Just Waiting

Well. I guess Janice could take a picture of me from the side, but it wouldn't be pretty. We are so excited here in Sweet Home (well, Charlie is about the same) and look forward to birth day/night. My last baby will have babies and we are so happy for you guys. It seems like yesterday that Melanie and Greyson were showing me all their shot(s) and medical schedule about same. Then 8 months went fast and now time seems to have slowed waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay downnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn. Love, Dad

Our flagpole came Friday

I am getting excited now that they have delivered our new 21 foot steel pole from Oregon Fence in Springfield. I first mowed the lawn, did some inside chores, and then started my flagpole project. I drilled holes for top and bottom pulley/rope system (of my design so it's anyone's guess as to whether it will work) put in screws and bolts, inserted the doweling from the Porters and then proceeded to primer the galvanized pipe with special zinc rich primer. Tomorrow (24 hours later) I can put on my first coat of brilliant white Rusteolem. The next coat will go on the next day I believe and then I will attach the rope, a gold ball, and new flag and reset out front...........hopefully.
I was really happy to see our rain because they are going to raise the water and sewer rates another 13%. Mom paid the remainder of our balance for the beach house so we should get directions and address soon and will share with everyone on the blog.......... so start reading and start writing.
Mom has talked about taking the kids to Springfield to a water/pool park so I bought five sets of goggles for our grandkids in case this comes to pass.
I had to cut down my pretty flowering plum out front; the arborist stopped by next door and then came over and looked at my trees. When he saw that it moved 3-4 feet by pushing on the trunk he helped my break the root ball. I chained sawed the limbs off and pulled them to a burn pile and then worked the root ball out of the ground and handtrucked it to the back and said goodbye. Weedwhipped the sides of the creek, took a hot shower, and now I think it is time for bed. Love, Dad, Grandpa, Larry

camping

I know two babies are on their way soon – I’m very excited to meet my new nieces..  On another note- the Dean family would like to invite all family members on a camping adventure- we are scheduling a trip to Kenneeta…I know this is misspelled—but I’m sure you all can figure this out.  We’d also like to schedule one more camping adventure to Timothy Lake.  After mid August- I get really busy.  We’re just planning some weekend adventures- leaving Friday and returning Sunday….but we don’t have any dates set yet.  The boys had a great deal of whining- that we camped alone this past week.  I will update all on this in the near future- right now I’m trying to get home as soon as I’ve checked my e-mails…we are going to visit Mel and Greyson- check out her belly and drop off some recycling cans for them. 

Dad- next stretch of good weather I’m ready to paint.  I’m going to do only one major project per month- my babysitter cashed two postdated checks- at once- cost me all my extra cash for the summer- in one month- I was a little shocked.  It’s a long story- but amounts to 1100- gone that was unexpected this month.  Anyway- hope all is well with everyone- I need to get back to work. 

Now I am just waiting....

Greyson and I went in for my weekly doctor appointment yesterday and he took this picture with his cell phone (not bad quality I thought). This is during the non-stress test when they make sure the babies heart rates follow appropriate patterns. I also had an ultrasound and they estimate both babies to be just about 6lbs each which is pretty big for twins (or a single baby) that could still go a couple weeks. They grow about 1/2 lbs a week at this point. The funny part is that the head and abdomen are the size of an average baby but the legs were in the 90 percentile in length. So given their great size I am officially off bed rest and the medicine that I was taking to take the edge off of my contractions. They say they don't know if those pills really do much but let me tell you once the pills were completely out of my system I have been having contractions every few minutes and they were much stronger but still not real labor contractions. I was also happy to find that both babies are now head down- feet up. So now I just wait...

What else... We got the last few baby items we needed- tubing for a breast pump, a locking piece for the seatbelts for installing car seats, and our big splurge was a camcorder to record the babies. We had a really hard time deciding if we should get the camcorder because many people buy them but don't use them. But we finally decided it was worth the risk. And since Greyson's parents are so far away and we only see them 1-2 times a year we could send them videos of the girls. So we decided to go with the cheapest hard drive model ( doesn't use tapes or dvds). The quality isn't great but it is just fine for what we want to do and it can record 7 hrs of video as apposed to just 70 minutes you can fit on the tapes or dvds.

meet the commish

So I probably told most of you that I'm running for office as one of three port commissioners for our county. I'm in district 1 (which includes the dean household). Today the current commissioner gave his resignation, and there was a publicly accessible interview of the two candidates to be a provisional replacement until the elections determine a more long-term solution.

So I sat next to my opponent and we were asked questions from "why are you running?" to "how do you feel about technology versus tourism for skamania's economic development?". My heart seriously dropped when I heard the laundry list of development projects, wealth, and competence expressed by my competition, a 44 year old kiteboarder with more travel and big money trades in a week than I could list in a year, along with long blond locks. It was more stress than I have felt in a long time, and I've felt a bit of it lately, mind you.

There were a couple of opportunities in the interview where I felt I could score some points, where I stressed more of a global bang for the buck approach for the port-economic development. my opponent was speaking more on behalf of the kiteboarders, and a small section of beach. I also have taken part in a lot of local events including commission meetings specifically, getting involved, volunteering, and learning.

I was coming up with some sort of concession speech as the commission held a closed-door discussion about the successor--planning how to absorb this defeat by someone who so clearly out professionaled me.

Turns out they want me. the chairman said I'm fresh and artistic, and they felt they needed that. Anyways, this could be a fleeting play at political life, or if I'm lucky in the election, it'll be at least 2 more years to shape a small part of stevenson. I get sworn in on thurs.

Not feeling too "fresh". I have another b-day tomorrow.

Other stuff

So beyond animals what has been going on? Well I am 34 weeks and still pregnant, yay! I go in for another growth ultrasound this week to see how big the girls have gotten and what position they are in. They should be around 5-6lbs by now. Unfortunately my doctor thought that the lowest baby felt like it was breech (butt coming out first) which would put me into having a c-section. But babies can turn up until the end so I am still hoping to avoid that.

Greyson was quite busy the last couple days finishing up some chores. He even shampooed all the carpet in the house which was quite a big job. He also mowed the lawn,washed the dog, wormed the cats (just in case) and cleaned the fish tank. So we currently have a clean house/pets that are ready for babies.

Work has been fine. Still kind of hit or miss on how busy I am. My boss wants me to make it "just one more week" so I can have the first draft of our big project done. Jenn and Brian are going camping this week so Greyson is going to be taking care of their animals for them. I may go along for the ride. Greyson's parents are driving over in their motorhome and should be here mid way through July to see the babies.

I talked to Traci last week and they are still waiting on carpet before putting their house on the market. Tim is officially off work until he starts his new Condon job. And I guess all of their kids are going to a dodgeball camp. That sounded really fun. And the kids are going to be golfing later this summer.

-Mel

Chipmunk story...kind of long with no real point....

So I threw open the bedroom curtains this morning to find a lovely sunny day. And out in the driveway are the two Siamese torturing a chipmunk. And since this is the only one I have seen this summer I rush (as much as I can these days) to throw some clothes on, find some flip flops and go out to rescue the poor critter. I grab Parker and he releases the chipmunk who then sprints for the bushes. Louie then pounces on it so I grab him as well. They are both scratching the heck out of me so I grab them both by the scruff of the neck and haul them inside as the poor critter runs to safety.

All that zaps my energy for the morning so I spend some time on the couch recovering. Greyson gets sick of having the cats in the house so after about 45 min. he lets them out and of course they immediately hunt down the recovering chipmunk again. I tell him to go save it and he tries to convince me that it is too late and it is already dead. I am not as convinced so I haul my self out again and finally use a stick to pin the cat down under the deck and haul him out. He starts growling and growling at me and will not release his grip on the poor chipmunk. The chipmunk is not moving a muscle and I can't see it breathing. After a couple minutes of trying to pry the growling jaws of the cat apart I decide he is not going to let go without more extreme measures. So I haul him over to the hose and start to spray him and that finally convinces him to release the chipmunk which immediately comes back to life and slowly scurries away.

So I put the two Siamese back in the house and decide I need a nice soak in the hottub after all that chasing of cats. Miles (our third cat) is hanging out with me by the tub when he notices something climbing around in the bushes. The chipmunk is of course still recovering and trying to climb his way up to safety. Miles is about to sprint after him so I have to snatch him up and ended my peaceful soak so I could put the last cat in the house. After all that I don't know whether that stupid chipmunk has internal injuries or will be just fine. But I know that I am a bit tired. My doctor did say I could start doing more since I am "out of the woods" as far as the babies go. But I don't know if repeated chipmunk saving is what he was referring to.

getting bigger and bigger....

As you can guess I haven't had much to write about these days as my activities are limited. However Greyson was going into town to go to the grocery store today so I rode along to get a haircut. That was my big adventure this week. I think all is ready on the baby front. Only another 2-4 weeks left. I finally packed the official bag for the hospital. I didn't include any soothing music or that sort of thing like they say but I think I will be just fine. I just want to get there, get the job done and get out of there with 2 healthy babies. No bells or whistles needed, right?

The girls' room is almost complete. My father freaked out a little when the changing table/dresser they bought me had some breakage issues when he was putting it together. But with a little glue he got it all together and it looks and works great. Now I just need some curtains and the room should be finished.

My yard is starting to look beautiful with all the flowers. I just wish I could get out and work in the beds a bit. The vegetable garden we planted has turned into a big weed bed. The cats continue there death march on the critters even with their bells on. I have moved all of the bird feeders away from areas where the cats could hide in vegetation and ambush the birds. So now at least the birds will know the cats are there and if they get caught it is their own stupidity. Yesterday a cat brought a half alive snake into the house and the day before he had a half eaten lizard of some sort. The scorpions seem to also be back out and I found one in my dining room just hanging out the other day.

So that is about it. Hope this silence from everyone just means you are all busy.
-Mel

Keeping in touch

Well, had a good time at Jennifer/Brian's house..........got to eat some amazing steak because I hung around long enough to bug Brian. Jennifer gave me her list of jobs. I called Melanie and read them to her and she reminded me that I thought her list was impossible too. I am hoping Brian will choose what he & she want to do first after or before pressure washing the deck and porch. If there is any construction I will just be "the flunky". I told Brian what would be his birthday gift and I am just waiting for word from Wal-Mart to pick it up. Melanie and Greyson ordered me some type of "gardening" shoes and I forgot to says thanks because I was concerned about size since I am now an official size 15............thanks guys; they will be here soon. I took back two large dead rhodies that I had bought with a gift certificate from Grandma Faraway. I replaced them with 3 small rhodies and two different honeysuckle varieties. I planted both sides of the driveway with ............annuals (sitting here an can't remember what they are called). I finally got the sprinkler system to work, mowed our lawn with the Honda at its highest setting and refertilized. The postman showed me that Sweet Home is going to raise their water/sewer rates again..........like once a year. Last year's August water bill was over $1000. I am thinking I need 10 yards of compost and 10 yards of bark dust to keep the ground from losing the water so much. I cleaned the deck last night and stained today; but it got so hot that I am not sure the stain will hold. The painting pad and holder had no spring and the pad kept falling off. I finished half of the deck on my knees using the pad in my hands. Because of all the crappy equipment I finished two full hours later than I expected and the wood was unbelieveably hot and I could not even rest on my knees; what a monumental fiasco. I will go to town this afternoon for new pad and holder and try to get another coat on tomorrow since today's effort was an abortion. Love, Larry, Dad, Grandpa

Our e-mail is down

Dear Melanie,

Since I can't send you an e-mail nor receive until Centurytel gets their server fixed I am forced to correspond by blog. I kept checking Babies Direct for a posting of the shipment of your changing table and wrote three e-mails asking for some info and confirmation. On the last e-mail I told them to cancel the order if they were not going to ship. I reminded them that their policy was to ship in a couple days and that customer service was required to answer e-mail inquiries within 24 hours, etc. Not one word; however, today they show a shipment by TNT trucking with a bonifide tracking number and a shipping date as 06/08/2007. Shipping is supposed to take 7-10 days. I am looking forward to putting it together and getting it to you. Maybe it will come soon enough that I can get it together before we come up this saturday (however, I am really skeptical). Mom just told me that she told you............well, I am still going to blog this. Love, Dad

Update from Mom/Jan

There really isn't much news here. The biggest event this week was that the lawn mower got repaired and Larry was able to mow the lawn. It took 3 cuttings, but looks quite respectable after #3 today.

I got my outdoor pots planted last weekend with petunias, some other trailing things I don't know the name of, and some volunteer lobelia that was growing away despite not being watered ever. They got planted at the right time since we've had warm rain all week. They are very perky and pretty.

Grandma Far Away got DSL so her computer is much faster now. She was paying way too much for extra minutes just waiting for the thing to load. I'm sure we'll hear lots more from her on the blog now, right???

I talked to Traci this week, and she said they are still waiting for carpet in the bedroom before they put up the For Sale sign.

I am more than ready for school to be over. Everyone is annoying me--kids, teachers, my boss. One more week and a day of workshops and it will quiet down and I can get some work done. Also going to COSA conference at Seaside so that will be a nice break. Tim - is Condon sending you??

Oh-one more very fun, gossipy thing: Grandma Sharp has a beau. Aunt Chris called and told us about him today. Sounds like a nice guy and a good dresser. Grandma is going dancing with him even. Bernie. He's Jewish!! :-)

Don't know what Jennifer is up to except the usual there. Sounds like Nicholas is registered for middle school - hard to believe.

Couch potato update

Greyson and I went to our monthly ultrasound today to monitor the babies growth. One was 4 1/2 lbs and the other was about 5 lbs, both above average for being almost 32 weeks. If they stay put another 4 weeks the larger one could make it to 7 lbs which is quite respectable. However I cringe when thinking about the possibility of carrying 14 lbs of baby. People still say I look small for twins but I am starting to feel really big and it is getting hard to get my shoes on and off and all of that sort of thing. I huff and puff when doing the slightest thing and the pain in my back and my ribs keeps me from sleeping at night.

So not much else is happening in my life. I have been having periods where I work the entire week and then the next week I will be completely off. That is the world of consulting. Next week should be another busy one and I might work a bunch this weekend. I am racing against the baby clock to get a number of projects completed. Unfortunately I have to keep waiting for pieces of information from other consultants (engineers mostly) before I can work on my parts.

Greyson left this morning with some of his friends to go to the Police concert in Seattle. They will be staying the night up there and having lots of fun I am sure. We orignially got the tickets for both of us and it was going to be an early birthday present for Greyson. I don't know why I ever thought that I could go to a concert being 7 months pregnant with twins. So we found another person to buy my ticket and I will be staying put on the couch.

As Greyson wrote earlier, he and my dad did a HUGE list of jobs last week. And yes, I came up with the list. While they worked I layed in my lounger outside in the shade and supervised.

I think that is all the possible news that a person confined to the couch can come up with. I think I will try to take a nap now. This gloomy weather has me all sleepy....

-Mel

big ups to the big man

thank you Larry for helping me (not to mention going solo on a few projects) with an insane amount of work once again. your gravel fill on the side of the house is already keeping the area much clearer of muddy water after some very heavy rains last night. The nursery looks wonderful with a completed bunk bed, the windows are clear enough to break at lest 32% more bird beaks, and the front yard looks almost manicured. And I'm still enjoying the 17 other list items that are now complete. That was so helpful, and I feel like I could never repay you. Kudos to Larry!!!