The best Christmas present ever

I love Christmas time. My husband not so much. It seems that bad memories have overtaken his good one. We all have bad ones I am sure. Sometimes life just isn't fair. But for the last several years in my recollection; I have been very happy, content. Mostly because of the life I have made with my husband, and of coarse the boy, the dude, THE FLOYDINATOR!

This Christmas we got the greatest gift we could have hoped for...Floyd not requiring surgery on his kidney (See post from January 2008 for full details). He did have to go through a few tests to assure that he was cured, but he handled the vesicourethrogram like a champ.
Last Christmas was memorable for Floyd too. A new little spirit in our world. It was also memorable for our furnace konking out on Christmas Eve.

2006 Was memorable for Food Poisoning that was cured by my mom's stash of opium.

2005 Was my 30th year. We had a raging Karaoke birthday party.

2004 Intern Year Blues. The year of the Tsunami.

2003 my First Christmas as Dr. Mrs Dr. Bob Jones. I was so grateful for a quiet Christmas Eve with Rob watching the first

2002 Christmas in North Carolina.

Christmas 1982

Some of the best memories involve writing up Christmas lists on a daily basis with my best friend Jeffrey Rasmussen. We would rifle through the JC Penney catalog and decide what we both needed. We would call each other Christmas morning every year to tell of our score of gifts. One year we both got orange Nash skateboards. I still have the only gift I ever peaked on, a digital clock radio that Rob hates.

Christmas 1989

My mom worked hard to develop lasting memories and Christmas eve traditions, mostly centered around Christmas eve. She asked that Magan, Matt, and I write a Christmas story every year. Magan always had short simple morality tales, mine we always overly contemplative and allegorical, while Matt's were always about insects and warfare. "Christmas in Nam" was one of my personal Matt favorites.

Now with our traditional nontraditional family we have Christmas eve dinner, play some scrabble, get some pajamas, scream about Chistmas Monkeys, and sing-a-long with Amy Grant and Anne Murray Christmas albums. Literally albums, we crack out the record player baby.

All though its been said many times, many ways, Merry Christmas.

the reason why bangs will never grace this head again.

I am sure we all have had bad hair moments. I am just secure enough to place mine in cyberspace. Dare you!

Aloha!

Well we had an amazing trip thanks to my dad and stepmom. We made it to Kauai on Saturday the 29th. Floyd survived the flight without much trouble. Well he has learned to vocalize quiet loudly actually, even scream just for fun, while on the plane and at dinner, which made for some added adventure. After a quick trip to Costco after getting off the plane, loading up on steak, shrimp, and bread, we had a little cook out that night. The next day we spent on the beach. FLoyd got reacquainted with the water very quickly...he loves it. We put him down in the sand about 20 yards from the beach break. He was digging in the sand, eating it, pointing at the ocean, smiling; then the rogue wave hit. It knocked him over. I am sure he felt that he was going to get washed out to see, but I was right next to him. He came up with a face and ears full of sand, but did not cry a bit. After that he stuck to the pool.

Rob and I were able to do some scuba diving thanks to our babysitters! We saw a bunch of sea turtles, eel, and colorful fish.

We toured the island with Mary's guide book, hitting all the best spots: Waimea, Jo Jo's shaved Ice, Kilaea Light House, and the North Shore. There was a huge swell while we were there, wave up to 2o feet. We watched some surfers being towed-in by jetski into the big waves.

Floyd loved cruising the island in the convertible. Mary thankfully had a bandana to help him look tough even though he was sporting a binkey.

Our last big adventure was a helicopter ride around the island. We finally were able to see the Napali coast after several failed attempts on this trip and the previous trip to Kauai. It was beautiful!

Mahalo!

We made it to Kauai without incident. Luckily we scored a empty row on the way over which allowed to dude to stretch it out! We have hit the beach, and done some scuba diving.

1 year and Counting

My little boy is all grown up! It seems like only yesterday he was learning to hold his head up, and now he is walking and need to learn to protect his head again.
We had a great birthday party with all of the Dude's peeps. Mom's cupcakes were a hit, I hear.
In honor of Mugs -my sister- I made Floyd a hat. I even bought sparkle paint. It said "The Dude Hits the Big #1." He was overwhelmed with all the people and gifts. But the best present was dads....200 ping pong balls in a box!

the Dude hits the Big #1

Yep, I busted it all domestic and ...... I was "guilted" into making cupcakes from my family. I thought about buying gourmet minicupcakes, but then reconsidered after I realized it would cost the same amount as a wedding cake. So instead I made Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cupcakes with cream cheese and chocolate icing. Not bad eh? Who knew I had it in me. All of this in preparations for a birthday bash on Friday night. All are welcome. Let me know and I will give you the deets.  You  will be able to see the walkin'man ..."burning out his fuse out there alone."

Early Morning Phone Calls......

I have found that it is never a good thing when the phone rings early in the morning. This last Saturday was no exception. My sister called to tell me that my grandpa had died during the night. My Grandpa was 84 years old, and a wonderful man. These last few days the whole family gathered to share memories and the many one-liners my grandpa had for every occasion. My favorite was "If I was feeling any better, I would have to take something for it." 

I spent almost everyday in the summertime at my Grandpa's house. We would swim and run in and out of the house for frozen snickers bars and coke.  He would take us out to his shop and build us boats to float in the pool. 

Grandpa always had a smile on his face. I never saw him angry. Every time I saw him he would share the same stories again and again about how much our grandma loved us, and about how Grandma never hated anyone except for Mr MacGregor because he was so mean to Peter Rabbit. 

I remember christmas at grandpa, he  would nail the tree to the floor so it would not fall over. I loved watching him make a fire. He loved to sit in his yellow leather chair and watch all of us in the swimming pool.

My dad gave a life sketch for my grandpa during the funeral, and his closing will stay with me forever..."dad, it seems like I never said I love you near enough." 

Floydster and Margot up to no good.

Yuck Mouth

I couldn't sleep last weekend. It could have been that Floyd was kicking me in the face, or the fact that Rob was out of town, or maybe it was the sharp pain radiating from my upper teeth. I started convincing myself that I had an abscess cooking in my face, and would require emergency dental work, you know, worse case scenario type stuff. I made it into the dentist on Monday afternoon, and a grim future of expensive painful dental work was painted for me...can't wait.
 

Boise

We made it up to Boise to see Mugs and the G's over the weekend to celebrate October birthdays and Halloween. The Dude tested out is Yoda outfit at the neighborhood Halloween Carnival. He was a hit, but Grant took the cake with his deadpan impersonation of John McCain.

North Carolina

From the top left:
1. Mom and Floyd outside grammy's house.
2. Floyd and Grammy in the flowers.
3. The dude in the flowers
4. Shout out to Erin, my best friend, who is moving to Boston today.
5. Grampie Eddie
6. Rob's breakfast. We ate with members of the Christian motorcycle asssociation.
7. The boy at breakfast, he ate pancakes and peaches.
8. The leaves in Damascas Virginia.
9. Rob and the boy.
10. Floyd crached on Gammy's floor.
11. The boys with Grampy Jones' horse.
12. Floyd and Grammy Leslie.

Fast trip! But worth it in oh so many ways! Next weekend Boise!

Oktoberfest

Its time to celebrate! The backyard is nearly finished. We kicked off the fall with a little Oktoberfest party to test out the new digs. It rained. 
Sunday we loaded up the family unit and went for a ride. We road the tandem with Floyd in tow.

Good Vibrations

Happy trails

Flea Bag!

Well we made it to San Diego and had a good time. We were able to see some old friends, have some nice meals, a few massages, and hit the beach. Floyd loved the beach and wanted to follow dad into the ocean. 
Our last day we were able to hit the Zoo. Floyd loved it, but I believe he preferred people watching to the animals. We made it home Sunday night without incident at the airport. Monday night I noticed a few small red spots on the dude's belly. I thought they were scratches or something because the boy could use a manicure. Tuesday morning the same thing. I got him ready for school and that was that. A few hours into my work day I got a call from Floyd's school, reporting that they noticed some red spots on his belly. I told them I had seen them but rationalized that perhaps they could be bites of some kind as we had been to the beach a few days before. As if acknowledging that your child may have fleas is a normal thing. I had to work late that night, so when I came home the dude was already asleep in his frog jammies. The next morning when I was getting ready it was obvious that the rash was worse. Again my first thought was sand fleas, there was an infestation in floyd's crib or something. I snapped a few photos and sent them to my dad.  FLoyd had been on antibiotics for an ear infection for about 1 week. Turns out after a trip to the doctor, he is allergic to penicillin. I guess that is better than fleas right?

I need a vacation

After a long summer studying, the boards are over. Floyd and I were both worn out. Hopefully they went well. I felt good about them, but when you are a few hours out, nice and relaxed, you suddenly remember the correct answer that had you banging your head and contorting in you seat over. I hate that.

Wednesday we set out on a vacation of sorts... presenting my research in San Diego. The trip got of to an ominous start. We rushed to the airport, running a lot late. We park the car, run in to check in and the little "kiosk's" cannot find record of our reservations. Turns out my information packet with our reservations actually had the wrong information. Our flight had been rescheduled to an hour earlier. Awesome! So they put us on stand bye for the next one. Okay so what else can go wrong?

We get to security, have to disrobe; belts, shoes, any liquids, blah blah. People were rushing rob through which caused him to leave his belt on the first time through. Then earphones in his pockets the second time through. Meanwhile I am on the other side, holding the dude in one hand and trying to re-assemble his stroller/carseat one handed while trying to keep up my pants too. Oh and I was barefoot.  We walk out to our terminal which was literally terminal - E71. But then the terminal had been moved to E61. Meanwhile we here "Robert Jones please return to security in terminal 2." How many Rob Jones are they. It couldn't be rob rob right? Uh yeah, the dude left his computer at security. So he runs back. I wait with the dude and our carry-ons. Then I hear my name over the loud speaker, and somehow I had dropped my driver's license. Sheesh! what else?

Well, nothing, we made it on to the plane, made it to dinner with our friends in Del Mar, and arrived at the posh little hotel recently remodeled and redecorated by Barclay Butera! -(cousin for the uninformed)

all filled up here

I am about done! I may have peaked too early, but my brain is so full-up with info about photons, xrays, gamma rays, and random radiology facts it is hard to sleep. Floyd is getting real smart by sucking off of his mom. Boards are on 8th and 9th!

Cutting teeth

We knew they were coming...he has been drooling for months. They were not here this morning. But by 5 pm they had peeked there way through the gums. How did I discover the change you ask. Well lets just say his teeth are sharp...this may me a deal breaker for the breastfeeding Dude.

The haps

I have had my nose to the books for the last few weeks, with Rob breathing down my neck to study. He of course left town for a weekend with his buddies which makes studying a little difficult. Seeing as I had to entertain the dude. Rob left the morning Floyd decided to puke his Sweet potato and apple breakfast all over with me. Rob was just waiting for me to drop the hammer and put the brakes on his boys-weekend, but I let him go. I did my best to study with Floyd in one arm, holding him at arms length from my desk so he did not pound on the computer keyboard. We went on a 30 mile bike ride together- he did great in the trailer. And we took a walk to see "Little-big-Joe-Cooley." This is their 8 month photo. They are both 9 months old now. 

FAILED

FAILED

I got a letter in the mail about one year ago that said that. FAILED - in big black bold letters. I had failed my physics board exams. It was shocking. It sounds cliche, but I had never really failed anything before. Sure there have been let downs in the passed, but never something so absolute as failure. Rob insisted it was a mistake. I was devastated, I cried the whole night. I awoke the next morning and decided that no one had to know. It would be my own silent plight. Upon arriving to work, I learned quickly that I was not alone in this shortcoming. Though sad for the others, I was glad I wasn't alone. 

It is this failure and the knowledge that I had to retake the test again this September that has been haunting me all year. It was this failure that made it necessary for me to leave my son for the first time since he was born. On the 5th, I left for Davis, California for an intensive physics review coarse at the U of California:Davis.  It was a difficult trip for many reasons, not the least of which was leaving home without my boy. Not to mention the anxiety that comes with being bombarded with detailed and extensive information that I have to understand thoroughly by september 8th. 

Rob and FLoyd survived with much help from my mom and Paul. Floyd even had to have a sleepover at grammies house because was Rob was on call over night. I left 4 pages of instructions with checklists to make sure nothing was left to chance.  

I don't want to do any of it again, failing, leaving, physics......

Sun Valley '08'

We made it back to Sun Valley after a one year hiatus-thanks to Floyd. We arrived thursday night to our sweet digs. What is it about time-shares and really bad southwestern design? Floyd had a hard day in the car seat so had to visit the spa in the kitchen sink the night we got there. The next morning the good times began.
We caught Floyd and Olivia Jones "playing" together. Notice the surprised and coy looks, the hand holding, and Floyd's pants under her head. This is what happens when the mom's are away. Rachel and I went for a 35 mile ride Friday morning while the boys waited for the Baldwins to arrive so that Eric, Rob, and Josh could go on an "epic" bike ride.
The girls and the kidlets headed to the pool where we ran into the famous traveler el Margot Zollinger. Floyd loaned her some swim wear for her first dip.
The kids played well together, especially Gracie and Conner who got into role playing games of Mommie and Daddy.  Grant was of course the voice of reason.
The trip was based solely on biking. We all brought mountain bikes, road bikes, kiddie bikes, bike trailers, etc, etc.  And we road them too. The girls put in 60+ miles, the boys about 20, but the emphasize that the climbed a dew thousand feet too. But we know who is stronger. Try pulling the dude and el Margot up hill in the trailer with the wind howling, then you will see strength. Sun Valley was awesome.  Hope we can make it happen again next year.

Here comes trouble

The dude is mobile, auto-mobile. He has developed a hybrid means of transportation, which is the "in" thing to do-the foot crawl. One knee down, and one foot to push. It makes for a crooked crawl, but it gets the job done. He can readily wiggle across the floor, pick up Porter's bone, and put it in his mouth. He progressed quite quickly from the wounded soldier-army crawl to the hybrid foot crawl. It required a quick trip to the store for a baby gate. I thought this would be a simple, straight forward task. But going to the store with Rob, where there are usually crowds of people, is a difficult task. Add to it that it was 104 degrees outside, this compounds the stress of shopping. Rob stood reading the specs for the baby gates for a good 4o minutes in Target. I thought we had made a choice when he stopped to look up the gates on consumer reports prior to purchase. Next thing I know we are leaving Target and on our way to Babys'r'us. I never thought I would hear Rob say "lets go to babys'r'us." I was as shocked as when he started reading "Harry Potter".  He successfully installed the gate. We also lowered his crib mattress. In the nick of time I might add. Now you can find the dude trying to push his face through the bars to get out.

FLoyd and Grant

Floyd got to hang with "G" the other day while Mom, Dad, and Aunt Mugs went to see Batman. I used to fly out to Michigan to see Grant when he was the same size as the Floydster. I can't believe how grown up Grant is.

NKOTB

So a new kid is about to move into the neighborhood. Hanni is prego, and due very soon, 3 weeks or so. Jules, Udy, and I had a little party for her at my house. Hanni made me swear that I would not put a picture of her on the blog, and I mostly kept my promise...her foot is visible in the lower right corner of the photo of me and Rachee Roo Jones.

It is always fun to get the clan together. I forget how great we all are...E.H.S!

It is amazing that we are all 30+ years old. Seems like yesterday we all donned pantyhose over our faces, crammed into my mom's jeep, and attacked Mrs.Parker's house. 

HELP!

Help! I need somebody, not just anybody. I need someone.......

So when I ask for help, I usually need it. Rob finds it frustrating that when I ask for help, it usually means right at the moment I am asking. Like when I say "hey babe can you help me find my shoes?" You see if I ask for help when I am holding my backpack, Floyd's bag'o'food for daycare, my pump, and the boy, and I ask you to help me, it is cause I need it right then. Or like when I stumble out of bed at the crack of dawn to feed the boy, and with mild symptomatic hypotension and blurry vision I run into the doorway and almost split my lip open, fall to the floor, and cry for help, I usually need it right then. Rob apparently needs forward notice for such things. Am I wrong to expect help when I ask for it? Am I wrong to expect that he would stop what he was doing and help me?  

Suggestions?

Bob

Last week we ventured to Rexburg for the annual Whoopee Days!! celebration. The 4th of July has always been my favorite holiday. Rob says that is why I married him as his birthday is on the 5th.

All of us had a great time in Idaho. Rob got to go fishing. I got to swim at Gramp's pool, and Floyd got to play with his cousins and go to the parade.

Floyd helped me pack by playing in the suitcase.

The Honeymoon is over

A few big events have happened over the last few weeks. 1. Erica moved to Florida! It has been eight fast years since we started medical school, and now she and many of my other friends have finished their residencies and are moving on with their careers, while I still have 3 more. I always say education is a great way to avoid responsibility. 

2. After successfully raising over $750 between the two of us, Rob and I did our first 100 mile bike ride of the season at a smoking pace of 5 hours and 30 minutes. However it also marked a milestone for Rob, he is beginning to question his mortality. He is finally feeling the pangs of aging, and realizes he cannot bounce back as quickly as he used too. I think he is just stressed because his birthday is this week. He will be 36! I don't know that I have really come to terms with my age yet. I am just now realizing i am getting wrinkles and "crows' feet" around my eyes. I have somehow been happily living with  the delusion that I am still 27.

The last big event was Floyders getting sick. It was bound to happen sometime. Nothing major, mind you, just an upper respiratory infection, or as those of us in the biz call it, a U.R.I. He has been running a little fever, coughing, and has had liquid gold pouring from his nose. He was still up for pool time though.

talking loud and clear saying just how you feel

The Life Aquatic

Floyd turned 7 months old. Time, well , I have said it before. His personality is blossoming. He loves to smile and laugh, and the water, he absolutely loves. We spent some of the weekend in the kiddie pool at the other Joneses house. The dude loved it. We could not have a kiddie pool in our backyard as it is a disaster area!
The garage is underway, or maybe just the destruction of the backyard is underway, in preparation for the garage. All of our bikes are now stored in our front room. Good thing we do not have any furniture.

Stay tuned for Floyd's 6 month movie!