May oh My!

It is so nice that summer is almost here! It’s always nice when the kids can spend more time outside. May is always exciting because of all the outside things we can do. We went to the MN Seaplane Pilots conference the first weekend of May (unofficially anyway since we don’t actually participate in any of the MNSPA events, but mostly tag along to be with family). And the girls caught their first fish there!!! Unfortunately, Stella also got a shock from their cruddy outlet on which the cover was not screwed on. Thank goodness she was not burned or seriously hurt though!
Above: Nora, Ingrid, Stella, & Helen's first swim of the summer!

We also went to the fountains at Nicollet Commons in Burnsville when it got warm and the kids had a great time splashing around! Ingrid and Helen also ‘graduated’ from preschool. The school even had a formal ceremony with caps, gowns and diplomas! Although, they refused to wear the strange hats!

Ingrid & Helen's Preschool Graduation

Other fun things we got to do include flying kites, go swimming for the first time of the season at Oma’s pool on Memorial Day and go to the park. When we went to the park, it was very apparent how much more ‘adventurous’ Nora is and Stella is definitely more cautious. When Nora came to the curb where she had to step down into the wood chips of the park, she hesitated only a moment before she stepped over, fumbled her feet a little and then proudly turned around and smiled at me! Stella however, stood at the edge of the curb, reached up to me and said ‘mamamamama!’ Nora learned a new word, ‘airplane!’. They had fun crawling around the park and learning how to go down the kiddy slide! Though they are definitely not addicted to the swings like their big sisters were!

On the crazy side of things, Mike got really pretty sick. At first it seemed like the flu, except that for 5 days straight he had a relentless headache, mild to moderate temperature, and tingly skin – not really a stomach bug. After 4 days of a fever and terrible headache, I sent him in to urgent care (it was the weekend and he was miserable and was supposed to leave out of town for business on Monday). He had gotten a tick bite just about a week before. I thought it could maybe be Lyme’s or some other disgusting tick disease. But the Urgent care doc refused to even test him for Lyme’s because the tick was not a dear tick and because he did not have the signature ‘bullseye’ rash. He simply sent him home and said to suck it up. His symptoms did finally let up the next day, and we were very glad!  As soon as he was better it was time for him to go on a business trip to Sunnyvale, CA for some training for work.

Nora & Stella are now couch-proficient!

Of course, the whole time he was gone, I was with the kids, 2 of which got sick themselves with soars in their mouths – perhaps hand/foot/mouth disease or roseola. It was by far the worst nights of sleep and crying I’ve had with the kids since Ingrid and Helen were babies! And Mike slimed his way out of it by being in California! I was TOTALLY exhausted, and the ped’s nurse line knew me by the number on the caller ID! I was SOOOO glad when Mike got home. He got home just barely in time to see Ingrid and Helen Graduate. Then, before we were even in the car on the way home he told me he was getting a headache. I looked at him and said, there is NO WAY you are getting out of my plans to check into a hotel tonight and get some rest! I REALLY was looking forward to 8+ hours of uninterrupted sleep and some time to de-fuzz my head. By the time we got home he said his shoulders were aching. When the kids were in bed he took his temperature.  He had a fever. I was LIVID! Though I knew I couldn’t be mad at HIM I was just mad that this was all happening again.  He said his skin had this strange tingle to the touch, just like it did before. Saturday night, it had still not gone away. He was in huge pain from the headache and ibuprofen was not helping. I sent him to the ER and told him to at least bug them to get some drugs for a potential sinus infection that could be causing his headache and ask to be tested for Lymes. While he was gone, I started researching tick diseases online. Rocky Mountain fever (I think that’s what it was called) was one that seemed to have symptoms that disappear and reappear every 7-10 days. BINGO I thought.  I called his cell and told him about it. He told the doctor. The doctor totally blew him off. Refused to test him for any tick diseases, but as a consolation prize at least gave him amoxacillan for a potential sinus infection. The next day he felt much better and by Monday he was back to work.

Nora, Nancy, Stella, Helen, Ingrid Sara & Kaleb!

I consulted with my neighbor who was a nurse, and whose son once had Lyme’s. She advised me to get him in to his regular doctor and get tested. Even if he felt better. She said the amoxicillin would help him feel better but that if it was in fact Lyme’s or something else, he would need some stronger stuff.

So even though it felt unnecessary, I sent him to his doctor that week, and told him to explain the tick and the recurring symptoms and the tingly skin and to refuse to leave until they have tested him. They did test him, thank God, because every test came back positive for Lyme’s. Right away they put him on some big time antibiotics for a month and he re-tested clean after that, Halleluiah!

Ingrid & Helen go swimming with their favorite toy, Chicky.

So a word to the wise, I don’t want to tell you NOT to trust a doctor, because certainly I think by and large they are capable and well-meaning. But, I am going to tell you to trust your own instinct and your own research MORE than your doctor – at least at first, and seek answers until you are comfortable with them.





Our Trip to Madden's Resort!

Helen's First Fish!

Ingrid's First Fish!

Stella shares her lunch with Daddy!

Nora & Stella share their lunch with each other!

April showers bring - Molars!

April 9, 2010

Stella and Nora 14 months

It never fails. When we finally make arrangements to have our babysitter come, one of 2 things happens. Either a) babies decide to get a tooth that day and are super crabby so you feel bad leaving them for long. Or b) someone gets a nasty sickness and the sitter dare not even set foot in our house!  Tonight, it was a strange twist. When Nora got up from her nap, Aldona changed her diaper – and Nora was terribly cranky, kicking, yelling and fighting it. After that she was still so fussy, crying and complaining. I knew she was working on another molar, but this was so much worse than her normal teething complaints as she continued to fuss and complain as she hadn’t done in months. Of course, hat’s what happens EVERY time Kendra is coming over and we’re trying to get a break! I tried teething toys, teething pills, wet rags, snacks, Nora wanted none of it. I went outside to take them on a walk, hoping to distract them and walks usually calm them. No good. Finally I picked her up out of the stroller and noticed that something was a little ‘out of place’. Sure enough, her diaper was strung right up the middle of her little butt! Poor thing! I guess that’s what happens when she fights and wriggles for diaper changes so much! The instant after I adjusted her diaper, I set her down on the ground and she was a new person! Ah! What a fresh view one has on life after relieving a wedgie!!!


It sure has been the month for getting molars. Nora is working on her last. The first 3, I hardly noticed. Heck, I saw Stella was getting one a few weeks ago. Then a few days later I saw Nora had one already too…so I don’t even know who was first! Then, I checked again a week or so later and they each had 3! With the 4th poking so close to the surface you could almost feel the sharpness of it! Last night, Nora worked on that last one, I think the lower Right. She woke up fussy, but settled, then at least she was awake but happy for a while. She has been such a fidgety sleeper! In fact, Stella has been reliably sleeping through the night for a month, and now Nora is the one that inevitably will wake up almost as reliably as an alarm clock at 1am. I’ve gotten in the habit of not even going to bed. I just wait for her.

Helen & Ingrid all set for a pajama party at Grandma's!

 

            Stella                                                                                   Nora

Heather came for a visit!

Ingrid gives Nora & Stella a ride!

Helen and her ABC soup

At the Seaplane base on a gorgeous Tuesday night.

Ingrid runs fast to fly her kite!

Stella loves to bounce on big sister's mini-tramp!

Stella wanted to dress up just like her big sisters do!

Nora, Dad & Stella

Easter

Mike, Nora, Ingrid, Helen, Nancy, Stella

April  5 2010
Easter was ‘interesting’ this year. Because we were so busy chasing around Nora and Stella and making sure they didn’t fall down the spiral staircase or through the slats on the deck, that I didn’t get to make sure my big kids ate anything other than candy - which I’m sure they didn't-except perhaps for the cake my mom gave them for 'dessert'! It took me and Mike over a half hour just to gather and load the mass spread of candy, toys and trinkets so we could go home. We had a BAD case of holiday hangover on Monday, and it was a pretty miserable day. (ok, not really so bad because everyone is still alive and mostly healthy and I am thankful for that!) Everyone was up til WAY TOO LATE of course, so we were all tired and cranky with chocolate hangovers. My mom couldn’t watch the babies during the big girls' dance class, and I wasn’t about to juggle two overtired, toddlers with sugar withdrawal in a crowded entryway, so we skipped. And despite all the adversity, we only had one trip to the urgent care, due to Helen attempting to stand on her swing with no hands and falling backwards flat on her head. No I wasn't looking, but that is what Ingrid told me.
I do enjoy Easter most years, so it makes me sad that it was so stressful this year. I guess I just need to be patient that it will get better as the kids get older. On a positive note, I think the photos couldn’t be cuter!

Nora, Ingrid, Helen, Stella

HAPPY EASTER!

Ingrid, Nora, Stella, Helen

Ingrid, Stella, Nora and Helen with Oma

Nora at Grandma's house

Stella, out for a walk

March: Just your everyday average chaos

March 26, 2010

It is amazing how well-behaved the big girls are when they are not together. Today, Helen went with Dad to get a new battery for my car. Ingrid stayed home with me and the babies and it was SO PEACEFUL! Meanwhile, I played at home with Helen and the babies. Ok, I mostly played with Helen and the babies played with themselves. They had a great time exploring the play kitchen in our loft while Helen sat on my lap. She has become very clingy to me the last few days. She went through a period like this a few months ago too…except she was being better-behaved then. Perhaps the nicer behavior will come with the attachment this time. We also played her comoputer Cinderella game – she made me an almond cake and a very hideous green and purple dress (why the game has a green/purple option, I am not sure). When dad got home we all went for a walk and I got to escape for a few hours at the end of the day to work on finishing up the babies’ ‘first-year’ calendars! There are few days that are so enjoyable, but this was one.

We have been trying something else lately…a penny jar. It is just the tiniest babyfood jar with Ingid’s name on, and one with Helen’s name on. Whenever they do something good, ANYTHING good, I drop in a penny through a slit in the lid and let them know they did something good. I do so as often as possible! When they hang up their jackets, when they say sorry to sister (in a nice way!), when they do something I ask, when they don’t tattle after sister was rude to them. When they help by bringing me a blanket or cleaning up a toy. When the penny jars are full and we can’t fit any more pennies in, they get to pick a fun place to go or thing to do! (movie theater, zoo, waterpark, beach, whatever!) So far, it has been working quite well – it helps me remember to praise them, and you don’t feel like your bribing them as with treats, or a sticker chart. Pennies for everyone! Tomorrow we are going to the waterpark with them while grandma sits the babies…I’m pumped!

Sunday morning Helen had another fit about cutting her hair. She says her bangs bother her and she wants to cut them off (and has in the past…leaving little stubby 1/2 inch bangs on her forehead to cover with a headband). So for an hour she cried, yelled and tried to get every scissors in the house – which I had to keep moving to more discreet, higher or more lockable locations! And people must wonder why we can’t make it to church on time now that all our kids are all at least a year old. We did end up going to Culvers because church was practically over by the time we were in the car. But, we were all dressed and ready to go in the car – I guess might as well take the opportunity to do SOMETHING, eh?

Nora and Stella enjoy going outside! I guess we need to rake the leaves finally!

Stella & Nora pose for a picture!

Stella and Nora sport real shoes for the first time!

Ingrid, Stella, Helen, & Nora

Helen & Ingrid helped plant seeds to start for our vegetable garden!

Other milestones this month:

March 19 – Stella gets her first molar!

March 25 – Helen sounds out and writes ‘HAT’ on the chalk board all by herself!

March 25 – Ingrid sounds out and writes ‘LIP’ on the chalkboard all by herself!

Then they teamed up to add the 'glos'!

March: Happy Landings Baby W!

March 17, 2010

So is it ever boring around here? Last week, I became an auntie to Kaleb Leo on St. Patty’s Day, so that is pretty exciting! He is GORGEOUS. He has the THICKEST, LONGEST, MOST BEAUTIFUL BROWN baby hair you have ever seen! It makes him look JUST like his dad! SO CUTE!!! I got to visit him the day he was born and he is just SOOOO precious! It’s so crazy to see how little he is and look at my girls and think it was only a year and look how BIG they are already. *sniff*

Kaleb Leo Wiplinger

March 17, 2010

March: On the babyfront...

On the babyfront… the last several nights, Stella has slept in her crib all night long!!! Yay! And she is the one I never thought would as she started waking around midnight when she was 8 months old. Of course, the night Stella slept through, Nora began waking up  every night! I didn’t used to mind when Nora would wake up because she was so easy to lay back down. So I could nurse her in bed and then go lay her in the port-a-crib and she would just roll over and sleep. She went though a few really rough nights of tossing and turning, now she wants to sleep in bed with me. Granted, she sleeps really well and doesn’t wake me (yay for our new King size bed!) but she wants the bed and nothing else! So far, we aren’t worrying about it I guess, After she falls asleep, I get some rest myself. I’m sure the sleep experts out there are shaking their finger…but when you need sleep, you take it however you can get it!

Another good thing for March is that the snow on our porch finally melted and it was warm enough to go outside without looking like a marshmallow! That is indeed a happy day in our house. Our porch has no access to the yard (by design!) so we jokingly call it our outside play pen. But really that is what it is!

Ingrid, Helen & Dad catch some much-needed vitamin D!

Nora gets her first ride in her dolphin swing. Ingrid and Helen used to love these too! But Stella wanted nothing to do with the swing! Helen was excited to blow bubbles!

At least Stella still likes the porch swing! Here with Grandma and Ingrid.

Stella goes for another new experience: Sliding!

March: Birthday Madness

March 3, 2010

Happy 5th Birthday Ingrid and Helen! We celebrated their birthday with the first friend’s party for them – we invited several of their friends and schoolmates to come to a party at Pump it Up (with inflatable slides and stuff). They had a HUGE BLAST!!!! There were a few tears with heads knocking together on the play equipment, but nothing major. They were SO excited and had a great time with all their freinds.

My proudest accomplishment is their cakes. They REALLY wanted a cake they saw at Target that’s made with a Barbie doll that has a dress made of out of cake. But I am WAY to cheap to pay $40 each for them! (especially spending money one the party!). So I ventured into a new world of the arts: Cake making.

They turned out AWESOME! I cheated by buying fondant from Joanne’s, so really it was SO EASY. I used the pampered Chef Large measure bowl to bake a cake mix in (I did practice one time a week ahead just baking a mix in the measuring cup so I knew how to adjust the baking time etc.). Then I also make a cake mix in to 9” round pans. So in the end, The dress was 3 layers. I put the rounds on bottom and the Pampered Chef cone shape on top with frosting between (you can bet I store bought the frosting though!). Then cut about a 1” diam. hole in the middle for the doll to go into. (But I didn’t put her in yet) I frosted the whole outside for taste. Finally, I colored some of the fondant and rolled it into a big circle with a rolling pin and draped it over the top, then folded it to look like a drapey dress and trimmed the bottom with a butter knife. I rolled and cut some white fondant scallop style and used water to adhere it to the bottom side of the dress to look like a petticoat. Then I put the doll in the top (her bottom wrapped in foil so as not to get cake on!). I made fondant sashes in the style of Princess Aurora’s dress and Cinderella’s dress to cover the visible part of the hole. And VUALA! WOW! I couldn’t believe how they turned out! Even if I was up all night, it was SO fun! Ingrid and Helen LOVED them of course and we had just been to Disney World and Aurora and Cinderella were their favorites.