Asa Health Update (or How to Fatten up Your Kid)

So, i don't think i wrote anything about our visit with the Endocrinologist. We took Asa to see an Endocrinologist in a huge building in the city (part of the university i think).  Anyhow, he's too small... He's not on the chart. And yes, i am small, and yes he will be a small adult... but i guess he's still TOO small...

After a very long and stressful conversation with the endocrinologist (stressful because Ben can be... um...very... um...forceful when speaking with healthcare professionals) she ordered a chloride sweat test to be done to check for cystic fibrosis.  We're going back to the huge and insane building in downtown baltimore tomorrow for that test.  She also ordered some blood work to be done but not until July for some reason. In the mean time, we're supposed to be feeding him pediasure.  

Now, you all know me and my insane ideas about nutrition and what not. And my insane need to make my life more complicated than it already is... and my desire to do the complete opposite from what i am told... 

That said, i'm attempting to fatten up my boy (and girl too because we simply must be fair) with my own high calorie smoothie thingies.

Every morning (which now start at 6am) i get up and make said shakes.  Recipe:

1 cup Amazake (200 calories per 8oz)
1 cup high calorie plain greek yogurt (this one is 290 calories per 8oz)

1 tblspn agave nectar

enough frozen organic fruit of your choosing to fill the rest of the magic bullet container

If i call it a "milk shake" and tell them that it's bad for them they'll drink it. ;)

Fairie Festival

It's sneaking up on us... i'm not ready...
anyone coming? April 29-May1.
go to www.spoutwood.org/fairie-festival for more info...

weeping on the way to work...

something got four of our six chickens... we have two survivors...

Spring evenings

Sometimes I actually dread the evenings. The hustle and hassle of getting the kids to eat (nothing short of sitting on them and shoveling it in seems to work), cleaning up the related mess, bathing the kids (repeatedly dunking them in water until my ears are bleeding from the whining and crying), cleaning up the related mess, and putting them to sleep (also requires sitting on them)... But of late I've somehow, through nagging; cajoling; finagling; and favor promising gotten Ben into playing nightly games of chess.

Now, it's important to note here that I am distinctly NOT good at chess. I just happen to like it. I'm not exactly sure why I like it though. While playing, I can often be found tearing my hair our, breathing heavily through flared nostrils, and/or being extremely twitchy.

But I love it. And I get to play it. And it's awesome. Then we watch a couple episodes of The Mighty Boosh drink a beer or some wine and fall asleep peacefully.

Sent from my iPhone

Apathetic Week.

That's right folks! This week is Apathy Awareness week! Are you aware of your own apathy? i sure am.

Well at least when it comes to work anyhow. It's not that i'm not working, because i definitely am working. I am working my tail off... it's just that i don't seem to care any more. Which, when you work for a nonprofit that specializes in a historically under funded field, caring is about all you have going for you. Caring for the people you're helping, caring about the programs and projects and your co-workers... it is, after all, a cause.

But quite frankly, i don't care right now. I'm sure i'll care again some day... maybe tomorrow.  But for today, i keep casting longing glances over my shoulder and out the window into the hot and bright spring day on the other side... taunting me... sneering and jeering at my inability to enjoy it. stupid day...

I think we should have "sun days" like "snow days" - we should be able to cut out of work early on days as beautiful as today. what is wrong with our society??

Narcissistic me

Anyone else ever use a company called photoworks?  I used to use it a long time ago, ya know back when film cameras existed... anyhow, they're closing and all the digital photos they had stored for me needed to be transfered, and i forgot about most of these photos... anyhow... i found a bunch, and because i'm always a little uncomfortable sharing pics of other people without their permission (minus ben and the babies), here's a bunch of pictures of me... from january 2003... 

This is pretty awesome... (yes, another cop out cause i'm busy and i'm cold)

As Seen on Facebook

ok, so i totally realize that this is cheating. BUT, since some of you maybe, possibly, don't keep up with facebook and all it's horrors here's a bunch of photos i probably posted on facebook once upon a time. 

I also realized that i didn't mention on here (at least i don't think i did??) that we cut Esther's hair short. It was driving her crazy for a while and said she wanted it very short so we complied. And she's super adores-able.

Anyhow, here's a bunch of photos to keep you in the loop more or less until i can get my act together enough to write a decent post and keep up with the blog.

apology...

i just wanted to apologize for being so MIA these days. As we all know (because i've stated it innumerable times) March = not good... so i've been plugging along working a lot... and waiting as patiently as i possibly can (which isn't much) for spring.

spring is peeking up all over these last couple weeks though. And though i'm as bipolar as the weather, things are beginning to be a bit more promising. The kids are now going to bed at 8 rather than 7 since daylight savings (i refuse to acclimate them to the new time so shoot me) which opens up a wealth of social possibilities. Namely, we're starting up our weekly dinners with j&i again (sooooooo happy about this!). In light of my increasing lack of creativity, and busy schedules, and because they're driving to us every week so we can put the kiddos down to sleep and still hang with them after - we're implementing Fiesta Fridays!! (consisting of mexican cuisine - or as close to it as i can come-, and tequila... or not...)

Let's see... anything else new? not really... trying to prepare stock for our booth at fairie festival but also not really getting anything done, anxious for ben and my baby free get away april 17-18 (we're spending the night at a b&b in federal hill), and other than that working working working.

OH and my new 5 year plan has us moving to Africa in 3 years for a year or so...

Happy Heart

So, Asa's heart murmur is what they call innocent or functional. His heart is strong. He does not need to have antibiotic treatments or avoid activities. He will not need blood thinners or anything like that. He is a healthy wee man.

We have an appointment with a pediatric endocrinologist april 4th because he's so very small. We'll let you know how that goes.  Our pediatrician did call us with the blood test results and x-ray results and so far everything looks fine. No thyroid problems or anything like that. His skeletal age is 15 months. And though i read all about it on wikipedia i'm not sure i fully understand skeletal age vs. true age. It sounds like having a younger skeletal age means he will grow for longer so could potentially catch up to his peers by adulthood, but i'm not entirely sure.

Anyhow, we're breathing easier knowing he has a good heart.

however, i hate march. and we all have colds. COME ON APRIL!!!!

Cardboard and duct tape...

Poor kid

So...

Asa has a heart murmur. likely it's nothing. gunna take him to see a pediatric cardiologist and also a pediatric endocrinologist (hopefully) next week.

Bragging on Ben

Have i mentioned lately how i married a really incredible, totally maudlin (though he wouldn't admit it even in the face of chinese torture -- ask me how i know!), sexy, sweet, and doting person??

Well, if i haven't. Guess what kind of person i married! an incredible, maudlin, sexy, sweet, and doting person!

For Valentine's day he surprised me by coordinating with my folks to watch the kids over night and reservations at a b&b just up the road a-piece (did i just say "a-piece"?, i did, i live in the woods... gimme a break).

We, unlike my parents, had a wonderful time! went out for sushi... and... well... you get it. A room all to ourselves... with a bed... and NO ONE ELSE around (we were the only guests in the house!)...

so, yeah. i'm a lucky girl...

Boston, Kit, a lot of wine, and memories...

So, my Boston trip... i can hear your anticipation, just waiting to see when, if, what i'm going to write about it...

It was... it was a hiccup in time. A worm hole from the now to not quite then... but somewhere in between perhaps.

It has not been an easy decade for Kit or her family. I think i actually heard that little *snick* sound when as my heart broke over and over for her as she relayed the last ten years to me over seven, yes SEVEN bottles of wine... or was it eight?

I do not want to go into the specifics of any of it because this is after all the internet, and it is after all her life... but i do want to say that i am appalled, heart broken, so extremely sorry, and very, very angry about some of the stuff she's been through. I think i need to leave it at that for now...

On a more positive note. Kit is well. She is gorgeous and wonderful and full of stories of travel and excellent food. My god, that woman has good taste in cheese! oh and men too as it turns out. Charles (her wonderful big bear of a beau), Kit, Rocky (their sweet dog), and Becky (Kit's fabulous and oh-so-sweet mama - she came down for Saturday night, yay!!) spent the whole weekend catching up, drinking wine, eating cheese, looking at the splendid view, looking at pictures, talking about the old days (but not necessarily *good* old days), snuggling, laughing, and yours truly even teared-up a bit a couple of times...

I am hoping that it will be far less time between this visit with her and the next. It's been a difficult week. I haven't been feeling 100% plus all of the fun, but albeit interruptions in our daily routine is throwing everything off. And i have to miss a wonderful party this weekend to WORK. yes work. on a Sunday... until 7pm... :(

Her house on an ice cube, that looks like an ice cube but has a resplendent view!

Just before i left for the airport to go home...

On our walk around the island... -- what? you say? Boston is NOT an island. Yes, but Nahant is.  

He's sewing a button onto his own pants. I love a man who can sew!

a terribly flattering and lovely picture of Kit

letter to her kid

I love this letter to her kid. also she's awesome. read her blog (all you parenting types).

Also, woke up to a Valentine's Day miracle. awoke to the thumping of Esther coming down the stairs. I go to her in the dark and pick her up while she whimpers a bit and then says "night time is no fun". I sympathize and carry her upstairs. lay her in her bed, go over to check on Asa who is still sound asleep in his bed. I lay down on the sofa beside Esther's bed and then catch sight of the thin border of light around the curtain because the SUN IS COMING UP. BECAUSE IT IS ACTUALLY MORNING. The dim light gets brighter and bolder as i lay there listening to Esther roll over and over... and then sneeze...and then Asa's touseled head pops up like a jack in the box... (what am i getting at you're wondering?) we, yes, all four of us, slept in our own beds ALL NIGHT LONG!!! granted i think Esther woke me up around 6, but that's Morning! REAL morning. not like fake morning at 4:30 or 5.

so happy valentine's folks. also, the world is not a completely frigid hell today. so that's nice too.

What February reduces us to...

February and March are crazy times for me. Case in point --

 "are those underpants?" i hear you asking, why yes. they are. well actually Esther's mask is swimsuit bottoms, Asa's is underpants.

 did i just come back from trapeze? maybe...

or perhaps i just dress like this all the time. What? i didn't tell you i was a deranged and MIA christmas elf?

The Pen Story

struggling...

Maybe it's just today, or all the horrible stuff that keeps happening (read: people are dying...) but i'm not doing so hot these days (or maybe it's just today and the fatalist in me is kicking in).

sad, sad, sad,sadsadsadsad....

feb and mar are not my best months over all... i dream of one day having the money and time to run away for a few weeks during this time to somewhere sunny and warm and good smelling...

Ceci & Miah

i love these people!

March Distraction?

Just one more distraction during the month of March and i think i'll be able to make it through the winter homicide-free!  Any ideas?

Thank you!

You guys are awesome. I got so many comments after asking for them. i feel very loved.
I particularly want to say "Thank You" to Kit and her mama, Becky. I love you guys very much!


Also, it's cold as Fire Truck here!!!! ok so fire trucks aren't cold, but i'm trying to keep this site pg rated...

no new pictures... because i'm lazy... and i'm cold... and my house is a mess... and my work is a mess... and... well... i'm tired. Can we just hibernate the winter away? I think the idea of Alaskan wilderness excites me so because essentially they do hole up for 3 or 4 months and DON'T DO ANYTHING but hide out in bed (all time favorite fantasy - i actually think kit and i spent whole weeks not getting out from under covers! - i mean that in a totally pg rated way), play checkers, open the perma-frost freezer for some frozen caribou hunks (which they make into amazing stew!) and wait for the thaw.

anybody, please...

For the love of god, will someone PLEASE comment on the post below with the pics of fat-me in winter of 1999-2000???

Good Morning World!!

Today is a nice day off... sort of. Home with the kids which is always exhausting. But the upside, i don't have to make christmas presents, food for parties, clean up from food for parties, make samples for Fairie Festival vendor judging thingie -- Oh speaking of, you may have noticed some changes to the blog. The judges wanted an online venue for looking at the samples of things i'd like to sell at this year's festival so i added a page to the blog for them to go to.  You can go there too, tell me what you think... just ideas... samples.

Anyhow, it's been an interesting and for the most part, good week. Happy to mellow out after the holiday chaos, get back on track.

And only 3 weeks until my escape to Boston! yippie!!! (Hi Kit, i can't wait!!!)
Also, can someone call up Ben and take him on some fun boy adventure to Gray Beard's, or on a drinking binge, or to the block??  that boy needs to blow off some steam, especially before i ditch him for a whole weekend with the wee 'uns.

Happy Birthday Ceci!!

My sweet and incredible sister-in-law's birthday is today. I just want to wish her the best year ever.

To celebrate her birthday she had a roller skating party at Sportsmans Hall in Reisterstown.  I haven't been on roller skates since i was like 12. And to say the least i was very sure i was going to fall and bust something.

However, i did not. I also did not get any pictures. But i'm going to say here despite not having photographic evidence my outfit was AMAZING! i want to thank my mom for the bootie sweater.

I also want to thank een for hitting on the 15 year old boy for me because me doing it just wasn't creepy enough.

Anyhow, to sum up: roller skating = fantastic fun (look out roller derby, my dreams are not dashed after all), ceci = awesomest sister-in-law ever (good work Miah!), and if you're in need of a hand knit bootie sweater contact my mother.

Look Out Boston!!!!

Look out Boston, i'm a slightly grumpy, over-worked, stressed out, under appreciated house wife (not really - i'm very appreciated and i work part time outside the home), in desperate need of a  good time.

Shortly after one of my recent (and far too frequent) meltdowns (read post-holiday, stress-induced hissy fit) i received an e-mail from my very dear friend Kit.

stolen from facebook

Let me tell you a little about Kit. I met Kit (and her amazing family) during the roughest and longest winter of my life and would not have survived without her. Kit is (if not actually, then darn close to it) a 6ft tall, blond bombshell. She is the most self-assured and adventurous person i know. She is wise and fun and so full of life just thinking about her makes me ashamed of my more feeling-sorry-for-myself moments (which are also far too frequent). Anyhow, during said long winter, i found myself in a less than favorable situation and Kit took me in. We spent many a night giggling, planning adventures we would have, drinking, picking up unsuspecting men in bars, shooting pool in her basement, and wandering the desolate streets of a small new england town.

Guys and Dolls 1999 - yes, that's me in all black looking tubby and about 13 years old, it is almost directly behind me in the back row.

Peter Pan 1999/2000 - that's me in the grey shirt, jeans, and "do-rag", and that's kit in the back row on the left next to the old guy with white hair.

i'm 19 in these pictures...

Anyhow, due to various reasons we haven't seen each other in almost 10 years.

So this e-mail said "Come visit me! Jet blue is having a deal. i'll pay half" (i'm paraphrasing).   And since i was in a major slump and it was the quickest wait (probably) to get me out of it Ben said "GO!!!" so i booked it.

So Feb 11-13 i will be in Boston hopefully doing all of the same things we did 11 years ago (probably not the picking up unsuspecting men part).  If you think you'll be in Boston those days too, let me know!

New Year's Eve and Day post

Eve:
I have heard (Hi Rachie!!) that this year's new year's eve party was the best ever. For the most part it was pretty laid back. The food was abundant and oh-so delicious (the pulled pork sandwiches were my own special recipe), the fire was warm and roaring, plenty of booze and fireworks, the hot tub steaming glory, and midnight found us full, warm, happy, and ready for the new year.


I could be found wandering the yard in my carhart coveralls sipping scotch from my honey jar and laughing my ridiculously loud and possibly grating laugh... Thank you all for making it a fun and relaxing way to spend the new year.


New year's day was also laid back and though slightly hung over, not nearly as bad as previous years. New year's day morning i ran to m&c's to wake up the sleeping crew and drag them to brunch in the hollow only to learn they were out until 5am trying to blow stuff up with the butt-load of left over fireworks.  That night the festivities continued with some ping pong on a stolen ping pong table (hi Papa Rex!!), more scotch-soaked libby (hi Dymonds! - eric, i blame you for all the mysterious bruises), a failed attempt at wrestling on the wet trampoline (sorry een), dirty conversations, and of course (can't celebrate new years without it) gourmet sheep cheese.

To all of you who couldn't make it (miss you madly Hopkinses, Kirstin, and tons more): Hope you had an amazing celebration and that the new year is a good one for you.

Asa's 2 year Birthday Letter

Dear Asa,
  You turned 2 years old yesterday. I can hardly believe it’s been two years, both because I can’t hardly remember life without you in it and because suddenly you are such a boy rather than a baby. You are an amazing boy. You are bold and vibrant and SO funny. You keep us laughing (even when i’m supposed to be yelling at you).

  As always you’ve changed so much in one year. In the last 12 months you’ve learned to walk, talk, sing, dance, jump, run, love Hayao Miyazaki movies, pooped in the potty, peed in the potty (note: we’re taking the laid back approach to potty training so you’ll still see him in diapers for the most part), fight with you sister (and hold your own against her, no small feat), go sledding, wheedle free food out of waitresses only with the power of your magnetic jones-blue eyes (probably the only thing you’ll thank me for passing down to you), and destroy all things in the universe.

  You are my cuddle bug and i love being squeezed, sniffed, kissed, licked, and even bitten by you. You are both rakishly independent and a mama’s boy (a curse and a blessing). And thankfully you are extremely tough. I think your skull is made of titanium alloy or maybe some sort of nuclear holocaust  resistant polymer.  And aside from terrifying the daylights out of me, all of your seemingly fatal accidents result in you brushing yourself off, proffering me your injured head/elbow/foot/finger/etc saying “kiss it fo’ me?” 

  You haven’t been a particularly easy baby, but compared to your sister you have been an absolute joy! you are, for the most part, a good sleeper, a good eater, a good snuggler, a good passenger (you don’t get carsick like esther does).  And while you keep me on my toes, you seem to make up for it in the amount of sheer joy you bring to our lives.

  You do get sick a lot but i think that’s because with Esther in school she brings home a lot of colds and things. 

  I absolutely love your talking which has really taken off in the last few weeks really. While you’ve been talking for sometime now, there has only been a select few that understand you.  Suddenly though, lots of people seem to be able to understand at least 65% of what you say. And i’m still convinced that of the remaining 45% most of it is gibberish anyhow.

  My son, you are an incredible person and the last two years with you have been mostly wonderful and it has been an absolute pleasure being your mom... mostly. I love you my wild heart, more than you will ever know!!

Happy birthday boy!

Asa turned 2 today. We had a very mellow day. Opened with apple/banana muffins and a pile of little presents. Closed with spaghetti and meatballs and more presents. Oh and of course, apple cake and the official two-year birthday ice cream...(because yes, I'm a freak and set rules about my kids needing to be 2 before eating ice cream...though to be fair we cheated a bit. Shhhh don't tell my dad!)

Anyhow, it was a good day for him. I hope to have the time tomorrow to write his birthday letter... And to see the eyes on his monster hoodie.

Thanks for being patient everyone. I realize I owe you all a lot of posts (the new years eve post, the new years day post, ceci's birthday skating party post, how much I love and miss j&i post, a going to Boston in Feb to see my Kit post, etc) bear with me... I'll get there...

Also, I'm sick... AGAIN...

Sent from my iPhone

cool

Felted Mini Bear Skin rug. Totally awesome right? check it out here

I've recently learned to needle felt, and while i haven't made anything nearly this cool, i hereby vow to post more pictures of projects that i've undertaken lately (and been successful with?).

Crazy, nose-pickin' monkeys!

Opening Aunta Becky's christmas presents: a kaleidoscope, a bag of fossils, a should bag "look mom, i'm like a lady!!" and head bands.  Thank you Aunta Becky and Alan!

Crazy monkey with amazing bed head (barely seen here, he had a tail going out the back too, faux hawk style) picking his nose (new favorite hobby ever!)

screw you...

I want this song at my Funeral...