TMI at 4 a.m.

I am not the best sleuth on the block, nor have I ever claimed to have any Colombo-like skills. (Note, I wanted to spell that "slooth" on first impulse.) Last night, my clear lack of detecting abilities was clearly illustrated. Let me share my most recent dose of humility with you now...

When I am tired and sleep-deprived, my critical thinking skills are null and void. Typically, the lines between fact and fiction get very blurry at this point. My hyper-powered imagination runs wild when my rational brain isn't on duty.

Case in point, last night the baby monitor in our room was possessed, or so I thought. Seriously.

I heard all sorts of noises that would make any mother freak out: there was adult male coughing, random grunting, heavy objects falling from high locations, and quirky screeching. And these noises popped up, independent from each other, for about a two hour span. With each occurrence, I tip-toed into Miles' room, looking for clues. My next to last conclusion was that Miles was getting sick- with an illness that affected his personality and his airways- that made him whoop like a man and squeak like a dolphin. The conclusion before that was the presence of a sickly burglar in my son's room, and he's having trouble loading the loot into his bag. Wait, that sounds like I was thinking of the Grinch- 'tis the season, I suppose.

Alrighty, a little after 4, my brain switched on, and I had Jesse assist me with an experiment. I snuck back into little man's room, for like the 100th time, and I whispered into the baby monitor. Yet, before conducting this test, I switch the monitor's receiving channel. Changing channels cut out all of the zoo noises (which were coming from next door, yikes!!!), and I was finally able to catch some zzz's. So the question begs, what were my neighbors up to last night??? Clearly, their child was restless, but so was the whole darn house.

We've been meaning to cut the monitors off; here's the perfect opportunity. Tonight, we end our 20 months of broadcasting: good night and have a pleasant, coughing burglar-free tomorrow.

Houston, we have ear tubes and surprising allergy test result.

Some pre-op cuteness...

Miles has ear tubes and an allergy to soy. Soy!!! The one diet option we thought was a safe bet. Even more unexpected, milk is not an allergen. Didn't see that coming, at all, and I shared my disbelief with all the staff in ear shot. At first my reaction was frustration- and why not- because soy is all the boy ingests. Another surprise- wheat is not an allergen, either. Note- this does not rule out Celiac Disease. We'll tackle that issue at his 2 year check-up. The only other substance that created a reaction was mold. Go figure, he is my child, after all.

As for recovery, the mid-morning was a little rocky. He'd been given some "chill-out" juice to calm him down pre-op, and only gas during the procedure. Miles was foggy for awhile, but a four hour power nap seemed to wipe the slate clean. He's now back to his loud and perky self.

After we went to the museum...

...we swung by our local Best Buy. This has always been Jesse's candy store-meets-toy store. Now, Miles is a fan, too. Visiting was my suggestion; I am always on the look out for "Wallace and Gromit" DVDs- and I wanted to see if I could get "The Misadventures of Flapjack"- which is now my favorite show. I struck out on the DVD front, but little man hit a home run on the electric drums. He's sitting on the stool, with my hands anchoring him down. Jesse is manning the camera. Luckily, no salespeople asked us to leave. Santa, if you are reading this, please get my son a drum kit. OR, craigslist, if you are reading this, please list a low cost-to-free drum kit I can score within a relatively short driving distance.

Nap drive and nature time

We wanted to go see the College's production of "Little Shop of Horrors" this afternoon, but given the intense teething that little man is undergoing, we opted for a scenic nap drive.
The drive ended at the Virginia Living Museum, in Newport News. I've written other posts about this place; we love it. They only take in injured animals, and the habitats are constructed to be as realistic as possible. Like I said, we love it.
Mr. Fox is on the prowl. Miles tried to throw his shoe at him. Jesse retorted by telling Miles that foxes don't eat shoes, they eat little children. My laughter did not break the fox's concentration.
Out on the observation trail, Dada and Miles scope out a grey wolf.
The Living Museum's new exhibit is about Megalodon shark. This picture is now my new visual anthem for a teething plight. Really, this pic says it all.

(If I had known that the nap drive would turn into a cool adventure, I would have brought my camera. However, the little CrackBerry did a decent job.)

Scrubby, scrubby, scrubby

It's not particularly easy brushing this kiddo's teeth. First of all, Miles wants to do it himself- as referenced in this video. Secondly, brushing time is prime biting time. Nothing like having to lock your child in bear hug invites shoulder nibbles and arm chomps. Just think of it as Miles flossing his teeth with my limbs. Finally, he has a plethora of teeth- Miles is cutting numero 12 as I type, and it looks ready to burst forth at any moment.

Let's try this again...

Just found out there is another public flu shot clinic that is offering the preservative-free version of the H1N1 vaccine. At Grafton HS, 4 pm, today.

With Miles heading into the hospital next week for ear tubes and allergy testing, I want this shot in him. Hospitals are so yucky. Additionally, we are looking into flying to Florida over the winter break, and airplane air is equally gross. Another good reason to make sure he has this shot.

Don't know if it is being broken up into to tow rounds, likely so because that is what he had to do for the seasonal version- two sticks for the price of one.

Last year at this time...

... we were wondering where all his teeth were hiding. Now, the proverbial flood gate has opened, and I think his little mouth is running out of room. Soon, he'll have to out-source some of the newer out-croppings to someone else. Seriously, little man is teething like mad, but I don't see much room left. (The picture above was taken a year ago, when the gums were just starting to warm up to their current fever pitch.)

WWKSD?*

... there is one school directly across the street from the site; another one just around the corner. Numerous residential neighborhoods are in sight of this development. The local evacuation center sits opposite of the yard, and the hospital is not even a mile away. Way too close for comfort.

I don't think we have to be "pro-jobs" with "anti-health" footing the bill. Sometimes it feels like the EPA has forsaken my hometown.

*What would Karen Silkwood do?

Flashback continued... a high school hangout revisited

Out of frame are numerous "No Parking" signs which I know we never read. Ahhh, the good ole days. The spot's not a secret as it use to be; many trees have been removed over the years. Doubt the spot has the same lure it did ten years ago.

Saturday: My camera & me

Miles was playing in the backseat, kicking and singing along with Peter Gabriel. I, driving along in serious flashback mode, made numerous pull-offs to snag some random pictures. Holla if you know where we were!

Q: Why am I typing this from home, at 9am , on a school day?

A: The Atlantic Assault!

Read all about it here. Rarely have I, as an over-worked under-relaxed teacher, gotten a snow day. Never, until today, have I gotten a rain day. We dismissed early yesterday because our river-front communities were starting to flood. Thankfully, I packed my grade book and lesson plan materials- though I did this cautiously because taking home essential materials is a fast way to jinx a school cancellation.

Note, this closing is a little scarier than your traditional snow day. Our county has some very low lying lands, and many housing communities have popped up along the shores. I am worried about the folks back there, especially since the county has now opened up emergency shelters and are providing aide.

Reports are stating that the water levels are very close to that of Hurricane Isabel, and the Weather Channel has been showing non-stop coverage of the damage done in the Outer Banks- where we were last weekend for the reunion. Apparently, the dunes are gone; numerous houses are expected to fall into the water.

On a happier note, how did I celebrate the chance to sleep in? By taking the time to make Miles and me real grits! (With real cheese- sorry dairy-free diet. Grits just have to have some cheddah cheese added.) Yummy.

Last from the beach, Nags Head Reunion 2009

Nicholas, Miles, and Max

Just a small sampling of all the digital documentation that occurred.

Say Cheese!

Our Weekend Housemates

Jesse and Jewel (Grandma)

Some surf and turf cuteness with Miles and Max

My shady Little Man

On the prowl...grrr!

Nicholas' landscaping project, which included bucket seating!

Max lends a hand.

Goodbye, Mag-pie.

This breaks my heart.

Maggie, my parent's dog, was more like a sibling. She filled the empty nest; she gave unconditional love; she could sit like a penguin. Occasionally, Maggie would spend long weekends at our house, snuggling with Liloo, and using my head as her pillow. Never have I encountered a sweeter, kinder, and more loyal animal.

Last night, Mag-pie passed away. She has been battling cancer for some time now, and the fight had really taken a toll. I take some comfort in knowing that she is no longer suffering; however, my eyes are welling over because I already miss her so much. Maggie was never a pet; she was family.

So for one last time I will say, "Stairs, Maggie!" and imagine her tank-like body shimmying up the staircase to wait for her beloved leash. More than anything, she loved going on trips. To get through this morning, I will imagine that Maggie, as part of her life's journey, has continued on to her next big adventure. Goodbye, Mag-pie.

(great) Great Aunt Joan- Nags Head 2009

If only the camera could capture her essence, you would see more than just a vibrant and loving face. You'd also know the depth of her kindness and compassion. Obviously, we love some Great Aunt Joan in this house. The Reunion is the only time our paths cross each year, so we try to get in plenty of hugs and photographs.

Joan, with all of the great aunts- and a grandma, too! Joan is the wild card with her tongue sticking out. Love it!

Sunshine, smiles, and Miles.

Collecting shells

Enjoying the 70 degree awesomeness; one of the perks of a Mid-Atlantic fall day.

More family photos to come this afternoon-ish.

One more peek before bedtime

Sneak Peek: Family Reunion, Nags Head 2009

I am not actually posting these because I should be hard at work on my grades, which are due in a matter of hours. But seeing that we had a lovely OBX-family weekend, I thought sharing with you would trump grading math quizzes. Right??? More soon. Scout's honor.

He plays chords! (Sorta)

Miles, our ever-present keen observer, has picked up a new piano trick. After watching his Dada, Miles now, almost exclusively, plays using his thumb and index finger simultaneously. I am not a musician, so I will describe it as a finger bridge. Regardless, the kid plays in chords. Also, watch how he uses both hands.

And I swear, that on several occasions, I heard the intro to "Hungarian Rhapsody" come from his tiny hands. Jesse plays it daily to Miles, so it's not like he hasn't seen it played before. This sampling is a bit more on the jazz-odyssey-exploration* side. Enjoy!

*That is for all you Spinal Tap fans out there.

From the bottom of my heart!

Thanks to everyone who contributed to Team Milestones. Our Buddy Walk team was able to contribute a whopping $2,545 to the National Down Syndrome Association. Without a doubt, I can feel the love. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Happy Turkey Day?

Oh yeah, I said turkey- not pumpkin, goblin, or ghoolie.

Yesterday, on our drive to retrieve Little Man from his grandparent sleepover party, Jesse's beloved vehicle made a new interpretation of an open-faced turkey sandwich.

**Note: Miles was NOT in the car during the incident. We were on our way to pick him up.**

Some quick background information: We were moving along at a decent clip along a rural road; wild flying turkeys are not uncommon in the area. Update my comment about our speed. Jesse just informed me that we were going 60 miles per hour, and the cruise control never flinched- impact or not. The beaked perpetrator weighed in around 15 to 20 pounds- based upon spotting his body on the return trip home- while we were in a different car, obviously.

One moment, I was jamming out to "Eyes of the World" from the Dead's One from the Vault. Next moment, we are both yelling, and my husband is covered in glass shards. Two minutes later, we are both laughing out of shock and the utter absurdity of the situation. Who slams into a turkey???? Deer, sure. Squirrels, sadly. Turkey, never would have thought of it.

Jesse was mostly fine. Small cut on his forehead and glass bits for days covered his clothes. We are hoping the car's frame survived unscathed, but we won't know until the glass people take a look.

This is probably the scariest thing that has ever happened to me on a Halloween. And to think it involves Thanksgiving. Guess the calendar is trying to multitask on us.

On a final note, my brother, in a true Ted Nugent moment, wanted to know why we didn't go back and get the bird. Apparently, we left behind some tasty eats in our wake. For now, the feathers embedded into the windshield will have to be our souvenirs.

So to you I say,

Happy Thanksweening!