Poison Ivy

Ok, I have a raging case of poison ivy, and at the insistence of my friend Rachel, dragged myself to the doctor last night. I took the first pill this am and feel 84% better.

Despite the fact that I work in the pharmaceutical industry, I will never understand why some things require a prescription. It's not like someone is going to start OD-ing on poison ivy meds.

Oh look, this package says that it will give me headaches, make my skin thin (?), give me insomnia, will make me thirsty, will make me gain weight, make me dizzy, produce joint pain, cause unusual hair growth, and will cause bowel "issues". I should totally start dealing this stuff on the corner - people will buy it in droves.

I dropped the prescription off last night, but they were swamped, so I had to wait until today to start taking the medication.

I really feel like they should be on the shelves at the store with a big neon sign that reads, "If you are REALLY sick, this is the stuff".

Also - there was a man at the Doctor's office with a face mask, and dramatic cough. He kept going up to the front desk and would say stuff like, "I think everyone in the lobby is afraid of my "condition" - you should really see me first", or "I'm worried about infecting everyone, they all seem uncomfortable with my illness, you don't have to see me first, maybe I could just sit in the back?". They kept asking him to have a seat.

It made me laugh inside. No, Mr. Swine Flu, you should sit down, and wait your turn. And no, you do not have Swine Flu. Calm Down !!!!

Mike is sick

Germ warfare agent #1 (Connor) and germ warfare agent #2 (Olivia) got Mike sick. He has bronchitis again, and has been home sick for two days.

I work from home on Tuesdays, and he actually called my work # (several times) from down the hall to ask me to come rub his feet.

Hopefully he will feel better tomorrow.

I'm headed to the office tomorrow, so if he stays home, he would have to call Joyce from next door, and I highly doubt that she would come over to rub his feet.

Please tell the dinosaurs not to bite me...

We did a family field trip on Sunday and met my Mom at Dinosaur Land. Located in the Shanendoah Valley, about an hour away from both of us is Dinosaur Land. I had fun, Mike thought it was a little cheesy. I concur with the cheesy assessment, but it was still fun.

Envision a guy, probably in the 1960's, who discovered fiberglass, and crafted something large. He probably then moved onto dinosaurs. He made one - and all of his guy friends thought it was cool, so he made a second one. His wife got mad after two, and laid down the law. He had to turn it into some sort of money making venture - or no more dinosaurs. He actually did it, and at the end of the walking tour, you actually end up in someone's backyard.

I thought it was cool, and perhaps a little funny. They also had a giant shark, octopus, praying mantis, and king kong.

The entry fee is fairly cheap - I think it was $19 for 3 adults and 2 kids, so, my assessment would be a good field trip. A good field trip for a one hour drive - maybe anything over two hours, you might be disappointed.

And yes, Connor did ask us to speak to the dinosaurs to make sure they did not eat him.

The King's New Throne

We lent Connor & Olivia's exersaucer to Patrick Royal. 

Patrick is our friend Carolyn's little guy, he is super sweet and check him out in the fancy exersaucer!!

Super fun. Connor loved it - Olivia never got too excited about it for some reason.

He likes calling people on the toy phone. He wants to be like his Mommy with her iPhone.

Skinny Pants

Connor and Olivia are now wearing the same sized shorts. We have officially hit warm weather, so I dug out our summer clothes. 

Last year, I made the mistake of giving away all of Connor's shorts to Owen. Turns out that he was the same size last Summer as the previous Summer. In shorts at least.

Connor is a skinny little guy - so he has always worn clothes a little on the small side.

Crazy Bird Lady

Ok - it's official. I have become the crazy bird lady. I have stopped using the front door, and was actually annoyed this evening when Connor's friend stopped by and rang the front doorbell.

All I could think of was DON'T SCARE THE MOMMY BIRD - YOU ARE BEING TOO LOUD FOR THE EGGS!!!!

I did pick Connor up to see the eggs, still nothing is happening.

Coughing and Eye Goop

Olivia is sick, she has a cough and some icky eye thing going on. We still had some prescription eye drops from the last time this happened, so that should be quickly solved. Alas, when Connor was small, they decided to ban Padia-care which was a decongestant for babies. Believe it or not - there really isn't anything else on the market for colds until they hit two years old.

What a sham.

3 Eggs

I went outside this am to leave Olivia's Exersaucer out for Kevin to come by and borrow. In the process, I scared off the Mommy bird from the nest in the middle of the wreath. (Not sure the status of nest #2 - I'm too short to evaluate). I peeked in the nest, and there are three little blue eggs. Very exciting!!

I may have to discontinue use of the front door and place up cones and barriers.

The Race Car Bed Gets Crowded

My Mom got Connor a wooden truck that carries building blocks. The entire truck can be dismantled, even the wheels and axle of the truck. Last night, the axle portion got invited into the inner sanctum of the sacred race car bed.

I did not have to tell a miscellaneous piece of wood that I loved it, but I did have to make sure it was covered by the blanket.

Doggie Towel

Connor got this doggie bath towel from Chris and Betty when he was born, and now Olivia has inherited it. It's really super sweet, just like Olivia.

This is Olivia eating my very expensive headset for work. I think she really just licked it a little.

Nest Update

Ok - turns out that there are actually TWO nests. One on the top (really listing to the side) and one in the center of the wreath.

Don't birds have some sort of zoning commission? I can't understand why none of the other birds were like, "Bob, that's really a bad idea, why don't you set up your nest TWO FEET over in that there ficus tree?".

So now I have become the OCD front door lady - I'm just a step away from making signs to direct people to gently close and open the door.

Spring is Sprung!

There is a bird who built a little nest on the top of the wreath on my front door. Poor choice of location to build your home, but it still makes me smile.

Bulbs are coming up, trees are blooming, and the lawn has officially been mowed for the first time this year. Last year, Connor wanted to go "help" Mike mow the lawn - that had disaster written all over it, so I banned this idea.

Connor actually went and hung out in the yard on Saturday while Mike mowed. He didn't run into the street, or jump in front of the mower, or get bitten by a stray dog. He did have a Jedi battle with a random stranger, but that all ended in a safe fashion. No lawsuits were filed.

Spring is sprung - the kids are growing up so fast. I can't wait for our Summer adventures to begin. Jon and Sarah are in OBX right now. Jealous does not begin to describe my feelings on that, but I'm thrilled for them. Declan is growing up so fast, and is having his first taste of the big ocean.

Happy Spring!

Diet Pepsi is Not Diet Coke

No, this is not related to parenting anyone, but numerous of the blog followers will understand, so here goes.

Diet Pepsi is not Diet Coke - as indicated by the fact that the have two different names and are made by two different companies.

Mike took us to an AWESOME sushi buffet yesterday (Rachel - we HAVE to go) in Herndon. I did the normal "Diet Coke please", she said ok, and brought Pepsi. The funniest thing was that when she came to refill the drink, she brought a pitcher with masking tape on it that read "Diet Coke".

Not to be militant - but having some masking tape, and simply calling something something, does not make it so.

Tomorrow - I will take the kids to school and put masking tape on Connor that reads "Olivia", and tape on Olivia that reads "Connor". They will switch places in school - and the masking tape will make it so!

Olivia gets new tooth

After much anticipation...ok, I was not really anticipating it, or worried about it, but Mike's mom had him convinced that the lack of a new tooth was a huge issue, a new tooth has arrived.

It is located on the front - next to the two front teeth.

Connor the Jedi Knight

Connor is on a HUGE Star Wars kick, so yesterday during "Special Mike and Connor Saturday Fun Time", a light saber was acquired. These things happen when I'm not around, because I would probably be a wet blanket.

Connor came home with his new green light saber and was beside himself with joy.

Later in the day - Mike and Connor were working in the yard. Random coincidence, another little boy was walking by with his parents, ALSO carrying a light saber. Mike said that they had an impromptu battle on the front lawn. Pretty funny.

And yes, the light saber has been added to the bed. And no, I did not have to tell the light saber that I loved it. Yet! I'm sure that is coming.

Happy Monday

I have not posted for a few days. Shame on me! I will attempt to be better about being consistent.

This is Olivia this am getting ready for school. She has a nicer wardrobe than I do, but like Connor, I'm sure that my days of being able to get her to wear what "I" like are limited - but she is wearing a cute little dress with a scottie dog on the front.

Easter was fun with the kids - we did an egg hunt in the yard with Connor, and one with Olivia in the living room. On Saturday, we went to my Mom's house and ate lunch and dyed eggs.

Church didn't go so good yesterday - primarily I think because Mike and Connor had to stand, but what can you do.

More later - I promise!

No More Head Banging

We are at day #3 of no more head banging from Olivia in the morning. Cross you fingers for continued success!

I can't IMAGINE how she is going to take it when I stop nursing altogether - I don't think that it is going to be well received.

I love you plastic skirt hanger!

As you all know, Connor keeps adding to the repertoire of things that get to go to bed with him. Last night's addition was the plastic tackle box that came with his new fishing pole.

While putting Connor to bed, after I told him that I loved him, he wanted me to tell monkey and tigger that I loved them too, then he held out the plastic skirt hanger, and yes, I told a plastic skirt hanger that I loved it.

Spicy Rice Super Donalds

Tonight Mike took BOTH kids to Spicy Rice Super Donalds. This is what Connor calls Chipolte. Wrangling one kid is somewhat manageable, two can be interesting.

Mike's post-trip report was pretty funny. Carolyn - you may not be able to read this one.

Mid dinner, Connor announced that he had to go to the bathroom. Mike took Olivia out and they ran off to the bathroom after Connor. Of course the door was locked - but they finally got in. Connor wanted to use the adult urinal, so while Mike was holding him up mid-air, he was trying to corral Olivia in the corner with his foot.

While he was washing Connor's hands, Olivia ran over to splash in the urinal. Very very upsetting information to hear indeed.

He managed to re-wash everyone and go back to the table. A few minutes later, Connor fell out of the booth and landed on his rump on the floor and was hysterically crying. Mike scooped him up and was trying to calm him down, so he made a joke about how Connor broke the floor at Spicy Rice Super Donalds, because there was a crack on the cement floor. This upset Connor even more, and started a new round of weeping.

Apparently, on the way out, some man stopped to help Mike cary his tray, and bemoaned how he has the same experience when his wife sends him out with both kids.

Hold the Phone!!!

There is a boy reading my blog!!!

Stop the presses - I love it!!! This is one of my oldest friends Jon Steinberg, he crank called me at work today and left me a message as if he were the school calling to report that Connor was biting people and furniture. He later quoted my blog.

Rock on! One step closer to world blog domination. 6 official followers and one stealthy boy. This has got to be like 9% of the world's population right?

Olivia's Week Continues

Today we went to the pediatrician's for Olivia's 15 month check up and shots. This is her before we had to get naked and have shots. Please note the super cute pink bow, the ladies at school dolled her up for her doctor's visit.

She got a clean bill of health, except for a slight fungal infection. We're ladies, so we don't discuss specifics, but she'll have some fancy cream tomorrow and she'll be sorted right out.

Hopefully tomorrow will not involve any tripping, falling, head banging, or shots, and we can end the week on an upswing.

A Visit to the Mouse

Mariana, Nick's mom texted me last night to report that they were going to go to Chuck E Cheese's, and did we want to come. I work in Rockville on Wednesdays, so normally it would never work out, but the stars aligned, and Mike was at a meeting, so we joined them at "the mouse".

What a blast. Connor was beside himself, and Mariana and I had a beer (my Jenny Craig lady is going to have a FIT), and the kids romped and ran. Olivia took a tumble on the slide. She chose to go head first, and it didn't end well, but she had a great time. Mena and Layla were there too.

A week night is actually a fun time to go. Props on the idea Mariana!

Olivia Has a Week !

Poor Olivia has had a bad week.

First - she took a spill leaving school on Monday and fell head first on the sidewalk. She's fine, and only has a scrape on her forehead. Of course this happened on my watch and I feel horrible.

Then - also on Monday, I decided to phase out the morning nursing, leaving just bedtime. This has NOT been well received. Instead of coming into our bed where it is warm and toasty and snugly, I have been taking her downstairs. Half way down the steps, she realizes that the jig is up, and starts crying, really sobbing, truth be told. I have to put her down in the kitchen while I warm up some milk for her, and for three days now, she has sat on the kitchen rug, throwing herself on it and occasionally banging her head on the floor. This morning, she added banging on the dishwasher to the mix.

I know that it is for the best - but it's a sad and pitiful sight.

The Great Primo Family Secret

Ok - the Primos have a big family secret, and it's finally time to let it out.

Olivia may be a morning person.

There, I said it. I can just hear the villagers getting their pitchforks ready to storm the house.

Mike, Connor, and I are NOT morning people. We love nothing more than lolly gagging about in bed. We like to sleep in, we like to be toasty, we like pillows, we like to burrow. Connor and I share the same "nothing can wake us up gene". I scoff at those fancy new alarm clocks where they wake you up with an ever increasing night light. Never in a million years would that rouse me. I actually have to buy a new alarm clock every few months, not because the clock portion no longer works, but because the snooze alarm function is not working.

In high school, (and probably college??), the family joke was that my Mom would have to poke me with a wooden spoon to wake me up. When Connor is older, we may have to have him go to bed in school clothes, and then just carry him to the car.

I think I've missed this personality trait because I would nurse Olivia in bed, and she would often go back to sleep in the am. For the past week, aside from the sobbing and head banging that has already been discussed, she's actually awake and functioning.

Not that I'm knocking morning people, don't get me wrong. My Mom is a morning person. They are really pretty impressive. I'll call my Mom on the way to work. Here is what I got done by 7am, I got showered and put on clothes. Here is what she got done, she got showered, put on clothes, ironed a bunch of things, did two loads of laundry, walked the dog, unloaded the dishwasher, and did a puzzle.

It's pretty impressive. I have a vision of Mike, Connor and I asleep, while Olivia is up early, calls my Mom, and they discuss what kind of sprinkles to put on the sugar cookies that Olivia has just made, and which of Louisa May Alcott's books might be the best.

My Mom needs to come on over with her wooden spoon for the rest of us lot.

How Many Things Can Fit Into a Race Car Bed?

Tonight is night #10 with the new bed. I was really worried about the transition, but it has gone great, and the crib is now with Paul and Katie at their fancy new house.

For three years, Connor was pretty religious about his bedtime companions, Monkey, Tigger, and a blanket my Grandmother made.

Since the advent of the Race Car Bed, it's ALL changed. Almost every night, Connor adds something else to the mix.

Tonight, Connor went to bed with a blanket, Monkey, Tigger, a light up sword from the circus, 2 cars, one book, and a plastic skirt hanger. Yes - a plastic skirt hanger. I think he thinks it is a light saber.

The blanket is for a baby or toddler and Connor insists that all of these random things get tucked in and are covered. The blanket is at full capacity!