My facebook status today says that my life changed 16 years ago when Allen was born. Every mother quickly learns that life before your first born and life after are two different things.
At 7 months of age Allen had already so turned my life upside down that he prompted my grandchild-desiring mom to tell me "All children are not this hard." To which I responded "you have four other married couples of child-bearing age, don't expect me to do this again any time soon."
By the time Allen reached 7 months, he had been diagnosed with asthma, multiple anaphylactic food allergies, severe eczema and had undergone skull surgery. I count Allen's first year of life as the most stressful time in my life.
He still has asthma and has gone on to have other surgeries and yes he has those food allergies 16 years later. Which is why I bake vegan cupcakes for him (thanks for the cookbook Paula!). This morning Kyra and I spent a good amount of time in the kitchen preparing chocolate/vanilla swirl and margarita (fresh lime juice, tequila and salt) cupcakes. I'd upload some photos of them except Allen has used up almost all of our monthly internet allotment so no photos on my blog until after the first of the month. Trust me they look pretty and taste great.
Yes my life was turned inside out but is so much richer and funnier and joyful with him in it. (I could do without the surgeries though)
Friday, July 29, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Internet
One of the many things Kyle had to do when moving into our house in Belgium was arrange for phone and internet service.
Belgacom (the phone and internet provider) gave him several service options ranging from dial-up with limited downloads per month to DSL and unlimited megabytes per month. Kyle chose the second highest option which gave us fast-ish internet and 100 megabytes per month.
The last three months we've been hitting the limit of 100 megabytes earlier and earlier in the month. When we hit it our internet speed drops to dial up speed. This was sort of workable when we hit the limit on the 29th but as that crept to the 21st or this month the 15th it has become unworkable.
Within the SHAPE community there is a genuine dread of working with Belgacom. But the lack of internet tipped the scale and motivated me to make a visit to the Belgacom office. We definitely wanted high speed and unlimited megabytes.
Yes I had to wait a bit (under twenty minutes - not bad by Belgian standards). I talked with the customer service guy and saw the graph of our internet usage (a steadily climbing line) and arranged for the top tier service.
Good news - we are going to have it. Bad news - it doesn't kick in until August. Good news - for 5 euros I could purchase an additional 20 megs for the month which takes us out of dial up speed.
The new service requires a new router which Belgacom provided. I was sent home with the router and instruction guides - 2 of them. One in French and one in Flemish. I was told to hook up the new router before August 1st. So this morning I gave it a shot. And hooray! Here I am on the internet, that I hooked up using French instructions (and lots of pictures).
I'm looking forward to the faster speed next month. Uploading photos onto this blog takes several minutes at our current speed - I hope it is faster next month. If so, watch out - more photos coming your way.
Belgacom (the phone and internet provider) gave him several service options ranging from dial-up with limited downloads per month to DSL and unlimited megabytes per month. Kyle chose the second highest option which gave us fast-ish internet and 100 megabytes per month.
The last three months we've been hitting the limit of 100 megabytes earlier and earlier in the month. When we hit it our internet speed drops to dial up speed. This was sort of workable when we hit the limit on the 29th but as that crept to the 21st or this month the 15th it has become unworkable.
Within the SHAPE community there is a genuine dread of working with Belgacom. But the lack of internet tipped the scale and motivated me to make a visit to the Belgacom office. We definitely wanted high speed and unlimited megabytes.
Yes I had to wait a bit (under twenty minutes - not bad by Belgian standards). I talked with the customer service guy and saw the graph of our internet usage (a steadily climbing line) and arranged for the top tier service.
Good news - we are going to have it. Bad news - it doesn't kick in until August. Good news - for 5 euros I could purchase an additional 20 megs for the month which takes us out of dial up speed.
The new service requires a new router which Belgacom provided. I was sent home with the router and instruction guides - 2 of them. One in French and one in Flemish. I was told to hook up the new router before August 1st. So this morning I gave it a shot. And hooray! Here I am on the internet, that I hooked up using French instructions (and lots of pictures).
I'm looking forward to the faster speed next month. Uploading photos onto this blog takes several minutes at our current speed - I hope it is faster next month. If so, watch out - more photos coming your way.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Theater Camp
This summer three out of four Dunlaps are involved with SHAPE Players' theater camp.
Allen spends morning at the theater working on back stage production - painting, carpentry, costumes, etc. In general I think he likes what he is doing. What he likes best is hanging out with all the other teenagers who are working there as well.
Kyra is a camper - this means she experiences the fun stuff of camp - learning theater stuff and is part of the production.
I am the choreographer. This means I get to work with over twenty kids of varying ages and dance abilities and most challenging - differing desires to be in theater camp. Overall it is fun and the kids are great, even if they are loud!
The camp is putting on a production of Cinderella next week. They are doing the Disney version and I would have to say they are doing a good job. Lines are memorized, choreography is memorized, the set and costumes look great. Some of the kids are amazing actors and are quite good at getting the audience's attention.
The theater intends to offer an after-school version of this camp a couple of times throughout the school year. I think Kyra is seriously considering this. I am on board to help with choreography. I think Allen will jump ship though and return to cross-country and track.
Allen spends morning at the theater working on back stage production - painting, carpentry, costumes, etc. In general I think he likes what he is doing. What he likes best is hanging out with all the other teenagers who are working there as well.
Kyra is a camper - this means she experiences the fun stuff of camp - learning theater stuff and is part of the production.
I am the choreographer. This means I get to work with over twenty kids of varying ages and dance abilities and most challenging - differing desires to be in theater camp. Overall it is fun and the kids are great, even if they are loud!
The camp is putting on a production of Cinderella next week. They are doing the Disney version and I would have to say they are doing a good job. Lines are memorized, choreography is memorized, the set and costumes look great. Some of the kids are amazing actors and are quite good at getting the audience's attention.
The theater intends to offer an after-school version of this camp a couple of times throughout the school year. I think Kyra is seriously considering this. I am on board to help with choreography. I think Allen will jump ship though and return to cross-country and track.
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