Extra Baggage

We just found out that we'll be heading home this summer with a few extra pounds along. Luckily, it should count as a carry-on. ;)

We're having a baby! My due date is November 24. So far, I'm fine. I do feel a bit sick to my stomach, but it feels more like my blood sugar is dropping than nausea. Eating helps. I'm hungry all the time, but haven't gained any weight yet, so I'm taking that as a sign to keep munching. So other than hunger, not much else has changed.

We're really excited. We told our families last weekend, and that was lots of fun. It's going to be another interesting year around here!

multiply life by the power of two

Corban, Jayden
Originally uploaded by davemayp.

hello from twinland! Praying for a wonderful, peaceful day for y'all across the world and back!

love, Sabrina and The Boys (all three of them:) )

Parenting isn't for cowards!

I heard that quote the other day and immediately wanted to make it into a tshirt! Isnt that the truth though? Parenting is also not for the lazy, the impatient, the selfish or those with a weak stomach!

Anyway, I thought I'd write and update everyone on the latest and greatest (or not-so-greatest) in the Wilber house. The last two weeks have had some nice highs and some real lows. First, Lucas got croup...for the third time!!! That barky cough and fever is just miserable, especially since there isnt much you can do for it. We will have to watch him since reoccuring croup can sometimes cause asthma issues. Then Connor's runny nose (more like pouring out in buckets!) turned into bronchitis. He's much better now and almost to the end of his run of antibiotics. Needless to say there was about a ten-day period when I didnt leave the house except to take 3 kids, 2 of whom were sick, to the doctor. On top of that we were trying to determine if Aidan has a milk allergy or lactose problem. He wasn't nursing well - extremely restless when he ate - and had tons of gas and was spitting up quite a bit. Not surprisingly, I was miserable! Thankfully, my parents agreed to keep the older boys for the weekend after they took them to some Veggie Tales show on Thursday night (Christmas present). It was a life saving break! I actually got to sit and talk to my husband again, enjoy my dinner while it was still hot, the house stayed clean for more than 30 min......it was beautiful. Then to top it all off, Aidan slept through the night Sat night and has been doing it ever since! Woo hoo!! While he was at Mimi's house, big boy Lucas started wearing underware to bed - not a pullup. He is such a sound sleeper I figured it would be a while before that happened. And today, Connor has been a delight! He's been happy and sweet and has eaten well and is napping......ahhh, all is well again.

How is everyone?

All fine here! We did hear back from Olivia's mom. The tick was on her less than 48 hours, and I guess it didn't look as though it had bit her. They gave her mom a list of symptoms to watch for, just in case, and sent her home. Olivia seems to be fine.

I've also heard from my other Olivia. Her mom will have a job in Scotland in August, but couldn't fine work before that. So she took Olivia with her to Finland in the meantime. My heart just broke for her dad. Olivia has been enrolled in an English speaking kindergarten, so hopefully she won't have a language loss like she did last summer. I've been invited out to Scotland in May or June, and might go to Finland before that, if I can find a reasonable flight.

I'm bored, to be honest. I think it will be easier when we thaw out. This is the first winter we've had snow on the ground most of the time. I've been in contact with a Montessori training program in Buffalo, and a school in Rochester. The training program wil be in the middle of a training cycle next year, but I've been invited to audit. The school in Rochester belives they might ba hiring, I need to keep in contact with them.

I had a dream/nightmere a few nights back where I was out on my bike, and I saw a big sign that said, "Wegmans Grand Opening!" (in Danish) So I got all excited and followed the sign, and sure enough, there was a huge super-Weggies down the road. Inside everything was listed at US prices (four bars of soap for $1.99!), they had all the food there (DiBellas SUBS!!!!), and then I realized I had my bike, and could only take a small load of food home, whatever fit in my basket. Still freaking out with joy, I decided to take the bike home and return with my backpack for some proper food shopping, and then I saw the signs. It was closing, for good, that day! In one hour! The lines were so long, I couldn't get through in time.

Then I woke up. It will be good to get back to the States.

how is everyone?

Hi guys! How is everyone doing? Karen how is your family? Everyone well again? We had emily sick this week. Three or four days of high fevers and then yesterday she broke out in a rash. I believe she had roseola. Which caleb had when he was eight months old as well. Now that she is feeling better and not as whiney life is thankfully calming down. Hey Kris did they ever find out about that tick on Olivia? Sabrina, how are things on your end? How old are the boys now? Heather I hope all is well for you too. Have a good night all!

Some Engrish for you Engrish lovers

I found this plethora of Engrish translations. I tought some of you would enjoy this.

Gas and more

Well, hello from barf central. That sounds like rather a negative opening doesn't it? Well, it can't be helped. Oh, why barf central? Because we've been holding sicky children day and night armed with rags and buckets. Jane was sick last Wednesday night. Nate valiently stayed up with her that night. Anna was sicky yesterday, thankfully for only a short time. Boy did she make a mess though! Nate says he feels like he's taking CRAZY pills! His brain is fried from too much editing. My brain is fried from too much child care. Thanks for writing guys. You've really made us laugh when we most needed it. Here's a funny Janie story. She likes to announce when she has gas. In fact, when any one has gas. When Daddy has gas she says GAAAASSSSSS! She's so perceptive.

The Wilhelm Scream

OK . . . this might be old news for you guys (especially Nate), but this is something I'd heard about on NPR a few years ago, and I've been listening to it ever since. I just found the links about it today, so I can now pass it onto all of you.

The Wilhelm Scream is a sound effect originally used in a 1951 movie called Distant Drums. It was originally listed on a studio reel as "Man being eaten by an alligator" and is quite distinct. Once you hear it, it's pretty easy to pick it out when you're watching a film.

Gaffers use it over and over again, as their own inside joke. It has been used over and over again in George Lucas movies. I've also picked it out of Peter Jackson's films, and was quite pleased to pick it out of the latest Wallace and Grommit movie. I find it great fun to listen for (espeically since I have my eyes closed during the parts it's commonly used).

You can hear it in this article from On the Media. Here is the link to Wickapedia.

The underwear episode.

Here is the story behind the underwear eipsode. I gave caleb and emily a bath together. An adventure in itself if you could experience it yourself! Well emily HATES HATES having the water poured on her head to get the shampoo out of her hair. So I pour water on her head anyway and she always cries so hard that she ends up throwing up a little. Lovely way to end every bath time. Well.... I tell caleb to go in his room and put his underwear and pants on while I clean up emily and get her dressed. So I finally calm her down, get her dressed and go in his room..... where he has the biggest smile on his face and underwear on his head. I burst out laughing! I mean he can be quite the comedian some times. Well I just thought I'd share that little story with you. It makes me smile. I hope you all are having a good weekend

Emily Meets Her Marker

Emily meets a Marker 01
Originally uploaded by mgenovese.

This is what happens when the following "Perfect Storm" scenario occurs:

(a) Purple marker is left within reach of Emily,
(b) Lone parent leaves room momentarily,
(c) Emily decides purple is a good candy flavor, as well as a complimenting color for her skin tone.