See-Double-U-Ae: September 2006

Saturday, September 30, 2006

Notice a pattern?

Has anyone else noticed that the kids always get sick when Steve is in Florida? How does he plan that?!

Luckily, he's coming home tonight. I need a nap!

My first call to the emergency line

That's right. Yesterday was supposed to be a nice, quiet day since the boys were sick. It was a beautiful day, so after lunch, I proposed a walk to the totlot. We loaded Wes into our jogger and were off. We got to the totlot, and happily played on the rocking horses and swings. And the boys asked me to push them (well... Carson wanted to be pushed. Wes just happliy swung.)

Higher and higher and suddenly, Carson's swing was going off to the side and as he swung back the back of his head slammed into the wooden pole on the side of the swing. I mean SLAMMED. It was awful. Like slow motion, but there was nothing I could do until it was over. As soon as I could, I grabbed him and pulled him off the swing. He screamed immediately, then the dreaded, long silent scream. Finally, he jumped out of my arms and ran like crazy in circles... as I chased him. He wanted to go back on the swing and up the ladder, but I knew not to let him. When I was finally able to pick him up again, he started telling me that his throat hurt. So, of course, he vomited--projectile and all over both of us. Which really upset him. When he was able to sit, next to Wes' swing, I called the ped.

Of course, we walked to the totlot, so I needed a ride home. I was so fortunate that a friend was home. We got to her house and her older son (5) stayed home with her younger son (2) who was napping. Deb drove us home, twice (I realized when we were home the first time that my keys were in the stroller in her garage.)

Went to the doctor and he checked out Carson. Everything was fine. We were really lucky. No sign of concussion, etc.

All night, everytime I closed my eyes I envisioned the slam. It was awful.

We're really lucky.

And, of course, this happens when Steve is away!

3 down, 4 to go

That's what I said when the pediatrician told me, Thursday, that the boys have Coxsackie, or Hand Foot Mouth, again! There are 7 strains, so we're almost halfway there.

Its a very common childhood virus. Spreads really easily. The kids are fine, actually they're doing much better. Carson took the day off from school yesterday. He could have gone, the virus is so common and he's not officially contagious as you're contagious 2 days before through 2 days after the fever. (They had fevers a week ago Thursday and Friday).

Just little blisters are left on their hands, feet, and inside the mouth. Actually, Wes has hardly any blisters. Carson had a bigger case this time. It was all over his bottom, as well as his legs and back.

More zoo pictures

There were baby lemurs, I'm not sure if they were 3 weeks or 3 months. We were able to sit within 3 feet and watch them play and play. They were so fun as they tumbled and jumped. The kids and I loved them! Adorable!!

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

To the zoo...

Yesterday was the perfect day for a trip to the zoo! The weather wasn't too hot, so the animals were playful and the kids lasted a while. It was also empty--since school has started and its the beginning of the school year, ie there was only 1 school bus there!, it was midweek also midweek--meaning locals only. A spur of the moment day trip. We enjoyed no lines or crowds, and docents and keepers who wanted to talk and entertain! This time, we did 2 houses we've never ventured in before: Reptiles and Amphibians and Big Cats!

Carson reported his favorite animal of the day were the penguins. They were fun to watch. It was interesting to see how they move in packs. Wesley loved it all... he waved to every animal. My favorite was the baby primates (lemurs.) They were so playful and the kids sat within 2-3 feet of them to watch.

Visiting with the elephants--who were friendlier than ever before. Sadly, their neighbors, the hippos, were sleeping. Carson really wanted to visit them. But the elephants did so much--I loved how they're ears flapped, and they were a great introduction to the zoo.

Monday, September 18, 2006

Did you know...

that a handicapped sign is really a person on the potty?

Sunday, September 17, 2006

Take off!

Steve took the boys to the local airport tonight--and we hear it was an exciting night there. Not only was there a medivac with an ambulance and police cars, but a girl from a PITT atheletic team who was going home with an injury as well as a lot of other action. In the background of the picture (behind the sunglare) you can see the nose of a plane. According to Carson, "the golfclubs were in the noses. That's so funny." The second picture shows Wes standing--apparently he didn't want to touch the fence.

Oh, and Carson went "peepee on the grass."

Milestones: Standing and first steps: Look at me!!

I'm standing!! Wes has been standing for about a week or two. He doesn't usually like to do it... for a while as soon as he noticed it he would sit down. But you can see here he's getting more comfortable.

He's also beginning to take steps. About 3 at a time. He'll be running circles around us soon!

A week of first days

Carson is back at school now. He's in the same class as last year, with the same teacher, and happy as can be. 3 days a week is very exciting for him. Every other night when I tell him he has school tomorrow, he says, "again!?" Here he is on his first day.

He also started his second session of gymnastics last week. He BEGGED to attend. Even if he could only do one activity, he chose gymnastics. Last Sunday, while Steve was flipping through the stations during halftime, he came across the world championships for Mens' Gymnastics. Carson started trying to do everything they were doing. Steve, being a fantastic father, kept the championships on so that he could watch.

So, on Thursday I took him to class. The ratio was fantastic. There are 8 children, 7 of whom were there. With 2 coaches, Carson's group had only 3 children and one coach. He's in the "older" group, which one of the parents in the waiting room explained as more advanced... or taller? After the 45 minute class, Carson came out SO excited, exhausted and sweaty. He had an amazing time.

The rest of the day (and week) Carson has been showing us his somersaults. Know what? They're REALLY good! The night before he went he would get in the "ready position" and fall to the side. After just 45 minutes of class, he pushes off his feet and rolls straight ahead.