Our sweet little Coby

Have you heard enough about my new job and the kids yet? Well here's our other little family member, Coby. Does she look vicious to you? She's a Rat terrier and yes, she's yappy. She barks a lot, pretty much at anyone who walks past. But isn't that what dogs do- they bark? Well, yesterday some man came to our door, with a baseball bat, and in front of my children, told my mother-in-law who was babysitting, that the next time our dog barks or chases after him, he's going to kill her. Isn't that lovely? Coby weighs maybe 10 pounds- and she's got this little "yap"- how threatening can she be? Makes me want to go out and get a Rot Weiller and let him out in the front yard to bark at this guy! So as I'm at work, doing the best I can to take the best care of my patients, some crazy guy is here threatening to kill my dog! I've just had a lovely week- (see the woe-is-me-blog ) At least it's going to end on a good note! We're busy planning a big party on Sunday to honor my parents. You can bet you're going to hear all about it! :0)

A view from my room

This is the view from my bedroom doorway. . . Look closer. . . this is the window on the second level of our two story foyer, above the front door.
Look closer. . . these are the 3 swans that reside in the lake.
It is so pretty in the morning to wake up, walk out of my room and see the sun's reflection on the pond, some trees blowing gently and then all the wildlife that enjoy that pond. All the mommy ducks with their babies trailing behind, the swans, the heron, the cranes. Even in the fall when the Canadian geese stop for a drink on their way south. It is so loud with all their quacking! But they're so cute. It's like I wake up and the day is smiling back at me saying "go out and seize this day", and that's exactly what I try to do :0)

Summer lovin'

On Sunday our family went out to "Hall Quarry Beach" in Batavia. Needless to say it was an old quarry turned into a little family pool. It's really pretty because it's nestled between limestone walls and there are alot of full grown trees. We packed a little picnic and the kids went swimming. There are drop slides and diving boards for the big kids and a zero-depth beach area that Gavin toddled around in. After a day of swimming we were hun-gry so we went out to Red Robin for burgers. It was a nice day together.

I'm not sure why Lauren's pointing at her foot- she's trying to show you somethin'!

The water was soooooo cold!!!
Lauren also enjoyed sculpting the sand and making a moat that Gav's little toy boats sailed around in.

The "woe-is-me" blog

Remember that old commercial "Calgon take me away"?

Admit it, I think everyone at some point uses their blog as an "outlet" right? Well here's my turn. . . I just worked 27 hours in the last 2 days! I am so pooped! (this is where everyone goes "awhhhhhh" ) I wondered if it was my "initiation" into Labor and Delivery but from what I saw, we were all running around- not just the new girl! Monday I got to work at 7am and ran until 7pm- and I mean that literally (you can "awhhh" again here :0) We had a baby boom on Monday and the pregnant ladies were coming in droves! There were babies everywhere. Then knowing we had 6 scheduled c-sections and 5 inductions (where they come in scheduled to have their baby), we knew Tuesday would be just as bad- and it was. On Tuesday I finally took my lunch at 3:30 when "normal" people who work 8 hour days go home! (I didn't even get to lunch Monday- awhhh again here) And do you know what I learned? That when it's that busy- you're better to just keep going! I couldn't get back up after I sat down (insert another "awhhh" here :0) then when I did, I couldn't get back into it. That quickly changed when I learned they were throwing me in with the triplets delivery!! First one baby- then another-then another. That OR got awfully loud awfully quick. Mom, Dad and their 3 new daughters are doing well. You know what else I learned? That it really was no different than any other cesarean section except that there were 2 more babies- and it gets really crowded back in that OR! (each baby needs a neonatologist, a NICU nurse and a respiratory therapist-plus the anesthesiologist, the MD and his assist, usually another MD, the circulating nurse-which was me w/ my preceptor, and a baby nurse) The circulating nurse is the one running the OR and doing the documentation. If a case goes to court, you have to be able to account for every minute- including what times everyone enters the room, what time the incision is made, what time the water membranes rupture, what time the baby is born, what time the placenta came out, what time you closed the incision, and in between you have to count all the intruments, lap sponges, needles, etc. at 3 seperate intervals. It's a very busy place to be. I've also learned that it doesn't pay to get all ready in the morning because your hair ends up in a hair net all day anyway. So please excuse your labor nurse if you have your baby at 5pm. There may be a very good reason she looks like crap :0) Then after my second 12 hour day, I went to a mandatory meeting that was 2 hours long! I couldn't even focus on what they were talking about- I couldn't tell you what the meeting was about. I hope it wasn't important! But do go check out www.edward.org and look around under "healthy living " and "health library". Edward offers all sorts of information on how to be healthy, get healthy and stay healthy. Take some time to check it out- there really is some valuable information there!

50 Golden Years!

"On this day, I thee wed. . . "

July 5, 1958

On this day July 5, 2008, our families celebrated 50 years of life, love and happiness by taking a luncheon cruise on Lake Geneva in honor of my parent's 50th wedding anniversary.
The day was made for them.
We were all together. The sun was at it's brightest. The temperature was perfect. We were together with our families. It's a day I'll remember and cherish forever!!
Happy Golden Anniversary mom and dad! You are the BEST parents in the world and I will always remember this day! God couldn't have blessed me with a better set of parents or a more wonderful example of marriage. Thank you!!

I love you!!

Save for a rainy day. . .

Todd and Lauren went to a movie Sunday night. They went to see Wall-E. Lauren says that we "absolutely have to buy it the day it comes out". It is her "all time favorite movie-ever!" Todd had a great day with the kids Sunday. He spent the morning with Gavin fishing at the lake. He and Hunter went on a 10 mile bike ride Sunday afternoon (they're building Hunter's stamina for football), and then Todd went to the movie with Lauren Sunday night. It gave him some one on one with everyone and I got some quality time with each of them too. You miss that "one on one" time with the kids the more you have!

Next time your looking for a rainy day activity get out to see Wall-E. You can never go wrong with Pixar!

An almost 2-decade old secret revealed-and you'll never guess what it is!!

Years ago when I was dating Kevin, as a teenager, we would spend weekends out at his parents lake house. His mom would often make the most delicious potatoes with onion, sometimes chopped peppers or spinach along with whatever the main course was. The memory of those potatoes is as clear as the lake house itself- they were sooooooo good! Now- 18 years later I finally learned what made those potatoes so yummy- LIPTON ONION SOUP MIX!! For dinner tonight I made ribs, broccoli cheese casserole, salad and you guessed it. . . potatoes with LIPTON ONION SOUP MIX! The recipe is on the back of the box. I highly recommend it!! Now, what's funny is that Kev and I are still friends- he & Todd get along great and would often have bloody Mary's together while Kevin's wife & I chatted alongside the kids. I could call "mom" and let her know I finally figured it out but some things are better left unsaid. Perhaps that's what she was thinking when she made the potatoes! :0)