Friday, July 31, 2009

Well, things are slowly returning to "normal" here in the Copley household. If life with a 3 year old and a 2 month old could be called normal. Funny thing is, I don't remember life before children.

Kylee came home around 11:30 today. Dad had Ayden at the shop and she made it home later this evening. I called and ordered everyone pizza. Mom, dad, and Matthew had dinner with us. It was a good evening. Ayden was really glad to be home. We were glad to have both of the girls back where they belong. But, boy is it nice to have family to depend on in an emergency. Thanks to my Aunt Sherry and cousins Holly and Tiffany for coming to visit April while she was in the hospital after surgery. Family is the biggest treasure that we can have.

Ayden was very affectionate this evening, I love it when she is this way. Mom and dad stayed a while and helped with the girls. April is still sore and tired. I can completely understand. She has done really well after her surgery. Bad thing is she still has to undergo the biopsy next week. Kylee has been a good girl today. I have done the feeding and diaper changes. I never realized how much April did and I didn't do. I helped her, but not nearly as much as I thought I did. I now know that I need to help with Kylee more.

I'm getting a little anxious for school to get started back. I guess the sooner we go back, the sooner we will be on summer break again. That's one way to look at it. Next week I need to make follow up calls to the preschools for Ayden. April and I need to really sit down and devise a plan of where and when we want her to go. Which one would be the best, not only for curriculum but in location for transportation.

Getting really excited for October to roll around. It is a big month. It will mark our 7 year wedding anniversary. I never thought that April would keep me around for this long. I guess I have finally grown on her. I hope I make her half as happy as she makes me. That sounds really fembot, but it is true. She has given me two beautiful daughters and has been with me through all of my ailments and never missed a beat. In my defense I guess she has now had more than her fair share of medical problems. I would gladly take them for her. I hate to see her in pain. I would rather be the one lying in the flattering hospital gown, getting all of the good drugs. But then again, I'm a wimp and she deals with pain a lot better than I.

October will also be my first attempt at an official hiking trip. 18 miles in two days. I have a lot of work to do before the trip. Getting in shape that is. I have most of the gear that I need, I think. I just need to get in a little better shape. If you read this and think you would be up to the adventure just let me know. Don't worry about never having done it before, I haven't either.

As always, Life is good, I'm just along for the ride.

Romantic ER Getaway for Two

April had a kidney biopsy scheduled for 11:00 Wednesday at St. Mary's. Early Wednesday morning around 2:20 am she got really sick. Vomiting and diarrhea. This lasted until and during our ride to her appointment. We took the girls over for her dad, nanny, and brother Josh to watch. Her mom went with us.

Because she was sick, the Specials Procedure Department had cancelled the procedure before I could get the vehicle parked and inside to meet them. They did, however, suggest that she go to the ER to make sure she did not have an infection. We went to the ER and they did a CT scan and some blood work. All the while April was in pain. They gave her some medication for the vomiting and it did subside which was nice for her.

I went to the cafeteria to get her mom and I something to eat and when I got back she said that she had an appendicitis and that they were going to do emergency surgery within the hour. WOW! Who knew?

Within two hours she was in the OR and they called to say that she was doing really well. She stayed in recovery for about an hour and was then taken up to a private room. She didn't get sick once. I couldn't believe it. She did great.

I brought Pam home and sent some things over to for the girls. I grabbed a few things for April and I and headed back to the hospital for the night. Sara stayed the night also. Mom, dad, and Matthew stayed while I was gone.

Thanks to everyone that called, visited, and helped out with the girls. I am a little tired and my eyes are getting hard to keep open. April is doing well. Just a little tired. We are home. Ayden is going to stay with mom and dad tonight and Kylee is going to stay with Will and Pam one more night. I am afraid that April will get sick and need me and I won't be able to get to Kylee. That's just me and thinking ahead. Like I said before, Life is good, and I'm just along for the ride.

July 28, 2009

Not a great picture of the piece but you can see how colorful it is.

I would like to take a minute and do a little advertising. I recently purchased my first fine art pieces. They are very nice. Very vibrant and full of color. I bought them for April for her birthday. She really liked them. They are from an artist named Megan Aroon Ducanson. MADART is her studio name. Her initials plus ART. I have conversed with her numerous times and she is very helpful and prompt in returning e-mails. She has worked with celebrities and had a painting appear on Grey's Anatomy. She lives in a remote part of Alaska and is a very down to earth person despite all of her success. If you are looking to spruce up your house and add a little light to your humble abode, check out her work. It is all reasonably priced also. See her work here: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5128694

More about Ayden:

Mom and dad bought her a little stuffed cat that came with a pink carrying case at the beach. She insists that it is a dog. She will not listen to anyone that it is a cat. She has named "him" Baby Clifford. I do not know where she gets the names? It is beyond me. I have told her she needs to teach him tricks. She has now taught him how to sit and to stay in his cage. I swear it is a hoot having a 3 year old around.

She also has a doll that she loves to brush her hair. She named this doll Amelia Mohawk. She calls her Amelia Hohawk. It is rather funny to hear, I must admit.

She watches a show on Noggin called Little Bill. It was created by Bill Cosby and a really good show teaching acceptance, sharing, and several other important skills for toddlers. Any who, Little Bill, the main character, calls himself a super helper in several episodes. He helps his parents, his grandmother, and even his brother and sister. April and I started calling Ayden our super helper and it evolved into "Super Ayden".

While at the beach I stopped at an airbrush booth and had Ayden a shirt made that says Daddy's Super Ayden. It has the Superman logo with an "A" instead of the of the "S". Of course it is in pink and yellow. She tells everyone it says, "Ayden's Super Daddy", which makes me beam. I love her.

We also had a little mishap with Ayden today. I was doing laundry and April was tending to Kylee. We heard a loud thump in our bathroom and Ayden started crying. Apparently, April had left the toilet seat up. Right. Ayden had completely fallen into the toilet and was soaked, even her hair. That was one story I should have gotten pictures with. Ayden has been doing really well going to the potty all by herself. Usually the only help she needs is washing her hands and buttoning her pants. I hope this doesn't set her back. She was so mad that she told me that she was going to tell Grammy on me. I had to bite my tongue to keep from laughing while trying to get her settled down.

Kylee has had a rough day. We think she may be teething. Yea, at 2 months. Plus, she has had horrible gas. She has been screaming a crying. We have been passing her back and forth all day. She is now in size 1 diapers. Yea. She is really growing. We have found that like her big sister did she really likes the big people shower. Now, Ayden hates it. She says that taking a shower and bath and eating are no fun. But we still make her do it. For the sanity of the entire Copley Household. I have found that my sanity is on the edge of the Grand Canyon when both girls are having meltdowns. Luckily, I have kept it from taking the Nestea Plunge off the edge. I love being a dad. I am so glad for two little girls. Ayden is such a joy. She loves affection and now I can look forward to it from Kylee. Life is good, and I'm just along for the ride!

Home Sweet Home

First morning at Cherry Grove.

Appropriate fish face for the beach.


Precious!

Ayden loves being the big sister.

Just after they brought her the birthday cake and we sang to her.

She is about to fall asleep. She was very tired every evening.

No Internet access in over a week lets you know how addicted you really are. The beach was grand. Ayden had a wonderful time. I don't think she took a step that she wasn't skipping, hopping, or jumping. It was wonderful just seeing her have a great time.

Mom and dad were able to come down for a couple of days. Ayden and I were able to go to Ripley's Aquarium for the day with them. They spent a day on the beach with us. We then went to Benjamin's for an evening of overeating. Will and Pam were also there the entire week with us. It was a great trip. Matthew and I spent every night on the beach until 4am looking for marine life. We found crabs, stingrays, squids, and a very largeand I would say old horseshoe crab. I caught a black tip sand shark and several salt water perch while fishing.

It's good to be back home. It is funny how we are so ready to get out of Wayne, but then so glad to be back when we arrive. The ride home was not real great. It stormed and we were forced to take a detour rather than get caught for 2 hours of traffic in Virginia on I 77. We took a scenic route that turned out to be nice but we didn't get home until 1am. Not too bad considering we left to come home about 9am.

Ayden turned 3 on the trip. She had a wonderful birthday. All three have been at the beach. She had a cake and was sang to by the wait staff at Duffy Street Seafood Shack. They were very good to her.

April turned the big 30 on the drive home Saturday. I gave her the paintings I bought her for her birthday. There by an artist named Megan Ducanson (MADART). They are very vibrant and we have really fallen in love with her work.

Kylee had a good time...I think. She slept a lot. She did get to spend a lot of time on the beach. She seemed to like it. She is growing so much. She is really filling out. I have two beautiful daughters. I am such a lucky man.

April has a very important procedure scheduled for Wednesday. We are somewhat anxious about it. I am staying strong for her. It will turn out alright. I know it will. She is a strong woman. She is one of the toughest women I know.

July 12-13, 2009

Saturday and Sunday were rather uneventful if you call not being able to do much in the way of walking normally around the house uneventful. We visited Will and Pam on Saturday and had dinner with them for Pam's birthday. It was really good. We stayed there for a while and Pam and Ayden really had a good time. They played and played and played. I thought Ayden would be exhausted when we left. Wrong.

Kylee. In typical Kylee fashion, slept almost the entire visit. When we left we stopped by mom and dad's. Ayden was still going strong at 11:30 when we left. She stayed the night with them so she could go to the annual Beckett Cemetery Meeting on Sunday.

April took Kylee and went with Josh and Pam to Target today. We had kind of a lazy day. They left around 3. Mom and dad stopped and dropped some food off for me and took Ayden on to their house since she was asleep in the truck. April arrived home shortly thereafter and we went to mom and dad's to get Ayden. Dad had bought a new 32 gig iPhone and he needed to help him set it up to Itunes on his laptop. Mission accomplished.

We arrived home about 10:00. I had April put some Icy Hot on my back to try that out. Anything is worth a try at this point. I have an appointment in August for the pain clinic at St. Mary's. Hopefully, they will get me in line to get a tens unit or a nerve block. We'll see. We got the girls ready for bed and settled in to watch a couple of new series on HBO that are pretty good. Hung and True Blood. They are good. Made for the adult audience, but good none the less.

We have a lot to get finished this week before we leave Friday for the beach. I have to change the oil in my truck and get it washed. We have a couple of doctor appointments and have to get everything packed. Its going to be a busy week, but it will be well worth it.

In just a few short days, I'll be fishing during the early morning in the inlet that separates Cherry Grove from the bird sanctuary. Watching the sun rise. Rising early gives me a chance to have "me" time and getting things moved to the beach for everyone else. I'll be basking in the noonday sun with the family; April, Ayden, Kylee, Will, and Pam. Mom and dad are going to try to come down at the end of the week for a couple of days. I sure hope they are able too. During the evening, I'll be sitting on the balcony in the setting sun enjoying a far too expensive cigar. And last, but definitely not least, I'll have my three girls there with me to share the experience and make memories to last forever. That's why I love the beach.

Sentry Fire Protection

Today I spent the day with my brother, Matthew, in Princeton, WV. I know, how did I contain myself in all of the lights and glitz of the big city. Well, we didn't get to see much because we were working in a vacant Lowe's store. All of dad's employees were out and Matthew needed an extra set of very incapable gopher hands. In I step. I am a great gopher. I can get tools like nobody's business.

Besides the three hour drive it wasn't such a bad day. Other than being away from my girls. It was really the first day since summer break has started and before. Because really, I was out before it began. I guess it will be good to get a few practice days in so it is not so difficult this fall. Yea, right.

Nothing major went on. We had some trouble with the scissor lift while 25 feet in the air. Matthew had to climb down to lower us. I had to end up controlling it the rest of the day from the ground. We then had to drive back in a thunder and lightning storm.

I ordered April's birthday present for later this month. It is not jewelry (her favorite color is diamonds), or crystal, I know I can't believe it either. I did just buy her a Movado watch with her favorite color on it for a late Mother's Day gift when Kylee was born. This gift is a first, we'll see if she likes it (them). I'll not let the cat out of the bag because she reads my blogs. But I'll be sure to let everyone know when the 25th arrives.

The mother-in-law's Birthday was today. Happy Birthday Boss. Sorry I missed the cake this evening, but some of us have to work. Glad the girls were able to be there with you.

April and the girls were able to go to the mall with her mom today. April got Kylee a cute little pair of sandals for the beach. Not that she will need them to walk in the sand, but they are cute. It is almost impossible to not buy for them. I know it makes me happiest to get things for the girls. Second happiest is when I am able to buy for April. I could care less if I ever get anything.

Ayden stayed the night with Will and Pam last night. She woke up at 6am and told Pam her "flowers needed another drink of water". I suppose this was because they watered them last evening after they picked Ayden up. She also wanted to eat cereal as soon as she woke up. This is a new favorite of hers. She thinks she has to eat as soon as her eyes open and it has to be cereal. She always wakes up with, "Its mornin' time. Time to wake up".

Pam tried to get her to lay back down but she wouldn't. So she stayed up until about 9am and then wanted to lay on the couch and watch cartoons. She went back to sleep and I believe that she had to wake her up at around one this afternoon. Wow, that would have been nice today. Of all days that I would have liked to have had a nap, today was the one. I guess because I had to be up. Yea probably.

A Day In the Life of the Copley Household

Yesterday we went to Sam's to get some of those things that it is better to buy in bulk. Things like sunscreen and tea. We bought Ayden a preschool fundamentals workbook. It is about 200 pages of greatness. We started working in it last night. It starts with tracing lines and fine motor readiness skills getting her ready to start writing her letters and numbers. She can spell her name but can't write it yet. She enjoys doing her school work.

I went to the grocery store today for April while she stayed home with the girls. She bathed Ayden. She told me that Ayden was pretty disappointed with this. Sometimes she doesn't like to do this.

I called a number this morning about getting the yellow paint off of my truck. (The Department of Highways was having the lines on the road pinted and I have yellow paint on my truck now.)Or at least reimbursed for having it professionally done. It is on the door and the fender of the driver's side. I called a couple of numbers. One man was real helpful and the other woman, not so much. She was actually pretty rude. I will just fill out the paperwork and take the appropriate pictures and send them in. We'll just wait and see what comes of it.

On another note, Michael Jackson is finally laid to rest. Maybe now the media coverage of his death will be also. I know, wishful thinking. I don't mean to minimimalize his death, but it was nothing more than a tragic accident. Or accidental suicide/homicide. He was gone too early as was Steve McNair and other celebrities that died with a black cloud over their name. I'm just tired of hearing about it. I want to watch the news without 25 minutes of the 30 minute broadcast being taken up by news of his death. He used his status to get what he wanted, drugs. Doctors gave into him because he was a star. Plain and simple. They catered to him. This led to his demise.

Matt Sansom, Albert Cover, Steve Clay and so many others I can think of left this world too early. I have known them on a personal level and they were all gone well before their time. Knowing them on a personal level, does that mean that they were better than these so called "celebrities"? In my eyes, they may just have been. So stop taking about MJ, I'm tired of hearing about him. Let's now let him rest in peace.

July Fourth Celebration Spectacular

Fun in the pool with her diving sticks.

Ayden eating icing from cake.

Ayden not wanting her picture taken.

My mom and Ayden. Ayden was mad because I took her picture.

Those of you that know my father know that he goes all out when he does something. From the RV he bought to go to my brother's four wheeler races, to his addition on his warehouse for his business. Even the swing set play equipment that he bought for Ayden was a bit above the norm. It looks like a community park playground with the two tons of recycled rubber tire mulch surrounding the entire play set.

Yesterday's cookout was no exception. All in all, by the time it was said and done there was probably a total of nearly 60 people in attendance. There were people in attendance from my mother and father's sides of the family. April's mom, dad, and brother even came over.

It lasted so long that most people there, were able to eat twice. Around noon then again around seven. The kids had a small blow up pool and, of course, the swing set to keep them occupied. The adults had the company of each other. Relatives that they had never seen, or at least not seen in 20 years. There was also several young kids and a baby to hold everyones' attention.

It was good to catch up with cousins, that when younger, were seen on at least a weekly basis, but who may now might only be seen once or twice a year. Yes, I know, it is really a shame. It is a bitch growing up and getting older, having kids and entering a career. Not that those things are bad. Just the fact that you lose touch with family that you may have seen so often when younger. But, we all must do it. I really enjoyed visiting with all of my relatives. It was more like a family reunion than just a simple cookout.

I met my cousin Lonnie's fiancee, Morgan, really for the first time. I had met her at Christmas dinner at our Grandmother's but never really had the chance to talk with her. I haven't really had the opportunity to have a good conversation with him or my cousin James for some time. The outside atmosphere is very open and conducive to these types of conversations. It was really nice to catch up. I also met one of my Grandfather's nephews and one of his nieces that I had never met. I find it interesting to meet family that I have never had the opportunity to converse with.

Ayden had a blast. We arrived early to help with the set up and get ready for the crowd. She had to get in the pool right away. She played in the pool for about and hour and then on her swing set. She played hard for a couple of hours before any of the other children showed up. Later in the evening when things started winding down, she finally took a nap.

April and I ran to the house with my cousin James and his wife, Stephanie. April had some maternity clothes that she was going to sale. Plus, I wanted to show them the house in case they would be interested in buying it. We left Kylee and Ayden with Pam and mom. Kylee was eating, boy that is a surprise. Ayden was trying really hard not to fall asleep. She was really tired. Kylee slept the entire day. Of course, there was no shortage of women there to hold and rock her. She was a very happy baby. And we were very happy parents. We returned and most people were still there and Ayden and Kylee were sound asleep.

Some neighbors started letting off fireworks. They weren't too pretty, just a lot of noise. They startled her and woke her up. This was about 10:00. We sat around and fed Kylee again and helped people load their coolers and dishes. Talked some more about the economy and children. By this time most people had left the festivities. My Grandma Violet announced that she was going to be making breakfast at nine the next morning due to the fact that family was visiting. I said I would probably pass in order to sleep in.

Hollie and Justin came back on their way home with the kids and stopped. We sat in the driveway and watched some other neighbor's fireworks show. It was a lot better than the earlier one. The kids liked it. April and I finally arrived home about midnight. Ayden was practically asleep by the time her head hit the pillow. She was a really good girl today. She played until she dropped. It was a really good time and went off really well. All the people there seemed to have a good time. Thanks mom and dad for another great Fourth of July.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

We got a lot accomplished today. Well, kinda. April had a doctor's appointment. The girls and I hung out in the truck while she was in. Kylee became hungry. It puts me in the mind or how Bruce Banner turned into the great green Hulk when his heart beat grew too great. Yea, that's how she gets when she goes too long between bottles. Ayden, of course, slept the whole time.

All good news from the doctor. He wants April to gradually go off of the medication and go in for some blood work. If the blood work comes back with anything left to question he will do a full panel and check for numerous reasons that are giving her kidneys fits.

After this we headed to the mall. It wasn't too busy. April needed to get another swimsuit since she has decided we are going to the beach. We are going to take my truck since there is a little more room in it for the girls and especially if one of us have to ride in the back with them for any reason. Plus, when you add a small cooler for water and milk, some snacks, and the portable DVD player it doesn't take long to take up room. I also think that my truck is safer. And with the amount of idiots on the road today, safety is the key.

I also wanted to stop at Sears and get one of those lockable turtles for the rooftop luggage racks. The only difference is that I am going to place it in the cargo area of my truck. One; to protect our luggage from rain and two; for protection from thieves when we stop for potty and food breaks. It is just the right length. I can lock it, shut my tailgate then lock it, and the units unable to be removed from my truck.

It was empty and on the way home it didn't even budge while we were on the interstate. That's how tight the fit is. Couldn't have planned it any better.

Kylee and Ayden did well at the Mall. Kylee slept the entire time. Ayden walked beside the stroller the entire time. About the time we were getting ready to leave, she said she was tired of walking and her legs were tired. She wanted me to carry her. Of course I said yes.

We are looking forward to the Fourth of July cookout at mom and dad's this weekend. It should be a blast. Now that there is a large play land there for the kids. April and I are also going to blow up the small pool we bought a couple of years back. The kids seem to like this when it is available. This year they will be able to get hot on the swings and slides and then cool off in the pool. Ayden wants us to put the pool at the end of the slide but I don't think that is going to happen. I think she is going to be our little Dare Devil. I see several trips to the ER for broken bones in the future.