Memorial Day Fun Part Deux

So, after the fun weekend at my parents house, we woke up bright and early to get ready for BBQ/pool party we were throwing. Luckily, the house was pretty clean since I got my act together before we left for the weekend and cleaned up then. We needed to go to the market and get the backyard ready.

Zach loving the pool! He was jumping off the step and his swimmies would keep his face out of the water. He even started to really kick for the first time! His swim lessons begin June 22nd with the wife of a GM for Chili's.

Amy and Frances, age 3
Evan, age 1. Yes, Evan is a boy and yes Evan is in a girl swim diaper. He has a big sister so he was probably wearing hers. We don't do gender role conditioning at this house.

Julie and Evan
"Daddy, more wee!"

The kids getting into kareoke.

Georgia, age 10

Frances, age 3

Lauren, age 15 (she is also our babysitter a lot of the time)

Zach, loving being with the girls.

It was about 7pm when they busted out the poker table. Jeff played for half and then when he put Zach down for the night, I stepped in and lost 8 of his dollars.

Memorial Day (better late than never)

I can't seem to get these posts out in a timely manner...ugh. So much to blog about, so little time!

Jeff, Zach and I went up to my parents house in Three Rivers over the weekend. We left Friday around 5 pm and got there around 8 pm. It worked out really well, with Zach getting his energy out when we got there, and then going to bed in no time.

The next morning we went down to the river to throw rocks and dip our feet in.

We spent some time down there watching the busy day unfold. We were there around 9am because we thought it would be really crowded. Apparently, everyone got a late start and it didn't get really busy until we left around 11:00am. This area is the new boat launch, so it was fun to watch all the boats being launched and guessing how much of these tricked out little toys cost.

In the afternoon, some deer came to visit.

Playing with the new find at a garage sale. Jeff picked this up for $1, but needed to spend $35 on a new battery and charger, lol. It's motorized and Zach loved to emulate Evel Knievel by going down the STEEP driveway and full speed!The next day, we got a late start so we thought heading to the same spot on the river wouldn't be a good idea. We drove up into the park (Sequoia Nat'l Park) and hiked down to the river. Now, it's rafting season and this is the time of year that the river really rushes. I apparently forgot and ignored my parent's reminding me.

It was pretty nerve racking walking down there because the granite is REALLY slippery and one false move, you're in the drink. Poor Zach had really no fun at all because we had to hold his hand the entire time and he couldn't run free. Dumb idea to go down there.

On Sunday we just hung out, played with the hose, played on his scooter (AKA: morning gotchoo). I have no idea why he calls it that...he knows how to say scooter...it's pretty cute. I had to let Jeff know if he asks for his "morning gotchoo" it's his scooter. Lol.

We left on Sunday night much later than we (I) wanted to. We finally were on the road by 8:40pm and home around 11:30pm. Luckily, we were able to put Zach right back to sleep when we got home, since he'd fallen asleep in the car. We had to leave either late Sunday or at the crack of dawn Monday morning because we were having a BBQ/pool party on Monday. We like to try to cram as many things as possible in a 3 day weekend!

Who is this whining, screaming child??

Ummmm...I think someone took Zach in the night and replaced him with this other being. Whining all day, to the point of throwing himself on the ground over the littlest thing, like me asking him if he wants anymore water. Oh, and we have now reached the dramatic phase of being two. He puts his hands over his eyes and won't look at you...hang his head, the whole nine yards. I sure do miss my Zackie. Where, oh where could he be?

He also enjoys saying, "No, Mine!" all the time. He doesn't even use it appropriately. If I ask him to get his shoes he says it...ok...screams it. He says it if I tickle his feet or if I tell him to clean up. I don't have a "screaming, whining" child....so this new behavior makes me want to drive a stake through my eye. Ugh.

In other news, I am very excited to report that I took my records over to that new OB I was looking into today so she could check them out and determine if she wanted to take me on. She happened to be at the front desk when I was talking to the receptionist and looked them over on the spot. She said she'd take me on!!! OMG, I could've cried right there in the waiting room! You have no idea...I feel like I just had a 90# weight lifted off my shoulders. She also told me that she had gestational diabetes with her two pregnancies, so she can relate! I figure even if she isn't perfect, since I spoke to her so briefly one never knows, she can't be worse than the nasty witch I was seeing. I have an appointment next week with her, and I'll be around 26 weeks, I think. Hopefully Jeff can go, too.

This past weekend was somewhat uneventful. We went garage sale-ing in the morning on Saturday and then I headed off to Anaheim for the CDA dental convention. I know, I know...it truly IS as exciting as it sounds. I was able to take three seminars, which gave me 6.5 CE units. I need 25 every two years. I came home on Sunday. Anaheim is just far enough away that it's almost necessary to stay over. My class on Sunday started at 7 am, so it was nice to already be down there. Jeff took Zach down to Santa Monica pier on Sunday and had a wonderful time! It was almost 100 degrees here, so going into 69 degrees at the beach must have been nice.

This is unfortunately a picture free post...unless you want to see pictures of toothbrushes and dental implants....just kidding...I didn't take pics of the convention.

What's new pussycat?

Not much, actually. I have some minor ramblings, though.
Yesterday (Wednesday), we met up with Julie, Luke and Riley at Castaic Lake to feed the ducks. We parked on the street because the 17 year old who felt VERY authoritative in her little toll booth was going to charge us $11 to park...at almost 4pm! Heck no! So, we had a little bit of a walk but it went well, Zach and Riley held hands for most of the walk, which was TOO cute. Then on the way back, they were both helping me push the stroller when Julie reminded me that this is what it'll be like if they are boy/girl twins. These reality checks kind of throw me for a loop.
When we got to the water, there were no duck to be found, which was weird. There's always ducks, especially if they see the bread bag. So, Julie suggested to Luke to call for the ducks. He quacked for about a minute and would you believe those damn ducks came?! That kid's got talent, I tell ya'.

Have a mentioned that I don't like my OB? Long story short, the hospital where I had Zach (5 minutes from home) does not have a NICU, and with twins the babies often need help in some form. My OB delivers his mulitples at this ghetto hospital that I don't want to go to. Sharing a room with a gang banger or a crack whore does not sound like a fun time to me. So, I had to find an OB that delivers at Tarzana Hospital. Lovely place, great NICU, have had friends deliver there and loved it. So, my friend refers me to her OB. At the first appointment, she doesn't introduce herself, just walks in and starts talking. OK, whatever...maybe she's busy.
When we start talking about my IVF history, she asks how many embryos were transferred. Granted, this is right on the heals of Octo-Mom. When I tell her 4, she balks, looks at me like I'm an idiot and practically tells me my fertility Doc is a bigger idiot for transferring that many.
(Ok, step off, biznatch. I'll get all Antioch up in your grill.)
So, needless to say, she rubbed me the wrong way right off the bat. But, at that point, I was about 12 weeks along, and I didn't feel I had the time (what, with Zach at home) to go interviewing a bunch of doctors. Besides, I've had a baby, I know what to expect...it's fine. I'll have her deliver these babies and then it's back to my normal OB.

Well....
I hate her more and more and now I'm really in a mess. Here's what happened on Monday at my last appointment (that would have lasted 4 minutes had I not had a question).

Nurse puts doppler on my tummy to find heartbeat, finds it in about a millisecond.

Me: Wow! You're good! You knew exactly where to put that thing!

BD (Bitchy Doctor): Oh, that was just luck. (Meanwhile she's still trying to find the heartbeat on her side of the huge tummy).
Me: No, that takes skill! Good job! (Shy nurse smiles sweetly).
Both heartbeats are now found.
BD: Ok, we'll see you in 4 weeks!
Me: Umm...how's my weight gain?
BD: (flipping throught chart) Well, you're up 11 lbs. since, and I want you to be up 3-4lbs, but you have twins, so maybe 6-7....

I stop listening at this point. I'm up 11lbs, since WHEN? Since February? Since I was 12? Since last appointment?

BD: Have you had your 1 hour glucose test yet? (Test where they check for Gestational Diabetes).
Me: No, I'm doing it in two days.
BD: Have you been watching your carbs and proteins? (In a bitchy sing-song voice)
Me: Truthfully, no. I'm dreading getting the diagnosis again and after 17 weeks of puking, have been enjoying eating.
BD: Well, YOU control if you get GD again. If you haven't been watching your diet then you're probably going to get it.

Oh really? I can control if I get GD? Not so much you dumb broad. I can control the GD once I get it, but I can't control IF I get it or not. That's like saying you can control what color hair you're born with...I can control my brown hair my dyeing it blonde, but I still have brown hair!
She then asks me (for the third time, now) how big Zach was. I say 6.11oz. She's impressed...I explain that I was a very compliant patient and did what was asked of me. She then felt the need to lecture me on what foods I need to be eating. I tell her I've been down this road before, I know. She then tells me if I have it then she's going to send me to the diabetic center so I can learn all about GD.
At this point I wanted to scream, "YOU'RE NOT LISTENING TO ME YOU #$@!!*(*(*%. I'VE BEEN DOWN THIS ROAD BEFORE!!!!"
Being the courteous person that I am, I did not say that and instead just fumed about it the entire way home.

So, my other friend just gave me another number for an OB she's heard good things about so cross your fingers that she accepts me as a patient at 24 weeks prego. I'll keep you updated.
Anyway, that's all the news here. Oh, have I mentioned that when these babies are born I intend to have the biggest, most delicious margarita ever, with the rim perfectly coated in salt? Do you think I can have that in the hospital instead of pain meds?

Shots and Suckers

Zach had his 2 year well baby appointment today. He did great, a little spazzy, but he likes to show off when new people are around. He did do everything that was asked of him, so I was pretty proud of that. Opened his mouth, stuck out his tongue, said "ahhhh", sat still, looked at the bright light in his eye...all that fun stuff.
His stats now are:
Height: 35.25" (70th %tile)
Weight: 27# (47th %tile)
Head circumference: 19 (38th %tile)

So, as I expected, he's taller than most, and average for weight. I thought he was at least 30 lbs, so that surprised me. He had one shot, which he did really well for. He said ouch, got the upside-down mouth and then it was over. The lollipop helped, too.
I talked to the Doc about our basic daily routine, our basic parenting philosophies (discipline, eating). Eating is a big one for us. We are conflicted about him eating well on his own AND getting the nutrition he needs for the day. Fruit he does great on, PB&J he does pretty good on, grilled cheese is good. Veggies hardly happen, and meat we have to disguise in applesauce and feed it to him. I can't just put stuff on his tray and he eats, with the exception of fruit....or crackers. The Dr. said that we need to really allow him to figure this eating stuff out now. Mix some veggies in with his food. No more disguising every meat product, and no more taking him out of his chair and then chasing him around the house, trying to pop a bite of turkey dog in his mouth when he's distracted. Apparently it will not hurt him if he decides not to eat dinner and go to bed a little hungry. Who knew? She also said that I won't have the time when the twins come to spend so much on eating time with Zach...a point I understand, but an idea I can't truly fathom until it happens. So, we'll start our new eating philosophy soon if not now.
He's right where he should be with hitting certain developmental marks, like knowing body parts, helping to take his own clothes off, playing and climbing at the playground, etc. he should be better with his utensils, but that's just because we do so much for him...1st child syndrome, you know?
Funny thing happened on the way home from the Dr.s office, which is two blocks away. Z is sick with a cold (but that doesn't stop him) and he sneezed 3 times in a row, big sneezes. After he sneezes he says, "Bless you!" Well, after the third sneeze, he says, "Mama, BIG BOOGER!" Sure enough, I look behind me and the poor kid has the biggest snot/booger on his face and his mouth is shaped in an "o" so it wouldn't touch his mouth. Too cute. I tell Jeff (I was driving), "Daddy, omg, BIG BOOGER!" Daddy saved the day, of course.

Cookie Monster and Bounce Houses

*sigh*

I can breathe a sigh of relief...my computer is back. Who knew I'd be so lost without a piece of machinery? Thank goodness for my Iphone!

Ok, birthday pics as promised:

Riley eating her fruit

Evan enjoying some sippy
My Cookie Monster cake! Ok, so a little story. I made two practice cakes for this. After the first one, about a week ago, I was cleaning the "bomb went off in it" kitchen, when I proceeded to grind up my icing tips in the garbage disposal. One of those moments where I didn't say a word, just looked out the window and thought, "that figures". So, I went to this cake store down the street from my house (who knew?) and the nice woman helped me get new icing tips. I asked her about making black icing because my food color kit from the grocery store did not allow me to do so....she looked at me like I was as dumb as a box of rocks and handed me the (use big voice here) professional gel color in jet black. Again...who knew? Not me. So, my second practice cake the night before the party, my mom is helping me and she's mixing the icing to make black and she's gone through half the jar and says she only has dark gray. I say fine, let's just get the idea across and start icing away. Since this was a practice cake, I had no qualms about cleaning off the icing tip with my mouth...hee hee. My mom starts laughing hysterically because I now have black everywhere! On my lips, my tongue, my teeth....and the stuff WON'T COME OFF! It's like Sharpie pen coloring! My mom says, "everyone's going to be pissed if you serve their kids this cake!"

True. So I go to the grocery and buy the ready made icing with the tips included and use that in black...and it came off everything and everyone just fine. So, take my advice...never use the (insert big voice again) professional gel color in black.

Ok, here's my creation:

I have to give credit where credit is due. It was Jeff's idea to put the mini cookies around the edges of the cake. Great advice!

When we started singing Happy Birthday, Zach's eye lit up and he was pleased as punch to have all eyes on him and people serenading him and attention lauded on him. I'm in big trouble.

The cake was really good and the icing was even better! I'll include the recipe for the buttercream icing at the end of this post. I got it online.

Present time! He totally got the idea of opening presents this time around and loved opening the envelopes as well. Notice the "Lenz tongue".

The big wheel from Aunt Tracy and Uncle Scott was a big hit with the boys in the group.
Thanking Leilani for her gift.
A boy and his dog

Jumping time with Aidan and Leilani
At the end of the party, after all the guests left, a streaker decided to run through the bouncer. My mom says he kept looking down at the new sensation bouncing around in his lap, haha!

Ok, buttercream recipe:

1/2 cup non salted butter (room temp or zapped in microwave til slightly soft.

Beat the butter with a hand mixer until creamy.

Add (slowly) 2 cups powdered sugar.

Add 2 tsp vanilla. Mix.

Add 2 tbsp of milk, mix.
You can use this to frost immediately. I made it early and put it in the fridge...I had to zap it in the micro for a few seconds before I used it.

Zach's 2nd Birthday!

My little man turned two last week and to celebrate, we had a little party here at the house this past Sunday. Unfortunately, my computer is sick and is at the computer doctor, so the pics I quickly downloaded so I could update the blog will have to wait until my computer is back on the mend. Until then, I'm using Jeff's computer.
We had about 20 adults and 10 kids or so, the weather was beautiful, about 82 degrees. We put a bounce house in the back yard, which was great! The kids were all over it the entire time. Food was great (thank you Sam's Club and Chili's). Zach had a great time, even though he only took an hour long nap. He was able to use the bounce house before his nap and right when I walked into his room, he said "jumping!" Needless to say, my idea of trying to get him back down failed miserably.
Jeff and I, and both sets of grandparents went in on a train table for him. It took just over 2 hours to set the whole thing up. I knew I would need to glue down all the tracks and pieces, Jeff argued with me about it, of course. After the 25th time of putting it back together today, I'll be gluing it after this entry. Zach loves it, and played with it on and off most of the day. He also got a Big Wheel from Aunt Tracy and Uncle Scott and he's itching to use it! His feet just reach the pedals, so Jeff said he can put blocks on them so Z can use it now.
I made a Cookie Monster birthday cake and I have to say, I was pretty proud of it! I made two practice cakes before, so I was prepared. Wait to you see pictures! I'm so glad I didn't buy a cake! Hellllllllllooooo, Martha!
I can't believe he's 2! Where has the time gone? Now he's this little man who walks around like he owns the place, tells me his opinions, helps me with everything around the house from helping my hugeness up from the floor to loading the dishwasher.....it seems like just yesterday I was pushing him out thinking I was going to die! *sigh* Memories....