9 posts tagged “rain”
Sneaking in for a quick update...sans baby and husband ;)
I had to return my slightly overdue library book and decided that while I was here, I deserved to check my email..which of course lead to checking my blog lists for updates, and while I'm at it..I figured I could update my own blog :)
We survived Hurricane Gustav without much excitement. Aside from the commissary being pretty barren by the time everyone was done plundering its stores...not much happened. The power went out (with the giant green bang reminiscent of the years in college when the hurricanes hit...and the substations exploded in bright green flashes!! All Night! Long!)
It's just been raining for 3 days, an annoying misty foggy rain that just won't quit. Wallace likes to stand in it. And whine. I don't dare try taking an umbrella...so I just stand there griping at him for being so difficult.
Gavin is going stir crazy without his daily visits to the playground. So is Mommy.
Tomorrow at least, our new living room furniture is being delivered so I'll have somewhere other than the air mattress to sit. Still no word on the new house...no big surprise there hmm?
We're thinking we won't survive much longer without internet access so we're hoping to get that connected at the apartment soon, so I can catch up on the world events (and blog!)
Anyways- I guess I shouldn't leave Andrew alone with the dogs and Gavin this close to dinner time much longer....especially since he has a long night of studying ahead...so until I get another break to visit the library....that's all for now.
Yesterday it rained 4 inches. Over a period of several hours. Of course, the dogs had to go out at some point. I tried to put it off as long as I could, because remember how I mentioned that I can't use an umbrella when I take them out in rain (I thought it was just because it causes them to dawdle for ages or never go?!)...well it was raining so hard that I decided just to try the umbrella...
I geared up, leashes on dogs, rain boots on me, grabbed the umbrella, stepped outside into the downpour...opened my umbrella, and in that split second I remembered why I can't use an umbrella....
Wallace is terrified of umbrellas.
The second I opened that umbrella he took off...fortunately or not, he was still attached to me by way of his leash. So I'm skidding (as close to water skiing as one can get) across the flooded backyard, screaming at him to stop.Of course, I'm still senselessly holding onto the umbrella and so when he does slow down, he turns to see that I still have that wretched contraption, and so he starts up running again.
Gromit thought it was all some big game, so he was running right along with Wallace. I'm lucky I kept my footing and didn't land face first in the mud, and Wallace only stopped running when a giant boom of thunder scared him to his senses and I closed the umbrella and dragged him back inside. Of course no one managed to go potty....and once again I thanked my lucky stars that my parents don't have neighbors at least all theses shenanigans of the dogs have been unseen by others.
Wallace has numerous irrational fears besides umbrellas;
ponchos (I tried this number on him later...he was just as terrified as with the umbrella), balloons, big blue balls (only big blue balls- all other balls are fair game to be popped), vacuum cleaners (he loves Gavin don't you think?), moving trucks, crinkling paper or bags, suitcases, I know I'm leaving out so many of them...it would almost be easier to say what he's not afraid of....thunderstorms (unless they involve umbrellas), food, beds (unless they are air mattresses), and petting.
Otherwise, you can just assume he's terrified of it.
It has been raining almost all day today. It makes it seem so fall-like; cool, cloudy and a steady drizzle,it's almost cozy curl up and read a book weather. Almost. I've always loved rainy days, I actually prefer rain to sunshine most of the time. I think this was obviously pre-toddler/dog days...
We got up early (thanks Gromit!) and then while Nana and Poppy went to their church, Gav and I waited around before getting ready to go to our regular church. In this short span of time, we had a major poopy disaster.
I'd read in my parenting books and magazines that one day, poop will become fascinating to your toddler.
Today was that day.
I sat down to read the newspaper and in those few moments, he managed to squat and poop, and all the poop came seeping out of the diaper, and then as I gasped, he turned around and was playing with it. Just like that.
I scooped him up and threw him in the bathtub, washed his hands and stripped him down. Then I rinsed him off, grabbed a towel and then transferred him to the other bathroom. I put him in the tub (no water) and went back for the soap (left halfway across the house) and was met in the living room by a screaming-like-a-banshee butt-naked toddler. He'd managed to climb out of the bath tub and run screaming to find me.
Then he screamed the entire bath (something tells me that the tear free shampoo isn't so tear free).
Once the torture (bath) was over, he reluctantly sat in his pack n play while I scrubbed the floor and other bath tub. Then I wrangled him into his church clothes and we made our way to church in the steady downpour.
It was odd seeing everyone we'd said goodbye to last week, it was like "Hey guys, we were just kidding about moving!"
But Gavin was glad to see all his friends (once he got over me leaving him in the nursery). It was a great sermon, and I felt like I was in a much better mood afterwards. Unfortunately, it didn't last long.I had to trek back to my car (parked in Egypt it seemed) in the rain with a wild and crazy toddler who did not want to be restrained!
Thankfully he came home and took a almost 3 hour nap (I joined him!) before Uncle Matt came over to play with him.
I hate to say that I'm going stir crazy with two dogs that hate being cooped up in a house where (understandably) they can't rip and roar. Not that Gromit hasn't tried, he very impressively cleared the couch this morning, as in, he was behind the couch and decided he wanted to sit on the couch, so he leaped over the back of it, and neatly landed on the cushion and settled in calmly.
It doesn't help that Gavin's turned into a little terror these past few days...he's learned how to turn on the afterburners! And he's just been in such a grouchy mood when he doesn't get his way, he melts down fast. I just started reading
So, by the end of the day, I ended up hating the rain because the dogs couldn't run and expend energy and neither could Gavin...I'm hoping for abundant sunshine tomorrow to brighten everyone's mood!!!
Our dear friends, the Akins, invited Gavin and me over to spend the Fourth with them and their family and classmates. It was great to get out of the house, and for Gavin to play with his best buddy Jackson. They played for a few hours and by the end of the afternoon, both were worn out. Gavin barely stayed awake for his bath, and was sound asleep within 2 minutes of being laid down. I'm stuffed from all the delicious food!! So I know I'll sleep well tonight too!
Gavin is going to be disappointed that Lauren (my niece) isn't coming tomorrow, but she's not feeling so great. So hopefully we'll get to see her next weekend, I think we're going to head out there to see them on Saturday. I'm going to run some errands and see if I find any great deals at the 4th sales.
It's pretty lonely without Andrew, poor guy, didn't even realize today was the holiday!! (They don't do holidays during Survival training!) No fireworks on base this year, but I'm sure we'll hear plenty later!! Thankfully, neither dog is bothered at all by the fireworks (or all the lightning/thunder we had earlier!)
It finally stopped raining a few hours ago. It rained most of the night, and all morning. Lots of rain, buckets of rain, inches and inches it seems of rain. I came home from a Mom Mentor group at church this morning to find my front flower bed underwater. Snapdragons up to their little necks in water. (Can you tell I have poor drainage in that bed? But won't do anything about it since we'll be gone in a few months!)
I bailed out part of the bed with a cup (I'm sure the neighbors thought I was crazy since it was still pouring down rain while I was doing this...leaning out from under the overhang trying not to get soaked. Then I discovered a space in the landscaping edge where I could "let" out all the water almost like pulling the stopper out of the bathtub. Same effect, after I removed a few pieces of mulch and rocks...all the water in the bed, whooshed out and down the driveway.
Now the sun is blazing down on the poor half-drowned flowers (that had just recovered from last weekend's downpour). I hope it helps to dry it out soon!
I should be cleaning and tidying the house for tomorrow. Since tomorrow Andrew's family will converge upon the house for graduation festivities. And then my parents are watching Gavin and our niece Lauren while we, and Andrew's parents and sister go to the graduation dinner that promises to be probably another long-winded speech punctuated by food and being out past my bedtime (you'll understand once you have a baby...when they go to bed, it's a good idea to just pack it up for the day too!) after an already long-winded day of breakfast at 8 (I'm never presentable to the world by 8!), graduation at 10, and then Andrew getting his long-anticipated wings at 11. Then there's a million tours of the squadron and looking at planes and all that fun stuff, where I might be tempted to sneak home and take a nap :)
So I should be preparing for all of this, but I've been enjoying a quiet couple of hours, since it's 4:35 and Gav laid down for a nap at 2. I ate my lunch in peace, I read a magazine, I sort of watched some odd movie with Harrison Ford involving Amish people, and I'm debating about starting dinner even though Andrew flies tonight and won't be home till late. I think I'm just going to enjoy my last few minutes of quiet time where I'm not being tugged on, or squealed at...and do nothing.
I got out into my front flower bed yesterday for the first time in forever! It was pretty warm and though it was really cloudy (in anticipation for today's non-stop rain,I really enjoyed myself!
Gavin was in his walker/exersaucer parked on the front walkway and he was pretty content to watch me on my hands and knees digging around in the dirt. He was so cute watching all the planes going overhead. It was fascinating to him, and since one goes every just about every 30 seconds- he was captivated for quite some time!!
That meant Mommy was able to dig around and eventually plant some pansies. While I was cleaning out the mums and leaves and such I discovered I have tulips coming up. I don't know if they'll do anything, since what I've heard is they should be replanted each year, but we'll see. They weren't there last spring when we moved in...so maybe all the fertilizing and new dirt I added made them happy ? I ended up just putting pansies around the tulips so at least the bed got a little color added to it. Now I'm unsure what to do with all the pansies I bought, I didn't put them in that particular bed because I didn't want to disturb the tulips in case they do flower, but now I'm going to either put them in containers or clean out the other flower bed and plant them there (but I had plans for snapdragons there). I'm in an indecisive gardener that's for sure.
Gavin's new car seat came in the mail the other day, we got the Britax Roundabout in a very cute Cow pattern called appropriately enough "Cowmooflauge". My brother took a picture of him- I hope he uploads it soon, (my camera was dead) and Gav looked so adorable in it. We're saving it to use it in our new car (not yet bought new car). But it's a really great seat with great safety ratings that we got an outstanding deal on at Target. Gav loved sitting in it, I'm sure he thought..."Wow! So much more room!".
He was a great baby this morning at our study/discussion group at church, he just sat in my lap and ate cheerios like a good boy. He got fussy at the end because it was nap-time but he slept until we got to the commissary where we braved the rain and he didn't fuss at all while I picked up a few things to make a chicken noodle soup that Elizabeth makes. He was so quiet and well-behaved I managed to dash into the BX and get a few things for his Easter basket.
After all that fun, he was ready to eat and take a nap when we got home. I would've liked a nap too- he got up when Andrew left at 5:30 this morning.
Well, I've got to start the soup...and yell at the dogs for rough housing in the living room!
Phew! We finally made it to the weekend. We were supposed to visit the ILs and see our niece today, but Lauren is sick :( So we decided not to chance it and get Gavin sick too. Hopefully we can make a trip down there soon! (Before Lauren turns 1 in April at least!! I haven't seen her since New Year's!).
Speaking of first birthdays- I guess I'm starting to try and think of what to do for Gav's big day in June. It's kind of pointless to plan it right now because Andrew graduates from pilot training about 2 weeks before Gav's birthday, and depending on how his Assignment Night (2 May) goes...we'll have to see if we're preparing for a move for training or sticking around here for a few more months for more training or for a few years as an Instructor pilot (* my not-so secret wish!). Anyways, I don't know if I want us to do a cookout for Gav's birthday/ Andrew's graduation for the whole class since they were so nice to us when Gavin was born...or if I just want to do something small with just family and a few friends. I don't know!
Valentine's day was pretty good- here's the flowers/chocolates/movie (Sense and Sensibility) that Andrew got me:
I got Gav two new storybooks and a card from us...he just tried to eat the books, so I guess he approves!
Since Andrew's off on Monday for President's Day- it's nice to just try and relax and enjoy the time together, but Gavin is refusing to nap, because he wants to play with Andrew. I've had a migraine since early this morning, it's raining, and the house is a mess from dirty dog paws...Plus the laundry is sooo backed up (it's clean just not put away) so I'm struggling with the part of me that says it will still be there waiting on me later, and the part of me that wants to just get it done. I really just want to curl up in the dark and sleep off the headache. But I don't think that's going to happen anytime soon...Oh well, at least I'll have help on Monday- and maybe Gav will sleep in like he did this morning :) I can hope!
My week in review:
Started out cold and icy...ended up rainy and mildly warm and with a thunderstorm.
Somewhere in between it was crazy windy and matched my mood (it's been a long rough week!).
Gav continued perfecting his crawling skills- managed to unplug the t.v. and attempted to eat the cord. That scared me to death, and I promptly re-evaluated my baby-proofing skills.
Not so fun week in UPT for Andrew - two hooked rides and an eye check later...we're hoping this week is a much better week for flying. We did have fun Friday night at some neighbors/good friends' Assignment night and they got their first pick to Tampa :) I can't believe our turn will be in 3.5 months! (Gavin is the perfect marker for how long Andrew's been flying...since Gav was born the day before they hit the flight line! and Gav turned 8 months old today.)
So quick recap:
Lows: Gloomy weather matched my mood...no idea why I'm feeling as gloomy as I am. I think it's just the lack of sleep (not Gav's fault- I just can't turn my brain off at night anymore).
Highs: I did managed to score a few deals shopping for clothes yesterday, it's been nice getting rid (donating) old things I didn't wear/didn't fit..and replacing them with new fun things :)
Plans for this week:
Catching a coffee break with a friend tomorrow, Tastefully Simple (?) party with friends on Tuesday, Bible study, nice warm weather to get out and walk the dogs and Gavin around the neighborhood (That's probably wishful thinking, it's supposed to rain until Wednesday I think). Plus I want to find the Ingrid Michaelson cd, I'm addicted to her now! (Several of her songs, Breakable and Keep Breathing were on Grey's Anatomy this season, and The Way I Am was in an ON commercial).
We've had quite a bit of rain lately. Like several inches in just a few hours- our backyard is washed away!! (I'm sure it didn't help that we had several trenches dug courtesy of Wallace and Gromit during their great mole hunt this past fall).
Last Thursday it was pouring down rain all day, so the backyard was a mess when it came time to let both the boys out to do their thing that night. We have a good friend that lives behind us that has a Golden Retriever, Boomer, who is W & G's BFF. So, often he puts Boomer in our backyard to let them all play together, I'm sure he didn't think anything of it when he put Boomer in there that night- like usual. He was probably like me and didn't know it was supposed to rain again in just a few moments. But the boys are all ripping around in the mud and mess, and then it starts pouring...and the wind is blowing at like 20-30 mph so the rain is just being blown everywhere and there's nowhere safe for them to hide from it. My dogs, the nuts that they are, could care less- and you'd think Boomer wouldn't have minded, he does have a TON of fur to keep him warm. But I guess he wanted to go home, and his dad wasn't anywhere to be found- so he decided to take matters into his own paws and he escaped under the fence and ran home. (Good thing W & G weren't watching- or they would've followed- they are masters at escaping. It seems, like they escaped from our apartment in Texas once a week or more. All because Wallace knew how to open the front door (now I know I could've baby-proofed that door handle but I didn't know that then- and that's why big pregnant Lizzy was seen running after Wallace several times in Texas!)
Anyways- so then I'm stuck with the dilemma of getting the dogs inside without ruining the house...there wasn't a single spot of white left on either of them. I wish I'd gotten a picture, but it was the last thing on my mind at that point. So I hauled them in one at a time, and gave them a bath (in my freshly cleaned bathtub, of course!) and then had to re-scrub the bathroom, because a) the tub was more mud than tub at that point and b) Gromit jumped out of the tub while soapy and wet and did that wonderful dog thing...shook mud/water/soap everywhere. I was so glad it wasn't bath night for Gavin...I couldn't handle bathing another squirmy creature that night. I thought it was rather ironic that Gromit and Wallace whimpered their way through a warm bath (they used up all the hot water too!) and yet, they were so enthusiastically running through the cold rain and wind just a few minutes before! Dogs!! *grumble grumble*
It's supposed to rain most of this week too...so I'm sure another bath will be forthcoming. :(
The next night however, Grom seemed to have forgotten his hate for the bathroom, because he joined Gavin in the bathroom again for his (Gavin's) bath. Grom usually sits on the rug next to me while I endure a millions splashes and squeals, and play lifeguard for a baby who is too gutsy for his own good and forgets he can't breathe underwater. I do love bath time though...its just too much fun to see Gavin splashing around. It's a great ending for a long hard day! And then it's usually straight into jammies and story time- and then once he's all tucked in...I take the longest shower known to mankind, its my only time alone all day! (and hey I don't have to pay for water, and if there's enough hot water left for me...I take full advantage of it!!)
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