We're redesigning the kids' pages, so we can edit them through MoveableType, which we use for this index. This post makes those pages appear, so ignore this.
Wednesday, March 5, 2003
Tuesday, March 4, 2003
Jonathon's 18mo check-up
As I'd mentioned before, Jonathon is 18 months and went to the doctor's office last Friday. He weighed in at 24 pounds and measured 31.25 inches.
We arrived at 8:30 even though it was snowing (again), and checked in. Sat around. At 9, all the folks who'd been there before us were being seen. More people filtered in, and were called back. At 9:30 after this had happened again I asked why we were still waiting around and was told that the nurse was involved with an emergency that had come in around the same time we did, and would see us in 5-10 minutes. This is Kaiser, there isn't just one nurse, I have no idea why one of the others couldn't have squeezed us in. Thank goodness the waiting room has toys, and even a TV. Since we were there for 2 1/2 hours, I don't mind the kids watching SpongBob.
Anyway we were finally called back, and weirded out the nurses with Jonathon's cloth diaper (he was wearing a Kissaluv fitted with a Bumpy cover, nice and easy to put on and take off for exams, weights). Thankfully Ian had come and the other kids were with him, so Jonathon was the only one bored and opening drawers and playing with the sink in the exam room. The nurse came in and we discussed his food intake, speech and all the normal stuff. Nothing terribly exciting. He was amazingly patient and still while she used the stethoscope and otoscope and all the other scopes. Anyone who knows him though, knows that he remains very somber in uncertain situations, and that's exactly how he was. He was fascinated with that sink though. Kept trying to climb up on the rolling stool to turn the water on and tumbled off once half way up. The exam light was another favorite. Why they keep the lights really low down and have an easy switch, who knows!
We learned that with missing Jonathon's 15 month visit, we had to catch up on his vaccinations. He was stalwart through all four of them, it was truly amazing. He put all his siblings to shame. One annoying thing was that I asked the nurse if I could nurse him through them since I've heard and read that it can ease the sting (guess we didn't need that though), and she told me no since there was a risk of aspirating. I guess she didn't realize that an 18 month nurser does it lots more for comfort (which is what I was offering anyway) and my number of letdowns can be counted on one hand in a week.
He did great. We got a copy of his vaccination record for the move and I guess we're all set. Rebecca peed in a cup again since the last specimen came back with some irregularities and they wanted a recheck. Let's hope that's just nothing.
We arrived at 8:30 even though it was snowing (again), and checked in. Sat around. At 9, all the folks who'd been there before us were being seen. More people filtered in, and were called back. At 9:30 after this had happened again I asked why we were still waiting around and was told that the nurse was involved with an emergency that had come in around the same time we did, and would see us in 5-10 minutes. This is Kaiser, there isn't just one nurse, I have no idea why one of the others couldn't have squeezed us in. Thank goodness the waiting room has toys, and even a TV. Since we were there for 2 1/2 hours, I don't mind the kids watching SpongBob.
Anyway we were finally called back, and weirded out the nurses with Jonathon's cloth diaper (he was wearing a Kissaluv fitted with a Bumpy cover, nice and easy to put on and take off for exams, weights). Thankfully Ian had come and the other kids were with him, so Jonathon was the only one bored and opening drawers and playing with the sink in the exam room. The nurse came in and we discussed his food intake, speech and all the normal stuff. Nothing terribly exciting. He was amazingly patient and still while she used the stethoscope and otoscope and all the other scopes. Anyone who knows him though, knows that he remains very somber in uncertain situations, and that's exactly how he was. He was fascinated with that sink though. Kept trying to climb up on the rolling stool to turn the water on and tumbled off once half way up. The exam light was another favorite. Why they keep the lights really low down and have an easy switch, who knows!
We learned that with missing Jonathon's 15 month visit, we had to catch up on his vaccinations. He was stalwart through all four of them, it was truly amazing. He put all his siblings to shame. One annoying thing was that I asked the nurse if I could nurse him through them since I've heard and read that it can ease the sting (guess we didn't need that though), and she told me no since there was a risk of aspirating. I guess she didn't realize that an 18 month nurser does it lots more for comfort (which is what I was offering anyway) and my number of letdowns can be counted on one hand in a week.
He did great. We got a copy of his vaccination record for the move and I guess we're all set. Rebecca peed in a cup again since the last specimen came back with some irregularities and they wanted a recheck. Let's hope that's just nothing.
Have you ever wanted to strangle a company?
So, we need this release form to take the car out of country. Before this form can be drawn up and mailed to us, we have to register for automatic debit. To do this, we fill out a form and fax that and a voided check to the company. Easy enough. Did it on the 20th of February.
Oh, but of course it's not that easy. I e-mailed March 2nd to see how the process was moving along and received an e-mail back saying they couldn't do anything until the automatic debit was processed.
Hmm. OK, we sent that in 10 days ago from the message. I e-mailed back on the 3rd noting the previous e-mails with her saying she'd received our fax and was waiting for the debit form to be processed. Didn't get answer.
So today, the 4th, I called and explained the problem to customer service. I was sent to her voicemail. Ok, left a message. Called back and explained I wanted to talk to a real person, in particular the person my initial contact told me about. Apparently my main contact didn't know when she'd be off for maternity leave. OK, ask for person #2 and am told that she's not at her desk but I can leave her voicemail, get sent to #1s voicemail again. Leave an abrupt message saying I'll call back.
Half hour later, call back and finally get to talk to an actual person who might be able to help me. I explain the situation about sending this fax but finally learned that nothing is being processed yet. I'm told that once the fax is received it takes 24-48 hours to be processed before this division can do the paperwork. This is when I learn that the automatic debit form was faxed to a "secure" area of the building. A secure enough area apparently run by small molelike creatures because they aren't allowed to talk to the outside world. I cannot call them to get confirmation that they have received it and are working on it. I cannot e-mail them as they apparently don't have an address, and even if they did, they wouldn't reply. Ian re-faxed the form this morning. Did it get received? We'll never know.
So I asked her what else could be done and she said someone could walk it over. I asked if SHE could walk it over and I guess I stepped on toes there. I was clarifying what we needed to do and she rushed into the fax number. I asked if I could put her name on it and she said she supposed I could. I e-mailed Ian to have him re-fax it yet again directly to her.
SO. Here is where we stand. Supposedly she picked it up, walked it over to the "secure" part of the building and it will be processed in 24-48 hours. On Thursday I can call to see what's what. If nothing has happened yet again, I'm going to a supervisor. We leave in 3 weeks and I don't have time for this.
Oh, but of course it's not that easy. I e-mailed March 2nd to see how the process was moving along and received an e-mail back saying they couldn't do anything until the automatic debit was processed.
Hmm. OK, we sent that in 10 days ago from the message. I e-mailed back on the 3rd noting the previous e-mails with her saying she'd received our fax and was waiting for the debit form to be processed. Didn't get answer.
So today, the 4th, I called and explained the problem to customer service. I was sent to her voicemail. Ok, left a message. Called back and explained I wanted to talk to a real person, in particular the person my initial contact told me about. Apparently my main contact didn't know when she'd be off for maternity leave. OK, ask for person #2 and am told that she's not at her desk but I can leave her voicemail, get sent to #1s voicemail again. Leave an abrupt message saying I'll call back.
Half hour later, call back and finally get to talk to an actual person who might be able to help me. I explain the situation about sending this fax but finally learned that nothing is being processed yet. I'm told that once the fax is received it takes 24-48 hours to be processed before this division can do the paperwork. This is when I learn that the automatic debit form was faxed to a "secure" area of the building. A secure enough area apparently run by small molelike creatures because they aren't allowed to talk to the outside world. I cannot call them to get confirmation that they have received it and are working on it. I cannot e-mail them as they apparently don't have an address, and even if they did, they wouldn't reply. Ian re-faxed the form this morning. Did it get received? We'll never know.
So I asked her what else could be done and she said someone could walk it over. I asked if SHE could walk it over and I guess I stepped on toes there. I was clarifying what we needed to do and she rushed into the fax number. I asked if I could put her name on it and she said she supposed I could. I e-mailed Ian to have him re-fax it yet again directly to her.
SO. Here is where we stand. Supposedly she picked it up, walked it over to the "secure" part of the building and it will be processed in 24-48 hours. On Thursday I can call to see what's what. If nothing has happened yet again, I'm going to a supervisor. We leave in 3 weeks and I don't have time for this.
Saturday, March 1, 2003
Can we take the tickets and run?
Yesterday was a busy day, besides Jonathon's doctors appointment. We also had to have Rebecca pee in a cup again and that's -always- a treat!
So, we spent 2 1/2 hours at the peds office. The first hour was just sitting in the waiting room. But, we were the first apnt, you say. Why yes, we were. Oddly enough that didn't really count for much as we saw the room empty out, fill up, empty again, and still weren't called. Yeah, I complained.
Anyway, 2 1/2 hours later it's 11 a.m., we run to the house to pick up some papers for the afternoon. Leave, realize we've forgotten more papers, go back to house, hit the road again, get to my parents' house finally. Both boys conked out in the car so they go for short naps and Ian and I head to DC. Amazingly we find a ready parking spot. There's so much dark slush that Ian mistakes it for solid ground and sploosh goes his foot up to his cuff. OK, I couldn't help but chuckle. Get to the passport office, are told it's the the -other- passport office next door. Find it and after a few minutes of making our request are told that lone system that can complete it is down. We'll wait of course because this is what we'd designated the day for... getting this letter, going to the Philippine embassy and making our visa requests.
So we wait. We watch Rumsfeld on TV talking about the U.S. forces heading to the Philippines to help out with the terrorist groups working there. We wait more. A lady comes in with her diplomatic passport stuff and talks about renewing her tourist passports. I comment to Ian wondering why folks would need two passports. She turns and says "Well, if you get hyjacked, you don't want to turn over your dip." Hmm, good point. Not exactly something I want to think abut, being hyjacked, but I guess I should renew my tourist passport.
Anyhow, we wait more and finally they admit they have no idea how long it'll be and offers us other options... which entail Main State, couriers and three other steps. When Ian finally explains to her that this is our day to do this, that he's in class for the next two weeks followed by packout and adios, she says she'll see what she can do and 10 minutes later we have the letter. Well. OK then. Thanks.
So we high tail it to the Philippine Embassy which is about 4 blocks away and we're the 2nd people in line. Hand it all over and are told it'll be ready on Monday. It has to be picked up in person or by a courier with a release letter. ARG. We'll deal with that when we get to it :) We did learn that a Filipino tour is 7 years though (vs. our 2 years). Great if you're sent to DC or Italy. Crappy if you're sent to Iraq. I've always said to Ian that I can take anything for 2 years.
Heading back to the car, we stopped in at St. Matthews church on M Street. Too bad it's filled with scaffolding as it looks like it's just gorgeous. Stopped in at The Vitamin Shoppe... wow that place is just funky. Finally get to FSI where Ian heads to the travel office and I cross the hallway to the health unit and get HepB shot #2 and a polio shot. I'm proud to say I took them as well as my 18mo son. Those tickets are pretty tempting. Ian commented on our way back to the van that we could just wait head to the airport. It'd be a long 3 weeks.
Back to pick up the kids after they play out in the snow (glad I brought all their snow pants and boots!) and we go out to dinner with grandma to Silverado's.
So, we spent 2 1/2 hours at the peds office. The first hour was just sitting in the waiting room. But, we were the first apnt, you say. Why yes, we were. Oddly enough that didn't really count for much as we saw the room empty out, fill up, empty again, and still weren't called. Yeah, I complained.
Anyway, 2 1/2 hours later it's 11 a.m., we run to the house to pick up some papers for the afternoon. Leave, realize we've forgotten more papers, go back to house, hit the road again, get to my parents' house finally. Both boys conked out in the car so they go for short naps and Ian and I head to DC. Amazingly we find a ready parking spot. There's so much dark slush that Ian mistakes it for solid ground and sploosh goes his foot up to his cuff. OK, I couldn't help but chuckle. Get to the passport office, are told it's the the -other- passport office next door. Find it and after a few minutes of making our request are told that lone system that can complete it is down. We'll wait of course because this is what we'd designated the day for... getting this letter, going to the Philippine embassy and making our visa requests.
So we wait. We watch Rumsfeld on TV talking about the U.S. forces heading to the Philippines to help out with the terrorist groups working there. We wait more. A lady comes in with her diplomatic passport stuff and talks about renewing her tourist passports. I comment to Ian wondering why folks would need two passports. She turns and says "Well, if you get hyjacked, you don't want to turn over your dip." Hmm, good point. Not exactly something I want to think abut, being hyjacked, but I guess I should renew my tourist passport.
Anyhow, we wait more and finally they admit they have no idea how long it'll be and offers us other options... which entail Main State, couriers and three other steps. When Ian finally explains to her that this is our day to do this, that he's in class for the next two weeks followed by packout and adios, she says she'll see what she can do and 10 minutes later we have the letter. Well. OK then. Thanks.
So we high tail it to the Philippine Embassy which is about 4 blocks away and we're the 2nd people in line. Hand it all over and are told it'll be ready on Monday. It has to be picked up in person or by a courier with a release letter. ARG. We'll deal with that when we get to it :) We did learn that a Filipino tour is 7 years though (vs. our 2 years). Great if you're sent to DC or Italy. Crappy if you're sent to Iraq. I've always said to Ian that I can take anything for 2 years.
Heading back to the car, we stopped in at St. Matthews church on M Street. Too bad it's filled with scaffolding as it looks like it's just gorgeous. Stopped in at The Vitamin Shoppe... wow that place is just funky. Finally get to FSI where Ian heads to the travel office and I cross the hallway to the health unit and get HepB shot #2 and a polio shot. I'm proud to say I took them as well as my 18mo son. Those tickets are pretty tempting. Ian commented on our way back to the van that we could just wait head to the airport. It'd be a long 3 weeks.
Back to pick up the kids after they play out in the snow (glad I brought all their snow pants and boots!) and we go out to dinner with grandma to Silverado's.
Wednesday, February 26, 2003
Where to Begin...
I could start with that it's snowing. But heck, at this point that's nothing new. We've added another 3 or 4 inches already, thank goodness it rained last weekend and that helped reduce the accumulation down to about 4-6 inches area wide. Anyhow, it's supposed to keep going and end up somewhere between 6-10 inches.
Katherine is out of school today. Probably tomorrow too. Again, this is nothing new. At least she can go outside and play with her siblings in this stuff, but man I'm getting tired of it. Who am I kidding, I was tired of snow after the first snowfall in the first week of December. Last year, our total accumulation was 3 inches. This year, it will be around 3 feet.
We're in the final stages of moving. Yesterday I called and set up cancel dates for the phone and trash pick-up. Change of address is going out to magazines and utilities. This is the nitty gritty junk. Ian is attempting to get our tickets printed for us, and we're just waiting for the release from the car financing people so we can shcedule the car pick-up. For the 21st, our final actual date in the house, we have a maid service scheduled to clean the kitchen and bathrooms, at the same time as a carpet cleaner and chimney sweep. Then we'll have the walk-through, and we'll wave good-bye to our home for 2 years.
We fly out March 24th, arriving in Manila on the 28th. Provided there's no war going on with the rebels in the Philippines.
Katherine is out of school today. Probably tomorrow too. Again, this is nothing new. At least she can go outside and play with her siblings in this stuff, but man I'm getting tired of it. Who am I kidding, I was tired of snow after the first snowfall in the first week of December. Last year, our total accumulation was 3 inches. This year, it will be around 3 feet.
We're in the final stages of moving. Yesterday I called and set up cancel dates for the phone and trash pick-up. Change of address is going out to magazines and utilities. This is the nitty gritty junk. Ian is attempting to get our tickets printed for us, and we're just waiting for the release from the car financing people so we can shcedule the car pick-up. For the 21st, our final actual date in the house, we have a maid service scheduled to clean the kitchen and bathrooms, at the same time as a carpet cleaner and chimney sweep. Then we'll have the walk-through, and we'll wave good-bye to our home for 2 years.
We fly out March 24th, arriving in Manila on the 28th. Provided there's no war going on with the rebels in the Philippines.
Friday, February 21, 2003
A Week Off of School
With the dump of snow came a full week off school for Katherine. Presidents Day was supposed to be a regular in school day, but even that didn't work out. So what have we done with ourselves, besides a lot of shovelling? We've had a family snowball fight. We've had a family pillow fight with little boys who're barely able to lift giant pillows, much less swing them at anyone. We've played family Hide-n-seek with the whole house fair game and daddy scaring the pants off kids when they found him. We've played Simon Says until Simon wanted to say "go take a nap!". We've played umpteen games of chess (Rebecca's getting pretty good, and Katherine is getting better and better). We've eaten a ton of popcorn and watched lots of movies. The kids have built a pathetic little snowman (with all this snow!) and they've discovered that rubbermaid storage box covers make great sleds. We've made great use of snow pants and snow boots that were regularly boxed up for ski trip use. We've ordered pizza.
All in all it hasn't been too bad. Fun, even :)
All in all it hasn't been too bad. Fun, even :)
Tuesday, February 18, 2003
Blizzard Days
OK, it wasn't really a blizzard, but we got about a foot of snow and that was more than plenty. Katherine will be missing at least 3 days of school for it and even the fed gov't (meaning Ian) was often yesterday. Today the weather was downright warm, almost 40! We had a family snowball fight until Katherine couldn't move her fingers anymore. Nicholas has an excellent arm and aim for throwing snowballs, he got his target more of tne than not, and too often right in the face. Katherine cackled gleefully when she lobbed a huge snowball at mom, saying "That one looked just like Brazil!" Well, OK then! Nicholas and Rebecca both got smacked right in the face and were not pleased at all, bursting into tears but recovering quickly. Heck, even mom got some snow down the shirt and that was far from pleasant! Dad got a frozen ball in the ear and I can gather that it was rather painful. Was probably similar to when I went skiing recently, wiped out and got some snow lodged in my nostril. Chilly!
Now everyone is curled in the frigid basement under their cozy blankets, eating popcorn and watching "The Secret Garden" Maybe later we'll hit the mall just for a change of scenery, even though we did get up to Annandale and take my mom out to lunch for Chinese food. We all needed to get out, especially since their house is leaking. Goodness!
Anyhow, maybe the mall this afternoon once Jonathon wakes from his nap.
Cloth diapering is going really well. "They" say it saves money but I'm seeing the downfall already as there are SO many cute dipes out there and so many different styles that it's hard not to get one or more of each, just to try out *laugh* I'm telling myself that this is all an excellent investment for once we move to Manila, I won't have to even think about searching for disposables for his sensitive butt. Washing them hasn't even been a problem, but I think that's largely that he's so big now and only needs to be changed a few times a day. Starting CD with a newborn would be harsh. Not only are you exhausted and worn out already, but cloth dipes do take more steps than tossing out a disposable.
Jonathon's speech is doing really well. His newest word is "'NOW!" just like his big brother. He doesn't like snow other than to nibble on it, but he sure does like to watch it from inside. Other than snow, he says Up, Off (means on and off), Goo (shoe), Gock (sock), Hat, More (w/ sign), Eees (please w/ sign), Aho (thank you w/ sign), Down, Yesh (yes), Guck (yuck), Boon (balloon), Bath, Mama, Dada, Baba (Becca), Abaf (Katherine), Dihdis (Nicholas), 'Poon (spoon).
Watching him play Hide and Seek and Simon Says with the big kids is just hilarious. I ask the kids to jump up and down and he tries so hard, only making it up to his tip toes. One of the cutest things he does is when food comes to him or he's happily surprised about something is how he makes his mouth into a big O and says "oooooh". You've got to see it to understand.
Nicholas has started mixing sounds over the past month. Rather than Dada, he'll say Daddy. And his best insult is calling someone Baby Bear, just like daddy calls Becca. Still no one can understand him but us but he's stringing lots of words together and is such a card.
Now everyone is curled in the frigid basement under their cozy blankets, eating popcorn and watching "The Secret Garden" Maybe later we'll hit the mall just for a change of scenery, even though we did get up to Annandale and take my mom out to lunch for Chinese food. We all needed to get out, especially since their house is leaking. Goodness!
Anyhow, maybe the mall this afternoon once Jonathon wakes from his nap.
Cloth diapering is going really well. "They" say it saves money but I'm seeing the downfall already as there are SO many cute dipes out there and so many different styles that it's hard not to get one or more of each, just to try out *laugh* I'm telling myself that this is all an excellent investment for once we move to Manila, I won't have to even think about searching for disposables for his sensitive butt. Washing them hasn't even been a problem, but I think that's largely that he's so big now and only needs to be changed a few times a day. Starting CD with a newborn would be harsh. Not only are you exhausted and worn out already, but cloth dipes do take more steps than tossing out a disposable.
Jonathon's speech is doing really well. His newest word is "'NOW!" just like his big brother. He doesn't like snow other than to nibble on it, but he sure does like to watch it from inside. Other than snow, he says Up, Off (means on and off), Goo (shoe), Gock (sock), Hat, More (w/ sign), Eees (please w/ sign), Aho (thank you w/ sign), Down, Yesh (yes), Guck (yuck), Boon (balloon), Bath, Mama, Dada, Baba (Becca), Abaf (Katherine), Dihdis (Nicholas), 'Poon (spoon).
Watching him play Hide and Seek and Simon Says with the big kids is just hilarious. I ask the kids to jump up and down and he tries so hard, only making it up to his tip toes. One of the cutest things he does is when food comes to him or he's happily surprised about something is how he makes his mouth into a big O and says "oooooh". You've got to see it to understand.
Nicholas has started mixing sounds over the past month. Rather than Dada, he'll say Daddy. And his best insult is calling someone Baby Bear, just like daddy calls Becca. Still no one can understand him but us but he's stringing lots of words together and is such a card.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)