RV's and Surgeries...

Yep, you read the title correctly... and no, I am not having a surgery in an RV... ;)

Although, we have/will have experiences with both within a few days...

This past weekend we headed up to Brian's parents home in Lacey, WA.  It was funny when we first got there, because Jack wanted to look all around, as did Maggie. It dawned on us, we hadn't been up there since Christmas... and little ones don't always remember every little detail... so they took themselves on a quick tour of Nana and Papa's house. :) 

As soon as their toys came out, they seemed to remember the fun times we've had there. 

Brian's Aunt and Uncle were on a road trip (in their AWESOME RV...  Just a quick note: I have never been too keen on the idea of traveling via RV or trailer (it is completely unfair for me to feel that way, as I have never traveled in an RV or Trailer - what is the difference between the two???). 

My reasoning:

I always envisioned it being cramped, a bit unsafe (thinking of Jack and Maggie bouncing all over the place, whilst Brian trying to drive "schoolbus" size vehicle... just makes me a bit nervous ~ as does each of those individually too). 

Then, their is the whole "bathroom" issue. I just always figured, if you're going to road trip it, why not 

A.) camp

or 

B.) (...my personal choice...) Stay in luxurious hotels in between stops of fun

WELL... I am a changed woman! 

Uncle Gary and Aunt Mel have given me a whole new outlook on RV'ing, if you will. Their RV is ah-maaaaaaaaaaazing!!! It is really spacious (not the crampy feeling I envisioned), and it "hooks" (totally the wrong term I'm sure, but I'm not a professional RV'er... yet!) on to their truck, so they don't actually ride in the RV while driving, they ride/drive the truck... 

My thoughts have also changed regarding the "kiddos bouncing all over the place", if it were an RV that was "all together" (again, I don't know any RV lingo, yet....  ~What I'm trying to say is, an RV that doesn't "hook" onto a truck. You know, one that is just all one big RV... oy vey, that made no sense, but I hope you're still with me here...). 

So, if it were an "all together" RV, I think I'd be ok with the munchkins hanging out in the back, watching Veggie Tales. Brian and I could might actually be able to TALK and not LISTEN to/or WATCH Veggie Tales (or whatever "show" of their choosing... it for sure wouldn't be HGTV -unless it was my luckiest day EVER!)... or I'd be chillin' back there with them, as Brian chauffered us all over vacay land (vacay land: term for unknown vacation destination).

Lastly, the "bathroom" issue... = no issue. It's actually pretty cool that the bathroom is RIGHT THERE! The bathroom itself may have sold me on the RV'ing ~ after the past drive to Nana & Papas with Jack (ie. yes, he's doing AWESOME with his potty training, but that AWESOME = stopping, literally, every.other.exit. while he screams that "pee pee is telling him it needs to come out nooooooooow!!!! That is a whole other post in itself.) 

Yes, I say... Forget camping, using yucko bathrooms ~ I'd rather have my own Porcelin awaiting me ... AND Jack).

Sorry for getting a bit off track there, but the RV is COOL! Really Cool! It was parked in Brian's parents driveway while they were visiting for a few days, and so it wasn't connected (hey, is that the correct term... rather, than "hooked"?) to their truck. Jack and Maggie thought it was SO COOL (I totally agreed with them!). 

Jack kept begging for just a little little little ride (it became little little little after he asked 12 zillion times and was told no 13 zillion times). Yes, he would've loved it, but as I'm sure all can imagine, it's not like all hopping in the car for a quick spin around the block. 

Someday, Jack... someday, sweetie. Like I said, Mama is anew in her thinking of RV's... and I'm a like'n 'em. 

Uncle Gary and Aunt Mel (Gary, is Brian's Mom's (Karen) brother) live in the Fresno area... so this was the first time for me and the kiddos to meet them. They were great! We had such a fun time getting to know them... and in addition, Uncle Bruce and Aunt Karin, Great Grandma Weeks, Misty and the girls (Michelle & Ashley) all came up too ... we had a great BBQ, and just overall fabulous family time! We missed Jeff & Chris, as Chris had basketball that he couldn't miss.

I am really enjoying meeting more and more of Brian's family! (most have lived/or still live out of state... hence, not seeing them often). We can't wait for another visit with U.Gary and A.Mel! 

Brother and Sister

Uncle Gary and Mom (Brian's Mom, Karen)

So Sweet! 

Love how even as adults, 

it's the typical brother thinking "enough, enough"... 

and sister thinking "i love you, and too many hugs and kisses are never enough!".

They had such a great time catching up!

 Brian and Great Grandma (Marjorie) Weeks

We were so glad she was able to join us. It was her first time visiting Mom & Dad (Brian's parents, her son is Brian's Dad... got all that??? :p) home.

 Jack had so much fun, and was such a good boy the entire weekend!

And... just gotta mention, how HANDSOME I think this monkey is!

Maggie was too! 

She LOVED saying all of her new words, and of course...

singing, dancing, running and just being cute!

Check out those pigtails! 

She looks so grown up with her hair like that! 

It is finally long enough to put up... however, in the tub when it's all wet after washing, it is 1/2 way down her back... just "boings" back up as soon as it dries, 

with those GORGEOUS (to die for!!!) curls.

 ... and to think this (above picture was last fall... less than 1 year ago)!

wowzers, she is growing FAST!!! 

and..

She is just CUTE!!!!

Jack with Nana and Papa. 

Not sure what's up with the face...

and no pants... umm... 

either getting them wet/dirty outside 

or????????? 

Ok, I have no idea. :p

Fun playing outside. 

It was an absolutely gorgeous and perfect day!

Papa knows all of Jack's "tickle zones"... :)

Buster was in ... or trying to be... on the action!

Cousin Michelle and Jack.

He absolutely ADORES his cousins, and the feeling seems to be mutual.

Michelle heads off to college this fall!

Wow, makes Brian and I feel ooooold.

Ashley relaxing...

Looks like she found a snuggle partner.

Mom/Nana ... the most wonderful hostess!

Food was great and the company even better!!!

Great Grandma and Maggie

Do you think it's trouble when two Marjories are hanging out together??? :)

 One big happy family...

with a few missing members...

 Caught with my mouth full...

always a flattering photo, right? :p

 My two very favorite munchkins in the world.

 Maggie says "stop takin' my picture. i'm busy chatting with the girls..." :p

 Lots of running, blowing bubbles, playing hide n go seek and 

just having a whole bunch of fun outside!

 Think someone is getting t.i.r.e.d. She didn't take a nap all day, but actually did great! 

There were a few minor meltdowns... to be expected when you're:

a.) 2

b.) a little girl who is a bit quite stubborn

c.) typically a big sleeper and missing her afternoon princess snooze

 Papa's Girl

 Aunt Misty getting Jack with lots of tickles...

and more tickles!

 Michelle, such a cute girl! 

And, a pretty fun niece/cousin too.

 Papa with two of his three special girls!

Observing everything and everyone! 

 Jackson being silly with Uncle Gary and Aunt Mel...

or is it the other way around???

 Wild Monkey...

and still no idea on the case of the missing pants... ???

 Daddy and his sweetpea.

 More Silliness ensues...

 We cannot wait to see Uncle Gary and Aunt Mel again.... SOON!!!

What a GREAT time!!!

We came home later on Sunday, and had a relaxing evening. Today... was housework, laundry, playing catchup, and did I mention housework??? :p

Brian's Mom came to our house this afternoon, and will be staying for the week... as tomorrow is "D" Day for me. 

I have my big surgery tomorrow... 

I am filled with many thoughts, feelings and emotions running through me, that I know I could not even begin to explain. I hope and pray all goes well, and that I can come home after only 1-2 nights in the hospital (rather than possibly more... all dependent, of course, on how my body reacts to everything). Then I am eager to begin a (hopefully) very speedy recovery, both physically and emotionally. Prior to a surgery date being set, I had really only thought of my physical recovery. However, the emotional side of it all came on quite quickly after the date was set. It was really happening, and as I said... I had/have so many emotions. Ranging from happiness at the thought of being done with all the yuckiness that has led to this surgery, to overwhelming sadness that I will never carry another child and that part of me will no longer be.

Again... prayers, prayers, prayers, are/is all I can do, and trust that this is the path that was chose for me. 

I do know in my heart this is the right & best decision. I know I will feel better than I could have ever imagined... it's the in between time that is going to be a bit bumpy... hopefully not too much. We'll keep you all posted.... and in the meantime, please keep us all in your prayers.

Lots of Love, and BIG (virtual) HUGS!!! 

Paparazzi...

This afternoon I finally got a chance to get out my camera and get some fun pictures of the munchkins... something I haven't done in a while. And... in all efforts to avoid getting all that I have on my "to-do" list done, before I'm out of commission for a while. It was the best way to avoid "to-do's".

It was really fun to play around with Maggie, and Jack is becoming much more a bit more willing to have his photo taken these days. (ok... no, I didn't just figure out how to do that cross out word thingy, but I really think it's fun... so just let me have a few A LOT more posts using that thingy thingy... thanks!).

Both kiddos took a nap today, which is quite rare. Jack doesn't nap much these days, but with the ongoing potty training, he has been waking up a lot at night, as well as getting up super duper early. So, today was one of those days, where by 11:30am meltdowns were beginning (yes, including me...). After lunch, I declared nap time, and Jack put up a fight ~ only to be sound asleep within minutes of his head hitting his pillow.

Maggie woke up before Jack, so I got to get a few more pictures of her... and of course, she wanted to wear a dress... at first. We had a lot of fun "playing dress up", and with her special tea set... (side note: it's the most darling little tea set, and all ceramic, so only for very special occassions, like today... it's a special day, isn't everyday? It's a very very very fancy tea set (according to Jackson), yep, extremely fancy... the entire tea set with not a one missing piece, this thrifty Mama found at our local Goodwill for a whopping $3.99. Try to beat that, fancy pants).

She kept waiting for Jack to wake up (another side note: neither of the munchkins like to be up without the other. They are always waiting, whining, stalking the door of, being as loud as humanly possible until the other "half" wakes up. I think they don't like to be alone with me. I need to check and make sure they also do this with Brian. Or maybe it's just me... Hence the title of this post, Paparazzi???? ie. Mama Paparazzi????). 

So, she would call for him from the playroom (his door was shut "a crack", long story... if you've been to our house for one second during nap and/or bedtime you know what "a crack" means, if not... it's way too detailed to go in to... yes, there is a HUGE HUMONGOUS difference between all the way shut and a tiny itty bitty crack of door open that you cannot see out or in... ANYWAAAAAAYS..........), finally Jack woke up, yes prying open his crack of a door jam that was open (is that how one would use the term "door jam"?). This may be the longest blog post ever, BEFORE even getting to the pictures...

After taking pictures, I was cleaning up the kitchen, and the munchkins were playing in the playroom. Jack screams "Mommy, Maggie just took her diaper off!"... I look over and sure enough, Maggie's diaper is in the middle of the playroom, and she (still wearing a dress) is playing at the train table "bottomless", if you will. I tried to put her diaper back on, but she absolutely refused. She kept saying "unner air unner air", awwww... she wanted to wear "underwear"! Well... we haven't yet bought the princess any ummm... princess underwear, so she chose a pair of Jack's that are now too small (yes, that is how long we have been potty training... oy vey!), and were covered with Lightening McQueen (red fast race car from the movie "cars"). 

I thought maybe she'd wear 'em for a bit, and then want a diaper back on... 

next thing I hear, "Mommy, Maggie just took her unnerair off!"... I look over and there are the said unnerair on the floor, Maggie playing happily on the floor, completely naked now... (oh, forgot a part... when we put the unnerair underwear on, she no longer wanted to wear her dress, and refused any other clothing, besides the said underwear)... how many times can I, not only type the word "underwear" in one post, but giggle each time I do??? :p

I grabbed a gDiaper (one of the brands of cloth diapers we use) and pinned layed her down, and got it on.... FYI: gDiapers are velcro'ed opposite from a disposable diaper, so the tabs are in the back... so that little ones can't aren't supposed to get them off. Seriously... not even 2 minutes later, "Mommy, Maggie took her diaper off again. I fink her wansa be nekid".... yep, I think so.

So... she was naked... for a long time. Until she peed on the floor, next to the train table and on Jack's cape (that I made him by hand... yeah, sewing and stuff) that was laying on the floor. End of that. Jack and I pinned got a diaper on that girl, some pants, a shirt... and that was the end of her nakedness for today!

Enjoy the pictures...

One would never know just a few minutes this sweet little girl was a nudist.

 This is one of my favorites I got of I got of Miss Maggs today. (above photo)

 outfit change...

 "Now, you go clean your room!" 

(I think she was babbling that in the above picture... maybe???)

 oh, thank goodness Jack is awake!

One of my favorite pictures I got of Mr. Man today (above), Love that smile!

::warning: naked baby

 

"It's so rough being a 1950's housewife"

                          ~ Marjorie E. A. Weeks, 1952

 Yep, from pure sweetness "ole' south" to "woodstock" in minutes...

This may (TRULY) be the scariest photo I have ever seen.

And, it's of my own child.

This is really horror movie material... 

And, it's of my own child.

She might have a knife under her crib.

And, it's my own child.

I don't think I can ever look at this picture again... it's scaaaaary!

And, it's my own child.

:: and just so you all don't have nightmares from the photo above, 

I'll leave you with the one below. 

Hopefully it makes you laugh, not scream from terror.

Hoping to get a few more posts in before "D" Day 
... next Tuesday
... breathe... breathe... breathe... 
xoxo