If any of you have tried to get a breastfed baby to drink formula then you know how difficult it can be. Babies like what they are used to and don't much like change. I first gave Kanga some soy formula in her cereal about 3 weeks ago. A while later she was projectile vomiting! Having given her soy formula in a bottle for her to try some and get her used to it in case I didn't have enough milk ready for her daycare days, I thought the can had likely gone bad and felt awful to giving a spoiled formula to her!
Well, on Friday I officially found out that I have a bladder infection and am now taking medicine for it. The write up from the pharmacist said that it passes into breastmilk, so I called the pharmacist and asked what it could do, if it's safe for her, and such. He asked if my Dr. knew I'm nursing and I said yes (he's her Dr too). Then he said that most mom's give their babies formula when they're on this medicine, but that they also prescribe it to babies if they're sick. So what's the answer? Is it safe or not?
I decided I'd try to get Kanga to take formula while I'm on the medicine just in case (and hope that it was only for the 10 days and I didn't need an extra round!). I mixed some of the powdered soy formula I'd picked up (after all she hadn't reacted when I'd been testing formulas before!) and gave her a bit in her cereal so she could get a taste for it. That night (it was in her supper) we had vomiting again. She had a 3rd of an ounce in her cereal and of that ate 2 or 3 bites. She barely even got any of the soy and she reacted like that!
Okay, she can't have soy. I guess I'll try some milk based formula. I hadn't wanted to do this as Monkey had a raw dairy intolerance. I wanted to wait until she was about 2 before she had any dairy. As it turned out, I was right to wish so. Kanga drank a 3rd of an ounce last night and had diarrhea this morning. I hadn't put the two together so I mixed her cereal with the milk based formula to give her a taste for it. She ate about 3 bites again and has had diarrhea all day.
On top of this, Kanga has a horrible cold right now that she picked up from one of her teachers at daycare. When I saw her teacher last week while picking her up I was shocked that she hadn't been sent home. I now have the cold too and I called in to volunteering so not to pass it on! I feel bad enough that Monkey has been in the same room with Kanga and I for the last 4 days with the vaporizer going, coughing, sneezing and all! It's inevitable that he'll get it.
So now I know that my sick baby can't have formula. I can only hope that I can nurse her until she's old enough to sustain life without it! If I ever needed surgery or needed a medicine that she couldn't have through my milk then I hope, I hope, I hope that she'd be old enough that through her meals she'd be okay!
Well, Samhain (Hallowe'en) has come and gone for another year. We've paid tribute to our passed ancestors and celebrated the arrival of our new roots. Another year has come and gone. For some reason I didn't get all festive like I usually do this year. Don't get me wrong, I decorated my home, even got the foresight to put my pumpkin light lanterns on my icicle lights so all I have to do sometime this week is pop off the pumpkins and I'm ready for Yule! I carved the Jack-o-Lanterns, I put up the stickers, and happily hunted for costumes. I just didn't feel like giving out candy and dressing up. Maybe I'm getting jaded, but when I was a kid, you went trick-or-treating at friends, relatives, acquaintances, but not complete strangers (unless you wanted to meet the new neighbour) and I hardly knew any of the kids who appeared out of the wood work. I can count 5 of the 50. What's the fun in seeing a bunch of kids you don't know dressed up. It's way more fun to guess who's under the mask when you stand a chance.
On the other hand, Monkey aka Darth Vadar and Matt went trick-or-treating and met a nice blind lady who lives on the street behind us. She asked who was there, what the costumes were, and how many people. Then she told the two of them to reach in her candy bag and pick what they'd like. Monkey grabbed some for Matt, who felt a little bad for taking her candy, but how can you put it back at that point! She would never know who's at her door except those really close to her for whom she can recognize the voices. I'll have to remember her next year. Those 20 year olds were pretty funny too. "Last year we swear!" I don't really care, they had great costumes! The 12 year old with the mask and street clothes on the other hand, I'm pretty sure he just stole his little brother's mask! Which reminds me, poor Monkey forgot his mask at daycare so he was all dressed up with no mask to wear! At least he had the rest though. Hopefully the mask is intact on Monday. Samhain photos are on Wednesday and I'd hate to try and find a new mask after the date!
Kanga had a little skeleton costume. I have a pic of her but not one of Monkey. I'll get one up when we get his mask back! (It seems I haven't downloaded it yet. I'll have to post it later!)
Well with both kids at daycare yesterday, I made two pairs of shoes and five diapers. I was rather exhausted from all the sewing though so didn't feel like dressing up for the SpiralScouts Hallowe'en/Samhain party. I felt bad but grabbed my "lookin boo-tyful" hat so I wasn't completely undressed. Monkey was all decked out and Kanga too. The potion (sprite, lime sherbert and gummy worms) was a hit again too. Made it one drink at a time and that went much better, just more slowly and less drink (the sherbert was in the way), but the kids didn't care!
It's done! I finished the elastic and binding this morning on the shoes, and the elastic on the headband too! I brought it to Grandma's 90th birthday gathering today (Happy Birthday tomorrow Grandma!) and mum loved it. Her response was "Maybe I should have told Erin (mum's step-daughter-in-law-to-be and my step-sister-in-law-to-be and bridesmaid) that you were making C's (her daughter) dress!" She loved it! I'm so happy with how things turned out. I'll post a 6mos pic as soon as I get em done (not for 2 weeks obviously!). YAY!
Okay, I've decided I definately have to get her 6mos pics done in her ensemble. It is too darn cute, and I've put way too much time and thought into it! Granted that means she'll be wearing it before the wedding, but only for a bit! :) It'll be remembered forever that way! I hope her daughter will get to wear it one day! I'll have to make a fancy "made by mommy with love" label and then date and sign it. I'm getting all sentimental and mum's wedding hasn't even gotten here yet! Only 20 days!
(P.S. I had the option of my or our wedding, so I went with our as the families are being joined too!)
I updated photos through out my posts, including the tickers at the bottom of my blog, so if you're interested you can browse and see what I've added!
I am almost done Kanga's wedding ensemble for mum's wedding. I have her dress done, have her shoes started and her headband is nearly complete. I love doing this for her, and I love that mum is so thankful!
It would seem I forgot to announce that my BabyHawk came! I am so happy with it. I can barely tell I'm carrying Kanga when she's in there! The Snugli was great, but with the waist straps carrying is even easier!
I called at 10:00 to check in on Kanga and not only was she napping, but one of her caregivers had caught a pee! Stay tuned for more information.
Edit:
They caught more pees after I posted! Kanga didn't want to eat much at daycare today, but frankly if she doesn't want it, they can't make her and that goes for when I'm nursing her as well! There's only so much a caregiver can do to get a kid to eat! :) When I picked her up she smiled and then let me know I should pick her up more quickly. I strategically gathered up all her stuff before she saw me this time, and once I was 'organized' (go in; grab laundry, cleans, potty, pack that; get lunchbox, soother, cuddly, pack those; get outside clothes, shoes, etc., finally get my baby girl!) I grabbed her and she told be all about her day. The ladies said she had a riot with the mirror, 2 good naps, and was happy all day. YAY!
Monday was Kanga's 1st day at daycare. I dropped her off (well took her and hung out for an hour!) at 8:20 and went to get her at 12. The gals got a little catch, and dunked a onsie (which I have now hemmed up). She ate her milk, and had a 40 min nap, so I guess she is going to be just fine and had a good day! She was mad at me when I got there though. She didn't want to stop playing, and then decided she wanted more milk and a nap. I missed my baby, but a success I think!
I know, three posts when I rarely post these days! Anyhow, I found the cutest long sleeve fooler t's that do not wrap around Kanga's butt! I am so excited! They're too cute! I'll add a pic to the post after Kanga's nap.
Well, Ms. Kanga had her first taste of cereal today. She's been getting a bit of pear or peach here and there with those scrumpsous fruits in season (strawberries are a definate wait till next year). I got her some cereal today though and she had some breakfast. My God/dess! She couldn't get enough! I mixed it more like soup than cereal because I didn't know how she'd do with the food, should've known with the pears I guess, but she devoured it! I expected a couple of bites and then she'd get bored, but nope. She ate all of the bit I mixed for her and then had momma milk! She was a hungey gal! Now we watch for reactions I guess!
Monkey's new backpack and lunch box came! He was very excited, and couldn't wait to take it to school and daycare today. He was so funny! He showed Matt proudly and took it off to school this morning telling everyone "This is my new rolly-pully backpack!" I love it!
Good news and bad news. Kanga got a call on Tuesday that she has a spot starting Mondays, on Monday...her 5mos birthday. Really, this is good news, but less than a week to get ready for the idea! I grabbed the forms Tues, dropped em off on Wed, and hung out in the room Wed morning.
Her teachers (3 for 11) are great. She's not the first diaper-free baby, they're going to take her to the potty and I can bring in cloth so her trainers I'm making will be fine! Yay!
She was sleeping when we got there, so I watched her teachers with the other kids, who were painting with jam and applesauce. They were signing to the kids too. When one needed a diaper change, I followed her into the washroom, and Kanga had a big pee and was still dry. I was glad because her teachers saw that she really does pee on the potty!
I am so excited! Kanga's ecaWare pants have arrived, and so far they are awesome! Granted she's not feeling 100% with a stuffy nose (yay allergy season) and we're having misses galore, I'm loving how easy they are to change too! Check em out!
Yes, that would be Christmas, Yule, Kwanza, Hannuka, or which ever you celebrate. Fall comes and we all start thinking, "Where am I going to find the money this year!?" Or, "Will so and so like this? Do they even like what I get them?" Yes, this cultural phenomon also comes with Santaclaustrophobia. A disease unlike any other. A young child sees Santa, runs to him, gets trapped near him by the photographer, candy helper, or any one else disguised as an elf, and freaks out. Oh the season is wonderful in deed!
This post is not just to bash the upcoming holidays though, so never fear! I really do enjoy the extra time with family and friends. Not the driving, but in our society it's the reality we have created! It's also to request, no beg, that people think before giving. Giving is a wonderful thing to do, but it can be hard to feel grateful when you receive yet another bath kit (I don't take baths though last years was handy for labour soaks), or a candle that smells wonderful (but where am I going to put it). I am grateful, and I love that people think of me. Now please think of me in a different way.
1. Kanga is using the potty. This means that those lovely shirts that button under her to keep her shirt down are actually a pain. For diapered babies they're great, but for pottied babies, they get soaked in pee when rushed to the potty and accidentally dangled, or they hang open all day waiting for that accidental whoops.
2. Kanga is using the potty. I know I sound like a broken record here, but that also means that as helpful as it is to get us disposable diapers, wipes, etc (and I really am grateful! She does use them with daddy, and longer trips), I'm still working through what has been given previously (thanks again!).
3. Kanga is a baby. That being said, she does not need countless toys. If you'd like to get her something to play with, an unfinished wood or cloth toy is best. I can toss the cloth in the wash, the wood has nothing that will make her sick and we're off to the races. Check out her Cheeky Monkey registry for some ideas. Toys'R'Us has some great ones now too!
4. I have a wishlist, and will be making one for Kanga as well. Monkey has one that we need to update as well, but here are the lists. I never remember what it was each of us, including myself, wanted/needed when put on the spot, so browse for ideas, or just pick an item. Up to you! :)
Amanda - Sears #200320689632, Froogle amandak@alumnae.alphaphi.org
Monkey - Sears #200700543249 (also would like martian madness)
Kanga - Sears #200831733448, Cheeky Monkey (search Amanda Coughlin)
Yay! Now don't forget to drop hints as to what you would like or you'll get what you get! :)
I love my Snugli! I decided that I would get a new carrier for this baby (didn't yet know who she was at that point) because the one I had for Monkey was uncomfortable, hurt my back, and a hand me down (thank you for that though!). I got a nice one for $25 and it has been great! It's got padded straps like a backpack, built in criss-cross, and it's super easy to adjust and get Kanga into.
As the weather gets cooler, I start thinking about what I'm going to do for winter clothes. I got Kanga a Jolly Jumper cuddle bag for her carseat, a hat to keep her ears warm, and then thought "she's going to go for walks in a stroller in the winter with day care. She needs a snow suit!" Okay, I can handle a snow suit. Then I thought, "She'll need to wear the snow suit when she's in the Snuggli to keep warm enough when we're out for walks. She's not going to fit!"
I have a Jolly Jumper Snuggle Cover to use as a blanket, but that won't be warm enough in
-20*C! A snowsuit with the cover will be minimal! Anyway, I've been thinking about how I'm going to carry Kanga to Monkey's school. My friend has a mei tai carrier (used in Asia) that I admired, so I'm going to save up for one of those. Baby Hawk has custom made ones and some ready to orders. If there isn't a price difference, then I'm set! Kanga will fit in it until she's ready to walk everywhere that way!
I changed the name of the blog because SK boy gets just as much mention here. They're both very important to me and I can't mention one without thinking of the other. So I fixed the blog!
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
I'm traumatized. Day went smoothly for Monkey though. I dropped him off, he had a great day at school and Matt picked him up right after class. Problem was he wasn't supposed to. He signed him out at the office like a good daddy, and said bye to Monkey's teacher.
I on the other hand, called the after school program at 3:45 to make sure that Monkey got to the program okay, and the worker told me he wasn't there and that he hadn't been Tuesday either. I'd left a message saying he started JK on Wednesday, so they should have known to go find him. I freaked out completely. I told the worker that she had better find my son. He's 4 years old. Where is he! Fighting tears and trying to figure out the next rational thing to do and keep on working with the kids and not freak them out, I decided to call his school and see if the secretary could page his teacher or if she knew anything.
I called the school, and said "It's Amanda Coughlin calling and my son Monkey was to start with the after school program today. He just started JK today and they don't know where he is. Do you have any idea where my son is." I said this as calmly as motherly possibly under the circumstances and frankly my voice sent chills down my spine. The secretary told me it's not her responsibility to know where my child is, and that I need to make arrangements for him. WELL POO HER! She then told me that Matt had picked him up. Why couldn't she tell me that in the first place! Granted I could have called Matt before the school, but I wasn't thinking about him being with his dad, I was thinking the school had my son, likely in his classroom, and the secretary could page the room to check! She also gave me heck for freaking out the workers. Well excuse me, but if my son is lost, they had better be freaking out. He's 4 and it's his first day of school!
Well, I'm angry again right now, and everything worked out fine. Yesterday, I told work I'd be late so I could make sure he got to program okay. I NEEDED that for my peace of mind. I've had 2 nightmares about him being lost since, and with it having been real to me so recently, it's not just the scary dreams, I wake up and run to his room to make sure he is really there. Traumatized! I'm telling you!
If any of you are keeping track, Kanga is now 4 mos! She had her 4 mos birthday on Saturday, so I took her out to get her ears pierced. She got little emerald earrings and she did very well. I was pretty jittery until it was done (you'd think I was getting pierced), just because I didn't know how she'd respond. She didn't cry nearly as much/loud/long as when she got her shots on Thursday, so I think she did great! The ladies did a great job and I took her to Caryl Baker Visage. A few friends recommended it and then I found out that my mother-in-law used to work there too! Small world!
Well, another year has begun. I dropped Monkey off at school promptly at 8:45 and waited for school to begin. He met up with his buddies, played tag, got upset when they wanted to play cars, and then wound up playing cars anyway. He had is regular bit of crying when the teachers came because he had to stop playing, but lined up quickly just the same.
I went for a good long walk with two of the mums of his friends, and it was nice to have a walking buddy (or two). When I got home I went to run errands. That errand was the always exciting trip to Cheeky Monkey! I got Kanga some Retro BabyBanz sunglasses just like D's. I had hoped to find a pink, green, anything but black. There was also blue and white, but I don't like the look of white, and even baby blue would have folks saying what a cute baby boy I have! Kanga went potty at Cheeky Monkey and we headed back home.
I made it back in perfect time. Kanga was asleep in her carseat so we went to school with the buggy. Of course she woke up as we were arriving so I moved to a corner to wait for the kids and fed her. Most of the mums started coming around 11:25 and she'd eaten for about 10 min so she was happy again.
Anyway, Monkey had a great first day, as per his teacher's report, and off home we went to grab some lunch!
Day 2 was a little more stressful as the JKs started filtering in. Tuesday was just the SKs so there were only 5 or 6 of them there. Monkey got the whole class, mostly boys and a lot of Nov/Dec birthdays so still 3 years old, barking. His teacher was not amused so I had a chat with him about being a big brother and showing the other kids how to behave at school.
We're going to get a communication book going this year. We had talked about it last year and it just didn't get implemented. I wrote a note (today) letting his teacher know how we do things at home as she had asked for consistancy. At home we use a planner and I check off his chores, activities, etc as he does them. If he has more checks at the end of the week than x-es, then he gets a sticker. If he has a tempertantrum he get's a sad face on that day, and 5 min on the timer to cool down before we talk things through. I got him a school planner, and sounds like things are going to work out!
I'll keep you updated!
Surprisingly EC continues to be 'easy.' That is as long as I listen to my gut and get her to her potty quickly after sleeps. The books, sites, articles and such all agree that a mum knows when her baby needs to go. Either by thinking suddenly "it's been a while since (baby) went potty" or thinking "(baby) needs to pee" mum and even other caregivers at times just know. That is starting to happen, and while I may think I'm being paranoid sometimes that a wet diaper is going to happen (even though I don't care! (really!)) sure enough, she'll pee. Infants afterall go pee every 10-20 min for a while since their bladders are so small. This is why disposibles are so absorbant. If you went pee every 10-20 min and only got changed every few hours, you too would need to feel dry!
EC (Elimination Communication). Infant Pottying. I was a sceptic when Monkey was young, and found out about the idea when he was about a year. We tried (him and me) to find a pattern, signals, etc. for about a week with absolutely no success. I figured this isn't going to work for us; we'll try again in 6 months. Then another six months, another, and when success was obtained his daycare robbed him of it by sticking him in a diaper when he didn't need it at nap. This same diaper would be left on all day. Dry or not, what was wrong with his underwear!? That said, I stopped sending diapers and he decided he was trained at 3. February 2nd to be exact.
Kanga seems to be a different story. In preparation for a discussion seminar, I did some research on Thursday. I tried to catch a few pee's and poo's on Friday, and caught about 4. That got me thinking that this may just work. She's a whole lot younger, so she doesn't fight, and so far when I say "go potty" she tries her darndest to get that big hug, excited good girl response, and a dry diaper to boot! Now for a little explanation.
EC is a process by which the mother (and caregivers i.e. BOTH parents, siblings, babysitters, etc.) listen to the infant. Yeah, listen. A baby will tell you when s/he is hungry. A baby will tell you when s/he is tired. A baby will tell you when s/he needs a clean diaper. And yes, a baby will tell you when s/he needs to go! It is just one more thing to listen too, and once you figure out his/her schedule (not the one you want, their natural one), you feed, sleep, potty at around the same times!
Today Kanga had only 2 wet/dirty diapers. She went potty in the morning for her "big" poo, pee several times, caught her afternoon "big" poo again, and caught her little pee's thereafter while at my friend's. I missed one when I got home and was getting the kids ready for bed, and the second one while tucking Monkey into bed and she was relaxing in my room. Still, that's a pretty good success rate, and frankly, this is easy! I know it's not always going to be, but so far I think we can really do this! Too cool. Nature prevails again!
Monday, May 5, 2008
4:00am
Amanda wakes up with cramps, has a snack and decides to listen to "Easy First Stage" of Hypnobabies course "just in case" to get back to sleep.
4:30am
Cramping intensifies while listening to track, frequency now every 5 minutes, so decide to take a shower before trying to get back to sleep.
5:00am
Give up on sleep and turn on HGTV. Good ol' HGTV...mmm...Mike Holmes.
6:30am
Wake up again and give up on sleep all together. Have a real shower, get breakfast, plan out my day, start wave (birthing wave is another name term for contraction that has no implication of pain) chart.
8:30am
Head out to take Monkey to the sitters. Decide I'd better get some last minute errands done so go to mall for receiving blankets, and to pick up my medic alert bracelet in case this really is it. Waves are still cramp like and between 20 and 50 min apart depending on how much I walk. Decide to walk around the mall for a bit to see if things pick up.
11:30am
Stop home to drop off purchases, grab lunch, and freak out Matt by telling him about my waves.
12:30pm
Get back home from picking up Monkey from sitters. Ask him if he's ready to be a big brother. Chill out and try to take a nap while Monkey is at school. Sister, Mel, calls to chat about some wedding stuff (July 5th). Waves now 20-40 min apart, so getting closer, but still not 100% sure this is it.
4:00pm
Get Monkey from school and run into LCC worker who comments on how low I'm carrying today. Noticed that myself at 6:30 when I gave up on sleeping. Hmmm... Get home and Matt decides that Monkey is going to stay home from karate because he's worried that I'll need him sooner than later.
6:00pm
Call SpiralScouts to let them know Monkey won't be there this evening. (Later found out that Misha had thought I might be having our baby, and she was right! *high five*)
8:00pm
Same time Scouts would have been finishing, waves move to 20min apart, but still not strong at all. Decide to listen to next Hypnobabies track just in case.
8:30pm
Waves now 10-15min apart, take hot bath and soak for 40min as suggested during chats with our midwife. Waves lessen in intensity, but move to 7-10min apart.
9:30pm
Manage to get my colosal self out of the tub, get ready for bed, finished Monkey's hotdog and try to sleep.
10:30pm
Wake up and have a snack and something to drink.
11:30pm
Repeat
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
12:30am
Waves are 5-7min apart but no real intensity. Decide to get up because sleep isn't working out!
2:30am
Things are starting to pick up now!
3:30am
Waves are between 2-5min, decide to call our midwife after pacing, rocking, and having to focus a bit more on Hypnobabies. Waves still not too strong, but pretty sure this is it.
4:00am
Midwife calls back and listens for a contraction. I let her know I've had a couple while on the phone (rocking on the dresser). She asks if I'd like her to come over, I say "uhhuh."
4:30am
Midwife arrives. Waves build in intensity, begin dancing with Matt to ease intensity.
5:00am
Midwife checks to see what sort of progress I have made: fully effaced, 7cm dialated. Matt wakes Monkey, calls parents to meet us at the hospital.
5:30am
Last washroom break, decide to go to hospital for delivery.
6:00am
Arrive at hospital, felt urge to push en route, takes 6 waves to get down the hall to check in. Go to waiting room, tell nurse our midwife should be here soon if not yet, she takes us back to a lovely birthing room that was bigger than our bedroom. It had a tub, dresser, warming table, attatched washroom and kitchen, wow!
6:10am
Water breaks while pushing in squatting position. Midwife checks for heart rate of baby, can't find heart rate, helped onto birthing bed. Wayne and Olwyn arrive, Matt takes Monkey out to sit with them. Midwife not ready for delivery yet, back-up not there.
6:20am
June arrives in waiting room, nurse attending for back-up lets us know.
6:25am
Baby girl (here after dubbed Kanga) is born, no cord around her neck. Put immediately on my chest for hugs, I open her legs and ask "who are you?" to see that we have a baby girl. Lungs suctioned by RT and checked over by pediatrician who arrived moments after birth having been called "just in case" when couldn't find heart rate. (Who gave Midwife trouble for not braceleting her!)
6:30am
A heads out with Matt to meet the grandparents and big brother waiting outside!
6:30am-9:30am
Visits with family, Mel and Ross arrive, Kanga gets her going home giraffe outfit.
10:30am
Home we go!
Overall I was happy with how the Hypnobabies program worked for me. With my first birth I used meditation and was able to control the wave intensity enough. This time, hypnosis being a similar technique, I had better focus, and was able to go striaght through without thinking about pain relief other than "what do I need to do now?" Tried the brithing ball by the way, and this was not a labour I could sit down for. The walking brought her down very effectively and by the time I decided I might want to sit, it felt like I was sitting on her head if I was on the ball for a contraction!
1st smile: 4 weeks
1st laugh: 13 weeks
1st sleep over: 5 weeks (@ grandma's w/ mum and Monkey)
1st shoes: Robeez pink guitars (you'll see them in many photos!)
1st mosquito bite: August 23rd/08
1st camping trip: August 22-24th/08
1st Snuggli ride: 2 days old (May 8th)
1st car ride: 4 hours old (May 6th @10:30)
1st shopping trip: Cheeky Monkey - 6 days old
2nd shopping trip: Masonville Mall for Aunti Melk's brides'maid shoes - 10 days old (flattened mum for a few days)
1st time trying a bottle: 6 weeks, 1st time with any real success - 15 weeks
Rolled ove back to front: May 8/08 (Likely before, but I wasn't 100% sure till she was on the floor by herself. It looked pretty easy for her, so I'm sure the bed rolls were real too!)
...I'll have to add to this later
Many have been asking how our baby girl (aka Kanga) is doing, so I suppose I'd better join the 21st century of baby updates, and post a note once and a while! It'll still take me a while to get things up and going due to the growing SK boy (aka Monkey)! (Wow, SK already and next week at that! Yikes!)
