Thursday, December 31, 2009
Saturday, October 31, 2009
A Great Deal of Whining and a Dollop of Mousse
Our attempts to get our rock star to take a midday disco nap were not successful, and so began our Halloween evening, with a great deal of whining and a dollop of mousse. As the Spiderman candy bucket filled, though, Logan perked up and by the time he got home he'd had a good time with Daddy while I stayed home with Ollie to hand out the candy. Ollie, of course, had a great time screeching when trick or treaters rang the bell.
I thought it would be a tsunami of kids with the nice weather and the weekend night. But I underestimated the swine flu impact, I think. We had one Michael Jackson, two boxers, and a lot of Transformers.
Without further ado, the pics.
Some of my props for my Bulldog Halloween costume Thursday night. AMH, KFar and I went as the Supreemz (tm), a washed-up (hence the Valium) Motown trio.
Logan tries on his rocker glasses.
Classic rocker angst.
I thought it would be a tsunami of kids with the nice weather and the weekend night. But I underestimated the swine flu impact, I think. We had one Michael Jackson, two boxers, and a lot of Transformers.
Without further ado, the pics.
Some of my props for my Bulldog Halloween costume Thursday night. AMH, KFar and I went as the Supreemz (tm), a washed-up (hence the Valium) Motown trio.
Logan tries on his rocker glasses.
Classic rocker angst.
Paparrazi shot (this is where the bad mood actually worked for us).
Getting ready to roll with Daddy.
On the road.
Spoils.
Getting ready to roll with Daddy.
On the road.
Spoils.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Rock Star
I haven't successfully sewn anything since affixing a Galaxy logo to a T-shirt for Logan's David Beckham costume two years ago, and AMH had to do half the work on that one. Not being able to sew does not affect my life in any way...except at Halloween, when I feel inadequate as people whip up handmade hats, Superman capes and the like. I'm just not good at the crafts.
As it turns out, Logan is at a stage where he won't wear anything that isn't comfortable, anyway. I can't see him being willing to don a cape or his cousin's hand-me-down spider outfit. So I think the costume we cooked up for him will work well. As a "rock star," he'll carry Larry's Guitar Hero guitar, don jeans and a black T-shirt that says "Less Talk. More Rock" (newly arrived today from Old Navy) and sport two studded bracelets plus a fake earring if I can get him to hold still long enough to draw it on. We've also delayed his haircut so his hair is long enough to gel into a fauxhawk. I think this will "feel" like regular clothes but still be a good enough costume to pass muster.
Last year Logan stopped traffic, literally, in his farmer outfit, which was also a simple getup that felt like regular clothes.
Oliver is staying home with me to distribute candy. He will wear a "Monster in Training" T-shirt.I will wear a feather boa and sweats.
And no...there is no such thing as No Pants Halloween.
As it turns out, Logan is at a stage where he won't wear anything that isn't comfortable, anyway. I can't see him being willing to don a cape or his cousin's hand-me-down spider outfit. So I think the costume we cooked up for him will work well. As a "rock star," he'll carry Larry's Guitar Hero guitar, don jeans and a black T-shirt that says "Less Talk. More Rock" (newly arrived today from Old Navy) and sport two studded bracelets plus a fake earring if I can get him to hold still long enough to draw it on. We've also delayed his haircut so his hair is long enough to gel into a fauxhawk. I think this will "feel" like regular clothes but still be a good enough costume to pass muster.Last year Logan stopped traffic, literally, in his farmer outfit, which was also a simple getup that felt like regular clothes.
Oliver is staying home with me to distribute candy. He will wear a "Monster in Training" T-shirt.I will wear a feather boa and sweats.
And no...there is no such thing as No Pants Halloween.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Cruisin' and Bruisin'
I fully admit I have not been a good blogger lately. What can I say? If it's "shower" or "blog," I think we all agree I should wash my hair. Hope these recent photos make up for it.
Ollie is crawling like a madman and cruising like crazy. He's close to walking...I predict we will enter the new year with a true "toddler." His personality is definitely starting to emerge. He's friendly and very low maintenance but no pushover. We recently got a note from day care that he was plucking the pacifiers out of some of the other babies' mouths. I don't think he's being mean, I think he's trying to help them kick the habit. Later this week he'll have his 15-month well check.
Oliver eager to get into the tub.
Ollie is crawling like a madman and cruising like crazy. He's close to walking...I predict we will enter the new year with a true "toddler." His personality is definitely starting to emerge. He's friendly and very low maintenance but no pushover. We recently got a note from day care that he was plucking the pacifiers out of some of the other babies' mouths. I don't think he's being mean, I think he's trying to help them kick the habit. Later this week he'll have his 15-month well check.
Oliver eager to get into the tub.
Oliver and Sadie hanging out on the deck with some bubble fun.
Oliver and Logan playtime.
Monday, October 12, 2009
No Pants Sunday: An FAQ
I've received several inquiries about the specifics of No Pants Sunday. I can see how the Facebook activity is particularly confusing for people who are FB friends with me, but not Larry. It must seem odd to see my commentary disjointed from the primary No Pants Sunday commentary.
Thus for all on Facebook and in the blogosphere, I have provided a helpful FAQ regarding No Pants Sunday.
What is No Pants Sunday?
No Pants Sunday occurs on Sundays during football season. It is a time when the boys of the house relax with abandon. Although No Pants Sunday does sometimes involve removing ones pants to lounge in underwear/diaper and T-shirt, No Pants Sunday is best understood as a state of mind.
Can you clarify the attire?
T-shirt, underwear/diaper, socks (if desired), ballcap (Daddy), sparkly blue bowler hat (Logan). Mommy wears normal seasonal-appropriate attire.
How does this differ from Naked Sunday?
Nobody is walking around the house naked. Have we not met?
How did No Pants Sunday begin?
Its genesis was many years ago, but it began as a named event last year when Larry announced that he would "do whatever I want on Sunday, I might even not wear pants."
What is the cuisine?
Beer, juice boxes, milk, Cheetos, pureed squash, graham crackers.
Are others invited?
Oddly enough, nobody has ever asked to join us. However, others are encouraged and applauded for experiencing No Pants Sunday in their own homes. No Pants Sunday is very flexible in terms of timing, cuisine and attire. Remember: a state of mind.
How much advance planning goes into No Pants Sunday?
Typically cuisine is planned in advance in order to avoid pantsless beer runs.
Shouldn't No Pants Sunday be hyphenated?
Oh Anne Marie, give it a rest.
Where can I direct additional questions?
You may leave additional questions on this blog.
Thus for all on Facebook and in the blogosphere, I have provided a helpful FAQ regarding No Pants Sunday.
What is No Pants Sunday?
No Pants Sunday occurs on Sundays during football season. It is a time when the boys of the house relax with abandon. Although No Pants Sunday does sometimes involve removing ones pants to lounge in underwear/diaper and T-shirt, No Pants Sunday is best understood as a state of mind.
Can you clarify the attire?
T-shirt, underwear/diaper, socks (if desired), ballcap (Daddy), sparkly blue bowler hat (Logan). Mommy wears normal seasonal-appropriate attire.
How does this differ from Naked Sunday?
Nobody is walking around the house naked. Have we not met?
How did No Pants Sunday begin?
Its genesis was many years ago, but it began as a named event last year when Larry announced that he would "do whatever I want on Sunday, I might even not wear pants."
What is the cuisine?
Beer, juice boxes, milk, Cheetos, pureed squash, graham crackers.
Are others invited?
Oddly enough, nobody has ever asked to join us. However, others are encouraged and applauded for experiencing No Pants Sunday in their own homes. No Pants Sunday is very flexible in terms of timing, cuisine and attire. Remember: a state of mind.
How much advance planning goes into No Pants Sunday?
Typically cuisine is planned in advance in order to avoid pantsless beer runs.
Shouldn't No Pants Sunday be hyphenated?
Oh Anne Marie, give it a rest.
Where can I direct additional questions?
You may leave additional questions on this blog.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Nomads
The boys and I were nomads this weekend as the tile job that was supposed to take place Friday and Saturday took place Saturday and almost all of Sunday. Between the dust, the screeching noise of the tile cutter and our inability to use the kitchen, I tried to keep them out of the house as much as possible. We spent several hours between the homes of three friends.
Oliver, of course, went with the flow, but Logan was a wreck by Sunday. Seeing the furniture all piled in our living room freaked him out. Then spending half the day in the car took its toll. I'm pretty sure we are not welcome back at the Kolache Factory on Parmer, where he pitched an attention-grabber Sunday morning before announcing his plans to walk home to see Daddy. I'm not entirely sure we're welcome back at the home of our friends R and J, where he threw himself on the floor in the hallway and cried for 30 minutes that he wanted to "go hooooome."
All of that got me thinking a little bit about kids that are displaced from their homes for more serious reasons and longer periods of time. If Logan was an utter wreck because he spent the day visiting friends, what kind of impact does it have on a child who really does lead a nomadic life? Yeah, I know this isn't news. It doesn't take much to upset me on behalf of kids.
There's not really an appropriate transition from that to pictures of our new tile, so I won't try one. The vinyl kitchen floor that has practically sent me into therapy is gone, as is the dated entryway tile (which I kind of liked, in a retro way) and our dining room carpet (which was actually in decent shape, but you can tell the portion of it that was under Logan's high chair when he was learning to eat). We took a minor risk with a color that had some red in it and it paid off, we're really happy with it.
Entryway. The carpet where it meets the tile still needs to be finished and fastened. It's a race between the guys coming back to finish it and Cricket figuring out that it's loose.
Oliver, of course, went with the flow, but Logan was a wreck by Sunday. Seeing the furniture all piled in our living room freaked him out. Then spending half the day in the car took its toll. I'm pretty sure we are not welcome back at the Kolache Factory on Parmer, where he pitched an attention-grabber Sunday morning before announcing his plans to walk home to see Daddy. I'm not entirely sure we're welcome back at the home of our friends R and J, where he threw himself on the floor in the hallway and cried for 30 minutes that he wanted to "go hooooome."
All of that got me thinking a little bit about kids that are displaced from their homes for more serious reasons and longer periods of time. If Logan was an utter wreck because he spent the day visiting friends, what kind of impact does it have on a child who really does lead a nomadic life? Yeah, I know this isn't news. It doesn't take much to upset me on behalf of kids.
There's not really an appropriate transition from that to pictures of our new tile, so I won't try one. The vinyl kitchen floor that has practically sent me into therapy is gone, as is the dated entryway tile (which I kind of liked, in a retro way) and our dining room carpet (which was actually in decent shape, but you can tell the portion of it that was under Logan's high chair when he was learning to eat). We took a minor risk with a color that had some red in it and it paid off, we're really happy with it.
Entryway. The carpet where it meets the tile still needs to be finished and fastened. It's a race between the guys coming back to finish it and Cricket figuring out that it's loose.
View of the kitchen from the dining room.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Happy Coming Home Day, Oliver
A year ago today, we brought Oliver home after nine weeks in the NICU. Here are some things I remember:
Happy coming home day, Oliver. Couldn't love you more.
- How easy our pre-departure "rooming in" was. Grammy Carol stayed overnight with Logan as Larry and I took off for the hospital at about 8 PM to spend the night in one of the family rooms with Oliver. We were nervous but somehow managed to sleep a few hours each, and Oliver did really well. Truth is, it was way less stressful than the first night with Logan (in a regular hospital room), during which we realized (well, confirmed) we had no idea what we were doing.
- The sad feeling of our rooming in across the hall from the other family room, in which we had spent our last hours in private with Avery. Did they deliberately give us a different room? I don't see how they could have remembered. And yet, as with a lot of things related to Oliver, on that last NICU night it felt to me like Avery was with us. He was definitely with us.
- Our anticlimatic, in a good way, final visit with Dr. D. He was the first neonate we met, on the night we came in with two 28-week-olds trying to kick their way out, and I was really glad he was on duty to check us out. Although Oliver was on oxygen, a huge source of anxiety, our checkout was nondramatic and really fast. He said, "He's good. Treat him like a regular newborn." I privately thought, "Oh, sure, a regular newborn with a giant tank being wheeled behind him and tubing attached to his face." But as with most things, Dr. D turned out to be right.
- Our drive home, in which the oxygen tank toppled over and hit its stand with a "clang!" and almost drove me over the edge.
And of course, this: Logan Alexander meets his baby brother.
Happy coming home day, Oliver. Couldn't love you more.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Countdown
This day a year ago, my CarePage post was titled "No Rest for the Weary." It was the day Oliver's final routine ultrasound came back flagged for a possible brain bleed, and instead of making plans to take him home, we were sweating it out as the radiologists gave it a closer look. We'd crossed that off our long list of things to worry about because brain bleeds almost always occur very early on in a preemie's life. Thus, it was on this day, a year ago, that I determined one must never, ever cross anything off one's list. Turns out, as I've suspected since I was about 10, leaving it on the list vastly reduces the chances it will actually happen.
Anyway, as most of you know, the subsequent read showed there was no issue. And thus I present the last photos of Oliver in the NICU before he came home.
Anyway, as most of you know, the subsequent read showed there was no issue. And thus I present the last photos of Oliver in the NICU before he came home.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Kung Fu Logan
Watch Kung Fu Panda enough times and you're bound to pick up some tidbits here and there. Just hoping Ollie's first real word isn't "Master Shifu."
On the other hand, it's much, much better than watching Yo Gabba Gabba, so absolutely no complaints here.
On the other hand, it's much, much better than watching Yo Gabba Gabba, so absolutely no complaints here.
Monday, September 14, 2009
September: It's Time to Pay the Piper
To: Parents of September 2009
From: Amy Bills
Re: Behavioral Issues
CC: Austin, Texas
Parents of September,
Please consider this note a formal request for a meeting at your earliest convenience to discuss recent behavioral issues with September. Please contact my office this week to set up an appointment.
As you know, we've generally been pleased with September's behavior. Certainly, as with many months, September has exhibited the occasional behavioral aberration, and yes, in some cases they have been quite serious. This is to be expected, as no month is perfect.
However, September 2009 is showing significant warning signs that must be addressed promptly.
From: Amy Bills
Re: Behavioral Issues
CC: Austin, Texas
Parents of September,
Please consider this note a formal request for a meeting at your earliest convenience to discuss recent behavioral issues with September. Please contact my office this week to set up an appointment.
As you know, we've generally been pleased with September's behavior. Certainly, as with many months, September has exhibited the occasional behavioral aberration, and yes, in some cases they have been quite serious. This is to be expected, as no month is perfect.
However, September 2009 is showing significant warning signs that must be addressed promptly.
- Illness has swept the Bills household, leaving Baby Ollie on antibiotics and Mommy coughing.
- Said illness has infiltrated Mommy's workplace and taken down at least two other co-workers, who are publicly blaming Mommy.
- Our friend MH had a car accident today. That it was minor is not a valid excuse.
- Mommy's co-worker EG hurt his leg and is out for his entire indoor lacrosse season.
- Baby Ike is sick. We've made clear to all of the months that there is zero tolerance for this infraction.
- Baby Julian is also sick. Again: Not acceptable.
Early intervention is critical not only for September's well-being, but to ensure peer months such as October and November are not unduly influenced. We appreciate your prompt attention to this matter.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Throw In a Chemical Peel for Mommy and You've Got a Deal
We had a good visit this week with the cosmetic surgeon about Oliver's preauricular tags (love it! new medical terms to learn!), known more commonly as "harmless skin tags in front of his ears." There are little lumps right in front of his ears and the tragus on one ear is malformed. It's a preemie thing. Avery didn't have them, though. Will forever be mystified about how identical twins can be so unidentical.
The surgeon was very good with Ollie, who was getting fussy after a long wait. She says she can remove the tags with "hairline" scars. She is not sure about reshaping the tragus and will have to wait until she's "in there" (her words) to determine if she can reshape some cartilage or just remove the malformed part. I have spent a lot of time over the past few days staring at Ollie's ears. Ears in general are really funny looking. Go take a look!
The surgery is about 45 minutes and she can do both sides at once (I was worried we might be in for two procedures) and the recovery with stitches is only about a week. Cartilage takes longer to heal so if there is reshaping I think it's more recovery. I'm not clear how we keep him from pulling on the stitches but I'm sure specifics are forthcoming.
Now we'll try to decide when to do all of this.
The surgeon was very good with Ollie, who was getting fussy after a long wait. She says she can remove the tags with "hairline" scars. She is not sure about reshaping the tragus and will have to wait until she's "in there" (her words) to determine if she can reshape some cartilage or just remove the malformed part. I have spent a lot of time over the past few days staring at Ollie's ears. Ears in general are really funny looking. Go take a look!
The surgery is about 45 minutes and she can do both sides at once (I was worried we might be in for two procedures) and the recovery with stitches is only about a week. Cartilage takes longer to heal so if there is reshaping I think it's more recovery. I'm not clear how we keep him from pulling on the stitches but I'm sure specifics are forthcoming.
Now we'll try to decide when to do all of this.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
What You Don't Know
This time a year ago we were a month away from bringing home Baby Ollie. But of course, we didn't know we were a month away. We didn't know if we were three weeks away or three months away. We hoped, but didn't know. We still had a meningitis scare, a brain bleed scare, some bedside tears, two bouts of mastitis and many nursing challenges ahead of us. Of course, we didn't know that, either. Which is good.
Oliver, detached for a while from the CPAP, August 29, 2008:
Oliver, detached for a while from the CPAP, August 29, 2008:
Peer Pressure
Big L returned from his birthday weekend (birthday morning photo at right) to start in a new preschool class this past week, moving up from "early preschool." We'll really miss his early preschool teachers, who were instrumental in keeping things "normal" for him during this past year. I'm sure they are feeling somewhat relieved at not having to repeatedly answer the question "Can we fix the light?"He moved up to the new class with several little pals from his previous class (including his buddy J), which has been helpful. Dropoff was pretty stressful this past week, as he kept marching to his old room and swinging open the door to go inside, and we had to tell him we were "just saying hi to the old gang" and then redirect him to the new room, where he was not at all happy to be left.
We have high hopes that the peer potty pressure will take a firmer hold in this class, where the majority of the class is potty trained. He has been making good progress at home (I'll spare everyone the details) but it's not a regular thing...yet. It's very uncharacteristic of me but I can't really work up much anxiety about this. I'm pretty sure he's not going to go to college in diapers. (Of course, now that I jinxed it by putting it in writing...)
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Sa-WHAT?
A few things I found very troublesome about last night's Top Chef. And this does not include the really, really unattractive cheftestants this year. I don't think they all need to be gorgeous but they also don't need to be distractingly unappealing. Don't any of them live near salons? Just a baseline of normal-looking would be completely fine. I mean, it's Bravo! Facials should be mandatory.
On to the culinary irritations:
Watermelon "carpaccio." Creating "twists" on dishes is only clever when it's...clever. I find myself mostly just annoyed at dishes like thinly sliced fruit called "carpaccio" and random things marinated in citrus and called "ceviche." Tofu "ceviche" = culinary fail, IMHO. This has happened before on Top Chef and has been equally annoying. Carpaccio is meat. Ceviche is seafood. And on that note, stacked-up food is not always "lasagne" and food rolled in other food is not always an "enchilada" and food on bread is not always "pizza."
Weird pronunciation of "ceviche." The first time I heard the cheftestant Jen call it "Sa-VEECH" I thought I misheard. Then she did it again. Please stop it. Even if that is correct in some remote part of Spain that only she has ever visited...please just stop.
I'm not a dessert technologist. I don't like panna cotta that much. But I respect that lots of people like it. So if I DID NOT KNOW HOW TO MAKE IT I suppose I would NOT MAKE IT when I'd already completed my initial dish. And I would NOT STIR IN BURNED BAY LEAVES. And then I would not stand in front of the judges and say "I'm not a dessert technologist" and "mistakes were made." The entire panna cotta situation was very odd.
Reading the blogs this morning I can see I'm not the only one baffled by the show so far this year. I'm sure things will improve.
On to the culinary irritations:
Watermelon "carpaccio." Creating "twists" on dishes is only clever when it's...clever. I find myself mostly just annoyed at dishes like thinly sliced fruit called "carpaccio" and random things marinated in citrus and called "ceviche." Tofu "ceviche" = culinary fail, IMHO. This has happened before on Top Chef and has been equally annoying. Carpaccio is meat. Ceviche is seafood. And on that note, stacked-up food is not always "lasagne" and food rolled in other food is not always an "enchilada" and food on bread is not always "pizza."
Weird pronunciation of "ceviche." The first time I heard the cheftestant Jen call it "Sa-VEECH" I thought I misheard. Then she did it again. Please stop it. Even if that is correct in some remote part of Spain that only she has ever visited...please just stop.
I'm not a dessert technologist. I don't like panna cotta that much. But I respect that lots of people like it. So if I DID NOT KNOW HOW TO MAKE IT I suppose I would NOT MAKE IT when I'd already completed my initial dish. And I would NOT STIR IN BURNED BAY LEAVES. And then I would not stand in front of the judges and say "I'm not a dessert technologist" and "mistakes were made." The entire panna cotta situation was very odd.
Reading the blogs this morning I can see I'm not the only one baffled by the show so far this year. I'm sure things will improve.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
An Open Letter to Mother Nature
Dear Mother Nature,
I feel like we've been here before. We've had these tough conversations. I still don't agree with the way you arranged breastfeeding. And at the risk of unearthing difficult situations, we certainly talked a few times about mastitis. Tornadoes have always perplexed me. Drought. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria: Well, I've never tried to pin that on you. That's our fault. Lima beans...I know you have your reasons.
And Mother Nature, I'm not trying to say you've never done anything right. Not at all. The sweet potato: nice work, seriously. Lobster: genius! And the snow days, I thanked you for all of those. Kittens. The New River. The Pacific. Peaches. We've had good times and I always gave you props.
But this most recent thing, I feel like I can't hide my feelings. What is the point of four minutes of rain? It hasn't rained in Austin in weeks. It's hardly rained all summer. The wind, the thunder, and then the four minutes of rain you delivered today. At the risk of sounding trite: WTF? It made a paste of the grass and dirt we call our yard. It blew a bunch of pollen around but didn't wash it out of the air. It didn't help. It was actually kind of disgusting. I'm just not getting it.
Mother Nature, I'm not so much angry as disappointed. I expected better of you, and I'm left confused. And I'm not sure I want to ask for a "sign" at this point.
Just hoping time will heal all wounds (unless they, too, are antibiotic-resistant).
Yours,
Amy
I feel like we've been here before. We've had these tough conversations. I still don't agree with the way you arranged breastfeeding. And at the risk of unearthing difficult situations, we certainly talked a few times about mastitis. Tornadoes have always perplexed me. Drought. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria: Well, I've never tried to pin that on you. That's our fault. Lima beans...I know you have your reasons.
And Mother Nature, I'm not trying to say you've never done anything right. Not at all. The sweet potato: nice work, seriously. Lobster: genius! And the snow days, I thanked you for all of those. Kittens. The New River. The Pacific. Peaches. We've had good times and I always gave you props.
But this most recent thing, I feel like I can't hide my feelings. What is the point of four minutes of rain? It hasn't rained in Austin in weeks. It's hardly rained all summer. The wind, the thunder, and then the four minutes of rain you delivered today. At the risk of sounding trite: WTF? It made a paste of the grass and dirt we call our yard. It blew a bunch of pollen around but didn't wash it out of the air. It didn't help. It was actually kind of disgusting. I'm just not getting it.
Mother Nature, I'm not so much angry as disappointed. I expected better of you, and I'm left confused. And I'm not sure I want to ask for a "sign" at this point.
Just hoping time will heal all wounds (unless they, too, are antibiotic-resistant).
Yours,
Amy
Monday, August 24, 2009
Five Things That Were Horrifying
Five things that were horrifying about our trip to Sea World.
1. 3.30 am Sunday after a fun evening of swimming and a picnic supper. Oliver wakes up squalling. We offer milk, which he takes. We put him back in the pack and play. He screams and screams and screams. Embarrassed that we are waking up the entire resort, we spend the next two hours picking him up and putting him back (which makes things worse). Logan is also up, as we are all in the same room. Poor Ollie is out of sorts, not used to the pack and play and overtired after a full day. Finally at 5.30 am, Larry takes to the streets of San Antonio, driving Ollie around the area to put him to sleep. It works and we all go back to a fitful sleep until 8 am.
2. The heat. This was no surprise. It was well over 100 degrees. All of us were drenched. However, nobody got sunburned. In our pale and freckled family this is a big deal.
3. Disinterest at the Shamu show. Logan spent the entire 25-minute show obsessing over a bottle of purple Gatorade and throwing Cheerios on the floor. The arena is shaded, so it was a good chance to get Ollie out of the heat and give him a bottle. The show is pretty corny, though, so it wasn't our favorite part of the trip. It's called "Believe," if you can imagine. I really thought Logan would like it because of all the splashing, but he couldn't have cared less about poor Shamu and his gang of killer whale friends. The jellyfish and dolphins were much bigger hits with him.
4. Alligators in hiding. I was interested in seeing Alligator Alley. The alligators were interested in being almost completely submerged in cool water with only their snouts showing. Thus, we spent 4 minutes staring at a murky lake before moving on. I realize #3 and #4 are more "annoying" than "horrifying."
5. Tummy trouble. Oliver has been home since our return with a tummy virus. I can't trace it back officially to Sea World, of course...
1. 3.30 am Sunday after a fun evening of swimming and a picnic supper. Oliver wakes up squalling. We offer milk, which he takes. We put him back in the pack and play. He screams and screams and screams. Embarrassed that we are waking up the entire resort, we spend the next two hours picking him up and putting him back (which makes things worse). Logan is also up, as we are all in the same room. Poor Ollie is out of sorts, not used to the pack and play and overtired after a full day. Finally at 5.30 am, Larry takes to the streets of San Antonio, driving Ollie around the area to put him to sleep. It works and we all go back to a fitful sleep until 8 am.
2. The heat. This was no surprise. It was well over 100 degrees. All of us were drenched. However, nobody got sunburned. In our pale and freckled family this is a big deal.
3. Disinterest at the Shamu show. Logan spent the entire 25-minute show obsessing over a bottle of purple Gatorade and throwing Cheerios on the floor. The arena is shaded, so it was a good chance to get Ollie out of the heat and give him a bottle. The show is pretty corny, though, so it wasn't our favorite part of the trip. It's called "Believe," if you can imagine. I really thought Logan would like it because of all the splashing, but he couldn't have cared less about poor Shamu and his gang of killer whale friends. The jellyfish and dolphins were much bigger hits with him.
4. Alligators in hiding. I was interested in seeing Alligator Alley. The alligators were interested in being almost completely submerged in cool water with only their snouts showing. Thus, we spent 4 minutes staring at a murky lake before moving on. I realize #3 and #4 are more "annoying" than "horrifying."
5. Tummy trouble. Oliver has been home since our return with a tummy virus. I can't trace it back officially to Sea World, of course...
Five Things That Were Awesome
Five things that were awesome about our Sea World trip:
1. Hyatt Wild Oak Ranch. Three minutes from SeaWorld, adjacent to the fancy Hill Country Hyatt but totally kid friendly and beautifully landscaped. Indoor pool, outdoor pool, lazy river for tubing, little general store for when you forget your toothpaste. Fridge in the room for Ollie's milk and washer/dryers down the hall. This would be a perfect staycation for anyone in this area. I anticipate we will return for a longer stretch. It was a total find. And the service could not have been nicer. I don't think I've ever had a front desk call my room just to be sure "everything was OK."
2. Dolphins. Logan did not want to feed them but was very interested in looking at them and insisted he be allowed to go swimming with them.
3. Coral reef exhibit. While we were looking at the sharks a Sea World employee actually came over with a shark jaw to show the kids and let them touch the teeth. Our child, of course, was much too busy jumping up and down on a bench to be educated but it was nice to have a little extra tutorial. She helped us identify some of the specific sharks in the tank (we were trying to find a blacktip shark but it was hard to see).
4. Water park. I didn't realize how large the Sea World water park is. There are slides (which Logan is too small for) and a huge wave pool; complimentary life jackets (makes it a lot easier to hold the kids when the vest is doing some of the work) and a shaded shallow pool perfect for Ollie. After a brief dip in the wave pool I took Ollie back to the shady area where he had a blast splashing, swim/crawling and flirting.
5. Both kids slept almost all the way home. Logan went to sleep at 8 PM and did not awaken until 7 the next morning (other than a brief waking in which he was easily convinced to return to bed).
Later this week: Five things that were horrifying about our Sea World trip.
1. Hyatt Wild Oak Ranch. Three minutes from SeaWorld, adjacent to the fancy Hill Country Hyatt but totally kid friendly and beautifully landscaped. Indoor pool, outdoor pool, lazy river for tubing, little general store for when you forget your toothpaste. Fridge in the room for Ollie's milk and washer/dryers down the hall. This would be a perfect staycation for anyone in this area. I anticipate we will return for a longer stretch. It was a total find. And the service could not have been nicer. I don't think I've ever had a front desk call my room just to be sure "everything was OK."
2. Dolphins. Logan did not want to feed them but was very interested in looking at them and insisted he be allowed to go swimming with them.
3. Coral reef exhibit. While we were looking at the sharks a Sea World employee actually came over with a shark jaw to show the kids and let them touch the teeth. Our child, of course, was much too busy jumping up and down on a bench to be educated but it was nice to have a little extra tutorial. She helped us identify some of the specific sharks in the tank (we were trying to find a blacktip shark but it was hard to see).
4. Water park. I didn't realize how large the Sea World water park is. There are slides (which Logan is too small for) and a huge wave pool; complimentary life jackets (makes it a lot easier to hold the kids when the vest is doing some of the work) and a shaded shallow pool perfect for Ollie. After a brief dip in the wave pool I took Ollie back to the shady area where he had a blast splashing, swim/crawling and flirting.
5. Both kids slept almost all the way home. Logan went to sleep at 8 PM and did not awaken until 7 the next morning (other than a brief waking in which he was easily convinced to return to bed).
Later this week: Five things that were horrifying about our Sea World trip.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Water Signs
Our 30-hour trip to SeaWorld was more of an "adventure" than a "vacation." Much too tired to post fully about the whirlwind day and night. Please enjoy these photos and my assurance of a longer post later in the week. This longer post may include the following words and phrases, not necessarily in this order:
- Shuffleboard
- Screaming inconsolably at 3.30 a.m.
- Gatorade
- Laughing Cow cheese
- Inner tube
- Heat rash
- Shamu
- Wave pool
- Spotted eel
Logan insisted on pushing his stroller. You can image that made for a speedy trip through the park.
Guess who enjoyed the Shamu show the most of all?
Friday, August 21, 2009
The Circus
Logan and I had incredible seats this morning for the Ringling Bros. circus. I haven't been to a circus in about 30 years, so it's hard to tell whether the circus has changed, or I have. It seemed a lot smaller than I remember (that's probably about me, not the circus). It also now has video, G-rated hip-hoppish music, a lot of Cirque de Soleil-type acrobatics and protesters outside.
Logan didn't beg for a single toy (although he was looking longingly at the swirly light thingies) or gross food item. After about 15 minutes sitting on my lap he went into his own seat and had a great time. Favorite acts were the motorcycle on the tightrope and the dog catching Frisbees.
Here's the view from our seats.
We were accompanied by Logan's friend J and his mom and J's older brother, whom both Logan and J worship. He is one of the nicest early-teen I have ever met. He can actually carry on a conversation and is terrific with the little boys, who obey him without hesitation. He gives me hope for the future. We tried to get them all to pose but there was a lot going on!
Logan didn't beg for a single toy (although he was looking longingly at the swirly light thingies) or gross food item. After about 15 minutes sitting on my lap he went into his own seat and had a great time. Favorite acts were the motorcycle on the tightrope and the dog catching Frisbees.
Here's the view from our seats.
We were accompanied by Logan's friend J and his mom and J's older brother, whom both Logan and J worship. He is one of the nicest early-teen I have ever met. He can actually carry on a conversation and is terrific with the little boys, who obey him without hesitation. He gives me hope for the future. We tried to get them all to pose but there was a lot going on!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Super Soakers
We put the boys in the tub together tonight without Ollie's baby tub. They loved it. Maybe the water made it easier or maybe he was just in a good mood, but Oliver pulled up to stand a few times on the side of the tub (with one of us hovering centimeters away).
Had a good visit with grandma and grandpa over the weekend, including a trip to the children's museum, where they have an awesome craft project and Logan was accidentally bopped in the head with a piece of one of the exhibits by a kid whose mom looked on placidly and didn't suggest that her child say "Excuse me" or "I'm sorry." It doesn't really matter whether you're at Wal-Mart or the children's museum...there are just all kinds of parenting "styles" out there. My rule is, I don't judge you until your kid hits mine with a piece of metal and you can't be bothered to respond.
Here, a book is read (I'm not sure who was reading).
Had a good visit with grandma and grandpa over the weekend, including a trip to the children's museum, where they have an awesome craft project and Logan was accidentally bopped in the head with a piece of one of the exhibits by a kid whose mom looked on placidly and didn't suggest that her child say "Excuse me" or "I'm sorry." It doesn't really matter whether you're at Wal-Mart or the children's museum...there are just all kinds of parenting "styles" out there. My rule is, I don't judge you until your kid hits mine with a piece of metal and you can't be bothered to respond.
Here, a book is read (I'm not sure who was reading).
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