Pregnancy

Mel and Greyson, If you don't already have the "What to expect when you're expecting or the What to expect the toddler years," we have them. They're like Dr.Spock of The new millenium. If you'd post with regularity, I wouldn't call so much. For instance, I was nauseas today, but I can see a definate bulging. That would suffice. Then two days later, Greyson could say, Oh we're thinking of Finn and Asa as names for boys and Payton and Lilly as girl names.

I have this training dog clicker and when the dog does well you give it food and simaltaneously click. You could click your infants when they self soothe, but if they fell asleep that might wake them up. And then later in life they might have phobias of shiny black shoes on cafeteria floors, snapping fingers, certain birds etc. so maybe that's not such a good idea. Stick to the books I mentioned.

Traci

Travel (by Janice/Mom, etc.)

The Peru trip sounds wonderful. Were there any scary parts -- failing electricity? I understand they advised you to bring your flashlights.

The locals probably just thought Bob was a little eccentric when the maid told stories of all the new toothbrushes in the trash. Or did he bring them home and boil them? I wonder if you can microwave a toothbrush?

There must be more stories to tell and a few pictures to post.

I hope Melanie is rethinking out of the country vacationing after Aunt Chris' message. I was thinking the same thing, but it has so much less impact when it comes form ones mother, let alone mother-in-law. How about Palm Springs? Or some resort in Arizona? Isn't there Lake something-or-other?? Lots of nice resorts where they will pamper you.


I understand Jennifer had a few days of snow vacation. I hope this doesn't mean they have to go to school until July. We had one early release day when everyone got to school before it started snowing like crazy. I called Dad and asked him to bring our 5 plastic sleds which he did. The kids had a great time sledding. There is actually a nice wide hill on the west side of the school.

Really enjoyed the books the Deans got me and Grandma for Christmas. The Glass Castle was especially good - I recommend it to everyone. The other one, The Memory Keepers Daughter, is good for everyone except Melanie. It would freak her out.

Had a good, but short, visit with the Porters last weekend when they braved the pass and drove over. Played some pinochle & watched the dogs play. Four dogs, that is. Katia, Charlie, Lucy and Molly. Lucy and Charlie had a rope tug-a-war, and it was pretty funny to see the 2 sisters at it. They are almost the same size now, except Charlie is still somewhat stout. Maybe there's something in the house insulation that causes people who live here to be obese. Molly looks like a dust mop.

I have been very bad at going to the gym the last couple of weeks. I'm vowing to turn over a new leaf tomorrow.

And what's up with y'all?

Back from Peru

Bob and I got back from Peru yesterday about noon. But we had been up since 5:00 am getting back - only night flights out of Lima. So we were very, very sleepy. I managed to stay up 'till about 8:30 and then slept 12 hours.

Peru was incredibly beautiful. It is among our top 3 favorites for trips. Except for Lima, which is at sea level, we were at 8,000 to 13,000 feet in the Andes. Lots of people in their native dress and incredibly well preserved Inca ruins. Our guide was named Edgar (and something else unpronounceable) traces his ancestory back to the Inca's so we got lots of history. We really enjoyed MaccuPiccu. The Spaniards missed it on their way through the country so it is pretty much still in tact All over the countryside people are still farming on the Inca terraced hill sides. If those Spanairds hadn't smashed everything up, all of it would still be there. The Inca were incredible engineers and builders. They even channeled the rivers so they could control flooding.

We were not affected by the altitude and didn't get the trots but others on the trip had very bad headaches the whole time we were in the Andes and there were a lot of bathroom breaks. Bob could not get used to brushing his teeth with bottled water and would ruin his toothbrush most mornings. We finally bought six and just threw then away as he would dunk them in the running water. So Bob bought toothbrushes and I bought an alpaca sweater and cape.

I am very much enjoying the blog but I got to tell you - there was a lot about throwing up during the last 10 days.

Hi to everyone - Joanne

Pick your pregnancy trip carefully

Hi Melanie,

I would be very cautious about being away from your physician's at 5 1/2 months with twins. A twin gestation is considered high risk and you should see what your OB-GYN says. I'm not sure they would recommend it. If I was still in practice, I wouldn't. And also as a seasoned cruiser I've seen the good, bad, and ugly of cruise medicine. They are very limited as to any kind of emergency care; but if you do decide to go, make sure your doctor tells you what kinds of meds are safe for sea sickness. Even though Phil and I never had any problems with sea seasickness, there were many people missing from the dinner table night after night due to nausea and vomiting. For any real emergency they take you to a hospital in whatever country is nearest or fly you out. Not my idea of great care during a pregnancy.

Cruises are great because you put away your stuff and off you go.. But off you go means standing in lines, hurrying up to wait, crowded areas, chairs not always available. If you sign up for off shore activities, they can involve disembarking from the cruise ship to smaller boats that take you to shore. You need to be pretty fast and nimble. Remember you're going to be much bigger than the normal pregnant woman at 5 1/2 months. Not to mention, swelling of the feet and ankles, back problems etc. etc.

I don't want to be the negative one.. but it is a high risk pregnancy. And even a low risk pregnancy can become high risk. I'm sure you're aware of the risks of a twin pregnancy. I'm sure things will go well, but you have to be cautious.

Why not stay w/i resonable distance to your doctors with a really nice hotel, eating out and taking it easy? Plus sleeping in and just being a couple?

Aunt Chris

Brrrr

Do you think that having the heat set to 76 degrees is overdoing it a bit? It seems bitterly cold out, at least for here. It is 22 degrees out, which isn't that bad, but the winds whip up and make it hard to take. I have been trying to go for a walk every day but lately I can only stay out for about 20 minute before I am racing home.

I spent part of the weekend cleaning out the mess in the guest/baby bedroom. My hubby came in and said "it is so cute to see my little wife nesting". Thanks mom. Now I am going to have to hear that whenever I am doing anything slightly related to babies. After working for a couple hours Greyson, the three cats and I sat down on the bed in there and were quickly snoozing. That is when I determined the bed was staying. Once we got the office equipment out of the room it was actually quite spacious even with the bed in there.

I broke the washing machine yesterday. I tried to wash a pillow and it jammed it up and now the agitator won't work. I hate it when things break, especially when I caused it.


Greyson put a 14 lb. turkey in to cook last night and then headed out to friends. I was in charge of cutting off the meat when it was done. I even went so far as to boil the carcass to get the broth for turkey noodle soup that I plan to make for lunch. I have never done all that myself so I am excited to see how it turns out.

Well I have a lovely new pregnancy symptom. It has been developing for awhile but has really kicked in lately. I am self diagnosing but I think I have a pinched sciatic nerve. I get this lovely sharp stabbing pain right in the middle of my right buttocks whenever I bend over just slightly. At first I thought it was just pain from the shots Greyson was giving me, but we quit giving them on that side and the pain just kept increasing. From what I have read, in pregnancy the uterus puts pressure on this nerve and causes this. Normally this happens in the 3rd trimester when you are big, but lucky me, somehow I already have this. Any of you get this and know how to get some relief? OK, enough complaining.

I have the option of today (MLK) off if I want it, or I can work it and use the holiday some other time. I was planning on getting up and working a part day and then relaxing at noon. But it is almost 10:30 and all I have done is check my email. So I think I may just call it a day and head into town to see if there are any end of season clearance sales. I always go looking for clothes for myself, but after an hour of trying on clothes that are too short in the sleaves or have too short of inseams I head over to the mens section and find all sorts of stuff for Greyson. It is really nice having someone average sized to buy for.

Alright, my ramblings are done. Hope everyone is having a nice long weekend,

Mel

Puppy Power

Traci wanted me to post some pictures of the puppies and I am finally getting around to it. Hope everyone is doing well.

Kidnapped?

I have it on good authority that one of our blogger kin has been on vacation in Peru. They were supposed to be back in the states (Delaware, to be exact) by now. Since we have heard nothing from this person on the blog, and her sole reason for not blogging has been lack of anything interesting to write, the only logical conclusion I can come to is that they were kidnapped and are right now in the mountains of Peru burning llama dung to keep warm.

Do you think I should contact the CIA?

Office Make Over (from Mom/Janice)

Okay, the office maker over is nearly complete. Today I got the pictures all framed. I bought 4 inexpensive black plastic poster frames. I cut black poster board to go behind like an inverse mat and just glued the pictures to it. The pictures, in this case, are elementary kids who went to school in this building back in 1966 - the year I graduated from high school. Also got a couple of nicer, black wooden frames that aren't as large. I put the class pictures from 1948 in those - the year I was born. I bought a big black rimmed clock at Wal-Mart that is exactly like old school clocks. Anyway, I'm happy with it and just need to get the pictures hung.

I really need my decorating consultants for this part - where to hang what.
It would be more impressive if you could all see the "before and after" of it all.

Happy MLK Day weekend - a 3 dayer for we school folks.