What a week! Three ear infections and one stomach virus. Only Vicki has made it through the last seven days unscathed. I wish I could have had an ear infection. (Now that I am over my bug I can try to get back into my routine.)
BABY'S FIRST STEPS! That's right! Nate has let go and taken a few steps. He performed this little trick for Pauline the other day as he was cruising around her couch. At one point he let go of the couch, took two steps, grabbed the couch, and let go again for one more step. He has since demonstrated his new skill for Vicki but I have yet to see it.
DOCTORS AND MEDICINES. About our ear infections. Nate's was the first to be diagnosed. They discovered it during his one year checkup. While Vicki was with Nate at the doctor's office (and not available) Jenna's school nurse calls me and tells me she suspects Jenna's ear is infected. So, I take her to see the doctor. After waiting about three hours to see the doctor Jenna says, "Daddy, you're not as much fun to wait with as Mommy is." Ben's ear infection was discovered a day or two later which made him very happy. He was the only one not getting the pink, bubble gum flavored medicine.
A NEW BOOK. The other day I was halfway listening to Jenna as she was in another room working on some little project. I could tell she was really into her work but I didn't pay it a whole lot of attention. Some time later she comes in to show Vicki and me her book. It was a little 5 page deal complete with pictures, text about her family, and page numbers. As she read it to us we could pick up on what her text meant (e.g. "br" for brother, "fmle" for family, "str" for sister).
IT'S DEAD, JIM. That was not what I wanted to discover about the van even once this weekend. Especially when my truck is in the shop having a new flywheel put on. However, Ben didn't close the door on the van properly. With 8 interior lights it doesn't take very long to drain the battery.
Then there was this morning. We are all ready for church and buckled in the van. When I turn the key...nothing. Vicki had left the interior lights on after unloading from a shopping trip yesterday evening. A call to the church brought a good Samaritan our way.
(Incidentally, Dr. McCoy of Star Trek, who is famous for saying, "He's dead, Jim," never said that line to Captain Kirk.)
HOLD YOUR NOSE. When I came out of the house one morning this week I spotted some roadkill right in front of the mailbox. I was happy to discover a dead groundhog laying there.
We are counting our blessings about our skunk problems though. One lady we go to church with really has it rough. The best her son can figure is that a skunk was walking by her HVAC unit at the moment her thermostat turned the heat on. This must have startled the animal and caused it to spray down the unit. Now the odor has permeated her house and everything in it.
Joe
