Teetering on the Edge!

Soooooooooo

Wednesday, Chuck got home late – around 11. He had a bite to eat and we chatted a bit about something – school for Mel, maybe? I don’t remember.

 

A little while later, he said- I had a lunch meeting with ***. Guess what they want me to do?

Ummmmm – I thought for a minute – really had no clue – a promotion, I thought? Nah- a move – that must be it.

I said – move somewhere?

He said yes. I said – Maryland? 

No

MA?

No

CA?

No

 

I said – is it good or bad. 

He said – depends on how you look at it.

 

I said – should I sit down? He said yes.

 

The want him (us) to move to Hong Kong for 2-3 years so he can head up the office there!!

 

AHHHHHHHH

 

We are thinking about it. Before he says yes, we need to fly over. Check out the living situation/schools/way of life. 

It is sinking in a lot more….

It is doable. We’ll know more in the next few weeks – whether or not we really want to do it, and if they’ll send us over to spec things out.

 

So, we are teetering on the edge of a MASSIVE change. 

Big and exciting, but crazy at the same time.

 

Stay tuned!!!!  And send us some positive thoughts while we make this decision!

 

Carri

 

Saturday, not in the park, or the carnival

Today was one of those mish mosh days. You start off with a plan, but someone (or some people – Joey and Jules) take very long naps and things get thrown off.

The day started off normal – I was super tired, Joey woke up bright and chipper at 7:00 and he talked for a bit until 7:30, and then started to complain. We went downstairs – he crawled over the Care Bear couch about 1 zillion times. He had his breakfast, we watched a Baby Einstein video then Jules and Mel woke up. 

Around 10, Joey and I walked over to the train station where they have the Farmers Market set up. It was SO hot today! Even at 10. We were there not 5 minutes and there was a fender bender. A woman in an Acadia pulled the fender away from a car she was parked next to. There was a loud crash, a lot of us turned and saw her continue to pull away. She got out, looked at the damage, then looked at her car (front right bumper), hopped back into her car and pulled away!!!  We all stood there reassuring each other that surely, she was just finding a place to park and she’d be back. Well, she never came back. Someone got the license plate, I got her description and some marks on her car (college or school stickers on the back window). The police came by (two patrol cars), they took some info and off they went! 

This was the third ‘hit’ in a few weeks. I scratched the tire casing of someone’s truck, but left my info, and they didn’t have an issue. My sitter’s car was clipped by an older woman, and there was a witness. The police found her, but didn’t press charges (hit and run). She claimed she didn’t even notice, but her side mirror was ripped off -how can you drive around without that?. Three in one month! Crazy. 

So, I walked and tried to find a yard sale, but went the wrong way, and by then, it was close to 12 and it was SUPER hot. I went home, popped Joey into his crib and continued on the day.

I was going to take Mel to the pool, but Chuck found a ‘cat show’ that he thought would be fun (and it was indoors). We never made it to that, since Joey took a super long nap. Then, right before he woke up, Mel and Jules went up for their nap. Jules slept until 5:30. We thought about going to the carnival in Berkeley Heights, but when we finally got there (at 6:45), it was all dismantled! Oh, how disappointing. So, we went to the grocery store, went home and put Joey to bed and then eventually got Jules to bed at 8:00.

 

It is supposed to rain tomorrow, so we are going to make an effort to make it to the cat show! I’ll try to hit the gym in the morning (although, I’m still sore from the work out on Thursday with the personal trainer). I might head out to Washington to see some toys I found on craigslist -some fun things for Joey (instead of teethers).

 

 

We have a bunch of pictures up on the web gallery

http://gallery.mac.com/carrischramm#gallery

 

If you need the password, I’ll email it out shortly. I still have no idea how to get a subscribe button on this blog.

 

The most recent pictures are from Mel’s point of view….computer time, and what her and Jules were watching.

 

Also there are some pictures from the pool yesterday. We were out there for about 2 hours. Doesn’t Joey look so much older?

 

 

Next week is Mel’s birthday – still cannot believe she is going to be 6. We’ll have a low-key birthday party for her next Sunday, and her kid party in September (the 27th) with all her new friends (and, some old friends, too). 

 

I’m amazed that the summer is almost done.

Next week is her birthday.

The week after that, we’ll be going to the beach until the 10th.

Chuck, Mel and the Poolesville crew will be heading to Hershey Park on the 13th!

Then, we have two weeks until Labor Day Weekend.

Not sure what our plans are for that weekend….Julia starts school on the 3rd and Mel, on the 4th. 

 

Time is really flying by!

 

Hope you enjoy reading about our daily lives.

 

Another week!

Well, Joey continues to ’seek and destroy’. Last week, he took out the gate door and lamp (he just knocked them over – no damage was done to him, or the lamp and gate door).

Today, I was in the kitchen and CRASH! He took down one of the end tables. He has a little bruise on his leg, but he is fine. I think he has learned that he is going to crash, a lot -he gets over his spills quickly (because he is the third?)

 

Mel did not get to head (no pun intended) up to Maine with the MA crew, as she has a nice case of lice – blech. I’ve never done so much laundry and vacuuming! 

I think we are getting it under control. Not a fun thing to go through.

 

 

I have some pictures up on the web gallery. Mel had her swim competition last Thursday. She did well for the group she was in. She will barely get her face in the water and she was in a group with kids who knew how to swim freestyle?!?!  She was sad she did not win a medal – she received two participant ribbons. We’ll sign her up this winter for swim lessons! I think she’ll appreciate that next summer.

 

It is hard to believe that July is almost over and then we just have 4 weeks and school will start up again! Wow. Still contemplating what to do with Mel. I talked to her school principal who thinks she’ll do great in 1st grade. I have a very disturbing gut feeling that it is not what we should be doing for her. I will be speaking with the Director of the local Montessori school tomorrow. They have an elementary school. After reading about the school, I’m very interested. 

Chuck is on the fence. My gut is really eating away at me! I always trust my gut – always.

We’ll see how things go.

 

Chuck has been crazy busy. 

 

(carried over from another day).

We are planning on heading to the beach for 10 days. I need to get on the stick. I want to get a photographer out there to take a family picture. I also need to get a babysitter, so I can enjoy the beach with jules and mel- he is too crazy!!!! (well, Jules is, too, but at least she listens to me (sometimes)).

 

Carri

 

Murphy’s Law Monday

So, I think I said something about how there will always be something to report on….well, I cannot think of anything to post about!

I guess that qualifies, right?

 

I need a remote for my camera….

So, Mel and Chuck did their firework walk again…….

Last year, I was pg with Joey, so Jules and I hung back (well, she was only 9 month old, so she was asleep) and I watched the fireworks from the attic. I have a pretty darn good view up there!

It rained last year – they got SOAKED trying to reach the middle school (where they set them off). 

This year, they decided to try again. We watched Huey Lewis perform and a few other singers I’ve never heard of – oh – well, Taylor Hicks, but he still can’t sing, so he doesn’t really count……(were you one of the AI fans who voted for him?)

Anyway – we watched that for a bit, had our bbq dinner inside, since it was drizzling and then they set off (Mel wearing her raincoat – I was smart this year!)

I went up to the attic and snapped some pictures. Out of the 100+ pictures, only a few turned out. Which is where the title for this post comes in. In order to get a nice shot, without the camera shaking, I need a remote for the camera (and a tripod, but I think we still have Kevin’s…) So, a lot of them turned out looking like neat underwater pictures – only a few actually look like fireworks. I need to practice before we go to (shhhhhh – remember, it is a surprise) Disney and capture the fireworks there. Or, at least, practice at Disney, so I can take great shots next year….

 

So, here are some  shots – this one is Mel’s favorite:

This one is my favorite:

 

Looking back, I’m surprised how bright the show is! The school is quite a distance away, but still a great show from up in the attic! Since the baseball field is across the street, there are no trees or houses to get in the way.

So, Chuck and Mel made it just in time for the show to start. I think there are a bunch of people who like to get there early. They just walked right up! Lucky for them! I think the rain let up a bit, then it rained on their walk home.

 

Earlier in the day, we went to the local parade. One of the reasons why I love our town is that it is so ‘homey’. How much more ‘All American’ can you get – a cute little parade down Main Street!? The past couple years, we always arrived just as the parade started and Mel never got the candy, tossed out by the kids in the parade. This year, I promised I’d set up the chairs early. So, after Joey woke up, I walked up to town with three chairs. I was surprised how many chairs (and sofa) were already set up! I found a nice spot and laid our chairs long way, so we could fit all three of us and the double stroller with Joey and Jules.

This picture was taken after I had set out our chairs – I took Mel and Jules up to see how many chairs were already set up!

Back to why I love our town. At first Jules and Joey were scared when the fire trucks blew their sirens, but she moved over to Chuck’s lap and was ok. And Joey fell asleep! The music was great and it was fun to see some of Mel’s classmates in the parade – in the Brownies, local swim club teams, wrestling…….Jules was having a great time once she was on Chuck’s lap – smiling and waving and grooving to the bands. 

 

Here are a few  more shots!

 

A few shots:

 

 

And just so you all believe me when I say that Joey can climb up the stairs, here is a bonus shot!

 

He is thiiiiiiis close to walking. He cannot be trusted by himself anymore, so we had to buy him the same gate we had for Jules when she became mobile. He is happy in there. Jules likes to ‘pay’ in there, too.

He will be crawling soon! Anyone want to place bets? I’m going with July 13. He stood up today on his own, on the Care Bear couch. Just, let go of my hand and slowly stood up! Won’t be long before he is taking his first step on his own. 

Hope you enjoy all the pictures!

For those of you with the password, please visit my web gallery for more photos!!!

 

Murphy’s Law Monday

Might as well have fun with it! I thought maybe last week was just one of those funky weeks. As it turns out, Murphy’s Law just has a way of following me through life.

It might not happen every Monday, but I’ll let you know about it on Monday.

Two things to report:

First, I went to the mall on Friday and bought new pants and two shirts (one linen). Well, I was wearing one of the outfits on Saturday. I went to put Jules to bed and she tripped over my feet. I don’t know if she was going to anyway,  but I tried to settle her down and instead, she upchucked all over me, the chair……all over my clothes…..oh – it was just – not fun. I had JUST put Joey down, so I had to yell to Mel to get Chuck (there was a nice ripe puddle on my lap). He got me some towels and we washed her off in the tub.

I think I can salvage the pants, but the shirt, I think, is ruined. I put them in a bag, but they were outside on the deck, tied up in that bag, sitting in the sun. I think things had a chance to set and stain. 

Wouldn’t you know it! New clothes and blehhhhh!

 

Oh well. 

 

And today – we went to the pool, waited the hour after Mel’s lesson for the pool to open. We then played in the pool for an hour. Everyone must have been wiped out. While they were all taking their naps, I got the blow up pools ready for fun in the afternoon. Joey slept from 1:15 – 3:15. Julia slept from 2:00 – 4:30. Me slept from 1:30 – 6:30!

The one day I get everything all set up!!!

Oh well -at least everyone had a nice nap. Mel and Jules got to play in the pool after Joey went to bed at 6:30 while I let it drain. At first they went in with their shorts, then Jules fell over and got soaked. Of course, Mel didn’t think it was fair, so she sat in the pool. So, we did get to use the pool (and I did some weeding in the back).

 

Here is a picture from the weekend. We drove up to CT to visit G and her boys (and ILs) and here is a shot. T and Mel are such great friends. They haven’t seen each other in over a year, but they got along like they just saw each other yesterday. It was great fun. I was so happy to see G again!

 

 

It’s All In A Name

I know Pop hates when we give our kids nicknames, but I just can’t HELP it!

I have no idea why I do it, but recently, I’ve been calling Joey (sorry, Joseph) Jo-Jo. Of course, Mel asks me – like Jo Jo Circus?!?!?  No – I just say it…

And Jules (sorry, Julia) has become Ju Ju Beans. No -I have no idea where that one is from, either. 

 

Maybe by next week I’ll be over it!

Sunday, Mel and I are going to see Gretchen!!!!! (and Tucker and Spencer, of course). I’m so excited! I haven’t seen them since last March. It feels like an eternity has gone by. I reminded Mel tonight before falling asleep – well, before I tucked her in and she said – oh great mom, now I’ll NEVER get to sleep – I’m too excited!

So, that is all that is new with us.

 

Car

 

Up Up Up and Away!!!

This is a quick one…and I don’t have pictures to prove it, so you’ll just have to believe me….today, while the girls were taking their nap (yes, Mel takes a nap – sometimes for 2+hours), I was playing with Joey (since I only had 20 minutes (from when the girls fell asleep to when he woke up), to transfer laundry and iron baby clothes (yes, I just wrote that I ironed baby clothes – they were wrinkled! I can’t have Joey crawling around the floor in wrinkled clothes))…..

Where was I? Oh yeah- playing with Joey in the basement (well playing with him after he sat in the bumbo for all of 5 minutes before he figured out he could roll out of it)…..ok, so, I was playing with Joey and I let him crawl across the basement floor (he was chasing something – a ball, I think – no, it was Cali), to the stairs. He put one hand on the bottom step, then the other. Then, that first hand on the second step, then the other hand up to the second step. Then, he stood up and got his one knee on the first step. Then the other knee.  Then he went up another one….and another one…..

He did it like he has been doing this for a while! Just right up the steps! I let him go up three, before I SNAPPED to my senses and ran over (the three feet) and realized that I just let him walk up three steps and now he will remember that for the rest of his life.<P>There is no going back. I could have stopped him before he got to the bottom step and carried him upstairs….but no…..I forgot and now when he sees steps, he’ll want to go right to them, and up them.

 

smacking hand on forehead…….these are the days I need my mommy manual on hand to reference:

 

Chapter 5 – if there is something you don’t want your child to do, don’t encourage it by:

1. laughing about it

2. clapping and saying yeah!!!  good boy!!! (or girl)

3. jumping up and down

I would have quickly referenced this and stopped him.

 

I’ll see if I can get it on video tape. It is kinda cute, now that he can do it!

 

Dentist items:

I went – I survived. Did you know that they make gum and tooth numbing stuff so you don’t feel any discomfort when they are cleaning your teeth?

Did you know they take x-rays and they are digital – you can see them right away and get print-outs?

They have flat screen tvs with cable in every room, so while you are getting your teeth cleaned, you can watch Ellen…. 

I had no idea. I would have gone to the dentist a LONG time ago.

 

Murphy’s Law

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murphy’s_law

 

I mean – c’mon….

 

I have an appointment with a dentist tomorrow at 3:30, and a cleaning at 4:00. Wouldn’t you know it, my teeth, this past week, have been abnormally sensitive to cold. I guess it is good, but…..how do my teeth know?

 

Is it like my cat? All I have to do is whisper the word ‘vet’ and she is off, under the bed, right in the middle……

 

There are only a few people who know how long it has been since I’ve been to the dentist. Chuck (he was sitting across from me when I filled out the patient information form), Pop and the few smattering of people at the office, who probably passed around my form when they opened it.

 

It has been at least since 1992. Yes, 92 – as in, maybe more than 16 years. Isn’t that horrible? 

I remembe the last time I went, I had cavities filled and they hurt WORSE than when I went in. I think that is why I haven’t been. Yes, I don’t like going to the dentist. Not only do I not like pain (I know – I’ve had three c-sections), I’m afraid what he is going to say….I’m sorry, Carri (well, he will most likely say Carrie), they all have to come out – you will have no teeth for a couple weeks – you really should have come here about 10 years ago………

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_phobia

 

I’ll see if I can update tomorrow. I’m showing a brave face to Mel – I told her I couldn’t wait to go to the dentist! Is that wrong?

 

Tonight I’m going to try to sew this:

Reversible Girls Pinafore Dress Tutorial

I found this a while back, but I never got around to making the pattern. I found a similar item at Gymboree and traced the outline. now that I know how to sew it, I’ll try it out.

Hopefully, I’ll be posting a cute little top tonight!

 

 

There is always a first for everything!!!!!!

So – here is what we did yesterday…..

sniff…sniff….Joey got his first haircut!!!! It was in his eyes, so we had to do it. I thought I’d be more emotional about it….but I was ok (I think I was preoccupied with Julia in the background, the video tape, the camera and him not falling out).

Here is a before

He did a great job, and so did the woman. I felt horrible – I had no cash for a tip….I’ll have to go back….or send her some cash….not good karma to let that go….

Jules got her bangs cut – they look really cute! Have not been able to get a good shot of that yet – you know how squirmy she can be!

Both kids look so much ‘older’ now.

And finally, Mel graduated from kindergarten last week. She was very proud, but is still very nervous about the 1st grade – who will her friends be, who will her teacher be, what will she learn…….lots to think about.

Here is Mel on her last day (I made her little bag).

So, that is all that is happening.

I’m going to try very hard to keep this up!!!!

Oh – if you ALL can keep a very big secret, we are going to take everyone to Disney World in December. We won’t tell Mel until the day we leave – maybe pretend that Chuck is going on a business trip so we have to drive him to the airport and SURPRISE!!! We’ll be going with Grandma, Grandpa and Laura – Laura will be celebrating her birthday while we are there – we have already scheduled a lunch at Cinderella’s Castle. I think Mel will be over the moon! Jules will have a great time, we hope – she’ll be the same age when Mel went for the first time. Joey – he won’t remember much, but at least he and Jules will be free!

So – remember – KEEP IT A SECRET!!!!!!!!

car