Happy Halloween!!

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Oh how times have changed... Gone are the drunken dressed up Halloween festivities at the bars of Chicago... Tonight was a new kind of crazy. Nothing like 7 dressed up grandkids!

We made our first stop by Grandma Mary's house and her neighbor Stanley. Then we went over to Uncle Neil's for a cookout and costumes. The older kids went trick-or-treating while Lee and I stayed back with Taryn and our newest nephew Ryan who is just 1 week old! (So tiny!)

6 of the 7 just missing Ryan ~ There's Ryan, but now we're missing Austin!

Taryn's outfit was ridiculous. She was a pudgy little kitty with extra padding built into the stomach of her outfit... As if she needs extra padding around her middle! What girl wants that? Lee was like "If we take her trick-or-treating, does she actually get candy? Do we just eat the candy she gets? Or do we just parade her around?" I'm guessing you are not surprised to hear... We just ate her candy.

I guess this was technically Taryn's 2nd Halloween... Last year she was dressed up as a jack-o-lantern!

Halloween used to be Lee and my dating anniversary. Just 12 years ago was when we first started dating at a Halloween party in high school. So romantic... Or something!

Posing with some pumpkins...


What exactly is this thing?


I wonder if it is something to eat...

Perhaps I will take a taste...

It was delicious!

F-U FLU!

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On Saturday, I woke up with a backache. I thought "Hmm, I must have slept weird." From there, the ache moved up my back and into my chest in a matter of hours. I knew then... It was the flu. Oh CRAP. Lee had gone out to his cousin's farm to do "man stuff" and I met Kelin for lunch at Chik Fil A (yum) on her way down to Indy for a wedding. When we were done with lunch, I could feel the fever starting. I had read that H1N1 comes on really quick, so I was a little nervous. I headed to the doctor.

They checked me out, I had a fever, I had chills, I had body aches, a cough, I was MISERABLE. They said, this is the flu, but it isn't H1N1. If it were H1N1, you'd be in a lot more pain and discomfort. Really? Wow. That would suck. Since I am nursing, I can't take any good meds, so their answer for me... Advil. DOH.

From there, my fever spiked up to 102. I got a migraine, all the fun stuff. Then, Taryn's fever started. It has been a roller coaster of my fever spiking and then breaking... Chills, then being a huge sweat ball. And this is day 4...

Finally, Taryn seems to be fever-free. I am still fighting it. I remember Jess writing about being sick as a mother. This time I got to live it. It is rough. You feel like death, but you still have to bounce your baby around the house. You want to go into a coma for 4 days, but you have to get up every 2 hours throughout the night because she is waking up and your husband has to go to work in the morning. It is something I could have gone without experiencing!

This is what sick looks like.

And now... Lee has a "tickle in his throat". Really hoping that he isn't the next flu casualty. You know how guys are... The man-flu may be the end of him!

Five Months Old Today

Today is Taryn's 5 month birthday. Yesterday I was helping my mom order pictures of Taryn off of Shutterfly and I came across this picture of her in her bouncy seat when she was brand new. Look at her now! She's always loved this bouncy seat. Thank you Stacia & Plothow! Best baby shower gift ever!!

I feel like most of this last month was wasted on illness. First Taryn had Croup, which is a really bad cough. She didn't get over that before she went straight into an upper respitory infection. Just when that was lifting, she ended up with a fever. Ugh. What a month.

New tricks:

She is now sitting up for awhile on her own. But, when she gets tired, she'll tip over or slump forward.

I can't believe that next month will be her 6 month birthday. Half a year... Wow. I'm really hoping that the months to come are healthier than this one. There is nothing sadder than a sick baby. You know they don't feel good, and they don't understand why. Taryn is into size 3 diapers now, which will hopefully keep her for awhile! At her latest doctor's visit, she weighed 18lbs3oz. The clothes that fit her the best are 9 months size. I don't know what color her eyes are going to be! They still are partially blue with what could be green or a light brown in them. I am guessing they'll end up hazel? Maybe? Her hair is still a light brown color with a reddish tint. Her cheeks are still chubby and her lips are still pouty. She now tries to kiss me, which is less of a kiss and more of an open-mouth-slobber-shower. It is hilarious and cute, but I definitely need a towel when it happens.

Happy 5 month birthday Taryn! We love watching you grow!

Don't Tell our Insurance...

My aunt just sent me this article about a 4 month old baby that was denied health insurance because he weighs 17lbs... Um, uh oh. We happen to have a giant baby as well...

Like the dad says in the article, the baby is 4 months old and breastfed. You can't put him on a diet! As long as the height and weight are proportionate, I don't see what the problem is!

SEE, I WORK OUT!

***I looked up the biggest baby ever born... 23lbs 12oz and 30 in long! Wholy moly. THAT is a big baby!!

Sub-Par

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So, I have been subbing on Fridays at my old high school. The thing that has amazed me the most about the whole experience is what little faith the students have in substitutes. I mean, they seem to think that 1) I was born yesterday, 2) I must have no knowledge of those tough high school classes, 3) that somehow I DO have knowledge of where everything is in the classroom I just walked into 20 minutes earlier.

* When I was subbing for 7th grade science, a girl asked me how to spell Jeopardy. I told her. She went next door to ask the other science teacher. Clearly, I am not smart enough to know how to spell Jeopardy.

* West Lafayette High School is known for being snobby and I see why. I subbed last week for AP Chemistry. They were doing a lab and were supposed to wear goggles. I knew they were just using sugar and salt and stuff, even though they had their "chemical" names on them. Anyway, I went by one student and said "You better get those goggles on, you're working with some dangerous stuff there." He looked back at me with the most arrogant look like he was going to drop some knowledge on me. Then he realized I was being sarcastic and put his goggles on. Yeah, I took this class 12 years ago... You're not the smartest kids ever.

* One kid last week asked me if I was a real sub. I said "What is a real sub?" He said, "Well, some are just college students." I said, "Well, I'm a grad student, I don't know if that makes me a real sub or not." Then he asked what a grad student was... Wow.

Amoxicillan

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I'm pretty sure that Taryn & Jasper are conspiring together to make sure that one of them goes to the doctor/vet each week. They have each been twice in the last two months. While the vet trips are easier, I just put Jasper in a cat carrier and drop her off, they are more expensive since Jasper doesn't have health insurance!

Whose week is it to be sick? Mine or yours?

Today, however, was Taryn's turn. I took her to the doctor. She has an upper respitory infection. Which was actually a huge relief since there were two kids at daycare with pneumonia! Anyway, we were given a prescription. I went to fill it and had to swing by the vet to pick up a refill on Jasper's prescription for her bladder infection. I realized while driving... They were the same freakin' thing! So, 2/5 of our house is on Amoxicillan now. Apparently that stuff cures everything!

Sick, but still Smurfin' cute!

When I picked up Taryn's prescription, the lady asked me if I had ever given someone Amoxicillan. I said "Only my cat." She looked at me like I was an idiot.

A true sign of too many doctor/vet visits... I'm starting to confuse them. Today I said something about taking Taryn to the vet. Yeah. I sound like a great mom!

What is new...

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* Yes, I know my blogging has been totally sucking lately. Sorry. Can I promise that I will do better... No... Probably not. One thing I can promise is that I will post more than Kathryn. It is amazing how much harder it is to keep up with Facebook, email, blogging, Google Reader, etc when you aren't working on a laptop 8 (or more) hours a day.

* This weekend is the Feast of the Hunters Moon here in West Lafayette. We actually live like 5 houses from it and it is a MADHOUSE! Seriously, like traffic jam in front of our house. Our neighbor parks cars in his yard and he was full before 11am this morning. I wish we could do the same, but we have a fence. Darn you fence! Even though we are so close, Lee and I still probably won't go. One, we've gotten a ton of rain which is not conducive to taking a stroller. Two, we don't feel like spending $24 to get in and pay more money for food. We're just letting all of our family and friends park at our place and hang out with us before/after they go. (Zach and Elise even brought us a buffalo burger when they came back!)

* I am on fall break right now. AWESOME! It is really only Monday and Tuesday off of class, but the way my class schedule goes, I have 6 days off. Love it! Unfortunately, I have a lot of homework and semester projects that I need to work on. Not to mention stuff around the house!

* It is really getting chilly out! Fortunately, my mom bought Taryn a winter coat and hat. I had bought a nice winter suit thing for her (on sale) before she was born... However, we didn't bank on her being a giant-baby, so she is already too big for it. I knew I had to get something else for her, but this winter stuff really sneaks up on ya...

* I subbed at my old high school again on Friday. It is odd to sub there. It is so much the same, but so different. Many of the same people, but they're all 10 years older. Bizarre-o world. The students were really good though. It helps that I had 2 periods of honors chemistry. They were a lot better than the 2 periods of 8th grade science. One class told me I was their favorite sub. Aww! (It may or may not have been because I let them spend the last 5 minutes of class playing hangman on the board.)

* This summer and fall has been a total baby boom for people that I know. Two babies that I'm really looking forward to meeting are due in the next 3-4 weeks... My newest nephew who will most likely be named Ryan is due on Halloween, but could be here anyday! Also, Grant & Ashley are expecting their first, Max, on November 2nd. Can't wait to meet these boys!

* Halloween is right around the corner. When did I go from dressing up to dressing up a baby? Wow. I just got Taryn her outfit last week. She will be dressing up as a kitty (like her pals Darby & Jasper). The costume is hilarious. It has a hood with cat ears and whiskers. There is a collar and even some extra stuffing in the tummy (which Taryn doesn't exactly need). She looks hilarious in it!

* Off to bed!

Venting

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Ugh, Purdue is just painful to watch this season. They have glimpses of good football, but then they tend to piss whatever lead they have down their leg.
Last weekend we tailgated and went to the game for most of the first half. When we left, we were feeling confident with a 21-3 lead. We spent the 2nd half of the game out by the RV and I didn't pay attention to the game... We ended up losing. LAME!

Everyone around town is talking about a return of the "Coletto years". I can't go through that again... NOoooooooo. Come back Tiller! But, I guess it is the way things go. Purdue is always either good at football OR basketball. Never both. And since their basketball team is improving, I guess it is time for the football team to start sucking.

Today while watching college football, I told Lee I am going to put my gold & black gear to good use and just start cheering for the Hawkeyes this season. They have offered up more excitement in the Penn State game then Purdue has offered in 5 games...

At least the Colts are keeping the football season interesting.

Just realized...

* I missed Taryn's 4-month post! I guess Reuter and I are using the same calendar.
Taryn turned 4 months old on September 20th. Her stats:
Weight: 17lbs3oz (97th percentile)
Length: 25 1/3 in (90th percentile)
Milestones: Taryn is now eating cereal and has just had her first taste of applesauce. Sometimes she seems to like the food, and other times it appears we are poisoning her. She can now (very quickly) roll from her back to her tummy. She isn't a fan of being on her tummy, so she flips over and then cries until Lee or I puts her back onto her back.

Likes: Standing up. Blowing spit bubbles. Sitting up (with assistance). Making her baby screeching noises. The swing at daycare. The big kids at daycare. Her high chair. Her exersaucer (learned to push the buttons that make the animal noises and songs). Watching the kitties walk by. Daddy's crazy antics. When mommy tickles her tummy. Smiling at new people. THE TELEVISION. Footie pajamas. Still love to sleep in the big bed. Toys that make noise (uh oh). The laptop, cellphones, cameras, did I mention TV? The swing in Daddy's Man Coop.

Dislikes: The swing at our house. Getting put to sleep for naps. Tummy time. Getting dried off after a bath. When Mommy cleans her nose.

This age is just such an adorable one. She isn't mobile yet, but she is developing so much personality and adding so many new tricks to her arsenal. It is hilarious how she can show emotion with her baby talk. When she is excited, her noises are a little screechy (I call it her banshee sounds). When she is being silly she blows bubbles and makes farting sounds. When she is being a sweetheart she'll look at you with love and say a soft little "goo". She loves to smile and put everything she can in her mouth (usually her hands, toys, blankets and other people's hands). What amazes me the most is when I see other people in her. I can see her Daddy in her eyes quite often. I see my baby pictures in her whenever she smiles or sleeps. But beyond that, some people say that they see my mom. My sister-in-law swears she looks just like my grandma Shirley. And the other day, Michelle posted this picture where I swear she looks just like my grandpa Joe. She's a mix of so many people that I love, yet she is an individual and her own woman (baby?)... And I feel so lucky that I get to be her mom and watch who she becomes!