Mmmm...pork and cupcakes.

For those Pioneer Woman readers, I made her Spicy Shredded Pork tonight for Charlie's belated birthday dinner. It was quite tasty, none too spicy either. I was a bit nervous at having anything in my oven for 7 hours, but the result was fall-apart-tender-delicious pork. We had the Wolfs over for dinner and as CJ kept saying "Are you coming to my Daddy's birthday party?" We had both buns/barbeque sauce and tortillas for tacos, but the sandwiches won - yum. Now after eating too much pork and too much buttercream frosting from the cupcakes, I'm full and a little nauseated. You know the back-of-the-throat-I-ate-too-much-buttercream-nausea?

I caved...

...and got a Facebook account. I figured I've hijacked Charlie's account for long enough, it was time to get my own. I must admit it's been fun to reconnect with people from the past. My first roommate from UMD, and yes Tonja - Mrs. Mechlin herself! I'll still use my blog for myself,but I can spy on everyone else on Facebook!

It's midnight:34 are your kids sleeping?

Mine aren't! I've known for awhile that naps do CJ NO good what-so-ever. Tonight when I talked to Charlie while at work he said CJ had taken a nap from 4:00 - 6:00, I knew we were in trouble. Sure enough, I came home and CJ greeted me, "Mom, I've been waiting for you!" He's been hanging out in our room "watching his show" waiting for me to come home from work. Charlie is half asleep trying to get some rest yet keep the big guy from deciding its time to go ride his bike or something crazy. And 10 minutes after I got home, Nicholas decided he needed to join the insomniac party. His various ailments are giving him a hard time. He's got this cold/allergy thing going on, stuffy nose mostly. He's got 5 teeth working their way through at the same time, I've been watching the 4 on top come in but this morning I noticed a new tooth popped through on the bottom. So now he's officially got 3, with 4 on their way on the top row. Of course new teeth brings it's own challenges, fussiness and eczema breakouts. His poor little hand is raw. His favorite thing to do is to rub it in circles on the carpet, while it probably feels good to itch it doesn't do any good for the rawness. So, hopefully this insomniac party will come quickly to an end, although CJ just announced he's hungry and needs a snack.

On a cute side note...Nick is clapping now. You just have to say "Yay, Nicky" and he does his cute little clap.

An early visit from the tooth fairy...

CJ had his tooth extraction today. It was much less traumatic than I was expecting, it's 5 hours later and he hasn't complained once. The anesthesia was just inhalation, some laughing gas and then something to make him sleep. The doctor said that girls usually sit quietly in the chair and go to sleep while boys tend to squirm and try to get comfortable in the chair. CJ was true to his gender and squirmed around until he was on his stomach in the chair. The assistant said he was the first she's seen make it all the way to their stomachs. Then he was asleep, the flipped him back over, escorted me to the waiting room and came and got me 10 minutes later. CJ was already awake in the recovery area sucking on some gauze. The doctor said kids bounce back really fast from this and don't need any pain meds or anything. So the only script we came home with was a pint of Strawberry Haagen Daz from the doctor with a script attached saying, take 1 teaspoon as needed for comfort. Cute.

CJ's tooth came out in pieces, and because I'm sure your dying for a visual...

He even let me take a picture of the hole in his mouth...

On the way home he was still numb from the novocaine and was crying because he couldn't smile. Then he wondered how he was going to brush his teeth if there was a hole there now. I reassured him he would be both smiling and brushing by tonight. So now he's excited to see how much money the tooth fairy brings him tonight. What's the going rate on an extracted tooth from the tooth fairy? I already told him I'd take him to Target to pick out his prize. This is what he wants. A Darth Vader voice changing helmet. Fun!

Take me to your leader...

Charlie wouldn't let me take a picture of him with his new cpap mask so I had to get one off the web. Sexy isn't it.

Here are the results of his test.

He slept for 6.7 hours. In that time he had 294 sleep disruptions. 240 of them were before they applied the cpap and 54 of them were after. So basically he had 240 sleep disruptions in 3 1/2 hours, that's roughly 68.5 an hour. The tech noted moderate to heavy snoring before treatment (no shit) and the cpap eliminated snoring (hallaleuah!)

And for my nurse friends or those up on their oxygenation levels...

Charlie had 168 episodes of apnea in those 3.5 hours, his longest apnea period was 22 seconds and on average was 9 seconds. His lowest SaO2 level was 84%. Breathe dude!

It will be interesting to see if he feels more rested after tonight with the cpap. And to see how many times I wake up and think, what the hell is that!

As Charlie left the appointment he said to the doctor, so I guess that means I have sleep apnea. The doctor replied, no I'd say you have severe sleep apnea.

Dad I really think you could use one of these!

Grab your remote it's that time of year!

It's that time of year again - "the shows" come back on. Working evenings definitely puts a damper on my tv watching schedule, but thankfully the web keeps me caught-up (commercial free!) Here's a schedule of my favorites!

Monday - Little People Big World (tlc 7:00) (already started)
Jon and Kate plus 8 - (tlc 8:00) (already started)
Dancing with the Stars (cbs 7:00) (premiers tomorrow) (this show takes up way too
much television real-estate)

Tuesday -

Wednesday - Private Practice (abc 8:00) (premiers October 1st)

Thursday - Survivor (cbs 7:00) (premiers Thursday the 25th)
Grey's Anatomy (abc 8:00) (premiers Thursday the 25th)
ER (the final season!) (nbc 9:00) (premiers Thursday the 25th)
Lost - (abc) when it returns in early 2009
Friday -

Saturday -

Sunday - Desperate Housewives (ABC 8:00) (premiers Sunday the 28th)
The Amazing Race (cbs 7:00) (premiers Sunday the 28th)

And throw in some Real of Housewives of Orange County when they come back on!

Looks like a should work Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.

And the tooth saga continues...

Followers of LeFebvre Party of 4 are probably well aware of CJ's tooth saga...If you would like a refresher see these posts...
Give the kid an F'ing prize
Prescription Toothpaste?
What a Day...
Better late than never

Today CJ had his routine (is anything routine with this kid?) dental visit. The highlight was seeing his friend Joey from preschool also visiting the dentist today. Of course the boys just stared at each other and when I asked CJ if he was going to talk to him he said, "No I'll just talk to him tomorrow on the bus." (They are going on their apple orchard field trip tomorrow)

Anyway you know it's never good when the dentist and hygienist are quietly conferring and opening up CJs many dental visits in the computer.

CJ's tooth that was originally filled has split open again. Dr. Hankerson said that he's pretty sure his sinus issues were also related to this tooth. The tooth defect is so deep it comes within millimeters of his sinus cavity. CJ has been complaining randomly these past couple of weeks that his tooth hurts, but not frequently enough for me to be concerned. So we now have ourselves a referral to an oral surgeon to have his tooth extracted. The dentist said we could try to do a pulp/nerve treatment and a crown but that wouldn't guarantee a fix. Since this tooth is holding the spot for his permanent tooth it might not come in correctly, but he's already 95% sure he will need braces anyway because he's got a power tongue. Basically he's always pushing his tongue up against his teeth and it's causing his teeth to move. Great!

So, next Friday the 26th, CJ goes for his tooth extraction under general anesthesia. I'm sure the saga will continue!

I called Delta Dental to see what they cover, apparently they only cover general anesthesia for children over the age of 5. So they only freak out ages 5 and up? She told me I could elect to not choose the general anaesthesia. I'm sorry CJ, just tough it out, insurance doesn't cover that. I think we'll bite the $500 bullet and help him not remember them yanking out his tooth.

Emptying out the camera

Look at me, no bath support!


Bathtime buds



All ready for bed


Got to play with my friend Addie again!


Charlie and CJ went to a Twins game...he lasted 8 innings, impressive!

My shirt says it all...


My first cheerios




I love to drool!

Car Talk

The Accord's driver-side low beam was out, so rather than get pulled over (like last time) I got on the ball right away and bought a new bulb. Of course (just like last time) I couldn't get that sucker to budge. So off to the Honda dealership CJ and I went. This is how it unfolded...
***drive into Express Service bay***
Service guy: How can I help you today?
Me: I just need the driver's side low beam bulb replaced. I already have the bulb I just can't loosen it ***I'm sure they LOVE people like me, (hi, fix my car but I brought my own parts!)***
Service guy: Okay, we can get that taken care of for you today, it's a flat 45 dollar fee for a headlight service.
Me: 45 DOLLARS!
Service guy: Yes, ma'am (okay I HATE it when people call me ma'am - makes me feel old!) 45 dollars is our standard fee.
***Doing some quick thinking on how I can get out of there***
***Remembering last time when Apple Valley Ford couldn't get it out either***
***Thinking a fix-it-ticket is probably more than $45***
Me: Okay, go for it

***waiting, waiting, keeping CJ occupied with PBS kids on the service lounge computer, waiting, 40 minutes later...***

Service guy: Okay ma'am (there's that damn ma'am again), he's almost got it finished now. He did note a few things though. Your battery seems to be low on voltage.
Me: No thanks
Service guy: There is an open recall on the wiper motor, we could have that done in about an hour.
***looking at CJ ready to climb the walls or anything else in sight***
Me:I'll make an appointment to do that at another time
Service guy: He also noticed some of the clips that hold the fender wall on (plastic pieces of shit) have came off, we can replace all 4 of them for $4 apiece.
Me: No thanks
Service guy: And then finally I see you are coming up on your 105,000 mile service check. That is where we replace the timing belt and the water pump.
Me: Oh, is there something wrong with my timing belt or my water pump.
Service guy: No, we just replace those things at that mileage.
Me: No thanks ( I really wanted to say, well if it ain't broke don't fix it, but I thought that might be pushing it a little)
Service guy: Okay, I'll just have him finish up and it will be ready in a few minutes.
***A few minutes pass***
Service guy: Okay ma'am (uggh stop with the ma'am) we're all set here. I've reduced the price a bit, the cashier can finish up for you.

Cashier: That'll be 27 dollars and 94 cents.

And a few after-thoughts. How did the price suddenly go from $45 to $27.94? Especially after I wasn't too gracious to do the "add ons"? And the thing that makes me laugh most...
The actual charge for the headlight replacement was $24.99 and then a charge for Misc Shop Supplies $2.95. Must have been that disposable wrench?

A good read...

If you are in the market for a good book read "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls. She is a journalist and the book is about her childhood and how she got to where she is now. Which gives the book NO justice what-so-ever, but not sure how else to explain it. If you ever thought YOUR childhood was odd/screwed up, just read this book. (Don't worry Mom and Dad, I don't think my childhood was odd/screwed up!)

Now go get a copy and tape your jaw shut, I know mine flopped open a few times.

It's like legal crack...

I couldn't even find a picture on the internet so I had to take a picture of the (empty) bag...

Find 'em at Target in the baking aisle, put 'em in the freezer, and just try not to eat the entire bag in one sitting. (Although the bag does only say 2 servings, a serving for me and a serving for my arse!)

I'll get it one day...

Getting better at the new custom blog look... It's taken all day, but I'm getting there!

Are you snoring yet?

Another CJ highlight to post...

Charlie went for his sleep study last night. After much prodding from yours truly he had made an appointment to see his doctor regarding his sleep. Of course that meant another appointment with a doctor who specializes in sleep. Gotta love insurance - lets make 2 appointments to get to the test I really need.

At one time I had some lovely video footage of Charlie's finest sleep moments, but he quickly deleted that from the camera. It went something like this. Snore, snore, snore, pause to stop breathing, pause, pause, pause, loud gasp and snort and off to snoring again. Made for a lovely sleep partner.

Anyway, so last night was the big sleep study. I told him to call me after he got all checked in. CJ got on the other phone and his first questions was, "Daddy, are you snoring yet?" Too cute.

Charlie said the sleep study went well (I guess as far as sleep studies go?) She told him they would hook up the CPAP (breathing machine) if he had more than 15 apnea spells in a minute - seems like a lot to me! They did end up hooking up the CPAP, so I'm sure at his follow up appointment he will become the proud owner of a CPAP machine. CPAP noise I can handle, more of a white noise, NOT the snoring, gasping, snorting. Bless all the spouses who just "put up with it", but not this spouse!

Oops that's not my mom

We went and had lunch at Noodles today, while I was trying to juggle Nick and beverage cups and find a high chair - CJ randomly disappeared.

I look around frantically trying to see where he went and see him going out the door hanging on to this other lady's purse strap.

I run after him at about the same time the lady looks down dumbfounded to see a 4 year old hanging on to her purse. I opened the door and said, "CJ what are you doing?" (in a not so pleasant tone)

CJ (looking up): "Oops, Sorry, I thought you were my mom."

The lady kind of looked at me with a nervous laugh and said "and I thought I was only going to bring home lunch"

Note: this lady looked nothing like me, not quite sure what CJ was thinking (or not in this case)

Conversations with CJ

Driving past "the new beer store" (as CJ calls it) they are building in Apple Valley today - they were out picketing (not sure why).

CJ: Mom, what are they doing there?
Me: They are picketing.
CJ: What is pickettititing?
Me: The workers are on strike because they don't like something their employer is doing. (good enough explanation?)
CJ: *getting excited* I know Mom, why don't you go on strike then you don't have to go to work today and we can stay at home and cuddle all day.

Our Portraits

I LOVE our new portraits. Amanda did an amazing job, take a peek!













All this from the girl we could send to yell "oly oly oxen free" for hours while Tonja and I "hid" making her think we were playing hide and seek. Oh how we've all grown up!

1st Day of Preschool

Today was CJ's 1st day of preschool. He loved it. Here are some pictures of his first day. For as much as I like the pirate skull shirt I may not have chosen it for the 1st day of school, but it's one of his favorites. Save a battle for another day.

Punks

I was checking out this link from the Star Tribune of people booked into the Ramsey County jail, I couldn't help but notice about 99% of them were born in the mid 1980s. No offence to your age range Emily, but what the hell. get a life. get a job.

I'm hoping my night at work tonight is uneventful. Maybe one of those anarchist punks will have gotten a broken limb and can be taken care of by Nurse Ratched.

Sunday night when I left work it was eerily calm with a notable police presence. From the extra private security checking id's at our parking ramps to all the extra officers all around, I say welcome...and give 'em an extra whack from me. Anarchist Punks. Go home.