WO, B1, and a Shade Guide

This week I had a couple of super long work days, but it was fun to see my last patients, my sister and brother-in-law, for some minor things. Since it was after hours, I had them play dental assistant. Despite his skills and my enjoyment working with him, I think my BIL should continue with his day job in law. I do a lot of oral surgery in this clinic. Unfortunately, due to neglect and bad habits, many of my patients leave the clinic sans teeth. So, it was great to see their beautiful smiles as they left. I'm sure that the smiles and the exiting the dental office were not related!

Getting Saucy

Is there a scent which instantly takes you back to a memory, the moment you smell it? My granny's canning recipe for chili sauce takes me back. It is a memory of coming home from school, opening the front door, and a savory wave of spices, tomatoes and onions hitting me. It would almost bring tears to my eyes! My backpack was as big as I was and I could barely see over the kitchen counter top. I definitely did not appreciate the art of canning at the time. Now I am lucky enough to read from my granny's handwriting, spend time with my mom, and learn this culinary art passed down through the generations.

History

I remember asking my parents and grandparents about when JFK was shot. They always knew where and when they found out. Their perspective made the event seem more real to me than any history book. It had been embossed into their memory. I remember sitting in my elementary classroom watching the exciting event of a teacher about to go up in space. Challenger didn't make it and I will always remember my teacher's horrified faces as they quickly turned off the television.
This weekend is not complete without commenting on the anniversary of 9/11, an event that changed so much of our perspectives and many moments which were burned into our memory. Here is my very inconsequential story that I will tell my children:

At eight that morning, I was in the basement of the medical school looking at histology slides. They were liver samples. Someone announced that the Trade Center was "blown up"; I did not understand the reality and tragedy of it yet, not at all. No one did really. The details were fuzzy since it was early in the morning. I remember visiting these buildings as a teenager; at that time, I had not seen them as places of work for real people, just tourist spots. We were told the university was shutting down (we were close enough to N.Y. to warrant this). We walked to a general seating area full of people just standing and watching the overhead TV . Some where calling east coast family members on their cells. Newscasters were frazzled. Clips were awful. No one quite knew what was going on at that point. Then the newscaster saw another plane coming. A plane hitting a building. "A plane hit the tower!" Later helicopters hovering and people were jumping out of flaming windows. I remember thinking, "Why aren't the helicopters getting them! Where are the ropes, the ladders, the rescue!" It was too hot, too dangerous, too quick. It was a desperate helpless feeling. Everyone was quiet and glued to the television. Then, we heard about the Pentagon being hit. We stood and watched without realizing over an hour had passed. The first tower began to fall. My heart fell with it. "Run!", I thought as the dust billowed over the filming camera. It was so raw. I left then, wanting to be with my husband. A large helicopter was flying low around the campus. No one knew what would come next. I was scared about what would happen next to the country, to us. I got home and waited for my husband (we didn't have cell phones at the time). I called my mom and talked about it, grateful they were safe and far from the world turning upside down on the east coast.

No Quite Ready...

...to give up summer yet. I need just one more month this year. I usually embrace autumn with arms held out wide, ready for the crunch of leaves underfoot, the crisp morning air and the scholastic feeling swirling around. I don't know why this year is different; maybe it is because I'm getting farther and farther away from those "School Days" (one would think 20 years of it would be enough) or that I'm able to do more activities than I did at the first of the summer or maybe it is because PeaPod finally fits into all her summer clothes or maybe I'm just trying to stretch out PeaPod's treasured babyhood. Truly, I'm not quite for sure. But the sunflowers are nodding and the pumpkins are on the vine. I'll just have to embrace every day and accept the passage of time.

Summer Update: For the Birds

You may have noticed I like birds (wild ones, not pet ones). As a kid, my sisters and I saved a burrowing owl with a broken wing - for a long while you could see Hooter at the Hogle Zoo. As a teen, I fed an orphan fledgling through a dropper till it was old enough to fly away. Since I was ten, I have loved the Tracy Aviary. A tall stork took a liking to me and followed me around the park. He was just as tall as I was then and could look me in the eye. Looking back, I realize that incident could have led to a serious case of ornithophobia. Luckily, I thought it was just neat, not creepy.
Nana, Peapod and I took an afternoon to appreciate our feathered friends. We were amazed by the condor with his huge wings outspread. Watching a flock of parrots flying back and forth in their large enclosure reminded me of doing ladder exercises in basketball practices. We got up close and personal with an adorable miniature owl. My personal favorite was seeing a baby flamingo try to mimic his mother's one legged stance! Those little ones sure watch us closely, don't they!?!

Pinky the Poodle...

...backpack is worth every precious penny for preserving precocious princesses.

Tomato Sandwiches for Lunch

Today

Just a regular day with things like laundry, cleaning house, carpet cleaning, and making dinner. We were visited by two of our Aunties and Nana to boot! PeaPod loved the french dip sandwiches we had for dinner - which was quite an event since her current favorite dietary items are cheese ("chee") and watermelon ("oddermelin")! I'll post the recipe or email it to you later!

Reaching Higher

Toddlers are amazing little people. With confidence overflowing, PeaPod doesn't seem to see any limits to what she can or cannot do. She is determined, pushing herself and reaching higher, faster, or longer in everything she does. She is constantly bumping or bruising some part of herself. I wish to protect her from all the bumps in life, but her actions show me how much greater it is to dust yourself off and just keep reaching. Look at her eyes. She is focused on the eight foot monkey bars entirely out of a 30 inch tall person's reach. It reminds me of Pres. Hinckley's quote, "Try a little harder, reach a little higher." I hope that she will keep that desire to get up again, keep going and continue reaching a little higher. "While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about." Angela Schwindt

If I had..

a little boy, he would be wearing this for Halloween!

Concussions, CTs and Elephant Allergies

Whew. What a crazy 2 weeks! We'll begin with flying to Texas:

What I learned about flying with toddlers:
1. There is the hard way to fly with toddlers, which I have entitled Hell on Wings complete with a carry on full of toys, miniDVD and snacks. Everyone in the plane will know your daughters' name. Once the plane lands, these passengers will say how good and cute she is and how patient you are - as they exit as fast as they possibly can. She will then wave and blow kisses to them with an angel's smile that somehow was nonexistent the last 2.75 hours.

2. Then, there is the easy way entitled Blissful Beddy-Bye Fly Time. You search for any sign of a sniffle and tell yourself that a good dose of Tylenol Cold is totally justified and even needed just before lift off. This time no passenger knows your little one's name but they comment on how great a traveler she is.
3. While traveling, you learn a lot about people. When I traveled alone (sans kids or husband) I found this was true because I would talk to people; we would share our lives, beliefs and stories. I met incredible and interesting people. Now traveling with a child, I learn about character. Who was it that went the extra mile to help a mother traveling alone? A lady in a micro mini. Who picked up that toy or played peek-a-boo? Huge tattooed firefighter. Who was reading their religious literature and didn't look up except to give a "look"? Pious 30 something. Who was reassuring, not judgmental, when the toddler fussed about being seat belted into her plane seat? Smiling businessman who looked a bit like Pres. Eyring to me (but, let's be honest, at that point anyone who helped us looked like a saint!). It had been a tiring week professionally and personally. When I thanked someone for at the airport for their help, she responded in a normal nonreligious-y friendly way, "Well, that's just being Christian." Tears welled up in my eyes. I can't tell you how much I needed people "just being Christian". That was worth the whole trip to hear and ponder that. I'll visit the Deep South anytime.

The rest of the trip you ask?
Well, we're never low on excitement. My sister, Loo, lovingly wanted me to catch up on some sleep that I was sorely needing. So, she was watching my little one and hers. She slipped on a wet bathroom floor while carrying them and then blacked out. The only thing that woke her was the thought that the kids might drown in the tub and the thought of emergency personell seeing her indecently dressed. I found the kids okay, but Loo's blonde hair becoming a lovely shade of red (I love red, but I digress...) Stitches and a CT scan later and she's as good as new - minus a big patch of shaved hair in the back of her head. Part of me really wishes the hospital wasn't out of neck braces...just for the memory and a scrapbook page... She was sore my whole visit, but she still managed to entertain us in true Loo style.

We visited the awesome Fort Worth Zoo; this is where we made the discovery that if we went close to the elephants, my little PeaPod would swell up in the face with an allergic response. Yes, only by the elephants.
We made our gift cards go the extra mile at the outlets. Cousin E painted a lovely picture on the tile floor with blue food coloring while we weren't looking and found the most ENORMOUS scissors I've ever seen to play with. I've named him a "ninja toddler". We played with the kids, got some work done, talked about everything from men, endometriosis, mommyhood to politics, and laughed at Loralee's commentary on everything (she's is just one of those people that can make people laugh to the point of tears at anything.) Overal,l it was a great trip!

Great Quotes from the trip:

Me: "Oh, my living daylights!" When we discover he has painted the floor with food coloring.

Loo: "This..not this... is so much better than this!" Discussing the size of the cupcake topper with way too many sexual induendos.

Loo: The kids are okay...I hit my head. I hit my head. I hit my head. I'm bleeding. I'm bleeding.

Loo: "Okay, Ethan. Hand me the scissors." As E is carrying the huge scissors while continuing to snap them at the other kids

Me: "Okay, I'll buy you a new one of these." As PeaPod throws and consequently breaks my angel figurines.

Lee: "Well, if you send the gymbucks..." Discussing reimbursement.

Lee:"We are against concealed crayon licenses. We are pro crayon control." To the kids when he started playing the the crayons.

All of us - "Sables!" because we were puppy sitting the cutest pom ever

Buster the jealous dog about puppy we were sitting "Oh, Sables. You are just so perfect. You can do no wrong. Sables."

Loo: "I think she's allergic to the Elephant dung." As PeaPod breaks out in hives due to the elephants.

Loo: "Thankfully, they were out of neckbraces." Happy she wouldn't have to wear a neckbrace.

Loo: I'm hurt. (sitting clothes-less on the coach with blood coming out of my head while everyone's taking care of the kids).

Me: "I have not seen Loo for two hours I think she has been a victim to a hate crime."

Loo: "We can do high heels! Where are they?!?"

Loo: "You know how I feel about big. Make it bigger."

PeaPod:"Shoe!Shoe!"