Cream of Potato Soup

Well, I'm not that sore, but we did have a very active weekend. On Saturday, Evan had a very muddy t-ball practice, and then he and I did the Walk for Autism on Presque Isle. It was chilly and rainy, but we still had a great time. Then Ev and I walked Grady around the mall while Mike took in a matinee. After some shopping, we all returned home to Meadville, and Ev and I headed out for a two mile bike ride on the Ernst Trail before calling it a night.

The weather was much better Sunday for Walk America. Mike reached his $1000 goal, and we're all very proud of him. The boys and I joined him for a 1 mile lap around the fairgrounds, but a strong breeze and a tired Ev made us sit out the rest. Mike kept up a steady pace though, and his feet were sore by the end of it! Ev was all rested up by the time Mike was done though, so the two of them played some soccer up at the high school fields in the afternoon, while Grady and I watched from the sidelines. Ev and I wrapped the evening up with a short bike ride and then a walk around the neighborhood. I seriously don't know how he got out of bed this morning, because I sure as hell didn't feel like it!

Now it's Monday, and Evan has school, and then his TSS will be here for three hours, and he has another ball practice in the evening. It just never stops. I may have neglected to mention that Ev finally got a TSS last week, so here's the scoop. He did, and she's very nice, and so far they are getting along well. This is good, because he sees her for three hours a day, Monday through Friday. So far they've been working at home on drills using questions and categories mostly (name five animals, that sort of thing). Now the weather is improving, so they will be able to spend more of their sessions outside and doing social things with other kids.

That's going to be the focus of Ev's time with her, learning how to be more social. He's light years ahead of where he was even three months ago, but he could still use a little help. Ev's to the point now where he will approach other kids and ask them to play, which is something he could never do before. He does have a little trouble with eye contact still, and sometimes names are difficult. His TSS is going to take him to the park and play groups and things where he can be around more kids and work on those skills before he starts school in the fall. I think it's going to be great for him.

Posted by jenny at 9:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I just wanted to take a moment to praise my husband Mike. He's walking in Walk America this Sunday and has already raised $775! This is awesome, and far above his original goal. Thanks to everyone who has donated already--we really appreciate the support.

And if you haven't donated yet, please consider it--you can visit Mike's fundraising page here. Not only was Evan born 9 weeks early, but this past summer my friend Lisa's daughter Evabelle was born six weeks before her due date. Premature birth is a problem that touches so many families, and the March of Dimes does great work to help save babies.

ETA: At this moment on Friday afternoon, Mike is up to $930! Just $70 away from his ultimate goal of $1000. A few small donations should get him the rest of the way there!

Posted by jenny at 1:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

To prove even further that Mike and I are BFF, yesterday at the dermatologist we got matching mole biopsies. Mike's is on his right arm, while mine is on my right hand, and they both hurt like hell. The doctor lied when he said they wouldn't hurt, and he also lied when he said they were just "shaving" a little bit off--there's a huge crater in my hand now. So we've got about a week before we'll hear the results of that one, and in the meantime we're taking bets on which one of us has the big C.

On top of all that excitement, when Evan stepped onto the field yesterday for t-ball practice there was a flash of lightning and then it began pouring down rain. Evan still wanted to play, the poor thing, and he was bitterly disappointed after a whole day of waiting. He's not having much luck so far with the organized sports--if Saturday's practice tanks I don't know what we're going to do.

Grady has decided to give up his morning nap for Lent. I tried explaining that Lent is over, but he's not having it. Perhaps he's doing it as a sacrifice, or as a protest, but it's hard for me to tell since he's not talking yet. It doesn't matter what his reason is, it's really just a punishment for me as I have no time to get anything done and he becomes devil baby because he is overtired.

Now, it's time for me to give the spawn his antibiotic. Only two more days of this, and I can't wait until it's over.

Posted by jenny at 10:32 AM | Permalink

We had a very busy weekend, as predicted, but luckily it was filled with sunshine and plenty of chances to play outside. We played catch, and hockey, and went to the playground and took walks. It was just so nice to be out enjoying the fresh air and having so much fun.

Grady got to go on the swings for the first time Friday, and we went back several times through the weekend. He loves it, though only in short bursts. He also loves watching the bigger kids play--they just fascinate him. When he can't be outside, he stands at the door and bangs on the glass. Once he's able to walk we're going to be in big trouble.

Evan had his first t-ball experience on Saturday morning. They had an hour long "skill evaluation" to see how the kids would do, and it was absolute chaos. There are 88 kids signed up for the program--imagine 88 four and five year olds plus siblings and parents on one ballfield, trying to do hitting and catching drills. Evan did the best he could, but he was completely unwound by the end of it. We had to go home and relax with some chocolate milk.

We did get the call from his coach last night though, and Ev has his first practice tonight. I'm hoping he does better with a smaller group. He and Mike got out to the batting cages yesterday as well, so that brought back some of Ev's enthusiasm. He'll have two weeks of practices before his first game on May 5th, and that should give him enough time to get back in the swing of things (ha).

Grady's butt is doing much better too. Thanks to everyone for your concern and suggestions. Diaper changes are much less traumatic the last few days.

Posted by jenny at 10:06 AM | Permalink

Grady's butt is bright red for the third day in a row, and he's not too happy about it. Antibiotics always make him poop fire, and this causes a very angry rear, no matter how quickly I change his diaper. I feel awful, because I know it must be so painful, and there's not much more I can do for him. I have been giving him as much naked time as possible, just to let his butt get some air, but that only does a bit to ease his sorrow. Such are the trials and tribulations of a ten month old.

We have an insanely busy weekend coming up, starting tomorrow, and I don't feel very prepared at all. In the morning I'm meeting with Evan's teachers and other people from the school district to make the final decisions about his kindergarten transition. I'm excited about his placement, and so is he, so here's hoping all goes well there. Ev also starts t-ball on Saturday, which is going to be so much fun. It will be his first time playing on a team, and I think it will be really good for him. I just hope he gets a very patient coach.

Posted by jenny at 8:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I ended up taking Grady to the doctor yesterday when a late morning diaper change revealed a nasty all-over body rash. Turns out he has roseola, which he's just about over already since the rash has appeared, and an ear infection, for which we were given antibiotics. I'm never keen on antibiotics, given the nasty taste and my fear that they are overprescribed, but I trust my doctor. He doesn't just give them out for no reason. And after I saw how horrible Evan's ears got earlier this winter when he refused his medicine, I think I'll just keep Grady on his twice daily dosage. Here's hoping this is the last of the nasty winter illness.

The house is so quiet when Evan's at school now. Grady is napping, and thankfully he's not doing it on me, so I have both hands for typing. This is the quietest activity I can think of so as not to disturb the sleeping man. Anyway, my point was that Evan never shuts up now. He's always talking about something--narrating his play, asking for snacks, talking to Grady or me or people walking by on the street. I'm not going to lie--there are times when it gets super annoying, especially when he's repeating the same request over and over hoping for a different result. But mostly it's awesome. It's so funny to hear what he's thinking, or what he needs.

The other day when we were driving up our street, Evan told me he wanted me to park on the left. That's the side of our street where you can't park, so I told him no, that the signs said "no parking". And he said, "No Mom, those signs say Parking Yes". He's also started to use our own language against us. Mike has been known to tell Evan "don't tell me what to do" (in a fun, jokey sort of way) if Ev gets too demanding. That phrase is so much funnier when it gets spit back at Mike by an annoyed five year old.

He's also started jumping the gun with his punishments. We usually punish Ev by taking things away, most often his favorite tv show or computer time. And if that punishment is coming, I've been known to say, "that's it, no more (insert fun thing here)!" Trouble is, Evan now knows it's coming, so all I have to do is start in on the "that's it" and Evan will fill in the rest. Yesterday he listed every activity in the house "no tv, no Wii, no computer, no coloring, no cars, no books, etc". I guess he figured that he had been really bad.

The note that came home from school yesterday echoed what Mike and I have been noticing at home. His teacher wrote, " Evan had a great day. He played with fellow students. He was communicating with the other students in a play situation." Things are getting better.

Posted by jenny at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Grady is still a little under the weather. He's not really sick anymore, but he continues to make himself puke on occasion (seems to happen if he coughs too hard), and he's still not quite himself. Last night, he was restless and couldn't sleep unless he was laying on me and comfort nursing. This wouldn't normally be a problem, but I was feeling pretty rotten myself last night and I really could have used the rest. G and I ended up spending most of the night on the couch, and the only bonus there is that I got to watch a lot of VH1 Classic--they ran an alternative show for most of the night that had some great music. It also filled nicely the gap between the end of programming on HGTV and the beginning of "Good Morning Erie" on channel 24.

Evan is at school now, and I'm glad because he's been going a bit stir crazy in the house. He liked being able to play ball and ride his bike a few weeks ago, and now he's annoyed that he can't do it anymore. Not to mention that he got an outdoor hockey/soccer set over the weekend (thanks Aunt Louise!) that he's itching to try, and there's no way that's getting past the front door. He's pretty excited though--it has two sticks and two goal nets, so that we can play real hockey. We'll just have to get Grady a little helmet before we get going on that one.

So it's Monday. G's not quite right, and I feel tired and unmotivated, and Evan is tired of being in the house. This weather needs to improve, and fast. I can't see any of us feeling better until the sun comes out.

Posted by jenny at 10:09 AM | Permalink

My smallest son is sick, and has been since yesterday. Grady has a runny nose and is generally drippy. This is giving him an upset tummy, so he's having explosive poops and the occasional barf. He's only wanting to nurse and sleep (which is what he needs), but he's clingy and wants to be held, even while he's asleep. Needless to say, I'm not getting much done.

Luckily, Evan is really good at entertaining himself. He's been spending the morning acting out stories from "Blue's Clues" and "Go Diego Go", sometimes mixing the two. "Another clue! Time to put it in our notebook! Then we go to the thinking chair so we can open our rescue pack. We have to save the tree frogs!" and so on. All while wearing roller skates.

Posted by jenny at 9:03 AM | Permalink

Last night I had several odd dreams. In the worst one, my teeth were falling out. We were also visiting Mike's cousin and her new twins, and eating ham. I looked this up in my dream dictionary, and it said teeth falling out meant I was aware of an impending change, and the ham meant that I was looking to preserve something. Not too far off, I suspect.

Grady is on the floor playing with one of Mike's business cards, alternately chewing a corner and holding it up to show me. Evan is back at school for the first day in two weeks. He wasn't too anxious to go, and it didn't help that the bus was early for the first time this year. But he got on the bus with his teeth brushed and shoes tied, so he was as ready as he was going to be.

We're all still a little out of whack from the long Easter weekend. It feels like it's Tuesday, and I woke up hoping it was Saturday. We spent the weekend with Mike's family in Cleveland, but the snowy weather kept us indoors and forced us all to be more creative with egg hunts and activities for the kids. Evan was not into egg hunting at all this year, but he did enjoy his basket. Grady was more into chewing on everything he could find, including hunks of PlayDoh.

G's second tooth finally made it's way through, and now he's got two little bottom chompers. He's wanting to chew and eat everything he can get his hands on. He's also not happy with baby food anymore--he only wants things he can pick up himself. He doesn't eat a ton though, so it's been hard to find things to feed him without putting out a lot of effort to prepare them. Everyone in this house is on a different meal plan, I swear.

Now the two of us are off to tidy up. Evan's behavioral specialist is coming this afternoon and there are toys everywhere. Time to crank up the iTunes and get to work.

Posted by jenny at 9:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

It's a yucky day here, rainy and cool, which is always a disappointment after a few days of sunny and 70. And it's supposed to start snowing tonight and not let up until after Easter, which is a huge problem for those of us planning egg hunts. I guess it's a good thing that I didn't put the boots away just yet.

Believe it or not, Grady's going to be ten months old tomorrow. I better get going on planning that first birthday party. He's so funny these days, this baby of mine--he loves faces (especially baby ones), and bouncing and laughing, and crawling around with something in one hand (book, car, or basically anything he can find to push). His big passion is walking around with his toy shopping cart or walker. We even take it outside so he can keep up with the bike riding kids. He loves to roll away during diaper and clothes changes, and he enjoys being as naked as possible. As a matter of fact, right now he's on the floor in just a diaper playing with the Fisher Price bus.

Evan's chilling on the couch right now. He and I have been a bit coughy the last few days. It's not a full-blown cold or anything (yet--knock wood), but I think we're both a little tired and just a bit off. He's excited for therapy today though. They got a new room at therapy with a huge ball pit and a giant hot dog bun. It's a big bun made out of stretchy fabric filled with foam, and the kids can lay in it and pretend they are the hot dog. There are even long, weighted cloth tubes of red and yellow for ketchup and mustard. Ev loves this stuff, so he's in his glory.

Now if you'll excuse me, there's a small half naked baby tugging at my knee. "Eh heh eh heh eh heh"--must be nap time.

Posted by jenny at 9:51 AM | Permalink

This is a weird week for us. Evan is off school for Easter break, and that little interruption in service shakes us up all kinds of ways. The rest of the week is pretty normal, but we do have some odd appointments here and there, and that's adding to the feeling of weirdness. We're also supposed to be heading for Cleveland on Friday afternoon to join Mike's family for the holiday, and that can't come soon enough for Evan.

We were in Erie this past weekend for early Easter festivities with my family, and Evan had a great time. He colored eggs, ate a lot, spent time with his grandparents and uncles, and even got a little baseball in. He had such a good time he didn't want to leave--he wanted to stay at my mom's all week, and then after we left her house he tried to convince us to drop him back off at my dad's. Once we were on our way down 79 and he realized his requests had been denied, he started asking to go to Cleveland.

Thing is, he has yet to stop. My mom/the Easter Bunny got Ev this little racket and ball set which he is just loving. He started out by saying he wanted to play "tennis" with Papa in Cleveland. So we said sure, meaning when we were there this coming weekend. But that's not soon enough for dear Ev. And he's been asking to go to Cleveland ever since, roughly every five minutes or so.

It's cute, you know, how much he loves all of his grandparents, but it's also driving me crazy.

Posted by jenny at 8:43 AM | Permalink