Stones

Just thought I would do a quick update. Haven't posted anything for a while. Not because I didn't want to, but because my stones are back and with a vengeance! So I really just lay on the couch or our bed, read to Pineapple Princess when I am coherent, sometimes we watch t.v. and sometimes we make cards. But mostly Pineapple Princess just hangs around calling my name as I have drifted off once again...
Thanks to all my friends who have taken Pineapple Princess this pass week, and who have brought us meals, and who have also offered to help out next week. And believe me, this is one time I won't be saying no. I have learned I really need all the help I can get, and K can only take so much time off of work. K and Pineapple Princess have been so wonderful to me this last week too and I feel so lucky to have them here to take care of me. I hope the next time I Blog on, I will have news that I have passed all these stones and am pain free!

Happy Birthday Grandma

My Mum flew out here for her birthday. The day of her arrival (her actual b-day)
I had Pineapple Princess make her a poster. Pineapple Princess even wrote out the letters all by herself!
And then she listed all of the reasons she loves her Grandma.

Happy Birthday Grandma!

I love my Aunt Keoki because...

* she paints my toenails!
* she does my hair!

* she plays dress up with me!
* she let's me watch my t.v. shows!
* we have fun shopping for cute clothes!
* she call's me her little BUG!
* we always have so much fun together!
* she is awesome!
*she is beautiful!
*she plays spiderman at the park with me!
*she let's me do her make-up! (and she uses
the fun kind - MAC)
*she Sings to me!
*she let's me take SILLY pictures with her camera!
*she takes care of me when I am sick! (we had a fun "Tupperware" party -
that's what my mom calls puking in the Tupperware bowl!)
*She comes to Chicago just to see ME!!

Thnks fr th Mmrs

Growing up, my Mum was not much of a rock-n-roll type mom. I did get to listen to the music, but not loud and only on my own. No loud music blaring from my room. SO it comes as a HUGE surprise to me (and to my sister Aunt Keoki) to see our Mum rocking out with my little three year old to Fall Out Boy. Pineapple Princess's newest favorite song -
Thnks fr the Mmrs.
I will always have this memory in my head of my 3 year old and my Mum rocking out in the back of my mini van to this song, over and over again. Picture them with their hands held high over their heads clapping to the beat of the song. My sister Keoki saying the words to my mom because Pineapple Princess wants Grandma to sing. It is by far one of my favorite memories!
THNKS FR TH MMRS!!! I guess it just proves that a Grandma will do anything with her Granddaughter!

Gone Fishing

Last Saturday was a big day for us! We started out at Lovelace park fishing with the primary. It was a wonderful activity. Pineapple Princess had so much fun catching the fish. Thank goodness there were so many willing hands to help her out, I suppose if I had, had to put the worm on the hook and then take the fish off the hook, I would have. But I lucked out with all the great help! Pineapple Princess caught her first fish with HC, and then spent the rest of the time with Miss B and her daddy taking turns with the fishing pole.Pineapple Princess and Miss B caught 6 fish between the two of them. Pineapple Princess still talks about wanting to go back fishing. I hope to do it again soon, when K can be there, I know the two of them would have a great time!

*you can see more great fishing photos on Pineapple Princess's website

Surprise for K

Last Saturday, K called me (like he always does) in between flights. He mentioned to me that he wished he had a ticket to see one of his favorite Hawaiian music groups who were going to be playing that night, especially since he would be home to see them. I tucked that little bit of information away. When we got off the phone, I pulled over (cause I was driving to the airport to pick up my sister) called one of K's friends who I knew would have information on how to go about getting a ticket. SB went on line for me and helped me purchase a ticket for K. In the 10th row! I left a message for K, that he had "won" a ticket for tonight's concert of the Makaha Sons. I think K was on a high the rest of the weekend. I wanted him to write a blog about the concert but he said it's my blog and I should do the writing...so I will just say, this was on of the BEST weekends K has had in a LONG time! He had an awesome time at the concert and the next day he was even able to go and meet the Makaha Sons at an autograph signing in Des Plaines. When he got home Sunday night he was on the phone for hours (so it seemed) telling his family about his amazing weekend. It's so nice when you can pull of fun surprises like this for loved ones - or anyone for that matter!

Emergency "Tee" Time?

This week has been crazy busy, but welcomed. The "girls" as Pineapple Princess calls them are back from Alaska, and I have started to watch them this week. I also took a couple of other jobs. It was so fun to be watching extra kids, and playmates for Pineapple Princess. But some time during this week, I started to feel that oh to familiar pain in my lower back. A horrible pain, one where sometimes I couldn't even walk. Then Wednesday the pain started to spread around my side, into my front (bladder area), I felt the need to go to the bathroom frequently, with no results other than more pain. Finally I started passing those horrible little stones. It's amazing how something the size of a grape nut (if you can picture the cereal) can cause so much pain. I promptly called my urologist, and made an appointment for Friday - the earliest he could see me. No, he would not prescribe me any pain medicine because I had not been in in the last year. So, Tylenol and I became inseparable, but it didn't do much for the pain. Over the next two days, I passed 6 stones. And was very much looking froward to seeing my urologist. Late Thursday afternoon, a messages was left for me on my voicemail by my Dr's nurse, that he had an emergency scheduled for Friday afternoon and had to cancel my appointment. But to contact another urologist (the one who I had to deal with when I was in the hospital pregnant with Pineapple Princess and unable to pass the huge stone...) He and I did not get along at all, so there was no way I was going to call him. Luckily I had my check up with my ob on Friday morning. I told him about the stones that I had been passing, and how I had tried to make an appointment to see my urologist but both appointments had been canceled. I told him about the "emergency" he had scheduled for Friday afternoon and that I was told to go see a different doctor. Dr. M was a little puzzled how an emergency could be scheduled the day before? I jokingly said to Dr. M, I bet he has an emergency tee time. I guess I wasn't too far off...Dr. Miller's nurse called over to Dr. McG's office and his nurse said oh, Dr. McG is out on vacation and will also be gone all of next week. So where exactly was that emergency??? I guess the next thing for me to do is to find a new urologist! Or to take up golf and maybe I could see him on the course.
this is the ladybug size stone I passed when I was 29 weeks pregnant with Pineapple Princess - the good news with the stones I have now, I am passing them! And really it only hurts when they move.
; ) Can I just say, I am so glad that my baby sister will be here tomorrow!

ALOHA!!!

Hey, I know it's been awhile, and it seems as if our life has been on fast forward. We have had Lot's of company this month, and we are ending this month with house sitting for the family I use to Nanny for. It's wonderful to stay in this big beautiful house by the lake. I would not want to clean it though! I can't even keep my little house clean : )
We have been busy getting Pineapple Princess and baby's room ready. My sister has been a HUGE help and well let's just say if it wasn't for her, Pineapple Princess and the baby would have a CARS CARS room. Which I am sure is still good enough for Pineapple Princess. But she (Pineapple Princess) picked out the theme in her new room. Surf room. L picked out an awesome wall color, one I wouldn't have thought of. Donald Duck orange - (picture his bill). So cute, and then she made these big letters A L O H A that hang on the wall. I'll add some pictures so you can see it, or you can click on Pineapple Princess's website (on the side of the blog page once there, view the page titled Color Splash.) It shows the progress of the room. WE love it!
Other things that have happened in the last 2-3 weeks, K's Mom was here visiting from Hawaii, it was WONDERFUL to have her here. She spoiled us all, as any good Grandma should! We had my niece for a long weekend, we have friends over for bbq's, sleep overs eating yumm-o food and play dates. We've played at the parks, and swam, and hope to hit the beach this week!
OK, it's Monday, and we are off to the Library. Pineapple Princess loves to give her book reports, last week the weekly prize for reading was a gift certificate to Chipotle's (Pineapple Princess's favorite restaurant!) so K and Pineapple Princess have a little lunch date today.
I have so much more to say, to catch up on, but this is all the time we have for today!
Hope all our friends are doing well!

Last Sunday, K and I were sitting on the couch flipping through the tv channels. I decided to check my e-mail one more time before heading off to bed. I had a surprise message from K's mom. She was on her way! (we knew she was coming, but not that soon) She got into O'hare at 5am. Luckily K had the day off, and was able to pick her up - well lucky for me, I got to sleep in.

And so started our week of family visitors. Tuesday, K's cousins arrived. They spent a couple of days with us. K took them down to the taste of Chicago on the 4th of July. Grams, Pineapple Princess and I headed over to a BBQ at Love lace park. All enjoying our 4th of July's different destination. We met up later that night with the Lund's to watch the fireworks - through the trees ; ) .


Friday morning we headed up to WI for K's uncle's memorial service and a family reunion. (I'll put the pictures on Pineapple Princess's website) We really had a great time in WI. Pineapple Princess was fascinated with all of the nature, cows, horses, corn, rabbits, fireflies, and yes, she even picked up a tick! She had so much fun just running outside and playing with her cousins.

Uncle's memorial service was really nice. K gave the eulogy and we (K, myself and his Mom) sang a song during the service. And Pineapple Princess sat so nice and still while we were up there singing. I did notice at one point that she was trying to take the camera out and take some pictures...(got to actually prove that Mommy got up and sang in front of people...). After the service, K sang as everyone mingled. We even had a special treat from his Mom, she Danced for all of us! It was wonderful!

Saturday was the family reunion, and K was the entertainment again. Very much enjoyed. It was so hot outside, that I didn't spend much time outside. After eating, Pineapple Princess and I headed back inside to the air conditioning - 95 degrees plus humidity was just way to hot for my pregnant belly! Pineapple Princess looked like she was about to melt, and had no objections to a nice cold bath, mostly to wash all the sand out of her hair - I am not sure that she left ANY at the beach!! In the early evening we headed into the "bigger" town with a bunch of K's cousins to see Transformers. I had tried to get Pineapple Princess to stay at the house with Grams, but she just wanted to be with me. So, yes I took my three year old to a PG-13 movie. She LOVED it! And is still talking about Optimis Prime and Megatron. She calls it her Robot movie. "Can I tell you what my favorite part of the Robot movie was?" is a question we have been hearing often in our house.

Today, in nursery, Pineapple Princess found a toy airplane and she told K, "Look Daddy, it's the bad Robot, Magatron." All the dad's that were in the nursery, ears perked up, and they all wanted to hear about the movie. And yes I am still a but embarrassed that Pineapple Princess went to see a PG-13 movie, especially since I have been so opinionated about it in the past...OH well.
I guess we will soon have Transformers around our house along with Cars Cars guys (from the movie CARS) and princesses.
And that was are most exciting week. Lot's of yummy food, family and not one emergency trip to see my OB! Now that's a GOOD week!

Cousins

We have had a busier week than usual. K's family came in for a little stay on their way to WI. It was fun to have them here, and visit. Pineapple Princess had lot's of fun with her cousins, Miss ML and Mr. DL. I think that she enjoyed the slumber party the best. We had a wonderful visit with them - though short, but look froward to seeing them in WI, next week.

Friday, Pineapple Princess had another cousin day - this time with Miss E. Miss E is my sister L's little girl. How fun it is to have a cousin close by for Pineapple Princess to play with and grow up with. Miss E is growing up fast now, and it is fun to hear her new words, and really be able to understand her. She is so good at asking for help when she can not do something. And of course, melt my heart all day yesterday we played the game "I Love Abecka" "I Love Miss E" "I Love Pineapple Princess" very cute! I think Pineapple Princess also got a little taste of mommy sharing affection with someone else. We will have to have more practice with Miss E before the baby comes. (And I just want to add, that I love that once again I am being called Abecka. When I first moved here, I nannied for a family and the youngest boy, couldn't say Rebekeh yet, so he came up with Abecka, (hence my e-mail abeckalyn)...

And so ends yet another wonderfully exciting week !! - : )

a little scare...

Today I had some medical issues (I won't go into all they yucky details - but severe enough that I called my doctor - which usually I just shrug things away). I went to see my doctor. Turns out everything is ok for now. Will know more when some of the other tests come back. But baby is good. And I am not having contractions (which that was also a concern ).
SO, again I will know more in a couple of days. (I am hoping this does not
result in a kidney stone not wanting to come out!!!)
K really likes my obgyn, he just explains everything to you
and in words that you can understand. We went over worse case and best case scenarios. K said he just felt so much more at peace and understanding with
everything Dr. M told us.
Thank goodness K's Auntie was here, she and our cousins took Pineapple Princess with them so we didn't have to worry about her. Along with spending time with them, she got some yummy Chicago pizza and beach time.
Thanks to those who called me to make sure that everything was ok and being so willing to help out in a pinch.
Along with this, I am so sad that I will be missing out on the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing at the Ravinia tonight, especially when I have been looking
forward to this for months! But if the doctor says rest, rest I will.

Tic-Tac-Toe - To -Go from Momready

Boredom Busters : Tic-Tac-Toe To Go
For those of us who live near the shore or visit it often, it's a wonderful way to spend a family day. The surf, the sand, all great entertainment for our kids...for a while that is. Invariably comes that familiar whine, "I'm bored, there's nothing to do." When "go and commune with nature" just doesn't do the trick, here's a boredom buster that kids can make at home and bring along to the beach. Tic-Tac-Toe is much more fun when your beach towel is the playing board. As an at-home art project, have your kids paint a giant grid, creating nine squares, on a solid colored beach towel with permanent markers or fabric paint pens. Now comes another fun part. Once at the beach, have kids go on a hunt to find shells or rocks or sticks or whatever they fancy to use as their playing pieces. Although this is alot of fun at the beach, have kids bring their playing pieces home and you've got a fun game for the backyard as well. Now sit back and relax while the kids entertain themselves...for a while that is. Additional Summer Boredom buster ideas (from sugardoodle.net) http://sugardoodle.net/Summer/Summer%20Boredom%20Busters.shtml

Hooray for Library Day

It's Monday, our weekly trip to the library.
One of my favorite summer memories was my Mum taking me to the library to sign up for their reading program.
I always looked forward to the afternoon at the library with my mum - and my little sisters. I wish I could find some of those books that I would read over and over...anyway now with a child of my own time to start our own TRADITION!
Pineapple Princess is doing their summer reading program. She marked off all of her stars (nine hours of reading.) So along with the weekly prize, she was also able to pick out a new book for her very own! Her choice Chicka Chicka Boom Boom - one that is her favorite. One of our favs too. It is so nice to go to the library each week, just so that we can have a fresh variety of books. Sometimes, I get a bit bored with reading the same book over and over...(um wait wasn't I just saying how much I LOVED to read books over and over again??) I guess that happens with any book, not just library books, right??
So here are some pics from the library.
Hah! and you thought my day was boring : )

Happy reading everyone!

finally saying yes

Today, K journeyed off to an Ukulele Fest. Pineapple Princess and I stayed home. I wanted to get things done around the house which didn't really happen in the end (just wasn't feeling up to it). Our friend needed the use of our van to get some wardrobe boxes. I am glad she asked, I couldn't imagine them fitting in a regular size car! While at U-haul, Pineapple Princess was giving me a bit of a hard time. KM said, why don't you let me take Pineapple Princess for a couple of hours, you go home relax, take a nap. Now, my normal reaction is no, that's ok. And I really wanted to say no, knowing that she has her hands full with packing for their move in a week. But I thought, I know she is being sincere, I know she really wants to help me, and I am going to say YES!
OH, it was wonderful to have an afternoon to myself. I cleaned up (just a bit!) read some of my book, and then took a wonderfully long nap!
When I went back to pick up Pineapple Princess, KM had fed her, bathed her, and I am sure showered her with love. Thank you KM, Miss AM and Momo, it really meant a lot to me! So here is to good friends who know when you need help, and to finally saying YES!
K also had a really great day, he came home on a huge high! I know that he misses is home very much, that is why it is so great that he can get together with fellow musicians, Uke lovers, and just those with Aloha spirit.

tip of the day

Expanding Frosting

When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your

mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more

cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less

sugar/calories per

serving.

You can also add vanilla extract or other extract to give it a

more homemade taste.

Aloha Friday

today was a bit cooler - but that is Chicago weather for you. I am not complaining at all - I think I was meant to live in oh, Alaska. Monday, they are saying 91 degrees for the high. YIKES!
I love playgroup days. Pineapple Princess and I picked up big ONE YEAR old friend SIR G and his mum KS for playgroup at the park. And for once, I was the first one there. Couldn't believe it! It is so nice to sit and chat w/ girlfriends, and the occasional Dad that comes too. After playgroup, Pineapple Princess and I headed home (here is where our exciting day begins hahaha) to do LAUNDRY. I know, so much fun. But for me to actually have the "strength" to do it, as in I am not laying sick on the couch, Is HUGE. Made some breaky for lunch for Pineapple Princess. Watched a little Y&R - thanks KS for getting me hooked. : ) Pineapple Princess wrote out some cards to family and friends, and then we headed to the pool. I kept telling Pineapple Princess it would be too cold. We got there, 68 degrees. But, we had the pool to ourselves! There were 2 other people in the pool - the lap pool about 25 employee's and us. Pineapple Princess thought it was so cool that we were the only ones there! So there you have it friends our big exciting Friday!!

I am attaching some pictures of Pineapple Princess.
She was wearing her swimming smock today, and it made me think of her little blue one that she had when she was one. Just thought I would compare how big she is now!

ALOHA!!!

Pool Time

We had such a great day yesterday - I am trying to make it a point to get outside - forget about being sick. I love playgroup days - Pineapple Princess
enjoys playing in the park and being with her friends.
After playgroup, we met my life long friend Jo-Ro Baby at flat top, one of our favorite haunts - can you tell, I've been there twice this week alone! It was great to catch up with her and talk about everything under the sun. After lunch, Pineapple Princess and I hurried home to say good bye to K, before he flew off. I told Pineapple Princess that we were going to go to the pool. Pineapple Princess ran into her bedroom, put her suit on and then tried to get out our back door. She thought that I was talking about her little splash pool that we fill up in the back yard. But I thought we would try the BIG pool in Wilmette. We ran into some of our friends there, the Downs (Mrs. Downs is a super woman, being there with three kids and a new born!) the Brown's were there also. Pineapple Princess was a little shy, but wanted to play with Miss I, I should have just let them go off by themselves, then Pineapple Princess wouldn't have wanted to come right back to me. Pineapple Princess was just all over the pool.

Can I just add, that I am so glad that she is potty trained this year! Last year, Pineapple Princess had an accident in the pool - poop everywhere. They had to close the kiddie pool down, drain it, clean it, kick everyone out. Oh, I was so embarrassed. The bad part, we had just gotten there. I was still watching NN and CN. So here I am washing off all three kids. YUCK! I called Mrs. N (the boys mom) and told her what happened. At the time it was NOT funny, but now I can look back on it and it is funny. At least, I won't have to worry about it this year - I hope! She is good at letting me know when she has to go. Yesterday, three trips to the potty. At least I know she won't pee in the pool. : ) I look forward to many more hours spent at the pool, hanging out with friends there and at the park. And maybe, just maybe I will hit the beach one time.

puking in the wind and celebrating a birthday

Last week was K's birthday. I took MIss M to Target so we could make a candy bar poster card for him. Half way through our shopping trip I could feel my nausea coming on, I hurried
through the rest of the store and checking out, hoping I could make it home. Well, Pineapple Princess and I made it as far as the doors and proceeded to loose anything that I had eaten that day. Miss M watched on in oh I don't know embarrassment, as she said to me, "Mommy, you can't do that here, you need to be sick at home!" Believe me honey, if I could have waited until we were at home I would have! And can I just say, don't ever puke when it is windy! In my hair, down my shirt, cleavage and so on...
So, K's big day did not get celebrated the way we would have liked to. We did our celebrating yesterday - and it was great fun! K wanted a haircut, so he got one for his birthday - fun gift RIGHT!? Went to lunch at our favorite little Evanston restaurant Flat Top,
picked up some DVD's and then on Pineapple Princess' request, went to Petsmart to look at the fish.
K's birthday - even a week later, was exactly what he wanted. OH and fun for him, he went over to Home Depot bought some things for the yard - he loves his yard and doing work out there. Maybe I should hire him out - do others yard work! :)
OK, enough of our boring day...

FINALLY!!!

Gee - I have been trying to figure out how to add a text to this blog, not just pictures.
I am so not computer savvy!
Today is Father's day, the smell of brownies is all through out our house - oh and the smell of nail polish. Tradition, Daddy paints Pineapple Princess's toes before church. Happy Father's day to him!
Yup, that's are big day, our big
news...maybe KS was right - writing about your day can be boring. I'll have to take her advice and spice it up!!! we can chat about our friend Kathy...enjoy your Sunday!