Chuck would agree with that statement, though not for the reason I'm about to share!
I have had a tremendous amount of pain in my right hip since before Tristan was born. Last year Memorial Day weekend marked when the "miserable pregnant" feeling set in for me. Something shifted... or I grew... whatever happened I began to have sciatica on my right side. By the end of my pregnancy every.single.step hurt. My mom was here and wanted to go out and about shopping and I just couldn't do it because it hurt too much to walk around. One night at Walmart I broke down and drove one of the wheelchair carts (which was dangerous because I am not a good driver!).
I really thought all that pain would go away as soon as I had the baby. (I also thought all my swelling would instantly go away, but that's another story.) It didn't. I've had a lot of pain in my right hip. I've even seen my primary care doctor about it and she threatened me with physical therapy. She knows I don't have time for that!
We may have fantastic insurance, but it doesn't cover chiropractic care. So, even though I've known I need to see a chiropractor, I've drug my feet because I'm cheap. But I finally broke down and went today. X-rays were taken and things don't look so good in my lower back and pelvis. It seems I'm pretty twisted to the right. I had to turn my head a little to the side to look at the x-rays - that's how bad it looked. I cautiously asked the doctor, "Can you fix it?" And he seems confident that he can get me straightened out (too bad it'll only be my back and pelvis, huh!).
So I had my first adjustment. I'm not sure if I feel any better. We'll see. I'm just so grateful I'm finally taking care of this (though my wallet is not).
So yes, I am indeed twisted. But not in the way Chuck thinks!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Back from MI
We got back from MI this morning. It was a wonderful trip in so many ways and a hard trip in a lot of ways.
Chuck and I have made a pact that we will never again stay in a one-room hotel room with all three kids again. Never. No matter the cost. I was more sleep deprived last week than I ever was when Tristan was a newborn. This girl needs sleep to maintain sanity.
We saw so many awesome friends on our trip. We of course saw our family, but I also saw a lot of friends that I haven't seen in years. Facebook has proved to be quite the tool for connecting with old friends!
On Wednesday I hung out with my friend Christa from high school while Chuck slept (we drove Tuesday night). She has four little girls and had a ton of stuff for the kids to do. The boys had their first experience playing with a hose and running through a sprinkler. That night we got to hang with my mom and sister for a while before crashing early (since we drove all night).
Thursday we took the boys to the Detroit Zoo. We had a blast. It worked well to keep the twins in the double stroller. They felt secure that way while looking at all the big "mimi's" and "tutu's." We gave them their first ever ice cream cones and let them make a huge mess of themselves. That night we hung out with my sister and brother in law and after that I ventured out to see my friend DJ.
Friday I got to see Amanda, who I haven't seen in God only knows how long. I have been friends with her since second grade. Crazy! Chuck took the boys swimming and they had a blast. When naptime rolled around, Amanda and I took Tristan to the mall and met up with my mom and stepdad. We shopped and then headed back over to the hotel room after naptime was over. My mom cooked up an Arabic food feast for us so we chowed. After bedtime I headed out to see my college friend, Michelle. I haven't seen her in about 10 years. There aren't many people out there who know "Juli during college." Michelle knows and still loves me! It was great catching up with her and hearing where life has taken her (she has been ALL over the world... I'm so jealous!).
Saturday we hooked up with some of our very favorite people - the Antonucci's. Vince recently left our church to start one in Las Vegas. We miss them terribly and it was so cool that Vince was speaking in MI the same weekend we were visiting. The hotel they stayed in had a waterpark so we had some fun there.
And then it happened.
Over the loud speaker we heard, "Due to an unfortunate event, we will have to close the pool for 45 minutes." We were not happy about that. I mean really - why would they close the pool for that long? What's the deal? And then I had this sick feeling in my stomach and asked Chuck to check the boys' diapers. Samuel was fine. Noah, umm not so much. I held tightly to Tristan and asked Chuck if he would take care of it since I had Tristan. I'm glad he did because from what he told me I don't think I could have handled it. We were so completely embarrassed and probably apologized to every employee twice. That evening Vince spoke at a local church and Chuck went with him. Me, Jen, and the kids went to Olive Garden. I never go out to eat with the kids alone and I'm so glad Jen is understanding and helpful. It was stressful... and of course the boys cried over silly things multiple times. By the end of the meal I had all three kids sitting next to me somehow. Tristan was thankfully in a good mood. I just felt bad for the people who had to sit near us. Note to self: Don't dine out with the kids without Chuck until the twins are in middle school! That night we met up with a family that started a church outside of Detroit a few years ago. Our church was involved with getting that church started, so it was neat to meet them and hear how things are going. They also have twins (2 1/2 year old girls) so it gave me some new perspective on parenting twin toddlers. It's just not easy whether they are adopted or not!
The following day Chuck went to check out the newer church while I stayed with the kids. We had talked about going as a family, but Chuck wanted to go super early to see them set up and Tristan woke up with a fever. So, I stayed back while Chuck went. After lunchtime Chuck loaded up the kids and took them for a drive (aka naptime) while I slept in the hotel room for a few hours. Tristan went on some kind of sleep strike and by Sunday I was losing it from lack of sleep. That was wonderful! That evening we hung out with the Antonucci's and the family with the twins. We had pizza, roasted marshmallows, and talked for hours. The kids had a blast and we're pretty sure that Samuel ate a bunch of sand. Don't ask why we think this. It is gross.
Monday morning we met up again with the Antonucci's one last time for breakfast. Then we packed up our hotel room and Chuck went to sleep at my sister's house while I went and visited some high school friends. The boys had a blast playing and it was just like old times seeing my friends Randy and Jenny. Jenny was a surrogate last year for a couple and I just think that is amazing.
Last night we left my sister's house at about 8:15. I drove for the first four hours and then Chuck took over and drove all night. We pulled in at about 7:45 this morning. Both Chuck and I have had naps but we are so ready for bed!
All in all, it was a good trip other than the sleep situation. Seriously, I wish we could "warp" like we did in Super Mario Brothers because driving to MI is not fun. I'd go back a lot more often if I could warp!
Chuck and I have made a pact that we will never again stay in a one-room hotel room with all three kids again. Never. No matter the cost. I was more sleep deprived last week than I ever was when Tristan was a newborn. This girl needs sleep to maintain sanity.
We saw so many awesome friends on our trip. We of course saw our family, but I also saw a lot of friends that I haven't seen in years. Facebook has proved to be quite the tool for connecting with old friends!
On Wednesday I hung out with my friend Christa from high school while Chuck slept (we drove Tuesday night). She has four little girls and had a ton of stuff for the kids to do. The boys had their first experience playing with a hose and running through a sprinkler. That night we got to hang with my mom and sister for a while before crashing early (since we drove all night).
Thursday we took the boys to the Detroit Zoo. We had a blast. It worked well to keep the twins in the double stroller. They felt secure that way while looking at all the big "mimi's" and "tutu's." We gave them their first ever ice cream cones and let them make a huge mess of themselves. That night we hung out with my sister and brother in law and after that I ventured out to see my friend DJ.
Friday I got to see Amanda, who I haven't seen in God only knows how long. I have been friends with her since second grade. Crazy! Chuck took the boys swimming and they had a blast. When naptime rolled around, Amanda and I took Tristan to the mall and met up with my mom and stepdad. We shopped and then headed back over to the hotel room after naptime was over. My mom cooked up an Arabic food feast for us so we chowed. After bedtime I headed out to see my college friend, Michelle. I haven't seen her in about 10 years. There aren't many people out there who know "Juli during college." Michelle knows and still loves me! It was great catching up with her and hearing where life has taken her (she has been ALL over the world... I'm so jealous!).
Saturday we hooked up with some of our very favorite people - the Antonucci's. Vince recently left our church to start one in Las Vegas. We miss them terribly and it was so cool that Vince was speaking in MI the same weekend we were visiting. The hotel they stayed in had a waterpark so we had some fun there.
And then it happened.
Over the loud speaker we heard, "Due to an unfortunate event, we will have to close the pool for 45 minutes." We were not happy about that. I mean really - why would they close the pool for that long? What's the deal? And then I had this sick feeling in my stomach and asked Chuck to check the boys' diapers. Samuel was fine. Noah, umm not so much. I held tightly to Tristan and asked Chuck if he would take care of it since I had Tristan. I'm glad he did because from what he told me I don't think I could have handled it. We were so completely embarrassed and probably apologized to every employee twice. That evening Vince spoke at a local church and Chuck went with him. Me, Jen, and the kids went to Olive Garden. I never go out to eat with the kids alone and I'm so glad Jen is understanding and helpful. It was stressful... and of course the boys cried over silly things multiple times. By the end of the meal I had all three kids sitting next to me somehow. Tristan was thankfully in a good mood. I just felt bad for the people who had to sit near us. Note to self: Don't dine out with the kids without Chuck until the twins are in middle school! That night we met up with a family that started a church outside of Detroit a few years ago. Our church was involved with getting that church started, so it was neat to meet them and hear how things are going. They also have twins (2 1/2 year old girls) so it gave me some new perspective on parenting twin toddlers. It's just not easy whether they are adopted or not!
The following day Chuck went to check out the newer church while I stayed with the kids. We had talked about going as a family, but Chuck wanted to go super early to see them set up and Tristan woke up with a fever. So, I stayed back while Chuck went. After lunchtime Chuck loaded up the kids and took them for a drive (aka naptime) while I slept in the hotel room for a few hours. Tristan went on some kind of sleep strike and by Sunday I was losing it from lack of sleep. That was wonderful! That evening we hung out with the Antonucci's and the family with the twins. We had pizza, roasted marshmallows, and talked for hours. The kids had a blast and we're pretty sure that Samuel ate a bunch of sand. Don't ask why we think this. It is gross.
Monday morning we met up again with the Antonucci's one last time for breakfast. Then we packed up our hotel room and Chuck went to sleep at my sister's house while I went and visited some high school friends. The boys had a blast playing and it was just like old times seeing my friends Randy and Jenny. Jenny was a surrogate last year for a couple and I just think that is amazing.
Last night we left my sister's house at about 8:15. I drove for the first four hours and then Chuck took over and drove all night. We pulled in at about 7:45 this morning. Both Chuck and I have had naps but we are so ready for bed!
All in all, it was a good trip other than the sleep situation. Seriously, I wish we could "warp" like we did in Super Mario Brothers because driving to MI is not fun. I'd go back a lot more often if I could warp!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Wearing Them Out
That's what it's all about with twin 3 year old boys. We look for ways to wear them out.
We assumed they were too young for an outdoor trampoline.
We were wrong!
A few weeks ago we visited some friends and our boys tried out their trampoline and had an absolute ball. Thanks to the generosity of many people, we've been given money for stuff for the kids. We've kept it tucked away and waited to see how we should use it. After seeing all the fun the boys had on the trampoline, we knew that would be our next purchase. And a few days later our BJ's coupons came in the mail and there was a $40 off coupon for a trampoline with an enclosure. So, Chuck went and bought it on Friday, put it together yesterday... and it has pretty much not stopped raining since it went up :( Seriously, the boys got 5 minutes of jumping in and the rain started.
It's supposed to be sunny by tomorrow afternoon and I assure you that I will be out back wearing those boys out!
We assumed they were too young for an outdoor trampoline.
We were wrong!
A few weeks ago we visited some friends and our boys tried out their trampoline and had an absolute ball. Thanks to the generosity of many people, we've been given money for stuff for the kids. We've kept it tucked away and waited to see how we should use it. After seeing all the fun the boys had on the trampoline, we knew that would be our next purchase. And a few days later our BJ's coupons came in the mail and there was a $40 off coupon for a trampoline with an enclosure. So, Chuck went and bought it on Friday, put it together yesterday... and it has pretty much not stopped raining since it went up :( Seriously, the boys got 5 minutes of jumping in and the rain started.
It's supposed to be sunny by tomorrow afternoon and I assure you that I will be out back wearing those boys out!
$89.34 Makes Me Grateful
I just wrote a check for $89.34 to the hospital. That amount is greatly reduced from the original 18K bill we first received for having Tristan.
Growing up, I lived outside of Detroit when the automotive industry was booming. Excellent health benefits were one of the bonuses of living in that area. I never knew that some people just don't have health insurance until I moved to the South in 2000.
Thankfully, we live in the South and have excellent health insurance. With Chuck's early retirement from the Coast Guard, we will never go without health insurance. And today I am so thankful for that.
Growing up, I lived outside of Detroit when the automotive industry was booming. Excellent health benefits were one of the bonuses of living in that area. I never knew that some people just don't have health insurance until I moved to the South in 2000.
Thankfully, we live in the South and have excellent health insurance. With Chuck's early retirement from the Coast Guard, we will never go without health insurance. And today I am so thankful for that.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Pulling Up
Well, it began yesterday.
Tristan is pulling up on anything he can get his hands on: the crib, the pack n play, the box of diapers, the end table. If he can get a grasp on it, he's going to try.
Unfortunately he's still pretty wobbly and has already suffered a goose egg on his head because of that.
And he's so dang proud of himself when he pulls himself up! We are too.
Tomorrow Tristan will be NINE months old. How is that possible?
We love this little guy so much. It is such a blessing to watch a baby grow. You know, not through pictures like we did with the twins.
That's all for now...
Tristan is pulling up on anything he can get his hands on: the crib, the pack n play, the box of diapers, the end table. If he can get a grasp on it, he's going to try.
Unfortunately he's still pretty wobbly and has already suffered a goose egg on his head because of that.
And he's so dang proud of himself when he pulls himself up! We are too.
Tomorrow Tristan will be NINE months old. How is that possible?
We love this little guy so much. It is such a blessing to watch a baby grow. You know, not through pictures like we did with the twins.
That's all for now...
Monday, May 11, 2009
MI
Hey Michigan peeps!! I'm going to be in MI soon (not gonna share exact dates on the internet) and would like to try to get together with as many people as I can while there. Please send me an email at julicason@yahoo.com if you'd like to try to get together.
Thanks!
Thanks!
I'm just gonna put it out there...
I had a great Mother's Day. Breakfast in bed and all that kind of jazz doesn't happen when your husband is a pastor and has to leave the house early. That's okay, though, because I'd be freaked about getting crumbs in the sheets. I did get surprised after church with Chuck taking all three kids home and letting me have some time to myself after church. I went to lunch with my friends Dana and Samantha. Samantha is moving to Las Vegas on Tuesday to help start a church, so getting some hang-time with her was a bonus. We went to Taste Unlimited (local place and my first time) and it was yum.
I also got the Wii Fit and a bunch of accesories for it. I had asked for the Wii Fit and then unasked for it after researching it some. Chuck got it for me anyway and I'm glad he did. I had fun trying it out yesterday before we went to the oceanfront. We took the boys to see monster trucks at the beach. It was a lot more fun than I expected. It was really fun to walk on the boardwalk with the kids. It helped that they were all in good moods. We left promptly when Tristan started screaming.
Yesterday I got no less than 10 text messages with some sort of Happy Mother's Day message. I love technology - especially the ability to text message. I think it eliminates all kinds of useless chatter when you just have a simple question or statement. Chuck and I use it a bunch and it helps us stay connected throughout the day when we use it.
However, there is something not so warm and fuzzy about getting a text message that obviously went out to all the moms programmed in your cell phone. In fact, it felt more special when two separate strangers at the beach wished me a Happy Mother's Day.
I'm not posting this to shame anyone. I plan to stick to the good-ole-fashion telephone or card for special occasions. Maybe I'm wrong. Or old-fasioned. Just my opinion.
I also got the Wii Fit and a bunch of accesories for it. I had asked for the Wii Fit and then unasked for it after researching it some. Chuck got it for me anyway and I'm glad he did. I had fun trying it out yesterday before we went to the oceanfront. We took the boys to see monster trucks at the beach. It was a lot more fun than I expected. It was really fun to walk on the boardwalk with the kids. It helped that they were all in good moods. We left promptly when Tristan started screaming.
Yesterday I got no less than 10 text messages with some sort of Happy Mother's Day message. I love technology - especially the ability to text message. I think it eliminates all kinds of useless chatter when you just have a simple question or statement. Chuck and I use it a bunch and it helps us stay connected throughout the day when we use it.
However, there is something not so warm and fuzzy about getting a text message that obviously went out to all the moms programmed in your cell phone. In fact, it felt more special when two separate strangers at the beach wished me a Happy Mother's Day.
I'm not posting this to shame anyone. I plan to stick to the good-ole-fashion telephone or card for special occasions. Maybe I'm wrong. Or old-fasioned. Just my opinion.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Toothy #2
This morning I noticed that Tristan is getting another toothy - right next to the first one.
Maybe that explains the screamfest last night.
Maybe that explains the screamfest last night.
Saturday, May 02, 2009
BUBBLES!!!!
Okay...this is Chuck. And I'm temporarily comandeering Juli's blog. Today, the Cason's had a really cool day. Minus some minor trauma due to "Crash n' Burn" getting hair cuts (they fussed so badly that Papa was emotionally traumatized to last a lifetime). Anyway, to help heal the rotten memories of the day, I decided to do some extra amounts of play time (yes... extra... like in addition to the already obscene amounts in the normal schedule). This flowed right up until bedtime. The weather has been so sweet here, that I totally wanted to rock it in the back yard with them. Well, after Crash, Burn, and I had thrown the ball around, whacked the crap out of every tree and bush we could find with little LaCrosse sticks, and royaly wreaked havoc on the yard in general, we were ready for something a little more mellow. Juli's mom (The Judemeister) had bought the twins this automatic bubble blower device. Just pour in a little bit of bubble juice, turn it on, and let it rip. The boys were going so nuts over the whole scene, I had to go in and get the video camera. They were diggin' it hard. The footage below is the mellowed out, already getting old take. Had I been holding my camera for the first 15 mins, my lil JVC digital buddy might not have survived.
Now, for all of the parents who have seen Finding Nemo way too many times, like us, you are well acquainted with the scene where Nemo is first observed in his new tank, vs. the open ocean. He meets a character here that has an unhealthy facination with bubbles. He sees the little treasue chest open up, and chases the uprising bubbles, yelling, or maybe chanting, "BUBBLES!!!!" This is what both of the twins were yelling, no...quoting, as they were chasing the soapy deviants. Good times. Hope you enjoy the vid. And then you can all have your Juli back. Peace out.
Now, for all of the parents who have seen Finding Nemo way too many times, like us, you are well acquainted with the scene where Nemo is first observed in his new tank, vs. the open ocean. He meets a character here that has an unhealthy facination with bubbles. He sees the little treasue chest open up, and chases the uprising bubbles, yelling, or maybe chanting, "BUBBLES!!!!" This is what both of the twins were yelling, no...quoting, as they were chasing the soapy deviants. Good times. Hope you enjoy the vid. And then you can all have your Juli back. Peace out.
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