Two Eventflul Weeks

We've had two very eventful weeks. It all started when I took DS to the doctor for his 18 month check-up on Monday, March 16.

Growth Chart measures are as follows:
Length: 35 in, 95th percentile
Weight: 29 lbs 7 oz., 85th percentile
Head Circumference: 18 1/2 in, 40th percentile

He got a few shots, then threw up that night. Naturally, I assumed the shots were what did it and we went about our merry business. Two nights later, I changed my mind when all three of us were up sick most of the night. It wasn't pretty. A few days later, we started getting our appetites back and were looking forward to our Spring Break trip to Vancouver, BC.

Last Saturday, we took a break and headed over to DH's work where fans were rallying in support of the women's basketball team who was playing in the National Championship. The game was about 2000 miles away, but it was just as exciting to watch it on TV with a room full of fans. It was a good game and they won!! They flew home the next day and we went out to the main street as they rode in limousines and were escorted by the fire department and police department into town. Now DS claps every time he sees a police car or fire truck with lights flashing and sirens on.

On Monday, March 23, we headed up to Vancouver with some friends who have a son about 1 month older than DS. It was about a 6 hour drive, not counting stops to eat, get gas, and wait in line to cross the border into Canada. DS didn't sleep much, so he was pretty restless when we got there. Hoping to not spend too much on our little trip, we had made reservations to stay at a hostel. Hostels are different from hotels. They are much less expensive and they encourage interaction amongst the guests. This, in itself, would have been fine. However, there was a pub downstairs and we called them when we made reservations to see if the noise would be a problem for our children trying to sleep. They instructed us to email them and request a top floor room so we would be the furthest away from the noise and it wouldn't be a problem. When we got there, our assigned room, despite the no smoking policy, stank of smoke. DH seems to be extra sensitive to that as he has been known to end up sick in such circumstances. So, after requesting another room and being informed that the hostel was completely booked for that night but they could get us a different room for the second night, our dear friends suggested that we switch rooms. We also came to find that this room also shared the same wall as the pub downstairs, so despite being on the fourth floor, our friends could hear the music from the pub loud and clear until 3:00 am. They had barely slept. So, Tuesday morning we headed out to the park for some fresh air. It was cold and wet, though, and it didn't last long. After some lunch and some really great naps, we were all feeling a little better and ready for an adventure. We met up with a friend of our friends, who lives in Vancouver and he showed us around a little. We went for a ride on a small ferry boat, which DS and his buddy enjoyed. Then, we explored some of the local markets and finished the evening with dinner at a really good Indian Restaurant. Our second night was a little better as our friends had been able to move into a room that was further from the music and we all got a decent night of sleep. Wednesday morning was sunny so we went back to the park for some photo ops before heading south. On the way home, our friends' son decided to get sick and he emptied his stomach a few times, which meant we had to make a few "clean-up" stops. It was a bit of an exhausting trip and we were glad to be home, but I have to say that I would do it all over again. I suppose what makes adventures real adventures is both the good and the bad.

We spent a couple days to recover and awoke this morning, Sunday morning, ready to head to church. Today, DS is 19 months old! And to celebrate, DS decided to stick a soy nut up his nose during breakfast. I turned around and he had his finger up his nose. Shining a flashlight where I shouldn't have to shine it revealed that he indeed had been exploring with small objects in small places. Off to Urgent Care we went where the doctor did wonders with a pair of forceps. Naturally, DS was not amused. I held his head and his arms while DH held his feet. Note to self: Don't take my eyes off of my son while he is eating soy nuts.... Then the doctor was nice and gave him a pop-sickle, which made things all better.

PS. Most of these pics are from our Vancouver Trip. I figured you didn't want to see pictures of our doctor visit this morning....

God Answers Prayer

I had an important interview a couple weeks ago. It was for graduate school--for a Doctorate of Psychology (PsyD) program to start this fall. The interview lasted all day and I had the opportunity to meet other PsyD candidates. We toured the campus and the health clinic, sat in on some classes, had breakfast and lunch, had a coffee hour with current students, and had individual interviews--not in that order. I was pretty nervous and when I get nervous, I talk fast and don't feel like I think straight. So, there were definitely questions in my individual interview that I didn't think I answered very well. The rest of the day was fun, though. At the end of the day, one of the professors led a short devotional and his ultimate message was this, "Pray for the admissions committee. We are praying for you and trusting that God will bring together the right group of students for next year's group. You are all qualified to come. If it is God's will that you are here, you will be here." At that moment, all of my worries of not performing well enough in my interview faded.

The next day, I left to go to the coast for a weekend retreat with a friend's church. It was well-timed for me, not that they had specifically planned it that way. It was the perfect time to get away from my busy life. On Sunday morning, I walked out to the beach since I had only seen it in the dark up to that point in the weekend...we had some sessions scheduled at different times, but we had been able to take walks on the beach after dark--the beach is quite mysterious after dark! Anyway, on Sunday morning, it was raining a little, but it wasn't far and I love the ocean. When I got there, God gave me a rainbow. It was the brightest rainbow I had ever seen and I do believe it is only the second time I have ever seen a complete one--where both ends stretch to the ground. I had my camera so I took pictures, but they just don't do it justice.

DS stayed home with DH for the weekend. It was the longest I have been away since he was born. It was a little hard. But, when I called home on Saturday morning, DH put me on speakerphone and this is what I heard:

"Noah, who's on the phone?"
"Daddy!"
"No, I'm Daddy. Who's on the phone?"
"Daddy!"
"No, I'm Daddy! Who's on the phone?
"Mommy! Hi!"
"That's right. That's Mommy."
"Bye!"

Apparently, they were doing just fine without me. :)

The next couple weeks I waited...for the ultimate phone call, the one that would offer me a spot in the program for the fall. I prayed a lot. And, I would be lying if I didn't say that with each day that passed and I didn't receive the call I got a little more discouraged. "Maybe it isn't God's will for me this year after all," I began to wonder. About three days ago, I had a heart-to-heart chat with God, once again, asking for an answer and I heard, "YES!" then silence. "Um, God, was that you?" I questioned. Thankfully, he is so patient and puts up with my incessant ridiculousness. First I ask for an answer, then I get an answer, then I question the answer....

Well, today I got the call!! Mike had come home for lunch and was sitting at the table when my phone rang. Not a minute before, I had been thinking, "Will today be the day?" And when the phone rang, I thought, "Well, it can't be Mike calling me this time because he is sitting at the table eating lunch." Sure enough, it was the admissions office. First, she asked me about my phone number that she had in the system. Apparently, my Pennsylvania number that I haven't had for over a year was still listed as my preferred number. She did a great job at making me think that was the only reason she was calling. I think she was enjoying keeping me in suspense. Then, she said, "Well, I also was calling to let you know that the admissions committee has reviewed your application and they would like to offer you a position in the program to begin this fall..." And the sun is shining brightly today...what a beautiful day this is!!!

Now, all I have to do is send them a letter to accept the offer and pay a $500 deposit to confirm my acceptance. I suppose that will be one of my easier assignments that I will have in the next five years... :)