The kids are really getting into music, and not just the kind they see on PBS shows and such. They all have favorite songs that they hear on the radio. They mostly like some pretty iconic songs, from "I Love Rock and Roll" to "Oh, Sherry". In particular, Allegra loves "Mysterious Ways" by U2. She can even sing the chorus. It cracks me up when the song comes on and she starts singing it in her little girl voice.
The boys have been doing great at t-ball. They are the slowest on the team, but they are about average when it comes to catching, batting, and throwing. Their team is called "Blue Lightning", for whatever reason. It's an official Little League association. They also do something cool at the end of each game: each kid can go to the concession stand and get a free drink. Which means, 2 free sodas for Dad. Sweet. Their season goes through the end of May, so if you want to visit us and see them play, you better make it soon.
Tiger and Allegra are scheduled to get their tonsils out in early June.
Sydney is learning how to rock back-and-forth on all fours. Soon, she will be crawling. She is getting ticklish, too. She loves it when you blow raspberries on her belly. She also loves to be on her back, naked. She laughs and kicks her legs wildly. Sometimes, we just put her on her changing table and let her entertain herself for a few minutes.
We went to the boys' kindergarten orientation a few days ago. They have something like 6 kindergarten classrooms. But the boys are very excited and can't wait to start.
Work is going well. Even though I'm supposed to be more project-oriented, my boss has been having me handle the annual reviews and personnel matters instead of him. It feels kind of weird in that I'm not their direct supervisor, but I'm responsible for grading them. The plant manager introduced me out of a whole crowd of other associates to the President of the whole worldwide Danaher Tool Group the other day when El Jefe was on a plant tour. And I think I just found a project that could save the company nearly a million dollars a year, if it plays out like I think it will. I see good thing coming for the head of Team Gebhardt.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Colder than a brass toilet seat on the shady side of an iceberg
So we went to the Steele Creek Athletic Association (SCAA) 50th Anniversary celebration today. It had rained a little this morning, and it was still cloudy, so we were a bit apprehensive about getting rained on. However, we should have been more concerned with the temperature. It was in the mid 40s and windy. We didn't stay long, of course.
I forgot to mention that I got a new lawn mower the other day. Craftsman 6.50 ft-lbs, key start, variable speed self-propelled, 3-in-1 deck, 12" rear wheels, grunt, grunt, grunt. I love the key start. I simply charge the battery up overnight and it stays charged for a few months. I turn the key, and the mower starts without a hitch. No more pulling the damn rope starter, although it is still there. And since we have about 0.3 acres that need mowing, the self-propelled feature really saves my bacon. Even then, it still takes me over an hour to mow and edge the rear and front yards.
Allegra was trying to say "instead" today and ended up saying "it's dead". I don't remember what it was in reference to, but it still made me laugh.
I forgot to mention that I got a new lawn mower the other day. Craftsman 6.50 ft-lbs, key start, variable speed self-propelled, 3-in-1 deck, 12" rear wheels, grunt, grunt, grunt. I love the key start. I simply charge the battery up overnight and it stays charged for a few months. I turn the key, and the mower starts without a hitch. No more pulling the damn rope starter, although it is still there. And since we have about 0.3 acres that need mowing, the self-propelled feature really saves my bacon. Even then, it still takes me over an hour to mow and edge the rear and front yards.
Allegra was trying to say "instead" today and ended up saying "it's dead". I don't remember what it was in reference to, but it still made me laugh.
Wild Onions?
I'm still getting used to things out here. Most drivers go 10-15 over the posted limit. A bunch of trees in our front yard are blooming and their white petals are all over the yard and our cars, like we got some snow. And wild onions grow all over the place. I've never heard of this before. I first noticed the onions when we were at the boys' tee ball practice and I noticed a bunch of plants all over the fields that were taller than the normal grass. The next time I was out there, I looked closer and they were bunches of onions. Very strange. I just figured that the baseball fields had been an onion farm or something at one time. But then I noticed onions near most of the freeway exits, in the median, and lastly, in my back yard. Now, when I mow my grass, it smells like I chopped up some green onions. Not a bad smell, but not the normal smell of fresh cut grass that I am used to.
The boys are doing well and they love tee ball. Their first game is next Thursday and they are so excited. We just got their uniforms 2 days ago and they can't wait to try them on. They have some sort of 50th anniversary party for the local athletic club (which runs the baseball/softball/etc stuff) today. There is supposed to be a bunch of raffles for gift baskets, baked treats, and even an outdoor movie once the sun goes down. However, we are supposed to get rain tonight.
Allegra has been coming with me to the practices. She gets bored almost immediately, but eventually she finds a friend to play with. Every time we drive out of our little sub, she spots her new preschool and points it out for everybody. I think that she sees how much fun the boys are having at school and wants to join in.
Sydney is getting bigger all the time. She loves to be naked. She just kicks and wiggles and laughs like crazy.
The boys are doing well and they love tee ball. Their first game is next Thursday and they are so excited. We just got their uniforms 2 days ago and they can't wait to try them on. They have some sort of 50th anniversary party for the local athletic club (which runs the baseball/softball/etc stuff) today. There is supposed to be a bunch of raffles for gift baskets, baked treats, and even an outdoor movie once the sun goes down. However, we are supposed to get rain tonight.
Allegra has been coming with me to the practices. She gets bored almost immediately, but eventually she finds a friend to play with. Every time we drive out of our little sub, she spots her new preschool and points it out for everybody. I think that she sees how much fun the boys are having at school and wants to join in.
Sydney is getting bigger all the time. She loves to be naked. She just kicks and wiggles and laughs like crazy.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
So my new job has vision insurance and I hadn't seen an eye doc in many many moons. Last week was slow at work so I decided to get my eyes checked. I went in on Friday morning and the doc said I have a slight astigmatism, -0.5 or so. He hooked me up to this device that showed me what I could expect if I were to wear glasses. Man, what a difference. So it looks like I will need to wear glasses now. It's more for a "quality of life" benefit than strictly necessary, but if I'm going to buy glasses, I might as well use them, right?
I went back out to the lobby where they had a ton of frames for me to try out. But first they took a picture of me and ran my face through the computer to give me an idea of what shape I liked best. I was able to take the pictures back home and here are the before and after pix:
before
after
Not a bad improvement, if I say so myself.
I went back out to the lobby where they had a ton of frames for me to try out. But first they took a picture of me and ran my face through the computer to give me an idea of what shape I liked best. I was able to take the pictures back home and here are the before and after pix:
before
after
Not a bad improvement, if I say so myself.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Home Sweet Home
Where was I?
Well, we put in an offer on a house and it was accepted. The nice thing is that it is lower than what we had planned on by about $12k. We did the home inspection yesterday. Everything seemed pretty well taken care of.
For some reason, the current residents were there. Erika apparently found out that the mom is on the same online forum that Erika visits. They talked a lot while the kids were all playing together. We also managed to meet some of the other neighbors and their kids. Within a 100 yard radius there appears to be a bunch of kids and families. The existing owners also put us onto a bunch of local things for Er and the kids to do. There are a bunch of walking trails, parks, and other fun things. Just down the road is a Super Target, which pretty much made Erika thrilled. And for the aquarium-lover in the family (me), there is the best fish store in Charlotte about 2 miles down the road.
The kids are fitting right in. The boys love their Christian preschool. Rory comes home sometimes with Jesus-y things to say. It cracks us up. They appear to be very strict at this school, too. Initially Rory was acting out, but now he is very well behaved and can't wait to get back the next day.
Our apartment complex is surrounded by some trees and hills and stuff, which the kids love to play on. Tiger has ripped both of the knees in one pair of pants rolling down the hills. I can't wait to see what Charlotte looks like in the spring, summer, and fall. Plus, the tree area is a great place for Gypsy to do her business.
We are also looking into summer camps for the kids. We were both shocked by the price, but I think the kids would love it. The boys will be going to a sports camp where they will try a different sport every week. Allegra will be going to a camp for 3 year olds. She is so excited.
Work is going well. I think I can do a lot here. The company keeps giving out shirts and tools. They don't have to twist my arm too much to get me to take a 70-piece tool set home for free.
Erika has made a "new best friend". Unfortunately, she lives a little bit away from where we are now and even farther away when we move.
Well, we put in an offer on a house and it was accepted. The nice thing is that it is lower than what we had planned on by about $12k. We did the home inspection yesterday. Everything seemed pretty well taken care of.
For some reason, the current residents were there. Erika apparently found out that the mom is on the same online forum that Erika visits. They talked a lot while the kids were all playing together. We also managed to meet some of the other neighbors and their kids. Within a 100 yard radius there appears to be a bunch of kids and families. The existing owners also put us onto a bunch of local things for Er and the kids to do. There are a bunch of walking trails, parks, and other fun things. Just down the road is a Super Target, which pretty much made Erika thrilled. And for the aquarium-lover in the family (me), there is the best fish store in Charlotte about 2 miles down the road.
The kids are fitting right in. The boys love their Christian preschool. Rory comes home sometimes with Jesus-y things to say. It cracks us up. They appear to be very strict at this school, too. Initially Rory was acting out, but now he is very well behaved and can't wait to get back the next day.
Our apartment complex is surrounded by some trees and hills and stuff, which the kids love to play on. Tiger has ripped both of the knees in one pair of pants rolling down the hills. I can't wait to see what Charlotte looks like in the spring, summer, and fall. Plus, the tree area is a great place for Gypsy to do her business.
We are also looking into summer camps for the kids. We were both shocked by the price, but I think the kids would love it. The boys will be going to a sports camp where they will try a different sport every week. Allegra will be going to a camp for 3 year olds. She is so excited.
Work is going well. I think I can do a lot here. The company keeps giving out shirts and tools. They don't have to twist my arm too much to get me to take a 70-piece tool set home for free.
Erika has made a "new best friend". Unfortunately, she lives a little bit away from where we are now and even farther away when we move.
Monday, January 21, 2008
We made it, safe and sound
We're here in Charlotte without any major problems. The kids did great on the plane ride. I think they behaved so well because we separated T&R from each other. I sat between Allegra and Tiger and they both slept most of the trip. Erika sat between Rory and Sydney, both of whom kept her busy for most of the trip. All in all, the sticker book for Allegra and the plastic animals for the boys were great hits.
I had my first day at Danaher Tool Group today. They tell me that I will have 1 month of "immersion" where I'll be working all over the plant to get a feel for the plant, process, and culture. Today, they had a bunch of us put on Tyvek suits (think Marshmellow Man) and clean up 10+ years of sludge underneath one of the plating machines. We got maybe 1/4 done in 10 hours. My suit and everybody else's was covered in muck from head to toe. Fun stuff.
Erika took the kids to the museum today and got them all year passes. They loved it. Yesterday we spent over $900 at Costco and Target buying food and supplies that we had to leave behind. And we still need more.
Tomorrow we start our in-person search for a home. Wish us luck.
I had my first day at Danaher Tool Group today. They tell me that I will have 1 month of "immersion" where I'll be working all over the plant to get a feel for the plant, process, and culture. Today, they had a bunch of us put on Tyvek suits (think Marshmellow Man) and clean up 10+ years of sludge underneath one of the plating machines. We got maybe 1/4 done in 10 hours. My suit and everybody else's was covered in muck from head to toe. Fun stuff.
Erika took the kids to the museum today and got them all year passes. They loved it. Yesterday we spent over $900 at Costco and Target buying food and supplies that we had to leave behind. And we still need more.
Tomorrow we start our in-person search for a home. Wish us luck.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
We're moving to CHARLOTTE!
I can't believe it, and yet in 4 days we will be living in Charlotte, NC.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Pictures of the girls that don't do justice to the cuteness!
Allegra fell asleep like this -- passed out with a bottle, by the toilet!
Trying to grow out her bangs.
Look at Sydney, stylin' the tie-dyed cloth diaper and legwarmers!
Look at Sydney, stylin' the tie-dyed cloth diaper and legwarmers!
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Monday, November 19, 2007
Doing my Daddy duties (or is it doodies?)
I've been pretty busy lately. I've been using my Dad's digital video camera to record the boys' soccer games. Then I take them and edit them with my computer. Finally, they get encoded and burned onto a DVD for play on any regular DVD player. At first, it took me several hours to do the editing. Now I've got the basics down. I try to add something new for every game, so that I make the movies look more professional and less amateur-hour-with-Dad. It also helps that the refs at the games are getting better at keeping the game moving and therefore, I have (much) less video to edit. My Dad's camera works like a champ, I just wish that the LCD screen was backlit. It can be hard to see the screen with the (ultrabright Arizona) sun at your back with sunglasses on. Another parent has been taping the games lately, too, and his screen is bright as can be, even from several feet away. In any case, my Dad's camera has given me a great idea of what I want in a camera (when I can afford one, that is).
The kids are doing great. The boys have a love/hate relationship with soccer. They love getting out and running around. They hate not being the center of attention and therefore tend to act out. I think football may be a better fit for these two, considering how often they tackle each other during practice. Allegra like to go with us to the games and practices, but it is hard on me. The way I see it, I am at the games and practices for the boys. I try to do what I can to spend time with her while we are at the games, but she usually ends up screaming and crying before too long. Sydney is getting bigger every day. She started smiling a few days ago and today she really was all smiles. Allegra loves to be near her.
Erika is doing a great job maintaining the fort. Her Mom left last week and I'm back to work, so she's on her own with the 4 kids. So far, things have looked even better than "normal". I'm sure she will have her good and bad days, but on average, she's kicking serious butt right now. I'm especially grateful that she's pretty much taking care of Sydney all night long. With Allegra and the boys, it was 50/50 with her and I. I was a wreck, trying to go to work during the days as well. Now, Erika is doing all of the heavy lifting. On occasion I will help put Sydney to sleep during difficult nights, but more often than not it is Er who is up and down every few hours. What a champ!
Auntie Carol, Grams, and Pa came over for the day last Saturday. They managed to get to the boys' soccer game before halftime and watched the Chivas get blown out (something like 9-0). It's a good thing they don't track winning and losing in the Under-6 league. Carol brought out some carne and pollo which I grilled up. OOOOOOOhhhhhhh boy. Yummie yummie yummie. I'm drooling just thinking about it. Then again, I tend to drool anyway. It was fun having visitors and the kids loved it. Pa gave Sydney a bottle of breastmilk and still managed to eat a couple of burritos single-handedly.
Erika purchased out holiday cards yesterday. We are not the typical everybody-wearing-holiday-colors-or-clothes family. Your more likely to get a card from us with naked kids running around the house or something similar. You've been warned.
On Erika's urging, I went to see our family doc a few days ago. He gave me some nasal steroids for my allergies and some pills for my acid reflux. Unfortunately, as long as we live in Yuma, I will be taking the steroids. And as long as I have a stomach, I'll be taking the pills. I asked the doc if I would be able to play professional sports while I'm on the 'roids, and he looked at me funny. I just hope my nads don't shrivel up. But I was able to mow the lawn for the first time in a month without sneezing and wheezing afterward. I'm not too sure if I will go back to this doc, however. He's too mainstream for me. I asked him about testosterone testing and some other stuff and he blew me off. I also asked about other nutritional supplements and he more or less said that they don't work.
I've been on a weird diet lately. I've been crazing veges like crazy. Last night I ate 1lb of steamed asparagus. That was it. Nothing else. I buy a bag of greens or salad stuff and eat that with some blue cheese or Caesar dressing. I can eat a whole head of broccoli or cauliflower in one sitting. I went to LA a week ago for a seminar with some of my fellow A Brite-ites and we ate at steak joints every night. Outback, Claim Jumper (twice), etc. But each time, I ordered a salad appetizer and steamed/grilled veges to go with my giant hunk-o'-Barney.
I guess it's just another day at the Team Gebhardt household, eh?
The kids are doing great. The boys have a love/hate relationship with soccer. They love getting out and running around. They hate not being the center of attention and therefore tend to act out. I think football may be a better fit for these two, considering how often they tackle each other during practice. Allegra like to go with us to the games and practices, but it is hard on me. The way I see it, I am at the games and practices for the boys. I try to do what I can to spend time with her while we are at the games, but she usually ends up screaming and crying before too long. Sydney is getting bigger every day. She started smiling a few days ago and today she really was all smiles. Allegra loves to be near her.
Erika is doing a great job maintaining the fort. Her Mom left last week and I'm back to work, so she's on her own with the 4 kids. So far, things have looked even better than "normal". I'm sure she will have her good and bad days, but on average, she's kicking serious butt right now. I'm especially grateful that she's pretty much taking care of Sydney all night long. With Allegra and the boys, it was 50/50 with her and I. I was a wreck, trying to go to work during the days as well. Now, Erika is doing all of the heavy lifting. On occasion I will help put Sydney to sleep during difficult nights, but more often than not it is Er who is up and down every few hours. What a champ!
Auntie Carol, Grams, and Pa came over for the day last Saturday. They managed to get to the boys' soccer game before halftime and watched the Chivas get blown out (something like 9-0). It's a good thing they don't track winning and losing in the Under-6 league. Carol brought out some carne and pollo which I grilled up. OOOOOOOhhhhhhh boy. Yummie yummie yummie. I'm drooling just thinking about it. Then again, I tend to drool anyway. It was fun having visitors and the kids loved it. Pa gave Sydney a bottle of breastmilk and still managed to eat a couple of burritos single-handedly.
Erika purchased out holiday cards yesterday. We are not the typical everybody-wearing-holiday-colors-or-clothes family. Your more likely to get a card from us with naked kids running around the house or something similar. You've been warned.
On Erika's urging, I went to see our family doc a few days ago. He gave me some nasal steroids for my allergies and some pills for my acid reflux. Unfortunately, as long as we live in Yuma, I will be taking the steroids. And as long as I have a stomach, I'll be taking the pills. I asked the doc if I would be able to play professional sports while I'm on the 'roids, and he looked at me funny. I just hope my nads don't shrivel up. But I was able to mow the lawn for the first time in a month without sneezing and wheezing afterward. I'm not too sure if I will go back to this doc, however. He's too mainstream for me. I asked him about testosterone testing and some other stuff and he blew me off. I also asked about other nutritional supplements and he more or less said that they don't work.
I've been on a weird diet lately. I've been crazing veges like crazy. Last night I ate 1lb of steamed asparagus. That was it. Nothing else. I buy a bag of greens or salad stuff and eat that with some blue cheese or Caesar dressing. I can eat a whole head of broccoli or cauliflower in one sitting. I went to LA a week ago for a seminar with some of my fellow A Brite-ites and we ate at steak joints every night. Outback, Claim Jumper (twice), etc. But each time, I ordered a salad appetizer and steamed/grilled veges to go with my giant hunk-o'-Barney.
I guess it's just another day at the Team Gebhardt household, eh?
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Sydney is 1 month old!
I can't believe it! She is so cute. I've been really busy (wonder why?!?!?!) and so I haven't had much time to update with written info, but here are some pics.
Still doesn't like being put down.
Loves being swaddled (and cuddled)
Yes, I have 3 other kids who are still being fed and clothed while I breastfeed and change diapers 24/7.
Still doesn't like being put down.
Loves being swaddled (and cuddled)
Yes, I have 3 other kids who are still being fed and clothed while I breastfeed and change diapers 24/7.
Extreme Close-up!
Allegra at 1 month, for comparison.
Allegra at 1 month, for comparison.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Pics (As usual, right?)
Rory and Tiger, in costumes handmade by Bubbie!
All the kids (minus the newest one) in costumes
Sydney went as one pissed-off pumpkin (hat made by Bubbie)
She is, however, happy when she's eating.
And when she's full and has a clean prefold (in wool shorties handmade by Bubbie)
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Sunday, October 21, 2007
More pics!
The boys before their soccer game
eating Cheerios, just like mommy!
Allegra helps give Sydney a bath
Tiger helps too
And Rory
Clean and cute!
The big kids roughhouse with Daddy.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
Sydney, born at home!
Sydney was born on 10-14 at 2:32am after 90 minutes of labor -- which was preceded by 2 days of prodromal labor after my water broke. She was born at home in the birth tub and caught by yours truly! She was 8lbs 7oz and 19in, and kind of resembles a sumo wrestler.
However, after her birth, I did not get the placenta out and I had a hemorrhage, so we transferred to the hospital. Charlotte was awesome, she came to the hospital as a "friend who attended my planned unassisted homebirth" and she kept me calm. It was a little scary for a while, but all is well. I had a manual removal of the placenta and a bunch of pitocin and fluids. I feel much better today.
I completely expected the hospital staff to treat me terribly, even call CPS on me (as I've seen it firsthand with clients) but everyone aside from the first nurse was really nice. When asked about my pregnancy and birth, I basically told them everything that they wanted to hear and explained that I'd had a provider in a different state and I had records if they wanted them, blah blah blah. And that was it. I refused vit K, eye drops, vax, and a bath for Sydney, and it was not a big deal at all. We were released after about 24h and now we're home.
Me, during a contraction
Just after her birth (with the back of Charlotte's head)
Allegra and Sydney
However, after her birth, I did not get the placenta out and I had a hemorrhage, so we transferred to the hospital. Charlotte was awesome, she came to the hospital as a "friend who attended my planned unassisted homebirth" and she kept me calm. It was a little scary for a while, but all is well. I had a manual removal of the placenta and a bunch of pitocin and fluids. I feel much better today.
I completely expected the hospital staff to treat me terribly, even call CPS on me (as I've seen it firsthand with clients) but everyone aside from the first nurse was really nice. When asked about my pregnancy and birth, I basically told them everything that they wanted to hear and explained that I'd had a provider in a different state and I had records if they wanted them, blah blah blah. And that was it. I refused vit K, eye drops, vax, and a bath for Sydney, and it was not a big deal at all. We were released after about 24h and now we're home.
Me, during a contraction
Just after her birth (with the back of Charlotte's head)
Allegra and Sydney
I will post more pics later. I'm off to go BREASTFEED! HOORAY!
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