My Teaching Days End...

I sit here ready to start my first day as a Technology Consultant for the Department of Public Instruction. Yesterday I finished my last day (hopefully!!) in a school. While I enjoyed my 8+ years in schools, I definitely realize my desire to move on. I will continue to update you on what happens!

Can We Get Busier?

Of course! Work two jobs, instead of one, right? (-: Well, after Wednesday, I will return to just working one job a day (besides the father of two awesome girls). Thursday I begin (or should I say continue) in Downtown Raleigh. It will be an adjustment switching to office and cubicle life from the classroom, although I really began that phasing out process two years ago, with limited time in the classroom. I definitely cannot wait to begin this new challenge--as I feel very confident in all my skills at this stage.
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We will Easter in PA this year again. A short little trip, although we approach it with apprehension, due to Lucy's previous two out of state trips. Lots of spewage, if you do not mind my bluntness! Poor thing, that's all she needs, after everything else. Oh well! Character building opportunities galore for our two ladies! My wife and I will also celebrate our sixth wedding anniversary. Wow! Six years! Time really does fly!

Busy March, Already!

My three girls continue to do well. Myra just slept 5 hours through the night last night! Woohoo for that! Granted, we all are in various stages of allergies/colds/flu, but we'll take that. Lucy is pretty snotty, as am I! Gotta love spring in NC!
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I actually sit here in the lobby of the RTP Sheraton Imperial Hotel at the Conference. I will present a session on podcasting later this afternoon. A nuts and bolts kinda presentation. Slim on theory, heavy on how to use it in the classroom. I think that's what lacks so much in instruction. Show me what works, what doesn't, and how I can adapt it.

Dubya At it Again...

Hoa boy. What will we do with him! Our dear President, in his proposed budget, wants to cut spending to PBS (Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers, etc) and NPR (the radio) by 25%. All part of a plan to eventually cut all spending in 10 years.
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This just in--The Dixie Chicks won the Grammy for "I'm Not Ready to Make Nice," the slap at the Religious Right! Woohoo!
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Anyway, as appropriate as it is, let's get back to controlling our country by the will of the people. The few are trying to impose their beliefs, not rights, on us. Click on the link below to sign a petition that will be sent to your local senators and politicians.

Click Here

Sleep Well, Princess!

It sounds like Myra J. will have a busy week. On Monday, we will take her to Duke Medical Center (no, not for Lacrosse practice!! Oops, sorry--I used that same bad joke when we took Lucy for her Celiac!!) to visit with a pediatric urologist. Seems that another one of our daughters may possess a medical ailment. This time, the name is a little bigger, Neonatal Hydronephrosis, which is a dilation of the collecting part of the kidneys. You can read more about it here. On Monday, we will visit Duke Health Center once again (after Lucy's visit this past spring) to have a procedure accomplished. While pretty common and not life-threating, the procedure, called voiding cystourethrogram, (click here and look under Monitoring Your Child) it does not sound too pleasant. But this hopefully will rule out reflux, and get her off antibiotics (prescribed since birth to prevent possibly infections if it would be reflux). We will post more as we find it out!!

What We Do These Days...

This video shows our typical days, and we love it!

Getting Along...

Well, much to our non-surprise, the girls are getting along well. Lucy is a SUPER big sister. She always wants to see Myra when awake, or when we bath her, or when in need of a new diaper. Lucy does not like to see and hear her lil' sis cry, as she will go running for her pacifier, or turn on the vibrating chair, if Myra is in it.

Lucy and Myra

Another use for TP!










Everything looks good so far, Daddy!










I much rather like Baby Carissa in here.

Myra Jeanne's Arrival

She's here!! We are so excited to finally meet here! She arrived at 7:04 AM yesterday at the healthy size of8lbs and 1 oz. Mommy is doing well also. We'll post more, after a good nap!!

Myra Watch

Ok, no baby yet. She is now officially 2 days late for those of you scoring at home. Maybe Joey is conducting one of his legendary polls for the due date. Hopefully it will be soon!
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Mommy is doing well. Very healthy and upbeat. I think we just both hope that little Miss Thing will come soon. We're ready to see how the changing dynamics will shift our family in a different direction. We really believe a little sister will be good for Lucy as well. We shall see!

Let It Snow...

Again, Raleigh gets 0.8 inches of snow, and the city shuts down. This time, unfortunately, I was about 1/2 a mile from my school in Durham. The roads were horrendous. I-540, and interstate, was snow covered. TW Alexander, the main artery into the Research Triangle Park, was atrocious. Got within a 1/2 mile, heard Durham County Schools were closed, and I turned around, taking 50+ minutes to get back home. Phew!
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On the plus side, Lucy and I played with the snow, before the rain got it. Myra continues to swim around. No news yet!

Our Little Myra...

What a Thursday! It seems we went on a trial run at the 'delivery' of Myra. Kerry called me at school after her doctor instructed her to go to the hospital to have a specialist look at the ultrasound results. We thought they were going to deliver Myra early. Well, we may have another health problem with our girls. It seems Myra may have hydronephrosis, which is a dilation of the inner part of the kidney. Again, it is not a major problem, but definitely one we will revisit upon her birth. This allows urine to collect on the inner part of the kidney. So, until her birth, we're in a wait and see position. We will keep you updated!
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Lucy continues to enjoy life. She is a little chatter box, with her new words including "Coke" (don't know where she gets that!!), "Peep" (her favorite snack), "Blue" (favorite color), and she loves to repeat the alphabet with us! She is such a cutie!

Happy New Year, 2007!

 Welcome 2007! We celebrated the coming New Year in Downtown Raleigh this year with our friend, Jennifer. The Museum of Natural Science and Museum of History had a bunch of 'kid-friendly' activities, such as making a pirate spyglass, making your 2007 wishes in a bottle, and making kites. Do you pick up on the pirate metaphor? (-: Then we marched in a 'Peoples' Processional to Fayetteville Street where the dropped the acorn (at 7 for us old fogies!) and shot fireworks. We all really enjoyed it. Then went home and to bed by 10 am.
 
 

And We Say Goodbye to 2006...

Wow! Where did this year go? It was a busy one--my first working straight through the summer at the same job. Of course I promptly left that job July 31st, but I did start the new one right away. Lucy improved from the tough start to the year with her diagnosis of Celiac Disease. Now a few months into a gluten free diet, she is thriving. Kerry and I also prepare to bring another daughter into this world. As a matter of fact, she is even putting clothes out even as I type. And of course my Hurricanes won the Cup this year. Pretty good year overall.

So what will 2007 bring? A healthy baby girl, Myra. Possibly a new job? A repeat for the Canes? Time will tell.

Lucy and Her Stroller

Thanks Ms. Jennifer! Lucy loves her stroller for her 3 baybeeeees!

A Very Raleigh Christmas...

Did you know they give prizes away in fruit snacks? Seems so. I opened a new pack of Sunkist fruit snacks, and low and behold, there was an Ernie (of Sesame Street fame) action figure. What a great Christmas surprise! (thanks Mom and Dad!)
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Can you believe it's Christmas Eve, 2006? It took so long getting here, and now, as I type this, it's 3:30! We have had a fun day. Went to our church's Children's service today. Lucy loved it! All kinds of kids, plus she LOVED her purple dress. She is so funny! To make the day perfect, we stopped at Sheetz for lunch! That made our day! Heehee!!
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Afterward, I went for my longest run in months--a 4 miler out to Durant and back. Nice to start getting back into it. I plan to complete the 6 mile loop down around Falls Lake Dam (the Dam Run! Ha!) next week sometime. It helps that we're all feeling somewhat better, although I still go to the doctor on Tuesday. Gotta get over this crud!

Ho...Ho...Ho...Who Do You Know!!!

Hmmm...an interesting question from the past looks like it 'may' affect the beginning of our 2007 in a most positive way. And no, it's not our bundle of joy due January 24th (Miss Myra). Look here soon for some more clues!

Speaking of Myra--she is doing very well. Very busy, but very good. We think she'll be early too. We're excited, but also excited to spend one last Christmas with Lucy. And speaking of Christmas, this will mark the first year we stay in Raleigh. While missing our family, we are very excited of staying here and doing the things we usually do not get to do since we're traveling all over the countryside!

NCETC 2006

Another year at NCETC. I finally attended a concurrent session by Tammy Worcester. It was a session on using PowerPoint for a number of different uses. Lots of neat ideas that I will now implement back at WG. This year I'm working more with AIG students, and always looking for new activities to engage them. In the traditional classroom, a teacher cannot always focus on their AIG students, so as a TF, I can pull the students and work with them after collaborating with their teachers. A TF can be such a resource. Not only do I head up a successful grant writing program, but I troubleshoot the school's equipment, oversee technology purchases, and work with AIG and remedial students. Definitely a position every school should have.

ncetc06

A New Animal in the Fisher Price Farm!

 

A Festive November...

We recently went to Durant Nature Park to enjoy the fall weather. Lucy loves to stroll through the woods, picking up leaves (and not letting them go!), and visiting her duckie friends!










Lucy also likes to visit the grocery store to 'drive' the cart. Here she is with her "Bay-beeee," looking for bargains!