The Good,the Bad and just a little worried.....

The good news is that my visit to the endocrinologist yesterday seemed to go well. Dr. Garcia paid more attention to the kids which I took as a positive thing. He checked my thyroid and my heartbeat and both seemed okay. We're just waiting for the bloodwork to come back to see what really happened and I'm pretty sure I won't need a second dose of radiation. I should just be getting a prescription for my thyroid supplement soon! Yeah, meds for the rest of my life and another doctor to see for the rest of my life!

The bad news is that I have gained roughly 7lbs in the past 2 months and the holidays are coming up!!! I have never held back on holiday foods so this will be hard for me. It took me a full year to lose what I gained during my pregnancy with Kiersten and it was very hard even with the nursing. Once I get on the thyroid meds, my weight should go back to 'normal' and I have to remember that it can take about 6 months for my metabolism to work itself out again. Have to make time to go walking, jogging, do situps and crunches...also eat healthy!!!!!!

Just a little worried that when we try for our third (and final) child, it may be difficult to conceive with the whole thyroid issue. Though I know people do get pregnant, it can be a bit more difficult. We know we are blessed to have 2 healthy children and would be happy with just 2 if we don't get pregnant again. I have a slight timeline where I want to have our 3rd by age 30 (I'm 28) since we already have 2. I don't want them too far apart because I want to work on my MBA and get back into the workforce at some point in some sort of capacity. I won't stress out about it. However, Pete & I are trying to figure out when to start trying and if we do get pregnant, we decided not to find out the sex like we did with Peter & Kiersten. We figured since we have a boy & a girl, we have enough to get started whether the new baby is a boy or a girl. Besides the fact that my brother has already given me Dianne's infant car seat (it's grey), 2 bases and the stroller to follow next year!

College football, Lions Game and Sickness

GO MICHIGAN!!!!!

MICHIGAN STATE (rooted for you over Notre Dame) BUT YOU DESERVED TO LOSE AFTER YOU PLAYED LIKE CRAP AT THE END!

We went to our first Lion's game of the year which seemed crazy since we are season ticketholders. Anyway, another lost, but they played better and actually scored 2 TOUCHDOWNS in the first quarter. I just really wanted to see a touchdown from the Lions.

Peter came home with a cold on Friday after school. He is lucky to be stuck sitting next to a kid who likes to cough and spread his germs on everybody. Kiersten caught it too and I have been working hard getting them through their coughing and runny noses. Poor Kiersten was so congested Sat & Sun that it was scary, she couldn't breathe through her nose so she was gasping for air. I've decongested her & Peter(vapor rub, vabor rub baths, vabor run mist in her room & dimetapp) and now they still have little coughs. Kiersten has a slight runny nose, but they are both feeling better.

I have my follow up endocrinologist appointment tomorrow. Hopefully, the appointmet goes well & I don't need a second dose of radiation!!

The rest of the weekend!

My brother, Padith, drove in Fri night with our nephew Calvin to watch the kids basically on Sunday so Pete & I could go to the Lion's game. Peter David has been wanting to go bowling for the past 2 weeks (he's never actually bowled & the last time we were in a bowling alley with him was Feb 2004) so this surprised us, but we went. I found coupons for Century Bowl and off we went on Saturday afternoon.Some rockin shoes! So tempted to take a pair!
About to begin...the bumpers are up...the adults are cheating a bit!

Kiersten scored some balloons from a neighboring birthday party & kept entertained. Going bowling in the afternoon is great...no smoking (then again, it might have bee a smoke free building).
end of the game 1, Lil Pete got 65, Cal at 98, Me at 103, Pete at 148 and Padith at 80 (with Cal playing for him 50% of the time) Peter did awesome for his first time.
After the bowling, we dropped by Peter's school and played in the playgound until it started to rain again!

Friday, Sept 22

I was the snack and stay parent for Peter's preschool class today (Friday). I was responsible for the treat so I had been trying to come up with something different, but kinda healthy! Peter's class consist of only 8 kids so that makes it tough for each class to have a snack and stay parent for each class. That's 9 classes a month and most of the parents work. I was the only parent last week and there is only 1 parent this week, but no school today 9/25.

Anyway, I met a mom whose son is in Peter's class. We have been hanging out for the past 3 days prior to Friday. She was going to watch Kiersten while I took Peter to school. The morning of was chaos since she was supposed to come over to my house with her kids. I was going to drive the boys to school and she was going to bring her 14mth old daughter to my house. I leave for school at 12:30pm, I called her at 12:26pm and she asked me if I could I drive myself to school and she'll pickup Kiersten there? I had taken the carseat out of the car and had to rush to put it back in. Then I had to get Kiersten jacket, sock and shoes on and luckily Peter was already dressed to go. I grabbed my snack (jello & whip cream) and drove to school.

Anyway, it all worked out. Kiersten did wonderfully with our new friend and I felt better about letting other people than family watch her. I have to admit there is a reason why I didn't become a teacher. I enjoy children, but I couldn't do it everyday and I don't have that MUCH patience! I had a lot of fun meeting all the kids and participating in their daily activities. About half of them gobbled up the snack and the other half didn't like it as I predicted. They had a short recess time which they needed. After about 2hours the kids were getting restless in class and not listening or sitting still through reading time so being able to release some energy outside was great. The weather has been pretty dreary and rainy & that has drained some of our energy.

I was exhausted when I got home and tried to take a nap. I made Peter take a nap and he slept for 2 hours. Then I had to get dinner ready and wait for my brother and nephew to arrive from Traverse City. They made it safe and sound around 11pm...I was a bit nervous for them, it was pouring rain with thunder and lighting & they had a long trip.

Sunday, Our Day of Rest

My pretty little girl. My son, with a face only a mother could love....sigh....

Sunday is our day at rest, kind of. We try to make it to church though recently we have been lacking. I usually start my housecleaning on Saturday and finish up what is left on Sunday. We usually do the grocery shopping on Sunday (which we did today) and finish up any laundry that needs to washed or folded and put away. Pete tries to study (while watching our Detroit Lions lose AGAIN) and I work on feeding the kids. Today I spent time getting Peter's stuff ready for school (first assignment and making sure we have his library book in his backpack for Monday which is library day).

Then after we had dinner we decided to go to the elementary school playground. We wanted Peter to try out his new bike, but when we got there found out we couldn't do that. So the kids played and played. After we got home....it was bathtime, snacktime (the kids have been eating like crazy) and bedtime.Kiersten will do whatever the big kids are doing (that means I have to do it too...climbing, crawling through small spaces etc...)

Saturday at the Cider Mill

Saturday early afternoon, we drove about 30mins to Spicer Orchards and the weather was just beautiful. This is our 4th year going to this orchard and we love it b/c it is very family friendly. We also buy our christmas tree here as well, the prices are 50% - 60% less than closer locations.

We started with buying our bags for the apples and this year, plums. We got on the wagon (Kiersten was a little scared at first) and got dropped off in the midst of the Red Delicious apples, but everything is fairly close so we're able to pick several varieties. Usually we go in October and have been lucky that the weather is still nice, but we don't get all of the variety of fruit. On this trip we got Red Delicious, MacIntosh, Cortland, JonaGolds, etc... and blue plums. Then we went to the petting farm (calf, sheep, goats, ducks, rabbits and a rooster) and we went and got our dozen fresh baked donuts (6 plain for Pete, 6 cinnamon for me!) and 1/2 gallon of apple cider. We ate a few donuts and then we headed home b/c it is past Kiersten's naptime. They also have a train, playarea for the kids, sand art, face painting and rock climbing this year.

AND

GO MICHIGAN!!!! YOU KICKED NOTRE DAME A**!!!!!

Kiersten, Peter and I

Kiersten not sure about the wagon ride and Peter goofing off.

Kiersten finally calms down and begins to enjoy the ride.

Peter has the ability to look normal. I swear those weird faces he has been making are scaring me.

Yummy Apple!

Peter chowing down!

Peter, the veteran, teaching Kiersten the ropes.

"Darn, the plums are up so high"

Mommy and kids

Peter & the friendly goats.

Every year they have a baby calf, I wonder what happens to the one from last year? and the year before that? Hopefully, they are grazing peacefully in a pasture somewhere.

Tractor riding, a fave past time! The antique tractors were cool with some dating back to the 1930s when the farm started.

Some goofy shots from today.

Would it be possible to stand nice and tall?
Kiersten looks like a little girl and she isn't even 17mths yet! Goofballs
Peter just won't cooperate.

Goofy pre schooler. If only Kiersten would smile like this at Sears Portrait Studio.

Library Day! The books are due!

Our schedule has now changed some since Peter is in school on M, W & F. Kiersten & I drop Peter off at school and she is usually asleep or ready for a nap when we get home (school is 3/4 mile away). She naps while I eat lunch and clean up. She wakes up around 3pm ready for a diaper change and a snack. At 3:30pm we head back to get Peter from school. I have met several nice parents and one of them(she lives down the street) is coming over this Sunday so the kids can play (she has a 4yr old son & 14mth old daughter). However, Thursday (no school) was library day since we had 3 books that were due this day!

Getting ready to head out the door, the kids readily pose for me!

Ohhh...Clifford the Big Red Dog, one of Kiersten's favorites!

Peter is great at puzzles and has moved onto 100 piece puzzles. He just sits and sits until he works it out!
Kiersten recognizes animals, objects and most shapes. Though she can't say all the words, she can point them out when we ask her.
Working side by side.

My cute little boogers. Having a boy & girl has been our blessing.

Got bored and headed for some climbing.

Checking out a book!

Just like that, Peter began pre-school today. He is in a 3 day (M,W,F) and 3 hr per day 4 year old program. I had parent orientation last Wednesday and Peter got to meet his teacher last Friday. With a new haircut, new packpack and a huge smile, he posed for a few pics at the house.Peter's very own locker (he didn't have to share like some others). Shortly after entering his room, he began to shed the tears, but I knew I had to leave quickly so he could interact with his class and calm down.

Just like that, 3 hrs later Kiersten and I picked him up. Today was library day so he packed his book in his backpack and off we went home (just 1/2 mile down the street). His tears, I found out, quickly dried out after he saw all the puzzles on the table. His teacher told me he did an excellent job with them (she doesn't know he has been working on 100 piece puzzles now b/c smaller ones are not challenging enough)
He had a great time playing with the puzzles, drew us a picture (now on the fridge), played with playdough and Mr. Potato Head. He did tell us he farted and that he said excuse me and everyone laughed. However, Tyler farted several times and did not say excuse me and his teacher told Peter Thank you for saying excuse me. We raised quite the polite little booger.

Some hydrenga's (spelling?) & 2 roses from my garden.
Kiersten (we're working on de-pacifying her, it's been a bit of a slow process like any addiction) and Peter wearing their Columbia fleeces for the first time this season over the weekend. Weather has been chilly!

Never forgetting...

Those who died in the horrific terrorist attacks on our country 5 yrs ago. Never forget those who were killed fighting for our country and those who are still fighting for our country.

Friday, Sept 1st & Sat, Sept 2nd

Friday early afternoon Pete took Peter & Calvin to go play miniture golf. I wasn't feeling too good (allergies) so I stayed home & took a nap with Kiersten. After Kiersten woke up, we went down to the State Park to go swimming and play in the sand. Unfortunately, after 4pics, our camera ran out of battery. The rechargeable batteries only have 1 day lifespan and we should have bought some more, but we didn't so we don't have any pics of the rest of the trip.

Friday night, Pete & I took a moment to ourselves and went on a little date. We went down to Mackinac Brewing Restaurant, though I was disappointed in my food and absentminded waitress, it was nice to get out. I asked for a Diet Coke and she asked to see my ID. She kept giving me Pete's soup, drink and main entree and she never got me a refill. She didn't get the 20% tip that is for sure. My chicken was burnt (rough to eat), veggies were plain and the baked potato was actually a sweet potato which I do not like. Afterwards, we went and got some coffee at Expresso Bay to warm us up & then headed to the grocery store to buy food for our BBQ on Saturday.

Saturday morning, we had planned to head to the Sand Dunes, but mornings (and evenings) have been very chilly. So we took all 3 kids downtown Traverse City. We went to the Farmer's Market (bought some chocolate cherry walnut fudge) and took a last train ride and quick trip through the zoo. Clinch Park Zoo is a very small zoo and sits btwn the marina and a busy 4 lane rd. Cherry Festival is always held next door to the zoo. The animals have had to contend with very loud nosies and pollutions from boats & traffic. Unfortuntely there was no 'movement' to move the zoo to another area so the animals are (most are gone) being relocated to other zoos and refuges. It closed to the public after Labor Day. It sad b/c I grew up there & now its gone. We BBQ the rest of the day and hung out with the family.

I haven't been able to take a trip without some sort of medical issue (Toronto in May) and this was no different. I had been rubbing eyes a little and I have taken a benedryl to knock myself out. The sudafed I took the day before didn't do a whole lot. Anyway, my left eye was completely red & looked like it had a blister or extra membrance growing on it. I ran to the Urgent Care & was told that due to my thyroid condition I am more prone to sensitivity in my eye and that this looked like allergies and nothing more serious. Just allergy eye drops as often as I need. Also, before I took the sudafed (it said call your doc if you have thryoid disease) so I called the specialist office as well as my primary and couldn't get hold of anyone and I didn't want to wait for 3 days for them to call me back. So I took the sudafed. Turns out that I cannot take a decongestent b/c it will make my heart race...opps...good thing I took a nap with Kiersten and rested instead of going out with the boys.

We rented a bunch of movies to watch at night. I ended up going to my nephew's parent orientation for school and he gave me the tour. Even though we all came home with minor allergies and runny noses, we had a great time together. We came home Sunday afternoon and took Monday to unpack and relax.

,

More pics from Thursday, Aug 31st

Goofing at the park.Kiersten throwing a temper tantrum (she didn't actually hit her head against the rock, but close call) b/c she wanted to play in the jungle gym, but she was just too little.
Thursday night at the Beach Bums Game. They just missed the playoffs, but had a record breaking inaugral season.
Peter, Pete, Me & Calvin