9 months sure can make a difference!

more cousin fest 2009

Sister Week... a.k.a. Cousin Camp

Glorious morning photos from our time at the park! Look at a few more at the Counts, Gibbs, & Fisher's sites.

Home Again

Well, we just got back last week from a 5 day trip to Missouri to visit T's family. It was so refreshing to spend time with them and see the whole family. They will probably be relocating again in the next several months, so I don't know when we'll get to see dear Aunt Parker and company again. :( Anyway, it was a hard trip with the kids. Here are a few snapshots of the trip with an almost 2 1/2 year old supposedly in potty training and an almost one year old girl who does not ever like to stop moving, crammed in their car seats for, oh, 14 or 15 hours in the car.

1. I am always so hopeful and optimistic as we leave our driveway. It feels so good to finally be packed up and on our way!
2. This hope begins to ebb away about 20 minutes into the trip with the first road side stop with a half naked boy screaming about not wanting to pee. (Even though he asked to stop in the first place).
3. After the first two hours have passed and I have been in the back seat at least 8 times, the car sickness begins, for me. Possibly for the kids. . .
4. I begin to make up things (like, 'maybe they're carsick') that could be causing the restless natives in the back seat.
5. If you turn the fan on your car as high as it will go, keep the sleepy music playing, pray and cross all your fingers and toes, then your little one who has been screaming for the last hour and fell asleep about two minutes ago, MIGHT not wake up at this toll booth that is so ill-placed. The next toll booth is about 45 minutes down the line, so rest assured if they don't wake up with this one. . .
6. Why do we need gas about 15 minutes after a child has fallen asleep? We employ the toll booth tactic. Success rate is about 25%.
   
7. I have the strangest ability to take the driving shift during the only brief nap time. It is frowned upon to fall asleep to the lullaby CD while you are driving.
   
8. At the final leg when all hope of ever arriving is lost, and the children have been crying alternating with fits of rage for the last two hours, I recommend finding that CD you usually save for your 'I hope no one is watching me' dancing. Turn it on. Crank it UP. And make those little babies play air drums with you.
   

soccer and slippers

This morning JG and I are playing a rousing game of soccer/throw in the hallway. After I'd been kicking the balls for a while with him throwing them back, he stops, puts down his balls and runs over to me to take off my slippers. He needed them to kick.

big boy underwear. . .to pull ups. . .to diapers

Well, not the normal direction you are supposed to go when potty training. We are taking a break. A long, extended break from the potty. I'll touch back with you after we resume or have success or something positive on it. Until then, I'm trying not to use the 'p' word.

What is that thing?

My kids look like they've never seen a camera in these pictures! But, as always, Emily is so talented!

Potty Training Tips

Tip# 134: Don't make beet puree on the day you are potty training.
Tip # 135: Beet juice stains. Everything.

Day #2

Well, Day 2 is over and at least he slept during nap time and his diaper was actually ALMOST DRY when he woke up! I am incredibly fortunate so far. JG seems to understand already all the appropriate sensations and has been very very easy to train. He has always had a sweet, teachable spirit, so that helps. Don't worry, I'm still planning on set backs. Oh, and I did run out last evening to stock up on the 'big boy pants' (one day of commando was enough) and tonight I'll be running out for the requested fire truck stickers. Gotta keep the big boy excited about the whole thing.

NEW decorator ME

I am such a liar. I am NOT a decorator. So, I commissioned my sister to find fabric for my dining room seat covers, drapes, table cloth. And THIS is what she came up with and is currently in the care of the USPS coming to my house! Any bets on how long it takes me to get them made, put up, etc?

Potty Training

Well, if you must potty train your child. It may help to have underpants before beginning. But, if you fly by the seat of your potties like me, it is POSSIBLE to start the process without any training 'gear' other than the potty seat. I did plan for that one. Day 1 Successes: Pooped on the potty, peed on the potty! Hurray hurray! Day 1 Drawbacks: Pooped in his pants. Peed in his pants. Won't nap because he keeps wanting to go on the potty. (?!) Hmmmm. Your thoughts and advice are welcome.

On the Header

I'm surprised no one commented yet on how my header picture is a little too perfect. We are just the happy, got it all together family of four! The only thing missing is the golden retriever (who we have, but leave home for obvious reasons.)

Ice Cream

I was changing JG's diaper today and he says, "Mommy, I wan some ice cream". I think to myself, 'how could he possibly be thinking about ice cream first thing in the morning?', I say, "no". and brace for the onslaught of whining. But, he says, "mommy, I wan dat ice cream, there". And points to the diaper cream. which is white and creamy, incidentally. me: "Oh. In that case, sure."

Oh!

Driving down our street yesterday on the way to dinner, JG from the back seat,
"OH!!! Mom, the moon waked up!"

Chocolate Eyes

I was washing JG's face off at the sink today and when I finished, before I could quite get to the towel, he spouts off, "Mommy, my chocolate eyes are wet!" Yes, sweet boy, your chocolate eyes.

Happenings

Well, we've had quite a busy week. My sweet in-laws have come to town! They are leaving in the morning, but we really pack in a lot during their visit because they are so willing to watch our little children for us and we are, of course, so grateful!! So they got to town Friday last and we went out after the kids were in bed to run errands together. Then, Saturday morning I had a baby shower and Saturday afternoon Todd and I went up to Denver for a long afternoon and dinner and then back to the Springs to spend time with friends for a couple hours. Monday I left for my business trip to Boston which was great and I got home late Wednesday evening. Todd worked Thursday and then today (Friday) Todd and I got to take the whole day and go skiing together! I haven't been skiing since early 2005, so this was quite a treat! And it was a "Blue Bird" day, which in skiing terms refers to a brilliant blue sky and warm weather (it was around 40)! We had the most wonderful time talking and enjoying each others company for the drive up, the whole day on the mountain and the drive home. We didn't even turn on the radio or any music once during our whole four hours in the car. I really like my husband. I mean I really, really like him. Incidentally, on our way home from skiing, we stopped in Salida to say a quick hello to Steve and LaSal Miller and their two baby girls and they wanted to pass on a greeting to ya'll! They are doing well and their babies are adorable little elves, with baby T looking so much like her older sister M. (They really look elfish, in the cutest way.)
So, THANK YOU!! to Mimi and Grandad. We are refreshed in the way you feel when you've been holding your breath under water for a long time and come up to suck in a huge gulp of fresh air. You will be missed. I'm anticipating some major withdrawals from a certain little boy now that his personal play mates and chef have left!

Watch to see Todd at Work Today:

Quote of the evening

Hubby to JG: "I'm glad you cleaned out all your toys before you pooped in the tub, little man."

Happy New Year!

Wrapping Up

While the title of this post really should refer to wrapping up Christmas preparations, it actually just refers to the fact that I think we are wrapping up sicknesses around here. We are finishing with a nice bang, though, with Todd in urgent care Saturday night with Strep throat and another call to my sweet, patient pediatrician Sunday as JG's throat was full of yellow goop and he was certainly not better. So, three out of four in my family are on antibiotics now and JG is on his second round since his strep is clearly resistant to penicillin. I should know by tomorrow or Wednesday if EG or I come down with strep since it 'incubates' for three days. Lovely. I feel like I'm living in a giant petri dish. BUT, on a happier note, I do have a tree up and decorated in my petri dish!

Attention All Viruses

This is what a friend of mine sent me when I told her JG's recent verdict on viruses. I was explaining to the sweet two year old that we all have a virus so we can't go places, see people or generally enjoy life, etc. He proceeded to tell me that he was going to shoot the virus to the moon. On a back-hoe. Please click on the link:
http://www.careerbuilder.com/monk-e-mail/Default.aspx?mid=29053319&cbRecursionCnt=1&cbsid=0e58a7ed8ae6446aaf5dcb33c23c260a-282956373-J9-5

Still Sick

For anyone out there wondering why I haven't called you or did something happen? Yes. A Quarantine is in effect over here. Let me chronicle the sicknesses that have permeated our December: First, I think I started with a cold that turned to bronchitis and, remarkably, resolved on its own. Immediately followed by fussy/grumpy JG diagnosed with rosieolla---no, wait---three days later, it is actually scarlet fever. Both kids on Penicillin. Then, EG not acting any better and with neither child sleeping, I desperately went to the doctor again on Tuesday with E to be diagnosed with Oh, that's a Nasty Virus. (Tell me about it, I have it too and feel that my insides must be composed entirely of snot to be able to produce this much, plus the bronchitis is back and this virus infects the eyes, so Conjunctivitis for me AND E). Oh, and EG has an ear infection. Change her to Amoxicillin. That night, EG starts barking and having some difficulty breathing. Sounds like Croup. Back to the doctor Wednesday for a Prednisone script. Then, JG Wednesday night started with the conjunctivitis. So, he has the full on virus now too. And hubby came home sick from work Wed. too. So, he is in bed all day with fevers and snotitis. And the sleep thing? Forget about it. JG was up every hour last night between 8 and 1:30, then a little stretch which EG interrupted at 2:00 to 3:00, then JG back up at 4:30. . . Why am I ranting? Cause I think I'm on the verge of insanity.

Oh, and at EG's physical therapy appointment this morning, the sweet therapist asks if I'm ready for Christmas and I almost burst into tears. My fall wreath is still on the house. And Christmas is in ONE WEEK!! So, am I ready for Christmas? Besides the whole commercializing Christmas thing, yes. I'm ready. I'm going to worship God who is constant through sickness, sorrow, good times and bad. And I am SO thankful that one day, we'll see "that healthful shore, where sickness, sorrow, pain and death are felt and feared no more"!

Stairs and Scarlet

Well, EG climbed my stairs two nights ago. Don't worry I was behind her the whole way up, but still, I didn't think that was supposed to happen at eight months. She also fell down Boone's stairs last weekend. (fortunately, only six steps there, so she was fine). And JG has Scarlet Fever. EG is sick too, just no rash. They are both on Penicillin and I'm sick now too (no surprise there).

Nesting?

My friend

goes through terrible nesting when pregnant. I always wished this would happen to me during my pregnancies. But, I prefer to do NOTHING with the household. No cleaning, no cooking, no laundry. . . you get the picture. However, the last week or so I've been doing pretty good. And I'm NOT, not, not, not, not pregnant. I cleaned out the fridge, I've purged the kids' toys and I'm hitting my closet and finishing my office next. Ta-Wanda!

The next FIVE posts are new. Blogger was fast at uploading my pictures tonight (for once), so I thought I'd try to get caught up on a few more happenings. I'm still not up to date with my pictures. Just think, if I'm this far behind on my blogs, you can imagine how belated my actual photo albums are!

R. J.

Our dear friends, the Cochrans, have this adorable little girl, RJ. I wish I could tell you her full name 'cause it is really stinkin' cute. They came down to visit us while we were visiting T's family in Missouri and we got to spend time together for the first time in YEARS! She has this great big smile that engages her whole face and I couldn't resist taking a few pictures of her!

We love ya'll and hope we can hang out SOON, before another five years passes!

Fall Days

Now that we are moving into winter, I am reminiscing about the wonderful Fall we had. It was really spectacular. Warm weather, a little rain here and there and so much greener and more colorful than past Falls we've experienced in CO. So, we did get out quite a bit. Here are a few shots from a day we went 'hiking' at Red Rocks:

The boy loves his new red 'fireman' boots from Oma, but they are not great for hiking

Trying to be like Daddy:

Zoo Land

Here are my Babes in Zoo Land:

The Giraffe exhibit is one of JG's favorites, since they are right at his level

On this day the grizzly bears were wrestling, which was really cool to watch:

Look at those CLAWS!

I was so preoccupied watching the bears, I kinda missed this one trying to escape:Whoops. Next time check stroller tires for flats before heading to zoo. Rented strollers suck.

Halloween Shot

So, this is a tad bit late. . .

on Halloween, the first house we went up to, JG tried to go inside. That's what you do when you knock on someone's door, right? Well, he was given his piece of candy and we went on to the next house where he learned we don't go inside, but instead, he tried to give this nice lady his candy that he got from the first house. Sweet boy.

E's New Napping Bed

Normal?

Okay, so I can't really post pictures very easily these days since my computer is on the verge of crashing from overload. But, I have so much ripe material from JG that I simply must record. After his 2 1/2 hr nap today, he wanted to stay in bed and read books. (?!?!?!?!) So, after 20 minutes, I asked if he was done. "No. I gwugernna read mores boops" Okay. (?!?!?!?!?!??) So, another 20 minutes I shout up the stairs, "you ready to come down and paint or play or somethin'?" "NOPE!! I read!!!" Okay, then. He is still reading. . .

French

We checked out a video at the library to teach JG some phrases in French. (See "Learning a New Language": http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2008/11/09/115-promising-to-learn-a-new-language/) So, JG is learning really quick, he's such a sponge. I asked him yesterday, "JG, how do you say Hello in French?". And he replied right away, "Hello in French". Right.

Mimickery

Well, here are the ways my children mimic me these days. They really crack me up!

E: Will wave at me, copy my raspberries and laugh when I laugh. She also crawls around the kitchen chasing me.

JG: Being two, he is really into mimicking me. He went into the office last night and said, "ma, MA. I work. gowiejrlkemf ijew WATCH!Da, Gack (Jack) WORK. And he has started to interrupt me and T when we try to explain things or show him how to do something by saying, "I know, i know, iknow, iknow iknow iknow iknow iknow"

You can lead a babe to bed. . .

Um, just wondering if anyone has advice on how to get your kids to sleep. I know they are both EXHAUSTED, but they are still awake in bed after being there over 2 hours now. (It is 9:00 p.m and JG is still making fire truck siren noises and E is just hollerin' trying to copy him!) I've tried separate rooms, same rooms, singing and other bedtime niceties. Oh well, at least they aren't crying the whole time. Still. . . any other options other than drugs?

By the way, lest you think I'm at wit's end, I am enjoying a large glass of delicious wine and working while propping my feet up. So clearly I'm not too stressed out about the whole thing.

JG's BIRTHDAY

JG turned 2 in September. Two is really fun. We had a small group to paint pumpkins, eat pizza and cake and just generally party in a two year old way. 

At last time to catch up

Well, since I'm at Mimi and Grandad's and am not working on kitchen/laundry/children until 10:00 every night, I'll try to update the blog with a few pictures! Enjoy!

Trip to Garden of Gods