A Morning Hike

Ahhh - the sweet sound of baby Harrison screaming his head off as we
head to Stone Mountain for the morning! What a great day of hiking on
the Yellow River trail. The boys had a blast playing in the creek and
thru the water. I love that Jason encourages their respect for
nature. By far, the best quote of the day: "Thornton, for the love of
God son, I you mess with those mushrooms again, I'm going to spank
your butt. We RESPECT nature, or nature will disrespect you."

We got some great shots of Harrison on his first hike at 10 weeks. The
boys investigated every eligible stick along the path, mommy reveled
in her new body along the steeper parts of the path, and daddy's chest
puffed with a little pride at his family in the woods.

And now, on the way home with three exhausted little boys and two
tired parents, we again enjoy the sweet sound of baby Harrison
screaming his head off along to Amy Winehouse.

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Paddycakes for Breakfast

Saturday morning with three boys started promptly at 6:15am. Thornton
requested "paddycakes for dinner" (translation: pancakes for
breakfast). We made blueberry and walnut pancakes with flax
substituted for eggs....daddy had lots of help. Shockingly great,
since mommy was iffy about these new-fangled ideas daddy has.

Breakfast followed by daddy going down for a nap (rough night at the
office), then talking to nanny and grandaddy, then Holden pooping on
the floor, then Harrison needing to nurse (again), then Thornton
taking pictures of mommy nursing (suprisingly good ones actually),
then hide and go seek under the dining room table, then a fist fight
on Holden finding Thornton under one of the chairs (evidently he
didn't want to be found), the timeout for Thornton in his room... Now
Harrison nursing (again) and mommy on the couch with the boys in a tv
quiet moment (thank you backyardigans).

It's 10:22am.

Holden in the Car

So far, we've been in the car for 3 hours and 45 minutes. With the
exception of an hour's nap, Holden has kept a running dialogue the
entire trip. It fluxuates between annoying and hysterical, but
definately provides entertainment. We've heard twinkle, twinkle;
noticed big trees and trucks, wanted daddy to change lanes, asked for
lots of snacks, called mommy a stinky, aaked who has to poo-poo
(person by person), and basically has blabbered the whole trip. He is
definately a motormouth. Meanwhile, Thornton is engrossed in
transformers and has only communicated by yelling or lauging at the
movie!

What more do you want for a Valentine's Day morning?

The best 3 men I could ask for in bed with me!

Pregnancy Woes

So, I'm no longer driving due to fainting in the car on the way to work. Fortunately, I realized it was coming and pulled into a parking lot before going out. Even better, I was on the phone with my medically trained husband who kept saying "Aspen, need you to talk to me".... less than 10 weeks to go, but this baby is definately more trouble than his/her big brothers!

Thornton's First Fight Over a Girl

So, I get home today and learn that my son has hit another boy at school in the face with a block.  And this boy is none other than his good friend, Carlos.  So, of course, I am very concerned and discuss with Jason... and Jason just tells me to ask Thornton what happened.

So, I sit down with my 3.5 year old son and say  "Thornton, what happened?  Why did you hit Carlos in the face with a block".

... and without missing a beat, he tells me it's "because he said he liked Claire".

... uh, are you KIDDING?  Did my child just hit another boy over a GIRL??

So I call Rene immediately, and tell her that her daughter just started WWIII at school, and evidently the boys have not yet learned "bros before 'hos".  I think Rene about lost it laughing.

Odd Pregnancy Symptom

I'm having an odd symptom the last 3 days. After I eat a large meal, I'm feeling really exhausted, shaky and dizzy. It isn't sugar sensitivity, I can eat ice cream, cookies, etc and not have the problem. It's just larger volume. I'm thinking my blood pressure may be dropping??


Talked to the doctor and got the official diagnosis. It’s called “small gut syndrome” or “dumping” syndrome. It can happen anytime, but typically happens when you’re stomach shrinks (aka, not as much room now). It happens when you eat complex carbs and high proteins together too quickly. Evidently, all the blood rushes from your head/limbs into your stomach to digest what you just ate. You feel dizzy since your blood left your brain (sheesh, just what I need in my already damaged brain!), and your heart is trying like mad to keep it all going around (hence the rapid heartbeat and shaky feeling). You are more susceptible to it when you’re pregnant because your blood volume is already wacked out (my words, not hers). Sugar is easily digested, so it doesn’t cause it. It’s the “tough to digest” that causes the problem.


Anyway, the recommendation is to eat meals over a longer period of time, and to watch the complex carb/high protein combo. Sigh. I’m so loving my carbs these days. 