Monday, February 18, 2008

The other day Taye announced that he wanted to take a bath. Which was basically an earth-shattering occurrence, as both boys are going through a bath strike at the moment. So, of course, I agreed and started to head upstairs. Which is when I learned, through ear-piercing shrieks, that what he meant was he wanted to take a shower, in the downstairs bathroom. Now, I always thought he'd be like 8 (or 28) before he willingly took a shower, so it was oddly sad for me, another reminder of how fast time has gone.

For the record, there was very little actual showering going on, more of a lingering around the edge of the shower stall, watching the water rain down. But hey, at least he ventured inside. Darius was all for the idea, stripped down and everything, but then realized there was water in there, so no thanks.



Fun at the Dorsey's house...

enough said.

Artsy Fun

A few weeks ago, we went to the Hands on Art Museum with Judy and Justice. The boys had fun once they got into it. Taye would have preferred if the ladies there had left him alone, instead of providing so much guidance, but ultimately it was a good time.


We also recently broke out the chalkboard side of the train table. Here you can see my puppies making all kinds of masterpieces.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

That works too...

Apparently while I was away, Taye followed Luis to the bathroom a lot, and was very interested in watching how he peed standing up. One day Luis asked him if he wanted to pee too, and he did. So Luis took off Taye's diaper, and put a little step stool in front of the toilet for him. Taye stood there wiggling his hips for a few minutes, trying to pee. When nothing came out, he leaned over and spit into the toilet instead, then announced that he was done. It is a bodily fluid - I'd say that counts!

Monday, February 11, 2008

Booooorrrrriiiiiinnnnngggggg!!!!!

Hospitals are boring. Thank goodness for wireless internet :o)

I woke up Sunday morning with that same pain in my lower right side ("right flank" would be the technical term I have learned, but that just always makes me think about a horse) that sent me to the ER in October. It got worse and worse, so Luis and I headed over to the good old ER - again. They seemed to take it more seriously this time, maybe because I'm pregnant, maybe because its been going on since October, or maybe just because they weren't too busy, I'm not sure. Anyway, they did a urinalysis, and took some blood. Based on those tests, they determined that I have a kidney infection, or at least that one was "brewing" and therefore I needed to be admitted. Fun, fun.

I have been on continuous IV fluids and antibiotics since about noon yesterday, which means I have to pee about every two hours, and also that I cannot even change my lovely hospital gown since I can't get this one off over the IV. So not only am I bored, but I am stinky as well.

Yesterday they told me that they would be doing an ultrasound of my kidneys today, to make sure they aren't blocked. The doctor said that if those results were ok, I should be going home today. This afternoon I asked the nurse, and she said he had ordered some tests for tomorrow morning, which of course means he wants me here tomorrow morning. I have asked them to talk to him about that, and see if there is any way I can get the heck out of here. I miss my babies.

Luis brought them in to visit last night, and again this afternoon. Last night he said Taye didn't want to come, but when he mentioned that they were coming to visit me because I'm sick, he got all excited and asked for Band-Aids to bring me. He then tried to rush Luis out the door, telling him to "come on, I have to go fix Mama." When he got here he covered my arm with the Band-Aids. He saw the IV, and said, "You're stuck Mama." I said, "Yeah, I'm stuck to that machine, thats where my medicine is coming from." He said, "Don't worry Mama, I'll save you!" He kills me. He said the same thing when they were here this afternoon.

Last night I was crying before they even walked out the door. It was the first night I've ever been away from Darius, and only the third time I've been away from Taye. Luis said they did well, Darius woke up twice crying for me, but he said he was only awake for about three minutes each time. He said Taye was kicking him all night, and trying to climb over him to get to me, but of course, I was not there. Going from sleeping with your whole family all snuggly together, to sleeping all alone in a hospital bed sucks.

Being woken up at 6am for a blood draw also sucks, especially when they can't find your vein, and then the poking just goes on and on. You could say I was pretty wide awake by the time she was done. Then there was nothing to do but wait for breakfast. At 7:30 the nurse came in to tell me the radiology department had called, and said I needed to drink 20oz. of fluid before 8am, and then not go to the bathroom. I was dying by 8:15! Breakfast finally came at about 8:20 (I was starving, my babies do not like when I wait to feed them in the morning!) Just as I was starting to eat, they came to get me early for the ultrasound. As hungry as I was, I was actually relieved, as I really thought I was going to explode by then. The lady did the ultrasound of my bladder first, then let me use the bathroom before moving on the the kidneys. She said I have very big kidneys. She kept saying she thinks I have cysts on my kidneys, but she's not sure, and she's not a doctor. She also took a little peek at the baby, it was a very cute little blob :o)

And thats all the news for now. Here I sit, bored, and hoping they will let me go!

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

No, he's mine!

Lately Taye and I have been playing a little game. As soon as we hear Darius wake up from his nap on the monitor, I will say, "Darius is awake! I'm gonna go get him!" Taye will bolt for the stairs saying, "No, I'm gonna go get him!" We race upstairs, both yelling "No, I'm gonna get him! Thats my Darius!" and finally burst through the door, run to the bed, and jump on Darius. I know he can hear us coming a mile away, and he just lays in bed, waiting. With the biggest grin on his face, totally loving it. One of these days I should bring the camera up with me so I can catch that grin. Taye and I will then 'fight' over him, which cracks him up. Taye will usually grab him around the middle, while I'm stuck pulling on an arm or a leg, and insisting he is mine. It makes his post-nap time so much more fun (lets just say, he is definitely the son of "Amy Wrongside"). And besides, who doesn't love to see their kids hugging and having fun?

Monday, February 4, 2008

In case you missed it...

I have alerted my best news-spreaders, but in case someone out there does not already know - we are having a baby! :o)

We just found out last night, actually during the Super Bowl. I had a feeling and took a test about halfway through the game. It was kind of like torture at that point, because Luis and Mom were watching the game together in the livingroom. I wanted to tell Luis first, so I had to wait until Mom left the room (at the end of the game, for ice cream and brownies - yum!) When she came back in, bummed that the Patriots lost, I was able to cheer her up with the news. It ended up being a good night.

As far as I know I am due in October, I would guess around the 9th. If you're wondering, no - I do not intend to hold on until my birthday if the 9th is in fact my due date! It seems as though this baby will be breaking the long-standing tradition of my babies being born on holidays. This baby will be coming during a holiday dry spell.

I will absolutely not be traveling down to Wellesley for my prenatal care again. I like my OB, but could honestly take or leave the rest of the practice. And I can't see doing that drive again with both boys. Mostly though, I just do not want another c-section! I have already scheduled an appointment for a couple of weeks from now at the Birth Cottage in New Hampshire. I found them when I was pregnant with Darius, and wished I was going there instead, but never switched. I am so excited to go there, I really believe that this time around I am going to be able to have the wonderful birth experience that I have been wanting. It honestly makes me giddy, I am just so excited.

Now sadly I know there are those out there who will question this decision, and if it is truly a wise one. I want to say from the start - I am not good with confrontation, and I doubt that I will be able to 'win' any argument about this decision, in other words, I don't think I will be able to change anyone's mind in the heat of the moment. I am not good at debate, and tend to lose track of my thoughts under pressure. However, I have done a lot of reading, discussing, and soul-searching about this. I hope that those who know me trust that I would never do something that I do not believe is safe, or the best choice for myself or my children. If anyone would like more information, I can certainly send along website and book recommendations. Also, I know the midwives at the Birth Cottage welcome anyone with their questions.

Now that thats out of the way - yay, new baby! I told the boys this morning, and Taye has mentioned the 'new baby at our house' off and on today. He kept talking about Diana's baby, and going back to Mamitita's house. Darius didn't say much. :o) Its going to be an adventure, thats for sure. I've heard from so many people that going from 2 to 3 is sooo difficult. It makes sense really, you have 2 arms, and 2 parents - with 3 kids you are a little outnumbered! It will be especially challenging since Luis will be working and going to school full time. So you could say I'm a little nervous, but mostly excited. I was a little nervous about Darius coming too, and thats going pretty well so far. :o)

Fashion Show

Tonight we bring you the 2008 winter collection, modeled by Darius. Here you can see the Old Navy shirt with Pooh boots. This is a great look for anyone who wants to play in the snow without actually being warm. This look is available at your local boutique for only $257, a bargain at twice the price!
**please note: diaper not included!
For those who want a more grownup, sophisticated look we present the oversized Red Sox hat with Reebok sneaker (second sneaker available at an additional cost). No, we do not carry any other team hats, only the best for our valued customers!

Daddy's new camera

For our trip to Peru we bought a small Canon PowerShot digital camera. One of those tiny fit in your pocket kinds, because we didn't want to be dragging the huge one all around Lima. I was so impressed with it that I have hardly used the big one since.

I told Luis he could have it. I said it was a representation of my failures, , and that I don't want it anymore. I was possibly being a little dramastic. :o) He didn't believe me at first, but I assured him I was telling the truth (and I was). I really can't see the point of lugging that huge thing around when I don't know how to use it, and can get as good (or better) pictures with the little idiot-proof one. So he has gone ahead and adopted the big camera. Since then he has taken some really nice pictures.

Snow

Now that Daddy is home during the day, the boys have been having a lot more fun playing outside (Mama does not play in the snow!) Taye really likes to splash in the puddles everywhere we go. Luckily he also loves wearing his winter boots. :o)



'Sledding' is also a favorite activity...

even when falling over is involved.


As for Darius, he mostly likes to be carried around, and to look cute.


The Letter of the Day

Today while Luis and I were talking, Taye came in the room with some blocks. "Look Mama, I made a letter 'L!'"