The challenge - traveling from Birmingham, AL to Racine, WI via air travel (and if you know Birmingham, it isn't direct to anywhere east of the Mississippi - unless Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinatti or Baltimore qualify) - ALONE with a 2 1/2 year old and 3 1/2 year old - and not losing my sanity.
I will admit, it left me a few times, but only briefly, overall we held it together, and had a WONDERFUL trip.
Really, the boys were fantastic travelers. The most difficult was explaining to Jack why he had to sit in a seat across the aisle from Duke and me and next to some strange lady (she was VERY nice and from Sheboygan, thankful for that!) - since not only are there no direct flights from Birmingham to Milwaukee, but there are no planes with anything but 2 and 2 on the row. I went into it prepared with new seek & find books as well as bag treats to distract at takeoff. Unfortunately, on the way up we got wrapped into a 30 minute tarmac visit before takeoff in Birmingham which meant a lot of cajoling Jack into staying quiet in his seat. But it worked and from Atlanta to Milwaukee, Toy Story 2 ruled the plane and we made it.
The biggest regret of the long weekend? We didn't have enough time to settle in. I want the boys to be able to experience where I grew up, and yet we only had 4 days to get it in. There will be more visits, but I really wanted this trip to sink into them what kind of fun you can have in "Sconsin" as Jack calls it.
We even got an extraordinary opportunity to visit the other side of the family - we can't seem to get organized enough (or have enough vacation time!) to make a trip to Georgia to see the Eades (Patrick, Natalie, Alyssa, Kevin, Hannah & Victoria) but we managed to connect in Wisconsin and meet up at Aunt Rosie's Subway on Hwy 50 to get in a quick visit. (Jack I will remind you someday of this one!)
From that point on off we were, to the Racine Zoo, on the Racine Trolley, to First Friday celebrations, North Beach, our first movie theater to see Toy Story 3 and the culmination of the weekend - Racine's 4th of July Parade - with plenty of family bonding in between.
If I could re-live it I wouldn't change a thing. I would have loved to have taken them to the fireworks - it was a beautiful evening, one meant for sitting quietly and watching the bright bursts of energy over the water. But my little guys are still little and need their sleep. As Jack often tells me "someday..."
Thank you to Josh & Clare for opening up your home to us, I truly can't thank you enough for letting us walk all over your lives. I enjoyed our quiet evenings together, exhausted as I was by that point each day. And to Caroline and Quinn for sharing all your toys without hesitation. Thank you to Charles and Ali for splitting the pizza so we adults could have what we wanted without compromising for the kids and for showing Jack the toy collection Nolan has amassed. That one is still being commented on by said 3 1/2 year old. I am so glad to have finally been able to hold the newest member of the family - Jonah - what a beautiful boy to add to our collection.
And Mom and Dad, I hope you got another glimpse into the lives of the little men that really make mine special. With each visit I hope I'm putting a little of what you gave me into their hearts.
Love you all and miss you already!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Congratulations your photo has been selected...
Well friends and family. Just for fun about 2 weeks ago I posted 6 pics to Parents.com for the 2010 Cover Contest of Jack. I told no one (those of you that know me know I like to remain behind the scenes :) I even meant to get Duke some pics posted this weekend but never found the time. Given that there were 85,000+ people posting, I figured it would just be for fun.
Turns out, Jack's got a following (766 votes for him, and I don't even know those people). I got this email today. So at this point, what the heck - how about clicking the link below and Vote for my little guy's photo. I could use a trip to NYC!
Click Vote for Me under his pic and type out the phrase that appears as it instructs...so many steps I hate to ask, but what the heck!
SarahUpdate: Here's a direct link to Jack's pic to vote
http://photos.parents.com/category/vote/photo/355379
----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Parents.com <newsletters@emails.parents.com>
To: sarah.rath@yahoo.com
Sent: Tue, June 22, 2010 11:25:09 AM
Subject: Congratulations your photo has been selected...
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
That Little Thing Called Life
Life, that's what's been happening people. I know you've been checking in daily to find out what the latest excitement has been in our little corner of the world only to be sorely dissapointed to find out that for another day you will have to live in the suspense of not knowing. Well, now you know, it was life that was happening.
That's right, and for once I just put the computer down and lived it. (Well, maybe not down, maybe just didn't type http://www.coryandsarahrath.blogspot.com/ into my browser when it was in my lap.)
Ah but all that has changed, and here I am. And to fill you in, here are just a few highlights of the past 45 days (for your enjoyment and my attempt to update this, my electronic diary of the life of the Rath's).
I ran in a 5K and finished (and not on my hands and knees, although I will have the foresight next time to actually take the inhaler an hour before exercise like my doctor suggested so I can avoid the final 1/3 mile of wheezing from the exhaust of the idling police vehicles designed to help aid the runners in their quest to finish). And I'm happy to report that although due to the rest of the events that follow, I had taken a slight reduction in my training schedule, I have in fact ramped it up again and am working toward consistenly hitting the track for 15 miles per week minimum.
My Dad visited for a long weekend and we planted all my landscape for this year...it's looking mighty lovely now and although we didn't really plan it out to be, we picked the perfect weekend for him to come as it was the Birmingham Botanical Gardens Annual Plant Sale so we got some great specimens at amazing prices. I'm so looking forward to marking that weekend as his annual trip - although since the size of the wine glasses I have vs. the ones Dad is accustomed to are significantly larger I will be sure to be the one pouring the wine when we have the neighbors over for dinner and a visit during next year's trip.
We said goodbye to our very best friend in the whole world - Payton - and her Mommy Leslie, who have moved on to bigger and better things in Gaithersburg, MD. Payton and Jack spent every weekday together at Odyssey Early School since they were just a few months old. Leslie and I have become close friends in that time through many a parenting moment. We miss them terribly, but know we will visit them one day without a doubt. And we are so excited for them to also be bringing a new sister for Payton into the world this fall - maybe a little unexpected excitement given all the other craziness in their lives, but a blessed one nonetheless and one that's been much wanted for a long time.
I was able to attend 3 different meetings with the Children's Hospital Auxiliary Board and continue to stay involved in helping to formulate plans for the future of the hospital volunteer arm as they embark on the upcoming multi million dollar expansion.
Mother's Day - I got sheets.
We finished up our small group semester at church, having taken the Growing Kids God's Way parenting course and boy, did that transition our household. Both Cory and I felt for the first time we both had a plan of action in raising our kids that not only made sense, but that we believed in and that WORKED! We've both adopted a much calmer demeanor in handling trying moments and have honestly, lightened up in how we were managing our day to day lives. Not sure that makes sense, but maybe I can translate that to we've taken the pressure off - of ourselves and thus off our kids. I think we both are such perfectionists in many ways and expect so much of ourselves (and by default of others) that we had to step back and really take a look at the road we could have headed down with our kids. Everything in context, but with the understanding there is one main rule right now in this household - Listen to Mommy & Daddy. And when it works. WOW. Our kids are happier, we are happier, there is less yelling, more listening, and even GASP - obeying without being asked! I know, shock, I'm still kind of in it.
We went on our first family vacation and not to visit family! (No offense to any of you of course, WE LOVE TO VISIT YOU) We spent 4 days and 4 nights in beautiful Destin, Florida at the Sandestin Hilton Resort where we laid on the beach, swam at the pool, ate out a few times and basically did nothing for the entire trip but enjoy the kids having their first experience at "the ocean!" Absolutely the most enjoyable trip we have ever embarked on with the kids. I actually looked over at Cory sometime during Day 2 and asked him who the kids were that were with us, because they weren't the same ones we had at home (see above paragraph, I was still in denial at the time that we actually had turned the corner in our household in the land of behavior) . I absolutely cannot wait to go again, but alas, we may be waiting a while it seems by the looks of the oil spill and how it will affect our sugar sand shores of Alabama and Florida (no further discussion to be had here).
During all of this, I also organized our Teacher Appreciation Week at the boy's daycare. With 50 teachers to honor and about 175 families to coordinate, I had my work cut out for me. It was a lot of work, but I had a great group of parents that stepped up to help and it was worth every bit of extra time and effort to see the reaction of the teachers to their well deserved week of special events. Lots of parents thought I was crazy to undertake such a mission, but that's my spiritual gift - organizing and pulling it all together - and I can't think of a better group of women (and man) to reap the benefit.
My Birthday - as of this posting I have 355 days left.
Finally, we held our 3rd Annual Memorial Day Bash at self named Sterling Creek Ranch. Again this year, storms were part of the party, but we had about 50 people make it out and enjoy a full day of sun, storms, water, food and fun times. Nothing makes us happier than being able to share this place we call home with friends.
So, that was what was happening this last 45 days, just life, and so glad to have lived it.
That's right, and for once I just put the computer down and lived it. (Well, maybe not down, maybe just didn't type http://www.coryandsarahrath.blogspot.com/ into my browser when it was in my lap.)
Ah but all that has changed, and here I am. And to fill you in, here are just a few highlights of the past 45 days (for your enjoyment and my attempt to update this, my electronic diary of the life of the Rath's).
I ran in a 5K and finished (and not on my hands and knees, although I will have the foresight next time to actually take the inhaler an hour before exercise like my doctor suggested so I can avoid the final 1/3 mile of wheezing from the exhaust of the idling police vehicles designed to help aid the runners in their quest to finish). And I'm happy to report that although due to the rest of the events that follow, I had taken a slight reduction in my training schedule, I have in fact ramped it up again and am working toward consistenly hitting the track for 15 miles per week minimum.
My Dad visited for a long weekend and we planted all my landscape for this year...it's looking mighty lovely now and although we didn't really plan it out to be, we picked the perfect weekend for him to come as it was the Birmingham Botanical Gardens Annual Plant Sale so we got some great specimens at amazing prices. I'm so looking forward to marking that weekend as his annual trip - although since the size of the wine glasses I have vs. the ones Dad is accustomed to are significantly larger I will be sure to be the one pouring the wine when we have the neighbors over for dinner and a visit during next year's trip.
We said goodbye to our very best friend in the whole world - Payton - and her Mommy Leslie, who have moved on to bigger and better things in Gaithersburg, MD. Payton and Jack spent every weekday together at Odyssey Early School since they were just a few months old. Leslie and I have become close friends in that time through many a parenting moment. We miss them terribly, but know we will visit them one day without a doubt. And we are so excited for them to also be bringing a new sister for Payton into the world this fall - maybe a little unexpected excitement given all the other craziness in their lives, but a blessed one nonetheless and one that's been much wanted for a long time.
I was able to attend 3 different meetings with the Children's Hospital Auxiliary Board and continue to stay involved in helping to formulate plans for the future of the hospital volunteer arm as they embark on the upcoming multi million dollar expansion.
Mother's Day - I got sheets.
We finished up our small group semester at church, having taken the Growing Kids God's Way parenting course and boy, did that transition our household. Both Cory and I felt for the first time we both had a plan of action in raising our kids that not only made sense, but that we believed in and that WORKED! We've both adopted a much calmer demeanor in handling trying moments and have honestly, lightened up in how we were managing our day to day lives. Not sure that makes sense, but maybe I can translate that to we've taken the pressure off - of ourselves and thus off our kids. I think we both are such perfectionists in many ways and expect so much of ourselves (and by default of others) that we had to step back and really take a look at the road we could have headed down with our kids. Everything in context, but with the understanding there is one main rule right now in this household - Listen to Mommy & Daddy. And when it works. WOW. Our kids are happier, we are happier, there is less yelling, more listening, and even GASP - obeying without being asked! I know, shock, I'm still kind of in it.
We went on our first family vacation and not to visit family! (No offense to any of you of course, WE LOVE TO VISIT YOU) We spent 4 days and 4 nights in beautiful Destin, Florida at the Sandestin Hilton Resort where we laid on the beach, swam at the pool, ate out a few times and basically did nothing for the entire trip but enjoy the kids having their first experience at "the ocean!" Absolutely the most enjoyable trip we have ever embarked on with the kids. I actually looked over at Cory sometime during Day 2 and asked him who the kids were that were with us, because they weren't the same ones we had at home (see above paragraph, I was still in denial at the time that we actually had turned the corner in our household in the land of behavior) . I absolutely cannot wait to go again, but alas, we may be waiting a while it seems by the looks of the oil spill and how it will affect our sugar sand shores of Alabama and Florida (no further discussion to be had here).
During all of this, I also organized our Teacher Appreciation Week at the boy's daycare. With 50 teachers to honor and about 175 families to coordinate, I had my work cut out for me. It was a lot of work, but I had a great group of parents that stepped up to help and it was worth every bit of extra time and effort to see the reaction of the teachers to their well deserved week of special events. Lots of parents thought I was crazy to undertake such a mission, but that's my spiritual gift - organizing and pulling it all together - and I can't think of a better group of women (and man) to reap the benefit.
My Birthday - as of this posting I have 355 days left.
Finally, we held our 3rd Annual Memorial Day Bash at self named Sterling Creek Ranch. Again this year, storms were part of the party, but we had about 50 people make it out and enjoy a full day of sun, storms, water, food and fun times. Nothing makes us happier than being able to share this place we call home with friends.
So, that was what was happening this last 45 days, just life, and so glad to have lived it.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
The Geese Have the Last Rath Paci
Almost a year ago, we said bye bye to Jack's paci. It was a cold turkey move, necessitated by a tumble on the playground and visit with the dentist. It was not a fun transition, although I don't remember that because it was so awful, I just re-read my post on it. Funny how you put those things out of your mind.
I've been struggling with when to do it for Duke since his 2nd birthday. He only takes it at night and nap - and only naps at home, hasn't had it at daycare since he was 12 months (WIMP me - should have done it all then!) I really didn't want to go through the holidays with any issues with sleep, so that put it into January. Cory was gone all but about 6 days that month and I didn't feel like dealing with it on my own, same for February. We hope to have the boys rooming together by the end of this year, and therefore, I can't really wait until that happens to do it. So I've been waiting for "the opportunity" to present itself. It did today in an odd way.
I took his crib bumper out of his bed about a month ago. I was just sick of dealing with it when I had to change the sheets and the only reason I kept it in there was to keep his paci from falling through the slats in the middle of the night. After a few nights of hearing a quiet "Where's paci go?" at 2 a.m. and retrieving it, those mumurs stopped, yet in the morning, more and more often, I'd find said paci on the floor under the crib or in between the mattress and rails hidden from his searching hands and him waking up without wanting it. At least until it was time to get out of bed, then he'd ask for it, we'd find it, he'd take one long drag like a person on smoke break trying to eke the last bit of nicotine out of a cig and dunk it in the crib for that night.
This morning however, neither of us could find it. Looked on the floor, around the edge of the mattress, under all his stuffed animals, nowhere in sight. Our opportunity had just presented itself.
"Well, the geese must have taken your paci!" I should have read my previous blog post before this plan, since I didn't actually want him thinking geese randomly entered his room in the middle of the night to steal all things precious to him, but in a way it worked. Jack pipes up "Yea Duke! The geese have your paci! Now you're a big boy too!" After a few "MY PACI?!" cries and general wake up crankiness passes, he's actually ok with it. We talk more on the way to school and again on the way home and he's actually agreeing that it's all gone, the geese have it, etc.
Bedtime went better than I thought, though not as great as I'd have liked. Right up until going into the room, he was all fine with it, but once the reality set in, not so happy. We rocked, we sang, we did all the rest of the 5 second routine the kid requires "Go Nite Nite", "Give me a Kiss" kiss kiss "I love you Mommy", "I love you Duke" "Thank you" "Your welcome" and off to the crib, with the exception - and interesting one - he wanted to walk to his crib tonite rather than be carried on my shoulder from the chair. hmmmm. So after a little more crying/whimpering and me rubbing his back a minute, I left the room and went to finish up with Jack.
Then the howling started. Not to the level Jack can be famous for, but strong with intermintent long pauses. It probably helps I don't usually have any need to go into his room at bedtime, and that I'm usually stuck for 20 minutes getting Jack through his routine in his room. For that 20 min I had no idea if he were screaming, hollering or silent.
It was in between. By the time I got out, there was about another 10 minutes of crying laced with long silent stretches that has since turned into complete silence. And since he doesn't have it in the middle of the night most nights when it falls out of the bed...I may have made it paci free at last!
I've been struggling with when to do it for Duke since his 2nd birthday. He only takes it at night and nap - and only naps at home, hasn't had it at daycare since he was 12 months (WIMP me - should have done it all then!) I really didn't want to go through the holidays with any issues with sleep, so that put it into January. Cory was gone all but about 6 days that month and I didn't feel like dealing with it on my own, same for February. We hope to have the boys rooming together by the end of this year, and therefore, I can't really wait until that happens to do it. So I've been waiting for "the opportunity" to present itself. It did today in an odd way.
I took his crib bumper out of his bed about a month ago. I was just sick of dealing with it when I had to change the sheets and the only reason I kept it in there was to keep his paci from falling through the slats in the middle of the night. After a few nights of hearing a quiet "Where's paci go?" at 2 a.m. and retrieving it, those mumurs stopped, yet in the morning, more and more often, I'd find said paci on the floor under the crib or in between the mattress and rails hidden from his searching hands and him waking up without wanting it. At least until it was time to get out of bed, then he'd ask for it, we'd find it, he'd take one long drag like a person on smoke break trying to eke the last bit of nicotine out of a cig and dunk it in the crib for that night.
This morning however, neither of us could find it. Looked on the floor, around the edge of the mattress, under all his stuffed animals, nowhere in sight. Our opportunity had just presented itself.
"Well, the geese must have taken your paci!" I should have read my previous blog post before this plan, since I didn't actually want him thinking geese randomly entered his room in the middle of the night to steal all things precious to him, but in a way it worked. Jack pipes up "Yea Duke! The geese have your paci! Now you're a big boy too!" After a few "MY PACI?!" cries and general wake up crankiness passes, he's actually ok with it. We talk more on the way to school and again on the way home and he's actually agreeing that it's all gone, the geese have it, etc.
Bedtime went better than I thought, though not as great as I'd have liked. Right up until going into the room, he was all fine with it, but once the reality set in, not so happy. We rocked, we sang, we did all the rest of the 5 second routine the kid requires "Go Nite Nite", "Give me a Kiss" kiss kiss "I love you Mommy", "I love you Duke" "Thank you" "Your welcome" and off to the crib, with the exception - and interesting one - he wanted to walk to his crib tonite rather than be carried on my shoulder from the chair. hmmmm. So after a little more crying/whimpering and me rubbing his back a minute, I left the room and went to finish up with Jack.
Then the howling started. Not to the level Jack can be famous for, but strong with intermintent long pauses. It probably helps I don't usually have any need to go into his room at bedtime, and that I'm usually stuck for 20 minutes getting Jack through his routine in his room. For that 20 min I had no idea if he were screaming, hollering or silent.
It was in between. By the time I got out, there was about another 10 minutes of crying laced with long silent stretches that has since turned into complete silence. And since he doesn't have it in the middle of the night most nights when it falls out of the bed...I may have made it paci free at last!
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Long Week Almost Over
Unfortunately, our week of looking foward to a night away on Thursday for Mom & Dad, no kids, to Memphis for the George Strait-Reba-LeeAnn Womack concert (front row/backstage FREE) did not materialize. We had our trusty "Aunt" Kay from Odyssey that was all set to take the kids after school to our place, stay the night and take them back for Friday school where we would pick them up, but with Jack starting out on Wednesday with a 101.5 temp, and then finding out from the doctor it wasn't an ear infection but a cold virus...pretty much sealed our fate to cancel.
Quite the bummer, but I prayed that Thursday morning we had a clear sign on what to do, and he woke up at 102, so that was pretty clear. Fever means no school.
His fever finally broke yesterday afternoon, so he is on the mend and now we are just praying Duke doesn't fall prey to the same. (Though he's looking to start another round of antibiotics for yet another sinus infection - at least I have to assume that's what all the green snot for the past 2 weeks is about).
I stayed home on Wednesday with him (Cory got back that evening), then Daddy kept Jack on Thursday and Friday so I could be at work, on the assumption that while he is out of town this coming week it is likely I will be home with Duke.
On our day home, we colored, read books, played quietly by ourself...actually a relatively quiet day. Thursday apparently was 8 hours of TV (can't place blame, he had a lot of work to catch up on and 1 day won't cause the child to be a junkie). But Friday...well they had some man time.
Quite the bummer, but I prayed that Thursday morning we had a clear sign on what to do, and he woke up at 102, so that was pretty clear. Fever means no school.
His fever finally broke yesterday afternoon, so he is on the mend and now we are just praying Duke doesn't fall prey to the same. (Though he's looking to start another round of antibiotics for yet another sinus infection - at least I have to assume that's what all the green snot for the past 2 weeks is about).
I stayed home on Wednesday with him (Cory got back that evening), then Daddy kept Jack on Thursday and Friday so I could be at work, on the assumption that while he is out of town this coming week it is likely I will be home with Duke.
On our day home, we colored, read books, played quietly by ourself...actually a relatively quiet day. Thursday apparently was 8 hours of TV (can't place blame, he had a lot of work to catch up on and 1 day won't cause the child to be a junkie). But Friday...well they had some man time.
Daddy took Jack on an errand to pick up some samples at a local dealer and just happened to find the perfect kid's fishing pole and above is the result. Pretty happy sick day for both of them.
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