Oobleck

After drowning lots of toys in the bathroom sink, seeing what floats and what doesn't (no, Loo Bear, please don't soak all your pencils in the water...), the boys spent the afternoon getting their hands into some Non-Newtonian fluid AKA Oobleck AKA cornstarch in water suspension AKA messy fun in the name of science.*

  

The more force you apply, the more resistance you meet. Go gentle and slow, stop applying pressure, and the solid turns back into an oozing liquid goo. Hmm, there's a lesson in there somewhere.


*Those with sensory avoidance issues may need lots of encouragement; and a drop of some pleasant essential oil mixed in wouldn't go astray as the mixture is a bit smelly as Shmoo Bear so dramatically pointed out.

Aaaargh!

~X(

Called my OB's office again regarding the amnio results. The receptionist said that she spoke to pathology and they said that the results that were sent through are it, that's all they have... Except the OB told me that they were only the preliminary results and we're still waiting on the full report. So the receptionist is going to call pathology again and see if she can find out what's going on.

I'm assuming that we got the all clear for the FISH test, which is a good start, but that only tests a few specific chromosomes (13, 18, 21, X and Y, I think) none of which are involved with my particular translocation.

Hopefully they didn't just do the FISH test alone. That would be all kinds of frustrating and pointless.

This is so not doing anything to increase my faith in the hospital system.

How Sweet It Is...

Poor little Beanie had a very restless night last night and was so sensitive today. We sat down for a big cuddle late this afternoon and within minutes he dropped off to sleep next to me. Eventually I had to get up and make dinner and I asked Loo to be quiet and gentle around the snoozing Bean. I peeked into the lounge room 10 minutes later to see how Beanie was going and he was still fast asleep - and Loo had taken off his jumper and carefully tucked it around his little brother to keep him warm.

My dear, sweet little Loo Bear. Bouncing off the walls, all fiery, stubborn rage one minute and considerate, loving big brother the next. Wonderful, darling boy :)

At the Park

A lovely day out at the park with friends... playing, climbing trees, exploring, making daisy chains, watching trains...

 

 

And then home for a special treat, breakfast-for-dinner (French omelettes, bacon, and pancakes with maple syrup). :)

Fire Truck

It's not uncommon for us to see a fire truck outside the local shopping centre around lunch time (I'm assuming they stop by to grab some lunch, rather than there being regular fire emergencies there ;) ). Nevertheless, the sight of a fire truck never fails to thrill the boys. Beanie waved enthusiastically from our trolley and shouted out "Hello, hello!" and the bigger boys climbed up onto the wall for a closer look.

Shmoo and Loo were excited when I suggested that I take a photo of them in front of the truck. I think it says a lot about their personalities - Shmoo leaned coolly and casually against the railing in the background with a hint of self-consciousness while Loo struck an over-the-top pose, hamming it up for the camera :)

You vs. Me

The OH and Beanie reading a book...

Beanie: What's that?
The OH: 'u'.
Beanie: Me?
The OH: The letter 'u'.
Beanie: The letter 'me'?!

... And now I'm so much more anxious about the amnio results. Eight weeks since the amnio was done. Eight days 'til the OB's back from leave. The hospital system does hate me.

Please, please, please don't let him have it too.

Mama guilt overload.

:(

Finally got Loo Bear's genetic results back. He's inherited my balanced translocation. The GP's receptionist sounded so chirpy when she reported the results, "I think that's good isn't it?". I struggled for a moment before replying, "Well, it's not as bad as it could have been."

Truth is, I'm devastated. I know it could have been worse but all I can think about is the heartache the BT has caused me over the past decade and what it will mean for Loo and his future partner if/when they start a family of their own.

I can handle ASDs and related issues but for some reason this chromosome crap is so much harder.

:x

"The Idle Tower"

Image from here

Poor Shmoo couldn't figure our why we couldn't stop giggling when he was telling us all about the Idle Tower. =))

Well, I suppose it doesn't actually do much. Still, I'm not sure the French would appreciate it being called idle.

Or maybe he meant The Idol Tower?