Segway

After being completely out of commission last week for a couple of days, my blog catch up didn't go exactly as planned. Last Tuesday night I was hit with the most evil of stomach bugs. I have never been so sick in my life. In. My. Life. I woke around midnight and vomited ALL night until about 6 am. Of course, there was this little guy named Cade that needed to eat so I was still nursing. There was one feeding that Mike brought him into the bathroom (as I had long ago given up going back to the bed to lay down and had made myself a palate on the bathroom floor), I held up my finger to him to indicate I needed a minute, turned around, threw up in the trash bucket (I'd also long ago given up on leaning over the toilet because it was too high for sitting on the floor), wiped my hands with baby wipes and took Cade from Mike to feed him. It wasn't my most shining moment.

By the time Mike got up with the boys around 7, I thought I was all done. But another bought around noon had me so bad that I couldn't sit up without feeling like I was going to pass out. It was fun. Needless to say, all of Wednesday was spent in bed recovering. I could only take sips of water and sprite all day until late in the night when I tentatively ate a couple of graham crackers. Other than checking my phone for email and looking in on facebook from bed, I did nothing but lay down and sleep. I didn't crack a book and never did I consider wanting to turn on the tv. That's pretty dire for me. Thursday I was upright but still not up for much more than the couch, crackers and plain pasta. By Friday I felt like myself but was still wary of eating and on Saturday I was right as rain. In any case, it was horrible. Truly horrible. The small silver lining is the pounds I lost from the ordeal. Still have plenty more where those came from but I'll take the help as a very tiny perk from a nasty bug.

Now, back to telling you about my brother's visit over Easter weekend.

Jody's gang got in Thursday night and our Friday activities were a trip to the zoo and a walk around our new neighborhood. Saturday held a special trip. Jody had found a groupon for a Segway tour. So while Marcy and Presley stayed at the house with the young kiddos, Jody, Reece, Mike and I headed in to Boston's North End to have fun on some Segways.

It was the first Segway experience for all of us. But after a few minutes of training, it was second nature to scoot around on those little vehicles....well, second nature for almost all of us.

Self portrait taken while at a stop light.
We traveled in the bike lane.

Soon after we headed out our tour guide, who communicated with us via little walkie talkies, said that we shouldn't feel stuck in the same order we were currently in. At that time Reece was at the front followed by me, Mike and then, at the back, Jody. Just moments after he said that, Jody came racing up from the rear. He was saying "I can't stop, I can't stop!" I thought he was joking around with Reece just to overtake him. But he wasn't joking. The guide had obviously encountered this before because he was extremely calm and talked him through how to get out of his predicament. After the mildly unnerving situation was past, we all got a good laugh. But, it happened again later on in the tour. Oh Jody!

Before we went on the tour, Mike was worried about me surviving the trip unscathed given my not so graceful history of injuring myself in much less difficult circumstances....like walking. But, I really took to the fun machines and was the most daring of the bunch in playing around on them when we got our opportunity.

Reece and Paul Blart Mall Cop....Er, I Mean Jody

Reece, Jody and Mike

Me and Reece

Reece, Me and Mike

Our tour guide was great. Not only was it a fun, unique experience, but educational as well. We teased Reece about a pop quiz. Since he would be missing some school to make the trip here, we said this was his field trip. The smart guy he is, I think he took home more historical facts than any of us. Good job, Reece!

Marcy and Presley did a great job with all the little boys while we were away. While on the trip, she sent us this lovely picture of them:



Other than the weather being colder than expected and us all being a bit chilly on the Segway tour as well as our feet getting uncomfortable towards the end of the tour (from standing in one position for so long), the day was a great success on all fronts. I would definitely recommend a Segway tour to anyway. Great and great fun for all ages!

Cousin Time

Jody's gang was here for first time in 5 and a half years....since our wedding. Since his youngest son Ryker is only 4, that means this was his first visit here AND his first time on a plane. We were all beyond excited for the visit and it did not disappoint. Mike and I felt like we were on a vacation right along with them. Since Jody and Marcy loved holding baby Cade, we got a vacation from holding a baby 24/7 and Dylan LOVED having his cousins here. We got a vacation from hearing Dylan say "play with me" to us all day long. He was far too busy playing with Reece, Presley and (mostly) Ryker.

We had hoped to have them up for a week but Jody's limited vacation time at his new job had already been allocated elsewhere so we settled for having them for a 4 day weekend over the Easter holiday. We did lots of things together but also had relaxing times at the house to let the little boys play, the bigger kids do what they wanted to do (video games and reading) and give the adults time to have some good conversation.

Here are a couple of pics from our times hanging out at the house. One night we had a cookout and then topped off the meal with s'mores made with thanks to our new fire pit. Another night we did another of our favorite family meals - pizza.

S'mores!

Dylan Loves Them

Marcy, Me and Cade

Pizza Time
Reece, Presley, Ryker and Dylan

Cuties

More Cuties

Lots more pictures to come of our fun weekend with my brother and his family. With the emotional weeks I'd had before their trip here, their visit couldn't have come at a better time. Man it was good to have them here.

He Sleeps\Easter Practice

BIG news for today. Cade (and I) slept for 5 hours straight. It was nothing short of amazing! Here's hoping this trend will become more frequent and the hours of continuous sleep will increase. There's a light at the end of the serious sleep deprivation tunnel folks. Wahoo!

I have lots more pictures to share of my brother, Jody, and his family's visit to see us over Easter weekend. However, before I get to the real Easter, I have to share a few pictures from the weekend before Easter. It was a good one for Mike and Dylan.

You see, Mike got a new toy. Dylan thought it was pretty cool too. Here's their first trip on it:

Big Smiles

Dylan Wave to Mom

The next day, Sunday, we went to an event the local parent\kid association was holding - an Easter egg hunt at an elementary school near our house. We got there approximately 1 minute after the event was scheduled to start and it was already in full motion. In fact, there weren't many eggs left by the time we got Dylan onto the field. You see, the eggs went fast because they weren't so much hidden as laying in plain sight and strewn across the field. In any case, it was a good warm up to the mad egg hunt that would happen with Dylan's cousins the following weekend.

Checking Out the Loot
Silly me, I thought there would be candy and promised Dylan he could eat some on the way home.
Since there was no candy in the eggs, I had to refill a couple very stealthily once we arrived home so he could "find" some candy to eat.

The Easter Bunny!

Dylan was more interested in what the Easter Bunny had brought him.

Looking Through the Eggs
Pretty much got 3 things multiple times. Not a lot of variety there.

We were there all of 15 minutes and then headed home. It was definitely a good warm up to the real Easter eggstravaganza.

We Keep Living in Memories

Over the last several weeks, almost every thought I've had has gone back to my dear friend, Katherine. When we were in our book club together, I saw her almost every month and had meaningful conversations with her. Our book club met for 7 years. Even between some meetings, we would get together for some type of event. At times, it was just a concert or at a bar for a drink. As life progressed, it was wedding showers, weddings, then baby showers and then for play dates. After our book club was unable to continue forward, I normally only talked to her every few months. Sometimes, that doesn't seem like much. However, outside of my husband, kids and family (on the phone), I don't meet with folks very often. Over 10 years, you build a lot of memories with a friend. Most times, you don't realize how many until that person is gone.

It's amazing how many facets of my life were touched by her. They will always make me think of her. Like little tidbits of advice on taking care of babies she gave me (since she had them before me) and comments she made in regards to my personality that I perhaps hadn't considered too much before (she was a very observant gal). I remember her voice and the way it usually sounded like it was coming from behind a smile because it was. Above all, I'll remember her. She was my friend.

Then today, I was hit with news of another death. Another person that made an impact on my life in a very different way. He was my French teacher in high school, Monty Holamon. Though I didn't know him at all in a "friend" aspect, he taught me more about life than one ever finds in a classroom. His classroom and teaching methods were ahead of his time and very innovative by even today's coolest teacher standards.

While I was in his class to learn French, I really learned more about being cultured in life. In addition to only being able to speak French in his classroom only days after entering it for the first time, he had other methods that were unconventional. I can't remember if it was every Friday or only once a month that we had singing class where we would sing French songs to have fun learning the language. Everything from Edith Piaf to more modern day French pop culture. We also had French food day where we all had to bring in a dish. Less often (but definitely more than once), I sat through a silent French class that was designated "Monk Day" when we'd listen to gregorian chants and draw gregorian knots. He also taught about art some days. It was from him that I learned about the surrealist art movement that I still admire today.

Outside of the classroom, I learned even more from him. When I was 16, I went on a trip with a group of my classmates and Monsieur Holamon to Paris. It was a 12 day trip that truly changed my life. Before then I really knew nothing outside of my American culture other than what I saw on Cinco De Mayo programs growing up in school. Experiencing the French culture with him as a guide was awesome. He took us places outside of the "tourist areas" and planted a seed that turned into a lifetime love for travel. It's a priceless gift I never can thank him enough for.

Now, I have the utmost respect for ALL teachers. Anyone that dedicates their time to enriching kids through education is pretty awesome in my book. However, Monty Holamon always had the best answer as to why he became a teacher - because it was the most challenging thing he found to do. The man was eclectic and had many talents but that he chose to teach among many interesting career paths he could have chosen was just fantastic. And he was one of the top of his field. He was so influential, loved, admired and respected by every one of his students.

These two people played parts in my life. I have wonderful memories of them both. Their lives will live on through the memories I have of them and the memories of all the people they touched.

Losing people in your lives gives you time to reflect on them and of your own life. When I was younger, I thought I would go on to do something great though I wasn't sure what. As life progressed, I never found my true calling in life and, in fact, still say I'm trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. When I think about what I'm going to leave behind after I leave this life I have often had the thought that I wouldn't be leaving any kind of legacy if I didn't do anything great. But, here's the thing, it's not true. These two people that have left my life recently weren't conventional heroes. They weren't world renown. They weren't superheros. But they were important in my life as well as many others' lives. The memories we all have of them are great. They will live on through all of us.

It makes me realize that though I may not be destined to be anything more than just Kara, I am me. And I am important in people's lives and have likely touched people in ways I might not have realized. I don't want to make the reflections I have on these two lovely people be about me but in death your mind can't help but stir about the life that you'll lead on after these people are gone. I've been enlightened to live happily and live true to myself by the wonderful memories I have of Katherine and Monsieur Holamon. Thank you both for making my life more enriched by being in it.

A Well Timed Staycation

The last couple of weeks have been rough for me emotionally. After the initial shock of learning of my friend's death, I spent the week talking to mutual friends of ours to grieve together and also to some of my friends that helped me understand the pain that she must have been in to have been able to have taken her own life an leave her family behind. I can't say that I understand what happened all that well but I've come to grips with it more. The wake and funeral weren't until almost a week later....early last week. Going through the process of those rituals helped me to say goodbye. Not that I'll ever forget. I think of her constantly and realize more daily how many ways, both big and little, that she touched my life. I'll miss her dearly.
So, it was with great welcome and relief that a very happy distraction came into my life - a much anticipated visit from my brother and his family. His family of 5 were here for 4 days. While we packed a lot of activities into those 4 days (especially compared to our current pace of life with the new baby), we also took some time to just hang out and had some really great talks among adults as well as lots of play among the kiddos. It was just perfect. Of course, with so much fun comes lots of pictures and several blog posts. 
Jody's gang arrived very late Thursday night. We stayed up for just a bit talking but given their late arrival it was a late night. So we took it easy the next morning. The whole gang went for a long walk around our new neighborhood, had downtime while Dylan napped and then we spent the afternoon and one of our frequent jaunts - the zoo!
The summer weather we'd been having disappeared and in came some pretty cool spring days. That meant that some of the animals we were hoping to see weren't out. However, it didn't take much to please this group so we enjoyed ourselves and left only after we got kicked out at closing time having seen all the place had to offer.

Dyland on the Platapus

Joined by Cousins Presley and Ryker

Giddy Up!

Watched the Red Pandas Pace

Leopard

The Burch's Christmas Card?
Jody, Presley, Marcy, Ryker and Reece

Cousins Walking Hand in Hand

Extremely Cute Boys

Are you mocking me little girl?

Baby Lemur (on back of lemur in middle of picture)
Cutest Thing Ever!

Highlights of the trip were getting great views of the red pandas (who always seem to be in their house when we visit) and getting seriously grossed out watching the gorilla eat his own poo. With a nickname of Grody Jody (that he lives up to), Jody got a big kick out of the latter. Good times. Good times! It was a great start of their vacation and our staycation.

House Tour - Guest Bedroom

Note: I wrote the following post the day before Cade came. I was originally unhappy with the pictures. A room that I think looks great in person looks busy and disjointed in photographs. I learned a lesson that what looks good in person doesn't always translate well to 2 dimensions. I'd heard of the issue before when watching design show competitions but hadn't experienced it myself. In any case, I was going to try and get better pictures of the room but that's just not going to happen. So below is the post as I originally typed it up 2 months ago.

Well, tomorrow's the big day. Seems the little guy might actually come on his own given a bit more time. This morning I was supposed to get stuff to ripen the cervix in preparation for tomorrow but I was already 4 centimeters dilated so they sent me home without medication. So this little guy has about 16 hours to come on his own before his gets his (loving) eviction notice. Our appointment tomorrow is set for 11am.

In preparation for his arrival, I've been working on the guest bedroom since lots of grandparents will be staying over. First, his Nana to take care of big brother Dylan while Mom and Dad are at the hospital and then for his Texas grandparents, Mimaw and Pipaw, for their scheduled visit to meet their new grandson next week. Yeah, I was supposed to be finishing up the baby's room but that project seemed too big to finish. 2 weeks ago I thought I had no time left to finish it. Silly me. In any case, there were just a few smaller scale projects I wanted to do to "finish" the guest bedroom off so worked on that instead.

Three of the projects were paint projects. One was of a mirror I found at a thrift store, one of some side tables and the other to cover up a paint blunder. The side tables are pieces that Mike inherited from his grandfather. They're cute little tables but have seen better days. The tops were really worn and one got damaged in the move. To give a little more life to them, a paint job was required.

We also installed a new light fixture. Nothing fancy but the one that was in there was snoozefest boring and gave off terrible light.

Mirror Before

Mirror After

                              

                                   The Guest Bedroom\Library

Painted box done to fix some damage to the paint and we didn't have the matching paint.
Voila! Art treatment done to "fix."

Painted Mirror
(This wall still needs some fancy added but I'm not sure what I want to do yet.)

New Light Fixture

Side Table Before

Revamped Side Table and New Lamp

Skeleton Dylan showing off the room.
Curtains and bedspread made by my mom!

If you want to come visit the boys and me, we have this lovely room just waiting to make you feel welcome at our home. Let me know when you want to reserve it.

A Party to Get Over the Hill

A few weeks ago we had the pleasure of attending Mike's sister Maureen's surprise 40th birthday party. Dylan stayed home and played with the sitter while Cade went and partied with us. We all enjoyed the night. It had been a rough day for me (those post partum hormones haven't been doing me any favors) and it was rough getting there. Once there, it was really nice to be around so much family. Cade had a great time getting passed around and looking up at all the lights and fans. I didn't think he could see that far yet but the ceiling was fascinating to him so I guess he could!

Jamie, Gretchen and Jamon
Cousins that traveled in from Vermont and Maine for the big event.

Tom and Jim
Father in Law and Brother in Law

Emily and Maureen the Birthday Girl
(The two lovely gals in the middle)

Joe and Mike
Husband of the Birthday Girl and My Cute Husband

Jim and Kristina, Me and Cade

It's Us!
(Don't I look super awake?)

Joe did a great job putting the party together. He did it all himself, from booking the venue, making and sending out the invites to decorating the room with old family photos that had been enlarged. And, it truly was a surprise party. Maureen had no idea until they drove up to the venue and she saw all the cars. I don't know for sure, but I assumed she was a little overwhelmed because her cheeks looked awfully flushed when she walked in.....I assume she was blushing!

What a great way to ring in a fabulous new decade for Maureen.  Happy Birthday (belated at this point)!