Qwest Field, Seattle, WA 1:40pm
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Where We Live
I am starting a new series called Where We Live. Simple snapshots of the place we call home.
Edmunds Light Rail Station, Columbia City, Seattle WA 6:40 am
Edmunds Light Rail Station, Columbia City, Seattle WA 6:40 am
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Harper Sings
Harper entertained us with her Bumble Bee song on our ride down to Portland last weekend.
We aren't sure what language she is singing in here. We guess some sort of ancient Polynesian/Chinese pidgin. She does a lot of singing in this language. Very loud and very confident.
We aren't sure what language she is singing in here. We guess some sort of ancient Polynesian/Chinese pidgin. She does a lot of singing in this language. Very loud and very confident.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Harper's Nursemaid's Elbow
Yesterday at the park, I was holding both kid's hands, walking to the car. As we approached a curb, I said, "Harper Jump!" and pulled up on her hand.
What she heard, I can only surmise, was "fall to the ground and pretend you have lost all ability to hold yourself up."
Well, the screaming started immediately. I had a hard time figuring out if it was her shoulder, elbow or wrist. Wrangling Windham and a screeching Harper, I got us back to the car, dug around in the first aid box and found some gauze to wrap up her wrist.
I hoped the drive-thru at the Walgreens was open so I wouldn't have to get out of the car to get supplies. No dice. I recalled the glory days of my youth when my mom would leave us in the car and run inside to do her errand. It doesn't seem like parents do that anymore these days and I was already feeling like a terrible parent. So in we all go.
I get WPH out of the car and then, as delicately as possible, scoop Harper up out of her car seat. This isn't a task one can do delicately, by the way, so the crying began again. And pretty much continued throughout the aisles of the store. They keep the really important things like pain medicine, first aid supplies, the life and death stuff, IN THE VERY BACK CORNER OF THE STORE! Because folks in dire need of hair care products and make-up need to get in and get out as fast as possible.
I got her home, settled her on the couch with Doggit and Nemo on the tube. Poor kid really felt miserable. We put a bag of frozen peas on it and wrapped it up. I made up the futon for her to sleep on and put her to bed. It was a rough night for all of us. She woke up several times crying in pain. There is nothing more terrible than a 3 year old in pain.
This morning before I left for work, I moved her back to the couch and she got to watch Babe. She was thrilled at the prospect of getting to watch a second movie so soon.
I took her to the doctor this afternoon.
Diagnosis: Nursemaid's Elbow. Her radius had popped out of place. Fortunately, the cure is to pop it right back where it belongs. We waited for the doc with the most experience in this technique to come to our aid. And after 5 seconds of what I am sure was excruciating pain, the arm was fixed.
We made sure she could move her arm before we left. It was amazing how quickly she was back to moving it around, no problem. We drove through the Wendy's drive-thru for a milkshake. Probably the best part about the last 24 hours for an almost 3 year old. By the bottom of the cup, she was as good as new.
Milkshakes make everyone feel better!
What she heard, I can only surmise, was "fall to the ground and pretend you have lost all ability to hold yourself up."
Well, the screaming started immediately. I had a hard time figuring out if it was her shoulder, elbow or wrist. Wrangling Windham and a screeching Harper, I got us back to the car, dug around in the first aid box and found some gauze to wrap up her wrist.
I hoped the drive-thru at the Walgreens was open so I wouldn't have to get out of the car to get supplies. No dice. I recalled the glory days of my youth when my mom would leave us in the car and run inside to do her errand. It doesn't seem like parents do that anymore these days and I was already feeling like a terrible parent. So in we all go.
I get WPH out of the car and then, as delicately as possible, scoop Harper up out of her car seat. This isn't a task one can do delicately, by the way, so the crying began again. And pretty much continued throughout the aisles of the store. They keep the really important things like pain medicine, first aid supplies, the life and death stuff, IN THE VERY BACK CORNER OF THE STORE! Because folks in dire need of hair care products and make-up need to get in and get out as fast as possible.
I got her home, settled her on the couch with Doggit and Nemo on the tube. Poor kid really felt miserable. We put a bag of frozen peas on it and wrapped it up. I made up the futon for her to sleep on and put her to bed. It was a rough night for all of us. She woke up several times crying in pain. There is nothing more terrible than a 3 year old in pain.
This morning before I left for work, I moved her back to the couch and she got to watch Babe. She was thrilled at the prospect of getting to watch a second movie so soon.
I took her to the doctor this afternoon.
Diagnosis: Nursemaid's Elbow. Her radius had popped out of place. Fortunately, the cure is to pop it right back where it belongs. We waited for the doc with the most experience in this technique to come to our aid. And after 5 seconds of what I am sure was excruciating pain, the arm was fixed.
We made sure she could move her arm before we left. It was amazing how quickly she was back to moving it around, no problem. We drove through the Wendy's drive-thru for a milkshake. Probably the best part about the last 24 hours for an almost 3 year old. By the bottom of the cup, she was as good as new.
Milkshakes make everyone feel better!
Friday, September 4, 2009
Thank the heavens for Skype
The witching hour is especially hard at our house because usually we are single parenting during that time. Me when Laramie works and Laramie when I am at work.
But when Nana is at home in Denver and can Skype with the kiddos, I never hesitate to plop them in front of the 'puter for a few minutes of calm.
Nana reading a book about cars.
Nana pointing out the pattern of cars: red, blue, yellow, red, blue…
Harper replies "Yellow" and Nana rejoices at the brilliance of her granddaughter.
But when Nana is at home in Denver and can Skype with the kiddos, I never hesitate to plop them in front of the 'puter for a few minutes of calm.
Nana reading a book about cars.
Nana pointing out the pattern of cars: red, blue, yellow, red, blue…
Harper replies "Yellow" and Nana rejoices at the brilliance of her granddaughter.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Is that a new house?
Last week we had the house painted. It was a big decision with a hefty price tag attached.
That said, we really haven't done but two major upgrades to the house. Before we moved in, we ripped up the carpet to find some worn fir flooring throughout the house. There were what appeared to be pet urine stains and most likely it was the original floor, from 1913. The cost of refinishing and a new floor were minimal. So we sprung for new Brazilian cherry floors. And it has made all the difference. They are beautiful and we have enjoyed them for the four years we have lived in the house.
We painted and Laramie's dad and brother-type Christopher spent a week with us three summers ago fixing up a mish-mash of projects we couldn't do ourselves. We still haven't finished the kitchen and the bathroom really needs some attention, but that is for another day…
The house we knew we needed to have done by some pro-fessionals. The house was under attack for a week and they still have a few bits to finish up, but overall WE LOVE IT! It's like we have a brand new house.
BEFORE: Oh, that is ugly.
IN PROCESS: Even with just the primer it looks better.
THE END: It is beautiful! Almost doesn't look like the same house.
That said, we really haven't done but two major upgrades to the house. Before we moved in, we ripped up the carpet to find some worn fir flooring throughout the house. There were what appeared to be pet urine stains and most likely it was the original floor, from 1913. The cost of refinishing and a new floor were minimal. So we sprung for new Brazilian cherry floors. And it has made all the difference. They are beautiful and we have enjoyed them for the four years we have lived in the house.
We painted and Laramie's dad and brother-type Christopher spent a week with us three summers ago fixing up a mish-mash of projects we couldn't do ourselves. We still haven't finished the kitchen and the bathroom really needs some attention, but that is for another day…
The house we knew we needed to have done by some pro-fessionals. The house was under attack for a week and they still have a few bits to finish up, but overall WE LOVE IT! It's like we have a brand new house.
BEFORE: Oh, that is ugly.
IN PROCESS: Even with just the primer it looks better.
THE END: It is beautiful! Almost doesn't look like the same house.
Viva Sport Update
Remember that Univega "Viva Sport" I wrote about awhile back? The one I had converted to a single speed?
Remember now?
Well, she has experienced another reincarnation.
Now that we finally, finally! have the Light Rail, I can get to work a bit faster on the public transit. Busing it required a miserably early departure time of 6:20am, 3 buses and 1 hour and 10 minutes. Doable with an ipod but seriously annoying.
With the Light Rail, I can hop onto my bike at 6:40am, roll down to the Light Rail station, Light Rail every 7 MINUTES! and then hop on the 256 which spits me out right in front of the office.
My pal Dylan graciously helped me make the conversion. We added Nitto Dove Bars and a A Wald 139 basket.
Sssshhhhh, there is even a Brooks B-17 under that ugly seat cover. I am a fan of the Brooks saddles but don't, and I repeat, DO NOT buy a black saddle. The dye rubs off on the seat of your pants. I have added the leather conditioner and that has helped, but it will stain your pants. And then you look a bit goofy walking around town with the seat of your pants all dirty.
Finally, Dylan masterfully installed these SKS P35 fenders, with a whiskers' width of room to spare. He is a miracle worker, aka Annie Sullivan.
I am loving it.
Remember now?
Well, she has experienced another reincarnation.
Now that we finally, finally! have the Light Rail, I can get to work a bit faster on the public transit. Busing it required a miserably early departure time of 6:20am, 3 buses and 1 hour and 10 minutes. Doable with an ipod but seriously annoying.
With the Light Rail, I can hop onto my bike at 6:40am, roll down to the Light Rail station, Light Rail every 7 MINUTES! and then hop on the 256 which spits me out right in front of the office.
My pal Dylan graciously helped me make the conversion. We added Nitto Dove Bars and a A Wald 139 basket.
Sssshhhhh, there is even a Brooks B-17 under that ugly seat cover. I am a fan of the Brooks saddles but don't, and I repeat, DO NOT buy a black saddle. The dye rubs off on the seat of your pants. I have added the leather conditioner and that has helped, but it will stain your pants. And then you look a bit goofy walking around town with the seat of your pants all dirty.
Finally, Dylan masterfully installed these SKS P35 fenders, with a whiskers' width of room to spare. He is a miracle worker, aka Annie Sullivan.
I am loving it.
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