Helium is a wonderful thing. It can make festive balloon bouquets for parties as well as the equally fun munchkin voice. I'm sure it does all sorts of other important things in the world as well, you know, the whole periodic table thing. But in our house, helium is touted merely for it's ability to make a balloon airborne. And thus follows the story of the run-away balloon.
Ella is slightly preoccupied with the pursuit of balloon ownership in general. She is attracted to the shiny Mylar like a fish to a lure and, for her, I think they can be equally as dangerous to her fragile emotional psyche.
Last week, she bought a balloon at the store with her own money. (We are trying to teach her this since she has recently developed a very obnoxious case of "I want that!" directed at every item at every turn.) She was incredibly proud, helped count out the money and hand it to the cashier and very deliberately tied her balloon around her stuffed kitty so it wouldn't blow away (or if it did kitty and the balloon would perish together- I shudder at the thought.)
We got the balloon home safely and then she accidentally got it caught in the outside screen door and it popped. Her cries and screams could have rivaled those heard at the wailing wall.
This week, she did an incredible job at the dentist getting her teeth cleaned so I offered to get her a balloon at the store. We did a refresher "basic balloon safety" course before we left the confines of the store. She was totally on board and clutched that string like one of those lifesaver rings. We get into the car without issue. We drive down the street and I (please don't ask why) had the windows closed but the sunroof open. You can see where this is going...
I say, "Ella, the sunroof is open. Make sure you hold tight to your-"
And out the balloon goes, swooped up through the sunroof as though it is tied to a zip line.
Now these screams even rival the ones from the previous week. She is leaving nothing for later, letting the agony poor out of her eyes in liquid pain and heart wrenching sobs.
I kept my head in the game. I looked behind me in the rearview and saw the balloon (mercifully attached to a small weight) hovering over the traffic lane we had just occupied. I seriously considered going back for it and had to give myself a talk about how irresponsible it would be to get hit by a car with my kids strapped into their car seats, all for a $2 balloon. But mothers will do desperate things to heal a breaking heart.
Suddenly, something miraculous happened. A car went by and the balloon (just for a visual it is a red heart-shaped balloon that says "I love you") lifted, crossed to the other side (crossing 3 lanes of traffic) and attached itself to the guardrail. I did a quick assessment, did a u-turn which meant I had to wait for a light, all the while praying that more cars passing it wouldn't give it more wind and rocket it into the ethers of the atmosphere.
I threw my flashers on (this was an emergency after all), pulled over onto the non-existent shoulder, ran with lightning speed around the car to the guard rail, untangled it with the deft skill and desperation of a Survivor contestant at an immunity challenge, and reveared that glorious silver string in my hand like the prize that it was. I ran back to the driver's seat, thrust it at Ella (and closed the sunroof) and took off like I was in a car chase.
Ella's scream stopped with a sudden, silent halt. And then, "How did you do that, Momma?"
"Simple." I wanted to say. "I'm super mom."
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Oh, sister!
Our Girls
Did our girls have fun at Schoodic? Does the wave crash to the shore?
Maya, all nearly four teeth of her, loved the sand and the opportunity to practice crawling and scooting. She actually made butt prints in the sand and she made her way along. She ate a hardy amount of sand and likely some bugs and I know of at least one acorn.
Ella, despite the chilly weather and occasional downpour, spent most of the weekend in her bathing suit and swam every chance she got (translation: whenever she could connive an adult to suit up as well.) Then she would come in for hot chocolate and recoup for her next swim. The arm floaties are quite amazing to me, allowing her to swim over her head with little to no assistance. Good or bad for learning to swim I don't know, but she loved the independence and so did we.
We only took 400 pictures while we were there. Here are a few. Sandi has a slide show to be put on soon with a whole bunch more. (And camping pictures will be posted soon as well. Better late than never, right?)
We arrived home from our two nights at Schoodic with some profoundly tired girls who were as disinterested in sleep as a cat is in a bath. Maya slept took one 1 hour nap the entire day and they were both still awake at 8:30 p.m. after over two hours of trying to get them to bed. Maya slept for an hour and then wouldn't go back to sleep. Ella went from fussy to believably terrified of something in her room. Sandi and I, trying to eat a quiet kidless dinner and get some time alone before her work weekend, were ready to send Mochy on kid duty and retire for the night. Then, Sandi came up with an idea...
In our house, having a good idea is as commonplace as brushing our teeth- it happens at least once a day and is no less important to our household. We are full of good ideas, sometimes great ones. Ella even says, at least every other day, "I've got a great idea!" This could be our family motto.
So Sandi's Idea was that we put the girls together in one room. At first pass, this did not seem like a Great Idea, especially at that moment. But the more they cried and the more Sandi argued her case, the more sense it made. Ella wouldn't be scared if Maya was with her. They were going to share a room eventually anyway. They slept in the same room in Moosehead and at Schoodic and both were unaffected by the other waking and making noise.
Up we tromp to the second floor, lights on, Allen wrenches out (we have to disassemble the crib to fit it in Ella's door) and operation Sleep Reorganization was in motion. Half an hour later, the girls both happily in dreamland across the room from each other so each could see the other, Sandi and I laid in our baby-free bedroom, lights on, windows thrown open, talking in NORMAL tones and suddenly her good idea really had become a Great Idea.
And it has been ever since.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Ella... the witty one
The cat threw up on the carpet and left us to find it a few mornings ago. Don't you love that about cats? I told Ella not to touch the cat vomit.
"What is that?" she asked.
"Vomit," I repeated.
"What is vomit?"
"Throw-up."
"Oh," she said, understanding dawning. "Is vomit Spanish for throw-up?"
Then this morning, in our usual quest for a suitable breakfast for her, she told me, after considerable deliberation, that she wanted grapes on the Nemo plate. (This is a colorful carved fish-shaped plate someone brought back from a cruise for us.) Sure, great idea.
I got out the grapes and she came to help me pluck them off the vine and put them on the plate.
"Why are we putting grapes on the plate first?" she asked, my first hint of trouble.
"Didn't you ask for grapes on the Nemo plate?" I asked, a bit warily.
"No! Crepes on the Nemo plate!" Insert wailing. When did I start making everything to order??? And try to pack to leave for three days to go to the Carver's camp as I have been doing this morning?
I swear sometimes I feel like a waitress and a chef and a personal secretary not to mention teacher, poop cleaner, snot wiper, trash receptacle and sometimes even a punching bag.
Some really wonderful moments of this past week: the night it rained that really lovely, cool rain and we sat in the dark on the couch, kids asleep, windows wide open, feeling the relief from the day, the heat, the end of the drought.
When Mindy took Ella for the entire morning yesterday and gave me a much needed break.
Emilie buying me an iced coffee.
Getting our pictures from Amanda in the mail and seeing that they are even more beautiful to hold in my hands.
Realizing that this is the week our car payment would be due if we owed it but we don't because our car is PAID OFF!
Maya, clapping heartily, when I came through the door yesterday.
Sandi, coming home from a long two days away from me, and wrapping me up and feeling like home.
"What is that?" she asked.
"Vomit," I repeated.
"What is vomit?"
"Throw-up."
"Oh," she said, understanding dawning. "Is vomit Spanish for throw-up?"
Then this morning, in our usual quest for a suitable breakfast for her, she told me, after considerable deliberation, that she wanted grapes on the Nemo plate. (This is a colorful carved fish-shaped plate someone brought back from a cruise for us.) Sure, great idea.
I got out the grapes and she came to help me pluck them off the vine and put them on the plate.
"Why are we putting grapes on the plate first?" she asked, my first hint of trouble.
"Didn't you ask for grapes on the Nemo plate?" I asked, a bit warily.
"No! Crepes on the Nemo plate!" Insert wailing. When did I start making everything to order??? And try to pack to leave for three days to go to the Carver's camp as I have been doing this morning?
I swear sometimes I feel like a waitress and a chef and a personal secretary not to mention teacher, poop cleaner, snot wiper, trash receptacle and sometimes even a punching bag.
Some really wonderful moments of this past week: the night it rained that really lovely, cool rain and we sat in the dark on the couch, kids asleep, windows wide open, feeling the relief from the day, the heat, the end of the drought.
When Mindy took Ella for the entire morning yesterday and gave me a much needed break.
Emilie buying me an iced coffee.
Getting our pictures from Amanda in the mail and seeing that they are even more beautiful to hold in my hands.
Realizing that this is the week our car payment would be due if we owed it but we don't because our car is PAID OFF!
Maya, clapping heartily, when I came through the door yesterday.
Sandi, coming home from a long two days away from me, and wrapping me up and feeling like home.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Camping report
It has rained on the three of the last four of our annual Manhart/O'Reilly/Carver camping trips. Sandi is considering consulting the Farmer's Almanac before we make next year's reservations. I'm thinking about consulting a psychic. I also have a client whose husband swears it is sunny and gorgeous during his summer vacations every year. After the psychic, I will consult him and take the balance of what they each say and plan accordingly.
Actually, this is the first camping trip that I didn't mind too much about the rain. Why, you ask? Well, because we had the cabin, of course! Ella kept saying we were camping and I would feel my face flush with embarrassment. "No, honey, this isn't exactly camping." I mean, goodness, can you imagine if this is her camping standard? She did get some good camping time our first evening there, complete with swimming on the shores of the enchanting Moosehead lake right from the Manhart's campsite, having supper cooked over the open fire, toasting (burning) marshmallows (and eating large hunks of Hershey's Bars swipped from the s'mores fixings), romping the woods with Skyler on adventures ("You be the dinosaur now!" "No, I'm the dragon!" we'd hear them say) and contracting a case of poison ivy. We saw two deer and a very friendly fox. What more can a girl want from the woods?
We did make the bottom bunk that she slept on into a "tent" by hanging a blanket around it and letting her sleep with the rechargeable flashlight. She was really roughing it.
The Manhart's were absolute troopers and held through the rain that started mid-morning on day two. They napped in their tents, went to town for lunch, came to the cabin for the down pour in the afternoon, briefly considered an overnight with us in the cabin but we all reconsidered when it became obvious that someone might end up heavily medicated and in a straight jacket if we attempted such close quarters. You know who your friends are when you can pony up the truth in both directions.
To round out the weekend, we had lovely supper on Saturday night and a chance to reconnect with an old and dear friend and to meet a new one. It was a wonderful night of drinking wine, catching up over the past eight years and enjoying those deeper conversations that warm your heart and enlighten your spirit. There would be no way for me to express in words what their visit meant, but suffice it to say that it is amazing when life comes full circle. Thank you Kizzy and Marie-Eve (a French name pronounced so beautifully, I cannot even try) for your generosity to us and to the girls, for your love and positive energy, for extending yourselves so completely to us and for making us part of your trip from Canada. Come back again soon.
So, maybe next year we'll be back in the woods. Or maybe we'll just go to a hotel. Just kidding, Em.
Actually, this is the first camping trip that I didn't mind too much about the rain. Why, you ask? Well, because we had the cabin, of course! Ella kept saying we were camping and I would feel my face flush with embarrassment. "No, honey, this isn't exactly camping." I mean, goodness, can you imagine if this is her camping standard? She did get some good camping time our first evening there, complete with swimming on the shores of the enchanting Moosehead lake right from the Manhart's campsite, having supper cooked over the open fire, toasting (burning) marshmallows (and eating large hunks of Hershey's Bars swipped from the s'mores fixings), romping the woods with Skyler on adventures ("You be the dinosaur now!" "No, I'm the dragon!" we'd hear them say) and contracting a case of poison ivy. We saw two deer and a very friendly fox. What more can a girl want from the woods?
We did make the bottom bunk that she slept on into a "tent" by hanging a blanket around it and letting her sleep with the rechargeable flashlight. She was really roughing it.
The Manhart's were absolute troopers and held through the rain that started mid-morning on day two. They napped in their tents, went to town for lunch, came to the cabin for the down pour in the afternoon, briefly considered an overnight with us in the cabin but we all reconsidered when it became obvious that someone might end up heavily medicated and in a straight jacket if we attempted such close quarters. You know who your friends are when you can pony up the truth in both directions.
To round out the weekend, we had lovely supper on Saturday night and a chance to reconnect with an old and dear friend and to meet a new one. It was a wonderful night of drinking wine, catching up over the past eight years and enjoying those deeper conversations that warm your heart and enlighten your spirit. There would be no way for me to express in words what their visit meant, but suffice it to say that it is amazing when life comes full circle. Thank you Kizzy and Marie-Eve (a French name pronounced so beautifully, I cannot even try) for your generosity to us and to the girls, for your love and positive energy, for extending yourselves so completely to us and for making us part of your trip from Canada. Come back again soon.
So, maybe next year we'll be back in the woods. Or maybe we'll just go to a hotel. Just kidding, Em.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Gone Camping
We're off to Moosehead to go camping today. And by camping I don't mean of the backpacking variety that Sandi and I would love to do every weekend if permitted. And I don't even mean the cushy car camping that we have become accustomed to since our tenure as parents.
No, what we are embarking on today is the ultra-luxurious, and not nearly as cheap, version of "camping" called the cabin.
Yep, we're off to Lily Bay to stay in a plywood cabin at $120/night but with the wondrous offerings of a roof, running water, plumbing and real beds. Maybe next year we'll be ready for the woods again, but for this round, with this particular baby of ours, we need some modern conveniences.
Some things over the past weeks: We ate our first, candy-sweet cherry tomatoes off of our patio tomato plants. Ella has coached me yet again to "take a deep breath" when I started to get worked up. The girls stayed with a new babysitter for 4 hours and were absolute champs- no crying! Maya slept in until the blessed hour of 6 a.m. yesterday. And best of all, Sandi and I had the most unbelievable weekend away in Bar Harbor with no girls! We hiked, we biked, we ate and we witnessed some very dear friends proclaim their love on Cadillac Mountain during a very foggy and hurricane force winds early morning. It was a lovely and very touching event to be a part of and has served to restore a foundation of appreciation, adoration and unabashed love in our own relationship. Congratulations Matt and Angela!! We love you!
Off to pack, pack and pack some more.
No, what we are embarking on today is the ultra-luxurious, and not nearly as cheap, version of "camping" called the cabin.
Yep, we're off to Lily Bay to stay in a plywood cabin at $120/night but with the wondrous offerings of a roof, running water, plumbing and real beds. Maybe next year we'll be ready for the woods again, but for this round, with this particular baby of ours, we need some modern conveniences.
Some things over the past weeks: We ate our first, candy-sweet cherry tomatoes off of our patio tomato plants. Ella has coached me yet again to "take a deep breath" when I started to get worked up. The girls stayed with a new babysitter for 4 hours and were absolute champs- no crying! Maya slept in until the blessed hour of 6 a.m. yesterday. And best of all, Sandi and I had the most unbelievable weekend away in Bar Harbor with no girls! We hiked, we biked, we ate and we witnessed some very dear friends proclaim their love on Cadillac Mountain during a very foggy and hurricane force winds early morning. It was a lovely and very touching event to be a part of and has served to restore a foundation of appreciation, adoration and unabashed love in our own relationship. Congratulations Matt and Angela!! We love you!
Off to pack, pack and pack some more.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
The Best Day
Started out looking at this.... not bad.
My girls at the top of Chick Hill.
Ella venturing out on her own... and rushing back.
Hold the phone! Two entries in one day for this chiclet is a bit more than I can handle. But, alas, I will pull it off. If anyone read the previous entry, you know I had the day on-call from work, so it was basicly a freeby in the way of days off. We planned a trip up Little Chick Hill with the girls and it was fantastic.
I took my cell and a pair of scrubs should I get a call and off we went. This would be one of our first attempts at hiking with two little ones, as Ella has always ridden in the Kelty Kid Pack. She's finally at a point where hiking is possible all on her own. Maya has inherited the Pack. Suzanne and I took turns carrying Maya on our backs and Ella, being the big girl she is, hiked nearly all the way to the top. The rest of the way, Suz and I took turns with Ella on our shoulders. When we got to the top and sat to have refreshments, Ella began commenting on the beauty around us... "look how beautiful the sky is,..." "look at that cloud,..." "isn't it lovely up here?" I was filled with that welling up, tearful kind-of pride. I know Suzanne and I say these things, but I'm still proud even if it's modeled behavior.
Then, to top the day off, it gets even better. Not better than her appreciation of nature, but the day was filled with even more Mom-being-proud-kind-of-moments....
I took my cell and a pair of scrubs should I get a call and off we went. This would be one of our first attempts at hiking with two little ones, as Ella has always ridden in the Kelty Kid Pack. She's finally at a point where hiking is possible all on her own. Maya has inherited the Pack. Suzanne and I took turns carrying Maya on our backs and Ella, being the big girl she is, hiked nearly all the way to the top. The rest of the way, Suz and I took turns with Ella on our shoulders. When we got to the top and sat to have refreshments, Ella began commenting on the beauty around us... "look how beautiful the sky is,..." "look at that cloud,..." "isn't it lovely up here?" I was filled with that welling up, tearful kind-of pride. I know Suzanne and I say these things, but I'm still proud even if it's modeled behavior.
Then, to top the day off, it gets even better. Not better than her appreciation of nature, but the day was filled with even more Mom-being-proud-kind-of-moments....
Do you see it????
Look a little closer....
Mmmmmmmmm... a great day.
July 4th at the Merrill-Maguire's
I know you're all going to be shocked that I'm writing... Suzanne is the blogwriter in the family. It's Sunday morning and I'm on call for work today. I'm already awake, but not completely functional yet. I would have gone back to bed when I took the call from my coworker, except that the nerves in my right index finger are hoppin'. I woke up really hungry and decided to try out the new organic toaster pastries we bought recently. I popped one in the toaster and began to gargle (sore throat). My intention was to sit at the computer, enjoy my pastry, and put some pics on the blog before work. When the pastry popped up, I swiftly tapped at the corner to flip it upright so I could put it on my plate. I chose the wrong corner... some sort of sweet sugary sauce had boiled out of the pastry and proceeded to scauld through my fingertip.
The good news is we have a beautiful aloe vera plant which I promptly plucked a piece of and covered my burned finger. The other good news is that it's completely quiet in the house with everyone asleep and I was able to post some new pictures as well as slideshows for our viewers' enjoyment.
Our July 4th weekend has been gorgeous and entirely fulfilling. I was commenting to Suzanne yesterday that I don't remember enjoying a Summer as much as this one. It's one thing to take in the beautiful weather, get outside and play, accomplish summer things. I feel truly blessed at this point in time to be drinking in the moments of my life. I feel joy to my core. It helps to have kids, I think. Everything is new and fresh. Even with war and George Bush, there is a beauty in the world that cannot be seen with the eyes, but felt with our hearts.
So here's a shout out to Mindy & Charissa for a rockin' good time at their barbecue
this weekend. Mindy, the food was AWESOME (and Charissa, too, for throwing together those biscuits). Charissa, I always LOVE your immense library of foreign accents... entirely entertaining for me, even if the kids don't appreciate it. And thanks to the boys for playing football, baseball, soccer with me. I've been itchin' for some sports in my life. Enjoy the pics...
Saturday, July 5, 2008
oops...from the blog archives
These pictures were saved as a draft and I just found it. Here is Baby Brayden sleeping like an angel, at about one week old. He is now a whopping 4 weeks old and I got to hold his precious, tiny bundle of a body yesterday. He is a sight to behold. I love and adore him and am SO glad not to have a newborn anymore.
Here are some pics of Ella and Michaela swimming in the pool. I look angry but I really wasn't. I think I was on the three of "1, 2, 3!"
And a quick, post-swim snack on the steps. Ahh... summer.
Friday, July 4, 2008
It's official
I knew it would happen at some point.
I honestly just didn't think it would be this soon.
It's really just so sad... Ella officially knows more about sports than I do.
For most of you, this will not come as a complete shock. After all, the Carver's have been teasing me relentlessly for more than seven years about my appalling lack of general sports knowledge. Case in point was the time a Red Sox game was on and the announcer was rattling off some numbers when one of the players was up to bat. I, having not learned ANYTHING about thinking before I speak about sports in front of them, said, "How horrible. Is it really necessary to announce the batter's weight for all to know?"
For any who are as uninformed as I, the numbers they were speaking about were the batting average rather than the number representative of the players girth.
Then there was the time that they kept talking about a "key match-up." I kept hearing it and finally (again, open mouth, insert foot) said, exasperatedly, "Who is this Key Matchup? Is that a new Red Sox player?" In fact it is when a really great batter and a really great pitcher are matched against each other and they expect a potentially great play. Oh, well... I know now. Not about match-ups, but about keeping my mouth shut.
So this morning Ella was playing around with Sandi's new football that she got to toss around the yard. Ella says, "Why is this called a football?" I was doing yoga at the time, and not giving it too much thought. I said, "Well, I suppose because you kick it with your feet."
Short pause. "No. You throw it with your hands," she says.
Of course, she's right. I defend myself with the fact that footballs are in fact kicked for a (?) field goal. But, largely, hands come in contact with the ball more than the feet. Perhaps I was thinking of the European football which is actually soccer...
I honestly just didn't think it would be this soon.
It's really just so sad... Ella officially knows more about sports than I do.
For most of you, this will not come as a complete shock. After all, the Carver's have been teasing me relentlessly for more than seven years about my appalling lack of general sports knowledge. Case in point was the time a Red Sox game was on and the announcer was rattling off some numbers when one of the players was up to bat. I, having not learned ANYTHING about thinking before I speak about sports in front of them, said, "How horrible. Is it really necessary to announce the batter's weight for all to know?"
For any who are as uninformed as I, the numbers they were speaking about were the batting average rather than the number representative of the players girth.
Then there was the time that they kept talking about a "key match-up." I kept hearing it and finally (again, open mouth, insert foot) said, exasperatedly, "Who is this Key Matchup? Is that a new Red Sox player?" In fact it is when a really great batter and a really great pitcher are matched against each other and they expect a potentially great play. Oh, well... I know now. Not about match-ups, but about keeping my mouth shut.
So this morning Ella was playing around with Sandi's new football that she got to toss around the yard. Ella says, "Why is this called a football?" I was doing yoga at the time, and not giving it too much thought. I said, "Well, I suppose because you kick it with your feet."
Short pause. "No. You throw it with your hands," she says.
Of course, she's right. I defend myself with the fact that footballs are in fact kicked for a (?) field goal. But, largely, hands come in contact with the ball more than the feet. Perhaps I was thinking of the European football which is actually soccer...
Monday, June 30, 2008
Welcome to the world Brayden Thomas!
Our adorable nephew was born yesterday, June 29 at 2:09 p.m., weighing in at a perfect
7 lb 9 oz. He followed Maya into the world exactly eight months after she was born. I remember that we were home from the hospital only about 10 days when Kathryn found out that she was not just tired- she was pregnant.
Proud daddy.
Sorry there are no pictures of the proud mommy. My camera lost its battery.
All three are currently settled in at the Maine General Thayer campus maternity ward- a.k.a. the Ritz-Carlton of all maternity floors. Kathryn's room looks like a hotel room, seriously. It has an armoir, a pull-out sofa, and a table and chairs. Her labor room had a jet tub, real bathroom fixtures and a wooden dresser and cabinet. The bathroom was a big as our home bathroom. Cushy, yes indeed. I think it made more of an impression on the visitors than on my laboring sister, though.
Ella's beloved cousin, Michaela (the new big sister) was thrilled to have Ella there. My mom and I took the girls out to supper and then watched them run off a sugar high. As Patti, Sandi's mom said, it's a good thing that there is another, younger cousin for Maya to have because Michaela is all Ella's.
So happy you're here baby boy. We aren't a perfect family but we have a lot of fun and I think you'll like us just fine. We already know that we love you.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
On his way...
Right now my sister is in Thayer hospital in Waterville in labor.
Right now.
I am here on this rainy, relatively yucky, Sunday trying to keep my girls happy. Making lunch, folding laundry, cleaning up. She's working on birthing her baby. Doesn't quite seem right.
I feel entirely powerless. I can't very well pace the halls of the hospital with the girls in tow (although I do plan to pack them up and go when the birth is imminent.) And it's not as though I would have a whole bunch more power to help her even if I was on the premise, wringing my hands and waiting to hold my new nephew.
It's just weird that I am doing nothing and she is doing everything- the grand event, the greatest gesture, the biggest thing most women do in one single act.
Her labor has started and stopped and she has had trouble progressing. So they broke her water in hopes that would kick it into gear. There is no going back now. He is on his way.
And I am waiting for the call that there is SOMETHING I can do to be helpful or constructive. Good luck Kathryn. I love you.
Right now.
I am here on this rainy, relatively yucky, Sunday trying to keep my girls happy. Making lunch, folding laundry, cleaning up. She's working on birthing her baby. Doesn't quite seem right.
I feel entirely powerless. I can't very well pace the halls of the hospital with the girls in tow (although I do plan to pack them up and go when the birth is imminent.) And it's not as though I would have a whole bunch more power to help her even if I was on the premise, wringing my hands and waiting to hold my new nephew.
It's just weird that I am doing nothing and she is doing everything- the grand event, the greatest gesture, the biggest thing most women do in one single act.
Her labor has started and stopped and she has had trouble progressing. So they broke her water in hopes that would kick it into gear. There is no going back now. He is on his way.
And I am waiting for the call that there is SOMETHING I can do to be helpful or constructive. Good luck Kathryn. I love you.
Movies
We don't see a lot of these. If we do, it takes us two to three nights to get through them (you know, Netlix.)
However, in some fluke on the time/space continuum, we have seen TWO really good ones lately that warrant a small write-up.
First, on our vacation, we got to go out and see the "Sex and the City" movie. On the way there, we mused that we had probably only been to the movies ONCE since Ella was born. I don't even remember what we saw but I vaguely remember being in the dark and waiting for it to start. I'm thinking one of the Harry Potter's. We watched all six seasons of Sex and the City and I was super excited to see the movie. It did not disappoint. It was funny, sexy, surprising, dramatic and really very moving. For anyone who has hung out with those 4 crazy women for six years, you'll know what I mean when I say it was good to see them again! Thanks Maria and Jeanine for watching the girls for us.
Secondly, slow-comers that we are to most current things, we finally watched "Little Miss Sunshine." I think this movie made the Oscar round quite a few years ago. Some people had told me it was funny, some had said it was dark, others (my mother I think) said it was wholly dysfunctional. We absolutely loved it. It is all of those things, but the funny wins them all. Nothing is funnier than real life being real. Do you know? If you haven't seen this wacky movie about a crazy family who goes on a life-altering trip for their very ordinary looking, but very extraordinary daughter to go to a beauty pageant, go rent it NOW!
Okay, that's it for my movie reviews for at least another year.
However, in some fluke on the time/space continuum, we have seen TWO really good ones lately that warrant a small write-up.
First, on our vacation, we got to go out and see the "Sex and the City" movie. On the way there, we mused that we had probably only been to the movies ONCE since Ella was born. I don't even remember what we saw but I vaguely remember being in the dark and waiting for it to start. I'm thinking one of the Harry Potter's. We watched all six seasons of Sex and the City and I was super excited to see the movie. It did not disappoint. It was funny, sexy, surprising, dramatic and really very moving. For anyone who has hung out with those 4 crazy women for six years, you'll know what I mean when I say it was good to see them again! Thanks Maria and Jeanine for watching the girls for us.
Secondly, slow-comers that we are to most current things, we finally watched "Little Miss Sunshine." I think this movie made the Oscar round quite a few years ago. Some people had told me it was funny, some had said it was dark, others (my mother I think) said it was wholly dysfunctional. We absolutely loved it. It is all of those things, but the funny wins them all. Nothing is funnier than real life being real. Do you know? If you haven't seen this wacky movie about a crazy family who goes on a life-altering trip for their very ordinary looking, but very extraordinary daughter to go to a beauty pageant, go rent it NOW!
Okay, that's it for my movie reviews for at least another year.
The X
So some of you have heard me talk about P90X.
The tag line for this extreme workout series is "Do you want to get ripped in 90 days?"
Every morning, or at least six days a week when I would rise at 5 a.m. I would ask myself this question.
Usually the answer was, "Not really."
Why then? Why remain dedicated for THIRTEEN weeks to a program so grueling (I'm talking 13 different workouts on varying schedules designed to "confuse" your muscles so that when they adjust to the difficulty of something, you switch it up make them do more) that I think the Navy SEALS might want to think about incorporating it into their training? For me the answer is simple.
It's called mental sanity.
Yes, you heard me. I gave up much needed sleep for a little something called endorphins. This became my morning coffee, the jolt that would put me in the frame of mind to keep up with our little rugrats day in and day out. It was the only time that I could carve out for me (although at least 60% of the time I had one or both girls underfoot by the time the workout ended.) Getting ripped (which I must admit I am a little bit) was just an added benefit.
I had started P90X before Maya was born, got halfway through and gave it up when she was 10 days old for obvious reasons. When she was just shy of 5 months, I decided I was ready and needed an outlet. It was either exercise, eat, or take up a drinking habit. Exercise seemed the best, albeit not the easiest, option. Trish and I decided to do it together and I am incredibly grateful to her for it. She made it fun. I could have done it myself but I would have just pushed through. Trish brought the joy factor, all the way around. When it would get hard (well it started hard- I should say when it got impossible) and the sequence for one arm push ups or one-legged wall squats would come on, Trish would start badmouthing Tony, the coach, and swear at the TV. What better way is there to start your day then to take out all your pent up aggression at a defenseless recording?
And even though I begrudged my early risers, I have to admit I love that the girls get to have role models of capable and strong women. "Is that hard. Momma?" Ella would ask as we grunted and sweat like men trying to do just one more rep of the 15th push-up exercise. I love to see Ella leaping across the floor with us doing Plyometrics or getting on a yoga mat and copying all the various forms of stomach crunches. She thinks resistance bands are the most fun toy ever made. Sandi bought me some push-up bars (to make it harder- go figure) and Ella loves them. Sometimes now in the middle of the day she'll pull them out. "Just a minute," she'll say when I ask her to come. "I've got to do my push-ups."
So what's next for me? Another round of P90X, of course. We did the classic program. Next time I will do the lean program which has a bit less of the crazy muscle building work and more cardio to lean down. Mostly, I want to maintain what I have worked so hard to build. First a break is in store for this strong but tired body. But not too long - there is no grass growing on me.
P.S. Thanks Trish for bringing it. You rock.
The tag line for this extreme workout series is "Do you want to get ripped in 90 days?"
Every morning, or at least six days a week when I would rise at 5 a.m. I would ask myself this question.
Usually the answer was, "Not really."
Why then? Why remain dedicated for THIRTEEN weeks to a program so grueling (I'm talking 13 different workouts on varying schedules designed to "confuse" your muscles so that when they adjust to the difficulty of something, you switch it up make them do more) that I think the Navy SEALS might want to think about incorporating it into their training? For me the answer is simple.
It's called mental sanity.
Yes, you heard me. I gave up much needed sleep for a little something called endorphins. This became my morning coffee, the jolt that would put me in the frame of mind to keep up with our little rugrats day in and day out. It was the only time that I could carve out for me (although at least 60% of the time I had one or both girls underfoot by the time the workout ended.) Getting ripped (which I must admit I am a little bit) was just an added benefit.
I had started P90X before Maya was born, got halfway through and gave it up when she was 10 days old for obvious reasons. When she was just shy of 5 months, I decided I was ready and needed an outlet. It was either exercise, eat, or take up a drinking habit. Exercise seemed the best, albeit not the easiest, option. Trish and I decided to do it together and I am incredibly grateful to her for it. She made it fun. I could have done it myself but I would have just pushed through. Trish brought the joy factor, all the way around. When it would get hard (well it started hard- I should say when it got impossible) and the sequence for one arm push ups or one-legged wall squats would come on, Trish would start badmouthing Tony, the coach, and swear at the TV. What better way is there to start your day then to take out all your pent up aggression at a defenseless recording?
And even though I begrudged my early risers, I have to admit I love that the girls get to have role models of capable and strong women. "Is that hard. Momma?" Ella would ask as we grunted and sweat like men trying to do just one more rep of the 15th push-up exercise. I love to see Ella leaping across the floor with us doing Plyometrics or getting on a yoga mat and copying all the various forms of stomach crunches. She thinks resistance bands are the most fun toy ever made. Sandi bought me some push-up bars (to make it harder- go figure) and Ella loves them. Sometimes now in the middle of the day she'll pull them out. "Just a minute," she'll say when I ask her to come. "I've got to do my push-ups."
So what's next for me? Another round of P90X, of course. We did the classic program. Next time I will do the lean program which has a bit less of the crazy muscle building work and more cardio to lean down. Mostly, I want to maintain what I have worked so hard to build. First a break is in store for this strong but tired body. But not too long - there is no grass growing on me.
P.S. Thanks Trish for bringing it. You rock.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Seriously?
Ella has been saying the most INCREDIBLE things to me.
Yesterday, at breakfast she said, "Is my spirit still here?" Then she lifted up her dress, checked her tummy and said, "Yup."
I was commenting on how I love when the city paints the lines back on the road so we can see where to go. She asked why and I explained that in the winter they get worn off and then they paint them back on. As if fully grasping now the constant evolution of seasons she said, "And then they will wear off again in the winter and they will paint them back on again." To everything, turn, turn, turn.
We pulled into a shopping center and there was a woman walking into the pharmacy. She was wearing a slightly inappropriate top, like a halter top that forgot to cover her belly, with a long flowing skirt. Ella had been remarking on loving summer because of short sleeves, skirts and dresses. "Like her skirt, Momma," she said. "Except, what is her shirt?" I told her it was like a small t-shirt.
Ella very confidently and without the slightest bit of scorn, says, "No. That's more like a bra."
When we went to Storyland, Sandi took her into a shop to get some things (read: junk) and told her that she could pick out the much requested t-shirt in addition to the jewlery she had already chosen. Ella told her that she wanted to get two matching stuffed animals, one for her and one for Brevie. And that is just what she did. The look of pure joy on her face when she gave it to him should be bottled and sold for good money.
We've had some TOUGH emotional dramas with Ella in the past month or so but they finally seem to ebbing. What is left is a smooth stone, like a piece of sea glass whose edges have been buffed by the surf, one you want to rub with your thumb as it sits nestled in your pocket. I want to hold her at arm's length and see if I still see it or if my vision is clouded from being so close. And when I do, when I step back, I see that she is truly becoming the little person she came here to be- the determined, magical, gifted, free-spirited and vibrant being she came to be. When I look at the rest of the pictures Amanda took of the girls (which we'll post soon) I know that she sees it too and got it on film.
I said to Ella as we sat snuggling today, "You are such a special little girl." She replied, "Thank you, Momma." Thank you Ella. Thank you for picking us.
Yesterday, at breakfast she said, "Is my spirit still here?" Then she lifted up her dress, checked her tummy and said, "Yup."
I was commenting on how I love when the city paints the lines back on the road so we can see where to go. She asked why and I explained that in the winter they get worn off and then they paint them back on. As if fully grasping now the constant evolution of seasons she said, "And then they will wear off again in the winter and they will paint them back on again." To everything, turn, turn, turn.
We pulled into a shopping center and there was a woman walking into the pharmacy. She was wearing a slightly inappropriate top, like a halter top that forgot to cover her belly, with a long flowing skirt. Ella had been remarking on loving summer because of short sleeves, skirts and dresses. "Like her skirt, Momma," she said. "Except, what is her shirt?" I told her it was like a small t-shirt.
Ella very confidently and without the slightest bit of scorn, says, "No. That's more like a bra."
When we went to Storyland, Sandi took her into a shop to get some things (read: junk) and told her that she could pick out the much requested t-shirt in addition to the jewlery she had already chosen. Ella told her that she wanted to get two matching stuffed animals, one for her and one for Brevie. And that is just what she did. The look of pure joy on her face when she gave it to him should be bottled and sold for good money.
We got a new Jewel CD (my favorite female singer and a long anticipated purchase for me.) Ella has taken a shine to Jewel, my heart beat proud. However, if anyone remembers last summer's loop play of the Beach Boys "Barbara Ann" (we listened to it on repeat the entire 2 hour trip to Beals last summer) then you know Ella can ruin a song for an adult better than anyone I know. Sandi would say, "Well, I used to like Barbara Ann...." Well, Ella is slightly obsessed with the first track of the Jewel CD. And, she's a girl after my own heart, singing along with the chorus: "I'm gonna love myself more than anyone else- believe in me even if no one can see the stronger woman in me. Gonna be my own best friend, stick with me 'till the end. Gonna lose myself again? No. No. Cause there's a stronger woman, stronger woman in me." I tell you, Raffi can't beat Jewel with a stick.
The other night she slept with us while I was racked with a bout of the stomach flu (long story as to why she was in the bed next to the germs.) When she woke up in the morning, instead of asking me to rub her arm like she ALWAYS does whenever anyone snuggles with her, I woke out of a deep, sick sleep to find her rubbing my arm just as gently and with just as much love as I rub hers.
This morning she got up at 5:15, ostensibly to "spend time with my family." I think she was hungry and the light was bright around her window shades.
We've had some TOUGH emotional dramas with Ella in the past month or so but they finally seem to ebbing. What is left is a smooth stone, like a piece of sea glass whose edges have been buffed by the surf, one you want to rub with your thumb as it sits nestled in your pocket. I want to hold her at arm's length and see if I still see it or if my vision is clouded from being so close. And when I do, when I step back, I see that she is truly becoming the little person she came here to be- the determined, magical, gifted, free-spirited and vibrant being she came to be. When I look at the rest of the pictures Amanda took of the girls (which we'll post soon) I know that she sees it too and got it on film.
I said to Ella as we sat snuggling today, "You are such a special little girl." She replied, "Thank you, Momma." Thank you Ella. Thank you for picking us.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Oh my are these kids fun!
Naked is always best- okay almost always.
Storyland
We wrapped up our vacation with a rockin' trip to Storyland in Glen, NH. We had so much fun there last year with my sister, our niece Michaela and my mom, that we made sure to build it into our summer itinerary this year. Since my sister is about to pop, closing in on her due date to deliver a much anticipated little baby boy (and our second nephew), she wasn't able to go. This was a bit of a bummer since my sister and I had as much, if not more, fun than our daughters did last year, running and skipping around Storyland more like five-year-olds than the thirtysomethings we are.
So we gathered up a group of equally lovely women and children for this year's trip- Kristi and Brevan and Kristi's friend Jess and her son Jonah, and, squeezed into a little cottage with us just like family, were Mindy, Charissa and Emerson. We knew it would be Ella and 3 two-year-old boys. We knew we had a baby this year to factor into the mix. We thought we could foresee all and secure any problems that might arise. This was largely true- we had the necessary rain gear for a few momentary downpours, we packed Maya's giant swing for sleeping which was more than necessary, and I ramped up my energy level so I could play with Ella the way Michaela would have. But the truth is, Ella was a bit lost.
Sandi and I learned fully and completely that Ella is at the stage where friends, and especially peers, are incredibly important to her. She had a ton of fun with the boys, especially romping around with them back at the cabins. But when it came to the bigger rides, the ones she LOVED last year, it seemed she really needed to borrow on the courage of an older, wiser friend who was, unfortunately, absent. The saddest part for us is that we couldn't be this for her. No amount of enthusiasm on our part (including jumping up and down, at the edge of cartwheels) or participation and bravery from the clan of boys could prompt Ella into full blown enjoyment of Storyland. We could have sat right down and cried.
But there are, of course, some wonderful pictures. And by the way, Maya had a great time, was a champ about the travel, the stroller, the sun, the whole thing - plus she got her first taste of ice cream.
Ella and Brevie- on the run.
Maya with her mini-mohawk and lickin' her chocolate ice cream.
Peekin' out of Peter Pumpkin's pie.
Emerson had the best time at Storyland! I think he went on every ride and he may have even received some sort of medal for the most time ever spent on the Storyland train.
Maya LOVED the carousel. I, on the other hand, got a bit sick after the second go-around.
Ella had to have her sunglasses - not for her eyes but to wear like a headband. She gets more and more specific about her personal fashion with each passing day.
I think this was harmless play but it looks like Brevan is taking Jonah down in the ball pit.
I will say that the adult time we had on our trip was incredibly fun. After we got the kids to bed, we sat up and drank wine and laughed ourselves silly, something we don't often do anymore (this seems too basic, but why is that?) And here, are some snippets of things I heard people say that cracked me up.
"Please don't eat the floor." - a request for Jonah from his mother when we stopped for lunch.
"Will Humpty's Dump do?" - question posed to Jess and Kristi regarding their desire to go to Freeport on the way back to Maine. We passed a junkyard by this name on our way to Storyland.
"Do they sell beer at Storyland?" - Charissa asked the night before we went.
"I don't think they can do anything to it by pressing buttons." -Jess's famous last words regarding the boys playing with the CD player.
"Is it too early to buy wine in New Hampshire?" -me asking at 7 a.m when I went to the Irving for maple syrup (I was planning ahead for the evening.) "Oh, hell no!" -the answer from a fellow female customer.
"I'm not lazy. I just really like to be waited on." - Charissa in reference to how well Mindy takes care of her.
"Get a whooper today." - a sign on a Burger King Mindy and Charissa passed on their way to NH.
"I see a red skittle. Did somebody poo?" - question posed by Jess to Ella regarding Ella's skittle reward system for using the toilet.
"What is it that people say I am?? What is that word? Oh, I can't think of it! What is it??" - Kristi asking everyone. "Overstimulated?" I offered. "Yes, that's it."
And here is a P.S.
"I wish I had a flurident." - said by Sandi the evening we came home. Mindy had spent some time convincing us of the merit of the flurident- a fancy shaped toothpick that takes the place of flossing for plaque removal. Initially skeptical, we were full participants in the nightly ritual by the time we departed.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Amanda's Magic
Here are some sneak peeks of the photos we had taken of the girls. This woman, Amanda Burse, is a brilliant photographer who is just starting out. She is offering an incredibly reasonable "portfolio building" special and we were fortunate to get in on it. If you are interested in any of her work her website is http://www.labellavitaphotos.com/.
I think these are so very special. I love the way she captured the spirit of our girls- her talent is just magical. Thanks Amanda.
I think these are so very special. I love the way she captured the spirit of our girls- her talent is just magical. Thanks Amanda.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Vacation...or something like it
In true Carver fashion we are in full vacation swing, packing our days from morning till night. Yes, yes, we know. We are trying to slow it down. But truly, I am beginning to wonder if it is even within our scope of functioning to operate at an abbreviated pace.
Vacation can feel like it will last forever when an entire week or more stretches out before you. Oh, we can do this and go here and work on this. We have been spending our days outside, working in the yard, on the gardens and, for Sandi, on the playset. Pictures will be forthecoming- I promise. Ella and Maya were able to swing on it yesterday. The play towers are still under construction and will be complete with slides, a rock wall, a ramp, a ladder, a trap door and a walking bridge. What lucky girls!
The girls have been having some issues sleeping, especially Maya with her sprouting teeth and all, but I think we are settling in, determining what we want out of this time, REALLY, and have it not just be about projects. For instance, I want to go on one bike ride, have one day to sleep in (which I got yesterday), have one really good ice cream cone, and go on a date with Sandi (and thanks to the dynamic du0 of Jeanine and Maria that is in the works too.) The end of our week wraps up with a kickin' trip to Storyland with the girls, Mindy and Charissa, Kristi and Brevan and Kristi's friend from Beals Island.
Perhaps my favorite part of vacation so far has been the hour that Sandi and I spent out on the balcony off our bedroom the other night. After spending close to TWO HOURS getting both our girls to sleep, we were weary and a bit broken. Sitting out on our gravity chairs, watching twilight decend and the moon brighten- it was pure, restorative magic.
Vacation can feel like it will last forever when an entire week or more stretches out before you. Oh, we can do this and go here and work on this. We have been spending our days outside, working in the yard, on the gardens and, for Sandi, on the playset. Pictures will be forthecoming- I promise. Ella and Maya were able to swing on it yesterday. The play towers are still under construction and will be complete with slides, a rock wall, a ramp, a ladder, a trap door and a walking bridge. What lucky girls!
The girls have been having some issues sleeping, especially Maya with her sprouting teeth and all, but I think we are settling in, determining what we want out of this time, REALLY, and have it not just be about projects. For instance, I want to go on one bike ride, have one day to sleep in (which I got yesterday), have one really good ice cream cone, and go on a date with Sandi (and thanks to the dynamic du0 of Jeanine and Maria that is in the works too.) The end of our week wraps up with a kickin' trip to Storyland with the girls, Mindy and Charissa, Kristi and Brevan and Kristi's friend from Beals Island.
Perhaps my favorite part of vacation so far has been the hour that Sandi and I spent out on the balcony off our bedroom the other night. After spending close to TWO HOURS getting both our girls to sleep, we were weary and a bit broken. Sitting out on our gravity chairs, watching twilight decend and the moon brighten- it was pure, restorative magic.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Soothing
Lots of things feel good- running through a sprinkler when it is 93 degrees, eating ice cream cones, running around naked and jumping in a pool, sleeping with the windows open and just a sheet for cover, accomplishing something you have really needed/wanted to do... all these things happened this weekend for various members of our family.
Other things feel good too. Ella was riding with Tia (Trish) in her car for the first time the other day. She said, "Hey, Tia. You know what? I love you."
It feels good to have a beloved friend come and babysit and keep your children well and happy so you can fit in an extra client before going on vacation. It feels even better when they stay for lunch and a romp around the kitty pool.
For me it feels AMAZING that our electricity bill decreased by $65 last month with only 3 weeks of the month using our new washer and dryer, the ones I have affectionately dubbed Lucy and Ethel.
And then there is the moment when you are trying to pull it together, trying to keep your head in the game with two children crying/whining/screaming at the same time, when your three-year-old comes up to you, hugs you tight and says, with extreme empathy in her voice and in the manner and tone matched exactly to mine, "Sometimes it's just hard, Momma" just like I say to her.
Other things feel good too. Ella was riding with Tia (Trish) in her car for the first time the other day. She said, "Hey, Tia. You know what? I love you."
It feels good to have a beloved friend come and babysit and keep your children well and happy so you can fit in an extra client before going on vacation. It feels even better when they stay for lunch and a romp around the kitty pool.
For me it feels AMAZING that our electricity bill decreased by $65 last month with only 3 weeks of the month using our new washer and dryer, the ones I have affectionately dubbed Lucy and Ethel.
And then there is the moment when you are trying to pull it together, trying to keep your head in the game with two children crying/whining/screaming at the same time, when your three-year-old comes up to you, hugs you tight and says, with extreme empathy in her voice and in the manner and tone matched exactly to mine, "Sometimes it's just hard, Momma" just like I say to her.
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