New York Nolan

Another email I found... I don't think I've documented it anywhere else. It's Nolan's trip to NY when he was 5 months old...

I got up at 3 on Saturday to get ready to go, and left around 4. All went pretty well. We got through the airport with no problem, although lugging everything and him isn't so easy. He did great until we got on the plane. I don't think he liked the closed in area, because then he started to cry. Plus he was tired so that didn't help. The seating on the plane was two and two, and there was a guy next to me. When everyone got on there were seats open so I moved to the very back. Right before takeoff, though, the flight attendant came and told me I couldn't sit there--they try to keep those open for weight distribution. She wasn't very friendly or helpful but whatever. I moved up to the second row, and Nolan was screaming. After about 5 minutes he stopped though and fell asleep. He slept most of the flight, with a little bit of crying here and there but not bad.

Renee came and picked me up from the airport and we went back to her house. Her new house is really nice--3 bedrooms, dining room, hardwood floors. We got all settled and headed out for the day. We ate at a really cute Greek restaurant and Nolan just sat and looked around. We walked around Astoria (where Renee lives) and then took the subway into Manhattan and walked around 5th Avenue and shopped some. I got a really nice Suede coat for $79 at Syms! Then we went to mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral at 5:30 and headed home after that. Nolan was good all day, and went between the backpack carrier and the front carrier. He sacked out when we got home, and we just hung out Saturday night and watched a movie.

On Sunday we got up, grabbed a bagel and took the subway into Brooklyn and walked across the Brooklyn Bridge. Nolan fell asleep in the backpack on and off all day. He did fairly good in it, but didn't like it as much as Abby did. (He's also a lot younger.) After that we walked through South St. Seaport, which is really nice. They have a display of apples (kind of like the cows) and so those were fun to look at. Then we walked to Ground Zero. It looks like a great big construction site. It was interesting to see, but really not all that moving or exciting or sad. From there we went to eat at a brewery (pumpkin ale, yum!) and then went to Times Square. It took us awhile to get there because a lot of roads were closed for movie shoots. When we got there, it was just getting dark out, and Nolan's eyes were huge! He loved looking around at everything and couldn't get enough. It was really funny to watch him! Then we went into Toys R Us Times Square, and he loved looking at that too. People were laughing at him because his eyes were so big and he was so interested in everything! We walked around Times Square for awhile, but the Nolan started to get fussy, so we headed back home. Nolan fell asleep on our way, and he was easy to get down once we got home. We just ordered in Japanese noodles and watched part of a movie before we sacked out.

On Monday we went into Central Park and walked around. We went into Central Park Zoo, which has an excellent Children's Zoo and then a regular zoo. It was small, but really neat. All the exhibits were excellent, with several places to view the animals. I don't think there was any exhibit where you couldn't see something. They didn't have elephants or giraffes or anything, but they had a lot of different animals that you don't see at a lot of zoos, so it was really good. Then we went home to get my stuff all together and ready for the airport. It was funny because we got ice cream on the way home, and Nolan kept trying to eat mine. I finally gave him some and he couldn't get enough! He would stick his tongue out when I put my cone next to him, and then he'd shove his whole face in. He was a mess, but it was cute. When we got back, I got all my stuff together, and then Nolan started crying, and screaming. He screamed to the airport, and all through check-in. The guy told me to keep my car seat so that he could sit in it, and really wouldn't let me check it. So, at this point I had to carry my pump, the backpack carrier with the diaper bag, Nolan and the car seat. Nolan continued to cry all through security (where they had to inspect my pump... they always do!) and then about 5 minutes after we got to the gate, he finally stopped crying and fell asleep. I put him in the car seat, and he slept until we landed! Then I gave him part of a bottle, and he went back to sleep and didn't wake up all through the walk to the car or the drive home or when I put him to bed. He woke up at 5 the next morning, and I think he was happy to be in his own crib!

All-in-all the trip was great. We saw a lot of stuff and did a lot of walking, so it was really fun. Next time, I think I'll go without kids though. It would be nice to see a show, or go out for a nice relaxing dinner or something like that!! Maybe I'll take both kids back, with Dave, in 10 years or so. :)

Another old email...

Dave wrote this one in 2002. Before we even had Abby... when we first moved to Mayville. I think he had some, ahem, adjustment issues to a small town!

The Top 10 things that which make it painfully obvious that we now live in a

small town:

10. Realizing we live aross the street from a VFW Hall that has a Sherman

Tank pointed right at our houuse!

9. Having the neighbor from next door bring us a cake, coffee...and even some

coffee cups.

8. The fact that it's easier to turn water into wine, than find a place

that's open on a Sunday afternoon!

7. Having people know refer to freezers in terms of can-or-can't it hold a

whole cow? Not steaks...or chops...BUT THE WHOLE FREEKIN COW!

6. Having the dog fly out of the house and pick a fight with the plastic deer

on our neighbors lawn!

5. Having Nathan from next door leave dandelions in our mail box with a note

saying "I picked these for you guys"...CAN'T BREATHE...TOO CUTE...MUST GET

AWAY!!!

4. Having everyone say how busy it is in town today, only to realize that I

didn't see them because THEY ALL WEAR THAT STUPID CAMOUFLAGE CRAP!

3. Seeing the sign on my way into town: "Mayville...Population...4,802"

2. Just because I was wearing a green and yellow t-shirt with the Tanqueray

Gin logo on it, does not give the waitress at the diner the right to refer

to me as "the one with the Green Bay Packer shirt on..."

1. Having two people in the span of about an hour ask me "Hey, do you hunt

geese?" Do I freekin look like I hunt geese, jerky!

....HAPPY PLACE...HAPPY PLACE...HAPPY PLACE

Before the blog...

I'm going through old emails in my work email repository. There's crazy things in there from the past 12 years. I found an email from my mom from shortly after my grandma (Nana) died, when I was still on maternity leave with Nolan. I wrote this for after the funeral. Because I want to be able to find it in another 10 years, I'm copying it here...

The View from 1010 Barland Street

I remember walking into Nana’s house and smelling peanut butter cookies, I remember the cupboard where all the toys and games were kept, and I remember playing catch through the hole in the wall between the living room and the piano room.

There are so many memories of Nana and her house. Because of her, I can find the back bedroom, John’s room and the davenport without a map or explanation. Because of her I know that “Hump” and “Jumped up Jerusalem” can both be holy, and I know the meaning of both “Daresn’t” and “Oh piffel.” Also because of Nana, I know the power of praying to St. Anthony when I can’t find something, I can recite the Weather Channel’s scheduled programming for any hour of any day, I can tell you all the mass times on the Catholic television station, and I’ll offer things up for the rest of my life.

We all have our favorite memories of Nana’s house, as well as our own favorite “Nana-isms” that are from within 1010 Barland, but the view looking out of that address is pretty amazing as well. Because of Nana, I learned that life can be hard and rough, but that love and loyalty, even after 51 years, can be a lot stronger. Because of Nana, there are 59 amazing people that never would have been. Because of Nana, I know people that live on Guam and in Wisconsin, Illinois, California, Michigan, Washington and Maryland, and I’ve heard ghost stories of Marie living upstairs. Because of Nana, I know a golf pro, marathon and triathalon competitors, and a black belt in karate. Because of Nana, I know the joy, sadness and strength of a mother who needs to take her son to the hospital too many times because of a scary rare disease, and I know how sad it can be when life is snatched away at too early of an age, but more importantly I know how much joy and love can be shared and felt in a short 24 years of living. Because of Nana, I know an actuary, a fireman, a teacher’s aid, an engineer, a salesman and a meteorologist. I know fathers and mothers, and  the love and strength of family.

Nana lived at 1010 Barland Street—it was her house. But it was also so much more than that, and still is. The view from 1010 Barland Street is a legacy that, because of the example Nana set, there are many, many of us who know how to carry it on.

I love you Nana, and me too.

Puppy love

UPDATE!!! Grover went home with another family. While his brother Godzilla and his sister Gemma were still there, they were still a little bit... rambunctious. And so instead Gram is the new proud owner of Blitzen (to be renamed... possibly Hank)! Puppy love wins out!

This little guy is available for adoption. He's a Cardigan Welsh Corgi mix named Grover, which is the exact kind of dog my mom has wanted. I sent her the picture and I believe it was love at first sight. My dad kind of wants the dog, but kind of doesn't. My mom kind of wants the dog but kind of doesn't. We're going to go visit him tonight. I wonder... will they have a new dog by the time they go to bed tonight??

The new homework

Abby is usually pretty good at keeping up on homework. She makes use of every moment at school she can, she reads on the bus, and is just generally on top of things. This week has been a challenge. For some reason, she has more than usual, in each class (maybe snow make up days?). We've also had a more than challenging schedule between forensics practices (Wednesday and Thursday), volleyball practices (Tuesday and Wednesday), and then other things with the boys, as well as Dave traveling. So, tonight is make up day. She's a good trooper about it... she just hunkers down at the kitchen table and does what she needs to do. Spanish, math, language arts, social studies. I thought the picture was interesting though...

Can you see that? What she's using? It's her phone! She uses her phone for homework more than I ever used a calculator, dictionary or encyclopedia combined. And, I think it's ok. I think they encourage this. I think they say they should do this. She even reads from it during reading time. I think it's simply... fascinating... that one device can bring so much.

Tween texts

Abby got a phone for Christmas. You can call me crazy, or her spoiled, but I got her an iPhone 5. Part of it, honestly, was I didn't know what to get her. She desperately wanted a phone. She didn't need one quite yet, but she would by her birthday. With volleyball, softball, forensics, test re-takes, and a million other things, I like that she can get a hold of me. And that if I'm running late, or need her to do something, I can get a hold of her. But you do get funny texts. I get a lot of:

Hi!!!!!!!

And:

When r u gonna be home? 

Or:

Hi

Hi!!!

R u there?

Hello

All within 8 minutes of each other.

The other day I got, while she was on the bus:

I have had a horrible day

I had to get my lock cut off because it would not turn

Which resulted to me missing my band lesson

And then I forgot my language arts book

And I have a ton of homework.:(

Now I have to get a new lock

And since I had to go to the office to get the custodian, I was late for math class

This exchange, other than a little funny, was also helpful. I knew that (A) She would be crabby. (B) I needed to figure out time to go to WalMart to get a new lock. (C) I should meet her at the door with a hug. (D) I better make sure she starts on her homework at a decent time. (E) I should remind her to take her clarinet tomorrow for her make-up band lesson.

This phone thing is pretty good. I can see that we could have more information exchanged over text than actual conversations, eventually. I think I'm ok with that, as long as I'm still getting information!

Co-worker

The day after Christmas at work was super slow. I had to get some things done, and had some meeting I needed to attend, so I went in. But, I brought a new co-worker with me... Buca! He was a little crazy, but mostly good. I think Abby was fascinated that I took him. She texted me every so often, asking about him and what he was doing. By the fourth text asking me, I told her he was busy working and sent her this:

By far my favorite co-worker, and quite possibly the most efficient!

A day in the life

5:45   Wake up and get ready
6:00   Get Abby out of bed
6:45   Wake boys up
7:10   Take Abby to bus stop
7:30   Take Ava to Alina's
8:20   Take boys to school
(within all of that, get myself dressed, try to do my hair, take Buca out, get breakfasts ready, referee fight over which scarf belongs to which boy, figure out if someone can pick boys up from school for me, empty dishwasher)
8:50   Arrive at work, already late for meeting that started at 8:30. Decide it's not worth it anyway, especially after getting text from senior executive to stop by
9:00   Meet with senior executive #1
9:30   Meet with VPs #1-5
10:00  Meet with senior executive #2. Realize after 20 minutes she's not coming.
10:20  Hi mom! Quick drive by her desk
10:30  Meet with VP #6
11:00  Meet with VP #7
11:30  Lunch with HR Team. Present on two different topics
1:00   Meet with my team. Thank God they're normal. And understanding
2:00   Meet with VP #8
3:00   Meet with senior executive #3
3:45   Call senior executive #4 from #3's office
4:00   Start putting computer, paper away, trying to get out
4:10   State specifically I have another meeting
4:15   Put my coat on
4:19   Leave!
4:20   Start drive home
4:30   Call boys to make sure they made it home and haven't killed each other
4:35   Call Alina. Ask her to have Ava ready to go when I get there
4:46   Get to Alina's grab Ava
4:59   Pick up Abby and friends from school from forensics practice
5:15   Drop off friend #1
5:20   Drop off friend #2
5:25   McDonald's drive thru
5:34   Home! Feed all, change for volleyball, get Ava's bag ready to go to volleyball, dry Abby's volleyball clothes because water bottle leaked, load the dishwasher, clean up dinner, let Buca out
6:20   Sit down!
6:28   Get up! Get Ava ready to go. Make sure boys are ok alone, give them directions (pjs! teeth! don't kill each other!)
6:35   Leave for volleyball practice
7:00   Volleyball practice
8:45   Head home
9:00   Home. Get Ava ready for bed, let Buca out, get boys in bed
9:15   Do math homework with Abby. Get frustrated. Try again. Tell her to just write numbers down. It's just a completion grade anyway.
10:05 Get Abby in bed
10:15  Write blog
10:45   Go to bed!!!

Two things keep me sane... (1) Dave doesn't travel all the time. When he's home, you can take off much of the pre-8:00 and post 4:00. (2) My kids rock. I can trust them, they get stuff done, they are nice to each other (usually, but especially when I'm not home). Even Ava tonight was SO nice and polite and great at volleyball. I told them tonight how much I appreciate them... and thanked them profusely for making all of our family work!

The ER trifecta

A few weeks ago, Ava was complaining her arm hurt. She was playing with Rayva, and just kept saying "Rayva pulled my arm hard." I was busy getting ready to take the kids skiing so I kissed it and moved on. But, when I got home, she had been in bed for a few hours, but kept waking up in pain. So, I bundled her up, came to the ER, and it turns out she dislocated her elbow. Scream, pop, pop, silence. Then, "it doesn't hurt anymore." Apparently you pop it back into place and all is good! They have her a bear and Ava named it Lewis, after Dr. Lewis who was her doctor.




Next up, I ended up taking Dave to the ER on New Year's Eve. He had a sty in hi eye forever, but of course refused to actually get it checked out. On New Year's Eve, some crazy icky pod of blood vessels decided to come out of his eye, but was still attached. He wanted me to pull it out. Um, no? So off to the ER. Unfortunately the ER couldn't do anything because there was no ophthalmologist, so home we went. Obviously Dave had uber patience for this, and even more patience when going back to the eye doc the next day and they still didn't do anything. Ultimately he ended up popping it himself. I'm just glad I wasn't home. The ER also have Dave a bear because again he had Dr. Lewis, and they really liked Ava. She named that bear Eva since it was New Year's Eve.


And then tonight. I was just going to be when Nolan said "my finger hurts." I tried sending him back to bed to think about basketball plays, and gave him Tylenol. No lick. So here we sit in the ER, waiting for an infected finger to be lanced. There's no Dr. Lewis this time, and bear still to be determined!