Three Things

Three things that have impacted my life in the last 24 hours:

1. Barack Obama's inauguration. Of obvious historic importance, the ceremony/event was quite exciting to watch. Mason, Smith and I clapped and cheered as Obama was introduced and then sworn in. His speech was eloquent, passionate, and well-delivered...an effective pep talk to the nation. I thought Rick Warren's prayer was genuine and humble. All the press leading up to moment was filled with ridiculous comments about Warren's views on same-sex marriage and abortion...as if everyone in Obama's circle has the exact same views on every issue as him. (I'm so sick of the press lately!)
   
2. After the inauguration, the boys and I loaded into the van to run some errands. Walking to the van with Smith in my arms, we witnessed a hawk (or some other large bird of prey) standing atop and eating one of our neighbor's dead chickens, that we can only assume he also killed. Not as historic as the inauguration, but definitely seared in my memory...disturbing.
   
3. This YouTube clip. I googled "hbac" (home birth after C-section) and landed on this. It really empowered me and encouraged me to research hospital-alternatives for the birth of our next child. At Bozeman Deaconess I would be required to deliver via C-section and I really don't want to have another major surgery if it's not necessary. I don't think I'm up for a home birth (although I applaud those who have done it/are planning on doing it) but I'm seriously considering the Bozeman Birthing Center, where I will be cared for by a CNM (certified nurse midwife). Anyway, I thought it was worth sharing.

(Warning: This is a clip of birth. It doesn't get too graphic but it's birth, people. Just keep that in mind.)



**Check out Joy's blog for more info about elective C-section. Thanks, Joy!

Simple math

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A simple little equation for y'all. Many of you already know, but this is our public announcement. Get ready world, another Schuyler will be entering the world Sept 2009!

Never a dull moment...

A few weeks ago, I noticed a sewage-y smell in the guest bathroom...and the cause isn't as obvious as you're thinking it is. It seemed to come and go - sometimes I noticed it while doing laundry (the laundry closet is located in the bathroom) and sometimes I smelled it while giving the boys a bath and sometimes I couldn't smell it at all. No matter, smelling "poo" when there's none to be found is a bad sign.

Matt decided today was a good day to sniff out the culprit...forgive the poor pun. After demolishing a small portion of tile, the odor grew in strength and lost its mystery...soggy tile + soggy grout + soggy sub-floor = nasty smell and bad news. By the end of the day, all the tile/grout/backer had been scraped up, the washing/dryer machines moved into the guest room, and the leaky pipe causing the problem located. Awesome. So we will be replacing the pipe and the floor. Awesome. Sigh...

Ewww.

To escape the smell/noise/mess, I took the boys to Burger King to play on the indoor playground and eat lunch (and when I say lunch, I mean ketchup sucked off french fries).

Amos-Moses is very helpful. Here he is helping Dad scrape the floor with his play screw driver.

Here he is measuring the wall with his ruler...very helpful.

****Flashback to a better day...New Year's Eve:

l t0 r: Naomi, Peter, Sara, Sam and Matt. We had the luxury of enjoying New Year's without all the little ones.

Naomi and Josh impersonating Marlon Brando...N didn't know who he was, hence her lack of action. We talked the boys into playing Cranium.

Me, Sara, Rebecca.

Happy Weekend!