The score is tied...

Remember when Ernie lost???

Well, tonight I think Curious George won!

And in honor of my mom, who had her first chemotherapy treatment today for her Multiple Sclerosis (YAY! You're on the road to recovery, Mom! I can hear the MS slowing down all the way over here!), here are some more cute pictures of her Connor. (Seriously, he is "her" Connor - they have had a very cute relationship since the day he was born!)

Hopefully, these made you smile, Mom!

Some things I have learned over the last few days...

Connor has been sick since Saturday, and I kept him home yesterday and today. I've basically been homebound for a couple of days, so here are some observations I've made:

Handy Manny is actually a very cute cartoon, and I'm able to brush up on my Spanish. (For those of you that don't have the pleasure of watching Playhouse Disney, Handy Manny is a cute cartoon about a Hispanic handyman named, (duh), Manny. He has a toolbox of talking tools that help him with odd jobs around town. Him and his tools are always saving the day.) I'm just wondering when Manny is going to finally hit on Kelly at the Hardware Store. The suspense is killing me!

The Wiggles will, before it's all over, drive me insane. This is Connor's favorite show. On the other hand - this is how I made supper, took a shower and talked on the phone.

We need to repaint the walls in the living room. They look HORRIBLE.

Connor loves to sit on laps, all the time. This is a 180 from Tyler, who could've cared less if you ever held him when he was about 18 months old. Connor is also the most peaceful, cutest sleeper, I have ever seen. If I could spend the next year with him sleeping on my lap, I would.

I could easily have a huge caffeine problem if I stayed home during the day.

I have a strange addiction to the baby shows (Baby Story, Bringing Home Baby). I like them, and hate them at the same time. It always pisses me off when parents bring their baby home, then act totally annoyed when they are woken up at 3am, on the first night. "I guess he was hungry, I hope he sleeps more than this!". Honestly people - get a CLUE! Then again, I like watching the cute babies, and the parents that remind me of, well, me. Struggling and tired, but going with the flow. (Disclaimer - this was me with my 2nd. Me with my first was CLUELESS!). And I LOVE Jon & Kate Plus 8.

Tyler is growing up so fast - I think I have more conversations with that kid than anyone else in my life. (Even Kyle sometimes, but our conversations don't usually involve the Joker or Batman!)

I really missed Kyle when he was gone to California. I took lots of pictures with the camera, and actually showed him pictures of the boys that I took while he was gone - and he was gone for 3 days.

I love watching "Sober House". I swear I was meant to be a Psychologist/Psychiatrist. To watch people struggling with substance abuse problems just fascinates me! I want to dig deep into their brain to find the cause of that need.

My brain doesn't know how to shut off. Maybe that's why I have to watch all of these mindless shows - to just stop!

What a weekend...

Here's a recap of some of the more interesting things we did this weekend:

We drove all the way to K-Mart (which is about 20 miles away - or it seems) to get a buy-one/get-one free deal on Valentine's. When I was halfway there I realized that the ad I read, wasn't good until the next day.

We went to the Urgent Care on Saturday afternoon because I thought Connor might have an ear infection. Not only are his ears perfect - both boys were subjected to every known virus/bacterial infection known to man right now. When we got back in the car, I gave them a bath with antibacterial wipes. Yuck.

Connor beat the crap out of Tyler, finally cracking him on the top of the head with the Star Wars light saber (which is usually on top of the fridge for this reason - I have no idea how it got down), and ended himself in time out.

I picked up toys. Again, and again, and again, and again. I'm okay with toys, but the toys with pieces are what are making me CRAZY!

Tyler spilled his pink pop on the living room floor.

Connor had a fever of 102.5 at 2pm today, and woke up from his nap whimpering and crying, while he lay in my arms, for the next hour. His tonsils are the size of golf balls and look like hamburger.

Connor peed on the bathroom floor - while standing on the sink. I always stand him on the sink to take his clothes off before putting him in the bath. He promptly turned around, smiled at me, and peed on my leg.

Connor ate a half of a box of Altoids. After he had about 10 in his mouth, he realized what he was eating, and that it wasn't so good. I did my best to scrap his tongue with my fingers, then he walked around saying "ick" for the next 10 minutes.

One awesome thing that happened - I got to go out with the girls on Saturday night. How did I do this with Kyle being out of town? I put Connor to bed, and then I hired the 3 best babysitters in the neighborhood, Chase, Jared and Tanner. They look like a rough crowd - but they LOVE the kids, and are the PERFECT group. (Since we don't go out of North Liberty, I'm only minutes away of they need me too!) Tanner has the brains, and can keep the crew (and my kids) on the straight and narrow. Chase is the entertainment, and Jared is the cleaner-upper. I swear my house was cleaner when I got home, than when I left!

When Procrastinating DOES NOT Pay Off!!!

On my way home tonight, I'm moving along the interstate at about 80 mph. (Hey, it's the first time I've seen dry cemet in a LONG time!) I notice that coming out of a rest stop is a State Trooper. Knowing that I could either continue south on I-380, or hop off at the next exit and take the highway to daycare, I opted for the highway - thinking the trooper would certainly continue south on the interstate. (Who else HATES to drive in traffic that is moving at 65 mph just because a Trooper is within sight!)

Nope, he follows me off the ramp, then turns right, following me again. Then he flips his lights on.

Right away, I know what he's found. HOLY CCCRRRAAAPPP! I FORGOT TO RENEW THE TAGS ON MY CAR! Seriously, I had COMPLETELY forgotten about it. I went there sometime late last year (for some reason, I refuse to mail in the envelope that they send me in AUGUST - and instead, procrastinate until my tags are usually either nearly expired, or just past). This year, I went there and they were closed - for whatever reason, probably Sweetheart Day, or whatever other excuse the government could find to close their offices that day.

I just remembered this as I sit on the shoulder of the road, with the officer walking up behind me. He was a nice looking young guy, and asked for my license, registration and proof of insurance.

"You know your tags are expired, Ma'am?"

"YES, YES I DO!", I practically yelled back at him. "I'm so sorry - I know!"

"Well, we usually, er, um, tow the car that has an expired tag", he says...

I pull my proof of insurance card out of my wallet. IT WAS GOOD THROUGH 1/12/09!!!!! SERIOUSLY!!!

I look at it, and almost have a freaking panic attack in my car. My hand is shaking as I hand it to him.

"My new card is sitting on the counter at home! This just expired."

I'm done for.... they are going to tow my car, I'm going to have to call Kyle to come pick me up - unless they decide to throw me in jail.... My thoughts were racing.

He walked back to his car, and took, what seemed like, an eternity! He came back with a few sheets of paper.

"Here is a warning for your proof of insurance," he says, "that is usually a $300 ticket. And this..." (he hands me another sheet of paper), "is a ticket for having expired tags. You have to pay $89 by February 25th. You will take care of this as soon as possible, right?"

"Yes, Yes, I am SO sorry!" I tell him.

He has me sign the ticket, and sends me on my way. I think I told him "Thank You!" about 3 times. I have never been so thankful to receive a ticket in my life. He could've ruined my week and life right now, but he didn't. Thank you Officer!

And Dad, I already have my new proof of insurance in my wallet, and will be heading to the Administration Building tomorrow. Next year, I will just mail in my stuff to have the tags returned to me, before they expire!

Serious Compliments

Here are some of the compliments that Tyler has paid me over the last couple of weeks:

1. "Mom, you look sooooo pretty today."
2. "Mom, I LOVE those shoes!"
3. "Mom, your hair looks special today."
4. "Mom, you are the coolest mom ever!"

I'm wondering if I should be worried. What does he want? On the other hand, I can hope he's growing up into a perfect gentleman!

Tonight, I was putting him back in bed, for the 6th time. With every time I put him back in bed, he asked for something (his blankets weren't right, he needed some water, etc.). These use to frustrate me, but I've come to realize they are just his way of getting a little bit more attention before he goes to sleep at night. Sometimes, we're too busy at night to every have a conversation!

I was putting him in bed, and he just looked at me, so intensely. His eyes locked with mine, and he just smiled at me. I looked back at him, and our eyes just stood there for a few seconds. He just wanted to see me smile - and me, him smile.

I had one of those days today where I actually think, "maybe I should just quit this and stay home." I won't, but I think it sometimes. But, that totally made my day.

A visit to Jason

Today, our neighbor Vicki, her son Chase, Tyler and myself went up to see Jason. From my earlier post, Jason was diagnosed with AML (Acute Myloid Leukemia) on December 23rd. He just finished his first round of chemo about a week or two ago, and soon will start his second. Depending on how well he does with the second will determine if he has to have a third round before his bone marrow transplant that he will soon have to have.

I was hesitant to bring Tyler up. Tyler can be unpredictable (since he's 4) when put in an uncomfortable situation, and we weren't sure how he would do seeing his friend Jason, with tubes and stuff coming out of him, in a hospital bed.

We arrived at the hospital, and luckily, Tyler had asked 100 questions before we got there, so I had prepared him as much as I could. Actually, I was probably more nervous that he was. I wouldn't admit it to anyone, but I get uncomfortable visiting people in hospitals too - I never want to seem like I'm lurking or just hanging around out of guilt, and often don't know what to say. "How are you?", seems so shallow.

We walked through the pediatric inpatient ward in the Children's Hospital at the University of Iowa. These are some of the sickest kids in the state. As we walked by each room, you could see the kids in there in their beds, and cribs, and a strange feeling of guilt and relief washed over me constantly. Thank God my children aren't here, but you could just see the exasperation on the faces of the parents.

We had to go through a special double-door in order to get into Jason's room, since they keep the bone marrow recipients secluded (due to a low white blood cell count), and then we entered Jason's room.

Jason hasn't taken too kindly to visitors, because they are usually adults anyway, and let's face it - adults are boring to a 4 year old. All other adults that have come to see him have been nurses, doctors and residents. He was so depressed a couple of weeks ago, he wasn't even talking to his parents and had stopped communicating with anyone. A Child Psychiatrist has been working with him, and they have been making some progress. Although time doesn't make sense to a 4 year old, I can imagine almost a month in the hospital seems like an eternity - and his parents know he will be there until May or June.

Jason talked to Tyler and Chase, a little. He was a bit hesitant, but he's always been a shy boy. He actually suggested going to the big "toy room" they have on the wing, because he wanted to show Tyler some toys.

We spent probably about an hour in the toy room. Jason's parents were thrilled! I think they've only got him out of his room a couple of times, but Tyler and Chase were successful. I tell - if there are two boys that can motivate you, Tyler and Chase are it! There is more energy in those two boys than 10 kids all together!

The only question Tyler asked was "Why can't Jason come home?". I tried to answer that - as honestly as possible. I think Tyler understood. I also think Tyler thought the John Deere tricycle that Jason got to ride to the toy room was very cool! He wanted to ride it too - but didn't understand it was for kids in the hospital to play with, and Jason had to ride it because he can't walk more than a couple of feet right now. Jason peddled as fast as he could, and his parents tried to keep up with the IV cart in tow.

We're going to be paying a lot more visits to Jason, because I saw some sparkle in his eyes today. And to see his parents just light up with joy when Jason would laugh or giggle, was priceless.

Keep Jason in your prayers. He has a long way to go, but we hope to have him home this summer so he and Tyler can spend some more time in the pool and the sandbox!

Jason, playing with his Sponge Bob Play-Doh - his favorite toy. (Downloaded from CaringBridge.org)

Which one doesn't belong here?

Yes, that's Tyler in the red shirt. Connor is in the back right corner.

Just before Christmas, Connor's room at daycare had a Christmas party. Parents were invited, and they had snacks - really healthy ones (not!). I guess for a Christmas party, you get to go all out - and when you're between the ages of 12 and 24 months, going all out is: take marshmallows, cheeto puffs, pretzels, m&ms, and chocolate teddy grahams, then mix them together. Yea. Didn't look appetizing to me - but the kids loved it! They also got to wear their pajamas for the day. I wish they had pajama day at work!

I showed up for the party, and tried to sneak past Tyler's room. Of course, one of the other girls in Tyler's room saw me and started yelling, "Tyler - your mom's here, Tyler - your mom's here!", until Tyler came running over. Thank you, little butthead. I was trying to sneak by, but they seriously watch out for each other there!

Tyler followed me into Connor's room, and proceeded to join us for the entire party. The teachers didn't mind (since they all know Tyler anyway), so he pulled up a chair, and watched The Wiggles Christmas with the class.

It's nice to see how your kids are spending their day, and the other kids that they hang out with. A couple other mom's showed up, but tell ya what - a one year old Christmas party starts and stops pretty quick. I think I was there for a total of 45 minutes! They got to open presents that all the parents had bought for the class (they had a wish list), and from what I can tell - they are enjoying them a lot after seeing them fight over who got to play with them first!