Valentines Babies, 2013!

[wamommy]

Dragonfly, what a cute pic! What cute costumes. It was rainy on Halloween here, too. DH had the umbrella for him and Max, so Luca (in the Ergo) and I got pretty wet.

Sierra, it's so funny that you picked Maine! My step daughter is in college there at Maine Maritime Academy right now. She's on a full military scholarship and will graduate as an Officer in the Navy. She isn't super fond of the cold, so she's not impressed, lol. I think truly appreciating beautiful nature and views comes with age. That, and growing up in Seattle she's used to coast and water views. That's the one thing I'm afraid I'll miss if we leave here. I LOVE Mt Rainier and the Puget Sound. I love that there is skiing and water sports and hiking and still a pretty liberal and lively city. I wouldn't actually leave except that DH really wants to go somewhere warmer. He grew up (mostly) in Hawaii, so he hates the long rainy season here. I would like the kids to be able to go out and play in the yard or go bike riding every day instead of constantly telling them, "no honey, it's too wet out." I guess that's the only stipulation for moving is that it has to be warmer. We're considering mainly somewhere in California, Texas, or somewhere I haven't thought of yet, lol. I do research and it seems impossible to know if you'd like somewhere unless you've spent time there.

Sierra, I totally get wanting each child to have their own stuff. I did get a new crib for my second because my first was still in her crib at 19 months. I also bought a new crib for Luca (not that he ever uses it) because the girls chewed the rails of their cribs so badly and Max never slept in one. I also bought a new excersaucer for Luca and my second daughter. There have been soome new clothes for each, too. It's this pull to make the new child feel just as important as the first. I think it's normal and fun! I can't wait for you to meet this new little one!

I'm off to Rug Doctor my girls' new room. They are moving into my step daughter's huge room and it's almost done. They each have loft bed and the room is painted bright blue on one side and hot pink on the other. It's what they wanted!

Hope all is well with everyone!

 

[helena]

Hi ladies!!!!!!!!!!!
Omg it's been too long. I don't even have an excuse other than life has been busy busy. I need to read through your latest posts. Hey Sierra - congrats on your pregnancy!!!!!!!! Very exciting

Kiara is growing well. She is a little madam... Very very cute and loving but cheeky as hell when she wants to. She has learnt a "bad" word from her 7 year old brother. It's not swearing but definitely slang (it's French for "very very stupid"). And she uses it in context now.. Yikes! I try and not giggle.

She goes to crèche one morning a week and is only just getting used to it.

I am still having a vet busy life with three kiddos and a mum suffering from secondary breast cancer - incredibly she is still with us three years after diagnosis. It's wonderful she is here, but I am emotionally exhausted. But obviously that's just fine, it's great we are getting another Christmas

I am still a stay at home mummy and no plans to go back to work. Or have more babies
We have a lovely puppy - 6 months old Lily, a springer spaniel. We did have a male dog too but he was a bit full on so we found him another loving home.

Anyway, I will try my hardest to not be so quiet in future!! Love to you all X X X X x

 

[helena]

 

[wamommy]

It's great to hear from you, Helena!!! I've been wondering how you are and am so glad to know you're doing well. Kiara is a doll! What a gorgeous girl. I wouldn't worry about her language. The other day I told Max to do something and he turned around and said, "you're a bully and a sh**head too!" I was shocked, but burst out laughing. I probably shouldn't have, but couldn't help it! I don't know where he learned it, but I hope he doesn't say it out of the house.

Thank goodness your Mom is doing well. yay! Thank you so much for the update. Love to you, too!

 

[helena]

Haha! It's so good to know max said those words. I laughed out loud over X factor, as I sit here watching tv. Remember that story for his 21st birthday

I don't know why I went so quiet, but I promise to be around more. I think my life just got so full that something had to go....
But it's such a relief my mum is stable for now, so I have some more "space" in my head.. If that makes any sense?! We thought we had six months.. That was almost three years ago (I got my mums diagnosis on the very day I brought Kiara home from th who spiral, how cruel is that!?). I should be grateful, but life and emotions don't always work out that way. I feel cheated. She is only 68. And I have been grieving three years..my Children do keep me focused, they give me hope for a future. And make me laugh every day (as well as make me mad.. But it's all good )
I don't mean to post such miserable posts... Life really is ok, for now.

Today is a bad day here in France though - following the Paris attacks. I am a long way from Paris (6 hrs by car) but it's scarey...I worry for the kids... We let in so many refugees.. And quite rightly so I thought, I was moved by the photos of babies and children and parents crying, trying to escape Syria. But then you read how ISIS threatened to send terrorists as refugees.. And then attacks like this.. And one was a refugee.. And you start to worry about the future for our kids... Should move to Australia..

 

[DragonflyWing]

Good to hear from you helena, and Kiara is adorable! My heart aches for all those affected by the Paris attacks, so many prayers sent your way.

As to the language, Gunnar picked up the "f" word somewhere (probably a movie, sometimes we are surprised what they can hear from the bedroom, even when we think they're asleep!), and for some reason keep saying "get the f--king out!" LOL We are discouraging it as best we can, but it's hilarious.

Also, they are using creative insults on each other. I often hear "Lily, you are being obnoxious!" "I am not being obnoxious, Gunnar! You are being foolish!"

 

[helena]

Haha Dragon, that's so funny!! (As long as they don't do it mid way round the supermarket / store!!! Lol) X
It's been pretty weird here since the Paris attacks. I was shocked that a teacher at the school played some games with the kids last week and one involved them pretending to shoot each other and fall over.. French schools can be very un PC but this week it just seemed very wrong!! I emailed a complaint but I doubt anyone will reply.
The school did a minute of silence for the victims in Paris. My eldest (7) asked a few questions about why and who and if the baddies would come here. Luckily my youngest two didn't get it at all and seemed to think it was all a bit of a game. Which is fine for now. Ignorance and innocence is bliss I say!..

 

[Kellen]

Hello Everyone,

It's been a while. Lots and lots of things have changed. First of all, congratulations Sierra on boy #2! And good luck getting your house sold. I know how stressful that can be.

Helena - My heart goes out to everyone in France. I'm not sure if anyone here remember the Umpqua Community College shooting from Oct 1st of this year, but it hit pretty close to home. Actually, far too close, Teagen and I had been in the classroom where the 9 were killed the Monday before the shooting and where supposed to be there THAT evening for another class. I still get shakey thinking about it.

Wamommy - Lots of rain. Hopefully our respective states will not burn quite as fiercely this coming summer. And I wouldn't worry about Max not using the potty. Most of the boys in Teagen's church class are behind the girls in potty useage. Teagen has started saying: "What the heck?!" after hearing me and my mom say it once. I'm trying to move her onto: "What in the world?!" Which she says is "ridiculous."

Dragon - Your kiddos sound like a lot of fun. They are adorable.

Brief recap since July:

Nephew C. came to live with us and work for us at the shop. Teagen and the dog immediately hated him and said he didn't like them (aka calm dog all of a sudden started biting people, including C). Found out C was hanging around local drug dealers and doing not so great things. Sent him away.
DH's mom had a lumpectomy and was sent home. She stopped breathing and had a heart attack and almost died. We then spent waaaaay too much money to go see her and the rental car broke four times and I lost my ID and debit card. Awesome trip...
I decided to change my speciality for my PhD program as well as take two classes instead of one at a time. This was actually an amazing decision! I am loving it and it is actually easier to be motivated for two classes rather than one. Not looking forward to stats next quarter though...
DH comes home on the 5th for a good long while. He has his time and we are finalizing his testing for his degree.

Wamommy - Why in the world Maine? Come on, the California Maritime Academy was good enough for me! And the Texas A&M Maritime Academy was good enough for DH. In Maine they have horrible hazing practices and actually have to WAX the floor! But it is a good program. What license track is your step-daughter in? I sailed with a couple of MMA students back in 2008.

No second baby for us. I think I might have a new job starting at the end of December. Due to the UCC shooting a new healthcare network is being implemented in our county. They have asked me to come on board as their emergency preparedness expert. I'm pretty excited. I'll be sitting down next week to sketch out the details with the organization.

And some gratuitous pictures of Teagen that I took yesterday. We are giving away free 4x6 of recently groomed dogs at our shop so I needed a model to help with the camera settings.

 

[wamommy]

Kellen, it's so great to hear from you!! It sounds like things have been really busy. Teagen is SO cute. I am loving her bangs. I'm glad your DH will be home for Christmas.
I WISH my step daughter was in California. She does too, lol! She actually ended up in Maine due to a bunch of domino-effect ball droppings. She wanted to go to the Naval Academy, and because she had a 4.0 and was CO of her NJROTC program, and she also had a senatorial nomination, she thought the naval academy was a gimme. She didn't get in.. She applied to 4-5 other colleges as "backups" (including USC, Stanford, West Point, and University of Washington), but only UW accepted her. After looking into it, UW wouldn't offer room and board as part of her scholarship, so she was pretty much SOL... until she did some research and found out that Maine Maritime accepted applications through MAY. She applied and was accepted, and then chose to go there based on it covering room and board. She knew nothing about it until she got there, sigh... Oh, she got in the Citadel too, but was scared of the hazing and physicality of the PT. It's referred to as "Westpoint on crack," lol. It should all work out, but it certainly wasn't the plan.

Helena, the Paris shootings were so terrible... I can't imagine the impact it's had over there. DH loves to watch the news and the specials about horrible incidents like that, but I just can't stomach it. Seeing images of horrific human suffering just makes my heart hurt too much.

On a lighter note, I have NO IDEA where Max got this, but Luca was being pretty annoying the other day and Max looked at him and said, "Luca, we're going to sell you to the Chinese." WTH???

 

[Kellen]

Oh, Max! That is awesome... disturbing, but awesome.

Only 5 days until DH is home! We are all super excited, especially Teagen. The bangs were longer... until someone decided to playing grooming shop with her own hair. Perfect square in the middle, almost to her hairline... in August. They have just now grown out.

I go tomorrow morning to meet with my new potential employer. We are meeting for coffee. We've spoken over the phone and via email, but this will be our first face to face. I've basically been promised the job, but they are saying they have to post it for legal reasons. I have some questions, but otherwise I'm pretty excited.

Everyone here was/is sick. My mom had it, then my dad and now me. I'm praying that Teagen and my grandmother are spared.

 

[DragonflyWing]

Hey Kellen- who's running the shop when DH is gone and you are getting a new job? Do you have employees other than your nephew? Your life seems so busy but fulfilling.

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. Mine was small, just DH, the kids, my sister, and a lady from church. It was the first time I cooked a Thanksgiving "feast" (made turkey, duck, mashed potatoes, stuffing, biscuits, two pies, rice and peas, and cranberry sauce), and everything turned out well, I was pretty impressed with myself lol.

Next up, my parents are coming to visit on December 16th, the twins turn 3 on December 19th, my sister is getting married on the 20th, then Christmas. Two weekends in a row we'll be driving down to Milwaukee (3 hours each way). Woof.

 

[Kellen]

Dragon - You don't sound busy at all! Just kidding, that is a lot of travel time with a lot of little people! Great job on the dinner. It sounds tasty.

Thankfully our nephew is no longer at the shop... Drugs just aren't in the cards. But yes, we have one full-time employee and another one who is part-time. Also it looks like my job will be four days a week and mostly telecommuting when I'm not out actively talking with people and doing training. We have a friend who owns her own small business who is willing to come and be our office manager for a couple of the days I'm working so it should work out nicely.

But yes, I unofficially have been offered the job. They will be posting the position (due to hiring regulations), but I'm slotted to take control of it come the first of January. I'm very excited to be doing something that I love and know a lot about.

 

[wamommy]

Congrats, Kellen! That sounds amazing. Oh, what I wouldn't give to have a chance to do what I love for work! Staying home with the kids is rewarding in its own way, but lately I've been so extremely stressed and worn out that the idea of having a fulfilling job (and a break from screaming) sounds like heaven.

Dragon, it sounds like you have a busy December coming up! I admire your Thanksgiving menu, too! Everyone in my extended family had other plans, so I just went to Costco and let them provide a lovely meal for us, lol. The kids weren't any wiser and it was certainly easier. That, and I can't cook!

My stepdaughter comes home next Wednesday, so that should be good. She's really helpful, especially with Max. Nothing else is really new here. We're just plodding along!

 

[Kellen]

Well, DH is home, and that is a good/rocky thing. Great because he can help. Rocky because he doesn't know our normal routine and adds some stress. It will be better when we are in our own house.

In two days (Monday) I call to discuss what my salary expectations are and what hours I want to work. If I get to telecommute for the majority of it I'm asking for 40 hours, if not 32 will be fine. Other good news! DH passed the physical fitness test for our local sheriff's department. Hopefully he'll get hired as a deputy and not have to go back to sea!

 

[wamommy]

Merry (almost) Christmas, all!! I hope it's a wonderful one.

Kellen, I'm sorry the transition with DH is a bit rough, but it should get better. Has it?

Things have been nuts here. I knew my stress level was high, but I didn't really know how to change it. Between the holidays, the kids and finances, I've been a mess. 2 nights ago it all came to a head. You know that scary heart thing that I get randomly every few years? Well, it happened last month, but went away in only 4-5 hours. On Monday morning I woke up to a really rapid heartbeat and thought, oh crap... It raced to 170 and held there ALL DAY. I called my endocrinologist, who had just changed my prescriptions a little, and he took 3 hours to call back, at which time his nurse told me his advice was to head straight to the ER. I went to urgent care, thinking it would be faster, and they flipper their lid when the heart monitor started beeping crazily and flashing 171! They called over to the ER (across the street) and the ER sent someone to take me via wheelchair. I told them I was fine to walk, at this point I'd been dealing with it going on 8 hours... but they insisted. Once in the ER they rushed me back where the Dr, pulmonary specialist and nurses did an ecg and put 2 IVs in. After the ecg the Doc confirmed the SVT diagnosis (supraventricular tachycardia) and they told me they NEEDED to slow it down. SOmething about nodes and electric signals, and blah blah blah... all I heard was that if they couldn't slow it, it could get exhausted and stop. Me heart was stuck on stupid and needed a "reset" as they called it. They explained that the first way they would try was to give me a drug that would STOP MY HEART... yes. You read right. Commence freak out. If that didn't work, they said I'd need to be shocked. At this point I'm crying and thinking of my kids and what would happen if my heart didn't start back up. They had sticky paddle things on my chest that could shock me "just in case, but don't worry, that's highly unlikely." They injected the drug, and it felt like warm mud filled my body, and it was oddly pleasant. If that's what the real death will be like, I'm cool with it... anyhow, my heart started back up as planned, and worked its way down to 100, where it stayed for enough time to convince the doctors that I was "fixed." I have to see a cardiologist to discuss prevention and options if this keeps happening. This is the first time my body couldn't fix it. It was terrifying. I can honestly say I haven't ever been so scared. I'm ok now. It's odd to get back to doing dishes, cleaning the catbox, etc, when I feel like everything has changed.

Anyhow, that's where I am! I haven't even called my mom, since she's a pastor and these next 2 days are here busiest of the year. She preaches 6 times in 2 days!

How are you all doing?? What are your plans for Xmas?

 

[DragonflyWing]

wamommy, that sounds terrifying! I'm so sorry you went through that! My goodness, do they know why this happens? I didn't even know there was a drug that would temporarily stop your heart. Yikes. I'm so glad you're feeling better now, but I can understand why it feels like everything is different, and weird to go back to mundane things. Super huge hugs from me.

How was your holiday? I told you all about our big plans, but the flu threw a wrench into everything. I spent Christmas eve and Christmas in bed with a 102-104 fever, and we didn't go to Milwaukee for family Christmas. Oddly enough, it was a bit of a relief lol. I still feel like crap, and I'm working from home today. Some of the family came over this morning to give the kids their gifts, so that's nice. Especially because I'm hiding in the bedroom because I'm contagious

 

[DragonflyWing]

My computer ate part of my reply, sorry for the double post!


The twins birthday on the 19th was nice, my parents were visiting and the twins loved it. We spent that night and the next in a hotel for my sister's wedding, and the kids got to play in the kiddie pool which had a water slide and a fountain...I had to drag them out when it was time for bed because they didn't want to stop playing!

My sister's wedding was nice, very small with only 15 people, and the couple wrote their own vows, which were very sweet. My sister looked lovely; she asked me to do her hair and makeup, and I was so nervous I'd mess it up, but it turned out nice. Here was her hair (after about 8 hours so it was a little messy at this point):

 

[helena]

hi ladies!!!! Oh it's been too long. How are we??? Wamommy I hope your heart has been behaving!! Sounded horrific. You poor girl!! Xxxx

2016 started terribly for me. My mum passed away in Febuary. She started to go downhill from just after Christmas and I was with her when she left. It's just awful. I am ok on the surface, I get the kids to school on time and their socks usually match.. But it's hard.

On happier news Kiara is doing great. She is funny and bright and cheeky and loves ice cream and watching Ben and Holly or Peppa Pig. She is very affectionate - I swear she is an angel sent to cheer me up.

I hope you are all well, I think of you oftenxxxxxx X

 

[wamommy]

Helena, I'm so sorry to hear about your Mom! A million tight hugs to you. I'm so glad you have Kiara to cheer you up. She sounds like such an amazing girl. Kids are a great reminder that life won't stop for us and that we still have really important little people that need us, despite deep sadness or illness. You are amazing, helena. You are so strong and such a good mom.

Dragonfly, your sister's hair looks so pretty! It sounds like a wonderful ceremony. My husband and I eloped to Vegas, so I never had a wedding, really. A small wedding with those I love most sounds wonderful.

As for my silly heart, it's doing well. I have seen a cardiologist and had ultrasounds of my heart (which is really cool) and everything looks structurally normal. yay! Apparently I have a tweeky node that just goes bonkers sometimes. I've only had one episode since then, so that's good. I may opt for the surgery to zap the node if it gets too bad, but it's manageable.

Luca turned 2 yesterday. Can you believe it?? Time is truly whizzing by. I dare not blink or I'll lose a year. Max is doing well. He's such a smart little guy! He hates being dirty, doesn't much care for food, and loves anything having to do with his samsung tablet or video games. He's very small for his age and still wears 24 months clothes, lol. he might grow if he starts eating!

We took a trip to San Diego to go house hunting. It looks like we're moving in the next few months! We found a great school district north of the city. We have to sell our house first and then we're going. Exciting!! Here's a couple pics from our trip. Max split his cheek open on my uncle's fireplace during our trip...

 

[Kellen]

Wow. It has been ages since I have been on here.

Helena - I am so sorry to hear about your mom. I'm glad that Kiara is such a sweet girl to help cheer you up.

Wamommy - Glad that your heart isn't too outta whack.

So... It has been a while. I have been in my new job since January. It is fantastic and my co-workers and boss are wonderful. I truly enjoy what I am doing, even though Teagen is less than thrilled with having me work away from home. I do telework one day away and starting this month I'll be doing half days on Monday's so I can go with Teagen to dance class.

DH is still away on the boat. He thinks that he'll need to do one more year so that he has experience and then he'll have the licenses' he needs to begin applying for positions here on the West Coast. He was home a week and a half ago for his birthday and father's day.

At this time he is trying to convince me that we need another child. I'm not 100% convinced yet. But... I am currently in the TWW. I still have the IUD, but I'm having very abnormal symptoms. My breasts are super sore and I woke up dreaming someone was trying to cut off my nipples. And I'm tired. More tired that normal. As in I feel asleep at my desk during the past two days. I guess we'll see...

Sierra - I'm sure you've had your second baby by now.

Dragon - I hope you the twins, and your little boy are doing well.