wet, hot and busy

one more girl in the world

OK, almost one more girl in the world. I just spoke with Matt and he says Mel's Doctor is suiting up and she is getting ready to bring that baby into the world! So exciting!
Her Horoscope:
Right now your brain is wide open to new ideas and new ways of doing things. Stepping out of your comfort zone has never felt so good, so take a walk on the wild side and remind yourself what it's like to feel a little out of your element! There has never been a better time in your life to explore a new hobby or interest. How about checking out a career opportunity that you have been thinking about pursuing for a while? You are about to enter a very sweet and worry-free time in your life.
***UPDATE!***
Wren Shiori is here! 7 lb 7 oz 18 3/4"! Mel had 15 minutes of pushing and out she came- "the right color and everything!"

when boredom reigns

I check out the 'next blog' option on blogspot. So, I ask you- please take a look at rick-thesmithfamily.blogspot.com and tell me what you think about the direction they're heading. I honestly can't read it- the photos are all I need to get me going. Their header is actually all I need. I think I could dedicate a paper to the site's photos. On another note, I read a book! Sammy (our 12 y/o neighbor) her mom Steph and I are having a book club this summer. This is for Sammy's brain (and evidently my own!) Our first book selection is titled Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. I finished it tonight. 498 pages of high school vampire love. Dare I suggest it to you all? It went surprisingly fast and fun. Decidedly for girls- or those of us that love looking at impeccably dressed beautiful boys with topaz colored eyes. OK, these are the words from the book I had to look up; dint, circuitous, seraphic. Know 'em- want to? Look 'em up! You never know when you'll see them in upcoming posts.

pool daze

We got a little pool for the boys- since they love the one at the club so much. This way we can take a dip any time we want! Here are a few pics from our time with Sammy yesterday- She's got a good set of eyes and can snuggle with the best of them.










You'll notice in last photo the boys have "Ariel butt"- this is not ok with Sammy- so its a good thing we have big boy suits too! "They're not girls you know!"

We're hoping for a little more at home time with friends this hot weekend. We've got the pool and the pad now- so come on bye - the ice cream men make their trips through the neighborhood between 1 and 4! We have a wide variety. Crazy rapist vans, guys peddling on bikes (ding-ding!) and the greatest, smiling seik gentleman in turban and bright yellow ice cream truck! I'm hoping to take his photo.

fun with papa

Michael came home to some crazy happenings. We rough and tumbled him back into shape though! We've been enjoying the nice weather. We visited the Heirloom Rose Garden, played in the grass and Aidan helped to clean house for summer's arrival. Who am I kidding? This kid is a cleaning machine! Every day is a sweeping day! Henry is walking like a pro (a professional stunt man- Little Hen can take a licking!) Aidan has learned nearly five words in two days. He's all about coookies right now- and saying Wow! Yay!

happily, one!

Today we went to Hasini's first birthday party. What a beautiful day for a birthday celebration! Sunshine and the smiles of over a hundred party-goers! ((Unfortunately, I didn't take the camera- so I'm hoping for some pic's from her family.)) All of us ate TOO well. The food was fabulous and the company too! Aidan filled up on naan and the spiciest food he has eaten to date. He kept asking for more- and then he drank a half a bottle of water before he took a breath! Henry was our social butterfly. He was passed to many of Michael's co-workers and their families. It was so nice- off would go little Hen in the safe hands of friends so Michael and I could enjoy our meal. He fit right in- A was surprisingly shy- but I think its because he only took a tiny nap. (Though he was shy at camp yesterday too, so hmm.) What a great celebration. We also took home the most amazing bag of tricks for the boys! Sweets, books, toys and some nice gifties for Michael and I too! I have to apologize to anyone thats come to Aidan or Henry's parties. Next time around, I'll now how to make gift bags for the guests! Hope you are all enjoying your day- the boys are down and Michael off with JJ, so I'm going to weed the garden.

no shrinking violet!

Well, here she is wrinkles and all- and if you haven't seen the other pics- just wait 'till you see her chin!
***UPDATE***
I spoke with Libby for a while today. Violet is doing very well. Libby and Mandy spent the day connecting, bonding and teaching each other things. Mandy signed her papers so Violet has been signed over to CC and they in turn are assigning her to Ken and Libby for the two weeks Violet is in foster care. Violet's birth father showed up at CC and expressed interest in seeing Violet prior to her leaving the hospital- but he hadn't showed this afternoon and they're leaving early in the morning- so we'll see. Libby sounds great and happy and it sounds like Mandy will spend the two weeks she has to change her mind recovering and putting her efforts toward her family. They're approaching the adoption openly and are making plans for the future together.
My green eyed monster moment was when Lib told me about Violet's birth and how she got to cut the cord. I'm so sad we missed both out boy's births due to c-sections. ((But VERY happy for her!!))
Last night Violet took a big poop and had some lovely mucus happening- that only promises to continue- its about a foot long- and just keeps on coming! Her hair is short and dark and though she was described as brick red at birth, her color has balanced out. Little Vi has steel colored eyes (now) and Libby asked Mandy if she was sure she hadn't hooked up with John Travolta- due to the beauty of a divit to the chin. We can't wait to get more pictures and stories of the new girl on the block! Ken, Libby and Violet will be home in the afternoon on Friday. HOORAH! Welcome to the world baby!

waaaaaaaaa- she's here!

Violet Lenore Rowe, Mandy, Libby and Ken are all doing well!

jabber jaw on gummy bears

This is me after a few too many sugary treats. Thanks to Jennifer for this fab idea.

if you were born today

June 17, 2008 *** GEMINI *** May 21-June 21
You pride yourself on your open mind and today you need to make sure that it's ready for anything. New ideas come your way from all directions and even the crazy ones deserve a bit of attention.
UM, like being born!?! Libby's baby mama is at three centimeters and just got an epidural. Ken got back to the hospital (from watching Mandy's boys) and Libby had to hang up. Boo! (Its happening!) More later.

where have all the fathers gone?

Long time passing.... Miss all you guys today and often! Papa have a good flight home, Bapa have fun in Idaho, to the two great gramps- we miss you and what you brought to our lives and families. Here's a little of what makes them good candidates for fathers this Father's Day!
I love you my sweet. I can't wait to see the father to our babies! For all you do, I thank you.

last two days of beachy fun

We played in the sand, ran after Aidan and picked Henry up so he could try to make it to his brother. We ate at a restaurant I won't go to again and put some tired boys down for the last time in the closet tent and in the middle of the queen size bed. Jennifer and I watched SNL and tidied up for the final sweep this morning. Gad! What a disaster you can make in a tiny house in six days! The weather was great and we didn't see anything scary on the way home this Father's Day- with no fathers in sight. We stopped and got Pronto Pups, Starbucks and gas for our long journey back to the valley of the beavs. As trips go, it was great! Thanks Auntie Jennifer for all the lap time and the shower time and all the back up you gave me as I blew gaskets and smoke tooted out my ears. I can't wait for you to start your very own Pronto Pup franchise at the coast!

looking out

Today I stood, looking out at the ocean. I was taking a breather. A deep breather- after some misdeed, misstep or injustice proclaimed that was about to put me over the edge of bad parent precipice. As I looked out, the sun shining the wind blowing, the feeling of my own breakdown flying away from me on the breeze that challenges the flight of gulls- I feel a leghug. I don't look down. I try to figure out who is who. Who am I and who it is standing next to me letting me breath in the ocean. Then I know who it is, because Henry arrives and sits on my right foot. These boys- who play hard sometimes, and sometimes kiss each other tenderly, open mouthed and laughing are breathing too- and looking out.

fifteen- or, one hundred and five!

Our sweet old man. Happy Birthday Hammy Spammy! Today we celebrate your grey hair, stinky breath, man boob and scrunchy flat top noggin! Snuggle up, take a break from washing Arlo's face, elbows, hips, etc. You have made our lives so happy! Tap, tap, tap, scratch, scratch, scratch, sniff, sniff, sniff! Bring on the doggy cake! Hey, who packed the candles?

two more days at the beach

Hi! We've had another great couple of days here at the beach. Our little cottage is filled to the brim with kids, dogs, toys, food stuffs, two adults and a plethora of sippy cups. Today we went to the Oregon Coast Aquarium, a new grocery store and out to a mexican feast for lunch. Tonight Jennifer (with Aidan's help) made a great pasta dinner which the boys (and we) loved! Hope you are all enjoying your Friday the 13th!

beachy days

Today we had a fun and beachy day. We enjoyed the non-rainy day near Yachats on the deck outside Blue Bird Cottage. Aidan and Henry played with the dogs and refused naps for the most part. Still, we had a pretty fun time- eating too much and going to the store (again), staying up late and no bath. "Caw-caw!"

aidan and henry's top five count-down of fun things to do on the weekend- rain or shine

1. Go to the FESTIVAL OF THE BANDS @ PGE Park with your friends. (OK this one's for mama.)
2. Go to the Farmer's Market- always a good choice!
3. Go to the Pow Wow in our 'hood!
4. Go for walks and explore!
5. Go to the park with your g-pa, grammy and uncle Scott!
On a special note, Aidan says Scott now and Henry was all smiles with him this visit! I guess he ranks up there considering Aidan still calls me Guy!

carissa graduates!

Tonight we went to Carissa's GED Graduation celebration. It was held, aptly, in her school's gym. A rash of Beatles songs were sung by a local HS choir and well wishes were offered all around. Aidan and Henry both loved all the clapping! I never saw so many graduates with babies, or babies on the way- of course I graduated in the dark ages when pregnant girls didn't dare walk the halls once they started 'showing'. We had cake and punch in the cafeteria edged by high chairs and booster seats. (The boys were right at home!- they climbed, crawled, ran and screeched to all corners of the building!) Carissa seemed very happy and showed Henry off to her friends. Hen walked happily with Carissa and her pop while Kristy took photos. Considering the event took place during the same timeframe as the boy's nap, all went very well! We are so lucky that schools like Carissa's provide adjusted day and evening classes and a wonderfully supportive GED program. 45 (very varied) kids graduated from her high school this year! We say WAY TO GO! It has long been my fear that Henry's birth would lead to Carissa's undoing. We are so proud of her great accomplishment and we thank her for including us in this awesome event!

crazy, wet and wonderful

Today was awesome! Aidan turned into a sensitive, spastic stunt man. He drops and dives and climbs as usual, but now he cries, cajoles and tantrums his way into a sucky and a seat on my lap. Sweet sensitive boy- he hits Henry on the head and then when Henry cries (and boy howdy, he cries) Aidan starts to wail- so Hen cries harder and then we all end up in a pile of tears and buggers on the floor. On the bright side of things- Henry and Aidan do play well together, more often than not. They share toys, switch toys and have taken to working together to reach things they are NOT supposed to be near.
Also, for the past few days, Aidan has been taking off all his clothes when he wakes up from his nap. He's quiet when he gets up- and then he starts talking with Henry- So thats when I spring into action making lunch and preparing the milk and fruit brigade- only to go in and find Aidan- demurely sitting in the corner of his crib, stark naked, legs dangling. Today, pee all over the floor and his freshly laundered pre-nap clothes and diaper. He jumps up fake crying and jumping all over the crib like some sort of hairless howler monkey. Gad. What stage is this?

new look

I thought I'd try something new for our blog- something pretty and green- inspired by our fresh spring surroundings. So many things have been changing lately. Libb and Ken are adopting a baby girl that is trying to come out, and has been for the past week! Mel and Matt are having a baby soon so Nola is going to have a new sister (name yet to be disclosed) and a new house all at the same time! Arthur is well in the midst of Rose Festival hoopla and William is working on his Neighborhood Committee. Deb and Mary, I'm sure are busy busy with family and work. Bri and Sara are readying camp for hundreds of new and returning kids. And us, well, Carissa (Henry's BM) is graduating from her GED program- so we're celebrating with her this Thursday! Michael is off to the UK Friday and the boys and I are going to the coast with Jennifer soon after. Our yard and garden are looking better than they have for the past two years (hmmm, wonder why?) and the boys are growing as fast as the weeds we're pulling. Here's some happy proof! I've given away the last of the baby items to Libb and a co-worker of Michael's so I'm looking at life with two babies (not three- Michael says). It's been an emotional week for me- saying goodbye to all those little clothes and the tiny toys that accompanied our boys through their first months. So, sad and green is how I'm feeling. Sappy-I know! Our boys are so full of potential (but I so wanted three).
OK- enough of that, the Kracken awakes. I've got to make lunch, take the boys for a bike ride and get out of this funk!