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Showing posts from 2009

Reed's Fourth Birthday Video

Reed celebrated his fourth birthday in Massachusetts surrounded by friends and family. This is a little video capturing this very special time. Reed's 4th Birthday Weekend Video Enjoy! We Love You Reed!

Another MRI

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In July Fiona greeted the day properly before her MRI. Here she is watching the sunrise and dancing. Results came in that her brain, although still damaged, had started to repair. Everyone was happy including Ry and I. Nonetheless we shared a moment of disappointment. Recognizing our expectations were too high we decided, next time we'd better emotionally prepare ourselves. Next time we'd make an earlier appointment. Next time is here and we are ready. Fiona's MRI is at Children's on December first at 6am. Please pray, send posivibes, sacrifice a pig...whatever your thing is, please do it with Fiona's healed brain on your heart. Since you'd be thinking of her anyway, maybe keep in mind that she'll be under general anesthesia. This always weighs on me. Oh and starving her for 8 hours is slightly intimidating too. While you're praying for her, maybe you wouldn't mind an extra one for me and my sanity. If you have an extra minute send

Veteran's Day

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Today we made an attempt to show our patriotism, only to have the parade rained out. We still visited the memorial in the town square. With patriotic music playing over speakers I began to read the script out loud, to ears that paid little mind. I wanted cry. An uncomfortable feeling washed over me. A mixture of pride, sadness and respect all rolled into one knot in my throat. In my opinion one of the most somber movies out there is Saving Private Ryan. I get that same uncomfortable feeling while watching it. It weighs on me for days. "Earn this" rings in my ear. I try to watch it once a year either on Veteran's Day or Memorial Day. When the kids are old enough I'll have them watch it too. I hope they get the same feeling I get. War should be uncomfortable. Knowing so many have made the supreme sacrifice for us to live in America as we know it, that there are Moms raising young families alone, Soldiers coming home with PTSD, their life no longer theirs. All o

About You

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Reed, It was late at night on a Thursday. Daddy arrived home to our little cottage on the Island from a soccer game. As I waited for him to get out of the shower, I sat on our lime green couch rehearsing the lines over and over to calm my nerves. Smelling clean and fresh, Daddy sat next to me. He gave me a look that said, "you can press play. Are we going to watch the movie or what?" I was about to lose my nerve. Instead, in a shaky voice I said something like, "I came up with a new verse to our lullaby, do you want to hear it?" Of course he was curious and this is what I sang: (It's Alright for now by Tom Petty) Goodnight baby sleep tight my love may god watch over you from above tomorrow i'm working what would i do i would be lost and lonely if not for you so close your eyes we're alright for now i've spent my life traveling ive spent my life free i could not repay all you've done for me so sleep tight baby, unfurro

Bowling With Toddlers

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This was my afternoon: (after waiting hours for the video to upload, I had to put in on youtube, click "VIDEO" below to view) VIDEO Enough Said? Not Even Close... To go along with the usual Woodland antics we threw in a few extras today. Fiona peed on the floor. I contemplated not informing the attendant. Then I decided it would probably be best given we have to wear special shoes to walk on the floor. So, something like urine might not be good for it. As you can see from the video these balls were rolling S L O W L Y down the lane. Several times the attendant had to walk down and retrieve them. He lucked out twice when the balls actually went halfway down the lane only to roll back to us. This phenomenon can be seen in the first clip of the video. In addition to cleaning up the pee, the attendant also helped clean up half a bottle of orange juice that Fiona spilled. Reed too spilled some juice on his pants. Of course this means he wants them off now and b

Halloween

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I'm in hopes this year's trick- or- treating is an inkling of what's to come this holiday season. We had a blast! We gathered at friends house and set out as a group to trick-or-treat. Most parents were taking their beer and wine with them for the trek. Given that they are wonderful parents as well as respected members of the community I thought this was a fine idea too. As we walked, I gave a little hoot as my hat flew off. Then I let out a holler because I foolishly grabbed for it with my beer hand, pouring most of the beer directly down my back. Some little legs began to get tired, so we separated from the group and began to make our way back to the house. Along the way we stopped at a few houses we hadn't hit up the first round. At one I noticed the women give me a look. A shameful look. This is what I imagine she said to her husband when she retreated inside, "What the hell is wrong with that mother? She can't even go trick or treating with her chil

Baggy Knees

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Today I'm going to see my favorite doctor of all time. There was an instant connection with her and the fact that she delivered both of our children doesn't hurt. Here's pictures from those precious times. Reed Alexander Fiona Grace Nassiraee Looking at these pictures reminds me of the quiet moments at dawn, starring at these beautiful faces and dreaming. Wondering,what will you look like? What will your personality be like? Newborns are a complete mystery, perhaps that's part of the magic, you love them even though you have no idea who they are. Like their baggy knees,time has smoothed out many of the mysteries. I can look at them and have an idea of what they will look like as an adult. I know Fiona is a bit of a boss and Reed has a dry sense of humor. I adored them as infants, but I prefer them as toddlers. There is now a balance of wondering what is to come and a sense of who they are. As for the baggy knees,they will be forever missed. XXOO

A Filthy Shirt.....

--> “So, what did you do in school today dude?” This is my go to question when Reed returns from his adventure away from home four days a week. His response is limited to two categories. The first is, No Response. The second, a Nonsense Response, like, “I want to crash the new car into the bus… that’s silly Reed” Onto plan B: Inspection of his shirt. I’ll notice orange paint smeared across the front of it. “So, did you paint an orange pumpkin at school?” A snip out of his shirt, “Did you cut with scissors today?” Reed’s typical answer to such questions is an energized” Yes!” And that’s all he has to say about that. Last Thursday Reed had his spare shirt on when he jumped off the bus. “Buddy, what happened to your shirt?” He grinned his little half grin, “It’s wet.” Sure enough, there was his damp shirt in a plastic bag stuffed into his backpack. We were on a roll so I probed a little more, “How’d it get wet?” Reed giggled and said “I fell in the toilet”.

Love Bugs!

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The first couple years of having two children I cursed myself daily for having them so close together. My heart could not comprehend the feelings it would have at moments like this. To my two love bugs....may there always be a green path ahead of you and may you always walk hand in hand.

Music from the zoo

There are so many things to love about the zoo. I personally favor the sounds...

Alarm Clock Hazards

I can remember a time when Ryan and I needed alarm clocks to wake up in the morning. Not so any longer. In the past few years we've replaced our alarm clocks with a Reed & a Fiona. This pair can not be unplugged or set to any time beyond 6am. I think the day we picked them out, they must have been out of the models with a snooze button. I know, in comparison, the replacement models seem a little rigid. The truth is, in our house the traditional alarm clock is a health hazard. After reading this little story you'll understand my concern. One morning, still asleep, I heard the irritating buzzing of the alarm in my dream. I waited for Ryan to press snooze. (Its not that I was lazy I just had the foresight to put the alarm on Ry's side of the bed) Eyes closed...I waited...I hoped he would shut it off so I could continue on with my dream......then.... BAM! WHACK! ZONK! Ryan was bopping me over the head repeatedly!! I was in such shock I allowed the first few with

Quote Board

Woodland Quote Board A working Chronicle of our Silly, cute, probably NOT profound, but defini tely ridiculous statements. " Mommy I need some tape to fix it" Reed referring to a skipping DVD "Babies don't come from Santa" Trudy responding to Reed complimenting strangers on their "cute baby", then prompting them to thank Santa for it. "That's where I draw the line! Bringing your kid into a package store?" Ryan as he walks out of a liquor store and spots a mother & child walking in. " I'm an idiot, I brought the kids to get beer here a couple weeks ago" Ryan responding to Trudy asking him what he's talking about. " No school today, Summer vacation " Guaranteed response from Reed when the topic of school comes up. " No bath today, Summer vacation " Fiona misunderstanding "summer vacation" as an excuse not to do something.

Two Peas In A Pod

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This is a photo of Brenda & Me before walking to our first day of Kindergarten. We were only four. About the shoes ... I am the fourth child out of five. By this point in my parents child rearing experience they were not going to even think about battling with a four year old over a crazy pair of sneakers. Even if years later that same child really wished they had. Now that I have two toddlers, I get it. Last week Fiona spent an entire day of running errands in a UPS costume that without the hat appeared as if I'd dressed her in an over-sized brown shirt. About Brenda ... Like a sister, I can not remember life without her. We shared an all American childhood with a handful of other kids our age. We've always favored each others company. Our folks still remain neighbors although the neighborhood is much more quiet these days. We've had a million adventures together over the past 31 years. Boy, do we rehash these stories, over and over and over. Typically

One Cool Dude

Throughout my relationship with Ryan there have been these moments . Moments that take me by surprise. Just when I thought I couldn't love him any more deeply...suddenly.. I do. It's not your general " wow I have a great guy" feeling. It's a Dean Martin, kick in the head type of feeling. Recently, while over a friends house for some beer and target practice (seriously), Ryan was asked what was around his wrist. In his typical casual ,yet, thoughtful voice Ryan explained, "It's the band from when Fiona was in the hospital. I've kept it on to remind me not to take life too seriously and to keep my priorities straight" Our friend replied, "You're a cool dude." Simultaneously, my heart fell, my stomach filled with butterflies and my eyes filled with tears. Once again Ryan has stolen the heart he already had.

Busy Hands, Happy Hearts....our week in photo's

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We've assimilated to life here in Southern Maryland. Sunday was a family day at the National Lawn Mower Races. "All by myself" is Fiona's new catchphrase. Monday she got dressed all by herself. Wednesday was a great day to visit Maryland's first Capital, St. Mary's City. The highlights included watering the garden, climbing aboard The Maryland Dove and playing ring toss. In the 18th century parents equipped their toddlers with helmets. Balled up rags in a dried-out gourd would be fastened to the heads of the unsteady. I personally think it's a brilliant idea. Although, with these two wild kids of mine......I'll need some gourd armor. A hike through Cypress Swamp was the perfect way to end our week.

String around my finger

A few stories from the last 24 hours worth remembering: 1) This morning I was standing in front of the computer double checking that the temperature for today really was going to be 90. I felt someone tugging at the elastic waist of my pajamas (they're really Ryan's pants, his stuff is so much better). It's Fiona. She looks down my pants and says, "Poop?", "No, no poop mommy!” I now realize how invasive it is when I do this to her, especially in public. The difference is that you rarely find poop in my pants. 2) Yesterday we went to Reed's first tennis lesson. There are two other children in his class. Gabby, 4, is a natural. She serves the ball with accuracy; she flows across the court as though she is dancing. Although I didn't catch how old Megan is, she appears to be too tall for her age, therefore, a little awkward in her movements. Still, she is absolutely involved and gives it her all. Then you have my kids.... After a couple failed a

Easter

Reed’s Spring Break was last week. This gave us extra time to do all of the traditional Easter preparation. We had an Easter Egg Hunt in our backyard with our friend Sammy. Reed ran to find the first egg with such excitement, then he reached for it, and…….. haphazardly tosses it into the air. He immediately moves on to the next one. Not what I had in mind, but fun I suppose. Fiona was more on target; she put eggs into her basket, but was easily distracted by flowers and the like. After all she is my daughter. With one of his competitors not even collecting eggs and the other playing with ants,Sammy, with ease, became the winner of the Woodland Easter Egg Hunt. --Rock On Sam! The past few days Fiona has requested more Egg Hunts. I throw the empty eggs around the yard and she collects them, counts them and tells me their colors. It’s a pretty relaxing game,so, the Egg Hunts will continue until she tire's of them. The traditional tradition of coloring eggs was not fo

Porta Potty

Are you too busy to even use the bathroom? Have I got the solution for you.......

A Better Us

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When Ryan and I first moved into our bedroom together in University Park, our first love pad was a love room in a house with 3 other Grad students . A few feet away were tennis courts. We played tennis all the time. This is not to say we were very good at it. We had a blast just running around and laughing. When we moved to southern Maryland and had the babies, activities like this were no longer convenient. Even hikes were not as frequent as they once were. Kayaking changed from a weekend event to an hour event. I have to admit it really bothered me that after children we somehow had lost a very defining part of ourselves. Last year Ryan and I escaped for a rare date which consisted of a six pack on the roof of his lab overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. We discussed this issue in depth. We realized not only are we no longer cool, but maybe even boring. The only thought that kept us from jumping was, One day we will be able to teach the kids the same outdoor activities that

The Wedding Dress

I LOVE my wedding dress. I never expected to fall in love with a wedding dress, it just had to be white, not too expensive and leave a little room for Reed. Then it happened, I fell in love with a dress that I would only wear once. Oh what a waste of such a perfect dress. Every time I’d bring it out for a picnic or super bowl party Ryan would insist it was too over the top. Men? To satisfy my frugal and sentimental side we have found another use for the dress. We have decided to take pictures of Fiona every year on her birthday wearing and growing into my wedding dress. How cute is that going to be on her wedding day? This year she didn’t wear it so much as play in it, just like a 2 year old should. Here’s a little video from Fiona’s second Birthday.