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Call it Virtual Fetch: Part 2 -- Snow Bound. Frankie looks so majestic in this initial frame but motion quickly gives away his goofiness. Enjoy!
Sorry for the delay in posts but I started a new job last week (don't get too excited...It's just a six month temp gig) and it's taken me a bit of time to get used to the changes associated with being at a new place with new hours...Not to mention daylight savings, getting over a cold, etc. The family now, though, seems to be in tip-top shape. After three antibiotics, Parker has finally gotten over his ear infection. We even think he may have a few more teeth coming. (Will upload pictures when I can hold him still enough to get a clear visual and the little buggers.)
Of course, as things begin to settle in our busy lives, it becomes more evident that the holidays are coming and how far behind I already am with craft projects, card ideas, and gift purchases. I'm really going to have to sit down this weekend and set up a timeline if everything's going to get done. (Keep your fingers crossed!)
So let me think...Stress over new job...Stress over holidays...hmmmm, I think that may be it...for now. I'm sure if I sleep on it I'll come up with more things to worry about. Well, on the bright side, at least we're going over to Chris' brother's house for Thanksgiving. That's definitely one less thing to worry about. (Of course, he will be deep frying a turkey over there...uggg...More stress. Where's that fire extinguisher?)
"While rolling on the floor Parker stopped and looked through the tunnel where he spotted Shelley on the other side. Shelly said, 'Peek-a-boo! I see you!' and Parker smiled."
Well, Parker ended his day at daycare today with a fever so not only will there not be any trick-or-treating but he'll be spending the day with Daddy tomorrow at home.
"Parker rolled to his side and discovered Patrick (the starfish) next to him. He vocalized out loud as he explored Patrick's face."
Well, the good news is that nothing major was damaged in my car. However, there's mud everywhere, including places where it shouldn't -- like my fuel injectors, oil, transmission -- plus my cooling fan was totaled. So, aside from replacing the fan (which is the big ticket item at $400+), my car will get a cleaning (inside 'n' out), leaving my wallet almost (but not quite) $700 lighter. **sigh** Well, at least I won't have to worry about changing the oil for another 3000 miles.
Well, when I called Saturn to let them know my car wasn't going to be delivered today by AAA, they reminded me that I had an extended warrenty which includes roadside assistance.
Long story short, my car is now at Saturn, **gulp** awaiting the initial diagnosis. Keep your fingers crossed for more good news.
Well, if you ever need to be towed but you're not on a prestine piece of asphalt under sunny (but not too hot) skies...don't count on AAA to be there. Got the final call from AAA. They won't come out today. However, they will tomorrow, when the weather's better.
Let's say, I'm a bit disappointed. Luckily, I'm not stranded...just inconvenienced.
Now that my car's paid for, I've gone and put it out of commission. If you're out here in Southern California, you're aware that it's raining. If you've been to my house, you're familiar with my dirt road. Rain + dirt road = river that covers rocks in the road which hit the undercarriage of your car and break things. Luckily, I wasn't far from home because I had to put on the raincoat and boots that I store in my trunk and hike the rest of the way.
Interesting note, I discovered this morning that you can request AAA through the internet. Pretty cool and the dispatch is issued pretty quickly because soon after that my mother-in-law (who, trapped at my house, is conveniently available to watch Parker) received a call from High Desert Towing (I think that's their name) saying that they we're going refuse the call. **sigh** Hopefully, AAA will find another taker, otherwise I'll have to sick Chris "Irate Customer" Trillo after them.
Got another day care anecdote:
"Shelley offered the barn activity center to Parker as he was playig on his tummy. Parker discovered the gears and pushed the handle, causing them to spin."
Did someone say "gears"? Hmmm, sounds like something I should get Chris.
Parker's now clapping! He initially showed off his moves to Chris but later he felt confident enough applaud mommy. Check him out!
Well, earlier this week we voluntarily held Parker out of daycare because of his bout with croup. However, with a doctor's note, Parker was back in action. Or so we thought.
This afternoon, though, I got a call from Parker's daycare. He was running a fever of 102.1. Consequently, I had to pick him up immediately and he wouldn't be able to return until 24hour after the fever disappered. DOH!
From the daycare, we went to the doctor's office where they concluded that, on top of the lingering croupy cough, he was suffering from an ear infection, which can cause a fever.
Lil' P's now on antibiotics for the next 10 days. I'm sure his fever will be gone tomorrow; however, since Gram can watch him on Friday, we're going to opt out of daycare for the rest of the week. Hopefully, come Monday, Parker will be in ship-shape. Hell, he needs to be in ship-shape come Saturday because I wanted to take him and Frankie (oh, and Chris) to Lancaster's Bark in the Park.
Just heard from Chris -- post-peds visit -- and Parker has been deemed healthy enough to return to daycare. YEA!
I can't help but feel like one of those people who videotapes a friend doing something...like parasailing...but doesn't realize until they actually view the tape weeks later that they have evidence of something extraordinary...say, Bigfoot. I took this video a couple of days ago mainly because I wanted to capture all the great moves that Parker's now doing -- rolls, backbends, headstands, etc. But about a third of the way though, I swear I hear him say "mama" as he reaches for the camera. Am I crazy? You make the call.
That said, my little man will be six months tomorrow. We visited the doctor today so here are his new stats:
- WEIGHT: 16.5 pounds (that's about average)
- HEIGHT: 27 inches (that's a little above average)
- HEAD CIRCUMFERENCE: 46 centimeters, I think (WAY ABOVE average)
Parker's head is still HUGE. But because the results of the ultrasound (taken a couple of months ago) were normal, the doctor's not worried.
For those of you interested in what Parker's eating, we've tackled rice cereal, oatmeal, peas, carrots, and sweet potatoes. Next up...I can't decide between yogurt or bananas. I think I might continue to steer clear of fruit just to make sure he embraces less sweet foods; but I did get a couple of jars of bananas, just in case.
Earlier this week, Parker had a slight fever that his pediatrician attributed to teething. (Yes, those choppers are coming in!) However, tonight, after an initial bout of fussy sleep, he felt really hot. Taking his temperature (BTW, don't use the thermometer with the letter "R" on it...Trust me. You don't want that anywhere near your mouth.), I discovered that he was running a fever of 102.9. Soon afterwards, I'm on the phone with the pediatrician and it appears lil' P is a bit under the weather; however, nothing that should be considered an emergency. So, after a dose of Tylenol and a bottle, he's back in bed. Hopefully, he isn't too uncomfortable tonight.
I've only been to New Orleans once, for my brother's wedding in '92. (Luckily, his wife's family, who lives a couple of hours out of New Orleans, are fine.) After the wedding, I accompanied my mom, her brother, three of her sisters, and my grandma on a sight-seeing tour of New Orleans, specifically, the French Quarter. What stuck me was how rich the town was in history and character. (Oh, and the drive-thru daqueri stands. Yeah. That's a bad idea.)
Now, watching the news, I'm absolutely floored. It kills me to think of the thousands of people who placed their trust in "the system" only to find themselves with nothing. Men, women, and children are dying not from the actual hurricane but from a failure of their government and public services.
I guess, coming from earthquake country, it's hard for me to understand how we can be so unprepared when you know the disaster is coming. Granted, I don't think anyone thought it would have been this devistating; however, they knew it was going to be bad. Shouldn't all emergency services have been on alert, ready to go into action at least as soon as the storm passed? Or doesn't this come down to the have's and have not's. With the have's evacuated, the have not's are left to fend for themselves.
Rachael's in town from the UK so on Wednesday we (Me, Rachael, Parker, and yes...Frankie) had to take advantage of the great weather and headed for the beach. Unfortunately, since I had the stroller, we pretty much kept to the boardwalk. However, as you can see from the picture, we had a great time nonetheless.
(BTW, as you can also see from the pictures, Parker now loves to "kiss" people. I put "kiss" in quotes because for Parker, kissing is, at this time, placing an open mouth against your face.)
