The other big event last weekend was my nephew's graduation from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with degrees in Sociology and Political Science. We are all very proud of him and know he'll do good things. Dale and Chris took us all out for dinner that night. The cake he's holding was his extra special "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" cake. It was friggin' awesome.
 |
| Matthew's Graduation [click to view album] |
I don't know how much coverage it's getting outside the area, but we got hit pretty hard on Saturday with anywhere from 5 to 10 inches or more of rain. Here are some pretty amazing pictures of some of the damage. Luckily, we only had a little water coming in through what appears to be an old chimney pipe in our basement. As soon as things dry out, I'll need to do a little more checking into it. All kidding aside, there's a lot of people in a very bad situation right now. Unfortunately, there' s more rain coming.
Meanwhile, on Saturday both Kaye and I got fairly ill. Charlotte has had a bit of a "digestive problem" for a few days, but seemed to be feeling fine and wasn't running a fever. The same can't be said for Kaye and I. On Sunday, we ended up tag teaming with Charlotte allowing each other time to nap and take care of assorted problems in the bathroom [sparing you the gory details]. Fortunately, Charlotte was fairly content playing by herself and/or napping most of the day, making it a little easier on both of us. By about 4 pm yesterday, my fever was breaking. Kaye, on the other hand, is still home.
She isn't alone, unfortunately. The daycare called this morning. Charlotte is still dealing with the aforementioned "digestive problem". She apparently had a major "blowout" at about 9 AM this morning. So, they sent her home. They claim it's because she may be contagious...and it probably didn't help that I mentioned that she may have given it to Kaye and I. In the end, I wouldn't blame them it they sent her home just because it's so unpleasant.
Me. That's who.
Before I continue this story, I should clearly state that I did bring ear plugs for Charlotte. Unfortunately, they didn't fit. Also, there were many other children her age there. So, I'm not the only crappy parent.
Overall, Charlotte really enjoyed Airfest. She's a people watcher and loves to show off for those around her. She's standing now [video later] so she can get up and enjoy the crowd. Until, the F-16 started it's show. Understandably, Charlotte was hysterical. The aforementioned ear plugs I brought didn't fit. A gentleman behind me offered me a pair that were smaller on one end, but by this time, Charlotte was so upset, she was having none of me trying to put them in. A well meaning woman in front of me motioned that I should try giving her a pacifier...because apparently she thought I hadn't already tried that. Eventually, we ducked behind a larger plane...not that it helped, but getting up and moving made her feel better. "Luckily", the F16 had mechanical problems and had to end it's show early. Needless to say, we didn't stick around for the Blue Angels. I'm not sure who was more traumatized, Charlotte or me...but I know who the people around me felt more sorry for.
What did I learn from this experience? First, if you insist upon bringing your 5 month old to an air show, get her a pair of those ear muff type ear protectors. It may not make it less scary when the ground shakes, but at least she'll be better protected. Second. No matter how loud a jet may be, people can still hear a screaming child above it all.
All's well that ends well, I guess. A couple Sundays ago [4-22] I called my mom to ask her if she'd be interested in visiting...and baby sitting for Charlotte while we celebrated a friend's 30th B'day. Mom politely explained that she wasn't feeling well and blew me off. By that Tuesday [4-24], she had checked into the hospital with a bowel obstruction. Thursday they operated and she wasn't released until a week later [5-4]. My sister and I spent most of that first week in Waupaca with her and then returned late last week when she was released. Charlotte and Kaye also payed a visit along with my Nephew Mathew and his girlfriend [Kudos to them for driving Kaye and Charlotte over].
Mom is recovering nicely at home and will probably be out of work for at least the next 3 weeks. People keep asking what a bowel obstruction really is. I don't have an answer so I just keep telling them she swallowed a quarter.
I've learned that there are points in your life where people have a lot of advice. For us as a couple, it started with the purchase of our dog, Lucy. The wedding was another example, along with Kaye's pregnancy. So, of course, raising Charlotte is the latest. I wasn't prepared for the onslaught of "advice". I say "advice" because all too often, it's not really advice, it's people telling you how they do/did things and why everything else is wrong. In the end, if feels like people aren't allowing you to have your own experience. In other words, nothing you're experiencing is new or original. Typically, nothing is new or original...but it is to us.
Good or bad, I think Kaye and I went into this experience fairly well prepared, mentally. Most of this is fairly obvious...from the immediate love you feel for the child to the lifestyle changes [ala FAQ #4] to the complete exhaustion. To be honest, I fell in love with Charlotte the day Kaye and I decided we'd try to have children. I just hadn't met her yet. What I wasn't prepared for was the paralyzing fear that something could happen to her. It started the day we found out Kaye was pregnant. Both Kaye and I tried to be as careful as possible with her pregnancy, but I became almost superstitious, something I typically am not. Now, I find myself checking on her at night to make sure she's ok.
Saturday night, we picked up Charlotte from Kaye's parent's after being out to dinner with some friends. I was putting her down to change her [yes, me] and she went into what I can only describe as a "choking fit". She couldn't breath and was heaving as if she was vomiting. There was panic and crying...and Charlotte was pretty upset too. When Kaye got to the room, Charlotte was crying and still having some problems breathing. After crying for another 15 minutes, she finally settled down. I'd appreciate it if she didn't do that again and I'm guessing she feels the same way.
I returned to work today after spending 2 weeks at home with Charlotte. How does that make me feel? I believe the video below sums up my thoughts on how it feels [don't try this at home]:
It was nice to be able to spend that time with her. Other than dropping the television remote on her head once, I think she came out none the worse for wear. It only really grazed her, but I felt pretty bad. She's sleeping through the night now [knock on wood]. She's even managing to do it in her crib...as opposed to in her car seat, which was the case for the first couple months.
Kaye's last day at Associated Bank was yesterday. She'll be starting her new job at Marine Credit Union on Monday. We're still waiting on day care. In the mean time, our friend Sandy has agreed to watch her.
FAQ #4: Boy, I'll bet your life has changed, hasn't it?
Well Duh!! However, not as much as people seem to think. Granted, she's been pretty low maintenance as far as babies go [knock on wood, again] and I know things will get more hectic as she becomes more mobile. We weren't exactly living the "rock and roll" life style before she was born. Now it's just about logistics and equipment. Any outing is planned around naps and feedings...and any trip, no matter how small, involves lengthy discussions and negotiations on what equipment will be transported and utilized. When I really think about it, we were already planning around my naps and feedings, so that's nothing new. So, in the end, it's really only about the equipment.
Charlotte was baptized this weekend at the church Kaye and I will be joining in the next couple weeks.. No screaming. No fussing. Just pretty much sat there and took the whole thing in. After she's baptized, the minister walks her down down the aisle and introduces her to the congregation. At the end of the service, she takes the baby out with her and greets everyone as they leave church. As you can see from the video, I'm confused...as usual.
Kaye's brother Mark, my sister Chris, and brother-in-law Dale, were her sponsors. Grandma Michael was also here for the weekend. Kaye's family and my family all got together for brunch after the service on Sunday. All in all, good weekend. Charlotte was exhausted on Sunday. She slept from about 4:00 PM on Sunday until 6:30 AM Monday morning [except for a few feedings and a burst of energy for about an hour Sunday before bed]. Check out the pics from this weekend below.
La Crosse police found about 55,000 rounds of ammunition, weapons, explosives and drugs inside the South Side house of a man arrested Friday night on felony weapon charges...Read more
Sorry it's been a while since the last posting. Not a lot is happening. Charlotte's growing. She's starting to smile more-which makes dad a puddle of mush. There are things that I've discovered I enjoy that I didn't see coming. Obviously the smiling part is pretty cool. Parents talk a lot about how they like watching their kids sleep. However, watching her wake up from a nap is one of the coolest parts of my day. The stretching, the faces, the noises are hilarious.
We're paying a little visit to Grandma Michael this weekend. It's Charlotte's first overnight trip. Should be interesting. A good 2 1/2 hour nap in the car en route to Waupaca should completely mess up what little sleep schedule she has. There's also a plan to go to Green Bay so Kaye can visit some friends and to spend time with Auntie Chris and Uncle Dale at the Boat Show. If the trip to Waupaca doesn't mess things up completely, the trip to Green Bay should push Charlotte right into an all night, no sleep, spiral.
In the next couple weeks I'll try to get more pics up. Until then, take my word for it. She's the cutest baby ever.
Here's an interesting story that I recently had the pleasure of being a part of. Lori was one of the first 
matches I made with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Dealing with local media is always a crap shoot from the accuracy standpoint. In this case, however, he did a fairly good job getting the story right [with a few exceptions].
WEST SALEM, Wis. — “Someday, I can live a normal life.” A life with parents who love me. A life far away from the one I’m “stuck in.”Read more here...
That’s what Lori Groth, sophomore at West Salem High School, remembers thinking as a young girl.
But even she admits to some amazement at how far she has come toward that dream. She has found a stable, loving home after being adopted by Kelly and Todd Groth of West Salem.
Within her adopted home, she has flourished. She’s earning nearly perfect grades and is making college plans.
Groth credits Sara Lassig, who for three years served as her “Big Sister” through Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Coulee Region, with being there for her during her “tumultuous” childhood and providing her the momentum to chase her dreams.
Posts
