Colds and Carpets

Tis' the season for the Caetano household to catch colds and strep throat. Both the children have a cough and a runny nose. Luckily, I do not have a sore throat but if trends continue I will end up with one some time this month. Running every night in each child's room is a cool mist humidifier. Each child has vapor rub on his or her chest and feet. Not a lot of coughing is heard at night, thank God.
Many of you have heard me complain about my flooring. Two things that I hate are my tile and the carpeted stairs in my house. Not much I can do about them until I come upon a large chunk of money. I did rent a carpet cleaner this weekend. The carpet, especially the stairs look much better, but would look really good with something different on them. All in time is what I keep telling myself.

Today is the Superbowl...GO SAINTS!!

Tip of the day: Do not drink coffe on newly shampooed carpet!

Brandie will be at UCLA tomorrow for surgery to remove her kidney stones. Please pray that everything goes well.

Dance and Jersey

Just a quick update on what been going on around here.
Reece went to a dance class with a friend at Dance for Joy and loved it. She is signed up to go once per week for a hour. Finally something girly.
Fredy is getting to be really independent. Last night he took his diaper off and sat on the kids potty and went pee. He wanted water in the bowl like the big toilets, so some was put in. Then he used a lot of toilet paper and dumped it all in the toilet and flushed. I think he might be getting it or he just wants to flush the toilet. Whatever works! He is also into basketball or hoops as he calls it. Now the story is that he wants to wear a jersey everyday and night. We only have a few and I can not seem to find any that are not NBA label and cheap. Does anyone have a suggestion? Consignments do not carry any. Fredy also went to the Dentist for the first time and did really well unlike his sister. I took him to Dr. Eric Piper, what a great guy and staff. Reece might be going there instead of Dr. B.
Terry is home from China and thank God. I almost checked myself in to a clinic last Saturday. Thank God for Godparents.
This week is packed with playdates, appointments and fun.


Tip of the day: enjoy the sunshine while it is around.

Brandie is in the hospital sick and will be having surgery on Monday. Please think good thoughts for her and her parents.

Bed, Birthdays, Skin and China

My son had his Birthday this weekend and it just blows my mind that he is already 2. He received many great gifts, sports balls, clothes, toys and a new bedroom. Thanks to everyone who helped him celebrate. His bed arrived on Monday and that night his daddy and sister put it together. A nightstand came with it. Thanks to his Godparents, Chris and Mary, it holds a wonderful lamp for those important moments of sharing a book or two.

The first of the year and early fall seems to be when Reece is very busy attending many Birthday parties. It is starting this upcoming weekend and will continue for the next 3 weekends. Along with her Lowes' Build and Grow every other Saturday morning, her Saturdays are full for awhile.

One thing that all my friends know about me is that I have very sensitive skin. No other time of the year, weather wise, is it worse for my skin than now. Usually it is cold and dry, making my skin dry, flaky and itchy. But this winter has not been so bad. My skin is just flaky right now, but I am sure that when the weather finally turns to winter the other two will happen.

This Saturday Terry leaves for China via Vancouver for a week. He is going on another business trip. I am disappointed that he does not go on any trips to Italy, Hawaii, Spain or any tropical country because I would go with. As always the 3 of us will survive without him but it will be a rough week for me. I do not wish upon anyone single parenthood.

Tip of the day: Moisturize your skin everyday, if not twice per day.

Winter?

I am looking forward to the 2010 Olympics. I am not all for the big hype but I think at a time like this, at war, the world getting together for competion is wonderful. I am a little scared about the weather and the lack of snow for the Games.
What is this weather all about? Mt. Baker had 6 inches of rain over the weekend and was closed yesterday. On Saturday the family took a walk on the new trail by our house and the themostat read 60 degrees. I believe that at this time last year the average temp during the day was 36 degrees. Maybe we paid our price last year during the winter and now we are getting a present.
But back to the Games. I am thinking that the weather will be wonderful, the sunsets clear and beautiful and everyone that is here for the games and those watching on TV will see that this place is God's country and will move here. I want Bellingham as my own and do not want to share it with the rest of the world, like what happened after Expo '88. You all remember that, right? We had the best 2 weeks ever as far as the weather and the out of towners noticed how beautiful and green it was here. The housing market went up and a lot of people moved here.

Take my word for it, people will moving to our part of heaven after the Games.

Tip of the day: Sing like no one is listening.

A Big Boy Now!

I am a little sad but I painted Fredy's baby room this weekend. I was tired of the frogs after 5 years and he is no longer a baby. I decided to do sport balls as the theme since he is so into them, especially basketballs. I am finished for the most part. I still need to find a twin bed for him and put up two more basketballs hoops.
I am having a hard time with the ball boarder. I bought some balls that are suppose to go into the bathtub and tried to put them up on the wall with Velcro. I could not find a glue that would bond the rubber of the balls with the back of Velcro. I know you are asking, "What about the self stick Velcro?" That was my first try...too heavy. Next I tried hot glue...nope. Now I have a combo of super glue and quick grip. My next move, if that does not work, is Gorilla Glue. Each morning I go into his room and look at the boarder to see what ball has fallen off the wall during the night.

Home Again, Home Again

Well we survived our trip to and return from Bakersfield. Flying with two children and all the stuff needed for a trip is exhausting. We spent 10 days in California with family, my husband's side, and had a great relaxing time. Terry and I did what was needed and wanted from the family. We were there to help out in any way that we could without getting in the way.

My theme for my blog right now is on hope because hope is what is needed for Brandie to heal. I put up some vinyl lettering on her wall, that her mom picked out that said, Everyday has the possibility for a miracle to happen. I am not sure that is the extact wording but you get the meaning.

Here are the top 10 (not in any order) things about our trip according to Reece (almost 5 years old)
1. Feeding the horses carrots
2. Playing with all the cats
3. Jumping on the trampoline
4. Playing with her cousin, Bailey
5. Spending time with Nana
6. Flying on an airplane
7. The sunshine
8. Riding on the Polaris with Uncle Brian
9. The presents from Aunt Bonnie
10. Helping with Brandie

I thought those were pretty good for a young child.


Today's tip: don't say something to someone unless you mean it.

Santa and Snow

Wow! As you can see the kids loved the snow but Santa was another story.The picture is so small, sorry about that but I had to scan. That is a whole nother story for later. Fredy is like his mom, not into the clowns. My mother said that I did not like Santa at all. The first 4 or 5 years of my life I am crying in the Santa pictures. Too much like a clown and most of you know that I do not like clowns at all!
We are off to Bakersfield for Christmas so Merry Christmas to all. Safe travels for those of you who drive, ride the trian or plane.
See you on the 26th.