1422 and Celebration Day!

Flight to Phoenix, AZ-$99.00 One BMW Motorcycle-$6,000

Gasoline from PHX to PDX-$150.00

Driving 1422 miles and

taking a road trip with your brother--priceless.

Matt and Scott just got back last night from a trip we fondly call "The Short Way Home". For those of you who are familiar with Ewan McGregor and his motorcycle documentaries you will understand. It was a great trip for them and they had a blast. They traveled from Phoenix, AZ through Vegas and Reno and up to Portland. They stayed in hotels along the way, although the original idea was to camp the whole way back. I think the logistics of camping and all the gear that takes, was just too much to plan. Plus, they could shower every night after traveling in 100 degree weather. They both made it home, mostly unscathed, and had a great time exploring new places. There is a disposable camera sitting on the kitchen counter which I can't wait to take in to get developed. I'm so spoiled by digital photography that I can't stand the fact that I have to wait to see the pictures. I bet I will end up doing 1 hour photo just to get some instant gratification. I will be getting the digital CD too, because I'm hoping these boys took some photos worth posting.
For those of you who know (0r care) Matt bought a 2001 BMW F650 GS Dakar and Scott got a 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650. I had to write all that down, I have no idea what all that really means and I'll forget it all once I post this blog. I have to be honest though, it makes me want to ride a motorcycle too. I've never even been on one, except a quad when I was younger, but it looks cool, you could ride cool places and maybe there's something mysterious and sexy about a biker bitch?
...but maybe only if you wear leather pants!
I would want a big bike with big tires. Nothing that goes super fast, or even looks fast. "Touring" is what Matt called it. Even if my dreams of becoming some sexy biker come true, it won't be for several years. I would want to take road trips and that's not happening until Addie is able to depend on other people for all her needs.



Alright, well enough of daydreaming about escaping my everyday life....Let me tell you some exciting things! I have big news today!!!



NUMBER ONE
I officially fit into PRE-Addie pants!!!!
I didn't buy these pants recently, they have been patiently waiting for me to wear them again. Now, you have to understand that these are not the size I was wearing RIGHT before I got pregnant, but these big step down for me! I really couldn't be more excited today. This is why these particular pants are so exciting....I bought these pants 6 MONTHS after I had Tucker and I didn't gain as much weight with Tucker. I'm wearing these same pants only THREE months after Addie. I can't tell you how close I am to planning a last minute party to celebrate my pants and the shrinking butt that's in them!

NUMBER TWO
For those of you who know my braces/oral surgery drama, there is a huge step being taken today. I have an ortho appointment and they are taking that bar out that goes across the roof of my mouth. This may not sound very exciting but it is a super happy day in my life. This bar goes across the roof of my mouth from molar to molar and was used to anchor the tooth they were trying pull out of the roof of my mouth. Since we are no longer trying to pull the tooth down (now going for an implant) the bar is no longer needed!!! This bar pushes lines into my tongue and gives me sores on my tongue that hurt pretty bad. I really can't wait for this afternoon when he takes it out! YIPPPEEE! OH Happy Day!

Stitches...yeowzers! The Final Episode

It just occurred to me that I got test results this week from Dr. Dig-n-Stitch and I didn't share the good news. The lab work they did on the breast tissue came back saying that the remainder of the "abnormal" cells had been removed. Which means that I'm in the clear. No more digging, at least for now. The tests on my shoulder came back as nothing, totally normal cells. The tests on my back showed that there were abnormal cells there too, but all the cells were taken and no need for a re-do on that one. I'm supposed to get rechecked in 6 months. I think what I'll end up doing is picking up my records from Dr. Dig-n-Stitch and go somewhere else.

In my other medical saga, my second to last oral surgery is scheduled for Thursday, OCT 2. It makes me throw up a little bit in my mouth when I think about another surgery. The good news is, I'm not dealing with a backwoods, good 'ol boy, Louisiana surgeon this time. If anyone is in the Portland/Vancouver area and looking for an oral surgeon who is the best of the best, you want to see Dr. Beadnell. www.drbead.com He is a rare find in medical professionals. He is obviously brilliant and talented but he also has a personality (gasp!).

The purpose of this surgery is to remove the tooth that is in the roof of my mouth. My good 'ol boy surgeon in Louisiana did two exposures on this tooth. Dr. Beadnell did a CT scan and found that the tooth isn't able to move (which would have been nice to know two surgeries ago). So he will remove it and do some bone grafting with cadaver bone...SO EXCITING TO ME! (Any suggestions on what I should name my cadaver bone donation-person? I like to name things to help me be less freaked out.) The next step will be to complete my orthodontic work then return to Dr. Beadnell for an implant (last oral surgery) to complete my grill. I don't really know how long this whole process will be but I see my ortho guy on Monday and maybe he will be able to tell me more. I'm very excited because with this oral surgery I know exactly what I'm going to get, the other two we just HOPED that the tooth would come down. I have a plan, I know it's going to work, and there is an end in sight for a 30 year old woman with braces. NICE. You shouldn't wonder why I get carded when I order a drink with dinner.

Wish me luck and hope that Dr. Beadnell prescribes some Valium for me so that I will even get in the car on Thursday morning!!! I cried the whole 30 minute car ride to my last oral surgery.

Adventures in the 'Shoug

On Wednesday, we had a great afternoon with our friends Patty and Emma. Emma is an adorable and energetic little girl that we enjoy very much. She is about 5 years older than Tucker but she gets along with him so well. This is a short story that tells just what kind of girl Emma is...LOVE HER! She and Tucker were playing on a teeter-totter that was on springs, which made the seat raised up off the ground. It was a little tall for Tucker and when he tried to get off the seat, he fell down and started crying. Emma got down and started crying too because she was so sorry that she had hurt Tucker! She hadn't even touched him...he FELL off the toy! She is so sensitive and kindhearted that she was heartbroken that he was crying. We love her! When it started raining, we relocated to Emma's house. They ran each other in circles around the house and finally returned to the family room with their "prince and princess" crowns!

Nana, this is my apology (in advance) when you get home and there are no tomatoes left....ripe or unripe. Tucker has been picking them ALL. "See Mommy, I pick a tuh-mayo!" No tomato is safe around Tucker. He doesn't want to eat them, he just wants to pick them.

These are the beautiful tomatoes that Tucker can't stop picking. There was a huge, scary spider that I was trying to get a picture of but it didn't work out. I got upset that my camera is smarter than I am. I would like to try to figure out how to use it one day. I can point and shoot...but my camera is cooler than that, I just don't know how to use it. aarrgghh!

My Mom grows dahlias and they are just beautiful! We went out and picked some flowers yesterday because there were many that were open and looking great. There were also some that were looking not-so-good. There was another huge, scary spider hanging out in the flowers. I'm not sure that these are actually "dangerous" spiders, but they certainly don't look friendly. I felt sort of like a Fear Factor contestant cutting flowers...are you going to cut one with a gnarly spider on it or not? The flower cutting ended shortly after discovering the spider. It is obvious that my Mom is on vacation because her dahlia garden is usually looking like something out of a Martha Stewart magazine. Taking pictures of the flowers reminded me again that I would really like to learn how to use this camera. I think it would be fun to be able to take photos and display them in our future home. Maybe that will be a hobby I can learn when I'm not needed 24/7 by Addie. It's nice to dream, isn't it? ha ha ha

These are the wild animals that I have been caring for while staying up at Mom and Dan's house. From left to right...Rikki, Desi and Lucy. If you have ever met these dogs you will appreciate the fact that they are all in the SAME picture. These dogs have entirely too much energy. If they are not running (or jumping up on you) they are shaking with anticipation and excitement of running (or jumping up on you). WILD ANIMALS. That's the bottom line, adorable to look at, but crazy.

Uncle Dan-Dan came over last night and visited for a while. He sat with Tucker while he ate dinner and held Addie. He is a great Uncle! Looking at this picture actually makes me wonder, why am I even taking this picture? I didn't get a shower yesterday and I finally have someone there who is taking care of both my children at one time...and I'm taking PICTURES?? Whoa...I'm feeling a little silly for even admitting that. I think I'll blame it on either "Mommy Brain" or "lack of sleep"...neither is really true, but it sounds better than just not thinking of a great idea.

My Morning Thoughts

Alright, so remember the blog about letting go of posting pictures every time? Well against my best efforts I actually am unable to upload the pictures!! I have pictures and can't post them...aarrgghh! I will try again later I guess.

We (me, 2 kids and a dog) are still out at my Mom and Dan's house. I love this place! Even the little things make me happy, for example, the bathrooms are big. The kitchen is huge, there are tomatoes to pick and there's lots of green grass. I love those things. It's so quiet out here at night, that I actually have to create noise to be able to sleep! (from the way I'm talking you'd think I just got released from prison or something and everything, whether is great or not, is the best thing that's ever happened to me!)

New subject: (for those who aren't used to following my here-and-there thought process, I thought I'd give that little warning)
I'm starting to wonder if I like facebook. I'm just not sure about it. I think its a fun way to connect with people, but let's be honest, the majority of the people that I'm "friends" with...I'm freakin' friends with in my real (not internet) life! I'm feeling confused whether I like it. I'm not denying the fact that is slightly addictive and I check it all the time, but really? Ok, not sure I really have a point, I just wanted to write it down.

NEXT...anyone else out there still changing diapers for kids who you think should be using the toilet? If you know what I'm talking about then I don't need to go any further. If you have no idea what I'm talking about....you're lucky!

Alright, this first cup of coffee is officially down-the-hatch...so I'm due for a refill. Oh yeah, and my baby is crying and my son is taking pictures with my not-so-cheap digital camera. Time to put a stop to the madness....

Stitches...yeowzers! Part II

I would post pictures, but first of all it's gross looking and second if I'd never post pictures of my breast on the internet!!  Especially not after nursing two babies....sag-a-licious is all I have to say!!  Can anyone give me an Amen on that one??  ha ha ha!  So, I'll just post a picture of my awesome dog Beauregard Muscogee AKA Bo!  Random, I know, but he makes me happy and I need that.  I love this dog so much I should do a whole blog on this shedding animal.  

My stitches came out today!  It's good to be done with Dr. Dig-n-stitch.  I think even if I had to go back for more work I wouldn't be going back to him.  You would think that with a history like mine (my Mom had melanoma...she is fine now) he would be giving me more information than he has been giving me.  He just tells me I have "abnormal" cells.  I don't know what that really means.  I'm not sure what his issue is...I have a couple theories.  1.  He is too smart to dumb things down for a person who doesn't have a medical background.  2.  He doesn't think I would understand, even if he did explain.  3.  He doesn't think I need to know.  

Whichever one it is, it's not good enough for me.  I will be going somewhere else from now on.  I don't have any info from the lab on the "big dig" that I had done on Tuesday.  I hope and pray that he took enough of the skin that he doesn't need to do anymore work...or should I say ANOTHER dermatologist to do more work.  

Other than that...we are STILL waiting for a call for an interview for Matt.  October 8th is coming quicker than I had anticipated.  We will officially be civilians that day...for better or worse.  I think that's all I have to say about that before I have an official, full blown, panic attack. 

Tucker, Addie, Bo and I are going to my Mom & Dan's house to dog-sit for the week while they are on vacation.  It will be a nice time for Tucker and Bo to run and play out in the field.  Matt will be gone on his "man trip" with his brother Scott, so we will stay busy out there for the week.  Hopefully the dogs don't escape on me, I don't have time for that!  

Hung up on photos...

Alright, well here's the real deal. I feel like every time I post a blog, I need a picture. Mostly because all the other blogs I read always have adorable pictures of kids doing fun things. The truth is, I take pictures. I want to blog. When I finally get a chance to sit down and type, I'm sitting in the recliner with a baby attached to me and I don't have my pictures hooked up to the laptop. I think I'm just going to have to get over the fact that I can't post a picture with every blog. But since I haven't posted in a long time and there is lots of news in our family, I will post pictures and tell some stories. I let Tucker take some pictures with the camera and I told him to take a picture of his feet, and this is what I got! NOT BAD! He's pretty good at taking pictures and I think we should get him one of those kiddie digital cameras for Christmas. I think he would really like it and I wouldn't have to sweat every time he wanted to carry around my nice camera to take pictures of the grass or the dog.

This picture of Tucker and Addie is one of my FAVORITES! Although Tucker has a crazed look on his face, this is a picture of my baby smiling! I love it! She isn't laughing yet but she has gigantic smiles and she is cooing. I just love the reward of a smile after all the hours sitting in the recliner getting nothing in return but sore nipples! ha ha ha! This is another "Tucker Special Photography"! See, not bad for a 2 1/2 year old!

Last weekend, we went to Matt's Grandpa's house for a BBQ. This was the first time that Grandpa got to meet Addie. It was a yummy BBQ and other than Tucker hitting himself in the head with a golf ball, everyone had a great time.

Where do they learn to make faces like this? How bad can one 2 month old baby make you feel? I'm not sure if this face is incredibly sad or if she is so just so pissed that she is getting ready to tell me off. I think it would go something like this..."MOM! Seriously. This car seat, not cushy, not plush, not fun. This is plastic with some wanna-be cushion on it. My butt hurts. Get me out of here. Get me a new car seat. Oh yeah, and I'm hungry...or tired...I'm not sure. That's not my job to know what's wrong, but it's your job to fix it. Now hop to it, LADY!"

If anyone has any flippin' clue when/how my little baby boy got this big...let me know.

Some other happenings in our world:

**Matt is still job searching. He has put in several applications and we are waiting to hear back on anything.

**I had a minor surgery today to remove more skin from the "abnormal cell" area on my breast today. It involved slicing, cutting with scissors, cauterizing and 7 stitches. It wasn't my favorite.

**Matt leaves soon to go on a small adventure to pick up his new "baby". Don't worry, I'll post more about that when he gets back home from the trip we are named, "The Short Way Home".

I'm going to try to post more often, pictures or not. Who knows if I will be able to get over that feeling!

Who wouldn't want to be me?

So here's the scene....Matt is gone, kids are tired, it's bedtime...a disaster waiting to happen. Addie sat in her bouncy seat in the bathroom while Tucker got his bath. She screamed the whole time. Tucker cried through the bath too, just because he's too tired to think straight. I get Tucker out of the bath (still crying), get Addie in the room (still crying), get Tucker's jammies on (still crying), look down at Addie (still crying). It is then that I realize this is more noise than two eardrums should be able to withstand. For a split second I wonder if this is really my life. It's Friday night about 8pm and I'm listening to this? Shouldn't I be at a restaurant with my husband drinking wine or getting ready to do something fun with my friends? (If you are thinking to yourself, "what friends?"...well so am I!!! SAD...a whole other blog topic that I shouldn't even start. You don't want to hear me gripe and complain about my lack of female companionship) Wake up Tami...this is your life and your ears will bleed soon if you don't resolve this situation! Instead of taking quick action to comfort and silence my children, I decide to take a short video that will one day make me laugh. Not tonight, mind you, but one day I WILL laugh about this. And as I take this video I think to myself "Who wouldn't want to be me right now?" Enjoy the noise. HA HA HA

Check Up!

Tucker went for a check-up with the doctor today.  I wanted to make sure that the Army hadn't made too many mistakes while caring for my son for the last two and a half years.  To my surprise, they didn't do half bad!  He was caught up on his shots and he is growing.  I guess that's all you can ask for.  

Tucker is 35 inches tall and he weighs 27 pounds.  That's 10th percentile for both.  On the way to the doctor, Tucker said that he wanted to "stand up for the doctor".  I have no idea what that's about, but it was funny.  When we got back home he told Grandma Michele, "I saw Dr. Kuzis.  He was really nice.  He took good care of me."  That just warms my heart to know that he wasn't scared and he knows that the Dr. cares about him.  I will probably cry if he doesn't accept our next insurance (which we don't have yet!!)  Man, October 8th is coming quickly!