Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Burnt
One summer evening more than 11 years ago I found myself reading well into the early hours of the morning. That summer I had discovered the joy of reading. So much so I couldn't let a night go by without clutching a book and sticking my nose between the pages. I would usually stay up until 4 or 5 in the morning reading. I loved to read and seriously I still can not believe it took me that long to discover the written word.
That night was no different. I went out with friends until 10 or so then headed home, chatted with my mom for a little bit and then proceeded to read. Sometime after 1 am I needed to readjust my position and in doing so something had caught my eye out the window. I froze. My heart began racing. OH.MY.GOD. Was that what I think it was? A man staring at me through my window just a mear 2 feet away. No way, I thought. My mind must have playing with me. I waited. The man, I think, was as surprised as I was because he waited and then checked again. HOLY SHIT. I was so scared I couldn't even scream because even in those brief seconds thoughts came flying at me. If he wants to kill me and I scream I am going to die because that man is only feet away from me. So as my heart raced and my thoughts soared I had to make a plan. What was I going to do? In seconds I had decided not to scream and to run for my door once I was at my door I would run up two flights of stairs and wake my dad. I felt like I only had seconds because if this man was there to rob us and had a weapon he may use it on me if I feel the need to confront him. So I ran. I ran to my door. I proceeded up the stairs, taking 3 stairs at a time, my heart racing; I have never ran that fast up the stairs in my life.
That night was no different. I went out with friends until 10 or so then headed home, chatted with my mom for a little bit and then proceeded to read. Sometime after 1 am I needed to readjust my position and in doing so something had caught my eye out the window. I froze. My heart began racing. OH.MY.GOD. Was that what I think it was? A man staring at me through my window just a mear 2 feet away. No way, I thought. My mind must have playing with me. I waited. The man, I think, was as surprised as I was because he waited and then checked again. HOLY SHIT. I was so scared I couldn't even scream because even in those brief seconds thoughts came flying at me. If he wants to kill me and I scream I am going to die because that man is only feet away from me. So as my heart raced and my thoughts soared I had to make a plan. What was I going to do? In seconds I had decided not to scream and to run for my door once I was at my door I would run up two flights of stairs and wake my dad. I felt like I only had seconds because if this man was there to rob us and had a weapon he may use it on me if I feel the need to confront him. So I ran. I ran to my door. I proceeded up the stairs, taking 3 stairs at a time, my heart racing; I have never ran that fast up the stairs in my life.
By the time I reached my dad I was out of breath, scared for my life and inarticulate. MAN.IN. MY.WINDOW. After a few minutes I had calmed down enough to explain and although he could tell I was shaken he had a really hard time believing me. Even to this day I think my dad still brushes the event off. He thinks it was one of my brother's friends. I know it wasn't. I have that man's face burnt into my memory for the rest of my life. It was not a friend of my brothers, it was not some one from school. It was a man, about 5'10", white blond with dark features, large eyebrows and no real expression. I could point him out in a line up even today, eleven years later.
I wish we had called the police. I mean what on earth was a person doing walking around our house in the middle of the night on one of the rainest nights we had that summer? Was he attracted to the light I had on? It seems to me it had to be deliberate because my parents house is neither on a main road or next to any other houses. Was that the first time? I know it was the last because the next day my dad took me to get blinds for my window.
After that I spent a lot of time sleeping on the floor of my parents bedroom. I never really felt safe sleeping by myself next to a window after that. The experience still shakes me when I am alone in our home or after I watch something scary. Talk about burning an image into my mind. Even writing this entry makes me shake. I hope I never have to face the man in the window again.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
We knew better...
We knew better than to trust people we hired to do our concrete. There were the usual signs that make you get cold feet but then you try to brush it off and trust them. I knew once I saw the forms. I knew in my gut but I let it go. Bob knew better too but he stuck by his friend who reccomended them. The result is far worse than I ever imagined.
I figured, like Bob, that worse case we can sand it and get some tile to put over it. This job is so bad nothing can fix it. Except to remove it and start over. Luckily our 'friend' feels obligated to correct it. Bob still swears he is going to make one of his toilets 'hot' just to make a mess of his new house. The worst part of the whole diaster is that all the kid had to say was that he didn't feel comfortable doing a job of this size. The kid had several opportunities to say no, in fact we encouraged him to do so. But I think it's safe to say we all learn things the hard way sometimes. For your viewing pleasure pictures of the fiasco also referred to as our patio, with handprints added for FREE!!!
Jealous, aren't you?Monday, June 25, 2007
Newsletter: Kyan Month 33
Dear Kyan,
A few days ago you turned thirty-three months old. This month has been amazing for me, by far the best one yet. Okay I know I could probably say that every month but I am being honest. When you were a baby your father would tell me he couldn’t wait for you get older. I told him that was absurd because, what on earth could be better than this prefect baby stage? I now know exactly what he was talking about.
This month you have been very agreeable. Everything I suggest that may be something you are interested in is “Perfect.” I never imagined I would have a child, who thought what I was thinking, was exactly what they had always wanted. I’m not sure exactly when this change occurred or even why but I am enjoying every minute of it. You are this agreeable to everyone. At daycare you always respond to her requests with “I will” or “Yes, I can.” I cannot begin to tell you what a relief it is. You even started participating in art projects again. And, to my surprise, when Melia does her lessons you are the first to respond. This is really surprising because before you would wait for everyone else to answer and it seemed as though you may have been afraid to be wrong. That time has passed and you are an active participant in your daily lessons regardless if you are correct. I am relieved you are not scared to answer, even if you are unsure of the answer. That takes courage, something I struggle with even today.
You started to speak in complete sentences a few months ago but just in the past few weeks you have really started to use sentences for everything. Just last night at dinner Nana noted, with surprise, that you had responded to her request with a full sentence. My favorite response you have is “I love it.” Sometimes you even ask your sister if she loves it; whatever it may be. She always responds with an astounding smile. This is, of course, the response you were looking for.
This past weekend your father finally put your play set together. It took him many hours of following the directions, reviewing the directions, getting the nuts, bolts and washers, retrieving the right parts and re-reading the directions one last time to ensure he had it just so. The whole time you just kept asking Daddy about the slide. “After your nap” your father and I kept telling you. Your nap came and went. When you woke up you told Daddy “Good Job” and then asked for your slide again. By dinnertime your father had completed the major tasks and you were all set to enjoy the play set for the rest of the evening. Your father even caught you enjoying the slide while he was moving our cars and I was putting your sister to bed. You like your new play set more than almost everything else, even more than Barney. So much so you find it necessary to sneak out to it and take a run at the slide a few times totally undisturbed. I think you find the whole play set experience religious; an experience to be embraced with solitude and respect. This is, of course, why you found it necessary to find a minute to enjoy it all by yourself. A play set, religious? Who knew?
This past month you have discovered the Bank. I know what you are thinking, the Bank? What could be interesting about the Bank? Well it’s not so much the money, although you do love money, it’s about the experience. The new drive-thru teller sends out suckers with the receipt. You ask me everyday if we can go to the ‘sucker bank’. I find this so funny because you have no idea how true that statement is. Wise beyond your years I suppose.
This month has been a complete joy. It makes me not so fearful for the future. I use to hate change in such a way that all of my insides would cramp up and make me sick. Now I can rest easy that with each change, we lose something worth holding onto but what we gain is so much more. We gain a child who can articulate his feelings without a melt down. We had a baby who has gone into toddler-hood and is coming out unscathed and happier having gone through it. Kyan, I cannot convey what your courage has done for me. I will forever be here to help you navigate through the changes.
Love,
Mama
A few days ago you turned thirty-three months old. This month has been amazing for me, by far the best one yet. Okay I know I could probably say that every month but I am being honest. When you were a baby your father would tell me he couldn’t wait for you get older. I told him that was absurd because, what on earth could be better than this prefect baby stage? I now know exactly what he was talking about.
This month you have been very agreeable. Everything I suggest that may be something you are interested in is “Perfect.” I never imagined I would have a child, who thought what I was thinking, was exactly what they had always wanted. I’m not sure exactly when this change occurred or even why but I am enjoying every minute of it. You are this agreeable to everyone. At daycare you always respond to her requests with “I will” or “Yes, I can.” I cannot begin to tell you what a relief it is. You even started participating in art projects again. And, to my surprise, when Melia does her lessons you are the first to respond. This is really surprising because before you would wait for everyone else to answer and it seemed as though you may have been afraid to be wrong. That time has passed and you are an active participant in your daily lessons regardless if you are correct. I am relieved you are not scared to answer, even if you are unsure of the answer. That takes courage, something I struggle with even today.
You started to speak in complete sentences a few months ago but just in the past few weeks you have really started to use sentences for everything. Just last night at dinner Nana noted, with surprise, that you had responded to her request with a full sentence. My favorite response you have is “I love it.” Sometimes you even ask your sister if she loves it; whatever it may be. She always responds with an astounding smile. This is, of course, the response you were looking for.
This past weekend your father finally put your play set together. It took him many hours of following the directions, reviewing the directions, getting the nuts, bolts and washers, retrieving the right parts and re-reading the directions one last time to ensure he had it just so. The whole time you just kept asking Daddy about the slide. “After your nap” your father and I kept telling you. Your nap came and went. When you woke up you told Daddy “Good Job” and then asked for your slide again. By dinnertime your father had completed the major tasks and you were all set to enjoy the play set for the rest of the evening. Your father even caught you enjoying the slide while he was moving our cars and I was putting your sister to bed. You like your new play set more than almost everything else, even more than Barney. So much so you find it necessary to sneak out to it and take a run at the slide a few times totally undisturbed. I think you find the whole play set experience religious; an experience to be embraced with solitude and respect. This is, of course, why you found it necessary to find a minute to enjoy it all by yourself. A play set, religious? Who knew?
This past month you have discovered the Bank. I know what you are thinking, the Bank? What could be interesting about the Bank? Well it’s not so much the money, although you do love money, it’s about the experience. The new drive-thru teller sends out suckers with the receipt. You ask me everyday if we can go to the ‘sucker bank’. I find this so funny because you have no idea how true that statement is. Wise beyond your years I suppose.
This month has been a complete joy. It makes me not so fearful for the future. I use to hate change in such a way that all of my insides would cramp up and make me sick. Now I can rest easy that with each change, we lose something worth holding onto but what we gain is so much more. We gain a child who can articulate his feelings without a melt down. We had a baby who has gone into toddler-hood and is coming out unscathed and happier having gone through it. Kyan, I cannot convey what your courage has done for me. I will forever be here to help you navigate through the changes.
Love,
Mama
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Rivalry Revised
"Baby sister, I love you. You are my best friend." Kyan tells Aspen on the morning of Father's Day while giving her a hug.
These are the moments in my life I look forward to. I've heard it put that your siblings are your only lifelong relationship. Your parents die before you do. You don't meet your spouse or your children before adulthood. But you know your siblings from the beginning until the end. The gift of a sibling is far from unencumbered. But this gift is also filled with many great moments.
When I was little my brother and I had our way. We fought a lot, about what I have no idea, but we would continually be at each other's throats. Our behavior would drive my mother to the brink. But more than those times I mostly remember the really great times we had with each other. The times when we only had each other and everything was great; it was just me and him against the world. I'm not sure when we stopped being close. We reconnected once I moved back to Seattle during college and have since lost our closeness. I called him yesterday to remind him to marry his girlfriend. After his girlfriend left him during college he made me promise that when he found someone he loved again that I needed to remind him what it felt like to lose the that person. I reminded him. I hope he listened.
I hope my children stay close after childhood. I hope when I am gone they will stick together and stay connected. I hope they have a relationship and set aside the hurt they caused each other and remain friends. But for now I will take the moments when they embrace each other as if they are the only two people on the planet.
These are the moments in my life I look forward to. I've heard it put that your siblings are your only lifelong relationship. Your parents die before you do. You don't meet your spouse or your children before adulthood. But you know your siblings from the beginning until the end. The gift of a sibling is far from unencumbered. But this gift is also filled with many great moments.
When I was little my brother and I had our way. We fought a lot, about what I have no idea, but we would continually be at each other's throats. Our behavior would drive my mother to the brink. But more than those times I mostly remember the really great times we had with each other. The times when we only had each other and everything was great; it was just me and him against the world. I'm not sure when we stopped being close. We reconnected once I moved back to Seattle during college and have since lost our closeness. I called him yesterday to remind him to marry his girlfriend. After his girlfriend left him during college he made me promise that when he found someone he loved again that I needed to remind him what it felt like to lose the that person. I reminded him. I hope he listened.
I hope my children stay close after childhood. I hope when I am gone they will stick together and stay connected. I hope they have a relationship and set aside the hurt they caused each other and remain friends. But for now I will take the moments when they embrace each other as if they are the only two people on the planet.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Sharing Conversions
I just got some Black & White actions from Childish David and thought I'd share some of the goodness with you!
Fathers
The weekend before last we had my father over for dinner inlou of a Father's Day celebration on the actual day. But of course I didn't feel we got enough time with him so this past Saturday I picked Grandpa up and we headed for the park. My favorite park from childhood. The Dragon Park.
It was so much better than I had remembered. It was the best park I have ever been to. There were several structures and a few places with swings and the dragon was still there and the biggest climbing thing I've seen in a park. The climbing thing I avoided because I distinctly remember climbing it as a child then I would look down and panic. So I didn't even let Kyan see it because the panic started again just looking at it.
After the park I talked grandpa into lunch. We had a leisurely lunch outside Starbucks and it was even enjoyable. I was able to use both hands to eat my lunch and the babies behaved. I am still in shock. I am sure I now have Grandpa convinced that I have the world's best behaved children. It was that amazing.
For Father's Day the kids made Bob a shirt at Daycare. It had both of their hand prints and Kyan painted the front. Bob liked everything but the pink paint but still a very neat gift. He is wearing it here, he looks happy wearing it wouldn't you say? 
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Stick in the Mud
It's high time I give out a real update. One that involves words, phrases and a sentence or two for good measure not just the pictures I have been pawning off as entries.
We are in the middle of the biggest mess ever. The remodel was a mess but I was completely prepared for that mess. The current mess involves mud, lots of mud grinding its way into my hardwood floors one grain at a time. Did I mention the mess? The asphalt is now on the driveway. It is fantastic. Would you believe I never thought I would see the day when I would actually give directions that didn't involve follow the gravel road? It's blissful.
Concrete should be poured for the patio as I type this. BUT I am not hopeful. See 'knowing people in the business' isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. We do a lot of waiting. See when you get discount that means you aren’t at the top of anyone’s list. So we wait. Then Bob harasses then we wait until finally a free day clears up then one of the crew members doesn’t come to work and we wait some more. So I think we may still be in the ‘wait some more’ part of this equation but hopefully in the next week we will have new patio. Then the mud will not bother me as much because at least we can take off our muddy shoes on the patio and not track it throughout the house.
We put down some grass seed last week and it still looks just like seeds. Take a closer look at this. That is grass seed next to that dead rat and do you see anything else? I didn’t think so. Nope the seeds aren’t sprouting. I am going to break down and get a bid for hydro-seed because I think the mud is starting to give Bob nightmares. Nightmares which include the hardwood floors and the term re-finish.
Oh I forgot to tell you! One of our neighbors has turned us into the county! A complaint has been filed and states that we are grading and clearing in a Critical Area without a permit. First, for this to be true we must reside in a Critical Area and to our knowledge we do not. The official letter scared the crap out of both of us but once we researched we are not so scared. Hopefully that will be the end of it. And we thought we didn’t live in that kind of neighborhood. We have never been so wrong.
We were hoping to have this project finished by Aspen’s 1st birthday now we think Kyan’s birthday is a bit more realistic. Can you imagine the mess we could create with all that mud and heap of 3 year olds? Hopefully we can figure something out so we can still enjoy summer bbq’s with the family which do not include my naked 2 year old and a muddy backyard.
We are in the middle of the biggest mess ever. The remodel was a mess but I was completely prepared for that mess. The current mess involves mud, lots of mud grinding its way into my hardwood floors one grain at a time. Did I mention the mess? The asphalt is now on the driveway. It is fantastic. Would you believe I never thought I would see the day when I would actually give directions that didn't involve follow the gravel road? It's blissful.
Concrete should be poured for the patio as I type this. BUT I am not hopeful. See 'knowing people in the business' isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. We do a lot of waiting. See when you get discount that means you aren’t at the top of anyone’s list. So we wait. Then Bob harasses then we wait until finally a free day clears up then one of the crew members doesn’t come to work and we wait some more. So I think we may still be in the ‘wait some more’ part of this equation but hopefully in the next week we will have new patio. Then the mud will not bother me as much because at least we can take off our muddy shoes on the patio and not track it throughout the house.
We put down some grass seed last week and it still looks just like seeds. Take a closer look at this. That is grass seed next to that dead rat and do you see anything else? I didn’t think so. Nope the seeds aren’t sprouting. I am going to break down and get a bid for hydro-seed because I think the mud is starting to give Bob nightmares. Nightmares which include the hardwood floors and the term re-finish.
Oh I forgot to tell you! One of our neighbors has turned us into the county! A complaint has been filed and states that we are grading and clearing in a Critical Area without a permit. First, for this to be true we must reside in a Critical Area and to our knowledge we do not. The official letter scared the crap out of both of us but once we researched we are not so scared. Hopefully that will be the end of it. And we thought we didn’t live in that kind of neighborhood. We have never been so wrong.
We were hoping to have this project finished by Aspen’s 1st birthday now we think Kyan’s birthday is a bit more realistic. Can you imagine the mess we could create with all that mud and heap of 3 year olds? Hopefully we can figure something out so we can still enjoy summer bbq’s with the family which do not include my naked 2 year old and a muddy backyard.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Friday, June 15, 2007
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
The Park
There is one benefit to having the backyard destroyed we now have an excuse to go to the park every day!
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Sunday
Around our house Sundays are reserved for family. Most Sundays consist of dinner with Nana, Ali and Colton. This past Sunday Grandpa came up to join us since we have other plans for Father's Day. Well I tried to get a few pictures with Grandpa and Nana. Not too bad but Kyan was too busy to join in on the fun.
And one of Kyan since he missed all the photo ops on Sunday!
Monday, June 11, 2007
Time Marches On
This past weekend I finally got around to sifting through baby pictures and deciding which ones will decorate the bare walls of our home. It seems that in the blink of an eye my baby is quickly approaching 3 years old and my newest baby is bounding towards her first birthday.
When I was little Fall to Spring was an eon, Summer lasted ages which never seemed to come quickly enough and childhood was an eternity. I realize now this time passed in the blink of an eye for my parents. Strangely as I get older I find myself losing months and even years in the blink of an eye. The recollections of my childhood seem to be movies I now experience from memories and my first babies birth as if I watched from my living room.
I can only imagine what the future holds. I imagine a time when my house is empty filled only with the memories of my former years; a time when I too had children and a time before the sound of little footsteps was music to my ears. I always thought I would look forward to those years with much joy. But I find myself in the midst of chaos during my daily routine, which consists of changing diapers, cooking meals and doing everything I can to hold it together before collapsing in to bed each evening, relishing every minute of my life and never wanting it to end.
Aspen and I made a quick trip to the grocery store this weekend where we were bombarded by little old ladies. They were seeking what I enjoy daily, her smile and every inch of her babyhood. It is experiences like this that make me want to stop time and soak up every second of my children’s lives. But then I get home and realize if I stopped time I would never get to see Aspen become a toddler or get to see Kyan off to his first day of school or see them graduate or get married or have babies themselves.
For a moment this weekend I got to see what it feels like to not have a baby around every minute. Those little old ladies reminded me that life, my life, will not always be filled with the music that stems from my children. My children will grow up and become adults whose lives will be shaped by choices and events unknown to us now. But for now, my children are small and I am continually reminded to soak up every minute.
When I was little Fall to Spring was an eon, Summer lasted ages which never seemed to come quickly enough and childhood was an eternity. I realize now this time passed in the blink of an eye for my parents. Strangely as I get older I find myself losing months and even years in the blink of an eye. The recollections of my childhood seem to be movies I now experience from memories and my first babies birth as if I watched from my living room.
I can only imagine what the future holds. I imagine a time when my house is empty filled only with the memories of my former years; a time when I too had children and a time before the sound of little footsteps was music to my ears. I always thought I would look forward to those years with much joy. But I find myself in the midst of chaos during my daily routine, which consists of changing diapers, cooking meals and doing everything I can to hold it together before collapsing in to bed each evening, relishing every minute of my life and never wanting it to end.
Aspen and I made a quick trip to the grocery store this weekend where we were bombarded by little old ladies. They were seeking what I enjoy daily, her smile and every inch of her babyhood. It is experiences like this that make me want to stop time and soak up every second of my children’s lives. But then I get home and realize if I stopped time I would never get to see Aspen become a toddler or get to see Kyan off to his first day of school or see them graduate or get married or have babies themselves.
For a moment this weekend I got to see what it feels like to not have a baby around every minute. Those little old ladies reminded me that life, my life, will not always be filled with the music that stems from my children. My children will grow up and become adults whose lives will be shaped by choices and events unknown to us now. But for now, my children are small and I am continually reminded to soak up every minute.
Friday, June 8, 2007
What You Say When You are 2 and Don't Want to go to bed
Bob was rehashing the joy he has putting Kyan to bed every evening with me last night. Every evening like clockwork they have the same conversation. Rather Kyan gives Daddy excuses. Here they are in no particular order:
Show you what I want
I need to go potty
I need a potty treat
I want the covers off
Daddy give me my covers back
Kiss your ear
Now your other ear
Big Kiss Daddy
Read me another book
Snuggle Daddy?
Here lay down here
Show you what I want
I don't want covers
I need my covers back Daddy
5 minutes Daddy
Light on
Light off
No no on. PLEASE!
Give me a kiss
Now on the other cheek
Where is Baby?
I need to give mama a hug
Where is Mama?
Sleep in Mama's bed?
Show you what I want
I need a drink
I need to go potty
Show you what I want
Where is Baby?
I need my covers
I not tired
Usually this lasts for 15 minutes or so and then he proceeds to pass out. Bob enjoys putting up with such silliness because Kyan will end the shenanigans by passing out and that makes for a very pleasant nighttime routine.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Smickets to those Rickets
Recently the AAP started recommending a vitamin D supplement for all breastfed babies. Formula fed infants do not require the supplement as their formula is fortified with vitamin D. A lack of vitamin D can lead to Rickets. Many pediatricians do not recommend a supplement and many do but the jury is still out on this subject. Our pediatrician told me at our 2 month check up with Kyan to start the supplement. I took his advice and pretty much ignored it. Although I did purchase the supplement, I only did so to be able to make myself believe the lie I would tell our doctor at the following check up. When I pushed our doctor and asked what the real reason was for this he told me the AAP recommends it but he is and was not totally convinced it was necessary.
Flash forward to Aspen’s 2 month check up 2 years later. He again recommends the supplement but this time I let him know I had no intention of giving my exclusively breastfed baby any sort of supplement but I did ensure him that when the sun shines I will flock to it. He laughed and said he was almost sure even that effort was not necessary. And in fact he was so interested in the subject, since in all his 30 years as a pediatrician he has never once seen a case of Rickets, he was conducting a study and if I chose to not give my child a supplement I could be part of this study. I was in. I love the opportunity to be part of something I hold very dear to me.
At Aspen's 9 month check up last Friday our opportunity arose to be part of the study. Now that the possibility that I may have just harmed my infant was in front of me I started to panic a little. Dr. Q reassured me that even if her blood samples came back with the warning they would perform the follow up x-ray at no charge and that at 9 months old anything that may have started as a lack of vitamin D would almost definitely be reversible. So they drew the blood. Yesterday afternoon I received the phone call stating that Aspen levels were exactly where they should be and there is no reason to believe she will get Rickets.
So far in the study a few area pediatricians have been conducting not a single case of Rickets in any of the infants who were exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life. I know this is not conclusive by any means but it tells me quite possibly there is more the Rickets story. More information needed. I realize the AAP makes recommendations like this to ensure the safety and health of all children but it seems there is more to the problem than breastfeeding.
I am thankful our pediatrician conducts these types of studies. I am thankful he allows us to take part in his research. Mostly I am thankful my neglectfulness of the AAP recommendations has turned out okay. Take that Rickets. Boo-yah!
Flash forward to Aspen’s 2 month check up 2 years later. He again recommends the supplement but this time I let him know I had no intention of giving my exclusively breastfed baby any sort of supplement but I did ensure him that when the sun shines I will flock to it. He laughed and said he was almost sure even that effort was not necessary. And in fact he was so interested in the subject, since in all his 30 years as a pediatrician he has never once seen a case of Rickets, he was conducting a study and if I chose to not give my child a supplement I could be part of this study. I was in. I love the opportunity to be part of something I hold very dear to me.
At Aspen's 9 month check up last Friday our opportunity arose to be part of the study. Now that the possibility that I may have just harmed my infant was in front of me I started to panic a little. Dr. Q reassured me that even if her blood samples came back with the warning they would perform the follow up x-ray at no charge and that at 9 months old anything that may have started as a lack of vitamin D would almost definitely be reversible. So they drew the blood. Yesterday afternoon I received the phone call stating that Aspen levels were exactly where they should be and there is no reason to believe she will get Rickets.
So far in the study a few area pediatricians have been conducting not a single case of Rickets in any of the infants who were exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life. I know this is not conclusive by any means but it tells me quite possibly there is more the Rickets story. More information needed. I realize the AAP makes recommendations like this to ensure the safety and health of all children but it seems there is more to the problem than breastfeeding.
I am thankful our pediatrician conducts these types of studies. I am thankful he allows us to take part in his research. Mostly I am thankful my neglectfulness of the AAP recommendations has turned out okay. Take that Rickets. Boo-yah!
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Every Time
I was all ready to post this morning about the wonderful evening we had celebrating Nana's birthday last night and include pictures.
But it seems every time I try to capture a moment, like say a birthday, on film I fail miserably. I fail at the let's get everyone posed and smile for the camera thing. I mean I don't really enjoy taking them but I really like it if I can get a good one to chronicle the event in the history book of our family. But for some reason I can NEVER get everyone looking at the camera at the same time.
Case in point: Nana with the Grandkids...
Example 1. Nana Looks great, Kyan looks great, Colton's eyes closed, Aspen flailing like the baby she is.
Example 2. Kids look great but Nana distracted stealing a snuggle from Kyan. 
Example 3. Everyone but Kyan looking at the camera with smiles.
Example 4. Nana caught stealing snuggles from Aspen, Kyan stealing licks from the cake while baby is flailing again and Colton looks like a picture taking champ.
This exact same scenario occured with Grandpa a few weeks ago. I let that one slide thinking dang I missed a good picture. But then this. The exact same fiasco occured.
At this point I am blaming myself. The next time I wrangle people for a photo op I am totaling bringing my whip and I will be cracking it at the people old enough to listen and have them ready so at the one second my children decide to cooperate I can actually catch a good shot.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Newsletter: Aspen Month 10
Dear Aspen –
Yesterday you turned ten months old. I took you to the doctor last Friday for your nine month checkup (almost a month late) and it turns out you are quite a big girl. That is no surprise seeing as how your father and I are by no means small people. According to the doctor’s chart you weigh more than 80% of your peers. At this age your brother only weighed more than 75% of his peers. I think you weighing more at this age than your brother is nature’s way of ensuring you survive your brother’s attacks. In any event the doctor told us you are healthy. You do happen to have Macrocephaly since your head is 95% larger than those of your peers but since it has been following the growth curve throughout your ten months of life your doctor is not at all concerned. According to Nana this genetic trait was passed to you through her bloodlines so if you ever have a problem getting your shirts over your head you know who to blame.
Yesterday you turned ten months old. I took you to the doctor last Friday for your nine month checkup (almost a month late) and it turns out you are quite a big girl. That is no surprise seeing as how your father and I are by no means small people. According to the doctor’s chart you weigh more than 80% of your peers. At this age your brother only weighed more than 75% of his peers. I think you weighing more at this age than your brother is nature’s way of ensuring you survive your brother’s attacks. In any event the doctor told us you are healthy. You do happen to have Macrocephaly since your head is 95% larger than those of your peers but since it has been following the growth curve throughout your ten months of life your doctor is not at all concerned. According to Nana this genetic trait was passed to you through her bloodlines so if you ever have a problem getting your shirts over your head you know who to blame.
This month has been a month of discovery for you. You have discovered the joy of dirt and all it innate properties. You love the way it tastes. You love the way it feels when you hold it and the way it makes mud when you spill your sippy cup full of water in a pile of it. But most importantly you love the way it makes your clothes look when you rub it on your belly. In fact I have never met another human who liked dirt quite as much as you. I have dubbed you the Dirt Queen but your father likes to refer to you as Pig Pen.
You have also discovered the joy of the Temper Tantrum. Or rather your father and I have discovered the joy that is Aspen’s temper. I know I know you are saying gosh mama this is a little early for the fits. But I promise you I am not exaggerating. At all. 
Lastly you have discovered your voice. Oh yes. Just last month I was complaining that you had only said Dada. That has all changed. You have a large assortment of words; well large is relative term here. You can say Dada, Mama, more, which happens to sound a lot like mama, hi, which sounds like how but you wave and I know what you mean and that is all that matters and bye, which sounds like bow. Yes you read that right you have 5 words at the ripe old age of ten months. At this rate I will have the world’s chattiest child at 18 months old and that I can dig that because, well, I love to talk and quite frankly I should do more of it but instead I write to the internet.
Aspen you are turning into quite an independent baby. You love to play by yourself but you also take comfort that your brother is never far away. You have finally started showing how much you love each and every one of us. I love it when you rest your head on my shoulder and give me a hug. This hug makes everything else seem so unimportant. I love you, Aspen. I will always be here when you need a hug.Love,
Mama
Monday, June 4, 2007
Because No One Dies Wishing They Spent More Time Working
It was one of those weekends here in Seattle. You know the few rare days a year when the sun shines and the thermometer races well above 65 degrees. It was glorious. One in which the sun was yelling at me to throw caution to the wind and leave those pesky weekend chores alone, sit back and enjoy my family. And you know what? I did just that.
Saturday I found myself leaving Target at 9:30 in the morning loaded with all the fixings of a great beach adventure. The only thing missing was the sand. So I took the hint that my bags were giving me, picked up a few snacks and headed straight for the water. Aunt Ali, Colton and Aunt Cindy were gracious enough to meet up with us. After 5 hours the kids were ready for naps and I found myself longing for more lazy days at the lake. Luckily Aunt Ali and Nana had the same idea. So we spent most of Sunday just lazily enjoying each other's company near the waters edge.
Honestly these are the days that I remember most from my childhood. My family would pack up and head for Luther Burbank Park, have a picnic and play until dusk. I hope my kids remember these days as fondly as I do. Doesn't every kid need a dad who barbecue's with his goggles on?
Saturday I found myself leaving Target at 9:30 in the morning loaded with all the fixings of a great beach adventure. The only thing missing was the sand. So I took the hint that my bags were giving me, picked up a few snacks and headed straight for the water. Aunt Ali, Colton and Aunt Cindy were gracious enough to meet up with us. After 5 hours the kids were ready for naps and I found myself longing for more lazy days at the lake. Luckily Aunt Ali and Nana had the same idea. So we spent most of Sunday just lazily enjoying each other's company near the waters edge.
Honestly these are the days that I remember most from my childhood. My family would pack up and head for Luther Burbank Park, have a picnic and play until dusk. I hope my kids remember these days as fondly as I do. Doesn't every kid need a dad who barbecue's with his goggles on?
Friday, June 1, 2007
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