The Norton's 2008 Christmas Photo

I am pretty excited. We actually got Christmas cards out on December 26th this year. We usually have them ready and never send them -- or just don't ever get around to sending them at all. Now that people are already starting to receive them at home, I went ahead and just posted the photo on the blog.

Merry Christmas to our friends and family!

Merrrrrrrrrry Christmasssssss

Baby's First Christmas.
Not a care in the world. He has no idea what's even going on. He's not even old enough to be interested in the wrapping paper! Ryan was just fine being entertained by his Aunt Wendy right on top of the dining room table.

We gathered at Jeff's parents house this morning for breakfast. I will have to say that it was probably one of the more "tame" events. (It can get pretty ugly over a meal at the Norton's house). We hung around for a little while after Wendy and Shelley left. Then came back and exchanged gifts with Dylan.

Since Dylan can drive now, we got him gift cards for the local fast food establishments: Chipotle, Starbucks, McDonalds, Jack in the Box, Golden Spoon, Del Taco and In N Out. He should be set for a while. We reminded him that this was not to take the place of his lunch money, however, to be a resource for the nights that he wants to go "hang out". He was pretty excited.

Jeff and I did not exchange gifts this year. He and I are both very hard to shop for - and we typically just buy what we really want, anyways. It's almost been a blessing to be in a recession. I feel that for the first time in many years, Christmas was actually about "family" and focused on gifting to only the kids in the family.

There will be so much that will challenge us in the upcoming year. I just want to always remember this time.

Ho Ho Ho - - Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve 2008

Since we would be spending Christmas with Jeff's parents, we gathered tonight with my Aunt Dorothy, Uncle Jim & Cousins Jenni and Justin. We would not be joining them in Malibu with the rest of the family over the next couple of days, so it was the only time we could get together.

Given the tough economic conditions, we decided it best to focus on gifting only to the kids this Christmas. (i like that idea!) Ryan got his highchair and a cute ladybug book. Dylan got some clothing and a "mystery" gift. (Aunt Nadia forgot to put it in his gift bag for him) I guess he'll have to wait to see what it is next time we see them!

As usual, we had a great time with them. After dinner we played a couple games: A dice game called Left, Right, Center and a card game called Apples to Apples. Both were games that we had never played before so it was a lot of fun.

We didn't get home until after 11p. We're pooped!

Ryan's MRI - Children's Hospital LA

Today was Ryan's MRI appointment at Children's Hospital.

He was scheduled for a 9:30 MRI. He was allowed to have milk until midnight and Pedialyte until 7a. We fed him as much as he would take before he went to bed. Jeff and I contemplated whether or not we should wake him up at midnight to feed him. Since we had to wake up at 5:30a, I thought it would be best to chance it in the event he would sleep through the night and not disrupt his (and my) sleep.

Ryan woke up at 2:30a and took quickly to the Pedialyte - until he and I both figured out that there was a slow nipple on the bottle. Although I went downstairs to get the faster flow nipple, it was too late. His frustration already set in. He spent the next 35 minutes crying. He was so mad that he scratched his cheek and then tried to scratch me, too! I walked him back and forth the upstairs hallway until he started to doze. I felt like the walking dead. I couldn't have been any more tired.

Lucky for us, Ryan isn't much of a morning eater - so not feeding him right away wasn't a big deal.

We were just leaving the house at 7a and stopped at Starbucks for my much needed coffee before we headed up to LA. While I got the coffee, Jeff tried to give Ryan his last chance at Pedialyte. Ryan didn't take too much.

We arrived at Children's hospital with plenty of time to spare. Lucky for us, there was not much traffic because of the holiday season. Children's Hospital is a beautiful facility. It really offers a great kid environment for those who will be treated there. I will say, though, that Jeff and I are sadly reminded that Ryan's condition is a blessing compared to the other children visiting the hospital.

After about an hour of checking in, Ryan was called back to the "holding area". This is where they took his vitals, introduced us to his Anesthesiologist and where we put him into his hospital gown. We were also notified that just one of us would be allowed to go in with him for a few minutes into the MRI. Jeff graciously allowed me to be "the one".

We then went into the Radiology room where Ryan would be given his IV for the anesthesia. Up until this point, Ryan was happy and smiling and just full of his typical personality. That was until the nurses tried viciously to find a vein on Ryan. His poor chunky arms and legs made it difficult for them to find a vein. Ryan screamed irritably as the tourniquet was put on each arm and each leg - multiple times. He was red in the face and whimpering as they finally found a vein at the top of his hand that they would go after. Although only one prick, it took a few maneuvers once in the skin to penetrate the vein. They got it! Poor guy.

The time came where I walked him into the procedure room. The Anesthesiologist gave him his sedative while I held Ryan in my arms. Within a few short seconds, Ryan went completely limp. It's a good thing that I could still hear him breathe. I had an awful vision of his body being lifeless. I didn't like that at all. I held him for just a short while. He was still whimpering from all the crying - even in his sleep. I laid him down on the MRI table and gave him a kiss on his forehead before I had to go.

Jeff and I waited about an hour-and-a-half before we were allowed to come see him in recovery. Ryan did very well. We were told that he woke right up after coming out of the anesthesia and he was even smiling at the nurses before we got in. We were able to immediately give him some Pedialyte and within the hour after that were able to give him some milk. We spent the rest of the day hanging out with him. We were notified that he would spend a lot of the day sleeping off the anesthesia. I don't think he slept any more than a regular day - but I did think he was a little more "needy" than usual.

Ryan's doctor is on vacation until the 29th. We will not know any results until at least that day. I would figure we will have news by the end of next week for sure.

We pray for positive results. Until then...

It was a BIG day!

Ryan Laughed & Dylan got his drivers license

Drivers Beware!
Dylan passed his driving test today and is now licensed to drive. Dylan performed his test in the pouring rain out in Rancho Cucamonga (we were told the testing was "easier" out there). He only got 3 points marked against him (15 were allowed in order to pass). Each point was for not allowing enough space (1.5 car lengths) at stops. He's very excited and very eager to drive to/from school. He is not allowed to drive after 11p and is not allowed to have another passenger in the car under the age of 25 until he is 18. (Hmmmmmm, how is it that he's been going to lunch for the past couple of years?)

Ha Ha Ha Ha
I had just got home from my hair appointment. I was holding Ryan while trying to eat some pizza. I had Ryan on my leg - his back to my chest - and he was watching Parker. Parker was sitting (lazy, of course) with his tongue hanging out (hoping for some pizza). I think maybe Ryan thought Parker looked funny - and started laughing. It was great! He laughed out loud a few times and then it was all over. I can't wait to hear him laugh again. :)

Next Week is Christmas??

Holy S**** - Next week is Christmas? How did that happen?

Life with a baby is busy. Especially when he is not feeling well.

Just over a week ago, we took Ryan in for a cough and he had bronchial asthma - most likely from the dust created from the kitchen construction. He was put on antibiotics and asthma medicine - we were told to keep him out of the environment (which we already were as much as possible) and that he was to be seen again in one week for follow up.


Last Friday we took him back in and all was great again. He got his 3rd round of immunizations - which caused some fussiness through Saturday. At some point Saturday everything changed. Ryan was not pooping - and more importantly, Ryan stopped eating. He was really crying - I mean REALLY crying. I felt so bad for him.

When the sitter told me today that he only took one bottle, hadn't pooped and had been unhappy all day - I knew I had to take him to his pediatric surgeon ASAP.




Coming from Santa Monica at 2:45p - on a rainy day - I knew I had a challenging commute ahead of me to be in West Covina by 5p. I called Jeff and wasn't able to get ahold of him until I was to downtown LA. Jeff left work at about 3:30 and we agreed we would keep each other posted on our commute progress. Who ever could get to Ryan first would pick him up and the other would meet up at the doctor's office. With the rain causing havok all over the 10, 60 and 605 freeways (my only freeway opportunities home) - I took sidestreets. I don't know how I did it, but I made it from work to Ryan's daycare in 1 hr 20 minutes (and I made a bathroom stop). Jeff only beat me to the Dr's office by about 10 minutes.




Ryan's little belly was so swollen from not having a bowel movement. The doctor simply dilated him to help relieve some of the pressure. Luckily this was enough to relieve the discomfort Ryan was feeling. I was a little surprised that there was nothing more to be done. We were already dilating at home. I guess it's better to let the doctor step up the dilation than assume we can do it on our own.

Ryan's MRI is next week. We'll know what his diagnosis really is - and how to treat him for good. It will be nice to relieve ourselves from "poop watch".

At home, the kitchen is still not finished. Because Ryan was not feeling so well, I didn't go out much over the weekend. I think, though, that we have decided on the tile we are going to use. But at this point I have just stopped caring about the floor. I just want to be done with the kitchen. It's been too long!



Meanwhile, I have given up on any hope to get our Christmas lights up or our Christmas decorations put out. With only 10 days to go... why bother. It's only more mess to deal with. BUT.... we did take our Christmas photo tonight - and I'm hopeful that Christmas cards may actually go out this year (we haven't sent out cards in 3 years).

Ahhh... the holidays.

Ryan is growing up so fast. He's already wearing 6 mo clothes. He's loving his activity center. He is trying so hard to hold things in his hands. I keep waiting (any day now) for him to laugh out loud. It's hard to believe how fast time has passed. I know someday I'll look back and wonder where time went - like I do with Dylan. I'm glad to have this blog to keep track of the memories.

Cooking 101

Well, the kitchen is 99% in - so I've been eager to use it this week. Last night I made my yummy tacos and tonight I kept it simple: Roast a chicken and bake some sliced potatoes. About 30 minutes into the cook time for the chicken, I noticed that the house was a little smokey - realizing that it was a little too close to the oven burners, I pulled the chicken out - set it down by the sink - added some water to the bottom of the pan and put it back in the oven.

Dylan was famished, so he was hovering by the oven asking, "Is it ready yet" and "when will it be done". While I fed Ryan, I had Dylan check to see if the oven was still smokey. It was - a little. A few minutes later I came to check on the chicken. I opened the oven and noticed the smoke - - then I noticed the white melted, sizzling goo all over the oven rack. It took me about 5 seconds - - and then it hit me.

THE CUTTING BOARD!

Apparently when I set the roasting pan on the counter - I set it on the acrylic cutting board. It went unnoticed as it stuck to the bottom of the pan. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? As I calmly cussed every word in the book, I tried to figure out how to get this mess out of the oven. Simultaneously I'm trying to figure out if the chicken is edible at this point.
It's only been in there 10 minutes - how bad can it really be?

I took the pan out and held it out for Dylan to take. He stood there with his hands up in defense and reminded me that he couldn't just take the pan - - he had bare hands. Oh, yeah. Good point! So I put the pan down, and grabbed a spatula to scrape the acrylic off the bottom of the oven. I got out what I could.

By this time, the smell of the acrylic was overcoming the kitchen. Think Melissa, Think. Okay. Put the chicken in the bottom oven with the potatoes until it's finished cooking. I pulled the potatoes out, popped in the chicken and continued to manage the melting issues going on.
(Set top oven to "clean" and incinerate the acrylic off the bottom of the oven... ya... that sounds like a good idea)

Mmmm potatoes - let's try a bite.... the chicken is going to be a little while longer.
- - Too salty! Yikes... the excessive season salt just about sucked all the moisture out of my mouth. Toxic chicken and a salt lick. Arrrrrrgh!
Hell, do I just suck it up and make the Taco Bell run now? No - that makes too much sense.

Not being able to get the chicken to cook properly at this point, I figured my only way out of this mess that I am now fully committed to was for me to cut it up and pan cook it - piece by piece.

What a disaster.

The worst part was that it took me twice as long to clean up the mess that I made trying to cook my "simple" dinner. So fully exhausted from a marathon cleaning session - I figured this was definitely a tale for the good ol' blog!

The oven is still self cleaning. Hopefully there will be no evidence left in the morning. We'll have to figure out a way to safely melt the remaining piece of cutting board off my oven rack!

....and then I remember the important things....

Another Boring Kitchen Update

I know... you thought you'd sign in to see if there were new pictures of Ryan.

SORRY.

Instead, you get to see the seemingly little progress that has been made in the kitchen. Since I am still undecided in backsplash and floor tile, we made a lot of progress in getting things in our home back in order.

Jeff hauled all of the construction trash to the dump, we washed all of the dishes that have been out in our entry way and put them away in their new cabinet space. The twelve layers of dust were all wiped off the living furniture. The countertop trinkets were all wiped down and put into place. Slowly our kitchen is evolving and taking shape.

I made a trip on both Saturday and Sunday to the tile store in Anaheim with hopes to make a final decision. I think I have decided on a tumbled travertine tile for the backsplash, but I am not decided on flooring. Hopefully I can decide on something this week

Then we'll move on to wiping the 12 layers of dust from every wall in the house!! I'm glad that this was the biggest contruction project that this house will probably ever see! I can't imagine having to go through this mess again.

I will say, though, that I am very happy that we decided to put in the instant-hot system. It has been great for Ryan's bottles. It's a nice little luxury.

Jeff already has many projects lined up to take the place of our kitchen work. Will we ever get a break?

We're sooooooo close. It kind of reminds me of those final days before Ryan was born. You knew the end was near... but it couldn't have come any slower!
- Tile
- Finish Island (custom pieces and drawer fronts
- Get glass for corner cabinets
- Install lighting above desk and in cabinets
- Install can light in pantry area
- Touch up paint the ceiling
- Re-paint kitchen

Granite is Installed

Our granite counter tops went in today. The granite looks great! The Ogee edges really add elegance to the kitchen.

It's amazing, though, that colors can change. The cast iron sink - which I believed to be a perfect color match to the cabinets - looks "pink" under the granite. How does this happen?!!! I'm a little freaked out about it - - and I hope that the fix is as easy as changing the light above the sink and perhaps even the wall color. The sink is permanently set - there's no going back.

I am thinking twice now about the flooring. I'm afraid that it is not the right color to go with the granite we selected. I'd rather return every box we have BEFORE installation than to hate it all once it's in. I know for sure that the backsplash I wanted will not work... it's the same color as the sink - - and I don't want a "pink" (biscuit) backsplash!

Ugh, why does this have to be so hard?!! Does anyone know an interior designer that can help me through this color mess?? (For free, of course)

Kitchen Remodel Progress- 11/29

Before/After
What was once 80's European is now becoming French Country. Long gone are the white tiles, white cabinetry, white hardware, white Corian and white island tiles. Flooring and granite will be installed next week... but we love what we are seeing so far!!

It's almost Thanksgiving??

Where has the time gone? I can't believe that next week is already Thanksgiving. It seems like yesterday that Jeff & I were running back and forth from the hospital with Ryan. It's already been 3 months.

I've been extremely busy with work. I've been making "day trips" out of San Diego and San Francisco travel. I'm glad to be home at night with Ryan, but it is very exhausting to get up at 3:30a to be in both cities on time. I have two more trips to San Francisco - one on Monday and one the first week of December. The December trip will be my first night away from Ryan. OMG! (I try not to think about it!)

This time last week we were so consumed by the news of the fire - and this week we have already forgotten and moved on. It seems like the fires happened so long ago!

Jeff & I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary last week. We've been together for 6 years. It has really been an amazing 6 years.

Mario and Jeff are back to work on the kitchen today. It's coming along nicely. The end is in sight - and I look forward to the day I can put the mess back behind the doors!!! This process seems to be dragging on forever. Mario is more-than-ready to never make another trip to Palm Springs to work on the many pieces of our kitchen. It's a good thing Thanksgiving wasn't planned to be at our house this year, we would have never been ready.

We have an MRI scheduled for Ryan on December 23. Children's Hospital called me Thursday night to see if I could bring him in Friday morning. Unfortunately that day just wouldn't work given my San Francisco work load right now. Then, of course, they had a Monday opening (the day I travel). I insist on being with him, so I will keep the December 23 appointment and hope that something will open up on a day that I'm not scheduled to travel.

Ryan is growing so quickly. He's such a personable baby. Ryan is still very adjusted at daycare. He is very well liked and he exchanges the sentiment! It's neat to think that we'll be able to look back and think that Nina will have been caring for Ryan since he was only 2 months old. We really like her - she and Rosa are pretty amazing.

Fire in OC

Our thoughts and prayers are with our friends and family in Orange County whose homes are threatened by the fire.

Kitchen Remodel Progress

This is the 3rd weekend that the kitchen has been under construction. So far, all of the new cabinet boxes have been put in the kitchen, pantry and laundry room. We are without the conveniences of a sink, dishwasher, stove and oven. But hey! That piece of paper is where I can visualize that the new sink will go! We have picked out the kitchen and laundry room sinks (I decided to go with cast-iron for both). We decided on a professional-style faucet for the kitchen and picked it up last night (along with a convenient hot/cold dispenser).


We started removing ceramic tiles this weekend (what a noisy AND DUSTY process). Visualize a fine powder of the white stuff shown in the photo all over your house. The counter tops got measured for granite this afternoon.

We still need to pick out backsplash tiles and arrange to have the granite and flooring installed. Drawers, door fronts, faux panels and crown moulding should be going in (hopefully) within the week.

For the most part (except for the DUST), the whole process has been painless (maybe Jeff has a different perspective because he's been doing all the work!!). I'd say that most of the hassle has been the embarrassment to have the insides of your cabinets exposed on tables in our entryway and an inconvenience to be without a sink or appliances. We've had a couple of occasions when we've decided to make some changes to our kitchen plan along the way - but everything has been easily adjustable. I'm looking forward to us having this all complete in the next couple weeks. I have to just keep in mind that we have only had the weekends to work.

Tomorrow we will not be working on the kitchen (unless Mario decides to come install doors/drawers after all) because Jeff will be taking Dylan to race. As usual, if it's not one project it's another! We always manage to run 1,000 miles an hour.

Sled Riders M.C. Dual Euro Scrambles Race Weekend

Dylan took 1st place in Saturday's novice race.

It's too bad we weren't there. I guess he had an exciting race. He was the 2nd person through the bomb and the whole race was a close race race until the very end, where he overtook his competitor on the rock hill while the spectators cheered him on. As he passed him (the crowd goes wild), he held up his left hand pointing his index finger to let him know who was number one!! He said it was an exhilarating feeling.

He raced again today for Best of the West points. He had a 4-kick start and crashed 2 times but he still managed to come in 4th overall and 2nd in class.

With only a few races left this year, he has a shot at first place Novice. We have no idea where he is ranked in Best of the West but we think he is top 5 for sure. (The steward has never posted the results)

Not Again!

Since Ryan was released from the hospital, we've been administering home care to help cure his anal stenosis. Last week his doctor suddenly wanted to get real aggressive in treating Ryan. He stepped up the dilation progress and wanted us to bring him back in one week (which was today).

At our appointment today, the doctor indicated that he has suspicion that Ryan's condition is a bit more severe than just anal stenosis. He believes it to be rectal stenosis - which would require surgery similar to - but more extensive than - the Hirschsprung's procedure.

An MRI is being scheduled at Children's Hospital LA. If, after the MRI, there is a confirmed diagnosis of the condition, then I will share all of the detail that I was given today with all of you. It may be a couple of weeks before we can get it scheduled.

In the meantime, put Ryan in your prayers.

Tonight I look at him while he sleeps peacefully in his crib. I just love him so much. I know that regardless of what is determined, he will be okay. I look forward to the day that we aren't taking him to the doctor for anything accept his regular check-ups.

Good night, Ryan. Sweet dreams little baby. Someday this will all be over. Your Mommy & your Daddy love you!!!

Obama v McCain

Obama Accepts:



McCain Conceeds:

Decision '08 Presidential Election Results

Dylan & Randi go to Homecoming

Tonight is Glendora High School's Homecoming dance.   We started the event by taking pictures at 4p.  Everyone looked so amazing.  It was fun to see all of the couples dressed up.  Dylan posed with his brother (Ryan) and Randi with Cadence, her niece.  As time passed on and more and more couples in the group arrived it slowly transitioned to darkness and the sprinkles began to fall.  

Just moments before the party bus arrived, it began to pour and all of the kids scattered to any dry location they could find - in cars, under trees, under umbrellas (some were prepared for this!) under sweaters/jackets and under trees. 

 
44 kids lined up to seek shelter into the party bus.  One would think that this would have been the saving grace.  The bus driver did not immediately load the kids on to the bus - so they stood out in the rain getting soaked.  From what I was hearing, he was having everyone sign waiver forms.  I guess I may have handled the signing differently given the weather situation, but what's done is done.  I felt bad for the girls standing out there in their little dresses and their open toed-shoes... and their freshly prepared hair now soaked from the rain.

The kids were off for "formal pictures" at the dance.  (Those should be interesting... now that they are all soaked)  

After pictures, they were all headed to sushi - then back to the dance - then to Victoria Gardens for ice cream!