You learn something new everyday!

So, after being home for 2 days in the snow with 2 little kids, I have learned a few things - some helpful and some not so helpful.

1. After putting on your 4 year old's long underwear, pants, snow suit, sweater, coat, scarf, hat, gloves and boots - don't say that you have to go potty, or else they remember that they do too!! So, I've learned to ask if he needs to go before we put all the layers on.

2. Don't wear black fleece when you have a snotty 10 1/2 month old - all I see on the fleece now is dried snot on the shoulders, chest and arms. Seriously, Sarah thinks I am her tissue!

3. On the subject of tissue, instead of bringing along tissue and having to search for it in your pocket with mittens or gloves on, I've started using our old receiving blankets as huge handkerchief's - sounds gross, but it works. Also, Sarah likes to chew on them - helps her teeth I guess - even grosser!

4. Try to wait to put the 4 layers on the toddler until they have pooped - although it is unpredictable, it sucks when it does happen. We've started waiting until after 11 am to go out now, as Sarah usually poops in the early am. That may be too much info for some of you - but so what, it's the truth!

5. When you tell your 4 year old that they can do snow angels anywhere, maybe be a bit more specific, like, maybe not in the driveway or in the street. 

6. When you don't have a sled that has a rope tie to go around an adults waist - I would like one, but they are all sold out at our neighborhood store - you can drill holes in the saucer and put rope thru it. Umm, no I didn't do this, I'm not that handy, but the man at the store told me I could and I said "Ok, sounds good." With no intention of doing it. That is sooo a job for Mark, I know I could do it, but I don't know where we have rope! I'm sounding really wimpy or girly here, but I don't have the motivation to do that right now!

7. A 4 year old is happy sledding whether it's on a downhill or just on the sidewalk. I didn't want to lug the saucer, stroller, kids etc. to the park for sledding, plus - again what do I do with Sarah, keep her in the stroller at the bottom of the hill or at the top? I could have carried her in the backpack, but the wind was so cold, she was much warmer in the stroller with the rain cover on. Anyhow, I told Jakob he could sled in our yard, very tiny hill and on the sidewalk, he was happy with that - it's a good warm up to the sledding we will do on Xmas eve at Mt. Hood. Plus, Sarah thought it was hysterical, I'm not sure if she was laughing at me trying to push Jakob or at Jakob's big grin.

8. I really love snow days with kids, every walk is an adventure. Jakob decided he likes to "street ski", meaning slide on the ice in the street. He did fall yesterday, right on his bottom, but now he knows what "CAREFUL STEPS" mean, when I yell at him!  

9. Somehow kids don't get cold! What the heck, Jakob is telling me he is hot while walking with a gust of wind in our face, and it being 22 degrees outside - meanwhile, I can't feel my fingers in my good snow mittens!

10. Feeding ducks after it has snowed is kind of funny, but sad too. Parts of the park's pond were frozen and watching the ducks and the geese try to race for the bread that we were throwing them, was really funny! We had a good laugh, but I did feel kind of bad! Shouldn't they have flown south? 

11. A kid will eat most any snow, seriously, I told Jakob to be careful about what snow he eats, no yellow or brown snow. So, with his critical thinking skills at an all time high, he started to lick the snow off of the car! All I could think about was that movie "A Christmas Story", where the kid gets his tongue stuck to a pole! This didn't happen, but I did have to explain that snow on the car or the hand rails to our porch isn't a good idea to eat, even though the snow in these spots don't have "pee or poop" on them - as Jakob told me!

We have another snow day tomorrow, no school/work for the kids and myself, so I'm home with them again. Mark is on a very late flight home tonight! So, I should hopefully get the camera and take some pics of the kids in what is left of the snow.

Since Mark's been gone...

I've been horribly sick with a cold, home with 2 kids and it has been freezing outside! We made homemade (well with Rotisserie chicken) chicken soup, made peanut butter cookies, made a gumdrop christmas tree - thanks to help from Amber, had the kids's xmas show at preschool (no pics as Mark has the camera), Sarah wore a tutu for the first time and danced in the show, Jakob sang and did ballet like a champ, we've watched Charlie Brown's Christmas movie 3 times, Land before time movie twice, drove around to see the Xmas lights, had donuts and hot chocolate at the gelato shop (the donuts are made at this shop and they are great - I had Ginger, with Chocolate frosting, Jakob had "Fairy Princess", of course my son picks that one, it is a pink donut with pink frosting and LOTS of sprinkles - that's why he picked it), we then walked over to our littl xmas tree stand and bought a mini "Charlie Brown" Xmas tree to put on our porch and decorated it with lights, ate breakfast for dinner, and played in the snow all day today (Jakob is a pro at snow angels now), oh and Sarah did her first face plant in the snow (again no pics just video). Sarah was hysterical in the snow, mostly b/c I dressed her in a snow suit that was way to small for her, so she couldn't really move, once she fell, she was stuck. So, I changer her into her pajama suit with 3 layers under, her rain coat, a hat, gloves and snow boots, much better, but then she took the face plant. So, she ended up spending most of the time in the stroller with the cover on it, of course we did a lot of walking in the snow, no sledding as I didn't know how to handle both of them for that, maybe tomorrow I will plant Sarah in the stroller and help Jakob sled - I need to get a sled with a pull on it.

Also since Mark's been gone, Jakob has decided he is going to be a holly terror - backtalking, pouting, acting out - OMG - it's a miracle he is still in one piece. I don't hit my kids, but I have come so close this weekend. I can't wait until Mark gets home! I know he doesn't want to come home to a cranky crowd but, that's what we are right now! 

Tomorrow will be a snow day, no school because the snow we got today (about 3 inches) is actually sticking and it suppossed to be colder tomorrow - so you know Portland freaks when there is any snow on the ground (since it doesn't happen all that often) and schools are closed. Bummer for me as I don't normally work on Mondays - let's hope for a snowday on Tuesday too!

Anyhow, we have done a lot since Mark has been gone, it's been so hard being a single parent, with a cold, I don't know how single Moms do this everyday - especially if they live in a place where they have to stay inside everyday!

Counting the minutes until you come home Mark!

Finally!

Just a warning if you are a mother, female or just a hormonal/emotional person, this post might make you teary eyed! So long story short:

As most everybody knows, Mark is adopted and LOVES his adopted family and with their support, he was able to find his birth Mom, Molly. He contacted her in October and they have been emailing daily and have talked on the phone a few times. Mark found out that he has 4 half sisters and a bunch of aunts and uncles! Mark has always been interested in finding Molly and even wrote her a letter last year, but didn't send it until this October. I won't comment on Mark's feelings and why he didn't and then did send the letter, just know that a lot of thought went into it and that the time had to be right for him. Somehow, the universe was just right for the both of them at this very moment, and a very positive connection was made.
She responded a couple days after receiving the letter and they've been talking ever since. Mark totally has her sense of humor, a bit crazy, sarcastic and hysterical. He also has her thick/unruly hair (although you can't tell that she has unruly hair - it's beautiful) - everybody remembers what Mark's hair looks like when it's grown out! I think he has her eyebrows and eyes - and I think he shares that with his sisters too.  They are all gorgeous and excited to meet Mark also! I can't imagine Mark around 5 women. Mark's Mom, Kathy, sent him an album of kid pics to show Molly, I can't wait for the girls to see some of the Jr. High pics - look out Mark - you thought Ang and I could make fun of you - wait till you have a room of 5 women!! Really, Mark was cute in Jr. High, it's just the "business in front, party in the back" hairstyle that he had - too funny! I know he was very hip at the time, as was I with my ratted bangs but his is still way worse! I digress...so again, maybe you won't cry at this posting, hopefully you'll at least smile! After a couple months, Mark and Molly decided that they should meet, so he did that today!
Mark flew out to Omaha (where Molly and her girls live), to meet them for the first time. He got up at 4:45 this am, after a restless 4 and half hours sleep last night, and rushed off to the airport, only to have some delays! He and Molly had the longest day ever. I can only imagine what kind of emotions they were feeling in waitng to see each other and then the overwhelming emotions that must have been running thru the two of them as they met - aah - it gives me chills. I am so proud of Mark for doing this, it took a lot of courage, compassion and strength. And of course, I am so glad that Molly and her whole family have been so open and caring about this also. 

I truly believe things happen for a reason and I know Mark was given up for adoption and adopted by his family for many great reasons - whether it was God or the universe (whatever you believe in) who knew that it would be best to be brought up with his lovely and sometimes crazy family, or God knowing that if he wasn't given up, Molly's life would have been much harder, or whatever - there are so many reasons this happend. What I do know, is that if it hadn't been for this selfless act, I wouldn't have the amazing husband and father of my children, that I've got today! (Can you imagine the life I might be leading had I not met Mark, it would be so boring - or on the other hand I might be living as a single woman, livin' it up - hmm... one can dream!) KIDDING!

I know today December 11th, 2008 will be a very memorable day for Mark and Molly, I can only hope that this will finally bring some sense of closure and connection for the both of them!

Here are the first pics (taken so kindly by Molly's sister Barb) of them together, for the first time in 32 years:

Mark getting off of the plane

Bath fun

Just some pictures for the grandparents - bath fun!

Cat and Dog towel fun!


Oh, I should add here since I forget to write these things in the baby book that Sarah said "ouch" today, after biting me while nursing (1 of her top teeth came in this weekend), I yelled "Ouch!" and she repeated it, of course I had to laugh!

Since my last post...

We (Mark, Sarah and I) went to Bellevue, Wa., for Mark's work Xmas party. Jakob stayed home with Amber, and had a great time, watching Sleeping Beauty, eating Mac and Cheese, going to Gelato and playing games - Auntie Amby (or Ambybebe as Jakob says) is the best!!

The party was nice, there was another baby there - 10 days older than Sarah - her name is Finnley and she is a doll, not walking yet, her parents don't know what work is yet!!!

Sarah started into separation anxiety this week, so she was not going to be held by any of the adults. Sarah slept in a hotel for the first time, and did just fine. She really enjoyed the full length closet mirrors and easy access to the remote/TV and toilet paper in the bathroom - as you will see in the following pictures!
We have been enjoying the Christmas lights in our neighborhood, taking walks in the evenings to see them. We have a huge Christmas tree in our neighborhood, that overlooks the city - I need to take a picture of it - it's one of my favorite things about living in this neighborhood. Last night Jakob said "This is sooooo fun Mommy, I love looking at the lights."
Pretty girl in the mirror

Showing off her toilet paper loot

Sarah and Finnley ( the only picture I have of the 2 of them)

Toilet paper thief (note she carries her "snuggie" everywhere with her - she's like Linus)

Sarah's first visit with Santa

We got a jump on Christmas this year, since my parents were in town. We put up our tree on the day after Thanksgiving, Sarah didn't quite know what to think of it - she mostly stood and looked and jabbered at it! (We have an artificial tree, Mark's favorite - not mine, but I've got some allergies, so that's why we have an artificial and why we could put up our tree so early.) Anyhow, on Sunday we took the kids to see Santa at the Macy's Santaland downtown. It was wonderful, it was quiet in the room with Santa, and they had a whole display set up with a train for kids to see and another to ride on, as well as reindeer and elves - the whole bit! Jakob just LOVED it. Jakob was so brave when he saw Santa - you may remember years in the past - him either not getting near Santa and yelling what he wanted at him, or just plain screaming, well this year he drew Santa a picture (of Santa and his sleigh), so he had to give it to Santa, plus he had to be the big, brave brother for Sarah. Jakob told Santa that he wanted slippers - random, yes, but I happen to know Santa pretty well and I think he will be bringing some cool slippers!! Sarah was fine on Santa's lap until she realized what was happening and then the screaming began!! The picture we bought, is hysterical, I'll have to have Mark scan it so I can post it, but these will do also...

Jakob giving his picture to Santa

Oh, the horror!!


Admiring the train

Riding on the train together

Watching the mechanical elves and Rudolph

The rest of the reindeer (in the background)- a bit freaky looking, but super cool for a 4 year old!

Some early decorating - the stockings - thanks to Gramma Kathy!

Sarah's first look at the tree - she is really excited and blabbering to the tree here!

Jakob decorating - he was totally into decorating it this year, and did a good job of putting only the soft ornaments at the bottom of the tree for Sarah to touch.

Jakob showing Sarah the decorated tree.

The Worst Day Ever

So I am going to try to keep this short, but have been wanting to put this on a post for a couple days now, just haven't had time. 

My parents have been here for over a week - which was great - they left tonight, which I'm sure is great for them -I'm sure they are truly exhausted, these kids are nuts, as am I at times! 

Anyhow, Saturday will go down as the worst day in history in our house - I'm sure even though it was sunny, there was a dark cloud over our house. Again, I am going to try to keep this short, but a lot of crap happened that day!

First, at 8 am Mark and I are in bed, actually getting some sleeping in time - as my Mom is watching the kids for us- I hear Jakob say "Nana why did you fall down the stairs". I didn't think much because I thought she was fine. Then I hear Jakob run to Papa who was in the bathroom and say "Papa, Nana fell down the stairs." So, the story goes that my Mom was holding Sarah, while going down the basement stairs to get a towel out of the dryer for Papa's shower. She apparently fell on the the 4th step from the bottom - on her right side while clenching onto Sarah for dear life. She got up, was fine for a second, got the towel from the dryer and then fell onto her knees as was dizzy. That's when she called for Jakob.  After I heard Jakob run to get Papa, I hopped out of bed, got my robe/coat on and walked into the kitchen, just as Don (Papa) was holding Sarah and walking my Mom into the kitchen, as I stepped into the kitchen, my Mom passes out and I try to catch her, but her head hit the kitchen cabinet, I was able to get her onto my body at least before she hit the ground. So, I am screaming bloody murder to Mark- who is still in bed in his underwear - I'm yelling get the phone (3 times), Don is holding Sarah, who is screaming (she was fine, just super freaked out), Jakob is watching in horror, Don is freaked that Mom had a stroke and I'm freaking out trying to get the phone. Mark dials 911 and hands the phone to me. I am seriously talking super fast to the operator, repeating our address, oh... like 3 times, before telling her what is going on. (I have called 911 a few times in my job as a school nurse, but never for a family member - WAY different). So, the firefighters (3) and Paramedics (2) show up, we are all in our pj's  - not the way I pictured firefighters coming over to my house - I digress - so by this time my Mom is awake - (she actually woke up while I was on the phone with the 911 operator and she was arguing with me that she was fine and didn't pass out - it was kind of funny). The firefighters lift her off of me and roll her onto the backboard, I hop up and run to the bathroom as I don't have a bra on, and look like hell and realize that I am going to be going to the hospital with her! I run in the bedroom to get dressed, Mark hands me Sarah, which slows my dressing process (sweatshirt and jeans) way down. I come out of the room as they have her on the gurney and ask the paramedic if they can "wait for me to follow them, I just need to brush my teeth!" OMG, I will never live this down. First off in my defense, my Mom was no where near being in the ambulance yet and she wasn't going to die, she was stable and ok, they (I) just wanted to have her checked out. Second, I had slept with my mouth open all night with the heater on and Mommy had some horrific breath! So, the paramedic was super nice, she looked at me, a bit funny, but then said "Yeah go ahead." The paramedics were awesome and let us follow them to the hospital, even pulling over to wait for us (Me and Don, Mark stayed with the kids). I should mention that Jakob was so great, he was so brave and was asking us what they were doing with Nana and why, and was quite excited to have the fire engine in front of his house! He was such a champ with calling for Papa when asked to by Nana, we call him the "Little Rescuer".  I should mention that I have told Jakob many times before that if I ever fall down the stairs he is to bring the phone to me or call 911 himself and tell them to come to our house, so he knew this was serious.

So, long story short, my Mom is fine, has a broken rib and passed out related to a serious drop in her blood pressure - vagal response. All in all, it could have been way worse, but she is just fine, in a lot of pain, and couldn't pick up Sarah - torture for the Nana! I should also mention that Sarah came away just fine.

So, we got home from the hospital about noon and all had a rest,  and some showers!

That evening around 8 pm - almost exactly 12 hours from the stair falling incident - I let Roxy out (our 8 year old, million dollar, fixer upper, German Shep. mix) to go potty. As she is outside, she starts creeping toward the back fence, I call to her and I hear a weird noise, she comes running back up the stairs into the mudroom shaking her head - I thought she ran into a spider web - I shut the door, with me inside and realize she was sprayed by a SKUNK!! OMG, it was awful, I am sure my nasal passages were burned, I still can't smell right! I didn't think to put her outside, I just thought that I needed to get out of the room - so I went into the kitchen and started yelling at Mark and Don to do something, they looked at me like I was crazy, until they smelled the skunk scent! We ended up getting Roxy outside, after I had to enter the mudroom again - holding my breath - she has been outside since. After going into the mudroom again, I thought I was going to die, I'm sure that is what tear gas is made of - Skunk spray really is just sulphuric acid - or so I read on the Internet. 

So, after some serious google searching on how to get rid of skunk scent on a dog and in a house, our poor dog has been bathed twice now in peroxide, baking soda and dish soap mix, the mudroom has been wiped down, but it still wreaks! We have bowls of vinegar all over the house - which are helping. We've washed our clothes in vinegar and it seemed to work. But, I can not get the scent out of my nose. Plus, water supposedly reactivates the scent and Roxy is outside and it is raining!! AWESOME!! 

 I'm not sure what else rotten could have happened on Saturday, but luckily we all got a really good laugh out of it! I felt like I was being tested on how to react to serious and unpredictable situations - I didn't do the greatest but, live and learn, I guess!