Are you still with me??

I have been neglecting my blogging duties and have not written on here in a really, really long time. Summer flew by, mostly because we could do SO much this summer together.  Rob and K had an extended time at home together before kindergarten started and they had a blast.  I would get calls like this, “we are at the top of the Arch” or “we went out in a canoe on Creve Coeur Lake today.” “Rob, have you ever been in a canoe before and why did you decide to do that?”  “No and because I  can!”  Not sure when/if the thrill of Robs health will ever just become normal.  I had another “I can’t believe that all of that happened” moment just today.  I hugged him and told him how once again, I was so glad that in this one instance, he didn’t listen to me in my “lets get a 2^nd opinion” mind and went with his gut!

We are full swing into kindergarten now.  After the initial nervousness and upset stomach, I think that we have conquered most aspects of the school day.  Just working through the last one…..getting out of the car in the morning, which is essential to the school day.  At least, we are no longer vomiting in the morning, just gagging now!

Funny K story of the month----  One morning I go into her playroom.

K, why does it smell in here?

I don’t know (with a guilty look on her face)

You have to tell me, b/c if its bad food, there will be bugs.

(Reluctantly, She points to her play kitchen, and I notice a white substance in the play sink.)

What is this?

(after much hesitation) Well, you told me I couldn’t use water in my play kitchen, sooooooooooooooooooooooooo…………………………. It’s milk.

YOU USED MILK IN YOUR PLAY KITCHEN??

Well, you told me not to use water.

(As I try to compose myself,  she realizes that she may be in a wee bit of trouble.)

Well, Mom, I guess since you are mad, you should go ahead and look in the oven part. 

(open oven door and find several dishes with curdled milk in them.)

Kaitlyn,  I am going to take away your kitchen for awhile until you can prove to me that you know how to play with it…(anticipating screams, protests, etc)

Yeah, you probably should because if not, I will do it again!

Ah the joys of raising Robs child! 

Promise to try to blog more if you are still with me!

Update on the Wetzel's from Rob

Hey guys,

Rob here. The start of summer seems to be going well.  Only a month left at K.E.C.C for Kaitlyn, then it's a month off with mommy, daddy, Nana and Paw-Paw. She's excited and so am I.  K.E.C.C. is great but just under $900.00 per month hits hard.  Full day kindergarten at Westchester will cost too, but not nearly as much as K.E.C.C.  I shouldn't complain as we have had great luck with teachers and staff.  We realize we are lucky in that aspect.

Kaitlyn just completed a week of Vacation Bible School at Concordia.  She had a great week due to the hard work of many people and a bunch of our friends from church.  Great start to summer.

We have made a couple trips to the lake and a good handful of trips to the Kirkwood Pool.  Some of you fellow pool goers have been lucky enough to see me sporting the scar from my heart surgery.  Do girls like scars?   I keep telling myself they do.

I've continued exercising at ClubFitness and can't recommend it enough.  $10.00 a month and more equipment than you will ever need.  I've kind of hit a plateau with weight loss at the 258-260 mark.  I would like to make it to 240 but this may take another six months. Again, I'm very lucky to have good docs and a great family support system, not to mention a wife that doesn't complain about me visiting the gym six times a week.

The street has been consistently steady and pretty entertaining at times.  We've been running into more mentally unstable people than usual and a few who just want to challenge the police.  (Almost always a bad idea)  I work with a good squad who is quick to help each other out when needed.  My only complaint is changing shifts every eighteen days.

Preparing for some the 2011 concert series.  Def Leppard, Foo Fighters and U2.  Not a bad lineup and I'm looking forward to some great people watching.  Give the Wetzel's a shout and we'll set up a little backyard time and maybe a roasted marshmallow  or even a s'more.

Be Cool, Rob

My Froggies are Dead!

For over a year, K has had two frogs living in her room in a Frog-o-sphere (PETA people I know that you think they are cruel!).  They have become a part of our family (in her mind at least).  They have gone to show and share at her school, pictures have been drawn, of them and for them.  I have been amazed that these things have lived this long and was increasingly getting concerned about when they died.  I really didn't change the water like I should of, in fear that would bring about their demise. 

These frogs were named Frog 1 and Frog 2.  They started out about the same size, but Frog 1 always seemed to get the food before Frog 2 and grew bigger (for a dwarf frog, that is.).  Despite this Frog 2 lived on, until a couple of weeks ago.  Frog 2 was floating dead in the water.  In a moment of panic, I decided to tell K that Frog 1 ate 2.  In my panicked state that seemed better than Frog 2 died and Mommy flushed it.  It actually worked and we got through the death with relative ease. We got a replacement frog (TINY, dwarf frog) and they were renamed Big Frog and Little Frog.  For a week, they seemed to be living in Frog-o-sphere bliss, until tragedy struck the tank and I found both floating motionless, white in color, dead on the rocks.  Now, real panic set in.  Rob decided he could handle this and told her.   As expected the news was met with shock, disbelief, denial and ultimately sadness.  In true K fashion,  she made the decision that they should be flushed because if buried, she would "always be sad when she went in the backyard."  Down the toilet they went and then reality set in.

The next 24 hours were filled with the following crys

"FFFRRRRRRRROOOGGGGGGGGGGGIIIIEEEEESSSSSS"
"why would God do this to me?"
"The only thing that will ever make me happy again, is if my froggies come back (not new ones) and if I can sleep in you bed."
"I will probably need to wake up during the night and cry some more."
"Where are my Froggies now............how about now?"
"This is the worst thing that ever happened to me."
and the dreaded.....  "Does this mean Sammy will die on day?"

She spent about 20 minutes sitting on the tub staring at the toilet and crying that she changed her mind about the flushing and just wanted to keep the dead frog corpses in her room. 

I had to tell her teachers that "she might be sad and need to talk about her froggies."  Things got better and she seemed to have entered into the acceptance stage of the grief process.  Then last night she wanted to write a letter to her Frogs:

"I miss you Froggies.  Are you missing me?  Our Friendship will last forever.  Love Frogs!  K"  If this kid isn't an actress or a politician, it is a waste of her talents.

I know that Rob's mom is looking down on us and enjoying every moment of this- so loved K's dramatic side!!!  K is comforted in the fact that Grandma is taking care of them in heaven now.  Until, she freaked because we still have the frog food here and they will need it in heaven..................................................

The night before Easter...

Well, here we are.  The night before a major holiday and I am lying to the kid telling her that she has to go to bed b/c the E Bunny has already made his way to some peoples houses (How do you know, Mom???  Facebook, K).  Luckily the baskets were stuffed last night so tonight just involves hiding them and installing the new monkey bars on the swingset (not that she will be able to play out there anytime soon, unless she wears waders!).  Rob has to work midnights so he has his list of last minute things, like the Ceramic E Bunny holding the egg that needs candy and money in it because it was mine when I was a little girl and "Rob, it just has to be that way, don't ask anymore."  I am certain my mom never had to run out the night before and she had to pull this off for 4 kids!!  Usually it is these nights that I am in awe of all my parents did for us and I am feeling sorry for parents with more than one child. 

So I am exhausted, not so much physically as mentally.  This is a sampling of the topics we covered today:
-Where rain comes from and how it is not literally God's tears
-Bullies and how to deal with them
-Who our prom dates were and if we each told them about how we wanted a little girl and that they would not     be the person we married
-Who the Devil is
-Skin color
-Why we wear underwear
-Why her cousin Ellie has other relatives who are not related to us but Ellie can love all of us
-What to do if she wakes up during the night and hears someone hopping in our house
-Why we have to go to the dr and get shots
- What happens if someone sprays you with pepper spray
-Will I ever go to jail since I am married to a police man
- how my pager works
-Catholics and Lutherans..............

and this is only the list I remember.  And I loved every minute of this day spent with her and I am thanking God tonight of the miracle that is my family!!!

Happy Easter !!!!

And just when I thought she was asleep, yet another question......Is Wubzy a boy or girl ?

The BIG appointment

Today was the 3 month checkup, the BIG appointment!!!  Rob had a stress ECHO on Friday and we got the results today, and...............  everything looks better than the surgeon had even imagined!!!!  The doc had gradient scores that he was hopeful for pre-surgery and Rob's were better.  So now off most all meds and does not have to see him again for 3 months.

The surgeon said that he expects Rob to continue to feel better, but I am not sure how that is possible.  He built a fire pit, working on a play house for Kaitlyn, continues with cardiac rehab and now a "regular"gym and working.  As I have said before, I can not keep up with him.  I was off on his last day off and had to take a nap midway through the day- he just continued on.  Our backyard (which has always been Rob's area) has never looked better and the projects just continue.

Before the surgery, we had hopes that Rob would be able to walk short distances without stopping to catch  his breath.  Over the weekend he walked to the store up the street and then RAN home. Why run home, I asked him, "because I could!"  I have been continually reminded that with God all things are possible!!

Hope everyone is staying safe in this storm!!!  Get to your basements!

Defending the Yankee thing

So I have again decided to use this for me.  I am going to try to defend my love of the Yankees on here since I have been subjected to so much abuse by family and friends since getting the Yankee Entertainment Station!

Contrary to popular belief, I did NOT start watching the Yankees just because of Derek Jeter.  One year, I watched the World Series when the Yankees were in it.  As I tend to do, I become obsessed with the series, watching every game.  During this time, I learned about the History of the franchise, rivlary with Boston, everyones hatred of them (but I will address that later). I actually first noticed Jorge Poseda (who then appeared in a funny episode of American CHoppers, but that obsession is for another blog).  Soon a shortstop named Derek caught my eye and I was interested enough to watch the next season and the rest is history.  I am now a full fledged fan, not only because of Mr. Jeter (although that is a HUGE bonus). Because my husband spoils me, we have seen them in Spring training and saw them last year in KC.  I can not wait til we can see them at Yankee Field!!!!!!!

I know that everyone hates them, because they have the money to buy the best and I DO think that is unfair.  However, until the baseball commission changes the rules, the Yankees are only doing what any other business person would do.  If I was starting my own social work agency and had all of the money in the world, I would only hire the best social workers out there,  I wouldn't not (double negative, I know) hire some of them so that it was fair for the other agencies-- NO, I would take all of the good ones and pay the best that I could, because I can.  So don't hate the Yankees, hate the baseball commission.  

Finally, will I like the Yankees after DJ????  Those of you who have known me for quite some time, know of my love for Tommy Herr (happy birthday yesterday Mr. Herr) and how devasted I was when he was traded.  However, I eventually forgave the Cardinals and liked them again (read Mark McGwire).  So I do not consider myself just a Jeter-loving-Yankee and while I will be sad to see him go, I will remain a Yankee fan.  As I have said before, I did not get the have-to-only-love-the-hometown-team gene (Red Wings fan also) and I am NO longer afraid to publically admit it!!!!!!! 

Okay, I feel better now and I am really liking this bloggin thing to just spew my rants out  there.  By the way, Rob is awesome- starting back to work the end of this week!!!  He looks AMAZING and I am a lucky girl.  Now, back to the game...............

2 month follow up

Well, another successful appointment!!!!  The dr is still very pleased with Robs progress.  He is still going to rehab 3 times a week and will be going back to work in a few weeks! 

Its so weird to have the "old" Rob back.  He still surprises me at times.  This weekend, we were at the lake and he offered to take kaitlyn to the dock to feed the ducks.  This involves a hill that I am usually needing to rest after and Rob has not attempted for quite some time.  At first I giggled at his suggestion and then remembered!!  Off they went, hand in hand to feed the ducks.  (I was having a full blown panic attack from worrying until they came back, but thats ok!).  When they got back, Rob was fine (I hate to admit but better than I am after THE hill.) 

So many people have commented on his weight loss and overall appearance.  It is still astounding to me.  I am fairly certain that we will soon wear the same size pants.  Today he thought the belt on the floor was mine--nope, just his new size!!!!

Again, we can not thank everyone enough.  You have all been so good to us!  Many of you have asked for an update on the rest of us.  Kaitlyn is great-- told us tonight that we make her heart happy.  We had a parent teacher conference and they suggested that we work on her numbers more.  In true Carrie fashion, I drove straight to buy number flash cards, workbooks and games.  SHE WILL KNOW HER NUMBERS BY THIS WEEKEND!!!  Just kidding!  She really enjoyed our time at the Lake.  We even went to Ha Ha Tonka State park (if you haven't been, you should go.  And rent our condo down there!).  We walked around castle ruins and she pretended to be the princess in the ballroom and picked out her bedroom.  We walked other trails and at times I had to remind myself that we really were all doing this together!  I'll even admit that I was the one who tired out first.  Sam, our lovely dog, is fine.  She spent the time we were at the lake at camp, a.k.a. the kennel.  Each time we picked her up she greeted us with a disgusting eye infection which brought us to the vet yet again! Luckily, Rob is the one in charge of her eye drops because I can only imagine if I had to.

I am doing fine.  We have had some added stressors lately but working through them.  Some of you know that my "aunt" Pat died on Saturday.  This was actually a pseudo-aunt who was my mom's dearest friend, my sisters Godmother and a great role model.  Saying goodbye to her today was hard but she was a woman who lived life to the fullest.  Yesterday the saying on my daily calendar was "If you obey all of the rules, you miss all of the fun."  That was so fitting to remember her by.  We are so blessed because of all of the wonderful people who have come into our lives and added so much color and life to it!!!!!!!

AS you can see, this is turning into a Carrie rambling blog and maybe soon there will be no more need for updates and I will use this space for just that.  Stay tuned! 

ROB ROCKS!!!!!