Burping

So C has a new talent - the man burp. First she gulps a lot of air into her body. Then only seconds later she belches better than Papa. I know you think I am lying, but I can prove it to you...if you come visit. She is very proud of this new skill, H thinks it is gross, I agree. Who knows what would happen if we let her drink root beer. Hopefully some practice with manners will help.

Webcast

So, for those of you who are dying to know some of the things I have been working on, but don't want to read a 43 page paper, here is a link to a webcast I helped create. It is actually very informative and has a lot of pertinence to the world today for those with disabilities and those without. Kind of falls in line with LDS emergency preparation, and admonition of the prophets.
Here is the link:
http://mcn.ed.psu.edu/dbm/kennedy/index.htm
My favorite part is the introduction by Sarah Blackstone. She is a big leader in the field and you can really feel her passion in the introduction. Also, Pamela is the individual who is highlighted in the webcast. She is an inspiration! What a wonderful story she shares! Her speech was prepared using an AAC device, and thus you hear simulated speech throughout the presentation.
It is 27 min long, so you might just want to catch the beginning and the end. Mom I know you will want to watch it all - just don't cry!

Fun with the hubby

So J and I went on a double date last night with Adam and Lauren. Such fun! First we went to the home show at PSU. For those of you skipping ahead to the photo - yes that is the famous Beaver Stadium that JoePa graces every season - and a few more I hear. I actually park next to it all week and I have never been inside. But, JoePa is not the subject of this post, so back to my hubby. After scoring some free candy, pens, and yard sticks, we headed out. I just love home shows. I mean people actually plant real plants in dirt on the arena floor. How weird is that? Plus I don't have to go out and buy pens for at least a year, and I write often! Best part is going to be all of the free stuff I win from all of the booth entries, like the $100 Lowes cards, Wii, Cruise, etc. I just know the phone will be ringing off the hook Monday. Either that or I am going to get on a ton of telemarketing calls. Ah well. As we left the home show, J and Adam decided to sword fight.I still haven't determined if this is an approved post surgery activity, but since shooting shotguns is I figure this is ok as well. Adam definitely took it easy on him for fear of injuring him further. He is a veteran of the appendectomy, so he can really sympathize with the pain. Last we went to dinner. That was a true evening of gluttony, but so yummy! John made us crack up the whole time with his obession with all of the yummy appetizers. I think the waitress was either scared of him, or had a crush. Hard to tell. The kids had fun, we had fun. Thanks Adam & Lauren. Thanks to the Moss sisters for sitting - and accepting late payment. That is another story entirely. Can't wait until my next hot date. Love that crazy man!

Coming to an end

So spring break is coming to an end and I am feeling a bit sad about it. The week was well deserved - especially with all that happened just prior. I finally had a little chance to relax. Don't get me wrong I still studied - Skinner again. Today though I feel a bit sentimental. It all started with H coming into my room this morning. He had been up since 7am. I like to sleep in once and a while, so he just watched cartoons for an hour while C slept. When he came in later, I looked at him with his missing tooth and realized my baby is getting old - almost 6! I know this is cheesy and so many people warned me, but they do grow up way to fast. I mean he won't even kiss my on the lips anymore! Then I think it is just about official that C is potty trained, so it hit me that she is getting old too. Not a baby at all anymore, although she still likes the binky (that is the next thing to tackle). Ok and she also has the tantrum perfected, so we have a way to go with that, but both of them are getting to be self-sufficient. They can entertain themselves, they like to be with friends more than mom (although C still says she is my best baby). I know that is the ultimate goal, but who knew they would be able to get this far so soon? All I know is it is going to be a rough week coming up because I just know I am going to miss them a ton! Love my kids!

Tooth fere

H lost his tooth. He put the tooth in an envelope and wrote "To the toothfere" on it. So cute. Hopefully the tooth fairy will be on time.

Just wrong

I wasn't planning on posting again today, but with photos like this...who could resist. No need to say how potty training is going as these photos are definitely worth 1000 words. All I heard before I found this was "MAMA YUCKY POOP!" At least I know she is doing well verbally, because her description of the situation was accurate. Funny how she just happened to do this when John was out at a meeting. The clean up was nasty, and right now I feel like this part of motherhood is just wrong. C had a bath, and now as fresh as ever. H refused to join her in the tub, can't blame him at all. Just try and imagine trying to clean this, while trying to keep C in the bathroom and the dog out of this mess. Yesterday he tried to lick up urine and his tongue started having seizure like movements. Can only imagine what he would have done with this on his tongue. I really don't want to know. There is no way his mouth is cleaner than mine as some people claim. I wouldn't even believe hard data on this fact. Hope your evening was less eventful.

TV war

You know you spend too much time studying when your kids fight over the TV to watch their favorite shows. C just likes to turn the TV off when it isn't her show. H likes to stand in front of it when it isn't his show so she thinks that he is going to turn it off. Ahhh, sibling rivalry. Starting to feel bad for all the fights I was in as a kid with my siblings.

Anyway, in case anyone wanted to know C's favorite show is definitely Dora - she even walks around say D D D D D D Dora and just got a Dora book. I am not usually into that, but she is was enthralled. Too cute. She even listens to what Dora asks and tries to join in during the show & dances to the music.

Harrison loves Scooby Doo & Tom & Jerry the best. Too bad they aren't on very often. Sometimes I can get them for free on demand, but they usually only swap those shows out every couple of weeks. He will join in watching other shows, but if Scooby Doo is on, don't even think about changing the channel.

I like CSI, American Idol, Eleventh Hour, & Without a Trace. Loved Eli Stone as well, but they canceled it and I blame all of you who never even watched it! John loves soccer - and anything I force him to watch with me. What a good sport - I guess I am a good sport as well because he often makes fun of what I watch (especially American Idol). I can't help that addiction who doesn't want to see what happens when a bunch of people have the same dream of being a rock star? Good thing we only have one TV and different TV tastes, or we would be couch potatoes. Better study again. I have been avoiding it all day. Having spring break doesn't help productivity for me - only procrastination.

A few photos

I wanted to post these sooner, but here are a few photos that relate to recent posts.

Harrison's loose tooth.

C's Spiderman tattoo on her neck - it is still there 2 weeks later. Yuck!

The incision! Don't you think it is crazy that they only used 3 stitches?Never posted about this one, but C got curlers for Christmas. We tried them out one morning before church, but I took them out before they were fully dry, so you could hardly tell. We will have to try again another time.

A few things I've learned

In light of all the things that have happened in the past week or so, I thought I would jot down a few things I have learned. Here goes:
1- When driving a recovering husband around in a car it is wise to avoid curb checks. Sorry babe, that really was an accident.
2- If you have people bringing in meals for a week, don't assume you will be able to skip dessert - it will probably be sent with dinner and too yummy to resist. So much for watching your waistline. :)
3- When having friends tend kids it would be wise to warn them that C knows how to lock doors. This probably won't avoid C locking them out of their house, but at least they would have been put on alert. Good thing this true story turned out funny!
4- When taking your daughter to see daddy at the hospital, tell her first off all items she should not drink out of. You don't want her to try and drink out of a urine container - and then give you a death stare when you tell her what was in there (as a note, her death stare was more of a - "Are you trying to poison me by not telling me what was in this thing ahead of time?" look).
5- When your husband is being pushed around in a wheelchair and obviously not enjoying it - snap a photo even when he tells you not to. You will want to capture that moment of displeasure on his face. Plus I know all of you wanted to see this as well.
6- When a recovering husband is walking around the block for the first time since surgery - don't let him walk the unruly dog. it isn't likely to work out well. J actually turned Yoda over to me, but I felt bad that I actually let him try.
7- When people are bringing in meals or coming to visit just lock the dog up ahead of time to avoid the chase or a friend being mauled. We finally learned this one yesterday. Poor dog, not enough attention, and he must think we are stealing all of this food coming in from him the way he goes to get it.
8- When you meet with the nurse to take stitches out if she told you no lifting over 20 lbs, no running, etc., this probably includes sit ups and push ups. However, according to the nurse dishes, laundry and toilet cleaning are perfect exercises to do after surgery. Also, who would have known Shotgun shooting is ok too? Well, as long as it doesn't hurt.
8- When you have an unexpected surgery for your spouse during a very busy week expect that everyone who knows will offer to help out, think about you all week, and send lots of prayers your way. We feel so blessed. Thank you to all of you!

Official

It's official. I passed candidacy. I remain in the program. I am happy! Celebrations will begin shortly. Now for the hard work - about 36 more credits, a comp 1 paper (literature review), a comp 2 paper (study), and dissertation (5 chapter book hundreds of pages). Looks like my life as a researcher has just begun. Thanks for all of the support thus far!

home again home again jiggity jog

He's home and the soccer is already on. Somehow I think his recovery will be fine, unless the cable goes out! Thanks again for all the phone calls, emails, and kind words.