7.28.2009

pause

I know everyone wants a Zach update but right now I am so overwhelmed with the 50 to do lists I've created, the million tasks at work that pop up just before vacation, the overwhelming guilt of leaving so much work for my two favorite co-workers, and the uncertainty of how I will repay the kindness of said coworkers and the friends that are providing love and care for the 4-leggers in our household.

Of course, that doesn't mean I am too busy to stop and read a fascinating piece on NPR.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111083779&sc=fb&cc=fp

My first thought - why the hell didn't I get a major tampon manufacturer to sponsor my trip to the conference? I have a serious blog following (and by that I mean my mom). I also have things that I could give away (JT, Zach, and Rick - I've tested them all and I can speak to their good and bad qualities).

But seriously it takes me back to my previously documented curiosity (or long-winded monologue) with the world of blogging. As if i don't get enough reality tv to rot my brain out, I can also waste hours of my days reading about the life and times of others that I will never know (in person that is).

Maybe I won't get famous or get a book deal via my blog but I am darn grateful that I have a way to keep up with so many great friends that I don't get to see so often and I can keep my loyal followers (mom - that is you again) updated on all the minutia of our days. I am also thankful that I won't have to enlist the legal advice of friends when the Federal Trade Commission finishes outlining their advertising guidelines. I pledge to keep this blog pure and free of paid advertisements (unless someone like Martha or Target approach me with a deal I can't turn down).

Now pack to packing...

7.23.2009

Ode to Zach

Four years ago I spent Saturday night at an auction sipping some wine with Michelle. I remember getting home and going straight to bed. I didn't sleep long as I woke with a strange pain in my stomach. By 2 am, I was in the tub soaking and hoping the pain would go away. By 6 am I realized that this strange pain came at a regular interval. Contractions! I had missed out on contractions with JT thanks to a fabulous epidural. I called Michelle and after she took JT to her house, Rick and I made our way slowly to the hospital; nothing at all like the speeding, panic drive we took when my water broke with JT.

Hard to believe that Zachy has been around for 4 years. Every day he gets funnier and smarter. He can also be extremely stubborn but he makes it almost impossible to stay mad at him for too long. He keeps all three of us on our toes. And most importantly, he can whistle a mean rendition of the Star Wars theme song.

I put together a few of my favorite early Zach photos. I know I will have lots more after we spend weekend celebrating our favorite Jedi.

All of Austin Can Thank Me

We have had something like a billion days of temperatures over 100 degrees and no rain. Yesterday I came home and told the boys to get their suits on to go swimming. No sooner did we all get ready to head out then we heard the sweet sounds of rain drops. It didn't rain long but long enough to have a little fun and keep the garden happy for another few days.




7.16.2009

sprinkles

I haven't been blogging and my only excuse is that it is really, really hot here.
A fellow Yankee and I were out the other night and in a moment of clarity (or after two beers) we realized that summer in Texas has turned in to our version of a northern winter. We have spent the past few weeks locked up in the house because the temperatures keep hovering at 103 degrees. There isn't much you can do when it is that hot out. We try to get the boys out first thing in the morning and we've been hanging out at the pool in the evenings.

We are getting ready for our big vacation but before that we have a big 4th birthday celebration for Zachy. In anticipation of that event, here are a few Fu Nuggets:

Nugget #1: Zachy was in the car with a lollipop and he is holding it like a cigarette at which point he says: "Look I am cigaretting!"

Nugget #2: Zachy was sitting at the counter watching JT play on a website. Zachy picked up a pen and opened the notebook that was sitting in front of him.
Rick: Zachy you can't write in that; it is my private notebook.
Fu: Dad, you write about your privates in here?

Since we aren't doing anything wild and crazy for Zachy's birthday and our preferred cake lady is on maternity leave, I decided I would bite the bullet and order a cake from a bakery. I picked out what I thought was a really cute space cake and showed a photo to Zachy at which point Zachy pouted and said: "Mom that isn't a Star Wars cake!"
My heart sank and I started to panic, wondering if I could call the bakery and change my order and then I thought to tell Zachy that his cake would be different than the one pictured because it would have sprinkles. That little added extra has made Zach more accepting of the cake; let's just hope this bakery comes through on those sprinkles.

7.07.2009

swim


It is hot here so we are cruising around to some of our favorite pools. Here are some shots from Izzy's pool, which ranks in the top 10 because it has a diving board.


BFF


It is hard being the 2cd child (I should know!) but I think it is even harder when you are the same gender. Zach spends most of his time doing whatever it is JT is doing and most of Zach's friends are JT's friends with the exception of Izzy. While I know both boys would say they are friends with Izzy, Zachy is the one that loves Izzy the most. And how can he not love her? She has her dad's original Star Wars guys, is willing to play legos, dresses-up in pirate stuff, eats mac 'n cheese, and loves a good scary movie.
When I asked Zach what he wanted to do for his 4th birthday his first response was, "Have Izzy over!" He added a few other people to the list, second on the list was Izzy's mom and then his buddy Griffin. It may be tough planning a party for two 4 year olds, a 5 year old, and a 30-something. I hope Izzy's mom likes Star Wars and mac 'n cheese.






7.02.2009

steroids

At the end of the school year, amongst all of the papers JT came home with was a note from the school nurse that he failed his hearing test. Of course, I freaked out. I called the nurse and after she got over her shock of having a parent call about a hearing test, she explained that she tested JT twice during the school year and he failed both times in the left ear.
Which brings us to today. We went to see an ENT who kindly informed us after an exam and hearing test that JT can't hear out of his left ear because there is fluid build up. We aren't too alarmed yet. He gave him a prescription for a nasal steroid and we will follow-up with him in 5 weeks. If things haven't improved then we will discuss having a tube put in that ear.

While on the ride home, I was reading the prescription the doctor gave and JT asked:
"Mom, will I get in trouble for taking steroids?"

I guess he has watched too much ESPN coverage on Manny Ramirez's return to the Dodgers after his steroid suspension.

the end


5 months and 32 games

That is the best way to sum up what the Lucas family has been up to (in case you couldn't tell from all the posts).

This is our first weekend that we are not required to play baseball, which basically means we are going to a Round Rock Express game (in 104 degree weather), JT convinces Rick and Zach to play baseball outside early in the morning, JT and Zach play MLB PowerPros when it gets too hot to play outside, and often the boys are caught throwing balls around the house in various games of baseball that JT invents.
The Pflugerville Heat ended up taking 2cd Place in the CenTex Tournament. The boys played hard. They had a great defensive game but unfortunately they just didn't have the bats. Rick would love to give full details if you want to listen. I have to admit that the game was really frustrating because of some coaching decisions but the boys all had fun and that is really all that matters.