Mr. Cookie Baker

Our current favorite library book is Mr. Cookie Baker. The following pics catalog our adventure in cookie baking as outlined by the book (recipe included). PS – It is really hard to find cookie cutters. But we found some cute ones at Crate & Barrel and bought two sets. After all, why buy one for the price of one when you can buy two for the price of two?!?!?

The beloved book.

It's a cookie cutter!

Mason tries real (not in the jar) bananas.

First layer of sugar.

Mason thinks all this cookie baking is crazy.

A little more sugar.
I didn't know this would be so delicious.

Yummy!

Lucky in Love

Childhood is a magical time of newfound joys and enriching experiences. For our toddler this included winning his first horserace bet and falling in love with an older woman.
Our family had the fine pleasure of attending the Walsh’s 7th annual Kentucky Derby Party. As part of the tradition they allow party-goers to buy in on the bets, but to randomly pick a horse from a bucket. We let Cooper place a $2 bet and he – through the dictates of chance – picked Street Sense.
Well, the rest is history, Street Sense became the first two-year-old champion to win the Derby since 1979. I guess it was just a lucky day for two-year-olds.
While winning was a big event for Coop, I think his heart was actually racing for his new found love, a gorgeous blonde who was the younger sister of the party’s host. Smitten, besotted, and absolutely head over heels in love with her. She played along, and rather than playing hard to get played like putty in his hands. Lucky at the track, lucky in love. What more can a two-year-old ask for?

Conestoga Hide Out

When I was in the 3rd and 4th grades I attended schools in Gillette, Wyoming. One of the schools was called Conestoga Elementary – or at least the mascot was the Conestoga wagons. For those of you unfamiliar with Wyoming – that’s a really freaking small town in the middle of freaking nowhere. Also a town that thought elementary-aged children could get keyed up about an oxen-drawn, covered wagon. A little backward.

It’s no wonder -- given that I received 4th-grade history (also known as state history) in Wyoming and on green-screen computers playing with Oregon Trail -- that I would find myself in this position:


Yes! My kids love riding in the covered caravan, Conestoga style. Other moms look at me like I’m the overprotective mother that’s afraid sunscreen is not enough. But it has nothing to do with me. It’s primarily Cooper and his love of hiding in small spaces. If I peek in the tent he exclaims, “Close the door!” Which, of course, provokes the whole “don’t boss your mother” conversation. But that’s another blog for another day.


Mason update: These pictures of Mas were taken yesterday. He was still feeling a little sleepy and doe-eyed. Tonight his eyes started to darken. Black eyes are pretty common among small children that are put under, apparently. It’s from having their eyes taped shut. But he’s fine and in great spirits.


PS -- I figure I went to Sunday school at least 550 times in my life. Which would explain why I started singing "Pioneer children sang as they walked, and walked, and walked" on my way to the library. Of course that's the only line I remembered and because Cooper likes singing, I had to just keep singing it over, and over, and over, again. Damn those riveting lyrics.

Don't Forget Dads/Plumbers/Electricians/CFOs

Saw a story on CNN yesterday and it bolstered my confidence. Survey: Moms' work would bring in $138,095 a year.
Then I woke up this morning and had an extensive conversation with Steve about all the things we need to get done in the house this year. All included plumbing, electrical, tile work, landscaping. I'm telling you -- my hubby can do it all. He's also our financial controller (this is not to indicate he "controls" the money but that he acts as our CFO and financial investment advisor), our main mechanic, garbage taker-outer, systems administrator, car washer, golf coach, movie critic, travel agent, electronics guru, and occasional substitute housekeeper, cook, facilities manager, driver, and psychologist. Love him!

Urology -- 1 Day On

Little Mason had a terrible night. But I think he's through the worst of it. He woke up this morning a new baby. For those of you who have had an epidural or spinal block, you can probably relate. I believe – but have no way of knowing – that Mason’s buttocks, legs, and feet were probably tingling and itchy last night. He was just so grumpy and trying to move his feet and kick. But not really able to. He couldn’t sit up very well and he didn’t really want to be held. But then he didn’t want to be too far away from any of us – including Cooper. So, finally we just gave up the ghost and went to bed. I let Mason sleep next to me in the master bedroom and Steve slept upstairs in Mason’s room, which is next door to Cooper. Steve was on Cooper duty – and I don’t think Cooper got up – and I was on Mason duty.


Mason nursed every hour through the night. He was like a heat-seeking missile. Every time I pushed him away I’d wake up an hour earlier with him wedged up against me. After nursing so much and all the IV fluids from yesterday, we finally woke up to find Mason buoyed by his Maggie Simpson diaper. (If any of you are Simpson’s fans you will remember the Woodstock/Maggie diaper scene.)


We’ve had a cheerful morning of playing and eating solid foods! He’s already done what all good surgical patients need to do: keep incisions clean (despite their particularly non-hygienic location), keep down liquids and solids, and pass gas and stool! Fun times.


Included some fun pictures from the past week… for your enjoyment. Will not be posting pictures of incisions (nor taking any), so don’t ask.

Urology Wednesday

What a horrendous day. Thanks to all of those who kept us in their thoughts and what not. We’re all just fine – and most importantly – Mason is doing great.

We checked in at 8 a.m. for a 9:15 procedure. But then it got bumped (mind you Mason had not eaten since 4 a.m.) to 11:15. Then 12:15 p.m. Then 1 p.m. He did not go back with the nurses for his procedure until after 1 p.m.! He was starving and raving mad, and just couldn’t figure out why I would not feed him.


The operation didn’t last very long, only about 40 minutes. He came out of the anesthesia pretty well and all his vitals looked good. He ate well, and kept it down. So they let him go! He has two incisions. Not much to look at as the stitches are inside and there is some kind of fancy super glue on the outside. His IV site isn’t too unsightly (his NICU wounds were much worse).Now we’re home and it is so quiet.

Cooper is over at school. Mason is sleeping. And the house is dead silent.

Here are some pictures from the day. These will be great for Mason when he is a little older. He’ll be able to look through them and see that he was brave and strong. He might have a problem with his little dress.

Goodnight Boys

Now I lay my sons to sleep, I plead…
Head…
Heart…
Lungs…
…