Superman down

My dear husband recently broke.

This is very uncommon for the man I have come to suspect as Clark Kent-like, living the facade of human limitation, while in reality possessing a full spectrum of superpowers. Turns out that after the manner of a certain Greek hero, my husband's Kryptonite is that tedious little Achilles tendon...which snapped, tore, ruptured, or otherwise _______(insert favorite disconnecting verb here) while playing softball.

It could have been his second home run of the game had the tendon sniper not gunned him down between first and second base. To the untrained ball watching eye (mine) it looked like he had just slipped in the dirt. So it took a minute to register why he didn't bounce right back up and instead just laid there, barely moving, as fellow teammates (and a worried wife) hurried to investigate.

The events that followed went something like this: Pain. Shock. ER. Cast. Crutches. Pain. Medication. Surgery. New cast. Pain. More medication. Down for the count. Foot elevated. Restless. Frustrated. Two weeks out of work. Stir crazy. Hopping. Hobbling. Driving left footed. Slowly working back into life, but still on crutches for three more weeks, and after that a walking cast for I don't know how long. Physical therapy starts at 3 months, and total recovery time can be anywhere from 9 to 12 months. Ouch.

Today was his first day back at work and he would have even made it the whole day had the brakes not gone out in my car, causing him to have to leave work early to rescue me. So even in his compromised state he is still my Superhero--and now I will treat you to some rarely seen footage of Superman down.

This injury is actually from the home run he made before the REAL injury. It is more of a glory wound from a glory slide into home. But it didn't help to have this injury on his only "good" leg.

Here he is after successful reconnection of the tendon. Yes, folks, the leg bone IS connected to the foot bone. But Brian was still a bit out of it at this stage. He came out of the general anesthesia thinking and speaking in French, which is odd for someone who doesn't KNOW French.

This couch is pretty much where Brian has lived, breathed, ate and slept during the down time. He feels pretty useless in his condition, but we have LOVED having him home around the clock, and we will all miss him as he resumes "normal" life.

Welcome to our Infirmary. While Brian was in recuperation here, Windsyr burned her finger on the stove and joined in the fun of ice packs and pain. Cairo is not injured, but is a sort of hospital squatter, enjoying the Epsom salt foot bath that Brian had used to bring down the swelling.

Talking to Birds

Good morning. 11:46 a.m. may not exactly qualify as morning, but on my new nocturnal schedule, it feels like it. Early this morning (9-ish), I woke from a deep sleep to a knock at the door. "Come in," I called, trying to sound awake. The knocking got louder and quicker, so again I called "come in", only this time with more lung behind it. Not even a pause in the knocking which was now so loud and rhythmic I was wide awake, wondering why the person on the other side of the door wasn't responding. One more try from me: "COME IN," I nearly shouted, thinking if the person didn't hear that, at least my neighbors did. And that's when it finally occurred to me that the knocking wasn't coming from the door at all, but from the area near the window....where a woodpecker was relentlessly pecking at the side of the house. Talking to woodpeckers. Ahhh, the sleep deprived state of a new mom.

So if my blogging seems to be lacking, I thank you for understanding. In fact, I have been working on this post for several days now, but as it only happens in bits and pieces, the new baby could be potty trained before I finish. Let me rewind a little and tell things in order.



Here I am ready to pop already, still with several weeks to go. Cairo got accustomed to his belly "seat" and I carried him around on it like it was his throne. Seems with a fourth pregnancy, the sky is the limit with belly expansion.


This is a surprised face at my surprise baby shower. I wish I had the footage from when I first walked in the door as I'm sure my mouth was opened even wider. I resisted having a shower for this baby, due to the fact that my friends have already done way beyond their share in helping this baby get here. The last thing I thought they should do after all the meals and childcare, etc. was shower me with gifts. But I am surrounded by friends who don't take no for an answer. So they went ahead and planned a shower, and threw it anyway. With the help of my husband and mother-in-law as accomplices, they lured me out of my house and into a celebration that confirmed once again the amazing nature of my friends.


Here we are on the way to the hospital. I went into labor at 4 am on April 23rd--three days before my scheduled c-section. The same thing had happened with Cairo, so it wasn't terribly surprising. It was tricky timing, though, since Brian was dressed and headed out the door at 5am that morning on his way out of town for job related meetings. He had simply come upstairs to say goodbye and was very surprised to find me awake and out of bed, sitting uncomfortably in a chair. I hesitated even telling him about the labor pains because I had experienced an entire night of false labor only a few days prior which amounted to nothing. I didn't want him to miss his meetings if this wasn't going to be the real thing. We spent an hour trying to decide if it was legit, but the deal was sealed with my water breaking at 6am. Yes, the baby would be coming that day, and Brian's trip had been intercepted in a big way. Within hours we were at the hospital, prepped and ready for surgery.


And since the best laid plans tend to fail, the doctor we had so carefully chosen to perform this fourth C-section was not available for our delivery . So the on call doctor, who we had never even met, delivered our baby. It was kind of cool that she was a woman, as was my anesthesiologist. I liked being surrounded by a team of women, with only one male assisting in the operating room. Oh yes, and my handsome Elvis. (See below.)


Elvis is in the building.


First look at the little man. Of course he didn't have a name at this point...but four days later he was Cayman Nilsson Maughan. He was born at 11:50 am, weighing in at 8lbs, 11oz (not as big as we expected, but pretty sizeable considering he was born nine days before his due date.) He was 20 inches and came out with the hiccups.


Staten with his new brother.


Windsyr with her new baby...I mean brother. She might as well be the mommy for how much she loves to hold and care for him.



Cairo--no longer the baby of the family. We thought he would be traumatized and feel dethroned, but really he is quite enjoying big brother status.



Cayman coming home from the hospital--first picture as a family of SIX.



The famous Natalie and Nori sign.



The kids worked hard to make sure Cayman was welcomed home in style.



Proud grandparents!


And here is a picture of Cayman with Jake. Jake who was Alice until Windsyr decided we should raise boys together. A simple outfit change and wah-lah. Jake. Anyway, we took this picture so that months from now (even just weeks) we can look back and remember that yes, our baby really did start out small. It won't last long, but those first precious weeks are so tiny, new and miraculous that I always want to remember them.

Cayman is now almost three weeks old. And because it has taken me a whole week to finish this post, I'm happy to report he is awake a lot more during the day now, and not nearly so nocturnal as when I started the post. Ironically, the woodpecker came pecking again this morning, but I am proud to report I never once said: "Come in," which I take as a good sign of progress.

Hold Me

So I'm in that final sprint of pregnancy--the part where your body is so imbalanced there is simply no way to feel comfortable. Can't walk without a waddle, can't sleep without every pillow positioned just right, can't bend, lift, hold, carry, or bring grace to any position. Even breathing is somewhat compromised with what I'm told is a nine to ten pound tenant taking up more than his share of space. 21 days. Only 21 days. I can do this.

But of course, just cause mama's bursting at the seams and exhausted five minutes into the day doesn't mean life slows down, and this week brought with it a virus that one by one has attacked the whole family. Two days ago I was at the doctor for my daughter's double ear infection while my husband was home sick with the worst of it. My two year old was running wild as I was at the pharmacy counter trying to pay for the prescription, and in an effort to settle him down, I asked:
"Do you want me to hold you?"

I had barely even noticed an older man standing beside me when he responded without missing a beat:
"Well, that'd be nice, but I don't even know you."

I looked over at him in surprise, and as his joke registered, I burst into laughter. He apologized for his "bad joke." But I insisted "It wasn't a bad joke, it was hilarious!" And I meant it. Because in two seconds flat, he had de-stressed the dynamic of the situation, and put perspective back into my day. Here I was so tightly wound in my haggard state of hugeness and sleeplessness, trying to care for a sick little family while at the same time ready to pop with yet another dependent, and feeling the weight of it all----and all it took was one small sentence from one witty stranger to lift my day, my spirits, and enable me to endure those last five minutes at the pharmacy, which was perhaps the greatest gift of all.

Clearly your record shows...

I have been to Wimbledon, and enjoyed not only the games being played, but the amusing back and forth of the heads in the crowd focused on the little yellow ball being lobbed from one side of the court to the other and back again. But until now, I have never felt so much like that little yellow ball being sent in one direction, then another, then another. It must be mind numbing for that fuzzy little thing. It is for me.

When I went in for my 20 week ultrasound in December, I was diagnosed with complete Placenta Previa, which means my placenta was covering my cervix. Wrong place for it. Though this condition typically corrects itself as a uterus stretches, my doctor wasn't hopeful that it would in my case, as there is scar tissue from three previous c-sections that was likely to enmesh with the placenta and keep it from migrating upward. I met with one RN and two different doctors over the next few weeks, all of which confirmed the previa, and gave strict orders of caution: No travel, no exercise, no lifting, and no...relations...with my husband. This was to prevent undue strain that could cause the placenta to bleed--which is bad--as it can't always be stopped and worst case scenario could lead to hospitalization, early delivery, the need for blood transfusions, risk to the mother and baby, and the occasional emergency hysterectomy. So I was cautious. And I worried every single time I lifted my nearly forty pound two year old, knowing that I was exceeding the 20 pound limit, but not knowing how to get around it.

Two months later, at 29 weeks, , I went in for a follow up ultrasound to see if the placenta had migrated. This was an interesting appointment as I was told some very unusual and unexpected news by the ultrasound technician: "According to our records here in the radiology department, you NEVER HAD placenta previa." She found it implausible that I had been told I had placenta previa, and couldn't account for the misinformation. She said: "Clearly your record shows a normal placenta, so I have no idea where that information came from."

So I spent the next two weeks wondering how the misinformation had been conveyed and whose records the doctor might have looked at to think I had placenta previa. I was happy and grateful to know it was not a concern after all, but somewhat frustrated to be at the mercy of medical misinformation (although I do realize if there is going to be medical malpractice, it's much better to have them err in your favor.)

Yesterday would have been my next doctor's appointment, but I was too sick with some nasty cold/sore throat thing to get out the door, so I called in to the nurse to discuss the things we would have covered at the appointment--one of them being the previa, or lack thereof.

She said it looked like all was well and that the placenta had migrated upward. At the word "migrated" I knew the OBGYN dept had not been in communication with the radiology department. I told her what I had been told at my follow up ultrasound, and it was all news to her. She apologized on behalf of the radiology department and told me she had no idea how they got that information. "Clearly your record shows complete placenta previa as of December 18th."

So here I am, the fuzzy yellow ball, now lobbed back to the original court and not knowing who has it straight since clearly my record CAN'T show two totally opposing things. I asked the nurse to ask the doctor to contact the radiology department and figure out whose record is right. The placenta previa is cleared in either case, but it is important to me to know what my record really shows, because it is about me and my health, and I don't like being at the mercy of incompetent racquets, if you know what I mean. So while they duke out the clarity of my record, my placenta and I are going to rest. We are dizzy and confused.

The artist calls it how she sees it

While I am VERY flattered by my husband's sweet Valentine's slide show, here is something I am not so flattered by. My five year old daughter presented me with this picture today. She said: "Hey mom, I drew a picture of what you look like when you get out of bed in the morning. Want to see it?" For the first time in her drawing history, I knew I did NOT want to see my daughter's drawing. But of course she showed me, and now I am showing you. There is no rebuttal to the plain hard truth. The artist calls it how she sees it.

Be Mine

I know I don't always comment and I have not always been as into this blog thing as you, but I thought of all days this might be the day to share a few thoughts. Enjoy.



Love,
B

I love cameras

This is not a one time thing. This is how my child sleeps. For months our son has been pulling the blanket over his face to sleep and what cracks us up is the consistency of it. I often go in to check on him sleeping just to see if he's done it again, and he always has. Whatever it takes, I guess.

80's day at the kids' school. The kids thought it was great, but the real fun was had by the parents who planned their outfits...true children of the 80's!


Cairo's hair got a little long and I had a little too much fun with it. It is cut now, for anyone who worries that I am demoralizing my children. (He liked it, by the way--only resisting the rubber bands until I showed him what I was doing in the mirror. Suddenly he became very patient with me and was fascinated and pleased with his new do.)


Here is the evidence of the mouse who has apparently been sneaking around our garage stealing old Halloween candy. He must surely be fat and happy after all this!


Staten and three little buddies are in a golf class together. Something about this picture just cracks me up. You could flash forward several decades to this scene and it wouldn't look much different, I think. Just taller boys (men) and longer golf clubs.


We've seen several rainbows in the past while. This one was a double although its hard to tell in the picture. We like to drive around in the car hunting for the end of the rainbow in search of that allusive pot of gold. Our consolation for not finding the gold is the newly instituted "rainbow celebration" which we now get to have in our family upon spotting a rainbow. (My husband will attest to the fact I'll use ANY excuse to celebrate and I am good at coming up with reasons.)

Corn Roasting

Last night Windsyr came downstairs holding her mermaid barbie and announced: "It's just so hard corn roasting."

I know my daughter well enough to know that whatever she meant by this, it made perfect sense on Planet Windsyr, so I smiled sympathetically and said: "What do you mean by that?"

She proceeded to show me the many braids she had put in her barbie's long pink hair. "I've done all these, but there's still so many to do!"

And suddenly it clicked. Corn rows. My daughter was giving her mermaid corn rows, and now you see what I mean by my daughter's logic. If making corn rows could be summed into one verb, I think "Corn rows-ting" would be the right one.

Have your kids created any new words I can add to my dictionary?

D.O.D.

Though A.D.D. may be all the rage these days, there is a highly overlooked disorder in the pyschological field that I would like to bring to light. My gut tells me I am not the only one with this disease, and by coming out of the closet I might even find some camaraderie among fellow sufferers.

Let me introduce you to an hour in the life of one who suffers from
DISTRACTION OVERLOAD DISORDER.

The other morning I was cleaning up after breakfast. When I opened the fridge I found it nearly bare which reminded me that we needed groceries. Leaving the dishes unfinished I sat down to write a grocery list, which led me to my recipe book in search of menu ideas for the week. The recipe book reminded me that I had been intending to get some recipes from a few friends, which made me think that some of those recipes might already be posted on my yahoo group. Leaving my grocery list unfinished, I went upstairs to my computer where I intended to check my yahoo group, but upon opening google, I got distracted by the daily news and started to read about the elections. Leaving my recipe list unfinished, I next checked my email where a message reminded me of a birthday party my son was invited to which reminded me I had a present in need of wrapping. The need to wrap reminded me of Christmas, which reminded me of a returned Christmas card which reminded me to put my email address on a friend's blog so she could send me her address. Leaving the present unwrapped, I went to her blog, which of course led to another blog and another where I ended up finding a fun activity posted that I just had to try. This led me to an internet site called myheritage where you can upload photos and use face recognition technology to find out which parent your child resembles most, or which celebrities you resemble. I then realized I needed to switch to my downstairs computer where the photos are kept if I wanted to play with face recognition. But I couldn't go downstairs until I cleaned up the mess of staples and 3x5 cards my son had scattered from the computer desk while I'd been at the computer. The mess upstairs reminded me that I still hadn't finished cleaning up breakfast which reminded me I hadn't finished my grocery list, my menu list, my recipe search, or wrapped the present...

SO....What would YOU do at this point?

1. Wrap the present while you are thinking about it?
2. Finish cleaning up breakfast before the grapenuts cement to the cereal bowl?
3. Check the recipes while you are still logged onto your computer?
4. Stop and clean up the mess of staples your toddler made?
5. Leave the room quickly to find the toddler who has now disappeared with a stapler in hand?
6. Go downstairs to your other computer because it is really quite crucial to find out which celebrity you look like ?
7. Stop and write a blog entry blaming the fact that you can't get anything finished on Distraction Overload Disorder!?

Well, being the prudent mother that I am forced to be at times, I first chased down my son. He had the stapler in the living room where more staples were now scattered, and this of course meant I had to vacuum the living room rug. At some point I also got to the kitchen, the bedroom mess, and the wrapping, but it was days before I got back to the face recognition, over a week before I got to the blog entry, and the recipes I pretty much gave up on for now.

Whether typical housewife hysteria, or truly a disorder of sorts, this my friends, is my life! (You can see why I relate so well to the "If you give a mouse a cookie" series of books.) And speaking of mice, my next entry will feature an incriminating picture of a little varmint who has been sneaking around our garage eating leftover Halloween candy. It's very funny, but will have to wait for the many distractions that are sure to come between now and that next blog entry...(like the fact that I just decided to experiment with font sizes and colors which you will now note in my entry.) See...distracto-woman!!! That is me, and I am not ashamed to admit it, so long as nothing distracts me before I get the chance! :)

Husband bloggers

Now, I don't know about your husbands, but mine had been somewhat slow to come around to the world of blogging. Oh if I twisted his arm enough he would check my/our blog, and occasionally even leave a comment. But when we got started on the whole "hundred day" thing, my husband was finally inducted, self-inducted even, into the world of blogging when he started his own blog to keep track of people's progress and success stories. Now, this really had potential if I hadn't up and gotten pregnant right about then, halting all normality in our family and any semblance of downtime for him, my primary caretaker. Well folks, just as I am back in the saddle again, he is finally able to put time into updating his hundred day blog, and you MUST sample his latest inspirational read. It will put just a little more wind beneath your wings today, and it will also encourage my husband to keep blogging. And let's face it, we need more husbands bloggers. So pay him a visit, and leave him a comment so he knows you were there. And THANKS upfront for supporting husband bloggers of the world.

Rolling in it

I walked by Windsyr who was counting her coins today. She was on a million five, a million six, a million seven...

Remind me to let her count my dollars someday.

Sri Lankan Festivities

So here is a small recap of the big event in Sri Lanka that I may never be at peace about missing, but there are some things life decides for you.

Special thanks to my brother Dan who captured the journey beautifully. I could go to his blog and steal more pictures to show you some of the beauty they encountered during their adventure, but it is probably easier and more ethical to send you to his. (Savannah's blog) It is well worth taking a look. They spent several days touring this incredible part of the world and have some great footage.


In a traditional Singhalese wedding ceremony, the dancers and drummers proceed the wedding party.


Scene from the ceremony

Here Adam is putting a "wedding necklace" on Upekala (Pek.)

Picture of the wedding party including three of my five brothers (Darron, Dan, Adam)


Happy Bride and Groom

Sara and Sandee (and all the women who attended )were outfitted in traditional Sarees for the wedding. This picture is taken at the post wedding party. Pek is as much a knockout in her red "homecoming Saree" dress here as she was in her gorgeous wedding dress.

What is Sri Lanka without elephants? This picture was taken at the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage.

I heard so many reports of the monkeys and how they were everywhere!

This is the Kandalama Hotel where they stayed during part of their touring. It has won awards for its eco-friendly design, and as you can see, it is built right into this jungle without disturbing much!

Back in the Saddle

There's no time like the first day of a New Year to come out of blogging hibernation. If anyone is still checking this blog after my four month leave of absence, I thank you for your loyalty.

As probably most of you know, I was totally knocked off my feet and pretty much out of my life for a good three months by a grueling pregnancy. This is my fourth pregnancy but only my second experience with hyperemisis gravidarum, and let me tell you it is not fun. Only five lucky women in every thousand will experience this level of illness with a pregnancy...and every one of them will wonder if they are dying, (and/or feel like they would rather die than have to endure the relentless suffering of HG.)

At 23 weeks now, I am MUCH improved and almost back to a normal life. The nausea persists around the clock, but the throwing up has tapered off greatly and will hopefully stop altogether. It has been replaced by eating 24/7--as an attempt to abate the nausea (which never helps, but on I eat anyway.)

I feel so grateful to have made it through those very dark days, and I am indebted to friends and family who took over my life, making sure my kids were cared for, my family fed, and my house cleaned, etc. I am especially amazed by my husband who carried the family torch on his own without missing a beat--volunteering in the kids' classrooms, coaching and attending every one of their soccer games, getting all three kids ready and out of the house every morning by 7:45 and handling dinner, homework, showers, the bed time routine, and then dishes, laundry, etc. every night on his own while still making time to tend to my every need and take me for IV's and doctor appts as necessary. (Even when it meant leaving an out of town meeting abruptly to spend a day in the ER with a wife who could barely thank him for it.) He kept me in clean sheets and clean pajamas, ran to the store at a moment's notice to fulfill any food request I thought I could stomach, coordinated with my friends to make sure I had daytime help and visits, etc., and patiently endured the loneliness of this one man show for days, and then weeks, and then months...he is my best support and my biggest hero.

I was blessed to be able to enjoy the holidays, and enjoy them I did. It was hard on Brian and I to miss the HUGE festivities going on in Sri Lanka, where my brother got married on December 22nd. My dad and many of my siblings were fortunate to attend and had the experience of a lifetime. We knew the day we found out we were pregnant that Sri Lanka was no longer an option for us, and it was a true loss. But right now I have to focus on the small, daily triumphs of just being able to function again--and tolerate sights, sounds, smells, motion, touch, and even my own saliva--all of which for months were completely out of the question.

You can imagine this season was a time for my family and I to reflect on the very basics of what is most meaningful in life, and we have learned some hard but enduring lessons through our challenges.

That is a long enough entry for today, but I will be back often now.

Happy NEW YEAR to everyone, and thanks for caring enough to check in on our little corner of the world.

My girl

OK This entry is coming in the last few hours of August so that I have SOMETHING to show for the month. I don't know why I have gone blog bust this month--when there has been so much to say and show. I think it comes down to the fact that our summer vacation is nearly over (I know, I know, the rest of you have already started school, but don't forget who was still plugging away academically into the third week of JUNE! We earned this late start!) and before it ends altogether I have been focused on making the most of the last few weeks with my children home full time. I really love hanging out with my kids, I really, really do. I do not love never-ending loads of laundry, daily dirty diapers and eternal housework, but I DO love time with my children, and I'm going to miss it.

This picture is in honor of my little girl. She is the little girl every mom dreams of having and I have never taken a minute of her estrogen fused little life for granted. This picture was taken over two years ago, before she was my recently turned five year old who is starting Kindergarten next week. I know I should be alarmed that she is growing up so fast, but I have enjoyed every second of life with her, and don't think we could have lived it more fully. So rather than look behind, I look forward to what still lies ahead: teenage boy drama, fancy dress shopping, late night talks, frantic phone calls home from college when she needs a quick recipe to cook dinner for a date...

I come from a family of six kids--five of them boys. My mom always said she was glad she got a girl, but that one was enough. Don't know quite what that says about me, but I do think of that often when I look at my little shadow and am grateful for the sugar and spice and everything nice she brings to this mortal ride. Here's to you, Princess Zuri. Fancy Nancy. Windsyr Castle. Family comedian. Resident Mermaid. Thank you for blessing our family with your larger than life personality, and for giving this mommy a daughter.

"Next 100 days" blog

Depending on when we started, some of us are now half way through our 100 day challenge! I hope you are sticking with it and having success!! I have really enjoyed hearing from those who have reported back with your progress. Now I am beyond pleased to announce (since it indicates his conversion to the blog world) that my ambitious husband has started a blog dedicated solely to the hundred day challenge. As the first 100 on the challenge (yes, the goal for 100 people on the 100 day challenge has been reached, although we don't have everyone's goal personally documented as some did not specify their goal, and others are part of groups here and there that I do not have names for) you may already be featured on the blog as one who has accepted the challenge. What Brian would like to do is spotlight different stories in progress as they are recounted to him, so if you'd like to report your experience, please leave a comment at the new blog: "Next 100 days". Of course the hope is to expand the vision even further and get more people involved in the challenge with time (like goal-oriented bloggers in Zimbabwe, for example) so please keep sharing the challenge with your friends and family. We'd also love for you to include the 100 day blog as a link on your own blogs. Thanks again to all who accepted the challenge, and good luck with the second half of it!

Ode to Jen

Dear Regular Potato,
I thought I'd write you a note instead of listening to Mrs. Sackman. (Don't tell her Juniors!) So how's your day? You look really cute today, I love your stirrups. Can you smell my perfume? I finally got some Exclamation! Hey, we should both crimp our hair this weekend and have a photo shoot. I'm excited for the football game tonight--it's gonna be rad. I know you have to cheer for JV, but afterward let's scope out some hotties. Should we sleep over at your house or mine? Doesn't really matter to me as long as we have our Ben and Jerry's. Are we going to the church dance on Saturday? I'm so glad I got to know you this year. You are my new Be Fri/ St End. Our Amy and Jen theme song pretty much says it all: (sung to the tune of Mickey Mouse) A-m-y, J-e-n, Amy and Jen. Amy and Jen (Amy and Jen!) Amy and Jen (Do it again!) Forever we will wonder why they are so dang rad! OK that song is way cool and we need to sing it to Kathleen and Marianne. They will totally love it too. MAJK rocks! We need to finish our class project--the video. Someday we will look back on that and really laugh.

It's wierd to think about life after High School--especially since we're only Sophomores. I wonder where we will go to College and what we will major in. Who do you think will get married first? Do you think we'll marry anyone we know? How many kids do you think you'll have? I'm pretty sure I want six. Let's always stay friends no matter what, OK? Even when we're like middle aged and in our thirties (will we ever really be that old?) let's make sure we still talk on the phone and bust our guts laughing about Bonne-bell lip smackers and Sun-In, OK? Speaking of which, I'm due for more Sun-In highlights. My bangs aren't blond enough. Let me know when you get the new Erasure CD. I'm way excited to hear it. Well, I better start listening, Mrs. Sackman is giving me the evil eye. See you at lunch in ten minutes. I can hardly wait for my Choco-Bliss.

Love ya,
Sweet Potato

Part Two: Mexico with My Man

Now, lest the following entry look like bragging, please remember: Brian and I EARNED this relaxation! (See previous post!)

The Mayan Riviera was the perfect getaway, situated 40 miles south of Cancun, with its white sand, blue Carribbean water, snorkeling, swimming, and excursions to Mayan Ruins at Tulum and Chi-Chenitza (which the people are so proud to claim as a new wonder of the world!)

Everyone asked us if we were on our honeymoon, and we would answer: "Yes, in a way" because it pretty much felt that way without our kids for 5 days! I don't know how to put my enjoyment of this trip into words, so I won't even try. I think the pictures speak for themselves...and you'll see I have a lot of "speaking" to do! :)