Author: eaumaison (Page 94 of 210)

Jack and I are sick.  It’s a long, lingering head cold we started Tuesday night.  Jack was mostly congestion, I had mostly sore throat.  But I think we are trading symptoms here in the last couple days.  His coughing last night kept me up, along with what I guess would be an anxiety attack about coordinating the house to get to the hospital in case I go into labor on my own.  I couldn’t sleep for hours.  Maybe the cold or the benedryl contributed.  Or just the fact that I’m a month from my due date. Either way, not sleeping last night made today the worst of the week for me.  I couldn’t go to church and didn’t get out of bed until noon.  I finally started to feel better late afternoon, just well enough to converse with my boys.

Anyway, lots of sick and laying low this week.  Mostly we wear sweatpants and stay at home.  At times we felt better, and could get out to do things.  Friday Ben and I went on a date to the Alamo, a much needed break for adult time.  Last night we went to the Denver County Fair.  I probably should have stayed home to rest, but it sounded really fun and I felt bad dragging Ben down for the weekend.  He took a lot of photos, if those get up I’ll share them with you. 

I also babysat Wolfie, bought a new dishwasher, unpacked and decorated the nursery, packed my hospital bags, finished Jack’s sweater, and did the sundry other chores I must do to keep the house humming. 

Oh, the owl, I forgot that I wanted to tell you about that.  We ordered this alarm clock for Jack and it’s FANTASTIC.  I had been working on him getting out of bed himself, so when the baby comes he doesn’t need me to retrieve him from his room.  He did great after a few days, but wasn’t really understanding when it was ok to come out.  Sometimes he would come downstairs 20 minutes after I put him down, expected praise for waking up on his own.  This owl from Amazon is an alarm clock that works brilliantly.  Jack loves it and follows it faithfully.  It glows orange, says “Go back to sleep now” and plays lullabies if you press its belly and it’s not time to wake up yet.  It turns green at the appointed time, and says “It’s time to wake up” if you press the belly after wake time.  You can set night and nap modes, it’s super easy to program, and again-Jack adores him.  We’ve had 100% sleep and wake behavior since we started using it last week. 

For our anniversary this year we took a family vacation in Colorado.  Manitou Springs has been on our list of local places to visit for a while.  We planned a short weekend trip for Ben, me, Jack, and my big belly.  The photos are a mix from my phone and from Ben’s good camera.  You can see our entire sets on our flickr accounts here and here. 

We drove into town midday Friday and started downtown.  There’s a very cute, if very touristy, downtown scene.  Weird little souvenir shops and almost every other place sells ice cream.  Best of all for Ben and Jack, there is an arcade.  Rich with modern and vintage devices, we spent a good deal of quarters and dimes here.  Jack was ecstatic about the rows and rows of ride machines. 

After walking around a bit we checked into our little hotel and put our feet up, hoping Jack would take a little nap.  He didn’t, but Ben did, and I think he needed it more than Jack anyway.  That guy works really hard.

We had a nice pizza dinner before going back downtown.  Jack and I split off to wander, so Ben could spend some real time playing games at his speed.  Then we met up for more games and ticket cashing in.  It was a simple day, but we were super tired by the end of it.

Saturday we checked out of the hotel and went the short drive to our main attraction: the Cog Railway up Pike’s Peak.  This is a very old cog rail track that goes all the way to the summit of Pike’s.  That’s right: I “climbed” a fourteener when I was 34 1/2 weeks pregnant!  Honestly, I was pretty worried about handling the altitude, the tiny old fashioned seats, and being trapped without a bathroom for the 1.5 hour trip each way.  But it ended up being very tolerable and quite enjoyable.  We had pleasant seat-mates visiting from Minnesota who took a real shine to Jack and helped keep him entertained. 

The views were amazing.  The pace was slow enough to see the flowers as you passed by, so there wasn’t any motion-sickness problem.  I saw a pika, a mule deer, six marmots, and four big horn sheep! Ben took Jack out around the summit while I mostly staying put.  It was a little alarming how fast my heart was pumping and breathless I felt, just from walking around the top.  But we were only up there for 30 minutes before they boarded us back on the train.  Not long enough for anyone to get really ill.  Even so, I was glad to know the gift shop at the summit sold oxygen if I needed it. 

While I stayed up here

They went down there

(None of us were as enthusiastic about the downhill trip.  It was well past nap time and lunch time)

The train got back at the station in the afternoon and we were pretty tuckered.  A quick stop to one of those springs for Ben to fill bottles, then we got lunch and went on the road home.  What a wonderful little trip!

This July has been kind to me.  Most days there are afternoon thunderstorms that hide the sun.  Yesterday it felt like we had left Colorado.  Drizzly, cold rain all day long.  We were in heaven!  We took a nature walk, napped, read books, and I watched Becoming Jane at Amanda’s house.  Look, we wore jackets!

This morning is another chilly one.  Jack slept in until 8:20!  I should be vacuuming, sweeping, and doing the dishes so we can get to story time on time.  But jammies! Slippers! Internet!  So much more fun!

Saturday was a building day for us.  Ben took Jack to another Lowes Build and Grow workshop.

I bought some wood trim and made Jack a new bookshelf.  I’ve been scouring the internet for a good kids bookcase, that’s not super expensive, and holds a lot of books.  Front facing shelves are great for kids to browse and put away on their own, but they are pricey, often ugly, and don’t hold a lot.  Finally, on Amanda’s suggestion, I got a $22 Target bookshelf and added the trim.  Just a little paint, glue, and nails, and he has a new place to collect his many many books! 

Ok, no more delays. I gotta do my housekeeping.

For my Dad’s birthday last week the family descended on Grand Junction again.  I was happy to be back to their pool and lazy days of free entertainment and care for Jack. 

We flew this time, using the Denver Air charter flights out of Jeffco Airport.  It was pretty slick – no security, no long drive to DIA, super friendly, no crowds, etc etc. 

Unfortunately the afternoon storm made this the worst flight I have ever been on.  Our lightweight plane was bounced hither and thither.  Jack and I both made use of the airsickness bags – several times in his case.  The flight was also double in length because of the detour we had to make around the storm. 

But we made it in one piece!  Jack quickly recovered and was ecstatic to see Grandpa at the airport. Jack made him open his present as soon as we got to the house.  The rest waited until the next day, when Mom would be back from visiting Grandma Lois in Salt Lake, and Andy and Jen and dogs could arrived too.  Ben even drove up for a short overnight stay.

Friday I baked a cake, we swam, played, and ate well.  I didn’t put shoes on all day. 

Saturday a little shopping downtown.  Very little – it was sweltering.  Jack picked out this “dapper hat” with Ben.  After Red Robin lunch we snapped some adorable pics.

Sunday everyone had left but me, Amanda, and Jack.  We went to church, made ice cream, and, of course, more swimming. 

Monday morning we flew back home on a much gentler flight.  Smooth and short, we arrived in Arvada with spare time before story time at the library started.

We were both worn out.  It was so much fun though.  I love getting together with all my family.  Jack said no less than three times on Monday “I just wanted to stay with grandma and grandpa.”  Me too, bud.

Today I felt pretty crappy.  Lots of contractions, lots of back pain, nausea, reflux, all the bad stuff pretty much.  I managed to clean, do laundry, get groceries, took Jack to the Apex Center indoor play ground, filled him a kiddie pool, did my billing work, and made dinner.  Writing that all out makes me feel better for how wiped I am.  But really, I shouldn’t be this tired and uncomfortable. 

While Ben got Jack ready for bed I took video of the baby having hiccups.  This happens several times a day, just like with Jack.  Although large rolls and pokes are easy to see, it’s hard to catch them on film.  It’s more unusual for hiccups to be visualized.  I added the tablet so you can see them clearer with the wobble.

Tonight we made it down to Baker for the Broadway Farmer’s Market.  Baker is one of our favorite neighborhoods in Denver; home to Sweet Action Ice Cream, Humble Pie Shop, and the beloved Fancy Tiger, amongst other hip fair.

Speaking of hip fair, this was one strange farmer’s market.  Settled on a small grassy lot, you could find tickets to the Underground Music Festival, wine freezers(?), boozy marmalade, and vegan food trucks, all while listening to a live band.  But if you came with your canvas bags for farm fresh vegetables, you might be disappointed.  There was one booth tucked in the corner selling fresh greens.  To their credit, there was also a sign by the band “Peaches couldn’t make it . . . truck broke down . . . will be here next week!”  The fact that Ben thought this might refer to the band tells you what kind of market this was.  I wonder why they don’t just call it a neighborhood fair, or summer festival, or something. 

Despite our preconceived notions we had a fun time.  Jack and I shared a refreshing watermelon-pineapple juice and kettle corn.  Ben had a delicious tamale.  The booths were generous with their samples, so we also had “artisan” pickles, pistachio pesto, chocolate caramel sauce, and rhubarb pie. 

Some more artistic shots from Jack D added to his set on flickr.  Here are my favorites.  Zoo pictures are from our outing I blogged here.

We hadn’t been to the zoo in a couple months.  We left bright and early this morning to try to beat the July heat.  I packed icy water bottles, sunscreen, hats, stroller, gym shoes, back brace, and took a Tylenol and Zantac just to be ready.

The zoo crowds were lighter than earlier in the summer.  We found parking easily and didn’t have to fight to see animals.  Most of the animals were cooperative and playful, coming right up to us. Except the big felines, they were mostly hiding in the shade.  But it was 11:30 by the time we got to them, and everyone was wilted at that point, us included. 

Dusty Cape Buffalo.

A pelican, as requested on our drive to the zoo.  “Can we see that bird with funny bumpy mouth?” “Flamingos?”  “No, the funny bird, with big mouth.  Nemo’s dad and Dory go in his mouth.”  He laughed with glee when this pelican stretched his neck to let us see his mouth.

All the penguins were in the caves except this dummy.  Water or caves, dude. That’s where you should be.  This was the smaller exhibit near the monkeys.  We saw better penguin action by the Bird Palace. 

Brown Bears

Better Penguin Action

Fishing cat making rounds right up to the glass.  He made up for the otters across the hall who were sleeping.

We took a break in the amphitheater to eat PB&Js, grapes, and water.

While we ate we watched this guy take a bath!

The sea lions were very playful too.

Despite asking for giraffes several times, when we finally got to them he was feigning interest.  These tigers next door were lounging and bathing.  Jack had devolved to asking useless questions, like he does when he is tired and bored.  For example, this picture he is asking “How that tiger take a bath, mom?”  “uhh, by sitting in the water.”  “But how he take bath?”  Ok, time do go.

Jack was wearing out, so we headed back to the car.  I couldn’t believe all the people just arriving now that it was almost noon.  Dudes, it’s going to get hotter!

But seriously, I should get some Mommy achievement points for spending the morning Downtown Denver, walking in the high 90s weather while 8 months pregnant, right? This was NOT EASY.

At home we had a bigger lunch with Ben, who was working from home today.  He went back in the basement while I turned on the sprinklers for Jack to frolic.  It cooled him down to chattering teeth.  He played with his cars in his room while I sorted baby clothes.  (Oh my gosh, were his feet ever really this small??)

I was sweltering by quiet time.  These afternoon storms are nice for bringing down the ambient temperature outdoors.  But the rainfall makes our evaporative cooler worthless.  Ben suggested I get out of the house since he was there for Jack if needed. 

Ahhhhhh.  If only their WiFi worked as well as their AC.  I was goose bumpy and loving it.  But after several disconnections I had to go home to finish my work.  It was a wonderful respite while it lasted. 

Internet savvy folks are aware that Google Reader ended service this month.  We were sad.  Ben opted to self host an RSS reader for me and friends.  He has the ability to tweak it’s design, because he’s smart like that. 

Sometimes when I’m browsing my internet feeds, I am assaulted by snakes.  Like this one.  And this one.  NothankyougoawayImgonnawashmyeyesnow.  I really really hate snakes.  After a request that was mostly a joke, my dear husband did this for me:

“Redacted due to snakes (click to toggle)”

In other words, he filtered snakes out of my RSS feeder!  I’m so happy.  It does a keyword search, so sometimes articles are redacted that don’t need to be.  But the title is preserved so I can click to view it if I think it will be safe.  

Thank you Ben!

At dinner Jack has a full glass of chocolate milk.  He spills the whole thing towards me, pooling across the table, on the floor, and on me.  I try to catch it in my skirt. Ben rushes for rags. 

After a long pause, Jack says politely, “I need more chocolate milk.”

No kidding, kid. 

We laugh and mop it up.  I opt to shimmy out of my skirt and use it as a rag.  Jack looks at me and says, “You got chocolate milk on your skirt, Mommy.”

I chuckle as I run upstairs to change.  What a helpful child.