Duh, Big Red Truck!

This morning, Sean and I joined good friend Kari and her son Nathan for breakfast before heading out for a few errands.  It was painful, Sean hasn't had enough sleep in the past 24 hours, and actually right now is crying because I won't let him open the new package of Goldfish, even though we have a just opened package.  I know, I'm horrible.

Last Friday morning was decidedly different, as Isabella, Sean and I joined the Playgroup for yet another Fire Station Tour!  Woo-Woo!     My good friend Melissa volunteered to have the full fireman regalia put on - what a trooper, she did awesome!  We got a tour of the station and the Big Red Truck - which was awesome! A week later, I can't remember any of the guy's names, but they were great, and very patient with such a huge group of moms and their very small children!   I think Isabella liked it, but she may have enjoyed playing Mother Hen more than the actual tour.  There's a photo here of her holding Hayden, one of her keeps!    Sean, on the other hand, did not hide how much he loved every second of it, and is still sporting his new fire truck hat around the house!

The Whole Gang

What's Up with SYTYCD?

This being my first season of ever watching "So You Think You Can Dance," I felt I really didn't need to comment too much on the show.  Hardly an expert over here.  But I was hugely disappointed with the judges decision to cut Chelsea T. last night over Comfort.  Granted, at this point, every one being cut is such an awesome dancer it's gotta be tough, but I just thought Chelsea was a significantly better all-around dancer.  Plus, the chick is ripped and has personality to spare!  Oh well.  

As for favorites, I'm surprising myself.  Two guys I didn't think one way or the other about have seriously grabbed my attention.  The first being Joshua, the hulking teddy bear of popping and hip hop, who can seriously do anything!  Maybe it's because he totally doesn't have a dancer's body, but he amazes me week after week at how awesome he is at every style!  The other guy that I can't wait to watch each week is Mark - yeah, the freak!  The guy who's style can't even be defined, he's so out there, and weird, and strange, and that's exactly why I absolutely Love Him!  He commands the stage, and at first I thought "Uh-Oh" when they paired him with powder puff Chelsea H., but their routines have been my absolute favorite so far.  

As for girls, I still love Kourtni, she's got enough quirk in her for me to just love her.  Kherington is a better overall dancer in so many ways, but I just can't wrap my arms around someone so stereotypical on the personality front - like last night, we found out this pretty, blond Southern Californian had a shoe fetish.  Shocking!  

And lastly, a shout out to my SYTYCD friend, Vicki, who will not even read this post today, because she will (hopefully) be having her baby girl!  Yippee!  Can't wait to hear the news!

Six Flags - Not for Pregnant Women!

We made our first trip to Six Flags last week. We went after Trey got home from work one evening, so we could get our passes set up, and get a few hours in while Isabella was in town. I knew, going in, that my ride choices would be limited, obviously no roller coasters, but I Had No Clue! 

I pretty much can't ride anything. Oh wait, I can ride the Colossus, the giant ferris wheel, and I can ride the train. Everything else says "No Pregnant Women!" Even some of the kid rides in Bugs Bunny National Forrest say no preggos. Seriously.

However, we still had a great time - and this summer, I will be that mom that sits back and watches everyone else have a great time.  My enjoyment will come from watching my kids have fun!  I have actually reached that point in my motherhood!

    

Sean's favorite thing was splashing in the water that shot up out of the ground, and he kinda dug the kiddie train and then the big train.  Isabella is getting too big for many of the rides that she's always done, so she's having to graduate to some of the bigger rides that she thinks she won't like!  

Sean is kinda like his big sis, in a way.  He still has a long way to go to completely enjoying even the smallest of kiddie rides!

   

We thought he was going to ride the blue airplane, but all we managed was to get a photo of his crying.  He loved the kiddie balloon ride - until it started moving!

I'm sure we'll have many more trips out there this season.  And maybe I'll even sneak in a ride or two!

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

As I mentioned yesterday, an old classmate from college passed away this weekend after a lifelong battle with Cystic Fibrosis - a genetic disease with a life expectancy of only 35 years old.  Josh died at a heartbreakingly-young 31 last Friday.  Cystic Fibrosis was the charity of choice for our chapter of Delta Sigma Pi in college, as one of the chapter's founders died from the disease; and it is the charity of choice for the Saint Peters Playgroup that I run, as one of our little guys has CF as well.  My MOPS mentor from last year has a son with CF who's an amazing 44 years old - thanks to a double lung transplant.

So if you're thinking about it, check out the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - 90% of the charity's donations go towards research, care and education programs, so please consider making a donation today, and write it off your taxes next year.  When Josh was born, life expectancy was still in the teens, and thanks to this Foundation, the life expectancy has increased from 32 to 35 years old just since 2000.  It's a worthwhile cause that literally saves lives.

My Sweet Boy

It's been a cruddy couple of days.  I got news a DeltaSig friend from college lost his battle with Cystic Fibrosis this past weekend, dying on Friday at the age of 31.  I got freaked out over a tick bite and subsequent flu-like symptoms - turns out I just have a flu-like virus.  At least it's not Lyme's Disease, but I still feel like crud.  

Today is the first day Sean's napped since last Thursday!  However, last night, Sean joined me on the bed, where I was lying, wishing for some comfort.  Sean himself fell asleep...

What a precious little boy he is.  Even cuter that he's sleeping on his Daddy's side, wearing his "I Still Live With My Parents" t-shirt.  Raising Sean makes the cruddy days not so cruddy.

p.s. I have lots of photos to post from last week, will get to it in the next few days.

Is this Kid a dancer?

I haven't mentioned here on the blog, but I've been commenting to a few people, for a few weeks, that I thought I've felt Lil'est One kicking around in there! I didn't feel Sean until 19 weeks, but I know "they" say that you feel the kid sooner in subsequent pregnancies - most likely because you have a better idea of what it feels like. But I've been thinking that I started feeling this kid around 11 weeks or so!

Last week, I asked the ultrasound tech if she thought I could be feeling this baby, and she said that with his position inside, plus I'm so slender (I know, I love her!), it's definitely possible. So maybe I haven't been crazy all these early weeks.

Well, right now I'm sitting here, catching up on a little DVRing, and I Feel Him! No Doubt. I feel the flutters, this is not gas! Maybe it's because I just watched three hours of "So You Think You Can Dance" (in less than an hour!), so Lil'est Man feels he needs to show me some of his moves - not sure.

Because, honestly, at this point, even though I've seen his goods and I know he's in there, I still just look really bloated, I've only gained (maybe) two pounds, and I just don't realize I'm pregnant on so many levels!  With Sean, I was all over it, it was all I thought about, I was obsessed with everything going on inside.  This time, I get it on one level, but I'm so busy taking care of a toddler and running the house, and blah, blah, blah, that I guess it's still just an abstract thought. 

Remind me of this post when I'm FREAKING OUT in November, about to become the mother of two wee little ones who are completely dependent on me.  I'll be so annoyed with myself.

Say A Little Prayer

Just a little shout out and prayer request for those communities along the Mississippi River. The flood waters are rising, but hopefully cresting, this week, and many towns are in danger. Hannibal is Trey's hometown, and we have many family and friends who call Hannibal home - Trey's mom, dad, uncles and cousins, Isabella and all of her mom's family. So please say a prayer that the levees and flood walls keep the river back; for the volunteers (including Trey's mom!) who are sandbagging to save their town; and to the residents whose homes are in danger (including Isabella's MawMaw & PawPaw, who have to take a Jon Boat to get to their house!).

Baby Congrats

Congrats to my cousin Jamie, Garret and Little Man Jackson, who'll be adding another little one next February!  Are Aunt Cathy and Grandma Fran comparing Grandma notes? 

Sean the Cyclops

It's a known fact that toddlers fall down...a lot.  We had another head-first fall this morning, Sean was jumping all over Isabella and I, and he slammed his on the coffee table.  Sissy smoothed things over by offering up some homemade cookies from her night with Aunt Audra.

Yummy cookies, my head doesn't even hurt any more!

Ah, there you can really see the knot!  Little Man Cyclops!

Happy Dad's Day

On Sunday, we had the grandpas over for an afternoon BBQ for Father's Day.  Poppa Latta and Nana Roxy, Grandpa Phil and Oma Annie, plus GiGi Harman, came over for a fun and relaxing afternoon.  

As usual, Costco came to my rescue.  I came down with the same cold Sean has on Friday evening, and just couldn't bring myself to prepare a bunch of homemade food.  But a trip to Costco Sunday morning provided all of our Father's Day grub - brats and dogs, pasta salad, veggies & dip, crackers & dip, chips & salsa, lemonade and strawberry shortcake!

Three Generations of Latta Men!

Poppa Latta, Sean, Daddy, Grandpa Phil

Daddy & Sean

Crazy, Croupy Week

It's been an exciting week around these parts, starting with Aunt Mandy and Uncle Nick visiting over the weekend.  After they left, Sean, Trey and I all went for a swim in Neighbor Bob's pool.  

Decked out in swim gear. 

 Getting brave in the pool.

Then we got last minute word that Isabella was coming to stay with us for two weeks!  Trey brought Isabella home late Sunday night, and we've been doing a little of everything this week.  

Yay, Sissy's here to play! 

 Building a tent in the dining room.

Hanging out at the library. 

 Dancing around the house, looking cool.

Check out this cool Little Man! 

 Watering Momma's flowers.

Unfortunately, yesterday Sean woke up from his nap with a seal-like cough.  When I called the doctor's office to get a refill on his Albuterol, they insisted he come in.  Turns out barking like a seal isn't a good thing, and is actually a sign of Croup.  Which sounds worse than it is.  It's a viral infection of the larynx or voice box, and he's now on steroids (which does wonders for his behavior!), and taking it easy for a few days.  He had a mild fever late last night, but otherwise, he's on breathing treatments and steroids, and doing OK.  Not sure what the weekend holds yet, except for a Father's Day BBQ on Sunday for the dads and grandpas.  

Twilight Zone Moment of the Month

So in the week after Sean's birthday, I started designing a Thank You card, and it took me a good week to perfect it.  On Memorial Day, after getting home from our Grand Tour of Missouri, I picked them up from Costco.

The Costco parking lot is the last time I saw those that envelope of photos!  I have spent the past two weeks searching the car, the house, and even returned to Costco twice looking for them.  So I'm either an idiot, and the envelope slipped somewhere I have yet to find, or someone found them, and didn't return them to the store, or to me.  My name and address is on the envelope, and a photo of my son with his name is on 20 photo cards inside.  Please, oh please, do I hope I'm an idiot and I just can't find them wedged wherever they are wedged.

So I finally relented, and reordered the thank you cards yesterday.  And the photo card was not on Costco's site, even though everything else I've ever ordered was there!  I distinctly remember loading that card, because I later changed the design and had to reload it later.  And I know I looked at the prints at the store when I picked them up.  And  yet...the card was nowhere to be found, not even on the Costco site.

I'm having a very "do-do, do-do, do-do, do-do" feeling right now!  I'm heading over to Costco in a few minutes to pick up the second batch of the same cards.  Hopefully, I won't pass through the same vortex that eats Costco purchases again!

Week 14 - The Second Trimester Begins!

So, first things first.  I don't have placenta previa or vasa previa.  This is good news!  I do have a "low lying placenta," which just means it's an inch closer to the cervix than they want it to be.  Also, they found a "membrane." However, this membrane has no blood flow, so at least right now, it's innocuous.  I continue to be on "take it easy" rest, and I might get another ultrasound when I have my next scheduled doctor visit, which is next Thursday.  So, basically, I'm good, and both issues will most likely clear up on their own, but they'll keep an eye on it.  I can expect more sporadic bleeding in the meantime.  Yippee.

In other news....Mom and I saw the bladder, which meant kidney function is good.

Saw the stomach, meaning swallowing function good.  

Diaphragm was where it's supposed to be and doing what it's supposed to do.  

Spine showed no signs of spina bifada or any other irregularities.

The femur (large leg bone) was the right length.

So we were looking at the kid's profile and slowly moving from the head, to the stomach, and she asked if I wanted to know the sex.  I said, "If you can tell us, yes!"  So she continued to move towards the groin, and all three of us said "Hello!"

This is what we call the "Money Shot," my friends!

And apparently, my second son is also a pirate.

That's actually the lens of the eye, but it's seriously freaky looking.  Our newest Little Man wasn't cooperating today, and had his face smashed up against my uterus, so we had no good views on 3D, and the 2D were only OK.  

But we got the most important info we were looking for - I'm physically fine, and we're having another Boy!  Oh, here's this week's belly shot.  

I'm now officially in my second trimester.  I've gained about two pounds, and am looking pretty paunchy.  Feeling good, still a touch tired, and can't believe the acne this kid is giving me.  But I couldn't be happier that I'm going to be the mom of two incredibly handsome boys!

Dave Matthews Band Rocks My World

After three long years, I saw the Dave Matthews Band perform on Saturday night for the 11th time in my life.  (Um, it's either 11 or 12, somewhere I have a list...)  While people may think it's strange to see one band so many times, non-fans should understand that they play a different setlist every night, so each show is a completely different, yet amazing experience. 

I converted Trey a few years ago, since my previous convert, Best Friend Kimberly, moved.  And this year, I was able to purchase four tickets together in advance, rather than just two, using my Warehouse Fan Club membership.  (Yes, I pay dues to be a fan of DMB.  No one said I wasn't a dork.)  To my surprise, my stepdad, Jay, wanted to go, so Mom and Jay came with us! 

This was the First Concert Ever in the new Busch Stadium - quite a to-do around town!  It was typical July weather in St. Louis, too bad it's only early June.  Also, I turned on my camera to find I had a dead battery, so any photo I post here will be liberally taken from other sites!  

 
This was pretty similar to our view, except we were only about 20 rows off the field, right behind the Cardinal dugout.  Great baseball seats!  At first, I was unimpressed with what the fan club provided, but once the show started, I was grateful I was there, and not anywhere past 20th row on the floor.  Sometimes, the luckiest of Warehouse members get upgraded to the front row - this happened to me in 2000, Kimberly's first show.  It ranks up there in best moments of my life, and can only hope that lightening will strike twice for me!

The Black Crowes opened, which was great since I've never seen them.  Of course, they don't play the fan favorites, so while it was great music, there was only one song I knew and it wasn't my favorite.  There was an instrumental two or three songs in that was awesome - have no clue what it's called.  

Regardless of the sweltering heat, the novelty of a first-show, or Chris Robinson's skinny butt shaking, the whole point was DMB.  They opened with "Two Step," one of my overall favorites, and I could tell Jay was diggin' it, too.  And to most everyone's excitement, they had two guest musicians - the largest man to ever play the smallest horn (don't know his name), and Tim Reynolds, the guitarist that Dave tours with on his own, and who is just incredible.  Playing electric guitar the whole show, it added a decidedly different and hard-rock feel to the show than I've ever heard before.  (Dave is the only guitarist, and he plays acoustic more often than not.) 

Large Man, Small Horn

Tim Reynolds, who plays better than he looks.

To see more photos, check out DMB Rocks Busch Stadium.

I only heard one song from my established Top Five List, "Crush," but was giddily surprised when they played two obscure old-school favorites, "One Sweet World" and "Recently."  While I haven't heard the official time, I'm pretty sure they played a two to two and a half hour set before breaking! An incredible mix of old and new, with an outstanding cover of Neil Young's "Hey, Hey, My, My," in which Dave channeled Neil, sounding nothing like himself!  

As a side note, there was a die hard Nancy of about 22 years old, right behind Jay and Mom, who said "All right, some Black Crowes!" when the song started.  Mom and I sniggered, I enjoying the fact that while he knew every single word to every DMB song, he was, overall, an idiot.  FYI, in Dave-speak, a Nancy is not a derogatory term, but a die hard Dave fan.  If I ever think I'm remotely worthy of my fandom, all I have to do is spend about five minutes at Nancies.org, and I realize that I'm a casual fan at best!  Though "Dancing Nancies" comes in at #2 on my Top Five List.  

They ended the first set with "Ants Marching," which is typically one of my favorites to hear live, but I had overdone it with the jumping and dancing like an idiot during "Crush," so maybe I was just too tired, but it didn't have the same excitement for me.  Maybe it's time to do another set-ender, boys.  The encore, while great overall, was only OK for me personally - I'm always holding out hope to hear my #1, "Lie in Our Graves," and almost always disappointed.  

Alas, they ended with "Everyday" with the Honey, Honey of "#39" mixed in, "Louisiana Bayou," a newer song that I neither love nor hate, and a surprising cover of Sly and the Family Stone's funkadelic classic "Thank You" - "thank you for letting me be myself again."  Dave actually put his guitar down at the end, and sang around the stage holding the mic stand like a real rock star.  So Weird!  But it was great, I mean, who doesn't love Sly and the Family Stone?  

So it was awesome, and I can't wait to see them again.  In the meantime, I've converted yet another - when I told Jay during the concert that I'd see them again tomorrow if I could, he shouted back, "Me too!  This is some f**kin' awesome s**t!"  I couldn't have said it better!

If it's not one kid....

Sean returned to normal yesterday, and I have my sweet little boy back.  It's the other kid that's causing problems again!  I found myself back at the OB yesterday morning.  I've continued to have spotting every since it first came up, with typically a week or week and a half break between episodes.  I've had no reason to be concerned, because the doc said to call only if one of two changes should occur.  Well, that happened yesterday - bright red bleeding.  Yikes!

They got me in immediately, and for the first time, I just had a regular exam.  They pulled out the hand-held doplar, and really frickin' cold belly gel, and searched for the baby's heart beat.  This was the only time I felt nervous all day, because it took a good minute for Julie to find the baby, and I was slowly panicking with each passing second!  But at last, she found it, and it was beautiful - fast and strong!  High 150s!  So the Baby is Fine!  Then we went to the fun pelvic exam, and unfortunately, had to schedule me for an official ultrasound on Monday afternoon.  

Long story short, they need to see if I have placenta previa - a common-enough complication that usually resolves itself by the end of the pregnancy.  Honestly, I'm not worried, I just wanted to know that the baby was OK.  And I think Mom will get to come with me to this ultrasound, which is exciting since I've been going to all these appointments by myself.  I'll be 14 weeks, so it's possible (especially if it's a boy!) to find out what we're having!  I'll try not to be disappointed if we don't find out, as the point of the ultrasound is to find out if there's any complication, not to find out if it's a boy or girl.  But it could be an added bonus!

So, while deep in my heart and gut, I'm not worried and know that our baby is fine, some extra thoughts and prayers are always appreciated just to make sure that if there is any complication, it's a minor one that will mean nothing more than a bit more rest for Momma.

The Energy Sucker

Yesterday (Monday), I was pooped and feeling a touch under the weather.  But I rested most of the day, and actually woke up this morning full of pep and energy!  I got through two loads of laundry and had the kitchen clean when I began to feel the impact of The Energy Sucker.  You know him better as Sean.

Sean was feeling full of pep and energy today, too.  I believe psychiatrists describe it as Mania.  This morning, it was annoying but still fun.  Having him ram into me over and over as I was trying to fold sheets was trying, but certainly manageable.  But then it just got worse.  

By Noon, my pep and energy were gone and I was ready for a nap.   I had already cleaned up three open-cup milk spills at this point, and weathered more fits than I normally get in a week.  But a nap wasn't in my future.  Sean barely laid down for 30 minutes, I had to get him back up because Trey worked overnight last night and again tonight.  So I had to get the heathen up, and ask him to lay (quietly) with me on the couch.  That lasted about 20 minutes.

It continues to go downhill.  I had to stop typing this so I could clean up yet another spill.  Sean has been body slamming me, the floor, the dog, and running, hollering, throwing.  Trey left for work about 30 minutes ago, apologizing for leaving me alone.  Right now, at this minute, Sean's crying at the kitchen door....for his daddy, to save him from the meanie in the house.  

Trust me, kid, I know how you feel.  

A Diego Kind of Weekend

I knew someday I'd have friends in high places.  Who knew that would get me a VIP weekend of Diego...as in Go Diego Go!  My best friend from high school, Melonie, went to college to learn lighting so she could someday tour with U2.  Instead, she and girlfriend Cindy have spent the last 12+ years touring with the likes of Scooby and Dora!  This weekend, they stopped in St. Louis on the Diego tour and treated Sean and I to a VIP Diego experience!

On Saturday, we got to the Fox Theater around 10am for a Meet & Greet.  We waited in line, playing with Sean's Baby Jaguar mask.

 

 

Then we got our picture taken with both Diego and Dora!  Sean had no clue who they were, but I thought it was cool.

  

Mel joined us for one of the photos.  Then Mel took us up front and we got to pick out whatever free merch we wanted!  Sean nabbed a Rescue Pack full of stuff - I could've sold it on the street and made a killing!  

Then we headed to our seats, though Sean was more excited by his stuffed Baby Jaguar than anything.  Until the show started!  He LOVED it!  Got a bit overwhelmed just once, but clapped and said "Yay!" at the very end!  And I will say that the Live show is significantly less annoying than the TV show!

But the best was yet to come (for me, at least!).  Mel came got us after the show, and took us backstage!  We were on the legendary Fox stage, and Sean was diggin' all the puppets we had just seen in the show.  We got to walk the halls, where every performer from every show ever has signed the walls.  It was so freakin' cool!  Then Sean and I headed home, had lunch and crashed!

 

Sunday morning, Sean and I drove downtown to have brunch with Aunt Mel and Aunt Cindy at their hotel.  Sean kicked back in the lobby while we waited, and then we headed up for some grub.

  

And Aunt Cindy soon became Sean's best friend, offering him chocolate milk and fruit loops!  The two of them were having a lovefest while Mel and I caught up on old times.  And while I stuffed my face at the breakfast buffet.  Afterwards, we grabbed a cast member in the lobby to capture a few more pics.

I hated having to say goodbye, as I haven't seen Mel and Cindy since my wedding reception, but we promised (as usual?) to keep in better touch.  And it seems I helped fuel a strong mommy desire in my dear old friend, Mel, who fell in love with my charming Little Man - of course, what's not to love?

After breakfast, Sean and I walked around downtown, but he didn't want to stop for too many photo opportunities - he was diggin' all the cool stuff to look at!  I did snag him checking out the fountain in Kiener Plaza, with the Old Courthouse and the Arch in the background.  

When we got home, Sean dug into his Rescue Pack, and played with all his new goods.  Here's Sean groovin' on his rescue pack and Baby Jaguar masks.

  

Mel also scored us a t-shirt, stuffed Baby Jaguar, one of those spinning/glowing Diego light sticks, plus a backpack full of glossies, posters, stencils and other Diego-related cool stuff!

Unfortunately, Isabella had to be in Hannibal Saturday morning, so she and Trey were not able to share this with us.  But if I forgot to mention, The Backyardigans Live is a sister-show to Diego.  So while Mel isn't touring with them, she is going to score us a Meet & Greet, Tickets and Merch to that show when it comes to STL in October!  I'm So Excited!  For Sean...of course.  Oh, and Aunt Mel and Aunt Cindy?  You Guys Rock!