Swensen Sentral

Oh my goodness, this has been such a sick season for our family. I don't know if we're just not good handwashers, or if stress has lowered our immunse systems, or if it's just a bad season, but it seems like we've been sick SO much. It all started back in October with Rick and Amelie and Chase all catching the Swine flu, and then Chase being hospitalized. It's been off and on coughs and runny noses since then and flu symptoms, and this past couple weeks have been really bad. Rick got strep really bad last weekend, and both Amelie and I got it too. Ours wasn't as bad as Rick's so we didn't get on antibiotics right away because we didn't know we had it. I only had a minor sore throat, but I had a terrible stomach ache along with the usual flu achiness and chills. Amelie never complained of a sore throat either, but she's complained of stomach aches and also had some fevers. Who would have known strep couldn't manifest so differently? And poor ...

I'm not into too many shows on TV, but I do love American Idol. I've been watching this season from the beginning and I just have to give my prediction of who's in it to win it. They're down to 16 right now, so I'm shaving off 10! I've done this before and I'm usually pretty right on so here's my bold prediction... Top 3 guys: Lee Dewyze Casey James (best guy) Michael Lynche Top 3 girls: Siobhan Magnus/Lacey Didi Benami Crystal Bowersox (best girl) If I'm right you can give me a pat on the back, if not feel free to rub it in! Happy Watching!

Amelie wasn't feeling well so while she rested on her bed I brought in some music for her to listen to on my ipod. While I was plugging it in she said, "Is that your ipod or daddy's?" "It's mine," I replied. Her response, "Oh, I didn't know girls could have ipods." I bought some Cheetos for the kids as a fun snack, and when Chase saw them he was so excited and said "Nardos! I want some Nardos!" I told him they were called Cheetos (while chuckling inside). Then I gave them each a handful and put the bag back so they wouldn't eat anymore. Then later I see Amelie carrying around the bag. I tell her to put it back and she's says, "Can I have just ONE more? Please?" To which I reply, "Ok, just one more." Then she says, "Ok, I'll just have one more, and then one more, and then one more, ok?" She's a smart little thing. I think she'd make a good lawyer because she's good ...

We woke up to it snowing. Chase and Amelie hadn't noticed yet so I brought them over to the window and said "Look!" Chase looks out and exclaims "Oh! That is SO romantic!" Where did he learn that? We were sitting at the table for lunch and Amelie proceeded to tell us who was a boy and who was a girl. After pointing out all the boys she then said pointing to me "And mama's a girl and I'm a girl!" To which I replied "That's right! Give me five!" And while giving me five she says "Girls Forever!!!" Sawyer was crying on the floor, obviously wanting my attention. I was almost done with what I was doing and ready to go pick him up and Chase says, "Mom? Babies are a lot of work huh." I'm glad he noticed. My days are just full of these little moments, wish I could write them all down but alas, I have other things to do. What makes these moments so funny is that I don't know where they get these saying...

I attended my FIRST PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCE yesterday. Very weird. That seems like an "old" mom thing to do and I still feel like a young mom. Maybe I always will. Anyway, Chase started preschool in January so this was my first chance to see how he's doing and ask questions. The teacher gave him great remarks and said he's doing well, so I was happy. I can't believe my baby is in school. For some reason it didn't seem as big a deal when he attended a home preschool at one of my friend's houses. I knew all the kids (all 5 of them) and their parents and the teacher (one of my best friends). Now he goes to school with kids I don't know and teachers I don't know. Kind of scary, but really cool for him. I think it makes him feel independent, a part of his life that is just his, not mine. It makes me feel...happy, happy that he's growing up and doing ok. I can't really say it makes me feel old yet, because I just don't FEEL old...

Amelie turned 3 today. She is a very special girl, full of spunk and personality. She can always surprise you with something funny to say. We love having her in our family!

I've been trying to get Chase in to preschool, and finally was able to right after Christmas. He loves going to school and was really ready for it. Amelie misses him though. She really wants to go with him, but I keep telling her she'll get her turn next year. It's been nice to be able to spend some one-on-one time with her though while he's gone. She really likes being with just her mom, and I love it too.