Jelly fish stings

In preparation for all the travel we will be doing in the next couple of weeks I have been getting together a first aid kit. This morning I remembered all the times at the beach having received stings from jellyfish. So I looked up what to do in that case. The article said to remove the tenticals with a stick by lifting and not scraping or rubbing. Then to rinse area with sea water, not fresh water. It also said to pour vinegar on it. The article goes on to say that if in a pinch human urine can be used, preferrably male urine to female urine.

I just can't imagine peeing on someone.

Gabe got shots today

We went to the doctor this morning for Gabriel's 4 year check up. As the doctor finished the check up he told me we could go ahead a do Gabe's final set of shot now, the shots needed for Kindergarten, and not have to do them later. I decided it was a good thing to get them out of the way. Gabriel totally freaked out as soon as the nurse came back into the room. When the nurse touched him he screamed ouch and started crying. I had to hold him down by crossing his arms and laying down across his chest so that she could administer the shots. I was not a pretty picture. Why is it the the moms always have to deal with this. Anyway unless we choose to get flu shots Gabe will not need anymore shots for 10 years. Or unless something changes.

Gabriel's Cousins

Gabriel has two girl cousins that are a couple of months younger than he is, Amy is one month younger and Karoline is 4 months. He likes them both so much and enjoys playing with them both so much that he wants them to meet each other and play together with him.

His exact words when I told him he would just be seeing Amy this trip were, "But they need to meet each other so we can play together."

Gabriel's song for his Daddy

I love you when you're far away and close.
We love you. Bum, bum, bum, donk, donk donk, lalalalala

House Cleaning Day

I would much rather be doing something else but I have been neglectful in my house keeping duties. I kept telling myself on the next rainy day I will clean my house. But rainy days have been rainy afternoons and those have seemed to turn into naps instead. Also I have not had the energy to clean the house or do much else in the last couple of months. But it seems like some of that energy is coming back now that I am in my second trimester. The kids have also been a big help wanting to dust, sweep, etc., but they have not wanted to pick up their toys. I guess all the rest seems to be new and exciting but picking up toys is an everyday occurance. We went through the hall closet and cleaned it out and are now tackling the playroom and living room. I will clean bathrooms during nap and kitchen after dinner. Then at some point we need to make it down to the basement to pick up all the toys and assorted items down there. I would like to have finished all my cleaning before we leave on Friday so that I can come home to a clean house. I am just feeling a little over whelmed with all that I would like to accomplish. Maybe I should take one or two rooms a day and see how that works instead.

Matt's Gone...

to Mexico for the week. He left this morning at 3:30 and will not be back until Friday around 4:00. As soon as he gets back we will be getting in the car and heading to Knoxville for the weekend. It will be interesting to see how Matt handles all this traveling.

Our Fish Died

We had two mechanical fish that would swim in the pool. They no longer would work, we tried changing batteries but that didn't work either. Yesterday, while we were at Target we looked at buying a new one. Upon reading the package I found out that they are not to be used in salt water. I guess we killed our fish. They were fresh water fish, not salt water fish. I guess we won't have any cool fish swimming around in our pool.

Abby Plays Ball with Mommy

We found a big red ball in our yard this morning which Abby has fallen in love with. She wanted to play catch with it so I obliged. I just love the grins on her face. She had a hard time catching the ball, the ball is almost as big as she is, but was determined.

Gabe Dives

Today, after nap, Gabriel joined us in the pool. He decided to jump from the diving board and in doing so kept doing belly flops. In the attempt to teach him a better way of jumping off I showed him how to jump straight in. Matt decided to teach him how to dive. And he did it!!! Gabe can now dive into the pool. It's not a pretty dive but he can do it and is very proud of himself. His Daddy is also very proud. Oh, and Matt also taught, or finished teaching, him how to do free style swimming.

A Salt Water Pool is Surprising

The other day when we had our pool party I asked what everyone thought of the salt water. I got varied responses from everyone. The funniest response was, "I thought I was just sweaty." Everyone thought they tasted slat but no one said anything.

Happy Birthday Sarah!!!!

This Happy Birthday message is for my neice Sarah who turns 13 today.

Sarah I hope your day is great and you have lots of fun swimming.

Pool Party

Today the kids and I had a group of people from MOPS come and share our pool with us. We had a total of 16 guests. So that made a total of 19 people using the pool today. All of the kids, which there were 12 of, were under the age of 5. We had a great day. It was hot and muggy but once you were in the water you couldn't tell. The thunderstorms were kind enough to hold off until everyone left which was a blessing. We are going to try to swim at least once a week as long as the weather allows. It was nice being able to share the pool with friends.

Pool and Picnic Time

Today we are going to the pool for our swim lessons. After the lessons we will be heading to the park for a picnic with some of the other moms and kids from MOPS. Gabe is really looking forward to seeing some of his friends. Then tomorrow we have a group coming over to share our pool with us. Wish us luck for good weather.

Thoughts of Japan

My sister-in-law, Etsuko, is back in Japan visiting her family. Seeing the pictures of some of the people we met and the places we visited brings back some good memories. I enjoyed my visit to Japan even though I was not feeling my best and came back a week earlier than I was suppose to. I didn't get the full enjoyment for several reasons which included morning sickness and a dislike of fish. I was also very concerned about eating something that could harm the baby, it was during my first pregnancy. We visited her uncle's Shushi resturant while we were there and had some really good shushi. We also visited a nursery and saw some beautiful mums and orchids. While we were there they were having their annual mum show. It was beautiful. I'll post some pictures later when I have time to find them. I am just so glad I had the chance to go to Japan. I am glad that Etsuko is having such a good time visiting her family and I hope she comes back safe and happy.

In need of drugs

I am thinking I will be calling the OB today if I don't start feel better. I've either been sick or nauseous all weekend long. Even looking or thinking about food has made me sick. I have also lost 10 pounds since becoming pregnant. Which I have done in my past pregnancies but never so much so soon. Anyway I hope it goes anyway soon.

Swim Lessons

Today Gabriel and Abby will have their first swim lesson. Gabriel will be in the pool by himself and I will be participating with Abby. I am interested in seeing what they will be teaching both kids. I hope for Gabriel it will be kicking and actual swimming but I have a feeling that it will be more of get comfortable in the water. Gabriel has the basics down for swimming but just needs them honed. Matt and I are frustrated in trying to teach him so we are hoping he will learn from an outside source. In Abby's case I think anything will be good.

Carmom Complains

Why is it that Matt keeps taking my computer every night he plays on the computer. Now he has both the computers in the house to play and I can't blog after the kids go to sleep.

This Weeks Activities

In my desperation to keep Gabe and abby from watching too much TV I have started closing the entertainment center doors and keeping them closed, at least through naptime. For the past couple of days I have also stated we are playing outside. It's been really pleasant weather so far this week so it's been perfect. But I never thought I would hear so much complaining about being outside. I just can't win. So we've been doing games and activities to keep the kids occupied. On Monday we played Jump the Snake and Catch the Snake. We went on a bike ride around the neighborhood and played with bubbles. Yesterday we took another bike ride and then played with chalk and bubble in the front yard. After that we moved to the backyard where I started cleaning out the shed while the kids entertained themselves with the toys I took out. While cleaning out the shed I came across a blow up pool we bought so the kids could just play in the water without us having to worry so much about them swimming. They were able to play in the water more this way too because I have never felt comfortable swimming with the kids by myself. So I blew that up and in the afternoon they played in the pool. Today we finger painted, had a car wash, and played with more bubbles. We then had a picnic outside on the patio. I just hope I can keep coming up with ideas to keep the kids occupied this summer.

Happy Birthday Amy!!!

This is a late Happy Birthday message to my neice.

Happy 4th Birthday Amy!!!

This Weekend

Since it was my birthday this weekend I told Matt I wanted to spend the weekend doing stuff with the family. So on Saturday we went to Bob Evans for brunch and then to Sam's. After leaving Sam's we went home and the whole family took naps. I then did take a couple of hours to go get a pedicure and manicure. Afterwards we decided to go see "Cars" with the kids. We grabbed a bite to eat and headed to the theatre. The movie was really good and Gabriel was really into it. Abby on the other hand is not ready to sit through a movie so we will not be taking her again for a while. I did enjoy the fact that Matt was really glad I had talked him into going in the first place. Then yesterday we went out for dinner and ice cream. Gabriel had Superman ice cream and Abby had playdough. It was a great weekend and I wish we would just spend time doing things as a family more often. This weekend for Father's Day Matt has requested having the weekend to do nothing but play his game.

Gabe Says

What we heard: "I'm a good crapper."

What Gabriel actually said: "I'm a good clapper."

I've Been Lazy

This week I have been pretty lazy with the house work. In fact I have done the minimal to keep me sane but that will have to change today and tomorrow if I want to enjoy my weekend. But with Gabriel being sick, especially at night, I have just not had the energy. But today is a new day and I feel the house cleaning bug coming over me. Let's just see what I can accomplish. And hopefully Gabriel will be feeling better so that he can go outside and play, and not wreck the house as quickly as I clean it.

Etsuko's Blog

Etsuko has been blogging for several weeks now and I am just now getting around to linking her on my blog. She is leaving for Japan on Sunday and will not be back until the middle of July, so she probably will not be blogging very much in the next month but who knows? Go and check out her blog and the pictures of my cute nephews.

Etsuko, I hope you have a safe trip and that the boys behave for you. Benadryl could work wonders on such a long flight (that is as long as it doesn't wire them.) I will be thinking about you.

I Need Craft Ideas

I am doing the crafts for my MOPS group next year and need some craft ideas. The crafts need to take about 15-20 minutes to complete. If you have any wonderful ideas of something fun, easy and useful (not something that will just be tossed when you leave) let me know your ideas.

Thanks!!!

Gabe and Abby Says

Something I will never get tired of hearing...

Mommy, I Love you!


Something I hear and I would rather not....

Gabriel: Mom?
Mom: Yes?
Gabriel: ...........

I think he either just likes saying mom or he is trying to drive me nuts.

Gabriel is Sick

I was up with Gabriel three times last night cleaning him and his bed up from sickness on both ends. My Dad had a bug while we were visiting there but I had hoped the kids would not get it. But I guess that hope was futile. My hope now is that the rest of the family will be spared. Here's hoping he will feel better soon. Dad was down with it for 4 days.

Home Again

It feels soo good to be home. I enjoyed our visit with both families. But I am glad to be home. The kids had a great time. They really enjoyed playing with their cousins and grandparents. Now I just need to get everyone back a schedule.