Sunday Best

Linking up with Plane Pretty and Fine Linen and Purple.

Every Fall, I struggle with my wardrobe, I just don't know what to wear to be warm enough, and layer well, and which shoes.....I need to check the link-ups and get inspired.  Here's what I wore today.

boots:  Target, dress: hand-me-down, jacket worn every day almost: Old Navy, bracelet and necklace: gifts

My friend, Rachel, took gorgeous pictures of Wilson for his 9 month mark.  Here are my favorites.

The Marks that Remove 'The Mark'

Wilson has always had this unusual port wine stain on the side of his head.  It is not very noticeable, but could get darker and raised as he grows.  It runs from the side of his head, across his cheek, and all the way to his neck.

Our pediatrician wanted it to be further checked out, so he sent us to Children's Mercy in Kansas City and it is just a cosmetic issue which will not likely cause him ailments.  They do recommend an easy laser removal while they are still babies which should lighten it considerably.  The doctor mentioned the treatment would cause some bruising.

Some bruising.

So insurance covers this procedure and we have met our 30 million dollar family deductible so we signed on up for the procedure.  Bring it on times 5 or 6, because that's how many he has to do.

First trip was Thursday, my mom, her friend, and I all went to KC to eat, shop, and oh, yeah, take my baby to his appointment.

It was at 1:30, which is NOT, I swear NOT, what they told me on the phone (1:00) but I will never prove because the paperwork they sent says 2:40, they must have sent that out before calling me and telling me to change it to 1:00.  They did.  I know they did.

Anywho, after a long waiting room period where I caught up on my Disney Channel rock band type movies, Wilson and I made our way back to the room a little early, 1:15ish.

After weighing and the usual, there was some check in type basic interviews by doctor and nurse.  Then nurse left to get ready to do numbing cream.


Some time later, she returned with numbing stuff and giant bandaid things.

After strategic bandaid placing in an attempt to mold Wilson's ear to its Vulcan partner,

we were set to wait a VERY generous 45 minutes while the numbing stuff worked.

1 potty trip and 2 catnaps later- 1 of which was Wilson's - the nurses returned to remove the bandaids.  From his hair.  It was like removing a bandaid, from his hair.  Peach fuzz is as sensitive as actual hair is to this type of pulling, I gather.  Wilson did not like this.

He was already mad, right?  So why not just jump right into the laser procedure.  In a room with about 10 people and brief introductions to the scream of a mad Wilson, I was given a trendy pair of eye protection glasses.

Wilson was swaddled and a rag was held over his eyes.  Every baby loves a good hold down without vision.  But for some reason, mine was not keen on it.

The laser treatment is like a device with a tiny circle outline.  Instead of a constant sound and movement, the circle is place and then the laser zaps and flashes once.  Then they move it to do another.  After they did the first two zaps, I could see really dark purple marks where each zap happened.

And I was like:

while still there

in car, leaving

The procedure took about 3 minutes to do, but Wilson was not calming down when it was over.  He was screaming and crying and I am pretty sure he was saying, "They did that to ME!  Me!  You let them do that to ME!  You love me!"  He kinda freaked them all out with his tirade, so they gave him Tylenol and Benadryl and he finally settled down.  

The next few hours he was just a little loopy, not happy, not sad.  You know the feeling if you ever pop a Benadryl.  By evening he had perked up and got happy, but he really looked bad, which is apparently the norm.  

That evening.

When you are sent to hospital like Children's Mercy and see the neurological unit, and the kids with scars and all kinds of different woes, you do get a great deal of perspective.  He is one lucky babe and we are blest to have a happy and healthy child.  So many parents have sad and scary appointments there.

Next day at his pediatric appointment, he was happy as could be.

bucket hats until his Phantom mask arrives

I wrote this post right after the procedure but never posted it.  Here are his bruises today, Day 10.

not too bad

Recently

We went to "Ratatouille" at my Grandma's retirement home.  They have a pretty great movie theatre.
I want to retire there.  Tomorrow.

This little guy has found his voice.
We had to exit the theater and get our puzzle on while we waited.

born to read - per her request

I made onesie graphics/drawings for my supervisor's grand baby.
She's a hippie type with the last name 'Awe' hence the slogan/peace sign.  

My dad took the boys to the train museum.
They saw the train my dad drew 30 years ago and hung in my home growing up.

I went out dancing for a night with these girls.
My hair is FINALLY long enough for a side braid, which lasted until I got sweaty from dancing.

Themed footwear here.

Dom gave birth to a baby monkey after about
3 hours of maternity.

Sol started First Grade and I picked the world's worst place for a back to school photo.  

Dom met his super awesome PreK teacher.  He starts tomorrow.

Not to be out-shined by his brothers with their big changes, Wilson had his first food this week.
Mashed bananas.  He has now had it 3 times and we are actually getting a bit to his tummy now.  

He also has started waving and sitting up. 

What I Wore Sunday

Linking up with Plane Pretty and Fine Linen and Purple

Frizzy hair edition.
Dress:  Francesca's, Shoes: Target, Bracelet:  Gift  Jean Jacket: Old Navy
Cheesy pose:  You can't buy that kind of special

My extended family came to church today spontaneously coordinating, Mom, Dad, Brother, Sister and her family and mine.  I tried to get some photos but lame camera means mostly fuzzy ones.

They took some too, so maybe I will get them up later.  Here's what I did get

My niece and my little man.

Dom and Sol

Wilson and my mom

They brought Rock Band for pre-lunch entertainment.

Happy Sunday!  

Five Favorites

Linking up with Grace who's subbing for Hallie.

1.  Oxyclean.  I know that 2009 called and wants its product back, but I was a little late getting on the train.  On the off chance you've never used it, I will tell you of its magical powers.  First, I sometimes dare to dress my boys in white and pastels, including a daily white oxford when they go to school - at least it was white when I bought it.  My boys dirty the clothes with blow-outs and adventures.  I see the stains, spray them with something, and throw them in the washer.  The washer throws up its agitating hands in a helpless sort of way.  Next, I dry them without follow-up.  Then, at folding time, I discover some truly disgusting stains dried into their clothes.  I throw about 6 of these stained items into a bucket with concentrated Oxyclean and walk away from anywhere between 6 hours to when I remember.  Then I toss them in the washer again (which is really just to rinse and spin).  These clothes look perfect, every time.  Even works for spit up stains I found on Dom's clothes that showed up during 4 years of storage.  

2.  ALDI gummy bears.  I picked a bag of ALDI gummi bears, not the Haribo ones, but the other kind for little treats for my kids.  I now pick up a bag every trip.  These are some of the most fruity flavorful gummies I've ever had.  Then, one day, I was eating some, and I felt a hole in the one in my mouth.  It was circle with Lifesaver printed on it.  So, they must be made in the same factory on the same machines the Lifesaver gummies, They do taste like Lifesaver gummies.  Terrible habit, but they are so good.

                                         

3.  Mr. Rogers.  I watched this show as a kid, and really liked it.  But as an adult, I am increasingly appreciative of his everything.  My kids get mesmerized by him, and I've been known to stare as he tells how things are made. I see what he says and does on the show, I see what a fantastic model of good manners and great behavior he is for my children.  (You can bet Dom has been known to use his exact language to communicate from time to time - very sweet.)  As I watch Mr. Rogers, I can tell that he was sincerely interested in the welfare of children and hyper-aware of the special needs kids.  One day, I noted that he said, "Sometimes, I might not feed the fish on my show, but I always feed them, every day, even when we aren't together."  I chuckled thinking of the autistic child who noted that he didn't feed the fish and let him know.  It turns out, that is just about what happened, and Mr. Rogers was extremely concerned to feed them every time after that incident.  Sure, there are a few puppets that creep me out -ahem "Lady Elaine"- but Mr. Rogers was just a great guy all around.  Grab a kleenex and read his Wikipedia page.  

4.  Babies.  Between the magical age of 3 months and 8 months, these guys are the best.  All the giant toothless grins, rolls of fat, throaty giggles, and funny glimpses of personality to come have me wrapped around an adorably dimpled finger.  I'm a sucker for my own Wilson, living life in the honeymoon stage.  I also read Camp Patton thinking, "I hope she posts a picture of Theo today."  (I know. . . creepy. . )  Even my big kids think Wilson is the bees knees.  When I take him out to go shopping, he gets noticed, so I'm certain that I'm not alone in this obsession.  If you are like me, you should watch the movie Babies, because it is the sweetest.  Your kids from about 2 on will also dig it.

Squeezable thunder thighs, bald head - endearing only for a short window of time.  Live it up baby.

5.  pbskids.org.  This cable-less mom loves to sneak in a nap or some efficiency thanks to the videos of Super-Why, Mr. Rogers, and Dinosaur Train.  Th babysitter is both appropriate and educational - and creates at least 30 minutes of harmony at a time for my boys.  

If you made it this far, you deserve to read better posts.

Sunday Best

Linking up with Fine Linen and Purple and Plane Pretty.

Today, I cantored at Mass so just me, no kids.  Which means, no need to wear nursing clothes.  To celebrate, I veered from the typical noncolor scheme and wore a fun coral dress.  The length is a bit iffy after an unfortunate washer trip.  I wore it with the jean jacket some of the day and the cardigan some.  It has a cut out in the back which is super cute but not cool for church.

dress without sweater on vacation

Dress:  Francesca's Collection
Shoes:  Target (my favorite ever pair of shoes)
Necklace:  gift from a friend
Cardigan:  Gap from 2002ish, I think
Jacket:  Old Navy
Earrings:  gift from my mom, a pop of teal

All of you are inspiring me to do more separates.  Here is an outfit I wore earlier this week:

Last night, Shawn and I found ourselves with just 1 kid since Grandma took the big boys swimming.  We rallied our Bonefish Gift Cards and I ate the Mussels Josephine - so good.

Shawn says foodies don't take photos of food at chain restaurants.
I am not a foodie, and these are awesome.  

My dates.

Happy Sunday!