Sunday, July 12, 2009

The Last Week

www.nolanpchak.blogspot.com

It seems I'm only going to get to post about once a week this summer. We are just too busy. The minute the kids wake up, they want to know what their day is going to be about and it is always filled with fun.

In the past week the kids have visited a fire station, gone to the spray park with Grammy for a playdate with the Balabans, swam in our pool & Aunt Cookie's pool, had breakfast with Old MacDonald, had dinner with Uncle Sam & Aunt Deb at the Flying Burrito Cantina (not as good as it used to be, sadly) and enjoyed some music on the deck, gone running with Rickshaw Daddy, had dinner and got filmed a bit for a network TV show, loads of exploring, and are headed to ride the rails today. As I said, their days are always filled with fun. I'm not sure how I keep up somedays.

The one thing that keeps me going is when we get in the car after doing something fun and Nolan says "It's a beautiful day!"

For Full Farmpark fun & Flying Burrito: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=27758&id=1418118548&l=859388f771

My new fave pic

Miss Cool

Chillin' at the Flying Burrito Cantina



Hat fight with Uncle Sam


Do you think they like each other just a little bit?


Getting ready to plant some flowers at the Farmpark


After the rain


Just one of the kids

Scalp massage



"Awwww....nice sheep"

Nolan was eating off my plate, Reagans and his own. Hungry boy.


Fire Chief Reagan


Fire station visit

When Grammy asked Reagan what she did at the fire station, she responded with "Put the water from the hose up in the sky!"




Who is having more fun, Nolan or Grammy?

Warming up after a dip in Aunt Cookies pool



Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Framily (Friends that are family) 4th of July Picnic

www.nolanpchak.blogspot.com

Food, wine, jello shots, fun, food, wine, jello shots, fun, food, wine, jello shots, fun......

Get the picture?

brisket

vin


jell-o shots


waiting patiently for a sucker

Chase showing his off

All the kids hanging out in the woods


Grammy & Aunt Mary



Reagan and her new pooch, Dotters

Mary, Kevin, Deb, Diane, Bobabooey, Sam , Gary


How many men does it take to take meat off of the smoker?

Friday, July 3, 2009

Boom

www.nolanpchak.blogspot.com




HAPPY 4th of JULY!!!!!


We talked up the fireworks after nap time. And then we waited. Patiently.
Didn't matter.

They were only interested for as long as a 2 year old could be.


About 2 minutes.

I must say, someone in Chardon was asleep at the switch. The finale came in the middle and when the real end came everyone just looked around at each other.....waiting.....and waiting.....for a grand finale that never came.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

They Are Not Real

www.nolanpchak@blogspot.com

There have always been things in my life that I don't want to believe are true. George Michael being gay, for example. There are also things from my childhood that certain people (not to mention any names, but it rhymes with Dill), like to make up stories about. Mean, awful stories that stick in your head and question all you held sacred as a child. Bad things about Bert and Ernie and nasty ideas about Ken & Barbie.

My love affair with the zoo suffered a little setback today. As we were walking through the rainforest a habitat was closed so a gentlemen could paint the trees. That is right folks, they are not real. For my kids sake, I'll still pretend we are deep into the forest, but really my heart won't be in it now that I know the "moss" on the tree is compliments of Sherwin Williams SW6193.


On another "they are not real" note, we visited the dinosaur exhibit. Reagan took one look at the first dinosaur and said, "They are NOT real." She also said she was "a little afraid of them", but then in the car on the way home she said they were her favorite thing.
The Pchaks & The Doerner offspring.




Come here often?

All in all it was a fun day with Uncle Sam, Aunt Deb, Bill, and the Doerners. 5 adults, 4 kids meant that I got to play a little with the camera. (Only a little since I left my memory card in my PC and my backup that I keep in the bag doesn't hold that much.)










Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Week In Review

www.nolanpchak.blogspot.com

Wow, a week and I haven't updated. Sorry.

Here's the scoop.

Me. Blood work results came (via mail--yeah, not too happy about that), all normal. They will refer me to a neurologist, if I want and if symptoms continue. They have not, although I'm pretty sure I have a pinched nerve in my left arm/shoulder. For now, I'll watch and see if the symptoms return and then I'll take them up on the referral.

Grandpa. The news for him is not so good. His test showed that, even if they could successfully repair the pouch in his esophagus, the muscles in the rest of the throat are so weak from lack of proper use that it wouldn't matter. The decision he and my mom need to make is to either leave the feeding tube in and continue on without eating any food by mouth or have the tube removed and try to eat. The risk is that he will aspirate fluid into his lungs and develop pneumonia again. Also eating is not providing him with any weight gaining nutrition so he will begin to lose weight again. He will be told this news today, so keep him in your thoughts. He knows he will never be strong enough to go home, but still tough to come to terms with.

The kids are anxious to get into their new (well, new to them) pool. We just need the weather to cooperate.

These are a few shots from last weekend.

Reagan being silly

Nolan found a "big stick."


Playing at the lake with Uncle Sam & Aunt Deb.

Girls day out to celebrate Deb's b-day (very belatedly.....hmmm is that a word?)

The above punch turns you into Gene Simmons if you drink too much ;-) Fun times.


Bill is on vacation as of this afternoon (I'll let you know when I'll be needing one.) We hope to take the kids to the zoo tomorrow and then get ready for our VERY low-key 4th of July party. Gone are the days of invite-everyone-you-know bashes and drink-until-you-pass-out-on-the-front-lawn-and-get-rolled-up-in-an-oriental-rug-parties. Maybe next year, but for this year it will be a small dinner party with some smoked meat, sides brought by our friends, and perhaps a wheel or two of jello shots.

Happy Independence Day!!!!!!

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Gone Fishin'

www.nolanpchak.blogspot.com

I signed us up in advance (there is no way I would voluntarily have gone to a story/craft/hike program outside today) for the Fish Follies at the Metroparks today.

It was hot. Really hot. But the kids, Aunt Deb, and I had fun doing something they have never done before, fishing! Granted it was with a home-made fishing "pole" made from a pop can, fishing line, and a paper clip, but that didn't matter. They had a great time.

A boy that was fishing on the pier had a large bass in a bucket and he was showing it to all the kids. When Reagan looked in the bucket, she yelled, "He needs help!" We might have a future PETA member on our hands here people.


Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Wet & Wild

From sprayground to backyard water fun and the jungle gym, the twinadoes really know how to have fun :)

















Sunday, June 21, 2009

Happy Father's Day

www.nolanpchak.blogspot.com

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!
You "build so hard" for us and we love you so much!!
Love,
Reagan & Nolan

2007





2008





Saturday, June 20, 2009

Cruisin'

www.nolanpchak.blogspot.com

Reagan, Nolan, Grammy, Aunt Deb, Shawn (our neighbor), and I headed up to the car cruise event in Downtown Willoughby. The kids enjoyed the music. Nolan asked Aunt Deb to dance several times, even to Aunt Deb & Uncle Sam's song.




It started to rain, so we headed home. Of course, we had to take the exploring route home. It was most eventful. We came upon a bunch of deer playing "deep in the woods."

This morning the kids, my mom, and I paid a visit to Papa. He was in the physical therapy room getting stretched out as his hamstrings and knees are very tight and he can't stand or walk. It was a nice visit since the kids go to be active and practice their stair-climbing on the PT steps. This past week my mom taught them The Pledge of Allegiance and the refrain from The Battle Hymn of the Republic, so they said it for Papa. He actually joined them in singing "Glory, Glory, Hallelujah." It brought a tear to my eye.

As we were leaving the nursing home, we all said goodbye to the nun who was working at the front desk (it is a catholic diocese run facility), as Nolan was getting buckled into his car seat, he yelled, "Goodbye Mister Sister!" Thanks for the laugh, buddy!

Friday, June 19, 2009

Pittsburgh Pics

Sorry that it has taken almost a week.....Pittsburgh Pics

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Did You Go To Memphis?

www.nolanpchak.blogspot.com

Yes. Today we did. Memphis Kiddie Park,that is.

It might have been a grey overcast day, but there was no stopping the twinadoes fun times. I think Grammy was the most excited when we first got there. If I hadn't held her back she might have knocked a few kids down to get in line for the rides! LOL She said she remembers being there as a kid and riding the train with her Dad. How awesome that today three generations got to ride that same train together?

Reagan and Nolan really haven't been on carnival type rides yet, other than the carousel at Pittsburgh Zoo last week, so I was really surprised that they seemed to have no qualms about hopping on any of the rides. Nolan will definitely think twice about the roller coaster again though! I can't help but truly laugh out loud whenever I see this pic.

While not necessary a cheap day out, it was still tons of fun. (A book of tickets is $24.50, plus another strip for $13.50, plus food. I did pack snacks in the car, but you can't take them inside. We could have gone to the car to eat, but explain that to a 2 year old....yes, honey we are leaving, but we are just going to sit in the car and eat. Yeah, right!)

Guess I will take some of that change sitting in my vacation fund jar and put it towards a few trips to MKP this summer. The price is well worth the smiles and since I don't see a vacation in my future I might as well put the money to good use.

This super fun day was capped off with dinner at Momocho, Nolan requested it at breakfast yesterday morning and that is one request I am always happy to oblige.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

A Little Splish-Splash

www.nolanpchak.blogspot.com

Ok, before we get to the fun part of the day let me hit you with the health reports.

Grandpa....Ups and downs. He is convinced that the staff at the nursing home is starving him. He will say, "I know I have a feeding tube, but you don't understand, I'm hungry." That just sucks. I can't imagine not physically eating. Obviously, I enjoy it (too much since I've gained back almost all the weight I had lost, but that is for another beat-myself-up post) so I can't imagine not physically putting food in the mouth, chewing, tasting, etc. I don't seem him getting strong enough to have the surgery anytime soon so I think we could be flying in this holding pattern for quite some time.

Me..... I need my head examined. Literally. Since Thursday I have been having this burning, pins & needles sensation inside my body. All over. Joints, muscles, etc. It comes and goes in different places. I put on my webmd hat and picked a few things it could be. Lyme disease, Lupus, or Fibromyalgia. The doctor ordered blood work today, mainly to test the thyroid so we'll see what it comes back as. If it doesn't show anything, than I will have an MRI of the brain. Good times. Not.

So after the vampire technician took many tubes of blood, I met up with the kids and my mom at the spray park. My how times have changed. Last year I couldn't get Nolan out of the place. This year it took him a long time to even think about putting his toes in the water. When I asked either of them if they wanted to go back to the spray park, they said, "NO!" I'm sure we will try again, but I don't see us spending copious amounts of time at the spray park this summer.

Reagan and Grammy splashing around.

My boy. Contemplating the water. I just love those little freckles that are popping out. Good kissing spots.
My bathing beauty.
Where did this skinny boy come from. Honestly, he eats well. Sure wish I had his metabolism!
Random kid losing his drawers at the spray park.
We continued to enjoy the beautiful day by having a picnic at a little playground far away from the spray park.

And now, they snore.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Dear Pittsburgh

www.nolanpchak.blogspot.com

Dear Pittsburgh,

We came. We saw. We had a blast.

Your zoo rocks. Your children's museum is hella cool.

You actually utilize your riverfront with nice walkways and fountains.

Your downtown is alive and bustling at 9am on a SATURDAY. We walked to Market Square and had a nice al fresco breakfast while enjoying watching people biking, walking, and working in the city.

It was also a weird feeling to be in a city on the night their sports teams WON a championship (Go Pens!) People cheering in the streets and horns honking. Pretty cool feeling, even if you have no attachment to the team. We'll probably never feel that for any of our home teams.

The only thing we have you beat on is the food. Hands down, Cleveland's restaurants are a step above.

Get an Iron Chef and we'll talk.

XXOO,
The Pchak4

pictures coming soon

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Touch A Truck

www.nolanpchak.blogspot.com

Since we are valued customers of Chik-A-Yeah, (the kids like the indoor playground and for fast food, it is not too horrible) we knew about the customer appreciation deals going on this week.

One being touch-a-truck.

There was lots of touching going on. Minds out of gutter, please.

Although I have decided that touch-a-truck events are just as much for Mommy as they are for the kids. Hello, cute firemen!

Reagan and Aunt Deb seeing if Reagan was as tall as the tire.


The kid is part monkey. He climbs on everything.

Flirty McFlirt making goo-goo eyes at the cute fireman, while Nolan dismantles the truck.


"Hello, Daddy?"



Cute Hood Ornaments

Nolan doing his Kramer impression.

Good heavens, she looks so big in this picture.


"It don't work!"



"A Flashlight!"


Monday, June 8, 2009

The Silliness Part

www.nolanpchak.blogspot.com

Saturday night my mom watched the kids so Bill and I could go out. Alone. Like a date.

It was last minute and since Abby Normal was playing just down the road from us, we decided to stay on our side of town. We got a last minute reservation at Molinari's, a nice middle-of-the-road restaurant/wine bar.

Bill had his usual touch of luck and got the parking spot right in the front of the restaurant, which is all glass windows right on the parking lot. As Bill turns the key off in the ignition, something happened and he locked us inside the car just as I was opening the door and the alarm system got triggered.

Lights flashing. Horn honking. Diners staring.

As we rolled out of the car with laughter, I yelled, "The Polewchaks have arrived for their 8p reservation, just in case there was any doubt!"

We are still laughing about it. Maybe it's one of those had to be there things, but we haven't had a good laugh together like that in a while.

It's true. Laughter is good for the soul.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Catching Up

www.nolanpchak.blogspot.com

As usual, life has been busy. I am, however, over my rant about baggy pants. I'm also down today since Grandpa's pneumonia is kicking his butt and when I talked to my mom she sounded so sad. I know he has lived a long life and his time is just about up, but I hate to see my mom have to go through losing her Dad. Been there, done that, don't want the t-shirt.

Anyway...to catch up.....

I got the gardens planted over the weekend and then the skies opened up and have drowned them for the past few days. Let's hope they survive. I'm sure the cilantro will go straight to seed since it doesn't like wet feet.

The kids helped out by doing some yard work.

We went to a birthday party and had fun riding the rails on Sunday.


Reagan got her first flower from a boy, Chase Thompkins. Maybe someday Ed and Bill will be related after all!
Enjoying some cupcakes.

Monday we visited with Papa. The kids don't understand, but they have been asking to see him so I took them. He is not doing well. His pneumonia is raging again and he has a high temperature, but is shivering.

It was the same time of year, 20 years ago, that I lost my beloved Granny Pike. I can remember coming home from school and my mom was ironing our clothes to wear to the funeral and I knew she was gone. I watched the neighborhood kids get off the bus today and remembered those last few days of my sophmore year in high school and how miserable they were.

Tuesday we met up with friends at the zoo. As always, the zoo is a fun time. It was so crowded with field trips though.


Wednesday we had a fun day with Aunt Deb at Chick-A-Yeah and the kids got some cool gifts from her recent vacation. They love their Aunt Deb, although they missed Uncle Sam.

That catches us up to now. We've got a trip to Pittsburgh coming up soon so that will be an adventure.

Friday, May 29, 2009

You're Wearing an F'ing Belt!

So, I might have had a little wine with dinner and might be in a bit of a snappy mood, but I've got to get this off my chest.

What is the deal with wearing pants so baggy that you have to hold them up as you run across the street to beat the green light? AND YOU ARE WEARING A BELT TO HOLD THEM ON. BELOW YOUR ASS!!!

WTF

We went back to our old 'hood for dinner tonight. It's been almost 2 years since we've moved out. Things have changed.....and not for the better. Sad, since I really liked our house and loved the location-close to downtown, but yet far enough away. (Well, not anymore.)

I guess when we lived there I was immune to these things or maybe more open minded bc (before children.) Maybe in my *gasp* old age, I am becoming judgemental. I like to think of it as more intolerant of those not using common sense.

You see, there is a thing known as a belt. It was intended to be an aid to hold your pants up. Not to hold them down around your ass cheeks. What makes anyone think I want to see their tighty whities or boxers du jour?! Also there is such a thing as a waistband measurement that is about the size, or a little larger if you like wiggle room, as your waist measurements themselves. When did it become acceptable to wear pants 4 sizes too large? I know people fluxuate, but I've never heard of someone that is a 32 waist needing a 42 waist.

Things got so bad in this particular city that the school system wrote into their dress code about wearing baggy pants and t-shirts 6 times the size you really need to wear. Guess this guy didn't get the memo.

I get that this "look" comes from ill-fitting prison garb. No belts in prison to help hold your trousers up. This is not prison. You have a belt. Use it the way it was intended.

This is not Compton. It's looks ghetto and it is contributing to turning a once lovely neighborhood into just that.

Sad.

That is why we moved our family out. No way in hell is my son walking home from school showing his ass cheeks off to the neighborhood.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Lolita Poster Child

www.nolanpchak.blogspot.com

We braved this.....


so we could enjoy this.....


The radar shows what?!?!?!?

Our friend, Chef Matt, will be leaving Lolita to take on the new Bar Symon opening in Avon Lake at the end of June. While I'm sure things at Lolita are going to remain awesome and we'll make a pilgrimage to the new place, we will miss getting to see Chaty on a regular basis. You see, Avon Lake is a bit of a longer drive than Tremont is for us, by about 40 minutes! Not exactly an easy meal to plan with the kids.

We had all our faves....pizzas, ricotta dip, fried brussels sprouts, creamy polenta, dates, and pot de creme.

After unbuttoning our pants, it was off into the sunset torrential downpour for us.



Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Pictures From Our Five Days of Fun

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=23606&id=1418118548&l=56a7d1483d









Enjoy!!
Looks like my Grandpa is kind of snapping out of his bizarre behavior. He knows his name, addy, etc, but still has moments of saying silly things. Someone brought him a stuffed dog and he told my mom that the dog had puppies. Let's hope this is medication induced. He may be moved tomorrow, as long as he has an OK night.

Five Days of Fun/Grandpa Update

www.nolanpchak.blogspot.com

We've done a lot since Thursday. Metropark story time about worms, Great Wolf Lodge, Fatheads, Day Drinking for Mommy, Cook-out, parade, and garden shopping. I managed to stay mainly unplugged from my laptop and it was NICE. Even nicer was that Bill tried to do the same. Something we need to make an effort at each night and weekend. The kids got some good play time with their Dad.

I've got tons of pics to go through, but will get to them tonight.

I wish I could say I had a good update on my Grandpa, but I don't. Things were looking good on Thursday & Friday. He got a feeding tube inserted on Thursday and when I saw him Friday he said he was actually feeling better. He was telling me how when he was a kid they were poor and his mom died very young and he was often hungry. He said that is how he has felt much of the past couple of years as he has been suffering with this condition. He was lucid, coherent, and was going to be moved to the rehab for a few weeks until he could get stronger for surgery. His mind was (and has been) sharp as a tack.

Then the wheels fell off the wagon.

He started hallucinating on Friday night, had to be restrained, and has not really snapped out of it since. He told everyone he was kidnapped by 4 guys and was being held in the basement of the Justice Center (he is retired CPD, so he knows the Justice Center.) He told my mom to sell his house for $7, so he could buy a plane ticket and move to Texas.

In the last 24 hours, he has calmed down and is mainly sleeping. We were hoping it was adverse effects from the meds used during surgery, but those should be out of his system by now.

I did a little research today to see if the feeding tube and hallucinations go hand in hand. They don't seem to. It seems more that these are the final steps on this part of his life's journey. I'm trying to ease my mom into that since earlier in the week things were hopeful that could have this surgery and be comfortable for some more time.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Hard Day Of Play

www.nolanpchak.blogspot.com

I love my kids lives. Seriously. They have it made.

They wake up. They are diapered, fed, dressed, and ready to roll by 9am. There is always something fun on their agenda.

Today we had errands. Boring stuff, but the highlight was vacuuming the car at the car wash. We don't go through the car wash, as Reagan has a fear of it at the moment.

After that we went to the park where they tackled all sorts of new things.

Nolan named the rock wall the "speed bump slide."


They both tried to climb this wobbly ladder and Nolan finally succeeded. Reagan would get to the top, but just couldn't figure out how to pull herself up from that big of a distance (Nolan found a spot to wedge his foot, so he made another step for himself.) Reagan was so funny, the whole time she was trying to pull herself up, she was mumbling, "I think I can, I think I can."

Priceless.

Just a few weeks ago, they could not get on the bouncy frog & horse. Today, I turned around and there they were, riding away. One less thing they need Mommy for.


Nolan thought it was a riot to stick his head through the bars before going down the slide and he wanted me to kiss him. He would giggle and pull his head away, until I finally landed one on those apple cheeks of his.

The taste of his dirty, sweaty, skin was sweeter than lemonade. He is so completely edible!

After the park, we picked up a pizza and ate in the car while watching the lake, using their frisbees as plate.

Just call me Mommy McGuyver.

After dinner we headed outside for more playing. Completely.Dirty.Playing.
What a life!!!!! I'm so glad I can give it to them.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Party Pics

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Birthday pics here:


Do me a favor.....if you are not registered to facebook, let me know what happens when you click the link. Does it want you to register or can you just look at the pics? I'm still having trouble with my usual site that I store on, so I'm giving this a shot.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Birthday Redux/Papa Update

www.nolanpchak.blogspot.com

Before I could write a post recapping Reagan and Nolan's birthday, Mother's Day happened, then they got sick, they are teething, and finally my Grandpa fell and went into the hospital on Thursday (details later in this post). To say it has been a hectic week is putting it mildly.

Pictures will be coming soon. I'm trying to get them uploaded, but I've just about had it with photoworks and would like to move to another site, but they have about 11 YEARS worth of our pictures on-line and I'm not about to lose that. Blogger is also giving me fits tonight, so I'm throwing in the towel with pictures and just getting a post up.

The celebration this year was MUCH smaller. I promised myself (and everyone else) I would only put myself through 1 huge birthday party. The weather cooperated at times, but the party still ended up in the house for cake and presents--"Christmas" as Nolan called it. Leaving me with one very trashed house at the end of the night. The theme birthday parties at on-site locations are looking better and better each year! LOL

While Reagan may have looked like she had a run-in with a cougar, it was more a meeting with the driveway. It was pretty awful for a few minutes.....the silent scream, followed by the real one, a la Godfather III. She survived and was back on her trike in less than 5 minutes. Nolan continued on with the sidewalk chalk while this was going on. He gets very focused when he is doing anything artsy or building with megablocks.

I have said this before, but Reagan and Nolan are so blessed. They have a small biological family, just because Bill and I come from small families ourselves and both their Grandpa's are gone. But they have so many friends that consider them family. They have many Aunts, Uncles, and even a Nonnie and Grandpa Fred. I have to say that those people are family to R & N. When they talk about the people that "love them so much" (and we go through the laundry list every night) after the bio family always comes Aunt Deb, Aunt Jan, Uncle Sam, Uncle John, Nonnie, & Grandpa Fred and others depending on who they have seen recently.

Bill and I are so thankful that our friends have accepted our children, that they love them, have taken the time to get to know them, and do things with them. We come from a very mixed group of friends, some with kids, some not, some single, some not, so throwing kids into the equation was kind of scary. Would the friends that didn't have kids still want to do things with us? Lucky for us, Reagan and Nolan made friends with some VIP's and get us into the hottest restaurants in town so our friends still keep us around! LOL

On to the Grandpa situation: He has slowly, but steadily been losing weight (and strength) due to an esophageal condition that leaves him unable to swallow over the past couple of years. On Wednesday night he fell in his living room and was unable to get up or get to the phone to call for help (we've tried to talk him into a life alert button, but he said he would not use it.) Anyway, he was discovered probably 16 hours later by my mom and his neighbor. They finally talked him into going in the hospital. There it was discovered that he also has pneumonia and has been having abnormal EKG's, in addition to severely swollen legs. They are taking things day by day at this point and he is refusing a feeding tube. There is a doctor that seems to think he can do surgery to help fix the esophagus (where was he 4 years ago when my mom was taking him to all kinds of doctors and no one would help?), but first he has to get the pneumonia cleared up. So, please think a kind thought for him (and my mom as this is very hard on her.)

Tonight Nolan was talking to Quacky (his cribmate/pillow/stuffed duck) and I heard him say, "Quacky very sad." I asked him why Quacky was sad and he said, "Papa's sick. Papa's very sad." If he isn't the sweetest thing to walk this earth...... of course, he took his cement truck to bed with him tonight so don't think for a minute he isn't "all-boy" too!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

The Ick

www.nolanpchak.blogspot.com

I'll get to a post about the kids birthday parties in a day or two. They have both been sick. What started as teething has turned into full-fledged colds, fevers, etc.
We all had a sleepless night on Monday and, thankfully, last night was better. I have no idea how we survived the first 3 months of their lives!
Poor Nolan couldn't even keep his eyes open for his "feature" before naptime. He has NEVER just fallen asleep sitting there. Poor little guy.


Sunday, May 10, 2009

730

www.nolanpchak.blogspot.com

Two years ago, at 1:05pm & 1:06pm, two wonderful people came into this world. They were hardly bigger than a sack of sugar, one a 6lbs and the other 5lbs, 6ozs. They were the stars of the nursery, and more importantly the best thing that could ever happen to me.
We named them Reagan Bryn and Nolan George and we quickly became the Pchak4. It was like they were with us all along.

Two years ago, on Mother's Day, I got to bring home those shining stars. A better gift one could not receive. The emerald earrings they got me were a nice touch though ;-)


A lot has changed in two years. I so miss those tiny little fingers griping mine so tight. I never thought I'd be so blessed to hold two at the same time, and now I can't imagine life without either. They have grown and are becoming independent, but every so often need to run back to Momma for a cuddle. I cherish every one of those cuddles.

I've wanted to let them grow at their own pace and have quickly found that to be an astonishing rate. At two, they know their A.B.C's, can count to 14, know their address-city, state and zip (well sort of--the zip is always 99), know all the words to "Now I Lay Me Sleep", and sing songs ALL THE TIME. Twinkle, Twinkle, Mary Had A Little Lamb, theme songs from favorite cartoons, Old McDonald, Wheels on the Bus, 5 Little Pumpkins, My Little Puppy (the last two are songs that I learned in 1st grade and my mom taught them those.)When we drive somewhere they tell me what is coming up and they have favorite things to go past....the "dolphin" building on the Shoreway for example. They have adventure routes they go on with Grammy and find all sorts of new things each time.

Reagan and Nolan are welcomed into some of the cities finest restaurants and have been complimented on their behavior at almost every meal we have eaten out. They have eaten food cooked by an Iron Chef and several James Beard winners! While they both enjoy new experiences, Nolan is a little more open to trying new foods (boar at Momocho last week) and getting up close with animals.

So thank you, Reagan and Nolan for the craziest, most emotional, heartfelt, full of love 730 days I could ever have imagined. When I put you to sleep at night, I am already looking forward to the next morning when I open your door and you both yell, "Good Morning, Sunshines!"

Saturday, May 9, 2009

The Photo Session

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We took Reagan and Nolan for their 2 year pictures on Friday. It went better than the 18 month session, but not as good as the 1 year. Nolan was his usual photogenic self and Reagan, was, well....Reagan. A bit stubborn. Well, not a bit. A lot. That is my girl.

The link to the complete album on facebook...for those that read this that are not already on facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=22180&id=1418118548&l=70466855f6

Saturday is the birthday party. They are calling for 45+MPH winds. Wish me luck!!




































Thursday, May 7, 2009

Right Choice

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From the minute Dr. Papay walked into the office, we knew we were making the right choice. We were going to let this man cut our sons head open from ear to ear and take his forehead out. That is enough to make me sick just thinking about it, but the confidence Dr. Papay exuded made it seem as easy as removing a hangnail.

Nolan 4 days post-op.


Some people questioned our choice of the Cleveland Clinic over Rainbow Baby & Childrens. We are so lucky to be able to have these two choices in our backyard, but again, it just felt right and Dr. Papay studied under the man that pioneered the surgery Nolan had. Can't get much better than that!

Today, Bill asked me if I had read about the face transplant done at the Cleveland Clinic. When you stop to think about it, that is a truly amazing thing that modern medicine can do. A new face. wow.

Turns out our Dr. Papay headed up the team that did the surgery.

Guess metopic craniosynostosis is nothin' compared to a FACE TRANSPLANT!

Bravo Dr. Papay.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

His Grandpap Would Be Proud

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If you knew my Dad, you know he loved space. He would take his Saturday afternoon six-pack into the backyard and stare up into the wild blue yonder and contemplate the possibility of existence beyond Earth. Seriously, he would sit in the backyard for hours just chillin' and thinking. His favorite t-shirt said, "Beam me up Scotty. There's no intelligent life here."

Today the kids inherited a couple of Buzz Lightyear dolls. They don't know who he is, but they immediately called him their "robots." Nolan was especially interested in making him "fly" and talking to him.

After he played a while (and Buzz repeatedly said "I'm Buzz Lightyear...."), I asked Nolan what his robot's name was and he answered, "George Pike."

Laughing and crying at the same time. Yep, my Dad would have loved these kids, but there is a little piece of him inside my Nolan. I can feel it.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Lions, & Tigers, & Bears


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We are putting our zoo membership to good use. Today we focused on the primate & aquatics house. Nolan and Grammy had a great time at the shark tank. She said he was giggling so loud and saying the sharks were tickling him when they swam by. Reagan had to spend about 2 seconds looking in every tank and then moving on, so she and I did a walk-through rather than linger and enjoy.

Taking the tram up

Two Monkeys

The shark & my brave boy
While this is not a particularly good photo (taken through glass with my little point and shoot), the message is still there. Everyone needs someone to give you a scratch every now and then.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Their Bond

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We went to check out all the motorcycles at the Louie Run today and on the way home I looked in the mirror and Reagan and Nolan were holding hands across their car seats. I just love watching the bond they share develop more and more.

I can't believe in 7 days my babies will be 2 years old. I have to admit, I cried yesterday in the store while I was picking out their birthday cards. Time is just going to fast and I love this age so much. They have so much to say and they are just so darn funny. I wish I could freeze time for a while. Soon enough they will be running into school and I will be missing these days. As hard as it is somedays, they are my heart and soul and I can't imagine how dull life would be without them.

No time for dullness now, nap time is over and they are singing their A,B,C's through the monitor. Down time for Mommy is over!

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Prayers For Jaime

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In a six-degrees-of-seperation moment years ago, we discovered that an old friend I used to twirl baton with when I was a pre-teen, Sheryl, is married to the trombone player in Abby Normal (our favorite local band), Tom.

They have two adorable sons, Jared & Jaime.

Little Jaime is in need of some prayers. He was born with Right-Sided Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia a couple of weeks ago, and will be having surgery on Friday to correct this.

He faces a long and winding road, but with the awesome family he has (Tom & Sheryl have done everything humanly possible to give Jaime an easier start to life) and some thoughts and prayers I know he is going to come through this like a trooper.

Sheryl is doing an awesome job keeping us all up-to-date with a blog.

We only spent several days in the PICU when Nolan had his surgery and it gets to you. Sheryl always keeps a bright outlook and is such an awesome Mommy.

So, do whatever you do, and add this special little guy to your list.

Monday, April 27, 2009

April In Cleveland

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Sometimes it does this:


most times this:


But, today we got to do this!!!

Nolan anticipating the big bucket dump from his sister.

Workin' at the car wash.

Filling up a watering can to water the flowers.


Here comes an airplane.


Yes, folks. It has been in the 80's here for 3 days. I know today is the last day of it, but I couldn't resist getting a little pool time in. It has also brought to light the fact that our "pool" is going to be too small this summer!
Back to jeans and hoodies tomorrow, but it has sure been nice to see those baby legs for a few days!