1 Stroller Down, 1 to go

We have now replaced our single stroller. We chose the Chicco Trevi as it has the ability to fold up smaller than the Graco. It also had a nice tray and a good sized basket underneath. We had to buy an add on cupholder for me, but it seems like it will work.

I think we will wait until after our trip to replace the double stroller.

New Wheels

Well, we have finally gotten my replacement vehicle. A copper red Mazda 5. It has the desired 3 rows of seats and they fold down in the back, sliding doors on both sides and gets better gas mileage than our Honda Odyssey. I haven't driven it yet, but Mike likes it.

We also rearranged the kids' car seats... switching the Tumbleweed to the Driver's side and the Dandilion to forward facing on the passenger side. We'll see how it goes.

Hardford here we come!

I am all signed up for CKC- Hartford. I only wish it was this weekend! I am looking forward to a busy scrapbooking getaway with some MOMS Club friends. No kids allowed (except in photographs).

The Dandilion Turns 1!

Today was our last cupcake day... and boy did he make the most ot it. I didn't really get a very good picture, but I sure worked hard for the ones I got. Now that he has had cake, it was pretty hard to get hom to even look at the camera.

He did get to eat a little frosting after I gave up.

Car Shopping, Again

After careful consideration we have narrowed down our choices to the Hybrid Mercury Mariner, the Hybrid Toyota Highlander, the Honda Odyssey and the Mazda 5, taking into consideration price, fuel mileage and interior space/layout.

I hate car shopping. I hate test driving cars I don't know. Well, actually I have never test driven a car - because I won't.

My first car was a chevy cavalier. My parents found it at the local dealership and facilitated the purchase so all I had to do was fax the paperwork and get a ride up to their house. They had already picked it up, since I was only able to come when the dealership was closed.

My most recent car - the Honda Odyssey - was test driven by the Eagle as I was too busy with the new baby to go to the dealership and take a ride.

Why should this time be any different...

Hide your GPS

Well, we learned the hard way. My sister's rental car was broken into at the mall and her boyfriend's GPS was stolen. Apparently it happens a lot there. It isn't like they didn't know to take it down, they just forgot. And they forgot at the perfectly wrong time.

Fortunately that was all that was taken. Their trip back was delayed by a couple of hours while they filed the police report, taped up the window, exchanged it for a different rental car and drove back to Philly without a GPS.

A bummer of a wrap up to the weekend.

Frustating Photo Shoot

Well, I thought I was doing a good thing when I pre-scheduled an appointment to have the Dandilion's First Brithday Photos and Family Portraits taken two months in advance. It ended up being a pretty awful morning.

We arrived ten mintues early for the appointment, but the store wasn't open. When it did open we went to the studio and no one was there yet. We waited, and waited, and waited. Finally, Mike found a manager to lodge a complaint with. He had no way of knowing who was supposed to come in, and when, so we headed to the food court for smoothies. On our way back we ran into him and he said that the 11:00 person had just arrived. She had already started the people after us, but agreed to take our family shots before showing them theirs. We agree to come back to select the pictures later that afternoon.

The Eagle was pretty furious, and took every phone number he could get his hands on to call and lodge a complaint. (Though he hasn't yet).

It's Party Time!

Today was the Dandilion's First Birthday Party. We had a a nice crowd of family and friends over for a BBQ. Even my sister and her boyfriend were able to make it in from Philly for the weekend.

We debuted our new bouncy house, which we decided to get instead of a swingset this year. I was a little nervous having swings with such little kids, and figured it would be better to wait. Plus, we might want a fancier swingset once the kids are old enough to use it.

The Dandilion seemed to enjoy his Sandcastle Cake, although we later found out he had dropped most of it onto his lap. He seemed a bit overwhelmed by everyone singing, and he really didn't sit still for long while we opened presents. Oh well, I guess that is pretty normal.

Hard to believe it has been a year!

Cleared

Today was my appointment with a knee specialist. He confirmed that I have a partially torn PCL, and do not need surgery. He gave me a new knee brace and told me I didn't need the crutches anymore (that's good because I wasn't using them...) and he referred me for physical therapy. I am also allowed to drive - although we had to return the rental car today so I still won't be going anywhere.

Hummingbird

Well, despite the fact that I haven't been able to get out to garden during the past few weeks, we still had a visitor. I was out talking to a friend who came over to help weed the garden, and a hummingbird happened by! It stopped at one snapdragon and several columbine, giving us quie a show before darting off. I wish I had my camera, but maybe he will be back soon.

The Mountian Peak

We have the largest pile of laundry ever. Not one load of our clothes has been washed since the accident two weeks ago, and there was already a pile that day. Our bedroom is seriously over flowing with clothes, and every time I think about it I want to get up and start doing it. Seriously - I actually want to do laundry. But alas, I can't carry anything up or down the stairs. So it sits. My mom comes tomorrow - maybe we can get it down to a molehill by the weekend.

Celtics Win!

I can't say that I lasted long enough to see it, but the Celtics won the NBA Finals last night! This was the first year that we have raelly followed basketball, as the Eagle was so disappointed by them in previous years that he ignored them. But he has put in some late hours over the past few weeks, and thankfully they won!

Walker

The Dandilion is becoming a walker. He is starting to choose to walk, even in the middle of the room. Most of the time he gets himself started on the ottoman or a chair - he gets to the end and just keeps going. Today he made one pass of about 6 feet! Watch out world - he'll be running soon!

The Path is Complete

The Eagle spent a lot of time out in the yard today. After much sweat, a trip to the Depot, and too many rocks to count - our path in the back is finished! My garden is a different story, but the path loks great. He even put the seed down in the barren areas around it, so maybe we will have grass soon!

Nanny time

Today was our first day with extra hands. It was nice to have someone play with the kids all day, I have to say. We are still adjusting the logistics of everything, but I was definitely not feeling as totally overwhelmed trying to manage the kids while staying off my feet. It is kind of strange to be home and need someone else to do all of the things I would normally do. It is really nice that she washes the dishes. I hate dishes.

The kids and I are still adjusting to staying home all day, everyday. We are usually out of the house every day for at least the whole morning, and sometimes until naptime. What are we going to do with ourselves while I can't drive?!?

No more nursing

I guess it is offical. The Dandilion is done nursing. After several days of trying to nurse without him kicking a bruise or digging his hands into a burn, I decided to skip a few nursings... one day turned into two, and two to three... I guess we are done. He hasn't really shown much interest, so I guess he isn't missing it. Actually, he seems to be quite interested in sippy cups - which not that long ago he thought were some kind of evil trick that mommy was playing on him.

Homebound

Well, I got the word back from the doctor on my MRI today --- partially torn PCL and bone bruises to the patella and tibial plateau, which means no weight bearing activity or driving for at least 2 weeks. Ugh. How am I going to do that?

We trekked as a family out to Target to get some of the things we need and I can't got get. Very frustrating for me to not be able to push the cart and shop at my own pace. The Eagle had to take the Tumbleweed for a bathroom break, leaving me in the middle of the store with nowhere to go until they got back :(

Time to make some phone calls to find out about childcare help.

Baby Steps

The Dandilion has finally decided to let go and walk without support! He took five steps this morning, as I was almost too asleep on the couch to notice. But I woke myself up and hobbled to get the camera, just in time to watch him crawl for the rest of the morning! We'll have to work on performing under pressure :)

Comfort Book?

The Dandilion has developed an unusual comfort item - A Backyardigans Board Book - "Jungle Colors" He likes to hold it when he falls asleep, and is often standing in the crib holding it when he wakes up. Of all the things, he picks a hard book rather than a squishy stuffed animal or soft blankey. I hope we don't misplace it!

I Hate The Phone

I have always hated making phone calls. To anyone, friend or otherwise. I don't really know why, but I was never a person to talk on the phone with friends.

I think I have talked on the phone more in the past 3 days than I have in the past 3 years. OK probably not quite, but I have talked to so many insurance people, doctors, concerned family and friends that the kids are starting to think that it is stuck to my ear. I really hope we get all of the insurance stuff squared away soon, so I can stop making calls.

We did make a little progress today and got a rental car (minivan). Mike got the new car seats last night, so now we can at least get somewhere if we wanted to...