Swimming with heros

Friday night we headed out to an indoor swimming pool. There is just something about the first day of spring and the beautiful weather to make you itch for summer! The kids were excited to play with their cousins and I had lots of helping hands and actually ENJOYED it (even though my 2 sizes too small swimming suit was cutting off circulation!).






After my sister-in-law Michelle went in and changed she noticed a toddler, probably about 18 months, face down in the water struggling to get her footing. Her face was completely submerged and NO ONE noticed but Michelle. No parent, no lifeguard. Michelle jumped in in her clothes and pulled the baby out. She sat with her for a minute until she recovered and still, no one came. Finally an older sibling came and took the girl from Michelle. We couldn't believe that NO ONE was watching this baby! The dad didn't thank Michelle or even acknowledge anything had happened. AND...Where the heck were the lifeguards? The parents should be the first line of defense and aren't they the second??

Here is Michelle, the hero, dripping wet!

The fam

I just stole this picture from my niece's facebook page. It was taken at my nephew's baptism last year. This is much, but not all, of Adam's family. As far as I can tell we are missing about 15 members of our family and there are 3 people in this picture that don't belong to us. Can you imagine what family get togethers are like with us??

Vote for Kris

My amazingly lovely and talented friend Kris needs your votes. She made this really cool collage from pictures she took on her trip to NY and she is trying to win a trip back. Go ahead and check it out at

http://web.splashcast.net/web_watch/?episodes=My+NYC+ABC
I really do think hers is pretty cool but you can judge for yourself!

Hair

When Emilia was born I was surprised to see a full head of hair.

My boys weren't bald but were definatly lacking in hair. But, they were boys! I was excited and thrilled that my first (and only as it turns out) girl had hair that I could do in many different and fun ways. Believe me, we've had a lot of fun with that hair! When she was around 8 months I started putting rollers in her hair to make it curl.

By her first birthday we could already do pigtails...

Now here we are six years later and I still love to do her hair. However, she has decided she loves to do it herself even more. I'm having a hard time letting go of this special (well, special to me I guess) thing. For one...I hate the way it looks when she does it. Second, it means she's growing up and becoming less dependent on me. Part of me is glad that she is learning how to do this so early so that maybe she'll have it mastered by time she hits Jr. high but another part of me would love to do her hair for at least a few more years. For now we compromise. I let her do it occasionally and most days I at least let her choose how I'll do it.

Today as she insisted on doing her own hair I thought how it's not fair that part of teaching these young ones independence also means letting go! I don't think I'm quite ready.

Museum of Ancient Life

We had an opportunity to go to the Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving point with some of our family tonight. We got tickets to the museum, the mammoth screen 3-D movie, hot dogs, drinks and popcorn for less than a regular priced ticket to the museum! It was a lot of fun although Adam and I had a hard time adjusting our eyes to the 3-D movie. I also wish that we could have spent more time there and not rushed through it since I doubt we'll be going back anytime soon.

Omnicef

So it turns out that Owen is most likely allergic to Omnicef. The Doctor said that the pattern of the hives indicate that he is allergic to something he has eaten rather than something external. And, I guess it's not unusual to be on an antibiotic for days before the allergy manifests. The hives continued to get worse as the day went on until it finally hit me to give him some Benadryl. Duh!! By time he went to bed all were gone except for a few on his legs and bum. Poor little guy! They didn't seem to bother him but he sure looked funny all day!

Sisters

Last night I had the opportunity to go to Zupa's with my sisters-in-law. We were lucky enough to have Julie here from Texas. All the girls were there except Sharilee who is in California and Kinna who was not able to come. I really enjoy my sisters and enjoy each unique personality. I had a great time chatting with Brandi and I realized how much I wish that we all were just a little closer. Friends come and go but our family is forever. I should take more time to nourish and strengthen those relationship that are most important.


I really am lucky to belong to this great group of gals. Each of them brings something different to the family. They are all fabulous mothers and wonderful friends.