One More Thing I Love About Spring

Baseball. Playing, watching, and teaching Thomas. We still get the games on the computer, so if I'm not posting quite as often as usual, you can bet that's a big part of it.

Last year Brian's father bought us tickets to a Sox game, and I was so excited to finally make it to Fenway. I want to go back. Next time I hope to bring Thomas - maybe Gabe too (well some day definitely), depending on details. I took a bunch of photos to share with you all but hesitated to post them right away. I wouldn't have wanted to jinx the Red Sox and take away their chances at the World Series title, you know. (I know, I know, it doesn't work that way, but I couldn't help it.)

Why didn't I take a picture of the coke bottles? I just don't know. I totally should have.

I did get one of the Dice-K signs though, right on Lansdowne Street.

Yep. Still love it. Go Red Sox!

A Beautiful Weekend

I worked last Saturday in order to stay home with Gabe and Thomas on Friday, and what a beautiful day it was. Thomas built a Lego helicopter in the morning and then took it outside for a while, and later he lay down on the floor next to the open door and read a book. It felt like summer. He's outside now, riding his bike. Gabe is asleep in my arms as I type, and I'll be back outside with him very soon. He seems to appreciate the fresh air, the sounds of the birds chirping, and the gentle breeze rustling through the trees... or maybe that's me.

Mmmm, spring.

I Heart You Too, Baby!

I love him, I love him, I love him!

Grateful

Since Gabe was put on Nutramagin (at$25 per can) we have been given 8 cans of liquid formula, 6 cans of powdered formula, and 6 ready-to-feed bottles of formula. How awesome is it that people are so willing to help?! You know who you are; thank you!

Gabriel finally saw the specialist this week. He is still having problems with the reflux, but it doesn't seem to follow any pattern. Some times it's not bad, and other's it's awful (in my eyes anyway, but then I'm extra sensitive to my own baby's pain and discomfort-plus some times it appears painless)... Either way, he is gaining weight and that's the most important thing with the reflux. His doctor still thinks he needs to gain more though, so we'll start adding cereal to his bottle, and since he is still primarily breast fed, I'm going completely dairy and soy free (I have tried reducing my dairy intake some but not eliminating it altogether). As much as eating a dairy free diet will be a bit of a bug in my ear, I hope it works. I just want the reflux to stop so Gabe can feel all better. Then maybe we can stop his medicine too. That sure would be nice!

Next up, Thomas' hearing evaluation. It's always something, isn't it!

A Saturday in April

Yesterday Thomas and Brian helped some friends rake their yard prior to their open house today. I had told Thomas that if he helped pick up sticks he could earn himself a dollar. He worked so hard at raking too that I told him I thought he had earned two, and before all was said and done he had earned two more from our friends, so he ended up taking home four new dollars for his piggy bank.
Gabriel and I watched from the sidelines.

It was nice to get outside for a while. I look forward to going out soon without having to bundle up.

Every Little Bit Counts

In honor of you and me, and everyone else living on this planet, I thought it worthy to try and spread some do-good, earth-happy blogging. I will post just five *simple* things my family and I do to help make this world a better place. Then I will post one thing I am not yet doing but *WILL* start doing immediately. I encourage (and ask you please!) you to do the same! (Try to pick something simple if you can so that others can get some good ideas they can use.) Let's see how far we can spread the idea. Not only will we each help the planet a little by implementing a new eco-friendly practice, but hopefully we can share and exchange some great ideas.

Five simple things we do now:

1 - Buy energy efficient light bulbs and rechargeable batteries.
2 - Unplug all of our appliances when not in use. (We have a lot of kitchen equipment with clocks!)
3 - Teach Thomas about the importance of saving energy and conserving resources.
4 - Use Greenback Search as our search engine of choice.
5 - Buy paper products (paper towels, napkins, etc) made from recycled materials.

One thing we will start doing now:

Buy and use reusable grocery bags.

If you choose to participate please leave a comment. I will follow the link to your blog in search of more ideas. (If you don't have a blog you can still spread the idea!)

Thanks and happy posting! Have a great weekend!

Oh, and yes it is that time of year once again. I am now accepting donations for March of Dimes. If you are interested please visit my personal page for more information. Thank you and good night!

Footprints

From what I understand Thomas had quite a lot of fun making this at school last week. He has been bringing home such great stuff that I have had a hard time picking which things to photograph and share here. Of course this one was easy; largely because of my mom I always think of my Great Grammy Lee when I am reminded of the story of Footprints in the Sand. I know some of you will too.

Just Another Turbulent Tuesday

followed by a Whirlwind Wednesday...

is why I didn't post until today. Holy Moley. (Is there such a thing as a proper way to spell that?)

I clearly can't find time to do my usual internet routine now that I am back at work, but I really want to share some photos!

Tommy had his party last Thursday night, and then Friday after Brian brought both boys for their well doctor visits and I came home from work we left for New Hampshire. We had a great time, but boy were we exhausted by the time we made it back to New York. I didn't think we even did much while we were there, but we sure were tired.

We visited my dad for breakfast on Saturday morning, and my gram came to visit too. It was their first chance to meet Gabriel, so it was special of course. My dad is a great grandpa to all his thirteen grandkids.

Thomas had a great time too. Grandpa has his own workshop under his house, and he likes to show Thomas lots of machines and tricks. He even gave Thomas a real tool box for his birthday, complete with a new screwdriver and level. Thomas went around screwing and unscrewing things all over Grandpa's house before heading downstairs to move a really heavy machine, check out drawers full of tools (some of which Grandpa made himself), and play with the chain fall.

We finally got to see the inside of my sister Becky's new house too, and I must say my favorite part was the beautiful natural light streaming in through the tall windows, revealing simple, quiet, lovely nature outside - and nothing more. Her new Bernese Mountain Dog puppies were amazing too, but I didn't capture any great photos of them this time.

Here's my mom holding Gabriel in front of one of the afore-mentioned windows:

We spent Easter with my mom. She is always very caring and giving and made a wonderful ham dinner before we had to go back. It was really nice to spend a little time with Becky, Scott, Dallas, Brady, Brooke, Mom, and Aunt Bonnie, all at Mom's (even if I did fall asleep on the couch, holding Gabe, after lunch; I told you I was tired... )

Plus Thomas not only enjoyed searching for eggs in the morning but got his first chance to hide some eggs for his cousins after breakfast.

All in all it was a pretty great trip!

I hope you had a great Easter too!