Happy New Year's Eve

Wow! Where did December disappear to? I am just finishing up a very cool project that I'll post here soon. Can't wait to share it to show you just what I've done this month!

Ian is so excited about New Year's Eve. He knows it involves fireworks so that is all he needed! He is taking a nap with his dad right now so they can both stay up past 8PM tonight! (I think Shea needs it more than Ian!)

I just spent 40 minutes going through old posts, trying to find posts that sum up the year, are highlights, stand out, or are special. I finally decided to just leave it at, "it's been a good year! 

What was your highlight this year?

Holiday Busy-ness

Wonder what I've been doing lately?

Your best bet is to click here

or here

or here

or here.

Three classroom days for me this week so I probably won't be around much and then off to visit family for the weekend! I hope to catch up next week! See you then!

Please Vote For Me!

I've entered a little contest! 

 (well, isn't it really voting for Ian?)

POTD120208

POTD120208, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

Still not feeling well, but Ian came home from school in such a good mood we had to do something! He even greeted me with "I missed you today Momma!" and then explained that the guy had said "holiday." Shea translated that for me into, he heard NPR on the way home and they were talking about Christmas.

We made gingerbread cookies which meant lots of tasting and mismeasuring and anticipation for them to be done! They are his favorite though! In fact if I mention cookies he says, gingerbread! Even in July!

When You Buy A Red Car

You know how you become aware of something and then it seems to be everywhere? 

Today I was avoiding work and cruising Facebook. Found a link to an article where my brother was quoted . 

and then I thought, I wonder what else is being written about California International Marathon since it is Sunday. And I found this. I never even knew about kids and seizurs and now it is everywhere! Weird. But comforting.

POTD 12.01.08

POTD 12.01.08, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

Working on a Daily December project...will post it as I go starting tomorrow or so.

Everyone in our house is sick, but hopefully that just means that we are getting it over with so we can enjoy the holidays! We did manage a little bike ride this evening to take in some of the neighborhood lights! (and yes mom, we were bundled up!)

Hello Santa

We took Ian to ride the train in Old Sacramento today...with Santa! He was so excited about it!

I'd show you more, but then what fun would our Christmas cards be?! (credits here)

And, out of order, but here is our Thanksgiving  recap in photos!

Joining 30,000 people to "run" to feed the hungry. So many people that a brisk walk wasn't possible! Unless you are my brother, Justin, who finished 26th overall! Ian placed 8,524!

Mariachis for breakfast after our race! We've decided it needs to be a new family tradition!

Dinner (that bag is Ian's turkey centerpiece!)

and what holiday dinner would be complete without olives!?!

We missed being with the rest of our family. It was strange to cook without mom, but we'll be home soon to see them all! We did a "do-over" Thanksgiving dinner last night with Justin and friends! The food tasted better and well...much wine was enjoyed! Definitely repeating that tradition (perhaps a little less wine though!)

What Happened To The Turkey?

Ian announced to me today that "for Thanksgiving I want a pig."

That had me just a tad bit worried so I asked, "what are you going to do with the pig?" In my head I kept saying, please don't say eat it! Very matter of fact he stated, "I will play with it in my house." 

We went for a little afternoon caffeine fix for poor Shea who is stuck in a cycle of falling asleep at 7PM and waking up at 3AM. Ian was thrilled to see a police officer come in and instantly demanded a badge from him. (I can't even count the number of badges he's demanded!) The officer asked him if Santa was coming soon. Of course, Ian looked directly at him and said "Thanksgiving is first and I'm getting a pig." So I got to explain to a gun toting complete stranger that we are vegetarian so he's not eating the pig, he just wants a pet pig and doesn't realize that they grow to be 5 million pounds.

There won't even be a turkey on Thanksgiving, the kiddo is definitely NOT getting a pig! But I'm still wondering where he got the silly pig idea in the first place?! 

Weekend Funnies

Just had to capture some of the funny things Ian said this weekend!

"Can I have a banana vegetable?"

"I grew, can I have your coffee?"

"I know,  I have an idea!" (with his index finger placed on his chin)

"Can I go upstairs and be quiet with dad?" 

"Let's go to the french fry place." (announced at 830AM)

"Follow me children." (to mom, dad, and his grandma)

"Is global warming small?" (long story behind that one!)

Can It Be?

I have taken over 11,000 photos this year. Yes, Ian is probably the subject of about 50% of those! The kiddo knows what a camera is, asks for the "tripod" when he really means "ipod" and loves to use his own camera and declares "I got them" when he takes a photo. He doesn't always smile but when he is in the mood he will smile for me beautifully!

Until this week...

School pictures...

He came home and told

 me that he "smiled big"! No doubt encouraged by the photographer who gets paid to entertain 3 year olds and click the button 150 times a day. I'm sure they mean well. I'm sure there job is next to horrible. And I am sure I have them to thank for the new "big smile" that Ian shared with me tonight at dinner.

Only the iPhone to capture it but the trauma is no less...

He's Got Your Decaf

Ian has a bad habit.

He LOVES Starbuck's petite vanilla scones. It started innocently enough. When we lived on San Miguel the nearest coffee was at a Starbuck's just 3 blocks from our house. When he was newborn I would walk there in the morning and sit enjoying a decaf beverage until just before time to feed him. Then we'd race home sometimes covering the last block with  a screaming child clutched in one hand pushing the stroller in the other.

When he was old enough to eat real food I bought him a vanilla scone because it was, well, petite. That is also when my friend Kathy introduced me to the Cinnamon Dulce Latte. I made my decaf, sugar free, soy, no whip. And was hooked.

You might recall this.

When we moved in May we said goodbye to our Starbucks and the weekly trip there.

So now the nearest Starbucks is about 10 blocks away. Along the path we pass Old Soul @ the Weatherstone, a lovely local coffee house and Peet's. The first time I took Ian to Old Soul he shouted, "this is a different Starbucks." And I withered into the corner as all of the local supporting midtown dwellers gazed in astonishment that my son would know such foul language. At Peet's the only option he would eat was a big gooey browny thing so covered in sugar we would need to peel him from the ceiling in order to leave.

So 10 blocks we go. All for the petite vanilla scone. Every Friday morning as our we've made it this far treat Shea goes there and brings us a treat before he heads off to work. And well...we repeat the process on Saturday because, it's Saturday! (we will not add up the total of those two trips...I'm in denial."

Today was a school day. A school day after a home day is always pretty tough. Ian doesn't want to go. The morning is hectic. I always need to find clothes and copies and random pieces of work that I've forgotten because I too had a home day with a 3 year old! Ian woke up in a good mood, looked at Shea and said, " I want scones."  It was not Friday.

Dad is a push over.

Shea comes into the bathroom where I'm getting ready and says, "I'm going to Starbucks. Ian really wants it." I think I did say, "you don't have to give into him," but Shea was already out the door.

I dress (while also attending to about 50 things that Ian really "needs" me to do for him while dad makes the 10 minute trip to Starbucks)

We are running late. We all know this. Ian has underwear on. He is happy. And working every angle he can to avoid a school day. I sit at my computer to grab the powerpoint I need for work and count copies before I put them in my cart for work.

Ian hears the door open and runs to greet the petite vanilla scone "maker man." And I hear Ian yell from the other room. "He's got your decaf mom!"

We're doomed!

Pure Joy

Ian's first excursion bowling! Our dear friend Judy had a birthday party/fundraiser last night for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. He was so excited about going even though he had no idea what bowling was! He caught on fast and figured out that all the pins down was something to be pretty happy about!

1,196 Days Later

It has been one thousand one hundred ninety six days since Shea and I spent a weekend together without a child. Not that we were counting! Just amazing how much time has gone by and how much we really haven't wanted to be away from him. In fact, we are pretty bad at taking time away for just the two of us. So, to celebrate my turning 40 we escaped away for a weekend in the city! We've been to San Francisco more times than we can count, Shea even lived there for a while post college, but this time was different. Just the two of us. No showing friends around or crazy New Year's Eve celebrations. We decided we wanted an adventure, only doing things we hadn't done before, and spending the entire weekend without a car. 

My mom arrived in town on Friday to spend the weekend with Ian. He was so excited to spend time with her, so much so that when Shea and I walked out the front door he ran the other way saying he wanted to watch a movie. So no goodbye kiss or hug or drama. So that was good!!

We walked 3 blocks to the bus stop and our adventure began! We opted to take Amtrak with a connecting bus. Thus the blurry first views coming into town.

We arrived and with a bit longer walk than we expected found our hotel. It was a bit surreal to be without Ian. It was quiet. Really quiet. And, funny enough, having arrived in amazing city by 8PM on a Friday night we called it a night. Yep, how old are we? We just stayed in and watched dumb TV (I'd forgotten just how dumb it is. ) 

Out bright and early the next morning to maneuver our way to Coit Tower. Probably the only touristy thing in SF that we'd never done. After a few miss calculations, a unneeded trek up a steep hill we made it there. Great views and a perfect overcast day...blocking our view of the Golden Gate.  I'm missing so many great details like Shea's complete JOY that he got to ride hanging from the side of a Cable Car to get part of the way to Coit Tower. I'll cover those details in a layout or two later :)

From there we spent a little time at The Buena Vista. Yep, we've been there before but it was the first time since before Ian was born. There is much more of a story to Buena Vista, but no room for that here!! 

Then we jumped on another bus and made our way to the Mission District. A few blocks of walking we found a small spot I'd read about and wanted to try out! Cha-Ya...all vegan suschi! EVERYTHING on the menu, something I could eat!!! UNBELIEVABLE! The food was great and the lighting spectacular! (that matters for good pictures you know!) Shea even suggested a table in the center of the room because it had the best lighting! Yep, a true birthday gift!!

Miso with no fish juice!!

radish, cucumber, mushroom, and avocado rolls! mmmmmmm

Then a little more walking and a much needed nap.

I had three requests for my birthday weekend. 1. Take the train 2. Take photos 3. Eat at Millennium.  Okay #3 was really my #1. I made reservations there over a month ago. I REALLY wanted to go. I didn't care what else we did. It was AMAZING.  The idea of having choice for dinner is unbelievable. My typical dinner out means I get either a green salad, maybe beans and rice, or sauteed veggies. I thought I was going to cry just looking at a menu that was filled with options I could eat. EVERYTHING. I could look for what sounded good, not simply what I could eat. I was torn between the tortellini with  black truffle oil or the squash curry with rice. The curry won out after hearing it described as having "punch."

We started with roasted beets because, well, I love them! 

And our entrees.

Not only did it taste incredible it was pretty! I love a well presented plate!!

And for dessert, again, amazed to have a choice! How they created such amazing desserts with absolutely NO dairy or eggs baffles me. I know it can be done, I've done it, just never this well! I had the Gingerbread Pumpkin Tartlet. and well...Yummmm! Smooth, just enough spice to it. Lovely.

Such a great dinner! Truly the best meal I've EVER had!! Cannot wait to create a reason to go back again.

Sunday we walked a little bit and then headed to our bus pick up point on Market. Funny how much shorter the walk was in the day time when we actually knew where to go! We waited for a little bit and then heard the Veteran's Day Parade down the street. We looked and could see lights and a band.

And then...

I realized there were NO CARS on the street. NONE. ZERO. And then we realized the parade was passing right in front of us. Right down the same spot as our bus was going to pick us up. Not sure what to do, a little bit panicked, we ran down the stairs to BART and tried to figure out how to get to either Richmond (where Amtrak meets up with BART) or to the Ferry Building (where an Amtrak bus stops). We opted for the Ferry Building and got off just 10 minutes before the bus was scheduled to arrive! The rest of the trip was uneventful. 

We walked into our house Sunday afternoon to find Ian sleeping and mom sweeping. When Ian did wake up I gave him the cheesy SF Snow Globe I'd looked everywhere for! He loved it and kept asking if it was his! 

A perfect weekend!

On This Day 40 Years Ago...

Remember being a kid and thinking 40 was so old?? Yeah, me too. And well...maybe it is. I wanted to just stay home tonight and sit in front of my pretty new birthday present and type mindless jibber to anyone who might care. I didn't care that there was no cake or candles. 

Thankful to have my two boys. And thankful to have a family to celebrate with and friends who sent wishes. 

Life is good. Very very good.

POTD 110408

POTD 110408, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

What a phenomenal day this has been. History. We witnessed it. We created it. WOW! We've come along way since say mmmm 40 years ago.

Shea was in line with a woman tonight who was worried about the no cell phones sign in the polling place. He said she had that nervous chatter of someone who hadn't voted before. He assured her that it meant you couldn't talk on them, it was okay for it to be in your pocket. She said, "I just want my vote to count. They'll do anything so that it doesn't." He was pretty certain it was her first vote. And he was pretty certain she was about 50 years old. And she so wanted her vote to count this time.

And it did. It really really did.

And, because I take my camera everywhere. Here is the vote that I cast while holding Ian because I wanted him to witness history first hand. I wanted to be able to say, little man I held you in my left arm while I marked this with my right.

POTD110208

POTD110208, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

He loves his guitar! He played several songs for me and even set his guitar down, stood in front of me and thanked me for showing up!

My Mom...

hates having her photo taken...but I ignore her! I love how this turned out, even if she doesn't like her photo ;)
And you can find it here.

And the credits here.

Happy Halloween

Ian has been counting down for today for at least a month! He talked about it all the time and announced what he was going to be on an hourly basis. Of course, I should have seen the signs. His costume of choice changed EVERY TIME HE SPOKE!

To name a few:
Turtle
Bear
Clown
Pirate
Dog
Soldier
Policeman
Robot
Dragon
Dinosaur
Monkey
and I know I'm forgetting the entire list he created after he got his hands on a copy of the Pottery Barn Kids' Catologue for October.

Vampire with a cape had been his request since the beginning. He asked me repeatedly if he could have a cape. Then he asked if he could call Mumzy so she could make him a cape. Then he called her. When he got the costume she made in the mail he was COMPLETELY excited. Put it on and paraded around the house.

And then...

He woke up this morning and really wanted no part of Halloween. No dressing up. Okay I thought, 3PM before his school's trick or treat outing through midtown. No problem.

His friends showed up for a morning rainy day playdate and cupcake decorating (errr eating) party. Addy was a lovely pink fairy. And Ian was obsessed...with her wand, her wings, her pinkness. He wouldn't stop asking me if he could share it, have it, use it, be it. It when on and on until I made him his own wings (thank goodness for old unused paper scrapbooking supplies!). He made a lovely rendition of Puck complete with wings and no shirt. (I know, technically Puck didn't have wings, but whatever...technically he was made up)

I'd show photos but it seems I've filled up my external hard drive and have NO MORE ROOM for photos on my computer!! Guess what I'm getting this weekend?!

The rest of the day well...had it's highlights and moments. I'll post more tomorrow. It makes me too tired to think about now.

On a positive note...what did I learn today?

Halloween is for kids. Costumes are just that. And if the kiddo wants to be a fairy/pirate/bear/vampire at the same time. So be it. Hats off to all of the parents out there who send their kids trick or treating in the worst costumes ever because that is what your kiddo wanted to wear!! (pottery barn be damned...)

oh...and mom...there are no photos of Ian in his amazing costume...because he never actually wore the entire thing together today...but it was a great costume.

He'll wear it for Christmas I'm sure!

Jubilee

Mine started today!

Deprivation

My entire goal tonight is to keep Ian awake. That's it. As long as we (I) can do it. He is excited. He gets a "special" night with plenty of snacks and videos and games and whatever it takes to stay awake.

The past three years we have done everything imaginable to get him to sleep. On a schedule. Without interuption. As much as he wanted. As much as we could get him to take.

And now that changes.

He needs to sleep through his EEG tomorrow at 1230. So we are going on the technician's advice of keeping him up until 11pm and waking him up at 5am. He's eating french fries right now in his underwear watching netflix on demand. Life is just good in 3 year old land.

Updates

Thought I'd post a few layouts I've worked on. They were a little therapy for me to remind me of Ian's sweet smiling face!! (and to keep a positive outlook!)





Everything from Designer Digitals.

Things Change Quickly

I've been reluctant to write this. Not sure if I could. It has been a tough week. I'm just going to get it done. This is Ian's blog and I guess the good and the bad need to be documented equally. I guess. I'm not sure. But here goes.

My mom got here on Tuesday. Ian went to school, I picked her up from the train station and we enjoyed lunch and a tour of the Governor's Mansion together. I'd really wanted to spend time with her alone since we never do that anymore. We had a great afternoon. Walked to get Ian from school, got coffee at Pete's with the sweet gift card the Ferraras gave me. Shea joined us and we went across the street for dinner at Petes. We litteraly spent 3 hours in the same one block area of midtown. It was great afternoon! Came home and played in the front yard until it was time for Ian to go to bed.

And then...everything changed. While trying to get him to sleep he suddenly, unexpectedly stopped breathing. The color disappeared from his face. I think 30 seconds. It felt like 10 years. There was yelling. There was panic. There was confusion. I picked him up, put him on the floor, took his pajamas off. Mom ran for Shea downstairs. 911 was called. He started breathing again while Shea was talking to 911. All I can remember him saying was "my son isn't breathing, my son isn't breathing." I don't know how long it went on. Time stopped and sped up all at the same time.

I held Ian just looking at him. He was not right. His little face didn't look panick or afraid or anything. It was just blank. I asked him to talk to me. He just had a glazed nothingness to his expression and his eyes. I will never forget just how blank his sparkling eyes were.

The ambulance was on its way. We took him downstairs wrapped in his blanket. Only his Shrek underwear on. He clung to me. A cling from when he was so much smaller and so much more needy. So vulnerable.

He said a few words to me. But not many and barely audible.

The ambulance came. They checked everything. It all seemed ok. The ride with him in my arms seemed the longest drive I've ever experienced. I thought for a minute they were taking us to Roseville since I recognized nothing out of the back windows. They weren't.

The ER, if it can be, was a good experience. They helped him almost immediately. Drew blood, temperature, heart rate, everything. He cried when they put the needle in his arm to draw blood. It was such a sad cry and I hugged him closer but at the same time was relieved to hear him cry, see him move, see him be something like the normal little boy who just an hour before had been bouncing on the bed refusing to settle down to sleep.

They ordered a CT scan and took us more quickly than I expected. He was so tiny in the machine. His little head held in place and covered with a sheet. I laid beside him covered in a lead jacket with directions to hold his face so he didn't move. His little eyes were so afraid. Not certain what to expect. And I couldn't even tell him. I had never experienced one to know what it sounded like or look like or even did. He seemed amazed by the spinning but not so interested that he needed to move his head. Thank goodness.

And then we waited. He became more of the Ian we knew. About an hour after the initial moment he started to talk and goof and generally be Ian. Then he said, "let's go home and take a nap." Midnight. Yes, that is where we should have been. Home taking a nap. He asked us over and over.

We were still waiting. Trying to be strong and happy for him, but on the inside terrified of what we were going to find. Anxious to know what turn our life was going to take.

Nothing. Thank God. Nothing. All tests showed nothing. Not one thing. Everything fine. Everything.

So four hours after it all began we were sent out of the ER with directions to "keep him safe" if it happened again. Relieved a little. Frightened a lot. Completely unsure. Not much explanation. Sometimes it happens in little kids. Body shuts down. No risk unless it goes longer. See his doctor the next day. Get an EEG. That's it.

We all went to sleep quickly but it was not a restfull night. I couldn't turn over. I just needed to see him. Touch him. Know that he was still breathing. Know that it wasn't going to happen again.

In the morning he was Ian. Tired but just our Ian. Laughing, goofing, asking for a movie, playing with his light saber. Everything as it should be. He ate. He drank. He talked. All normal.

We visited his pediatrian. I love Dr. Cutts. He just has a way of making it all okay. He describes things beautifully, honors our internet research, and is completely thorough. He confirmed what we were already beginning to believe. A seizure. Not uncommon in children. Essentially the body rebooting. No pain. No memory of it. Just a need to shut down and restart. Probably held his breath when he got upset about not sleeping. Sent his little brain into a bit of a loop -- breathe, no hold breath, breathe, no hold breath. Common among 3 year old in the "tantrum age."

Now we just go on. Live life. It might happen again. It might not. Keep him safe. Time it if it does happen again. Today feels better than yesterday. Seeing him be Ian helps make it easier. I'm sure the memory will fade for us a little. I'm sure it will be easier to talk about. I know, without doubt, that image of his little body limp in my arms, blue in the face, lifeless won't pass soon. But I've comfort in hearing him play in the living room now with my mom. Talking of Star Wars and Halloween and everything else that should be in a 3 year old's life.

A BIG Week!

My mom is headed into town...should be here within an hour and a half! So excited to have her here all week. Lots of fun things planned including a day of just the two of us! Don't tell her that I'm taking her to the Governor's Mansion. She's always wanted to go, we've just never been able to work it into our day!

AND...the biggie?

Ian is going to ride the train home with her on Friday. His first train trip and his first weekend away from us! I'm a little worried about how he'll do, but excited for him to have the adventure! I'm taking photos of my friend's wedding this weekend so it works out great for us.

Now, I just need to get my mom a camera so she can document the weekend for me...

a week in our life

Click here to view this photo book.

There's a Mouse in the House!

So up at 330AM because I fell asleep with Ian at 800PM! Sitting in my office just taking a little stroll to a few of my favorite places on the internet. I hear something fall beside my desk. Not a huge fall. More of a scooting of something, like the noise you hear when something just shifts because it is in a precarious position. Then I hear it again.

And, who knows why, I decide to investigate. At 345AM!

I move some art that is stacked against the wall in my desk waiting to be hung (once I paint, remove the carpet, get new furniture, etc, etc). First the evidence. Tiny little bits of a Hershey's Kiss wrapper in the corner. A corner that Ian couldn't possibly get to. I continue to investigate (what am I thinking)

And then I hear it. The scamper of little feet as it runs in fright away from me. I scream even though I don't see it. I have no idea the size. No idea the color.

Now it is 4:00AM and I'm freaked out.

My feet are on top of my computer under my desk. No way I'm putting them on the ground. I'm listening for the slightest noise.

And all I can think is...why is the silly thing in my office? Doesn't it know that at any given moment Ian has left a smorgasbord of treats on the floor in the living room??!

Ah the joys of living close to the river...

(oh and that scream at 345AM? Unanswered by my sleeping hubby...geez...)

So I'm Not A Parent?

I don't discuss work much here because this is really Ian's space. But this is just bugging me TOO much!! There was a "gentleman" in my class today who uttered the words, "you aren't a parent if you've only had one kid." He said it just loud enough so only a few people heard it. A comment in line with the rest of his behavior...

It has made me fume...increasingly so as the day has drug on...

I carried him for 9 months
I altered my diet so he would be healthy
I endured natural child birth for his safety
I worked at nursing him for a month before he could do it on his own
I was sleep deprived for months
I spent countless hours in the living room late at night so Shea could get some sleep
I took him to the doctor every week for three months for a new caste.
I handed him to a doctor and left in tears so they could operate on his foot.
I waited a lifetime to get the cystic fybrosis test results back.
I was spit on.
I was peed on.
I cleaned poop from nooks and crannies.
I rocked him.
I held him.
I fed him.
I sang to him.
I worried about the choices I was making.
I called my mom a million times for help.
I called the doctor to confirm what my mom said.
I watched his milestones hoping he'd hit them.
I breathed a sigh of relief when he took his first steps.
I cried when he said momma for the first time.
I tried everything I could to soothe him so many evenings.
I documented every detail worried that I would miss something.
I slept beside him at night just to hear him breathe.
I held my hand on your chest to check you breathe.
I cried the first time I left you at home so I could go to work.
I cried when I arrived home to your smiling face.
I walked miles pushing you in the stroller just so you could be outside.
I went to work with little sleep.
I wiped your little nose and held your little hand.
I felt a knot at the pit of my stomach as I left you with someone else.
I worried all day about you.
I rushed to pick you up.
I thought I heard you when you weren't even with me.
I felt a surge of panic when I couldn't find you in the house.
I cried in relief when I found you playing quietly in your room.
I needed to laugh and scream the first time you unrolled the toilet paper.
I worried every time you wouldn't eat.
I was so proud the first time you said a word.
I watched as you "read" books.
I took you to the park.
I took you to the zoo.
I took you to the train museum.
I pried you from the swings.
I pried you from the dump truck.
I manuevered you and all of your stuff into the car.
I drove 200 miles with you in the backseat, just you and I.
I dressed you.
I bathed you.
I burped you.
I held you when you cried.
I enrolled you in preschool.
I reassured you the day I dropped you off.
I cried as a left you there.
I put you to bed.
I held you when you were sick.
I comforted you when you were afraid.
I explained why you can't cross the street.
I learned to kick a ball so I could teach you.
I attempt to hide my fear of dogs so you won't share it.
I change your diapers.
I wash your clothes.
I brush your teeth.
I take you to your potty.
I give you stickers of reward.
I praise you.
I worry about the choices I make.
I discuss your future with your dad.
I watch my language.
I watch my moods.
I change my behaviors.
I try to be a person you would admire.
I avoid saying negative things.
I attend parent meetings at your school.
I show you how to save your money.
I provide healthy foods for you.
I keep the house clean and refrigerator stocked.
I show you all the things to see in the world.
I try to explain what it all means.
I carry you when you don't want to walk.
I encourage you to make good choices.
I teach you how to be a good person.
I buckle you in your carseat.
I clean goldfish out of the car.
I extract toys from the couch.

I love you more than anything.

I guess I'm not a parent...

Whiny

For the first time in more than 3 years I'm teaching a 5 day class. FIVE DAYS! In front of the room. Ian at school every day this week! I know many people go to work EVERYDAY of EVERY WEEK after WEEK after WEEK.

I'm lucky.

But, wow, FIVE DAYS!

You probably won't be seeing much of me this week.

Making up for all of those weeks that I didn't.

Fall is Here!

We had a busy Saturday which is a sure sign that fall is here! Rain, wind, leaves, pumpkins, pigs and today off to watch a 1/2 marathon! I love fall.

Remember that Project?

It is in the store now at Designer Digitals! I'm so excited to finally see it. 48 of the pages are mine! The most pages I've made in a two month period ever! What a great feeling to finally see it! It will be in the store for a long time...but why wait?? Don't you just wonder if your photo is in it??!

Snapshot

Just a little look at a bit of my week!

1. Woke up
2. Checked email and Designer Digitals
3. Got back in bed with Ian
4. Got up again
5. Drank Cin. Dolce Latte (no whip :)) with Shea
6. Said goodbye to Shea
7. Watched Clifford the Big Red Dog with Ian
8. Worked on a scrapbook page
9. Played with Ian
10. Started cleaning the kitchen
11. Gave Ian snacks
12. Finished scrapbook page
13. Cleaned kitchen more
14. Played "this little piggy" with Ian
15. Attempted to get Ian to nap
16. Ate lunch
17. Attempted to get Ian to lay down
18. Gave up on nap
19. Played with Ian
20. Finished a monumental cleaning of the kitchen
20. Shea home from work!
21. Made/Ate/cleaned up dinner
22. Played on computer while Shea took Ian to the park (in the rain!)
22. Put Ian to bed
23. Listened to the rain
24. Played on computer and listened to movie Shea was watching

Not Often Enough

IMG_4841, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

Ian's friends got together at "our" park this afternoon. They have all grown into these little people...it just amazes me! They get so excited when they see each other and today just squeeled with absolute delight! We just don't get together as often as we used to. Preschool schedules, new brothers (all brothers!), and busy lives.

Over three years ago we all met in prenatal yoga and for whatever reasons, connected, and have kept in touch. Moms and kiddos have been an important part of my becoming a mom having something resembling sanity!

We started gathering for coffee when they were just weeks old sharing stories of sleepless nights and developmental milestones. Now we gather at the park (or some other place the kids can run) and talk about funny things they say and Halloween costumes. Everyone says time goes by fast, they weren't kidding!!

*****Week In The Life Project*********
1. Wake up ( a little later)
2. Get Ian up and dressed for school
3. Ride bike to Preschool
4. Be mobbed by a dozen 3 year olds who all want pictures taken
5. Decaf soy cap at Weatherstone
6. Quick visit by Justin who saw my bike outside
7. Home for a little work
8. A little laundry
9. A little internet surfing
10. Meet Amity for lunch (a long one!)
11. Pick Ian up
12. Go to park to meet kiddos
13. Go across street to our house with the herd of kids because you can't convince only one of them to go the bathroom!
14. Play with kiddos
15. See Paul's sweet new iMac with 24inch monitor! *jealous*
16. Dinner...picked up again...bad eating week for some reason!
17. Watch the debate (if you can call it that)
18. Howl at the moon with Ian
19. Play with photos
20. Go to bed a little earlier than normal! (935...wow!)

Boy in a Bucket

IMG_4706, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

He is obsessed with Halloween. We started the 31 day count down today with little pumpkins I cut out and we're taping to the wall. He announces that he is going to be Darth Vader then Darth Maul and continues that path!! I'm certainly hoping he will be agreeable to being a vampire when the big day arrives.

His Mumzy (aka my mom) has made him a costume that I'm certain will be too stinking cute! It's year number three for her costume making and while last years was THE BEST I imagine this year wil lbe even better!!

**************Week In The Life Update**********************
Had to take photos with my phone today, but still taking them!

1. Woke up reluctantly...
2. Piled everyone into the car(never a great day when it involves the car!)
3. Dropped Ian off at school
4. Shea dropped me off at CalPERS
5. Taught "Managing Yourself on the Job" to a great group of people who laughed at all of my jokes!! (and encouraged me to persue that stand up gig!)
6. Ate a wierd lunch consisting of a spicy pickle, carrots and chocolate soy milk
7. Shea picked me up
8. Picked Ian up from school
9. Hung out with neighbors discussing Obama, Star Wars, Family Guy and the merits of our soil
10. Justin and Breena came over
11. Ate Chinese take out with them
12. Played soccer with Ian in the park
13. Shea put Ian to bed...and never returned!
13. Cruised facebook, designerdigitals and flickr for a while

Watering Can

IMG_4676, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

He has wanted this watering can for SO LONG. A million different reasons for not buying it -- birthday coming, looking for a kid version, etc, etc. Finally just bought the ugly grey one he's wanted since the beginning of the summer!

He LOVES it! He picked out flowers that we will pot tomorrow and we had a discussion about responsibility. Yep...3 years old. He nodded and said yes. Who knows if he really understood when I said, "It will be your responsibility to water them everyday. That means you take care of them so they grow big."

******
On another note

I'm sitting in the dark because the light burned out and it requires a ladder to change. Which requires a trip to the garage. Which could mean a late night encounter with Stinky. Don't know if he is still there. Don't want to find out.

********

And keeping up with my Week In The Life project...today I

1. Got up
2. Folded laundry
3. Worked on project
4. Brought Ian downstairs half dressed
5. He watched a video as a reward for getting completely dressed
6. Took a bath
7. Was joined by a little boy who can't stand anyone else in the tub without him
8. Got dressed
9. Dressed Ian (again)
10. Packed him into the bike trailer
11. Dropped him off at "Play School" (his term for Preschool)
12. Rode home looking sadly at Weatherstone as I skipped my ritual warm beverage stop
13. Worked on project
14. Ate jalepenos on my homemade baked taquitos for lunch
15. Worked on project
16. Broke/Fixed internet
17. Worked on project
18. Chatted with neighbor and Shea
19. Worked on project
20. Went to dinner at Jalepenos' (see a trend)
21. Went to parent meeting at "Play School"
22. Worked on project
23. Chatted with neighbor
24. Worked on project too late
25. Broke printer
26. Said good night to Ian
27. Worked on project
28. Chatted with neighbor
29. Wrote this
30. Went to bed (much too late)

Oh...and that project? Done...finally. So much for sending Ian to PlaySchool so I didn't have to work late nights...

Survivors by Errol Morris

I'm working on a project to capture my week in photos...what a day to also come across this on Cathy Z's blog.

For
Dot
Alex
Trevor
Jerry
Pat
Grandpa W
and so so many more

...I've been thinking it's time to move my body forward again...just maybe the urging I need.

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POTD 092808, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

We spent almost two hours and only $16 at the famer's market this morning. It was just such a great morning to be out, the weather was comfortable, the market wasn't crowded and the light was perfect. I'm sure people think I'm a bit nutty taking photos of just about everything there. But I was able to get this photo and save myself $4 and the headache of throwing them out when they are all wilty in a few weeks.

And even better...afterwards we took Ian to the park across the street and well...this photo says it all. All of my fears about his foot. All of my worries about him walking, running, and being "normal" Look at him go! You would never know that he has a "lucky" foot!

He chased two little boys around for at least half an hour. They were having so much fun! I think they were pretending he was a vampire or something else scary, but lately I'm just not certain!

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POTD 092708, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

Today he was a chef! Ian and Shea made our traditional weekend vegan oil free pancakes for breakfast. Ian loves cooking but REALLY loves it when he gets to do it with Dad. Today was all about chemical versus physical reactions while they watched the vinegar bubble when it met the baking soda. Oh, the joy of having a science teacher in the house!

Ian kept telling me, "we're chefs." Usually he's the "maker man" but I guess he's given himself a promotion!

***Skunk update for those of you concerned***
We ventured into the garage today. v e r y c a r e f u l l y No sign of her/him. We're leaving the light on and not composting for a while. Hopefully if he/she is still in there we will just discourage her/him enough so she/he decides to move right along to the next yard!

Stinky Compost

I compost.

I'm proud of my ability to achieve the correct blend of green and brown items so that there is no smell nor swarm of unwanted insects. I'm proud worms are thriving and sweet sweet mulchy brown stuff is being created.

And then...things began to change.

The bin was moved each day just a few inches.

A hole began to appear in the dirt at one corner.

And one day the entire contents was strewn around the backyard. Only the dirt (and some moldy potatoes remained).

So we did a little sleuthing and given our proximity to the river, weight of the bin and the telltale footprint left on our back deck we determined we had a raccoon who doesn't eat potatoes.

A little frustrated that my composting efforts were waisted on a masked bandit I was determined to not let him (her?) win. So I continue to compost, throwing big rocks against the bottom to deter digging.

Until tonight that is...

Having not fallen asleep putting Ian to bed, Shea had new found freedom! So in what appeared to be a fit of boredom? he went to the garage in the dead of night to dig out old Cd's. I heard him go out and DEFINITELY heard him come back in soon after. He looked at me as he plopped into his chair and said, "I just had the *#@x!! scared out of me!"

It seems as he was looking for his Cd's a furry black and white creature (rodent?) walked right in front of him...minding his own business. THANKFULLY Shea had the presence of mind to not scream, run, or panic. He backed out of the garage...and then ran!

It seems that raccoon we thought we had...

IS A SKUNK! And now it is living in our garage!

OH MY! I guess we are going to get familiar with animal control!

Meet Pinchy

POTD 092408, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

Pinchy is almost a year old! Hard to believe that so much time has gone by so quickly. He really hasn't grown much but he has shared in a lot of great adventures!

Today Pinchy decided he needed a few brownie bites after leaving school. It's a tough life being a lobster so we caved in. Seemed that a little mocha was the perfect addition.

Wonder where his adventures will take him next...

"I've Got An Idea"

Ian's new favorite phrase! He just blurted it out one day while talking to Shea. "I've got an idea." Then there was a long drawn out pause followed by a look of pure delight over his idea. "We can play checkers!"

He's never played checkers before. I didn't even know he knew the word.

Today we were telling him it was a school day. He looked at us. Paused.

"I've got an idea...Mom and Dad stay home...for a Home Day!"

I wanted to have a home day just because he was so stinking cute! Not a bad day though. He went to school. I finished two large projects. Discovered iGoogle. The governor signed the budget. He cried when he had to leave school (Ian, not the governor).

Got any ideas?? I'm sure Ian would love to hear them!

POTD 092208

POTD 092208, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

Guess where we went today?

Slowing Down

Life got a little crazy around here the last week or so. I think things are finally calming down a bit and we'll be back into a normal routine.

Wanted to wish my dear friend Melanie a very happy birthday :) I'm late for her in the UK, but heck it's still her birthday here! Plus, she deserves a jubillee too! She is one of those people I've never met but feel so very close to! So excited that we are meeting in real life in January! What a blast that will be, both of us flying hours from home and spending a jet lagged weekend together with 20 other women meeting mostly for the first time! (is mostly a word?!)

Take a look at her blog! She has the most adorable kids...and well, Daisy is spoken for! Mel and I just need she and Ian to meet now!

POTD 091108

POTD 091108, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

Victory! 20 stickers on the sticker board meant he could have this dragon! 20 happened this morning and we went immediately to Target. On arriving home it was a huge hit! Not only does he open his mouth and his "fire" lights up while he flaps his wing, but he also walks a long way AND can carry a guy on his back!

Ian was VERY excited about it! And if you ask him what he had to do to get those 20 stickers...what do you think he'd tell you?! So proud of him!

POTD 090608

POTD 090608, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

This morning Shea made me tea in this mug. It's one of those I've had a long time (see the chip?!). Ian was amused by it and especially by the little girl. Our conversation:

Ian: What's she got?
Me: A weight, so she can be strong.
It's good to be strong.
Ian: And beautiful?
(gasp...where did he hear that one? he's 3!! we have no television! It's good to be beautiful??!! WHAT?!!)
Mom: Beauty is on the inside (what else do you say?) Who is beautiful?
Ian: That girl. (pointing to the mug)
Mom: Who else?
Ian: And Addy...

Ahhh sweet boy. You make me smile. And yes, Addy is beautiful!

Outings

We met everyone in Old Sac on Wednesday to do a little Halloween shopping for the kiddos. Shopping was amuzing as the little girls wanted all things pink and Ian wanted everything scary. Vampires, skeletons you name it. The scarier the better it seems. Although I think he is settling on being a Jedi. Our neighbor Paul helped seal that when he arrived at our door step with a light saber that expands AND lights up! I'm not sure I've seen Ian quiet so taken with a toy yet. He carried it everywhere (including the grocery store), slept with it, and then had to be convinced that it was too special to take to school.

I digress though...the real point of this post was to show this adorable photo. I love how they are all holding on to each other in some way. We were playing the "touch the brown wall and..." game with directions like do a monkey walk, walk as slow as you can, be an elephant. The directions here were to get in line...they are still learning! The only thing missing is Leo!

POTD 090208

POTD 090208, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

"Play School" day 2.

A little easier time dropping him off this morning although there were tears...that is so hard. He knew we were there to pick him up before we could even get in the gate. It seems the bigger kids already know that we are his parents and announced us to him! We were met at the door with a big hug and smile. Then he insisted that he play for another 10 minutes or so!

Day 2 and we also received our first "incident report." I didn't even know schools did that! We have a nice little diagram of a body with a big X over the cheek. Very medical official like. Seems he crashed on the playground and they found him just sitting there with a little quiver but no tears. Peer pressure makes me think I need to borrow 4 or 5 kids to keep around the house. Oh, the incident report also documented the treatment. "Ice and lots of hugs." If only everything could be treated so easily!

Goodbye Summer

So this is it. Today it ended. No more. Over. Done.

School starts tomorrow! Shea is out of here bright and early tomorrow morning to "teach the kids", Ian goes to his second day of his new preschool*, and I will be home alone to catch up on the work that I've put off over the summer because there were just so many other things to do!

This was an amazing summer! Truly the best I've ever had. We've packed so much into it I think it would take me a day just to write it all down.

Maybe that is what I'll do tomorrow. It will be like extending it one more day. Those others things can wait. Right?

*yep, that was the tough decision. After 1.5 years at the Phoenix School we made the decision to move Ian to a co-op school in our neighborhood that is vegetarian and just seems to fit us better!

POTD 083108

POTD 083108, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

Back in town this morning after 3 days away. Nice to be home...so...of course we hopped on our bikes!

We went to Chalk It Up. It has become our anual Labor Day Weekend tradition! Ian was a little more interested in the playground than the art, but with the coaxing of throwing money into the fountain and looking for batman he agreed to see the art! We didn't find Batman but we did find the Backyardigans!

SuperMom

I've been in a mom funk for a few days. That crazy place where I begin to question all of my choices, strategies, tactics, methods, insights, etc. etc. That same place that I begin to worry about having damaged Ian at just three years old dooming him to a horrible life. Typing it now I can see just how silly I sound.

I got some amazing advice from a great group of women who've become such dear friends...who I've never even met, but know me so well. Such wisdom shared so kindly!

So today I finally realized where all of this was coming from. I needed to make a BIG decision for Ian. Something that had been eating at me for a while and I didn't even realize how much. But...we made it. I'm still not completely at ease, but feeling better about it by the moment.

The advice I received mentioned that the very act of questioning your decisions is a sign of a good mom... so given my level of questioning I must be SUPERMOM!

I'll share soon. (Unless you are my mom and want to call me :)*** ) In the grand scheme of life this is probably pocket change but in our little world this was BIG currency!

***I'm still amazed anyone reads this other than my mom :)

POTD 082408

POTD 082408, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

He is just silly.

He knew he couldn't be "dad" without the hat and glasses! We asked him if he was going to get a job like dad and he said he wanted to play. Oh don't we all little man!

Shea goes back to work/school tomorrow...he'll be taking his glasses and hat back.

Happy Camper!

POTD 082108, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

Ian looked forward to camping for days! He went on and on about sleeping in a tent telling everyone he saw!

Day One was great! He played, looked for bears and racoons, ate next to nothing (normal) and was eager to sleep in the tent. Afternoon day two arrived and he looked at us and said, "I want to go to my new house and watch a movie." That turned in to crying and sadness that only a piece of chocolate could cure! Smores were just a little too weird for him...he just didn't get the idea of burning a marshmellow and then eating it!

Night two went well with a little guy who was still looking for racoons. We woke to find a perfect foot print right on the picnic table! Ian announced to us that he was done camping and wanted to go home. After a little parental deliberation we decided the trip would just be better for everyone if we cut it a day short!

So short but fun!

He's home in his new house now...and yes, he watched a movie! (of his trip to Legoland...go figure!)

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POTD 081908, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

What do you with a boy at 830 PM when he's had a bit too much sugar and the softball field across the street has the lights on?

Any guesses?

If you guessed let him run until he can't anymore you've got it right! We played tag, chase, run, and fake baseball. Just as Ian was starting the let's throw infield dirt game an owl flew over us. That prompted him to become an owl and there we have it!

We knew he was done when he came running and said he was a baby owl. I scooped him up and asked him were dirty baby owls took baths. He told me in ponds. Luckily we found a pond upstairs!

Now that owl is sleeping!

Little Tikes

POTD 08-18-08, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

How cute are these three? We had a fun day out and about Midtown today! Had to cut it a little short for the little guy's doctor appointment but always great to spend time with Kathy and kiddos! Ian actually fell asleep in the wagon on the way home!

**********

We are in a bit of mourning around here! Tomorrow I work which signals the end of the best summer we've ever had (I seriously mean ever, even summers when I was a kid and got to slide down the front steps and wash my hair in the wagon with my sisters).

I promised myself I'd be in bed by 1000PM so I can get up early and actually look like a human being before I stand in front of the room...I guess I lied!