Had physical therapy again today – the last two sessions (or the two first sessions, depending on how one wants to look at it) were wonderful.  The first session she took some measurements on the flexibility of my neck, then spent the other half hour giving me the most wonderful neck massage ever.  The second session I got an hour-long massage on my neck AND my upper back…I thought I’d been raptured.

Today I had to work a bit, but it wasn’t too bad.  While riding the bicycle for 8 minutes I talked with my therapist about my issues. 

I’ve always had back problems…at least ever since doing jacknife sit-ups for soccer conditioning (couldn’t even go out for the sport after the slipped disc and pinched sciatic nerve that practically paralyzed me in the fall of my senior year of high school).  Thanks to a rolling back-pack, a new bed, a back brace from Home Depot, and no lifting whatsoever for a month, I didn’t need surgery, but I’ve still had problems on and off since then. 

As for my neck, I think the headballs and jet skis and other crazy things I used to do are catching up with me.  My chiropractor said he’s never seen a case like mine in someone so young, save for car accident victims.  As long as I was careful about how I slept, I could keep myself free of any pain or headaches…until our little sledding incident last December.  Since then I’ve had pretty constant but tolerable neck pain.  I went to the chiropractor for it, but I don’t really want go in every week for the rest of my life.  I ignored it, trying to stretch the irritated muscles on my own, but it didn’t seem to improve anything.  About 6 weeks ago I woke up with neck pain and knew it was going to be a tough day.  I took some tylenol and started the day.  At 8 I called the chiropractor to make an appointment.  They weren’t open until 9.  At 9 my headache was getting much worse, but the chiropractor would squeeze me in in the afternoon.  At 10 my headache was really bad, so I took the last ibuprofen they prescribed after I had Lauren (it was a sad moment, as those pills always made my back pain go) and prayed it would help.  At 10:30 my headache was so severe I had to call James home from work to watch the kids while I went to lie down  I’d never had a migraine before, but this was so bad I thought I’d throw up if I moved.  Of course the chiropractor called to cancel because he was out sick that day, so I called the regular doctor to make an appointment.  It took a long time for the ibuprofen to kick in, but eventually I made it to the doctor, who prescribed more pills for me (yay!) and sent me to get x-rays.  Jumping through time, my x-rays were pretty crazy – my neck looks fine, so they sent me to physical therapy to work on the muscles.  My back, on the other hand…my spine is curved, my hips are uneven…I guess that explains a lot.  The best part?  Because my chiropractor isn’t using the same computer system I got to deliver the disc of x-rays myself…after copying them to my computer.  How cool is this!

Yes, I really thought I was standing straight.

So in physical therapy today I asked her about my back.  She measured and re-measured and found that my lower right leg is 3/4″ longer than my lower left leg. 

I guess if I stand on my right leg I’ll be 5′ 6.25″

Here are a few pics that I haven’t had time to share.

Saw the funniest thing yesterday.

Lauren has quite a few musical stuffed animals.  If she pushes hard enough on her gloworm’s belly, classical music comes out.  If she pushes hard enough on the paws of several different build-a-bears, various fun sounds come out.

Yesterday she grabbed the dogs leg and squeezed to the point of shaking.  Alas, nothing.

Oh, the disappointment.

Lauren’s learning new words every day.  We can’t understand some of them, and sometimes I wonder if she’s learning German rather than English – her current word sounds something like “gol-gol-gol” – but it really must mean something because she says it a LOT.  Her hair is also growing really quickly – blondish and so soft…though she loves to run her fingers in it…especially after eating finger-foods.

Peyton is spending lots of time outside in his new cleats – soccer practice started this week.  He’s had two official practices with Coach Kevin and the other members of the gray team, and of course tons of time inside and out working on dribbling, trapping, passing and of course scoring.  I’m his chosen opponent, and Lauren chases the dog or climbs on Peyton’s tractor or kicks the ball around herself. 

I’m now a soccer mom, and probably not doing a very good job at it.  First practice was Tuesday – the woman at the YMCA didn’t think Peyton would need cleats or pads for the first practice because it’d probably just be fun and games to learn his teammates’ names.  Wrong.  Peyton (and another boy, so I wasn’t the only bad mom) got a lecture on soccer safety and the need for shin guards.  We went shopping the next day (but of course they were out; a new shipment should be in within a couple days).  In the mean time he’s got cleats, socks, shorts and a gray t-shirt for a jersey. 

Another failure on my part – I haven’t quite figured out the northwest weather.  After growing up in Southern California, sunshine outside means t-shirt, and since soccer is a sport, shorts should be fine.  The first practice I made him wear a sweatshirt in the car in case it was cold when we were done at 5 pm – he ended up wearing his sweatshirt and shorts (and regular socks and tennis shoes, since I’d failed in the gear department) and barely kept warm.  Today was beautiful and supposed to be nice.  I forgot the high temp of the day doesn’t hit until late afternoon – we were out at 11:15 am.  Poor guy – they did more running today, and he’s a tough guy, so he did alright in his shorts, t-shirt and cleats (a slight improvement there). 

Failure #3 – parking.  We arrived quite early for our first practice because I didn’t know which field was #8.  This time around we left with just enough time to park and get on the field.  Only I didn’t realize everyone and their grandmother were at the park for practice of one kind or another.  I ended up double-parking, running him to his team (who were not on the field they were supposed to be on) and promising I’d park and be right back. 

James has been busy with school and work and drilling holes in the floor to run speaker cable under ground rather than across the carpet.  And mommy much appreciates it.

Warning: this post is long and rambly near the end.  Forgive me.  It’s late, I’m tired, and my battery is dead.

Lauren is learning words SO quickly!  She can point to her eyes, ears, nose, mouth, teeth, hair, tummy and toes.  She makes animal noises while we read our books: “b-cough noise” goes the sheep, “moooooo” goes the cow, “mow” (in a high-pitched voice) goes the cat, and [puff of air] goes the dog.  My favorite of her new words in “niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiicccccce” whenever she attempts to hug the cat or dog. 

She has also learned another word- it’s Peyton’s favorite because it’s always comical.  Lauren says “no.” 

Peyton: Lauren, do you want some candy?

Lauren: No.

Peyton: Lauren, do you want to play?

Lauren: No.

Peyton: Lauren, do you like the dog?

Lauren: No.

Peyton: Lauren, do you like to eat?

Lauren: No.

She says it in such a sweet, yet resolute way that it seems like she really knows what she’s denying, so Peyton laughs hysterically and continues to question his sister.

Today was also a big day for Peyton (and for the rest of the family).  Today was “warm” and sunny.  It wasn’t exactly warm – a t-shirt and light jacket wasn’t enough to keep me warm due to the cool breeze, but it was warm enough outside that Daddy mowed, Mommy cleaned the garage (ie moved a few things around), Lauren got a wagon ride and spent some time climbing around on Peyton’s truck, Bella got a walk and (drumroll)

Peyton got to ride his bike with a bunch of other boys.  Last summer he was a bit afraid of the thing – it’s a big bike because he’s a big kid.  In size he looks like a 10 year old, so he has the bike of a 10 year old, but he still has the emotions and fears of a 5 year old.  The bike has training wheels, but (because the bike is so big) they don’t fit quite right and sometimes fold back.  This year he’s an inch taller and a year braver, and perhaps the time has erased a bit of last year’s bike memories, for today he was ready and excited to ride.  Last year he wanted me to hold him and he frequently leaned toward me when he felt himself tipping, but this year he is independant and grown-up.  I told him I couldn’t go with him across the street yet and he asked if he could just ride by himself.  I walked him across, and he rode.  He tipped a few times, but always put his foot down just in time and hopped right back on.

I think the happiest moment occurred while Peyton was riding: a few neighborhood boys came out to join him.  There’s a nine-year old two doors down and a 5 year old a door beyond that.  Those boys also have more siblings of various ages, so there were quite a few kids riding around today. 

Of course, the other kids were sans-training wheels.  We’ll work on it.  Poor guy!  Being big is definitely a draw-back here.