Meet Muffin

Muffin is our baby reindeer.  She has come to visit Brian from the North Pole.  A few weeks ago Muffin was discovered under the Christmas tree.  At the time, I was under the impression her name was Cupcake.  Brian has since informed me her name is indeed Muffin.  Last week Muffin brought Brian his first gift from Santa: a VHS copy of A Charlie Brown Christmas.  Santa had heard that Brian really liked watching the special on tv with Mom and Dad and wanted to watch it again when it was over.  Brian was upset to learn since the special was on tv, he could not watch it again.  Brian was so excited to see that Muffin had brought the tape from Santa! Since then, Mom anad Dad have been careful to dole out viewings of the tape.  The kids on Charlie Brown are mean and Brian had started to pick up some of the not so nice behavior.  When Muffin is not guarding the Christmas tree, she has been know be one of Brian's newest sleeping buddies.

I Can Make Crib Sheets! with pictures

I found really cool site, Everything Your Mama Made and More, where the author put up a tutorial on how to make crib/toddler sheets a couple months ago. I am including a link so she gets the credit. I really wanted to make some flannel sheets for Brian's crib mattress. Even though he is in a big bed now, the crib mattress still sits on top of the regular mattress. Something about preferences...go figure.

So, we went to Joann's to take advantage of the Veterans’ Day Sale. The snuggle flannel was $2.99 a yard, plus we had two coupons: one for 10% the entire purchase and another for 40% off a regular priced item. We let Brian pick out his fabric. He settled on a train pattern with a blue background and train engines, cars, gates, and tracks (first pick was a very flowery pastel pattern, we directed him towards more boyish patterns).

Photo Courtesy of Joann.com

We also bought a nice contrasting Coats and Clark Duel Duty thread in Pilot Blue, and 2 packages of 1/4" knit elastic (equal to 6 yds. a miscalculation on my part), a Thanksgiving card and a snack-size bag of M and Ms. Total amount spent was about $15. The elastic was buy one, get one free. The thread worked for the 40% off.

We brought everything home and washed the fabric. Brian went to bed, and I fought with my sewing machine. Fought isn't really the word. I could not find my manual, so I was guessing at stitch widths, lengths, tensions, and actual stitches. None of the stitches were turning out on the scrap fabric. I gave up for the night and sent an email to the White customer service department. They won't get back to me until Monday. I measured the washed fabric only to figure out it had either shrunk by 2" (all parts) in the cold water, low drying wash, or the woman cutting it had not given me exactly 2 yards of fabric or it was never 45" in width to begin with (this turned out to be the case). I was pretty bummed; I thought I would not be able to make the sheet after all.

We woke up this morning to happy, well-rested, snuggly, and hungry toddler. He was up at 6 am. Snuggled in bed with us until 6:30 am. Breakfast was made and eaten. Brian found his fabric and was really excited again. I decided to try to make the sheet anyway even though the dimensions weren't quite perfect. Paul found my stitch guide online, so I could actually sew!

I hemmed about 1/4" around the whole piece of fabric. Unnecessary according to the directions, but I do not like the fraying edges.We cut the corners out, and then sewed them back together. I used a combination of straight stitching and zig zag. Next, it was time for the elastic. Definitely a learning curve on that, but not too bad. I used the zig zag and straight stitch for that too (too late I found out that my machine has elastic over lock stitch). I finished it, and Brian took his nap on it.

I have now been requested by Brian to make a flat sheet and a pillow case. I am making fitted corners on one end of the  flat sheet, so they will not come off his bed as easily. The pillow case should be easy.  I just have to measure a case to see how much more fabric I need to buy.  The snuggle flannel is back up to full price this week.  I only need 3 yards ( 1 yard for the case, 2 yards for the sheet), so  it should equal around $18 without a coupon.  Still worth it.

Ha Ha HA!

This was good!

Video Recaps | Full Episodes | Webisodes

Halloween and Headaches

Halloween has come and gone.  Once again it was cold with a slight misting.  At least it was not raining or snowing this year!  Brian was dressed as a fireman.  He was pretty cute and once again we had the simplest costume:  a raincoat that looked like a fireman's jacket and a plastic fire hat (courtesy of our local fire department's openhouse).  We didn't make it to everyone's house, but did go to the Icehouse, halfway around my parents' circle and down Monument, Lincoln, and Station Streets in town.  Brian's pumpkin was full from just those streets alone.  We were back home by 8 pm.  Brian had a blast!

We didn't manage to get the first round of free H1N1 shots given out by our local county health department.  They ran out by the second day of their walk-in only clinics, and cancelled the rest of the clincis for the weekend.  We didn't go to the first day as I didn't have Brian's shot record.  It turns out that going would  have been a bad idea anyway.  People showed up at 3 am for a spot in line, and they waited over 4 hours for a shot outside in the weather.  Not a good situation for me or Brian.  Of course, once again, you cannot find the shots anywhere. Our doctor's office doesn't know when they will get the shots as that is up to the state.  They did manage to get the seasonal flu shots, but that is a mote point seeing as we got Brian his seasonal shot last weekend.

The weather here is still cold.  The trees have actaully turned colors before the snow this year.  We have a nice pile of yellow maple leaves growing in the backyard.  Usually, they are brown because they freeze. Brian loves to run through them.  We might have a chance to rake them up before the snow this year (we have to buy a couple rakes). 

Our whole family has managed to pick up a cold.  Brian has a runny, crusty, stuffy  nose and sneezing.  I have a horrible headache that will not go away and a stuffy nose.  Paul has been blowing his nose constantly and sneezing.  It must be time to find the humidifer again.  We'll probably pick up a second one this year.  One of the warm mist ones with the spouts out the top.  Vick's has a good one.

I don't know why my posts are not showing as updated on the links. I have posted since the growth spurt.    

Where is Fall?

Fall is MIA here. Seriously, all the trees turned colors in a day. Yesterday may have been the last 70 degree day we see in at least a couple weeks, if not months. The rain started last night (thanks to a hurricane) and will be here for the next three days. It is the cold, wet, steady type of rain that makes me want to curl up infont of a fire place. Unfortunately, that will not be happening. First, we don't have a fire place and second, I have a toddler who doesn't like staying in the house. Brian's comment this morning about the weather, "It raining again. Oh man!" He does have a rain coat; it's a one-size too big, but it works. I do not have a rain coat.

Brian has either been doing some major teething these past couple days or has caught a bug. It could be both for all I know. Last weekend we were around a bunch of kids at Fall Fest. No one looked ill, but you never know. He could have caught something form a trip to Walmart, Target, or Costco. He has just been acting out. He does when he is sick. When we get a temperature on him, it was 100.2 rectal, which doctor's office doesn't call a fever (Even though I am convinced Brain runs on the cooler end of normal like I do). Two hours later it was only down to 100. He says his teeth hurt. He has a headache last night (asked for "tiny music" which in his world means soft). He has got to have a high pain tolerance. Fevers, even small ones,knock me flat, but you would never know it with him unless you felt him or watched him eat (or not eat, as is the case).

So much for getting his seasonal flu shot this week, if I could even find one. His doctor's office won't have any shots until at least November 1, if they get them. We actually found on at the Walgreens Take Care Clinic in Lake Zurich. The only shots they have left are for the under 3 set. It doesn't contain the preservative. It's $30 but supposedly insurance will cover the price after we pay our $20 copay. At least he only needs one seasonal flu shot. I may have found a way to get our (Brian and my, possibly Paul's) H1N1 vaccine for free. The county is holding a walk-in only vaccination program starting on October 29 through Nov 1. They are setting up five clinics in Lake county. One will remain open after those days for other vaccinations. I am waiting for a call back from them. I am crossing my fingers that Brian is just running a teething fever, and it will be gone before the weekend is over! He needs two doses of it, so getting one for free would help us, and mean he could get the second dose in November instead of December.

Holy Growth Spurt!

Brian has grown an inch in a month! He is now 35 1/2 inches tall. He has outgrown the 2T pants, and is into the 3T size now (which he has 3 pairs of sweat pants, 2 or 3 pairs of cargo pants, 1 pair of dress pant and a pair of jeans). He still fits into some of the 2T tops, but now we are looking at 3T long-sleeved knit, thermal, or cotton tops for winter. Kohls has some cute ones in their Jumping Beans brand. I am trying not to get any that are winter specific so that he can wear them in spring too. Add 2 or 3 fleece tops or sweat shirts, and we're set on clothing (we have two nice brown zip up sweaters). As far as I can tell, we don't have many 3T t-shirts, but we have plenty 4T t-shirts for next summer.

We actually have plenty of fleece sleepers in 3T for this winter, but are concerned that he might out grow those before this winter is over. Thus needing 4T sleepers when there aren't any to be found. The stores decide in January to stock spring cotton sleepers for Florida...We're lucky if we get warm spring temperatures by the end of May here. Just like some genuis marketing person decided to put Christmas decorations up already at Kohls. Hello, there are at least two more fall holidays before December.

Anyway, I digress. We bought Brian new shoes. They are the same as his first pair of real shoes: Nike Little Pico III wides bought at Kohls on sale for $25. They are size 8 wides. Now for boots (preferably cold weather ones since we take walks now), a winter coat, and some winter gloves.

Flu Shots

Let the frustration begin. Paul and I are able to get seasonal flu shots through his work for basically free. The company providing them (at his work) will just bill the insurance company and not charge us a co-pay. Here's the catch, they will only administer to persons over 19. This leaves us to figure out how to get Brian his seasonal flu shot (because he needs one). His doctor's office will charge $25 and not bill insurance at all. It would be the same if Paul and I got the shot there also. This is annoying and frusterating because our insurance covers recommended childhood vaccines and would, more than likely cover the shot 100%. Plus our insurance covers it under preventative care.

So, I have tried to check out Walgreens Take Care Clinics. They give flu vaccines to people over 2. They are supposedly partnered with our insurance, but the lady on the phone could not tell me whether or not they bill as an outpatient hospital or an urgent care clinic. It makes a difference on the amount we pay. She told me thay bill as specialty...which is not even on our insurance card anymore. We have office visit copay, er copay, or four levels of phramacy benefits. They best she told me I could do is to ask the nurse practicioner at the clinic. That I have to do in person because there aren't any direct lines to the clinics. I also have to figure out forms of payment accepted such as do they take Walgreens gift cards.

All of this and we have to figure out the H1N1 vaccine too. I know Brian and I definately need to get it. Brian needs it because he is a kid; I need it because of the "underlying" medical condition. Plus whatever I caught last December was labeled as a "virus." I was told by my specialist I may need antiviral drugs if it happens again. Scared the crap out of me. Whatever it was, it sent me into, for a while, Stage 4 (back in Stage 3 quite stable). I'm almost positive Paul needs it too. So, that's at least $75 if we go to our doctor's office, they don't charge a copay, they don't change the price (because it's a new vaccine), and they get the vaccine in October.

Odds are we'll bite the bullet and take Brian into our doctor, sooner rather than later. That way if they get the H1N1 vaccine, he can get it first. But with everything else we'll have to see.

Past Couple Weeks

We are well on our way to fall nighttime temperatures here. It all started the weekend of our camping trip with my parents to Warren Dunes State Park . The weather was in the 70s during the day and dipped to the 40s at night. Quite frankly, the cool weather was awesome! Usually we broil when camping in August. It was much easier to climb Mt. Randall with cool temps and an overcast sky than unforgiving sun and hotter than heck temperatures. Brian climbed most of it himself :) We are so proud of him; he was just beaming! No beach pictures this trip. The lake was rolling with all the storms in the area (red warning flag all weekend), we didn't even attempt to take Brian there. We think the seam sealer worked, there was some condensation in the corners of the tents. The fire starters worked beautifully.

Looking up Mt. Randall



View at top Towards Lake Michigan


Looking Down from the Top


The View Down

We got back from camping and had a couple weeks of nice cool temperatures leading up to Labor Day weekend. Shawn and Patrick came to visit. Unfortunately Brian still has a slight fear of dark-haired people. Upon meeting Shawn and his friend Jon, Brian tried to lean as far away from Shawn as possible which lead to me keeping him out of the street. Patrick came home with Daddy, so he was immediately accepted as a friend. We had dinner as a group that night. Jon and Shawn took the trains back into the city; Patrick stayed with us. Saturday we went to Warren Dunes for the beach. We took two cars. We all met at the picnic area.

Picnic Area

The Picnic area has large picnic sites. Each site has a grill and a picnic table. There are a lot of parking spaces. There is a shelter with bathrooms...They weren't the greatest, but there were flush toilets and running water.





Brian hiked the trail to the beach with Shawn, Patrick, Joe, Elizabeth, and myself while Paul set up beach base camp. Some miscommunication on our part lead to us not knowing where Paul had set up (and he had my cell phone), so it took awhile to find him. Again the weather was cooler than forecast. There was a somewhat stiff wind and clouds. Although the water was considered cold by most, everyone did go in the drink. Brain had fun with me in the deep (to him) water.

Even though there wasn't much sun, sunblock was still needed

The guys had the game on Sunday; Brian and I headed to my folks house. Brian showed his first glimpse of being a bratty two year-old by not taking any naps at ALL. Very stressful for Mommy and complicated by going out to dinner with Nana and Grandpa. Paul called at just the wrong moment. I ended up taking Brain outside and sitting by the car (putting him in it would have made the crying worse) while my parents flagged the inattentive waiter down. Brian didn't stop crying (much at all) until Nana and Grandpa came out of the restaurant. Even then there were still tears. So I learned a couple things: my kid needs naps still (Yes, plural. This one I already knew), when he is upset he vomits (found that out in the parking lot at least), and he bites when he is tired (which is not cool).

This last week has been better. Both Brian and I are sick with some sort of bug. Sore throats and fevers with the occasional sneeze just to change things up. I think we're feeling slightly better now, but we'll see how long that lasts. Paul, of course, isn't sick. Brian is eating like a horse, so he is going to grow again (has the belly to prove it). We just moved him up to size 5 diapers again. He has gained half an inch in height since his 2 year appointment in July. So, he is 34 1/2" tall now. He confuses tired and hungry. We've been getting summer daytime temperatures (in the 80s) with high humidity, so the air conditioners are on again in the afternoons. We don't have much planned for this weekend. We were comtemplating a family camping trip to Warren Dunes, but I think we have decided to camp in the backyard instead...still talking about it.

Hope the Seam Sealer Works...

We're two days from camping at Warren Dunes, and now the forecast (depending on who you trust) is calling for a chance of rain almost every day this weekend. Gotta love NOAA. We're still going to go. Everything is already paid for. Hopefully we find a tarp or something to put over the picnic table just in case.

This is our first official camping trip, that is not in the backyard, with Brian and our new tent. We have tent, sleeping bags, and a rather long-looking list of stuff . I tend to write Everything down since last time we went tot he beach we forgot towels even though they were on the list twice. Most of the stuff on the list is clothes for Brian. The trunk of the little green car is partially packed with camp chairs, sleeping bags, and umbrellas as well as the grey umbrella stroller (the cheapy from Walmart bought for our trip last February to Disney World aka the airport stroller). I have a small basket filled with cooking stuf including coffee and thermal travel mugs, salt and pepper, wooden cooking utensils, dish towels, and glow bracelets. It's in the top of a laundry basket that has towels and a shower bag. We have bug spray, matches (wishing I had time to waterproof them), bandaids, Nesoporin. I'm going to try to make fire starters with lint, an egg carton and wax or petroleum jelly (worked once before we'll see if it does again).

My folks are going up early Friday morning to set up camp. Brian, Paul and I are leaving after Paul gets off work. Probably after a quick dinner. We're hoping that the Friaday rush hour traffic is not as bad then.

Fixing Blogger

The posts are messed up because I am trying to split up the extra super long one into two posts. I thought I had is figured out and blogger screwed up again, so I am trying to fix it. I'll add the pictures back later.

A video coming of present opening soon. For time being, I direct you to Paul's blog. There is a video of Brian's time at the beach in June. :)

I can't figure out how to move the comments...so, they have disappeared. :( Thank you for them.

He's Two

On Sunday we had Brian's second birthday party. It was a Winnie the Pooh Hundred Acre Wood barbecue. Everything was pretty laid back. Paul cooked the Ballpark hot dogs, burgers, and veggie burgers on his new grill (Fathers' Day present). We had four large bowls of fruit: black seedless grapes, strawberries, blueberries, and cherries. Also included was a pasta salad, variety pack of chips, baked beans, and fixins for the meat (relish, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, celery salt, pickles, buns).



The cake was pre-ordered from Costco: A white cake with vanilla cream cheese filling and decorated with balloons. I added a Tigger and Pooh toy from The Disney Store. Here's some pictures of the decorations: Here's a picture of the cake:



The Guest of Honor was still sleeping when the guests showed up. He slept for forty minutes after the party started (it didn't help that Grandpa turned on the stereo). Brian was very foggy when he woke up. He didn't want to go down and see people. So, he hung out upstairs with Auntie Lisa, Uncle Eric, and his cousins Courtney, Allison, and Lauren while they played pool. After a small meal (encouraged by Lauren) of hot dog, fruit, and pasta salad, Brian decided he could come downstairs for presents. Literally the only thing that lured the child downstairs was presents and cake. This is not normal Brian behavior. Usually he is Mr. Social Butterfly.



Present opening with a 2 year old is very different than present opening with a 1 year old. Courtney was designated by Brian to be the helper. He would try to open something and then take it to her to open it. He also would call all the cards "mail," halfway open the present corresponding to the "mail," discard both, and move on to another gift. He liked everything he got. Toys seemed to be preferred to clothes even though for weeks he has been asking us for new clothes and to go to clothes stores.



Here are some pictures of opening presents: Actually working on a video clip for this...see comment about opening presents with two year olds to figure out why the pics didn't turn out so good.



After the presents were opened, it was time for cake. Right before it was time to sing, Grandpa and Uncle Andrew went outside and started the bonfire. So, Brian had to go check it out with Uncle Eric ad Daddy. Then everyone came inside to sing. Brian blew out the one small candle without any help. I helped with the big 2. He was nicely waiting for me to cut the cake when Grandpa showed Brian he could stick his fingers in the icing.



Bonfire



The party lasted for a while. Most of the guests left by 8 pm. Truthfully, I didn't get to talk very much with anyone until it was time for them to leave! I was busy making sure everything was running. Even though, the party was a success :)

Roller Coaster Ride

I want to say thank-you to everyone who has helped us. Secondly, I started this blog to write about my thoughts and feelings, so I am going to do that.



It's been roughly 3 months since we lost our second child. And it still hurts some days. Other days are okay. The first couple weeks were the hardest. How do you tell people what happened when they didn't know you were pregnant? I just tell them. In emails and phone calls, I told my closest Friends. In person for one of them just last weekend. No one knows what to say. Everyone tries to say things they think are comforting including (but not limited to): you're young, you shouldn't have a problem getting pregnant again, these things happen, they're quite common now, and numerous other phrases. Since the words are meant in a comforting tone (not to hurt) I accept everything anyone has told me, even though the words hurt. The exception is one sentence: It's better this way. It is not. It is awful to lose a child in any way. Whether born or unborn. No one likes to talk about it. But it should be talked about. I supported March of Dimes before this happened; now I support them even more. The best thing people have said to me is I'm sorry and left it at that.



We are left without any solid answers. And have to accept it. For anyone who may be wondering, my illness did not cause this to happen. That much we know. Odds are it was a chromosomal abnormality. Odds are it should only happen once. That doesn't make the loss any easier. Each day does seem to get a little better. I can look at pregnant women without being jealous of them or feeling betrayed by my own body. I can hold some one esle's new born without crying for mine (easier than I expected it to be). I can shop for others' babies without crying. My heart still aches, and that will never go away completely, but it will get better. I know it.



I have Brian. He is wonderful! He is smart, caring, playful, and has a big imagination. He is saying sentences and having conversations with people and his stuffed animals. He drinks with a straw now, eats mostly with a spoon (unless it's more fun to use his fingers), and sleeps in a big bed (mattress on the floor). He goes up the stairs standing up while holding on to your hand. He still slides down on his belly. He goes down slides by himself. He runs. New words are learned everyday. He tells me when the cats need more food and when he wants food. He helps with the dishes (emptying and filling the dishwasher). And honestly, there are days he drives me crazy. But that's okay. He is a normal, happy, healthy toddler. He weighed in at his 2 year well baby check at 29 pounds and was measured to be 34 inches tall.

Taking a Break

I don't know for how long, but since not many people read this blog, it probably won't matter. Just taking some time to grieve.

Welcome Garden Season!

It's officially spring! With random weather and everything (7 inches of snow one day just to melt the next, rainstorms, and then freezing temperatures). I can't wait until the ground is thawed enough to plant. I'm going to try lettuce this year during the cool season (i.e. planting middle of April) and radishes.

After May 15 I can plant warmer season crops like tomatoes (which we'll probably buy as plants). We were given some hot pepper seeds and marigold seeds at The Chicago Flower and Garden Show. I have to start those soon, so we have plants. I also have to start some really cool Morning Glory seeds for the tepee this year. We also have a random mix of red, white, and blue flower seeds from the garden show. I'm not sure where we're going to plant those yet.

We're thinking about buying a rain barrel to catch the rain run-off from the roof. We're still talking about it. There is really only one downspout (in the front of the house behind the bushes) that we could use for it. Plus they cost about $80 each (which is cheaper than the private company ones). It is something that would be nice to have because of the water restrictions we have every summer. Plus it's good for the environment, and we don't have to pay for city water to water the garden. The barrels we are looking at are from Lake County:
http://lakecountyil.gov/Stormwater/LakeCountyWatersheds/BMPs/RainBarrelSale.htm

Summer comes with hot, steamy weather and severe storms (that seem to pop up out of the blue, literally). I'm really hoping for no runs to the basement this year. We're gathering supplies for a "disaster kit" with food, "shelter," and other essentials. The government website says it should take a few weeks to get everything together. Hopefully we won't need it until we have everything gathered. We need to gather for the cats too... If there is severe weather int he area, they are going to the basement before any warning is issued. Unfortunately, I can't grab them and Brian.

We're already planning ahead for fall this year! But that's as far as planning goes ;)

Fall happens to be my favorite season! I don't know why, but I've always liked it. Probably because it's harvest season :) The weather can be a little hairy, but most of the time it is perfect. Not too hot or cold. The leaves are beautiful! Maybe we'll grow some really neat things in the garden. At least tomatoes which means homemade spaghetti sauce :)

Plus this year is the added bonus that I get to be an Aunt :)

February 2009

Well, it's been quite awhile since I've posted anything new. We've been busy. Brian is into just about everything now, Paul and I rarely have time for us, let alone posting on Blogs :). Oh well, better busy than bored, I guess.


Brian is doing well. He is just over 18 months old, about 25 or 26 pounds and just shy of 33 inches tall. Brian is in 2T size clothing. 18 month size jeans are the only 18 month clothes we have in the mix right now. They fit like a glove (if they are the adjustable waist type). We have quite a few pairs of 2T jeans waiting for Brian to grow just a little bit taller :) Brian seems to pop out a new word just about every day now. New words recently include: door, thank you, bye, hi, pop (as in pop off socks), sock, shoe, and star. He loves Tinkerbell, I can't see that changing anytime soon especially since we had to see her twice while we were in Disney World a couple weeks ago (see Paul's blog http://www.ostrichjockey.blogspot.com/). Brian is running now. We just bought him some new shoes size 6 wides, the same kind as his first shoes. He is an excellent kid. Not perfect, but he's just like the rest of us: Human. :)


We're coming into the season in Chicago when the weather will not be able to decide just what it wants to do. March starts tornado season, and it lasts until October. Joy. Hopefully, none of those come near us this year. We've had warnings last two summers for our town. We get incredibly lucky that most of the storms either go North or South of us. I'm still trying to figure out if March will be come in like a lion or a lamb. I think I am actually hoping for Bad weather to start off March so we have a chance of nice weather at the end. At this point the weather people are hinting at A snow storm on or by Friday. We'll see what Tom Skilling (WGN weather god or Skillethead as my dad calls him) has to say tonight.