Things Fall Apart...

Chinua Achebe wrote "Things Fall Apart" and that's certainly true when you find out that the only thing holding your world together is a thin strand of Christmas lights. When Chris unwrapped the Christmas lights from the front porch yesterday, the railing crumbled. Wish I would have been there when he fell into the bushes ;-) Better Chris than our little toddler-rocket...

Speaking of the toddler rocket -- we had her back to the doctor yesterday. She was diagnosed with yet another ear infection and another bout of bronculitis. We're moving away from the nebulizer and starting her on two different medications administered through an infant inhaler. She's also starting another antibiotic. We're going to see the ear, nose and throat specialist in two weeks to see about having tubes put in... wish us luck!

Oh, and Pa... COME FIX MY HOUSE!!!!!

The Court Jester

The jester was not in a good mood this AM. Probably the result of her continued misconception that 4 AM is a reasonable time to wake up and start her day. It's been just about a week now of Roo waking up six to eight times throughout the night and then deciding to just stay awake around 4 AM. Chris and I, both seriously lacking sleep, can at least laugh at her in this hat.

We both have ears!

Quote of the day: "RooBear, we can show Simon we love him without hurting him."

Rylee made an amazing discovery this morning. She discovered that both she and Simon have ears. Of course, she tested her theory by repeatedly sticking her finger deep into his ear canal and then her own. It was a real Aha! moment, and she was extremely proud of herself.

Chris is concerned about future experiments on Simon, while I am concerned that both she and Simon will come down with some sort of shared infection from this experiment. I can already see four figure bills from both Rylee's pediatrician and Simon's vet.

BTW: Speaking of Rylee's pediatrician, we went for our follow up visit yesterday, and Roo needs to continue taking the breathing treatments.

New Sleigh!

Dear Aunt Joanie and Uncle Neal,

Thank you soooo much for my new sleigh! I wasn't too sure at first, because I wasn't sure if Daddy had the requisite snow-pulling experience; but, he quickly proved himself, and I ended up enjoying my first (of no-doubt many) sleigh rides! Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!!!!

Love, Roo

Sick Family Taking a Toll

A sick husband and daughter are taking a toll on Gerbergal's ability to update her blog... soooo sorry to my loyal readers! I hope these pics help make the lull a little easier...

Sick RooBear

Just in time for Christmas, RooBear is sick. She's was so pathetic last night. After she threw up her dinner, she got a little spurt of energy. She crawled over her father and up on top of the dog, where she promptly laid her head back down to sleep... ah... peace on earth! (Thank you, Simon. You're really surprising the hell out of us!!)

Thank you, Mamagerbs ~ for answering the Grandma Signal yesterday morning. Not only did my terrific mother-in-law answer the telephone at 6:45 AM, but she jumped in the car and rushed over to cuddle the sick baby. We're sooooo lucky to have Mamagerbs in our lives. BIG HUGS!

Gerber Christmas

The snowy winter weather couldn't dampen our Christmas with the Gerbers and Donlons! Rylee had fun playing with her cousins, opening her presents and eating Gamma's delicious ravioli! Although, we have to admit that the ravioli would have been better had it been bagged ravioli instead of homemade... at least it was square!

Story Update 2

The week has been anything but relaxing for Rylee's Daddy. Now the rumors are flying...

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20091217/NEWS/91217058

Story Update

Click here to visit Channel 7 News New York for the latest in the Bridgewater H.S. Threat. School back in session today.

Thank You!

Since I have no hand to shake, I'd like to send a great big virtual bear hug to the anonymous teenager who "ratted out" his/her classmate on Thursday and thus thwarted a possible "columbine"-like attack at my husband's high school. Two students have since been arrested and charged with attempted murder and a slew of other charges.

Rylee and I are fortunate that said anonymous teenager had the courage to speak up and act in such a heroic manner. The school cancelled classes on Friday in order for the police and FBI to search the school. Although the school was found to be safe, an arsenal of weapons and bomb making materials were found at the suspects' houses -- in fact, the second, older suspect, was discovered to be a competitive shooter.

Rylee and I spent the weekend hugging her Daddy -- fully aware of how lucky we are to have him, and how empty our lives would be without him. Chris has promised to text us 1,000,000 throughout the day tomorrow -- the day that the attack was supposed to take place. And, thankfully, the school will have a heavy police presence throughout the day.

Please send positive thoughts and prayers to the students and staff at Bridgewater High School who are sure to have an emotional day in store for them tomorrow (Monday).

For more info -- check out the story on the local news.

Baby Sherpa

Christopher is proud to announce that his 10-month-old baby sherpa ascended the stairs at Mt. Grandview last night in an alpine-style, unassisted, free-climb. She had no fear and didn't need her pops to belay. Her daddy couldn't be more proud of her. No doubt she'll be the youngest female climber to summit Everest!

In all seriousness, not to brag, but most children require some sort of instruction and/or practice before successfully, and quickly, climbing 18 stairs... Rylee thinks it's funny! She LITERALLY laughs in the face of danger!!!

Kicking the Crap out of the Tooth Fairy Works!

Ok... so Chris and I may have had the tooth fairy gagged in the corner, slapping the sh#t out of her, but she FINALLY granted Roo that tooth she's been after. Now, we're breaking out the T-Bones for Christmas dinner -- I'll make myself some tofurkey or something, but for some reason, Rylee just looks like a carnivore. She's got too much of her Dad in her. If I made her a nice piece of white meat, she'd probably spit it out and throw it at me. The girl has attitude. Not sure where it came from... but definite attitude. Gotta' go, Chris and I are planning a strategic assault on Santa... we have to figure out how to flank the elves and get past donner.