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October 10, 2003
10.10.03:
Celebrating Mitchell’s second birthday…
When Rachel turned 2, we bought her a tricycle for her birthday. We bought her a 12-inch Radio Flyer, which is the classic red model with the hand bell and streamers on the handlebars. We looked at the 10-inch model, but even with the seat in the highest position, her knees were grazing the handle bars. We set the seat on the lowest position on her 12-inch model, but it seemed too high for her. She really wasn’t interested in pedaling and we ended up leaning over the back of the trike, pushing her from behind. She would drag her feet or not want to steer. It was a great big hassle. She eventually grew into the bike and now loves pedaling around the neighborhood. We plan to buy her a two-wheeler with training wheels for Christmas. For Mitch’s second birthday, we also wanted to buy him his first real bicycle, but (from experience) we knew that a 10-inch would be better for him. And we wanted a bike with a handle on the back so we could push him around without having to lean over the back of the bike. When we went out to look a few weeks ago, we weren’t sure what we’d find. There were plenty of big wheels and miniature jeeps and motorcycles on display. At the end of the display, I found one last box. I flipped it over to read the label and there it was. A 10-inch radio flyer which met all our needs. It has a handle on the back, a bar underneath the pedals for Mitch to rest his feet when not pedaling, a button on the handlebar that locks the steering in place (when we are pushing him) and a hand bell. Ding, ding, ding! It has a zippered backpack attached to the back. Jerry put it together in the garage and then hid it under a blanket. (grin). We let Rachel in on the secret. Jerry showed her the bike, and she kept the secret to herself.
Mitch’s 2nd birthday was Thursday, October 2nd. That morning, the kids slept in while Jerry made them pancakes for breakfast. I worked half the day and picked the cake and balloons up on the way home. By the time I got home, Jerry had already grilled the burgers and had set the table. We had burgers, baked potatoes, corn on the cob, and applesauce. After dinner, we took the kids outside and Mitch found his new bike in the back yard. He was pretty excited about it. Rachel got on her bike and led the way down the sidewalk with Mitch following behind. We made it down the cul-de-sac to Cliff’s house and then turned around to head back. Mitch spent 10 minutes carefully loading sidewalk chalk into the bike’s backpack. I decorated the kitchen with our Nemo party accessories and balloons and put the cake and presents on the table. Mitch came inside and we let him open his presents and then we sang Happy Birthday to Mitch before cutting the cake. The kids enjoyed playing with the Nemo balloons and we enjoyed a relaxing evening playing with them and still not believing that our son is already two years old.
Mitch’s 2-year checkup:
On Friday, Jerry headed to his physical therapy session, while I dropped Rachel off at dance class and then drove across town to Mitch’s pediatrician’s office. It was time for his 2-year well baby visit. He now weighs 31 lbs and is 36 ½ inches tall. He got his Hepatitis 3 shot and will get the booster in 6 months. He doesn’t need to return until he is 3 years old and, other than his booster, will not need another shot until he is 4. After the appointment, we stopped at the salon for his haircut. He watched the Wiggles while he got his haircut. We were in and out of there in 8 minutes. Boy haircuts are so easy. Then, it was time to get a new pair of sneakers for Mitch. We went to Stride Rite and learned that his feet have also grown since his last pair (3 months ago). He went from a size 7 ½ W to a 9XW. I didn’t even know they made extra wide for kids, but they do. His feet are like bricks. I shouldn’t be that surprised, as Jerry wears a 13EEE, and Rachel wears a wide.
The parade & the hairy lollipop…
On Saturday, we took the kids to the Katy Rice Harvest Festival Parade. We parked our car in old town Katy and set up our chairs along the curb. It was a typical small town parade of cars and floats and veterans and beauty queens tossing candy and plastic beaded necklaces along the parade route. Rachel scooped up the candy and necklaces, while Mitch stayed in Jerry’s lap and watched. Some clowns walked along the side handing out balloons and coupons. Rachel got a coupon for a free cone at Sonic. On the way home, the kids ate some of their candy. Mitch had a sucker and when he reached behind his neck, he got his sucker stuck in his hair. He tried to pull it, but it just got twisted in his hair. I thought we could wait until we got home, but he started screaming at a high pitch, challenging my eardrums. I reached back to get the lollipop and thought I’d pull it out quickly (like ripping off a Band-Aid). Oh boy. When I yanked it out, it was completed covered with blonde hair. I showed it to Jerry and we both said holy cow! I better not save that one for the baby book. I took Mitch upstairs and gave him a bath and he was fine. Later, he took a nap and then got on his bike. Ten minutes later, he had a fresh pair of skinned knees and a skinned elbow. Boys!
We celebrated the anniversary of my 29th birthday on Sunday. Once I hit 30, I decided to go backwards, and after I hit 29, I decided I like that number. So, I am 29 again. I have been so tired and worn out lately. I slept in until 9 a.m., which was just great. The kids and Jerry had been up and eaten breakfast. When I came downstairs, Jerry and Rachel went to Einstein’s to pick up bagels. Rachel brought in a basket of miniature pink roses. We ate bagels while we read the Sunday paper and the kids watched Mitch’s new Wiggles movie for the 99th time. Rachel and I had AWANAs that afternoon, and we celebrated that evening. Jerry grilled steaks and we enjoyed a good meal and then I opened my presents from the family and friends and I let Rachel blow out the candles on my cupcakes. It was one fine day. We flipped between the Steelers game and the Trading Spaces $100K episode. It was pretty painful to watch the Steelers go down in flames. We tuned in to the final 10 minutes of TS, but a terrible rain storm blew out the cable at that moment. We missed the final minutes where they revealed the rooms.
Jerry’s recovery…
Jerry’s knee continues to heal from his surgery. He has physical therapy three times a week, and has been fantastic around the house. The only thing he can’t do, as well as he used to, is chase after Mitch. We like to take walks and sometimes Mitch will take off running and this requires a mad dash to catch up with him or prevent him from stepping off the curb into the street. I don’t think Jerry could run through the tires at football practice, but he is not lying around on his bottom watching mindless TV either. These past few weeks have been pure heaven. The house is spotless, the laundry is done, dinner is ready and on the table when I get home from work, and our living room doesn’t look like Toys R Us exploded in there. It’s really nice. Jerry takes the kids to the park so they can play on the playground. Yesterday, it was pouring down rain, it took me 2 hours to drive home from work. When I called to check on them, Jerry was just loading the kids into the car. He had them dressed in their raincoats and they were heading over to Ben’s for ice cream cones. When it rains, the party isn’t over. Jerry just finds something fun for them to do.
Rachel…
Rachel really enjoys her Kids Praise on Wednesday nights. I drop her off at 6:30 and pick her up at 7:30. I have been using this hour wisely to get quick errands done in the area and do some shopping. Sometimes I drop in at Target or JoAnn’s or the quilt shop or Kohl’s. Rachel needs a bigger selection of dresses for the fall. We now need sleeves since the weather is cooling. She needs accessories like tights and fancy shoes for church and hair accessories. This is one of the things I enjoy about having not only a daughter, but having a “girly” daughter. Rachel loves dresses, and jewelry, and hair accessories, fingernail polish, and socks. I enjoy picking out dresses and accessories for her. This week was “Safety Week” at her school. They learned about fire prevention, strangers, and poison control. She came home and told us how to “stop, drop, and roll” and showed us how to crawl on the floor if there is smoke in the house.
Quilting…
I really enjoy the quilting class. The ladies are really fun and not at all square. The second week, we cut out our pieces (squares, triangles & rectangles) and learned 4 different appliqué methods. The third week, we sewed the pieces together in rows and then sewed the rows together. We started putting the first border on and are supposed to have the remaining borders finished by the next class on Monday. Then, we will put the back on the quilt and do the binding. I am anxious to get started on my first “real” quilt. I am glad I bought the fabric kit the first night because several of the women saw the quilt on the wall at the shop and asked if they could buy a kit, but they sold the last one (to me).
The Grandparents…
My parents are arriving this weekend for their two-week visit. They are on the road from Branson, Missouri, and will arrive either tonight or tomorrow. You see, my dad wants to drive straight through (an 11-hour drive) while my mom prefers to break up the drive into two days. I wonder who will win the battle of the stubborn goats as we (fondly) like to call them? Either way, the guest room is ready. Jerry managed to scrub the ceramic tile floor late last night. I’m not sure how he did it, but when I came downstairs this morning, it smelled like Pine-Sol and I could see the area rugs had been rolled up and stacked in the living room, the kitchen table & chairs had been moved into the living room and things were set up on the counters.
Fantasy sports…
I’m used to the fantasy football season. Jerry’s owned a team for more than 10 years. During the season, I put up with a mixture of emotions that range from “did you see that?!” to sighing and moaning and celebrating and bragging. I usually just roll my eyes throughout the season, but over the past 5 years, he’s done fairly well, definitely won more money than he’s lost. This was the first year that Jerry joined a fantasy baseball league. He and Reid decided to buy a team together. All season long, I’ve listened to how good Chuck’s team was, and how close Jerry & Reid were to placing, and I continued to yawn and roll my eyes mostly because the numbers and stats change with each game that is played. So, when Jerry & Reid’s team finished in second place, I was not exactly shocked, but you can bet I was no longer rolling my eyes. Chuck’s team did come in first and he won $1200. Jerry & Reid’s team placed second and won $800. The winnings were invested in a CD, so the third place winner will “win” the interest earned from the CD.
The festival is this weekend, and we are so excited about it. There will be tons of booths, lots of food-on-a-stick, funnel cakes, and the carnival rides and games.
Warmly,
Megan
millimaki@yahoo.com
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/m/millimaki/
My World is Not Your Oyster…
For those who are reading my diary for the wrong reasons, think twice before your jealousy and obsession get the best of you. You did what you did while you thought no one was looking. That says a lot about you.
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