Help the little babies!!

Most of you know this, but my best friend, Bronwyn, lives in Tunisia. She is having a good time there, but she has a heartbreaking little story. I am completely stealing her post and using it as mine for today. Yep, I just copied and pasted! I'm posting it here, in case anyone wants to help out. Makes me cry to think of little babies suffering as I watch my own, grow up so easily and with so much love and health.

Here's what she posted yesterday:

I've been to the hospital again today to visit the orphan babies, and it occurred to me that many of you would love to do this, and many of you really can help if you want to! There were nine babies today, one of them only three pounds, most of them just skin and bones. One of the little boys had a sad little hair lip, that may or may not get operated on. Several of them were coughy and congested and had trouble eating comfortably. These are not things that any of us can do anything about, but there is something! One of the little boys had the worst diaper rash I've ever seen. The rash extended almost to his belly button, and there were oozing sores on his poor little bum. His crying calmed a little bit when I put cream on the sore areas, which cream we had to supply ourselves. So the first thing people could send if you want to be involved, is diaper cream. After that he seemed content just to be held. It's pretty sweet to have a crying baby calm right down when picked up and snugged a little bit. They so need to be touched and held!

Another thing these babies need is clothes. Some of them had decent little outfits, but many of them were wrapped in nothing more than hospital-cloth-turned-shirt. We bring newborn outfits to dress those that don't have outfits, but we didn't have enough today and I thought how sweet it would be to be able to dress each baby in something cute and whole. Any of you mothers with newborn onesies and clothes that you are done with who would like to send them to me for these sweet babies, I promise they will be put to good use. I have a few that I will take as well, but not enough. Please only send newborn or premie sizes since nearly all of the babies are premature, and they never stay in the hospital longer than a month or so.

I'm so excited about the chance to do something small for these babies who will undoubtedly have hard lives.
Thanks in advance for your help! I always hug my baby a little tighter after visiting the hospital. The life of any child is such a precious thing. If you pray, remember to pray for these babies tonight!

If you are interested, let me know and I will give you her address. It is a US address, even though she lives in Tunisia.

I'm Back!!

I'm leavin' on a jet plane.

Granny raises monarch butterflies each year. Here we are letting some of them go.


My new favorite person: Aunt Sue. They had such a blast together. He misses her already.

Mom and I at the Boston Temple

Uncle Pat playing guitar for Nathan

Nathan with cousin Kathryn. We went up to Boston to visit her.

Lunch with Heidi and Nancy. We haven't seen each other in 15 years. It was so great to visit and catch up.

Sue and I getting pedicures and manicures. Boy did I need that!!

Sue and Nathan making pancakes together.

Why I love Skype

I am a Skyper. I love it. I mostly just skype with my CA friend Nan and Bronwyn in Tunisia.
Sidenote: I like saying "Bronwyn in Tunisia". It makes me feel very fancy. First of all, to have a real-life friend that lives in Africa is pretty cool, and second of all I feel great that I know where Tunisia is. Most people don't, with of course the exception of Rachel. Hi Bronwyn. Hi Rachel. End of sidenote.
Extra sidenote: I don't actually like it that Brownyn is in Tunisia. I wish she was in Wisconsin, but since that is never going to happen, I love Skype.

Back to the original story.
So, last night, Nan and I were Skyping. When we were together we were possibly the two most ridiculous people on the planet. It's more challenging to get that way over the telephone, but much easier with video chatting.
It was getting late and we had been talking for quite awhile. We had relived some of our funnier teaching moments, talked about Diet sodas and were trying not to end the call. You know how it is. You really don't have anything else to say, but you're sure if you just hang on another few seconds, something great is about to happen? Well, luckily we had faith in that moment and waited just a little bit longer before hanging up.
In our attempt to create more conversation, Nan pulls out this pocket reading light. You push a button and the whole thing unfolds all by itself. It's cool and a little freaky at the same time. Mr. Roboto.
Anyway, this then becomes the game of 'Who has the weirder thing on their computer desk?'
Nan: Previously mentioned reading light
Me: Tire pressure gauge
Nan: Kitchen towel
Me: Teeny tiny screwdriver
Nan: Needle nosed pliers
Me: Desitin
Nan: Holder for drapery rod
Me: Tape Measure
Nan: Oven mitt
We went on like this for quite some time and it seemed to get more and more entertaining. Until THE moment. I looked around and THEN.....wait for it

Me: Firecrackers!!!

That's right, ladies and gentlemen, I had a block of fireworks sitting by my computer. Now, I'm not sure how they came to be by my computer or how I might put them to good use without leaving the room, but oh so grateful that they were there.
It's been so long since Nan and I laughed like that.
This moment, brought to you by Skype.
If you don't have Skype, you should and then you should leave a comment and you too can play such fun games with your WI friend.

Look what I did!!!!

Several years ago, I let John pick a quilt that I would make him. He chose a beautiful quilt that requires me to do lots and lots of triangles. Even though I call myself a quilter, I'm a total poser. I've made a few strip quilts and then proceeded to tie them. I've given them as gifts and had no complaints, but really I need to get on the ball if I want to be one of those old lady quilters with some mad skills. After 2 years of staring at the fabric, I decided to conquer my fear. Here's what I did. I know, I know. I'm pretty amazing! Who knew I had it in me? I'm pretty sure that after that one square, I'm destined for greatness. Now let's see if I can keep at it and maybe by our 10th wedding anniversary, he'll have his quilt! (P.S. This is not John's quilt. Just a practice square. His is much more masculine)
Oh, and just a glimpse of Nathan's day. He was watching a little Sesame Street on my computer, while I worked.

I'm pretty sure that that whole 'don't let your kids watch tv until they're two' business, doesn't count if they are watching it on the computer. Right? And besides, Nathan never watches other tv like NCIS or The Real Housewives...

Two Fer

I know, I know, two posts in one day. I should just wait until tomorrow and then I'll be on a blogging roll. I will however, forget by tomorrow what I wanted to blog about, so here goes.
Wisconsinites seem to have a hard time with hours of operation for businesses. Today and many times in the past, I have seen this on business doors: Hours: 3-close.

Yeah, I assume that they'll be open until they close, but when might that be exactly? Is it just one of those 'we don't get much business, so we go home when we want to' things? I'm going to put up a sign in the kitchen Hours: open-close. Then I have the liberty to never be in the kitchen. Also one for the laundry room.

I Double Dog Dare You

I've been feeling a bit mean and cranky today. I am blaming the fact that I vacuumed and washed the floors, so Nathan could drag himself around. After the floors were dry, I set him down and off he went. I picked him up a few minutes later and his shirt was dirty!! WHAT THE HECK!!!!! Why exactly should I clean?
So,I go to the mailbox, hoping for presents or really early Birthday cards to make my day. Instead I find another paper from our insurance company. It's one of those lovely Explanation of Benefits papers, that tells you what the doctor charged the insurance company and then what they are going to charge you.
So, a few weeks ago I went to the eye doctor because the corner of my eye was red and puffy. I had pink eye the week before and was concerned that maybe my eye plug was infected. (Eye plugs because I have dry eyes. These keep my tears from draining off.)
Also important to know: I had Lasiks done several years back and I don't require glasses or contacts.
So the Explanation of Benefits paper says that I had an Eye Exam and then a Vision Service. Well, my eye exam is covered at 100%, but they pay nothing on my Vision Service. I'm kind of confused about what kind of extra service I received. Now a nurse did come in to hold Nathan while they were looking at my eyeball, but that was about it.
So, you are all wondering what the Visions Service is, huh? Well, it's the 'Which is better, A or B, part of the visit. Now I don't know that much about Optometry, but I would have thought that that was part of the Eye Exam. Hmm...if not, what was the Eye Exam and why did I get the A or B part since I was not there for new contacts.
Someone is just trying to make an extra buck. And what kind of crap insurance doesn't pay for Vision Service. Hmm??
I really should call back and apologize to the poor woman in billing that I was mean to. I won't, but I should.
Whose next? I've still got a little bit of spitfire in me, yet! Warning: Do not cross me today. I'm on the warpath.

My New Trick

Here's Nathan's newest accomplishment.

I went in this morning to get him from his nap and this is what I saw.

He's at it again this afternoon. Standing up, crying, so I come in and get him. As soon as he saw me, this is what I got.




I layed him down again and tucked him in. He immediately starte crying, but once I got the camera out, he just started smiling. He's a star.



He's been in his crib 40 minutes now and still crying. At least he's laying down though.

We'll be lowering the crib as soon as John gets home.

I don't ever want to blog again

I'm so in love with these pictures, I don't want to blog anymore, cause then they'll get pushed down. :( Good thing I've got the living, breathing version here with me or you'd never hear from me again!

Pictures...Read next post, first!

Just a bit of cuteness!

Whenever I tell Max to go lay down, this is what I get. Max just loves Nathan.

Nathan in his new stroller. We love it. We were off for a walk and it was a little chilly so the jammies stayed on. As I've said, I'm a big fan of jammies. Trying to pass along important ideas to Nathan. His favorite way to ride in the stroller is with his feet up. He's all about chillin'.

Nathan and his girlfriend Ruby. I shouldn't be that mom that has her son spoken for before he can speak for himself, but I am. Ruby's mom and I are already collecting photos for their reception slide show. Nice, huh?

I couldn't help it. Nathan just loved having his head under the faucet. He wasn't too happy when I turned the water off.

Problem: Laundry and baby need to get upstairs. Solution:
You can tell how he felt about it.

Aaahhhh!



Wisconsin State Fair. Is there really only one set of those Clyesdales? I've seen them at most Fairs I've been to?

Charlotte's wedding luncheon. Beautiful bride.

Third time is NOT the charm. Maybe 4th?

The blog Gods are apparently not my friends these days since I have been having no luck posting.
Yesterday, I typed up the REALLY long and very anticipated post, only to have it lost when the internet fritzed. So today, I got brave and decided to give it another chance. Another long and witty (if I do say so myself) post. Poof! Gone! Who knows. So, here I sit, typing a pretend post because I imagine that as soon as I hit the 'publish post' button, this will be lost. Since I have been witty three times in the last two days, I really have nothing else to give. This may be a bit dry. I'll do my best.

Thing 1: I am kind-of a big deal! (300 bonus points for naming that movie.) After what seems like a lifetime, I have returned to the world of gym workout classes. After my third failed attempt at posting this morning, I got mad and headed off to a kickboxing class. I'm the woman!! Between the rage of blogging and picturing someone trying to steal Nathan, I was kicking some serious trash in that class. Unfortunately, I am quite out of shape and in reality, the class kicked my trash. I'm already having pain as I sit down in chairs. I might not actually get out of bed tomorrow. Anyone want to sign up for lunch bunch at my house? I will let you bring the lunch. Meet me at my bedside. Perhaps a flower on the tray? Vases are above the stove. Aaahhhh! That sounds heavenly. Jammies All Day- Day! I declare it.

Thing 2: This last week has been a bit of a nightmare here on the ranch. Nathan had decided last week that he was kind of over naps. For 3 days, he slept only 30 minutes each day. I tried to explain to John how this was going to be problematic if it continued. He didn't understand until I started sobbing uncontrollably. The good man that he is, had me call a babysitter and took me out. We've already been over how I felt about G.I.Joe, but I do always enjoy date nights.
Good news for all those concerned about my sanity: Nathan is back to taking naps. He was at 3 naps a day and it seems to be that he has dropped the 1pm nap and has settled on 2. This actually works better for MY schedule as I can leave the house now without neglecting at least one of his naps. So, I am a happy and showered woman once again!

Things 3,4 &5: Recent Happenings

Last weekend, we had our first ever block party. Fantastic fun. Love my neighbors.

Two weekends ago, we were a touch busy. We had a wedding lucheon to go to for a sister missionary that served in our area. it was so fun to see her and her new husband. She looked beautiful! We only wished our visit could have been longer.

We also had to fit in the Wisconsin State Fair. As you all know (or should know) I am obsessed with Fairs. I have loved them since I was just a little girl. Luckily, my mom understands the importance of fairs. Off we went. Nathan had fun. I kept trying to show him the animals, but he was more interested in trying to get hold of the cages and I don't think he ever saw the animals. He's just always on the look-out for something he can put in his mouth.

Thing 6: In a couple weeks, I am going to CT to visit the homestead. My mom is flying Nathan and I out for a week long visit. Nathan will be meeting his aunt, uncle and hopefully cousin for the first time. Should be a fantastic time. Can't wait.

Alrighty, well I'm going to give this a whirl. If it doesn't post this time, I'm going to go back to hand-written letters. Down with technology.