2-29-12

Zach loves his yellow t-shirt G&G bought him in Hilton Head.

2-29-12

Life is grand without a kitten around.

2-28-12

The frogs are chirping in the pond tonight.

I spoke with my manager at KUMed.  I signed paperwork effective 3/2 to go PRN, as needed, at KU. If my pre-employment appointment does not go well tomorrow, I can call her and she will shred it. 3/2 is significant because it means we will have KU insurance for the month of March.

I picked up Zach after my meeting and MD appointment at KU. He likes to crawl into his car seat by himself as I count to 3. He always makes it by the time I get to 2. Tonight he wouldn't do it. I was trying to cajole him.

Mommie:  C'mon Zach. Are you going to get into your car seat or what?
Zach: What.

Well, I asked.

On Sunday, when I went to get Zach after his nap, this is what I found in his bed. I felt like I found a crop circle. He did that whole puzzle by himself.

Zach has a new red windbreaker.

After playing on Sunday, we went to Hy-Vee with Daddy. The merry-go-round is free there. Brilliant Hy-Vee.

This is the pond on the north side of Hy-Vee on 291.

When we got home, we had some walking to do in Mommie's shoes, but it is hard because they won't stay on his feet.

2-25-12

Mom and Dad,

Because I know you are the only ones that read this, with the exception of some mysterious Russians and Mike, I want to let you know that I love my new coffee maker and my stainless thermos. I have been pouring the coffee into the thermos and it stays hot and fresh without getting burned (this happens with any machine because I make such a little batch).  Also, I think of you every day that I use the garage door opener.  Three things that make life 100 times more happy every day. Thank you!

Love,

Andrea

Mom:  You are welcome Andrea. Happiness is having A. Rose/Jones Bud. 
Dad: You are welcome.  You have to get some toys once in a while to make things interesting.

2-22-12

Valentine flowers picked out by Zach.

Geared up for bumming with Mommie. That is gloves, jackeck, puppy hat and sun glasses.

. . . and Mickey.

Got a new activity tray today. Great for snacks and holding books. 

Kitten is going to live with my friend Sandy Teegarden for a trial weekend to see if she gets along with their dog. I bought her a new purple collar, purple litter box and some toys. So she will have familiar items in a new place.  I am going to cry, but it is the right thing to do.

Mommie's shoes keep getting bigger to fill - literally.

2-19-12 #3

I heard Zach playing the piano as I was getting ready for date night.  I went to see what he was up to. This is the performance. I think he is a natural.

2-19-12 # 2

We have had one snowfall this year that amounted to more than a dusting. Mike got to use the snowblower. He said it worked great, except for when the wind changed directions.

2-19-12 #1

Dinner last night at Grunauer in the trendy Freight House district. It was amazing.  They had thin sliced turnips that were pickled with horseradish added to the process.  Oh boy, those were really good.  Everything was good. I have an apple strudel in the frig to eat today.

Grunauer is Austrian.  I guess that gives is more cache than German.  It is a family that has a restaurant in Vienna, New York City and now Kansas City.  The servers were all men, except one woman.  They all wore their hair slicked back. Not stuck to their head, but with hair product and combed back. Black button down shirts and dark Levis. I think the Levis were the Austrian attempt to fit in to the culture of KC.  AND, there was big band music playing. The cumulative effect was stylish European, especially if you have never heard of WWII.  I am going back there for sure.

I reserved a spot for Zach at the Kidz Kabana Valentine's Day party. I told them we would bring him at 5 p.m. even though our reservation was not until 7 p.m.  We drove downtown, swung through the Liberty Memorial, which was closed. The Federal Reserve Bank land is next to the Liberty Memorial land.  So we saw the Occupy Wall Street/KC version.  About one dozen tents, which looked vacant and one guy sitting at the picnic table. I sort of wonder if that guy wasn't homeless.  Heck, if all I have to do is pitch a tent and leave, I'll occupy the heck out of KC.

Overall, it was wonderful to get out with Mike and be around other adults. And to be at a place where people gave a hoot about whether new influences were coming into KC as opposed to the new Olive Garden on Chipman Rd.

So we dropped Zach off, went to dinner and were back to pick him up at 7:30. Oh we are a bit rusty. Also, I am still recovering from my foot surgery.

2-17-12

The crocus in front of the house bloomed today.

2-16-12

Tonight, Zach said he saw a Reinbear. At first he was scared, but then it brought him a purple present. When he opened it, he found toys. Reinbear wasn't so scary after all. After that, he gassed up his Hotwheels cars in the foyer and played in his tent for a while. His creativity is exploding.

When Mike picked him up from Kidz Kabana yesterday, he was in time-out for "inappropriate touching." Mike was perturbed because that description sounds deviant. I read through the class notes today and it turns out Zach would push other kids, then say he was sorry. They are working with him on it.

He is also becoming defiant, like when it is time to change his diaper he will run. Tonight I asked him to carry his dinner plate to the sink and he just said, "No." He eventually did it and luckily he responds well to time out, so far. I guess he is learning to test us.

My stitches were removed from my foot today. It looks and feels better. I was able to go grocery shopping without issue. However, once Zach and I got home, my foot and I got really tired. The end is in sight.

Mike got to use his new snowblower this Monday 2/13. Our first measurable snow of the season. . He said it worked really well.

2-15-12

I have been invited to join Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, and today I did so.  I am surprisingly proud. An induction ceremony is March 19. If schedules allow, I think I'll go and take the family.

Founded in 1922, the original members chose the name from the Greek words "Storge," "Tharsos," and "Time," which mean "love," "courage," and "honor."

Society Vision The vision of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International is to create a global community of nurses who lead in using knowledge, scholarship, service and learning to improve the health of the world’s people. Membership Membership is by invitation to baccalaureate and graduate nursing students who demonstrate excellence in scholarship and to nurse leaders exhibiting exceptional achievements in nursing. Here are some additional facts about our membership: STTI has more than 125,000 active members. Members reside in 86 countries. 46 percent of active members hold master’s and/or doctoral degrees; 26 percent are staff nurse/clinicians; 21 percent are nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists or clinical specialists; 18 percent are administrators or supervisors; and 22 percent are educators or researchers. There more than 475 chapters on college campuses in Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ghana, Hong Kong, Japan, Kenya, Malawi, Mexico, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Swaziland, Sweden, Taiwan, Tanzania, Wales, the United Kingdom and the United States. STTI communicates regularly with more than 100 nurse leaders who have expressed interest in establishing a chapter in other countries and territories, including Chile, China, Costa Rica, Denmark, Finland, India, Ireland, Israel, Germany, Jamaica, Lebanon, Lithuania, New Zealand, Spain and Thailand.

2-14-12

Zach had a Valentine's Day party at Kidz Kabana.  He ate some ok food, and then ate a bunch of sugar. He had a lot of fun, but every few minutes he'd grab my finger or arm and say, "let's go!," or "c'mon mommie!"  or "let's get out of here!"

Zach, Kate and Will with their treats.

Kate is trying to have a conversation with Zach, but he is not ready for marriage.

Zach ate a little chicken, then went straight for the chocolate. 

My only photo of Hudson. Hudson and Zach were "besties" last I heard.
Kate's mom and baby sister are in the background.

2-12-12

An hour ago I was set to take her to a shelter. Ugh.

2-12-12

Really mature, Mike.

The kitten came back this morning. She is sleeping on my lap now.  Today I feel like we should keep her.   I think we are going to change the sign to advertise, "free kitten." If nobody adopts her, then we might. I'm calling her Helen, because it cracks me up, and Helen of Troy was a tough woman of some sort.  I figure if she is Zach's cat that she should have a name a boy could handle.

Nap time with Mooie. This is first stuffed animal that Zach calls by a name. Wonder if he and Grandma collaborated. 

2-11-12 #2

I must say the same thing when it is time for Zach to eat. "So, do you want chicken or fish?" The answer is always "no," but I still ask.  Tonight, Zach went straight to the bottom line.  No jacking with options.  It went like this:

Me:  So, doooo
Zach:  No

Earlier in the evening he picked up and apple and took a bite. It was really thrilling for me. Then it looked like he thought it was sour. He spit it out and said, "Not my favorite." And that was that.

2-11-12

Grandma drew Zach a Mr. Chatterbox.  Zach added the worm  to be true to the original. 

Dad:  That's pretty observant.  Good looking and smart.

2-10-12 #3

Zach and I went to Snip and Clip today where Jessie gave Zach a big boy hair cut.  Jessie and Zach were both great!  Mommie is really excited. 

Who do you think he looks like here?  I honestly can't quite put my finger on it. 
Dad: I don't know but he sure is good looking.  Dashing Zach.

The new Bubble Guppies season has started with a very exciting episode about a rhino.

Zach saying cheese while looking away from the camera. He is so elusive!

2-10-12 #2

Oh hell.

Mom: Oh hell is right.  What a precious kitten.

2-10-12

We love the little kitten that found her way to our door, but Mike and I are leaning toward finding her a good home.  I posted a notice on Facebook.  I may try to find a no-kill shelter if postings don't work. Details to follow.

2-9-10

Zach: I like this couch.
Mike: Me too.
Zach: Me three.

Mom: His conversation has just bloomed. How many 3 year olds say "couch, me three,  or you are sweet".   I asked Zach if he had a dirty diaper, that we needed to change it quickly so his buttsy would not hurt. He replied, " It is good" shaking his head.  

2-6-12

The aide in same day surgery was certified as a paramedic and had worked on life flight helicopters. He is also a funeral director and working on his RN degree.  The nurse had lap band surgery lost a bunch of weight then had bilateral knee replacements and had only been back to work for 2 weeks.  The PACU nurse had been there for 6 years. She loves it. I think I would too.  The guy next door wouldn't keep his oxygen on. Garry! Jeez. The unit coordinator in same day surgery suggested that Mike bring a wheelchair to the room at discharge. This is a GREAT idea because it eliminates need to wait for transport. Martha and Mercy in the short stay unit were so beautiful (Kenyan, I think) and competent.  The rooms are so small that they have a cabinet door one opens and out swings a toilet! Felicia, my night nurse on 51 (not short stay unit, as stay was extended) has the tiniest piercing, the size of a baby tick, but it is a diamond and it is on the right corner of her right lower lip. She is from another country too, but she sort of seems Jamaican or similar. She is older and efficient. She did not screw around with getting everything set up so I could sleep through the night and she always came into the room with a fresh cup of ice water. Kristen, the 51 day nurse, just had a baby 4 months ago. She doesn't have one extra bit of flab anywhere. She has a 7 year old named Zach and a 3 year old too.  Dr. Dunleavy is finishing his residency at KU in about 6 months and then heading to Minneapolis to do a fellowship in sports medicine. He grew up in Waterloo. He also operated until midnight on Saturday night, was in to see me before 10 a.m. on Sunday and on the day of my surgery he did not scrub in to a procedure so he could follow me up to my first room and get my wound vac fixed. The housekeeper got a Kindle Fire for Christmas. She says luuuuuuvs to read. She has everything on it from "Christianity to exotic, you know like bad girl stuff." Her family had a youngster who was the baby, and they nicknamed her Was. I think that is so artful. Nina offered to come get me and take me home, but Mike decided he wanted to help.  He and Zach had to wait for 9 + hours at the hospital with me on Friday. Zach had a BM blowout and the same-day staff went and got him a diaper and wipes from the pediatric unit. Poor Mike, that was a really bad day.

I'm not sure what will happen with my foot.  It seems to be collecting more fluid without the wound vac.

2-4-12

Surgery yesterday- I&D to remove hematoma. Hospital stay x 3 days for wound vac compression. Vac placed over sutured site to provide pressure to stop "diffuse venous oozing."

2-1-12

Sharon Yohn, Barb's mom, composed this letter for a church group in which she is active. What a wonderful family. 

Dearest Anna:                                                                                                                                           

2-1-12

I send you my love on the valentine’s month, February 2012. I miss you often. My faith tells me that you are aware of the comings and goings of the Jones family. Let me touch on a few moments with you.

You and Larry must be very proud of your three sons. Let’s start with Steve. He is doing well in his business in St. Louis. He is a great dad to Kyle who is becoming a wonderful young man. Angi and Steve have matured and deal with matters of Kyle quite well. Steve is a loving man; he really loves to come to Kansas City for celebrations. He treats Bill and I with the utmost respect and love. 

Onward to Mike. Mike is an incredible dad to Zach and he and Andrea are keeping their busy schedules under control. Barb just called to say that she went to Zach’s day-care yesterday to pick up Zach because Mike was stuck in New York unable to come home in a timely manner; Andrea was in the middle of her twelve-hour shift at the KU hospital. Barb told me that Zach was adorable and the boys played together until Andrea could come get him about 9:00pm. Isn’t that wonderful? 

Now what about Warren? Where do I start. Warren is a very excellent father. (That’s three for three!!) He is hard-driving but fair, which is how your sons described Larry. Matt now works full-time at the clinic trying to save funds to move out on his own. Matt is a great kid; I hope you are aware that he is an artist. He started majoring in Art at the community college but now he’s thinking of what to do. He is a very fine bass guitar player; and his hobby of skateboarding is alive and well. He is always very respectful to us and we adore him. Nick is very interesting! His goal on this his second semester of the junior year is to improve his GPA while doing above and beyond the required preparation for baseball at Parkhill. Anna, he wants to go to KSU!!! We all hope he will be enabled to do so. This remains to unfold in the coming months. He is a neat kid and very respectful to us. When I hug him, I sometimes say “Nick, you are awesome!’ and the adorable response is: “So are you, Grammy” in his nice deep voice. I hope you can hear these things. And Cole Riley Jones: well, at age ten, he has our hearts in his hands. He is a very active, charming and engaging young man. When in a family group recently, someone noticed that Cole can and will visit with the youngest to the oldest with ease. His looks reminds me of Larry in the area of his eyes.

Back to Warren. He has three businesses. He is doing well. He is now looking toward the future and is preparing to gradually get out of the businesses-perhaps in the next decade or so. His goal is to be able to spend time with Barb in a warmer climate to help her circulation problems. He mentions you and Larry enough that I know he misses you both. My faith lets me believe that you are aware of his thoughts and dreams. I mention you sometimes just to let Warren know that I, too, remember and miss you.

Barb: I know that you fell in love with Barb as Warren did. Yes, you got yourself a fantastic daughter-in-law. She loved you dearly, also. She is a great mom, wife and daughter to us. We feel totally blessed to have the Barb/Warren Jones family nearby so we can share joys and sorrows together.

I hope that you love this letter. I’ve loved composing it and sharing it with dear friends, as well as with Barb and Warren. It gives me comfort to know that you are aware of us still. 

Sending our love, Sharon and Bill

Anna Corrine Attwater Jones died in 1999 at the age of 61.