Memorial Day "Camping"

Memorial Day weekend, a chance to honor fallen soldiers is synonymous with a few other things: Sasquatch, Folklife, and camping to name a few.  It's hard to explain war, soldiers, and death to a four year old, but I did my best.  We tried to do our part by participating in a little "camping." 

Upon hearing an ad on the radio for the REI anniversary sale, Linus squealed with delighted and suggested we take a trip there.  Of course I did my best to oblige. I was eager to avoid the crowds and let them burn some energy at the giant treehouse.  We found kid sleeping bags on sale.  Armed with our new wares, we were ready to do some "camping."

I don't like camping in the rain.  Additionally, a virus has slowly been working its way through our family, leaving each victim with a fever for two days before moving on to the next person.  As Eileen got better Thursday morning, Linus got sick Thursday night.  Dave would later have his turn beginning Sunday.  I resolved to set up camp in our basement.

They are very into tongue rolling these days.

attempting to copy brother's silliness

Eileen hid while Linus was deep in thought.

 Of course camping isn't complete without roasting marshmallows.  Our solution--sterno smores!

you know it was a good s'more if it covers your face

Linus was annoyed we wouldn't let him build a campfire.  Dave kindly broke out the guitar for some quality campfire songs.

We are actually mean parents who made the kids sleep in their beds because A. we are mean and no fun and B. we like sleep.

The next morning we woke early to take a quick dip in the lake and float down the river (aka the Mount Lake Terrace Pool).  The rain kept us indoors for the weekend and eventually led us to the movies where we saw "Epic."  It was Eileen's first time in a movie theater.

Eileen's favorite part was sitting in the seat and letting her legs fly up because she didn't weigh enough to keep the seat down. 

The reflectors on the kids' raincoats make them look like they belong in Tron.

I was by myself with the kids and it went great.  Linus loved the movie, but I think parts were a little intense for Eileen. Eileen's response to seeing her first movie?  "I like Frog and Toad." (We saw the musical Frog and Toad was visiting Portland the other week.) Poor Dave spent the afternoon sick.  With the rain pouring, we baked cookies and sipped hot cider.

Someday the kids will have a more authentic Memorial Day camping experience.  In the meantime I think as long as we don't go the way of Troop Beverly Hills and camp out at a luxury hotel then I think we are doing pretty good.

Happy Mother's Day

Mother's Day is tricky.  There are a lot of built up expectations and hopes.  Do dads feel that way?  Another trick part is that it's your beautiful wonderful children who made you a mother, but it's those same beautiful wonderful children from whom you desperately need space and a little bit of a break.  Today was great.  My husband managed to find that fine balance for me.

After bringing me breakfast and presents in bed, he took the kids on a morning hike so I could sleep in as long as I wanted.  I used this time to read a book without guilt.  It was wonderful.  Dave gave me a Mother's Day Spa package to my favorite day spa which I look forward to utilizing.  Besides a sweet gift Linus made me at preschool.  He crafted me a heart necklace out of paper and string and wrote me a letter. It was all very sweet.

The shape on the left is a heart.

Back of letter.

I actually didn't know that Dave had taken the kids on a hike until I called to find out what happened to them.  Dave had wanted to give me the morning off.  In the end I got to spend the day being waited on hand and foot.  Dave even made me a milkshake. I got to see the kids and snuggle them as I wished, but I had zero responsibility for their care.  I spent a large part of the day napping and caught part of the Law and Order:SVU marathon.

The downside to napping most of the day is that you end up looking a little more haggard.

Post long naps we went on a walk to a nearby park and then played some more with the neighbors.

Even fancy photo filters can't hide the haggardness.

Dave grilled us some burgers for dinner and we dined al fresco on the front porch.

I ended the day having barely lifted a finger and feeling very loved.  Maybe next year we'll have more of an adventure, but today I loved being able to just nap and snuggle up with a good book all by myself and an occasional little one. 

I love being a mother and am very grateful that I have a family who appreciates me.

Sun? In Spring? In Washington?

I think I've been as shocked as everyone else by some of the weather this week.  I've not yet gotten over Monday when Seattle was tied for hottest city in the US with Phoenix.  The sun has meant lots of time outdoors.  Since the weather is expected to turn in the next few days, I decided to make a trip down to Tacoma to visit the Pt. Defiance Zoo and also say happy birthday/happy mother's day to my mom.

I've become a zoo snob.  In order to avoid crowds, I prefer to go to the zoo on weekday mornings as soon as they open.  I've become too good to actually have to share the viewing of animals.  By going at opening I get at least 45 minutes to myself before any school groups get there.  I loathe the summer day camps just as much. I'm sure I'll have to get over myself once the kids are in elementary school but for now...

It was a perfect day for the zoo and Grandma accompanied us.  The sun was shining, the crowds were not existent.  We saw a baby tiger cub.  I didn't know about the new sting ray touch tank exhibit so that was an added bonus.  It was a great, low stress trip.

She was skeptical about actually touching a sting ray.  She also refuses to touch sea cucumbers because in her words, "They don't like me."

"I touched a sting ray!"

Seattle pride represent

Generally, sunny weather at our house means playing in the backyard.  Playing in the backyard is really code for digging in the dirt and finding sticks to fight over.  Linus recently discovered the boys who live behind us and happen to share his enthusiasm for dirt and bugs.  He constantly checks to see if they are out and available for conversation through the fence.

She got very dirty.

Sun + dirt play = increased frequency of bathing.  Bathing leads to naked time which leads to naked guitar playing.

I am so grateful for the sun and the increased opportunities to just watch my kids be kids.  I can handle the rain forecast for next week because all the pollen and dust has given Eileen a constant runny nose.  And if you've never experienced having your bare arm used as a tissue then you haven't lived. 

It's a .......

We had an ultrasound today.  I can't not take a peek.  It's a ...... puppy!!  No, just kidding.  We are having a BOY!

Everyone has asked me what I wanted.  Since we already have one of each, I'm less desperate to get a particular gender.  This baby is being born around the same time as the others so seasonally the clothes should fit either way.  At this point, I just wanted to be told at today's ultrasound that everything was okay.  No more surprises or reasons to worry.  Not only are we having a healthy little boy, but the hemorrhage has resolved itself completely.  Hooray! Allelujah! Amen! 

I'll admit I'm a little sad that some of Eileen's cute little outfits won't get another wear. I don't think there will be more babies after this one.  But I am looking forward to a few of the other clothes making a reappearance, especially one particular corduroy raccoon hat.  Linus really wanted a brother so he is quite happy.

Dave and I are very excited and nowhere near having a name.  Right now it may be stuck with its hospital tag name, Dimock Baby Boy A.  I think it has a certain ring to it.

From the Mouths of Babes in April

Eileen:  Ninjas took my dinosaurs.  I want them back.

Eileen: Ew. Yuck. Mustaches.

Eileen: (to the Thai food delivery guy) Do you have my sleeping bag? I want a haircut.

Eileen:  I be ninja fish (long pause) in the ocean.

Me:  Oh no it's raining.
Linus: No.  It's sunny and rainy.  It's perfect rainbow weather.

Linus:  (while crying in timeout)  Daddies are not fun for kids.

Eileen:  dum dum da dee dee.  dum dum da dee dee (Eileen's version of the Darth Vader theme)

Museum of Flight

Now back into the swing of things, it was time to resume adventures this weekend.  It was raining and sometimes the mere idea of dealing with wet kids is enough to make you lose all enthusiasm and energy.  Instead we decided to check out the Museum of Flight.  If you thought this would be one of our regular haunts given that Dave is an aerospace engineer, then you would think wrong. 

I wasn't sure how kid friendly it would be and dealing with traffic from Boeing Field is often ugly so we just never go.  I have a vague early childhood memory of the Museum of Flight being in a red barn.  Let me tell you, in the ensuing 30 years since my last visit the museum has changed a lot.

First, it's HUGE.  The red barn is still there, housing the early years of of aerospace.  We were there for about two hours and didn't come close to seeing everything.  There's a whole section across the street that you access by skybridge that we didn't get to.  I would have liked to have spent more time reading the exhibit information, but that may have to wait until my kids can read and have that sort of patience.

Linus loved all of the NASA and space stuff.  It was pretty cool.  He was fascinated by all the old war planes, especially the ones with guns.  The downside?  He came right home and made his own fighter jet and tank out of paper and has been talking nonstop about guns, bombs, and missiles.  Aargh.  If you ask him what his favorite part was though, he will tell you it was the astronaut ice cream we bought in the gift shop.

Practicing being a fighter pilot

Eileen is less sure of her brother's skills.

Linus excitedly yelled, "I am Major Tom!"

Excited to finally get her own turn flying a plane.

 

Telling the air traffic controllers she's hungry.

 

 Eileen, having caught a short nap in the car, refused to nap.  We showed the kids Mary Poppins for the first time.  Even rousing numbers like "Sister Suffragette" couldn't keep her awake.  Eileen passed out on top of Dave.  He didn't mind.  As for me, I've had David Bowie's "Ground Control to Major Tom" stuck in my head.

Eileen sported some extra rosy cheeks in honor of Mary Poppins.

I'm hoping to visit the new MOHAI next week when it's free. As much as I love museums, and the Museum of Flight was worth a visit, I am ready for some better weather so we can get outside.  So many places to visit, so little time.

Gratitude

I've spent the last two weeks taking up residence on my couch.  Despite how luxurious that may sound, it's been really hard.  As the person who runs the house and is a little bit of a neat freak, it's difficult to take a step back. I often have a headache at the end of the day from lack of physical activity.   More difficult is trying to meet the needs of two young children while trying not to carry them or move around much.  I have succumbed to my worst nightmare as a stay at home mom.  I live in yoga pants and a sweatshirt.

assuming the position

During this time I have been overwhelmed with gratitude for all the people who have offered to help and come to our aid.  Numerous family and friends have come for playdates to keep the kids occupied.  My mother stayed with us for four days.  I am blessed to be part of a wonderful school/faith community.  The parents of Linus' preschool class have been truly amazing.  They arranged pick ups and drop offs for school as well as providing dinners for our family.  Their efforts have really helped relieve some of the stress from the situation.  Our tummies are very happy as well.

Everyone asks how I've been feeling and my answer has generally been, "okay."  I haven't been in any physical pain.  It's just scary and anxiety inducing.  I lay awake at night unable to sleep.  What's helped me stay is focused is knowing how many people are praying for us.  Talking with other women who have had subchorionic hemmorhages has been helpful as well.  I decided to start seeing my acupuncturist again so she could work her magic.  I'm willing to do just about anything in my power to help my body heal.

The kids have been as understanding as much as they are able.  They love seeing so many friends and family.  I've been keeping myself busy by writing thank you notes and practicing my algebra and geometry skills.  What's more fun that reviewing factoring polynomials?

Today I got to have another ultrasound to check the progress.  I was hoping that it would not have grown and might have even shrunk a little.  The baby still looked very cute if not a little skeletor-esque.  It's really amazing how much they grow into just two weeks.  The ultrasound tech said it looked like the hemorrhage had gotten smaller, but we would have to wait for the radiologist and doctor for the final word.

After waiting all afternoon I finally got the call from my doctor, which of course also meant Linus just needed to talk to me and be as loud as possible to get his point across.  Good news!!! Miracles of miracles not only did the hemorrhage get smaller, it shrank to half its original size.  Because the baby has grown as well, the hemorrhage is no longer classified as large.  It's still there so I have to exercise some caution.  The doctor gave me the okay to leave the couch.  I'll still take it fairly easy the rest of the week. I will also let the house cleaners come at least one more time :)  I will see the doctor next week at 15 weeks.  If everything looks good, he promised to give me the all clear.  Amen! Hallelujah!  In the meantime he has made me promise that I won't lift any pianos or refrigerators.  Done.

We are so grateful for all the prayers, positive thoughts, playdates, meals, and general help.  I know it made all the difference in the world.  We are blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful people.  I try not to get too religious on people, but this is one time where I know God was watching out for my family and listening to prayers.