My kid is smart. I mean, she's halfway through kindergarten, and she has already earned 9.7 AR points. Her teacher tells me that she's pleased that Bekah still enjoys school because she already knows everything that they're working on right now.
So how come she's not smart enough to survive the winter?
Here's the story:
Today the doorbell rang right after 3 p.m. just like it does every day. Only, instead of finding a cheerful little girl excited to be home from her day of kindergarten, I found a poor little girl with tears running down her cheeks.
"What's wrong?!" I asked, alarmed.
"I'm cold!" she whimpered.
Of course she was cold. It's currently 4 degrees outside. No, I didn't skip a digit. It's F-O-U-R degrees outside! But she was a heck of a lot colder than she could/should have been. Because her coat wasn't zipped up. And her hood wasn't up. And her mittens were nowhere to be seen. And in her hand, she held a shiny, red apple. A juicy, shiny, red apple. With its liquid contents seeping over her bare little hand.
So I rushed her inside. And I made her stand next to the fireplace. And I tried to assess how cold she really was. When she told me that her fingers hurt and screamed when I touched them, I immediately ran downstairs to ask my good friend, webmd.com, just how bad the situation was. I looked up "frostbite symptoms" and "how to treat frostbite" as quickly as possible. And I made her put her hand in a pitcher of warm water.
I'm happy to report that she's now fine. Her fingers warmed up and stopped hurting. She's even using them again.
I just hope my genius child can remember her mittens and keep her fingers long enough to ace her future spelling tests.
2011-02-02
2011-01-21
Sledding
We had promised the girls that we would go sledding as a family, but it just wasn't working. If we didn't already have plans on the weekend, it was much too frigid to venture out. Last weekend, however, we had the perfect combination of warmer temps and an open schedule.
Bekah was super gung-ho about the whole thing. As soon as we got to Freeman Park, she took off running to the hill with her saucer, zoomed down and ran back up again exclaiming, "Wa-hoo!"
After Seth pointed out the jumps that other people had built up, Bekah positioned her sled to hit one every time. She even thought the huge berm that had been built up in front of an electrical box to keep people from hitting it was a jump as well.
Bekah was super gung-ho about the whole thing. As soon as we got to Freeman Park, she took off running to the hill with her saucer, zoomed down and ran back up again exclaiming, "Wa-hoo!"
After Seth pointed out the jumps that other people had built up, Bekah positioned her sled to hit one every time. She even thought the huge berm that had been built up in front of an electrical box to keep people from hitting it was a jump as well. Ana was a little more reserved. She enjoyed going down a few times, but she also spent a lot of time sitting on the little fence at the top of the hill. Or checking out the picnic shelter.
Or pulling the little sled around.
Miriam was the least-enthused of all. She tolerated going down the hill a few times, but mostly she just whined.
Seth and Miriam after a run down the hill on a saucer.
Meh.
Or pulling the little sled around.Miriam was the least-enthused of all. She tolerated going down the hill a few times, but mostly she just whined.
Seth and Miriam after a run down the hill on a saucer.This next picture pretty well sums up Miri's feelings for sledding.
Meh.2011-01-12
Miri's procedure
Miri has been a crybaby since the day she was born. It's not that she's overly emotional or fussy; she's actually a very mellow baby. Rather, she had blocked tear ducts. Sometimes people would comment on how sad our baby must be because of her watery eyes or tears running down her cheeks.
I brought up the issue with our pediatrician when Miri was just weeks old. He prescribed eye drops to get rid of the extra gunk her eyes were producing, and he told us to wait. Apparently, some plugged ducts clear up on their own.
When that didn't work, the pediatrician suggested that we massage the inside corners of her eyes to help them open up.
When that didn't work, I had to schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist to see if we could take care of the problem before it became a bigger problem.
At our appointment yesterday, he explained that in some babies' tear ducts, the membranes that are supposed to open up and become valves don't. Miriam's problem was her upper valve. He told me that probing the tear duct is the next step in opening up the valves, and if I wanted him to, he could do it right then and there.
Since the big girls were happily watching a movie with my dad at his place and I'd have to shell out an extra co-pay to schedule another time to do the procedure, I gave the doctor the okay.
A lovely diagram I borrowed from webmd.com.
His assistant came in and strapped Miri to a papoose board and held her head while the doctor administered a numbing eye drop, then used a tool to open up the tear duct before inserting a thin, flexible wire into the canal. Of course, Miri was none too pleased. She screamed and cried like I haven't heard before. After the doctor flushed the canal with water, he had to repeat the steps with the other eye.
Once free from the board, Miri glared at the doctor and happily accepted her pacifier and some snuggles from me. The doctor sounded positive about the probing. He said that sometimes babies have a lot of bone around the upper valve, which leads to unsuccessful probing. He didn't feel that with Miri's eyes, however.
We're hopeful this took care of the problem. Already, Miriam's eyes are less watery, and yesterday she cried her first real tear; it came from the inside corner of her eye instead of welling up until it overflowed from the middle. The doctor said to give it two to three weeks to make sure that the valve stays open. If not, we'll have to go to the hospital and have tubes inserted to force the valves open. Blech. I'm hoping we can avoid that.
Miri the day after her tear duct probing. She's a tiny bit swollen and red under her eyes, but otherwise fine.
I brought up the issue with our pediatrician when Miri was just weeks old. He prescribed eye drops to get rid of the extra gunk her eyes were producing, and he told us to wait. Apparently, some plugged ducts clear up on their own.
When that didn't work, the pediatrician suggested that we massage the inside corners of her eyes to help them open up.
When that didn't work, I had to schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist to see if we could take care of the problem before it became a bigger problem.
At our appointment yesterday, he explained that in some babies' tear ducts, the membranes that are supposed to open up and become valves don't. Miriam's problem was her upper valve. He told me that probing the tear duct is the next step in opening up the valves, and if I wanted him to, he could do it right then and there.
Since the big girls were happily watching a movie with my dad at his place and I'd have to shell out an extra co-pay to schedule another time to do the procedure, I gave the doctor the okay.
A lovely diagram I borrowed from webmd.com. His assistant came in and strapped Miri to a papoose board and held her head while the doctor administered a numbing eye drop, then used a tool to open up the tear duct before inserting a thin, flexible wire into the canal. Of course, Miri was none too pleased. She screamed and cried like I haven't heard before. After the doctor flushed the canal with water, he had to repeat the steps with the other eye.
Once free from the board, Miri glared at the doctor and happily accepted her pacifier and some snuggles from me. The doctor sounded positive about the probing. He said that sometimes babies have a lot of bone around the upper valve, which leads to unsuccessful probing. He didn't feel that with Miri's eyes, however.
We're hopeful this took care of the problem. Already, Miriam's eyes are less watery, and yesterday she cried her first real tear; it came from the inside corner of her eye instead of welling up until it overflowed from the middle. The doctor said to give it two to three weeks to make sure that the valve stays open. If not, we'll have to go to the hospital and have tubes inserted to force the valves open. Blech. I'm hoping we can avoid that.
Miri the day after her tear duct probing. She's a tiny bit swollen and red under her eyes, but otherwise fine.A quick trip
Four days after Christmas, we braved the nasty roads to go to Salt Lake. My brother's wife and kids were there visiting her family, and since Salt Lake is SO much closer than San Antonio, this was a great chance to horn in on a Genetti family get-together to see our Texas family. (Ethan was in Iraq at the time, but he's home now! Huzzah!)
It was a quick there-and-back trip with just one night in the hotel. But we managed to pack in a lot of fun things along the way.
Before the Texas cousins showed up, we took the time to view the Christus at the North Visitors' Center at Temple Square. Here Analee and Seth view the statue.
Grandpa Scott tells the grandkids about their ancestor, Henry Grow, who helped to design and build the domed roof of the Tabernacle.
The grandkids on the temple steps. Mason, Samuel, Spencer, Rebekah and Analee. (Miriam was asleep in the stroller.)
After dinner that evening, Teressa, her boys and Grandma and Grandpa Scott stuck around Temple Square to see the lights. Since it was blizzarding and we have a wee one, we opted out and went swimming at the hotel pool instead. Miriam LOVED the water! She kept splashing and splashing and didn't even mind when it got on her face.
Analee in the pool. Last year, she was fearless in the pool. Now she's older and wiser. She wouldn't go in the pool without two forms of flotation.
The next day, we visited the planetarium at the Gateway. Bekah was an insatiable appetite for learning about all things science-related, so she really enjoyed all the displays. Here she is bouncing on the moon-like landscape.
Miriam getting a shoulder ride from Andrea. This baby is obsessed with hair. She loves pulling it and laughs merrily as she does.
After the planetarium, we grabbed some lunch before heading home on dry roads. Analee enjoyed her Dairy Queen ice cream cone at the Gateway food court.
It was a quick there-and-back trip with just one night in the hotel. But we managed to pack in a lot of fun things along the way.
Before the Texas cousins showed up, we took the time to view the Christus at the North Visitors' Center at Temple Square. Here Analee and Seth view the statue.Grandpa Scott tells the grandkids about their ancestor, Henry Grow, who helped to design and build the domed roof of the Tabernacle. The grandkids on the temple steps. Mason, Samuel, Spencer, Rebekah and Analee. (Miriam was asleep in the stroller.)After dinner that evening, Teressa, her boys and Grandma and Grandpa Scott stuck around Temple Square to see the lights. Since it was blizzarding and we have a wee one, we opted out and went swimming at the hotel pool instead. Miriam LOVED the water! She kept splashing and splashing and didn't even mind when it got on her face.Analee in the pool. Last year, she was fearless in the pool. Now she's older and wiser. She wouldn't go in the pool without two forms of flotation.The next day, we visited the planetarium at the Gateway. Bekah was an insatiable appetite for learning about all things science-related, so she really enjoyed all the displays. Here she is bouncing on the moon-like landscape.Miriam getting a shoulder ride from Andrea. This baby is obsessed with hair. She loves pulling it and laughs merrily as she does.After the planetarium, we grabbed some lunch before heading home on dry roads. Analee enjoyed her Dairy Queen ice cream cone at the Gateway food court.To see more pictures from our trip and Christmas, click here.
2011-01-10
Christmas festivities
I know, I know. It's mid-January and I'm JUST blogging about Christmas?! But here's the deal. I was waiting on pictures. And I'm lazy. And you know how the holidays get crazy-busy. And I'm lazy. And I'm lazy. Did I say that one already?
So, without further ado, here's how we spent our Christmas!
Christmas Eve was 100 percent perfect. We started out the day by visiting the Museum of Idaho's free Christmas exhibit. We let Bekah loose with the camera, and here's what she documented:
Various nativity displays, gingerbread houses, Kwanzaa and Hanukkah decor, Idaho history displays and a few self-portraits.
So, without further ado, here's how we spent our Christmas!
Christmas Eve was 100 percent perfect. We started out the day by visiting the Museum of Idaho's free Christmas exhibit. We let Bekah loose with the camera, and here's what she documented:
Various nativity displays, gingerbread houses, Kwanzaa and Hanukkah decor, Idaho history displays and a few self-portraits.Next we drove to a neighbor's house for a sleigh ride.
Seth, Bekah (behind him in the silver coat) and Miriam riding on a two-horse open sleigh driven by our neighbor, Blake Ford.
Ana and Andrea on the sleigh. Bekah and Miri liked the ride, Ana ... not so much.
Seth, Bekah (behind him in the silver coat) and Miriam riding on a two-horse open sleigh driven by our neighbor, Blake Ford.Ana and Andrea on the sleigh. Bekah and Miri liked the ride, Ana ... not so much.Then I had the pleasure of taking a 2-hour nap while Seth entertained the girls. (Like I said, a PERFECT Christmas Eve.)
Afterward, we loaded up the girls to go to Grandpa Wirkus' house for an evening of German fare and pajama presents from Grandma and Grandpa Scott.
Miriam getting a bite of red cabbage. She loved it.
Bekah and Ana modeling their new pajamas.
Afterward, we loaded up the girls to go to Grandpa Wirkus' house for an evening of German fare and pajama presents from Grandma and Grandpa Scott.
Miriam getting a bite of red cabbage. She loved it.Bekah and Ana modeling their new pajamas.After dinner, we went to Seth's parents' house for more present opening and a Skype call with Seth's brother in Boston. (Unfortunately, we didn't have our camera with us.)
Christmas Day, I woke up too early (good thing I had that nap) and had to sneak downstairs to "read the Internet" (as Seth and I put it) before everyone else got up. I must have been too noisy, because shortly thereafter, the girls woke up. We had told them they weren't allowed out of bed before 7 a.m., but with everyone awake, we decided to go down 30 minutes early.
After the general unwrapping and gift enjoyment, Seth's parents came over and brought even more presents. Then we packed it up again and went to my parents' house for yet more presents.
Bekah looking at the fairy mermaid she received from Grandma and Grandpa Scott.
Analee inspecting her fairy mermaid.
Miriam the man-eater. She got a hold of the Ken doll Ana received from Santa.
Seth, Andrea and Ana reading on Grandma and Grandpa Scott's couch. Did I mention that Seth gave me a Kindle for Christmas? I'm not nearly cool enough to own such a device, but I must say that I love it.
Christmas Day, I woke up too early (good thing I had that nap) and had to sneak downstairs to "read the Internet" (as Seth and I put it) before everyone else got up. I must have been too noisy, because shortly thereafter, the girls woke up. We had told them they weren't allowed out of bed before 7 a.m., but with everyone awake, we decided to go down 30 minutes early.
After the general unwrapping and gift enjoyment, Seth's parents came over and brought even more presents. Then we packed it up again and went to my parents' house for yet more presents.
Bekah looking at the fairy mermaid she received from Grandma and Grandpa Scott.Analee inspecting her fairy mermaid.Miriam the man-eater. She got a hold of the Ken doll Ana received from Santa.Seth, Andrea and Ana reading on Grandma and Grandpa Scott's couch. Did I mention that Seth gave me a Kindle for Christmas? I'm not nearly cool enough to own such a device, but I must say that I love it.2011-01-03
9-month checkup
Two days after Christmas, I dragged all three girls in to the doctor's office to get flu shots (actually, mist for the big girls) and to have Miri's well-baby checkup. The doctor said she's on target developmentally, but she's a little underweight. He suggested that I increase the number of times I nurse her a day. I nodded my head, yet disagreed internally. I know the way ours girls are: skinny and big-headed. Case in point:
Bekah exhibited our family's growth tendencies to the extreme:
Miriam at 9 months
Weight: 17 pounds, 10 ounces (29th percentile)
Height: 28.5 inches (82nd percentile)
Head: 18.25 inches (97th percentile)
Weight: 17 pounds, 10 ounces (29th percentile)
Height: 28.5 inches (82nd percentile)
Head: 18.25 inches (97th percentile)
Bekah exhibited our family's growth tendencies to the extreme:
Rebekah at 9 months
Weight: 15 pounds, 9 ounces (5th percentile)
Height: 26.5 inches (5th percentile)
Head: don't have the exact measurement or percentile, but it was off the charts
Weight: 15 pounds, 9 ounces (5th percentile)
Height: 26.5 inches (5th percentile)
Head: don't have the exact measurement or percentile, but it was off the charts
As long as my girls are happy and healthy, I'm happy too. And Miriam is obviously both--she eats well, sleeps well and fills her diapers. Who could ask for anything more?
What's that? You could ask for something more? All right, name it. I see. ... You want to see an extremely cute picture of all three of our girls getting cleaned up in our hotel room's bathtub following a splashy dip in the hotel pool on our recent excursion to Salt Lake City? Happy to oblige:
What's that? You could ask for something more? All right, name it. I see. ... You want to see an extremely cute picture of all three of our girls getting cleaned up in our hotel room's bathtub following a splashy dip in the hotel pool on our recent excursion to Salt Lake City? Happy to oblige:
2010-12-27
And while I'm at it ...
Here are a few outtakes from our Christmas card shoot:
Seth and I have super powers. I can make my eyelashes disappear by blinking hard.
Seth can touch his chin with his tongue.
Seth and I have super powers. I can make my eyelashes disappear by blinking hard.
Seth can touch his chin with his tongue.Christmas project #2
So while I was busy with the Barbie house (see previous post), I was surprised when this showed up near my work space:
Back story: A while ago, Seth's mom gave us the pieces of a cradle that her father had made for her as a little girl. She thought maybe my dad could fix it up for our girls. I had nearly forgotten about it until it showed up unexpectedly. Apparently my dad had found the time (or made the time) to finish it.
Since it was so close to Christmas, I thought it would be perfect to finish it up for the girls as a present from Great-Grandpa Hendricks, Grandma Susan, Grandpa Scott, Seth and me.
You can distinguish the original pieces from the new ones in this shot.
Close-up of the headboard.
Back story: A while ago, Seth's mom gave us the pieces of a cradle that her father had made for her as a little girl. She thought maybe my dad could fix it up for our girls. I had nearly forgotten about it until it showed up unexpectedly. Apparently my dad had found the time (or made the time) to finish it.
Since it was so close to Christmas, I thought it would be perfect to finish it up for the girls as a present from Great-Grandpa Hendricks, Grandma Susan, Grandpa Scott, Seth and me.
You can distinguish the original pieces from the new ones in this shot.
Close-up of the headboard.Lately I've become a craft-blog junkie. I've read all about refinishing furniture on this blog, and I really wanted to try her glazing technique on something. I figured this would be the perfect opportunity. I'm rather pleased with the results.
The family heirloom doll cradle, all fixed up and purdified. I made the quilt out of scraps of fabric given to me by Grandma Hendricks.
The family heirloom doll cradle, all fixed up and purdified. I made the quilt out of scraps of fabric given to me by Grandma Hendricks. I stole another idea (scroll down to see the addition of the decorative wooden scroll) from the aforementioned blog and bought an extra piece to add to the headboard to give it more detail.
Now that I know how to glaze and have a nearly full quart of the stuff, I think other pieces of our furniture might be undergoing some changes ...
Now that I know how to glaze and have a nearly full quart of the stuff, I think other pieces of our furniture might be undergoing some changes ...
Christmas project #1
Months ago (like, pre-Halloween) when Bekah was writing her first of many letters to Santa, she put "Barbie house" at the very top of her list. I knew that a store-bought house would cost anywhere from $50-$250, and I figured I could do better than that. So I Googled "Barbie house tutorial" and found this little beauty. I think I searched for a month before I found a five-drawer chest of drawers at a garage sale and snatched it up for $15.
After hours of hammering, priming, painting, wallpapering, upholstering, caulking and carpeting, it finally came together. (Good thing Bekah's kindergarten and Ana's preschool times overlapped so I could work without the prying eyes of little ones.) I wish I had "before" pictures, but alas ... I don't. So imagine a brown, stinky chest of drawers and then feast your eyes on this:
I can't claim all the glory; my dad helped, too. He built the peaked roof for the top.
Yeah, it doesn't have all the little extras that come with a licensed Barbie house (elevator, jacuzzi, flat-screen TV), but it will hold up a lot longer than a glorified hunk of plastic.
What's that you say? You want to see some close-ups? Happy to oblige.
The bedroom. Notice the jellyfish chandelier. I don't care how aquatic it looks; there was no way I would redo it. You don't realize how many hours it takes to thread beads onto floral wire and cut and shape them until you try it. The bed is made out a shoebox lid, four empty ribbon spools, part of a Kleenx box, scrapbook paper, an old sheet and some luxurious costume satin. I found the little dresser at a craft store and painted/Mod Podged it. The mirror came out of an old compact of mine.
The living/dining room. The table is a pre-cut wooden rectangle with an empty curling ribbon spool glued to the bottom of it. The couch and chairs are foam I already had with more luxurious costume satin. The tea set I found for $2 at Fred Meyer.
After hours of hammering, priming, painting, wallpapering, upholstering, caulking and carpeting, it finally came together. (Good thing Bekah's kindergarten and Ana's preschool times overlapped so I could work without the prying eyes of little ones.) I wish I had "before" pictures, but alas ... I don't. So imagine a brown, stinky chest of drawers and then feast your eyes on this:
I can't claim all the glory; my dad helped, too. He built the peaked roof for the top.Yeah, it doesn't have all the little extras that come with a licensed Barbie house (elevator, jacuzzi, flat-screen TV), but it will hold up a lot longer than a glorified hunk of plastic.
What's that you say? You want to see some close-ups? Happy to oblige.
The bedroom. Notice the jellyfish chandelier. I don't care how aquatic it looks; there was no way I would redo it. You don't realize how many hours it takes to thread beads onto floral wire and cut and shape them until you try it. The bed is made out a shoebox lid, four empty ribbon spools, part of a Kleenx box, scrapbook paper, an old sheet and some luxurious costume satin. I found the little dresser at a craft store and painted/Mod Podged it. The mirror came out of an old compact of mine. 
The living/dining room. The table is a pre-cut wooden rectangle with an empty curling ribbon spool glued to the bottom of it. The couch and chairs are foam I already had with more luxurious costume satin. The tea set I found for $2 at Fred Meyer.Pretty sweet, if you ask me. Especially since I found the wallpaper at D.I. ($2) and the carpet samples on clearance ($1/each).
Seth kept saying that one of Santa's elves must have worked really hard to make such a neat Barbie house. I'll tell you this: one of Santa's elves smiled extra-big as our girls saw the house Christmas morning and squealed with glee.
Seth kept saying that one of Santa's elves must have worked really hard to make such a neat Barbie house. I'll tell you this: one of Santa's elves smiled extra-big as our girls saw the house Christmas morning and squealed with glee.
Christmas spirit
The other day, I let the girls watch some TV while I got ready in the morning. They were spellbound, as always.
Just ignore Ana's finger placement. We're going to assume that her finger is NEXT to her nose.
It just isn't Christmas without watching the Grinch.
Just ignore Ana's finger placement. We're going to assume that her finger is NEXT to her nose.Some of the shows they like to watch are annoying at best, insanity-inducing at worst. But I wholeheartedly approved of their choice that morning.
It just isn't Christmas without watching the Grinch.2010-12-24
From the other member of the Grover family
This one has visions of sugarplums stuffed in his head.
Merry Christmas Eve!
2010-12-22
The Book of Grover
The hard copies are in the mail (minus just a couple, but I'm getting more stamps today!) so here's the grand virtual unveiling of our annual Christmas card and newsletter. Enjoy!
2010-12-09
Little elf
It would be cool if her ear did that naturally. Alas, it was just her hat pushing it out. Miriam the elf hopes you're being good this Christmas season, because she's watching!
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