The "Blog Topics" memo on our fridge reads "Visit to Animal Kingdom." In my current cooperative mood, I will address this topic though expect little compensation.
I believe I blogged about NL's first 'obligatory' Disney experience several weeks ago. That was in the kingdom of Magic; last weekend's was, as I already gave away, in the kingdom of Animals. It may be a stretch to assign such a lofty nickname to Central Florida (with no slight intended for our handsome manatees, brown pelicans, blue herons, common yard lizards, and the palmetto bugs (roaches, really) equal in size to your big toe). Still, the folks at WDW earned their pay by sequestering dozens upon dozens of beasts from lands hither and yonder and orchestrated them into as authentic a milieu as 70 bucks can buy. (Go for the annual pass).
We began the adventure with a power walk to the Africa section for admission onto the safari. (As NL can't yet strap themselves into the seats of white-knuckle roller coasters since they neither meet the height minimum nor possess the capacity to hold their own vomit bags, we had to patronize the gentler excitements at AK.) The safari ride requires one to slide to the end of the next open row of a fat-wheeled, open-sided truck that then proceeds at a maximum clip of 15 mph over roughly patched asphalt penetrating the 'jungle' deep. A variety of wildlife was on display, as were termite mounds, baobab trees (not indigenous), and overexcited passengers disregarding all cautions to remain seated.
As feeding time was approaching (NL's and the gazelles') we made a hasty retreat. Still, I was afforded the pleasure of two FastPass rides on Expedition Everest, while Kel and kids remained on firm ground. The ride was suitably harrowing. I now owe Kel a ride on EPCOT's 'Soarin', due to be transacted tomorrow.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Tiny Baby Special Falls Ill
Noelle yesterday was diagnosed with a baby-sized case of roseola. She produced a network of small red splotches from crotch to neck and back to crotch. Following this lunchtime discovery, she was hustled to the pediatrician at 3:20PM. Baby doc felt at ease and recommended nothing but patience and routine diaper changes (he did not, but isn't it a good practice anyway?). Doubtless he's seen skin splotches every Wednesday since med school and saw no need to worry.
A day on Noelle's spots are fading along with our concerns. She acts and eats as normal, determined to maintain her steady diet of mashed sweet potatoes, bananas, avocados, apples, and whatever else falls into the food processor. (Can't someone think of a less austere name for this common appliance?) Surprisingly, though, I'm told she and Lucas both measure approximately 17 pounds. If I were to check the blog entry following their last formal pediatrician visit, I'd find that neither child, ballooning in size though they appear, has gained much weight since early January. Perhaps their bodies are focusing on vertical development over sheer mass.
Suffice it to say that Noelle is well on track to fully emerge from her malaise. We've already been through a bout of the sniffles though surely some tougher tests await. I can now picture Lucas falling off a low-hanging tree limb, scraping this and bruising that, or Noelle pinching a finger in the hinge of a cut-rate Canadian toy or dropping a clarinet on her toe in junior high. Who hasn't dropped a clarinet on their toe? We've got to accept these calamities in stride, and in the end remember that nine toes are better than eight.
A day on Noelle's spots are fading along with our concerns. She acts and eats as normal, determined to maintain her steady diet of mashed sweet potatoes, bananas, avocados, apples, and whatever else falls into the food processor. (Can't someone think of a less austere name for this common appliance?) Surprisingly, though, I'm told she and Lucas both measure approximately 17 pounds. If I were to check the blog entry following their last formal pediatrician visit, I'd find that neither child, ballooning in size though they appear, has gained much weight since early January. Perhaps their bodies are focusing on vertical development over sheer mass.
Suffice it to say that Noelle is well on track to fully emerge from her malaise. We've already been through a bout of the sniffles though surely some tougher tests await. I can now picture Lucas falling off a low-hanging tree limb, scraping this and bruising that, or Noelle pinching a finger in the hinge of a cut-rate Canadian toy or dropping a clarinet on her toe in junior high. Who hasn't dropped a clarinet on their toe? We've got to accept these calamities in stride, and in the end remember that nine toes are better than eight.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Welcome little Rohit!
On Wednesday at 8:11 am, our good friends Denise & Shyam P welcomed their precious son Rohit into the world. That night, Noelle & Lucas made a return visit to the 6th floor at the hospital where they were born to meet their new friend. Of course, they look giant compared to the little guy, and I find it remarkable that we cannot really even remember them being that tiny. And they weighed about a pound less at birth! We have many pictures..but how interesting that the actuality of it has already faded from memory.
Today, the P family will collect their puppy from a nearby doggie hotel, stop by our house for a few essential baby items, and bring their little bundle home for the first time. I feel the new parents will take their new parent role in stride. They are the type of easygoing, adaptable people who can easily settle down in a foreign counrty to live, join a group outing on a whim after a full day of activites, and get along well with most any type of people. Surely, they can swiftly adapt to 3 hours of sleep a night.
Interesting tidbit: Denise is my first 'long-time' friend who has had a baby. I have met many good friends throughout the infertility struggle, and more through my mom's meet-up groups, but we were brought together by our desire to have children.
We wish Rohit, Denise, and Shyam a lifetime of happiness and we are very excited for many upcoming play dates.
Today, the P family will collect their puppy from a nearby doggie hotel, stop by our house for a few essential baby items, and bring their little bundle home for the first time. I feel the new parents will take their new parent role in stride. They are the type of easygoing, adaptable people who can easily settle down in a foreign counrty to live, join a group outing on a whim after a full day of activites, and get along well with most any type of people. Surely, they can swiftly adapt to 3 hours of sleep a night.
Interesting tidbit: Denise is my first 'long-time' friend who has had a baby. I have met many good friends throughout the infertility struggle, and more through my mom's meet-up groups, but we were brought together by our desire to have children.
We wish Rohit, Denise, and Shyam a lifetime of happiness and we are very excited for many upcoming play dates.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Road Trip Redux
I rejoined the twins and Kel Monday night, following 2100 miles of cross-country touring in the low budget class of a Mazda3. As you may recall, I ventured north to deliver Kel's grandma to her frosty abode near Philadelphia. Hana came along for the ride; not out of choice or a lapse in judgment, but out of my desire and effortless urging for her to jump onto the back seat right before we left. No doubt Hana thought she was in for another dog park adventure. No doubt grandma thought we were going to the Sun Cruz casino.
All doubt was removed first for Hana, upon the merge onto I-4, and for grandma several exits later. Somehow we all managed to stay on each others' good sides for the next 20 hours. Grandma insisted on announcing each and every maximum speed sign, though failed me twice when I sincerely needed to know the speed limit. Her response: "I no see the sign." Yeah, so it may be my responsibility. Still, if I was caught speeding, she would've been appearing in South Carolina's Orangeburg County Courthouse while Hana relieved herself on the front lawn.
On the way home man and dog toured Richmond on a miserable 33F afternoon with alternating drizzle and gust. The next four hours was spent driving through absolutely brutal sloppy rain to Fayetteville. Monday we took advantage of the first sighting of sun in two days by darting around the beach of Jekyll Island, Georgia. The last leg to Orlando was as boring as you would imagine.
The photos this week will not astound and amaze, but will at least provide graphic relief before you move on to the next website:
http://picasaweb.google.com/gros.islet/Mar091#
All doubt was removed first for Hana, upon the merge onto I-4, and for grandma several exits later. Somehow we all managed to stay on each others' good sides for the next 20 hours. Grandma insisted on announcing each and every maximum speed sign, though failed me twice when I sincerely needed to know the speed limit. Her response: "I no see the sign." Yeah, so it may be my responsibility. Still, if I was caught speeding, she would've been appearing in South Carolina's Orangeburg County Courthouse while Hana relieved herself on the front lawn.
On the way home man and dog toured Richmond on a miserable 33F afternoon with alternating drizzle and gust. The next four hours was spent driving through absolutely brutal sloppy rain to Fayetteville. Monday we took advantage of the first sighting of sun in two days by darting around the beach of Jekyll Island, Georgia. The last leg to Orlando was as boring as you would imagine.
The photos this week will not astound and amaze, but will at least provide graphic relief before you move on to the next website:
http://picasaweb.google.com/gros.islet/Mar091#
Monday, March 2, 2009
Twin Invasion!
On Saturday, the twins and I hosted our first play date. I thought it'd be nice to have some company while Karl is away, plus it's always fun to get the babies together. One thing that didn't occur to me until after I extended the invitations- there'd just be me to clean before and after. And how did I expect to do that? Well I did my best, mopping the floor while talking and singing to my babies, holding Lucas in one arm and scrubbing the toilet with the other (yes, I scrubbed both of us as well after that).
We spent the majority of the time outside in the backyard; I spread out a few blankets and added toys, books, and games. Shelley and Missy came with their babies which equals 3 sets of twins, aged 8 months, 10 months, and 14 months. Expectant moms Bradi and Lynn came too and I am hoping the scene did not terrify them too much.
Noelle and Jessa pulled themselves up on the coffee table at one point, smiling, laughing, and 'talking' the afternoon away. Chase and David ran around examining everything they could find and communicating with their mom through sign language. Davis, an easygoing lad of 10 months, was hanging out, smiling and playing. Lucas played at first, then resorted to crying every time I tried to put him down.
It was chaotic but fun with 4 boys and 2 girls running and crawling all over the place. Babies were changed, nursed, dressed, fed, held, and read to. At this age, though, they spend very little time actually playing together. I noticed that the most interaction they have is taking toys from one another (with the toy-less party protesting). My friends and I talked, laughed, and had lunch. I think I need to be around people with twins more often- they just 'get' it like no one else does. It does not hurt that this group of friends happens to have a great rapport.
Due to the fact that they did not take their much needed morning nap, my little host and hostess were the crankiest of the bunch. Thus, they waved bye-bye (ok, I waved for them) and were deposited in their cribs for an overdue nap.
We spent the majority of the time outside in the backyard; I spread out a few blankets and added toys, books, and games. Shelley and Missy came with their babies which equals 3 sets of twins, aged 8 months, 10 months, and 14 months. Expectant moms Bradi and Lynn came too and I am hoping the scene did not terrify them too much.
Noelle and Jessa pulled themselves up on the coffee table at one point, smiling, laughing, and 'talking' the afternoon away. Chase and David ran around examining everything they could find and communicating with their mom through sign language. Davis, an easygoing lad of 10 months, was hanging out, smiling and playing. Lucas played at first, then resorted to crying every time I tried to put him down.
It was chaotic but fun with 4 boys and 2 girls running and crawling all over the place. Babies were changed, nursed, dressed, fed, held, and read to. At this age, though, they spend very little time actually playing together. I noticed that the most interaction they have is taking toys from one another (with the toy-less party protesting). My friends and I talked, laughed, and had lunch. I think I need to be around people with twins more often- they just 'get' it like no one else does. It does not hurt that this group of friends happens to have a great rapport.
Due to the fact that they did not take their much needed morning nap, my little host and hostess were the crankiest of the bunch. Thus, they waved bye-bye (ok, I waved for them) and were deposited in their cribs for an overdue nap.
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