National Portrait Gallery

Erik believes that the most neglected monument is the Jefferson Memorial. I would say that the most neglected museum is the National Portrait Gallery. You should go, really.

I never visit this section of the Smithsonian museums. Possibly because it isn't on the ever convenient Mall, structured like UT's Six Pack. (The Gallery is next to the DIVINE dining experience Zaytinya--and not too far from a great tapas place and a great Indian food restaurant--off the Chinatown Metro stop.)

"Surprisingly moving" would be how I describe the National Portrait Gallery. So many impressions. The best place for a history lesson, for a lesson on appreciation. I especially enjoyed the portrait of Ted Kennedy, an installation called "Framing Memory", the exhibit on Katharine Hepburn, and interestingly an exhibit called "The Presidency and the Cold War." I wonder if 50 years from now there will be one called, "The Presidency and the Iraqi War."

In fact, the entire building gave a chance to see what those individuals that in small and gigantic ways affected our lives. The portraits are in picture, painting, sculpture, and mixed medium. Many are simple; some are perplexing; some are amusing.

For information on this portrait, check out the Interactive Portrait.

In the gallery of portraits of our nation's president's there is a magnificently simple mirror, "The Future Presidents." I could see some of my former students viewing themselves in that mirror, and for the first time, imagining something they hadn't even thought about much less believed was possible.

I spent as much time as I could immersing myself in the "Let Resistance Be Your Motto" exhibit. (see a bit for yourself in the Gallery of Portraits)

A couple of highlights for me--Sarah Vaughn's portrait, as the image clearly shows her passion. W.E.B. DuBois' portrait reminded me of my early days of expanding the perspective that my tweeny existence had been to that point (like I am so aged and experienced now). Harry Belafonte. Harry Belafonte. Harry Belafonte. (no that wasn't a repetition typo)

This is where I wax poetic . . . to transition to New Year Resolutions---

In thinking about the title of the show, I have my own ideas and thoughts of things that need to be changed in society and in education. Some phases of my life have been spent in active work in those ideals and challenges. Recently, my own thoughts have been more on my family, and this portraiture exhibit provided a great chance to revisit some of my goals. I in no way have the capacity or perspective to understand the level of sacrifice, hope, work, and faith of those who were the focus. They show me what is possible.

Thanks to my church's personal progress training and many Youth leaders, I always have some goal that I am working on, usually very informally. I think that it is time to include some of my professional goals, my professional passions, into what I do personally, in my daily routine, with my family, as I am in a phase of being able to accomplish small things, one at a time. I am not sure how I will do that exactly. If I thought about it, I am probably already doing some small things, but it is time to be more strategic. I am off to figure that out.

Sheila WON!!

Yes, yes! For the second year in a row, Sheila has won the Ugliest UT Sweater. There isn't any kind of monetary award like a shopping trip to replace the ugly wardrobe. But there are BRAGGING rights.

Sheila, you may brag away!

National Christmas Tree

Ugliest UT Sweater Competition

UT GAME DAY!

Erik

Nickname in college: Mr. Smiley

Sheila

Nickname in college: Supermodel Sheila

Evy

Caption on Shirt:

"Hold on Longhorns! . . . I'm Coming!"

Place your vote in the polling station on the left.

The poll will be closed on December 30th at midnight (that's midnight DC time people).

On game day, we met up with some friends, Melanie and Trey--they ALSO attended UT. They are visiting DC with their new little baby, Max. What a cutie!

During the course of the evening:

Everett decided to start a taxi service.

Everett went for the 1970s "Old Elvis" look.

Everett decided he was ready for college football--he discovers the party trash and starts practicing that football stance.

The most amazing thing for us as parents was to watch how excited and impressed Everett was with the size of the trees, the buildings, and the lights of DC. Whenever we were outside, he was looking up and saying, "Whoah, woww!"

Don't forget to vote for who has the Ugliest UT Sweater!!

Evy On The Move

Moving On Up!

And UP!

This cat is responsible for much of the motivation to move around the house. When Everett isn't chasing mom and dad or being chased by mom and dad, Twiggy is the next subject.

Run, Evy, Run! If you go fast enough you really won't have to get dressed for bed or put on your diaper!

Talking Himself to Sleep

You won't see much, but if you listen closely, you'll hear Everett talking himself to sleep. Actually, he is standing in his crib delivering an oration to the masses of followers in his room on why Cheetos should be added to the Butterfinger food group (he's my boy!) or maybe it was an escape plan brainstorming session?

The Caseworker

Note: Everett is going to be evaluated by the Infant and Toddler program because his gross motor skills at his 12 month evaluation were extremely delayed.

Today the caseworker is coming at 9:00.

Sheila wakes with a headache. Erik takes Everett duty, and then transitionshim to Sheila at about 7:45 so he can take the car into the auto mechanic.

Sheila takes over watching Everett with a pain free head and realizes what time it is.

Oh my gosh, is it that time! The county caseworker is going to be here in about an hour. HHmmm. It will be the first time we meet her. Supposedly she is just coming over to have us sign some papers. But what if it is more? I should have asked more questions. What if she thinks WE are the cause of the delay? What if she thinks we are poor parents because the house isn't spotless? OH, NO! The basement is a wreck with all the stuff we used to set Erik up. We have Christmas boxes strewn about the house. The laundry piles are in disarray. What if she wants to see the place? What if she writes down every safety hazard that she finds? All of the floors need cleaning. I am sure there are tons of insect body parts in plain sight waiting to horrify the caseworker. O my gosh, what if she sees the BATHROOM? [GASP] What if she sees the tub?

Everett is cranky, ready for his nap. Sheila gives him a bottle, and puts him down for his nap.

Okay, start with the bedroom, make the bed, I'll take a shower when I am done. Check the office. I put away Everett's keyboard because the cord might be viewed as a choking hazard. Let's move these chairs here. Hhmm. That kind of looks better. Okay, the living room. Let's take these toys downstairs. I'll leave a variety here, but in the toy box, in case she wants to see what he plays with on this level in comparison to the others. (pause, okay, I know that my inner thought process is out of control when I think that she is going to notate what he plays with by what level of the house he is on.) So, I drag some toys downstairs. [GASP] I forgot how bad the basement looks.

Frenzied cleaning. I take empty boxes to the trash area on the patio. I drag all the pillows Erik used to the right places. I find the missing phone. I put away all the Christmas candy we were given because I don't want her to think that we feed Everett candy all the time. I ORGANIZE the piled laundry. stars . . . . (Thankfully the kitchen is clean with several loaves of banana bread lying across the counters)

Erik is back home. I ask him to do a couple of things. EVERETT IS UP! His nap only lasted 30 minutes! Erik investigates. Everett pooped during his nap again. Erik takes care of Everett and dresses him in a private school uniform (okay, it was really a white colored long sleeved onesie and khakis, but it looked like a uniform). Sheila goes straight for the bleach cleanser and oversprays the tub. She cleans the tub. She takes a lightning fast bath. Just as she is getting dressed putting together her game plan of how she will dry and style her hair while putting on make-up---the doorbell rings. The caseworker is here, and she is EARLY!
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Everett charmed the nice caseworker. He was able to show off his cat chasing skills. The caseworker gathered more information about Everett to add to what was in his file. She went through a binder of information for us. We signed a couple of documents. She gushed over Everett, and then left after about an hour never going more than 7 feet past the front door. . . . But, boy, were we ready if she had ventured further!

Our Linus

The original was Linus van Pelt (I don't think "Pelt" is a coincidence here). This character has also been given credit for coining the term "security blanket."

Our little Linus sleeps with his blanket and has taken to "needing" it around him when he first wakes up, too. This guy has gotten to the point where he can't sleep without it. In fact, today, he didn't take his second nap. I thought all the whining and gibbering was because he is teething, too busy to go to sleep, etc. But, when I went in to get him, he was standing in his crib, pointing at the floor at his blanket which had somehow fallen out of the crib.

When he is playing in his room, he reaches into his crib and pulls it out through the slats.

I brought it to church a couple of weeks ago because he was particularly cranky and I needed everything I could get to make it through Sacrament.

A lady behind us tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Where did you get that blanket?"

I told her, and I mentioned we had a back-up for when we needed to wash the blanket.

Her response was,"Be careful. My husband needs a silky blanket to get to sleep at night, and he is 30." She then added,"And his wife hates it!"

Hhhmmm, but I don't want to pull a Lucy and bury the blanket. Nor do we have a Lucy around to torment him about it. And, he hasn't tried to wind the blanket up and snap it at people, turning the blanket into a weapon. So, he'll get to keep his blanket. For now.

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Charlie Brown: I guess you were right, Linus. I shouldn't have picked this little tree. Everything I do turns into a disaster. I guess I really don't know what Christmas is all about.

[shouting in desperation]

Charlie Brown: Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?

Linus Van Pelt: Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.

[moves toward the center of the stage]

Linus Van Pelt: Lights, please.

[a spotlight shines on Linus]

Linus Van Pelt: "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"

[Linus picks up his blanket and walks back towards Charlie Brown]

Linus Van Pelt: That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

Christmas Morning

We started off with a quick breakfast and then read the story of the birth of Christ. Everett sat pretty well during the story telling and only tried to run away when he spotted the cat and decided to chase.

He enjoyed playing with each of the gifts. We took our time opening them as his attention span was cut each time by a "cat sighting" and he would crawl off to see if this was the time he would finally catch that feline.

Everett swiped a white chocolate Reese's cup from Erik's stocking. He loved it!

He was very impressed with the block tower.

Above all though, aside from chasing the cat, he loved the pictures that were sent.

He has handled his cousin's picture several times.

After his morning nap, we had the traditional steak fajita Christmas lunch. The rest of the day was spent playing and spending time with one another.

Everett tried out his new phone skills with several relatives. He only hung up on one of them (Sorry Grandma and Grandpa Albritton!) A couple of them even got to hear him laugh (and cry). Lucky Ducks!

Note: Twiggy is really getting a run for her money from Everett these days. She's had to go for small areas to hide. This does not deter Everett in the least, but he did get stuck between the back of a chair and the wall. He didn't chase her into that small area again.

Merry Christmas!!

Chills and Thrills

Erik: My Chill for the week was my surgery and my Thrill for the week is my surgery. I am mending well. The doc says that I can get on with my life but to be careful. No basketball or hockey playing anytime soon. I am also not allowed to blow my nose for two weeks. But, I can breathe!

Sheila: My Chill for the week was Everett's fever. We weathered it though with only a couple of odd things happening. My Thrill for the week was taking care of Everett and Erik. I really enjoyed taking care of them and spending time with the both of them. It was really sweet though when Erik was able to hold Everett this morning for the first time for almost a week. You should have seen the grin on Everett's face. He sure missed being held by his dad.

Everett: My Chill for the week was missing my dad. My Thrill for the week will be spending time with my parents.

As noted in the previous post, Everett is a singer, day and night. He also enjoys playing phone. He will jabber into the phone, give it to you, and then want the phone back to jabber some more. He is also taking the risk and walking with only one of our hands sometimes, and he is standing for seconds at a time before getting scared and falling down. I think he could stand a whole lot longer and actually walk, but he is doing it on his own time frame.

Conversation While Viewing Holiday Lights

So, last night we were all a bit on the cabin fever suffering side with the gray raining day keeping us in the whole day. Thus, we all piled into the car for some holiday light viewing. (I drove. Erik is on super pain medicine and isn't allowed to operate heavy machinery.)

Upon reflecting on the drive, it was a bit like chauffeuring two drunk people around. The happy drunk and the cranky drunk. See for yourself.

Scene: Driving down wet streets viewing neighborhood lights with I'll Be Home For Christmas playing. Sheila is driving, Erik is in the front passenger seat, Everett is in the back behind Erik.

Erik: Wow. This song is SO Austin-esque. What CD is this?

(Note: Saying this song is Austin-esque is Erik's way of saying that it reminds him of the Austin music scene.)

Sheila: It is the radio.

Everett: (in loud monotone singing voice) Yayayayay, alalalalal, lololololo

Erik: (to Sheila) Wow, he is really loud.

Sheila: Yeah, you just haven't gotten the full effect because he is usually sitting behind me.

Everett: (continuing in monotone singing voice) Oooooo, ahahahahah, ooooooo, yayayayayay

Erik: (starting to get a bit anxious) He is really loud.

Sheila: Would you like me to stop so that you can sit in the back beside him? It won't be as loud there.

Erik: Yeah.

Sheila stops the car; Erik changes seats, and they are on their way. A bluesy Christmas song is on the radio.

Erik: Wow. This song is SO Austin-esque.

Sheila: Hhhmmmm.

Everett: (loud monotone singing voice) Babababababa, yayayayay, alalalalal, lololololo

Erik: Woooaahhhh, are we going in circles?

Sheila: No, we just turned around in a culdesac.

Erik: Woooaahhhh, I just had my eyes closed and I felt like we were really spinning.

Sheila: No, but you didn't notice when we kept driving in circles when we got caught in that last neighborhood and I couldn't find the road out.

Erik: Weeelllll, I just lay my head baaaaaack and I can fflllyyyyyy!

Everett: (starting to get cranky and is way loud) Bababababa, whah, whah, whah, WHAH

Erik: (under the direction of Sheila gives Everett a snack--Stars) He is RE---aally hungry.

Sheila: Is he okay with the stars?

Erik: Yeeaahhh!

They pass a fence that the owner has put up lights, a Christmas scene, and the word "Noel" in lights.

Erik: That says No--L. I say No---Pee! Hehehehehehe!

Everett: (all out crying) Whawhawhawhawhawhawha!

Erik: Here, buddy, have some more stars.

Everett: (quiet for a moment)

Sheila looks back and Everett has about 150 stars in his hands on his chest and all over the car seat.

Sheila: Erik, how many stars did you give Everett?

Erik: (giggling) A lot. He SUREEEE is hungry.

Sheila turns the car around to go back home. Everett is in all out sobbing and crying mode with intermittent pauses to watch his dad.

Erik: Everett you are so . . . . . DELIGHTFUL!

As the car pulls into the Sjolseth's neighborhood A Honkytonk Christmas is playing.

Erik: This is a Goooood song. Is this on a the radio?

Sheila: Yes, I changed it to a country station.

Erik: Cool. This song is SO Austin-esque.

Coming Out of Our Shell

I kind of feel like our family is a tortoise that hid inside his shell for a couple of days. Today, we ventured out, a bit.

Everett napped like a newborn. Well, okay, not quite. But he took two excellent naps (the "up all night long" night finally caught up with him). We just put him to bed, an hour early.

Erik is doing well. He is barely bleeding now. He went in with us to Michaels, and only one woman stopped in her tracks, dropped her bags, fell to the floor screaming . . . . Just kidding. Erik was worried that people would think he looked like a troll, but he doesn't, and no one did. He is still on high level pain medicine and is drowsy all the time. Both the cat and Everett have bumped his nose despite our best strategies to avoid this. I think his nose will be fine despite the run-ins.

I am functioning pretty well as Super Nurse. (Nurse is loosely stated. I do well to take temperatures accurately.) I have been able to keep Everett happy despite the fact that he can't play with his dad right now. Erik doesn't have many complaints about his care, and I got to take a nap today. I think that there is a rule somewhere in the Mommy Handbook that if you get to take a nap, you can't complain about anything else.

I am hoping that it is warm enough to take a walk tomorrow. Until then, we are cautiously peaking out at the world.

STAY IN BED

If you happen to call the house and happen to talk to Erik, please tell him, ask him, beg him, to STAY in bed.

He is doing way TOO much. In the time that it took me to get Everett to sleep, Erik started cleaning trash cans. And, no, I don't mean cleaning them out like collecting the trash. I mean he got out the "Goo Be Gone" and was in the kitchen cleaning, scouring the stupid trash can.

He needs to take it easy.

"You Should See The Other Guy"

Erik spoke with his surgeon today. (He talked to him yesterday after the operation, but Erik doesn't remember much of what he said.) Evidently the deviation was more severe than what the CT scan showed. Thankfully, the surgeon's skill still surpassed Erik's need as the surgeon said to Erik today,"You should see a marked difference in your breathing quality."

Erik is already breathing out of his nose and is able to smell a little even with all of that stuff up there.

The must haves for recuperating:

Gatorade

Bendy straws

Tic-tacs

Gum

Salted french fries

Non-carbonated drinks

Everett's fever broke and stayed away. He took two naps today. And, I did, too. We are all feeling better and hope to be able to enjoy some of this holiday time more this weekend.

S Day Recap

TODAY was SURGERY day. . .

The surgery went well. I think it took a bit longer than anticipated, but Erik can already breathe more out of his right nostril even with the splints and gauze all stuck in there. There isn't any facial bruising. The only discernable change in his appearance is he looks like he has a bunch of Kleenex taped across the bottom part of his nose. (It is to catch all that fluid that is dribbling out.)

He is all set up in the basement. I did a smashingly excellent job of setting him up, and that includes using my teacher fridge, people. I even set up a couple sets of colored Christmas lights and a bit of decor to go along with it.

Evy was really feeling poopy and had high temps all yesterday afternoon and evening. He didn't sleep, at all, even when I tried driving around for an hour in the car at 1:00 in the morning. Thankfully he napped today and was too tired to fuss about going to bed this evening. So far, not a peep which is way different than the past four nights. (Stupid molars.)

Our super friends, the Hughes, stepped in and helped with Erik and Everett today. (I was pretty sick myself last night.) Erik was really, really anxious about the pain, but Jesse was there to provide the humorous comment. Amy watched Evy while I showered and went to go relieve Jesse from Erik duty. They did all this hours before their flights to go home for Christmas. Thanks, Hughes!

I am tired, but I am grateful that today went well. BTW, it is also our wedding anniversary.
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Normal Sinus Diagram

Erik's Deviated Septum

(Notice how the middle piece closes off the right nostril.)

So, Everett has a fever, and we are back on Seizure Watch. He is at his sitter's right now. He woke up this morning at 4:00 hysterical and isn't feeling well. Don't know if it is teething or what. This morning he had a weird convulsion at home and then again at the sitter's. I've gotta talk to other parents who manage this stuff.

Friends Across the Globe

We enjoy hearing from our readers and friends. We just wanted to say HI!

Large? Humongous?

After work this evening, while waiting for Erik, and being a bit parched, I bought a drink. I ordered a large.

While waiting to get my drink, I placed my money on the counter, picked out my straw, unwrapped it, and awaited my drink with anticipation. I was really thirsty, . . . parched, I said.

The lady poured the drink and then said, "Oh, wait. I need to get you a top for your drink."

I eyed the hundreds of regular sized, X-cut plastic tops and watched her walk to the back. I thought,"Surely some of those are large. Maybe she thinks she is running out?"

When she came back, I was ready. Then she said,"Oh, I forgot the straw?" She proceeded to go to the back, again.

By this time I was really confused. I looked at the one in my hand and thought, "What? A special straw?"

When she handed over the "large" drink, what I really received was the "humongous."

I've seen SuperSizeMe. I read, at least weekly, about the obesity rates of Americans today, especially children. And, yet, when I get the large, I can't believe how unbelievablely huge it is.

BTW, what on Pluto is up with the dome on the drink? Am I going to jog around with a soda? And, I just checked. The Humongous Cup With The Dome does not glow in the dark. Priorities people, check them.

But, wait, the blue toppy thing swivels so that it can be opened, semi-opened, or closed. Sippy-Cup-for-the-Over-Thirty-Crowd.

Chills and Thrills

Erik: My Chill will hit on Thursday as I have my surgery. I am quite nervous about it, but it should pay off in the long run. My Thrill is that the Christmas party went off really well. I am glad that we are off the hook in running events for a bit.

Sheila: I really only have a mini-Chill and that is trying to help Everett get his new napping schedule done. It may sound really frivolous, but Everett hasn't been his happy go lucky self all weekend because he really hasn't napped. And, yes, I need consistentcy, too, cause right now he isn't really eating either. My Thrill is that I have three days of work and then I am off to help Erik recuperate and to enjoy the Christmas holidays.

Everett: My Chill happened yesterday when I fell down a couple of steps. I was so scared, and it really hurt. Mom and Dad explained that this will happen at least a couple more times as I learn to walk. . . . sigh . . . . this is hard. My Thrill is that I can pretty much get anywhere I want to these days. Mom and Dad really have to run after me, which is pretty funny to watch, I have to admit.