BLOG - Please Read First

Due to my camera, Cole, sickness, and just general inconsistency, I've recently just posted several blog postings since my last in early December. To be exact, 9. So, in order to see them all and in chornonlogically order, after reading this, scroll down all the way and click on Older Posts, it's on the right (there are cute pics of Lauren). To go back to more recent posts (when you're done with the first three) just click on New Posts which is on the bottom left.

Thanks!

C875 R.I.P. June 2007 to December 2007

After trouble shooting my digital camera, taking on the phone with Kodak, and finally driving up to DC on Monday I've found out my repair is too costly to fix and for a few more Jackson's ($20's that is), I can just buy a new one... ... although I just got my car repaired for an unexpected steep fee, so a digital camera is on the backburner. Plus my car stereo isn't working, no music, just kids (i know, it's horrific)... Ipod you say? That's on the backburner as well... ... however, feel free to donate ;)
Compliments to Lisa whose photos are within this blog... ... Lauren's tooth, Cole in the snow - she is very good at capturing these moments even when I do have a camera!
Thank you, Lisa!

Lauren McPhee?

A few hours till Super Bowl and after several weeks of showing us the improved contorded moments she could put her tooth in, she finally pulled it out! Hallelujah, as it was all grossing us out. However, the tooth next to it is right behind as its loosing its hold on its reminding attached tissue (ewww). Joe has been calling her Nanny McPhee, justifiably so given the above picture with Natalie. So, you may be thinking the Tooth Fairy came... ... a little history first, a while back, Lauren lost one of her bottom teeth and although she really wanted the Tooth Fairy to come, she first needed to express her reservations and inner conflict of wanting to keep the tooth and receiving some dinero as well, of course, this was in writing with me taking dication from Lauren. Then, the next morning, she would receive a letter back from the Tooth Fairy, she too expressing herself and letting Lauren know how busy she was, etc. ... ...This went back and forth and then finally an arrangment was made (thankfully without the Tooth Fairty seeking representation). In the end, Lauren did receive a sufficient monetary amount (although sources say she describes the amount as tolerable) and was premitted to kept the tooth for an undisclosed period of time. This time, Lauren has chosen to forgo neogations with the Tooth Fairy and keep her tooth without monetary gain. I'm just wondering if the Tooth Fairy will be leaving some sort of wavier under her pillow as Lauren could change her mind and I'm confident the Tooth Fairy has some sort of statue of limitations ... ... I better check ;)

Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds

Since the New Year, I had been sick, really sick. I assumed I just caught a bug that had to run its course. Then, the next week, I was still sick, but coughing more. Days went by, more coughing… … Finally, on the 11th I went to my doctor. A few deep breaths later I had 5 prescriptions in hand, and ordered to go to a near by radiology office for an x-ray. My doctor was confident I had pneumonia or bronchitis, which my plethora of scripts took care of both. Steroids, Antibiotic, Cough syrup, Inhaler, Oh My! The all had their own set of side-effects, mostly irritating ones (with the exception of the cough syrup ;), especially the steroids which I swear had some sort of amphetamine in them as it kept me up all night. After 7 days, I had my follow-up and to my dismay, I found out I was still wheezing and back on another set of scripts for the next week which included my most loathed... ...the steriods. Ugh. But, like with all the med’s, I took them vigilantly with side-effects in all. I was supposed to go back before the 31st for another ‘follow-up’ visit, but cancelled and never rescheduled, so I need to get that done to get the official “you’re out of the woods”.

1st Snow in '08

It was in January sometime, late morning on a Friday. Cole showed me it was snowing and a couple hours later after it took to the ground, we bundled up and put his first pair of official snow boots on that he had gotten for Christmas to finally stomp on some white stuff. Lauren was in school, and unlike Prince William County Public Schools, they made them finish out the school day. So, no early dismal for Lauren. But, as soon as she got off the bus, she was out till dark. Cole loved it, both times he was out. He did not want to come in, but I made him and endured his toddler rant which would likely translat into some condemnation.

New Year Snooze Year

Cole was a sleep next to me on the couch and Joe barely awake himself was on the other couch 30 minutes till 2008. Lauren, however, was wide awake urging us to get up, but we were not feeling so hot and both lethargic; Joe wasn’t even drinking (I know what you’re thinking, and yes, you’re right, he must have been sick). But, Joe managed to get up a few minutes till and prepared Lauren a wine glass of sparking apple cider and rang in the New Year at midnight. A few minutes later, we were all in bed asleep. I know, terribly exciting.

CHRISTMAS!

Six something AM, I believe it was, when we let the eager, present opening crew downstairs… … Joe and I made sure we had our coffee first and the video camera set up. Although only just 2, Cole had understood that Santa had indeed stopped by on his route with all the presents offering as evidence to his visit. Lauren had a marker written note on her new 2-sided easel from Santa giving thanks for our cookies. Lauren happily read each word and quickly moved on to unloading the contents of her Santa filled stocking and then, it was “Can we open presents NOW?!”. Cole was just happy with his fire truck Santa had left in front of the tree unwrapped and ready to use. But, once he opened his first present, he was on a roll and truly excited with each and every one he opened (and believe me, there was a lot). Afterwards, in the afternoon, we headed over to Grandma & Grandpa’s house and there opened gifts as well. I had thought Cole would be too tried, but no sir, he eagerly opened each one with no coercing.

The Night Before Christmas... ...

On Christmas Eve Day, we made sugar cookies and used the Christmas cookie cutters Aunt Song gave us a few years ago (or perhaps many years ago, not sure). We had frosting of different colors, sprinkles, and tubes of colored gel and what not to custom decorated our cookies, the best ones were reserved for Mr. C. Unfortunately, the weekend before, when Joe’s parent were down, is when my digital camera started failing to capture our family moments. When I would take a picture is almost looked black and today, after many attempts to “fix” the problem, it still does it… … Hopefully here soon, I’ll get it fix. So, you’ll have to forgive the lack of pictures L others that you might see above are from Lisa’s camera (thanks to my neighbor and her snap shooting ways).

The Nutcracker

Grandma (my mom) took Lauren to see the Nutcracker for one of her Brownie Troop excursions. As you can see, she enjoyed getting dolled up and debuting her new dress for the event. Lauren has been in ballet for over 4 years now and is impressed when she sees real ballerinas.

Grannie & Pap's Visit

On their way to Naples, Grannie & Pap (Joe’s parents) stopped at our house for a couple of days. During their stay, we celebrated Pap’s birthday and as always, enjoyed our family tradition of serving homemade buttercream frosted cake, and, of course, with our required side dish of ice cream. On Sunday, they packed back up and returned to the high way towards their sunny, subtropical destination – Florida.