Can I buy a breath please?

Oh my, where do I start? Do you ever have those days where it seems like so much is going wrong? Today was my day. It just felt like I was losing control, and my good friends know how much I hate that. I couldn't even get my footing without something else going wrong. Overwhelmed is an understatement. Okay I'm going to get on my soap box and tell you everything Mike and I are trying to "fix" right now.

It all started a week ago, well a week ago yesterday. Mike woke me up at 3am to help him fix our desktop computer, we both have laptops too so we're never really without a computer. But anyways, our desktop started getting all of these popups saying we had an infection, blah blah and Mike was a little freaked that our computer was really crashing so he woke me up to see if I could fix it. Well after a little over an hour, yep 415 AM, I ended up sending an email to our spyware company and leaving it in their lap. So, we've been communicating with them for the last week to try and get some sort of resolution to our computer which just seems to get worse and worse as each day goes by. We can barely get it turning on now w/o freezing. Why do I keep trying if we have laptops too you ask...all of my work stuff is on that computer and Mike uses it for work also...not to mention our thousands of pics of our kids....so, its kind of important. So, first issue, computer.

Then last week Mike and Van were running around Ava's room and jumped into the glider and broke it. Me, being poor and cheap, thought I would duct tape it to see if I could make it last. Well our new rule, no Mike in the glider...we're going to see how long we can make it last. I do have to lean to one side now and hope it doesn't fall completely back when I'm feeding Ava though.

Then Friday night Mike and I noticed the carpet in the hallway was a little wet and after stepping on it a bit, realized it was actually drenched for a run of about 3 feet. Since it's right under the closet w/ the AC, we opened the door and realized it was leaking all over the floorboards under the hallway carpet, hence the wet carpet. So we put towels down to try and soak up what we could and called the landload. He's working on getting an ac man out here and in the mean time Mike is working on putting some bleach or something in it to make sure the lines are clear and there isn't a clog causing the overflow. So, we now have wet carpet in our hallway...hopefully it doesn't mildew before it gets fixed.

Then a couple of nights ago I started noticing these weird little worm like creatures on our ceiling in our kitchen and dining room. There was only 1 or 2 when I first noticed them so I got a chair and wiped them down. Well now, 3 or 4 days later, there seem to be 5 or 6 everytime we turn around. They are only a 1/2 inch long, clear in color, and super skinny and we have absolutely no idea where they are coming from...but they are GROSSING me out. Luckily they stick to the ceiling, not in our cupboards, sink, trash can or anywhere we can track them. We keep switching off "worm patrol" because its just gross having to kill them. At least they are small, its not like outdoor worms crawling around and they just seem to hang out in our "popcorn" ceiling. However, disgusting.

So today my to do list was, talk to computer guy and get it fixed...we had a call scheduled at 7am, get back in touch with the landlord about the leaking ac and wet carpet, call an exterminator to come out asap, today preferably, to kill these worms, take Ava to the doctor at 10am for her 6 1/2 month checkup, go to my bi-weekly meeting with my boss at 130pm, call the doctor (did I forget to mention I'm still seeing a specialist for my kidney issue and waiting...2 weeks now...for approval on more testing)...hmmm lets see what else. Oh yeah, its Monday so my house is a wreck from the weekend and tornado that is our Sunday and all the hampers are full again. Oh and did I mention while I was on the phone w/ the computer guy, who suggested reinstalling Windows by the way, which I did then lost all of our files for a while...don't worry I ended up finding them after a minor breakdown...Oh yeah, I was saying, while I was trying to reboot the computer like the repair guy said, Van spilled daddy's coffee cup (a big full one) all over the desk with work papers, cords, etc covered, yep more on our white carpet.

By about 915, I was just DONE. After some encouragement from my husband, I tried to catch my breath. Like he said, it wasn't like he got fired or anything...these are all fixable, hopefully. So Ava went for her checkup, all is well. I managed to make my meeting on time, with my agenda in hand after hours of reloading programs onto my craputer. Got an exterminator coming tomorrow am, first thing, to kill these bugs. And still managed to put Ava to sleep in my squeaking, duct taped chair.

All is well. God is good, we will survive.

B

How Lucky Am I?

So after feeling sick for the last couple of days and taking care of everyone else in my house that hasn't felt good, I was exhausted. I went to bed last night to try and get a good nights sleep and woke up to my little boy saying "surprise mommy" with a whole bouquet of flowers in his hand. When Mike came to bed last night, he asked me to get him up with Van in the morning, so of course I obliged so that I could sleep in a bit. My boys got up, went to the store and bought me fresh flowers, and came home to make me cinnamon rolls. So I was lucky enough to get a yummy breakfast in bed and a beautiful bouquet of flowers, thanks to the 2 boys I love most in the world.

Ummm...

5 busy days
4 runny noses in my house
3 other people to take care of
2 hours a day working a paying job, at least
1 exhausted me...

here's how my week went

Ahead of the Game

Yep, the picture to the left is my attempt at getting both of my kids in the same picture. Now if only I could get Van to sit next to his sister long enough to take a picture life would be grand.

Well I think we have another hectic week ahead of us so I thought I would try to get ahead of the game and get my post done early. We are starting a new week with the same 'ole commitments. With Van starting school, Tuesdays and Thursdays will be very busy for us. As one of my good friends has said, Tuesday will be that day for me. You know, the one day of the week you kind of dread because you know at the end of it, you will be exhausted and so happy that you have another 6 days before it comes around again. Thursdays won't be so bad because I don't have to work at the school, but I still have to have us all up and moving early enough to get Van to school on time.

We also have a playdate planned for Wednesday this week with an old friend. Before Ava was born, I used to watch another little boy, just a few months older than Van, 2 or 3 days a week. He's a real sweetheart and his name is David. It was always entertaining because David is Czechoslovakian and was learning Czech as his first language and I was pretty much his only source of English. It was always fun watching him and Van talk to each other in some sort of combo language. Its amazing how kids just adapt though and can easily understand each other. Anyways, his mom and I have been emailing the last couple of weeks just to stay in touch and are getting together this week so the boys have a chance to hang out. I also agreed to help her out 1 day a month watching David for a couple of hours while she does some extra work. I know, I know, why do I keep piling it on myself. But, for the most part, he's a really good boy and pretty easy to watch. Plus it will just be like a playdate for the boys anyways, so I might as well help out.

Let's see, other than that, I have lots of work to do. I told my boss on Saturday that my work load was kind of tapering off the last week or so and I'd be willing to take on a little more work so she responded with about 10 emails of new things to do. So I will be a busy bee earning a paycheck for our family. I really enjoy the work I do for her. Being that I've been working for her for a couple of months now, I find the work pretty easy and have managed to cut my workload down because I've figured out how to do most everything in a timely manner. So bring on the next challenge.

What else, what else. Right now I can't think of anything else but I'm sure there will be. Our weeks always seem to fly by and before I know it, I'm behind on blogging again. Well I hope you enjoy reading my little update. I really do have the best intentions when it comes to writing often. I should show Mike how to blog so he can update all of you when I get super busy or ridiculously tired. Well love to all of our faithful readers, I'm not sure how many of you are out there but you are the reason I'm sitting here blinking away sleep and typing away my tired fingers.

xoxo

Multiple Posts

Since I don't get around to blogging very often anymore, sometimes I do more than 1 post at a time..please be sure to scroll all the way down to get all the scoop so you don't miss anything. xoxo

First Day Of School

Okay I know its only preschool, but this is still a big deal to us. Since this preschool goes along the normal school schedule, fall to spring then summer off, it really feels like school. Thanks to nana who took Van shopping for school clothes, he was all set to start his first day. He has been very excited about this day. I've really been debating, is he too young, how often should he go, how much is too much at his age, what if he wants to go everyday, etc. I know, I know, I'm a headcase. But, he's our first and I just want him to like school and I don't want to push him if he's not ready and I don't want to restrain him if he really wants to do it. So, the fine line we will walk.

Well Tuesday was his first day and I believe it was a success. Because this is a co-op program, I am required to work at the school one day a week and my day is Tuesday. I thought I would start him then instead of Monday just because its completely a new situation with people he doesn't know, nor do I really, and I would just be more comfortable. So all day Monday I had to answer yes to the hundred times I was asked, "I'm going to school tomorrow?". I swear, you would've thought school was Disneyland. Anyways, we got up Tuesday, got all 3 of us ready (I am able to bring Ava with me on the day I work), and packed into the car nice and early. Daddy was the camera crew all morning so I could make sure I had everything we needed and we didn't miss a second of Van's big day.

Van took to the kids immediately. It only took him a couple of seconds to think about whether or not he wanted to play with people he didn't know, then he dove right in. Since I was working there, it did prove to be a little difficult to get Van to listen to other parents when I was in the room, or myself for that matter. He kind of resorted to "oh that's my mom, I'll just go by her", but then when I needed him to do something he'd treat me like his mom and just say no if he didn't want to. This wasn't working. One of the other moms was thinking it was because it was his first day and maybe he was nervous or uncomfortable, but I know my boy. He has gone into similar situations with bible class at church and never had a problem...my gut was telling me it was because I was there. Well sure enough, I stepped into the back room to get snacks ready, leaving Van with the other kids and parents and he was perfectly fine. Once he got distracted enough to forget about me, he was fine. He is definitely not one of those kids who needs mom there, in fact, its the opposite, he needs me NOT to be there. So this will prove to be a challenge on the day I work but I am going to work very hard to stay where he doesn't see me, at least until he gets settled, so that he can just enjoy school for all it has to offer.

By the end of the day, its only a 2 1/2 hour preschool, he was tired and hungry. We hurried home to get some lunch, which he devoured and off to bed he went for a good hard nap. The rest of the night he was constantly asking to go to school again so I know he enjoyed it. I think for now I'm going to stick to my original plan of sending him Tuesdays (because I have to work that day so he has to come) and Thursdays (by himself). If he wants to do more and I think he can handle it w/o getting bored later on and good behavior maintaining, we might have to reevaluate.

As for Ava you ask, she enjoyed school as well. She is just a real trooper. She hung out in the snuggli for about 2 hours, ate for a bit, then got down and played with some of the kids. Its so funny to see small children around babies, you'd think she was a monkey or something they way they poke and laugh at her. And, of course, she just loves it. I think she likes kids even more than she likes adults. She didn't fuss all morning, not even a peep, just enjoyed being out and taking in all the action. Thank goodness for good babies...that's all I can say.

Here's some pics of the big day.

All dressed and ready to go. I think we've finally taught Van how to smile looking at the camera. Yippee!!

Because it was my day to work, it was Van's day to share. He chose to take his dolphin as his "secret share" toy.

In the car and off to school we go.

Eating lunch after a long hard morning.

Van has now even completed his first day by himself at school. The teachers said he was great, of course, because I wasn't there. It was a little rough taking him and dropping him off like a big boy. It just made me a little sad to come home without him. But he had a great time and I know this is just baby steps for both of us. Before we know it he'll be going to kindergarten then off to high school. Wow, they grow so fast.

B

PS There will always be more pics on our flickr site and just a few here for you to see. Click on the link to the right whenever you want to check out our babies.

Remembering 9/11

Can you believe that 7 years ago the worst tragedy our nation has seen on our soil happened? It seems like just yesterday. I remember getting a phone call from Mike telling me to turn on my tv because a plane just crashed into the World Trade Center. I was so in a fog I didn't even realize the impact of what he was really saying. I remember driving to school and listening on the radio as everybody talked about it. I remember getting to school and seeing the campus closed and really feeling like something major happened. It wasn't until later that day that it really really hit me. Seeing the actual destruction, watching on tv as survivors were searched for, listening for weeks as the death toll was raised. I think 9/11 was for me what the shooting of JFK was for my parent's generation. I will always remember where I was when I heard about it and remember how I felt. In the recent weeks, Mike and I have caught a few specials here and there about the bombing, talks from survivors, seen video footage of the attacks. And it all still takes my breath away. Its one of those things that breaks my heart watching, but I can't seem to look away. I can't seem to walk away from the tv as I hear someone recall running down 47 flights of stairs to try to get out of the buildings before they crumble. I almost look back at it like it was a dream. Did it really happen? I think wow, this is crazy, I wasn't even there that day, nor did I lose somebody I cared about or had to even count the minutes until I heard they were safe. I can't imagine what the anniversary of that day does to those families directly impacted. I don't know what else to say other than my heart aches for those families, my anger burns for those who thought this was the way to get their point across, and my spirit prays for everyone who watched or listened and was forever changed by that day.

B

All About Ava

Okay so my last blog, or shall I say, day of blogs, turned into a Van fest. As promised, here is a page just dedicated to Ava. I will post some new pics of her too so you can get your fill. She is a really cute baby, has super squeezable cheeks, and a very sweet demeanor. She will pretty much let anyone hold her and offers smiles to anyone looking. She is much sweeter than Van but also much more determined. She is easier to get smiles out of, but also easier to get a fuss out of. She will definitely let you know when she isn't happy. She, like most girls, likes to have a lot of attention. Don't get me wrong, she is not a fussy baby. She is happy, as long as somebody is in the room with her and stops every so often to acknowledge her. Van used to just sit by himself quietly and play. Another reason we believe Van got his mommy's genes and Ava is leaning towards daddy's side. She sits up like a champ and is making great strides toward crawling. She spins herself in circles trying to get where she wants to go. I'm sorry to say I just don't dedicate as much time on the floor with her like I did with Van which is probably why she isn't moving all over the place yet. Its so hard the 2nd time around, I find my hands always full. Luckily, she's content doing whatever I need her to and pretty much goes with the flow. So here are some new pictures.

Seriously, how cute is she. Like I said, sitting like a champ now. She is such a smiley baby but catching a picture where her smile is cute and so is the rest of her face is proving to be a difficult task. I thought this picture was cute even though she isn't total smiles. Sorry for the crazy hair.

Okay here she's rockin' the double ponytails. Mike says she looks like Satan when I do her hair this way. Its hard, the sides are so short but the top is this crazy madness of hair. I get bored doing one ponytail everyday, so I'm trying to switch it up. I think its cute, a nice pair of palm trees.


Ooh, my nemesis. Also mentioned earlier, she is a very determined little girl. As most of you know, I'm a bit of a control freak. So the head butting has begun. I've been trying to break this thumb sucking routine since she was about 2 months old. I've even put gloves on her when she sleeps but now she's so smart she can just pull them off and still claim a victory. She's such a putz, she will stick her thumb in her mouth and then look at me with this huge grin as to say..."ha ha mom, what are you gonna do about it". Ugghhh!!! I may have to surrender here and just make Tabasco my friend in the years to come. Ha ha Ava, what are you going to do then?!?

Okay look for another post soon. Van, I know it was all about Ava, but he started school the other day so I'm hoping to get that one up later today. Talk to you all soon.

B