Sweet Dreams (AKA Stupid Bouncy Ball!)

Perhaps now I have a bit more insight into the root of Mac's distaste for all that is bedtime. She must have some pretty vivid dreams, because at around 4:30 yesterday morning, she came running hysterically into our bedroom to tell us that she swallowed a bouncy ball. Since she was breathing and crying, I was relieved to realize that she wasn't choking. Once I established that, I became instantly cynical about the idea of her swallowing a bouncy ball. Not impossible, but certainly not likely without some choking involved.

Tim and I asked her plenty of questions, including how, why, and did her stomach hurt. She was very worried that a) she was going to die, and b) how was she going to get the ball out. While I did my best to assure her that this wasn't going to kill her, I wasn't really sure how we were going to get the ball out. I guess if it's small enough to go in, it's small enough to come out, but I didn't know how to explain that in a way that wouldn't freak her out.

Although the scenario is funny in retrospect, it was really disturbing to see Mac so upset. So we let her crawl in bed and tried to get her back to sleep. The next morning, I called the doctor and they said that they would recommend x-rays in order to determine if the ball was really in there, and if so, when we could expect it to "pass."

By this point I was even more seriously doubting the ball in the belly. But Mac even knew what color it was (yellow), and told Nanny that she ate it because it looked like a cheese ball (which she eats maybe once a year because we don't keep them in the house. So unlikely). I don't think that she was lying or doing it for attention, but I do suspect that it was a vivid dream. But since we started the train rolling, I did in fact take her for x-rays, which revealed the presence of no ball anywhere in her midsection. Although it was the expected outcome, it was also a relief. I was not looking forward to helping her poop out a yellow bouncy ball this weekend.

So they sent us home with some candy (a nice treat for mac and me) and the caveat that sometimes rubber objects are hard to see on an x-ray (nice to know we aren't the first bouncy ball family to go to the radiologist). So even though the chances are slim that it's in there, the yellow ball is still missing. I might get a surprise this weekend, after all.

State of My Oli Address

Lest it be thought that I would let a birthday slide by without getting sentimental and talking about how wonderful my kids are, I want to provide some perspective on just how great Oliver is at age 2, and what he is up to these days.

The latter half of my pregnancy with Oli was marked by not knowing what to expect when he was born. I had faith that God would not deliver more than we could handle, and I had faith that I would love this baby no matter what. And I was right on both counts. We debated trying the MOMS study, but worried that the cost could be high for both Mac and Oliver in terms of time and strain. That decision was taken out of our hands when we didn't qualify for the study because his Chiari malformation wasn't prominent enough. When he was born, we worried that he would be in the NICU for an extended amount of time, and that he would need a shunt to drain the excess fluid from his brain. We went home ten days later with no shunt. And I'm quite happy (albeit a little harried by the "Wait and See") to report that he still doesn't have one today. We were worried about having to catheterize him daily, but after a week or so, he started to urinate on his own. Way to beat the odds Oli!

We had no idea what would happen with his feet and legs, which were all the way up by his head when he was born. Slowly, through serial casting and time, they came down. We worried that he wouldn't be mobile, but just shy of 1 1/2, he started crawling. We worried that his braces would never fit, but after two surgeries, he now wears not only his AFOs, but HKAFOs that help him to stand.

After a while, we began to worry that we wouldn't talk. But his comprehension seemed great, so we hoped it was a matter of time. This summer, he began to grace us with his first few words. Granted, most of them are animal sounds, but I love listening to the little menagerie we have going on. And the words "car," "ball," and "more" have never sounded cuter. "No," I could take or leave, but the rest is great. Am I still worried that he is a delayed talker and that this could be a sign of a bigger delay? Definitely. But I am just happy to hear what he has to say, even if it is "woof."

Right now, walking is our biggest challenge on the table. He got his walker a few weeks ago, and doesn't seem to like it at all. While CHOP felt comfortable ordering it for him, his home PT, Ruth, doesn't feel he is ready for it. He can take little steps if we hold him up, but he doesn't want to free up his hands to hold onto the handles (he always carries a toy car in each hand), and he cries when we try. I'm sure that it is a matter of time, and that he will amaze us again, but that it is difficult to wait.

Oli is amazing, sweet, special, and loving. He is funny and cute and the the best snuggler. He captivates just about everyone he meets, and never fails to draw a smile from me. He has taught me that 'normal' is a subjective state of mind, and that our normal is whatever we want it to be. I LOVE my little boy, and I enjoy watching him grow every single day.

Happy Birthday Oliver!!

Embracing My Jersey

Ever since our trip to the West Coast to visit my friend Lynn in January, I have been having some major West Coast envy. Time and I both fell in love with California, especially Santa Monica. I think that we would both move out there if it was feasible, but there are just too many factors that would figure into a big move right now. We even planned a second trip for July, but had to cancel at the last minute. So I have been pining for California for quite a while.

I realized a couple of weeks ago that what I would have to do is to embrace my Jersey. NJ has personality, if nothing else, so I decided that I had to tap into that and go with it. This weekend went a long way towards discovering my inner Jersey. On Friday, pre-season football started. I love football, and I love(/hate) the JETS. Even though they lost, it felt good to watch the game and see what our QB prospects are for the year. I got the excited feeling in my stomach and realized that I probably couldn't root for any other team if we moved. I'm no Chargers girl. So score one for NJ.

We went to Great Adventure twice this summer, which is also a very Jersey thing. Perhaps less so since they've cleaned it up - no skanky people in bikinis strolling around or teenagers smoking. But there are so many childhood memories there that it is definitely a part of my Jersey roots. And the kids loved it. Especially Mac, since she is just the right age. I think that a season pass next summer is definitely something to look forward to.

On Saturday, we went down the shore with Tim and his instructors from the karate school. We visited my Aunt Patti and Uncle Bob, who have a house down at Point Pleasant. Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE the shore. And this Saturday was the ultimate experience. We were down at my favorite NJ shore, at a beautiful beach house, with wonderful family. My aunt and uncle got a blow up pool for the kids and let them splash around while we soaked up some sun, had some drinks, and talked. Then I took Mac on the boardwalk for some Kohr's orange/vanilla twist. Really, nothing better.

And much to my surprise, I'm actually sort of looking forward to autumn. I dread winter, but wouldn't mind the autumn activities of snuggling up in sweats, watching a JETS game, and having soup. I think if I can swing a trip into NYC, I'll be a reaffirmed east coast girl.

So have I embraced my Jersey? Abso-f'in-lutely.

VACATION!

The wonderful view from our balcony

our (failed) attempt at being athletic

sisters minus one

me and my little man

our beautiful beach house and my beautiful girl

amanda, dale, & krys at the beach

the parents at our biggest dinner out. mom even got a crab hat for her birthday.

Oli gets in his zone and throws sand at anyone who comes near him.

We love vacation! This year, we got to go to the Outer Banks of NC with our whole family! Mom, Dale, Beth, Krys, Amanda, Mike, Tim, me and the kids all drove down (9 hours) to the beautiful and quiet beach town of Duck. There is no boardwalk, which disappointed Mac at first, but we had a huge house, our own pool, and a short walk to the beach. Tim was supposed to leave on Tuesday, but was able to stay the whole time.

Some highlights include:

1. Waverunners -- Everyone (except me and Oli) taking out waverunners and zooming around the bay (inlet? bay? whatever -- it was water). I am a worrier, and it has been brought to my attention that I am a little over protective of the kids. I did not like the idea of Mac going out, but since she would be with Tim, decided it would be okay. I was literally in tears as they headed out, but she loved it.

2. Mom's birthday - Since Mike and Amanda had to leave on Tuesday, we celebrated Mom's birthday with a great dinner of grilled steaks, chicken, and salmon. Mike cooked it and it was delicious. More and more, I feel like a good home cooked meal beats going out to eat any day.

3. Beer Pong -- Later that night, we (minus Krys and the kids) played beer pong. Despite my love of drinking in college, I never really played beer pong. Mom never played, either, but it turns out she is a natural!

4. Riding the waves -- A favorite since I was little. This summer I have enjoyed taking Mac in the ocean a few times, but we stay pretty shallow. This time, I got to go far out with Mike, Tim, and Beth. It was great until my bathing suit top came off. Luckily I caught it before anyone else did.

5. Ice cream -- Ice cream every day!! Nothing says vacation like continuous ice cream!

6. GI Joe -- Okay, not necessarily a highlight in an of itself, but Tim and I went to a midnight showing of GI Joe. It wasn't a bad movie, I managed to stay awake, and it was the first movie I've seen in the theater in quite a while.

7. Candy Land -- I almost forgot. Candy Land is Mac's favorite game right now, and we played it constantly. The aunts were her favorite partners, since I am old hat, and I'm sure they will be quite happy not to hear the terms "double red" or "Queen Frostine" any time in the next few years. Luckily, Mac has finally embraced losing, or at least has learned how to be a gracious loser. Believe me, that was a long fought battle, and I'm not sure it applies to any situation other than Candy Land. But she is a fun opponent and I'm glad to see her enjoying the game.
I've realized that it doesn't even matter where we go when we are all together (even though we go great places!!), it is just fun having the time together.