My boys looked SO handsome this morning. Today was picture day. I blow dryed Owen's hair this AM, so it wouldn't be crazy AND talked him into wearing his real glasses (even though he packed his sports glasses to change into after his photos). I snapped this shot as he was running to the bus stop.....
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Good morning!
ON YOUR KNEES, HENRY!!! I say this a million times a day and he listens. To his knees. But within minutes, he's standing again. Sure wish I could get him to sit in his booster.
Notice his fancy new shoes in this photo? I took him to have his feet "officially" measured, because he screamed NO! every time I tried to squeeze his feet into his ADORABLE size 6 wee squeak tennis shoes. Turns out he's in a 7 1/2 wide. No wonder..
Emmett's back at school today after a 2 day hiatus. Poor kid is on some serious oral and inhaled steroids. For a total of 9 medications every evening and 6 spread throughout the day. We visited the asthma doc on Monday afternoon after a horrible cough/croup/asthma attack on Sunday afternoon - Monday morn, and by the time we got to the asthma doc he was doing better. BUT, I'm glad I took him, because he was a hot mess. On his lung function tests, his small airways were worse then they have ever been. We go back in two weeks, and after he gets over this stretch of an asthma flare up, they've increased his daily maintenance asthma med to something stronger. Sad. I always thought Owen's asthma was going to be worse then Emmett's. I might have been wrong. He's had 3 big flare ups since the end of July.
Amy Busch is visiting us tomorrow!!! This makes the 5th September in a row that she's visited, and we LOVE it! I'm cleaning my house like crazy today...as if she doesn't know me well enough to know that my house is not always (or ever) that clean. :) There is just something about a good, old (we've been friends for 17 years) friend. She knows me inside and out......maybe I should stop cleaning.....come to think of it - Amy - I can only guarantee you a clean bedroom, clean sheets on the bed, clean bathrooms and towels. Kind of like I do every year! :) Can't wait!
Monday, September 21, 2009
That didn't last long....
Owen and Emmett have been in school for 8 days, and today, Emmett is home sick. Nothing too big of a deal, but he has a croupy/asthma cough that when he gets going is only relieved by a neb treatment and visit to the bathroom where he sits w/ the hot, steamy shower going. No fever. And, he otherwise feels fine. Get this...he WANTED to go to school today. How about that? :)
School birthday celebration
On Friday, Emmett celebrated his birthday in school. Because kindergarten here is only a half day, and because they have so much to learn and such a limited time, his teacher celebrates birthday months. Friday was a celebration of birthday's for everyone born in August and September. Emmett is the very oldest in his class. Everyone else was turning 5.
SU soccer and tailgating.
Friday night, Owen's soccer team (CNY United U9 ) in combination w/ the CNY United U10 and U11 teams met at Syracuse University to tailgate and catch a SU soccer game. We found a babysitter for Henry, and got there early, stayed until the very end and had a great time. We had organized this along w/ the assistant coach of SU beforehand and they let the boys play on the fields next to the SU players before the game. The boys were in heaven. In October, Owen gets to be a ball boy for one of the SU games AND they're playing at half time.
This whole night was bittersweet, because the following morn we heard that Owen's soccer team had merged w/ their biggest rival, Empire United, effective immediately. CNY United no longer exists and Owen will be playing for Empire United. This means the families that I've come to know so well might be divided, as rumor has it that they will be forming an A, B, and C team of U9 players. I think the change will be a good thing. But change is still change, and I kind of liked the way things were.
They know how to tailgate...
player's families brought this huge cake, snacks for everyone to share, drinks, radio, tables, chairs....it's been a LONG time since I tailgated, and I've forgotten how much fun it is!
Watching the game
Owen and his teammates standing along the fence watching the SU game. Owen is the red #2.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Bus update
Emmett has decided that the bus isn't for him. He says it's really bumpy, and he has a tendency to get sick to his stomach (don't even think about putting him on an amusement park ride!, so the bus makes his stomach hurt.
Owen has decided that the bus is where its at.
So, I am driving Emmett to school after Owen walks to the bus stop. Passing Owen standing at the bus route en route. I'm not kidding.
Owen has decided that the bus is where its at.
So, I am driving Emmett to school after Owen walks to the bus stop. Passing Owen standing at the bus route en route. I'm not kidding.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
OUCH!
My baby boy got stung by a bee today at Owen's soccer game. Poor guy. He didn't have near the same reaction that Emmett had the one and only time he got stung, so that's good. But, it's still sad. And, my super tough baby boy cried a bit and then said, "ouchie" a whole lot.
Friday, September 11, 2009
I am THAT mom.
There has been lots of complaining, comparing, and contrasting going on at my house. Mainly from Owen who is all why can't I have a TV in my room, why can't I take my DS on the bus, why can't I have an email account, why can't I watch(insert any show in here that is rated anything above G....like Malcolm in the Middle, The Fairly Odd Parents, etc. etc.), and why oh why??? won't you let me play the Wii. So and so (insert any name) gets to play it from the moment they wake up until the moment they go to bed.
I've tried explaining to him (rationally) that no child needs to be constantly stimulated by extraneous, technological variables at every point of the day. It's not healthy. It's not necessary. And, we're not doing it. He doesn't care about the rational explanations, so I've resorted to what's probably the greater truth.
Here it is, kiddo, I AM MEAN. No, I don't want you to have fun. No, I don't want you to be like the other kids. And, furthermore, I don't care what you're friends are doing. I'm MEAN, remember? This causes lots of eye rolling and feet stomping...but seriously. That's they way it is and the way it's going to be.
Here is my rationale as explained to Owen in great detail: he is in school and on the bus for 7.5 hours a day. When he come homes, he's tired. So, he gets a half hour to veg in front of the TV. That's it...one half hour a day. TV off. Then, he can play outside/inside, read, or find something else to do. Here's an idea: use your IMAGINATION to find something to do. And, he's going to have to do some homework, he needs to do some assigned reading, and he needs to practice the piano. In addition, he has soccer practice 3 nights a week after school. Not a lot of time. Now, I'm not completely crazy. If he wants to play 1/2 hour on the computer instead of watching TV. Fine. But, that's it. No Wii or DS. Reason? They have a hard time turning it off when the 1/2 hour is up. They're always in the middle of the game.
Since school has started, there is also no TV (or anything else) in the morning. This makes our morning routine...SO MUCH EASIER. And, shockingly...we actually talk to one another. It's really, really nice. Emmett gets up at 6 AM most mornings, and he has been coming down and playing Legos or doing puzzles, since our TV is no longer allowed. It's awesome.
I'm not completely heartless, they get a little more time on the weekends (but not much) and not if the weather is nice and not if their rooms aren't cleaned or their piano isn't practiced (hmmmm...I AM mean)
I have a serious pet peeve w/ the DS. I hate seeing kids playing them at restaurants. I mean beyond the age of 3....shouldn't kids be expected to sit quietly at meals (or color....or do dot to dots). Why don't we expect more out of our kids. AND, there will be NO DS on the bus. I'm shocked at how many kids are allowed to do this. Talk to kids around you. Do your homework. Our kids don't need to be stimulated constantly, do they???
Well, I might be mean, but I'm sticking to my guns. I don't feel super strongly about too many things. But, I do feel strongly about this. Sorry, Owen....I'm going to be mean for a long, long time.
I've tried explaining to him (rationally) that no child needs to be constantly stimulated by extraneous, technological variables at every point of the day. It's not healthy. It's not necessary. And, we're not doing it. He doesn't care about the rational explanations, so I've resorted to what's probably the greater truth.
Here it is, kiddo, I AM MEAN. No, I don't want you to have fun. No, I don't want you to be like the other kids. And, furthermore, I don't care what you're friends are doing. I'm MEAN, remember? This causes lots of eye rolling and feet stomping...but seriously. That's they way it is and the way it's going to be.
Here is my rationale as explained to Owen in great detail: he is in school and on the bus for 7.5 hours a day. When he come homes, he's tired. So, he gets a half hour to veg in front of the TV. That's it...one half hour a day. TV off. Then, he can play outside/inside, read, or find something else to do. Here's an idea: use your IMAGINATION to find something to do. And, he's going to have to do some homework, he needs to do some assigned reading, and he needs to practice the piano. In addition, he has soccer practice 3 nights a week after school. Not a lot of time. Now, I'm not completely crazy. If he wants to play 1/2 hour on the computer instead of watching TV. Fine. But, that's it. No Wii or DS. Reason? They have a hard time turning it off when the 1/2 hour is up. They're always in the middle of the game.
Since school has started, there is also no TV (or anything else) in the morning. This makes our morning routine...SO MUCH EASIER. And, shockingly...we actually talk to one another. It's really, really nice. Emmett gets up at 6 AM most mornings, and he has been coming down and playing Legos or doing puzzles, since our TV is no longer allowed. It's awesome.
I'm not completely heartless, they get a little more time on the weekends (but not much) and not if the weather is nice and not if their rooms aren't cleaned or their piano isn't practiced (hmmmm...I AM mean)
I have a serious pet peeve w/ the DS. I hate seeing kids playing them at restaurants. I mean beyond the age of 3....shouldn't kids be expected to sit quietly at meals (or color....or do dot to dots). Why don't we expect more out of our kids. AND, there will be NO DS on the bus. I'm shocked at how many kids are allowed to do this. Talk to kids around you. Do your homework. Our kids don't need to be stimulated constantly, do they???
Well, I might be mean, but I'm sticking to my guns. I don't feel super strongly about too many things. But, I do feel strongly about this. Sorry, Owen....I'm going to be mean for a long, long time.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
For the first time in history...
my boys took the bus TO school. It's going to be a great year :). Both of my kids came home yesterday, absolutely thrilled about their school day. Owen said that this was going to be his best year yet. And, Emmett said he was a great listener. Didn't get in trouble. And, got to sit by his best buddy, Troy, for everything. Jackpot.
The past 3 years I have driven Owen to school every morning (last year I carpooled w/ Sheila) for many reasons:
1. The bus stop was two blocks away and if I was going to have to bundle my whole crew up to walk in 3 feet of snow at 8 AM, I might as well drive.
2. Nothing good comes from the bus, right?
3. They cram the little kids on the bus - 3 to a sit. Can you say uncomfortable in winter w/ winter coats, hats, mittens, etc?
4. My kids got to bum around for an extra 10 minutes in the AM if I drive them :)
Anyway, yesterday, Emmett asked to ride the bus in the AM. ASKED TO! Combine that w/ the bus stop being moved to Sheila's driveway - 2 houses down from mine - and Owen and Emmett being on the bus together - AND Henry sleeping in these days....AND, OK!!!
So, they did it. And, they were excited (this photo is O and Em and their buddy, Keaton (Sheila's son)).
We will have to see what tomorrow brings, but if they want to continue riding in the AM...I guess I'll let them :)
Adjusting to being without his big brothers..
Henry was still asleep this AM when Owen and Emmett got on the bus. Have I mentioned lately that this child can sleep??? I am more then due to have a sleeper and it's absolutely glorious. I'm talking serious sleeping..he'll go to sleep at 645 PM. Wake up at 830-9AM. And, STILL take a 2-3 hour nap. CRAZY!!! (and wonderful :)). Anyway, when I brought Henry downstairs this AM, he called "boys? boys? where are you boys? - which sounds more like "r u boys?". I tried to explain the whole school thing...but I don't think he got it. Interesting, because Emmett is home by 1145 in the afternoon (his kindergarten is still half day), and he seems to be missing Owen. I guess this is an adjustment for all, but I like my individual time w/ each kiddo. Henry gets me in the AM while both boys are at school. Emmett gets me in the early afternoon while Henry is napping and Owen is at school. And, Owen gets me for 2 hours in the evening after Emmett and Henry are sleeping. Life is good.
Need a laugh?
Then you really must read today's writing from one of my fave mom bloggers, www.dooce.com
It's all about her experience meeting Peter Frampton, and it's laugh out loud funny. Really.
It's all about her experience meeting Peter Frampton, and it's laugh out loud funny. Really.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
First day of school success!!!
No time to write tonight...the kids have brought home a zillion papers that I have to fill out. UGH! Mom homework. So, I'll give more details later. BUT let me just say, that today was a great success. Emmett didn't shed a tear :) and said he had a great day. Owen got off the bus saying that he thinks this might be his best year ever! YIPEE!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Put together a group of wild and crazy boys....
and you have scenes from Emmett's birthday party. Kickball, bug hunt, slip and slide, water balloon fight, pinata, and a hot fudge sundae bar. Lots of sugar. Lot of water play. Lots of FUN!
Playing kickball.
We started the ball w/ a kickball game. Emmett had been begging to play for a long time and we finally had enough people that it was a "real" game.
Hunting for bugs...
Emmett wanted to have a bug hunt again, like he did last year. So, I got 400 "bugs" and bug jar kits and they went on a hunt.
Webkinz freak!
Emmett got a whole armful of Webkinz for his birthday. Shockingly, none of them were ones he already had! He LOVES Webkinz. I think he probably has about 30 of them now....and he sleeps w/ tons of them and carries them around ALL the time!
For record keeping purposes only...
Emmett had his 6 year check up a few weeks early. Necessary because he had to get his 4 vaccines for kindergarten. Poor kiddo.
Anyway, his stats are as follows:
height: 45 3/4 inches - 60th%
weight 52 pounds - 85th %
My big boy!
OYE! I forgot my camera...
Henry had his first visit to the dentist today, and he did awesome! I didn't expect anything less...he's such a easy going little guy. Anyway, he held his mouth open the whole time - long enough for the hygienist to clean his teeth, scrape his teeth free from plague, floss, brush, and do a fluoride treatment. The hygienist was shocked! She said kids his age typically have a hard time opening their mouths to even have their teeth brushed. Obviously, she has never met Henry. He was SO proud of his "clean" teeth and showed them to everyone.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Bath time!
Henry loves his bath. When I say, "Henry..you want to take a bath?" He says, "yes, and nods his head" and then immediately says "bubbles"?
Saturday, September 5, 2009
And yet still....
more Florida photos. I hope you are still enjoying the Florida pics, cause I'm sure loving posting them still. It's keeping me warm. I can feel the sand under my toes and hear the waves crashing against the shore. It's extending my vacation that ended (sadly 3 weeks ago). Sigh. I don't have too many more, so bear w/ me.
Just to humor my brothers....
Here you go, guys. Here's the photo that you both love so much that makes it painfully clear to the WORLD how tall you both are and how tall I'm not. Yes, you are both over a foot taller then me (they are 6'3 and 6'4 or 6'4 and 6'5 depending on who you ask), but hey....it's also clear who got all the good looks....hee...hee...hee......
The other bad thing about Florida
(small and minor things...I'd still move there in half a millisecond). Other then Owen's jellyfish sting, the only other bummer about our trip to Florida was Owen's third degree burns.
One point for me as bad mom of the year. In my defense, I sunscreened him multiple times during that day. And, he wore a shirt (a UVA and UVB blocking shirt) some of the day. The other children did not even get red....ONCE...in Florida. But, poor, poor Owen got third degree burns on both shoulders and his forearms. He is so, so fair skinned.
I felt horrible. Absolutely horrible. My children have NEVER been sunburnt before (except for that time my mom forgot to put sunscreen on Emmett when she was babysitting him :)). And, all I could think about was that every severe sunburn that your child gets before the age of 12 increases their risk of skin cancer by a billion. CRAP.
And, it really hurt him. The salt water stung it. And, it really hurt to put more sunscreen on top of it....but there was no other choice. If he put a shirt on and got in the water, when he got out, the salt water from the shirt was like pouring salt in an open wound. Literally. Sucked. And it kept him out of the sun and water more then he would have liked.
They look very similar...
but not quite the same. I think Emmett's skin tone is quite a bit darker then Henry's. And, Henry's eyes have a downward tilt on the outside (sad eyes). Other then that....pretty similar. What do you think?
Yesterday was a super important day for the Bauer Family....
Emmett turned 6! And, of course, birthdays are always exciting. But this one is extra special. The age 6 has been swirling around magically in the air since Emmett was 3 and it seemed like it couldn't get here fast enough. It's here. And, we're rejoicing. Why?
6 is the age at which Emmett's risk of seizures disappears. His neurologist promises that as of the age 6, Emmett will remain seizure free. That's reason to celebrate. And, celebrate we did. And have. I can throw away his rectal valium (although, I wont...yet). I can sleep peacefully at night when he's sick (although...that will be hard to do). But, I have been promised. 6 = seizure free.
It's here. And, we're ecstatic.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
EEK - JELLYFISH!!!
Owen got stung by a jellyfish his first full day in Florida. It was quite a good sting, too. It looked like a combination of 3 different welts. And, it left a dark red squiggly line on his leg for 12 days following. The lifeguards sprayed lidocaine on it right after it happened. He's a pretty tough kiddo. He didn't even cry. But, he was scared to get back in the water. Thankfully, my mom notified him of this new research she had read (wink, wink) that said once you are stung by a jellyfish, a scent is emitted that scares away all the other jellyfish, and you won't get stung again. He bought it. Hook. Line. Sinker. Back in the ocean :)
And yet another bad score for Bville, NY....
Turns out Baldwinsville, NY is NOT a walkable place to live. Absolutely shocking, right? (and I don't think they took into consideration the 3 foot of snow that is on the ground for 5 months of the year). Amy shared a blogsite with me that ranks the "walkability" of your neighborhood. NOT, I repeat, NOT how pretty it is to walk through your neighborhood....because I suspect that we would have done a little better then we did if that were the case. But, how easy it is to live a car-free life style in your neighborhood. Not easy in Bville. We ranked 24 out of 100. Bad. Really bad. What does your neighborhood rank? Share it w/ me...I'm looking for a new place to live and w/ the current condition of our cars, we may need to live a car free life style soon. The website is www.walkscore.com
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