Once Again

I completely suck at blogging lately. I have no excuses. I just haven't been in the mood. Truthfully I'm in I am way behind on my blogging. I have no excuses. I just haven't felt like it. I've been in a weird kind of funk that I need to get pulled out of...somebody help me please.

So I thought the easiest way to get caught up is to take it person by person. That will need to be done daily, so maybe that will help me get used to posting again. Or I could go back and finish the half dozen posts I have started in recent weeks. Either way, right?

So lets start tonight with my sweet baby Christian. Anyone need a 2 year old? I kid, sort of.  It's a darn good thing he's cute, because the monkey will run you bananas. You cannot leave him alone for a mili-second or you will pay for it. All though I have discovered that if I want, need, to fold laundry I can stick him in the tub to play and he is content for an hour. I have to put down a dozen towels to catch all the water he dumps out, therefore causing yet another load of wash! But hey, some things are worth it! And don't freak out that I'm leaving a kid in the tub. I am 4 steps away and he is chatting the whole time. 

He loves the trampoline. (Best thing EVER to all you moms out there) When I jump with him it's the best because my fat butt can bounce him super high!

He's still trying to figure out how to get his clothes on and off (the right way). I found him with his shirt like this during a nap. I'm still not sure how he slept comfortably. The shirt was so tangles around his body that I don't think he could move his arm?

He loves his doggy! And thank goodness Precious is getting very patient in her old age. This photo is bad, but that's her covered in hand towels. You know all the clean ones that Christian took from the half bath to cover her with, that now have to be washed.

We had to replace our water table (today actually) thanks to a lovely crack the old one sprung during the winter. Just the same, but a different color. Bought it at Wal-Mart this time, about $10 cheaper than Target! Makes me happy. It also makes a great water dish for Precious.

 And for Frisco

And for Christian

nut job

And yes

he's naked!

I mentioned earlier he was obsessed with taking his clothes off

He's also obsessed with suckers. Don't you just love how he took it upon himself to find the bag and open NOT 1, NOT 2, BUT 3 suckers for his enjoyment.

 It wouldn't be quite so bad if they had not been the "super hero" decorated suckers that I worked all afternoon on for Connor's class valentines. And of course I had the exact number made, now minus 3!

Another obsession....unloading the dishwasher. This kid had a lot of OBSESSIONS. What's the deal. Someone needs to have a chat with his mom. Maybe he needs some help. Oh wait that's me. Yeah, I'm on it. But I'm not gonna try and fix this one. I'm glad someone enjoys the dishes. I sure as heck don't. He gets to empty the silverware. It's suppose to be Connor's chore, but he never seems to mind. In fact, I think he must be encouraging him. I can almost hear him now, whispering so softly into Chris' ear "the most fun ever putting up the forks"! It's sweet really. The bad news my drawers now look like this....

 I just with it. My head feels like a big jumble like that most of the time so it's really not so out of place in my world to have your drawers a mess!

He's still putting crap in his hair! ALL THE TIME!

 I think this time it was hair gel and baby powder? The hair gel seems to be his favorite lately because he has learned how to unscrew the lid. And I move it to different places, he always seems to find it.

 Thirsty? Why wait for mom to fill up your cup. Help yourself there, kiddo!

Still a climber. Won't be long before he can actually get that deadbolt turned and the handle pushed down. It's called an alarm folks. That way you get the little "beep beep" noise whenever a door is opened.

We recently moved him from the crib to a bed. Not so much for him. But for all his crap!

 There was no room left for him. And since he could climb out....

 He was looking for more creative places to rest. I personally think this is one of the hardest transition, from a caged in crib to a all the freedom you want bed. It's still not mastered. Today he refused to settle down and nap. And 6 out of 7 nights, he wakes up and we have to go lay down with him. I did learn my lesson with that last time, and bought a better bed.

I think that's enough Christian news. I better get my rest to start chasing him tomorrow.  He has started saying Connor and Colton's name, not just Bubba. It's so sweet. And he still loves kissing. But now he has to kiss one cheek, then the other, then your lips. LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!!! 

More on another kid tomorrow if I feel like it!

Christian's 2

Somewhere in my lazy lack of blogging this little guy

turned 2

and he knows it

 he gets his own treats

and double fists it

 he is CONSTANTLY climbing something

 or putting things in his hair

it's a darn good thing he's so freaking loving and cute

Christian's birthday was over Thanksgiving
you know
well over 2 months ago
We happened to be in Dallas that weekend
So we asked our friends to meet at
Chuck E Cheese
nothing formal
just some pizza and fun

Thanks to my MIL
for this delightful gift
sigh

 This one is just as nosey
but it has finally made its way outside

Christian is my baby
but boy is he
busy, busy, busy

He can't decide now if wants his crib or bed
He really just prefers to sleep with me
Wouldn't be so bad if he slept the right way
But he sleeps sideways
There is not a bed big enough
for a sideways sleeping kid
No matter what
it's always a kick in your kidney

He has given up the high chair
It would take him an extra 20 seconds to get on the table
He tries so hard with a regular cup
The first couple of sips
not so bad
After that, it's on the floor
or his shirt
or both


Happy Birthday to my Christian
Maybe this year he can have a real party
and maybe
just maybe
I will post about it

Laundry Anyone?

On top of my regular washing, I am preparing for a trip and spring. That means I had to locate the box that was MIA that had Christian's next size spring clothes and I am trying to wash, ahead of my normal washing schedule, what I need to pack. Lucky for me I have a helper.

It is 4 days until vacation. I am very excited. The boys are crazy excited. And we, as parents, are certainly taking advantage of this feeling. Every bad behavior is followed by the "you're not going" threat. Hey, don't judge me...it's kind of working!
I am 90% complete on packing the big boys. Tomorrow I will finish their things and move on to mine. I have purchased $20 worth of Dollar Store crap to entertain the boys on the long plane ride. I would like to get the house cleaned so we can come home to a tidy place. I always feel like the house feels stuffy and musty after several days of being empty and extra dust makes it worse.

I need to finish Connor's birthday invitations tonights. (When we return home next week I will finish planning and preparing for the big LEGO bash). I am making his invites myself and I must say I'm pretty proud of myself.

And one BIG BIG decision has to be made this week. Here is where I need some help bloggie friends-
Kindergarten registration is next week. You have the opportunity to request a teacher and AM/PM session. Your request is not guaranteed but not the less, worth a shot. I have done my research on the teachers and I know which one I will ask for Connor to have. But the time, I cannot decide. Currently Connor is in the afternoon pre-K class. And I have bitched and moaned since August about it. However, we are sort of used to the schedule now. So do I rock the boat and try the morning? Here are my thoughts....
Morning is from 8:30-11am everyday. Colton will be in school on Tuesday's and Thursday's. That would leave me M,W,F to have some (sort of ) one on one time with him. Then after I pick up Connor the little one's will nap and I would (theoretically) have some one on one time with Connor. Now truth be told on that, nap time is my quiet time too and my clean up time a little bit as well. The good is Christian could go to nap early and sleep later if need be. As it stands now, I have to keep him awake and often have to wake him up to leave to go pick up someone. The bad part is there would be no time for the family fun things like zoo visits.
Afternoon class is from 12:30-3pm. I could have some one on one time with Connor (and Christian) on Thursdays while Colton is in school. All 3 boys will actually be in a program on Tuesdays so that I can have some "me" time. I would never really get one on one time with Colton with this schedule. It would be the same for Christian and his napping but he is getting older so maybe he will continue to work with this schedule. And, as mentioned earlier, we will have time for morning outings. Plus we do like our AM swimming lessons.
I don't know what to do!!! Please give me your opinion! THANKS!

And on a final note....
I love ziploc bags. I use them in the kitchen on a daily basis. They are great for toting around the boys "spare" clothes and then you have somewhere to put the dirties when you change. They have saved my clothes in the suitcase on more than one occasion when a lotion bottle has leaked. It must run in the family.

 Connor is obsessed. I find baggies, big and small, full of crap toys everywhere.  He totes a bag of around everywhere.everyday. I think it's kind of cute. I guess it's a possession thing at this age? I find it funny....until I go to get myself a ziploc and the box is EMPTY!!!

Tomorrow is check ups at the DR for Connor and Christian. I think we are on a no-shot visit, here's hoping!

Not in the Mood

To blog that is

Can you tell?

I've been sort of absent

Trying to read but no interest in writing

After taking a little break over Christmas 

It's hard to get back into the swing of it

Then with our lovely school schedule

Finding time during the day is difficult

And I am back to being drained by the time the boys are down at 7pm

My brain is mush

Thinking is a big task

Uploading pictures and typing a post....

even BIGGER

So....where to start?

How about with Christian

My baby boy has been sick for almost a month now

I have waisted over $100 on medicine and doctor visits

There seems to be nothing the doctors can do

But the snot keeps coming 

and coming

and coming

I don't know why it bothers me so bad

I am not a doctor or medicine kind of person

I have to be 1 foot in the grave before I will see a doctor

But I really thought my boy was sick and needed some help

Yet I got none

Doctors suck!

On a lighter note

Christian got tooth #6

It just barely broke the gum

So now maybe that will help the snots

And he is trying to walk

2 or 3 steps here or there

I have not been rushing him

I am trying to keep him baby as long as I can

Plus once they're walking

holy moly

With him being sick, all he wants to do is nurse

Kind of makes the weening hard

How do you tell a sick baby no?

On to Colton.....

For any readers who have not had the pleasure

of meeting my middlest in person-

He is so freaking cute!
However, he is putting me in potty training
HELL
Today he did go all day with out an accident
So tomorrow he will probably have 4 and poop twice
That's how it goes
He just doesn't seem to care


And Connor...
4 (and a half)
with an attitude of a 14 year old
He is reading
or has the stories memorized
not sure which
but either way I am super proud
He won't eat anything unless it comes with a happy meal toy
And is yelling a lot
Oh gosh, wonder where he learned that?
whoops




Can't forget Mark...
He painted the wet bar today
And I must say, I'm pretty impressed
It looks great!
He also wins HOTY award
He bought me a new washer and dryer today
I had to be a total bitch all weekend to get it
Now I have to eat, sleep, and dream laundry

Finally me...
I'm tired
Chris has been waking up at night, several times
Today I couldn't fall back to sleep
Hopefully I will sleep well tonight
I redboxed SATC2 last night
I had a solo girls night
It was good
Tomorrow is a new week and I am looking forward to it
Gonna work on all my "deeds"
you know-
working out, eating good, cleaning, laundry
all the fun stuff
No school tomorrow though
YAY!
I actually prefer no school days
how sad is that
Still seriously considering taking Colton out of his Monday school


Here's to a better mood
toodles

Doctor Reports

Had to go to the doctor today

Me

(well not me, but I drove)

Christian

and 

Spider Man

 Christian insisted on squeezing into the photo himself

So first....

let me address the spidey issue

We eat, sleep, and breathe super heros at my house lately

The Batman costume we had for Halloween does not really fit

But good thing this 2 year old SM costume is still in 1 piece

It is worn daily

And often all day long

EVERY WHERE 

ALL DAY

It doesn't bother me

I think it's rather cute

Mark disagrees

He doesn't really think it should be worn in public

You have to pick your battles

I always say

And clothing is not one fight I choose to have

At least now I know what I think my little man will be receiving for his birthday

that's right....

new costumes

So on to the well check ups

Colton's-3 year

Christian's 1 year

Both are healthy and mostly happy

I can't remember exact numbers

only a few hours later

and this dumbass doctor doesn't write it down for you

(more on that subject in a bit)

Colton was 31-ish pounds?

and 35 inches tall?

I do remember saying 

"you're almost 3 feet tall"

My short boys

Barely in the 20th percentile

Whatever the hell those mean anyway

Got him some new cream for his eczema

poor baby

And he did suggest some benedryl at night if he has been itchy

Score!

Gave him some of the pink liquid already tonight

He should be asleep

with in 5 more minutes

Christian was 20 pounds 

and 29 inches

or so I'm guessing

He looked great

But had to get 4 shots

But my trooper

Cries for all of 8 seconds

until I say to him

"it's all over"

And that was it

He was done

Last time he didn't even cry

I really do thank God every day for my healthy boys

My non sleeping, still boob eating, crazy talking, web slinging, fighting over toys

BOYS

Wouldn't trade 'em for anything

(But I would really really love 1 night's sleep)

Ok so on to the doctor subject

I am not sold on this pediatrician I found here

When we first moved here

I got a couple of names from some moms off of "mamasource"

He was actually the only one who would meet with me

Seriously

no one would meet you first unless you are prego

WTH?

He seemed really nice

I mean he is nice, it's not like he's some a-hole

But we come from the BEST doctor

EVER

Seriously

If you live in DFW, any where

he is worth the drive

Dr. Berkowitz of 

Pediatric Specialist of Plano

In fact

I am thinking of making the 4 hour drive myself

Is that stupid

Keep him for well check ups

And find someone here for when the boys are sick?

Is that not letting go of Texas?

Or not embracing OK?

Anyway....

This new doctor

His office is all electronic

He does not walk in with a file

There is no taking notes

He is typing

ANNOYING

And he does not give near a thorough exam

I had to ask him to check Christian's balls

He had a cyst when he was a few months old

And the urologist said it could come back

But that our pediatrician would check it and know

Well, you can't know if you don't check

Dr. B always checked that sort of thing anyway

Obviously

he found the cyst

But today I had to ask

New dr would have known 

had he read Chris' file

The file I paid $25 to have copied

And then gave to him

needless to say

I did not hand over Colton's file

I came in with my list of questions

Like I always do

Because I have to write everything down

Or my little mind tends to forget

Nothing major

Silly things like

How can I get this 12 month old to sleep all night

or 

how can I get this almost 3 year old to 

NOT come into my room at night

The questions you know the answer to 

But love to hear it from a pro

So you know what he says to me

"It'll get better"

If I wanted an answer like that

I would have talked to the hubs

HA

If I had taken that same list into Dr. B's office

I would have left with a plethora of information

Lots of new ideas to try

and a 

"call me in a week if this doesn't work"

Dr. B talks to the kids

For a 3 year check up

He would have been asking

what color is this, how high can you count

NOTHING

that's what I got out of new dr

So I hate to keep taking the boys to new people

I guess I really lucked out with Dr. B

But with in 2 minutes of interviewing him when I was prego

I knew he was the one

I also new with in our first appointment

for Chris' 9 month checkup

that new dr was NOT the one

But I gave him another try

Now I really know

So there is my doctor rant

I feel better now!

On a funnier note

Here is our SC visit photo

We look like such a happy family huh?

He hates being away from me

I secretly like it

Guess where I went today

Go ahead say it out loud

You know the answer

That's right

TARGET

I needed diapers and cheese

$75 later

WTH?

$30 covered my 2 needed items

I grabbed very few grocery items to get us through the next couple of days

It costs an arm and freaking leg to eat

Next year I WILL get this under control

That's all I've got for now

Toodles

Cookie Time

So I ordered cookie dough from Connor's school

What seems like forever ago

And it finally came in today

Usually I blow these kind of fund raisers off

But this dough was neat

It looks like play dough

And you can play with it first

Might be kind of hard to see it on their placemats

But there is

red, blue, green, and yellow

There is a kite

An ice cream cone

A dead frog

And some balls

The end results

These things got huge

But they are cute and super fun

So I have totally blown my diet this week

That's what happens when Big Daddy's gone

It is so much easier to be "good"

when there is someone else being good with you

After my $250 grocery trip for last week

And my $100 worth of food on Saturday

We are out again

And cooking for me and 3 little ones that don't eat

sucks

So I grabbed Little Ceasars

The whole family can eat for 5 bucks

Plus I really did not feel like cooking

shocker I know

Here is Chris enjoying his slice

And now it's gone

He ate the whole slice

A normal size slice

Boy likes his pizza

I know he's my kid

Unlike Colton

who insisted on a PBJ sandwich

and doesn't like raw cookie dough

And yes

for some reason 

I have been calling Christian

Chris

Another one of those things I swore I would never do

Praises to the Angels above

Connor has a playdate tomorrow

His BFF, Camden, from his class

I ask them to play alot

But it never seems to work out

Finally I asked his mom if he could come over

Maybe getting all together was too much

If it were not for their friendship

I would have pulled Con out of school

Yeah, Yeah

A pre-k drop out

But like I have said, written, and thought

42 billion times

Our schedule sucks with his afternoon class

But only 5 more months

Start your prayers for us now please

That next year we get the morning session

Turkey Day and one 1st birthday

Let's back it up to the day before

Wednesday

Prep Day

Entertain the masses day

And I am referring to kids out of school

Not family in town

Cause it was just us

Cleaning Day

If you are that kind of person

I'm not

(And I'm ok with that)

The boys finished up their pine cone turkeys

I think they are hilarious 

And this might be our new seasonal craft

 Wednesday morning with a list of things to do

And very energetic boys

It took us 2 hours and 5 timeouts to get out of the house

I threw my plans out the window

And decided running around the park was the best bet for us all

Besides it was an unseasonably 80 degrees

with freezing temps knocking on the back door

At Colton's request we went to the duck pond

Really the local kids fishing pond

But with stale bread and tortillas 

They flock to you

Then a few feet away

One of several playgrounds in the park

Connor is getting great at his balancing act

Tried to pose for a picture

unsuccessfully

This is also the day I was no longer allowed to call Connor by his birth name

Had to be called Dan

from this new show DINO DAN

I obliged

It was just easier

While the boys napped I prepped my dressing

Granny's dressing

And let me just say

Watch out GRANNY

I did an excellent job

If I do say so myself

After dinner we decorated our cupcakes 

While the big boys helped 

Christian cleaned out the drawers

I was so proud of myself for keeping the kitchen clean all day

With each pot and spoon I used

I washed it up or loaded it in the dishwasher

But in the 20 minutes we spent here

The place was destroyed

And of course 

Christian melted quickly

So we headed straight upstairs

Then Mark entered

into the war zone

 And our result

These cute little turkey diddy's

But they were not easy for a beginner baker

Needless to say

I only make about 8 of them 

The rest got 1 spread of icing

Maybe a few sprinkles

Doesnt' matter

I am about to toss the 2 dozen cupcakes

We will never eat them all

Good Morning

Happy Thanksgiving

and

Happy Birthday

I was prepared for the day

with a cooking plan in place

All while feeling a bit

sad

for lack of a better word

Turkey in by 7am

then dressing

followed by sweet potato casserole

then the rolls

Green beans and mashed potatoes going

Pecan pie made the night before

Lunch at 11

Naps at noon

TOTAL PLAN

And it all worked out

 The first turkey

Pretty proud of myself here

FOR REALZ

I was most nervous about having to stick my hand in there and pull the junk out

So I made Mark do it

Hey, what are husbands for

Only to discover it is just a sealed, non clear bag of juicy stuff

Just sitting inside the bag

No big deal

I can barely stand to watch Martha Stewart prepare a turkey

Something about raw white meat that grosses me out

It started when I was prego with Connor

Couldn't even eat chicken for a while

Let alone cook it

But I stuck my hand under the skin and everything

It turned out a bit dry

But the flavor was good

And what Thanksgiving table is complete 

without a can of jellied cranberry sauce

No one ate it

But it was there

And the boys plates remained untouched

SHOCKER

Mark is always my honest food taster

Even though I get mad at him

He agreed the turkey was a bit dry

"I've had worse"

he said

The sweet potatoes were not sweet enough

I don't eat that, so I have to take his word on it

He said it needed more brown sugar

My recipe did not call for that

But when he said it

ding,ding,ding

A little bell started going off in my head

I know I read brown sugar somewhere

And I know I did NOT get it out of the pantry

at all

So I grabbed my recipes out

And sure enough

There was suppose to be brown sugar in the pecan pie

WHOOPS

Good thing we had 2 dozen cupcakes 

Over all a good lunch

Not bad for my first cooking

And Princeton the Turkey

turned out very full

Lots and lots to be thankful for

Mostly the zoo (from Colton)

all though it was probably more requests than thanks

After nap we celebrated Christian's first year

I plopped him down in the middle of the table

with his own cake

in an effort to recreate his pictures

Don't you know

he was not so into this time

But it was still great

He was not so into unwrapping gifts

But the birthday cards were a big hit

And lucky for us

We have a 4 year old who is a great gift unwrapper

He got a tricycle from moms and pops

A chair from us 

Pj's from Connor

A nativity scene from Colton

Clothes, book, and an ornament from Aunt Sissy, Uncle T, KK, and Thomas

A turtle that puts stars on the ceiling from Ilan and Castel

Such a wonderful day

Except for the big boys and I are getting sick

If you want to watch some video you can do so here

Now it is time to get my Christmas cards out

(If I don't have your address please email me)

And plan Colton's party

Here or in TX?

I can't decide