Thursday, June 26, 2008

Picture Update!

I finally have had the chance to post some new photos!  I have many more to add, but this is a start.  Scroll down this page and watch on the right hand side.  You’ll see a heading “Album”.  Right under that are the new pictures!

I promise to add more as soon as I can.  I still hate this blog as it will not let me post pictures here in my daily journal!

Posted by John and Karla at 00:14:51 | Permalink | Comments (1) »

Monday, June 23, 2008

The Bridge is Open!

**Update - Here is the link to the Minneapolis Star Tribune I told you about.  The article features our story and if you scroll down you’ll see a picture of Cameron and our friends’ daughters****

http://www.startribune.com/local/19932994.html

After a 1 1/2 weeks of living without the Interstate Bridge connecting Winona, MN and Fountain City, WI to each other… I am so happy to report it was reopened!!!  I can’t tell you what a hassle it was having to either drive 1 1/2hrs each each way to and from work OR staying in Winona in a “make shift” home OR driving each morning to a ferry to cross the river then trying to commute to daycare/work.  It has was hard enough for one person, but with kids…. I was worn out.  Getting up around 4:30am did not do me justice, and the kids…. I just plain felt sorry for them too!  They were up by 5:30am and it made for one long day.  They hung in there though and we got through it.  We did make the news though!  We were featured in the Minneapolis Star Tribune.  I will copy the link here and post it so that you can read the article and see the picture they took of Cameron (Rylan was on my lap and not in it), along with our friends two girls.
Life has returned back to a new sense of normal once again.  Now that we are past the lightening strike that took out our water, the strep thoat/scarlett fever scare, the double ear infection, the bridge closure, etc, etc,…. I hope were done for awhile!
We enjoyed Steamboat Days in Winona this past week.  Cameron and Rylan loved the rides!  Last night we enjoyed the fireworks, but found Rylan a little taken back and unsure of them.  He sat in the front seat of the car between me and my mom and refused to move.  We laughed that either he was in shock or he was starting to like them!  My sister ended up coming down and her daughter piled in with me, mom, and the boys too.  Made for an interesting show having all of them hopping around, over-tired, and completely dirty from the Grand Parade we took in earlier in the day (and we were rained on big time)!  But those are the moments we live for, as crazy as they might be!
Rylan continues to do so well!  We are so lucky to have had an easy adjustment with him.  He still sleeps through the night, takes 3hr naps, eats like you wouldn’t believe, and is really just a joy!  He is very energetic and constantly copies everything we do, especially Cameron!  He is talking more and more each day by picking up words.  Language didn’t seem to be an issue at all.  He’s got a personality that cracks you up!  I think we are going to have quite the funny man on our hands!  I’m not kidding when I say since he came home in March he’s probably gained about 8lbs and it’s filled him out nicely!  The only things we’ve found he doesn’t like is cheese in any form or eggs.  Anything else goes!  He love daycare and it’s been smooth sailing there too!  I find it interesting that Cameron will always come to his defense when someone takes something from him or is not being nice.  I like that!  It reassures me that he really does care about him!
Cameron’s doing better again with his adjustment.  Don’t get me wrong, I still feel like we are having wrestling matches in the living room… or wherever we might be!  I’ve found myself dealing with new levels of stress trying to calm them down sometimes and just behave like normal kids!  It’s been a whirlwind but one I would never, ever take back.  I fall into bed at night completely drained and tired, sometimes stressed out and beyond being able to think - but I would never wish my life any different.  I’m blessed to have two healthy, beautiful, active little boys!  They make me want to get up in the morning (maybe just not at 6am everyday)! 
Stay tuned for my next post regarding our former adoption agency.  I’m WAY too mad right now to post what’s happened…. but I promise to give you and update!

Posted by John and Karla at 18:57:29 | Permalink | Comments (1) »

Saturday, June 7, 2008

Back to work and the unthinkable happens!

It’s been awhile since my last blog post!  After Cameron’s sickness, Rylan got sick, but not with the same thing.  He had double ear infection with a mouth full of some sort of sores.  Almost like Kanker Sores!  It was an extremely unfun few days.  Non-stop crying, no sleeping, no eating or drinking.  I felt SO sorry for him!  I’m happy to say everyone is much better now and “was” just getting back to normal life!  Before I get on with the rest of the story, let me say that we discovered our little man has quite temper sometimes!  Last night at my mom’s he screamed for what seemed like forever.  Teeth, ears, tired… we tried to guess what it might be.  Finally after starting to be driven out of our minds, we gave him a piece of the chocolate cake he eyed up when we first got there.  Like a light switch, he busted out a smile and dove in.  That was it.  Happy as a clam after that!  My dad was giving a corn dog the other night and put him in the high chair (my parents were watching him for a bit).  Well, Rylan screamed his head off!  Banging his hands on the high chair and just having quite the fit.  Finally my mom noticed what was going on after my dad was up in arms (literally).  The kid didn’t want a corn dog broke up in pieces…. he wante the ENTIRE thing on the stick.  Problem solved, tantrum over!  My dad had to pick up the pieces and assemble them back on the stick!!!!  John’s comments last night - “we are going to have our hands full with this one”.  Let’s hope he begins to talk real soon.
So, I’m back to work full-time and it was going well for about 1 day.  The boys were better and routine was falling into place…. that was until they closed the Interstate Bridge!  All I can say is what a nightmare.  This bridge connects Wisconsin (where we live) and Minnesota (where we work).  Our total commute of 45 minutes each way a day just doubled into a 1 1/2hr commute each way, each day!  The closest bridges are that far away from us!  I work at 7am so this means that I have to be leaving with myself and the boys ready, in the car, by 5:30am!  Then look forward to much unhappiness in the car for 1 1/2hrs, the usage of an extreme amount of gas and then do it all over again in the evening!  One day of that and we packed our bags and stayed in Winona, MN for two nights where we work. We got a great rate of $50/night that included tax and breakfast.  It still means that we had to spend the money to do it, but at $50.00/night we would have easily been spending that on gas in one day with John and I driving in seperately (because we must).  Last night we made the commute back home and were happy to be here!
Starting next Monday they have arranged a water taxi service.  I’ll have to drive with the kids to a pick up site (local park or school) and get on a shuttle.  The shuttle will take us to the base of the bridge and the Mississippi River.  We then wait in line and get on to be taken across to the Levee in Winona.  From there I’ll have no choice but to walk to a car that we’ll have waiting (my mom’s probably), load the kids in and take them to daycare, and then myself to work.  First off, this sounds better than spending the money in gas driving…. but it will take a lot of work, patience, and practice to get the routine down.  I’m hoping we’ll save some time.  The first shuttle is at 6am and we’ll be in line for it.  I’ll let you know how it goes!
The bridge was closed because of problems found with the gusset joints on a recent inspection that was completed.  The findings in a report are supposed to be ready in 2-3 weeks.  Based on that report we’ll find out if it is repairable and how long it will take.  Speculation is that repairs may take 2 months at a minimum and traffic will remain closed over the bridge during that time.  Everything is up in the air right now.  I just hope that it does reopen…. and SOON!  By the way, this shuttle/ferry won’t work for John.  He needs to be in Winona earlier than that, so he’ll be living at my mom’s a couple nights a week at least (who lives in Winona), and then maybe driving the last 3 nights of the week.
What did I say, if it’s not one thing…. it’s another!  Here we thought we were starting a nice enjoyable summer.  Both kids adjusted to each other, me back to work, school is out, and for once a normal routine.  Hmmmm…..  It just doesn’t appear the word normal goes with our lives anymore.
I promise to post new pictures of the boys soon!  I still want to redo my blog, taking off some of the older stuff.  Unfortunately I have a older computer and dialup, so I have to do it at my mom’s.  But I will get it done soon!
Posted by John and Karla at 13:35:13 | Permalink | No Comments »