the real william update

well, I guess I didn't really give the lowdown on what happened to William. For those of you who know William, you may know that when he turns sideways, you can't see him! He is tall and SKINNY. Last week, when he was playing flag football, it got a little physical and he tackled a soccer buddy. Unfortunately, the buddy's shoulder and William's spleen connected. William ended up in the ICU at the hospital in Monroe, GA. He was there for a couple of days, then was a patient of the regular floor. He was watched very carefully, with many blood draws, an IV, 3 CT scans and lots of vital signs! The best part for everyone was no surgery! While he was in the hospital and had to stay mostly in bed, we watched TV, read books, and played scrabble. William even won! He got to go home on Wednesday morning and I flew home on Thursday. Even though the hospital would not have been my choice for a vacation, it was nice spending time with William. Angela and Jeremy came and hung out with us. We even got some cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory, thanks to Matu and Poppy, Katie and Josh. And all the nurses and other staff at the hospital were great!

William was very proud of his legs while he was at the hospital. He had just created the checkerboard look because the soccer team was going to state. As you can guess, everyone noticed...

update on william

Well, it was nice of William to wait on me to be on my way to GA before he decided to be admitted to the hospital. Luckily, I was part way there and even though I had decided to come on home if I was unable to get a flight out of NY, I trudged on. I managed to be on 3 airplanes and 2 taxi cabs. Not my idea of a good time! Luckily, I had help. Thanks to some people I met along the way. Thanks, Suzanne, Timothy and Derrick for your help in getting me to GA. It was quite the adventure.

A tribute to Aunt Suzy and Aunt Fanny

For anyone who can walk all day in these kinds of shoes, a tribute is deserved. Many times, I saw Aunt Suzy and Aunt Fannie in these shoes doing things arounds the house, wearing dresses, just like all the ladies of that era did. After wearing these shoes, I was foot-sore and somewhat weary!! So hats off to you, Aunt Suzy and Aunt Fanny, and to the countless other women who spent many years in these types of shoes!!!

and the snow came back

Maybe it will be spring soon. At least the kids enjoyed the snow....

I worked the weekend and was privileged to assist with 2 great births! Sometimes, when things are so rough, it is hard to remember why I do what I do, or why I should continue on with school. Thanks to those families for letting me be a part of their experience! I learn something each time I am a part of someone's birth or new family time.

the final product, the cat hat

Here is Joseph and his cat hat with ears.

memories....

when my sister and I were little, my aunts used to let us fly like airplanes on their legs and feet, while they were laying on the floor of my grandparent's living room. We had so much fun. So, in case I forgot then, THANKS, Joi and Cindy for playing with us and having fun! Now, one may wonder why this memory comes to the blog....

I guess the tradition was passed on!!

I made it back to knit-at-night, at the lys, The Knitting Experience Cafe, on thursday. Kim went with me. It was good to be there. Chesley, you look GREAT and I'm glad things are going well. While I was there I got one of the ears for Joseph's famous cat hat done. Hopefully, the other will be soon to follow. Of course, with all the improvements in the weather, he won't need it this year. Luckily it is a little bit big on him!

These are without the cat ears, just in case you wondered.

Kim and I did our first breastfeeding class at work. Yeah! it is done. It seemed to go pretty well, no one fell asleep on us. The powerpoint slide show worked and the video played! Now we have 2 more to go.

I have finished my first 2 classes at school and have one more to finish. The next term starts April 9th and I have signed up for 2 more classes. Trying to keep up...

almost balmy here in maine

Not much to report on from the north, except the snow is starting to melt. John got out his Yamaha motorcycle and has been doing some riding back and forth to his jobs. A sure sign that spring is on the way...

My first term is almost over at Frontier. My fingers are tired of typing, so it is good that I will have a week off between terms. What will I do with myself??? Let's see there is sewing, knitting, cleaning (well, maybe not), starting to exercise, doing nothing, see, the list could be endless!!

Here are some new pics of the kids.

time flies

I can hardly believe that I have not posted in almost a month! But here is the reason...

I am studying up a storm. The time limits are way more intense than my previous distance learning and since I am somewhat of a procrastinator, well, I am sure you get the picture. All is well here, just a bit hectic. I am on my way to bed soon since I am working the weekend and must get up early-thirty. But I leave you with some knitting pictures that are fairly current. I do allow myself to knit during my favorite TIVO'd shows, Grey's Anatomy, Bones, House and Medium.....

Cabled scarf to match my cat hat and Joseph's cat hat minus his ears

busy, busy, busy

Since I have been back from my time at Frontier, things have been so busy. I started my new hours at work and this week was my first 40 hour week of lactation. Thank goodness that I was orienting Kim because it took both of us to keep up with the patients on the floor. Mid Coast Maternity is busting at the seams. All week, the rooms were filled and the babies were coming. Next week, I am working with Kim 2 days then I will do my weekend 12s. This weekend will be for resting up!

Congrats to Penny, who just did her 40th birth for her midwifery clinicals!!! I am so jealous. She will be a great midwife. Yeah, Penny!

Also of interest is the Knit at Night, Knitting Knockers. Read all about it at this link: http://www.knittingexperience.com/main/Blog/5D70D036-E248-48A3-ADCF-50623BFA656C.html I plan to be there knitting away!

Have a great rest of January. Winter has come to Maine, it was below zero today and they say it will be for the next few nights....Remind me why I live here?!

wow

I am home from a trip to Hyden, KY for my first week of midwifery school. It was incredible and I can't believe I am finally living this dream. The week was very intense and packed full of history, new friends, laughter and a preview of the hard work to come. I was on a floor with 5 other women, Jan, Zada, Rebecca, Elizabeth and Lona.

We had to climb 3 flights of stairs multiple times a day to get to our rooms, and for those of you who know me well, you know that was a challenge for me--as out of shape as I am! There were people there from all over the USA and even 1 from Japan, she is stationed there with her husband. There were 3 of us that were transplanted from GA to various other states. No one else from ME, but Chris was from VT and she is already a CNM, coming back. Keep me in your thoughts as I pursue this journey, I am sure there will be many ups and downs and many days of studying! Here is a picture of me and my roommate, Jan.

Miss Kitty was there and told many stories about when she was at FNS and working with Mrs Breckenridge. It was great to listen to.

More to come when I get more. (I forgot 2 things and one of them was my camera...so I am depending on the other people to share with me!)

i keep forgetting

i finished the cat hat for Olivia and here she is modeling it. isn't she cute?!

new year, new job

Kim and I start our new position January 15, 2007. It will be a big change for our schedules, there are more 8 hour shifts than 12 hour shifts. That will be good for my sleep! We now have 40 hours a week of lactation coverage and Kim and I will be sharing those hours as co-coordinators.

Here is a knitting picture. Fraser likes my partially completed cable scarf. He has good taste, the yarn is malibrigo.

ok, i am still here and even have a christmas tree

Well, it doesn't look like there will be any snow for Christmas. That is ok with me. To those of you who read the deleted post, I have improved my mood and attitude somewhat and am trying to be more positive... it is a work in progress.

So, we went with Joseph and Lily to see Santa. Right up until the time they called Lily's name, she kept saying she was going to see him and sit on his lap. When it was the kid's turn, she got the deer in the headlight look and it was all over. As we left Santa, there was a mailbox for letters to the North Pole. Lily liked that Santa!.

Joseph sang in front of his church, along with several other children his age. The video is great, he sings but doesn't do any of the hand motions. The song was "Away in a Manger".


William flew in today. Katie and the kids are in Kentucky. I am working the holiday weekend and the holiday.
Soon it will be a New Year!

the promised more to come

the trip has been very good. i have been reading, knitting and visiting. the weather has been beautiful.lots of good food and company...


memories and fun at the zoo...even a zoobutt...


and more time with family...

time away

happy day after thanksgiving. i got to atlanta on monday this week, it has been busy.

on wednesday, we took a trip to the atlanta aquarium.


on thursday, we took a trip to the country. there was lots of sunshine, lots of good food and company. and afterward, the annual squirrel hunt...




more to come later.

when will life slow down???

whew, it has been a whirlwind here--literally on somedays, the wind was blowing up a storm! no pun intended...

here is the progress on the cat hat, minus ears. it will be done soon!

joseph will have a birthday this week. he will be 4. wapa and joseph went shopping and came home with this little goodie. he has been practicing riding his regular bicycle and getting ready to try out his honda "motorcycle", and it has training wheels. can you believe it?!

lily is just her cute little self.

and for fun, here are john and i. we were going somewhere on the harley and it was getting cold. leather weather...