Goin' to Czechoslovakia is just fruitin' around

One Christmas at my grandparent's home, after the gifts were all opened and the supper was settled in our stomachs, my Grandfather got serious. He does this from time to time, and it usually involves a lesson that he has learned from his years. The six of us grandchildren sat, attention at the ready, for his words of wisdom. I had just finished college (a semester ahead of schedule) and had two part-time jobs for the remainder of the school year. My sister was at Yale, finishing her Master of Fine Arts. My younger brother was going to be studying in the Czech republic through his school's study abroad program. We were all in good places and staying out of trouble.
"Your Grandmother and I are getting older," he started out, "and we have really enjoyed spending time with you over the years." I relaxed a bit, and settled into my chair. It might take awhile for him to get to his point.
"Now, you all are grown and it is time for you to stop fruitin' around. Five thousand dollars to the first one of you that gives us a great grandchild."
The jaws of my grandmother, aunt, uncle, and parents simultaneously dropped. Apparently, this was news to them also. Only one of the six of us was dating anyone, and that was far from an engagement. My brother, ever the keeper of justice, replied, "Grandad, I'm the youngest grandchild. Don't I get some extra time to be fair?"
"Goin' to Czechoslovakia is just fruitin' around," he said in an authoritative tone.
My grandmother, still a bit dazed perked up, "Hey, can I get in on this?"
That was ten years ago.
Over the past month, my Grandparents have welcomed three more healthy babies into their lives. Last night, my grandmother was visiting her most recent great grandchild. She was counting her great grandchildren:

Wilhelmenia Jane Schutz
Abbott Taylor Schutz
Baikal Gibson Miller
Corbin Thomas Driggers
Rybolt Baier Miller
Palmer Simpson Driggers
Madeleine Helms Garvin
Eva Carter Schutz

"A total of eight great grandchildren," she said.
My grandfather said with a smile on his face,"That's just eight today. These babies are coming fast. Who knows how many there will be tomorrow."

Did you ever have the feeling there is a geiling on the ceiling?

Shakespeare, Dr. Seuss, it seems as if all of the great authors make up their own words from time to time. You know, something that just fits when all other words just won't. Baikal made up a word for the CD player in the car. She wanted to listen to a cd and also wanted to put it in the player. I've been trying to allow her to do more things herself, because she is two and that is what being two is all about these days. She couldn't remember the word for CD player, so she improvised. She asked me if she could do it herself by saying, "Mommy, can I put the cd in the put-ter put-ter?"

They're coming...run for it!

Rybolt's teeth are coming in. Last night was the first of many sleepless teething nights. You can see two large bumps on his lower gums. Poor kid! I hate to break it to him that he'll have to do this another 18 times.

Anything goes

Rybolt is now crawling. Well, it is more of an army crawl since his tummy does not leave the floor, but anything goes. He is really drawn to electrical cords and Baikal's training potty. You've really got to watch this one.
Baikal is not sleeping, at least not for her afternoon nap. I can hear her upstairs moving around, dropping things, pushing things, etc. I am fairly certain that her room is toddler proof but that doesn't keep me from worrying and checking in on her on a regular basis.
Matt put together a picnic table that I found at IKEA. Baikal and I enjoyed an afternoon of finger painting. We are going to use our finished product to make a welcome back card for "Ciocia" (aka Aunt Courtney).

Organizing baby stuff

I have had a lot of help over the past few years figuring out a good organizational system for my kids stuff. My mom is the best at this and put together the memory box and baby book. Here is my recommendation for what is helpful in organizing your baby stuff:

1. Stuff for scrapbook or memory box
2. Stuff that is too big for baby right now
3. Stuff that is too small for baby right now
4. Stuff that is important to hold on to for a while (ex. manuals or
leaflets on how to install your carseat, warrenty information, receipts for
gifts, etc.)
5. Stuff that is really important and needs to be kept safe (birth
certificate, social security card, medical forms, doctor's visits records)
6. Stuff for baby to use right now

And how did I organize?
For #1: large plastic box with snap on lid that holds baby book, pictures,
memorable "first outfit", sentimental gifts (see picture)
For #2: placed clothes in dresser drawer based on age/weight and toys in a plastic box with snap on lid
For #3: clothes and toys go into box with snap on lid
For #4: binder
For #5: binder (see picture)
For #6: small plastic hangers to hold dresses, special blankets, etc.
hangers should have dip to hold straps. Use clothes pins on hanger to hold
pants/hat/etc. associated with outfit. All other clothes in dresser.
Toys/books in bins on floor accessible to baby and mommy.

Rybolt Eating: A series

Rybolt is now six months, so he is on to solids! We did a week of rice cereal, with most of it ending up on the bib. This was his second week, so he got to have avocado. He is still trying to figure out this whole eating thing. Next week is peas.

Mothers in the waiting room... unite!

Since Rybolt was running a fever last week during his six month check up, he needed to go back to the doctor today to get his shots. I went into the doctor's office and signed in. I was armed with books, snacks, and the other usual things that two years of waiting in a doctor's offices had conditioned me to do. I noticed that there was a mom next to me with two very small babies in a double stroller. She was feeding one and the other was awake looking up at the ceiling tile. The nurse behind the check-in counter called her name. She took the feeding child with her and approached the desk. "I'm sorry Mrs. but the doctor can't see you. You will have to reschedule and come back again. Let's see, this was for the six week well visit. I think we can get you something tomorrow." Now, the waiting room is small and usually filled with screaming children. But today, everyone was quiet and I felt like I had a first row seat at a play. A look of impending doom engulfed the mom's face. She stood there, child in hand and began speaking. (I don't think she was even speaking to the nurse at this point. I think she was just trying to digest what was just said.) She began with, "You can't do this. I really thought the appointment was at 10. I had it written down for 10. I arranged child care for my toddler. I just can't. You can't make me load them up in the car again and come back tomorrow. I'll wait as long as it takes. There must be someone who can see my children. There are several doctors in the practice. Please. Please. Don't make me come back." I looked over at the stroller and noticed that the mom didn't have any help. She had brought the children herself. The nurse was cold and said, "If it were one well check up we might be able to fit you in, but TWO. We are booked solid today. If you hadn't been an hour late. You should have called us if you were running late." The mom interupted, "I really thought it was at 10. I would have called if I was running late." She was pleading her case to the court. The nurse just stared at her, holding the infant's two files in her hand. It happened right then. Every mom in that waiting room began to speak up. "She can take my appointment. I'm here for Dr. Jones at 10:30. We can come back tomorrow." Another mom agreed. "We're here for Dr. Smith. It is only the 9 month well visit, no shots. We'll reschedule." Every mom in that waiting room was now standing and approaching the nurse at the check-in desk. I felt like I was in a scene from the movie Rudy, where all of the football players were tossing in their jersey's for the final game so that a fellow team mate could play. The nurse was annoyed, but defeated. She was no match for a room full of appointment books whipped out at the ready. She got up and went off only to return a few minutes later. "Mrs, " she said to the mom of twins, "The nurse practitioner will see you in a few minutes." I could have cried. What mom hasn't needed a break at some point? Someone who says, "You know, it is OK. Don't sweat it. We'll help." That mom needed a break. It is hard enough with one, but two infants? That was us today. We said, "You know, it is OK. Don't sweat it. We'll help."

Peace and quiet

Both kids went down for their naps at the same time today. The house is quiet and still. I have finished my Tuesday chores, so I am able to do some other odds and ends. I always feel a wonderful sense of accomplishment when this happens. It feels as if for a moment, I am caught up with the world. And possibly, that I might even be a few steps ahead.

First summer reading book finished

What a great way to spend a nice rainy morning, by finishing up the first book on my summer reading list. Now, I am sure that most of you are about as interested in my summer reading list reviews as you would be a root canal, but by putting it out on the blog-o-sphere I am trying to keep myself focused on finishing. So, for those of you who are still reading, C.S. Lewis' "Mere Christianity" has been on my list ever since my friend, Ginny, asked me to read it. Actually, that is not true. It should have been on my list way before that since we covered it in my four year Education for Ministry class at All Saints and also when my sister, Courtney, told me that C.S. Lewis's writings have had a great influence on her. So it was really long over due. The book is actually a transcript of talks that he gave on a radio program. The series of talks were to provide an argument for Christianity. This show was recorded during WW2 while he was studying at Oxford in England. I liked the book. There were several times that I would be reading and find a real gem. One of those, "oh exactly..." moments. I really liked his chapters on marriage and charity. I would not say that I agreed with him on the whole, but I do believe that this is a great book to get you thinking about your core beliefs. I would put it as a great read for a sunday school or book club. In his chapter on forgiveness, I couldn't help but to think of Wiesenthal's book "The Sunflower." Which is a sad, but good read. So, what is next? Another book that I should have read during my EFM but did not: "Moral Man and Immoral Society" by Reinhold Niebuhr.

Hot outside? Try a pop si si

My cousin Karen sent me this video taken of Baikal a few months back. She used to call popsicles "pop si sis."

Two sick kids and I'm not feeling so hot myself...

The bad news is that both kids are sick. The good news is that at Rybolt's six month check up yesterday they did a strep test that came back negative. The doctor said that we probably have a virus that should go away in a few days. Why is this good news? This is good news, because we just happened to be at the doctor yesterday for Rybolt's six month well visit and he just happened to be feeling sick. It means that I don't have to load up the kids today and sit in a waiting room filled with sick kids. It means that we can laze around at home being sick.

A bedtime story

Before bedtime Baikal wanted to put her baby doll to bed. She sat in her rocking chair and told her a bedtime story. Here it is:
"Once upon a time, far, far away there was a princess called Baikal. She met an ogre. They went to the spooky forest. They saw a bear. Her name was Mommy. She gave them a big hug. The end."

Experience beats education

My mom has said this to me in regards to having a child, and I couldn't agree more. Rybolt had his six month check up today. He is doing great weighing in at 17 lbs 6 oz. He is still on the tall side, but his weight is right at average. I couldn't help but notice the new parents sitting next to me in the waiting room. They were excited and anxious about their visit. They were loaded down with brand new baby gear. As their baby started crying they said things like, "Does little boy not like his outfit?" "Does little baby want to wear his socks?" This baby was bundled up so much, it should have been snowing. I could tell that the mom was just bursting at the seams to tell anyone and everyone about her new baby, so I bit. "What a cute baby? How old?"...etc. They were so happy that I had noticed. Now, I am not trying to be mean. I know these parents because I was right where they were sitting when Matt and I first brought Baikal in for her appointment. I had no clue what I was doing, but I had read enough to feel prepared. I talked to everyone and anyone about what Baikal. The second time around is different. I second guess myself less and trust my instincts more. I would rather be left alone than have a stranger ask me about my son. But most noticeably, I give Rybolt less attention (due to the fact that I am usually also busy with a toddler or two dogs). Sometimes I do feel guilty about this (like the fact that I did not take a picture of his first bath). But I just try to remember the really important times and let the other ones slide.

Tag. You're it!

A friend has "tagged me" on her blog and ask that I answer a few questions. Check out her blog here . Thankfully, this is not one of those chain letters that will give you five years of bad luck if you don't do it. So, I'm in. I'm not going to tag anyone else, but for some of my fellow bloggers out there, if you feel like this would be a good post, go for it!

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?
1998. I had just graduated from Emory University with a degree in Biology and minor in Anthropology. I was living in an apartment with a classmate named Teresa, my brother, and my 10 month old dog. I was employed by a small medical software company to help with R&D of a new product for patients with chronic diseases that were home-bound. What I remember most about that summer was that my brother did not have a full-time job and didn't know anyone else in Atlanta so he complained a lot about being bored. He eventually found ways to entertain himself which were: renting all of the AFI top 100 movies and watching them, training my dog to do ridiculous tricks (Leitenant Dan comes to mind...something he got from watching Forrest Gump), and working part-time jobs at the local pizza hang out and a local magazine.

2. What are 5 things on my to-do list today?
Give dogs their flea/heart worm, buy a wedding gift for a wedding we can't make it to, Wednesday home chores, read my book "mere Christianity", and make dinner

3. What are snacks that I enjoy?
I will eat almost anything these days.

4. Places I've lived?
Charleston, SC and Atlanta, GA

5. Things I would do if I was a billionaire?
Travel more, give more to charity, spend more time with loved ones, buy nicer luggage

All Saints' Parish picnic

Here are some pictures from yesterday's annual church picnic. Baikal and Paul enjoyed the cupcakes. Rybolt tried to eat cousin Karen's hair.

Blog a day in May recap

So Blog a day in May went well. I hope that you all enjoyed it because I will not be continuing that same pace in June. Instead, I plan on turning my attention to my summer reading list. To keep me on track, I will post a weekly update on how my summer reading is going. First up: mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis.

Rybolt on the attack