Spring Fever

At about this time every year, when the temperatures start inching into the 70's, people start itching for warm weather. They pull out their shorts and flip-flops and go for long walks in the neighborhood. They plant flowers in the garden and take off the grill cover. It's spring fever.

For me, unfortunately, spring is just a reminder that hot weather is on its way. As many of you know, I have a genetic skin condition called Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex which causes blisters after the mildest form of friction or trauma heat. My mother has it, my brother does and so do both Will and Jack. Essentially, there is a defect in the molecules between the two outer layers of skin - the dermis and the epidermis - allowing blisters to form in these pockets. These blisters have to be cut or they will continue to grow and they can remain painful to walk on for days. Things like riding a bike, taking a walk around the block, or participating in any kind of athletic activity leads to blistering, especially in warmer weather. When it's warm outside, there's very little that we can do without making our feet sore or blistered.

I remember my mother becoming so upset when we had blisters as children because she felt responsible for our pain. To me, that was just silly. I think I'm a pretty swell person most of the time and I never felt like I was deficient in any way. In fact, it wasn't until I graduated from college that I finally broke down and agreed to get a handicap tag for my car. I struggled with the designation but practicality finally won out. When it's 90 degrees outside, walking miles through an airport parking lot is not an option.

Without a doubt, there were times growing up that it was hard. Still is. The pain can be overwhelming sometimes. Beyond that, it's always hard to be different than everyone else. I never played on any athletic teams. I couldn't go to places like Busch Gardens. I certainly couldn't wear trendy shoes or high heels. Riding a bicycle in the summer could easily result in blisters on my fingers. Walking around a college campus on a daily basis could be a problem. There were times that my feet were so sore that I literally couldn't put on a pair of shoes. Things that most people take for granted can be very difficult for us.

It's also difficult to have a hidden disability. People look at you and see a healthy young person. It's hard to imagine that there could be something wrong. Because of that, I have had to deal with a fair amount of disbelief - from my 4th grade gym teacher who thought I was fabricating this to get out of PE to a very aggressive bike rider who screamed at me for "stealing" the handicap tag I used because I clearly didn't deserve it.

But it's not all bad. I had to learn to be independent at a very early age. Because I couldn't do what all the other girls were doing, I had to develop a pretty strong self-confidence. I learned that I had to make decisions that were in my best interest instead of just following the crowd. Fortunately, I've had the most wonderful friends who have lived with this almost as long as I have and are incredibly understanding.

When Jack got his first blister (from the elastic on his diaper) I cried and cried and cried. When I was pregnant with Will, I obviously wished that this would not pass along to him also. But there was a part of me that worried that if the Deuce was blister free that there would be tension and animosity between the two siblings. Will got his first blister on his toe, probably from scooting around on the activity mat. And while my heart breaks every time I cut his blisters too, I know that at the very least, the boys will always have each other to talk to, to cry with, to lean on.

I now understand why my mother used to cry when she cut our blisters. To see your child in pain and to know that it is attributable to you is the worst feeling you can have as a parent. I cry not only for the immediate physical pain but also for the difficulties they will have - for the times they will be left out or made fun of, for the things they wish they could do but can't. But I also know that they will be stronger, more independent, more empathetic human beings for it. And in the grand scheme of things, it is something that slows us down, but it's not life threatening. I'll take that.

So until the weather turns chilly, if you come looking for us, we'll be sitting inside in the air conditioning.

Will's Christening

Last weekend we had Will christened. The whole day was wonderful. We were joined by Will's fantabulous godparents - Sara and Curtis, Kristen, and Chris -

as well as our families of course.


The first victory was that Will fit into the antique christening gown that Jack wore.

This was my main concern when setting a baptism date (yes, you read that correctly). Don't worry, the new minister at our church has the same concerns about our priorities as well. When I was meeting with him to discuss dates for the baptism, he mentioned that he looks forward to seeing more of us on Sunday mornings. I thought about telling him that if he would like to watch my children (after getting to know them at first so they don't freak out when I leave them with him), then I would be MORE than happy to go to church every Sunday. I could use the peace. Instead I just told him how difficult it is to do anything with two small children. After we took the kids for Easter and spent the entire time outside with them, I noticed a small notice in this Sunday's program noting that while children are wonderful, you should consider leaving them in the nursery. I presume I made my point.

Other successes of the day - the weather was beautiful, Will was perfectly behaved during the service and Jack didn't seem to mind sharing the spotlight with his younger brother. My parents were gracious enough to offer up their house for an after-party (my hasn't the connotation of that word changed?). At Jack's luncheon, we took the time to line up all the kids on the sofa and took their picture. This time around, we just snapped them in their car seats. Lazy parents.


After a nap, Will woke up jolly and refreshed. Clearly a little church did the boy some good...

Easter

Like most momentous occasions in this house since Jack's arrival, Easter was a little bit of a disaster. We were running late before church so we had to hurry through the egg hunt and I couldn't get a good picture of Jack and Will in their matching monogrammed outfits.

And who were we to think that we should bring both kids to church? Billy spent the morning trying to get Will to fall sleep. Jack was unbelievably well behaved but let's face it - he's two. After 20 minutes, the sugar from the jelly beans had kicked in and he was ready to go. On my way to give Jack a break outside, we were spied by Jack's friend Charlie who loudly inquired where we were headed. Thus, Sara and Charlie joined us outside as well. Wish we'd had the camera then...

And yet, at the end of the day:

1. Jack loved his Easter basket. Yes I realize that those are his Christmas jammies. And no, I don't know why he insists on closing his eyes for pictures these days.

2. He had fun (at first) finding eggs in the backyard. He got miffed when Charlie tried to join in the action as well.


3. Once we got Will to fall asleep, we all had fun at brunch.



4. And while this isn't the perfect family Easter picture I wanted, we're all here. Happy and healthy and eating dessert. Not half bad..

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Beth and Christian Get Married!

This past weekend we were in New Orleans for the wedding of Beth and Christian (known to Jack as Auntie Beth and Big Fur). Jack stayed with Lulu and Buster while Will came along with us for obvious reasons (see post re bottle strike below). Will was beautifully behaved, unlike Jack who attended a wedding at a similar age and had a miserable time.

The weather was beautiful, the bride looked truly gorgeous and everyone had a blast. I met Beth (and our friend Andy) when I worked at Williams and Connolly as a paralegal right out of college. I showed up for my library tour and saw Beth standing by the elevator, wearing a blue cardigan tied around her neck. She looked like my kind of people. I like to say it was love at first sight. Over the last six years, we have come to love Christian just as much and we couldn't be happier that the two of them tied the knot. Now if I can just convince them to stay in town...

Goose Patrol

This next tidbit is a source of some contention. Ownership has been denied by, but clearly is attributable to, Billy or my mother.

My parents have a goose problem. They (the geese, not my parents) poop all over the backyard and they make an enormous amount of noise. If you've seen A Christmas Story, my father feels about the geese the way that Ralphie's dad feels about the Bumpus dogs.

Every year, various things are used to prevent the geese from getting into the yard - BB guns, a fence erected along the water's edge, and just plain chasing. Jack loves to participate in the goose chasing. He keeps a vigilant watch out from the back windows and will happily alert anyone if there are geese nearing the property. Here he is inspecting the fence with Lulu.


And recently, when the geese were honking away, as they are wont to do at inopportune times, he looked at us and said "The geese are bitching at Lulu." Go ahead, laugh. It's funny when your kid swears. In our family, the phrase "the geese are bitching" has now become a metaphor for any of the irritating people that pop up in your daily routine. It works. Feel free to use it.