Monday, December 10, 2007
I can't believe this thing is still here.
Merry Christmas! I think I got an early gift with the discovery of this seemingly ancient blog. Being untouched for over two years in a google memory cache somewhere, it feels almost fossil like from a techie view. But here it is, and here I am, typing a post in a holiday mood; need to get some holiday 'energy' to go with that, but hey, that's why they make coffee, isn't it?
I hope this finds any potential readers well. I hope this holiday season allows people to find some peace and calm. And of course, I hope you enjoyed our kids' Christmas picture mashup. Lis and I thought that was a good representation of our awesome but crazy lives at the moment.
The kids are GREAT. Grace is our seven year old second grader who shows aptitude for school, gymnastics, singing, cooking and just about anything else she focuses on. She's also our high achieving worry wort at times. Gracie is really cute in glasses, newly acquired this fall. She picked them out herself too, honest. Although a bout with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at the tender age of one had us in a tailspin (gosh that seems like ages ago), she has been in remission for YEARS now and just has to have eye exams routinely (that sound is me knocking on wood).
Mia is our little China girl. Born in the year of the monkey. Although she is somewhat into bananas, her parents really beam when considering her consumption of the English language after a 14 month delay -- it's unreal. True, she said nothing but 'eh' for what seemed like a year, but she is an amazing little girl. Engaging, bright, cute as a button, unbelievably adept at putting puzzles together and taking her brother's toys when he isn't looking, AND when she winks (newly acquired skill) I think she kinda looks like Popeye.
Benjamin is the Schmoopster. Schmoopy boy. Schmoopy - doopy! (and so on.....c'mon, it's cute, isn't it?) . He will be two in March and is a little Mommie's boy. He sports almost pony tail length, almost curly, almost blond hair and bright blue eyes. They get Mommy every time. I really have little additional resistance to the toddler charm, which makes it difficult when it comes to nuky (read: pacifier) patrol. It's supposed to be just for bed / naptime so his teeth don't go completely wacky, but it's like his favorite thing EVER. Neenee. Yes he is now talking up a blue streak -- we were a bit concerned there given his need for tympanic tubes, but it has been smooth sailing since. Other Ben interests: Beh! (Bear in the Big Blue House), Papa! (pizza), Joo! (juice), Saha! (Santa). On the latter, let's just say I've heard Jingle Bell Rock emanating from the swinging hips of an eight inch St. Nick replica more times than I'd care to and we still have two weeks to go.....
Lis and I are doing mighty fine as well, but we don't get out much (see above). Not that we could anyway given the fact that we decided it would be fun to be general contractors and start four major house projects all at the same time while still working our regular jobs (Marshfield Clinic rehab doc and UW-Stevens Point Women's Studies prof) and being the best parents ever (:)). In case you were thinking about doing something similar, the truth is, general contracting really isn't as much fun as it sounds. It turns out that keeping track of the workers is akin to doing MORE parenting / babysitting in that the guys get their own 'ideas' which need to be 'modified', have to be told things over and over, and make big boo boos. But unlike the kids, you can't give them timeouts. Furthermore, you have to pay them lots of money. But other than that......:)
The projects WILL get done, hopefully this month, and will be awesome. Ironically, the kids are a driving force behind the changes, with the addition of a major mudroom/pantry, and a low maintainence recycled plastic decking re-do to get better access to our newly re-landscaped back yard. We are very lucky to be able to do this and are thankful (.....and you gotta know there is now NO WAY that we are ever going to move. :)) We have been in Wausau now for seven years; come to think of it, Lis and I have been married for 12 years -- it has been very cool. The honeymoon phase is SO way done, but other unbelievable stages follow. Honestly, you know what I gave Lis for her birthday this year? A fully plumbed, flushing toilet -- and she loved it! It doesn't get much better than that.
I wonder if I will post again before 2009?
Best wishes to you all,
Mark
I hope this finds any potential readers well. I hope this holiday season allows people to find some peace and calm. And of course, I hope you enjoyed our kids' Christmas picture mashup. Lis and I thought that was a good representation of our awesome but crazy lives at the moment.
The kids are GREAT. Grace is our seven year old second grader who shows aptitude for school, gymnastics, singing, cooking and just about anything else she focuses on. She's also our high achieving worry wort at times. Gracie is really cute in glasses, newly acquired this fall. She picked them out herself too, honest. Although a bout with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at the tender age of one had us in a tailspin (gosh that seems like ages ago), she has been in remission for YEARS now and just has to have eye exams routinely (that sound is me knocking on wood).
Mia is our little China girl. Born in the year of the monkey. Although she is somewhat into bananas, her parents really beam when considering her consumption of the English language after a 14 month delay -- it's unreal. True, she said nothing but 'eh' for what seemed like a year, but she is an amazing little girl. Engaging, bright, cute as a button, unbelievably adept at putting puzzles together and taking her brother's toys when he isn't looking, AND when she winks (newly acquired skill) I think she kinda looks like Popeye.
Benjamin is the Schmoopster. Schmoopy boy. Schmoopy - doopy! (and so on.....c'mon, it's cute, isn't it?) . He will be two in March and is a little Mommie's boy. He sports almost pony tail length, almost curly, almost blond hair and bright blue eyes. They get Mommy every time. I really have little additional resistance to the toddler charm, which makes it difficult when it comes to nuky (read: pacifier) patrol. It's supposed to be just for bed / naptime so his teeth don't go completely wacky, but it's like his favorite thing EVER. Neenee. Yes he is now talking up a blue streak -- we were a bit concerned there given his need for tympanic tubes, but it has been smooth sailing since. Other Ben interests: Beh! (Bear in the Big Blue House), Papa! (pizza), Joo! (juice), Saha! (Santa). On the latter, let's just say I've heard Jingle Bell Rock emanating from the swinging hips of an eight inch St. Nick replica more times than I'd care to and we still have two weeks to go.....
Lis and I are doing mighty fine as well, but we don't get out much (see above). Not that we could anyway given the fact that we decided it would be fun to be general contractors and start four major house projects all at the same time while still working our regular jobs (Marshfield Clinic rehab doc and UW-Stevens Point Women's Studies prof) and being the best parents ever (:)). In case you were thinking about doing something similar, the truth is, general contracting really isn't as much fun as it sounds. It turns out that keeping track of the workers is akin to doing MORE parenting / babysitting in that the guys get their own 'ideas' which need to be 'modified', have to be told things over and over, and make big boo boos. But unlike the kids, you can't give them timeouts. Furthermore, you have to pay them lots of money. But other than that......:)
The projects WILL get done, hopefully this month, and will be awesome. Ironically, the kids are a driving force behind the changes, with the addition of a major mudroom/pantry, and a low maintainence recycled plastic decking re-do to get better access to our newly re-landscaped back yard. We are very lucky to be able to do this and are thankful (.....and you gotta know there is now NO WAY that we are ever going to move. :)) We have been in Wausau now for seven years; come to think of it, Lis and I have been married for 12 years -- it has been very cool. The honeymoon phase is SO way done, but other unbelievable stages follow. Honestly, you know what I gave Lis for her birthday this year? A fully plumbed, flushing toilet -- and she loved it! It doesn't get much better than that.
I wonder if I will post again before 2009?
Best wishes to you all,
Mark
# posted by Mark @ 10:46 PM 
