Captain Underpants Mini-Me

Kids truly make life bearable.  And unbearable at times, but that's a different blog.  I've come to realize how quickly they want to grow up.  Austin ADORES his big brother to no end, and even at almost 15 months, he tries to do the things Shane does- walk up the stairs, cuddle the cat, play cars.  I've also realized how early in life the brotherly bond is apparent- you know the one, I love you that's why I'm going to do everything in my power to drive you crazy.  Yeah.  Austin loves to sit on Shane- and bounce up and down on him- whenever the big guy sits or lays on the floor.  He also loves to steal Shane's special toys, his train or tow truck; just to get Shane's attention and get him to cry and scream.  Mommy doesn't appreciate that one so much. But there is one thing that I think is wonderful.  

Whenever Austin sees Shane getting ready for school- he wants to do it too.  He brings clothes and fusses and pushes until you put them on him.  But the one thing that will make his day, put him in the clouds, and bring peace to the world- is underwear.

Yes, I said underwear.  Austin loves to find an abandoned pair of underwear, and wear them.

Regardless of what else he's wearing.

He's so proud of himself, it's funny.

He loves to get his picture taken in them, which is a habit that will be curtailed as he gets older.

Luigi was the Unders-du-jour this evening.

I even have a hilarious picture of him in full footy sleeper jammies, with unders on over them.  It's still on the camera, but I'm sure you can imagine it.

Our children are nuts, but they sure bring a bit of enjoyment to life!

Late Last Night

It was late last night.  Shane was watching his movies in bed, on the verge of sleep.  Austin had had taken alate nap, so I was letting him play around the bedroom for a bit.  Suddenly I noticed he was gone!  Trying to call softly so as to not rouse Shane, I heard an answering grunt from downstairs.  I tip-toe/dash down the stairs just in time to see...

I wait a minute... sure enough the knob jiggles a bit.  There's a scratching sound at the edge of the door.  Then he yells "Maaaa".  I kept quiet to see what he would do.  He yelled for a few more times and when the worried tone starts to creep into his voice, I reach for the doorknob to let the little guy out.  LOCKED!  Austin's cries are panicked and pitiful, but the boys had been playing with our "keys" (a big ol' nail), so it's not on the radiator right there by the door where it usually is.  As I turn to run upstairs, hoping they'd left that "key" alone, my foot kicks a shoe into the closet and I hear a muffled ping of the nail.  By the time I scrambled through the pile of shoes to find the wayward "key", Austin is at wake-the-neighborhood volume.

It was terribly cuddly pitiful-sad when he came out.

Poor guy.

Will he learn to stay near me and not to close doors behind him?- no.

Stealin' A Snack

Here's Austin snitching a snack- mmmm- bread.

Church Christmas Party

Ours is a quirky little congregation, especially when it comes to Christmas time. For the last 8 years (I'm told that's a conservative guess) they've been holding a white elephant gift exchange for the entire ward (that should tell you how small we are!). It takes up the whole of the activity but it's lots of fun, with a few gifts making reappearances every year... for all 8 years (like the stuffed, talking Piccachu).

Anyhoo, to shake things up a bit, the primary put on the Nativity story this year. It was very cute, with the hap-hazard, half-there costumes and reluctant boys. The nursery kids played the very important part- of sheep. Shane had the clever idea of hiding under the table, thinking that no one would find him. But the girls saw the great idea and blew his cover. During the practices, the 2 little girls were very proper and obedient in going where they were told and sitting to watch the spectacle unfold. But, when the time came, and the narrator said "..sheep..." and their teacher started to nudge, Shane was the only one to follow through!

For the first little bit at least. When he realized he was alone out there, and had overshot his mark, he gave up and came back to the audience.Austin really wanted to join in the fun... but he was too old to play Jesus, and too wiggly to handle any other parts. Next year for sure!
The kids did a pretty good job- especially keeping Baby Jesus (aka Woods- one of Austin's buddies) quiet and content as they all gathered around him. He loved it!
The Gift Exchange was Lots of Fun, but took FOREVER! At least it seemed that way to the kids. I couldn't reach the camera, and often had my hands full with the boys anyway. And Brett was too focused on making sure he knew what everyone was getting (in case it was something he wanted to "steal") that he was totally useless on taking pictures (one of those "...duh.." times). By the time I finally got the camera, the pile of presents was gone except for a couple, and Austin was looking around for more paper to rip, or eat, whatever. All the little, little kids at least once tried to take extra turns opening. And there was quite a bit of "stealing" gifts back and forth. All in good fun. I stole a couple of Pez stocking stuffers (for the boys). Although all the food items were pretty hot commodities, they never got stolen away from me. I was told later that it was because I was letting the boys hold them and play with them while we waited... can't take candy from a baby. Unwitting genius on my part!

Kat in the Tree

I am just waiting for the little bugger to get stuck- or to fall from higher up. He's been climbing and chewing on the tree all week!

Ho Ho Ho

Shane found our Santa hat... and the family stockings.

I'm sure all the moms out there are imagining the many things an active little boy can do with such things in his posession. As creativity goes, what he did was pretty tame.

He insisted that the socks went on his feet- duh mom. And the hat on the other end.
He wore them that way all morning...I persuaded him to remove the stockings when it was time to go to school- but the hat was a different thing entirely... the teacher talked him out of that one when it was playground time. He's still awfully excited about Santa and presents. So, we've been reading the Nativity story every night (a kids version) and looking for presents to put in the Toys for Tots boxes around town.

Black Friday

"Black Friday", at least in Sitka, lasts a full 2 days. This year, The City declared both Friday and Saturday tax free. Since Brett was working Friday, and taking the boys shopping in the crowded stores is a chore any day, we opted to stay home and save our shopping for Saturday.


So I got the chance to begin Christmas decorating.


Putting together our new tree. It's a good 7' one. Someday we'll get to do live trees, but for now... it's like Trace and needles- not a good combination.

The actuall decorating of the tree didn't get completeded until Sunday. We invited some friends over that will be travelling for the holidays, so they won't be doing thier own trees. We shared our Christmas tree fun with them. You may have noticed that Angel Moroni is not gracing the top, his trumpet was broken last year as I was packing things up (little Shane bums are enough to snap off the golden horn). So although he's not on the tree, we aren't letting him go just yet. It's sparked alot of discussions as he floats about the house- and Austin enjoys chewing on him now and again.

Shane, Austin and the other kids did a VERY good job putting on the unbreakable ornaments- I did not move them once they were placed, unless there was more than 2 on a branch. Thank you for your help Seth and Ryan, Nancy and KC!

Daddy was more interested in making sure our other decorations made it up. Like the stocking holders... what a nut!

I love the holidays and the chance to have so many reminders of our Saviour around.

Then Daddy decided to get all the gifts wrapped up- "the kids won't remember". I did my best to be sneaky when Shane was around, but he absolutely loved helping. He'd pick out a name tag sticker for each present and then carefully take the finished package and line it up across the house (starting under the tree.) When I finally shut down the processing, he started stacking them up... and asking to open them. So Daddy helped Shane stack them and take them upstairs. I don't know where they hid them, but Shane doesn't seem to remember either, so it's ok for now.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Falling Down the Stairs

It's been a rowdy sort of evening. Our friend Tristan and his mom Christiana came over to do crafts with us (that blog will come a bit later). The kids were bouncing off the walls, as boys do and there's still a bit of energy left over since Tristan has left. Shane and Austin have found thier boogie/kick board (the one that's never been used). Normally, it's just stood on, pretending thier surfing and stuff. But today, today they have discovered the combination of boogie board and staircase. As yet no living creatures have made the thrilling ride down , but that could change any minute, so I'd best be getting these monkeys off to bed!

Occupational Therapy

An Occupational Therapist (OT) "incorporates meaningful and purposeful occupation to enable people with limitations or impairments to participate in everyday life." Translated, they help learn, or re-learn your job when there's been an injury or something. For kids, thier job is to play. When the sensory feedback interferes, be it too much, not enough, or of the wrong sort, then they need help overcoming that so they can do thier job-PLAY!
Our first visit with Ms. Celeste was technically an "evaluation" but they spent the entire time playing! She started with the most dificult area- Shane's mouth- by blowing bubbles. Starting with a wand and advancing from there. Shane and I both learned that to override unpleasant experiences in or round his mouth, he needs an immediate stronger sensation that he associates positively- like a raspberry! Shane loves the idea!
Next was the rice bin. At first, Shane wouldn't even touch it. Butwith lots of encouragement, he got to gingerly playing in the rice with his hands. Ms. Celeste would actually press his handful into his palm to give him the strong sensation he could understand. It didn't take long for him to be okay with the softer sensations the rice had to offer too.
But the big fun started when they got to the tunnel. There was noone to get in his personal space, so Shane was VERY excited to explore. That was matched with the excersize ball (Shane's core balance was excellent!) Shane got to be Superman! And finally, the scooterboard!
After all that, Shane was tuckered out (he'd already done a full "day" at school) but he was able and willing to put his own shoes on for once. It's a step in the right direction.
Ms. Celeste was very enthusiastic and optimistic that with a little fun/work, Shane will be able to become far more comfortable in the world around him, and a bit more self-sufficient.
We are very excited to see what comes next. It will take a bit of juggling to keep from tireing Shane out what with school 4 days a week, speech classes 2 days a week (when the education plan goes through the insurance company), and then OT however often that is needed.

Night Out

Tuesday, I finally did it. I dropped the kids at a friends' house, kidnapped his wife, and ran away! No, a bunch of friends all met for dinner and a movie. It was thoroughly needed- I was on the verge of insanity and I'm not joking around.
We saw, you guessed it, Twilight. After reading mny reviews, and being a bit let down by the Harry Potter movies, we didn't want to keep our hopes to high for this one. But I thought it was pretty good.
You could tell they stuck to thier budget. And adjusted a few things from the book to fit a movie. The actors were a bit furry for marble, but I can imagine the reaction that would have come from asking someone to shave his chest and arms in addition to his face-repeatedly, every day... fight that 5'o'clock shadow! I hadn't pictured the character of Jacob to be quite the pretty boy they had in the film, but the actor was alright. The Dad and Billy were utterly perfect and were at times the best part. I'm still wondering about the Bella character, I don't know exactly what it is, but something is off about her in my opinion. All said and done, it was very fun. Definately one I'd see again. One or two of the ladies there hadn't read the books and they were getting into the story as much as the rest of us dorks. We were told that we were acting like a bunch of teenage girls, which was the whole point and idea of the night- to escape reality for a split second. I guess we succeeded.

Food, Glorious Food!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! HAPPY THANKSGIVING! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

It's been a year full of blessings. Each of you are counted in that!

Cooking dinner this year was an undertaking in itself. It wasn't terribly difficult, just a flurry of fuss, trying to make sure everything got done. I even attempted gravy, though there wasn't much to put it on, the mashed potatoes were seasoned (someone else brought them). Things turned out pretty durned good if I do say so myself. The table was packed to overflowing- but I made sure that we actually sat AT the table for once.

The turkey was perfect- even without a thermometer. I was very grateful, it was the one thing I was stressing about- Thank you Mom for the last-minutes tips. And thank you Dad, for making me do it that last year I was home.

In memory of the Thanksgiving afternoon we used to spend at the Overson's, I declared the first annual pie party. One extra family showed up, in the middle of dinner and chose not to stay and munch pie while we ate. Other than that, we enjoyed quite a spread. I look forward to needing more pies in the future. For now, I'll be putting together sampler plates for people and eating leftovers for awhile.

Salmon berry pie- before

and after.

I used twice as much sugar as called for and it was still VERY tart, and very juicy.
The Apple Foldover- the running-out-of-time-and-pie-pans pie

After dinner, we sat around and talked and played. Our friends were lots of fun, though it seems like all the kids have decided to stop napping recently, so the consequences of that was felt by all.

Some of our friends that came for dinner- thier daddy is a police officer and had to work. Heidi is doing a chipmunk face for me, complete with stuffed cheeks.

Eating Pie with Daddy...
Shane's way of eating pie- er... whipped cream anyway- one finger at a time.


Mason is Austin's friend- about 6-9 months younger though.

and of course, as soon as all the company left, Brett checked out too. I repeatedly asked him to resist this once (he does this everytime I actually cook dinner so it's getting old) and help me clean up and wrangle the kids. That was at 7-ish. Now it's getting close to 10 and the kids are fussing at me- finally ready for bed. Goodnight all! Make the coming year one to be thankful for!

All Growed Up

Monday, November 24th

Shane's first day of school

It was an interesting day all around. I had to work, but Brett picked me up to come along dropping Shane off. We met a few more of his teachers, put his stuff in his locker/cubby aand helped try to get a picture of his face for his cubby label. Shane immediately started playing with the toys, though he kept his vacuume piece close at hand.

After I returned to work, it seemed like everyone was betting on when I would break down in a panic. I did not. Though there were times when I felt like it, those moments passed quickly. Brett thinks he's going to like having time with just Austin- mostly because he doesn't like juggling both boys. Personally, I think Shane is easier.

Maybe a little overwhelming for him at first, but so far so good.

It's Decided

It's finally been decided- for the first time in my married life I will be cooking Thanksgiving dinner all my one-sie. We're inviting a few friends over, just to make it a bit more official. Our other option was to go to the CG Galley like we did last year. But with the boys as rambunctious as they are and with Shane getting anxious in crowds and new settings, Brett thinks (and I agree) that taking them out in public would be a bit much for just the 2 of us. My little 8+ pound turkey is defrosting in the fridge. I got part of the other supplies today: dressing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin, etc. Only a few things left, and a bit of planning and things will be ready to kick off. Now if I could just remember how Dad used to do his turkeys, I'll have my deal done. Wish me luck!

The Big Meeting

Today was THE day! (until next week that is)
We had our big meeting at the school with Shane's education "team". Ms. Margret, the teacher was there. Daddy got to come for most of it, as was Mr. Steve, the school's speech therapist. Ms. Suzan, the speech pathologist from the beginning and Ms. Celeste, who will be Shane's Occupational Therapist as soon as the new and corrected authorization papers arrive, both joined us as well. We went through alot, alot of stuff. It was cool to kind of have everyone there, comparing notes and bringing up things I'd told one but had forgotten to tell the other. Brett added a few things I hadn't thought of too- Shane's policing habits (if he's told to do or not do something, and he sees others disobeying that rule, he can get very upset and tries to make them listen and sometimes physically force them into submission- a good warning for the teacher!)
By the end both Shane and Austin were very tired. But they'd both made friends with the adults there and had some good play time. Then we got a special "tour" of the fish tank that Shane loves so much (I've posted pictures before). Ms. Celeste's husband is the one that created it and manages it for the school. They are in the process of adding an infant skate to the tank. (*skate- type of fish that looks like a ray- look it up.) They have a little vented box that the little guy is sitting in, with his "eggshell" which is called a mermaid purse, that they suspend on the inside of the tank, just in the water. This is so the temperatures can adjust and the resident sea creatures can get used to the new guy. It was very cool, Shane just wanted to count the starfish and run up and down the halls (which he does to wind down and after stressful experiences- run!)
Shane starts school on Monday. It will be a short week because of Thanksgiving, which was part of my plan, and I'll have to take time off work off and on that whole week, but I think it's going to be ok. If anyone has any pointers or thoughts on easing the transition, let me know! The plan is to eventually get him riding the bus (the driver is a member (I think) and Shane LOVES busses- for now). But for now, I knew the mommy in me needed to be able to be there and drop him off and pick him up for a while. What a wuse (how do you spell that? woose? wuse?) I am!
Wish me luck! I'm sure it will be harder on me than it will be on him. At least that's what I keep telling myself... over and over... and over...

Bet You Didn't Know I Could Ride a Goose

Really quick, 'cause it's late. We got a new Netflix movie the other day, The Wild. It features the voices of William Shatner, Keifer Sutherland, and a couple insane British guys. It's full of funny lines and encouraging story lines. Shane really has been enjoying the new "Lion King", as he calls it. Well, from the previews, some of you might recall a squirrel (who's in love with a giraffe by the way) riding a Canadian Goose (yes, they say 'eh' and 'Bob's your uncle' (which he really is)). Wouldn't you know, it's that one line that Shane latches onto. The squirrel, trying to impress the target of his affection, says, "Bet you didn't know I could ride a goose... bareback." >smacking his own rump- full of innuendo< So now Shane goes around the house, smacking himself on the tush- or the leg (his aim is off sometimes) yelling "Bareback". Keep in mind, he spends 80% of his time in just unders or noode (yes, he says noode, it's very cute) so he's giving himself a bruise. THEN, just tonight, we were (me and Shane) cracking up as Shane did his 'Bareback' bit over and over, and Austin started doing it too! He hasn't quite got the word completely down (he's got the double 'b') and he smacks himself with both hands, but he and Shane both laugh hysterically while doing it.
LOL they always find a way to make a day better!

Toughing It Out

The Relief Society here had a sleep over this weekend- I know, crazy huh. It gets better. I'd planned to drag my boss/friend Christiana out with me since we wouldn't be staying the night and would be missing the spiritual stuff. But at the last minute her husband flaked out and she opted to stay home with the kids. Just as I arrived at her house, in the middle of a doozie of a storm... thier power goes out. When we finally haul everyone back to my house where there was power, i was an hour and a half late for the fun. The house that we were "partying" at was on the side of town that had no power, so I spent the drive out there trying to reach someone- anyone who could tell me if the location was going to change or what.
Nope, talk about mmaking out pioneer heritage proud (well I don't have any, but you know what I mean.) I arrived to find them cooking the pizzas in Dutch Ovens on the sister's propane stove. We made "scones" with the left-over pizza dough, with honey and butter- and ate until most of us were sick, then the lights came on!
It was lots of fun. I lost track of time and literally ran out at 10 when someone pointed out how late it was. Austin hadn't nursed all day and I got to feeling that on my way home. It was a whirlwind bed time but I wouldn't have missed the few stolen hours away.

Haircuts

I've been trying to get everyone set to get the yearly Christmas photo done, so I can get on our Christmas cards. First, Brett delayed because he wanted to get his own hair cut. Then Shane was looking rather shaggy, so I nabbed him and trimmed is locks. Austin was so interested in the noise of the trimmers, that I sat him down and did his head as well. It's winter full-blown here (blowing and cold more often than not) so I'm keeping it longer than usual. Brett's looking forward to the day when both boys will ask for haircuts like his- yikes! Or maybe they'll want hair like Uncle Pat's- double yikes!
I didn't get his pony tail- he doesn't like pictures and will jump ya if he knows you're gunning for him.

Housing Inspection Week

This week is one to be dreaded in the halls of military housing units everywhere. Espeically when the kids (and husband) are playing with being sick. And work has been nutters with one of our happy little bunch moving on and I'm training all I can to take over more of the work-load. To say the least, the house was a bit a-shambles. But I had high hopes to get it squared away before our Thursday appointment. When I got home from work Monday afternoon, Brett got to use that famous line "Do you want to know what went on in this house today?!" (Bill Engvall for those that were wondering who made it famous.)
Apparently, afer I left that morning, Shane kindly went back to sleep... and Austin woke up- crabby. So when the 10 men that make up the housing inspection team showed up unexpectedly, they found Brett with a screaming Austin in just a diaper (Austin was, I believe and hope that Brett had on more than that.) Paco barking his head off because someone knocked on HIS door. The house looking like Tornadoes Shane and Austin had hit en force (which they had.) And Shane snoozing- testing the fire alarms is NOT the best way to wake up a boy with sensitive ears! There were fathers in the group so they understood when Brett asked if they could come back another day.
Today was that day. So I spent ALL of Monday afternoon cleaning. I woke up early today to get to work on the kitchen. But Shane and Austin had other ideas for me. When the Housing Inspection team arrived I was only part way through refilling the dishwasher and Austin was refusing to let me put him down. Gratefully, the one in charge has a little one at home that just turned one and has recently started walking. He repeatedly told me how hard he thinks the job of a mom is. And how everything looked fine and I shouldn't worry about it. I got the feeling that I looked tired and frazzled there in my sweats. What do you think?
Brett says we're determined to keep the house neater. To translate that (I asked for more specific clarification on the "we") as long as I don't go to bed with the house remotely mussed, he will make sure that the boys don't make a mess while he's in charge. That needed translation too, in my mind. It comes out that while I'm at work he will give Shane all the milk he can drink, only let Austin eat goldfish and Nilla wafers; and they will not play,but all sit around naked on the couch snoozing and watching movies. Keep in mind I don't get home until after 2 in the afternoon.
WHAT am I going to DO with this guy?!

Sorry

I know it's been a while since I've posted anything fun to read. I do have a few pictures for y'all. But Austin is fussy and I don't really feel like bloggin' today. See you soon!

Tagged A Bit Differently

Tagged!
8 Places I like to eat:
1. Olive Garden (there isn't one here)
2. Pizza Express
3. IHOP (none here)
4. KFC (none here)
5. Taco Bell(again, none here)
6. Subway
7. Home- I like to cook sometimes too.
8. Shirley's- Yumm! (a friend's house)


8 TV Shows I like to Watch: we don't have TV, so it's DVD or old seasons we've seen
1. M.A.S.H. (DVDs)
2. Smallville (DVDs)
3. House
4. Monk
5. Meduim
6. Ghost Whisperer
7. Most any cooking show
8. Dukes of Hazzard (DVD)


8 Things that happened yesterday:
1. Trip to the doctor
2. Phone calls
3. Cleared out half the living room (to prep for washing the carpet thanks to Austin's symphony in BLUE)
4. Family e-mails
5. Dressed the kids (always a big production)
6. Went to the Library
7. Welcomed home the mighty hunters
8. Tried to rest and get rid of my "migraine"


8 Things I love about Fall:
1. leaves to jump in
2. apples with carmel sauce
3. Leaves changing colors
4. Baking
5. frost on the windows
6. warm blankets
7. Hot cocoa
8. late mornings

8 Things on my wish list:
1. Earlier bedtime
2. more days in the week (rather than hours in the day)
3. Friends who could/would hang out
4. That there weren't so many worries for my children when they grow up.
5. That the economy would recover faster.
6. That grandparents would live forever!
7. We lived closer to all of our family.
8. That I had a firmer stomach- It's hard to get a good walk going at the pace of a 3 year old or a 1 year old.

8 People that I am tagging:
1. Jocelyn
2. Christie (yes, you ought to start blogging! Mrs. Quiner!)
3. Benjamin
4. Tonya
5. Rochelle
6. Angie
7. Angeline
8. Heather

Insane Sicko

Yeah! I'm not insane, and I'm not sick,, so that's good.
I got into the doctor's office again today (poor kids getting dragged in there so much).
I didn't get to see my regular doc (yesterday I only saw the PA, I discovered- usually not much different than a doc), but another one that I trust pretty well. Dr. Merris (I know I'm spelling that wrong) listen to everything I had to say, including the bit where I just didn't feel right about the original disgnosis. She took her turn poking and peeking in my eyes and everything and said that though she could see how the first idea of shingles was reached, but didn't agree. Her decision was equally odd, but made a lot more sense. It's an alternate migraine... Sometimes, there are additional symptoms that go along with some people's migraines. Rarely, the additional stuff comes on it's own. Makes sense, it's been pretty stressful the last week or two. I don't know, what do you think Mary and Tim? Is there a history of migraines in our family? Pat says he had them when he was little, but not since then.
All this craziness... I just am looking forward to losing the funny feeling out of my face.

How to Hug a Baby

Instructions for properly hugging a baby:

1. First, spy a baby.

2. Second, be sure that the object you spied was indeed a baby by employing classic sniffing techniques -- if you smell baby powder and the wonderful aroma of wet diapers this is, indeed, a baby.
3. Next you will need to flatten the baby before actually beginning the hugging process.
**Note: The added slobber should help in future steps by making the 'paw slide' easier.**
4. The 'Paw Slide': Simply slide paws around baby and prepare for possible close-up. 5. Finally, if a camera is present, you will need to execute the difficult and patented 'Hug, Smile, and Lean' so as to achieve the best photo quality.

PERFECT!!!

Rough Day

Just as a warning- Tim I'll be emailing you as soon as I'm done here.

So today turned quite interesting. I broke a tooth last week and the dentist thinks it was from an old root canal/absess that never healed properly. So, after much juggling and begging, and promising, I got the boys taken care of and headed into the dentist chair yet again. In the process of being on the phone much of the day yesterday, I noticed that my face had a numbish tingly feeling when I touched it- kind of like the very tail end of being numbed at the dentist. That'd happened before just before I had some teeth problems so I was thinking it was a darn good thing I was already going to the dentist- right.

I think I've been blessed to end up with a pretty good dentist here in Sitka, so I had no problem telling him my past experience with the tingles and sat back for the fun to begin. Well, first he wanted more x-rays, he does alot of x-rays. Then he poked my face a bit and asked a few questions and, with the x-rays from today and some he took back in August in hand, he announced that he didn't think it was a tooth problem and that he wouldn't be doing any work until it was taken care of. He pointed to sinusitus, and reminding me that though he sees it alot, he is not a doctor, insisted that I call right away and take the x-rays in to get the needed anti-biotics before it gets any worse. Sir, yes sir!

I called the Doctor's office right away and agreed to a same-day appointment with whoever was available. So they poked, prodded, tickled and peeked thier way through all the things doctors do and decided that it wasn't anything to do with my sinuses because I haven't been sick (that I've noticed) recently. I mentioned that I don't pay much attention to myself being sick, but that was (I felt) dismissed. That doctor says Shingles and I'm not too comfortable/confident in that declaration. She gave me a script for meds, and I'm going to get a second opinion (and one or two online ones- Tim and Mary? please?)

Needless to say, it's been a bit of a rough day, going back and forth, juggling kids and sitters, and doctors. What a mess... now on to the mess I left at home.

Red Handed

I'm not sure what I was doing... but I should have been listening for Austin better. As you have seen over the months, he is notorious for getting into anything and everything and making big messes. And for sticking things in his mouth, can't forget that one.

Well, to go back a bit. Months ago, I got one of those 4-pack liquid food coloring to do I don't know what. And I promptly lost it in my maze of cupboards and utensils that are every which where.

You guessed it, while I was otherwise distracted this afternoon/evening Austin kindly found the food coloring for me. Look at that grin, how can you get mad at that?

He spent quite some time playing with it before I realized how quiet it was, and he decided that it squirted him funny and needed a hug. He didn't get that hug for a while, and for the next day or two, everyone who sees him will know what an awful mom I am. Shane and I had a good laugh at his blue brother, my little Smurf. He enjoyed it so much.

At the same time, I'm grateful that he can entertain himself with the most everyday and interesting things. Shows he's a creative guy... right? Creative is good... right?
He wasn't too wild about being scrubbed, but it didn't take long for me to give up the torture and let him play in the blue-dyed bath water. He still has traces of color all over him but it's not so bad.

Yogurt

Austin is saying more and more words lately. Just baby words that he never says a second time, but I could swear this morning that he said yogurt when I offered to share one of Shane's with him. He enjoyed it very very much.