Lincon City

Finally we are all recovered from the flu. It has been a long two weeks but at last we are all better. Our biggest scare was on Wednesday when Michael woke up he couldn't walk. We tried bribing him with ice cream but that didn't work. At that point we realized he might be serious so we took him to the Doctor just to be sure. Apparently the flu virus settled in his leg muscles and was so painful for him he couldn't walk for two days. Finally on Friday he was able to get back to normal.

So, when Saturday came we decided we earned a family day out. So, we packed up the kids, threw some extra clothes in the trunk and headed west to the coast. We decided to take a different route and try a different part of the Oregon Coast to visit. We headed southwest on 99W and ended up an hour or so later in Lincoln City. Lincoln City is a beautiful town which I'm sure in the summer is filled with tourists. Condos and beach houses line the coast and Coast Highway is lined with Art Galleries and restaurants.




We stopped and had fish and chips, clam chowder, and Mike enjoyed some Oyster Shooters at Mo's. After lunch we let the kids play in the sand and get their feet wet. They were such a mess and covered with sand but they had a blast. Sea Lions played in the water and they seemed just as excited about a rain free day as the rest of us.

Nick, you would have been in awe at the surf. I didn't see anyone out there and it looked like it would actually have been really hard to paddle out but the waves were incredible. I'm sure they would have given the Australian coast a run for their money. Albeit, the water in Australia is probably a lot more welcoming.

I forgot my camera but found some pictures of the area we actually played.

In other news we decided I would stop working on weekends. Since I've been working weekends we hardly ever get the chance to get out an explore as a family. We had such a great time yesterday and felt like we needed more time together. Mike works so hard on weekdays and his hours are often long and demanding. We both believe family time together is important and we want to create memories we can all look back on.

So, I'm looking forward to filling this blog with a lot more of our family memories.

My little VanGough

I've just got to share some of Michael's love of art... this kid is so funny. He will spend hours doing his artwork and he takes it very seriously and he is so proud to show it off and show how he does it.



Ever since he was really little I noticed he had a good eye for art. He would bring things home from school when he was just over two years old that I was amazed he created. Well, that amazement has just continued over the last few years and I can't wait to see if he puts this talent to good use when he grows older. I think he takes after his Uncle Nick.





He likes to do his work inside the playroom at his art table and also outside when the weather permits.

Vasovagal syncope

So I had an exciting afternoon yesterday! I was minding my own business in my kitchen while the boys played. Michael and Hayden were in the living room running around and being good. I decied to take my vitamins. So, I grabbed a bottle of water and popped the first vitamin in my mouth and washed it down. Then the second two at the same time and I gulped a big drink of water but this time it felt like I got a lot of air in the swallow too. As the vitamins, air, and water went down my throat it felt as if my esophogas was bulging way too big. IT HURT BAD!!! I wasn't choking as the air way was not blocked but the pain from the big gulp was pretty intense. I've felt this before but never this bad. I leaned over in pain muttering to myself "Holy Cow that hurt!". The next thing I know I'm thinking to myself..."Oh my God, I'm soooo tired". I then realized I was laying flat on my back in the kitchen. I passed out! My bottle of water had spilled all over the floor and Hayden was splashing away and having a great time. Michael never knew anything had happened at all and was still running around. I don't know how long I was out but it couldn't have been long.

So it was an episode of Vasovagal syncope. It's happened a few times in my life (once I sneezed and held it in... ouch that hurt and next thing I knew I was laying on a friends couch). So, it's common and kind of exciting. But, also I have to say it was a little scary being the only adult home at the time. I think Michael would have been really scared if he knew what was going on.

Well, to all of you out there! Take only one vitamin at a time and don't take too big of a gulp!

The Old Grey Mare....

So, another year has come and gone. I've made it to the big 38. Whoo-F'n-hoo...

I remember when birthday's were so exciting and full of anticipation of a piece of cake, a few presents, and a new world of possiblities because I was getting older and with each year my boundries grew.

Now birthdays are a reminder of my mortality. I find myself reading the obits in the paper just to see how old people are when they die... I find myself not wanting to do anything for my birthday but would rather let it pass as just another day. Everytime I go into a store and see the sign saying "anyone born before this day cannot buy ciggaretts" I realize I could have a child who is old enough to buy them and if I had started early I could have a kid old enough to drink alcohol.

How did it happen? How did I get here? And the biggest question of all is HOW THE HELL DO I GET BACK THERE??? I've got hair growing from my chin, I have wrinkles on my forehead, and two kids and a big weight loss have left me with indigenous anotomical features!!!

So, yeah, no... I don't want another birthday. I'm not ready to be 40 and it's almost here... but alas, I don't think it can be helped. I don't think it can be stopped... just look at those who try too hard to stop the ageing process (I'd rather not look like a plastic doll who got too close to a fireplace thank you!)

Anyway, to those of you who are younger than I... enjoy it while you can. To those of you who are older than I... well, I don't know what I was going to say cause the thought got away from me.... ironic, isn't it?


Edited.... 2/3/08

So, the actual birthday was pretty good. I worked all weekend and I can't say I didn't have fun. The couple who own my resturant bought me a BEAUTIFIL sweater from my fave store, Ann Taylor Loft. It is a beigh, zip up sweater with a fur collar and really cute cuffs and pockets. I LOVE IT! I was so surprised they got me anything... I think I'll keep this gig. My customers are also really great and so it's always nice to see them each week. It's like seeing a bunch of friends.

I also got two awesome hoodies from my Mom and Howard. Not to mention something I've been wanting for a couple of years now... The Madagascar Vanilla perfume from Florence, Italy. It can only be bought in Florence and I've been wanting it for so long. To those of you who have never had the pleasure of smelling it your self all I can say is it is the most delectable smell there could be... just like cookies.

My boys got me a beautiful plant. The big boy wanted to get me a box of See's Candy but I found out and nipped that in the butt... (could it be he is trying to sabataoge my diet??? Trying a little too hard to win the diet bet perhaps?). Anyway, it was changed to a beautiful blooming plant that will last a life time in my window instead of the lower rear end of my indigenous anatomy.

Thankfully, I'm not willing to loose this bet. I have afterall, a gift certificate to Macy's which I will happily spend once I've reached my goal. This was given to me by my Gramma and Joe who always know a girl loves to shop!

All in all it was a pretty fun day and I felt special. It's great turning 30. ;)

The Dieting Duo

Well, it's winter and with winter comes weight gain. It rains constanly here so our time out doors walking is limited... infact we haven't been on a walk in a couple of months. So, I felt like I was gaining a few pounds and decided to loose them before spring arrives. You know, back in the day I remember thinking to myself "I wish I had tried to loose weight back when I only needed to loose 20 lbs."... Well, I'm at that point now. I lost all the weight I gained when I had Hayden rather quickly and kept if off for a long time but in the last couple of months I've added about 8 lbs to that number. Also, I never got down to the goal weight I had originally set for myself so I figure now is a good time to do it.

So, I've started weight watchers. I've also joined the local gym. I'm very proud of my motivation and am really confidant this will work for me. My original goal is to loose 20 lbs but my ultimate goal is to loose about 25-30.

Also, Mike went on a diet himself last year in May after a terrible kite flying accident. He lost about 52 lbs. Well, he's gained about 20 of it back so he too has decided to get on the wagon and loose the pounds he gained back and another 10 to reach his weight goal. He has a definately different approach than I so we will see who reaches their mark first. We do have a bet however the "reward" hasn't been determined yet.

I'll keep you all up to date as my body melts away... :) The hardest thing so far is just resisting the temptation to snack so much. I am guilty of eating out of boredom and I've also been known to nibble on the kids food too. I think both of these habits have been key to my biological growth. So, those bad habits are out the door!

Anyway, wish us luck!

Hayden The Climber

Well, he's gone and done it. In one day Hayden managed to figure out how to climb out of both the playpen and the crib! The first incident was the playpen. Whenever I take a shower I put Hayden into his playpen and let him watch some cartoons. Usually he is quite content to sit and watch Dora The Explorer or Go, Diego, go. So, when I heard a noise in my bedroom I thought perhaps Mike had come home for lunch as he so often does. Suddenly the door opened and in walks a very proud Hayden! Later, the very same day while Hayden was napping I heard him chattering which he usually does upon waking. I listened again to make sure I heard him and suddenly I hear a big "BOOM" followed by cries. I knew instantly what had happened. I ran as fast as I could to get to him and found him sitting on the floor of his room very pissed off. No harm done during either endeavor but I will now need to remove all his beloved stuffed animals from the crib and toys from the playpen. We have deduced he has been using these items to climb upon assisting him with his escape.

We have had no other attempts as of yet so for now this is working.

Funny thing is Michael NEVER once even attempted to climb out of the crib. (He wouldn't have anything to do with the playpen however). Even after Michael turned two and got his "big boy" bed he still never even got out of bed in the AM without calling for me to come get him. It's like it never even occurred to him he could get out of bed even if he wanted to.

Well, that's a day in the life...