Betty gets vaccinated from COVID-19

It's a bittersweet moment. A year ago all of our lives were turned completely upside down, and we've all been through a lot to make it to today. For me, getting the vaccine signals a possible return to "normal". But can things ever really be the way that they were? Some of us lost our jobs forever, our kids missed more than a year of school, more than half a million people are gone forever that could still be with us, and even those who recovered from covid-19 may forever have lingering effects.

It crosses my mind all of the things our family missed over the past year, mostly experiences with Elsie (and Leo a bit). Trips to the Children's Museum, the splash park, searching for playgrounds with no other kids, going anywhere there would be other people we didn't trust, just a constant worry about being around other people - will she remember or have lasting social effects from this? To toot my own horn, I think Spencer and I did as well as we could finding new experiences and I think many will stick around - WI River canoe trips and our visit to more state parks. And Elsie was lucky enough to go to a great school for 3K that was in-person, if anything this experience has solidified that homeschooling/virtual learning is almost always rubbish in comparison to the real thing, mostly for kids (adults are different). 

My own jobs (teaching at Madison College and research at UW-Madison) were completely upended, forcing me to work virtually 1000%. Labwork is now possible but comes with significant hurdles, weekly COVID-19 testing, social distancing, population control on each floor, no open stockroom (need appointments) and the biggest hurdle of all is ALL of our shipping and supply ordering has been greatly delayed. Gone are my favorite moments where I would be putzing around the lab, or chatting with co-workers about current events, or walking to another office to talk about science/troubleshooting. It's been beyond amazing to be able to see Elsie more, and be with Leo now that he's here, and chat with Spencer about real estate and fixing up our house. But I've also learned that working from home means you never actually leave work. I constantly feel behind or get interrupted by my loving family or have to push things back until tomorrow.

Despite it all, we as a family and as a society have shown our resilience, which gives me hope and pride that there's nothing we cannot overcome if we set our minds to it. From the astounding speed with which our scientists developed a highly efficacious vaccine, to the health care workers that manned and womanned the front lines at the hospitals, to the essential workers that helped keep our society running, to everyone willing to wear a mask to protect the most vulnerable among us, I am humbled by the people who have risen to the challenge. And the Slinger-Dixon-Slinger-Slinger family has never been closer.

We may never know the true beginnings of this horrible chapter in our lives. China has lied and will continue to cover up the exact origins of covid-19. However, this day marks the beginning of the end for me. I look forward to eating and shopping in public again, taking my kids to the playground and splash parks safely, and being face to face with my students and colleagues.

quote of the day 030821

Dr. Trias at our 4 month check up, "wow, he doesn't have any problems putting on weight, does he?"

Haha, doctor was pretty impressed that leo put on 5 pounds in 2 months. You know it's something when the doctor sees lots of babies.

Current stats 18 ln 7 oz (93rd percentile)

26.4 inches (94th percentile)

He said, "his growth is fantastic! Everything looking and developing really great. Keep up the good work. "

It was a 60 degree day in March, and was awesome to be able to walk over to the clinic. 

Leo is 4 months old!

Def no longer a newborn! Lots of smiles and laughs, almost rolling over, and figured out how to use his hands (they're for putting things in your mouth, duh). Other things that are useful to be able to do: (i) breathing through your mouth, (ii) make lots of crazy and fun noises to get people (mostly mom) to look at you. He's a real chatter box these days 😀 

He also loves to practice sitting and standing, can get a much better view of the world that way. Will start to get lots of use out of that truck walker. He might also be at the age where he likes the bouncing seat, though not sure we have a door way for it? 

Another favorite: blowing bubbles! Gets lots of laughs out of us for those. 

Lots of drooling this month, no teeth yet. 

Elsie loves to sing and dance for him! She makes up the cutest songs and helps us entertain him while we make dinner.

He's getting fidgety while eating! Except when falling asleep.

Still massive poop diapers every 6 days or so, like how did all that come out of you? Less farts so hopefully his digestive system is maturing a bit. But when he does fart they are clear out the room ones with a distinctive smell, despite what mom eats.

 Size 9 m or 12 m depending on clothes. Leo, you're huge! Every time I look at you you're bigger ♥️😀 And loves to be walked around, which is a great workout for mom and dad! He's getting real solid, over 18 pounds at 4 months, so I'm much less worried when Elsie rolls him over or picks him up. She's gentle and does a pretty good job, but we still help also.

Elsie just moved to full day 3K at toad hill montessori, and I think the transition was a little rough, even though we tried to prepare her for sleeping at school and staying longer. She came home and said she felt bad for whining and waking up the other kids. When asked what she was whining about she said she wanted dad and mom. I told her to not worry about whining and to never feel bad for speaking your mind. The next day we sent a stuffed animal with and i think it went better. 

Spencer is getting busy at work, bunch of clients these days looking and selling. Pretty low inventory in Madison, so can be tough to find a place but great if you're selling!

Spencer also went keto for a week, 1600 calories a day, was religious about following it. Lost 12 pounds! Good for him!

I'm back to "full time" but still work remotely. With the pandemic it is really challenging to get lab work done with the restrictions, testing requirements and shipping delays for all supplies. Really makes me not want to jump through all those hoops to be away from home. Everyone is saying next fall will be teaching in person, so things will slowly get back to normal.

After an insanely cold 3-week long polar vortex with below zero weather almost ALL of February (really is the worst month, despite the birthdays), it has been in the 40's all week with 50 degrees on the horizon this weekend. We're all looking forward to using our new backyard more, our big driveway, putting up a swing or two, and using the pond/playground a block away.

Shirt was a gift from Gma Melanie (size 12 m) and pants are Under Armor from Gma Elsie (12 m).

He's filling out the carseat, time for a new big-guy one :)

"It's the only way I could get him to nap"

Elsie has been LOVING the big snow pile next to our house, lots of sledding and climbing.

Still has his bald spot from a couple months ago from sleeping on his back.

What are they up to?! ;) 

We did a valentines day scavenger hunt that was a big success, Elsie asks for a hunt every day now :)

Dad and Leo helping read the clues for the scavenger hunt.

Spencer took these pics of himself for his profile and I thought they were a cute before and after. Looking good!

Oostburg, WI visit

We celebrated Gma Melanie's birthday with a visit to their farm house, with her, Mark, Dennis, John, Ellie, Miles, Odette and our crew. For Leo's first road trip he did amazingly well, only the last 20 minutes both ways did he get antsy and complainy. In comparison to traveling with Elsie at that age this trip was a damn vacation! He slept a bunch, and otherwise looked out the window and was chill. Thanks big guy! :) Elsie is great to travel with now, she can entertain herself with her Fire, or draw pictures, or help me sing songs to Leo, lots of fun! 

Gma and Gpa have 8 baby goats/sheep with at least 3 more on the way! And a dozen baby chicks. Holy cow that's a lot of babies! Elsie and Odette had a great time giving baby sheep Flipper her bottle with Gma. It was our first time traveling or pretty much going anywhere since Leo was born, and the day positively flew by! Nice to chit chat, hand the baby off to other people to carry for a bit, and otherwise have a relaxing, fun day :) Elsie had lots of fun teaching Gma and Gpa the new Owl Hoot Hoot game, and they looked like they really enjoyed it as well! Elsie also taught Gma how to play Jaipur. And they got her a present of a binoculars set, and she and Gpa had fun looking at the sheep/goats out the window.

Sad to say that because of the pandemic, having a baby and the house reno, the last time we got out to Oostburg was a year ago for Gma last bday! Good thing for the cabin, get to see them up there lots, which is great! Hope to go again soon!