Claire even got to take a bath in Grandma's huge two-person sized tub. She had a blast, and stayed in there for over an hour. I guess we'll just have to get her one for home!
Monday, March 28, 2005
Happy Easter Everyone
We had a great weekend. First of all, the weather was awesome. It still is. Sunny and warm, can't beat it. I love having the windows open for a change. Claire and I are definately heading over to the park as soon as she wakes up from her nap.
Anyway, we were in Green Bay over Easter weekend. We took a short trip to Ripon on Saturday to see some of the Halbergs, and then went back to GB. Sunday we relaxed and ate, played a great game of football in the street, and watched the Badger game. We stayed up way too late playing games. Mike watched The Lord of the Rings #3 for about nine hours. That movie is so long. My theory is that they felt bad about not making a real ending for the first two, so they made the ending for the third super long and drawn out. Claire got all kinds of cool things in her Easter basket. Some clothes, a pink bunny that is almost as tall as she is, and a Cabbage Patch doll. The doll kind of freaked her out at first. She wouldn't even touch it. Now she's getting used to it, but I don't think they have made friends yet. Today I found her in a pot in the cupboard. I'm not drawing any conclusions yet, but maybe they need some time away from each other.
Anyway, we were in Green Bay over Easter weekend. We took a short trip to Ripon on Saturday to see some of the Halbergs, and then went back to GB. Sunday we relaxed and ate, played a great game of football in the street, and watched the Badger game. We stayed up way too late playing games. Mike watched The Lord of the Rings #3 for about nine hours. That movie is so long. My theory is that they felt bad about not making a real ending for the first two, so they made the ending for the third super long and drawn out. Claire got all kinds of cool things in her Easter basket. Some clothes, a pink bunny that is almost as tall as she is, and a Cabbage Patch doll. The doll kind of freaked her out at first. She wouldn't even touch it. Now she's getting used to it, but I don't think they have made friends yet. Today I found her in a pot in the cupboard. I'm not drawing any conclusions yet, but maybe they need some time away from each other.
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
post sick-o
Okay, Claire has been a beast the past few days. I'm pretty sure she was used to getting what she wanted while she felt a bit under the weather. And today was tough. No nap, and she had to deal with me watching another baby. But boy is it wearing me out. Hm, Maybe its me that is spoiled. She's usually so wonderful. Speaking of wonderful, Mike came home early to give me a break. I went and drove around.
I'm tired. I think I'm going to go to bed.
I'm tired. I think I'm going to go to bed.
Sunday, March 20, 2005
Lava Bombs
Mount St. Helens erupted recently with its largest explosion of ash in the past few months. I was reading an article about it, and it mentioned lava bombs. Lava bombs were covered in an Earth Science class I took in college, but until today, I forgot such things existed. Gooey lava balls are exploded into the air and then cool into an oblong shape as they fall back to earth. So I did a little research and found out there are a few different types of lava bombs, and one is called a "cow-dung lava bomb". This one stays gooey as it flies through the air and then splats out when it hits the ground. So I was sitting here thinking that there was probably nothing worse for the roof of a house or a car window than a lava bomb. But I stand corrected. I would definately say a cow-dung lava bomb would probably be the last thing I wanted dropped on my car or house.
But it is really fun to say. Cow-dung lava bomb. It sounds like something out of Super Mario Brothers.
But it is really fun to say. Cow-dung lava bomb. It sounds like something out of Super Mario Brothers.
Stupid Wake Forest!
Come on, I had Wake Forest winning the entire thing on my bracket. Then they go and lose last night to West Virginia. And then UConn loses today. But even though that messes up my bracket too, I'm willing to forgive because it paves the way to the Final Four for WI. Up until Saturday evening, I had an awesome bracket going. Is it too late for a re-do??
quote
"Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood."
-Fred Rogers
-Fred Rogers
Joy
Yessssss. I finally did it. Thanks for all your help Mike (and Leslie). I've been trying to post pictures for a while now. Who would have thought it would be so easy?
Leslie the wonderful
I couldn't figure out how to put pics on the blog, lucky for me Leslie was there to save the day. Turns out you just go to http://www.flickr.com/messages.gne and upload pics from there. Once the pic is uploaded, you click blog this pic - very easy. Thanks Leslie (lesliefedorchuk.blogspot.com).
Saturday, March 19, 2005
sick?
Well what is new since the last post. Mason is doing slightly better. The ER tests all said things are 'normal'. So that is good news. I guess he just has some kind of virus or something. Claire came down with a low grade fever yesterday. She's pretty crabby and clingy. Today she also has a runny nose. Mom suggested she just may be getting some big ol' chompers. I don't know. Motrin helps, so thats what she gets. Sitting with momma and watching movies also helps, so that's what we do. She's sleeping right now, and thats really nice. So quiet.
Hmm. I guess thats about it. March Maddness is in full swing. Its so fun. So far I am leading Mike as far as brackets go. Last night Kansas was upset by Bucknell (who??), so now the Badgers will get to play Bucknell instead of Kansas. I actually picked WI to win against Kansas, so maybe I'll get a bonus point if they can pull it off against Bucknell.
I hear Claire's cries. Gotta run.
Hmm. I guess thats about it. March Maddness is in full swing. Its so fun. So far I am leading Mike as far as brackets go. Last night Kansas was upset by Bucknell (who??), so now the Badgers will get to play Bucknell instead of Kansas. I actually picked WI to win against Kansas, so maybe I'll get a bonus point if they can pull it off against Bucknell.
I hear Claire's cries. Gotta run.
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
diagnosis
After doing a little reading online, I have diagnosed Mason with RSV. :) Now I really hope Claire doesn't get it!
daily doings
Well, I got the red car fixed today. Its really nice to have that done. Those lingering car problems seem to always be in the back of my mind. We also found (finally) a good honest guy, and he's right next door to James and Elissa. I was able to just walk over to their house today and visit while it was being worked on. Unfortunately, Mason is really sick, and Claire played with him. Actually, Elissa is in the ER with him right now. Sounds like they want to do a chest x-ray. I'll have to keep an eye on Claire. I really tried to wash her hands a lot, and I gave her a bath when we got home. He's been on antibiotics for a few days now, and Mike says he shouldn't be contagious anymore, but I'm a little worried about it anyway. It isn't a pleasant thing.
Mike said he was 100% pathology today. This whole business of picking a specialty is quite the ride. This past Monday was Match Day for the fourth years. Thursday they find out where they are going. One year from now, we'll know if we matched. In a lot of ways, these first three years of medical education have FLOWN by. But somedays it seems like time is going so slow, it may even be going backwards when I'm not paying attention. There is still a lot to go through. It sounds like I'm dreading it. I'm not. Not since Mike has been focusing on the importance of life style more. And by that I don't mean living in a mansion on the lake is important to him (us). I mean picking a specialty in which he is not working 18 hours a day and on a Q3 call schedule. Thank you, thank you, Plastic Surgery. I do think this process is fun. I love seeing Mike doing something he loves to do, and wants to do so much.
Other than that, nothing much has been happening. I'm excited for warmer weather. And since watching 'Mr. 3000', I'm really looking forward to going to some Brewer games.
Mike said he was 100% pathology today. This whole business of picking a specialty is quite the ride. This past Monday was Match Day for the fourth years. Thursday they find out where they are going. One year from now, we'll know if we matched. In a lot of ways, these first three years of medical education have FLOWN by. But somedays it seems like time is going so slow, it may even be going backwards when I'm not paying attention. There is still a lot to go through. It sounds like I'm dreading it. I'm not. Not since Mike has been focusing on the importance of life style more. And by that I don't mean living in a mansion on the lake is important to him (us). I mean picking a specialty in which he is not working 18 hours a day and on a Q3 call schedule. Thank you, thank you, Plastic Surgery. I do think this process is fun. I love seeing Mike doing something he loves to do, and wants to do so much.
Other than that, nothing much has been happening. I'm excited for warmer weather. And since watching 'Mr. 3000', I'm really looking forward to going to some Brewer games.
Monday, March 14, 2005
quote
"Do you know the difference between education and experience? Education is when you read the fine print. Experience is what you get when you don't"
-Pete Seeger
-Pete Seeger
about Claire
Claire's 18 month well-child visit was today. She's 26 pounds and 33 inches tall. That puts here somewhere between the 70 and 75th percentiles for weight and 90+ for height. I have to start her on chewable vitamins with iron since she has become a vegetarian lately. Otherwise everything is the same. She is very healthy. She won't have to go back until she's two. And best of all, she's done with shots until kindergarten. She doesn't know that though. Even today, a shot-less visit, was traumatic. I think she already associates the doctor's office with pain. Plus she would rather not have people poking at her and shining lights in her eyes and ears. Can you blame her?
Oh, the next Fitzgerald Family Reunion is planned! Its not until 2006, but I am looking forward to it already. Mike's family is so fun. I used to wish my family would have reunions too, but now I know that they wouldn't be as much fun. Actually, my mom and I would probably have a blast, but then we wouldn't be invited anymore. So anyway, its going to be at the Lake Okanagan Resort in British Columbia, Canada. Yeah! I think I'm going to go start packing...
Oh, the next Fitzgerald Family Reunion is planned! Its not until 2006, but I am looking forward to it already. Mike's family is so fun. I used to wish my family would have reunions too, but now I know that they wouldn't be as much fun. Actually, my mom and I would probably have a blast, but then we wouldn't be invited anymore. So anyway, its going to be at the Lake Okanagan Resort in British Columbia, Canada. Yeah! I think I'm going to go start packing...
Sunday, March 13, 2005
Home Alone
Mike took Claire to church, and I stayed home. I really can't remember the last time I've been home alone. I think it maybe was when we lived on Grand Avenue, and Mike took Claire for a walk. Anyway, I just had to document this somewhere, so I will remember it actually happened. I'm going to go take a shower with the door CLOSED so all the steamy air can't escape. And its a cold morning, so it should feel especially wonderful.
Friday, March 11, 2005
random thinkings
When I'm writing an entry, I feel like I have enough to say that I could come back later and write another entry. But then I end up not doing anything with it for a few days. Still, this has been one of my more successful attempts at writing in a journal-like format. I do have a journal I started writing in when I got pregnant with Claire, but I sometimes go a month or more without writing anything down. This blog is easier to keep up.
Yesterday Claire and I went to story time at the library. It was really fun. We met a lot of other kids, and I really enjoy seeing Claire socialize. At one point the group sang 'Head Shoulders Knees and Toes'. All of the moms helped their kids make the appropriate movements, and I was going to help Claire as well, but she was standing out in the middle of the group dancing. I let her be Claire. There are only three more story-times left (four in all), but I'm really looking forward to them. It seems like the majority of the kids are right at Claire's age.
We are going to Madison this weekend. Teresa is finished with chemo, a few weeks early. Hopefully we'll get to see Jim and Monnie as well. It seems like we've not seen them very often lately. The wedding is coming up. Its going to be fun. We've been teaching Claire some new moves.
I'm kind of between projects. I made (knit) two hats. The first one turned out too tight and small. The second one fit, but there is something about it that looks off. I think its that I forgot to do an 'even' row when shaping the top. I'd like to knit something else. Maybe another hat, but I want to do it right. I guess I'll have to find a pattern and follow it. The first two hats were my...translations of a pattern. I found a pattern for a chemo cap that looks like hair. Its just strange enough, though, that I don't know if Teresa would wear it. The yarn is called Fizz, and its something like super eyelash yarn. I'll have to ask Mike about it. Anyway, I'm going to draw a picture to watercolour today, if I have time before we leave. It will be one of the first drawing/painting projects that have come from my head, rather than me finding a picture, drawing it out, and then painting it. This one comes from how I feel when I listen to Pete Seeger's 'Where Have All the Flowers Gone'. It will be fun.
I suppose that is all for now. Though I know I could keep rambling....
Yesterday Claire and I went to story time at the library. It was really fun. We met a lot of other kids, and I really enjoy seeing Claire socialize. At one point the group sang 'Head Shoulders Knees and Toes'. All of the moms helped their kids make the appropriate movements, and I was going to help Claire as well, but she was standing out in the middle of the group dancing. I let her be Claire. There are only three more story-times left (four in all), but I'm really looking forward to them. It seems like the majority of the kids are right at Claire's age.
We are going to Madison this weekend. Teresa is finished with chemo, a few weeks early. Hopefully we'll get to see Jim and Monnie as well. It seems like we've not seen them very often lately. The wedding is coming up. Its going to be fun. We've been teaching Claire some new moves.
I'm kind of between projects. I made (knit) two hats. The first one turned out too tight and small. The second one fit, but there is something about it that looks off. I think its that I forgot to do an 'even' row when shaping the top. I'd like to knit something else. Maybe another hat, but I want to do it right. I guess I'll have to find a pattern and follow it. The first two hats were my...translations of a pattern. I found a pattern for a chemo cap that looks like hair. Its just strange enough, though, that I don't know if Teresa would wear it. The yarn is called Fizz, and its something like super eyelash yarn. I'll have to ask Mike about it. Anyway, I'm going to draw a picture to watercolour today, if I have time before we leave. It will be one of the first drawing/painting projects that have come from my head, rather than me finding a picture, drawing it out, and then painting it. This one comes from how I feel when I listen to Pete Seeger's 'Where Have All the Flowers Gone'. It will be fun.
I suppose that is all for now. Though I know I could keep rambling....
Monday, March 07, 2005
Sign Language
Claire has been eating sign language up. I'm really impressed. When I started trying to teach her, she was four months old, I think. At that time, she didn't really catch on. For months I signed 'eat' every time I offered her a spoonful of food, trying to get her to copy me. Then she started feeding herself, and I lost interest.
A few weeks ago we were at the library and I picked up a DVD: "Signing Time". Its an awesome DVD, really cute. Claire just sat and stared at the TV. Then she signed apple. I gave her an apple. She signed cookie. I gave her a cookie. She signed banana and I gave her a banana. She learned how powerful this new kind of communication is, squealing and laughing every time she got what she signed for. Now she can say:
I'm hungry
apple
banana
cookie
cracker
milk
more
please
help (I love this one)
I'm on the wait list for the DVD. It may even be a good one to buy. I should check it out.
A few weeks ago we were at the library and I picked up a DVD: "Signing Time". Its an awesome DVD, really cute. Claire just sat and stared at the TV. Then she signed apple. I gave her an apple. She signed cookie. I gave her a cookie. She signed banana and I gave her a banana. She learned how powerful this new kind of communication is, squealing and laughing every time she got what she signed for. Now she can say:
I'm hungry
apple
banana
cookie
cracker
milk
more
please
help (I love this one)
I'm on the wait list for the DVD. It may even be a good one to buy. I should check it out.
Sunday, March 06, 2005
Nice Weekend
This weekend was a "Sheila" weekend in the Halberg Household. That means we got to stay home rather than drive all over the place like we have been for the last few weekends. Saturday we relaxed and went to Monnie's parents for dinner, and today (Sunday) was Devin's 9th birthday, so we hung out with him for a while. We went bowling, and I bowled an 82, which would be a GREAT score for me if it wasn't bumper bowling. I did smush my finger between two balls as they were coming out of the shoot, and I considered blaming my low score on that, but everyone there has seen me bowl before and probably wouldn't buy the story anyway. But, it was a lot of fun, I haven't been bowling for years (as my score suggests). Then Mike and I went home and took a nap while Claire entertained herself and after resting up, we went back over to the Kinsella's and had an ice cream cake. Now, we are each on our own computers, having a conversation with Jim and Monica. What geeks.
I wonder what will become of this blog. Mike and I thought at first it would be fun to use it as a place to communicate with family, and allow everyone to write entries. But I don't know if that would be easier than what we already do with emails. Maybe Mike and I will just use it to record all of the really interesting events in our lives, and then one day look back on it all. Maybe I'll be the only one who ever reads/writes. I guess we'll just wait and see what develops.
Anyway, I do love this Family Practice rotation. I'm pretty sure it doesn't get any better than this.
I wonder what will become of this blog. Mike and I thought at first it would be fun to use it as a place to communicate with family, and allow everyone to write entries. But I don't know if that would be easier than what we already do with emails. Maybe Mike and I will just use it to record all of the really interesting events in our lives, and then one day look back on it all. Maybe I'll be the only one who ever reads/writes. I guess we'll just wait and see what develops.
Anyway, I do love this Family Practice rotation. I'm pretty sure it doesn't get any better than this.
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
no pictures
Not yet, anyway. I've tried to get it to work, and in the process completely ruined the blog and had to spend Claire's naptime fixing it. I still can't do pictures. But I entered a "help ticket" so hopefully that will...help. I am picturing standing in an endless line holding one of those papers with a number you get from the "Take A Number" dispensers. And it says 574,936 on it. And then I realize that they are 'now serving' number 574, 955, and they have to go all around to 1,000,000 and then start over before they get to me. This actually happened to me at JoAnn Fabrics, but my number was more like 25 and they were on something like 70. But they did have to go up to 100 and then start over.
I went grocery shopping today while hungry. And I lost my list in the parking lot. This means I bought a lot of snacks. Maybe I'll try to eat all of them before Mike comes home and sees what I did. Or else we'll have Wheat Thins and Goldfish crackers for dinner tonight.
Today I poured Claire a cup of water and got a few drops on her hand. She turned her hand to lick them off, and spilled the water. "Uh-oh mom uh---ohhhh".
I went grocery shopping today while hungry. And I lost my list in the parking lot. This means I bought a lot of snacks. Maybe I'll try to eat all of them before Mike comes home and sees what I did. Or else we'll have Wheat Thins and Goldfish crackers for dinner tonight.
Today I poured Claire a cup of water and got a few drops on her hand. She turned her hand to lick them off, and spilled the water. "Uh-oh mom uh---ohhhh".
sorry
Well, in trying to figure out how to post pictures, I successfully broke the blog. So I just deleted it and re-signed up. The good news is now I can post text (when it was broken, I kept posting and it wouldn't show up). The bad news, Mike, is that your profile and your entry are gone. I guess I have to be more careful. I'm glad it is early in the game and we didn't lose too much.
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