What's a crabby chicken say?

So, Ava's been a challenge lately. And by challenge I mean at least 2 tantrums the first hour she gets up, sometimes running into each other. She may have an okay 45 minutes to an hour sometime within the day, but the slightest thing will set her off. She's difficult to take anywhere and difficult to do anything with. She has some really good times, and is really funny sometimes, but even that's difficult to enjoy because she gets so crazy mad at other times and you just never know what's going to set her off.

One reason for that, I believe, is that she's frustrated that she can't communicate with us. At two, she should be able to say simple two-word phrases. She can't say 5 words all together, much less two at a time. We decided to have her evaluated to check if speech therapy would help. The evaluation was last night, but before that I had to fill out a bunch of paperwork about her development as a baby. Thank goodness for the blog so I could go back and look at what her due date was, what age she got tubes in her ears, all that good stuff! But as I was looking back on her first months, I read about the first outing I did with her and Max to WalMart. During that outing, Ava had a diaper blowout and Max went into the stall and announce, "I poop!" Well, two things remarkable about that... first, Max was the same age as Ava is now, and he was speaking! In two work sentences! And second, he was (mostly) potty trained. Sigh...

And the second reason for Ava's crabbiness? Well, two weeks ago she got hives really bad. We never really figured out why, but we took her to the doctor, she said to watch it, so we did and they went away after a few days. Well, yesterday they came back. And then today, she was even more crabby than normal, mild fever and threw up. Hmmm? So, I took her back to the doctor again today, and VOILA! Chicken pox! How crazy! She was vaccinated, but sometimes it's not 100% effective. Abby and Nolan are pretty safe from getting it, but Max hasn't had his booster yet (you get it at 5 years old), so I guess we'll watch and see with him. Leave it to Ava to get anything the other kids never had!

And all of that just leaves me to wonder... If a crabby chicken could talk, what would it say?

Change of scenery

I just realized that I've had the kind words about Dave posted for way too long. And, he continually reminds me that I've said them. So, even though I have nothing really to say, I had to post something new!

Time seems to be something that's in short demand these days. I've been working fairly late, and my time at work is taken by many meetings. I get home late and then sometimes work some more. Soon church class will be starting and I'm not sure how I'll find the time to teach that. On top of just the time, I also have second grade this year, which is Nolan's class (who behaves completely inappropriate for me) and is a sacrament year with First Reconciliation and First Communion.

The kids are starting to have more school commitments and I'm glad Dave's home because I know I couldn't keep up.

The time keeps going, things keep getting done. Or, they don't. Either way!

11... Thank you!

Today, on our eleven year anniversary, I want to say THANK YOU to Dave. I know, most people say I love you. Which I do. I love him too. But today it's pure gratefulness that I'd like to express. He has been home with the kids all summer, and I've gotten a complete pass. When people ask me with a smirk how he's doing, I try to think of a funny story, but can't. Really, he's doing great. He loves it. The kids love it. I love it! He cooks, he cleans, he does laundry. He makes me coffee and breakfast, and helps me get my bag out to the car. He gives baths (and lets me take baths!) and goes to the store late at night and takes kids to the dentist and makes preschool runs. He handles most of the homework and has the entire neighborhood over and entertains them all and he enjoys it! And even though I don't see him much somedays, and sometimes don't see the kids much, he still understands when I need a little time to decompress, to shop at 9 at night on a Sunday night because I have nothing to wear, and isn't frustrated that my mobility is limited on my crutches.

I loved him 11 years ago when I married him. But today I am in love with him. We don't always see eye to eye, but that wouldn't be any fun if we did. I can't imagine trying to do this life alone, and I can't imagine a better partner in crime in all of this.

Here's to 11 years... and to looking forward to growing old(er) together!

Who told her she was 2??

Minute 1...

Minute 2...

This is seriously what it's like around our house. One minute she's the happeist camper ever. The next minute she is throwing a fit like the likes I've never seen from the other three kids. She hits and pulls hair (her own and others!) and throws things and screams at me and walks away angry. But she doesn't talk. What am I going to do with this girl??

Humble words

Yesterday morning I was taking Abby to her first volleyball practice at the Y. Her friend Taylor was with us because she had slept over on Friday night. We were chatting about school, and Abby told me that they switched where they sat on Friday and she's next to some boy who she really doesn't like. So, I told her at least she gets it out of the way now, and it's only for a week, since they move next Friday.

Then Taylor told me that she has to sit next to a boy who is very distracting. He's always talking and always getting in trouble. I said just think how much that will help your concentration! You'll be able to really focus after you move and are sitting next to someone else.

Then Abby said, "Mommy, you always have humble words." When I asked her what she meant, she said I don't think anything is ever bad. I say humble words.

I decided if she remembers me 20 years from now as having humble words, I'll be happy with that.

This and That

Forever ago, we went to the zoo... my sister, my mom and dad, me and the kids. All the kids except the two littlest had zoo class so we walked around with them... and took blurry pictures of them in a boat.

Ava is ready to play!

And so is everyone else...

Tree monkeys

Too much fun!

One last tree hugger

My marathon supporters

 Mile 19!!

 Mile 20, here I come!

 Woo hoo! That's what I was waiting to see! The finish line!

 Abby and Nolan running me in.

 My proud supporters.

 Who's that little girl bringing up the rear??

Random this and that!

Another first day of school, another birthday!

My little boy started his first day of 4k on Wednesday, and from what I can tell, he loves it! In the picture above it's kind of funny because he has swim trunks on. Usually, he'll be having swimming before school (it's at the Y). Last Wednesday he didn't, but I didn't realize and told Dave he did. Oops!! Either way, he was too excited because of the catepillars in his class... Krissy and Gordon, I think. His teacher is Mrs. Gilbert and I love her. She was Nolan's teacher for 4k as well, and Nolan loved her too. I'm excited to have another year with Max in her class, too!

And, I did celebrate a birthday in there too. We have so many between July, August and September. Too crazy! We did low key celebration, made pizzas at home, ice cream cake and watched America's Got Talent. Oh, and Dave sent me flowers to work. It doesn't get any better than that!

That's what running will do for you!

Since the marathon, I haven't been able to walk very well on my left leg. And by "walk very well" I mean I look ridiculous when attempting to take any steps at all. So, Tuesday I went to see the orthopaedic doctor, and she really wasn't sure what was going on. My pain was in my left leg, mid-thigh. She thought I maight have a hip issue and the pain was referred from there. So, she ordered a bone scan to see what was going on.

This morning she called with the results... She first asked me how it felt. I said, "Better. I can put a little more weight on it." And she promptly said, "Don't." Apparently, I have a significant stress fracture in my left femur, and if I continue to bear weight on it, it could snap (effectively putting me in a full-body cast). Crutches and no weight bearing for 6 weeks, minimum.

But that wasn't all. Oh no... When I do it, I do it up right! I also have a stress fracture in my left shin, and either a fracture or arthritis in a toe on my left foot. AND a my right ankle doesn't look so good either. (I'm guessing that's mostly from a high school injury, but still...).

I can't help but laugh. What else can you do? The thought of crutches for 6 weeks makes me want to gag. But hey, it could be worse. And I did it. I finished the marathon. It was still worth it.

Maybe.

Another first day

Starting second and fourth grades seems a little... anti-climatic. A little ho hum. They could have gone on their own on their bikes, and probably will tomorrow. They love their teachers (at least so far!), and already had homework tonight. Even that felt like a routine we never left. Even more strange is that it doesn't impact me as much this year. Last week, I left for work, they woke up, did stuff, I get home, we hang out, they go to bed. Next week, I leave for work, they wake up, do stuff (it's just school this time!), I get home, we hang out, they go to bed. It seems very strange. But, they were excited to go, and, even better, they're excited to go tomorrow!

 And a little stowaway!!