Stop the Insanity!

I am not one for playing computer games but DH gave me Insaneaquarium and I am addicted. Thankfully I have almost completed the entire game. When I close my eyes I see green fish and food pellets. I've been staying up too late to play this and my finger hurts from hitting the mouse button.

Off to bed, I think after I get the kids to bed tomorrow night I will be able to do the last level....stay tuned....

First Haircut & Security

Before:

I really wanted to wait till Junior was a year till I got his first haircut, but more and more people were calling him a girl so I finally broke down and had it done.

After:

He was too wiggly so you really can't tell, but all his curls are gone. Such a cutie!

While he was getting his haircut Abs decided that was the time to get into everything and act rotten. My mom took her out and held her in her arms while Abs screamed. A woman from a neighboring store came out, took a look and within seconds security for the shopping center appeared. They asked Abs who was holding her and she said "My Grandma" and then they asked her if everything was okay and she replied "No, she is squeezing me". The security guard told Abs that it looked like her Grandma didn't want her doing what she was doing. Leave it to Abs to have security called on her. On the bright side at least someone noticed something was going on and did something about it. All those reports of bystanders doing nothing kind of disturbed me. Still sorry that my mom had to go through this though.

When Em was little (about 18 months) we lived in Washington State and DH and I were in Target. Em was a bear and finally DH just picked her up and was carrying her out to the car. A woman stopped him and asked him if that child belonged to him and DH replied "When she acts like this I don't know who she belongs to!"

SGT Sprader

The outcome was not good, but they found SGT Sprader last night. Our prayers are with his family and friends.

VBS

began today. I was a little worried about how Abs would do this year. Last year I was 8 months pregnant, huge as a house in the Texas heat, with DH deployed. I dropped off the girls and within a few hours got a phone call that Abs wasn't behaving. The people that worked there were Saints! They would let Abs hang out with them and even had one sit with her during class so that she could remain. This was a lifesaver as I was so miserable and needed that time to sleep. (I did have a 10 lb 1 oz bouncing baby boy a few weeks later which explained the huge amount of discomfort)

I was really worried that we would have a repeat of last year but Abs assured me that she was going into first grade and there would be no problems. Thank goodness everything went well! (Later on in the summer Abs was asked to leave a VBS, so I had a reason to be concerned! I probably have the only child that gets booted from VBS!)

Junior napped and I cleaned. Such an exciting life I lead....

Still no sign

of the missing soldier. DH is out there again today all day joining in the search party. Hopefully they find him soon as he has been gone almost 72 hours.

Back to the hospital

Took Junior in for a follow up today and he was admitted. He was wheezing and grunting and having a hard time breathing. They sent him for a second xray and they sent me up to Pediatrics. We get there, get him hooked up to all the machines and the boy acts like he is wild and is all over the "cage" they put him in. He ripped off all the leads and finally I just took them off. The doctor saw him and said his xrays looked better and they think it might be viral since the antibiotics aren't working. So they gave me the option of staying or leaving and I agreed that I would rather be home but if it got worse I didn't want to wait in the er for 9 hours. They said to call them and they will meet me in the er and take him up if that happens. Hopefully not. I came home and napped and now Junior is out. DH is at the commissary--the man is the slowest grocery shopper I have ever met--and the girls are at the outlaws swimming in the neighbors pool. Now if I could just feel better....

Missing Soldier

There is a soldier missing here at Hood. DH was called out to go search the training area. Hopefully they will find him soon...

Sick again...

Took Junior back to the doctor today and he has pneumonia. Apparently it covers a large portion of his left lung. Poor little guy is hanging in there. Breathing treamtent did nothing and I have to take him back in on Sunday. At least I am being followed by the same doctor. She said if he changes at all I need to take him straight to the ER and have him admitted. He is on two antibiotics so I am hoping that they kick in and he starts feeling better. And where is DH?????? In the field of course. I am starting to think that he never sees a sick kiddo.

I'm sick too, but of course I don't have time for that since Abs has a play tomorrow and DQ comes home from camp tomorrow.

I really need to book a facial and a massage....

X Bike , Ears and Army Wives

I went to my second X bike class today. A lot easier than the first, but definitely gives you a workout. I guess I need to give up my beloved Body Step and focus on X bike till after October. I have to do this! Since I finished my MBA, I have done nothing to really challenge myself, so maybe this is what I need to get back into the swing of things. (And don't even ask how long ago I graduated, makes me feel like a bum!)

Took Junior to the doctor today while Abs was at theatre camp (which she loves). He has a horrible double ear infection. They put him on an antibiotic and I am hoping that we really see an improvement tomorrow the poor little guy.

I am about to watch the show Army Wives. I watched the first two minutes of it and they showed a Soldier proposing to a girl he knew for 4 days....that's why the divorce rate is so high! (Yes I know that it has actually decreased)

LIVESTRONG Challenge

Last year I had just had a baby so I walked the 5K with all three kids. This year I am going to do the 40 mile bike ride with my SIL. I guess I better get a bike and start training. No idea where to start. Maybe drop my step classes for a spinning class? I'd love to do a Century ride, but I know I am not ready for that. Not even sure I can make a 40 mile bike ride! Wish me luck!

Back Home

We left Saturday morning and picked up my mom and then headed to Houston. My brother and his wife live there and we were spending the night before we dropped DQ off at camp this afternoon. Junior is thankfully a pretty good traveler so we don't have to stop excessively. We did go by our old house in Houston (which we had demolished for my parent's anniversary--how sweet, I know, but it needed to be done. We walked around the property and checked out the area to see how much it had grown.

We got to my brother's house pretty early in the afternoon and hung out while my SIL made a great dinner. The girls enjoyed being with their aunt and uncle and Junior LOVED their dogs and cats. He chased them around the house and was worn out by the end of the day.

Today we had breakfast and then the girls went to the park with their aunt and uncle while I napped and my mom watched Junior. I was exhausted and needed the rest to do all the driving today.

This afternoon after lunch we drove DQ down to Girl Scout Camp in Seabrook. This is the same sailing camp that I went to while I was growing up. I wish I could have stayed!!! It looks like she will have a great time and hopefully learn a lot. She wasn't old enough to be in a sailing session, but at least she will be able to see the older girls out there sailing and want to do it herself. I love to sail and now want to buy a boat. Well I have always wanted one, but now I am determined to make that happen sooner, even if it is a little Sunfish! Surely those can't cost that much in this day and age! Good thing DH likes to sail too. A sunfish isn't big enough for the whole family, but a nice small one to get the girls used to the idea. I better get them to the pool and start on those swimming lessons, yet again. Maybe this year they will finally master it!

Abs starts theatre camp tomorrow. Wonder if they will be able to get her off the stage?

I miss DQ already but she is probably so busy she won't have time to worry about us. My babies are growing up....

It's about to storm but at least we have light this time. Night.

Waterpark

Always reapply sunscreen to your children more than what they say. Both the girls are burned.

Never let your children apply sunscreen to you, you will end up with strange burn marks across your body.

It was a good time though.

For those of you in Central Texas, we went to Summer Fun Waterpark. It is small enough and less crowded and a much shorter drive than Schlitterbahn, and the girls enjoy it a lot. We will take my nephew back there this summer when he comes to stay for a week. You can take your own drinks and food into the park which really helps cut down on the cost, plus there is a small military discount.

Weird Noises

I went for an evening run to the kitchen to find something sweet to snack on and instead heard weird noises. I started searching through the house, in the garage and finally outside in the backyard where I was sure my neighbor was pressure washing their grill or something so late at night. Turns out it was my A/C. So I called housing and surprisingly they can get someone out tomorrow afternoon. Of course I will be gone to the waterpark with the girls and my mom is watching Junior so she gets the joy of all of this. Hopefully it is a quick easy fix. I am thinking Abs put something in there maybe?

My Current Favorite Baby Product

With every child I have found one thing more useful than another. With Junior I have to say that hands down it is my baby carriers. I strap Junior into the Mei Tei or the sling and go. I am able to get more things done and he just hangs out with me...my little sidekick. At the urging of a friend a few months ago I ordered an ERGO. I am in heaven with this thing. I usually wear him on my back and I can be hands free and do laundry, clean, set the scooba or roomba to go, and play with the girls. He doesn't like it much if I am standing still (well unless I am washing dishes) but other than that he is content. It even has a sleeping hood so if he falls asleep I can secure his little head so he can continue napping while I continue running around the house taking care of things.

We took the ERGO a few months ago to Explore UT and it was a lifesaver. Not only could Junior use it, but Abs, our very tired 6 year old by the end of the day, was able to ride comfortably in it and it did not hurt DH's back at all.

My sister just had a baby and when she comes to visit I am going to let her try mine out and I know she will be sold on it. Anyway, helpful hint from me #746.

Weird things

After I have a baby something always changes about my body...besides the obvious like my weight and the plethora of stretch marks that adorn my tummy. I have always had curly hair but it gets curlier after each child, so I now have a mass of ringlets. Surprisingly the girls have straight hair and Junior is the one that inherited my curls.

After Junior was born 11 months ago I developed a rash around my belly button. It was pretty nasty and really hurt so I finally went to the doctor. Turns out I am allergic to my jeans, more specifically the button on my Tommy jeans. I guess they use nickel in the button and I am now allergic to that so I have to throw out about 4 pairs of jeans. I tried duct tape and other remedies in order for my cheap self to save money and not have to buy more jeans, to no avail. Now I am in love with Ralph Lauren jeans, and as with the 14K gold or higher that I have to wear in my ears so they don't become infected, I just tell DH that it is for my health.

Narrow Minded People

I belong to several email lists via yahoogroups. Most of them I could take or leave, but often I find some bit of useful information that makes the sorting through the emails worthwhile. Anyway, today an email came across and it just made me mad (I changed all the names and actually was able to keep the name changes clean!).

We got bad news this morning. Millie's cousin who was in the Military died while in training in Alberta. His truck flipped over and he was pronounced dead at the hospital. He was only in his early 20's. Please keep his parents, Millie's Aunt and Uncle Mavis and Davis in your prayers as the wait for the only son body to be shipped home. Think of his sisters to they are in their early twenties and this will be a hard blow. Millie is in a fog. She was close with him, She and her parents lived upstairs and his parents and family lived downstairs. Millie use to babysit him and change his diapers. We can't afford to go back for the funeral. But, we have a planned vacation there in a few weeks, so she will be able to spend time with the family then.
I know a lot of you are military families. But, Millie and I really feel like the military wasted a promising young life and ruins many other promising young lives. 4 boys from this
area have died recently in Afghanistan. My heart hurts for the mothers, who held them closed and put them to bed like I do with Rufus. I hope to God Rufus never ever joins.

While it is unfortunate that this young man died, where does she think the world would be without young men and women who were willing to join the military and defend their country? I sure don't want my husband to die, but I also don't want to be the one who is sitting there enjoying freedoms and expecting someone else to foot the bill for me because I deem myself "more valuable" than someone else.

I believe in the job that my husband does and support him 100%. Thank goodness he doesn't have to deal with idiots like this....

Disclaimer: If this makes no sense it's because I am tired and too mad to make any sense right now!

Memorial Day

Please remember all the Fallen Soldiers and their Families today...

Skim Milk Cows

Wonder what they will find next?

That's a lot of sausage!

We have a lantern

The outlaws brought over a lantern for us to use in case the electricity goes out again. I just sent DH to Sam's with all three children! Woohoo!