Mean, Mean Wife

So this guy is sick. I get that. I'm trying to be all kind and compassionate and understanding, I don't like being sick either. In fact, I'm a pretty big baby when I'm sick. But I also understand that your surroundings can make you feel better, or worse, depending on their condition. So when I left this poor sick guy at home with the 2 older kids today, all's I said was, "I don't expect miracles, but I don't expect the house to be grotty when I come home either." This is just a small, small portion of what I found 6 hours later.

Now, I feel bad for the guy. He's achy, tired, horrible headache, etc. but SERIOUSLY? Do you think anyone could feel good with a mess like this? And this, this is just a corner, a corner I say, of the dining room. I wish I would have had the good sense to take a picture of the kitchen floor, though I am not sure I could have really posted it. Somethings are just better not shared. Then again, it could have been great blackmail material in the future. The funny thing is, I could tell he had been on the computer at some point looking for a new mouse for the computer. And there was obvious evidence that he had been able to stand long enough to open the can of soup, pour it in a bowl, and heat it in the microwave so why is it that he couldn't grab the broom to sweep up the chocolate muffin from costco (think of how big those suckers are and then imagine what kind of damage a 16 month old can do when she'd rather crumble it then eat it.) So when he managed to open his eyes and mumble, "Sorry, I tried. Don't be mad at me," I stood there, trying my HARDEST not to rip his stuffy, achy, post-fever head off and mumbled, "I just don't understand the kitchen/dining room floor." How horrible is that? Not a sweet "that's okay honey, I know how miserable a cold can be," or a "thanks for watching the kids, is there any thing I can get you?" just a cold, controlled statement of udder amazement that a grown adult, albeit a little sick, could seriously overlook a mess like this all day. The best part is, and I can't believe I'm willing to admit this, is that I told him the last time he regained consciousness, that I really hope he feels better tomorrow. He said he hoped to too and then smartly thought for a moment and called me out on my kind wishing for a speedy recovery and simply asked "Why?" I smiled and said, "You really don't want to know." Followed by, "Because that lovely mess you made in the dining room will be smiling brightly at you in the morning."

Today

We will laugh and cry as we honor this man.
We will remember the examples he set and the lessons he taught us.
We will be thankful for the mercy that was shown us.
We will share with others our love for him.
We will be grateful for our families and for our knowledge of the Gospel.
Today we will be blessed.

This Brave Lil' Boy

wore his Batman jammies to his surgery today. He had to have ear tubes put back in and his adenoids taken out. His attitude and demeanor were priceless. We was so calm and relaxed as we changed him into his gown and he crawled up into the bed. He decorated his hat (as seen above) and wanted to know why his bed only had rails on one side. His Grandma and Grandpa Lo (nickname for my parents) came to see him and got a kick out of his laidbackness. We walked with him as they wheeled him to the O.R. then kissed him goodbye, he was too busy getting to hit the button to make the doors open to even worry about leaving us behind. The surgery went well, we were informed that he has 'weakened eardrums' and will have to have his hearing tested again before kindergarten just to see if there's any hearing impairment.

At his last appointment we had to watch some videos on the procedures and it was funny realizing how much he had absorbed. One night at my parents house he put a small round, white lid on his forehead and found a headband to hold it in place. He went around telling us he was Dr. Schwartz and after checking my ears informed me that I had to have tubes, that I couldn't eat or drink after midnight and that I couldn't leave the hospital for 4 or 5 days. This morning in the waiting room he asked for a drink and when I reminded him that he couldn't have anything before his surgery he simply replied, "I know, I just really hate that part!"

He was anxious to leave the surgery center since Jason had told him he could get a 'kid' video game for the XBox. He was so tired when we got home that he fell asleep with them tucked under his arm. After a good nap, him and I figured out how to hook the XBox up and I played my first video game, he thought it was pretty cool having me play with him! He took another long nap and then had a blast playing with the new toys his Grandma's bought him.

He also constantly asks me if his voice sounds different now that his ear tubes are in...Another little mixed-up piece he picked up from the videos!

Spit Wads and Paper Boats

Five years and four months ago Amy and I sat in the bathroom of a small apartment. We talked about ourselves and about people we knew. We shot spit wads at little paper boats that we had set sail in the bathtub. It was not an ordinary night. It was our first date. We made a horrible mess in the bathroom that night. The shower walls were covered with spit wads. The paper boats eventually became water logged and sank into wet blobs. I promised to come back the following day and help clean up the mess.
The next morning I showed up with breakfast and we spent the entire day together. From that day until we were married just over four months later, we never went a day without seeing each other. I remember that I felt more comfortable around her than anyone else I knew. She had a great sense of humor and we always had fun together.
After a bit of convincing I finally talked her into marrying me and on July 25th of 2003 we were married. We have now been married for five years. In five years you learn a few things about marriage. Here are some of my tips for a successful marriage.
1. When she says that it's ok with "that tone, " it's not ok.
2. Her job is harder than yours. Period.
3. Your $500 stereo system is to be heard only at low volume and never seen.
4. Your music is just noise unless her friends like it.
5. Liquid dishwasher detergent is not the same as powdered dishwasher detergent.
6. Twenty dollars spent on a DVD is a waste, twenty dollars spent on decorations is a bargain.
7. Womens brains are not smaller than mens brains.
8. If you are going to shave your head don't do it right before a big family event.
9. The correct spelling of compromise is "letsdowhatyouwanttodo."
10. She feels the same way about cars as you do the color mauve.
11. All you need is love (The Beatles) and love doesn't require much. Sometimes just spit wads and paper boats.

Big D, Mr Burns and the Black Eye

It has been a long, tiring 7 days since our little "Mr. Burns" (I know it's kinda mean but I think he looks just like Mr Burns from the Simpson's, minus the pointy nose) joined our family.

I am extremely happy to report that he has been an excellent baby. Which has been an immense blessing since him and I have spent most of the last three days back at Kadlec. On Tuesday morning my Grandpa had a major heart attack and things are still pretty touch and go. We've spent as much time as possible (huge THANKS to Kim and Katie for babysitting) with our family sitting with him as he's trying to recover. Carson has now spent more time at the hospital than he has at home! He had his first check-up today with his regular Dr. and he now weighs a whopping 6 lbs 1 oz.! I still cannot get use to his littlness. He weighed 6 lb 7oz at birth and had dropped to 5lbs 14oz before we brought him home, so he's gaining, it's just slow going.

I am also happy to report that Big D, or Big Delores (remember the playground bully from Hope Floats?) is adjusting well to the little guy.

She has been way more gentle than I thought she would be with him, but not so much with the other kids. The other night she took on Aubrey in a fight over a ball. Being the completely irresponsible parents we are, we cracked up laughing instead of dealing with the situation. Next time you see Rachael, ask her do to her Big D impression, it's great. Seriously though, she is becoming this absolutely adorable little girl that I love to be around and I can't wait for a few more weeks so I can pick her up and squeeze her!

And thanks to this little guy and his rock hard head, my little guy looks like this...

Spencer is also adjusting well to our baby Carson but not so much to all the new 'equipment' in the house. I have twice found him cutting up nursing pads saying, "Look Mom! I made cotton candy!" The second time he did it I reminded him that it wasn't a good idea and he replied with, "Well, it was already out and on the ground." Apparently he considered it free game since it wasn't in the box!

Number Three

I can't hardly keep my eyes open but I'm glad to be home. Here's a few pics to satisfy any curious readers...



I'll add some details and updates later...Thanks to everyone who came to visit and for all the goodies we received!

The Arrival

My bags are packed, I'm ready to go. Uh, actually, they're really not. Probably should get on that since I head to the hospital in 6 short hours from now. That's right, tomorrow is the big day (or rather today since most of you won't be reading this tonight). We think. Sorry to spare no details but I just "lost my lunch" and am trying to decide how pregnancy related the random puking was. Hard to tell if you're starting to feel sick when its hard to feel good after having McD's fries revisit. Maybe that's what I get for eating something I don't even like! So, with any luck, you all should be able to check Rachael's blog for details in the morning. Hopefully she'll remember to have her phone close by, 7:30 a.m. is awfully early for some of us!