... again

The Boy did it! He is all cleaned out. And I know for a fact because I have the xrays to prove it. Absolutely amazing, he has a spine, heart, stomach, hip bones. You can see them all on the new xray because they are not hidden by the enormous amounts of fecal matter (officially called FOS - full of sh!& - seriously, that's what multiple docs have called it). All it took was a lot of patience and a little bit - okay a lot - of adult laxatives.

Turns out that The Boy had a blockage and needed some flushing. He got that alright, but I'll spare you the details. All you need to know is that I am officially off #2 diaper duty for a very long time. And the only thing The Boy remembers about Miami (no, not the awesome airboat ride) is when he peed* down his leg. He tells everyone. And I mean everyone. He even told the Embassy driver that picked us up from the airport. *Note: The kid was on laxatives. It wasn't pee.

As soon as he was cleared, we hopped a plane home. Of course it was on American Airlines so nothing went smoothly and we arrived home 3 hours late (and on a different aircraft than the one we originally boarded). Thirsty, hungry, and feeling every single one of the 13,000 feet. I've already restarted the Bolivia weight-loss program.

We are both so glad to be home. Everyone has noticed a drastic change (for the better) in The Boy's personality. He is pleasant to be around, plays nicely with his little sister, and is an all around super-happy kid. It is amazing. I can't believe we went this long without getting help.

The Girl has been a little hesitant toward me. She has changed so much in the past two weeks. Her tongue has grown - I swear! It is so big and long. She sticks it out all the time and laughs hysterically. I think even she is surprised. She's standing on her own and takes half-steps before face-planting. It is incredible.

So we should be nearing the end of my incessant poop-focused blogs. I can't promise you anything, though, because we have become quite fond of the topic...

December Slideshow

Finally, I can upload. Here are some pictures from December including Jack's school's graduation ceremony, Santa, and Violet standing. Also check out the adorable photos of our adorable children. They aren't wearing matchy match sweaters, but consider this your Christmas card...

There's No Place Like Home

I posted new pictures to the right of our trips to California and Pennsylvania. My mom says I can't post the stories I want to post about our trip... probably because my funny stories focus on coping with our crazy families (and I say "crazy" in the most endearing way possible). I mean, wouldn't you think someone was crazy if on the first day she showed your escape-artist-son how to open the baby gate? Or how about for watching Fox news? I have to admit, though, that no one in our family offered cake to our children for breakfast like we did on our first morning back home. What? I couldn't wait until dinner to try it.

Here we are less than 12 hours after arriving home.

Home Sweet Home

Remember that scene from Raising Arizona when John Goodman breaks out of prison? That's how I feel. Not that our trip back home was prison-like exactly, but we're finally home and sleeping (a lot) in our own beds and It. Just. Feels. So. Good.

We arrived home yesterday and our staff has off until Tuesday, so in between unpacking and taking care of the kids, I am resting and readjusting to the altitude. So far I just have a headache, I am super tired, and I am dizzy. The Boy races around the yard and then leans forward with his hands on his knees and wheezes. The Girl is sleeping like a champ and drinking a lot of milk. It seems to hit us all differently - except for the terminal flatulence (see post from June) - although if I was racing around the backyard I am sure I would wheeze, too. It is like all the altitude training we did this winter (your summer) was for nothing.

I will post pictures and stories when we get situated and back to normal.

Note: Remember when you "fall back" tomorrow morning, we don't. We'll be one hour ahead of the East Coast and four hours ahead of the West Coast.

The Boy At School

Click the picture for 3 more pics of The Boy at school.

I-can-not-be-lieve-it!*

We're here. We're here, we're here, we're here. Hallelujah, praise be to Jah, Allah, Buddah, Shangdi, Yahweh, or Godbunny. I'm not picky. Just thank God... we are here. Click the picture to the left for proof.

It was a long flight (and we almost didn't go because The Boy has an ear infection in his left ear) and we couldn't sleep because the helpful flight attendant moved us to the bulkhead seats (where the arm rests don't go up). The Girl now has The Boy's illness. It presented itself at 30,000 feet and again in the middle of last night. We're going to the doc here to get them both looked at.

We're here.

Yesterday I had the most delicious sandwich of my life. For dinner I had ribs and salad with jalapeno ranch dressing. For breakfast I had a bagel with cream cheese and jalapeno ranch dressing. Can you guess what we are planning for lunch and dinner tonight? I'll give you a hint... it involves bread and jalapeno ranch dressing.

Speaking of hot and spicy... today is the ten year anniversary of MH's and my wedding (the second one). We've had more romantic celebrations in the past (we have, haven't we?), but at this moment, I can't think of a more perfect way to celebrate than laying around all day in pjs with my two phlegmy but adorable kids.

*The title of this blog should be read in the voice of Leo from Little Einsteins. That show was the most popular request of The Boy over the past week. Thank God we're here and he has toys to play with.

Something About Mary-can Airlines

So I promised you an update when we got back to Cali. That's going to take a while. We have yet to make it out of South America. We had a delightful trip to Santiago and during dinner at Ruby Tuesday's our expediter and I noticed The Boy was out of sorts. By the time we got to the gate, he had a 103.something fever and American Airlines had the medics come to check him out. They determined he was too sick to go on the flight. We've been stuck in Santiago for 24 hours now. From what I have seen this city is awesome. Unfortunately, I have only really seen our swanky hotel and the Hypermercado. We've also seen two docs who gave us different stories.

• The Boy has an ear infection.
• The Boy doesn't have an ear infection but since he sucks his thumb, he has done serious damage to his bite.

As I blog, The Boy is sleeping restlessly and keeps screaming out. He has another fever and I can't wait until we get home and his grandparents can take care of him. The Girl, on the other hand, is sleeping peacefully in the bathroom. I have always found that room to be quite comforting, but I can't say I have ever fell asleep in it. Alas, it is only Monday!

Always Something

The Boy had a 103.5 temp this morning and no ear infection or any other visible problem. The doc wants to keep an eye on him so we aren't able to leave. I also threw out my back. The Girl is just as perky as ever, though! One out of three ain't bad.

Rest in Peace Gramma Starks

We were sad to learn that my grandmother passed away yesterday. We're relieved that she is no longer suffering, however. I picked this picture to commemorate her because one of the last times we visited her at her home, we took a picture of her in her garden. She wanted me to remember the hyacinths that my dad had sent both of us the Easter before his death. This color blue also reminds us of her eyes - not only the color, but because they are startlingly bold with a hint of magic.