O.M.G. (Oh. My. Google.)

Google is a good and bad thing...
With Google, we can find information on just about ANYTHING from A to Z. This is a good thing.
With Google, we can find information on just about ANYTHING from A to Z. This is a bad thing.
When George's heart defect was diagnosed, we Googled and found out more than we ever imagined about his condition.
I love using Google to just discover things I didn't know...as a resource for teaching...as a means of answering questions when Jason (the smart one in this marriage!) isn't home! (Come to think about it, I just like saying the word Google!).
However--with Google, we have learned the following:

• George is a sociopath (ok, not true, but after a google episode, this seemed possible!!!)
  
• Natan has Fragile X syndrome (again, not true, but those symptoms...Egads!!)
  
• Proteus syndrome is very sad
• Harriet Tubman's birth name was Araminta
• the best city to live in is Lee Vining in California
• All of our moles are eventually going to kill us
• there are 530 hits when you type "Jason Montague"
• there are only 8 hits when you type "Araminta Montague"
• Silly Putty is 50 years old
• Araminta has every rare disease that she finds on Google--don't you think you have all those symptoms, too??
• Montague was a member of Slytherin in the Harry Potter series!

See? And that's just the tip of the iceberg...there is a world of useless information waiting to be discovered. If only I had the time...
Lucky for me, I am too busy playing around with four fabulous little creatures and cleaning poop off the floor (yes, it happened again and this time I had to do the dirty deed since Jason was out!). Perhaps we should reinstate the underwear rule--where the kids actually wear it!
Goodnight, sweet Google...I'll search you in the morning!

A new month.

I have nothing, really to write about today. Things are quiet on the Montague front.
Vincent is cooing and going with an audience of three...
Natan is wee-weeing on the potty (constantly!!)...
Mimi is "reading" books by herself and exclaiming, "Mama--I just LOVE to read!!" or, "That letter goes in my name!" (anytime she sees an M, I, or W!)...
George is being George--woke everyone up at 6:00 today and doesn't like the new regime that has been put in place...
Jason is happy to be spending the afternoon with all four...
I am heading out to get some work done with my two devoted helpers, Olivia and Celeste...
Uh, hello? Life doesn't get better than this!
Oh, and in case I haven't written this in awhile: INGRAMS...COME BACK! We miss you!!!!!!

July 30

Today was a good day. Natan and I made it to his surgery and he did very well--we were home after only three hours. He goes for a follow up in three weeks and they'll do another hearing test.
I let him watch "Finding Nemo" on the way home and I realized something. Marlin (Nemo's Dad) wasn't paranoid or a bad dad. He just loved Nemo and couldn't bear to have anything hurt him...I get that.
I think Marlin gets a bad rap in the movie for being such a worry wart. I think he just loved his son.
Clearly I am deliriously tired, seeing that I am analyzing a Disney movie about an animated fish and his getting rescued by other animated sea creatures. Might be time to go to bed!!!

Oh yeah...in case you're wondering from the previous post:
Barf on Mommy: 0
Pooh on floor: 0
It's a great day!!!!!

Ewww......

YESTERDAY. 4:50 p.m.
George wakes up from nap complaining of being sick: "I sick."
George has fever and says his ear hurts: "My ear is hurtin'."
When George is lethargic, we pay attention since he is ALWAYS on the go! Our pediatrician has told us because of his heart to bring him whenever he has a fever--we are not hypochondriac parents.
Almost to the doctor (just George and Mommy), and I hear: "Bluhhh...." or whatever it sounds like when an almost four year old is about to barf.
I was at a stop sign (thank goodness since my car is actually clean), and I gave him a grocery bag--he barfed in it. Good job, George.
Doctor checks his ears--no infection but water from swimming. Has no idea why the fever and barfing. Gives me a prescription for ear drops.
We are inside CVS to fill prescrip. I tell George as we are walking in: "If you think you're going to be sick, tell me."
Place my order--they say: "It will be $50 AFTER insurance pays half" Don't get me started!!!!
I am waiting, holding George in my arms and I hear: "Bluhhh...."
Bad Mommy moment coming...I said (louder than I meant): "Oh crap!!!!" (which alerts the pharmacist that there may be an issue with the lady waiting for her ear drops!).
To prevent George's barf from going all over the carpeted floor at CVS, I covered his mouth with my hand. So...now there is barf running down my whole arm, a puddle of it in my hand, and the rest of it all over our clothing. It's hot. It stinks. Now I want to barf.
The nice pharmacist gives me an industrial size roll of paper towel and directs me to the bathroom. I think she may have wanted to barf too...
We made it out, barely.
AT HOME, 30 minutes after the barfing episaode:
Natan starts to cry in a rather anguished way but there is no one around him. The reason?
There are three piles of pooh on the floor and one ready to come out of his bum. It stinks. It's pooh. It's gross. I am still covered in barf (having just walked in the door) so Jason (super Dad that he is!) sticks Natan on the potty and cleans the pooh.
FIVE MINUTES LATER:
Natan is off the potty an crying again. I look at the floor (naturally!) and there is a large puddle of diarrhea underneath him. It stinks. Can I barf NOW????
Jason bathes him, but not before he steps in the pooh...
What a day.

You gotta' see this!!!

The "twins" strike again!
Jason and I broke a cardinal rule and laughed in front of the oldest two today. They emptied a bottle of baby powder out in their room during their nap time...it was EVERYWHERE!!!!!
Go to the family pictures section--I added the pictures of the mess in the July folder--they're at the end of all the July pics.

Wait...one more!!!

Is it wrong to laugh at this???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFEXnEoZyD0

Ouch! This is painful!

If you have a couple of minutes and your volume is turned up...this is one uncomfortable interview--maybe I'll rethink homeschooling after all!!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUgGwJl-kzM
And yes, I am wasting time looking at YouTube and should be doing the dishes!!

Sad house...

We're all a little out of sorts since Nana and Great Auntie Gail left today. George and Mimi kept asking "why she leave us?" but it helps to tell them we'll see them again in November, after G's birthday, Halloween, and the Heart Walk (yes, that's on Nov. 1st!).
Vinny is really cooing and going, but I suspect he misses Auntie, too, since she was always very willing to hold him, and hold him, and then hold him some more!!!!
Natan has his surgery this coming Wednesday, very early a.m.--it will only take about five minutes, but he'll be in recovery until the afternoon.
Other than that, all is calm...relatively speaking!

I should have become a doctor...

$1,100 per month to Blue Cross from Jason's pay...
$30 copay for today's visit at the ENT doc...
$100 will get billed to the insurance company for today's visit to the ENT doc...

The visit consisted of me telling them what Natan weighs/the doctor listened to his breathing/I signed a consent form for his surgery...
Wow...that was money well spent.
These ear tubes better be paved with gold...

Someday...

I am a Canadian citizen.
I have no current plans to change my citizenship.
The day that my two adopted children can run for President, I will proudly become a U.S. citizen so that I can cast my vote for my kid.
My daughter IS an American citizen.
My son is close to becoming one.
Remember--before you start spouting at me about patriotism--I pay taxes just like you do (and so will they someday), and we are subject to the same laws--why the hell can't Mimi or Natan become president if that is their goal?
And here I thought everyone had the right to the American dream...sorry, kids.

More minor doctor updates...

George has to have another heart cath...bummer.
Vinny had his shots today and is NOT a happy camper. However, better to be vaccinated than not. Contrary to what some wacky people think, being vaccinated does not cause Autism, but gee...it sure does fight off alot of nasty diseases...
People who do not give their children vaccinations should spend some time in a developing country...then let them decide whether they should expose their kids to unthinkable, preventable diseases...most of the kids I met in Ethiopia last year did not have the option to be vaccinated, and most of them are likely dead, one year later.

Gee, Beaver...

Yesterday, while wearing a pink "Roots Canada" t-shirt, Mimi points to the front and says:
"Look, Mama...my beaver is shiny and pink."

Nuff said...

This, in pink, is on the front of her shirt:

Life is great...

Here's why (as of now, at 1:09 am, because I cannot get to sleep!!!!)
1. Vincent is sleeping in his crib (George NEVER did!!) and we can hear him breathing...his bum is stuck up in the air!
2. Mimi says at random times during the day, "Love you, mama..." and that just melts my heart.
3. Natan fell out of bed awhile ago and held me so tight when I went in to pick him up off the floor that I never wanted to let go...
4. George told me today (after using a TON of soap to wash his hands) that "I workin', mom, 'cause I'm a big boy, you hear??" and somehow, the soap everywhere didn't seem such a big deal after all!
5. Jason came home with fat free hazelnut coffee creamer since I had run out...he wanted me to have it for the morning...I didn't even ask for it!!
Life is great...

Doctor updates...

George saw his cardiologist today--got another neutral report. Stenosis in one artery is still causing concern--they are deciding whether or not to do another procedure. Yeesh. His BP is good (finally!) So the new pills are working...

Saw the ENT doctor today. I went to have a second opinion regarding my nodules. Turns out, the first doctor is a crackpot and I DON"T HAVE THEM!!!!! The doctor today said, "You have a really good looking larynx." Damn straight I do!!!!!!!!

So...he also checked out Natan's ears. Turns out I have been right about him the whole time--he DOES have hearing loss and he DOES need tubes!!! This may explain his speech delay and some of his obvious frustration that comes when you hear everything as if you are under water. I have been told by so many people that I have been overreacting--guess not, eh?!

This has been a great day all round for the Montague family throats and ears--yay!

Looking forward to Nana's and GAG's visit in 11 days! Start the humming, Natan!

No more Jon & Kate Plus 8...BOO!!!!!!

So...occasionally if I'm flipping channels, I stop and watch the TLC show, "Jon & Kate Plus 8." It's about a family with 8 kids--they have twins and sextuplets, a result of fertility treatment (which I am openly not a fan of). I thought it was kind of a cute show, until I saw their website. This family had the opportunity to adopt a baby, and SHE turned it down. And, being "Christians" (whatever that means!), she says that God was leading them there. Whatever. Last time I checked, humans have a little something called FREE WILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here is the section from her writing that is particularly offensive to me:
The girls turned one and I started thinking about more children….After all, the girls had been pure fun and I wanted to do it again! But, Jon wasn’t convinced. I prayed for a long time that God would change his mind. It took a long time and a rough experience for both of us for that to happen…In May 2003, we had the opportunity to adopt a newborn in kind of a rare circumstance. Things were moving really fast and we prayed about it and felt that this was not meant to be. Jon and I came to a joint decision that we were not ready to take on such a responsibility at the time. We felt God leading us that way. Jon was amazed that I so willingly “turned down a baby”. It hurt so badly, but I knew we were doing the right thing. I mourned for the better part of a month and it was then that Jon agreed to let us return to try and have another baby. He saw just how badly I wanted to be a mommy again.
So...what she is saying is that her god decided it would be better for her to have more fertility treatment and add 6 kids, versus adopting a child who need a loving home. I wish people would stop using the "I waited for god to lead me, and he didn't, so it wasn't meant to be" crap and start making decisions for themselves. That baby needed a home--adopt it. What kind of god is your god that he leads you away from that child??? Whatever. I am disgusted. Absolutely disgusted. What a selfish person she is--and there is no way to defend it. And, she is now going to raise 8 kids to be just as narrow minded, selfish, and heartless as she is. Why do stupid people exist?? Seriously. And worst of all, why do they procreate? Oh yeah...because of god.
Good thing we cancelled cable!

Happy Fourth!

I just thought this was funny...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZho5myNUdY

And...everyone knows ABBA now because of the musical and the movie, but there are those of us who are old time, die hard fans--how many of you put a slip on your head (for long hair) and sang on your parent's "fireplace stage"...here is one of my top three ABBA favorites:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AGe995z3Fk
Enjoy...
I seriously need to go to bed--what am I doing?? I will regret this late hour tomorrow, early in the morning when a couple of snugglers crawl into bed...

Kidisms 7...

Mimi said to me tonight, out of the blue:
"Mama...this shirt isn't really working for me." (Referring to her pj top which for some reason is a little small--she is a mini teen!!!!!)

George, after I found him sitting on the stairs and asked him why he was out of bed:
"There's bad guys. They shootin' me." (Thus began a little debate between George and me--he insisted there were bad guys shooting him from the trees...I however, doubted they were there. I won and he and Mimi went back to bed, holding hands for protection!!!)

Best laugh in awhile!!

I just got a message from a long lost friend (elementary school days!!). We were best friends and spent LONG hours on the phone, were boy crazy (Hello? Todd and Chris???), and she actually remembers that we used to sit in my closet and tape record ourselves farting!!!!! Oh. My. God. Best email in FOREVER!!!!! She is one of the best memories I have from school days...it leaves me wondering again how people lose touch. I am a total slacker when it comes to communicating, and I think that's bad. I am having a ball remembering all the goofy things from "my past!"
I hope our kids have the same kind of friends I did--they were fabulous. Only this time, they'll have to use a digital recorder instead of cassettes to capture their farts!!!!!!!!!

FYI...Birmingham

We had a blast with the Ingrams in Birmingham--it flew by (overnight trip). We met "Moses" (ML's grandaddy), and got see ML's parents briefly which was great! B'ham is beautiful--it's Roswell, Alpharetta, and Buckhead all rolled into a nice little community. It was great to see them, and we had a melancholy trip home...we miss them!!!!!

Ahhh...the girls!

Just saw Sex and the City for the second time, and loved it as much as the first time! I am not ashamed to admit it...I loved the series (HBO version, not the censored version), and I unabashedly love the movie!! And I wasn't the only one who shed a little tear!!
Nice to have a little gal time...

Happy Canada Day!

Happy Canada Day to all my Canucks...!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRI-A3vakVg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnzQF7JCF0o

Wow--my favorite new discovery!

Facebook.
I'm lovin' it.
I stumbled on facebook.com last night as I was waiting for pictures to upload to the blog. I don't even know how I ended up there! All of a sudden, I'm seeing pictures of people who look slightly older (and I mean, slightly!), but there they are--familiar, smiling faces of past friends.
I don't know when or how I lost touch with most of them. Time does bad things...and so does moving away and getting lazy in keeping up those friendships.
But...reading responses from folks that I once spent more time with than my own family was rejuvenating (and hey--I NEVER use that word in my life!!).
I heard from someone I knew back in the 9th and 10th grade--she still looks like a teenager, except with her own house and two gorgeous kids!
Heard from a college gal whom Ilived with for a year and I just can't imagine what kept me from keeping in touch--bad, bad girl am I.
So...thanks, facebook.com. You are my new favorite/favourite thing!

Busy Bees...

Not much time to blog these days--just keeping busy!
Tomorrow we wrap up VBS and then head to Birmingham for an overnight visit with our recently displaced friends, the Ingrams.
Mimi & George have had a good time at their first VBS--spent alot of time wandering...free spirits that they are!
Check out the video clips of our future Olympian, Mimi, in the pool! She's amazing--takes after Da!
Natan apparently is hard of hearing (no joke). We are in the process of clearing his ear canals and then heading to an ENT in the near future. Poor guy...we think he hears everything as if under water--explains alot!!!!!
Vincent is growing like a weed and starting to smile and laugh--the kids are fascinated by him and are so gentle--it is very sweet to watch each of them interact with him. Natan seems especially enamoured with him and is very loving--brings him his bottle, finds his binky, and just plain loves on him!
Oh yeah...and no. I will not be putting the big kids in school this year. Stop asking/telling me. This is for anyone with the notion that I give a crap what they think.
In fact, we're pretty set on homeschooling. And I ask this of all you teachers who are vehemently against it: What on earth would you do if ALL the homeschoolers in our county decided this year to enter the public system?? There wouldn't be enough room, and you know it. So...everyone has the right to choose how he/she educates, and I feel that I am qualified--check my credentials if you feel the need. So, back off already.
There--you didn't really think I would have an entry without some sort of vent, did you???

Kidisms 6...

Last night, George hollered from the bedroom to come up NOW and check out the fireworks (He and Mimi have decided to occupy the double bed in Mimi's room now, and they were on about something).
Turns out, the"fireworks" were actually bolts of lightning, masked by a very cloudy sky. They argued with us when we said it was just lightning, so we concluded in the end, that indeed, it was fireworks. Mimi and George asked, "Who do dat?" Jason (stinker that he is) replied, "Those are God's fireworks." So Hallmark cards! Then, George decided it was "work" and God was doing his "elmocizing."
Man oh man. No wonder we're all exhausted by morning!!!!

Today, after the daily collection of roly poly bugs from outside into the house, George looked at his new pet and told him, "Don't get dead on me today."

Wow, wow and more wow!!!!!

We just got home from a wonderful evening of music. We went with Sally to see "The Army Soldier Show" at the Clayton PAC. This is a touring show that simply entertains army families--they audition and then tour throughout the world. They are all soldiers on active duty, and they perform 300 shows a year. They were AMAZING!!!!! American Idols have nothing on this group of musicians! I was blown away!
I may not be a pro-war gal, but I am pro-military, and after seeing the "army family" tonight, I realize where the appeal may be for some who join the military. Where else can you develop deep bonds with fellow members? Where else can you become bother or sister to so many folks? Where else can you develop a sense of loyalty and camaraderie with so many people that you most likely would not get anywhere else? I saw it tonight in the celebration of the audience members, many of whom are without family members who are serving elsewhere.
One of our choir members, Bo Dyess, leaves for Afghanistan in a couple of weeks. He was there tonight with his wife and daughter (we were there because of him). I couldn't be a military wife. I know that. I don't have it in me. I thought of him, surrounded by so many others who have been or may be shipped out over the years. Whether some think it or not, it is likely the most honorable thing you can do--serve in the military. We are honored to know Bo--and not just because he is a West Point graduate which even I understand to be an incredible accomplishment. And I'm Canadian for Pete's sake! See?? You CAN believe in separation of church and state and still be patriotic!!!!!!!!

Life with Kids...

Vincent has been in the hospital since Saturday, 11:30 pm. He had a 103 temp, and we were told to "bring him on in" since he's under three months. The policy is to keep him in for 48 hours, so he is still there...I miss him!!!! Jason and I took turns, and tonight is his night. We love Egelston--the nurses, techs, etc. are fabulous!! But there's no place like home...
HUGE THANKS to Angie and Cameron Ross who were on triple threat duty today whole Jason and I switched roles.
And then, Jack and Delores Candy brought a boat load of food over.
Thanks to everyone who offered to help and checked up...we really do appreciate it.
I blame this on our friend, Stephen. Vincent was so sad he got sick. Stephen, you should feel guilty.
We have postponed our trip to Canada and will plan to go in November when Jason has the week off for T'giving. We realized in our eagerness to show Vincent off, we were overlooking his age and the fact that he may be a little young to travel!
I'm whooped and going to bed before 10:00!!!!!!!!

George!!!!!!!!

Went for a walk tonight after dinner...as we walked by our neighbor's house down the street, the dad was out on his driveway. George asked (in his deep, LOUD voice):
"Can I play with your balls?"
(He was, of course, referring to the basket balls that are always laying there...)

Dance Recital Dress Rehearsal

This is the video from Mimi and George's dress rehearsal. The recital is this Saturday!

Couldn't have said it better...

Doug Simpson said at lunch on Sunday:
"It takes a village to raise a Montague..."
I couldn't agree more!!!!!!

Kidisms 5

Stuff we've been hearing around the house:

"Can we keep Vincent?" (Mimi and George)
"It's a baby..." (Natan)
"I love my budder Vincent" (Mimi)
"I like you Vincent." (George)

Mimi & George are fascinated with the breast pump. Makes for interesting pumping times!

Mimi watched me change Vincent and exclaimed (after a thorough examination):
"Look Mama...he has a baby penis!" (He'll love her for that comment some day!)

All three are being very sweet to Vincent and I'm sure they're all feeling the squeeze of a new one being added to the mix, but so far, so good...

One year!

I meant to post this earlier, but it's been a year since we brought Natan home. His Adoption Day was May 22.
On the 18th I realized, "This time last year we had 2 kids..." Then, on the 22nd, I said, "This time last year we had 3 kids..." Today, I am saying, "We have 4 kids--one year later!!!!" Crazy!
We will definitely take next May off, then see what happens!!!!!
Pictures from last May...yikes! Same hair...Mommy needs a new do!

Some pictures...

Vincent Conrad Montague

We all finally meet!

Check out George's gloved hand in the background...
Baby? What baby? I'm just interested in being cute!

Introducing Vincent Conrad Montague

It's been almost a week and I apologize for not uploading anything! The computer went on the fritz last week and just got hooked back up.
So...Vincent arrived last Monday, May 12th at 4:44 pm. He weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces and was 20.5 inches long. He is a good little baby and sleeps alot, and after the initial weight loss over the first few days, he is eating well and gaining steadily.
Mimi, George, and Natan are very sweet to watch. Mimi is fascinated by breastfeeding, George likes to watch me pump, and Natan likes to point at Vincent and just say, "baby." If we let him, George would hold Vincent 24/7--true love!
Some conclusions:
1. Women who choose not to use medication for pain relief during childbirth are insane, crazy women who simply make every one's lives harder. My doctor emphatically agreed when I shared that with her. Simply having a baby is "natural"--using medication does NOT make it less so.
2. It is wise when leaving a hospital with a newborn baby to have actually removed the safety bracelet which alerts hospital security that a baby is being kidnapped...yes, Vincent's was not removed by the discharge nurse and we shut down the elevators. Nice one.
3. It doesn't matter how many kids you have...the rush of love you feel when you meet the new one is overwhelming. Having kids is addictive!
4. We have a chaotic, crazy house...but it's our family and we LOVE it!
Favorite quote regarding Vincent's birth:
A little girl in my choir asked her mom last Monday if maybe Miss Araminta had had her baby yet. Her mother answered, "Yes, in fact, she did." The little girl then said, "I wonder what color he is..." LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!! Thank you, Haley!

Monday!

Vincent will be arriving Monday--Mum is enjoying some free time at the mall, Jason had some free time this morning at Men's Breakfast, and I...wait a minute! I've had less free time in the past two weeks than I've had in three and a half years!!!!! Thank goodness I love my kids, or I'd be crazy! I suppose alone time is for wimps...

Realizations (albeit incorrect in my opinion)

Jason and I are terrible parents...
Our children are out of control, heinous brats...

I am sorry my kids don't always sit still...
I am sorry they get frustrated and actually show it sometimes...
I am sorry they don't always listen the first (or fifth!) time...
I am sorry they don't act like boring little robots...

Actually, I am not sorry at all. I am grateful to those of you (and you know who you are!) who appreciate them for their little personalities, and understand that they ARE JUST LITTLE CHILDREN!!!!! No, I don't hit. Yes, I do time-outs. Yes, I have tremendous patience. But mostly, I am just in love with our kids...perhaps the most important thing there is.

No words...

There are no words to describe the latest reaction to a comment made in front of my mom and George and Natan.
Yesterday, while Mimi and I were at the doctor, mum took the boys to the Eagles Landing Publix. While she and the Publix girl were loading the groceries, a woman (can't use my mom's description!!!), walked by and said, "I wonder what poor family they stole those kids from."
My mom and the girl were dumbfounded and the woman simply drove away.
That is perhaps the worst yet...I wish I had been there, because I am now, after all this time, prepared to say something--anything--to stop these people (you know, the stupid ones), from talking out loud.
Am I happy that children need to be adopted? No. Unless they are being abused, children should be able to live with their biological families. However, this is not currently the world we live in. Natan would be dead had he stayed where he was. That is just the plain, hard truth.
In this country, there should not be "unplanned" pregnancies. We have access to birth control--free if needed, but parents are too naive to put their children on it. So adoption should not be an issue here .
I wish I could find that woman and set her straight, although there would be no point. The evidence is conclusive: stupid people cannot change. Sadly, they will always be quick to open their mouths and start spewing. So....be prepared for my reaction.

What are the odds?????

Vincent shifted! He is once again, head down! The doctor was shocked and pleased (as was I), and said this never happens this late and we should probably buy a lottery ticket!!!!
Mimi was with me, and was happy that "no big giant knifes" would be in use on Mommy!!!
So...then she gave me some ways to help move the labor into action (which I cannot write here on this blog...!), and sent me on my way! Still inducing in a week and a half. Yay!!!!!!!!!! I never thought I would be so excited to put "that area" through that again, but man, I am I ever!!!!
Mimi also informed me today after the appointment that she had changed her mind from the last time and no longer wants to be a "tootie doctor." She has decided that when she grows up, she wants to be a ghost...awesome.

Nana!!!!!!!

Nana's here--yay!!!!
We are all very excited by this...especially the kids. They are now taking turns sleeping in the afternoon with her. Very exciting stuff.
Jason and I are happy to have someone cooking meals, and Mum is happy to have people to cook for! So...everyone is happy, but one person in particular is VERY tired already...I can't understand why!!

Vincent update

Well...Vinny WAS head down, ready to go, but over the past month he has shifted into a breech position and the doctor told me today there is a 4% chance he'll move now that I'm in week 37.
His head is kind of up to the right and he's lopsided in there, but other than that, he's fine. She said I could still schedule an early delivery, but it will be a c-section and not an induction. Crap. Not looking forward to this now...Mum's panicking because she's going to have to HOLD THE BABY!!!!!!!!!
If you have a c-section story--please DO NOT SHARE IT!!

Kidisms 4...

Last night at the Olive Garden, George started to say (thankfully, right before we were leaving and not arriving), "Hi, Christmas!" over and over, and not so softly. It turns out, there was a man a few tables away wearing a red shirt and he had a long white beard with long white hair...even the table next to us caught sight of it and laughed. We left to George calling out, "Bye, Christmas!"

Apology...

For Carly and Samantha who I know read the blog:
Yes, the friends moving are the Ingrams...
Yes, I lied to you...
Yes, it was wrong, but it wasn't my place to give you the news...
No, I will not lose sleep over it...!

Happy Ethiopian Easter!

"Fasika" (Easter in ET) is this Sunday (April 27, 2008).
What a great excuse to go somewhere this weekend for some fabulous Ethiopian cuisine...
I finally have a reason to put Natan in his traditional ET clothing. He hasn't worn it since the new year celebration last September, and he looks ever so cute!!!

Hmmm...

The Montagues are very sad. Their dearest friends are moving away and it sucks. One of the very few folks who you can drop in on or have over on a moment's notice and not worry what anybody looks like, or if the house is clean, or even if we all smell bad. Our kids love each other and actually play well together, and this just sucks.
I have a pit on my stomach and I've cried more in the past three days than in my entire pregnancy.
This sucks.
DON'T GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A lighter note...

Mimi and George had their first official swimming lesson today. They proudly walked in to the gym with their "Gold's Gym" membership necklace on and proceeded to have a blast! I waited in the car with Natan, but got the full story!
They kept repeating the rest of the day: "No bathroom in pool." Meaning, of course, that you never, ever wee-wee in the swimming pool. I think that was the main point of the lesson!
They are supposed to practice humming with their face in the water this week in the bathtub.
Homework!!!!!!

Small Dilemma

Something Jason and I are "struggling" with...acquaintances of ours provide their teenager with alcohol--they allow this person to drink in front of them and others, including other children. We are of the mind that it is just wrong to set that kind of example for your children. It is a parent's job to teach and provide consequences for breaking rules or laws.
I'm sure some of you think we're prudes--we're not. But a law is a law. The drinking age in this country, whether we agree or not, is 21. For a parent or any adult to give alcohol to a minor is very simply breaking the law. How do you then teach your child what is right and wrong?
If they rape someone, is that ok? If they drink and drive, is that ok? If they shoplift, is that ok?Those are all against the law as well, but I am almost positive those actions would not be condoned by these same parents. By allowing them to knowingly break the law, they are blurring the line between right and wrong. How then can you expect them to follow other, more serious laws?
My hope is that when, out of control in a drunken state, this teenager kills only himself and nobody who actually adds value to the world.

Captain, my captain!

Mimi and George have a new friend...his name is "Captain" and I think he's a pirate. They came to the kitchen yesterday, holding hands, and stated (rather boldly), that "We need eye patches and a ship."
OK. Let me get right on that. NANA!!!! We need you here NOW!!!!!!!!!!! I think ships and eye patches fall into Nana territory!
Captain rides in the back of the car with them and they fake feed him real food. Hmmm...
Sometimes Captain is sick and has to stay in bed. Sometimes he is naughty and they put him in the corner. Oh my.

Two Words:

Universal Healthcare.
I know it's very un-American, and I know doctors hate it, since it caps off their bloated salaries. But, it is the best solution to a country where people actually go bankrupt due to healthcare issues.
Take us...we are middle class, no doubt. We have a medically challenged child who needs frequent MRIs, heart catheters, etc. In Japan, George's MRI would cost 98USD. Here, it costs around 1200USD. In Japan, the doctor ordering/reviewing it does not drive a BMW and live in a mansion. Not the case here. Do you see my point?
Yes, I know doctors have many years of education. Yes, they save lives. My cousin is a firefighter. He literally saves lives, and in doing so, is constantly risking his own life. Does he drive a fancy car? No.
Of the following countries: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Sweden, and the UK, the United States has the lowest life expectancy and the highest infant mortality rate, and yet all those other countries have universal/national healthcare. Hmmm...
I guess I am a Socialist after all. But you know, it makes sense since I do believe that every human has the right to an education and the right to healthcare. I guess, after all, I am for the government having its hand in it.
We receive bills constantly regarding our doctor's visits. They all say "NON-NEGOTIABLE."
They (Blue Cross Blue Shield), refused payments of my OB-GYN visits, stating that it was a pre-existing condition. What?????
They refused care for Natan months ago because they said we were wrong about his birth date. What?????
The list goes on, and Jason is always on the phone with Human Resources, battling it out.
Out of Jason's salary each month comes $1100 for this wonderful care which sucks. Tomorrow, we will be paying $1000 for George and Natan to have doctor-ordered MRI scans. That's $100 less than what he pays each month. What?????
I'm not whining, just stating facts. Amercian, for-profit healthcare is crap.
Two words: Universal Healthcare.

Snake warning!!!

One of our neighbors, Cliff who is kind of a street guardian, sent us an email. It let us know that another neighbor's dog had been bitten by a 3-foot long COPPERHEAD snake! Also that two years ago, another neighbor's dog was bitten.

Great. I have learned (almost) to live with:


Fire ants
Cockroaches
Honeysuckle
Water moccasins (from my Milledgeville days)
Red clay
And now...I have to live with snakes!!!!!!!!!!


Jason says, "Well...a bite won't kill you, but it would just really hurt." Thanks.


Cliff said the kids are ok because they won't be aggressive with a snake like a dog would be. Remind me to post the video of them massacring a beetle--they have NO FEAR!!! Snake?? Look, Mommy--whassat??????

One more thing

At the doctor's office today, I saw a girl who looked to be between 14 and 16, pregnant, accompanied by her boyfriend and mother. I thought about all the times people have said to me(and believe me, it's more than you would think!):
"Oh--you're just like Angelina Jolie!"
Would it be alright if I said to that girl:
"Oh--you're just like Jamie-Lynn Spears..."
I didn't think so.

Venting...it's been awhile!

I know it shouldn't bother me, but it does. Tonight we ate at a local restaurant (and I mean LOCAL). This is how the conversation went:
Waitress: "Now, you can't tell me ALL these kids are yours!" (in front of Mimi and Natan)
Me: (I think I looked adequately stunned): "Yep. All three of them."
Waitress: "No! They aren't all YOURS!"
Me: "Yep. We adopted two and had one. They're all mine."
Waitress: "Well, that's what I thought--I wondered if you'd had them at different times, like with different daddies."
(Oh. My. God. You are heinous and should have your tongue removed.)
Me: "Nope...same husband. Three kids. They're all mine."
Waitress: "And what are you expecting?"
Me: "A boy."
Waitress: "You have the same curse as me...I got three boys."

So...she ruined my meal and I will NOT be going back there. I find it very difficult to digest a meal when I'm that pissed. And, just for the record, I do NOT think I am cursed with boys. I love our boys and our girl the same--mainly for their uniqueness.

And--for all you who THINK you know why Jason and I adopted--here's the real reason so you can get it right:

We met. We discussed kids. We discovered that we were both very pro-adoption. We waited seven years (on purpose). We decided that by the end of 2004, we would have a child (if you know me at all, I am very determined once I have a goal in sight!). We started having unsafe sex. We filed for adoption. We let the chips fall, as they say...we got pregnant four months later, at the same time as were working on our adoption home study. We never considered for one moment of postponing the adoption.
We did NOT adopt because we were an infertile couple. We did NOT adopt because we tried for more than a year to get pregnant. We adopted because--and I can't believe people still do not get this--there are children in the world who do not have homes. They do not have moms and dads. They are starving. They have AIDS. They are dying. They often turn to prostitution and/or drugs when they are too old to live in an orphanage.
What are we as humans if we cannot see past our own selfishness and realize that a child is yours no matter how it comes into your life. It doesn't have to look like you, or act like you, or share any genetic traits with you. It is yours. Trust me on this.

There are those right now who are celebrating the upcoming birth of Vincent, yet they barely gave Natan a passing glance when he came home. I can only assume these people value biological children over adopted ones. We do not. They are equal. So...yes, we are excited about Vincent, but we are already thinking ahead to our fifth and final kid--one who will be adopted. You see, we have actually planned out our family and know how we want it to be. There are no accidents. Ellen, George, Natan, and Vincent are our kids because they are who we chose.
So, when you see us out in public and something stupid comes to your mind...please keep it to yourself.

Today's pet peeve

People who, when I am out with the kids (this mostly happens at church, where the kids feel very secure and comfortable and don't always listen to mom and dad!), who say, "What on earth are you going to do with FOUR??"
Seriously? Do you think we haven't thought this through? Babies don't happen "by accident"--even though there are some who beg to differ...we actually want a large family. Yes, there are many hectic days, but I look at those living the "quiet life" and wonder, "how do you stand it?!" I just don't verbalize it to them!
With four kids, we'll just spend more time at home, and less time around people who don't get it!
Oh, and if we had unlimited funds, we'd go for a dozen--so there!!

TMI

I just received a weekly pregnancy email update which informed that "my baby's testicles are most likely descending from his abdomen to his scrotum."
Hmmm...I don't think I'll call my mother with that latest tidbit!!!!!

Nesting???

Something is definitely up...I have more energy than I've had in months! Today, just "because," I moved three dressers, one bed, and now have a dormitory of sorts upstairs! All three kiddos are now going to share a room. Natan started climbing out of his crib last week, so he gets a "big boy" bed now. Mimi was concerned that I was giving her ever so comfy bed to Nana until I told her she could have whatever sheets she wanted on her new bed. She of course chose Diego (refusing Dora repeatedly!).
I would have moved the old iron bed into the other room except the kids were hungry for lunch so I ran out of time!
They may not have the most decorated or put together rooms, as I have had to empty everything out of them for safety reasons (!), but they are three happy children together and that is all they really care about!
For all you parents who are able to have froufrou, coordinated rooms because your kids are nicely spaced out in age...your time will come...in one way or another!

...and counting!

Saw the doctor yesterday...Vincent's head is down and directly on my bladder, which provides all sorts of fun. She said everything is great, and if I want him a week early, they can induce me the second week of May...as long as I make it until after my choir concert on the 4th, I'm happy!
So, about six more weeks until we meet number four!

Kidisms 3

Mimi learned the real word for "tootie" today (don't ask how THAT came up!!!!!) It is called a "Bachina." She then said, "It's because I'm from China!" I just agreed and let it go!

George: After dinner, we saw that his toe was bleeding all over the kitchen floor, so we wet a cloth to wash it and stick a band aid on it. He does NOT like to have his cuts and scrapes washed, so he started saying, "No! No! Don't wash it! It's not bleeding...not bleeding! It's just ketchup!"

I treated myself to a pedicure last week and took Mimi so she could have her fingernails painted. When we were driving home, she said, "Mama...did you see all those Chinese girls in there? Are they adopted too?"

Natan: currently sings "Who et ud ogs out...ooh, ooh, ooh." (Who let the dogs out). He also likes to get on the phone with his Nana and after mumbling a few things, says, "Thank you, Bye-Bye!"

Oh, has anyone ever attended a memorial service for a dead robot?????? This may be a first! We'll keep you posted...

Answers!

Finally an answer to this chronic laryngitis issue. I saw an ENT doctor today and he told me I have a deviated septum, acid reflux (worse because I'm preggers), and vocal nodules. Yuck. He told me no more singing, so thank goodness my choir concert is only a few weeks away--I will make it at least through that! He has me going to a speech therapist a couple of times to correct some of the vocal problems contributing to the nodules.
So, it's nice to have an answer and one that is treatable in some form or another. No surgery or weird drugs--just flonase, zantac, and better treatment of my voice.
He tried to convince me the raspy voice is sexy--I, along with most others, disagree wholeheartedly!!!!

Happy Easter!

The true meaning of Easter: finding as many eggs as possible and eating more candy than should ever be allowable!

Here is us--5 & 3/4 Montagues! Natan seems pretty stoked about his catch of eggs! Mimi proved herself to be a very stealthy candy-wrapper-opener! George was basically George...dirty knees and all!

Conversations, Part One

When asked what Mimi's favorite part of yesterday was (we had lunch and an Easter Egg Hunt at church, and dinner at the Shedd's), she answered, "David." David Shedd, you're our current favorite!

George, when asked what his favorite part was, went on a vocal rampage about the creaky sounds (I think he meant the creek by the Shedd's house...) I have no idea what he was talking about, but he kept coming back to "I don't like the creaky sounds." No idea. But it lasted for a good fifteen minutes--just him talking.

Natan is imitating EVERYTHING the big kids do...some good, some bad! All of a sudden, he is speaking and we can understand him! Yea! Sentences, even!

George bonded with "Baby Vissent" today--grabbed my belly and talked away to Vincent...mainly I think he wants him out of there so he can proceed with showing the ways of the world as a boy!

I love our kids...

Is that wrong to admit? I think not. Yes, there are days...but on days like this one, when they listen and say the sweetest things, and give random hugs and kisses, it's all good! Watching Mimi giving up her Waffle Fries for Natan today was particularly nice...I don't even know if I would do that!!!!

We saw many water mountains on the way to "Mommy's Doctor" today--Jason met us and played with the three for a LONG time while I waited to spend three minutes with the doctor. Vincent's heartbeat was the strongest I've heard yet, and they said everything is great! I start now with the "every two week" appointments...

Poor Natan is right at that place where he knows what he wants but cannot communicate it (the joys of being just over 2!). He has not even been here a year and speaks little English--give the kid a break! Some people forget where he spent the first 15 months of his life--not an easy transition.

My ongoing pet peeve rears its ugly head every so often: People with only girls or only one child who just don't understand boys or multiple siblings. (Give my mom her due: she admits that we were pretty easy and that she would have jumped off a bridge if we had done most of the things my kids do--although she seems to have forgotten some of shenanigans between my sister and me!! She has by force embraced their wildness and does not judge.) And people who say their boys are gems and NEVER act out are so full of crap it should be oozing from their very pores. If I hear one more time, "MY kids NEVER did that..." I may just go toddler (the mommy version of going postal!). My attitude has and always will be, Take us as we are or leave us be... That includes our children. I'm doing the best that I can with no previous experience. Sometimes I'm great, other times, I suck! Jason and I see parenting and children as a work in progress--it never ends, and there is always room for improvement on both ends!

I am always amazed at how some folks dole out the parental advice--unsolicited. They themselves are not necessarily models of good parenting, but still, they feel compelled to raise eyebrows and pass silent (and often vocal) judgements. Go away. I would just shoot myself if our kids were bland or boring--they are neither of those things!!!!!!

So, to all of you who love us and our kids NO MATTER WHAT (and you know who you are!)...thank you. We love you too!!!!

Singin' in the Whatever/Wherever!

Natan can sing!!!! He sings "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" now with actions! So, he's one of those kids who sings before he talks. He also loves any kind of music and would sit at the piano all day if we let him. The other two on the other hand...

George does do a hot rendition of "Mary had a Little Lamb"...

My Mimi quote for the week shouldn't really be posted, but it has something to do with puberty and how observant she is. Sufficed to say, she is pretty aware of how, ahem...different we all look!!!

Kid-isms...Part Deux

Looking at the newly budding pear trees on our street (Mimi):
"Look--snow trees!"

After cutting himself on the palm tree outside (George):
"That is a shark tree!" (he means sharp, but shark works just as well!)

At 6:00 this morning when Jason left for work (Mimi):
"I'm going to miss my Daddy..."

George had another dream about the giant head...it seems to be a recurring one! Sometimes he says it looks like Natan, and other times he says it looks like Little Bill!

Mimi: "How is Vincent going to come out?" (to my mother's chagrin, I gave her the truth!)
Me: "My tootie."
Mimi: (after a thoughtful moment): "That's going to be owie!"

Mimi and George are now trying to pull Vincent out via my belly button...a little painful but pretty hilarious!

Natan is talking more, but nothing quotable yet!! Just wait...his time is coming!

Mimi

(Driving in the "bus" on the way home from the car wash...)
Mimi: "Mama..."
Me: "Yes, Mimi?"
Mimi: "I'm hungry...I eating my boogers."
(a few minutes later)
Mimi: "Mama..."
Me: "Yes, Mimi?"
Mimi: "Are we going to have samiches?"
Me: "Yes, as soon as we get home. Why, are you still hungry?"
Mimi: "Yes, and my boogers don't taste very good."

Updating...

Clearly things are busy here and I have no time to get on the computer--a good and bad thing!
My current pet peeve:
1. People who, when asking where Mimi and Natan are from, then ask, "So George is yours?" I used to excuse this this as, "well, they don't really mean that," but now I just add them to my stupid people list, which continues to grow! So for anyone who is unclear on this (duh)...they are ALL MINE!!! Oh, and Jason's too!!! If you can't or won't accept adoption as a viable and wonderful way to grow a family, then there is a phrase just for you which I will not write on my blog. Use your imagination...
Oh, and one more thing...when you refer to Asian people or Black people in a derogatory manner, you DO include two of our children. They are Asian and Black, and racism is racism no matter who you intend it for. So...just shut your trap--it makes my life so much easier!

Some kid-isms:

Mimi: "I am Little Mommy..."
"Mama--watch me!" "Mama...watch this!" "Mama...look what I can do!" (Say this out loud fifty times or so times per hour, and you'll get the idea!

George: "But I want to be great..." (when he is being naughty and in time-out)

Both Mimi and George call out "Water Mountains" which are actually water towers when they're in the car.

George has announced that he would like to be a giant when he grows up...somedays he gets fancy and says a giant robot...

Natan's new favorite saying: "Oh, man!"

WMD

Alert the President. I have found what he has been searching for in vain...Weapons of Mass Destruction. They've been here the whole time. They are destructing as we speak.

Aha!

Pretty much shaving the hair gets out Vaseline! George has a new and non-oily hair do. I used dish soap on Mimi and we'll see in the morning if all is Vaseline free!

We had our second dance class today and they actually moved a little! George has really taken to Miss April and she seems to be happy to have a boy in the class. Mimi did a great job today and was very active!

George announced at the dinner table yesterday that girls have tooties. Yep. We're in that stage now.

Mimi loves feeling Vincent kick which is CONSTANT!!!!!!! She says she'll help in every way except changing poopie diapers which she insists is "Da's job!" Woo Hoo!!!!

Natan has really started talking and we can understand more and more of what he is saying--a good thing, as you you can imagine!!!!

Oh...and did I mention how nice it is that Jason arrived home Saturday???? We missed him...

One question for today...

How on earth do you get VASELINE out of two naughty three-year old's hair???????
My afternoon napping plan didn't quite work out the way I saw it working today...
This is the absolute quietest time-outs in the history of time-outs. No one has said anything for 15 minutes...hee hee hee!!!!!!!!

Top Five

Five good things:
1. New favorite song: "Who Let the Dogs Out" (with a lot of singing and dancing)
2. Jason bathing three kids every night...
3. Antibiotics for Minna--finally!!!!!!
4. Sunday Night dinners--good times, good times!
5. Mimi sitting in my lap Sunday morning...looked up at me and whispered, "Love you, mama."

Kid-isms...

Same old around here--getting over colds and what not.

Mimi's new favorite phrase to many statements is: "Oh yea...you right."
George is lecturing everyone on the perils of football, smoking, guns, and motorcycles.
Natan is making sentences that make sense!!!!

We had our first dance/gymnastics class on Tuesday. What is consisted of was watching Mimi and George stand still in one place, holding hands while the other ten girls around them tapped and pirouetted! Money well spent...
Gymnastics got them going though, so all ended well.
They are already registered for the June 7th recital--hope they actually make some noise with those tap shoes!!!!!!!! All are invited--$5 tickets!!

M and G are not only sharing a room again, they are sharing the big bed that Mimi has always slept in. And, they have each claimed their side. Man...
Natan is in a proper crib (finally), and LOVES it!!!!! Don't know how he'll react to giving his crib up for the baby!
Mimi is enjoying feeling Vinny kick...George simply blames everything on him. "You bad, Vincent...you bad." Great.

That's really all for now.
Oh...Sally--they LOVED the donuts and cupcakes!!!!! Thanks again!

Happy New Year!

Five days late, but the sentiment is there!
We spent a nice New Year's Day with Papa Tom and Tanta "Bobba"--the kids had a BLAST!
Had a good dr's appointment on Thurs--Vincent is fine and was kicking like a mad man during the ultrasound! Don't go back for another four weeks!
Our little friend Patrick Ingram is doing better each day and we are SO glad. We can't wait until he's 100% and can play with us again!
Yesterday we took the Roses to a great Ethiopian restaurant and had a delicious meal--they are fun people to feed since they're always up for an adventure!
Nothing much else going on--Jason has been back at work (on the Upper School musical) since Thursday and will be busy with that through March....
Hope 2008 is great for everyone--we're already having a blast!

Happy Holidays!

A belated happy holidays to everyone! The kids have had a blast the past few days, especially with Da home all day!!
Mimi and George sat through the Christmas Eve service--George slept through most of it. The music was fabulous and there was lots of it!!
Our neighbors, the Hogans, along with Sally, came for Christmas dinner--we had 7 kids under the age of nine at the table. It was a wild evening but everyone had fun! Jason made a figgy pudding which was delish and very entertaining!
Boxing Day (or at least the 26th of December) was spent with our Sunday night group--lots of delicious leftovers...
So, we have spent the last two days vegging...which I guess we all needed!
Check out the Picasa album for Thanksgiving and December pictures which include a birthday party and Christmas (don't do a slideshow or you'll miss the video clips).
Hope everyone had a great holiday!

Dudley Rose rules!!

I just came home from a delicious luncheon for the staff at our church prepared, obviously with love, by our minister, Dudley (or "Dully" as he is called around here!). I didn't catch its official recipe title, but OMG--it was divine!!! I sat Natan a little behind me so I couldn't watch him stuffing mac and cheese into his face (which I bought from Publix so I wouldn't have to share my food!) and enjoyed my lunch with Mimi, George, Mary Clare, and our friend Stephen. Poor Jason misses every luncheon because he his at his first job--Big Jack made him a plate for tonight.
Thanks, Dully! And it didn't even give me gas! Amen!

Meet Vincent!

Yep--we're having ANOTHER boy! Mimi is very happy--George still insists that we should call him "Pincess..." Natan really could care less!

Today's ultrasound looked good--everything is where it should be and the right size...I go in one month to have a detailed look at his heart.

Boy oh boy!!!!!!

new name for the baby

George and Mimi have once again chosen names for baby girl/boy:
George: "Pincess" (if it's a boy)
Mimi: "Baby" (it WILL be a boy)
George is still going with "Fiona" if it's a girl.
Mimi refuses to even consider it being a girl, so it's "Baby" or nothing.
Natan just keeps yelling "Booby! Booby! Booby!"
sigh.

Oh, and...

I just read the little baby ticker--I can never tell if this baby is moving, because it always turns out be gas.
Just thought you all should know that!!!!!!

Random Ramblings

Mimi: "Is Santa going to eat my lights?" (referring to the lights on the tree) This whole Santa thing is not as easy as one would think!

George: (Standing in front of me with a large stick outside): "I look like Moses. I am Moses."

Natan is still just copying everything the other two say, but I know the time will come when I have three mouths running at the same time--gee! I wonder where they inherit that from??!!

For anyone who watches "Big Love" (HBO show about polygamy which we hate and love watching!), I have decided Jason should take a second wife--I could use the extra hands around the house!!!!! It has to cheaper than a maid--which we do not have!! (And for all you serious types, relax...it's a joke!!).

WHY?

Why?
Why would a small (almost 2) child-who-will-remain-nameless take off his diaper and smear the poo on a leather chair?
Why?
And then, why would he think it's funny?
Why?
It was not funny...and it was very stinky.
Not the high point of today...and it will likely stay with me through the night. It was gross...
Why?

Bedtime sweet nothings...

Natan: "I uv you..." (with that SWEET smile and big, brown eyes)

Mimi: "Mama...I your daughter."

George:"Woody!"
"To iffinty...be-ond!"

ALL (singing): "I've got the joy, joy, joy, in my heart...in my heart...to play!"
(Compliments, I believe, of Judy Alfele..."Miss Judy")

On our list of goodbyes tonight when we sang "Good night, babies"
--Sally
--duck
--house
--Duddy & Dorsey
--Julie (Julie S.--they apparently were thrilled that you visited with them tonight!)
--Nana

Most people relish the time when their kids are in bed so they can be without them...we can't stand leaving them--I have to pick a weeping Jason off the floor at bedtime because he's right...there is never enough time.

The season is upon us...

We are off and running with the holidays!
Yesterday, Jason and I had three choirs perform at "Christmas with the Arts" in Henry
County--they were amazing! Now, we are preparing for something each week until Christmas! The kids are over the top excited about the holidays and we have already had to put a barrier around the tree to keep Natan from pulling all the ornaments off! They saw Santa at the mall last week and no one screamed!!!! They all looked pretty stunned in the picture, but that is just what one would expect!
We have also been enjoying some rain here--never enough, but it is a start.
Here's to a chaotic Christmas season (we LOVE the chaos!!!).

Oh, and here is my "5 things I'm grateful for today" list:
1. Aunt Sally (just because she's awesome!)
2. Christmas lights (because they make our kids go crazy)
3. Cornbread dressing (duh)
4. The name "Shrek" for our new kid if it's a boy (chosen by Mimi!)
5. Holiday music (could listen all year long!)

Happy Thanksgiving!

We made it home! We left Cobourg Tuesday at 4:00 pm...made it to Bowling Green, OH by 10:30. VERY surprised to find a huge whirlpool in our room--big enough for all five of us! What a way to wind down! (Of course, there are pictures in Picasa!).
Had a nice long visit with Nana before we returned her to Canada--she is now recovering in peace at home!
We got to see all the Gaymans, the Everests, John Jewell, the Stinnys, and Dad, and had a whirlwind trip in Cobourg for only 4 days. Saw the Cobourg Santa Claus parade with Uncle Neb--it really was too much for him to handle...
Natan made our trip up and back interesting...diarrhea in Knoxville, KY--Jason did the honors while mum and I watched men wretch on their way out of the bathroom!
And then, in Dalton, GA, last night as we went through the drive thru at Chik-fil-et (late night chicken noodle soup!!), Jason was tickling Natan's leg and realized his hand was COVERED WITH POOP!!!!!! He literally exploded in his seat! I was very helpful-- I sat in the back with G and E gagging, laughing, and exclaiming that the car must be sold--we will never get the smell out!!!! So...Jason did the honors again (I offered but he said "it's a job for dad!"), so I didn't argue.
And to think...I had pointed out that the car smelled like stinky feet from all three kids' shoes for most of the trip--oh, how I missed that odor!!
So, we're back and in recovery...
Oh, and it's raining-finally!!!

Are you kidding?????

I was told today at my second appointment that I am having a "high-risk" pregnancy because of my "ADVANCED MATERNAL AGE!!!!!" In other words, I'm old! Nice...two days before my 35th birthday! Well, also because of our previous birth defect history, although there is a 1/1,000,000 chance of this baby having what George has.
They referred me for a fancy ultrasound and offered me amnio which I refused--hello...needle in my belly button!!!!!
So...the old mama is feeling great, considering her ADVANCED MATERNAL AGE--and I was down one pound. Very unlike the first time around!!!
Mimi and George were very excited to hear the baby's heartbeat, but were even more fascinated by mommy wee-weeing in a TINY plastic cup. Mimi wanted to know "do you drink it?" Umm...no. It's pee. I gave them their own cups with their names on them which they filled with water and tried to have labs done on. Man...what a morning!!! Nana survived...barely!

Quotes...

OK, here are some quotes from the kids:

#1
MIMI: These are M & M's? (eating some Halloween candy)
MAMA: Yep.
MIMI: They taste a lot like chocolate.

#2
GEORGE (at Mary Clare's birthday party after stripping): I just need to be naked!

#3
GEORGE (had control of my new camera and knows how to snap pictures): Mama...take a picture of my penis! (Umm...NO!!!!!!!!)

#4
MIMI: Mama...I can't wait to see Nana. I gonna scare Nana in bed. (She has a gross furry "animal" and she is waiting to use it on Nana--should be good!!!!)

Kids by the Dozen...

Had trouble sleeping last night, so I watched a TLC show called "Kids by the Dozen." It is one of those shows following the lives of large families. However, this one is pretty good--they are not some freaky religious family, but a normal, Massachusetts family who just happened to have a lot of children. The woman said, "Once you have three, you may as well have thirty." She is a stay at home mom, and he is a US Postmaster. They do not live extravagantly as you can imagine, and they have a super loving group of kids. So, I told Jason (who was asleep and not with it) that we can have 12 kids, and he mumbled, "OK."
Hee. Hee.
Oh yeah...check out our new photos in the Picasa gallery--major cuteness from Halloween, if I do say so myself!!!

Woo hoo!

Made it to the doctor today for the first official visit. They couldn't measure it the regular way (no details needed!!), so they did an ultrasound...I saw it AND heard the heartbeat!! Very cool...
I am due May 19th. Everything's fine and there's only one!!!!!

Grab a tissue...

The foundation we support on Mimi's behalf, "Love Without Boundaries" sent an update on a little girl we are sponsoring in China. She is getting ready to undergo her second heart surgery (her heart defect is the reason we elected to support her). They sent this YouTube video today. In light of what the Heart Walk does to raise money for the American Heart Association, and dealing with George who has heart disease, this got me (could also be those hormones!). I am not posting it as a plug to support it, just as a reminder that man, are we fortunate...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceAmyu1FpBc

Oh, Baby!

OK, the first one was NOT like this!
My stomach never bothered...my boobs did not hurt this much, and my joints did not feel like they were being ripped apart!
Not complaining, well, maybe a little, but man--I'm whooped!
One of the few foods I can tolerate are sub sandwiches...lovely. Coffee is off my list as of Sunday. Can still eat PBJ! Yea!!!!
Other than that, all is well!
My mum is finally home from Scotland so I can resume our daily phone conversations!
Mimi's favorite thing to say depending on her level of undress: "I naked." or, if she has pants on but no shirt: "I naked on top." Even better, if she is fully in the buff: "I naked as a jaybird!"
Silly, silly kids!

Prenatal Yoga Part One

Not successful...
I dusted off an old DVD from my first pregnancy: Prenatal Yoga. I think my first indication should have been that the woman hosting it spoke far too calmly. I know, Sara...that's Yoga!! My sister is a Yoga expert (seriously, I'm not being fecicious). I applaud her efforts now.
So...the kids are all three excited! "Yoga! Yoga! We going to do yoga!" We all sat on the floor in our sunroom, wonderfully bright on a gorgeous fall morning--67 degrees outside. Perfect yoga weather, right?
No sooner does it start, then George revs up his new garbage truck (loud).
Natan climbs into my lap where I am trying to do a "calming sitting thing" and focus on my breathing and pelvis (yes, I am aware of my pelvis because he is jumping on it!).
Mimi is doing all the moves, but is right in front of me, so I have to pretzel myself to get around her. Then, she runs to the bathroom in a rush to wee-wee, holding her own pelvis which she has now too become aware of.
Then, I hear, "Mama...I sorry..." from the bathroom. I pause the yoga DVD, disentangle myself from Natan, and step over the loud garbage truck.
I find Mimi standing IN FRONT of the potty, with a puddle of wee-wee under her. When I take off her BRAND NEW running shoes, another gallon of wee-wee spills out. She is sorry, and I am not feeling very zen, or namaste, or whatever you are supposed o feel.
Granted, I only made it through the first 2 minutes, and one downward dog.
Perhaps one should attempt any kind of calming, pelvis-y type event when the kids are in bed!
I went for a run on the treadmill while they napped instead!

what a week!

To recap: last Saturday morning, we went to see "Sesame Street Live, Elmo makes Music!" It was fabulous--I want that woman's job! I didn't realize when I bought the seats that we would be on the floor, so when the characters stepped out, they walked right past us! Our three just stared the whole time with looks of utter awe on their faces! Then, on the way home, all we heard from the back seat (Nati was sound asleep by now!), "I wanna see Big Bird! Where's Elmo?" etc. We had a BLAST!
Saturday night was spent at the annual "Meadows' Music Party" which is always tremendous fun!
On Sunday, we gathered together some folks (the usual suspects), for George's third birthday. The theme was "construction/building/tractor/gaggo." It was all pretty good!
Spent Sunday evening at the Knoll's for our weekly Sunday night dinner.
So, this week will be a quiet one--zoo with Aunt Sally and not much more!
Note: I would like to say that Dudley responded to the offensive email and I am more grateful than anyone could imagine. I do not know many ministers who would reach their necks out like that and ripple the waters by acknowledging stupidity head on. Thanks, Dudley...and thanks to those who felt the same anger I did.

Enkutatash!

Happy Ethiopian New Year! (on September 12). We are doing an assortment of things to celebrate Natan's first NY with us. We headed to the Atlanta millenium Festoval on the weekend and saw some traditional dancing and heard some fabulous music. The food, of course, was delish!!! Natan was practically drooling! We took Mary Liz, Mary K-K, and Sally along to help us celebrate!
This Friday, we'll head to our fave place, Queen of Sheba for some Ethiopian food and hang with the folks who work there.
Here is a blurb from the agency website about the Millenium:

This month, Ethiopia celebrates its Millennium. Ethiopia uses the Coptic, or Julian, calendar, which is seven years behind the Gregorian calendar used in the Western world. The new year begins on Meskerem 1 -- or September 11 on our calendar. This year Meskerem 1 will mark the start of the year 2000.

The Ethiopian Millennium

Enkutatash, as the new year holiday is called, is traditionally celebrated by giving bouquets of flowers, or more recently, greeting cards. This year, Ethiopians count down the days to the new year as they converge on Addis Ababa for massive celebrations. Ethiopians in the diaspora who can't make it to their homeland will celebrate in their new homes , in the United States and around the world.
The coming of the millennium is a time for Ethiopains to reflect on their nation's history, as well as its future. Because of the unusual timing of the millennium, shortly after the Gregorian millennium and on a date significant in recent history, the rest of the world is paying attention. Coverage in Time Magazine and England's Independant are highlighting this exciting event.

You must read this all the way through!!!!!

I got this from a fellow blogger on an Ethiopian adoption website. It is hilarious, especially to those of you with kids...and those of you who, like me, hear this question constantly: "Are they all yours? Don't you have your hand full!"
Click the link below and read. It's an expired Ebay sale item ad.
http://cgi.ebay.com/LOT-OF-POKEMON-CARDS-THAT-MY-KIDS-TRIED-TO-SNEAK-BY-ME_W0QQitemZ130144061675QQihZ003QQcategoryZ60238QQ

Nothing much else happening here. Just a lot of pooping and wee-weeing...life in the fast lane, baby!

Atlanta Heart Walk 2007

Yes, folks--it's that time of year again for The Atlanta Heart Walk which raises money for the American Heart Association. George is living proof that money = research = life!

So...mark your calendar for Saturday, November 3rd and join us for a fun-filled morning at Piedmont Park! This is our third year walking, and this will be the best year yet!

If you are unable to walk, you can still help us out by joining our team and raising at least $150.

There is no fee to join Team George, and you will receive a cool Heart Walk t shirt if you raise $150 (Imagine...if 20 people raise only $150 each, we would have $3000, almost half our goal!).

You will also receive an official "Team George 2007" t-shirt!

Don't miss out on a few hours of easy exercise, beautiful Atlanta weather, and a wonderful event celebrating lives like George's!
Click on the "Atlanta Heart Walk" above or to the right--both will take you to our Team George page!

JOIN TEAM GEORGE 2007!

Is stupidity contagious??

In my new but probably short-lived lengthened nap time (due to George, the Instigator having a double ear infection so he's zapped!), I can blog. I remembered something from our trip to Nova Scotia that I can't believe I let go unmentioned, although it was placed immediately upon arriving home in my "Stupid People" journal which now has 27 entries! It goes something like this:
"Umm..._____ (name of idiot husband/father) wanted me to ask you, umm, well, Natan and _______ (name of kid) accidentally shared a water bottle yesterday, and, umm, well, we were wondering, does Natan have just a regular cold, or is it...??" Followed by an awkward silence b/c she didn't quite know how to put the rest of her ignorant question!
At this point, I spoke up because a) I was tired of the Prozac-smiley face and soft voice b) the overuse of the word "Um" which should never be used anyway, and c) I knew that she was concerned that we had brought our African baby near hers and OMG--he might catch something African!! I said very curtly, "No. It's a common cold." My inner voice was saying evil words which I cannot print!
What I DIDN'T tell her was that at the time, we were still waiting for his Hepatitis C results to come back!!!! HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!! Hep C is transmitted through sharing of utensils, cups, water bottles, etc. HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!
Based on my knowledge of this person, she and her husband probably think being black is contagious. I wonder now if I should be concerned that in sharing the water bottle in question, Natan should be in jeopardy--are stupidity and blandness contagious??????!!!!!!
I wish now I had been creative and outlined to her all the things he was being medicated and had been tested for: HIV, HEP A, B, C, ringworm, intestinal worms, impetigo, giardia, TB, typhus...you get the picture.

Grateful Things...this week!

In keeping with those who think about what to be grateful for...here goes:

• Jason, Mimi, George, and Nati
• the Ingrams (future in-laws!)
• macaroni and cheese--what did people do before??
• air conditioning!
• generosity of others (I spent the morning sorting 6 large bins of donated clothes!)
• Dudley Rose's musings on missing the parenting side of things (in a random Sunday morning conversation). We so often hear parents of older children say they are so relieved that they're kids are grown and/or gone. It was nice to hear that he misses parenting.
• people who stay at our church in spite of the fact that they may not agree with everything that is said or done--I can't stand a quitter! How boring it must be to only hang out with those of like minds...yikes!
• NyQuil (oh yeah...)
• Ababa & Enat Alemu...

Olympic Gold???

We started gymnastics last Friday with the most awesome "Coach Dave." Man, is HE patient! He asked that parents be in for the first one or two times, so I got to enjoy watching Mimi and George try to be in a group atmosphere where they are not the center of attention--something they are definitely NOT used to! They did forward rolls, puddle jumps, walking on the black line...it was fantastic! We love Coach Dave! I managed to get a couple of pictures which are to the right!
Some nasty cold has attacked George and I and we are both feeling like CRAP! I have no voice and he is currently losing his. I took my first nap in forever this afternoon...it felt pretty good! Usually nap time is sacred "Let's-get-everything-done-in-two-hours-before-they-wake-up" time, but today was pure joy!
I have also posted a picture of Jason in his new classroom. We were at Woodward's new Primary School on Saturday for a BBQ and tour, and I have to say, best elementary school I have ever seen. I think Woodward's standard of excellence just shot from excellent to "WOW!"

I will survive!!!!

Like the song says...I WILL survive!
Two days without Jason and no one has been voted off the island yet! Although...(!), George pulled a fast but cute one yesterday at nap time. He kept opening his door, then, upon hearing me on the stairs, would slam the door, jump in bed and fake sleep. He blew it with the faking, though, because he was laughing and saying, "I not bad Mommy...hug??" I then tried my best mean mom and shook my finger and whispered angrily, "You get back in that bed this instant!" Greeted by more laughter and a Scary Monster from George (Scary Monster invloves hands up and a growling sound--Nana is often subjected to these on the phone!). I give up.
today was more successful. They are all asleep!

Mimi is changing like crazy each day--it's wild. Today's new comment was, "You look great, Mum" as I changed into a flashy t-shirt! Ok, I didn't say she has good taste, she just knows how to rip off a good compliment!

Natan is speaking more each day, just words right now, but it's getting easier to figure out what he wants:
"Juicy Ammo" (he wants juice in his Elmo sippy).
"Mimi" (referring to his sister--hard one!)
"Dorgie" (yes, referring to his brother!)
And he has two new loves: the dogs and the pool! Loves to be dunked and loves to jump in!!!

Jason is back at work for planning week in the new Primary School. he said it is great and he loves his new space! They're cracking down on cleavage (for teachers), though, so we'll be doing some shopping this weekend--no more deep V-necks for Jason!!!!!

Finally, we've changed the name of yet another children's song...it is now officially " Mr. Eldon Had a Farm," and there's no telling what kind of animals we sing about!! Sometimes Uncle Dane is on the farm and we say "vroom, vroom here..." to imitate the four-wheeler.

That's all, folks!

eh??

We made it to and from Nova Scotia with very little incident...except for an aborted take off in NY...and a 12-hour trip home due to delays!
The kids were in love instantly with their new "Uncle Dane" and they had a blast being in the country!
They finally got to meet Eldon and Janice and now include their names in our nightly "Good Night Babies" song...(tune: Good Night, Ladies, but replace ladies for whatever you want to sing.)
The wedding was very nice...as was the party the night before with some true down home music!
The best surprise was the arrival of Uncle Neb, Jeff, and Heather Gayman! Much merriment caused and I am very impressed with the cover up skills of Auntie Gail! Job well done!
We spent the week lazing around, riding ponies, hanging out at the "Back Shore," and riding four wheelers and tractors.
Natan had a little surgery on Friday and is recovering nicely--pretty loopy from the codeine! Mimi and George are very concerned and keep telling us that "Nati's penis is boken!" Yes, boken. George actually may be concerned that his might break too and is being extra careful!!
It's late...I wonder if I can go to jail for using the P-word??? I hope not.
(new pictures on picasa from the trip)