Two days ago, we used the last newborn diaper. Gwendolyn has moved up to size 1.
There is one thing I can do that reliably entertains/stops Gwen from crying. With my right hand, I hold on to her torso and support her bottom with my left. Then I move her in a clockwise circle while singing a circus song. The effect is like a little Ferris wheel.
The Ferris wheel doesn't run as long as it used to. When I first discovered the trick, I could keep it going nearly indefinitely. Gwendolyn's weight didn't seem to add that much to my empty arms. Now, I can only keep it going comfortably for a couple minutes.
It's amazing the difference that a couple pounds makes.
mwz
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Parenting Tip
If it's been a day or more since you baby has pooped and you finally hear her go, don't wait until she's "finished". You will wind up cutting her out of here new Hawkeye onesie (fortunately, you got it at Wal-Mart in a three pack for only $10).
Don't let this happen to you.
mwz
Don't let this happen to you.
mwz
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Baptism
We finally got Gwen baptized. So now there is a little less pressure to keep her alive (but only an itsy, bitsy bit less).
One of my brothers and my sister came down, each of them bringing their three boys. It was crazy to have 9 kids (including Gwen) around. They played together amazingly well, so there wasn't any difficulty involved (other than trying to figure out where everyone was going to eat).
My parents and Arial's mom were there too. There were a lot of people in the house. Fortunately it was nice out, the kids played outside a lot.
Really not much else to say other than the Hawkeyes beat Michigan. The only flaw was that the game pulled my attention away from the people who weren't watching.
Finally, a shout out to C who was there but didn't get mentioned in this post.
mwz
One of my brothers and my sister came down, each of them bringing their three boys. It was crazy to have 9 kids (including Gwen) around. They played together amazingly well, so there wasn't any difficulty involved (other than trying to figure out where everyone was going to eat).
My parents and Arial's mom were there too. There were a lot of people in the house. Fortunately it was nice out, the kids played outside a lot.
Really not much else to say other than the Hawkeyes beat Michigan. The only flaw was that the game pulled my attention away from the people who weren't watching.
Finally, a shout out to C who was there but didn't get mentioned in this post.
mwz
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Cute Noises
Over the last week, Gwendolyn has progressed to making vocal noises other than crying. She makes these cute little uh's.
They seem to be warning noises, her way of saying "I'm not happy with the situation but not mad enough to cry... yet". She probably isn't trying to imply the "yet" on the end but that is the practical application.
Ignore them at your peril.
mwz
They seem to be warning noises, her way of saying "I'm not happy with the situation but not mad enough to cry... yet". She probably isn't trying to imply the "yet" on the end but that is the practical application.
Ignore them at your peril.
mwz
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Hokey Pokey
A while ago, Frances, Johann and I went to Fry-fest. It's a little celebration of Hayden Fry, long-time head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes.
The reason we went was because they were going to try to break the world record for most people doing the Hokey Pokey together (the previous record was something like 4,000 people).
Arial was really pregnant at the time, so she asked me to go alone with the external kids.
I knew that parking was going to be bad because on my bus ride home, I listened to the bus driver chatter about how the park and ride shuttles were packed. So, when the traffic started to get thick, I pulled off and parked in a motel parking lot. Others seemed to be doing the same.
The walk was pretty long, somewhere between a half mile and a mile. Johann and Frances did really well with it.
When we got to the festival, we could see a large field where the band was playing and a lot of people were standing. There was a long, long line of people. I couldn't tell really where it was going but after a little search, we found the end and took our chances by standing at the end.
That was a wise decision because it lead to the entrance of the "free" Hokey Pokey section (there was a concert later that night and if you had tickets you could get right in *and* be in front of the stage). The line moved rather quickly which was nice because we had arrived around the time they said they would start.
At the gate, they gave each of us a wrist band which I believe was how they were counting us (there were also a couple people with clickers but I doubt that is very accurate).
After attaching the wrist bands to each child, we were funneled off to the side. I was later told that they had to expand the "free" section because there was a bigger turnout than they thought (or maybe they had higher expectations for ticket sales).
We found a place at the fence which was actually next to the gate. That was interesting for me since I got to see the procedures being used to count people. When someone would leave, they had to cut the band off their wrist, presumably so they wouldn't be counted. There were Guinness people walking around presumably making sure everything was correct.
The kids weren't as entertained. I held them up to see the cheerleaders but that was about all the entertainment they had. They did well though. I guess a new experience was enough for them.
Finally, the buses stopped dumping people out and stragglers were encouraged to hurry. I don't recall if anyone was actually locked out but they closed the gates.
Some people spoke, including Hayden Fry (but we couldn't see the stage since we were off to the side). They did a warm up round of a few verses and then we did it for real.
The music started, we danced. Frances and Johann had fun. They did great at putting various body parts in.
The song ended, a cheer went up, then the music started again. I found out later that to get the record, we had to dance for 5 minutes, which was two play-throughs. I thought it was a celebratory dancing.
So, we danced again. It was a little harder to keep Johann interested but he stuck with it.
Then it was finished. We had broken the record with 7,000+ people dancing. So, now the Frances, Johann and I are part of a world record.
After the event, we went to look for cotton candy because Frances had seen some. I couldn't find any. We saw a lady whose kids had some. I tried to ask her where she got it but she was busy arguing with her child and I couldn't get her attention.
On the way back to the car I alternated carrying them. Johann declared he had to go to the bathroom.
I had one child wanting a treat and another needing to relieve himself. I thought that the McDonald's near by could solve all of our problems.
Unfortunately, that McDonald's had been torn down.
So we hurried home, used the bathroom and had ice cream.
mwz
The reason we went was because they were going to try to break the world record for most people doing the Hokey Pokey together (the previous record was something like 4,000 people).
Arial was really pregnant at the time, so she asked me to go alone with the external kids.
I knew that parking was going to be bad because on my bus ride home, I listened to the bus driver chatter about how the park and ride shuttles were packed. So, when the traffic started to get thick, I pulled off and parked in a motel parking lot. Others seemed to be doing the same.
The walk was pretty long, somewhere between a half mile and a mile. Johann and Frances did really well with it.
When we got to the festival, we could see a large field where the band was playing and a lot of people were standing. There was a long, long line of people. I couldn't tell really where it was going but after a little search, we found the end and took our chances by standing at the end.
That was a wise decision because it lead to the entrance of the "free" Hokey Pokey section (there was a concert later that night and if you had tickets you could get right in *and* be in front of the stage). The line moved rather quickly which was nice because we had arrived around the time they said they would start.
At the gate, they gave each of us a wrist band which I believe was how they were counting us (there were also a couple people with clickers but I doubt that is very accurate).
After attaching the wrist bands to each child, we were funneled off to the side. I was later told that they had to expand the "free" section because there was a bigger turnout than they thought (or maybe they had higher expectations for ticket sales).
We found a place at the fence which was actually next to the gate. That was interesting for me since I got to see the procedures being used to count people. When someone would leave, they had to cut the band off their wrist, presumably so they wouldn't be counted. There were Guinness people walking around presumably making sure everything was correct.
The kids weren't as entertained. I held them up to see the cheerleaders but that was about all the entertainment they had. They did well though. I guess a new experience was enough for them.
Finally, the buses stopped dumping people out and stragglers were encouraged to hurry. I don't recall if anyone was actually locked out but they closed the gates.
Some people spoke, including Hayden Fry (but we couldn't see the stage since we were off to the side). They did a warm up round of a few verses and then we did it for real.
The music started, we danced. Frances and Johann had fun. They did great at putting various body parts in.
The song ended, a cheer went up, then the music started again. I found out later that to get the record, we had to dance for 5 minutes, which was two play-throughs. I thought it was a celebratory dancing.
So, we danced again. It was a little harder to keep Johann interested but he stuck with it.
Then it was finished. We had broken the record with 7,000+ people dancing. So, now the Frances, Johann and I are part of a world record.
After the event, we went to look for cotton candy because Frances had seen some. I couldn't find any. We saw a lady whose kids had some. I tried to ask her where she got it but she was busy arguing with her child and I couldn't get her attention.
On the way back to the car I alternated carrying them. Johann declared he had to go to the bathroom.
I had one child wanting a treat and another needing to relieve himself. I thought that the McDonald's near by could solve all of our problems.
Unfortunately, that McDonald's had been torn down.
So we hurried home, used the bathroom and had ice cream.
mwz
Thursday, October 07, 2010
Johann Quotes
Johann recently made a couple statements that I wanted to save for posterity.
All of us but Frances were at a Doctors appointment for Gwen. We were getting ready to go when Johann said, "Don't leave me here, otherwise they will think I'm a tiny doctor".
I love the image of Johann being handed a tiny lab coat and taken to see patients.
-----------------------
Another time Johann showed his frustration with having a sibling by telling Arial, "I wish there was a parent for each kid". When she told me about that, I accused her of watching Sister Wives with him in the room. She denied it.
mwz
All of us but Frances were at a Doctors appointment for Gwen. We were getting ready to go when Johann said, "Don't leave me here, otherwise they will think I'm a tiny doctor".
I love the image of Johann being handed a tiny lab coat and taken to see patients.
-----------------------
Another time Johann showed his frustration with having a sibling by telling Arial, "I wish there was a parent for each kid". When she told me about that, I accused her of watching Sister Wives with him in the room. She denied it.
mwz
Sunday, October 03, 2010
Bottle
Just so there is no confusion, our newest daughter will be referred to as Gwendolyn or Gwen.
A few days ago, Arial had a dentist appointment and left Gwen and I alone for the first time. She was kind enough to supply us with a small bottle of milk. Enough to tide Gwen over until Arial returned.
I waited to use the bottle until what I thought was the optimal time, less than halfway through the alone time but before Gwen became really upset.
When that time came, I warmed up the bottle by pouring hot water over it from the faucet (which works really well). The whole time telling Gwen that she would appreciate having the bottle and that this effort was totally worth it even though standing in one place like that made her cry.
With the bottle warm, we sat down. In an attempt to make her understand what we were doing, I tried to hold her like Arial does when she feeds her.
Then, I put the bottle in her mouth. She was crying and didn't really notice/care that something was in there. I squeezed the bottle to let some milk out, hoping that she would recognize the sensation of taste. She didn't.
After a bit, Gwen stopped screaming long enough to realize that something was up. A test suck on the bottle resulted in a tiny bit of crying. Probably because the world was not behaving as it should.
Soon after though, Gwen decided to give the bottle a real try. The whole time that she slowly ate, she gave this look that expressed how dubious she was about the situation.
Gwen fell asleep after nearly finishing all of what Arial had left for her. I finished watching the episode of Supernatural that was on and lay down on the couch to nap with her.
That's where Arial found us when she returned, happily sleeping after a triumphant experience with a bottle.
As an addendum to the story, the next day, I was trying to entertain/distract Gwen with a fish-rattle. She gave a tentative look and opened her mouth hoping it was another bottle. I think that was a disappointment for her.
mwz
A few days ago, Arial had a dentist appointment and left Gwen and I alone for the first time. She was kind enough to supply us with a small bottle of milk. Enough to tide Gwen over until Arial returned.
I waited to use the bottle until what I thought was the optimal time, less than halfway through the alone time but before Gwen became really upset.
When that time came, I warmed up the bottle by pouring hot water over it from the faucet (which works really well). The whole time telling Gwen that she would appreciate having the bottle and that this effort was totally worth it even though standing in one place like that made her cry.
With the bottle warm, we sat down. In an attempt to make her understand what we were doing, I tried to hold her like Arial does when she feeds her.
Then, I put the bottle in her mouth. She was crying and didn't really notice/care that something was in there. I squeezed the bottle to let some milk out, hoping that she would recognize the sensation of taste. She didn't.
After a bit, Gwen stopped screaming long enough to realize that something was up. A test suck on the bottle resulted in a tiny bit of crying. Probably because the world was not behaving as it should.
Soon after though, Gwen decided to give the bottle a real try. The whole time that she slowly ate, she gave this look that expressed how dubious she was about the situation.
Gwen fell asleep after nearly finishing all of what Arial had left for her. I finished watching the episode of Supernatural that was on and lay down on the couch to nap with her.
That's where Arial found us when she returned, happily sleeping after a triumphant experience with a bottle.
As an addendum to the story, the next day, I was trying to entertain/distract Gwen with a fish-rattle. She gave a tentative look and opened her mouth hoping it was another bottle. I think that was a disappointment for her.
mwz
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Facebook Birth
The following is a recap of the facebook posts made leading up to our newest daughters birth. The names have been swapped to protect identities.
Note: Arial had a non-stress test at 10:30am on Day 1. We had already been in the hospital for a long time before the first post.
-----------------------------------------
mwz Day 1 at 7:42pm
We're in the hospital. Inducing (induction?) is happening.
mwz Day 2 at 9:16am
Still waiting for the baby. Our room has a view of Kinnick. That's pretty neat... would rather have the baby though.
-----------------------------------------
mwz Day 2 at 10:26am
Epidural in just fine. They wouldn't give me one. Well, I didn't want it anyway. :_(
-----------------------------------------
mwz Day 2 at 10:45am Attempt to comment on a friends status:
If you were camping, how did you comment on my FB status? That doesn't seem like you were roughing it.
mwz Day 2 at 1:01pm
Still no baby. I think Arial may have been making it up.
Arial Day 2 at 1:38pm
Arial thinks the epidurals in Iowa are better than in Cleveland.
mwz Day 2 at 3:05pm
Arial's started throwing up. The nurses say it's a good sign. So begins my distrust of the nurses.
mwz Day 2 at 3:59pm
They broke her water. I didn't think they had succeeded yet, so I took a peak the stick they were poking towards my daughters head. Then the midwife pulled her hand into view (the midwife's hand, not my daughters). What was on it didn't look especially gross but I don't want to think about it anymore.
mwz Day 2 at 6:05pm
Arial's resting amid tubes and cables. A machine squeezes her arm and takes her every so often. Occasionally, it beeps at her for having the audacity to have an elevated blood pressure.
Maybe if you stopped cutting off the blood supply to her arm, she could relax a bit, Machine.
-----------------------------------------
mwz Day 2 at 8:12pm
I've been assured that the baby will arrive on this calendar date. In fact, Arial gave me a dirty look when my question suggested that it was possible for it to last longer.
-----------------------------------------
mwz Day 2 at 8:13pm
Arial mentioned something about being in transition (a while ago). I googled that. She didn't care for me to read about it out loud, saying something about having experienced it before.
mwz Day 2 at 9:04pm
*BABY'S FULL NAME*
-----------------------------------------
mwz Day 2 at 11:09pm
She's asleep and beautiful.
mwz
Note: Arial had a non-stress test at 10:30am on Day 1. We had already been in the hospital for a long time before the first post.
-----------------------------------------
mwz Day 1 at 7:42pm
We're in the hospital. Inducing (induction?) is happening.
-----------------------------------------
LMBR Good luck I hope everything goes well .
Day 1 at 8:02pm
MNS yay! good luck!
Day 1 at 8:14pm
JC Whoa!! Thinking of you, hope it goes well!!
Day 1 at 8:49pm
KJB Congrats!! You're having a Labor Day baby! Wishing you and Arial the best.
Day 1 at 8:52pm
CS Wishing a speedy delivery! =)
Day 1 at 9:21pm
KYC Oh, wow, good luck, brutha!
Day 1 at 9:33pm
AB Wishing you guys the best.
Day 1 at 9:56pm
JC Good luck!
Day 1 at 10:32pm
JR Good luck mwz!
Day 1 at 11:06pm
mwz Day 2 at 9:16am
Still waiting for the baby. Our room has a view of Kinnick. That's pretty neat... would rather have the baby though.
-----------------------------------------
mwz Day 2 at 10:26am
Epidural in just fine. They wouldn't give me one. Well, I didn't want it anyway. :_(
-----------------------------------------
mwz Day 2 at 10:45am Attempt to comment on a friends status:
If you were camping, how did you comment on my FB status? That doesn't seem like you were roughing it.
-----------------------------------------
JC I'm back now! And before, I think I was on my way back. We really were roughing it! No cell service :( so good thing arial waited for us to get back!! Although now she has to labor on Labor Day, literally...
Day 2 at 10:50am
mwz Hmmm.. That didn't attach to Josie's status. I'm going to take that as a sign that I need to nap now just like L is doing.
Day 2 at 10:51am
mwz Day 2 at 1:01pm
Still no baby. I think Arial may have been making it up.
MNS Arial is a pretty good faker! Are you getting any closer to baby though??-----------------------------------------
Day 2 at 1:02pm
AB What a great comment from a loving husband.
Day 2 at 1:02pm
mwz Supposedly, she is progressing. I'm prediction an October baby.
Day 2 at 1:05pm
DK Good luck!! And congrats... when the baby finally arrives.
Day 2 at 1:12pm
EF Awe! Be nice to her!
Day 2 at 1:13pm
AB Rather than a Labor Day baby have a Columbus Day baby.
Day 2 at 1:15pm
mwz Arial suggested Halloween.
Day 2 at 3:10pm
AB That may be way too long of labor for Arial.
Day 2 at 3:15pm
Arial Day 2 at 1:38pm
Arial thinks the epidurals in Iowa are better than in Cleveland.
MNS i have been getting a big kick out of mwz's status updates but am glad you're online too! if its gonna be a long induction, might as well be entertained by facebook! hope the baby makes an appearance soon though! did you ever pick out a name??-----------------------------------------
Day 2 at 1:56pm
EB Hang in there...! People wondered how I could be on Facebook during labor...you know, it was something to do! Keep up posted.
Day 2 at 3:20pm
mwz Day 2 at 3:05pm
Arial's started throwing up. The nurses say it's a good sign. So begins my distrust of the nurses.
KCT You should stop feeding her Flaming Hot Cheetos and Cherry 7 Up.-----------------------------------------
Day 2 at 3:23pm
mwz Day 2 at 3:59pm
They broke her water. I didn't think they had succeeded yet, so I took a peak the stick they were poking towards my daughters head. Then the midwife pulled her hand into view (the midwife's hand, not my daughters). What was on it didn't look especially gross but I don't want to think about it anymore.
-----------------------------------------
AB You need to print all of these posts. They are a very entertaining.
Day 2 at 4:08pm
DK I'm sure these posts will make nice additions to the baby book.
Day 2 at 5:53pm
AL MWZ! What happens in the delivery room, stays in the delivery room.
Day 2 at 6:01pm
YCL Previous post was actually from me. (I was logged in as A)
Day 2 at 6:15pm
mwz Day 2 at 6:05pm
Arial's resting amid tubes and cables. A machine squeezes her arm and takes her every so often. Occasionally, it beeps at her for having the audacity to have an elevated blood pressure.
Maybe if you stopped cutting off the blood supply to her arm, she could relax a bit, Machine.
-----------------------------------------
mwz Day 2 at 8:12pm
I've been assured that the baby will arrive on this calendar date. In fact, Arial gave me a dirty look when my question suggested that it was possible for it to last longer.
-----------------------------------------
mwz Day 2 at 8:13pm
Arial mentioned something about being in transition (a while ago). I googled that. She didn't care for me to read about it out loud, saying something about having experienced it before.
-----------------------------------------
YCL Walk lightly mwz....and be prepared to duck!
Day 2 at 8:20pm
mwz Day 2 at 9:04pm
MNS Yay!!! Congrats you guys and good work, Arial!
Day 2 at 9:13pm
JO Congratulations mwz!!!!!
Day 2 at 9:13pm
YCL WOooHOOoo! The's are excited! Congratulations family!
Day 2 at 9:18pm
SC Good name! Congrats.
Day 2 at 9:19pm
SB Welcome*BABY*!!!! Congrats Mom and Dad!!!
Day 2 at 9:20pm
RP Congrats!
Day 2 at 9:33pm
AB Hope mom and the baby are doing great.
Day 2 at 9:38pm
MS Congratulations! Love the name :)
Day 2 at 9:55pm
GC Yea Arial and mwz! Congratulations!
Day 2 at 10:47pm
JB Congrats to both of you!
Day 3 at 7:50am
DK Congrats! And you didn't even have to wait until October!
Day 3 at 9:46pm
mwz Day 2 at 11:09pm
She's asleep and beautiful.
EF*BABY* or poor Arial?! Congrats! Can't wait to see pics!
Day 2 at 11:43pm
MO Praise be to God. Congratulations!
Day 3 at 7:06am
KYC Congratulations, mwz!
Day 3 at 8:01am
JC pictures!
Day 3 at 3:55pm
JR grats mwz!
Day 3 at 10:56pm
mwz
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Shonen Knife
Arial and I were each reading books last night. Music was coming from Johann's room and we had the following conversation.
Me: The kids are listening to Shonen Knife. When did you give them that CD?
Arial: I don't know where they got it from.
After discussing it with the kids, apparently Johann had just grabbed it from our CD collection in the basement. He made a pretty good choice. It could have been pretty bad. We have some CDs that aren't appropriate for children, like the New Kids on the Block Christmas album that I bought for a quarter because I thought it was funny or the All-4-One disc that Arial has for no logical reason (possibly because she's a girl).
Johann liked the album but there is one song on it that sounds like a more traditional Japanese (or at least asian) tune. We heard Johann say "I don't like this song. It's too slow." and Frances chimed in with "And it's in Spanish too".
We didn't correct her. I'm sure that at some point she will learn that there are more than two languages.
Ben
Me: The kids are listening to Shonen Knife. When did you give them that CD?
Arial: I don't know where they got it from.
After discussing it with the kids, apparently Johann had just grabbed it from our CD collection in the basement. He made a pretty good choice. It could have been pretty bad. We have some CDs that aren't appropriate for children, like the New Kids on the Block Christmas album that I bought for a quarter because I thought it was funny or the All-4-One disc that Arial has for no logical reason (possibly because she's a girl).
Johann liked the album but there is one song on it that sounds like a more traditional Japanese (or at least asian) tune. We heard Johann say "I don't like this song. It's too slow." and Frances chimed in with "And it's in Spanish too".
We didn't correct her. I'm sure that at some point she will learn that there are more than two languages.
Ben
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Frances' Tri
Frances had the second tri which followed Johann's. Arial and Frances hurried off to the starting line after Johann finished. When Johann and I made it back, Arial was waving for us to hurry. Frances' swim cap was nowhere to be found. It was imperative that she have one because she wouldn't be eligible to race without it. I ran to transition and a helpful volunteer grabbed Johann's cap for me (which was also the cap that I would wear the next day). After we got Johann's cap on Frances, Arial found the other one in her pocket. Frances wanted to switch to her pink cap, so we did.
After a long wait in the start line (she was one of the last in line, since we didn't get any better at lining up early), she was off on the swim.
The swim was just the right depth for her to walk or swim. And she swam a lot of it. The pattern was something like wade-wade-swim-swim-swim-swim-wade-wade-swim-swim-swim-swim. Most of the distance she covered was swimming. It still amazes me that she can swim. Later, she declared the swim to be her favorite part.
Out of the water, Arial ran with her (since for some reason a single parent couldn't help two kids, so the crazy pregnant lady ran into transition with her). Together they got her dressed (again slower than her competitors, we'll work on that for next year). When it came time for shorts Arial asked if she wanted to not wear the shorts. I yelled, "Skip the shorts. Get her out on the course". But Frances would have none of that. Strangely, she looked to me like she was going to cry if she couldn't wear shorts. (I understand though, I also put on shorts in T1. Were a modest family.)
The bike went pretty well but it was far (1 mile). I trailed along for some of it but I let her go when she reached the corner to a long stretch. When I got to the corner, she was long gone.
Then I waited.
And waited.
After a bit I grew concerned, so I started walking down the long road. Another dad was walking on the other side of the road. I asked him if he had lost his kid too. He said that he had.
Eventually, that guy spotted his kid and I spotted a kid that I knew was ahead of Frances. Apparently, a mile bike takes some time, especially compared to Johann's bike around the parking lot.
Frances finished the bike strong. She later told me that she passed a few people on the bike. I'm not sure if it was during the time she was missing or on the last corner when I was there and wasn't paying attention to the competition. Maybe it was both.
Arial went with her in transition. I quick took a long range photo of them racking the bike, then told Johann, "We should go to the run-out. That's when I saw her running out of transition. It was a fast transition.
Arial took charge of Johann and I ran along with Frances, cutting corners when I could and snapping pictures.
Her age group had an aid station on the run. We hadn't talked about that. But she did a great job walking and drinking like a pro. The only issue was that she didn't know how to get rid of the partially full cup. I'm pretty sure she would have taken it with her the rest of the race (careful not to spill) if a volunteer hadn't noticed and asked another to take it from her.
She ran her heart out and crossed the finish line just as tired as Johann was. I got a picture of her with her medal and let her pick out two things at the concession stand (she chose two different types of granola bar, Johann had chosen trail mix (w/ M&M knock-offs) and a giant rice crispy treat).
We were all very happy with her performance and I couldn't be more proud.
The kids played on the beach, while we waited to get the stuff out of transition. They probably like that just as much as the triathlon.
All in all a great weekend and three great Tri's.
mwz
After a long wait in the start line (she was one of the last in line, since we didn't get any better at lining up early), she was off on the swim.
The swim was just the right depth for her to walk or swim. And she swam a lot of it. The pattern was something like wade-wade-swim-swim-swim-swim-wade-wade-swim-swim-swim-swim. Most of the distance she covered was swimming. It still amazes me that she can swim. Later, she declared the swim to be her favorite part.
Out of the water, Arial ran with her (since for some reason a single parent couldn't help two kids, so the crazy pregnant lady ran into transition with her). Together they got her dressed (again slower than her competitors, we'll work on that for next year). When it came time for shorts Arial asked if she wanted to not wear the shorts. I yelled, "Skip the shorts. Get her out on the course". But Frances would have none of that. Strangely, she looked to me like she was going to cry if she couldn't wear shorts. (I understand though, I also put on shorts in T1. Were a modest family.)
The bike went pretty well but it was far (1 mile). I trailed along for some of it but I let her go when she reached the corner to a long stretch. When I got to the corner, she was long gone.
Then I waited.
And waited.
After a bit I grew concerned, so I started walking down the long road. Another dad was walking on the other side of the road. I asked him if he had lost his kid too. He said that he had.
Eventually, that guy spotted his kid and I spotted a kid that I knew was ahead of Frances. Apparently, a mile bike takes some time, especially compared to Johann's bike around the parking lot.
Frances finished the bike strong. She later told me that she passed a few people on the bike. I'm not sure if it was during the time she was missing or on the last corner when I was there and wasn't paying attention to the competition. Maybe it was both.
Arial went with her in transition. I quick took a long range photo of them racking the bike, then told Johann, "We should go to the run-out. That's when I saw her running out of transition. It was a fast transition.
Arial took charge of Johann and I ran along with Frances, cutting corners when I could and snapping pictures.
Her age group had an aid station on the run. We hadn't talked about that. But she did a great job walking and drinking like a pro. The only issue was that she didn't know how to get rid of the partially full cup. I'm pretty sure she would have taken it with her the rest of the race (careful not to spill) if a volunteer hadn't noticed and asked another to take it from her.
She ran her heart out and crossed the finish line just as tired as Johann was. I got a picture of her with her medal and let her pick out two things at the concession stand (she chose two different types of granola bar, Johann had chosen trail mix (w/ M&M knock-offs) and a giant rice crispy treat).
We were all very happy with her performance and I couldn't be more proud.
The kids played on the beach, while we waited to get the stuff out of transition. They probably like that just as much as the triathlon.
All in all a great weekend and three great Tri's.
mwz
Sunday, August 01, 2010
Johann's Tri
Johann had the first tri of the day. He was one of the last kids to start (timed start not wave) because we aren't very good at lining up early. We were concerned that he would be to "shy" or scared to do it. But that wasn't a problem. He waded through the water like a champ.
Coming out of the water, Johann looked like he was having a great time. We took too long in transition putting on socks and such. It was better than Frances' first tri where I made her do everything (I thought it was the rule) but still not good compared to the other kids. We're learning with every kids tri we do.
Of course, Johann took off on the bike. He even passed a few kids (after I told him to). Later he said that the bike was his favorite part.
T2 was quick and he was off on the run. Johann was getting tired at this point but he kept gutting it out. The one problem with the run was that he kept trying to follow me, rather than the path. That slowed him down a bit since he was unsure of where he was supposed to run but he kept going and made it to the finish line.
I am terribly proud of his effort. He was completely spent but happy when he got done. And now he is a triathlete.
mwz
Coming out of the water, Johann looked like he was having a great time. We took too long in transition putting on socks and such. It was better than Frances' first tri where I made her do everything (I thought it was the rule) but still not good compared to the other kids. We're learning with every kids tri we do.
Of course, Johann took off on the bike. He even passed a few kids (after I told him to). Later he said that the bike was his favorite part.
T2 was quick and he was off on the run. Johann was getting tired at this point but he kept gutting it out. The one problem with the run was that he kept trying to follow me, rather than the path. That slowed him down a bit since he was unsure of where he was supposed to run but he kept going and made it to the finish line.
I am terribly proud of his effort. He was completely spent but happy when he got done. And now he is a triathlete.
mwz
Friday, July 30, 2010
Triathlons
Everyone in my nuclear family that gets their oxygen directly from the air is now a triathlete.
Johann, Frances and I all did triathlons this last weekend. They all went really well.
This retelling will be in three posts. First the least important (mine).
My race went extremely well, especially for not really having trained. Nothing terribly interesting happened (which is good).
However, toward the end of the bike, a guy that I had been trading passes with the whole time sped up after I had legally passed him (my front tire was significantly passed his. I had to push to complete the pass. That irritated me a bit. He passed me on the run and for a while I thought I'd catch him but I never did.
The other odd thing was that my brother (who I don't know if I've given him a pseudonym, so I'll call him "my brother") passed me on the bike without either of us realizing. (He started later than me so it took him a bit to catch up). We did see each other on the run going opposite ways which was nice.
We both finished (he significantly before I) and had a nice rest of the morning culminating in eating at a restaurant that appeared to be a nursing home cafeteria masquerading as a bait shop.
mwz
Johann, Frances and I all did triathlons this last weekend. They all went really well.
This retelling will be in three posts. First the least important (mine).
My race went extremely well, especially for not really having trained. Nothing terribly interesting happened (which is good).
However, toward the end of the bike, a guy that I had been trading passes with the whole time sped up after I had legally passed him (my front tire was significantly passed his. I had to push to complete the pass. That irritated me a bit. He passed me on the run and for a while I thought I'd catch him but I never did.
The other odd thing was that my brother (who I don't know if I've given him a pseudonym, so I'll call him "my brother") passed me on the bike without either of us realizing. (He started later than me so it took him a bit to catch up). We did see each other on the run going opposite ways which was nice.
We both finished (he significantly before I) and had a nice rest of the morning culminating in eating at a restaurant that appeared to be a nursing home cafeteria masquerading as a bait shop.
mwz
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Bad Jokes
Apparently, I go with the lame jokes a little often.
We watched The Never Ending Story a week or so ago. All the expected jokes were made.
Yesterday, we went to the library and picked up The Never Ending Story II.
On the way home, one of the kids asked if we could watch it that night. It was getting close to bed time so I said, "We can start it but we won't be able to finish it tonight because...".
Johann broke in with a weary sigh "Yeah because its the never ending story".
mwz
mwz
We watched The Never Ending Story a week or so ago. All the expected jokes were made.
Yesterday, we went to the library and picked up The Never Ending Story II.
On the way home, one of the kids asked if we could watch it that night. It was getting close to bed time so I said, "We can start it but we won't be able to finish it tonight because...".
Johann broke in with a weary sigh "Yeah because its the never ending story".
mwz
mwz
Xtreme
The other day, I was working on the computer and Johann was playing with a PlaySchool motorcycle. I said something about a wheelie and he asked if motorcycles could do wheelies on their front wheel.
After a brief explanation of the techniques behind doing a stoppie, I pulled him onto my lap and went to YouTube.
We spent the next half hour watching various X-Games type sports. First, we watched motocross tricks which lead into skateboarding, followed by BMX videos and ending up a flatland bike tricks.
It was a lot of fun. Only once did I have to stop a video because the lyrics were bad.
When I told him why we were moving on, he wanted to know what the naughty words were (which seems reasonable but I figured it was better if he didn't learn them quite yet.
Then Johann said, "I know one naughty word". I asked him what what letter it started with and he said "P". Curious, I suggested that he whisper it into my ear.
He got really close and sheepishly whispered, "Pee".
I laughed and told him that it wasn't a naughty word as long as he didn't call anyone a "Pee-pee head".
mwz
After a brief explanation of the techniques behind doing a stoppie, I pulled him onto my lap and went to YouTube.
We spent the next half hour watching various X-Games type sports. First, we watched motocross tricks which lead into skateboarding, followed by BMX videos and ending up a flatland bike tricks.
It was a lot of fun. Only once did I have to stop a video because the lyrics were bad.
When I told him why we were moving on, he wanted to know what the naughty words were (which seems reasonable but I figured it was better if he didn't learn them quite yet.
Then Johann said, "I know one naughty word". I asked him what what letter it started with and he said "P". Curious, I suggested that he whisper it into my ear.
He got really close and sheepishly whispered, "Pee".
I laughed and told him that it wasn't a naughty word as long as he didn't call anyone a "Pee-pee head".
mwz
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Father's Day
Outside of working on a race, I had a very nice Father's day.
Frances and Johann made cards. Frances' was very nicely colored with her and me holding hands in the middle with text that she wrote saying "Have a great day everyday".
Johann's looked really simple in comparison. It was just bunch of shapes and two people (Johann and me). I didn't really get it until he said that it was a depiction of when he and I drew shapes in the wood chips at the park last week. That made me happy.
Both cards are now displayed at work.
Frances also decided to try to ride her bike w/out training wheels again. (The last time we tried, I got overly frustrated and Frances wound up crying in Arial's arms. It was horrible and I'm not really proud of that.)
So, with pads in place, helmet on and a promise that I would hold on to the handle bars like Frances wanted, she tried again. We went up and down the street until I could no longer ensure her safety. (It is really tiring to run hunched over a little bike.)
She did great. There were brief periods of balance. But more importantly, she is getting better and wants to try again.
Oh, and for Father's day, Thrice kicked me in the face.
mwz
Frances and Johann made cards. Frances' was very nicely colored with her and me holding hands in the middle with text that she wrote saying "Have a great day everyday".
Johann's looked really simple in comparison. It was just bunch of shapes and two people (Johann and me). I didn't really get it until he said that it was a depiction of when he and I drew shapes in the wood chips at the park last week. That made me happy.
Both cards are now displayed at work.
Frances also decided to try to ride her bike w/out training wheels again. (The last time we tried, I got overly frustrated and Frances wound up crying in Arial's arms. It was horrible and I'm not really proud of that.)
So, with pads in place, helmet on and a promise that I would hold on to the handle bars like Frances wanted, she tried again. We went up and down the street until I could no longer ensure her safety. (It is really tiring to run hunched over a little bike.)
She did great. There were brief periods of balance. But more importantly, she is getting better and wants to try again.
Oh, and for Father's day, Thrice kicked me in the face.
mwz
Monday, June 21, 2010
Frances' Head
So this weekend, I took Frances in to the local walk-in clinic (which is associated with our hospital).
When meeting with the nurse practitioner, I explained that Frances hit her head on the corner of a wall on Wednesday, had blood come out of her ear on Thursday and that we wanted to get it checked out. I also told her that she still has a tube in that ear which may also explain the bleeding.
I was hoping for a "Well, we probably can't do anything here but let's take a look at her ear" followed by an "It's no big deal" or a recommendation to go to the hospital for X-rays.
Instead, she said "So, this happened on Wednesday... and today's... Saturday", followed by condescending look. She then asked "What made you come in now?" with the undertone of "why didn't you come in right away sooner".
I told her that she had seemed fine and wasn't exhibiting any other symptoms of head trauma, no dilated pupils, no grogginess. She had been acting normally and wasn't complaining of any pain other than the obvious bruise on her head. We just wanted to get another opinion.
The nurse told me that you should go to the emergency room right away for every head injury. (Which I guess means that we should be going each time the kids smack their head against something. So, about twice a week. I didn't say that because I was to busy trying to convince her not to call social services. Also, I didn't think of it.)
After being informed that we should take her to the emergency room (and that I am a terrible father) over and over, we went home.
We consulted with various family members, noted the continued normalcy of Frances' behavior and decided to just keep an eye on her. Which is what we probably would have been told to do had we taken her to the hospital.
mwz
When meeting with the nurse practitioner, I explained that Frances hit her head on the corner of a wall on Wednesday, had blood come out of her ear on Thursday and that we wanted to get it checked out. I also told her that she still has a tube in that ear which may also explain the bleeding.
I was hoping for a "Well, we probably can't do anything here but let's take a look at her ear" followed by an "It's no big deal" or a recommendation to go to the hospital for X-rays.
Instead, she said "So, this happened on Wednesday... and today's... Saturday", followed by condescending look. She then asked "What made you come in now?" with the undertone of "why didn't you come in right away sooner".
I told her that she had seemed fine and wasn't exhibiting any other symptoms of head trauma, no dilated pupils, no grogginess. She had been acting normally and wasn't complaining of any pain other than the obvious bruise on her head. We just wanted to get another opinion.
The nurse told me that you should go to the emergency room right away for every head injury. (Which I guess means that we should be going each time the kids smack their head against something. So, about twice a week. I didn't say that because I was to busy trying to convince her not to call social services. Also, I didn't think of it.)
After being informed that we should take her to the emergency room (and that I am a terrible father) over and over, we went home.
We consulted with various family members, noted the continued normalcy of Frances' behavior and decided to just keep an eye on her. Which is what we probably would have been told to do had we taken her to the hospital.
mwz
Friday, June 18, 2010
Funniest Home Videos Moment
Well, it has happened to me, what Funniest Home Videos has taught me happens to every father.
I am always very careful when the kids are swinging a bat or throwing a ball. My reflexes are usually good enough to save the day.
But not tonight.
Tonight, Frances, Johann and I were sword fighting (with Nerf swords, which are awesome). I was distracted by making sure Johann didn't hit Frances in the head with his sweeping blows.
(Incidentally, we are worried that Frances may have a skull fracture which she got by running into the thermostat in the hallway. She seems fine but later her ear was bleeding a bit. We are going to take her in to the clinic tomorrow to get her checked out. Hopefully, it's just the tubes in her ear falling out and not the hit on her head that caused the bleeding.)
Maybe, it wasn't that I was so distracted but that my top priority wasn't protecting myself but Frances' head.
Johann's sword slipped past my defenses and he got me with a powerful strike.
I haven't been hit there in years. It was a excruciating reminder that I must stay ever vigilent.
Fortunately, no one was filming the incident.
mwz
I am always very careful when the kids are swinging a bat or throwing a ball. My reflexes are usually good enough to save the day.
But not tonight.
Tonight, Frances, Johann and I were sword fighting (with Nerf swords, which are awesome). I was distracted by making sure Johann didn't hit Frances in the head with his sweeping blows.
(Incidentally, we are worried that Frances may have a skull fracture which she got by running into the thermostat in the hallway. She seems fine but later her ear was bleeding a bit. We are going to take her in to the clinic tomorrow to get her checked out. Hopefully, it's just the tubes in her ear falling out and not the hit on her head that caused the bleeding.)
Maybe, it wasn't that I was so distracted but that my top priority wasn't protecting myself but Frances' head.
Johann's sword slipped past my defenses and he got me with a powerful strike.
I haven't been hit there in years. It was a excruciating reminder that I must stay ever vigilent.
Fortunately, no one was filming the incident.
mwz
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Uninteresting Gardening Story
All 5 of us were in the garden planting tomatoes (including Thrice who was along for the ride). I turned a strip of the garden for planting. Arial pulled the weeds and got attacked by a colony of red ants. The ant colony then had vengeance rained upon it (in the form of a shovel).
I'll gloss over the tramatic part here where, when planting Johanns sunflowers that he grew from seeds, I accidentally destroyed them and made him very sad.
The kids helped plant the tomatoes by spraying water (with the gun-like hose attachment) and pushing dirt around the plants to fill in the hole. After filling in a hole with water, Johann dropped the hose to the ground. It landed in such a way that the lever was slightly depressed, creating a sprinkler right next to all of us.
Johann got the worst of it but we all got wet (except Thrice who is perpetually swimming). I kicked the hose over and it turned off. We went back to work.
After finishing, we ate at Taco John's.
mwz
I'll gloss over the tramatic part here where, when planting Johanns sunflowers that he grew from seeds, I accidentally destroyed them and made him very sad.
The kids helped plant the tomatoes by spraying water (with the gun-like hose attachment) and pushing dirt around the plants to fill in the hole. After filling in a hole with water, Johann dropped the hose to the ground. It landed in such a way that the lever was slightly depressed, creating a sprinkler right next to all of us.
Johann got the worst of it but we all got wet (except Thrice who is perpetually swimming). I kicked the hose over and it turned off. We went back to work.
After finishing, we ate at Taco John's.
mwz
Monday, June 07, 2010
Mildly Interesting Thing We're Doing
The kid's and I are signed up for a triathlon this summer. We all need to train for this but for different reasons. I'm out of shape, Francis is afraid of biking quickly and Johann likes to ride his bike fast (okay, he doesn't need to train but he likes to).
We have a park near us that has a bike/running path in a half mile loop. We've started going down with their bikes. I run and the kids bike. Frances and I bike/run together and Johann bikes ahead (until I holler at him to wait for us).
Arial has been going down and waiting at the playground. After a couple laps the kids can stop and play at the playground while I continue.
The first day was tough because Frances was going significantly slower than Johann and she was terrified to go any faster. In fact, she bailed on a turn that she could easily have made if she wasn't scared. To her credit, she was speeding up by the last lap (even though I made her miserable by hollering "Pedal! Pedal!" more often than I should have). She has figured out how to take that turn like a champ.
We also went three laps, which was about a lap farther than we should have started with. Halfway through the third lap, Johann kept saying "I'm tired of pedaling".
Despite the first time problems, both of them ask to go again even after the third time.
We'll see how long their enthusiasm lasts.
mwz
We have a park near us that has a bike/running path in a half mile loop. We've started going down with their bikes. I run and the kids bike. Frances and I bike/run together and Johann bikes ahead (until I holler at him to wait for us).
Arial has been going down and waiting at the playground. After a couple laps the kids can stop and play at the playground while I continue.
The first day was tough because Frances was going significantly slower than Johann and she was terrified to go any faster. In fact, she bailed on a turn that she could easily have made if she wasn't scared. To her credit, she was speeding up by the last lap (even though I made her miserable by hollering "Pedal! Pedal!" more often than I should have). She has figured out how to take that turn like a champ.
We also went three laps, which was about a lap farther than we should have started with. Halfway through the third lap, Johann kept saying "I'm tired of pedaling".
Despite the first time problems, both of them ask to go again even after the third time.
We'll see how long their enthusiasm lasts.
mwz
Begin Again
New baby on the way. So, I need to get back in practice of blogging.
Now let's see, what are the pseudonyms again? Ariel, Francis and Johann. I'll have to pick a pseudonym for the baby. I don't think Thrice is going to cut it. Maybe I should pick a name that Ariel likes that I don't. Then it'll get taken off the table... We'll see how vicious the naming discussion gets.
mwz
Now let's see, what are the pseudonyms again? Ariel, Francis and Johann. I'll have to pick a pseudonym for the baby. I don't think Thrice is going to cut it. Maybe I should pick a name that Ariel likes that I don't. Then it'll get taken off the table... We'll see how vicious the naming discussion gets.
mwz
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