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!!!

Up at Nana and Papa's

A few weekends ago, we went up to see my mom and dad. We hadn't been there in quite a while and Zach was especially excited to go. Luckily for us, they were having a pumpkin/fall festival at the local elementary school while we were there. What perfect timing! I wish I'd have known because all the kids dressed up in their costumes. It would have been yet ANOTHER opportunity for Z to be Buzz Lightyear! Oh well, he had a great time, nonetheless.

Papa teaching Zach the finer points of shooting a paintball gun. He loved it! Not sure if I love that he loved it...as long as it's only targets and pop cans he shoots at, I guess it's ok.

They had an obstacle course set up for the littler ones. Zach really needs to work on his grip here
Papa and Zach
Zach "fishing" for a prize. It was so funny, he lost his prize as he pulled his pole out of the hole, and a "magic flying fish" came to the rescue and tossed the prize (a glider) out!
Ok, so no childish pony rides for this kid! He moves right up to full fledged horse. I wasn't sure how this would all go down but as you can see, he loved it! I'm thinking next Halloween he might want to be a cowboy!

They also had a petting zoo. Ok, really it was a sheep and a bunny, but you could pet them! Zach thought it was funny when the bunny would squirm around.Me, my mom and Trevor

I Dare You

Another fun Zach story to report. I don't have a picture of the actual episode, but I tried to capture his expression in another pic. It doesn't do it justice.

So, the other morning, I see Zach playing in his new playroom area. I think I smell poop so I ask him, "Do you have poo-poo, bud?" He responds by sticking his tongue out slightly, making his neck disappear and turns his face red. Okaaaay. Guess that's a yes. So I say, "When you're all done, tell Mama and I'll change your diaper."
I wait a few minutes and ask him, "Are you all done going poo-poo?"
He says, "No Mama, not done". I'm like, "Really? It's been a while, are you sure you're not all done?"
He responds by again, turning red, sticking his tongue out and making his neck disappear.
Okaaaaaay. I get it, it's gonna be a doozy.
So, I give him a GOOD 10 minutes to do his business. I ask if he's all done and he says, "yes."
I go get a dipe and he lays down on the carpet. I can really smell it now. I don't know what this kid eats but it's NOT pleasant.
I open the little tabs as he's watching me intently. I pull his dipe down a little and can see that this is going to be a very FULL, very MESSY diaper change. It's clear up to his balls. Ugh. I quickly put the diaper back up over his peen and look at him.
In his most mobster like tone he looks at me with a half smile on his face and says...
"Open it".
Like he was daring me to! I shook my head and said, "I don't wanna!"
He says it again..."Open it, Mama". Very calm like, very Kevin Spacey talking in the movie "Seven".
So, doing as I was told by my 2 year old, I opened the awful present he left me and as I'm reaching for the wipes (it was a 20 wipe poop, by the way) he says...wait for it...
"Clean my butt."
Very simply stated, very deliberate, very...authoritative.
And very weird!
If I start seeing this kid using my cell phone or wearing fedoras, I'm going to start getting suspicious.

M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E!!

Well, we did it. We went to Disneyland. Ok, now I don't want to offend any of you "Mouse lovers", but Jeff and I aren't part of your group. I would never go to Disneyland without kids. The only reason we went is because we have kids. I've only been twice, once when I was 8. I recently found out my mom took me on this trip because we had just moved to Northern California and I was miserable. So, she tried to buy my love with The Mouse. And Knott's Berry Farm. And Universal Studios. Can I just say how amazed I am that my mom did this? (Hi, Mom!) You see, my mom is not the type to drop everything and take her kid to 3 different amusement parks because said kid moped around for 2 months. When I broke my leg when I was about a year old, my dad called my mom to tell her and she said something along the lines of, "Handle it. I'm in the middle of my bowling game."

Another time, when I was 8, the Tigers were playing in the World Series. I sprained my ankle pretty bad...it really hurt a lot...my mom said she'd take me to the Dr. after the game. This is not to say my mom's not great. She is, but looking back, I'm rather shocked she took me on that trip.

I digress. So, I went when I was 8 and I went for grad night when I was 18. Hardly remember that night at all. We drove 8 hours on a bus, changed our clothes on the bus, went into Disneyland for several hours and returned home. I know we went to Toon Town because I have a picture of it and I vaguely remember Space Mountain. That's it. Jeff hadn't been in 22 years for his grad night. However, we wanted to go because the twins are so little right now and it's easier to this now while there immobile. Also, Jeff had a hook up through Karl Strauss (beer co.) and we were able to get in free. We went with our friends Joe and Julie and their kids, Luke (age 4) and Riley (age2.5).

All in all, it was a fantastic trip! Zach was fairly well behaved. For the first time, he skipped his nap. He's the type of kid who really needs his nap. We weren't sure how it would go, but he did great until about 6pm, where he had a mini meltdown and then promptly zonked out in the stroller. Speaking of stroller, ours looked ridiculous. I wish we'd gotten a picture of it. We had the double stroller, which is a behemoth anyway. We had the bottom filled to the brim with snacks, clothes, diaper bag, baby bjorns x2, sling, camera, video camera and the kitchen sink. We also had an umbrella stroller bungee-d to the side of the double stroller. OMG. We looked like the Beverly Hillbillies, kids style!

The difficult parts of the trip revolved around the twins. Feedings took 30 minutes so that took time. Diaper changes, etc. Also, I had to pump, so I'd have to get my pump out of the locker, go to the Baby Care station and pump, return the pump back to the locker and meet up with the group at the back of the park. I will say the Baby Care area was awesome! It's decorated like something out of Little House on the Prairie and the women there look like old time midwives. The have changing tables, pumping areas, nursing areas, high chairs, a microwave and a sink with soap to clean equipment. It's cool and quiet. Really great, I only wish they had more of these centers.

The other hard part was we couldn't take the twins in the Bjorns on some of the rides. Luckily, Joe and Julie took all the kids on the Nemo Submarine ride, but I wish I could've seen his face on it.

Other than that, the trip was great! We only managed to see probably half the park. I'd like to go again in the near future and just take Zach. That way we could really see a lot more and just concentrate on him.

Okay, now for the pictures!

Upon arrival, it's imperative to get the picture by Mickey.

The castle. The crowds weren't too bad, thank goodness. This is Main Street.

Me, Julie, Riley and Zach. Yes, my back and I regretted carrying Zach like this.

Zach trying his hardest to get the swine flu

This is classic "Family with 3 kids under 2.5" picture. Notice the only two people smiling at the camera appropriately are me and Jeff. Jeff has Dylan in the Bjorn with him blinded in the direct sun. I have Trevor, who is so far tipped forward, his hat is over his eyes and I'm surprised he didn't lose his lunch. Then there's Zach, who can't get over the size of Goofy's feet.

Trevor and I in Toon Town

Zach trying to call a cab to take him through the park faster

A better family picture

Julie and Riley on Autotopia. This is the only ride I remember from the trip in 1984.

Joe and Luke

Joe and Julie

We happened to be right in the area where the dance parade travels through so we stayed and watched. It was time for a feeding anyway, so I welcomed the chance to sit, even if it was on the ground. Zach loves to dance and so does Luke, so they had a great time watching. Here they are getting warmed up for the festivities. How odd that my kid loves being in front of an audience

Zach nonchalantly looking up the dancers' dress. 'Atta boy.

We're doing the conga line. All we had to do was hold the rope and walk. It was all going so well until...

He would periodically decide to play gymnast and hang off the rope. He thought it would be more fun if we all carried him

In the New Orleans Square area

Zach in the car ready for the ride home. This is the response we got when we asked him if he had a fun time

"Awww, Mom...no more pictures, please!"

Zach's favorite ride was BY FAR the Buzz Lightyear ride. You'd sit in a car and it had a gun, where you would shoot at targets and get points. Zach loves Buzz, so when we were in line and we came to a life size Buzz Lightyear, oh my gosh, his mouth hit the ground! He couldn't believe Buzz was there telling him to fight the Evil Emperor Zurg! It was great to see his face! We took him on the Pirates of the Caribbean and he liked it, but he was just scared enough to want to sit as close as possible to Jeff and hold both his hands. I'm glad he didn't get too upset. There were also a couple of drops the boat went down and none of us were expecting that!

Forgot to mention Zach woke up for the fireworks show, which was great because he really enjoys them. The show was pretty amazing and we were there with about 1.5 million people. Not really, but there were A LOT of folks there. Walking out with the herd was pretty organized, too. I will say, Disneyland is kept so nicely and the employees are so nice and helpful. Not sure if those things justifies a $72 ticket...PER PERSON, but I thought I should mention it.

Long Time No Blog

Well it has been forever since I've written a new post. Not that there hasn't been a TON to write about, on the contrary. What has been difficult is finding some stolen moments to get on this darn computer and give an update on our exciting travels and excursions.

Jeff took his paternity leave starting on October 22. Since that day, we haven't stopped. Most people, given the gift of some time off, would stay home, try to relax as much as possible with 3 kids, maybe get a nap in. Not us. The first day of leave, we went to Disneyland with the 3 kids and our friends Joe and Julie and their 2 kids. Post on that to follow shortly. The next day, Friday, we went up to see my parents. They live near Sequoia Nat'l Park. We were there until Sunday (again, post to follow later) and then came home, kept the car running and dropped the dog off and went to our friend Amy and Donald's for a crab boil and football. Monday we were home, I think for the sole reason of doing laundry. Oh, I also went out to dinner with some girlfriends. We all have kids so this had been on the books for a while, it's so difficult to get the three of us together. Next day was Tuesday and we loaded up the car once more to head to Pismo Beach. We have friends that live in Arroyo Grande and they generously offered to let us stay at their house. Again, post to follow. We got home on Friday. Saturday was another laundry day and I had a hair appointment (finally!) to cover all the gray hair I know have. Thanks, kids! That night was Halloween, which was a BLAST. Can't wait to tell you about that! The next day, bright and early at 8:30am, we were on our way to Oxnard to a rented beach house for 3 days. Yes, it was amazing and even more awesome because it was on Sam Adam's and Chili's dime, not ours. We got home Tuesday morning and Jeff went back to work on Wednesday.

Whew! I'm exhausted just writing this.
Was it relaxing?
Uh, no.
Did I get some well deserved extra sleep?
I got a nap one day.
Am I glad we ran around like crazed monkeys high on monkey methamphetamine?
Definitely.

We had such great times at all these places and if you can believe it, we had no major disasters, no bleeding, no injuries, no forgotten anything...
we're getting pretty good at this 3 kid thing.

So, I'll be posting separate entries about each thing we did, so keep your eyes open!