Dada!

It is hard to describe the depth of Everett's affinity for Dada. Everett follows Erik around constantly and gets very upset if he can't go where Dada is going.

Today, I took some laundry out of the dryer. One of the many items was a grey "Texas" t-shirt (no surprise, I'm sure). Everett saw a glimpse of the balled-up t-shirt amidst all the other clothes and started yelling, "Dada, Dada, Dada!" It was only 4:30, but Everett started insisting that we go get our shoes and pick Erik up from the bus station. (Everett's word for bus is a sound that is a cross between "va-room" and "poof" . . .)

He pointed at all the pictures that include Erik that we have in the basement yelling, "Dada, Dada, Dada!" the whole time.

He walked up the lower level stairs, grabbed his shoes, and made a stance by the front door. He was very determined to get Erik right then and there. (So, the only way I got him off the bus focus was to go get the mail.)

Chills and Thrills

Everett: I had pretty much only Thrills this week. I am becoming more articulate with several of my words . . . bath instead of baf, water instead of wa-wa. I had a lot of fun going to Frying Pan Park, the library, and REALLY like watching Clifford the Big Red Dog. I had a great time with my cousins and can't wait to see them again.--I pretty much tell Mom these days what the schedule is. I know when we are going to drop Dad off at the bus stop and about the time when we need to pick him up. I get Mom going by getting my shoes and reminding her that we need to go in the car.

Sheila: Other than the Chill of trouble sleeping, the week went by fast and furiously chock full of Thrills. Work was pretty intense this week. (yes, I am still working from home.) But, I just finished and met the deadline this morning. Everett and I had several outings despite the intense workload. Erik and I were also able to go out on a DATE! (Thanks for watching Everett, Lizbeth.) It was great to have a toddler free meal!

Erik: I met and exceeded expectations for a work deadline and project. The past several weeks have been hard and nose grinding, but it went really well. I am still pushing hard to meet my next deadline which is coming up fast but that should go well, also. We are eagerly waiting to hear back from a company in Dallas. Any positive vibes or prayers you can send our way would be appreciated.

Weekend Away

This weekend we were able to visit Maryland again. It was so fun to see the Moores. Riley has grown so much in the two weeks that we had last visited with her.

All of us went to Hannah's birthday party and the kids had a blast! It was also great to be able to visit Rosie and see her family again.



When Everett saw Hannah's gift. He screamed "CAR!" and ran for it. He got in the car before Hannah even had a chance to get behind the wheels.

That night most of the Moore/Sjolseth clan went to the beach. Evidently, there are lots of jellyfish along the Maryland coast and the jellyfish season is getting started. How do we know? Well, Erik was stung by one. No worries, it was a minor sting.

A major plus of visiting the Maryland coast is the fresh seafood. We enjoyed a meal of the local fare and loved the rockfish. Highly recommend it!

The highlight of the visit is visiting with our family. The boys get along well. Everett is still trying to be just like Preston. Everett loves to say HI to Baby Riley and give her kisses.

First False Alarm

You may or may not know how difficult my pregnancy with Everett was. I don't think I did even when I was going through it. In short, I had cervical problems and pre-term labor. Ended up serving time with strict bedrest and Everett was born at 35 weeks.

My OB has been super responsive with my care given my history. My insurance company (gotta love Erik's work benefits) even has a Mother-Baby program. I have a nurse case manager who calls every month to check-in on me. (She even listens when I whine!) I guess once a high-risk pregnancy, then the rest are also. I also get to go to the perinatologist every two weeks to have the cervix check. Lots of people are looking out for my health and the health of the baby.

So, I had some pretty severe cramping today. The kind where if you aren't pregnant, you call in sick, take some Midol, grab a heating pad, and hibernate until it is all over. I knew they weren't contractions (after having contractions on a daily basis for 3 months you kind of don't forget how to tell if it is a real one or not). But, I had immediate flashbacks of my pregnancy with Everett.

In fact, as I was waiting for the nurse at the OB's office to call me back, I had one of those superhormonal cry moments and the box of tissues I reached for ended up being one that I came home with after a stay at the hospital . . . in my moment of crisis, I thought: OMYGOSH these are tissues I got when I went into preterm labor. Is this a sign?

Give me a break, right? No, they were tissues I came home with after I had Everett, um, 20 months ago. No, don't know how I still have them. Yes, they are as scratchy as they were when the box was first opened.

In the end, Erik hauled booty to meet us at the doctor's office to watch Everett. I wanted Erik on hand in case we had to go to the hospital. I was monitored for contractions (none--just like I thought), the doc checked my cervix (closed, closed, closed), and everything looked good except I just felt crappy. (urine--clear, blood pressure--excellent, weight gain--none to speak of). Doc gave me a pat on the back, waved some words like a magic wand to calm my fears cause this is one of those times in pregnancy where you'll just feel crappy, and I was on my merry way back home.

Instead of Midol I am taking that o-so ineffective Tylenol and using a heating pad. Oh, and Clifford the Red Dog is playing on the tele for Evy.

Peanut Butter Face Says . . .

Have a Great Day!

Happy Birthday, Sistas!

Both Erik and Sheila have a sister born on this day. (not the same sister, people)

Happy Birthday, Lana!

Happy Birthday, Mandy!

Erik's Airport Discovery

This really belongs on Erik's story blog, but he has been too busy taking care of business to get to it. Right now I am being moral support by physically sitting next to him in the office as he sharpens up another resume. So, I'll take care of this one cause I know you want to see it.

My Airport Discovery

film by erik

Chills and Thrills

Erik: I worked this week. And then I worked some more. Pinched a nerve in my neck but it is getting better. Enjoyed this afternoon at the pool playing with Everett.

Sheila: I am hungry but don't want to eat--can't stand eating. Nothing sounds appetizing. Nothing. The act of eating makes my stomach turn. The most bizarre food issues with this pregnancy. At least I'm not vomiting anymore. Got my Shark for my birthday and it is working like a dream on my toddler messes.

Everett: TRASH TRUCK! TRASH TRUCK! TRASH TRUCK! TRASH TRUCK! TRASH TRUCK! Bath! Bath! Bath! Bath! Bath! Bath! TRASH TRUCK! TRASH TRUCK! TRASH TRUCK!

We witnessed a garbage truck flipping over the steel box of trash that reside in apartment complexes and behind grocery stores this morning. Everett was AMAZED and could only say, "more, more, more, more, more!"

We never eat bar-b-que here because it usually sucks. This evening Sheila thought she could tolerate some for dinner (actually it was the only thing she thought she could choke down). We headed to Famous Dave's and enjoyed a meal. Sheila got at least several bites of protein down. Everett flirted with 20 month old Megan sitting at the next table. He also showed off his forking skills by eating all of his food with a fork. Don't worry, he did make sure to put "dipping sauce" (ketchup) on every bite.

The Aquabulb

For Father's Day, Erik became the grateful owner of an Aquabulb. I know you've seen them advertised on TV. Erik has one plant that just does not do well without daily TLC.


So, here's our experiment with Aquabulb.

This Morning

I wasn't exaggerating about the plant needing some help.

This Evening

Eggorama Fun

Erik accomplished many things this week, but I bet he considers this the highlight.

Happy Longest Day of the Year!!

More on the summer equinox.

If I Was A Betting Woman

I would bet that Everett will serve his mission where they serve beans and rice as a staple for every meal. This kid loves beans (lima beans, pinto beans, black beans) and rice.

"ICE!" he excitedly exclaims when he sees what is on the table. In fact, this morning a door closed on some of his fingers (insert parental horror) and when I offered "ice" while he was screaming bloody murder and he said "yes" I thought he really wanted ice . . . no, he wanted rice. In fact, the ice terrified him.

Sheila's Birthday: The Recap

I had a marvelous birthday weekend with my family and my sister's family. I had a great time hanging out with my sister and the kids while the dads slaved away on this duo birthday-Father's Day holiday weekend.

Erik and Phillip pulled up the linoleum in the basement bathroom, removed the toilet, found a tank to fix the toilet, and TILED the bathroom floor. We are getting ready to grout and replace the shower door and the sink. This was a major project that we couldn't have attempted on our own without them. Thanks, you guys!

The dads had a smashingly great breakfast on Sunday . . . and we enjoyed ourselves so much that we finished eating way too late to make it to church on time. We also had a great Father's Day Dinner out on the back. (Erik grilled steaks for all of us.)

Preston, Everett's cousin, and Everett get along famously. It is funny to watch Everett try and mimic Preston after he has gone home. It is like he is building up his skills to show his cousin the next time he sees him.

MMmmm, Tasty!

Everett was eating his hotdog and lima beans for dinner (he LOVES lima beans) and after every bite he would say, "MMMmmm, TASTY!" with the biggest grin on his face.

He lives to see the "trash truck" from our living room windows. In fact, he begs me several times a day to see the "trash truck."

Today, he had everyone at the doctor's office cooing because he was stuck in a stroller for over an hour (sonogram time again) and didn't fuss a bit. And, I was dully warned that the second child would be much different especially since my first child was so well-behaved. (It cracks me up what people tell pregnant ladies!)

He is now requesting to call "Dada" several times a day. It doesn't really matter that he only waves at the phone rather than using his very clear "hello" to say hi to his dad.

Happy Birthday, Sheila!

Yes, it is my BIRTHDAY! So, avoid those yucky Friday the 13th shows and horror-like viewing and take a moment to celebrate . . . ME!

15 Weeks

Tomorrow marks the 15th week of this pregnancy. Our current due date is December 4th.

I haven't gained much weight to speak of . . . and have actually lost a couple of pounds in the past month. Go nausea.

But boy has my figure changed and quickly! Just as with Everett, any pressure on my abdomen is agonizing. So, I've been in maternity pants for several weeks now.

At my check-up last week, the doctor had a difficult time getting the heartbeat. This totally cracks me up because the baby is just always positioning to be at the most awkward spot for pictures/sounds. Everett was just like that. I've already felt some fluttering which is more reassuring to me than any sonogram or heartbeat.

I go in next week for another sonogram to check the cervix.

Marvels of Maryland

My sister Mandy and her family are living in Maryland for the summer. That constitutes Marvels #1-4!

We had an excellent time visiting them this past weekend. (I know, I know, it is almost the weekend again; cut me some slack here!)

We ate some delicious chicken lasagna and went to a great PARK: Marvel #5

This is Everett climbing up a small slide. Yes, my little boy who took forever to get moving is now on the move!

Super Hero Preston is climbing the most fabulous web of ropes. I was so impressed to see him get to the top.

The next day we just played all day long ending it with a trip to the pool--Marvel #6. This was no ordinary pool. The kiddy pool was gigantic with a tent over a good portion of it (genius idea). The "regular pool" had at least two slides with several waterworks. It was hot and yucky and the water was perfectly refreshing. Everett, much to his father's delight, developed a taste for going down the slide.

Marvel #7--The Balloon Rocket I brought for the boys to play with together. Yeah, when you let go of the balloon, it makes a horrendously high pitched scream. My goal is to get a toy for the next visit that scares both the kids *and* the parents. Go me.

Sunday we hung out as well and went home early in the afternoon. We had an excellent time and can't wait to see them again.

By request, I took these pictures of Everett . . . it was his request. Enjoy!

Emergency Preparedness

So last week we got some humdingers of storms. Knocked out power, cable, internet. Downed wires, trees, and flooded areas.

We were pretty lucky. No structural damage to our home. Just some blastedly inconvenient internet and phone outage for 48 hours with a long commute home for Erik.

As I watched the news, I realized that there were a couple ideas of Emergency Preparedness that would have come in handy for others and myself--

1. Keep at least a 1/2 tank of gas. Well, I always thought,"Why a half tank when you probably need a full tank and to keep a full tank I'll have to stop at every gas station along my driving path."

What I saw: People didn't have any gas and needed to get to work but were unable to because all the gas stations were without power. People didn't have any gas and were planning to refuel to make it back home. If only they'd kept their car 1/2 full.

2. Keep a list of important phone numbers handy. Well, duh on this one right. But, my realm of important has expanded after not having internet access for several days. Important is basically my entire address book, which I store on my computer and and in my email. And, I will stop hounding Erik to throw out all the old phone books he keeps, like we have 10 phone books.

When You Need It Fast

So, I know that it is a lame picture . . . and don't bother trying to click the "play" button, but this was the best I could do in getting a shot of Erik's brother, Steve, acting in a Western Union commercial that we've seen on our own little TV right in our playroom.

Keep an eye out for it!

When Hoover Isn't Enough

So, one of the things I have learned about raising a toddler is the number of times a day I find a mess, create a mess, lazily watch Everett make a mess. And then think,"I should really clean that up. Wait, that means I need to get the vacuum." The messes range from styrofoam bits, crackers (goldfish are the worst), cheerios, feathers from a boa, to unidentified CRUMBS.

I found this the other day--

I figure that if it can handle crap from the garage floor, it can handle my toddlerstyle basement/kitchen/livingroom/diningroom catastrophes. But, it isn't really portable and it is almost $200.

Don't get me wrong, we have a vacuum and a hand vac. But, the vacuum is hard to haul up and down all our stairs and too big to really use in the bathroom. The hand vac goes dead after 2 minutes of use . . . and sometimes I am too lazy to pick up the whole pretzels which are not good for the hand vac to eat.

In my "sickroom" activity of watching TV, I saw the SHARK.

It says that it lasts for 90 MINUTES of continuous vacuuming. Think of all the messes I could clean before I needed to recharge it. Since it is only 4 lbs, I could strap it to my back, ready for use at less than a moment's notice. And since my favorite jewelry store up and left town, I may ask for it for my birthday, which is on Friday, the 13th. And, yes, I was born on Friday, the 13th.