Thanksgiving

I think we should rename ourselves the Griswolds. That's the kind of Thanksgiving we had. I can laugh about it now, now that everything has turned out OK, but at the time, if the house would have exploded into flames, I wouldn't have been the least surprised.

There are no pictures of this holiday, therefore you won't see any in this post. You'll understand why in a moment.

The day started off at about 7:30. Jeff's mom called and said that his dad's heartburn that he'd been having for over a week had really gotten bad. They were going to take him to the hospital to make sure it was only heartburn. Well, turns out it wasn't just heartburn...he was having a heart attack. They whisk him away to have an angiogram, where they find two of his arteries pretty clogged. 90%, I think. They put in a stent in the one artery that they thought was the culprit. In a week they'll go in again and put another stent in the other bad artery. He is very lucky and we're all heaving a GIANT sigh of relief that Jack is ok and on the mend. He will be out of commission for a good month...he'll just need to take it easy. Unfortunately, that is no small task. Jeff's mom, Lenore is severally disabled and needs constant care. Jack does everything for her and with him not 100%, this poses a huge conundrum on what to do and how to handle this. Jeff is working out what to do with his parents along with his sister, Tracy. He stayed the night on Thanksgiving to care for his mom. Needless to say, the only turkey he got was a turkey meatloaf from Trader Joe's.
While all this was going on in West Hills, over here in Newhall was another kind of chaos. Zach has had a cold for a week now. The usual snotty nose, nothing crazy. Well, of course the twins are now snotty as well. So Dylan starts to ramp up a little fever. It keeps climbing all day. Poor kid had the thermometer up his little dupa more times than I can count. I kept getting different readings with all three (yes three rectal thermometers laying around!)...at the highest one said 102.7 and then 104.3. I started to panic a bit when I saw those numbers. That's when I called the pediatrician. But before I called, Zach, who had been quiet and lethargic all day, decided to puke all over the couch. And then again about 15 minutes later into the barf bowl. All of this is going on simultaneously. Oh, and I've got a huge dinner cooking in the kitchen. At one point I looked at my mom and said, "I don't think I can handle one more thing." And a few minutes later Zach barfed. At one point I just laughed...it was a bit of a shrill, bordering on insanity laugh, but a laugh all the same.

In a nutshell, the ped told me to give the Dylan Motrin (did you know CVS is open on Thanksgiving?), Zach only threw up twice and was back to his old self by 5pm, and our dinner was really freakin' good, albeit an hour later than intended. Oh, and our neighbor Ed called and cancelled about an hour before he was supposed to arrive because he had the flu. So we had A LOT of food. Planned for 9, only had 5...that's including Zach who only ate toast.

In the end, all the kids are doing much better. Fevers are gone. Throwing up has ceased. Jack is doing great.

Now you understand why there are no pictures. I had zero time to think about my camera. And, you can be thankful I didn't have any to share...they wouldn't have been pretty.

And this Thanksgiving, I am thankful that it's over.

Halloween 2009 (I know, it's really late)

I know, it's almost Thanksgiving for Pete's sake (who is Pete?) but I had those other posts to write about. I can't skip our Halloween this year, since my little Buzz Lightyear had a BLAST! Oh my gosh, last year, he rode in a wagon and didn't get anything about saying trick or treat or getting candy or even dressing up (he was a dinosaur). THIS year, however, was a full 360! He couldn't wait to be Buzz, couldn't wait to "go the next house, Mommy?!!? OK!!" The candy concept was beyond him because aside from M7M's he doesn't get that, but he did understand that he wanted it in his pumpkin. If it fell out, he diligently picked it up...every piece. Sometimes empty wrappers from other trick or treaters, too.
We went to our friend' Amy and Donald's house. They have three kids, Duncan 14, Georgia 11 and Francis-Amelia, 3. Their neighborhood is amazing for Halloween. Last year, I'd never seen so many kids walking around. This year was a little light, I think because it was on Saturday. Still WAAAAY busier than our neighborhood, which is a bit older.
This is Halloween morning. Yes, pretty late to be carving pumpkins, but it's the only time we had together as a family. Once again, Zach wanted nothing to do with pumpkin guts on his hands. NOTHING. This is all he would help with, lifting the top off the pumpkin.

Ewwwwww Daddy....

Holding his very own pumpkin

Later that night at the Spadoni's house, it's Buzz! The wings have three buttons that say:

I am Buzz Lightyear, I come in peace.

I am Buzz Lightyear, I am here to fight the Evil Emperor Zurg.

And of course,

To infinity and beyond!!!

Which is what my kid yells out at least 198 times a day.

We're getting ready to leave...have you noticed what kind of karma has come back to bite me in the ass? Yes, I have a nail biter on my hands...ugh...

Zach started throwing his head back when he says "Cheese" for pictures...
So we told him to put his head down and this is what we got

Zach and Francis-Amelia (aka Scooby-Doo) ready for the festivities
Julie, me and Amy. Julie's daughter is Haylee who just turned 2. She was Tinkerbell. Very cute. She didn't care very much about the whole thing. She was like Zach was last year. Oh, I think that's Dylan.

Only one...

Georgia, Francis and Zach. I was worried about how he'd react to the monster walking around, but he loved them! I made it sound like monsters were ultra-cool and he would give the monsters Hi-Fives...thank goodness all the monsters were cooperative. He wasn't scared in the least bit. Still biting the nails...
He must have taken out 200 kids with those wings he had on

My two little pumpkins

Ok, so once again I've stolen an idea from my friend Heather. She did, however, give me permission AND even suggested I do it. The pics didn't turn out like I'd hoped, so be on the lookout for another pic like this soon...hopefully next time Dylan won't look scared for his life.

Our new beach house...ok, ok, I'm just dreaming

So, to wrap up our 10 days or so of a whirlwind paternity leave, we stayed at a beach house in Oxnard. Sam Adams gave every AD (Area Director) $1000 to do something fun with their GM's. It was kind of like a "thank you" for having Sam Adams beer on tap in so many of their restaurants. Jeff found this beach house for rent for $450 a night, so we were able to stay there for two nights. Everyone brought their families, which was nice. The weather was amazing, truly couldn't have been any better. About 75 degrees, clear, sunny. So great.
Here's a very dark picture of the whole gang

This is the main floor. This floor included two family rooms and a kitchen that would make any chef incredibly happy. All the GM's were drooling over the 6 burner Viking stove/oven. They cooked a great meal that first night, made all sorts of BBQ and everyone brought something to share. The house was designed and decorated in the modern style, which I don't usually like, but this was more simple/modern. Just nice clean lines, not a lot of superfluous decor...very tastefully done.
Dylan started beer:30 a little early this day. He was passed out by 3:00. I really need to reign him in a bit.

Mama juice. I have 3 kids under 2 and a half. This is what I look like most days at 5pm.
Raul playing Daddy

Brad is the GM at Santa Clarita. His wife, Heather and I used to work together at Northridge Chili's 150 years ago. We've known them a long time, they're great people. They have two kids, Amalia, 3 years and little Liam, 7 months. Zach and Amalia had a BLAST together...as Heather said, they were like crack for each other. If one started jumping on the couch (I say one, meaning Zach), the other would start up. If one twisted on the bar stool while trying to eat dinner, the other started up. If one ran like an insane hyena around the kitchen island, the other one took off...you get the idea. They really did play pretty well together...Zach would call for her "A-ma-RI-a"!!

Eating Mac n Cheese together

I think they were playing "7 seconds in Heaven"...not so much. But they did crawl into this little pop up shelter for the babies (it's designed for the beach). Zach is getting his nutrition from his monkey, Ami looks so happy...
Awwww...loves...


This is the master bedroom that Jeff and I had. Jeff felt bad about taking it, but when we got there and saw it I was like, "Um...yeah, this is where we're staying. You're the AD, you win." Zach slept in bed with us, the twins were in a pack n play and two people, Linda and Stephanie slept on Aero beds with us the first night. The room was certainly big enough to house us all.

And, of course, they view. The windows were wall to wall and even wrapped around the side walls a little. It was truly beautiful. The main living area had this exact window set up as well. The shades were all controlled by remote...how the other half lives...must be nice!
The whole fam-damily

I will admit this. I totally photoshopped this pic. What a great tool! I erased a lot of my under-eye circles, erased some laugh lines and got rid of a mole on my neck! Yes!! Oh, and I'm holding Trevor...details, details...

BIG Brother

Zach had his 2.5 year check up at the doctor the other day. He did great and performed for the Dr. like a well trained monkey. Recited his ABC's, counted to ten backwards and forwards, sang some songs, and did a few algebraic equations. Ok, the last one might be a slight exaggeration.
His stats are:
Height: 37.5 inches (78th %tile)
Weight: 30lbs. (51st %tile)
Head: 19 inches (24th %tile)

All in all, it looks like he takes after my side of the family in the height department. Whew!

R.I.P. Storm 10/1994-11/2009

This is Storm. We've all called her Stormy forever. She came to us in a very memorable way. I was 18. We had just lost our dog, Boomer not that long ago. My brother, Scott and his girlfriend at the time (now wife) went on a little camping trip. Nothing major, just a night or two. It was October, I think. They took their dog with them. On the way up to the mountains, along side the road, they see this little white fluffy puppy. My brother thinks, "Oh please don't let Renee see it...". Well, she did and demanded they stop to pick up the puppy. So they did.

They continue on the way to the camping spot. I think they parked the car and hiked in. They set up. They went to sleep. Unbeknownst to them, a major storm came through. Very unexpected. They were NOT prepared at all and only had windbreaker type clothing on. They woke up to snow everywhere! My brother and his wife are seasoned outdoors people, so you wouldn't think this would upset the apple cart, but it did. They were discombobulated and couldn't find their trail out. They were worried. They started dumping the contents of their packs to make their load lighter. They were worried about their own dog and now they had this no name puppy to think about!? Well, my brother tells us they couldn't worry about little no name, they were in a dire situation. Hopefully No Name would follow them out, because they couldn't carry her.

Would you believe that little No Name ball of fluff followed them out all the way to safety! She jumped from footprint to footprint, very "Fox and the Hound-esque". When they all got home, they took little No Name to the vet. Turned out she had worms. Scott and Renee had two other dogs so they needed a place to let No Name stay until her worms cleared up...they didn't want their other dogs to get infected. Of course, they brought her to our house. My mom wasn't thrilled. I think she was still upset about Boomer and said, "We're not getting another dog!" "It's only for a few days, Mom." my brother said.

Sure.

15 years later, my parents dog died. Her name was Storm, because she made it out of the storm safely.

She was a great dog and lived the most awesome life.
When I was 18, I'd walk her every day. She was great on a leash. I'd take her to Black Diamond Mines and we'd go hiking. Just us. Sometimes we'd go with a friend, Chris Jones. She'd scale those rocks like they were nothing, which was amazing given the fact her legs were so short! When I got my "new" car, a 1985 Chevy Cavalier, we'd go on day trips together. We'd often drive up to Stinson Beach, just her and I, wind in our hair, not a care in the world. Or, if I did have a care, she'd be there.

I moved away when I was 21. That's when she really became my parent's third kid. Especially my dad's. We joke that he loved that dog and treated that dog better than his own kids! When my parents retired, they moved up to a more rural area. Storm was in Heaven! She'd chase the quail, smell everything, sit in the sun...she loved it up there. Every morning, she'd go with my dad around the loop. Down the driveway, get the paper, up around the back of the property and home again. As the years ticked by, the loop took longer and longer. She was getting pretty slow. Her eyesight began to fail her, as did her hearing. She had glaucoma. She lost an eye about a year ago but did really well without it. A few weeks ago, she lost the sight in her other eye completely. She was also now completely deaf. My parents would have to lead her around to go potty or to find a spot to sit outside. She teeter off the edge of the deck or the walkways. They kept saying, "Well, she's not in pain...". Well, last week, she started chewing at herself. She was obviously distressed. Her balance started to get funny, too. They decided it was time, not an easy decision by any means. Apparently, the vet came out to the car to give her the "sleepy water". So much better than going inside the that awful, cold table. She hated the vet...what dog doesn't? She went to sleep in her car, on her dog bed, peacefully. Really....aside from her being immortal, what could be better?

She was a really great dog. And she will be missed.

My Favorite Place, Pismo!

So, for our next adventure during Jeff's paternity leave, we headed to Pismo Beach. Our friends, Chris and Karen, generously offered to let us stay at their house. They are empty nesters, what with their kids of at college, so they had the extra rooms. We've stayed with them before, but that was with only one kid! I'm not sure if they knew what they were getting themselves into with 3! In all honesty, the kids all did great. I didn't sleep very well during this trip. I slept with Zach in Michael's bed. Usually sleeping with Zach isn't a big deal. He's a great cuddler, sleeps well...not this trip. He was up, wanting to chat, kicking me, hitting me in the face while asleep...ugh. Not good. The last night I slept with the twins, thinking it would be easier...not so much. That night with Jeff, Zach slept great...the twins were up and needing pacifiers and all that jazz. I think they were all ganging up on me.



Ok, so these pics are backwards. I'm too lazy and my small window of opportunity is closing, so just know that. ;o)



Trevor zonked out in the Baby Bjorn in Avila Beach


My little ham, loves to play in the "tunnel"
I've got Trevor

Yes, I've taught him to write. He's brilliant.

Avila Beach

The next few pics are from the Farmer's Market in San Luis Obispo. Everyone was dressed up for Halloween, again didn't think to bring Zach's Buzz costume...darn it! This is the biggest farmer's market I've ever seen! Very crowded! I think the whole town was there. It was a little stressful because it was already dark, and keeping tabs on Zach in those environments always sends my stress levels up. It was also tricky to navigate my HUGE double stroller through the crowds...harder than Disney, even!

Zach has been throwing his head back when he says "cheese!"
Chris, me and the twinkies

Zach waiting patiently for his balloon from the balloon man. He got a sword that lasted about 5 minutes.

Different day, we were in Morro Bay. Here's Morro Rock
We ate at the Flying Dutchman. It was right on the little wharf there, and we had the usual fare of clam chowder in a bread bowl, popcorn shrimp and of course, beer.

We had the boys in the Bjorns and lay them down on the bench seats next to us...figured they were tired of "hanging around"
Trevor

Dylan
"I only want french fries!"

We went to this little aquarium that has been there for 50 years or something crazy like that. All of the tanks were really old so it felt like we were transported back in time. A very nice place, I highly recommend going. The highlight were the seal and sea lion that you could feed chopped up fish to. The one seal acted like a dog, when we'd walk away to feed the sea lion, he'd swim around in circles and flap his fins like he was begging! It was all I could do to NOT jump in with him...soooo cute!

Sea Lion

Feeding the seal/dog

Earlier that day (remember all my pics are out of order...grrr...) we went to Montana de Oro. It's a park (National, maybe?) and it's beautiful. The shore is made up of perfect skipping rocks

We went to dinner at Jocko's. This place has been around for 350 years. Not really, of course, but it's been around for a looooooong time. I think the patrons have been going for a loooooong time. They looked as chic and as well kept as the place itself. It looks like a VFW hall. Not kidding. The hype about it is that the portions make Claim Jumper look like rabbit food. My filet was 18 oz.!
These were Jeff's pork chops

One guess on what I'm trying to convey here. It was something along the lines of, "put the camera down, you're embarrassing me." There may have been an expletive thrown in there but I censored it for rated G. Only Jeff would take pics of the food.
Zach waiting for his Heineken
When we first arrived into town, we went directly to The Station Grill, Chris and Karen's restaurant in Grover Beach. After we ate our awesome meal, we headed to the beach right by their place. It's my favorite beach but unfortunately it was hella (homage to my Nor Cal friends) windy. We didn't stay long.

I'm a Kangaroo

When I was pregnant with the twins, I remember wondering how I'd be able to carry them in a Baby Bjorn. I carried Zach around in his for practically 8 months and he loved it! He was hardly ever in his stroller because he enjoyed it and I didn't have to maneuver the stroller around in stores...I'm not a good driver.
My cousin, Marie (Hi Marie!) sent me an email with a product that looks like a Baby Bjorn built for two. I laughed, scoffed at it even...how in the world would I not topple over!?
Fast forward to today, when my friend, Amy called me up and said she saw a woman at Costco wearing her 4 month old twins in 2 separate Bjorns. Amy ran up to her, remembering me having questions about this in the past, and asked her how she does it?

Well....

Ta Da!!!