More Campbell

Campbell has started the spring track and field series at her school. They practice once per week and have 3 track meets. Last night was the first track meet. Campbell chose to run the 800m because it was so cold yesterday. At run time it was 40 degrees. Those kids were so cold. As were the parents. Hopefully the next two meets are much warmer.

Even with the codl weather Campbell did a good job. Her official time was 4:49. That's twice around the track in less than 5 minutes. That's not too bad. I do need to make sure that next week she moves herself to the front of the start line rather than standing in the back. She has to maneuver around all the slow kids which slows her start. She can easily take of 10 seconds by starting in the front. She did a great job passing all those kids that are taller than her though.

In other Campbell news...We saw the endocrenologist again. She had grown 1/2 inch in 6 months. I was thrilled with that. There have been times when she only grew 1/2 inch in a year. So this seemed really good to me. The doc wasn't so happy with it, though. He was wanting to see an inch in 6 months. I had to inform him that she has never grown an inch in a year since she was a baby. This did not make him happy.

It turns out he wants to have some more extensive testing done on her growth hormones. The test is called a Growth Hormone Stimulation Test. She will have to have an IV in for 4 hours. They will push 2 medicines through the IV. If her HGH reacts then she is fine and nothing further will need to be done. If her HGH doesn't react then we have some decisions to make.

If it doesn't react then it means there is something wrong with her HGH and we may have to consider growth hormone therapy. Aaron and I are not to keen on doing this. The only reason that we would is that the doc said the hormone deficiency could negatively affect her heart and bone health. The test will be done in June.

A Basin Party

On Saturday, we headed up to A Basin (Arapahoe Basin) for a party. One of Aaron's friends has a party up there every year. It's for a couple of guys' birthdays. They have apparently been doing this for 5 years. They rent a parking area at the base of the ski slopes and just hang out and drink and eat all day.

This was our first year going. As such we didn't know exactly what to expect. The party was no Bradoween but we had a good time. If we go next year, we will definitely take skis so that we can also ski during the day. The party is called a "Beach Party" so we did at least take buckets and sand toys for the kids to use in the snow. They had a great time and so did the kids at the party next to ours. They thought our toys were the greatest.

Next year, we will also remember the sun screen. We all came home with burns on our faces this year.

The Brown's Petri Dish

I suggest everyone stay away from our house for a few days. We are full of all sorts of nastyness. Last week Caleb started with a cough on Tuesday. On Thursday, he was running a fever. Friday morning he was diagnosed with pneumonia. This is a kid who never gets sick. In fact, this is only the 3rd time in his life that he has been on antibiotics. Yet, he gets pneumonia. We have kept him quarantined in the house all weekend.

Fast forward to Saturday. I have been coughing for a couple of days. On Saturday night I started running a fever. I have been off and on all day with a fever today. I also started taking some Echinecea/Goldenseal drops. I was told that they are a natural antibiotic. Since there does not seem to be an urgent care open today I though I'd give them a try. I started them yesterday, and less than 24 hours after the first dose, my ear and jaws no longer ache. This all natural treatment may be a good way to go.

Aaron has a scratchy throat. Campbell seems to be fine. I am getting ready to spray Lysol all over this place. Also, the snow has stopped and the weather is beautiful. Time to open the windows.

Happy Easter

yes...It's snowing!

Changes

In January and February, I interviewed for a job. After three interviews they decided to hire someone else. At the beginning of March they called and asked if would do a contract position for them. I met with them again. I was told last week that they would indeed hire me to do the contract. I just received the contract so can now make the announcement that I am going back to work.

The job will only last 8 weeks, but it is something. In these economic times you take what you can get. Also, it is a job I know I can do and can do well. It will definitely be different getting up and going to work in the mornings. I have not had to do that in two years. I mean I worked, but I worked remotely from my home. I did not need to get dress, brush my hair, or even brush my teeth if I didn't feel like it. Now I must get up and look presentable before I walk out the door in the mornings. It is also a one hour commute each direction, so I will have to get use to that as well. I better make sure my coffee pot is set to brew at 6am.

Caleb will be going to "school" full time during this period. He has been going to preschool since October so he is comfortable with this center and his teachers. He will just have to get use to taking a nap after lunch instead of coming home. Luckily, most days Aaron will be able to pick him up shortly after nap time so that shouldn't be too bad.

Campbell is the trickiest. All the afterschool care programs are filled and she would only need to be in them for 30 minutes at most anyway, so we have had to be creative with our schedules to make it work for her. We think we have this figured out. Will report later on how it's working.

Aaron's work schedule won't change too much. He will still go in at 6am and leave at 2:30. He will be responsible for all the afternoon childcare pickups. He hasn't had this responsibility consistently since I was in college when Campbell was just little. He will also be responsible for dinners since I won't be home until after six.

These next 2 months will require a lot of juggling on all of our parts, but we will make it work.

April Fool's

Today is April 5. It is snowing again. It has snowed every single day of this month so far. I am so over the snow. I want it to warm up already.

In other news...On April 1, Campbell started track practice. I can't wait for her meets. The first two races she has to run the mile. The last meet she can choose between the 400m and the 800m. Can't wait to see how she does.

Hopefully it won't be snowing on those days.

Snow Shoeing