Almost 20 Years

Tonight I am thankful for almost 20 years as a Mom, with your birthday coming up in exactly 1 week, Alex.  We talked tonight about how excited I was over Christmas 1996 as I waited to meet you.  I tried to enjoy presents on Christmas Day, but it was so distracting to think about the big event coming up.  On Dec. 26th, I went Christmas shopping to Boscov's with Grandma and Aunt Pam (I was quite large), visited my Uncle Bob in Kingston the following evening *, then we were all out to dinner on Dec. 28th when my water broke at the restaurant - yuk!  Anyway, you came along the next morning - a Sunday, during a church service Aunt Pam was playing at Central United Methodist.  Now you're busy with LCC classes, working at Gerrity's and just left for an outing with Taylor.

* Uncle Bob was a retired internist and alarmed at the prospect of my going into labor, meanwhile his wife Anne was enthusiastic about that idea since she was a retired obstetrics nurse !  Everything would have worked out fine regardless, since their house was almost across the street from Nesbitt Hospital where you were born.

And Robby, you came shopping with me to Gerrity's tonight to get holiday groceries.  It was so nice have that simple time together, and I looked at you hard to appreciate how special you are at age 14.  You're 5' 5" (as per a visit to Joy A yesterday) so definitely taller than me now.  Today you had a Mario Cart competition in Mr. Hyzinski's 8th grade social science class since it's the last day of school before Christmas vacation.  You brought in 2 cases of Snapple Ice Tea for the party.  Fun!

I am very, very lucky to have you both; raising you to be independent and thoughtful young men is by far the biggest accomplishments of my life.  I heard this song on Magic 93 as we drove home from the store, and its title sums up my feelings about the sweet experience of being a parent.

As Promised

Time to write a bit, after another long break......  The main theme of this post will be "critter pictures", but will be sure include some recent news.

Great Falls National Park (June 2013)  Steve's Post - Birds on the Potomac River

New Hampshire (August 2013) - Starting with Aunt Margaret and Uncle Jack's kitty Dusty, then a gorgeous dragonfly picture.  Thank you, Steve!!

Lake Ganoga (September 2013) - Humingbirds, as seen and photographed (amazing pictures!!) by Steve from Uncle Dick and Aunt Ginny's deck.

Our Kitchen Cabinet  (Today)  After making my lunch @ 7 a.m., I went looking for a dish towel and discovered Tiger!

Latest Happenings

• Brock's 11th Birthday - We celebrated with Dirt !  .... yummy pudding mix, cool whip, crushed oreo cookies, and gummy worms.  I think your favorite gift was a replacement set of Sony earbuds (bright yellow).  We are still working on plans for birthday dinner at Uncle Bucks in Plymouth.  A kids "event" i.e., trip to Dorney Park is scheduled later this month.
• Sasha and LARP - Sasha, you have taken an interest in LARPing with friends Jarod and Matt.  When first mentioned to me, I thought it must be something completely inappropriate (like "twerking", for example, which we recently learned about from Miley Cyrus).  Turns out it's not X-rated - you can read more here  -->  Live Action Role-Playing   However, it is very important to carefully make weapons (such as bows out of PVC pipe), so as not to accidentally cut one's hand & end up in the Emergency Room getting stitches.  
• Teachers' Strike - Today was Day 11 of our local school district's 2013 strike.  Very bad news for all involved.  Brock is spending a couple mornings every week at his friend Stephen's house, which provides a break in routine.  Sasha has spent some time with his friend Robby.  We hope it is over soon, though seems unlikely as the parties are not negotiating.
• Allowances - Toward the end of the summer, you noticed that your allowances have not been paid in many weeks.  It's true.  I am delinquent, which happens quite regularly with allowance remittances.  I keep thinking about paying up, but not doing so 'cause it seems like a discount should be applied after many fun and somewhat expensive summer activities (like vacations, trips to Camelbeach & Knoebel's, Brock getting locked into the pool building at Nay Aug Park, etc.).  All month, I've had an "Allowance" sticky note up to remind that I must do something.  Ah yes, but what?!?  Brock, I think you are angling to get PS3 game Grand Theft Auto 5 instead of back-allowance...  but all the bleeding in that game is distressing.....  I'll let you know as soon as I decide what to do.  

Critter Finale - As you know, one of my childhood memories involves going with Grandad and Aunt Julie to get fresh chicken for dinner.  We lived in the Dominican Republic then, and trips to the chicken farm were quite memorable.  The "promise" referenced above is to write about this wonderful experience.  As I recollect, it went like this....  Scan the flock of chickens & pick out the one you want.  Then: 1) the chicken is caught, 2) head is cut off using a sharp knife, 3) the headless chicken sometimes escapes and runs around the chicken pen (fascinating to young girls!), 4) it's then placed upside down into a cone until blood drains out, gutted, boiled in water for several minutes, plucked by hand and finally wrapped in paper to bring home.  Very dramatic, for sure.  There are numerous YouTube videos about the process that I can't bring myself to insert here.  So, you'll have to make do with Mike the Headless Chicken.... Brock, thanks for telling me about him; you can see a picture and read more about Mike here:  Lucky Mike   

On Turning 47

Some people don't like to admit how old they are.  I'm not one of them, although sometimes it has been fun to keep you two guessing.  I especially liked it when you boys were quite young, and sure I couldn't be more than 19.

Just for today, since it's my birthday - I'm going to write a little about how I feel now that I'm in my late 40's.....

Not long ago, Steve asked me how I would describe myself as a girl.  I thought briefly, and my response was that I was shy, overweight, and very smart.  I have gained a lot of confidence since then, so now I don't think of myself as being shy (but the other 2 probably still apply).  Fast forward 30+ years, and I would say that now I realize I have shortcomings but feel comfortable with the entire person I have become.  With the years, I have also gained at least some wisdom....  believe I have good judgment and usually make good decisions.  And am especially happy that I feel confident about doing the "right" thing when faced with challenges.  When I solve problems I try very hard to follow my conscience, considering the best interests of everyone involved - most especially the two of you.

Here is a song I like a lot and makes me think of all the rewards that come along with gaining life experience.  This is Martina McBride performing "This One's For The Girls" (it may sound kind of familiar, since it's also the ring tone on my cell phone).  Sasha and Brock, I want you to have a great time as kids and don't feel rushed to grow up.  But there is lots to look forward to as you get older.

15 Years Ago Today.....

Sasha, you are 15 years old today!!!  It hardly seems possible, but you are growing so fast.  Literally, as in the past few months you have been growing UP and are now @ 3 inches taller than me.  And in many others ways as you mature through your teenage years.

Hope you enjoy these memories of 15 years ago....

• Christmas, 1996 had been very nice, though I was not especially interested in it.  I was already on leave from work, and remember going to Boscov's to look for after-Christmas bargains on Dec. 26th.  I was very large by that time, and though I hate to admit it was probably at the waddling stage.
• Grandma, Aunt Pam, Dad and I went out to dinner on Dec. 28th.  I was sure labor was imminent and as evening approached I remember saying something like, "If we're going to go, we better hurry up and leave".  At the restaurant, my water broke....  it was pretty alarming and on the messy side (luckily we were toting a towel around in the car, so Dad went out and got it).  Think Dad asked whether he could order desert - can you imagine what my answer was?
• We went home, got the rest of my things together as I was mostly packed to go to the hospital, and Dad took a picture of me with my stomach out to HERE.  Dad drove us to Nesbitt Hospital (then the "baby" hospital), and I got settled for the night as absolutely Nothing else seemed to be happening.  He went home to get some sleep.
• Early in the morning @ 6 a.m., the hospital people decided I needed some help to start the delivery.  So I got a medication called pitocin to induce contractions.  Dad arrived about this time, and brought me flowers.  The nurse thought the flowers were just lovely, but to his disappointment I was in no mood for flowers as I was excited, anxious, and focused on having my first baby.  By this time, after 9 months, I could not wait to meet you.
• You arrived @ 11:30 am. weighing 7 lbs. 11 1/2 ozs., after a very difficult time.....  thankfully, Dr. Ferraro (who is still one of my doctors) was determined to get us through.  You were born "blue" as you hadn't gotten enough oxygen at the end of delivery.  The nurse cleaned you up a bit and put you under the baby heat lamp to stay warm.  Dad went over and held your hand, while you stared up at him.  After a bit, you were swaddled i.e, wrapped up nice-n-tight in a blanket, and I got to hold you for the first time.  I remember you looking at me with firm concentration as if to say "Do I know you?"

• Aunt Pam came over after church (at that time, she was music director at Central United Methodist in Wilkes-Barre), while we were still in the delivery room.  She was thrilled to hold you.
• After a bit, the nurse took you off to the newborn room while I rested.  Once you had started fusing because you were hungry, you were brought back to my room in a "newborn push-cart" complete with all kinds of supplies.  So then you got to experiment with eating - you were only semi-adept at nursing.  But you figured it out enough, and were happy to be cuddled.  Don't know if I ever told you this, but the tip of your right ear was folded down and I was focused on straightening it as much as possible.  Meanwhile, Dad and I had to figure out how to change your diaper.....  Later in the day, you had lots of company including Grandma and Grandnana.  There are quite a few pictures I can show you, including your newborn picture taken in the hospital - I carry it in my wallet.
• Dad went home to make phone calls to family and friends about our good news.  As you know, your first name was our favorite "boy" name (and historical too); your middle name is for Dad's great uncle.  The next day, we got a demonstration on how to give you a bath and how to clean out your nose with a nasal aspirator (I called it the "squiggy" ).  You didn't like either process.  You got more visitors, including Aunt Di, Aunt Julie, Meagan, and Nicky as well as Uncle George and Aunt Rebecca.  It became clear that you needed to eat @ every 2 hours - yikes!! 
• On Dec. 30th, we brought you home - New Year's Eve!  I remember bringing you all snug in your baby/car seat into Grandma's TV room.  We stayed for a bit, then spent your first night at our house.  Well, I was pretty tired - but incredibly happy too.  Then it was on to 1997!  You were a sweet, alert and very social baby.

So, early today you are spending time at Lake Jean with Aunt Julie & Mark (hope you get to fish, though perhaps not too long given winter temps.).  Then Robby and I will meet you to go bowling with Kyra and Lucy.  Should be lots o' fun! 

Remember, you are loved by all of us.  Am looking forward to seeing you in a few hours, and wish you a Wonderful, Happy Birthday!!!