Thursday, December 16, 2010

Brother Love

Thought you all might enjoy a glimpse of the boys. Maddox sure loves his Jetty... maybe a little too much.

Friday, December 3, 2010

gobble gobble

Thanksgiving was delightful this year. We were missing some of our favorite faces, but the food, oh the food. It is hard to believe that the old favorites could get better, but they were.
We had 2 of the 3 Myers girls and 5 of the 6 grand boys. Hans and Aubyn, the Schuylers, the Myers and the Perrines. Rob, Addie and Blake didn't make it on account of the weather.
Maddox sure loves his cousins, although he mostly just watches them play, he is getting better about joining in.

Christmas started going up the day after and will probably be done(ish) tomorrow. I made Mama Marcia's creme wafers for a neighborhood gathering and all 3 dozen were gone within an hour. Bing and I have been trying to start a collection of holiday music and I'm thinking that a yummy Yankee candle in pine scent may be in order. I should probably start a puzzle just to pull it all together and make me feel like a kid growing up on Harvard Ave. all over again.

Our neighborhood decided on Whoville for a theme. There are story boards lining the street as you enter the "hood" and the houses along the main street have fun, whimsical cutouts and lights. I will post pictures soon, this must be shared.

And now I will end my rambling until next time.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Jetty had his 2 month baby visit and as we suspected, he is a big boy :) He was 13 lbs 2oz which puts him in the 85 percentile for weight. Not a roll on the boy though, he is just dense! At this visit, we learned he had an ear infection but that wouldn't stop them from stabbing him 3 times with needles to vaccinate against worse things.

"Bulldog"

The funny thing is that his ears didn't really seem to bother him. Anyway, he is now on amoxacillin to obliterate the infection, but that gave him thrush. So, throughout the day, Jetty gets 2 doses of amoxacillin, 4 of nystatin, and special nystatin paste for his butt. Then, I have an ointment to use after nursing so we don't pass the thrush back and forth. There is a whole lot of medicating that I will be oh-so happy to be done with.

Sporting the OWL hat my friend Janelle knit for him.
We aren't into a solid routine just yet but most nights he sleeps between 7 and 9 hours. AMAZING.

Maddox is a good brother. He mostly ignores Jetty, but when he is paying attention it is all hugs and kisses and petting. Potty training is on hold, as Maddox is not interested in participating. He loves the treats for staying dry and going on the potty, but not enough to do it without prompting and 24/7 supervision. I love the way his britches get all folded and awkward when he pulls them up by himself.

He did this to himself. Funny and totally unsanitary!

Play doh is a favorite right now as is playing swords, coloring, trains, and watching movies. Kung Fu Panda, CARS, Bob the Builder and Astro Boy are common around here. We would LOVE new movies for Christmas... just an idea (by we, I mean Bing and I).

The snow is coming down in Billings and Maddox is finally big enough to enjoy it a little. We went out today and stomped on the perfectly flat snow. Maddox likes messing up the perfection and will go in a line down the sidewalk pressing his hands into the fluff.

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Boogity-BOO!

Bing was in Denver this weekend, so I was alone for sugarfest 2010. To do it up right, Maddox had a Poptart and juice for breakfast. After his nap I fed him muddy buddies and more juice while he watched CARS.

"Mums the word" is right! Don't tell dad :)

Jetty gets really excited about candy. Aunt Sissy sent us this 3-6 month ditty that already fits at 6 weeks, and Grammy Myers made the cute blankie.

I asked Aubyn and Hans to come over and trick-or-treat with us and help me with my sanity, since I'm not smart enough to help myself and ease up on the sugar. Maddox was supposed to be a fireman but, he refused to even touch the costume, much less try it on. We opted for Red Sox player since I knew it wouldn't be a fight and we had what it takes.

He loved ringing the doorbells, and was very thankful but, refused to say trick-or-treat.

Jetty came along as the token, tasty treat. We all took turns munching on him and helping Maddox.

We hit about a dozen houses and retreated to the warm house and a glass of wine and passed out candy to the older, greedier munchkins.

I'm so very happy the Bones were here to lend a helping hand and some adult conversation. THANKS Hans and Aubyn!

Saturday, October 30, 2010



I can't help myself... I know my family can appreciate this. And, while I don't like to steal other peoples' thunder, they don't blog. Julian has the most awesome Halloween costume ever, Inigo Montoya, from the Princess Bride. If you haven't seen it, RENT IT.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Get some coffee and settle in

I sometimes forget what I have and haven't shared, it is Facebook's fault. These might be repeats for some of you but, I know my mom and some others will appreciate it!
We went to the Nuttings and helped chop wood, by "we" I mean Bing. I stayed out of the way and nursed the babe. Maddox was born to be a little logger, or at least look the part.

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I made fried chicken for the first time, it was perfection.
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We went to the pumpkin patch to get fall pictures... harder than we thought. It was getting too dark, Jetty doesn't sit up on his own, Maddox is two and the list of obstacles could go on and on. It was a really fun place though with big slides, a tee pee with a corn "sandbox" inside, a cow train pulled by a four wheeler, two different corn mazes and homemade kettle corn, YUMMY!

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Jetty is straight thuggin' and is not as easy as Maddox at this stage. He cries more, we are pretty sure he is really gassy, like Bing. Actually, I think he has some reflux issues and his skin is a bit sensitive. We had to switch to fancy pants, expensive diapers to save his rear :(

***
Bing works from home now and so we get some good "daddy time" which usually involves little clothing, baseball and quite often treats. The favorite right now is caramel apple suckers, we love them.
This is mini Bing
Maddox is a superb mimic so watch your mouth when you come to visit!
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Barney and Marcia came to visit and kick my tail at Scrabble. I am sure Marcia's only purpose in coming was to serve me up a fatty slice of humble pie. But really, they are such a blessing and a joy to be around. Barney got to go pheasant hunting with the menfolk, a much anticipated event around here, and the women ate popcorn, played scrabble, went antiquing and checked out the Harvest Fest. The visit was faaar too short but we crammed a lot of fun into the time we had.

***
I turned 27 this year, AAACK!

Bing made me a tasty cake and we celebrated with my parents and the Nuttings.

I bought myself a crown and scepter, because my household needs to be reminded who is the pretty princess. There is a whole lot of testosterone around this place.

Maddox likes pink

Jetty hates baths and has learned naughty gestures already

but is oh so sweet when he sleeps

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Who's who?

Can you tell which baby is which? If you don't already know the pictures, my bet is NO.


To see a larger version, click on the photo.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Take what you can get

Well, I'm not sure I am ever going to get birthday pictures from Julian so we'll go with what I've got.

He was the super star of the day, being celebrated like a champ. We started off with chocolate chip, banana pancakes topped with whipped cream and a candle. He loved the candle and we had to relight it repeatedly. Even now, when we have pancakes he requests "fire".

After breakfast we went to church where Maddox was moved from "walkers" in the baby wing of the nursery to "2 year olds" in the awesome wing. He loves going there, with the slide, and basketball hoops, and coloring, and running around, it is all kinds of fun!
After church we were off to Grammie and Papa Myers' house for a birthday celebration with cake and LOTS of presents. It took a minute or two for him to get the concept of opening presents and after the first one he wanted to be done so he could play, but he soon caught on. The kid made out with some major loot, as you can see.

play guitar, real guitar, knit monkey backpack, books, play dough(tons of it), sweet new clothes, helicopter, puzzles,a cellphone, and CARS(swim trunks,sippy cups, books, and his very own Lightning McQueen)
Strider bike from Aunties Tiff and Piper and Grammie and Papa Perrine

Thank you everyone for showering us with lots of love and toys with batteries :) Your turn will come!

Thursday, September 16, 2010

JWP

Jetty Willson Perrine has finally joined our family !
- September 15th at 8:40 am
-weighing in as a heavyweight at........ 10# 7oz!

His head was 14 inches around, the same as Maddox. I thought it was 2 inches smaller, turns out, the rest of him was so big that his head is dwarfed in comparison.

THE BIRTH STORY
There was an amazing electrical storm and sheets of rain pouring down. Bing and I watched from our porch and every upstairs window we could see out of and I said, "watch, I'll go into labor tonight ". I started feeling crampy and noticing some blood around 10 pm on that rainy Tuesday night. About 10:45 the uncomfortable contractions started but were nothing I couldn't handle. I had asked my mom to be in the delivery room so we called Mama Myers and warned her, it could be a long night. Her and Julian showed up around 11 pm, I hopped into the bathtub hoping to relax some muscles and power through contractions. It helped a lot, slowing the contractions and making me relax. We sent Mom home and told her we'd call when we headed to the hospital and Julian stayed the night to care for Maddox.

Bing and Julian watched "Of Mice and Men", while I lay in bed breathing through contractions. I got minutes of sleep here and there, but the contractions were consistently 3-5 minutes apart from the get go. About 3:45 it was too uncomfortable and we headed to St. Vincent's where Mom met us shortly after. I was already at 4cm and 90% effaced.

By 6:30 I was at 6cm and 90%, I got my beloved epidural, she broke my water and we were on our way. My midwife said we'd probably have a baby before 9am. Too bad, there isn't a picture editing function to remove extra chins....

My epidural was more appropriate this time, and I could actually feel pressure, my contractions and when to push... all without pain :) 8:15 I said I think it's time, midwife agreed, and pushing commenced.

Jetty's head made it out, but the rest was lodged in my pelvis, not wanting to budge. The midwife had to reach in and pull his shoulder forward in order to get his body out before he lost all oxygen to his head. With that tight of a squeeze, the umbilical cord gets pinched and the diaphragm is useless, so there is a real risk of losing the baby when they are stuck like that.

No problem for us though! He popped right out, no broken clavicle and just a slight cone head. Surprisingly I was almost completely unscathed. Five stitches later and I'm good to go. I was up and walking around the next day. I feel wonderful and my body has mostly returned to me. I am 3lbs heavier than my pre pregnancy weight just 8 days later! I can thank my linebacker for that. I'm sure he eats around 1000 calories a day, HE'S huge!



Sunday, September 12, 2010

Stew is back

Oh yes, he didn't go far. He had been hanging around and showing his face here and there, hiding under the neighbor's grill, eating the tasty bites we used to lure him without getting caught. Alas, the neighbors caught him and put him back in the cage....he then got out again, within the hour.
Today, I set a hunk of lettuce in a big Tupperware bin and tipped it on its side, when he crawled in to munch, I flipped it up and tada! caught. Now there are clips holding the cage closed, opposable thumbs required :)

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Still PREGNANT!?


I am now 39 weeks, according to the doctors. I didn't think I could get any more "rotund" but I am apparently wrong more often than I will admit. I had an appointment today that provided good but altogether uneventful news. I am 2cm dilated and still just 50% effaced. Doc says with the second pregnancy , it is common for women not to fully thin out until labor is in progress, and often the baby doesn't drop until then either. If you don't understand what all of that means, you probably don't want to know anyway. My feet and ankles have become quite a sight! I have never, ever retained water like this, it makes me giggle every time I look at them.

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Stew escaped today. I am not at all disappointed, although I feel bad that he most likely got eaten by a large bird within hours of freeing himself. Maddox loved the little guy and would stick his hand in the cage and say "come on bunny, come on" it was sooo stinking adorable. I am sure he will forget about it soon, especially once the cage isn't sitting empty in the yard!

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Bing's heart is doing really well, all things considered. The doctors told him to stop running 1/2 marathons because he doesn't feel pain like he should, he doesn't know when he is pushing his heart harder than it can handle. He now runs 2 or 3 miles every other day and has lost over 40 pounds. He's lookin' good, let me tell you, mmm-mm-mmmmm! He started taking supplements that we sell on our website and at his last doctor visit we were surprised to hear that his leak has improved slightly. That is unheard of, so they will retest him in a few months. Who knows, maybe the omega-3 heart health is a miracle drug... who knows.

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I'll have to update you later, on all of Maddox's accomplishments and changes as well as his birthday. Julian has most of the pictures from the party and I never see him, even though he lives with us....

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Monday, August 30, 2010

Stew

We named him Stew. Jokingly, we say it is because that is what we will make out of him. In reality, Stew is living in a cage in our garage, it is a portable cage so he gets to be outside when it isn't raining all.day.long...
The first night, we came home and realized we had left Stew's cage in the yard, and the sprinklers were on. He was sitting right on top of one :) We have been more thoughtful since.

I bought a water thingy, like you have for hamsters, and rabbit food. He really, really likes lettuce and the carrots I bought from the Hutterites. Currently, it looks like he spilled his "rabbit food" and then peed on it. Apparently he is a picky rabbit.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

I am NOT a pet owner

I don't like hair, or cleaning up stray poop or having to remember to feed something that can't tell me that it is hungry. At least babies wear diapers and cry or tell you when they want to eat, they don't shed hair any more than the next person...

Bing caught a teeny-tiny rabbit in front of the mall. Maddox l-o-v-e-s bunnies and is so excited to have one. Although, he just threw rocks at Bing the whole time he chased the thing round and round the thorny bushes. Took about 20 minutes of Bing, dashing back and forth behind the bushes before he snagged the little bugger. Maddox wanted so bad to hold it and kiss it, but I'm pretty sure he might pull a Lenny and squish him if we let him, and I'm also pretty sure I don't want him kissing a rabbit, especially one caught, not bought.

From 2010-08-26
From 2010-08-26
Maddox asking if he can "hode it"
From 2010-08-26
washing our hands on the sweet stool that Papa Scott built

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Baby update

Doctor says I am 36 weeks.... my ticker says 37 and a day, who is right? Well, if you have spent any time around me lately, you would know that I am, of course!

36 weeks by my best guess. 35 weeks Dr.'s best guess.

Ask Bing and he'll tell you I have been wildly emotional, kinda crazy and a bit critical. I say, what's new? Oh, but even I have noticed my demeanor change. I am quite unbearable even to myself. This baby is superbly active still, sometimes doing acrobatics for hours on end. Last night he had a 3 hour run of somersaults and side kicks.
While I still have a month left until my due date, the doctor says that any day would be fine. All of my "practice" contractions have been doing what they are intended to do and I have already progressed farther than 14 hours of labor with Maddox.

MEN you may want to stop reading now.
I am 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced, good news this early in the game. I am ready to meet this raucous child!

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Help please?

We are in desperate need of a computer. Our laptop went KAPUT! CRASH! BAM! BOOM!.... You get the picture. If you know of anyone getting rid of a decent computer, either for free or super cheap, let us know. We just need something that will get us by until we can purchase something new.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Coasties

We had a wonderful time in Oregon. Our time was spent with lots of good friends and family, eating good food, drinking tasty coffee, throwing rocks and sand, seeing the sights, etc.
The conference was amazing, very inspirational and informative. We have found something awesome here and the more I know about it, the more I want to share it. I won't bug you though, if you are curious then ask me about it! Especially if you have kids or men, I learned really cool stuff about laundry... HA!

Being on the coast made Bing's desire to be there more intense. All I hear about these days are his thoughts on moving back, when it might be possible, how we could make it work and on and on. It is beautiful out there, for sure. My skin loved it and my hair never saw a blow dryer cause it is basically pointless. If only my side of the family was interested in relocating!

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Dear Placenta,

Thank you for moving out of the way; I did not, and do not, want to have a C-section.

I had my doctor's appointment on Thursday and my 2nd ultrasound on Friday and the combined results are inconclusive. My belly measured right at 30 weeks, which is "technically" correct. According to the ultrasound, baby measures in at 32 weeks. So, I feel safe saying this baby could come any time from the last week in August to the 16th of September. Also, my placenta moved up and outta the way so no worries there. Little Guy might be THE most active baby on earth. I swear he never stops moving, jabbing, kicking, rolling and sticking his butt out. It gets down right painful and sometimes gives me the feeling of motion sickness.

Bing, Maddox and I leave for Portland/Astoria on Wednesday evening. We are driving the 18 plus hours which should be really interesting with an almost 2 year old and a pregnant lady who already has the smallest bladder on the planet. If anyone has ideas on how to make that more pleasant, please advise!

We are attending a conference/rally for World Wide Group. It should be a wonderful time of learning and inspiration for the two of us, and be really instrumental in getting our business to flourish. We are trying to pursue this HARD so that it might be possible for me to stay home with the kiddos after Baby#2 arrives. Things are tight with two incomes so there is no way we can hack it without something else bringing in the $. We sold Bing's old truck after we got the suburban and we put that money away for this trip. Bing longs for the coast and it blesses me to be able to allow him time there, not to mention all of the amazing family and friends we see while there.

Here is the latest belly shot.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

4th at Mithter Teve's

Our 4th of July was awesome! I have always loved the fireworks, playing with torches, the smell of black powder but this was one of the best. The entire family was invited to stay in a friend's cabin on Canyon Ferry and enjoy their fun water toys and showering out-of-doors. The showering was fun, except for the breezes that blew the cold, wet, shower curtain into your body and exposed you to the deer grazing on the hillside.

We played in the paddle boat, roamed the huge lake on the wave runner, went on boat rides, fished(with no luck), jumped on the trampoline, played catch with their dog, ate ungodly amounts of watermelon and other delicious foods, drank margaritas and watched 10's of thousands of dollars worth of fireworks explode in sparkling glory.

Except for getting frostbite in July it was a perfect weekend. Oh, didn't I tell you? While replacing the ice cube tray in the ooold freezer, my slightly damp fingers froze to the metal liner. As I whined that it was burning, my mother got a bowl of warm water to free me. I barely got my hand free before that also froze. I now have 3 purple fingers that are slightly blistered. Ouchy.