Still here...just plugging away. The weeks keep flying by and then I realize that it's been a while since I've last made a post. I just don't have as much time at work or at home as I used to have.
We found out that you actually had to pay for the full-day kindergarten program...meaning Julia will now be going half days next fall. Who pays for kindergarten (if you're not using it as child care)? Last week Stacey and I attended an orientation at the school for new kindergarten parents. There were a ton of other parents there too. They reviewed a typical schedule, the dos and donts of being a parent, and fielded several questions. They also reviewed what Julia should know before coming to school in the fall as well as a calendar of things to do during every day of the summer if we need ideas. I think Julia already knows most of the necessary things that she needs to know. The harder part for her is going to be adjusting to a new environment and a new teacher. She'll also be in a class of about 25 students - double what she has in her class right now. Hopefully things will go well and her shyness will be become less and less of a factor as she grows up.
Soccer is going well for Julia. She seems to really love it, however, she is behind the other girls. Since she's playing in an age group a year older, some of the other girls have 30 or more games under their belt then she does. It's not too noticeable, but since the team she's on now will go to the larger field next season, Julia will drop back to her appropriate age group next fall. We only did this so I could be there with her and introduce her to the game. The jury is still out whether or not this will be a long-term thing for her. At the end of the day she is having fun, which is really all that matters.
Jonathan is also making good progress eating and gaining weight. We're getting closer and closer to the time when he'll eat all by himself. It's just a matter of time. Right now we've substituted coconut milk for some of the formula he's been on. It's much cheaper and it allows us to back off the volume and the oil. We hope that it will cause him to eat more. As it stands right now he's eating about 10 - 15% of his daily calories. Over time we'll gradually increase this percentage.
Right now I'm pretty busy at work. We're getting close to finishing the big project of the year for our team - the annual board-approved budget. As I mentioned above, I don't have much time for things other then work at work right now.
In unrelated news, I turn 35 years old in ten short days. Some days I feel 55, but I still think I'm somewhere in my late 20s...
16 April 2013
07 April 2013
Week In Pictures
Easter 2013, The Craftwood Inn, and a lazy Sunday
On Tuesday Stacey sent me a text message that she had won a coupon for $50 off two entrees at The Craftwood Inn. We weren't planning on going out that night, but thanks to my parents, we were able to spend some time together where we had been married nine years prior. It was a fun outing. I ordered the Rocky Mountain elk dish and Stacey chowed on a nice steak. I can't even remember the last time we ate steak - it was a treat in many ways.
On Tuesday Stacey sent me a text message that she had won a coupon for $50 off two entrees at The Craftwood Inn. We weren't planning on going out that night, but thanks to my parents, we were able to spend some time together where we had been married nine years prior. It was a fun outing. I ordered the Rocky Mountain elk dish and Stacey chowed on a nice steak. I can't even remember the last time we ate steak - it was a treat in many ways.
30 March 2013
First Soccer Game
Julia had her first ever soccer game this morning. She did great for her first time considering she's only been to two practices before this (soccer buddies doesn't count because she was too shy). The age difference didn't seem to matter at all.
You could tell she was learning what to do on the fly, but had no problem jumping right in. She ran hard, got right back up after getting knocked down, and even connected well on a shot that went just wide of the post.
She's very glad that I'm there helping out, but genuinely seems to like playing regardless of my presence. She keeps asking when the next practice and games are. Tomorrow I'll post video highlights of her debut.
You could tell she was learning what to do on the fly, but had no problem jumping right in. She ran hard, got right back up after getting knocked down, and even connected well on a shot that went just wide of the post.
She's very glad that I'm there helping out, but genuinely seems to like playing regardless of my presence. She keeps asking when the next practice and games are. Tomorrow I'll post video highlights of her debut.
29 March 2013
Jiminy Julia Cricket
Julia is sugar and spice and everything nice. She responds to raised eyes, but with her brother, we practically have to poke his eyes. It's becoming more apparent the older she gets that she might be one of those people who won't ever be able to tell a lie.
A few days ago after showering, Stacey noticed that things were a little too quiet and went searching for the kids. At first Julia wouldn't answer, but Stacey eventually found her in the bathroom with the lights off. When Julia came out she had a really guilty look on her face and was holding something behind her back. Stacey asked what was wrong. With her hands still behind her back she said that she didn't want to tell. Stacey said that it's OK for her to tell her, she wouldn't get mad. At that point Julia broke down into tears, and while sobbing, pulled a half-eaten bag of Scooby Snacks from behind her back. She had sneaked downstairs and gotten into the pantry of goodies. Choking back the tears she said she didn't want to say anything because she didn't want Stacey to be mad at her. She cried for a while until Stacey talked her through it and gave her a few hugs...
A few days later the kids were playing together in Julia's room. At one point Jonathan started to cry and came downstairs. Something had happened. Most likely he was trying to get something of hers and she didn't want him to have it. I went upstairs and asked Julia what had happened. She started to cry and asked through the tears if she was going to get into trouble. I told her no, and that I wanted her to tell me what this situation was all about. She wouldn't. I asked if she had hit Jonathan. No. Then I asked if she had pushed Jonathan. The flood gates opened and the wailing began...
It's funny how in both of these situations simply getting her to confess (or just guessing what she did) is punishment enough.
A few days ago after showering, Stacey noticed that things were a little too quiet and went searching for the kids. At first Julia wouldn't answer, but Stacey eventually found her in the bathroom with the lights off. When Julia came out she had a really guilty look on her face and was holding something behind her back. Stacey asked what was wrong. With her hands still behind her back she said that she didn't want to tell. Stacey said that it's OK for her to tell her, she wouldn't get mad. At that point Julia broke down into tears, and while sobbing, pulled a half-eaten bag of Scooby Snacks from behind her back. She had sneaked downstairs and gotten into the pantry of goodies. Choking back the tears she said she didn't want to say anything because she didn't want Stacey to be mad at her. She cried for a while until Stacey talked her through it and gave her a few hugs...
A few days later the kids were playing together in Julia's room. At one point Jonathan started to cry and came downstairs. Something had happened. Most likely he was trying to get something of hers and she didn't want him to have it. I went upstairs and asked Julia what had happened. She started to cry and asked through the tears if she was going to get into trouble. I told her no, and that I wanted her to tell me what this situation was all about. She wouldn't. I asked if she had hit Jonathan. No. Then I asked if she had pushed Jonathan. The flood gates opened and the wailing began...
It's funny how in both of these situations simply getting her to confess (or just guessing what she did) is punishment enough.
23 March 2013
22 March 2013
USA 1 - 0 Costa Rica
The forecast said rain turning into snow, but I never thought we would witness something like this. The World Cup Qualifier between the United States and Costa Rica might not count if the visitors have their protest upheld, but that doesn't mean it will be forgotten.
I worked pretty hard to get tickets to this match. It had been five years since a World Cup Qualifier had been played in Colorado, and I had never seen the United States play in person. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to get a group together and head to Denver.
The kids had a slumber party at Grandpa and Grandma's house, so we were able to leave around 4:30. We stopped for dinner and made it there comfortably. The weather was cold and there were a few flurries, but nothing to be worried about. The groundskeepers were able to keep with the snow.
The weather was poor, but not bad through the first half. Tottenham Hotspur's Clint Dempsey was fortunate to have a deflected ball land directly in his path for a tap in goal. Halftime came and so did the snow. The flakes started falling big and fast. Around the 55th minute the referee considered abandoning the game. While he talked to both teams and coaches with the ball in his hands, the crowd chanted "let them play!".
The game went on and the snow kept coming. Towards the end of the game you couldn't tell where the ball was on the pitch. Guys with shovels were running on to the playing area and shoveling the lines while the game was going on. You can see them in one of my pictures. At one point they delayed a goal kick for a few seconds until they could get off the field.
I don't know what the official rules are, but the players weren't in danger and the ball seemed to roll pretty well. Only towards the very end of the game did the ball really start to slow down because of it. I think because the game was so far along it was able to finish. At the end the snow was getting a little too deep, but it made for some entertaining falls, tackles, and saves.
I'll try to find some better pictures to show what the playing conditions were really like. This was a much needed win for us considering we lost our first match in Honduras. Speaking of Honduras, they played Mexico to a draw in 103 degree heat.
I worked pretty hard to get tickets to this match. It had been five years since a World Cup Qualifier had been played in Colorado, and I had never seen the United States play in person. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to get a group together and head to Denver.
The kids had a slumber party at Grandpa and Grandma's house, so we were able to leave around 4:30. We stopped for dinner and made it there comfortably. The weather was cold and there were a few flurries, but nothing to be worried about. The groundskeepers were able to keep with the snow.
The weather was poor, but not bad through the first half. Tottenham Hotspur's Clint Dempsey was fortunate to have a deflected ball land directly in his path for a tap in goal. Halftime came and so did the snow. The flakes started falling big and fast. Around the 55th minute the referee considered abandoning the game. While he talked to both teams and coaches with the ball in his hands, the crowd chanted "let them play!".
The game went on and the snow kept coming. Towards the end of the game you couldn't tell where the ball was on the pitch. Guys with shovels were running on to the playing area and shoveling the lines while the game was going on. You can see them in one of my pictures. At one point they delayed a goal kick for a few seconds until they could get off the field.
I don't know what the official rules are, but the players weren't in danger and the ball seemed to roll pretty well. Only towards the very end of the game did the ball really start to slow down because of it. I think because the game was so far along it was able to finish. At the end the snow was getting a little too deep, but it made for some entertaining falls, tackles, and saves.
I'll try to find some better pictures to show what the playing conditions were really like. This was a much needed win for us considering we lost our first match in Honduras. Speaking of Honduras, they played Mexico to a draw in 103 degree heat.
14 March 2013
Julia's Big Day
Today was a big day for Julia...OK, and for us too.
This morning we received confirmation that she had been accepted into our school of choice, Chinook Trail Elementary. We think she will do really well at this school. The teachers, environment, other kids, and testing scores all seem to be pretty good. We have to decide by Monday if we want her in full day or half day kindergarten. On one hand full day might be great activity and stimulation for her. On the other hand it might be too much to jump from three half days a week to all day five days a week. Either way she'll be in a good school.
In the evening was her first soccer practice. We've signed her up for Pride Soccer Club. She did pretty well for her first time, even though she was a little shy. Having me there really helped calm her fears. She said she had fun and was interested to know when the next practice was and when her first game was. Apparently she didn't get to play "real soccer", just games and drills. Her favorite game was sharks and minnows but didn't like being a shark because they can be mean. I had to explain to her that taking a ball from someone else was OK when playing soccer, not being mean. I'm sure that this won't be the last time that I'll have to explain that to her.
This morning we received confirmation that she had been accepted into our school of choice, Chinook Trail Elementary. We think she will do really well at this school. The teachers, environment, other kids, and testing scores all seem to be pretty good. We have to decide by Monday if we want her in full day or half day kindergarten. On one hand full day might be great activity and stimulation for her. On the other hand it might be too much to jump from three half days a week to all day five days a week. Either way she'll be in a good school.
In the evening was her first soccer practice. We've signed her up for Pride Soccer Club. She did pretty well for her first time, even though she was a little shy. Having me there really helped calm her fears. She said she had fun and was interested to know when the next practice was and when her first game was. Apparently she didn't get to play "real soccer", just games and drills. Her favorite game was sharks and minnows but didn't like being a shark because they can be mean. I had to explain to her that taking a ball from someone else was OK when playing soccer, not being mean. I'm sure that this won't be the last time that I'll have to explain that to her.
10 March 2013
Life In Pictures
Although the days and weeks are dragging on and flying by at the same time, and the cold weather has prevented us from doing much, here are there we are reminded in pictures how we've still done some pretty neat things.
For a few days Jonathan swapped out his Spider Man mask for his Cars baseball cap, proving that you can mix and match television characters and still look cute. We spent an hour or so filling up the slinky with various toys from the toy bin. I had to hold up the slinky high enough so that things would fit, but not too high else things would slip through the cracks.
Julia has always enjoyed coloring and drawing. I came home one day from work and she had made this house out of foam. It was our house, of course. I think the reason why I liked it so much is because of how she depicted kitty. In terms of stick figure animals, this is about as close as you can get.
At the end of this week we found out that soccer practice starts on Thursday. So, we needed to take her to the store to buy some gear and clothes. It was snowy and cold and I was a little tired, but it was so much fun doing this for the first time with Julia. She was so excited about her new cleats that she hasn't really taken them off except to sleep. She even wore them and her shin guards over to the grandparent's to show them off. She also has been sleeping with her new ball. We passed the ball back and forth for an hour or two this weekend because she wanted to, not me. This time she genuinely seems excited about playing and that I am going to be there every practice as an assistant coach. I think she'll do great as long as she's not too shy. She has great coordination and focus if she likes something. I just hope she has fun.
This weekend Stacey also spent some time just with Julia. The two of them hit up a free event in town where kids could make fun shapes and animals with food. Julia made a spider with olives, bread, a pepperoni slice, and carrots shoots for legs. It was a fun activity. There happened to be a camera man from the newspaper at the event and, not surprisingly, Julia caught his trained eye. He asked Stacey if he could take Julia's picture while she played. After taking many pictures he took her name and made sure it was spelled correctly. Stacey was pretty sure she was going to be in the paper on Sunday.
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that this weekend we witnessed the first steps of Julia's path to stardom. Whether it be as an artist, soccer player, or celebrity, you saw it here first.
For a few days Jonathan swapped out his Spider Man mask for his Cars baseball cap, proving that you can mix and match television characters and still look cute. We spent an hour or so filling up the slinky with various toys from the toy bin. I had to hold up the slinky high enough so that things would fit, but not too high else things would slip through the cracks.
Julia has always enjoyed coloring and drawing. I came home one day from work and she had made this house out of foam. It was our house, of course. I think the reason why I liked it so much is because of how she depicted kitty. In terms of stick figure animals, this is about as close as you can get.
At the end of this week we found out that soccer practice starts on Thursday. So, we needed to take her to the store to buy some gear and clothes. It was snowy and cold and I was a little tired, but it was so much fun doing this for the first time with Julia. She was so excited about her new cleats that she hasn't really taken them off except to sleep. She even wore them and her shin guards over to the grandparent's to show them off. She also has been sleeping with her new ball. We passed the ball back and forth for an hour or two this weekend because she wanted to, not me. This time she genuinely seems excited about playing and that I am going to be there every practice as an assistant coach. I think she'll do great as long as she's not too shy. She has great coordination and focus if she likes something. I just hope she has fun.
This weekend Stacey also spent some time just with Julia. The two of them hit up a free event in town where kids could make fun shapes and animals with food. Julia made a spider with olives, bread, a pepperoni slice, and carrots shoots for legs. It was a fun activity. There happened to be a camera man from the newspaper at the event and, not surprisingly, Julia caught his trained eye. He asked Stacey if he could take Julia's picture while she played. After taking many pictures he took her name and made sure it was spelled correctly. Stacey was pretty sure she was going to be in the paper on Sunday.
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that this weekend we witnessed the first steps of Julia's path to stardom. Whether it be as an artist, soccer player, or celebrity, you saw it here first.
07 March 2013
Zags #1
For the first time ever the Zags are the top ranked team in college basketball!
I've watched the Zags regularly for over ten years now, and early on you could tell this team was different. They had some big wins early in the year, have really only been beat on the court once all season, and have been blowing teams from the West Coast Conference out of the water on a regular basis. It's not that they've won a lot of games, although the Zags have already passed their record for wins in a season, but it's how they've won their games. It's been fun to watch them progress.
No matter what happens they've already made history. However, to make it a truly memorable season the Zags will have to perform in the tournament too. If the Zags can win their two conference tournament games this weekend, they'll probably be given a number one seed. Although the Zags have made it to the Elite 8 before, they did it as a Cinderella team. This season will probably be as easy of a road to the Elite 8 as they've ever had.
With success comes pressure, but this Zags team should have enough to make a run deep into this tournament. My personal opinion, looking at the projected bracket with the Zags as a number one seed, is that they should make the Elite 8. A loss in the Sweet 16 would be a slight disappointment and a trip to the Final Four not surprising but definitely not expected either. Assuming the top seeds advance, the Zags would face teams like Robert Morris (64), then San Diego State (32), then Ohio State (16), then Michigan (8). A lot depends on who they end up facing in the Sweet 16, because there are some four and five seeds (instead of Ohio State) that are barely or not even in the Top 25.
So, all that to say I think they could make it very far but I personally won't judge the success of this season by how far they get without taking in consideration who they play. That's what makes the tournament so exciting...almost any team on any given day can win. The best team doesn't always win. It should be exciting and nerve racking at the same time.
I've watched the Zags regularly for over ten years now, and early on you could tell this team was different. They had some big wins early in the year, have really only been beat on the court once all season, and have been blowing teams from the West Coast Conference out of the water on a regular basis. It's not that they've won a lot of games, although the Zags have already passed their record for wins in a season, but it's how they've won their games. It's been fun to watch them progress.
No matter what happens they've already made history. However, to make it a truly memorable season the Zags will have to perform in the tournament too. If the Zags can win their two conference tournament games this weekend, they'll probably be given a number one seed. Although the Zags have made it to the Elite 8 before, they did it as a Cinderella team. This season will probably be as easy of a road to the Elite 8 as they've ever had.
With success comes pressure, but this Zags team should have enough to make a run deep into this tournament. My personal opinion, looking at the projected bracket with the Zags as a number one seed, is that they should make the Elite 8. A loss in the Sweet 16 would be a slight disappointment and a trip to the Final Four not surprising but definitely not expected either. Assuming the top seeds advance, the Zags would face teams like Robert Morris (64), then San Diego State (32), then Ohio State (16), then Michigan (8). A lot depends on who they end up facing in the Sweet 16, because there are some four and five seeds (instead of Ohio State) that are barely or not even in the Top 25.
So, all that to say I think they could make it very far but I personally won't judge the success of this season by how far they get without taking in consideration who they play. That's what makes the tournament so exciting...almost any team on any given day can win. The best team doesn't always win. It should be exciting and nerve racking at the same time.
01 March 2013
Jonathan Update
About two weeks ago we decided that it was time to begin the transition from tube feedings to solid food with Jonathan. His interest in food and overall maturity had improved, so we gave it a shot.
Stacey took him in for a weight check. Unfortunately, he hadn't gained any weight since October. In fact, he had actually lost an ounce or two over the past four months. Head circumference grows first, then height, and lastly, weight. This concerned us a little bit. He's been doing really well but this brought up more suspicions that there is something else going on that we just don't know about.
In hopes that solid food would help, we pressed on with the plan. We cut his feedings during the day in half but kept his night feeding. The medical staff wanted us to get at least 1,000 calories in him a day. Cutting back his feedings a little bit is better then stopping cold turkey because it doesn't put his body into starvation mode. He did really well. He ate more then usual. With the help of certain junk foods in the afternoon we averaged 1,000 calories or more a day. When we took him in the following week, he had maintained his weight. Things were looked promising.
The day we took him in for a weight check a week after we started he got the flu. He couldn't keep water or food down, so over the course of this past week we paid two visits to the pediatrician just to make sure he was OK. Stacey had to deal with the vomit and not being able to put him down at all, to the point where she couldn't even shower. He's since gotten over his sickness except for the massive diaper explosions, so hopefully he'll recover soon.
Unfortunately this derailed our first attempt to get him off of the pump. Also, because of his size, by the end of the week you could see his ribs and spine. The poor little guy just doesn't have any reserves, so when he gets sick, he gets hit hard. The pediatrician even asked Stacey if we had covered all of the basis with the GI doctor, just because it seems like something is still going on. We don't really have any other options other then to repeat mal-absorption tests or what not. The only other avenue we haven't really explored is with an Endocrinologist. Perhaps there is something in his field or something genetic going on.
Our hope is that on the genetic side he just has small people genes and that once he starts eating real food he'll be his normal, small self.
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