A trip to the Lovely ER....

It had to happen again sometime. I've always said that our boys are magnetically attracted to cement, floors, and other things that cause them injury. (So far I've felt blessed that Talia seems not to have inherited the same genetic trait ;)

I was at work last night. It was relatively quiet. I had just gone to dinner at a bit after 9pm. I was eating my soup when I got a phone call from home. "I'm going to have to bring Alec up to the ER, he's split open his head." Etc, etc. The backstory..."someone" didn't pick their towel up off the floor of the bathroom. Alec was running in there, and slipped, and hit the molding on the floorboards....

Cole brought Alec up. I met them in the ER (and thanks to all my wonderful co-workers who insisted on covering for me in the unit so I could be with my son!) We got triaged and they put us in a VERY familiar area of the ER...where they put the non-sick people in need of emergency care. We've been there MANY times before....

They looked at his head, decided it needed stitches rather than glue, then put a numbing solution on a guaze pad, and put it on the wound.

From January 2010

(excited to look like a ninja..doing "moves" :))

From January 2010

After they numbed it....

From January 2010

Getting it numbed more with the lidocaine/epinephrine solution...both topical and injected.

From January 2010

All stitched up!

We always seem to see Dr King for our injuries. I really like him, he always does a great job and is great with my kids!

From January 2010

A little bacitracin on top, covered up with a band-aid, and we were good to go. I was really, REALLY proud of him. He didn't cry, he didn't fight, he told us when it hurt (lidocaine burns before it numbs...), he was highly funny and entertaining (his perception of the world always cracks me up), and it was relatively quick for the ER. As always, the hospital staff took great care of us.

Of course, to add insult to injury (literally), on the way home, a cop pulled Cole over because the light that lights his license plate had burned out. However, as usual, it wasn't just a traffic stop...they ALWAYS treat my husband like a criminal at first. Big, scary looking guy, of course they make him get out of the car, put his hands on the hood, give him the third degree. He gave Cole a fix-it ticket. Which is fine, but annoying. I understand the need for caution, but my husband always gets treated unfairly by the police.

I did have to wake Alec up when I got home this morning...just to make sure we could. It doesn't look like he has a concussion, thank goodness!

Now I get to take stitches out in a week. At least I don't have to take him back to the ER...I'm perfectly capable of doing it myself.

Good News, Bad News

The Good News is that I now have Photoshop (for 29 more days, until I purchase the full program).

The Bad News is I have NO FREAKING IDEA how to use it. And, I had to delete a ton of stuff (granted, most of it useless, but pictures and videos take up a ton of space. Good thing I have the external hard drive) in order for it to work at a decent pace.

The Good News is that I finally got around to making turkey soup from the Thanksgiving and News years turkey carcass's. (stop saying ewww...the bones were in the freezer!)

The Bad News is that I did that on the day before milk delivery...so currently my fridge is packed completely full...2 medium and 1 smaller tupperware bowls of soup, 4 gallons of milk, plus assorted juice, water, and food. At least there's stuff to eat! :)

The Good News is that I crossed of 3/4ths of my To Do list yesterday.
The Bad News is that I made a new list, and it's longer than the first. :(

Seriously, though, I've accomplished a lot in the last couple of days. Monday was a "recovery day", and I spent most of it like this

From January 2010

I laid in bed most of the day. You might think this would be conducive to sleep, but no. I put on a movie for Talia, and tried to doze. Between the phone ringing and my toddler, sleep was elusive. I was barely functional all day.

Yesterday was much more productive. Cleaning, Laundry, Bills, and errands...I got a ton of stuff done. Picked up everything I need to make party favors for my SIL's baby shower next month, got the boys' haircuts, stopped at the beauty supply for a few of my favorite products, and even made it to the bank to make a deposit. Plus, I made dinner that wasn't turkey soup...since I'm the only one who eats it (yes, my family is crazy.)

I have Lofty Goals for today...of doing nothing. Well, maybe not nothing, I still have Laundry to get done. I plan to spend some time relaxing, though. Maybe play with Photoshop a bit more.

We're going to the Superbowl!!!!!

From January 2010

Last night, the Indianapolis Colts, led my by 2nd husband Peyton Manning, won the AFC Championship and a trip to face the Saints in this year's Superbowl! I am so excited!

I even planned to wear my Manning jersey to work last night, but the lack of pockets was driving me nuts at home, and I knew I wouldn't be able to last at work without access to pockets for all my stuff. So I made sure to take a pic of me supporting MY Colts.

On to becoming Superbowl Champs again!


(on a different note, last Friday my Grandma made a difficult decision to have a feeding tube placed in my Grandpa. Getting some good nutrition in him has totally turned him around. He was able to qualify for a spot in the hospital's rehab ward for a week. That will give him the opportunity to gain his strength back, so we can get him back to his assisted living facility. Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers that I know were out there for me and my family :)!!!!!)

Thank You Ashley!!!!

You may remember, from a previous post, that my wonderful Grandparents gave Talia a trunk of Disney Princess dress-ups for Christmas. She liked them fine, but has never put the clothes on. The jewelry, however, has been on constantly, and I'm actually quite surprised none of it has been lost. I even tried putting the clothes on her, but she just didn't care. Until last night.

Yesterday, she had the opportunity to play at Ashley's house. Ashley had on a dress up, and it's like it clicked in Talia's brain.."Oh! So that's what those are for!" When we got home yesterday (and after naps), she insisted on putting on her Snow White...and wouldn't take it off, even to sleep. So, of course I let her. This morning, it was a combination of Ariel and Sleeping Beauty (these dress ups are 2 piece)...It's too cute and funny the way little kids put accessories together!

From January 2010

From January 2010

(she didn't quite grasp the fact that the lace on the Ariel top was straps..oh well, it's a start!)

I told my Grandmother about it...it cheered her up a little. My grandfather was doing better yesterday, but worse again today, and I think Grans is frustrated and unsure of what to do. All we can really do at this point is pray.

And lest you think I don't ever take pictures of my other kids...

From January 2010

A feature of the best big brother EVER!!!

Alec is really hard to catch, unless I start taking pictures of the other kids...

From January 2010

Girly Girl....

From January 2010

From January 2010

Talia has many purses and bags, but recently, she's become more picky. Today, this one was the only one that would do. So, I wonder...is it because it matches perfectly her dress (there's silver threads that don't show up in the pic) and shoes? Or is it something else?

It totally cracked me up...she came out of her room carrying it under her arm...unfortunately I wasn't fast enough to get a candid shot, but she posed pretty good!

Fear

Fear is a word with a broad definition. It means different things to different people at different times. We've been extremely busy at work this week...fear of having adequate staff to cover our patients, some of whom are very critical, has been the focus. However, I learned a new definition of fear tonight....

My Grandpa is in the hospital again. He's having a rough time. Pain struck him violently this evening. He was given morphine, but it wasn't helping. I watched the pain turn my wonderful, caring, gentle grandfather into a mean, vicious old man. It was funny in a way, but fear siezes my chest at the thought that these could possibly be some of our last moments with him. Moments where he's not the grandfather I've known for all 33 1/2 years of my life. The Grandpa who helped me sneak some frosting from my first birthday cake, before blowing out the candles. Who took us in the back of his pickup truck (when it wasn't illegal) on all sorts of errands. Who skied with us every weekends. Took us on trips to Disney world, Lake powell, and hawaii. The man I sat with, grieved with, just the two of us, while we watched his father pass peacefully on. I have such good memories of this amazing man who is the patriarch of my mom's side of the family. Seeing this illness change him is terrifying. The medical knowledge I have tells me we probably don't have much time left.

So, I fear.

From January 2010

Life is a long road...appearing neverending but not.

5th Grade Ski Day!

I had so much fun skiing last year at the 4th grade ski day, I've been really excited to go again this year. I decided to get new ski clothes for Christmas, because my goal is to get up skiing a few times each season. So, today was the day....

I headed up to Snowbasin as soon as I'd dropped the boys off at school. I got my stuff on, and waited for the bus with the kids on it to arrive. Got my pass, and headed up the mountain...

From January 2010

It was a stunningly beautiful day. Blue skies, lots of sun, beautiful views, and good visibility. I spent the morning over on the Strawberry Express Gondola...and the skiing was great.

From January 2010

Despite the fact that it was supposed to be really cold, it didn't FEEL cold...I was so warm I had to open up the arm vents in my coat. I met up with Kyle around lunchtime...he wanted to spend some time skiing with his friends before the bus left, so I ate lunch outside and then did a few more runs alone.

From January 2010

From January 2010

From January 2010

I met up with Kyle and his friends a bit later.

From January 2010

From January 2010

From January 2010

(did I mention I LOVE my new ski clothes! They were perfect...)

Kyle convince me the he would be ok going up the Needles Gondola. It has intermediate runs, but no easy runs. His friends were all going up, so I said ok. In hindsight, I'm glad, but we had some pretty frustrated moments up there, with Kyle falling, his skis coming off, him not being able to get them back on because the terrain was too steep, etc. Once we got to the easy runs, however, he skied great, I was really proud of the progress he's made since last year.

From January 2010

From January 2010

I was able to relax and ski, and we had a really fun afternoon, riding up the Becker lift, going down the easy trails. By then my thighs were aching and my calves were feeling a little bruised, so I wasn't up for the faster skiing I had done earlier. I really enjoyed spending the afternoon with my oldest son. We stayed until the lifts closed down (we were the last people to get on the Becker lift).

From January 2010

Snow making machines....

From January 2010

I understand the need for the machines, and I appreciated the snow they created (machine made powder is better than no powder at all), but they annoyed me. They were loud, and I hated having to ski through a cloud of powder snow. Especially after 3, when the sun went down...it got REALLY cold, and my face froze worse every time I had to go through those snowy clouds....

...but look how pretty the trees are from the snow machines...flocked with real snow!

From January 2010

It was a really fun day, and I can't wait to go again....plus it was nice to spend some one on one time with my oldest...he still likes to hang out with mom, and I don't know how much longer that will last, so it's nice to take advantage of it when I can.


And a special thanks to Pitcher Sports, who rented me AWESOME ski equipment...and had great service as well!

Out with the Old....

And in with the new. It started with New Years, and continued on....

It's been busy. We spent a very relaxing New Years Eve together as a family. I had time for my usual "year ending ritual". We played board games with the boys. I cooked a turkey dinner (which was deliciously heavenly) and we had tons of snacks and treats. Cole and the boys played Risk (I DO NOT play that game, I don't have strategic ability in that form ;)) and I played the PS3 while listening to their game, along with referree-ing at times. At Midnight, I kissed my soul mate, hugged my boys, gave my sleeping princess a kiss, and we lit off 1 pretty big firework. It was all we had, we never got back to the stand for the 24th of July, and we didn't have time for a trip to Evanston.

On New Years day, I spent time in my journal, plotting out my goals and aspirations for the coming year. I got called off from working (which made it the ONLY holiday I didn't work at least 3 hours of this past holiday season). We spent a great afternoon at Cole's parents, eating good food and enjoying good company.

From January 2010

Talia loved playing under Grandma's kitchen table...and she loves the "tiara" hair comb she got for Christmas...

Over the weekend, we finished cleaning up Christmas, and ruthlessly cleaned the house. I'm not typically harsh about this, but I was in a mood, and no one in our house escaped helping. Even Indy seemed to know I meant business, because he stayed out of my way. Of course, he got cleaned too...Cole gave him a desperately needed bath.

From January 2010

From January 2010

Indy spent the day cozied up to Cosette, trying to get dry and warm....and he hissed at Cole a few times. :)

Monday Cole went back to work. The kids and I spent a lazy day at home, preparing for "real life" to start again on Tuesday.

From January 2010

From January 2010

And now to the second phase of out with the old, in with the new....

Old....

From January 2010

I've had this camera since the Month after Talia was born. I've LOVED it. It's been a great camera. However, I dropped it several times this summer, and since then the pics have not been quite as good. It also is only 7.1 Megapixels, and I've wanted some more. I've loved it so much, I wanted to get another Canon, so I've been looking around at different models.

The new

From January 2010

This camera is really cool, I'm really liking it so far. It has a 3 inch LCD TOUCH SCREEN. The touch screen functions make it really user friendly, it has 12.1 MP's, and a 5x optical zoom. It has a bunch of neat shooting modes, and the fact that it came in purple was just icing on the cake. (I swear, I was planning on buying it and when I was comparing prices, I noticed it came in several colors. I was pretty excited purple was one of the choices, as it's my fav color). I've only had it a few days, but I'm looking forward to playing around with all the different features it has. I already love the touch screen...you can do everything with the touch screen if you want to (or you can use the buttons to page through). You can "page" through your photos with just a touch. Cool.

Wait till you see the pics of the 5th grade ski day...next post!