broken bones and big words...

I was just finishing the very last sentence of this blog---when our computer shut off....we have "vintage" macs  and Colin's computer has to be plugged in in order to work-so as I began to get up I unplugged it causing it to abruptly turn off.  I vowed to stop cursing last night (in lou of Archer's ever increasing vocabulary) but cannot honestly say I didn't let a few choice words out when that happened; however, this is what I was trying to blog...

On November 23rd, sometime around 5:30pm, Colin and I were outside visiting with Colin's friend Jesse while Archer sat patiently on the bottom step eating a cracker.  Soon Ellen, Kris, and Eliza arrived to deliver a wonderful loaf of pumpkin bread before heading out of town.  As we were all standing in a circle around Archer he stood up, grabbed the railing as we had told him to over and over again, and began his six inch descent to solid ground.  Somewhere between railing and cement Archer went toppling off of the step.  He instantly burst into a cry unlike any we had ever heard from him (which is when I should have known something was terribly wrong...instead I thought he was just terrified).  I scooped him up relieved that he hadn't hit his head, and decided he was simply scared from the fall.  Unfortunately the crying didn't stop, nor did it deescalate.  I took Archer inside and while nursing him searched every inch of him for even the smallest scratch that could be causing his cry, but nothing!  I think started to move all of his joints thinking perhaps he hurt deeper than the surface, but once again, nothing!  Perplexed we gave him some motrin and dipped him into a warm, soothing, bubble bath.  This seemed to calm him down quickly, we fed him dinner in the bath tub, and then cuddled into dreamland. 

The next morning is when the injury became blarringly apparent.  Archer refused to bear any weight on his right leg and when he did by accident, would become hysterical again.  He had full range of motion and no bruising or swelling, but not bearing any weight seemed to be a tell tale sign of a fracture.  I placed a call to our pediatrician and anxiously waited for him to call back....for hours.  It wasn't until I called back around 4:30pm then they then told me he was out for the day and one of the other peds would be called me back shortly.  FINALLY I got the phone call and the sweetest lady put my mind at ease saying she didn't see a need to do anything about it that night and that they would refer us to a specialist in the morning.  Now...that wasn't quite good enough so we decided to take Archer to the after hours clinic in town.  They did Xrays, confirmed a "buckle break" and wanted to cast him.  We decided to opt out of the cast at the time (he was crawling everywhere and by this point not even attempting to bear weight on that leg) and take the xrays to our ped the next day. 

Needless to say, Archer is still crawling around and recovering.  Never did I imagine my sweet little 14 month old would fracture his leg---but I suppose anything is possible!!!  He really has been quite the trooper and doesn't complain at all, just crawls around about his business.  We talked with Dr. Rao (our ped) yesterday and he said in another 7-10 days we will need to get another set of xrays to check the healing. 

That's it for now.  Buckle broken baby boy!

-The Kimble

I say this everytime but...

Archer is awesome.  

It's amazing how two years ago our lives were filled with fun, but a much different kind of fun.  I was thinking back to the night I met Colin.  My friend Tim called and said he was touring with a band and they were playing a show in Philly a few blocks from where I worked as a nanny.  He told me the bands name and I looked them up on myspace music and decided it wasn't anything I was interested in.  I instead went over to meet him and get some food then went home to study for an organic chemistry test (HORRIBLE).  I had told Tim before I left if they needed a place to stay we had plenty of room.  Sure enough, at about 12am and seconds from entering into a deep sleep there they were---literally at my door!  One by one (and there were 8 of them) they filed into our apartment.  I will NEVER forget what Colin was wearing that night and he will forever think he looked cool...but he had on a giant (pretty sure it was an XL shirt with the sleeves cut out) long baggy mesh shorts, a six inch mohawk, HUGE diamon stud earrings, and horrible shoes.  I remember looking at him thinking he was a really funny looking  and really tall guy.  In our apt. you had to go through my roommates room to get to my room which is where Colin decided to make his bed.  I was getting ready to go into my room for pj's and sort of "stumbled" over him.  I sat down next to him and we talked....and talked....and talked.  We talked about our past relationships in dept and what we had learned from them.  We talked about the future and what we wanted out of our next relationships and life in general, we talked about God, we talked and talked.  Before long the sun was coming up and it was time for me to get across the city to my 7am class.  I said goodbye and couldn't stop thinking about the nice guy I had chatted with all night-and about the amazing things he had said.

Needless to say, I was beyond busy with school, work, and living in an amazing city---so when Colin continued to ask for my phone number I was really reluctant to give it to him.  This went on for about a month and a half until the eve of my 21st birthday.  Colin IM'ed me and asked for my number so he could call and wish me a happy birthday---I gave it to him and again we talked, and talked, and talked.  This time we talked about our families and friends---it was soooo fun to get to describe every family member in depth to someone who was an interested and safe stranger sort of.  It was during this conversation Colin sort of started expressing feelings for me---and suddenly I replayed all of the times I had thought about him in the last 6 weeks.  When the sun began to come up and it was time for me to head to class again he asked if he could call me after his show that night---let's be honest, how could I resist???  So night after night we chatted into the wee hours of the morning and never ran out of things to say.  We anxiously awaited our next chance to hang out and discovered it would be 6 weeks away.  (Sidenote: Colin and I met while he was touring with Emery, then REmet with sparks in our eyes at the end of the same tour, and his last tour was also with Emery).  Six weeks honestly could not come fast enough, and thankfully it didn't have to!  One night I had gone out with some friends and came home awaiting Colin's post show phone call, but when he called it was different!  He told me he was six hours away from me and it was time to meet!  He said he had unhitched the trailer from the van and was driving towards philly, that I needed to get in my car and drive towards New York and we would meet in the middle.  WHOA!!!  So off I went at 12 like a crazy woman filled to the brim with nervousness!!!  After the longest 3 hours of my life and two cell phones going dead (at the time I was switching providers from Cingular to AT&T because I was killing my minutes talking to him so I had two working phones both of which died)---the last call I placed was to tell him my phones were both done and he said meet me at exit 163-the first gas station you see.  I sat and waited until I saw the big white van pull in.  There he was.  He scooped me up and kissed me...love.  Hahaha, it seems so cliche to type---but the feelings were soooo powerful!  

Never in my life have I known a more honest and caring person.  My husband is nothing sort of being the exact opposite.  He is a true dreamer and a passionate loving man.  He cares more about other people and living life than anyone else I know.  I honestly have yet to meet anyone who has a negative thing to say about Colin.  I am sooooo blessed to be his wife.  No, being married to a passionate, extroverted dreamer isn't always easy, but somehow it is always refreshing.  I adore that man, and envy his heart.  He reminds me to gossip less (and tries to motivate me to avoid radaronline.com--never going to happen), get out more, and stop nagging.  :)  He is indeed my bruiser for life.

There are so many awesome moments with Colin that stand out.  I remember sitting with him in a little mexican restaurant in Philadelphia on Valentines day.  This place is crammed and you sit literally shoulder to shoulder in a tiny tiny room with lots of people.  He leaned in and just started talking---I think to this day that is one of the moments I have felt the most loved.  The list goes on and on....and on.  

So now, when I babble on about how amazing Archer is, I often think back to that meeting.  It's crazy to look at a little boy who is a whole lot of love.  There were so many amazing moments that led up to Colin screaming "IT'S ARCHER" when the little bundle was born.  The cool thing is those little moments continue, and there is living breathing proof of our pure and simple love.  I'm sure having a daughter is going to be awesome, but having a mini-version of the man you love most is pretty dang cool.  

This is maybe the most random blog I have posted yet, but all in the wake of mopping and thinking back over the past few years. God is so good.

Ok, Archer's nap is over and it's time to hit up babies r' us.  

-sorry for the random babbling blog. 

The Kimbles.

Beach...

Pictures are coming soon but for now..

WE HAD A BLAST AT THE BEACH.  Archer is insane---and there is so much love in our little family--it is often very tempting to say one is fun and enough because things run sooo smoothly with the three of us; but what fun would only one be?!? BRING EM ON!

We left our house on Saturday and went to Mandeville for Halloween...so fun!!!  Archer and his cousin Brody rode together in the wagon with cousins Brooks and Harper close behind in their twin stroller.  We went to about 10 houses before coming back.  We then went to Colin's parents to sleep and I cannot tell you the last time (if ever..) Archer has slept in a room without us that was not his own.  Therefore, at 1am when he woke up screaming in the guest room across the house I shouldn't have been as surprised as I was, I actually rolled over and asked Colin what I should do.  An hour later (and after trying anything to soothe him) I relented and brought him into bed with us---this is how bad habits are formed I am sure.  Needless to say, I put him between Colin and I in the dark room and he reached up and touched me and said "mama" then reached up and touched Colin and said "dada"...and he was out!  We lost an hour of sleep (time change) and then at 6am buddy boy was up!  Colin was awesome and got up with him and suddenly I remembered the tired of having a newborn, but BOY WAS THAT MOMENT SWEET!!!

I eventually got up around 8am, had some coffee, and we hit the road.  Archer played in the car for about 30 minutes and then fell asleep for 3.5 hours, woke up and we were there!!!  We checked in and hit the beach.  We spent the next two days that way, sand, food, playing, swimming, etc.  On Saturday night we were watching the Phillies play and Archer was walking around saying, "Phiwee" and "baball" it was adorable.  Oh, my friend Ellen made a list of all of the words her daughter Eliza was saying, so I decided to do the same seeing as I am sure someday Archer will wonder what he was saying by the time he was 13.5 months old ;)  Here it is: Dog, doggy, dada, daddy, mama, kitty, apple, ball, shoes, socks, baseball, phillies, bike, book, bite, night night, up, baby, keys, that, ba ba, beep beep (while grabbing my nose), and hat.  Pretty impressive!

There were so many awesome moments the three of us had on the trip---but they all just sort of become happiness and not a clear definable memory.  I am a blessed lady with an amazing family for which I am beyond grateful for. 

That's all for now...I am in a comalikeexhaustionstate.  Oh, I did learn today that irregardless really isn't a word, disappointing because I really enjoy using it!

Love the beach exhausted/vacation is never really relaxing Kimbles

Beach...

Today is a super exciting day!  For one it is Archer's first Halloween---and he has an adorable costume!!!  Secondly, we are going to spend the night in Mandeville with family and then head to the beach in the morning!  Archer has yet to go to the beach-but always beelines straight for the sand at the park so I am sure this is going to be a super fun experience for him!!!  We plan to stay Sun and Monday night and return home around bedtime on Tuesday.  Ahhh....vacation (sort of).

That's it for now, when we get home I will post pictures.

Love the Kimbles.

A brief moment...

I have a quick moment to type out a few things--so here I go!

Archer and I had the privelege to babysit for Eliza for a couple of hours the other day while Ellen ran to a Dr. appt--we had a blast! It was crazy because Archer and Eliza really played together--ok, not together, but would follow each other from room to room and toy to toy!!! It made me really want to throw a sibling in there for Archer!

Archer is amazing...I feel like I always say that---but he is becoming a wonderfully fun toddler! I can now ask him to come with me around the house while I clean and he is proving to be somewhat helpful, for example-he will open and close the dryer repeatedly while I am loading it with wet clothes. He also helps put various things away---which has led to my cell phone being lost most of the time--he likes to put it in his dresser drawers or toybox! It really is fun though to say, "come help mama make the bed" and he will toddle behind me and pull on the sheets (or play on the pillows). I am soooo looking forward to the 2's and 3's---and lately I have been incredibly nostalgic about it. It seems like lots of our friends are having babies right now and sometimes I think about how wonderful this time is-and how happy we all seem--and I think "this is the time of our lives." While I work I often talk to patients about Archer and everyone offers the same advice, "It's the most amazing thing and it flies by." So now more than ever I am really trying to live this up! Teary eyed thinking about my babe going away!!! People keep asking when I am going to wean...and the answer is simple--when we are ready! There are days where I am beyond ready and just want my body back--but I remember, this isn't going to last forever and when it's over I know I am going to miss it.

Ok, back to work.

Love the Kimbles.

Good Intentions...

I honestly really always have the best of intentions when it comes to blogging...and often renew my pledge to blog at least weekly every time I blog---I am simply going to forgo that pledge this time :)  

WHAT'S NEW?!?!  Archer is crazy!  He is the best/most fun kid I know...simply awesome.  He walks everywhere and babbles NONSTOP!  He has a growing list of words--mama, dada, baba, dog, doggy, bye bye, ni night, truck, duck, baby, up, bath, hmm, a few others that are not coming to me at the moment (forgive me while my son splashes in the bathtub and I attempt to quickly blog).  He also just started putting two words together and it is the sweetest thing imaginable!  He will say "Hey Mama (in the sweetest soft voice".  He also says, "hey baby" and "hey dada."  Two nights ago in the bath he took his little alien squirter toy and his little frog squirter toy and put them up on the ledge together and was making sweet little babbles like they were playing back and forth---it was adorable!

Archer now wakes up between 6:30-7:30am, naps from about 11am-2pm, and then goes to be between 7-7:30pm.  Oh!  And he has started POOPING!!!  For 6 months now almost Archie boy has been chronically constipated--and now we have poop (which makes cloth diapering slightly less handy).  

Hmmm..other news, we are moving to Salt Lake City, UT in May (no we are not Mormon, yes Colin's bro and our sis-in-law live there) Colin's brother has a business that he would like Colin to be a part of and Colin is super excited about it, as are Archer and I (slightly worried about being submerged in snow and cold again after getting used to winter without it, but surely..I will survive!)  It is a wonderful opportunity and we are so excited!

Ok, that's it for now as Archer is throwing his leg over the edge of the bathtub saying "mama UP, mama UP"

-The Kimbles.

cloth diaper update...

Alright, as promised, for my friends and family who are either cloth diapering or about to start, here is my review of the diapers we have...

From top to bottom and left to right it goes:  (almost all are one size diapers)

The first two diapers are "cloth diaper wholesale" diapers.  These diapers were very reasonably priced ($10 for white, $12 for colored) and very wonderful.  The stuff in the front which is interesting, but with a baby boy very helpful (I am able to do an extra fold over in the front for added dryness).  Bang for the buck I would DEFINITELY suggest having a few of these in your collection!  They have never leaked for us, and we often use them as our overnight diaper of choice (right behind Bumgenius all-in-ones).  They are adorable and the woman that sells that is very friendly and helpful!  They fit wonderfully and have two snaps on either side to secure.  The size is adjustable the same way most other one size diapers are and that is by the snaps down the front.  They are able to get incredibly small and seem like one of the most practical diapers for newborns.

The next three diapers are our "Fuzzibunz."  I would ALMOST say these are my favorite, or the ones I always reach for (while probably being Colin's least favorite...all of the snaps).  I love how perfectly they fit Archer and they seem to be rather "slim fitting".  Fuzzi bunz have been around forever, and I believe were one of the first cutting edge diaper companies so they know what they are doing!  The size varies incredibly and several different ways: there is an internal elastic piece you can use to make the diaper tighter around the legs as well as the snap down front AND this diaper (unlike any of the others) is available with a "hip snap" (hence Colin's hatred for all of the snaps).  This diaper is not as "user friendly" as the bumgenius option, but I think it is by far the best looking and best fitting diaper we have.  We have NEVER had a leak!!!  We dont often use these for overnight seeing as they are slim and we would prefer to have them clean to use during the day.  Also, Archer could not get out of these if he tried!  Overall, Fuzzi bunz are def. in our top three!!!

The next four in line are Happy Heiny's.  I bought four of these after reading reviews, and wish I I hadn't bought any.  I really do not like or Happy Heiny's and would be willing to trade or sell them to just about anybody.  One of my friends really really liked them for her newborn and said they were her favorite on her little girl for the first few months.  For us they are very BULKY (I need to get different inserts) and almost always leak!  We probably should change his diaper more often (we only change him 4 times a day usually) but we don't have the leaking problem with any other diapers.  When we use a HH we must change him often and generally try not to put one on him before going out.  Not only are they very bulky the velcro tabs are rather large and almost look to be uncomfortable on his chubby tummy.  The tabs are available in velcro or snaps (the first navy blue one is the snap option) and I prefer the snaps.  The velcro is SUPER easy for Archer to get off and unless he has pants over them he will instantly take the diaper off (he is even able to get it unhooked with clothes on).  They dont fit well, are bulky, and often leak which makes this choice our least favorite.

Next in line (second row) are "Rocky Mountain Diapers".  The woman who sells the wholesale cloth diapers also sells these.  The Rocky Mountain diapers are super cute with a colored liner on the inside.  They seem to be of less quality than most of the other diapers, but have never let us down!  I like the sizing system tons!  To adjust the tightness around the legs there is an elastic strip that has snaps so you simply pull the elastic until you get the desired "squeeze" and then snap it in place, really wonderful!  Overall, very cute and fit nicely!  I would recommend these for sure!

Following the Rocky Mountain Diapers are the "Haute" diapers.  These diapers are WONDERFUL!!!  They are very similar to Bumgenius but are bigger (can use them for much longer).  Actually if you look at the picture the ones after the Haute are Bumgenius and you can see the size difference!  We love the Haute diapers and have no had a single issue with them.  We also generally use these for bedtime and are very satisfied customers!  They are available in snap or velcro tabs and we have one of each. 

Next up, Bumgenius.  Bumgenius is a great company and I really believe they have the right concept, it seems to be their goal is making cloth diapering the logical choice, based on ease of use and affordability.  Bumgenius just released two new brands of diaper-one called Flip, and the other "Econobum".  With Econobum they claim you can cloth diaper from birth to potty training for $100.  I am really dying for them to release either so we can get our hands on them (when we do I will be sure to post something).  For now, we have the Bumgenius all in one, and the Bumgenius one size.  We almost always use our all in ones for bedtime (with an extra insert).  Because the insert it fastened in it seems like the most logical solution to a moving baby moving around that insert allowing the diaper to leak.  I love the all in one's and if it didn't make more sense financially to buy one size fits all I would only own Bumgenius all in ones!  On the other hand, our bumgenius one size diapers are great.  They fit perfectly (but are our smallest diapers by far---I am not sure how long he will be able to wear them, although they look to get very tiny for a newborn).  The biggest beef I have with them is that the only option (unless you go organic) is velcro.  We have washed ours a handful of times and already the velcro is crummy, not to mention....Archer ALWAYS takes them off!  If this diaper had a snap option it would be one of my favorites for sure!!!  Bumgenius has no plans to make a snap option available because their new "Flip" diaper is essentially that.  I would def. suggest having a couple of these in your stash, but the all in one's and the one size fits all (all in twos).

The next two are "Whammies".  I feel 100% neutral about these diapers!  The first one has an interesting way to close, with little clasps, that Archer wouldn't be able to figure out--even at the age of 3!!!!  I imagine as he gets older I will begin to reach for that diaper more often than now.  The other is a snap closure.  I enjoy these diapers, I wouldn't buy anymore, but do enjoy  the ones we have.  

Last on the list, Smartipants.  I LOVE our smartipants diapers, they are the trimmest next to Fuzzibunz.  Smartipants insert is open at the front and the back and the insert comes out on its own in the wash (no need to touch a pee soaked cloth just simply throw it in the wash machine and it finds its way out).  These are our newest diaper so that is all I have to report so far (not to mention I am fairly tired of typing...)

That is it for now, I will write more as the times goes by.  All in all, it is essential to have some wholesale cloth diapers, Bumgenius, and Fuzzibunz on your collection!!!