Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Wednesday's Word

Scheme, noun. A large-scale systematic plan for attaining some particular object.

Emeline's usage: Holden and his evil schemes.

When I heard her say it, I couldn't believe that she actually knew the word. I figured she just heard it on TV and was repeating it. So I questioned her as to what a scheme was and to my surprise she answered me correctly. "A plan", she said. Exactly! And she hit the nail on the head in reference to Holden. He always cooking something up to get her goat.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Wednesday's Word

Hideous, adjective. Ugly or disgusting to look at.

Emeline's usage: Excerpt of a conversation she and I had.

"Where did you get that
hideous rug?", she says with disgust.

"Wal-mart", I reply.

"Uhh, where are you going to put it?"

"Right there where it is."

"Uhh, ok", she says with all the attitude of a pre-teen and an obvious roll of her baby blues.

Guess I should have gotten one with glitter or Hannah Montana's face on it.

Friday, July 4, 2008

Friday's Fact: Push-Up

Either this fact is going to make you feel really good about yourself or really bad.

I remember with much disdain physical the fitness tests of P.E. class. Pull-ups, sit-ups and push-ups. Ugh! Couldn't we just play kick ball? Turns out those basic calisthenics are a good way to get into shape and a good indicator of what kind of shape you are in.

The typical sit-ups have been ditched by most in the field of fitness in exchange for crunches or balancing poses that work your core. On the other hand, push-ups are still widely regarded as a symbol of good physical fitness. Turns out they are very telling in your overall health. Since all of your muscles are involved in completing a push up it is the best way to tell how strong you are. And since you are lifting your body weight the more you can do at one time can be a good indication of your endurance and stamina as well.

So can you do push ups? How many?

National average says that a 40-year old woman should be able to do 16. That's not a type-o... 1-6... sixteen. A 40-year old man? He should be able to do 27.

There's a Friday Fact to motivate you. Now drop and give me 20!

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Terrific Twos!

Owen turned two on June 21st... the first day of summer. Wow! It doesn't seem possible that it's been two years since we brought him home and he was the center of attention for five minutes.

When I look back on that day I see Holden and Emeline waiting on the front porch for our arrival. They looked like they were about to come out of their skin they were so excited. Each of them wanted to hold him right away, as if holding him at home was somehow different than holding him in the hospital. Owen was blissfully unaware of the excitement. He was so patient with being manhandled by a couple clumsy of kids. He willingly accepted all the of kisses, pats, and pokes they dished out that Friday afternoon.

It's a different story these days. Usually, Holden and Emeline are pushing Owen away rather than seeking him out. And Owen isn't loving all the love Emeline gives. These days his response is "Emmmmmeeee!" accompanied by a quick shove. He's into the typical two-year old things... exploring, climbing, destroying... so it makes for some tense sibling moments. But all that of is to be expected.

What I did not expect when we brought Owen home was how wonderfully he would round out our little family. His arrival defined Emeline's role as big sister and made her really shine as a caregiver. Holden more fully assumed the role as big brother because suddenly it was a more interesting job. They both became more independent and less needy of mom and dad.

Owen has also brought a light-hearted joy to our house. Holden is Mr. Serious. Emeline is Miss Drama. Owen is a goof ball (a smart, well-coordinated, quick-thinking one, but still a clown). He's earned the nickname "Dennis"... you can guess why.

As far as development goes, Owen is ahead of schedule. He's taken up potty training all on his own. I haven't changed a stinky diaper in about 3 weeks! His speech is really clear and his vocabulary is astounding at times. At his two-year check up he weighed almost 29 lbs. and he's 33 inches tall. That puts his weight in the 25th percentile and height in 50th percentile. His head circumference? In the 75th percentile! Geez! I knew from the second that kid was born that he had the biggest head of the three!

Ben and I often catch ourselves just staring and smiling at him and saying how we wish he didn't have to grow up. But he does. They all do. And each stage brings a new, exciting bunch of twist and turns. We are in for a terrific ride with Owen!

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Wednesday's Word

Illegal, adjective. Contrary to or forbidden by law.

Emeline's usage: Is it illegal to fake an injury?

I had a hard time deciding between illegal and injury for this one. Apparently she had seen a television show where the person faked an injury in order to sue a business. She knew this was wrong, but wondered how wrong.