Coffee Drinkers Unite

I am a woman of many talents and responsibilities.  One of those responsibilities (talents!) is to watch children.  

Now, sometimes, when I am lucky, said children all sleep at the same time.  Today started out as one of those days.  But after an hour Will decided that he had enough slumber and wanted to join me in my bad habit of occasionally watching Days of Our Lives.  (Love that show!)  Anyway, he soon got bored with that so we went to the kitchen to play.  I started doing some dishes and cutting a watermelon while Will decided it was time to play with some pots and pans from the lazy susan.

Again, it is my responsibility to watch children.  But, nature calls.  After relieving myself in the little girls room I stopped to watch John tell Marlena that he really loved her and that she should go home with him to the DiMera mansion not the penthouse.  Very gripping stuff!  Anyway, while watching Marlena tell John that he would never be the old John again and that she didn't love the new John I noticed that the banging of pots and pans had stopped.  Off to investigate...

Will had taken the coffee from the lazy susan, figured out how to open it and then dumped the entire (it was only half full) jar onto himself, the pots, and the floor (carpeted floor!).  I have been taking care of Will for only about 2 weeks now and this is the second trip to the bath he has had.  And to top off the whole ordeal - after his bath I obviously had to get the vacuum out and Will hates that vacuum.  I think it scares him.  Poor guy, a quicky bath and then a noisy vacuum.   

Now where are those children? 

Zucchini Bread

We never seem to run out of things to do at our house.  We did sidewalk chalk a couple of days ago and then played in the water table (Will's FAVORITE place) yesterday and today had to settle for being in the house having car races in the dining room because of the rain.  

The weather has been so great.  I love have the house open all of the time.  And my garden is just over flowing with things for the dinner table.  Beets, green beans and tomatoes abound.  Carrots are slow going, but they are on their way.  The zucchini is doing great as well.  You would have thought Harrison had won the lottery today when he found out we got to finally make zucchini bread.  Oh, the excitement!! :)  (I am most proud of myself.  I didn't have to look zucchini up in the dictionary!)

While I was picking green beans in the garden on Monday I had turned my back on Will, Bennett and Harrison.  I saw them getting together some shovels and buckets but when I finally turned to see what they were up to it was too late.  Will and Bennett both had baths and Will had his clothes washed before his parents could see what a mess I had made of him!  This picture doesn't show how dirty his face was!  What fun they all had!

Other new news:

Harrison is getting his way with his hair at the moment.  It is really cute.  It is long and shaggy and starting to turn up in all of the right places.  But - it is really getting in his eyes.  Yesterday, Chris told him it was time to get it trimmed and he said "No, Andy likes it!"  He was so matter of fact about the whole thing.  If Andy likes my hair why would I change it?  What a goof!

Harrison's preschool teacher came Monday for a home visit.  It was great.  Her name is Miss Margaret and Harrison loved her.  He hid under the table for the first 3- 4 minutes she was here but then he went to grab "Cracko Barrel" (I will fill you in later) and everything was great from there.  She brought a puppet (a dog) named Spot and they read Spots First Day At School.  And you know Harrison loves anyone who reads to him!  He's looking forward to his first day.

Bennett is all over the place.  He runs like a mad man, flailing his arms and screaming.  So much for Harrison as a role model.  Two screamers!

Bennett's vocabulary is growing, but slowly.  He says hear and mom now.  It is so cute to hear him call Chris dada and me mom.  Funny.  It is soooo interesting to watch Will and Bennett.  I DON'T compare them.  But I don't think Will or Bennett is more vocal than the other, but they are vocal in different ways.  Will can say 'B' words.  Boom, ball, bye, etc and Bennett so does not have that sound down.  It is fun watching them together.  Did I mention they are 6 days apart from each other.  Too fun!

Bennett did have his 15 month well baby appointment last week.  He is well!  He still has a slight heart murmur but nothing to be concerned about.  The most positive thing about his appointment was that he is not off the charts in his size.  But he is close!  He is in the 5th percentile in weight.  What a little bugger!  He is in the 25th percentile in height and 50th in head size.  He had 4 shots and one of them (MMR) is coming back to haunt us this week.  He has been running a fever around 101.6 and just tonight after his bath I noticed the little spots on his belly.  Weird how an immunization can have a side effect 9 days later.

Will and Miles are doing great.  Will is starting to get comfortable at the house and is really starting to enjoy himself more.  There are more giggles and laugh and such.  He and Harrison are so funny when they get each other started going BOOM!  Harrison likes the way Will brings his arms down when he says it.  Miles ought to just crawl and get it over with.  I remember Harrison doing this.  We thought he was going to crawl for about 3 months before he ever did!  I know it won't take Miles that long though!  

Quote of the week goes to none other than Harrison:  "Miles, you ARE the funniest kid I have ever met!"

Mini me

Bennett is such a good groomer.  Tonight after his bath I brushed his hair and then he wanted to continue.  He brushed his hair some more and then moved onto Harrison.  Harrison was a good support and let Bennett brush his hair for a minute or so and then Bennett gave the brush to Harrison so that he could finish himself.  Harrison set about brushing his hair and Bennett patiently waited to get the brush back.  After a long 5 seconds Bennett began to whine a little and then a lot.  Harrison finally finished brushing and shoved the brush back at Bennett and said "Why do you have to cry to get it?" in a very exasperated voice.  I never say anything like that!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Yesterday was my mom's ## birthday.  We went to Ames today to celebrate.  First it was off to Perkins for lunch.  Mom's choice...  After pulling into the parking lot, we found 20 or so people outside waiting to get in.  Onto Village Inn.  After finding 15 - 20 people in the lobby there we settled on El Azteca.  Everyone but Mom and Harrison had wanted to go there in the first place!

After lunch, we headed out to Reiman Gardens.   They have a wonderful Butterfly Garden there and in true Christopher fashion - he hasn't been.  Chris gets left out of everything in Ames.  New restaurant?  Sure!!  Oh, Chris has to work.  Let's go anyway!  But, Chris got to come along this time and he loved the gardens.  Harrison loved running on all of the paths and also showing Bennett all of the butterfly's. 

 

We stopped for a photo op in a whale made out of sticks.  This is about the time Harrison made us doubt our decision to head on to our next destination.  Notice the scowl he is wearing.

Next destination?  Cyclone Fan Fest!  This was the 3rd annual Fan Fest and we are a little interested in what we might find.  It was located in the new indoor practice facility and none of us had seen the inside.  It was very large.  And I don't say that to sound dumb, but it was made to play in.  I think a kicker could kick as hard as he wanted and not really worry about coming in contact with the ceiling. 

Anyway, what we weren't expecting were all of the lines.  They had sports set up around the field and there were lines to try all of them.  Kicking a soccer ball with the women's soccer team, bumping and setting with the volleyball team, having a photo with Cy, etc.  When we got there, Harrison wanted to nothing but go to the bounce house.  Do you think it was the longest line in the place?  Correct.  

We waited in line for almost 45 minutes and right when it was Harrison's turn to get in...no.  Not going to do it.  Scared because he wanted me to go in with him.  I almost snapped.  But, wonderful mom that I am, I yanked him off the walk way and took him over to the side.  We watched thru the mesh window and he finally said he would try.  

Does he look like he is having fun?!!!  Urgggggggg!!!!!  45 minutes!  Bennett amused himself as he often does, by rolling around on the floor.  Cutie!

We ended the birthday celebration with an ice cream cake at Mom and Dad's and then a nice car nap.  I love sleeping children!

Peter and the Secret of Rundoon

Run out and buy this book!  I borrowed it from the library, but still.  It is a great read!  Barry and Pearson are a great writing duo.  After reading just a few lines from Tinker Bell, you know that she is the work of Dave Barry!

Peter and the Starcatchers, Peter and the Shadow Thieves and Peter and the Secret of Rundoon are the prequels to Peter Pan.  J.M. Barrie wrote the story of Peter Pan so these are not officially connected to the original, but they are all what you would imagine might have happened to make Peter into the boy who loves to torment Hook.

Easy and so fun.  Just my type of summer reading!

Thank you, Nathan

I love you, Nathan.  You are the best, most supportive brother that I have.  I don't know what I would do without your constant kind words and loving attitude.  I love you, Nathan.  

Smells funny doesn't it?

Wheeeeee!

First time on the swing for Miles.  He had a great time!

Bennett of course always has a great time and his hair has never looked better!

Harriett

Thank you from the Neipert's

He's home! Christopher came home yesterday evening. It definitely does not qualify as a miracle, but when we went to bed Tuesday night we were all still very discouraged. When we woke up Wednesday morning, it was like he was a new man. And we are all breathing a sigh of relief!

After spending 24 hours in ICU and then being moved to the Cardiac Floor Christopher really did not fair much better. He was in almost constant pain and too much movement caused him to throw-up. Now, vomiting is never very much fun, but when you haven't eaten anything in several days it is horrible. We spent 3 days going through the same motions with no inkling of getting better. Dr. Piper, a neurosurgeon, assured us that this was (unfortunately) very normal and Christopher could be feeling this way for a couple of weeks due to the severity of the concussion. This thought made me want to vomit. Monday there were a couple of rays of sunshine as Physical Therapy came and got Chris in the hall walking and sitting in a chair for 30 or so minutes and he only vomited once that day. But he would only feel good for maybe an hour before he would have throbbing headaches again. Tuesday was by far the worse day. Christopher was nauseated all day and his head was just pounding. He slept almost all day and didn't eat anything but a popsicle.

Wednesday morning started with me jumping up off of the hospital cot. Christopher had said my name and he had not done that the whole time he was in the hospital. I asked what was wrong and he said "Nothing. It's 6:00 am, don't you have to leave soon?" And then he sat up and adjusted his gown. I just stood there staring at him. I finally said something like 'That was pretty cool' and he said 'Yeah' and laid back down. From there everything has been great. His head still hurts but almost like a normal headache and he is no longer nauseous although he does have to be mindful of moving too quickly as he does still get a little woozy.

I had decided to be at home on Wednesday while his mother was sitting with him at the hospital. Around 11:00 am, Christopher called me and asked if I could come get him in the afternoon to come home. I couldn't believe he has such a quick turn around!

We do want to thank everyone for praying for Christopher and helping us out. Thank you to my parents for dropping everything to come watch the kids. Thank you to Jim and Nicole for taking Harrison to the zoo. Thank you to Tome and Andy for watching Bennett and Harrison on Sunday. I read your blog and it looks like they had a great time. Thank you to Andy and Claudia for having Sarah watch Miles. Thank you to Joe and Kari for having Heather watch Will. Thank you to Andy and Claudia for the great bars and chips and salsa. Chris ate almost all of that salsa the very first night he was home! Thank you to my mom for staying with me and watching the boys when I was at the hospital. Thank you to Greg and Pam for coming so quickly. We always say don't come. We will be fine and we would have been. But it is soooo nice when your parents are around to help. Pam spent many hours just watching Christopher sleep and it made me feel great knowing she was there. Thank you to those who came and visited Chris. He didn't want visitors at first but I know for a fact he appreciated everyone who stopped by. And finally thank you to me for putting up with Christopher complain last night because I wouldn't let him go to the garage by himself. Get over it!!!!!

Videos games are bad for you.

A medical mystery has descended upon the Neipert household.  Christopher blacked out Saturday morning around 2:00 am, fell and hit the back of his head on the concrete in the garage.  He spent 24 hours in the ICU and is now in the Cardiac Unit at Iowa Methodist Hospital.  What a trip.

Friday was a fairly normal day for us.  Chris took the day off to golf with his friend Jim and then we all went to the fair that evening for dinner.  The boys and I came home with my parents and Chris and Jim stayed at the fair.  Jim had never been so they wanted to look around and see the sights.  After that they headed to Ames to see a friend, Scott and got back home around 1:00 - 1:30 am.  The night owls that they are decided to play a little Xbox and had been playing for about 20 - 30 minutes when Chris very suddenly said he felt a little dizzy.  The next thing Jim knew, Chris was falling to the floor.  Jim said he was unconsious for about 5 -10 seconds and when he woke up all he wanted to do was get inside to the couch.  Chris has since told me that remembers being on the garage floor and remembers being on the couch but doesn't remember getting there.  Side note - they did not wake me up.

When I aroused from my evening slumber, I found Christopher laying on the bathroom floor.  This was around 6:00 am.  Jim's wife, Nicole and their 2 boys were coming to visit and we were all headed to the zoo.  Well, being the kind, thoughtful and gentle wife that I am, I gave him the silent treatment.  How dare he go out the night before and get drunk.  Now I had to deal with a hung-over husband all day at the zoo.  Fun for me! (Because it is all about me!)  I even went as far as to step over him and take a shower while he went back and forth from laying on the floor to praying to the porcelain gods.  Jim got up around 9:00 and I asked him what he had done to my husband.  He laughed and then got confused and then got concerned.  Imagine to my horror that I have just spent the last 3 hours ignoring a man with a severe concussion who had not an ounce of alcohol to drink.  Wife of the year award - GONE!

It took forever to get Christopher into the car.  He wouldn't stay awake and when he sat up he kept dry heaving.  I finally got him into the car and off we went to the walk-in clinic.  WALK-IN CLINIC!  What was I thinking.  They immediately told me that they could not meet his needs and did I need an ambulance to transport him to the hospital.  Runner-up to wife of the year - NO CHANCE!

Finally I get him to the ER and he has a CT scan and is diagnosed with a concussion and a subdermal hematoma -  5 mm bleed on the brain.  They admitted him into the ICU and the shock took quite awhile to shake off.  I am trying to stay calm and make sure my kids are being taken care of by someone (my wonderful parents, great friends Jim and Nicole and my awesome cousin Tome and her equally awesome husband Andy!) and I am having to try and figure out how to explain to Christopher's parents the horrible treatment he has received from me in the last 5 hours and why I didn't call sooner to tell them he was bleeding in his BRAIN!  Daughter-in-law of the year - NEVER!

So now it is just a waiting game.  Christopher is doing better although it doesn't always seem like it.  He has about 2 -3 hours of feeling good out of every 6 -7 hours.  The other 3 -4 hours his head hurts immensely and his waivers on the brink of vomiting AGAIN.  He was moved to the Cardiac Floor because of a slow heart rate (40 - 45 bpm) and is going through a battery of tests to figure out if that is the reason he blacked out in the first place.  I personally think he was dehydrated and sleep deprived (too much Mt Dew and late night movies) but I am thankful that they are checking all sources of the possible problem.  

Christopher has had some very good nurses and one bad one (Brenda!) and his doctor, Dr. Piper is very nice.  He wants to come home but I am afraid he will not be coming for another couple of days.  So for him that means more sleep and round the clock care and for me that means another night in Hotel Methodist!  Just as long as he gets better...