Beauty and the Beast

I have to give praise to our local high school's choir and theater departments. Vicki and I took the girls to see Beauty and the Beast at Lovejoy HS last night. They did a GREAT job- and what's even more amazing is none of these kids are older than 10th Grade. Lovejoy HS has been open less than 2 years and they are adding a grade at a time. Anyways, they had Sophomores, Freshmen, middle-schoolers and even a few elementary kids in the show. It was long...but they did the show justice - very true to the Broadway and film productions.

The girls enjoyed it. Shelby stayed awake for the whole thing. After each of the first few scenes, she would say, " They do more?." This morning she wanted to go back to see it again. Jerzy asked lots of questions and loved clapping along with the audience. She managed to stay awake till just before intermission. Then spent the rest of the show asleep in Vicki's lap. Which was probably a good thing.

Antibiotics -Round Three - and More

We've learned a lot in the last few weeks about antibiotics and ear infections..... we started the new antibiotics.... we tried everything to get Shelby to swallow hers. But after about day 4 or 5 of all the tricks, hog-tying ( not really),gagging, and vomiting. We decided to go with the next option...antibiotic injections. Andrew took her on Tuesday for the first set of shots. Then Jerzy and I took her on Thursday- ears still infected, so she got 2 more shots-- of course this time she knew what was coming and was just a little more feisty. Then it was back to the office again this morning for a check of the ears ( one was completely clear and one was still infected) so...2 more shots. Poor thing....now it's over! No more shots. Whew.

Crazy us, we wanted to see what it would be like to visit the pediatrician's office 3 days in a row. So, in between Shelby's visits, I took Knox for his 1 year "well" visit on Friday. His ears are clearing up!! Yeah! But now he has "bronchiolitis" and we are doing breathing treatments. And what a sight that is, trying to give an active 1-year old breathing treatments while his two sisters try to help .

Before this week, I loved our pediatrician's group and staff. After this week, I love them even more. All four practitioners ( we saw 3 this week!) are fabulous and the front office staff and nurses are the BEST! They are always very kind, sensitive, patient and helpful. And of course, the lollipops, and stickers with every visit don't hurt. Thank you Raintree Pediatrics!

Antibiotics- Round Two

We have ear infections at our house , again.5 out of 6 little Tokarz ears are yucky. We have been so very fortunate that in 3 years, we had no ear infections. And now in the last month all kids have had them. Which is so amazing to me, because as a child I had chronic ear infections. The other amazing thing is I initially had no clue that anyone had ear issues, other than Shelby's new habit of saying " Whatcha you say?". I guess that's just the way it happens with some kids.

Anyways, Shelby and Knox got better for a brief period and then in the last 48 hours everyone started showing signs again. Jerzy became a real crank, which is totally out of her nature, even when she's been sick before , she would keep a happy attitude. But not this week....and now I know why, she has a double ear infection. Shelby does too. Knox only has a single ear infection-- but he's also teething. Thankfully he stays fairly content, smiling that toothy grin.

So it was back to the doctor's office today.We're trying another antibiotic. Unfortunately, this one doesn't taste too great. Knox took his fine so far. But the girls put up a bit of a fight. And just when I thought things couldn't get any worse....Shelby's weak gag reflex decided to rear it's ugly head and BLECCCHH...she barfed all over the kitchen floor after taking her medicine. Oh well....she didn't cry, she just plopped herself down and continued to puke, until she was finished. Then she stripped off her clothes and stood there calmly while I cleaned up. Never a dull moment around here.... : )

NYC

Andrew had a meeting this past Friday, in NYC, and I joined him for the trip!!

We flew out Thursday afternoon and stayed at a hotel in the financial district that night. My sister came to meet us on Friday morning and we walked Andrew down to his company's NY office . Bren and I took the subway back to her neighborhood. We dropped off our luggage at the apartment and hung out for a bit, having lunch and then heading out to shop and see what we could see.

I got to see just what it was like to be in the city during a thunderstorm ( puddles everywhere!). It poured and poured for an hour or two. We had umbrellas, but I didn't have handy-dandy rain boots like the locals, so I got a little wet. But it was fun anyways. We made our way between the subway and shops,stopping for a snack at City Bakery. I can now say I have had a City Bakery hot chocolate. Wow! It was a doozie- my sister had told me it was like a melted chocolate bar and she wasn't kidding. It just about knocked me out.

We walked some more, ran into some of her friends and then met up with Andrew outside the Time Life building. We stopped to see the ice skaters at Rockefeller Center and then headed back to Bren's apt via the subway during the rush hour so Andrew could get out of his suit and get casual.Then it was off to SoHo for dinner at Lucky Strike ( their fries are GREAT!) and window shopping.

Andrew waits for us to meet him

On Saturday, Andrew joined Brennan for her run in Central Park, around the reservoir. I tagged along and sat in the park reading and people/dog watching. It's very entertaining. We went back and made breakfast. Andrew grabbed a power nap - he was beat from keeping up with Brennan and the cold weather didn't help either.

Later, we made our way downtown again to Ground Zero and watched the heavy machinery push and pull things around. The whole area is a construction site. It is still an eerie and emotional feeling being there, but they are moving on with plans for the future.

This picture is taken below ground level, through the fences, of the construction site at the former WTC location.

We took a break in City Park and then headed across the Brooklyn Bridge ( to the middle and back). Bren took us to the new KS store on 5th Avenue( they now have 2 in the city). This was Andrew's first time to see one in person. We then headed to Kenneth Cole, to see an old friend from Texas, who helped Andrew add some needed shoes and a cool reversible belt to his wardrobe. Then we took a break from the cold and wind by catching a movie ( The Bucket List). It was a great afternoon.

Amy and Brennan in City Park

On the Brooklyn Bridge

On the Brooklyn Bridge, with Manhattan Bridge behind us

Dinner was back in Brennan's neighborhood at one of those fun little places everyone gets to eat at when they visit her. It's one of my favorite parts of the trip!! Nina's is an Argentinian Pizza joint. And like most little restaurants in the city, has about 2 tables ( well- really it has about 7 or 8, I think, depending on your party size.) We had to wait for a bit outside, but it was worth it.

My sister's friend, Michael, joined us. We had a great time catching up and learning more about the economics behind the high-end retail fashion world. We enjoyed some fabulous pizza, pasta and their delicious marinated eggplant!!!

Michael and Brennan at Nina's

Sunday was a quiet,relaxing day hanging out, then getting a cab to the airport and getting on our separate planes.I came back to Dallas and Andrew went on to Chicago. Thanks a million to our family and friends who entertained the kids while we were gone.They had a great wknd and the girls are still talking about the fun things they did like going to the park, making pancakes and eating lots of pizza.

First Foods

Most parents proudly take pictures of the special food firsts such as first cereal, first vegetable, first meat, first sip from a cup, etc. Well, around here we have those pictures, BUT , what we really get excited about is the first other foods. Like first Oreo, first Cheeto and the girls' favorite...first "Cheez-a- burga!!" Yes I know I'm a dietitian. How dare I promote these sorts of foods. Well, hey, I'm one of those RDs who lives (and teaches) the mantra " Everything in moderation."

Knox does get plenty of fruits, veggies and whole grains, but the girls love to share their special treats with him. ( And he loves to share with Gus!)

Oh and yes, he has already had his first bites of ice cream. And that is one silly face he makes when that cold sensation hits his mouth-- we just haven't captured it on film yet!! We will be sure to share it when we do.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to everyone. We have started the year off with a bang, we've all been sick. Shelby and Knox have their first (double) ear infections! And Knox is getting at least 2 new teeth.Otherwise we are doing fine...

Christmas was a blessed time for us. The kids had great fun wrapping, giving, receiving , and unwrapping presents. The favorites seem to be a stamp set/coloring book, the Playskool Busy Ball Popper, a jillion baby dolls in all different sizes, puffy vests, candy, colorful new clothes and warm pajamas. We were able to share lots of meals and fun times with family and friends.

A Gift from Aunt Brennan....a puffy vest!

The kids also have 2 new little friends, that they have heard about and seen pictures of, but have not been able to meet yet. Our friends Daniel, Theresa and Hannah, welcomed little Cooper on December 3rd ( ~ 8wks early). He spent nearly 5 wks in the local NICU, but was able to come home this wknd. Praise God! Then our friends Justin and Holly welcomed baby Eli just in time for Christmas on December 21st. He's a cutie! When the kids get healthy again, we will take them to visit their new friends.

Andrew and I got to have a 24hr overnight getaway to Houston for his company party the wknd before Christmas. Thank you to Nana & Papa, Granny Trish and Grandaddy , Aunt BB and Uncle Kemp for entertaining the kids for us. We were very blessed to also squeeze in a quick visit with our very dear friends John and Joy, who came to meet us at the hotel for drinks. We have been friends since Joy and I met in Arizona 7+ years ago during our RD internship.

He has also been working on an old BMW R65 , to which he has attached a side car. He took it for it's first spin...with a passenger ( JERZY!!), this past weekend while we had some great weather. Shelby wasn't sure about it....but Jerzy was ready to go. She had been riding her trike, so she already had her helmet on. We strapped her in and she enjoyed a few tours around the neighborhood with her daddy.

We hope everyone is having a happy and safe 2008 so far. We are looking forward to an exciting and blessed year. I resolve to update this site more regularly. Take care and Happy New Year!