Saturday, December 30, 2006

If you are able

Please consider donating blood this Holiday Season. The Red Cross is in desperate need, as 25% of their supply comes from college and high school drives. With schools closed, their supply really shrinks.

My blood type is O-, which is the universal donor. I have been a donor since 1986. I was in college and there was a blood drive on campus. Being a melodramatic adolescent, I was waffling with whether or not to give, not really being thrilled about needles. Then someone ran up from the Student Union and told us the Challenger had exploded. That changed my mind, and I have been donating ever since. Being O- means I receive a call whenever they are in great need, and I did a few days ago. I went to donate yesterday, but my iron level was too low. That is the first time I had ever been deferred, and it was disappointing. So, I decided the best way to make it up was to spread the word. They gave me a list of foods to eat more of, and suggested I take a multivitamin. My plan is to work on that, and try again in 2 weeks.

Donated blood helps many people, not the least of which are those undergoing chemo and in need of transfusions. The whole process takes about an hour and is almost painless. You get to recline in a nice chair and watch TV. Plus cookies and juice afterward...what more could you ask for? See their website for more info and to locate a donation center in your area.

I hope I have inspired someone to help save a life today!

Friday, December 29, 2006

Maybe this will work......

Ok, so now Blogger is cooperating...here are some of Christmas morning.

Sophie "helping" Emily open a gift



Thanks, Uncle Jay, for my new friend

Daddy loved the new wallet Sophie gave him.

Michael REALLY wants to touch the tree!

Emily studies a bow

Thursday, December 28, 2006

Magical Christmas

Christmas with children takes on a whole new meaning, and this year was no exception. I think at 5 Sophie really "got" it. Not only the magic of Santa, but the season of Advent, the waiting for Baby Jesus, and the joy when we did get to Mass on Christmas Eve, and there He was, in the manger in the stable. The wonder and joy on her face was priceless. Not that she was an angel during Mass by any means....but that's what animal crackers and Color Wonder markers are for.

Our neighbors Becky and Tom gave the kids an elf this year. Sophie named our elf Lily, and grew so attached to her that we had to write a letter to Santa to see if she could stay with us longer. He relented, and she can stay until New Year's Day. Terry and I have thoroughly enjoying hiding her every night, and hearing Sophie calling for her first thing in the morning.

Michael and Emily enjoyed Christmas morning as well. Finally, they were allowed into the room with that big sparkly tree! And the bows and paper that they got to play in....toddler heaven. Not that they actually opened any of their own gifts, big sister took care of that.

The rest of our Christmas was nice as well. On Christmas Eve, we went to Marilyn's for BuenaNoche, her traditional Cuban feast. It was wonderful, as usual. We left there in time to make 6pm Mass, and were able to get our normal seats, which was key. We sit on the end, near the wall, imperative for fast exits, and for allowing the babies to walk along the wall when they get cranky.

Christmas afternoon we had family to our house for dinner. It was nice to have both sets of in laws with us. My only regret: I forgot all about the cranberry relish Sophie and I had made 2 days before. I knew there was a good reason I always make up a menu and post it on the fridge. Lesson learned for next year.

Here are some pics of the festivities. I have one more roll of film to get developed, and then I will join the rest of the world as a digital camera owner!! Santa was kind enough to bring us one and I look forward to figuring it all out.

Sophie and Grandpa Maier at Marilyn's, Sophie and the other kids had their own table

I have been trying since last night to add more pictures to this post, but Blogger is not cooperating....will keep trying...Gotta go figure out the digital while the babes are asleep!

Friday, December 22, 2006

Drumroll, please....

Well today has been a banner day for us. Terry got his side of the garage cleaned out, and for the first time since July, his car is now parked in it. Pretty major stuff.

On my side of things, I have finally seen the dining room table that has been MIA since last Christmas. Yes, all the crap is off it, and now begins the task of trying to get the tablecloth clean. Don't faint Mom, but we will eat in the dining room on Christmas Day. No china or crystal, but we will be in the dining room. I just need to find a festive tablecloth to drape over the changing table that's in the corner and we will be all set.

In other news, Sophie experienced her first social setback today. Her friend Elizabeth had a pajama party for some school friends this morning, and Sophie wasn't able to go due to a low grade fever she was running. You would have thought I told her Christmas was cancelled. Full out tantrum the likes of which I haven't seen from her in a few years. She did get to stay in her own pajamas all day, and do some fun things like watch Rudolph and Charlie Brown Christmas. A banner TV day for her. Kathleen and Noah stopped over on their way home from the party to drop off her goodie bag, and Noah had made a picture for her while he was there. That cheered her up a good bit. Plus in the goodie bag was a snowman kit: two marshmallows, several pretzel sticks, gumdrops, raisins, and a chocolate kiss for the hat. She put it together rather quickly, and ate it rather quickly as well.

By tonight her temp was down, so hopefully, she is on the mend. It is my goal to actually make it to Mass this Christmas Eve. It seems every year, one of us is sick. We haven't been to Mass on Christmas since Sophie was 15 ms old. Keep your fingers crossed!

Monday, December 18, 2006

Out-takes and other things


I thought I would post some photos of the shots that didn't make it into our Christmas card. Actually, after the photo is over and done with is a great time to get candids. The kids are dressed, and pretty silly after having to sit still for so long. One of my favorite shots of my own family is all 8 (sorry Mike, you hadn't arrived yet) of us on the couch, in our pajamas. In the next picture, we are all in a big heap on the floor. I will have to see if Mom can dig it up, I would love to post it here.

We have been getting into the Christmas spirit. Sophie is done with school till January 8...yes, 3 whole weeks off of school! But it does allow us to do some fun stuff during the day. Today after dance she went to Helen's house to bake cookies with several other girls. I wasn't able to attend, but she told me they had a great time, and even managed to bring some cookies home with her. Tomorrow we are going to Lenox to ride the Pink Pig. This will be our first time taking part in this Atlanta tradition. Terry is able to come with us, so Mike and Emily will be going too. Then on Friday her friend Elizabeth is having a pj party (during the day) for her school friends. It is a drop off party, so I am looking forward to that....it will give me a chance to get some things wrapped.

Terry and I had a date night on Saturday afternoon/evening. We went down to Atlantic station and watched the snow, among other things. I had been to Ikea when it first opened, but none of the other shops had opened at that point. Now everything is open. It is really neat complex, lots of shops and restaurants, a luxury hotel and plenty of apartments and lofts. We did walk from Atlantic Station to Ikea. That was really the only store we shopped in. It is always interesting to check out their kitchens and other room displays. Even if you are not in the market, and we are not, it is good to get new ideas. We had dinner at Copeland's, and I ended up getting a free crab cake when the waiter brought the dinner portion instead of the appetizer portion that I had ordered. It made for a nice lunch the next day.

So that's about it for now from the Goulds.....here are the photos......






Thursday, December 14, 2006

Two Princesses

Here is a photo of Sophie at her preschool's Thanksgiving Feast. She was given the name of "Princess Sunflower" on her headress. And that necklace she is wearing barely made it home in the car; it was made out of Froot Loops.
Emily got her first haircut right before Thanksgiving; I had to get rid of the baby mullet. She did great, was very excited to sit on my lap, and never flinched. Stuart gave me the first clipping of her hair....I now realize it is somewhere in my purse, wrapped in a tissue....

Giving Thanks

Those of you who know us personally know that this has been a tough year for our little family, to say the least. Things are finally turning around, and for this we are grateful. While we look forward to 2007, we take with us the lessons learned in 2006. Thanks to all of you who helped and supported us with your love and prayers during this past year. Thanksgiving had a special meaning for us this year. Here are my favorite photos of the day.




Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Now I Know Why

Dr Harrison asks at every well visit, "Do you have the number for Poison Control posted?"

Tonight after they ate dinner, I put Michael and Emily in the family room to play. The room is safe for them...or so I thought. One of their favorite things to do is to get up on the fireplace hearth. We have the edges padded, and they are good about navigating the step down, but still, when I catch them, I remove them. I went into the laundry room to check on a load of wash, and when I got back to the family room, here is what I saw: Both of them on the hearth, the screen that is screwed into the brick had been removed just enough for Michael to get in and scoop up a handful of granite. Our fireplace is gas (fake logs) and there is granite and some other material on the bottom of it. I didn't see him eat it, but his mouth was dirty. After sending Sophie outside to get Terry, who was mowing the lawn, I put Emily in the playpen and took Michael into the kitchen to wash his mouth out.

Terry came in and cleaned up the mess, and I calmly looked up the number for Poison Control. In case you ever need it, it is 1-800-222-1222. The woman who answered was very reasurring, telling me this happens all the time, and the material isn't toxic. She advised me to give him something to drink, and keep an eye on him for further symptoms.

He is fine, and is now fast asleep. And the number for Poison Control is posted inside the kitchen cabinet, right next to the fever thresholds, and Tylenol/Motrin dosages. And at the 15 month visit, I won't have to glibly lie when Dr. Harrison asks me once again, "And you have the number for Poison Control posted, right?"