Enema Smenema

So due to the nature of the test this time there will be no pictures... sorry to disappoint.

Caleb survived the ordeal and managed to make it home and take a good nap before he experienced some, ehhhh, *side effects*. It's going to be a long day!

Status Quo

I was making my bed tonight (OK, so it doesn't always get done first thing in the morning...) and I thought about the process we went through to purchase our bedding. Don't worry, I have a point here.

We wanted a bedding set like you see in the magazines... a big duvet that you can sink into, with a nice, light throw blanket, gracefully, naturally laying across the bed with perfect placement. We wanted pillows upon pillows, so that half the bed was covered in them (So, really, I wanted pillows, Pete thinks they are pointless).

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We started the journey at Restoration Hardware-- not to purchase, 'cause we all know I can't afford it, but to get some good ideas. Of course, I found the perfect set. I asked the sales associate how they get it to look so good and, {HERE'S MY POINT} she said that they use two duvets inside one duvet cover to get it to look fluffy.

Seriously? Now, I have known for years that clothing stores use pins to help fit the clothes to the mannequins. And we all know that the idea of a 16 hour lip-stick is right up there with science fiction. So yeah, we know that we hardly ever purchase what we see. But two duvets inside one cover?

Is it just me or does it seem like more and more we (I'm using a generic "we" intended to include mostly moms, but I know that's a stereotype, so I'm over it) are faced with a pressure to appear perfect? Is it not enough that our clothes are frumpy and our make-up smears? We buy gym memberships and attend play dates. We cook from scratch (haha) and cut coupons. We attempt to clean our houses, only to learn that the products we are using are not "green" enough. And now, we can't even make our beds and live up to expectations.

So here's to breaking through the status quo. Here's to not caring if I have to feed my family Hamburger Helper so that I can have the time to take a shower. Here's to having an unfluffy bed and clothes that don't really fit. Because you know what? I'm doing the best I can-- and so are you. That should be enough. And it IS enough.

But only if we'll let it be.

Testing, Testing, One, Two, Three

Caleb went in to CHOP today to have his first test done. It's called a Meckel's scan (checking for, creatively named, Meckel's), and it was looking for stomach tissue that is in the wrong place. He was sedated, given some radioactive fluid through his IV and then for 30 minutes he had continuous pictures of his belly taken. We also learned that he has lost 1/2 pound since Tuesday. Just keeping that chic figure of his :)

I learned several things.


1. Caleb has apparently inherited my hatred for needles. The nurses always comment on how feisty he is, but today took the cake. Poor kid is going to need some serious therapy.


2. Sedation works really well.


3. When in doubt, tape the child to the table. Seriously? Why did I not think of this first?

Caleb had to be NPO (nothing by mouth) for several hours before the test. Add that to the fact that they ran 1.5 hours late and I was faced with one of the first (of many, I am sure) moments where I had to eat my words as a mother. I took him to McDonalds. Bleh. But he sure did love him some chicken McNuggets.

Next up? Barium Enema to check for Hirschsprung's and a Sweat Test to check for Cystic Fibrosis.

Bring it on.

Vocab

Do you use the word Nebby? Or know what it means?

Earth Day

"Unless someone like you, cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."

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-Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

Just a shout out to our dear Mother Earth today. Get outside. Plant a tree. Pick up some trash. Use gDiapers (just kidding... a little...). Do something to show how much we appreciate this beautiful earth we've been given.

Dr. Seuss, the wise man that he was, urged us--more than thirty years ago--to take a look around and take care of what we have. Look at how much more we know now about our impact on the Earth. With that knowledge, and the many resources we have, let's make a better and bigger effort. An effort to show respect to this big ol' chunk of rock hurling through the atmosphere.

Everyone Has a Picture of This...

Caleb's first round of spaghetti. I know, most kids did this long ago, but with Caleb's diaper rash, he couldn't tolerate tomato products. We gave it a try a few weeks ago and he seemed to be rather surprised by it. He is slowly warming up to it, but it's still giving him a rash so we're going slowly.

Easter

We were able to go down to my parent's place this year for Easter, which is exciting enough in and of itself. However, to add to it, my sister and her husband were able to go to Hong Kong this week, visiting my brother and his family, who live there. Not wanting to impose that 16 hour flight on their little one, Dean came to our place to hang out with his cousin for the week. They have been so cute together! Seriously, it's been tiring, but totally worth it to hear them laughing and playing together.

Here are a few shot from Easter. My mom found them matching outfits. Fun, fun fun.

Raleigh, N.C.

A few weeks ago Pete and I were able to take a quick trip to visit our great friends for his Spring Break. One of my best friends from growing up, Lauren, and her fabulous husband, Marcus just moved from SLC to Raleigh, NC. Even though Raleigh is still 6 hours away, it's a much easier trip than Utah! We're so excited that they are on the East Coast, and we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of their twin boys in June. Lauren has practically been MY twin for a long time, so I can't wait to meet hers!

We were only there for three days, but we were able to manage a quick trip to their local Children's Museum. We let Caleb test it out so that Lauren could see if it was worth the trip-- which it totally was!



Caleb has been doing this nutcracker, stiff leg walk up stairs lately. It's pretty funny.

He really loves reading!

The Pirate ship was a little bit too "old" for him, but he had fun crawling around.

Click on this picture and check out his little grin. It's too dang cute!

Building blocks with Daddy.

Slides are so much fun!

I can play chess... really... I think...



Thanks so much for letting us come stay with you guys Lauren and Marcus! We cannot wait to come see you again soon!

Shout out Cousin Dean Style

My cousin Dean is here for the week while his mom and dad are visiting my Uncle Aaron, Aunt Jenny and cousin Maeli in Hong Kong. He's a baby, so he misses his mom and dad, so my mommy let him send them a message. Even though he misses them lots, he hasn't cried at all! That's how I know he's cool enough to be my BFF.




Just so you know, if my mommy and daddy left for a week, I would totally be OK*.

Caleb

*By OK, I mean crying my eyes out every moment.

Good Deals and Not So Good Deals

GOOD DEAL:

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Did you know you can buy a metal detector at Radio Shack? Heck yes. I bought one today for an amazing $23.07!! (Normally sold at $149.99)


NOT SO GOOD DEAL:

Why might I need a metal detector? I was sprucing up the area in our "back yard" where we are going to plant a vegetable garden. How frugal, right? Not. I lost my w

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edding band and engagement ring. Somehow, I don't think there will ever be enough free vegetables to make it worth it.

The metal detector found my wedding band (which, was in fact a good deal) but not the engagement ring.

I'm beginning to think Karma has something against me this week.

How We Spend Our Free Time

This is from a few weeks ago.  Peter studies for boards with a friend every night, so to fill the time, Caleb and I can get a little slap happy sometimes.