Wordless Wednesday - Dining Al fresco

I've got nothing

I was hoping this post would be more like "Hey, we know what may be going on with Sean". But, instead, we know really no more than we did last week at this time. Although there has been lots of confusion between then and now.

What happened?

Tuesday - He had his lab appointment for a blood and urine test.

Thursday - I was at the doctor's office to pick up a letter and asked about the results. The nurse found what was available. Urine test: normal. Which is good because that is original the reason we were repeating the labs. His pH level was at the very top of the normal range. Celiac Panel: Uh, not normal? The results were for one of the tests were way low and sent to another lab for further testing. The nurse did not know how to interpret them and our doctor was not back until Monday. OK, so we wait.

Thursday evening - Nurse calls. They got more blood test results and had another doctor look at them. "How is Sean? Is he okay? Any changes the past few day? We are going to call the kidney specialist first thing in the morning and have her take a look at these." Whaaaa? Way to freak me out. Thanks a bunch.

So basically I spent the day searching on the internet (I know, bad) and finding all sorts of horrible things that could be wrong based on the results I had from earlier in the day. (Let me just say this, if you search using the actual medical terms on the results you get actual medical documents which mean absolutely nothing to be but are very frightening. If you search for more basic stuff like "immunoglobulin low", it much easier to understand the results and these were a bit less scary.)

Friday - Nurse calls in the morning. They spoke with the kidney specialist. She is not very concerned because is blood test came back normal last month and she believes the results are due to so problems during testing. (I found out they were concerned about carbon dioxide results that indicated very high acidity in the blood.) Other results from the Celiac panel are not back yet and doctor still not back until Monday.

Weekend - Wait

Monday - I called the office about 3:00 PM to see if our doctor had a chance to review results and what she recommended. Got a call back from a nurse who was not familiar with the whole back story at all. She was relaying a quick message she got from the doctor. Basically, the need a do-over on the blood test. Sample was not good and there was not enough to do further testing. Great. Plus, they do want Sean to see the kidney specialist to make sure they are not missing anything.

Today - Repeat blood test. Sean was so good. He did not cry at all.

Now we are waiting (again) for test results and the referral for the new doctor. We know nothing more than we did last week. And that means this post was a whole lotta of nothing.

Thankfully, she is not a light sleeper.

Heavy Sleeper from Dorene on Vimeo.

Every performer needs an audience

Meghan has been giving many impromptu performance since we went to the Backyardigans stage show. If there is no one around to watch she gathers together her own audience.

We have a Miley Cyrus fan

And it is not the child you would expect.


Dancing to Miley from Dorene on Vimeo.

I hate bugs

If there is one thing I would change about the summer it would be to get rid of the damn bugs. I don't like bugs. But bugs apparently love to chomp on me. I am always the one swatting away bugs while others seem to sit there, unbothered. And what happens when I get bit? The bite itches like crazy and swells up to the size of coaster . Is it possible to be allergic to bug bite? Because if so, I believe I am.

This happens every summer. And I don't have to be outside before I get bit. A quick walk down the driveway to get the mail is enough. Hell, I don't even have to go outside. I did not leave the house yesterday yet I am sitting here with three brand spanking new bites. I don't know how they got in but I suspect my shoddy air conditioner contraption. I was never able to plug up all the holes so it really is a bug free-for-all.

I've tried all sorts of remedies*. hydrocortisone, Benadryl, After Bite, ice-cubes, calamine Lotion, etc., etc. The only thing I have found that does actually work is some crazy thing I found on the internet (where else). I put a hot washcloth on the bite until I cannot stand the heat anymore. The problem with this method? Well, for me, it leaves this giant purple bruise-like mark where the bite was. Yes, it no linger itches but, if I have multiple bites I look like I was in a brawl. But, if it means I'll get a full night sleep then I am okay with it.

Any other suggestions that may work?


*And yes, I do bug-away types sprays before leaving the house for any length of time but I can only stand smelling like that stuff for so long, you know?

Wordless Wednesday - Feel the love

We do leave the house at times

Here are some pictures to prove that we do more than sit around and watch TV/surf the web all day.

Yesterday we played in the yard.

Then there was the big search for the gas station where I could get $0.60 off/gallon thanks to all the food shopping I do. Sean got to ride facing forward like a big boy for the first time.

Today, Sean had his repeat blood and urine test. Hopefully we will get the results soon. We also had our weekly outing to get some more food. So. Much. Excitement. I know you are jealous.

I'm on a roll

So I made more of the changes I mentioned in the previous post.

I am not sure if I am loving the background yet. I'll leave it for awhile and decide. Plus, I need to figure out why the header is not spanning the whole page.

FYI - The new image is Seaside Heights.

Hmm, did you do something different with your blog?

I've made some minor changes which you may, or may not have noticed. So, since I have nothing else to post, I'll spell them out for you.

• I finally figured out how to get a third column on the page (with the help of Blogcrowds). So now you see stuff to the left and right of this text.
• I've added a "Subscribe via email" link over there on the left for those who feel they cannot miss an update but do not use a Reader.
• There is a new Title image over on the top left corner. I am just a Photoshop beginner but I hope to make it snazzier soon. (FYI - Picture is one I took while in Bermuda.)
• You will also notice a button over on the right for the site "All Mediocre". This is a gathering place for people like me who have a blog but not a lot of traffic (yet).

Coming soon (I hope).

• A change in color scheme and background. I'm getting tired of my dots. I have a new background ready but I need to tweak a few other things (Translation: I don't know what I am doing so don't expect to see a change anytime soon).
• New Title bar above posts. I'd like to have more flexibility with my title images and the current box is too tiny. So I hope to replace it with a big one across the top.
• New themed posts. I have a few ideas for weekly/monthly type features but I need to sort them out just a bit before I start.

That's everything so far. Hope all my changes don't make you nauseous.

Edited to add: Oh, and if you need to buy an Amazon gift card for any reason (not necessarily for us but I am not gonna stop you if you wish to do so) there is now a handy dandy button on the right to take you there.

Ok, this is incredible awesomeness

I just watched Act I of Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along-Blog. You must see this. It is where the world of Buffy and Doogie collide. Or maybe that already happened on How I Met Your Mother. What with Willow and Doogie and all. And I am sure there are probably others but I don't have time to think about that now because I must go watch Acts II & III.

I highly advise you to do the same because it will soon only be available on iTunes and that means you will have to pay.

P.S. If you ever meet my sister, ask her to tell you about the time Neil Patrick Harris almost beheaded her friend in NYC.

More TV to watch

I've just added Psych back to my Now Watching list over on the left.

I love that show. The banter between the characters is hilarious (almost Buffy-like) and the pop culture references are perfect. What else can you watch on TV that references Shrinky Dinks and a Furby in the same episode?

Splashing Around

Today Meghan and Sean got to splash around in the our little pool. They absolutely love the water. We need to get Sean better swimmies. He had to use Meghan's float today and it threw of his balance just a bit.

I've uploaded the complete set from today to Webshots.

I've also uploaded a few from the past few weeks including our trip to NJ to the Jun '08 - Jul '08 album.

Every Single Time

Why is it that whenever I take Meghan into a public bathroom the first thing she does is head for the toilet, plop both hands firmly onto the seat and look into the bowl? Meanwhile, I am behind her repeating "Don't touch. Don't touch! DON'T TOUCH!!!! Dammit!!"

Does she not hear me? Does she not remember that I say the same thing EVERY SINGLE TIME we are in a public bathroom? Can she not wait for 1 minute while I place the covers I bought just for this purpose on the seat?

I am not even exaggerating here. The entire time in the bathroom I am reminding her "Please, please, please DO NOT touch anything". Then she does. Again and again and again.

Ugh, so frustrating.

Okay, I am done whining (for now).

We are making progress

Sean had an appointment with the Growth and Nutrition clinic. His weight.....19 lbs 14 oz.

On June 19th he weighed 19lbs 3 oz so he is starting to gain some weight. They said he is in the normal range now for weight gain since his last appointment with them. We have another blood and urine test on Tuesday to rule out any Kidney issues and Celiac's Disease. Then nothing until September.

Now that he is so close to the 20lb mark we are going to turn around his car seat. Poor little man has to scrunch his legs up to ride backwards. We will probably do that this weekend.

His food variety has picked up. I've found some additional things he can eat. In addition to the list I posted before, he is now eating:

Fig Newmans
french fries
corn on the cob
Soy banana pudding
Tofutti Cuties
Pop-Tarts
Tyson chicken nuggets
Toast
Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese
Annie's Bunny Grahams
hot dogs
potato chips (like father like son)
Tostito chips
Vans waffles
blueberries
waffles that Momma makes (with Bisquick and soy milk)
"butter" and jelly sandwiches (made with Smart Balance instead of butter or peanut butter)
Grilled "cheese" (made with Tofutti soy cheese slices)
broccoli
apples
scrambled eggs (w/water or soy milk..not a favorite)

We keep trying to add new things. I'm sure there are some I forgot. I try to give him something similar to what Meghan is eating for lunch or what we are eating for dinner. So far so good. We will see what the test results bring next week.

Back from Jersey

This past weekend we went to NJ to visit my parents.

Meghan and Sean got to swim in the pool and play with their cousin. Of course I only took a few pictures before my batteries died but I did get some video on the Flip.

I've uploaded a few for your viewing pleasure.*


Kiddie Pool in NJ from Dorene on Vimeo.


Oh, and again, sorry about the shaking. I think I need to break out the tripod for the Flip because my videos are making me sick.



Like herding cats

Big Pool - 1

Big Pool - 2

*I've gone back to Vimeo because it shows up in the Google Reader.

They have their father's sense of humor

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I think I am getting too old for this*

Last night was the Bon Jovi concert. I did not get home until about 12:45AM. I am so very, very tired today. But, I am happy I went as Bon Jovi knows how to put on a show.

Since my brain is not fully functioning I'll give you the highlights in bullets.

• I went with my friend Michelle. She is my cheesy event partner.
• My GPS took me the WORST way to meet her. I got stuck in traffic had to dodge pedestrians in Harvard Square and find my way around a detour. A 15 minute trip took me about 40 minutes.
• Our seats were not what you would call close but I did not care. You could still see everything and they had those big screens so there were like 6 Jon Bon Jovis to choose from.
• Neither one of us new who the opening act was going to be so we were pleasantly surprised when we realized it was the All American Rejects.
• We saw kids as young as around eight and adults in their 50s (and probably beyond). There was such a wide range of people there all enjoying the show. The kids in front of us who were probably infants (if even born) in the mid-eighties knew every word to every song. Even songs that I forgot or was unfamiliar with. And the older lady next to me was shaking her (generous) bootie** most of the show.
• I did not bring my camera but I did have my cell. Here is the best shot I could get with that thing (and with the bootie shaking happening next to me).

All in all, it was great. Would do it all again today. Okay, maybe not today. I need some sleep.

* Yes, Jon Bon Jovi is older than me and he was jumping up and down the entire show while I was taking breaks to sit. But, I am pretty sure he was not awake at 6AM that morning.

** Is that the proper way to spell bootie? I've never had to type that word before. Shocking, I know.

I just point and shoot

I do not pretend to be skilled in photography. But, it is one thing I would like to work on. I've been looking around at new cameras trying to find one I like (maybe for Christmas or my birthday?).

I did upload a bunch of the pictures I took recently to Webshots. Here are a few of them:

Album: June '08 -

It's his own personal style

Sean likes to feed himself.

Sean also likes to rub his head while eating.

Therefore, Sean walks around looking like this until his bath.

Please stop hogging my cold air

I spent part of the morning fixing the vent for the portable air conditioner. Because, once again, nothing in our house is "standard" so nothing fits correctly.

Anyway, as you can see from the picture below it was quite a bit of engineering to get this to work properly.

(Shut up, at least it has not fallen out of the window, yet.)

And what happened after I spent the morning getting this to the point where it was at least safe enough to run?

Day One

Yesterday was my first official day home full-time with the kids. But, it really did not feel any different than the days when I had to stay home to let repair people in. Why? Because I had the oil company here from about 8AM to 3PM fixing our oil burner. Plus, the cable company to set up our phone. So we were pretty much stuck at home all day. We only ventured out to the CVS drive thru after 3PM. I know, thrilling!

Today is not going to be much better. Although we do have more freedom because we are not expecting any repairmen today (fingers crossed), I do not have anything planned other than a trip to the grocery store. Hopefully next week I will be able to take the kids someplace fun. This week we have a bunch to do around here and there is just a lot going on.



Today - Ryan has a softball game
Tomorrow - I am going to see a Bon Jovi concert
Thursday - Hmm, this may be free
Friday - I have an appointment at the doctors office and we head to visit Grandmom and Pop Pop.



There are a bunch of things I would like to/need to get done this week:
- Finally catch up on laundry
- Pack
- Take my car for an oil change
- Get my car washed
- Clean out my car (It's kind of a mess right now)
- Go to Picture People, assuming the bruise on Sean's head goes away. That kid is a little stuntman.

So far today I reconfigured our ghetto air conditioner setup because it is supposed to feel like its about 100 degrees today. That was the most important job of the day.

Meghan has started to add to her many picture poses.

Sean loves having 2 pacifiers available to him at all times.

What I will/won't miss

Tomorrow is my first official day of no work. I have compiled of this of what I will and will not miss.



Will Miss:

1. People
2. Peace and quiet.
3. Ability to sit for hours
4. Money

Won't Miss:

1. Commute
2. Toxic coffee
3. Commute
4. Freezing office
5. Commute
6. 6-8PM marathon of chaos when I return home
7. $300+ gas bill each month (Did I mention the commute?)

I really should have expected nothing less

My last day of work ended a lot sooner than I expected. Meghan decided to cut the day short by puking all over daycare.

Thankfully, I finished packing up my office yesterday so all I was planning to do today was walk around and say my farewells. I got through a handfull and then basically flew past everyone saying "See ya!"

But now, I am done. There is a bunch going on in the next week what with BBQs, cable company appointments, doctor appointments and Bon Jovi concerts. So I probably won't be able to figure out our daily routing and get started with some of the stuff I want to do around the house.

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Oh, how could I forget to mention this?

Ta Dah!!!

We now have a functioning dishwasher.