license to kill

The big bad infection needs to leave our little guy's ears once and for all.

It so rudely intruded for the first time about two weeks ago. We counter-attacked with a trip to the doc and bubblegum-flavored Amoxicilin. We thought the infection got the point. We're not interested in any of its kind around these parts.

(Note: And yes, I did try a very tiny lick of the Amoxicilin and yes I was instantly transported back to 4th grade, lying on my parents' couch, watching the "Empire Carpet" commercial).

But alas, for this particular infection, it was apparently going to take a little more than a tasty pink elixir to get our point across. This past Monday evening the infection welcomed itself back into our son's cute unknowing little ears. So Lucas and I headed to the ER Monday night with him spiking over a 103 degree fever.

(Note: Despite the little guy's uncomfortably high fever, Lucas was still eager to explore the entire waiting room by hand and knee.)

Well, we've got some more serious ammo now. No "sweet pink" potions this time around. This antibiotic means business. It aims to kill.

Be afraid little infection.

Be very afraid.

And Congratulations to the Neuhausels!!!

Another new member has entered Mark and my extended "friend family". Congratulations Kay and Dave. What a precious gift he is. And I must say, what an attractive little guy!! We hope to meet Cashian Beau SOONER than later!!! All our love to you guys:)

an ode to my little blue buddy

It was bound to happen...I'm sure its some kind of rite of passage into mommy-hood...Lucas broke our camera. It was this past Thursday. He was just passing it from one hand to the next and then he went for the mouth. At that moment, I swooped in and placed it on the counter where he can't reach it, along with the remote control, cell phones, cell phone chargers, lap top power cord, flower vase, two candle holders, six tealights, the coasters and his diaper ointment. Everything looked ok with it so I didn't think too much about it.

I have been trying to catch this utter and total cute-ness of Lucas' latest skill on video for weeks now. He can wave! He raises his hand high in the air and focuses oh-so-intently on watching his hand open and shut open and shut while a triumphant smile spreads across his face and his nose crinkles just so (I have no idea where he got that move from:). Actually, the other day we were on a walk and he offered each passerby on foot or in a car a friendly wave. So, yes, I've been trying to capture one of these sweet little moments on camera. But as soon as he hears the camera turn on, he goes straight for that small blue gadget and forgets all about the new trick. So now I have about 10 videos of me saying, "Lucas? Can you wave? Wave Lucas. Hi Lucas! Lucas! Hi!"

And nada.

So, this past Thursday he started waving again! And this time he was doing it on command! I grabbed the camera, went to turn it on, and it made the most horrendous scraping sound with beeps to follow. Tragedy. Since Lucas has been born this camera has been attached to me, fearful that I'll miss a moment that should never be missed. Or even afraid that I might miss a moment that may be fairly inconsequential to miss. So in a bit of a panic I made the brilliant decision that maybe it just needed a little muscle power to get the lens working appropriately again. Yeah, instead, I ripped off this shiny metal part on the end of the lens. Looks important to me.

I have a plan to take my camera to the camera doctor this Wednesday. And I'm gonna go ahead and think positive thoughts about the outcome. The camera doctor WON'T tell me that it would be more expensive to fix than to just buy a new camera! And he/she WILL be able to fix it right there on the spot and save my 10 videos of Lucas not waving!

c'mon little blue buddy! You don't understand. I need ya. You're not gonna let a little baby get the best of you are you!? You can pull through!

I'll keep you posted...

Congratulations Care-Care and Ben!!

My Roomie of 4 years and her hubby had a beautiful baby boy last Monday!!

Owen Marcel Wickstra.

I Can not WAIT to meet him! He's already a total cutie from the photos I've seen.

Congratulations to the two of you. Parenthood is truly amazing.

Love to all three of you.

Back from family vay-cay

Well, we're back from a delightful week of family vacation in Northern Wisconsin, at a place fondly known as Hunky Dory. And by "family vacation" I mean my immediate family and Mark's extended family on both his mom AND dad's side. Naturally, Lucas was loving the surplus of attention from Grandmas, Grandpas, Great-grandmas, a great-grandpa, aunts, an uncle, great aunts, great uncles, second cousins and family friends. He also got to spend some quality time with his second cousin who shares the exact same birthday as him. It was a great week. A bit chilly a few of the days, but great.

Lucas' first time in a lake. As we expected, he loved it.


A day in Stillwater, MN spent with the sissy, the sissy, mama, and hubby.

Lucas ringing the bell for dinner...yes, there's a bell for meals. I'm telling you, this place is magical.

This is Lucas' second cousin Hannah, whom he happens to share his birthday with. The newfound friendship was going great...until they discovered that they are mortal rivals (note sweatshirts). It was tough for them to accept.


An evening by the campfire.


Mark's immediate and extended family on his dad's side. They're a lively bunch:)


Four generations:)

So after posting a favorite dance from last week, I now feel a responsibility to YOU to expose more of the greatness of SYTYCD.

This one is powerful, emotional and awesome. The actual dance doesn't start till about a minute in, but the beginning shares the inspiration for the choreography.

FAVORITE DANCE OF THE WEEK

Today we had fun with our friends Miss Katie and Miss Sofia. In the event that they were to get married someday, all the pictures we've taken of the two of them so far will come in really handy.

What does it mean to be a little more true to yourself today?

Does it mean creating something that only you could create?

Does it mean letting go of a grudge?

Does it mean asking for forgiveness?

Does it mean stopping the unkind thoughts about a particular body part?

Does it mean letting go of clutter in a space? In your mind? In your heart?

Does it mean going on a search for beauty? adventure? mystery?

Does it mean finally being honest with yourself? or someone else?

This journey towards wholeness requires a great deal more honesty than any would dare to imagine. So dare. Dare to stop hiding behind the hurt, the anger, the fear, the boredom, the expected. Dare to walk towards the truth of who you are. Who you really are.

There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations--these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit--immortal horrors or everlasting splendours."

C.S. Lewis

The little boy suffered his first official baby bonk today. It was a fight between him and a kitchen table leg. I admire him for even getting in the ring. Poor little bug:(

Foster Kids update

Well, to update my previous post on Illinois' social services budget, a Court Order was made public that stated that funds could not be cut for foster children. It was literally ilegal. Essentially the idea is that, legally, the state of Illinois is these children's guardian and thus has the responsibility to care for these children's needs. So, the final budget has not been determined but it has been confirmed that funding will continue in all previous areas for foster kids. Good good news.