The other day I went to a baby shower which was held in the nursery at the church. When I got there, there were scores of people from India dressed to the nines in beautiful traditional clothing. The women were in colorful saris and the men were wearing impressive shirts. They were having a celebration of some sort in the cultural hall (aka the gym). There was exotic Indian music playing, and I'd say between one and two hundred people in attendance. It was quite obviously a private affair for which they had gotten permission to hold at the church.
Meanwhile we gals were having a great time in the nursery at the shower. Most of us had our kids there, and NiNa and Ls were laughing and playing. We had to keep the door shut so the kids wouldn't escape, though, and this proved to be difficult.
As I was chatting with someone, while holding a tippy pile of food on a wobbly plate, the door opened and Ls seized the opportunity and shot down the hall. It took me a second to set the plate down, and when I raced out the door I couldn't see her anywhere. I went down the hall and looked in the coat room: no Ls. The chapel: No Ls. The foyer? Nope.
Then a terrible thought crept into my mind... maybe she was running around in the gym.
They had a side door open, and I nonchalantly walked over and peered in. I scanned the room. No Ls. And what would I do if she was in there anyway? I couldn't run in and get her. They were right in the middle of live music, with a man up on the stage singing and NO! Ls STANDING RIGHT UP ON STAGE BESIDE HIM! The horror! I was mortified. There she was, all two and a half feet of her, staring up at the vocalist. I could have died. I'm sure I was quite a sight as my hand shot to my open mouth.
I raced around to the back of the stage just as they were announcing so-and-so who had just sang with 'an international guest member'. The singer himself brought Ls down to me, and luckily he was smiling.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Sunday, February 1, 2009
good thing we have band-aids
Our health insurance ended yesterday.
I realized this when NiNa nearly broke her nose this morning. And in the same morning not an hour before the nose incident, I had a freak accident with the shower's sliding glass door and nearly sliced my finger to the bone.
After these revolting developments, we say NO MORE ACCIDENTS! We'll just have to wait until we have insurance again.
I realized this when NiNa nearly broke her nose this morning. And in the same morning not an hour before the nose incident, I had a freak accident with the shower's sliding glass door and nearly sliced my finger to the bone.
After these revolting developments, we say NO MORE ACCIDENTS! We'll just have to wait until we have insurance again.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Back from hiatus
Writing blog entries just hasn’t been the same since Mr. AH was hit by a car. ;-)I had actually forgotten that that was the last entry I wrote, until someone pointed out how un-nice it is to leave everyone for so long on such a note. (I’ve just been WAY busy. Plus, we have slow, slow dial up. I know, lame. But hey, we’re all about saving denero).
So lots has happened worthy of note. Such as this:
We woke up one morning to find that the U’s ‘luxury’ golf cart had been stolen and parked right by our place. Our team had just played a certain team to the South (Ha ha, they got creamed) and we figure it was some kind of drab prank. The funny part was, 2 city police cars showed up along with a University one. The officers would get out of their cars, prod and poke at it, and then get back in their cars for a few minutes. Then they’d get back out, poke around, and get back in. Justice in motion! They couldn’t figure out how to get the thing started, so finally they gave up and called a tow truck. We’re still #1!
New Year’s was fun. We decided, as we have every year since having children, that there is no way we are going to stay up until the witching hour. So, we celebrated with Barbados, at 9:00. (WAY past the kid-o’s bedtime). For dinner Mr. AH had leftover fish tacos, NiNa had little Polskas, I had Yakisoba and mochi (YUM!!) and Ls had some of everyone’s. Fun had by all.
Our New Year’s tradition is one of my favorites. We always predict what the new year will bring, then we write down those predictions in a journal. We never let each other see what we’ve written. It is so fun to see what we had predicted from the year before and laugh at how wrong (or right) we were. Then we jot down what really happened.
Maybe my economics degree is paying off. Last year one of the things I wrote was:
“I think the economy will continue to struggle because of the sub-prime crisis. Some banks will fold and be taken over due to financial cover-ups. Gas will continue to go up as will inflation.”
The year before I correctly predicted Ls’s due date. Let’s not mention how many wrong predictions I made (plenty).
Anyway, we’re all alive and well. Even Mr. AH.
So lots has happened worthy of note. Such as this:
We woke up one morning to find that the U’s ‘luxury’ golf cart had been stolen and parked right by our place. Our team had just played a certain team to the South (Ha ha, they got creamed) and we figure it was some kind of drab prank. The funny part was, 2 city police cars showed up along with a University one. The officers would get out of their cars, prod and poke at it, and then get back in their cars for a few minutes. Then they’d get back out, poke around, and get back in. Justice in motion! They couldn’t figure out how to get the thing started, so finally they gave up and called a tow truck. We’re still #1!
New Year’s was fun. We decided, as we have every year since having children, that there is no way we are going to stay up until the witching hour. So, we celebrated with Barbados, at 9:00. (WAY past the kid-o’s bedtime). For dinner Mr. AH had leftover fish tacos, NiNa had little Polskas, I had Yakisoba and mochi (YUM!!) and Ls had some of everyone’s. Fun had by all.
Our New Year’s tradition is one of my favorites. We always predict what the new year will bring, then we write down those predictions in a journal. We never let each other see what we’ve written. It is so fun to see what we had predicted from the year before and laugh at how wrong (or right) we were. Then we jot down what really happened.
Maybe my economics degree is paying off. Last year one of the things I wrote was:
“I think the economy will continue to struggle because of the sub-prime crisis. Some banks will fold and be taken over due to financial cover-ups. Gas will continue to go up as will inflation.”
The year before I correctly predicted Ls’s due date. Let’s not mention how many wrong predictions I made (plenty).
Anyway, we’re all alive and well. Even Mr. AH.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
A bit Run Down
Matt rides his bike nowadays, being a much cheaper form of transportation, and in his case it’s also very convenient. I like to meet him at the front door with a kiss when he gets home.
Today when I opened up the door the first thing Matt said to me was not the usual, “Well hello there!” It was, “I got hit by a car.”
What?
He walked in with a dazed looked, very much still in shock. He was still walking, yes this was good, and I didn’t notice any chunks taken out of him, but hit by a car?!!!
He had been coming down a steep hill, and ahead of him was a car in his bike lane. He slowed down, and the car moved left back into his lane. Matt proceeded forward, and the car, without signaling, turned left right into him. It knocked him down to the pavement, and from what I understand he landed on his backpack and hit his head, then rolled. Thank heavens he was wearing a helmet. (Yet another testimonial of why they should be worn by everyone).
I asked if he had gotten information from the driver.
No.
Had he called police?
No.
Could he describe the car?
Yes, but not the license plate.
I looked him over. He was holding his hand kind of funny, and it had abnormal bumps on it and he was bleeding in several spots. He knee was bloodied, his side looked like it had some swelling, his hip hurt and he was limping and he looked very much confused and still in total shock.
Early that morning as he was walking out the door I thought, “We should say a quick prayer together” as we very often do. Then I thought, “Nah, I don’t want to wake up the kids.” We do live in a very small apartment. I said a prayer after he left, and asked the Lord to bring him home safely to us. We are very blessed that He did. From now on, though, I am going to pray that he travels “without harm nor accident.”
After icing him up and assessing the situation (i.e. him talking me into not taking him right to the ER) I called his doctor and got him fit in for later in the afternoon. Then I called the police.
Unfortunately, because Matt told the driver he was okay (the adrenaline had kicked in, by the time he got home he obviously wasn’t as okay) there was nothing the police could have done. If he hadn’t said that, they would have searched down the driver and charged him with a hit and run. Apparently saying he was fine turned the accident into a “civil matter.”
I looked over my poor sweetie and started patching him up with bandages and kisses. Poor Matt.
His backpack got totally shredded. His helmet has a big gash in it. His palm pilot (in the bag) has a great big ding but still works. Fortunately, the backpack took the brunt of it. The officer said he was lucky he had it on and had rolled.
Later at the doctor he was told that he is a very lucky man. No apparent permanent damage- except to my peace of mind. Maybe biking season should be over; our SUV is nice and safe.
Today when I opened up the door the first thing Matt said to me was not the usual, “Well hello there!” It was, “I got hit by a car.”
What?
He walked in with a dazed looked, very much still in shock. He was still walking, yes this was good, and I didn’t notice any chunks taken out of him, but hit by a car?!!!
He had been coming down a steep hill, and ahead of him was a car in his bike lane. He slowed down, and the car moved left back into his lane. Matt proceeded forward, and the car, without signaling, turned left right into him. It knocked him down to the pavement, and from what I understand he landed on his backpack and hit his head, then rolled. Thank heavens he was wearing a helmet. (Yet another testimonial of why they should be worn by everyone).
I asked if he had gotten information from the driver.
No.
Had he called police?
No.
Could he describe the car?
Yes, but not the license plate.
I looked him over. He was holding his hand kind of funny, and it had abnormal bumps on it and he was bleeding in several spots. He knee was bloodied, his side looked like it had some swelling, his hip hurt and he was limping and he looked very much confused and still in total shock.
Early that morning as he was walking out the door I thought, “We should say a quick prayer together” as we very often do. Then I thought, “Nah, I don’t want to wake up the kids.” We do live in a very small apartment. I said a prayer after he left, and asked the Lord to bring him home safely to us. We are very blessed that He did. From now on, though, I am going to pray that he travels “without harm nor accident.”
After icing him up and assessing the situation (i.e. him talking me into not taking him right to the ER) I called his doctor and got him fit in for later in the afternoon. Then I called the police.
Unfortunately, because Matt told the driver he was okay (the adrenaline had kicked in, by the time he got home he obviously wasn’t as okay) there was nothing the police could have done. If he hadn’t said that, they would have searched down the driver and charged him with a hit and run. Apparently saying he was fine turned the accident into a “civil matter.”
I looked over my poor sweetie and started patching him up with bandages and kisses. Poor Matt.
His backpack got totally shredded. His helmet has a big gash in it. His palm pilot (in the bag) has a great big ding but still works. Fortunately, the backpack took the brunt of it. The officer said he was lucky he had it on and had rolled.
Later at the doctor he was told that he is a very lucky man. No apparent permanent damage- except to my peace of mind. Maybe biking season should be over; our SUV is nice and safe.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Pen Disaster Update
For all of you concerned parents out there, poison control assured me that Amelia would be fine and that her life would not be ruined by this little incident. ;-)
And, ever more spectacularly, the pen came out of the towels! (They were new cream colored towels. It had to be the new towels and not our 10 year old ones, didn't it?) Hallelujah for borax and washing soda.
I have to admit as well, as soon as I saw Amelia I nearly burst out laughing. (Not at her, because of her). Sometimes it is SO hard not to laugh when kids do something like this. I didn't want to encourage her, after all. We do have lots of sparkle pens in the house!
And, ever more spectacularly, the pen came out of the towels! (They were new cream colored towels. It had to be the new towels and not our 10 year old ones, didn't it?) Hallelujah for borax and washing soda.
I have to admit as well, as soon as I saw Amelia I nearly burst out laughing. (Not at her, because of her). Sometimes it is SO hard not to laugh when kids do something like this. I didn't want to encourage her, after all. We do have lots of sparkle pens in the house!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
The Great Pen Disaster of '08
It's really a shame that I don't have a picture of this.
I was in the bathroom washing my hands, when Amelia quietly raced in and made a bee-line for the towels. I turned to see what the matter was.
She had maroon sparkle gel pen on about every available surface in her mouth. All over her teeth, all over her tongue, under her tongue, above her tongue, her tonsils... every single minute spot in her mouth was covered. (Not to mention her hands).
I grabbed a washclothe and started scrubbing.
Thankfully it came off easily, and after a thorough cleansing and tooth brushing, I gave her a big drink and sent her off to bed.
Later that night when Matt got home from work the hilarity of it all finally hit me. She got the whole dang ink reserve in her mouth. I don't think she'll make that mistake twice.
Coincidentally, the pens were made in China and there was no label about them being non-toxic. YIKES. They're a reliable (?) brand, pen-tech, but maybe we'll get her tested for lead for good measure.
Kids.
I was in the bathroom washing my hands, when Amelia quietly raced in and made a bee-line for the towels. I turned to see what the matter was.
She had maroon sparkle gel pen on about every available surface in her mouth. All over her teeth, all over her tongue, under her tongue, above her tongue, her tonsils... every single minute spot in her mouth was covered. (Not to mention her hands).
I grabbed a washclothe and started scrubbing.
Thankfully it came off easily, and after a thorough cleansing and tooth brushing, I gave her a big drink and sent her off to bed.
Later that night when Matt got home from work the hilarity of it all finally hit me. She got the whole dang ink reserve in her mouth. I don't think she'll make that mistake twice.
Coincidentally, the pens were made in China and there was no label about them being non-toxic. YIKES. They're a reliable (?) brand, pen-tech, but maybe we'll get her tested for lead for good measure.
Kids.
Monday, November 3, 2008
It's almost over! Finally!!!
I went for a walk around the block a few days ago and found myself reading campaign signs: "Obama”
“Change”
“Obama”
“Obama”
I counted 12 Obama signs and 1 Obama bumper sticker as I walked around one block.
Then the next day I was driving home from the doctor’s office, not very far away, and counted (while still paying careful attention to the rules of the road) 21 Obama signs and 1 bumper sticker.
I did not, on either excursion, notice any McCain signs.
Then tonight I was trying to listen to the headlines on news and I couldn’t help laughing as I saw “Obama” signs being waved enthusiastically in the background. (The news station’s backdrop is a glass wall where passersby often wave.)
I should mention that I heard on the local NPR station that Obama signs have sold 3 to 1 here in this state. The signs are given for a ‘donation’ of $10 whereas McCain signs are $3.
At first thought, this may not seems so unusual. I think that many Americans are waiting for change, hopefully for the better, and have decided that our present Republican leaders have had much to do with our current state of affairs in the world, not to mention local economic conditions.
What struck me as funny about all of this is that this is a very RED state. I dare say this state is probably thought of as one of the most Republican states in the nation. However, the county I live in, which county holds the state capital, is very decidedly Democratic. I think most non-locals don’t realize this.
I have thought that perhaps, for some number of people, supporting Obama is kind of the trendy thing to do. He seems to have more of a presence, and hasn’t distanced himself through bitter politics like McCain has.
In the end there are certain moral beliefs which I hold that far outweigh many of my other political concerns and definitely influence my voting heavily, so for me deciding who to vote for is usually not difficult. Not until this year. I was still up the air until a week or two ago.
So, I’m going to get a good night’s rest so that tomorrow morning I can stand in line, with my 2 small children, for as long as I have to until I get my vote in.
“Change”
“Obama”
“Obama”
I counted 12 Obama signs and 1 Obama bumper sticker as I walked around one block.
Then the next day I was driving home from the doctor’s office, not very far away, and counted (while still paying careful attention to the rules of the road) 21 Obama signs and 1 bumper sticker.
I did not, on either excursion, notice any McCain signs.
Then tonight I was trying to listen to the headlines on news and I couldn’t help laughing as I saw “Obama” signs being waved enthusiastically in the background. (The news station’s backdrop is a glass wall where passersby often wave.)
I should mention that I heard on the local NPR station that Obama signs have sold 3 to 1 here in this state. The signs are given for a ‘donation’ of $10 whereas McCain signs are $3.
At first thought, this may not seems so unusual. I think that many Americans are waiting for change, hopefully for the better, and have decided that our present Republican leaders have had much to do with our current state of affairs in the world, not to mention local economic conditions.
What struck me as funny about all of this is that this is a very RED state. I dare say this state is probably thought of as one of the most Republican states in the nation. However, the county I live in, which county holds the state capital, is very decidedly Democratic. I think most non-locals don’t realize this.
I have thought that perhaps, for some number of people, supporting Obama is kind of the trendy thing to do. He seems to have more of a presence, and hasn’t distanced himself through bitter politics like McCain has.
In the end there are certain moral beliefs which I hold that far outweigh many of my other political concerns and definitely influence my voting heavily, so for me deciding who to vote for is usually not difficult. Not until this year. I was still up the air until a week or two ago.
So, I’m going to get a good night’s rest so that tomorrow morning I can stand in line, with my 2 small children, for as long as I have to until I get my vote in.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Every Little Thing
Today I was in the car listening to the ‘golden oldies’ station, and found myself singing along to a song by The Police.
I stopped.
The Police? On the GOLDEN OLDIES station?
That station used to be my guide in gauging when someone could be considered a ‘golden oldie’. If a popular song from your young life showed up on that particular station (which station was self proclaimed as ‘oldies’) then dat dat daa! That had to make you a classic as well.
Not long ago I was teasing Mom that I had heard The Who and Pink Floyd on the station. And now. Sigh.
I didn’t think this day would come for another 20 years.
Obviously I need a new litmus test. The ‘golden oldies’ station is clearly stream-lining.
I stopped.
The Police? On the GOLDEN OLDIES station?
That station used to be my guide in gauging when someone could be considered a ‘golden oldie’. If a popular song from your young life showed up on that particular station (which station was self proclaimed as ‘oldies’) then dat dat daa! That had to make you a classic as well.
Not long ago I was teasing Mom that I had heard The Who and Pink Floyd on the station. And now. Sigh.
I didn’t think this day would come for another 20 years.
Obviously I need a new litmus test. The ‘golden oldies’ station is clearly stream-lining.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Epinephrine, anaphylactic shock, and other unpleasantries
Every once in a while when I was a kid, my mother would get an 'instant headache'. This usually happened when things were stressful and we were being noisy. Mom would afterward need some quiet because instant headaches were never pleasant.
Yesterday Amelia's allergist's nurse called and told us that we could start giving Amelia cooked milk (meaning dairy products cooked into something) and cheese. Cheese? I was surprised and somewhat apprehensive. For those of you who don't know, Amelia has multiple severe food allergies, and although she is still technically allergic to milk, she has clinically outgrown this allergy and is slowly working her way into trying different levels of dairy products which began with baked milk (i.e. in egg-less cakes).
Today while at the store, I picked up some string cheese, as this had been recommended. Matt was with us, and because we were running behind, upon returning home he ended up taking the car to work. (Our only car, we sold the other). After he left I got out the string cheese, said a prayer, and gave Amelia a little bite.
She loved it. And then her throat started to itch. I immediately gave her a dose of benedryl, and called her doctor but couldn't get through. Ellie started shrieking, and then I saw Amelia itching her throat. I got an instant headache.
I went in and got her medicine bag with her epi-pens. (Actually, they're twinjects. I like them better because there are 2 doses in each pen and it doesn't take as much force to inject them). Amelia noticed and starting running through the house, anywhere she could, to get away. I went and got an alcohol wipe and some bandages.
I watched her a little more, she told me her stomach hurt and I noticed she was wheezing with a slight cough. I wasn't sure if this was because of her running around trying to escape, or because she was in anaphylactic shock. I decided not to take any chances, a mistake could be deadly.
I caught her, gave her a toy, pinned her down, and while talking calmly to her gave her the shot. Epinephrine shots are no joke. You have to pinch little kids' skin so the needle doesn't hit the bone, jab the shot into the thigh, and then hold it in for 10 seconds. Try doing this to a poor, terrified little precious 4 year old daughter. I was worried she'd kick and the needle would come out too soon, or worse, rip, but it didn't. I was surprisingly calm and giving the actual shot wasn't so bad.
I called Matt, told him this was an emergency, and to come home immediately to take Amelia to the hospital. She didn't have any major symptoms, so I didn't call 911. I then called her doctor and got through, and she had Matt sit outside the emergency room with Amelia for a few hours.
Things are fine now, but I'll still go in and check on my sleeping angel. What a traumatic evening. No matter how difficult and hectic life becomes, some things can make your head spin and still stop everything else in a flash.
And when there's a moment of peace, I kneel down and thank my Heavenly Father for my precious blessings.
Yesterday Amelia's allergist's nurse called and told us that we could start giving Amelia cooked milk (meaning dairy products cooked into something) and cheese. Cheese? I was surprised and somewhat apprehensive. For those of you who don't know, Amelia has multiple severe food allergies, and although she is still technically allergic to milk, she has clinically outgrown this allergy and is slowly working her way into trying different levels of dairy products which began with baked milk (i.e. in egg-less cakes).
Today while at the store, I picked up some string cheese, as this had been recommended. Matt was with us, and because we were running behind, upon returning home he ended up taking the car to work. (Our only car, we sold the other). After he left I got out the string cheese, said a prayer, and gave Amelia a little bite.
She loved it. And then her throat started to itch. I immediately gave her a dose of benedryl, and called her doctor but couldn't get through. Ellie started shrieking, and then I saw Amelia itching her throat. I got an instant headache.
I went in and got her medicine bag with her epi-pens. (Actually, they're twinjects. I like them better because there are 2 doses in each pen and it doesn't take as much force to inject them). Amelia noticed and starting running through the house, anywhere she could, to get away. I went and got an alcohol wipe and some bandages.
I watched her a little more, she told me her stomach hurt and I noticed she was wheezing with a slight cough. I wasn't sure if this was because of her running around trying to escape, or because she was in anaphylactic shock. I decided not to take any chances, a mistake could be deadly.
I caught her, gave her a toy, pinned her down, and while talking calmly to her gave her the shot. Epinephrine shots are no joke. You have to pinch little kids' skin so the needle doesn't hit the bone, jab the shot into the thigh, and then hold it in for 10 seconds. Try doing this to a poor, terrified little precious 4 year old daughter. I was worried she'd kick and the needle would come out too soon, or worse, rip, but it didn't. I was surprisingly calm and giving the actual shot wasn't so bad.
I called Matt, told him this was an emergency, and to come home immediately to take Amelia to the hospital. She didn't have any major symptoms, so I didn't call 911. I then called her doctor and got through, and she had Matt sit outside the emergency room with Amelia for a few hours.
Things are fine now, but I'll still go in and check on my sleeping angel. What a traumatic evening. No matter how difficult and hectic life becomes, some things can make your head spin and still stop everything else in a flash.
And when there's a moment of peace, I kneel down and thank my Heavenly Father for my precious blessings.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
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