Weekend updates

The last few weekends have been pretty tame around here. We went to the beach one weekend and the Ventura County Fair the other. The fair was pretty fun. There was a petting zoo which William loved. Harry, on the other hand, did not want to be anywhere near the barnyard animals. We were lucky enough to catch the rodeo when we were there and that was the highlight of the day. They had some clowns, roping shows, horse races, bull riding, steer wrangling, etc. It was really fun to watch.

We shall see what this weekend has in store. It's been above 105 degrees here all week which makes for perfect beach weather (it's typically 20 degrees cooler there) but as luck has it, it is supposed to drop to 70 degrees by this weekend!!!

Oh Boys! And a medical update

I am having a pretty bad day. I had to have a procedure done today and not a fun one (like there are fun ones?). I visited a urologist a week ago due to a lot of pain. It turned out that I developed a very large cyst on my urethra and had an infection. I seriously felt like someone kicked me in the crotch. I wondered if the boys did since they have been sleeping in the bed. After a visit to the Gynecologist and he said everything was ok, I wasn't convinced since the pain was getting worse. The urologist was surprised I could walk by the size of this cyst. It was protruding out and he was shocked the OBGYN didn't catch it. Yeah too much information. Basically I had a gyno visit for fun. Anyhow when the urologist was doing the exam, he found I had a very large bladder stone as well. I can't catch a break, huh? I have to be the most unhealthy "healthy" person I know. Apparently I developed these urinary problems because of my heart medication and additional salt to my diet for my low blood pressure. So my day did not start off good with having to have a procedure to have the stone broken up and the cyst removed. Luckily the cyst ruptured and is not as large so I don't have to have it removed ASAP (as of now). It isn't causing me a lot of pain now so we are going to wait. So after my procedure I headed to church to do some volunteer work. And on my way, I took a different route to pick up the payroll checks. This isn't a normal route I ever take. And what do you know? I get pulled over by a new cop. Yes I found out he was new because our neighbor is a police officer and he told me. I got a ticket. Not even a warning. I haven't even been pulled over in ten years. And my ticket? For turning right on red between the hours of 10am and 3pm on a weekday (I didn't see the sign). Ugh!
Then I come home and find that part of the lunch I ordered is not in the bag. And when I think all is bad, my babysitter whom I absolutely love is moving! Not a good day. The boys love her and she is so good with them. I am happy for her but sad for us :(

But the boys cheer me up. I see them rocking their babies and I get a little worried that they may ask for a little brother/sister. But no, they were "fishing."

Can we erase this day and start over?

In other medical news, here is the skinny on my heart issues. I saw a new cardiologist at Cedars Sinai for a second opinion. He has done a lot of research and has consulted a team of cardiologists and neurologists on my case. They are in agreement that my current cardiologist is not correct with his diagnosis. In looking at my medical records, "there is something very unusual and dangerous." My symptoms combined don't make sense together. He is going above and beyond in my book with all the research he is doing. He is even consulting doctors at UCLA. As of now, he is waiting to hear back from a doctor at UCLA who is an expert at cracking mysterious cases. But he is on vacation until August 11th. They have requested more medical records from my family physician (not related to my heart) in hopes of maybe finding something else. He said he likes the term "mystery" for me because my condition is very odd and not easy to diagnose. It's not comforting knowing I have something "critically wrong and dangerous" with me but it is nice to know that I have a team of doctors searching for a solution. So my fingers are crossed that we figure something out.

Weekend fun

Hm, what trouble can we get in? No we actually had so much fun this weekend. We neglected all other needs of the weekend and headed to the beach both Saturday and Sunday. It was so much fun. It had been too cold to go to the beach and overcast but this weekend, it all turned. It is officially beach season so you know where to find us every Saturday.

The boys are pretending to take naps. Belle made new friends. June and Cash were picnicking right next to us so they played all day together on Saturday. Scott and I boogie boarded. It was so fun. Well this isn't a good picture since there are no waves :)

We had fun running and dancing.

Making sand castles. Harrison is still a little leery of the water.

We played soccer. Football.
We were exhausted when we got home. He is really sleeping here :)
But we had to celebrate. Saturday William turned three and a half! Where did the time go? William is such a smart cookie too. I told him earlier in the week that Saturday was his half birthday. When we got home William said, "don't forget my surprise. It's my half birthday." He has quite the memory. But to top it off I feel like such a horrible mom. A few months ago, he saw a large Buzz Lightyear at the store. He really wanted it and I told him no but maybe on his half birthday. This was seriously about 2 months ago. So he got all excited Saturday and said, "oh, don't forget my big Buzz mommy." And of-course I had :( But we did have some cake.

Sunday we stayed at the beach till the sun was going down.

And the weekend was perfect all the way up until the last couple minutes. The entire time we were there, I made sure to take off my sunglasses every time I went out into the water. Right as we were packing up, I took the boogie board out to the water to wash it off and forgot to take them off. So what do you know, a big wave comes up and hits me in the face swallowing my D&G sunglasses. I am still so upset with myself. I have to get over it but it sucks! All in all, it was a fabulous weekend of sunbathing and family bonding.

Weekend update with the Archers

It was a nice relaxing weekend at our house. We took the boys back to feed the ducks.

They multiply

And does anyone know what this thing is? It is so weird. It looks like a hybrid between a crow and a duck. He was mean too. He would attack the other ducks for food.

They played at the park.

Hosted fellowship time at church. Yes I dyed the eggs red, white and blue.

We went to the neighborhood festival for fireworks.

Harry was amazed with the fireworks.

William was scared that they were coming for him :)

I love finding moments like this.

Yesterday we had a picnic in the park. We ate dinner, listened to music, played ball and Frisbee.

I don't know what it is but the boys love throwing balls in this tree. One always gets stuck and then it is fun for them to try to knock it out with another ball.

It's been too cold at the beach to spend time there. I think we are going to risk it and just go next weekend. It's July and it's been overcast and in the 60's at the beach.

Weekend recap with the Archers

It was a pretty good weekend at the Archers. Friday night we went to the Farmers Market and stocked up on fresh veggies and fruits. Afterwards we took the boys to Red Robin for dinner. It is a rare thing for us to take them to dinner. I think Red Robin is perfect since it is so loud with a lot of kids that we can't really tell if our kids are that bad :)

Saturday morning Scott went dirt biking. Of-course this is fun for the boys because they get to play with Daddy's helmet. Since Will was hogging his helmet, Harry was fine with a bike helmet.

Saturday night Scott and I went out on a date. We went to the Odyssey Restaurant. I knew ahead of time that the views were spectacular there and what did I do? Forgot my camera. After dinner we just walked the grounds. Then we went to play pool. I don't think I have played pool since college and it definitely showed. It was fun though.

Sunday wasn't fun at all. I woke up at 5:15am with really bad tachycardia. It was really hard to knock out. I took a ton of medicine and stayed in bed until after 1pm. I rested the rest of the day because I kept getting episodes. Finally I did get a break. I have a new appointment with a new cardiologist July 15th at Cedars Sinai and I am looking forward to getting more answers. I requested my medical records last week and have learned more than I wanted. There is a lot of stuff my doctor did not tell me. He only diagnosed with with two different kinds of tachycardia. What he never told me in addition to tachycardia was I had/have left atrial enlargement, right bundle branch block, t-wave abnormality and inferior ischemia, atrial flutter, enlarged right hilar lymph node, etc. The list is long. I had to look up these to see what they are and am really surprised my doctor never mentioned these things to me. I guess that is why I have abnormal EKGs. Anyhow, I am looking forward to a new doctor who will actually listen to me and answer my questions.

Happy Birthday Scott!

Yesterday was Scott's 31st birthday. I have to say, the boys wore me out! We ran around running errands most of yesterday that by time we were home, I just sat in the car for a few minutes. This medicine really wears on me. I couldn't even put the groceries away until I rested for 15 minutes on the couch. The boys did good with all the errands we ran. The most important one was William's follow-up with his doctor for his leg braces. He is doing so well that he only has to wear them at night now!!! But if he starts to "pop up" on his feet, he will have to wear them during the day again. BUT if all goes well over the next six weeks, he is done. Yes, done! I so proud of him for doing so well with these braces. Of-course none of his shoes fit since he has been in casts and braces for the last twelve weeks so we had to stop by Target to pick out new shoes. He is so excited to wear them.

I made Scott his favorite meal for his birthday dinner, Meatloaf.

The first four sentences when Scott walked in the door last night were by William:

"Look at what I colored for you."

"We are going to eat cake!"

"I got you a tie."

"It's red!"

So much for surprises! Ha

The boys blew out the candles.

And Harry ate every drop of the ice cream cake.

Happy Birthday Scott. We love you!

Weekend Recap with The Archers

It was a fantastic weekend at the Archers. At church this morning, the boys presented me with this wonderful gift. William and Harrison had a little help from Miss Shelby. Thanks Shelby, I absolutely love it!!! The boys also gave me a gift that I am VERY excited about. It is being delivered tomorrow in the form of a cleaning crew!!! William and Harrison know that mommy has been a bit worn out and housework gets away from us at times. Obviously it is more important to play than clean so someone else gets to do it. They are coming to do a little Spring cleaning. I am so excited that my two and three year old are so brilliant to think of something like this :) Thanks Scott! We also had a picnic in the park this evening. Or I should say, Scott and I had a picnic while the boys were busy playing.

And if today wasn't great, yesterday was fantastic. Scott and I celebrated our sixth year wedding anniversary. The traditional gift for the sixth year is "sugary sweets." Cupcakes it is! Then we headed to Long Beach to have dinner with South African winemakers on The Queen Mary. It was a five course meal with wine pairings for each course. It wasn't food I have ever had before but it was a great experience. Just look at the view...

And what makes it even a more special anniversary is that my mom also has been on this ship. It was 59 years ago when she set sail from Germany with her sister and parents to come over to the United States and become part of this Country. It is so exciting to explore this ship that my mom came to the states on when she was 4. It's part of my history and I wouldn't be here today if my grandparents didn't decide to make that journey.

My mom is 100% polish. Yes, I am a pollack :) She became a naturalized citizen when she was 22.

Enjoy the pictures mom. I can't wait to take you here next time you visit!

Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers out there. Especially to my mom. I love you so much and I am so thankful for all that you have done for me. I am very thankful to my grandmother for making that trip. I have never met her but I am named after her. My middle name is Sophia which is my Grandmother's name. My Grandmother died September 11th, 1969 and I just so happened to be born on the 10th anniversary of her death. So there is a little family history for you :)

Thank you to my Mother-in-Law. You raised a sensitive, caring and generous son. You blessed me with my wonderful husband. You have opened your heart to me. I am so thankful.

I know most people feel blessed to share Mother's day with their mothers and I wish we could do the same. Please know that Scott and I feel very blessed to have you two as our Mothers. Happy Mothers day.