Never enough sleep

I have been feeling pretty run down for the past week. I am not sure if this is from the heat, the training or the bug that has been hiding out in our house but whatever the reason I wish for it to please go away. Last week's long run was great compared to yesterday: 16 miles of blahhh. Normally I feel a bit sluggish to start, then get energized and can finish relatively strong but yesterday I just wanted to run off the trail and lay down at every opportunity. Not normal for me. Cardiovascularly I feel great--like i could keep going. Muscularly-not so much. My head says "Keep going!!!" and my body says "Stop moving you fool!"

Hopefully within the next week my head and my body will be on the same page.

Liam's First Campout

This Friday night Liam and Ken decided to camp out in the back yard, under the stars and the apple tree. To say Liam was excited was an understatement. He was so giddy and charged with energy I was surprised he was even able to settle down and sleep--but he did and he had a great time. Ken set up the tent, the sleeping bags and the portable lamp and the guys (Ken, Liam and Laraway) headed out for a night in the great outdoors. Everyone did great--it was very cute and sweet to see the lads all headed out into the night with lantern in hand.

Awww Poop!

So I mentioned earlier in the week that Beanie was not feeling 100% and was plagued by a GI bug. Yesterday I took him in to see the pediatrician because it has been 7 days. She looked him over and said that he is at the tail end of the "acceptable" diarrhea range and that after 10 days they will want to run tests to see if what he has is possibly bacterial (like from the pool) or something else. So far he has lost close to two pounds--which is a lot for a little guy. He isn't super hungry and only wants to eat the things he can't: raw fruit and plenty of it. I have since been pumping him full of good probiotics and Pedialyte. I hoe and pray that by Sunday he is back to normal.

And then last night, Liam ran into the bathroom at 10:30 with...yeah, you guessed it. The big "D". Emily just called me to say he has it today too and is not that hungry. JOY. He claims he feels fine just is not hungry. We shall see...

Liam Hearts Art Camp

Liam is really enjoying himself at Art Camp. I delight in hearing his stories (and demonstrations) after each camp day. "Mommy, this is called a SCULPTURE." "Mommy, this is the difference between a REHEARSAL and PERFORMANCE" and my favorite, "the best thing about Art Camp is that there is NO Uh-Oh chair!" He comes home and spends an hour drawing pictures and telling me what he has learned--it is so great to see. Emily told me that every day when the parents come to pick up the kids they have to pretend t be something, and the parents have to figure it out (yesterday they were flowers and bugs). I really, REALLY am impressed with this program and can't say enough good things about it. Part of me wishes they were a full-blown school because I think it would suit Liam's personality very well.

Your Daily Liam

Last night when I was putting Liam to bed we were talking about his day. He looked at me and said "Guess what I learned today??! I learned that we use cow's skin for our clothes and we eat cow WRISTS for food!" I said, "You eat cow wrists for food??" and Liam said confidently, "YES. You DO."

I guess all this time people all over the world have been neglecting a choice cut of meat...cow wrists.

Go figure.

Special Object

Today at Art Camp the kids are supposed to bring a small toy or object that is special to them. While Liam was getting ready for breakfast I asked him what object he was taking to camp? He immediately replied "Fuddy!" Fuddy is his black lab stuffed animal that he made at Build-A-Bear. He said "Nothing is as special as Fuddy is Mommy!" I told him that while Fuddy IS indeed a very special puppy, he probably should leave him at home because we didn't want anything to happen to him. He agreed and then stopped to think about what else he could bring. Suddenly he popped out of his chair and said "I know! I will bring a rock!!" So he went outside, searched for a nice rock then colored it blue with sidewalk chalk. He brought it in and showed me. I told him it was a beautiful rock. He told me that it was the coloring that made it special. He put it in his pocket where it will hopefully make its way safely to art camp and where he can proudly show his teacher the special rock he colored.

Monday Blahhs

Today Ken is on kid-duty for the first part of the day. He is still not feeling very good and has a lot of work to do, so what better way to start off your week then by wrangling boys? Emily is at a funeral this morning for a high school friend so she won't be in until noon. I have a feeling it might be a long morning for Ken.

Last night Sawyer figured out how to climb out of his crib. I think in his escape attempt he re-injured the same leg/hip that he hurt at the park a few weeks ago. He was crying and in a lot of pain after it happened. I was scared and didn't know why he was crying so hard and then I noticed he kept walking on his tippy toes gingerly. I put him down to change his diaper and that is when I felt his hip/leg pop back into place and he seemed better afterward. He cried for bit but then was back to walking around fine. This morning he woke up happy and running around laughing. The thought that he might be plagued with hip/leg joint problems because of me pulling him off the playground equipment literally makes me want to cry. Now that he was able to scale the crib we need to start thinking about next steps. I still think he is way too little to be in the toddler bed yet. The thought of him having free roam at night makes me weak in the knees.

On a happier note, one of my best friends is in town for the next few days. Kil and I met about ten years(!) ago via marathon running and have been fast friends ever since. He lives in Utah and is just an all around great guy. We get to see each other about once a year at races. He is here for a work conference so in his off time we will try and hang out. Tonight he is going to come over and visit for a bit. He has still yet to meet Sawyer. I hope that Ken is feeling better by then. I think Kil visits just as much to see Ken as he does to see me. When the two met for the first time a few years ago they hit it off instantly. It's always good when your spouse and your best friends get along! :-)

Happy Papa's Day

Lately, Liam has taken to climbing trees. It has become his "thing" ever since he overcame his fear of getting scratched and poked by the prickly apple tree branches. Now he likes to show all the other kids "how he can climb trees" even though he is barely two feet off the ground. It is his thing and he is proud of it. A few days ago I was telling him how I used to love to climb trees along with his Uncle Jason and about our failed attempt at building a treehouse up in the old mullberry tree. I then told him the story about how one time, I tried to climb up a bigger tree (a prickly apple) and how I got my knee wedged in the fork of the tree and how Grandpa had to drop what he was doing to run out and climb up and get me unstuck from the apple tree.

I doubt that Dad even remembers that incident. I'm sure it was just one in a laundry list of jams and predicaments we kids were constantly getting into and Dad was constantly getting us out of. Dad was and still is our go-to guy for trouble. If there is something broke, leaking or running loose, Dad is the man to call. If you don't know how to turn something on-call Dad. If you don't know how to turn something off-call Dad. If it rattles and breaks and leaves you stranded alone on the side of the road--call Dad. Dad just KNOWS. I am always amazed at how even now, in my late 30's, I always turn to Dad if I have a question about something. And it goes far beyond the mechanical--Dad has always been a great person to lend a willing and supportive ear. In all of my woes over the years he has always made me feel loved, supported and heard. I know that when the chips are down and I feel my most alone all I have to do is call and he will be there to listen and love with his quiet strength and generous hugs.

Thank you Dad for always being there to get me down from the apple tree. I love you and value you more than any words could ever say. Happy Father's Day!

Blchhhh

Sorry I have been away for a few days. I wasn't feeling good Friday or Saturday, Sawyer hasn't been feeling good and now Ken appears to have the same bug. Happy Father's Day! So far the only one who appears to be immune is Liam--which is great. I just wish his attitude would show it. He has been a bit of a pill all weekend. Sawyer was a holy terror Friday and part of Saturday--but his can at least be explained by teething and intestinal distress (the gift that keeps on giving, and giving, and giving). The poor little guy makes a run for it every time I have to change his diaper because it usually ends up with him getting a bath. There is only so much a wet wipe can do. Ugh.

Today is the first day that I have felt like eating so I am hoping this thing will run its course and get the heck outtta Dodge. It would be nice to have a weekend where we all feel good.

Art Camp--A Success!

The verdict is in...the kids LOVE Art Camp! I was so impressed by the program that I wish *I* could be enrolled. Everyday the children start out class with an easy to jump into art piece, followed by a break in the dancing studio, snack, dramatic play and a story. Each week the class will focus on different themes and explore different cultures from around the world. They sent home a reading list of books that coincide with the subject for that week and snack suggestions to go along with the theme. Liam *LOVED* it--as did a very shy Sam. When I got home after the first day Liam was so excited to tell me about everything they did and showed me some spins that the dancing instructor taught them. He also informed me that "a nice boy said hi to me then drew a picture of me riding my bike! So I drew him a picture." (cute). Emily texted me today to inform me that Liam had a blast at camp again today--which is so good to hear.

Commence Art Camp

Today is the first day of Art Camp for Liam and Sam. I am *pretty* sure I am the most excited one --Liam seemed indifferent and Sam is terrified at the thought of being someplace new. I hope they have a great time. I still remember being one of two kids invited to a week of Art Classes when I was in 6th grade. It was some sort of TAG program and being a small school, I was one of the TAG kids. I vividly recall loving EVERY minute of the classes...getting to do batiks and other projects that I had never been able to do before. I hope Liam has the same great experience. He certainly loves drawing and painting and lately, cutting out interesting shapes, coloring them and then gluing them together in cool arrangements. I love his imagination.

Yesterday at Sports Camp Liam had a boy who was being mean to him. Apparently this boy was throwing things at him and putting rocks in his shoes. Sam, indignant and furious, marched over to Emily and said "I'm going to tell the Coach on that boy!! He is being mean to Liam!!" Liam, on the other hand, didn't seem too disturbed by it. When I asked him about it later he said "I told him to stop and he wouldn't." I then told Liam to stand up for himself and never let anyone push him around like that. For some reason that little incident ticked me off and made my Mama Bear instincts come out in full force. Don't mess with my cub!!! I know it is probably the first of many such incidents throughout my kid's lives but still...it makes my heart ache. Once school starts who knows what kind of bullies they will run into. I guess the main thing we can do is to encourage their individuality and spirit while emphasizing the importance of self esteem and respect and the most important thing: love them, love them, love them.

Seriously. A vacation would be nice.

You know you are in desperate need of a vacation when going back to work on Monday means you actually get to sit down and rest a bit. And you look forward to being AT WORK. How wrong is that?!

This weekend was tiring. Aside for the usual we had swim lessons, trips to the park, bike injuries and a puking Beanie (he was up Saturday night throwing up. He managed to initially miss his bed, only to then heave blueberries all over the floor. That was round one. Round two and three he did not miss his bed. I was scrubbing the carpets and doing laundry and washing Sawyer down at 1 in the morning while Ken slept...yeah, that seems fair...) So today I am cumulatively tired. Beanie woke up earlier than usual this morning after tossing and turning at night, ticked at the world because he FINALLY was hungry and wanted to eat NOW by golly! He has hardly ate all weekend--I could not get him food fast enough.

So today I am sitting at my desk wishing I was sitting on a beach. I have a lot of friends who are on vacation this week at the beach and I am a teensy weensy bit envious. I have not had a real vacation in SIX YEARS (no offense to my family-- but Ohio isn't what I would call a vacation destination...). My toes have not touched sand or seen the surf in over SIX YEARS. It pains me.


Dear Beach,
I miss you. Don't give up on me.
Love,
L

Wipe Out

Liam has finally overcome his fear of his "big boy bike" and has been riding it all around the house. We took a few trips around the block together and he felt he was now ready to ride all the way to the park (maybe a mile away). We got all geared up: Sunscreen, Helmet, Water and Snack for later on. I put Beanie in his stroller and we were off. Liam made it about 5 minutes into the trip when we approached what I call a very scary corner. The corner is sharp and cambered and if you were to miss the turn you would end up in a very busy street. I have talked to Liam about the turn and he knew that he needed to wait for me before taking it. He did as he was told and when I caught up to him he went for it. I told him to take it slow... Unfortunately, momentum got the better of him and he went careening erratically around the corner, unable to keep his balance he tipped over and went crashing hard into the street. My worst fear realized. Luckily, it was an early Sunday morning and there were no cars about but still it was enough to make my heart stop. I ran over and picked him and his bike up. He was bloody and scraped and he cried for a bit (obviously scared). He sobbed "I think you need to take me to the doctor!!!" I looked him over and reassured him that he would be ok...we just needed to get back home and clean him up. I told him to take some deep breaths and when he felt calm, to get back on the bike. He did exactly as I asked and rode the bike back home where I cleaned, Neosporined and bandaged him up good as new. He decided he still wanted to ride to the park and he did--just getting out and walking the hilly parts. And actually on the way back he rode the hilly parts--proud of himself for being able to do it.

I was very proud of him too for getting back on the bike and not giving up. He has a tendency to get easily discouraged and quit and that always makes me nuts. If there is one thing I can't stand it is people who quit and give up. He told me that he was proud of himself too, which made me smile. He was also mighty proud of his scrapes and cuts and would show them to anybody who would listen, including the little blonde haired girl at the park..."Hey! Guess what just happened to me?!"

Swim Lessons Begin

Both boys began swim lessons at the YMCA officially this weekend. Liam is a "pike" and Sawyer is in the Parent/Toddler class. Liam seemed to enjoy his first lesson although he is obsessed with wanting to go down the water slide, even though the water slide is never open during swim lessons. Of course this never stops him from asking over and over, to go down the slide... Liam is one of 4 boys in the lesson. I'm always impressed when anyone can get 4 little boys to stay focused for any length of time.

Beanie seemed indifferent with his lesson (again, nearly ALL boys!). The whole time he would look at me like "Seriously?! We're really going to do this EVERY week??" He didn't seem to get into it like I thought he would. The lesson is 40 minutes long (which is at least 10 minutes too long for the little one's liking). It is a series of repetition and song--all things to get the little ones comfortable in the water. The parents hold the little ones and hop and dance around with them. Beanie did NOT like being held (confined!) for 40 minutes. When it came time to put them on the sides and have them "jump" in Beanie would bolt and I would have to snag him before he was in the locker room, grabbing my keys and making a break for freedom. It was exhausting. Forty minutes of wrestling with a slippery toddler can do that for you.

What is with this weather anyway?!

To say that the weather around here has been strange is an understatement. For the 6th day in a row we are under the threat of potentially severe weather. Everyday has been a storm, (or tornado, depending on what part of the Front Range) and it is starting to wear on everyone's nerves. Living here has people accustomed to sunshine virtually everyday, and lots of it. Rarely do we get rain (rarely) and it used to actually be somewhat of a treat when it happened. But now, everyday brings grey skies and the threat of getting pounded. It is getting VERY OLD.

Sadly, the 10 day forecast shows next week to be more of the same. The soonest we can expect Colorado to return to its normal, beautiful sunny self is next Thursday or Friday. UGH.

HAPPY BLOGGEVERSARY!!

One year ago yesterday I started this blog. If you are one of the handful that have continued to visit here...I salute you!!! Here's to another year...

The Fun Continues...

Emily called me at 6:00am to tell me she has been up all night vomiting. When she left here yesterday she said she didn't feel well, but that she was trying to keep her mind off of it. Unfortunately that didn't work and the bug bit her hard. So today I am home with two wily boys and all of us are tired and cranky due to sleep debt. I am hoping, probably in futility, that the bug does not bite us. I figure if we can make it puke-free by Thursday we are in the clear.

Here's hoping...

Things I Don't Want to do Again Anytime Soon...

Ken is traveling for work tonight...so I expected to come home and have a "date night" with the lads and then get caught up on a book I've been reading. When I pulled into our drive I was horrified to see an ambulance parked in front of our next door neighbor's house and Emily and the boys standing outside. EMily told me that they had just pulled up and she didn't know what was going on. I asked her if the kids were home and she didn't know. About 2 minutes later Charmaigne, (the neighbor) pulled into her drive with her oldest son Jack. She said she had no idea what was going on but that her husband Luke called her and said he was feeling faint and was too weak to hold their baby so he called 911.

Long story short, I had all the kids come over here (Jack-6, Liam F-3, and baby Tatum, 10 mos). Poor Charmaigne was so shell shocked that she quickly came over and dropped off some stuff for the baby and rushed to the hospital. Much like us, the Foley's have no real family nearby to help out. I was happy to be able to help out any way I could. It was a VERY long night. Between keeping a constant vigil on Sawyer and Tatum (Beanie is obsessed with sticking his fingers in her mouth, eyes, ears, etc.) and making sure that the older boys did not maim each other or escape (Liam F. is prone to sneaking out of his house), then feeding all of them, changing baby diapers and putting the little ones to bed I was more than fried. Three and a half hours later Charmaigne called to say they were admitting Luke but that they thought he might have appendicitis. ( which is ironic since Charmaigne had to have her appendix removed a month ago).

I must admit I was more than happy that she was home but I did tell her if she needed me to help out in the morning I could. Of all the nights for Ken to be traveling. Oy.

Feel better Luke!

Life is Unjust When You are Nearly Five

Lately, Liam has been on a rant about things not being "fair". If I make the mistake of saying "good job Beanie!" while he shovels in his food, Liam automatically asks before I can take a breath, "Well how come you didn't tell ME good job??!" This has been going on for the past few weeks and applies to virtually EVERYTHING...

Liam: "How come Sawyer always gets put in the carseat first and not me??"

Me: Because your brother will start the car and put it in gear if I don't strap him in quickly...

Liam: "How come Mickey Mouse went camping and I can't?"

Me: You can go camping Liam, just not with Mickey Mouse, Goofy, or Donald Duck.

Liam: "How come Dylan (aged 15) has a drum set and I don't?!"

Me: Once you are thirty you can have a drum set

and lastly, the one that he asks EVERY. SINGLE. DAY...

Liam: "How come Jack and Liam next door have a trampoline and we don't?!"

Me: I guess because Jack and Liam have a NICE Mommy and Daddy and you don't.

I can't believe Mom & Dad paid good money for those...

Earlier this week, Liam asked me if I had any photos of myself when I was a little girl. So last night, on a whim I pulled down a bloated box from my closet that was chuck-full of pictures of my not-so-illustrious youth. He giggled every time I showed him a baby picture, or a picture of me in school, etc. When we got to the Senior photos he looked amused. He looked at one where I was posed by a fence and and said "Are you angry in this picture??" No Liam, that was just the style of the photos back then--solemn and pensive and oh-so deep in thought as I looked out across the strategically placed log pile. In another photo, I am leaning over a mirror and the picture captures both myself and my sparkly, vivid reflection. Liam looked up at me in all seriousness and asked "So why do you have two heads??!"

The better for eating small children, I replied.

The young old married couple

This week Liam started Sport's Camp at the YMCA. It is a "sports of all sorts" camp where they learn one sport a week. Sam signed up too and is being a trooper with her arm in a cast (it comes off next week). Sam wants to do everything that Liam does, and vice versa. They are two peas in a pod. Emily told me that this week at camp they always hold hands when they run laps, when they sit down, etc. We joke that they are like a little married couple. There have been times that they will bicker and argue and Sam will get her feelings hurt by Liam (or vice versa) and stomp off in tears. Just recently they were arguing over the lyrics to one of their Preschool graduation songs. Liam thought the word "Bakers" was in the song and Sam said it wasn't. They argued back and forth and back and forth until finally, Liam said "Sammy, I don't think this is worth arguing over!" and Sam agreed that it wasn't and peace was restored.

They start art camp together in two weeks which should be fun. They are ALWAYS together and are perfectly content to play by themselves. When school starts in the fall I fear that they might be lost without one another for a while (different schools). Luckily they will still get to play with each other everyday before and after school.

Beanie Update

Sawyer woke up this morning and was still limping very badly. I called the doctor and took him in a few hours later. By the time we got to the pediatrician's office he was moving much better, although still limping. The doctor checked him over and could see nothing wrong that would merit exposing him to an x-ray. She thought that he possibly hyper-extended his leg when I tried to pull him down. If he continues to limp after a few days then we are to bring him in and get x-rays. He was SUCH a little flirt with the doctor today-he had her laughing and cooing over his antics. She kept saying "Sawyer you are one funny guy!" Normally it takes him a LONG time to warm up to strangers but he fell for her instantly. She took off his diaper to watch his hips move when he walked and all he could do was hold his parts and laugh while running from one end of the office to the other. I imagine he thought "Hey! I don't know what game this is but running around naked and people laughing?? I LIKE it!"

Little stinker.