It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

...here in Goober House!

So, we finally got the tree up yesterday.  And mailed the Christmas cards today.  Next on the list is Christmas shopping.  Yeah, I know, we're late this year.

Anyways, here are the boys Christmas pictures...

In case we don't post again, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Do not fear, for I am with you...

I'm putting it all out there for the first time.  Thanks to a humbling experience I had this morning, proof that God might not give us the answers we want right away, He will provide.

It seems like every time we take 1 step forward, we take 5 back.  We believe that things happen for a reason, good and bad.  It sucked that we lost the house we were renting, but 3 weeks before our move out date, we had family friends tell us of an apartment of theirs that was going to become available a week before we needed to be out.  Not only would we have approximately the same amount of space, but we would be paying $150 a month less in rent, and we wouldn't have to pay electric and heating, as they would include it.  We jumped on the opportunity, thinking we would be able to start saving and in a few years have enough for a down payment.

Then Baby Goober got sick.  Time off of work for me, numerous trips back and forth to the doctor, a new nebulizer, medicines, etc.  We just barely get over that when I land in the ER with horrible pain.  A week later, I'm on an operating table getting my gallbladder removed.  3 days in the hospital, and another week of no work.  The goobers spent the weekend with the sitter and then she came over when the Chef was at work to help with the kids, since I couldn't lift the baby.  Two weeks later, I had the opportunity to return to waitressing a few nights a week.  We jump at the opportunity again, thinking we can catch up again.  Then comes the week of Thanksgiving.  I spent that Tuesday night in the ER again.  They can't find the cause of the pain.  I see my Dr the next day and he prescribes Prilosec.  I returned to the ER on Thanksgiving, having pain when breathing.  They go on the assumption, based on my pain and a blood test that I have stray gallstone.  3 more days in the hospital.  The kids spend another weekend with the sitter.  Another week of not working.  I returned to work on Wednesday only to be called by the school nurse.  Sweet Nut got hit in they eye and needs to go to the dr.  So the end of the week is spent at the pediatricians, eye dr and pediatric eye specialists offices.  He's put on special eye drops to relieve the pressure in his eye.

So there's been alot of time where I've had to miss work.  But my kids still are at the sitters.  Our insurance deductible also reset on Nov 1st.  So while paying alot in premiums every month, now we have the first $3000 to worry about paying as well.  Luckily, between me, Sweet Nut and Baby Goober, we're already $2000 in.  And that's not counting the last hospital stay.

So I was invited by a friend to go to a local church this morning to visit their food pantry.  I mull it over.  And over.  And over.  I've had opportunities in the past to to food pantries, receive toys for tots etc.  And I've never done it.  Part of it was a pride thing.  I grew up in this area.  I didn't want anyone I KNEW knowing that we needed that kind of help.  I've slowly accepted help over the years...since Spawn has been in school, my elementary school age kids have received gifts at Christmas from the school...last year they gave the 3 boys Easter baskets.  Both Spawn and Sweet Nut received a scholarship last summer to a local summer camp.  But most of the school stuff was done through the social worker there.  She was the only one who "knew" who we were.

Anyways, I decide to go this morning.  So the goobers and I walk over to the church.  We're one of the last people to arrive so we have a bit of a wait.  But we saw a few of our neighbors.  Some of the boys friends.  A family that we used to share a house with years ago when Spawn was just born.  Finally we're called.  We're part of the last group of 3.  Because I have all of the goobers, including the baby in the stroller, I let the other people go before us.  We go up and the kids are picking a juice box and a snack, I get a few things that we could use, like maple syrup, some canned food etc.  I don't take much.  AS we work our way down the line they hand us a small ham.  They pull out a small box filled with baby food, and I take a few.  They push me to take it all.  Baby goober is the only baby currently.  AS I look through the box because I don't want to take things we won't use, I'm a little amazed.  All but 3 were his favorite foods.  In multiple.  In the 2 out of 3 brands we use.  They then give the boys a big bag filled with juice boxes.  Since we're the last, they tell us just to take them.  Then comes a big brown bag filled with food.  Then they pull out a pack of diapers-exactly in Baby Goober's size.  As we're stashing all the stuff we've been given in the stroller, one of the women ask if Cute Boy needs a jacket.  I start to say no-I feel that we've been given so much already.  They pull out this nice new blue jacket.  With tags still in packaging from the store.  In just the size that will last him all winter.  They say that they've been waiting for a little boy that was just that size.  They usually get toddlers or kids Spawn's age.

Then I see two people that I "know".  One who works in the post office and one who is a regular customer at the diner.  They invite us to the building next door for lunch.  I hesitate, but let them convince me to go.  The boys had a blast, and ate most of what they were given.  They used their manners without prompting.  They didn't fight.  They got many compliments while we were there.  As we were leaving, one of the women came out with a small foil wrapped tray.  She tells us to take some of the leftover ziti and meatballs.  But they didn't give us some...they gave us enough for dinner...with seconds.

I know it may seem out there to some, but for me, I saw Jesus at work this morning.  Sure, you could say it was just a coincidence that they happened just to have the size of diapers that Baby Goober uses...or all of his favorite foods...or a buffet lunch that the boys loved...or even the jacket for Cute Boy-which by the way, was the only one of the Goobers not to have a winter jacket that fit, until a little while ago.  I know it's not money, and I know that tomorrow I still have bills to pay, but today, if only for today, my mind is at ease.  Because I know that I should not fear, for He IS with me.  And while I might not get everything I need rightthissecond, He will provide.

Attack of the Rocks...Part 2

So, my last post was after surgery...never would have thought that it was just the beginning...not the end.

I've had pain on and off since the surgery, but brushed it off since it was controllable with motrin for the most part-I thought it was just part of recovery.

Sunday I started having a burning sensation in my abdomen.  Like heartburn, but not where you would expect heartburn to be.  And that lasted a few days.  Tuesday night I had really bad pain and ended up heading into the ER.  There they gave me a GI cocktail (ugh that was nasty) and some IV fluids.  They did an ultrasound but didn't see anything so they sent me home.  I was still sore, so I was taking advil and trying to sleep through the pain.

Thursday I woke up with a pain when I breathed.  I toughed it out most of the day but when the big boys left to go with their dads I lost my help, so I didn't last long.  I called the sitter to come and get the boys and went to the ER again.  I felt like this time, although they were busier than Tuesday, that they were taking me seriously.  I took another GI cocktail and soon after that the pain worsened.  That combined with an increase in my bilirubin made the doc come to the conclusion that something was going on whether it was a stone stuck in the duct or an issue with the muscle that opens and closes the duct.

I had an endoscopy done yesterday which found a stone lodged in the duct.  They used a balloon to sweep it out and checked to make sure there was nothing else hiding there (there isn't...cross your fingers it stays that way).  I had one last dose of pain meds yesterday after the endoscopy was done and while I'm still a bit sore here and there, I'm feeling sooo much better.  It's amazing that something so small could cause so much trouble.

Anyways, that's the story of the attack of the Rocks.  Part 2.

The rocks are gone...

The goober this it's pretty funny that I had "rocks" in my tummy.  It was the easiest way to explain it to Sweet Nut and Cute Boy.

Surgery was this morning.  They took me into the OR around 10:40.  I remember switching from the transport bed to the operating table.  They then wrapped my left arm in the sheet under me and kind of tucked it in so it wasn't in the way.  The nurse anesthesiologist kept telling me to put my chin up and I keep putting it down (I was getting the gas by this time and he had put 2 syringes of meds in my iv line on the way to the OR)  He then said the other down and I put it up :D.  That's the last thing I remember until I heard someone keep calling my name and telling me to wake up.

I'm getting over a cold so I had to cough a few times while I was in recovery...that was not fun.  But then they put me on a low dose of oxygen and it's been drying my post nasal drip so I haven't coughed since.  They're letting me keep the oxygen as long as I want.  I figure it's better than more meds at this point.

And my mom and I had a good laugh...as you walk into the ambulatory surgery unit here at the hospital...first thing you see before you get through the entryway is a soda machine and a snack machine.  We joked it was one last bit of torture before you went in, since you can't eat after midnight.  The nurse I had in OR prep said that people complain all the time.

The nurses here have been awesome.  I should be going home sometime tomorrow.  The Goobers will be home on Sunday after the Chef gets home from work.  

And Cute Boy will be thrilled that the rocks are gone.  I've been getting yelled at all week for "eating rocks"  He was so cute about it I couldn't correct him, LOL.  

Trying to F.R.O.G.

So, last weekend, I had some abdominal pain for a few days, and I thought it was just gas.  It was annoying, but nothing horrible.

Then this past Saturday morning, I was woken up at 2:30 am with pain again.  Thinking it was just gas again, I tried to tough it out.  And it got worse, and worse and worse.  And then I got sick with this nasty yellow junk.  So I called the sitter and asked her to come over until the boys woke up and I headed to the er.

They got me right in and within 20 minutes I had an IV in my arm, anti nausea meds, acid blocker meds and a narcotic for pain.  I was as comfortable as they could get me, and we had to wait for ultrasound.  

I finally went to ultrasound and the diagnosis was clear...it was my gallbladder.  

Since the attack was subsiding, they decided that it would be better to schedule surgery.  I left with a script for lortab and directions for a low fat bland diet.

And I have to admit, I'm terrified.  I think it would have been better for my mental health if I had the surgery on Saturday.  I keep thinking and thinking and thinking about it.  At church yesterday, I prayed with the Pastor for my health and safety and for the doctors and I'm trying to Fully Rely On God, but man oh man it's hard.  I know that as far as surgery goes, it's a common one and fairly simple.  But I haven't had general anestesia since I was 4 when my appendix came out.  I have no idea what to expect.

I have friends who have gone through this, including one that had it a few weeks ago, but for the most part it's been emergency surgeries.  And I know I'm probaby over thinking this.  I should just put it in God's hands and be at peace.  And I want that.  But, I'm. Terrified.

Anyways I meet with the surgeon this afternoon.  Scared, but I know I need to do it.

So here's to FROG.  I'm trying the best I can.

How the time flies...

I know, I know, I've been a bad blogger again.  Life has gotten in the way a bit.

So, a quick update:

Spawn:  Started 3rd grade in September and struggled a bit in the beginning but is doing better now.  He's in a reading class now to help with his comprehension, so we're excited to see his reading improve.  He spends alot of time outside and with his friends, and with his dad.  We're still struggling with behavior when he's here, but we are doing the best we can.

Sweet Nut: Started 1st grade in September and LOVES it!  It was a bit of adjustment being in school all day-and we had a few weeks of him totally melting down around 5pm-ish, but he's gotten better.  He LOVES having a math book, and he got a "Good Partner" award last week.

Cute Boy:  Started at a home daycare that has a homeschool prek program in September 3 days a week, and we're doing school at home as well.  Depending on when you ask he either loves or hates school.  The mornings that he has school can be hard, but he always tells them when he leaves at the end of the day that he'll be back.  He's just getting over a tummy bug and missed a week of school, so we'll see what happens tomorrow.

Baby Goober is 4 months old already!  I have no idea where the time went!  He's such a chunk and generally a happy baby.  He goes to the ped on Tuesday for his 4 month well baby check and I'm guessing that he's about 17 lbs.  He loves to eat, whether it's a bottle or cereal.  He has reflux so they have him on a formula thickened by rice starch...we started off with the name brand and then switched to the Target one.  Saves us about $10 a can.  We've been slowly switching a lot of the things we use to Target brand.  Formula, diapers, wipes, laundry soap...it's all just as good as the name brand stuff but considerably cheaper.

In other news, we had to move at the end of August.  That's a whole long story, that one day I might get out, but there's still some pain in losing the house we were renting.  We are blessed with great friends and had a lot of help and found an apartment that works.  It's not our dream place, but we are blessed to have a roof over our heads, close to work/school.  But it's taking alot of time to get settled.  We went from a house to an apartment, and while the amount of living space is comparable, we're still trying to figure things out.  Plus we have some unexpected purchases coming, as well as new furniture that needs to be bought.  So it's taking time.

Other than that, we're all ok.  We just got the cable hooked up last week finally.  So I'm slowly catching up on all the blogs in my google reader.

Hope you all have been well!

The Goobers

So,....

Short update...we're in the middle of moving, so that's why there's been, um.  Nothing.  LOL.

The goobers are all getting ready for school.  Well, all except baby goober.  I just got Spawn and Sweet Nut's teacher assignments today, and yesterday we decided to send Cute Boy to a in home daycare that has a bit of a prek feel for a few hours a week.  I've gone back to work part time, and I kind of felt bad that his best friend (our baby sitter's son) was headed to prek and Cute Boy would be stuck at the sitters with the baby, and have no one to play with.  So the few hours that I work a week that Chef isn't home, Cute Boy will be in daycare making friends.

Baby Goober is a chunk.  I think that Chunk-A-Munk might just stick with the poor kid for the rest of his life.  Everyone is calling him that now :D.  He was 13 lbs 3 oz at his 2 month check, but seeing as how he's almost 3 months now and still a chunk, I think he's probably pushing 15.  We have had a bit of a battle with reflux, but I think it's getting better...well at least there's less pukage and less cranky baby.

I'm off to get some sleep so we can pack more tomorrow.  I know I still need to post pics of our summer adventures...Probably next week when we're in the new place.  That is, if our move in date doesn't get changed.  Again.

Summer Fun...goober style

So, we went on a real vacation two years ago.  The Chef was actually able to get off work and we hit Philly for a week for the Fourth of July.  We all had a great time.  The goobers have been bugging us to go back.  Unfortunately, the Chef's job often throws a wrench into our vacation plans, so we didn't get to go last year.  This year, knowing that Baby Goober was coming at the beginning of June, we decided we would do some staycations planned around weeks spent at the aunt's houses, and camp.

On our list of things to do this summer:

-Sesame Place-we went when we went to Philly and all 3 goobers loved it.  I know that Spawn will only tolerate Sesame Place for so long, so we wanted to go again this year.  Bonus is that we decided to invite the Chef's brother and the Princess...She's a Elmo-obsessed 2 year old.  The same age (give or take a few months) from how old Cute Boy was last time we went.  We can't wait to take her.

-Maritime Aquarium- When we went to Philly we hit Adventure Aquarium and the goober loved it.  We went to Mystic Aquarium last summer and same deal.  So we decided to hit this one this year.  We went yesterday and still a hit with the kids.  They have a robotic dinosaur display going on that the boys loved, as well as a clue hunt.  They had to visit certain exhibits to get the letter clues to find out what the oldest animal in the aquarium was (it was the shark).  They also had the usual aquarium displays, a dino dig, a meercat exhibit...the kids really enjoyed themselves.

-Museum of Natural History-  We went when Spawn was little with my parents...Sweet Nut was either a baby, or not born yet.  I can't remember.  But seeing as we have some dino loving boys right now, we figured this would be a good trip.

-Bronx Zoo-  This is a place we visited ALOT when Golden Boy and I were kids.  Having a dad that was born and raised in the Bronx, he liked to take us there alot.  We've been a few times since the kids have been born.  Last year was the first time the Chef and Cute Boy had been, but we left late and didn't get to see everything we wanted to see.  We're asking the Brother and the Princess if they want to go with us again.

-Stepping Stone Museum-This is a kids museum.  We've been to MidHudson Children's Museum and Please Touch Museum and the kids have had a ball, so we're going to give this one a shot too.  We've heard good things about it, so we're hoping it's as fun as people tell us it is.

-Beach-  We've hit the beach at the lake in the park...and we hit Calf Pasture Beach yesterday after the aquarium.  We really liked it with the exception it was a bit rocky...the water was nice and calm, no huge waves, but it made our feet sore after a bit.  The kids and the Chef had a blast in the water though, and Baby Goober and I chilled under the umbrella.  The beach it self was nice and sandy, but once you got to the water line the stones started.  Seems like most of the beaches we've been to in Connecticut are like that though. They had some picnic tables with umbrellas along the edge of the beach, which is where we parked ourselves.  We're going to buy a  beach umbrella though, we want to hit this and some other beaches this summer.

-Visiting the Aunties.-This is actually happening tomorrow. And I think it's the most looked forward too.  Seriously, Sweet Nut and Cute Boy can't wait to leave.  They've been bugging me all week...and we're ot leaving until lunch time.

And here's some pictures from this week:
from the petting zoo at a local store:

Sweet Nut decided that since Baby Goober wasn't sleeping in the crib, that he would.

Baby Goober chilling with Pa at our cousin's graduation party

Baby Goober rocking his first Adidas outfit.  Chef was very happy it finally fit (he loves adidas)

One of his first smiles...they are hard to catch!

Fooling around at the aquarium

Watching the seals (sea lions?  I can't remember which it was) get their lunch

Controlling the dinosaur

Hanging with T-Rex

Dino Dig!

Touching the rays

WE FOUND NEMO!  (They have to do this at every aquarium we go to)

Blue Lobster

On our way to the sharks...

SHARKS!

Goobers at the Beach

Baby goober and I spent most of our time on the towels under the umbrella...

My view:

Baby Goober's opinion of his first beach trip

The Chef and the Big Goobers had a blast in the water though

So what do you have planned for the rest of your summer?

One Month already?

Ok, so this is a bit late...at this point Baby Goober is *almost* 6 weeks old...I'm still not sure where the time has gone...

1 month stats:  10 pounds 8 ounces, 22 inches long.

He's starting to be awake more which we all love.  Ad he's getting more vocal, and it's funny to watch.

One Month Old!

He also celebrated his first federal holiday...

not so excited about it.

And he also went to his first fireworks display.

Spawn and Cute Boy were there too.

Spawn loved them, Cute Boy wasn't sure about them but said after that they were awesome and Baby Goober slept through most of them, but did watch them for a bit.  

Cute Boy also got his first big boy bike.

Gotta love mornings like these where they all go back to sleep after bringing the Chef to work.

Mostly because I can't usually sleep at night, and it means that I get at least an hour or so of sleep, but it's cute too.

This is what happens though when Mommy is sleeping...Spawn and Cute Boy have a photoshoot...with my cell phone.

It's A Iron Man Mystic Force Ranger.  Just in case you couldn't tell.

And this is sometimes the reason I'm up all night.  

But mostly, I'm up just because, and he's sleeping.  But this picture happened during our all nighter the other night...this was at 3:30am...he crashed not long after this.

And we also have explored the beach at the park while the Chef plays soccer.  It's nice because his weekly soccer game starts around dinner time, so we hit the park, and we get the beach almost to ourselves for about an hour until they close it.  Then we have a picnic dinner while he finishes his game.  And then we have exhausted boys who pass out just thinking about their pillows.

So that's what we've been up too.  We're also excited because Sweet Nut comes home from his vacation with his aunt and uncle on Monday...he's been gone for almost 2 weeks...the house hasn't been the same without him.  But he's been having a blast being spoiled by his aunts and hanging out with his cousins.  But he's been missed so we can't wait for him to be home.

We've got alot of doctor appointments this month...physicals for the goobers, plus my 6 week checkup.  Plus we've got some fun things planned.  No vacation this year, but we've got lots of fun stuff within a few hours drive so we're daytripping it this year.  Yay!