E=MC2

Blueberry Trauma

2010-02-01T08:53:00.000-08:00

Last Thursday, M was sick.

On Saturday, during nap time, C threw up. Blueberries. On her pretty butterfly sheets.

We weren't convinced she was actually sick, but we still watched her very closely, just in case.

She wasn't.

However, throwing up blueberries was obviously traumatic enough that this morning when I gave her blueberries for breakfast, she took one look at them, her eyes welled up, she looked at me and said in a quavering voice, "But I don't want to throw up blueberries!"

Such a sweetheart!

I quickly, and calmly, assured she that she wouldn't throw up blueberries again.

And she hasn't.

Yet.

The Joys of Parenthood

2010-01-31T14:33:00.000-08:00

Last thursday night brought with it yet another bug of the vomit-inducing kind.

Poor baby M!

13 times in 12 hours.

Of those 13 times? 9 of them were on me.

I don't just mean I was holding him at the time. I mean it quite literally landed somewhere on my person. I had to change my shirt/pants/sweatshirt/undershirt 9 times, and even had to change my bra once.

*sigh*

Oh, the joys of parenthood.

The New Year

2010-01-22T20:54:00.001-08:00

Honestly, I don't often think about January 1st being a time to start over, make resolutions, make changes. Being married to a teacher (and having worked in a school for seven years before staying home with my kids), I tend to think of years in school years, with September being the start of a "new year."

But this year, January definitely marks the start of something new for me. After losing Mr. Einstein's grandfather on Monday, this January, this New Year, has made me realize just how important memories are.

And how even more important documenting those memories is.

This is Mr. Einstein's grandfather with M. It was taken just this last Christmas, the Christmas we weren't originally planning on going home for.

Mr. Einstein's grandparents have lots of great-grandchildren, but only two great-grandsons. Of those two great-grandsons, only one carries on the family name.

So this photo? This memory? Is one I know I will treasure for this new year and for always.

Entered in An Island Life's January photo contest on The New Year.

In Loving Memory

2010-01-21T08:59:00.001-08:00

Mr. Einstein's grandfather passed away on Monday.

With E.

With C.

With M.

He was adored.

He was beloved.

He is greatly missed.

Dear Nasty Vomit-Inducing Bug

2010-01-06T08:12:00.000-08:00

Dear nasty vomit-inducing bug running rampant through my house,

Stay away from me.

I'm serious! Stay away from me. I don't want you.

You brought down my sweet, cuddly 2 year-old C first. And while she was sleeping! Shame on you! If you care, she's mostly better now, thankyouverymuch.

Next, you struck my husband. Right before school started back up again. You kept him home, and underfoot, for two days. Two days! That was just mean of you.

And last night? Last night you showed how truly cruel you are. You got to both E and M within an hour. An hour! Two kids! What were you thinking? Are you really that devious of a bug? That was low, bug. That was low.

So, now that you've infected four helpless victims in my house, I'm asking you nicely, begging you on my knees, to leave me alone.

LEAVE ME ALONE!!!

Because it's no fun for anyone when momma gets sick.

So, bug, please be a doll and leave me alone. Please? Please?

Sincerely, Hillary (Mrs. Einstein)

Baby Jesus

2010-01-05T07:00:00.000-08:00

C really started taking an interest in Christmas this year. She participated in the Advent calendar, and eagerly awaited opening the door housing baby Jesus.

Of course, she didn't quite understand it all. She is, after all, only 2 1/2.

In fact, she got a little mixed up.

Okay, a lot mixed up.

Over Christmas when we went home unexpectedly, we finally got to meet our sweet little niece for the first time.

(And, oh! What a cutie she is!)

The cousins.

Anyway, C knows her cousin's name. We talk about her quite often. Though, thinking back on it, I'm not so sure C ever actually said her name.

Until Christmas Eve.

When she called her cousin Baby Jesus.

Apparently, talking about baby Jesus at home, coupled with meeting her baby cousin for the first time at Christmas, confused poor C.

So, cousin Baby Jesus it is.

And I am now the sister-in-law to Mary and Joseph.

Twenty-Oh-Ten

2010-01-04T10:36:00.000-08:00

Is it really a new year already? Wow.

I don't generally make New Year's resolutions. Mainly because I don't generally keep New Year's resolutions.

But this year? This year I'm still not making resolutions, but I am going to make changes.

I'm going to start running. I'm going to start biking.

I'm going to get in shape.

I'm not resolving to lose weight or inches (though, I'd like to do both). I'm hoping these will happen within the context of me running/biking. But, that's not my goal.

My goal is to get outside, get some exercise, and stay healthy.

What about you? Any resolutions/goals/changes for the new year?

On the Fourth Day of Christmas

2009-12-28T07:00:00.000-08:00

Tonight we will celebrate our third (and final!) Christmas.

Whew!

It seems like the older I get, the longer the celebrations last.

And the older I get? The more it wears me out.

I'm exhausted!

So, what about you? How many times did you celebrate Christmas this year?

On the Second Day of Christmas

2009-12-26T07:00:00.000-08:00

On the second day of Christmas, we're celebrating Christmas.

Yet again.

The End.

The Right Thing To Do

2009-12-25T19:39:00.000-08:00

After decorating the house...

after finishing the shopping...

after wrapping all the presents...

after shopping for the Christmas dinner...

after coordinating the Christmas clothing...

after planning for a small, intimate, family-of-five Christmastime...

we headed home for Christmas.

It was the right thing to do.

We didn't want to go. We didn't want to drive four hours. We didn't want to see lots of people. We didn't want to hear lots of loud voices.

But we did. And, in a way, we wanted to.

Because it was the right thing to do.

Mr. Einstein's beloved grandfather has lung cancer.

The same kind of lung cancer his other grandfather died from years ago.

Treatments aren't going well. He's in constant, terrible pain.

So, we went home for Christmas.

It was the right thing to do.

We made peace with the decision. We postponed our small, intimate, family-of-five Christmastime until the 26th. We will still do things the way we originally wanted to, just a little later than planned.

But first, we saw family. We finally got to meet our four month-old niece for the first time.

We got to take the (hopefully, first of many) opportunities to say goodbye.

Because it was the right thing to do.

**********

Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope you have a blessed time with friends and loved ones.

"For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given...And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

In the Land of Runny Noses and Poopy Diapers

2009-12-04T11:01:00.001-08:00

In the Land of Runny Noses and Poopy Diapers live three children.

E, the oldest, has a runny nose.

C, the middle child, has a runny nose.

M, the baby, has a runny nose.

Their mother is so proud.

Now, E, being the oldest, doesn't wear diapers anymore, but she spends her days fetching tissues for her mother and overseeing diaper changes.

C, the middle child, is 2 1/2. She still wears diapers, and, consequently, still poops in them. C shows no signs of potty training, wanting to potty train, or interest in potty training. Her mother would desperately like her potty trained.

M, the baby, wears diapers, of course. He is expected to poop in them; his mother wouldn't have it any other way. Although, she does wish that she didn't have to monitor his poopy diapers so closely, due to his wheat problems (not allergies, problems).

In this Land of Runny Noses and Poopy Diapers, the mother wipes noses at least eight times an hour. It's a wonder she herself isn't sick. No worries, though; she's confident she'll have her own runny nose to take of by Monday. She is so looking forward to this.

The mother also changes, on average, four poopy diapers by nap time. She thinks her children may have issues.

The father is, of course, at work during most of the day in the Land of Runny Noses and Poopy Diapers. He is blissfully unaware of the nose-wiping and bum-wiping that go on while he is away. The mother, though, makes sure he does his fair share when he returns home each evening. She is good at sharing like that.

Fortunately, in the Land of Runny Noses and Poopy Diapers there is nap time (which is a whole different Land to explore at another time) which begins soon. For this, the mother is grateful.

When Worlds Collide

2009-12-02T09:01:00.000-08:00

Hi, Mrs. Einstein, meet Krista.

Yep. I actually got to meet another blogger! For the first. time. ever.

And you know what? It actually wasn't weird at all. (Okay, well, the part where I had to leave her five minutes after she arrived to go pick up E from school was a bit weird, but, whatever.)

Meeting Krista in person, a blogger whom I've "known" for almost 2 years, was like meeting up with a friend that I see all the time. There didn't seem to be any awkward moments, any embarrassed moments, any oh-my-goodness-I-can't-think-of-a-single-thing-to-say moments, any ack!-what-must-she-think-of-my-kid(s)? moments.

Instead, we were comfortable, companionable, relaxed.

We were friends.

I don't know about Krista, but my head was spinning for just a little bit, trying to figure out where this meeting fit in, since my worlds had just collided. But you know what? I'm so glad they did!

Thanks, Krista, for such a wonderful day! I can't wait to get together with you again!

Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T06:00:00.000-08:00

Last year on Thanksgiving, I was in the hospital.

Last year on Thanksgiving, I ate a hospital Thanksgiving meal for lunch, and had hospital Salisbury steak for dinner.

Last year on Thanksgiving, I spent the entire day gazing at my newborn son.

Last year on Thanksgiving, I was recuperating from birthing a 10 pound 11 ounce baby.

Last year on Thanksgiving, I was thankful for the nursing staff at the hospital who did everything they could think of to help me avoid a c-section.

**********

This year, I am home.

This year, I am once again cooking Thanksgiving dinner. For dinner.

This year, I will spend the entire day gazing at my one year-old son.

This year, I am thankful for my family gathering together at my home to celebrate not only Thanksgiving, but my 24 pound monkey of a son.

Happy 1st birthday, M! For you, we are ever thankful.

Wordless Wednesday--2008's Big Turkey

2009-11-24T21:45:00.000-08:00

Last year's 10 pound 11 ounce turkey.

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For more photos, visit 5 Minutes for Mom.

You Know You Need a Bigger House When...

2009-11-24T21:18:00.000-08:00

...you live in a three bedroom house, and your baby (who is only going to be a baby for two more days) is sleeping in the nursery, your two year-old is sleeping by herself in the room she shares with her sister, your five year-old is sleeping on the floor in your room because she's sick, you are on the computer at the bar in the kitchen, and your mother-in-law is sleeping on the cot in the living room while your husband is in the self-same living room watching 30 Rock on the laptop.

It's going to be a long holiday week.

On a Monday Not Unlike Today

2009-11-23T14:03:00.000-08:00

One year ago today, I got a phone call. A rather unusual phone call, for me. From my doctor's office.

I was three days overdue with M, and Thanksgiving was coming. My doctor wanted to know if I'd like to induce before the holiday. Would I like to come in tomorrow (Tuesday) at 7:00 am and have a baby?

Um, no, I thought. I would not like to come in on Tuesday and have a baby.

Which sounds a little bizarre considering I was huge, overripe, ready to burst. And huge. Let's not forget that I was huge.

Don't get me wrong; I was ready to have him. I just wasn't ready to go into the hospital and induce with less than 24 hours notice.

Plus, I was still hoping my body would cooperate and go into labor on its own.

So, I told the nurse I'd have to think about it. After Mr. Einstein and I talked it over for awhile, I called her back.

"No," I told her, "I would not like to come in on Tuesday and have a baby. How does Wednesday sound?"

"Wednesday?" she questioned. "Well, that means you'll be in the hospital over Thanksgiving."

"Yes, yes I know."

"Okay. Wednesday it is."

So, one year ago, on a Monday not unlike today, I scheduled my first (and last) induction for Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving...

When Life Must Go On

2009-11-18T13:50:00.000-08:00

October was a rough month, and though nothing happened to me and mine, we felt things very deeply that month. And still do.

On October 18th, a beautiful baby boy was born to friends of ours. On October 20th, he went to be with Jesus, leaving his mom, dad, and brother behind. He had some complications at birth, but doctors are calling it a "medical mystery" as to why he died.

On October 20th, the husband of another friend was admitted to the hospital with complications from pneumonia brought on by H1N1. He was comatose, though showing signs of improving. On October 31st, he went to be with Jesus, leaving behind a wife, two sons, and an adopted daughter. He was the sole breadwinner in his family, for almost 10 years traveling across the pass every week to go to work and traveling home every weekend to see his family.

Also on October 20th, Mr. Einstein's beloved grandfather was diagnosed with lung cancer. He's in his 80's, the darling of his family. It's the same kind of lung cancer Mr. Einstein's other grandfather died from years ago, caused by asbestos. He's undergoing chemo, but is having problems after his first treatment.

So much tragedy in so little time. So many mind-shifts. So many things taken for granted. So many opportunities missed and so much insight gained.

Life must go on.

And it does.

The baby boy's family? They've found comfort in Jesus and are still feeling blessed by the very little time their son was a part of their lives.

The widow and her kids? They are clinging to God's promises of eternal life, knowing they will see their husband and father again someday.

Mr. Einstein's family? Those who pray are doing so diligently. Other than that, there is much impatience, much waiting. Plans have been changed, have become fluid. No one knows what the future holds.

But life must go. And it does.

And it will continue to do so.

So, I Have This Thing Called a Blog...

2009-11-11T15:31:00.000-08:00

I'm here everyone. I really am. It's just been a crappy few weeks for me out here. Really crappy. I'll post again soon. I promise.

What's In a Name?

2009-10-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

E hates Swiss cheese.

Hates it.

H-A-T-E-S it.

To the moon and back.

You know that children's book, Guess How Much I Love You? In our house it's Guess How Much I Hate Swiss Cheese!

You know what she does like, though?

Jarlsberg.

Go figure.

You Know Mommy Takes Too Many Pictures When...

2009-10-10T22:51:00.000-07:00

...this is what you get

over,

and over,

and over again.

Oh, my!

Oh! Almost.

Even closer!

Ah! There we go! There are those baby blues!

October

2009-10-06T09:43:00.000-07:00

For the month of October, my blog is going pink for a friend.

A friend who is currently fighting and beating breast cancer.

I am overwhelmed with hope and thankfulness for her.

I am completely in awe of her strength and decisiveness.

I am humbled by her experiences and attitude.

I am eternally thankful to call her my friend.

I praise the Almighty for bringing her into my life.

And I pray daily that she will continue to win the battle she is so gallantly fighting.

I love you, Holli.

Aloha Friday

2009-10-01T23:04:00.000-07:00

Tell the truth now: Have thoughts of Christmas invaded your head yet?

They have mine.

*sigh*

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For more Aloha Friday, visit An Island Life.

The Princess and the Peas

2009-09-30T10:21:00.000-07:00

Raising two self-proclaimed princesses brings all sorts of fairy tales back to me daily. My girls are obsessed with princesses! Even at two years of age, C can identify and name each and every Disney princess.

But lately, it's been the Princess and the Pea that runs through my mind most often.

I always enjoyed the story of the Princess and the Pea as a child. It was a little fantastical for me, but the idea that a true princess could feel a tiny pea under all those mattresses? THAT is the stuff that fantasies are made of!

Since E's started school, C has really begun to come into her own. It's been fascinating, and a bit frustrating, to watch her little personality grow and expand when her big sister isn't around.

And C? She must have a bit of real princess in her.

Why? Because every morning while M is taking a nap, C asks for a snack. And do you know what she asks for?

Frozen peas.

?!?

Seriously; the kid asks for frozen peas. And she'll eat two bowls full. Every morning.

Sometimes it's nice having a princess (or two) in house!

But, no, I'm still not the queen.

Wordless Wednesday--For the Love of the Game

2009-09-29T19:25:00.001-07:00

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For more Wordless Wednesday, visit 5 Minutes for Mom.

My Girl

2009-09-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

My poor little Goose! My darling little 2 year-old C! I suppose it was inevitable.

She's so cute, so sweet. She's been forced to grow up so quickly because of M being only 18 months younger than she is.

I suppose, given her age, it was bound to happen.

I suppose it happens to all children eventually.

My careful girl,

my curious girl,

my wants-so-badly-to-be-a-big-girl girl,

fell out of bed the other night.

I'm not exactly sure how she managed it. Between the small bookcase acting as a guard by the head, and the bunk bed ladder acting as a guard by the foot, there's only a two-foot space leading directly to the ground. Apparently, she found it.

While asleep.

My talented girl!