Sunday was even more action packed. We hugged Aunt Emily good-bye, and then, headed out the door a superbly elaborate 1-year old birthday party. If not for the Disney-themed decor, you might have thought you were at a wedding! Christopher is one lucky boy.
There was a huge Lebanese buffet prepared entirely by the guest of honor's Lebanese grandma. Plus, there was a 2nd buffet specifically for the kids with more traditional party fare. BUT, the edible offering didn't end there! Nope, there was a cake table, a chocolate fountain, AND a coffee bar that was practically a Starbucks. When you add all that to: the theme decor, 2 magician clowns, a pinata, what seemed like hundreds of balloons, endless amounts of candy and party favors, and dozens of children hopped-up on the endless candy, you've got the makings of one CRAZY birthday party! I can't wait to see what they do when he turns 2 or 16!
After that insanity (I mean that in the best possible way.), we met up with Jay, Lisa, and the kids for pizza. Needless to say, we pretty much blew the diet on Sunday. Oh well! You've got to live a little sometimes. Jax was super excited to see Hayden. It's been a while since they've had a chance to play together. Lisa and I have been selfishly planning playdates for Hudson and Baylor while Jax and Hayden are in school. Sometimes it's just easier for mommies to play when there are less children to supervise, and occasionally, mommies deserve a playdate too!
Speaking of playdates, Baylor had another one today. He's got quite the busy schedule these days. His social calendar fills up faster than mine, it seems! Anyway...Today, Baylor met up with 1-year old Ethan, and they had the best time playing together. Not only are they close in age, they are almost the same size, and they have a similar laid back personalities. I think they're a good match. That's a huge plus for the 2 mommies that use them as an excuse to hang out.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Busy, Busy, Busy
My goodness! This weekend seemed like a whirlwind of activities, but in a good way. Aunt Emily flew in and spent a night with us which only added to the fun. Both Jax and Baylor were excited to have another playmate around, especially one that came bearing little gifts!
We spent Saturday on the beach. The weather was close to perfect, but the water was a tad rough thanks to Tropical Storm Danny. The surfers were out enjoying the huge swells, but the Jax and Baylor found it a little tough to stay upright in the powerful waves.
We braved the rough surf, but did stay close to shore because of the strong undertow. The lifeguards were flying the red caution flags for a reason. Luckily, there was plenty of action on the beach too.
For one thing, you couldn't help but admire the beautiful kite-filled sky! We thought maybe a vendor was selling the whimsical creations, but Aunt Emily learned that it was simply a private collection on display for everyone to enjoy. How very thoughtful! The owners even let Jax fly a little one, and then, let him believe he was flying the salamander that was about 10 times his size.
Plus, we had all the usual beach toys: big shovels, little shovels, buckets, fishing nets, a giant frisbee, a football...you get the idea, lots & lots of toys. We definitely weren't bored!
Over the course of the day, Aunt Emily did discover that the boys take instruction pretty well, except when it comes to sand castles. They weren't grasping her master plan to construct a beautiful castle surrounded by a moat. They preferred digging random holes, and Baylor made it his personal mission to knock down every tower erected. He was a BIG help!
Eventually, even the destruction of sand castles wasn't enough for Baylor. He desperately wanted to nap, and that signaled the end of our afternoon fun. We packed up the camp & headed home where Baylor could sleep, and the rest of us could to freshen up for our dinner in the historic district.
We spent Saturday on the beach. The weather was close to perfect, but the water was a tad rough thanks to Tropical Storm Danny. The surfers were out enjoying the huge swells, but the Jax and Baylor found it a little tough to stay upright in the powerful waves.We braved the rough surf, but did stay close to shore because of the strong undertow. The lifeguards were flying the red caution flags for a reason. Luckily, there was plenty of action on the beach too.For one thing, you couldn't help but admire the beautiful kite-filled sky! We thought maybe a vendor was selling the whimsical creations, but Aunt Emily learned that it was simply a private collection on display for everyone to enjoy. How very thoughtful! The owners even let Jax fly a little one, and then, let him believe he was flying the salamander that was about 10 times his size.Plus, we had all the usual beach toys: big shovels, little shovels, buckets, fishing nets, a giant frisbee, a football...you get the idea, lots & lots of toys. We definitely weren't bored!Over the course of the day, Aunt Emily did discover that the boys take instruction pretty well, except when it comes to sand castles. They weren't grasping her master plan to construct a beautiful castle surrounded by a moat. They preferred digging random holes, and Baylor made it his personal mission to knock down every tower erected. He was a BIG help!Eventually, even the destruction of sand castles wasn't enough for Baylor. He desperately wanted to nap, and that signaled the end of our afternoon fun. We packed up the camp & headed home where Baylor could sleep, and the rest of us could to freshen up for our dinner in the historic district.Our evening on the town, turned out quite well. I was a little nervous about how the boys would behave, just because they were both so exhausted from our afternoon adventure. To my surprise, they both were almost perfect. We happened to score the best seat in the restaurant, the corner table with floor to ceiling windows featuring a 180 degree view of our historic square and the waterfront.
Little did we realize, passersby actually thought we were more interesting than the scenery. I guess I shouldn't say "we." Everyone was only interested in Baylor who we had turned in his highchair to face the windows. People would stop and wave at him or make silly faces through the glass trying to get him to smile. He was a HUGE hit, and eventually we just had to put people on ignore because the attention was none stop.
Although, there was one group that caught all of our attention, an entire pirate crew dressed in head to toe elaborate pirate garb. It was unbelievable, like they were straight out of a story book. Totally not what any of us expected to see! Who knew that even pirates would find my little guy to be irresistibly cute?
After dinner, or maybe I should say after the Baylor Show, we made our way up the street to our favorite sangria bar where we scored another awesome table. We sipped our sangria on the balcony while Jax and Baylor showed off their moves on the dance floor. Again, they were quite the sideshow and a surprisingly welcome addition to the party. Anh and I are already worried about their "party animal" tendancies. I think the teenage & college years may be tough!
Eventually, our luck did run out though. Baylor lost his second wind and made it known that his next stop would be his crib. I couldn't blame him though. He lasted waaaaaay longer than I ever thought he would. All in all, it was a fun evening on the town with kids. Parents, it can be done!
Good News
I have a fun report to share from the weekend, but I'm having trouble finding the time to put together a proper blog post. We have a lot going on right now which makes for a very busy schedule, but it's all good stuff. So, we're grateful.
I did want to share that Dr. N called us today with Jaxon's lab results. It looks like the mystery will continue because the tests found nothing. Of course, finding nothing is actually good news, in this case. It means that all the horrible "what if" causes of the nosebleeds have been eliminated. I guess we'll just accept that his little nose has sensitive blood vessels, and we'll hope that they toughen up with age.
I did want to share that Dr. N called us today with Jaxon's lab results. It looks like the mystery will continue because the tests found nothing. Of course, finding nothing is actually good news, in this case. It means that all the horrible "what if" causes of the nosebleeds have been eliminated. I guess we'll just accept that his little nose has sensitive blood vessels, and we'll hope that they toughen up with age.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Tough Guy
Jaxon definitely has his flaws, but I have to admit, he's one tough kid! Today, he had some blood drawn for lab work that will hopefully rule out all the big "what ifs" that could be causing his nosebleeds, and my brave little guy handled it like such a champ!
I started preparing Jax for the visit yesterday. First, I reminded him of the time he watched the nurse draw my blood while pregnant with Baylor. He remembered the event VERY clearly which led me to believe that we might have some "issues." This morning, on the way to the lab, I explained that the experience would be similar to a shot. It would hurt for a second, but then it would be all over. No big deal.
Jax didn't seem the least bit worried during the drive to the lab. He was one cool cucumber in the waiting room, and didn't seem bothered one bit when they called his name and led us back to the exam room. He climbed right up onto the lab chair when asked and gave the tech a big smile & a high five.
The tech was actually very good with Jax. She showed him all of her tools, starting with the big stretchy rubber band that she tied around his little arm. Next, she showed him the little tubes she would fill, and then VERY QUICKLY she showed him the thinnest little needle. That's when Jax immediately tensed up and let out a little whine of protest, but he composed himself very quickly, almost instantly, and let her stick him. There were no tears, no screams, just that little whine when he saw the needle, and then it was all over.
Now, we'll just wait to hear the results. I'm expecting those will be just as uneventful.
I started preparing Jax for the visit yesterday. First, I reminded him of the time he watched the nurse draw my blood while pregnant with Baylor. He remembered the event VERY clearly which led me to believe that we might have some "issues." This morning, on the way to the lab, I explained that the experience would be similar to a shot. It would hurt for a second, but then it would be all over. No big deal.
Jax didn't seem the least bit worried during the drive to the lab. He was one cool cucumber in the waiting room, and didn't seem bothered one bit when they called his name and led us back to the exam room. He climbed right up onto the lab chair when asked and gave the tech a big smile & a high five.
The tech was actually very good with Jax. She showed him all of her tools, starting with the big stretchy rubber band that she tied around his little arm. Next, she showed him the little tubes she would fill, and then VERY QUICKLY she showed him the thinnest little needle. That's when Jax immediately tensed up and let out a little whine of protest, but he composed himself very quickly, almost instantly, and let her stick him. There were no tears, no screams, just that little whine when he saw the needle, and then it was all over.
Now, we'll just wait to hear the results. I'm expecting those will be just as uneventful.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Did They Hear Me?
I know some biologists argue that snakes can't hear. It's believed that they actually sense danger approaching through vibrations. Well, regardless, I think they know how to read! One must have been looking over my shoulder as I griped about them last night on the blog. Word spread quickly throughout the snake community, and to get back at me they attacked my dog! It was a well executed attack too, considering that Molly, my dog, lives out of state with my parents (also known as Grandfather & Grandma).
Sadly, Molly is no stranger to snake bites. This is her third (that we know of). It's the beagle in her. She can't control herself, always on the prowl regardless of the risks. This time it was a copperhead that got her. So far, Molly is experiencing swelling at the site of the bite, but it's not as bad as the time when she was bitten by a rattlesnake or as bad as the copperhead bite from two measly weeks ago.
This time, Grandfather was able to kill the snake. Now, we've just got to hope that the snake community will let my ramblings slide. I take it back! You were here first. I'm the one that's out line. Now, leave my little dog alone...and my kids too!
Damn snakes! Sorry! I didn't mean that.
Sadly, Molly is no stranger to snake bites. This is her third (that we know of). It's the beagle in her. She can't control herself, always on the prowl regardless of the risks. This time it was a copperhead that got her. So far, Molly is experiencing swelling at the site of the bite, but it's not as bad as the time when she was bitten by a rattlesnake or as bad as the copperhead bite from two measly weeks ago.
This time, Grandfather was able to kill the snake. Now, we've just got to hope that the snake community will let my ramblings slide. I take it back! You were here first. I'm the one that's out line. Now, leave my little dog alone...and my kids too!
Damn snakes! Sorry! I didn't mean that.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Look What I Found
And, because I know that no one checks the blog simply to hear me babble on about my phobias. Here are a few pictures that I recently discovered on my camera. They're from one of our pool playdates with Hayden & Hudson.
Jax was sad because he hasn't figured out yet that girls tend to be a tad dramatic. We're just wired that way.
Starting to get over it.
Back to his usual cheery, energetic self.
Starting to get over it.
Back to his usual cheery, energetic self.
Wildlife
I swear the neighborhood wildlife is taunting me. I mean it. The various species have come together to drive me crazy. I am not exaggerating! It's been a while since our last late night visit from Mr. Raccoon. Honestly, I had written him off because we got creative and secured our trash can lids with bungee cords, and that seemed to do the trick. After knocking the cans over a few times with no success, he gave up and moved on to another free buffet.
Well, it seems we now have a much bigger and wiser raccoon stalking us. What makes me suspect this? My keen detective skills led me to the conclusion after waking up twice this week and discovering trash all over the patio. This new fella' is strong. He can't unhook the bungee cords, but somehow he manages to pry the lids open far enough to claw at the bags near the top. While not completely destructive, he does manage to make just enough of a mess to annoy us.
Aunt Nguyen actually watched the sneaky critter in action one night. She wanted to check out his method to see if there was any way to way to better secure our tasty trash goodies. Sadly, it's not our method that is a failure. We just happen to have WORLD'S LARGEST RACCOON living in our vicinity. Lucky us! This thing is the size of a small bear, but Aunt Nguyen assures me it is in fact a raccoon. Too bad it's not a bear because then animal control might deem us worthy of a visit. Other communities are dealing with actual bear invasions, and go figure, that trumps raccoons.
If only my problems ended there, but they don't. It seems like the snakes are also teaming up to stage a takeover. Now, in case you aren't ware, I have a debilitating fear of snakes. I can't handle them on any level. Worms freak me out because they resemble snakes. Irrational...yes, but I can't help it. So, of course, the snakes have discovered this, spread the news throughout their population, and are now declaring war on me.
I've seen two small to medium sized snakes in the yard over the past month, and the security guards have warned us that they've spotted several on our street during their patrols. Lovely! Oh, it gets worse! This weekend, I woke up to discover a snake skin on the back porch. If that's not taunting, then I don't know what it is. It's like the snake got tired of waiting for me, but left a calling card so I'd know he was there.
If this sort of activity continues, I will become a shut-in. For now, I stick to paved surfaces during daylight hours. I figure the odds are low that Mr. Raccoon is out & about, and I should be able to see the snakes coming. At least, this is what I tell myself.
Well, it seems we now have a much bigger and wiser raccoon stalking us. What makes me suspect this? My keen detective skills led me to the conclusion after waking up twice this week and discovering trash all over the patio. This new fella' is strong. He can't unhook the bungee cords, but somehow he manages to pry the lids open far enough to claw at the bags near the top. While not completely destructive, he does manage to make just enough of a mess to annoy us.
Aunt Nguyen actually watched the sneaky critter in action one night. She wanted to check out his method to see if there was any way to way to better secure our tasty trash goodies. Sadly, it's not our method that is a failure. We just happen to have WORLD'S LARGEST RACCOON living in our vicinity. Lucky us! This thing is the size of a small bear, but Aunt Nguyen assures me it is in fact a raccoon. Too bad it's not a bear because then animal control might deem us worthy of a visit. Other communities are dealing with actual bear invasions, and go figure, that trumps raccoons.
If only my problems ended there, but they don't. It seems like the snakes are also teaming up to stage a takeover. Now, in case you aren't ware, I have a debilitating fear of snakes. I can't handle them on any level. Worms freak me out because they resemble snakes. Irrational...yes, but I can't help it. So, of course, the snakes have discovered this, spread the news throughout their population, and are now declaring war on me.
I've seen two small to medium sized snakes in the yard over the past month, and the security guards have warned us that they've spotted several on our street during their patrols. Lovely! Oh, it gets worse! This weekend, I woke up to discover a snake skin on the back porch. If that's not taunting, then I don't know what it is. It's like the snake got tired of waiting for me, but left a calling card so I'd know he was there.
If this sort of activity continues, I will become a shut-in. For now, I stick to paved surfaces during daylight hours. I figure the odds are low that Mr. Raccoon is out & about, and I should be able to see the snakes coming. At least, this is what I tell myself.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Above Average
Today was Baylor's 15 month appointment with his pediatrician, Dr. N. It appears that he is sliding down the growth chart. I guess it's not such a bad thing, but Baylor is merely above average now, weighing in at 30 lbs and measuring 32 inches. That places him in the 80th percentile for height and 98th for weight. He's no longer the over-achiever that skyrocketed off the charts. Oh, and since his waistline seems to be expanding at a much faster rate, Baylor might need to calm down with all the carbs he's been consuming lately.
Everything else checked out perfectly. Dr. N assured me there is no need to panic over the lack of clear verbal communication. Baylor's babbling is just fine for his age. As usual, Dr. N played the role of good guy, and then, cast the nurse as the evil archenemy that hands out dreadful shots to sweet, little unsuspecting victims. Poor Baylor was not happy about the torture session, but he recovered quickly and doesn't seem to be holding a grudge.
We've got a lot of torture dates lined up for the Fall. We'll head back to Dr. N's office in about 4 weeks for flu shots. Then, again in October for the H1N1 vaccine, and finally, a third trip when Baylor turns 18 months. As much as we love Dr. N, these are not events that we look forward to.
Everything else checked out perfectly. Dr. N assured me there is no need to panic over the lack of clear verbal communication. Baylor's babbling is just fine for his age. As usual, Dr. N played the role of good guy, and then, cast the nurse as the evil archenemy that hands out dreadful shots to sweet, little unsuspecting victims. Poor Baylor was not happy about the torture session, but he recovered quickly and doesn't seem to be holding a grudge.
We've got a lot of torture dates lined up for the Fall. We'll head back to Dr. N's office in about 4 weeks for flu shots. Then, again in October for the H1N1 vaccine, and finally, a third trip when Baylor turns 18 months. As much as we love Dr. N, these are not events that we look forward to.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Membership Has It's Privileges
So, we took the plunge and became members! BUT, we started small, skipping the pricey golf and beach clubs and instead supporting the zoo. I think we made a wise investment. It wasn't where we planned to spend our day, but it was an awesome plan B.
Once through the turnstiles, we made a beeline for the giraffe exhibit because we had hopes of catching a glimpse of the new baby born only a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, the newest addition was feeling a little shy today and wouldn't come out of his pavilion.
Luckily, not all of the giraffes are quite so introverted. Spock was actually quite interested in the visitors.
Especially the ones offering yummy mulberry leaves as a snack!
After the excitement of feeding the giraffe, one might think that fish would be perceived as boring. I guess, when the fish is as big as you are, it could be pretty interesting. It was weird though. These fish actually seemed just as interested in Baylor as he was in them.
This guy, however, could have cared less about our presence. He was right below us, but wouldn't give us the time of day. In fact, he made a point to completely ignore us. I guess we were the boring ones in this case.
The reptile house provided a little a/c break. Not surprisingly, the boys wanted to get up close and personal with all the creepy crawlers & slitherers, but I was quite grateful for the extra thick glass forcing them to keep their distance.
The heat that drove us in to reptile house reminded me of the real reason that we actually picked the zoo as our destination, the splash zone! It wasn't open during our first trip to the zoo because it was the off season, but I remembered how nice it looked and knew it would feel extra refreshing on a hot & humid summer day.
The boys LOVED it! Water, other kids to play with, and things to climb on...What else could a boy ask for?
Jax spent most of his time entertaining the other kids. For some reason, other children just find him hilarious. I guess he is quite the goofball. In his age range, that seems to be the key to social interaction.
Once through the turnstiles, we made a beeline for the giraffe exhibit because we had hopes of catching a glimpse of the new baby born only a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, the newest addition was feeling a little shy today and wouldn't come out of his pavilion.
Luckily, not all of the giraffes are quite so introverted. Spock was actually quite interested in the visitors.Especially the ones offering yummy mulberry leaves as a snack!After the excitement of feeding the giraffe, one might think that fish would be perceived as boring. I guess, when the fish is as big as you are, it could be pretty interesting. It was weird though. These fish actually seemed just as interested in Baylor as he was in them.This guy, however, could have cared less about our presence. He was right below us, but wouldn't give us the time of day. In fact, he made a point to completely ignore us. I guess we were the boring ones in this case.The reptile house provided a little a/c break. Not surprisingly, the boys wanted to get up close and personal with all the creepy crawlers & slitherers, but I was quite grateful for the extra thick glass forcing them to keep their distance.The heat that drove us in to reptile house reminded me of the real reason that we actually picked the zoo as our destination, the splash zone! It wasn't open during our first trip to the zoo because it was the off season, but I remembered how nice it looked and knew it would feel extra refreshing on a hot & humid summer day.The boys LOVED it! Water, other kids to play with, and things to climb on...What else could a boy ask for?Jax spent most of his time entertaining the other kids. For some reason, other children just find him hilarious. I guess he is quite the goofball. In his age range, that seems to be the key to social interaction.Baylor was exactly the opposite. He enjoyed watching the other children play, but tended to keep to himself. I think he knew that the others were older and would run him over with all their energy.
A little play mate did find him though, and then she followed him everywhere. Ahhh, young love.
After a quick wardrobe change, we made our way over to the playground. Baylor's new girlfriend gathered her crew and followed us. She wasn't going to let her man get away.
Right away, Baylor proved that he is part monkey just like big brother. Baylor showed no fear. Jax was the same way when he was younger, but now, after a few falls, he knows that heights can sometimes equal pain, if you aren't careful. Baylor has yet to learn that lesson and just charges boldly ahead.
My little man seemed convinced that he was going to steal this egg from the nest. Buddy, I'm sure many others have tried & failed before you.
This is my attempt to give you a close-up of Baylor's face. The slide = pure joy.
It's a good thing we enjoyed ourselves because have 364 more days to visit. Oh, and remember those privileges I mentioned in the title? We splurged, and those privileges also apply to our guests. So don't worry. You too can have this much fun during your next visit.
A little play mate did find him though, and then she followed him everywhere. Ahhh, young love.After a quick wardrobe change, we made our way over to the playground. Baylor's new girlfriend gathered her crew and followed us. She wasn't going to let her man get away.Right away, Baylor proved that he is part monkey just like big brother. Baylor showed no fear. Jax was the same way when he was younger, but now, after a few falls, he knows that heights can sometimes equal pain, if you aren't careful. Baylor has yet to learn that lesson and just charges boldly ahead.My little man seemed convinced that he was going to steal this egg from the nest. Buddy, I'm sure many others have tried & failed before you.This is my attempt to give you a close-up of Baylor's face. The slide = pure joy.
It's a good thing we enjoyed ourselves because have 364 more days to visit. Oh, and remember those privileges I mentioned in the title? We splurged, and those privileges also apply to our guests. So don't worry. You too can have this much fun during your next visit.
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