Rowdy Girls, Rain and Raccoons

oThe Rowdy Girls went camping yesterday. Another milestone event. We managed to pack a lot into, what turned out to be, a brief 10 hour excursion.

While we loaded up the truck, the girls watched Elmo's Great Outdoors. Looks like they're ready to rough it, right?
Our family drove out to the Canyon of the Eagles, a place J and I have been before, and only an hour away. A good place for a trial adventure.

The lake was disappointing. Low levels and no whales.

And, we wouldn't let Em and Roo do more than wade in.
No swimming. Because we're mean. And the water was gross.

After crittering around at the beach, we found our campsite and got to work.
Em and Roo were a lot of help. They held the tent down like champs. And helped gather kindling for our fire.


Elmo, however, was a bit of a lazy slob.

The girls were also so proud to be in charge of Maggie dog's leash. Well, at least, that's what Maggie let them think.

They loved all the butterflies and fireflies.
And exclaimed each time, "Oooo! Iz soooo pretty. Iz bootiful."
Em was all about the camping food. She was a sticky sweet mess of S'mores by the end of the night.


As for the actual end of the night... well, that's another tale. We bunked down together in the tent. The girls in their PeaPod tents and J and myself lying next to them on our sleeping bags. We listened to some music and watched the stars begin to appear and the moon beam down. The girls were talking and laughing and singing. J and I were in stitches, laughing at everything they said.

Then, the noises began. Outside the tent. Raccoons. Everywhere! J and I joked that they were staging a coup because they thought we had 2 of their own locked up in the tent. We were picturing an army of masked bandits hoisting our tent up and carrying us away. J climbed out of the tent and dispersed the raccoon reunion just as...

...the clouds began to roll in with lightening moving closer. And the girls were amping up instead of winding down.

So, finally, around 11pm, we called it.

J shooed all the raccoons away. Again. We did a quick pack up, and headed for home.
The girls were asleep in their carseats before we pulled away from the campsite.

Indedibibble Em

J introduced the blanket-as-cape idea to Em tonight.
He tied her Nannie blanket around her shoulders and told her she was an Incredible.
Then, he helped her fly all over the room until it was time to land in her bed.
She loved it!

Upon landing, Em picked up the second blanket in her bed and asked for a "A white Indedibibble, peeeeeeze?!"

Of course, if one cape is good, then two will be even better.

Boggy Bottom Girls

Today, after the morning's appointments, we kidnapped Daddy for lunch. And took him to the farm.

The Boggy Creek organic urban market Farm. A mere 7 miles from his downtown office.

Em and Roo had loads of fun meeting the chickens and speaking their language.


It was a beautiful day for a walking tour of the farm. The sun was shiny, the air was clear after morning rain showers, the spring flowers were beautiful and the toddlers were happy.
Em wanted to go to there. That way. So, we did.
And, eventually we ended up back in the farm's market stand and had lots of fun picking out yummy stuff for dinner.
Well, Mom and Dad thought it was yummy.
Work remains to be done in the vegetable eating department.

Texans in Tanzania returns

Go catch up with Mammaw and Pappaw over at Texans in Tanzania. She's got a bunch of new posts up on the blog about their move from Babati to Dodoma!

the first step is admitting...

...that you might
...possibly
... have an itty bitty

...teeny tiny
... shoe and BabyLegs acquisition problem issue.

*ahem*

Swell

It was a nice morning. Snuggly time in the green chair with Nannie blankets and milk. A little PBS kids tv. A drive to the library with a good parking spot right in front. Story time, a look at the mascot (a pretty ball python), and some computer time. Then, down the block to get a cookie and window shop. Finally, back to the library to "ding" the bell.

in review

A quick list to sum up the past week...

1. Maggie dog is eating now. And seems 100% recovered. Except she's supposed to take it easy for another week. And. She smells. But, we can't bathe her yet.

2. Aunt Kaki's trusty car broke. Grandpa found a new car for Aunt Kaki and brought it to her on Thursday.

3. I discovered that Grandpa was bringing a car for Aunt Kaki and staying with us on Thursday. Night. Let's hear it for bonus McGrandparent time! Even on short notice.

4. Marmee came to visit on Friday. Much fun was had by all. Inside, outside, and upside down.

5. I turned thirty-somethingish on Saturday. And celebrated by eating the equivalent amount of food in pounds from Trudy's brunch buffet. We all did. See that leftover piece of a pancake in the photo below? I ate it, too, before we left.

6. iPhones with home movies and Sesame Street podcasts make handy toddler mutes when the feeding frenzy is finished.
7. But said toddlers do not enjoy the iPhones being relocated during 'family photo' time.

8. Em and Roo went to their first movie. It was a doozy! Under The Sea in 3D at the IMAX.

Roo thought the words flying at her were awesome and tried to catch them. Em yelled, "WHOA!" and ripped off her 3D glasses. Marmee didn't care for the sea snakes swimming towards her face. Other than that, everyone had an overall super duper movie experience. We recommend.

9. Three Year Well Check. Em is 38 and 1/4 inches tall and weighs 28 lbs 5.5 oz. She's maintaining her growth curve... 25% for weight and between 50th and 75% for height. Roo is maintaining her curve as well... 5% for weight at 25lbs 8 oz and 25% for height at 37 inches. We are pleased.

10. Lunch date with Mommy and Daddy after the one vaccination seemed to put the world back to rights again.
Especially the tiny little shortbread cookies that came with Mommy's coffee.

Gussie

Dear Em, Roo, and Maggie Dog,

My name is Gussie. I am an Australian Shepherd and live in the house with your Mammaw and Pappaw in Africa. Your Mammaw says I look like Maggie Dog and she says Maggie is a very nice dog. I am a nice dog too. I am probably the same age as Maggie.

We have been praying for Maggie dog so she will get well. I am happy she is not sick any more.

There are 2 other dogs here with us. Their names are Kona and Sam....we are all girls. Mammaw and Pappaw take good care of us while our owners, Mike and Heather, are in the United States. I used to live in the United States and I traveled all the way to Tanzania to be with them.

Mammaw and Pappaw let me sleep in the house at night. I have a nice bed underneath their bed and I sleep there all night long. When I wake up in the morning, I like to sit with them while they are drinking coffee. Mammaw pats my head and scratches behind my ears and Pappaw lets me put my head in his lap. Once we wake up, I am ready to go outside and play with the other dogs.

I think Maggie Dog and I would be good friends. I would also like to be your friends. Would you please tell Maggie Dog hello for me?

Mammaw and Pappaw said to tell you hello and that they love you and Maggie Dog very much.

We all hope you are having a great spring time.

Love,
Gussie Dog............and Mammaw and Pappaw

Dogs and Blogs

A week and a half ago, Maggie dog stopped eating and started acting a little depressed. By, Friday, we were very concerned and J took her to the vet. She was running a temperature and he said she needed antibiotics. Then, the vet sent her home.
She didn't get better.

On Sunday, J took her to a different vet. Who told us she, most likely, had a uterine infection (pyrometria). This vet did blood work, gave Maggie dog IV fluids and an antibiotic injection. She sent Maggie home with instructions for us to watch her closely for certain symptoms and to bring her in Monday morning for a re-check.
photos taken upon Maggie's return from the vet on Sunday

Monday morning brought no good news. Maggie needed emergency surgery, a spay. The new vet saved her life, because the encapsulated infection was on the verge of bursting. At the end of the day, Maggie appeared to be recovering properly. So, she came home.

Tuesday morning, at 2am, J was so concerned that he took her to the pet emergency room. Her gums were white, she was huffing in pain and, it turned out, she was hypothermic. So, more IV fluids, antibiotics and warming blankets. She was able to come home by 4 that afternoon. Behaving much like her old self.

By Tuesday night she wanted to catch a ball and ate a few table scraps. By Wednesday night she was running across the yard and barking at the blender again. And today, she seems completey normal, with the exception of not chowing down yet.
We are so very thankful!!!

---------------

Have you noticed the new and improved blog header?
Isn't it wonderful!
Thank you so much to Aunt Becky at Cheese My Head for the fun changes!
She's working wonders in lots of places. Ask her for some pretty for your blog, too!

I enjoy being a mom

Mother's Day 2009

I love my girls... Roo, Em and Maggie dog.

And I love my Mommy. And Mammaw and Nannie and Nana.

Happy Mother's Day to all the special mommies our lives.

Team Seton Wonders

We had a great walk today! The March for Babies was well attended and inspiring. Thank you to everyone who supported us through your donations, your time, your thoughts and your prayers!
It means so very much to us. From the bottom of our hearts... Thank You.

Team '06 Seton Wonders heading to the starting line...

...and pausing for a photo at the half way point of the Walk.





After crossing the finish line, Em headed to the "jumpy house"

While Roo played in the music tent off and on.
Meaning. She'd play, go check on Em, then grab one of her grown ups and take them back to the music tent.
The RGs had such a great time that leaving was a little tough. Thank goodness for that lollipop tent on the way out!
Thank goodness for you... and the March of Dimes.

Why I March

Tomorrow is the annual March for Babies walk to support the March of Dimes.
Once again, we will be walking with our NICU friends, forming Team '06 Seton Wonders.

We've been out of the NICU for 2 years, 11 months and 19 days. It still seems like yesterday. I continue to get a bizarre mixtures of feelings when I drive towards the hospital. A combination of nostalgia, panic and urgency. I've been told the latter two feelings start to fade as you near the 10 year graduation-from-the-NICU mark.
We'll see.
One thing I do know. In 10 years, we'll still be marching.
_______________________________

reprinted with permission from The Twin Spin

I march because 3 pounds is heart wrenchingly small.

I march because after waiting so long, no one should have their baby whisked away from them after only a 5 second hello.

I march because it's heartbreaking to be told that you can't hold your own baby.

I march so that fewer parents have to become familiar with the terms "apnea," "bradycardia," "gavage," "bilirubin," and "PICC line." Those should be reserved for doctors only!

I march because I know too many women who have delivered at 35, 33, 32, 31, 28, even 24 weeks.

I march because some of these women have had to say goodbye to their babies and give them to God.

I march so that more women can become educated on how to have a healthy pregnancy.

I march so that all premature infants can get the utmost care and their families can rely on the support and information provided by the March of Dimes.

I march for Creed and Truman, Mallory, Kelby, and Evan, Megan and Morgan, Em and Roo, Owen and Brody, James, and, of course, Rachel and Claire.

Tomorrow, Saturday, May 9, 2009, we march for all the babies and the families that have greatly benefited and will benefit from the support of the March of Dimes. We appreciate all of the loving and generous support of our friends and family both in the early days, and now in our fundraising efforts.

MARCH FOR BABIES!

Words on the Street

You know, we've been casually mentioning to friends and family for the past year that Roo knows how to read. I think, at first, most people nodded and smiled. And thought that we were such proud parents but probably a bit delusional. Heck. We thought that, too, for a while.
But, looking back over a years worth of photographs, the evidence is clear. And awesome.

Sept. 10, 2008
The 'd' in the picture is actually a P from another set. Roo liked its reversible properties. It could be a d, P, b or a 9.

Sept. 19, 2008


Oct. 22, 2008
This is the first time I realized she could hear words and figure out how to spell them. A friend and I were talking about the cartoon character Betty Boop. Roo came home that afternoon and spelled this. Guess she liked the way the word sounded. And yes, the extra 'O' is actually a zero.

What really blows my doors off is what Roo does with a 26 letter alphabet set. Lots of the words she wants to spell require multiple copies of certain letters. She knows it, makes do with the limited choices and arranges the letters in a way that allows you to still understand the word or phrase she wanted to spell.
Feb. 2, 2009
Can you figure it out? BaLloONS. Also, we lost the 'o' out of this set and she subbed in a zero.

Feb. 5, 2009
Feb. 8, 2009
Because we were talking about the next day being Aunt Joy's birthday.

Feb. 15, 2009
With the exception of the zero, all the numbers were put away. What's a girl to do? Spell out the 2. I didn't know she understood the difference between to and two until this.

March 19, 2009
This marks the start of a love affair with Finding Nemo.

Before you look at the next photo, understand that we lost the 'U' from this alphabet set. Roo has been experimenting with vowel substitutions after learning that 'Y' is a "sometimes vowel".

Also, she's obsessed with three words from the Leap Frog: Code Word Caper video:
bake (to teach the silent E),
shut (to teach blends) and
wait (to teach the rule for pairing two vowels).
The video partners the three words at the end to unlock a riddle to solve a problem. Roo loves this concept and also the rules that the words teach. So, she spells them out a lot.

Again, this alphabet set only has 25 letters. Missing U.

May 4, 2009

*Ehem*

May 5, 2009
Lately she's been working on phrases. Can you decipher this one?
Singing in THE RAIN.

May 6, 2009
TIME FoR ScHOoL
(a favorite line from Finding Nemo)