Thursday, April 24, 2008

Dane

A couple weeks ago, Mike and Amanda went away. We watched Dane for a few hours in the evening. Carter was so happy to have his buddy over. They splashed so much in the bath that I had to soak up the water with several towels.

While Carter went to sleep upstairs, Dane and Jeff read a book downstairs. I came down to find them already asleep.
These photos are from several weeks ago. A warm night in the backyard. Amanda gives Carter a teeter toter ride.
Carter is also learning to golf with some helpful instruction from Mikey and Jeff.

Falling asleep


Camden must have had a very busy day, he feel asleep mid jump.
Carter took over Camden's swing, even though he hasn't paid attention to it for months. 
You know the phrase, "Mine Mine Mine" well around here, everything is Carter's.


Camden didn't really care though, he was jumpin' away.



Random Photos


Mr. Camden always the comic.
Sweetie pie, all snugly
Carter and his current favorites. B-B-Q tools and my flip flops. . . 
and Jeff's sunglasses

Pier 39 and Lombard Street

Very loud seals that took over some docks on Pier 39.

Mural at the Aquarium 
A funny store just for left handed people - we thought of you,  Amanda.
The curvy street in San Fran - Lombard Street.

Alcatraz


Mug shots

Alcatraz cell. The one and only time I plan on being jailed.


We learned some fun facts on our little excursion. It started as a military prison. Then become a general prison, and housed criminals like Al Capone. Even the warden and families of the guards lived on the island. After the prison closed, Indians took it over to make a 2 month statement. That's why the "Indians welcome" sign.

A view of Alcatraz from Pier 39.

Picture catch up

Our anniversary trip to San Francisco. Cool trolleys (cable cars to be exact)

A typical San Fran picture
At the Cable Car museum.
This is a photo for Erin. Macy's is 7 levels, at that's just the women's section. The men's section was across the street and also 7 floors high. We could do some serious shopping there!
I decided I wanted the sage house to the right. Jeff decided a picture was good enough.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Vroom - Vroom

Since Bill and Mom left Monday, Carter has been spotting any and every motorcycle on the road and yelling, "Pappaaaa, totocycle, VROOOM, VROOOM!" This expression of pure elation has to do with Grandpa finally getting the Harley he has wanted for 25 years. It has been the talk around the house. After spending much time raising 2 demanding girls (3 if you count my Mom) he finally got to spend his hard earned money on himself. (Well, there is a seat for Mom too.) And Carter got this cool new book out of the deal.


Monday, April 21, 2008

Things looking up around here.







It started Thursday night when we heard this meowing at our back door. I thought it was one of the neighborhood stray cats that has been coming around. When they crying didn't stop for 3 minutes, Jeff went to investigate. It was Picassa. She had been gone for 2 WEEKS! and finally found her way home. I thought we would never see her again. The sap I am, cried and fed her so much so won't be able to run away again.

My parents also came this weekend to let us escape to San Fransisco. We had a perfect time. Dinners out that didn't include Mac'n'cheese. No diaper breaks in the middle of the fun. Clothes without spit up on them. We got to carry our luggage on, no pack and plays, car seats, diaper bags, bottles. I felt weird and light.
We went to Alcatraz on Friday, the one and only time I will be incarcerated, and hung out at the Wharf on Saturday. It was cold and windy but so much fun.

Mom and Bill had lots of fun with the boys apparently. Riding motorcycles, playing at the park, relaxing . . .  
Sunday we came home to very happy boys. . . . And then a fire at the neighbors house. Carter met his 1st real fireman!

Sorry the pics are a bit out of order, having trouble with this new Mac we got. Will figure out soon.
Today, we celebrated our 7th anniversary. Time flies when you are in love.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Photo Session


Had a photo session a couple weeks ago. 
These are some of the images the photographer captured.
A little snooze
Giving love
Strike a pose
Mr. Ham
"Cheeesshhh"
"HI!"
Little Brother
Big Brother

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Yep, we are still alive . . . . barely

Well, this will be a fast post as I am zonked and need to sleep. The last 2 weeks flew by due, in part, to two sick little crabby pants boys, a water heater exploding, a cat that ran away, a computer that crashed . . . literally, a husband that had to work late nights and now two sick crabby parents. 

It all started the day Erin left, the boys came down with that nasty cough everyone seems to have. Monday and Tuesday, Jeff worked very late so that left me to put the crabby sick boys to bed myself. Normally not a hard job but with the boys being less than cooperative it was a challenge. Then, that Wednesday we left for the Dr. and I left Picassa, our kitty, outside with the bug guy. I came home an hour later and no Picassa. I didn't think anything of it because sometimes she goes next door to the park. But after meeting that night she still wasn't home. . . . and has not been home since. Our other kitty is very lonely and so am I. I feel so guilty I left her outside and now she is lost . . . I keep hoping someone took her in.  Thursday, Jeff worked late again, Friday he woke up to take a shower and there was no hot water. Hmmmm, how could that be? Well, because all our hot water. 40 gallons of it. was on our garage floor.   Arrrggggg. Out of bed at 6:15 (only 15 minutes early but still) to help Jeff with the water heater. Called the plumber. A whopping $1200 to fix . . . . Jeff decided he would do it himself. Then the computer went haywire. I was on the phone with technical support and feeding Camden at the same time. He started coughing and then I thought he was chocking, so I jumped up, knocked his tray over and tried to catch it but in the process knocked the laptop to the floor and it was done. Guess, I didn't need technical support after all. Hung up with them and realized they charged me $50 for that call. Called them back and they reversed the charge. After the day I'd had, they couldn't say no. So by 9 o'clock that night we finally had hot water and 2 very tired boys needing baths and bed. . . . but now no computer. Hey, at least their bath water was warm. Jeff is so handy, I am impressed all the time by all the stuff he fixes around here.  Saturday, Jeff worked again. Same with Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday night. Inventory this week at work. Thursday, Jeff and I both started feeling the "crud" coming on. Stuffy head, runny noses, YUCK! Friday was somewhat normal as he was able to join us at his parents for a BBQ at about 7:15. After having spent all week at inventory, their computers crashed and basically lost all their hard work and so all those late nights were for naught.  This morning we both feel icky still. I had a migraine worse than I ever had and Jeff let me stay in bed til 9:30.  I started feeling better other than the runny nose and stuffy head. But the boys are feeling much better. I got to clean the garage out today, sold a doublestroller and played with the boys. Spent some time out and about and so I think we are on the mend.  Should be looking up around here. Especially since my parents are coming next week and Jeff and I have our anniversary coming up. I will post pictures of the boys in the next day or so.

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Am I really that awful?


So the day flew by and all day I had a nagging feeling I was forgetting something. I chalked it up to the boys being sick and the craziness of the day, then I realized I didn't forget something . . . I forgot someone. Oh, Mikey! I am so sorry. HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Belated by the time you read this and by the time I call you in the morning. I would have a good excuse if I was as old as you and could just say my memory was going . . .

OK, HELP !

So as I type this, both boys are napping . . . kind of. They are actually half napping half coughing. I am listening to Carter cough so hard he is gagging. Water doesn't help. I already gave him Tylenol and Pediacare.
Yep, The nasty cough has hit our home and both boys have been feverish, crabby, tired and just plain sick since Monday night. The cough is going around town and many people have bronchitis. Every Quickcare is full of hacking sickies. I took them to the Dr. yesterday and they didn't give them anything except to take Tylenol and Carter can take Pediacare for his cough. Which isn't working.
The issue is that Carter coughs so hard that he is throwing up. Yesterday, he had a coughing fit during his nap and threw up so much I had to wash bedding, blankets, all stuffed animals, him and me. Plus his nap was cut short and that is worse when they are sick.
Camden can't take cough suppressants because of his age. They took them off the market, from what I understand, because parents were overdosing their children. One book said to give them honey . . . Camden is still too young for that and it wires Carter.
MY QUESTION IS: Does anyone have any suggestions to help ease a cough, good for a 20 month old and a 6 month old?