Our La Vida Loca

Moving to a New Blog

2011-01-21T11:20:00.000-06:00

New blog address:

http://mommymamamom.wordpress.com/

There will be password protected posts to keep the pictures and certain stories private. I'll either email or call you with a password to look at all the pictures!

To give you an idea

2010-05-02T22:38:00.003-05:00

Of the way the last couple months have been for us, I thought I'd post my Facebook status messages. At least the ones that pertain to the kids. :) I'll try to make a more put together post for you all tomorrow, but in the meantime, here's a few laughs:

March 19
"You know what I need Mommy? You know what I really really need and den everything would be just perrrrrrfect? I need a bell Mommy. A bell and a basket." What would you do with a bell and basket Kairi? Why do you need them? "So that everyone knows it's me when I'm on my bike going to see Gramma in Texas Mommy! How do you not know this?"

March 22
I just found my phone turned off. Has to be Alex related as he had it last. So if you sent a txt or tried to call, I'm sorry I didn't respond. Blame the boy.

Alex went to sleep with NO paci! HURRAY!!!

March 23
Kairi's watching The Princess and the Frog for the second time. As the little Tianna is cooking Kairi yells to her "Be careful! You gonna grow up and hafta kiss a frog! It's YUK!".

March 24
"I want PIZZA!" Alex, pizza is not a breakfast food and even if it was, we don't have any. "My friends have pizza! I want pizza! Tell friends I want pizza! Dey knock n give me pizza!" Alex -- we're NOT having pizza for breakfast! "Aww. Mommy, I only like pizza." ---- And to think that less than 4 months ago he wasn't connecting more than 2 words at a time.

March 30
My children don't understand the significance of Pat not needing to sit on a cactus in Hop on Pop. Maybe this means that we should be spending more time in West Texas because I know that it never had to be explained to me. lol

March 31
Would whoever taught my child the word "boring" please issue a formal apology? I had never heard it come out of her mouth until today, and after having heard it way too many times today, I would be extremely pleased if I never EVER heard it again.

April 1
I look over and see the dog eating cookies on the floor and asked where she got them. Kairi responds "You said to share my cookies so I'm sharing with EVERYONE. Zoe likes cookies. She gets to have cookies too. But not you. I'm not sharing with you because you're a mommy. I only share with my bruver and puppy cause they're my favorites. I share with my favorite everyones."

April 3
I love that Kairi has me label every single rainbow she draws with ROY G BIV and then has me help her check to make sure she has every color of the rainbow in her rainbow. It's her all-time favorite activity of the last 4 weeks.

April 8
Mommy, yellow's not my favorite. Here YOU eat it. <-- Kairi then shoved a yellow robin egg in my mouth. So I blame my lack of extra [Weight Watcher's] points for ice cream today on her. lol

April 10
Kairi after being frustrated with me for only glancing at her coloring book while trying to respond to her and clean up at the same time finally goes: "Mommy. Look. WITH YOUR EYES look at my picture. DEN tell me what you think. But you gotta look with your eyes."

April 16
A conversation with Alex: "Alex, are you being a pest? Be nice to the animals." Mommy, I am NOT pest. I justa BOY!" Truer words may have never been spoken. lmbo

April 17
"Mommy, my new name is Layla Laura Lee and I'm going to the rescue! Goodbye Molmick. You not my Mommy now cause my name is not Kairi Hope Pyle. Have a good day! Stay safe so I don't have to rescue you!"

April 22
My favorite words (right now) to come from my daughter: "Mommy, I have a question!"

April 24
Why is there a frog plushie in the dog's water bowl? "Because it's a frog Mommy." But it's not a real frog, baby. It doesn't belong there. "Mommy! Is a frog! It swims and breathes air -- see is head up. But it needs water. Cause it's a fiban." It's a what??? "A fiban mommy. You know, goes through a biiiiiig change. And breathes air but it swims." You mean an amphibian? "That's what I said Mommy."

April 25
Goodnight world. I hope that I don't see you again until 7:30am or later. If I do, I will most likely be a super sleep deprived and extremely grumpy mommy with all I meet. But I will be especially grumpy with the two children that have recently decided that 11:30pm, 12:00, 1:10, 2:30, 3:15, and 4:00am are all perfectly reasonable times to wake up and try to insist that Mommy allow them to go play.

April 26
This morning, before telling me she was awake, Kairi took her desk chair into her closet, and pulled down all the clothes in there so that she could find the "perfect princess dress" for the day. And in the process, she broke half of the coat hangers. Can I please use the broken hangers as an excuse to not do laundry today? ( Joyce Bulmer, don't answer this question.)

April 30
I have successfully trained my children that the appropriate position to watch a movie is curled up on the couch w/ your fave blanket & snack.

May 2
One of my biggest challenges of motherhood yet: Convincing a certain three year old that sleep really is a necessity. I thought that after sleep training her as an infant that I would be set. I was wrong.

Another Picture from Yesterday

2010-03-26T08:33:00.001-05:00

A Day at the Beach

2010-03-25T22:02:00.003-05:00

Dee Rowell of DJRowell Photography took pictures of the kids and I this morning. I thought I'd share a sampling (especially since I am currently camera-less). Eventually copies of these will be up for sale on her site if you want to purchase these or others. I'll put a link up when the pictures are available for viewing.

In the meantime, here's 6! (Clickable pics)

When they arrest me, this is my insanity defense....

2010-02-04T21:12:00.003-06:00

6 Brand New Bottles of Finger Paint

What a "pretty" mess. It's even on the wood of the table. Of the $1200 dining room table.

The culprit tried to use a towel to clean up.

Obviously, the towel didn't work.

The bottles are empty....

Meet the culprit, trying to look innocent.

Didn't she do a fabulous job on her arms and legs?

I bet that those shirt stains come right out ..... yeah.

It splattered on the walls.

Oh yay ... It's on my carpet too.

Yup ... on the carpet and walls.

This would be a beautiful handprint, had it been on CONSTRUCTION PAPER.

Yeah, she's nothing if not thorough.

This does not include the dining room chair, couch, wool coat, or front door.

All I wanted was 10 minutes to finish blow-drying my hair while she watched tv. This is what it got me.

My future kitchen

2010-01-13T12:30:00.002-06:00

The following are sitting in my Target cart under "Save for Later". I will have them before Chris is home from deployment. :)

Dishes:

Apron/Potholders:

Curtain:

Cast-iron Utensil Holder:

Cast-iron Cookbook Holder:

Cast-iron Trivet Set:

Cast-iron Paper Towel Holder:

Cast-iron Tealight:

Dining Room Chairs Slipcovers:

Stone Coasters:

I chose brown for the chairs to help tie them to the rest of my brown furniture. And I have red accents all over the bottom floor of my house, so I thought that the red coasters would tie in nicely with that.

Let's Catch Up -- Giant picture post

2010-01-03T17:33:00.003-06:00

On pictures! My flash had an unfortunate accident in October and since then I've had no chance to take pictures. Thankfully Christmas money went to replacing it (with an even better model!) and I had a chance to practice on my kiddos and take a few pictures at my brother's wedding. For now I'm primarily posting my favorite pictures of the kids, but I do plan on sharing some favorites from the wedding preps at a later date.

Now ... on to the pictures!

She's become gigantic!

Even a beauty queen has to start somewhere:

The latest in our string of calamities

2009-10-14T09:36:00.003-05:00

If you've friended Chris on Facebook then you might have seen his Facebook status Saturday evening.

Christopher Pyle found out that glass oven doors shatter into pretty little pieces.

Yes, my husband shattered our oven glass door. He was carrying a wet cast iron skillet when it slipped out of his hand and bounced off his leg and through the door.

I just got a call from the condo office -- I have to pay $100 to have it replaced. Fun. UGH

Our Morning Adventure

2009-10-08T10:28:00.005-05:00

It's been a rough morning. Kids acting out. Knee hurting. And then this:

See his head? He fell and busted it open on a plastic bin he stole from of my room. He got himself directly under the cut from his run in with the tv stand this summer.

It led to a good photo opp though. Here's the rest:

This one was completely blacked out, so excuse the grainyness now.

Which reminds me, I never got hair cut pictures up!

Last week Chris and I took Alex for another haircut. It'd been a while:

He came out looking like this:

Doesn't he look older and more grown up?

Last Video

2009-09-22T15:39:00.001-05:00

Last one of the day....

It's long. Just to warn ya. But super cute.

2 Videos -- 1 more coming later today

2009-09-22T11:03:00.002-05:00

I took this video in June. And then promptly forgot about it. The house is VERY messy and laundry needed to be hung (what's new?). The video is sorta long, about 4 minutes, but still cute. I was focusing on getting Alex's new words on video so that's why it seems like I'm avoiding Kairi... sorry about that.

And now a video of the house. It's still not completely unpacked, a little messy, and such, but this should give you an idea. :)

Video of the kids coming later today -- have to edit it first.

Animal Post

2009-09-22T09:48:00.000-05:00

Post one of at least two today -- videos coming
(Clickable pics)

First, the other morning after feeding the kids bowls of oatmeal and then walking into the other room, I came back to the dining room to see Aslan sitting like this:

That's MY seat at the table. And there he set, expecting his food to be served there. For the record, he's never been fed at the table, and never will be. But obviously he considers himself royalty and tried to demand it that morning.

And now for Zoe. Remember when we first got her she was much smaller than we expected:

Then the next pictures of her where these:

And now .... Here's her this past week!

Zoe is sitting a foot or so behind Alex, even though you can't tell it in this post, but it's still a decent comparison shot ... And Alex is cute. :)

A Conversation I'm Tired of Having

2009-09-17T10:29:00.001-05:00

The screaming in Kairi's bedroom had calmed down after being sent there.

M: Kairi, come down stairs please and talk to me.
K: Coming Mommy! sobbing
M: Kairi, what did you do to get in trouble?
K: I yell at Mommy.
M: Are you supposed to yell at Mommy?
K: Nooooo.
M: What happens when you yell at Mommy?
K: I get a spank'n.
M: And what else?
K: I go to bed.
M: Do you like spanking and being sent to bed?
K: NO!
M: Kairi, remember, don't yell, not even when answering my question. Now, when Mommy tells you to do something next time, are you going to yell at her or are you going to say yes ma'am and do what you're supposed to?
K: I'm going to do it.
M: Thank you, Kairi, that would make me happy. I don't like spanking you.
K: Love you Mommy. Hug?
M: I love you too Kairi. And then we hug.

Repeat entire scenario in about 20 minutes.

I'm TIRED of it.

While cooking lunch today

2009-09-14T13:17:00.002-05:00

I turned around to see

on my floor. Next to it was a puddle of pee that I didn't take a picture of. (You're welcome.) I ~~immediately~~ grabbed my camera and then went searching out the naked butt it belonged to.

This is what I found:

At least it's a cute naked butt ... right?

Are You Coming Too Daddy?

2009-09-02T06:35:00.003-05:00

I'm not sure I've shared this here yet, but we're moving. I think most of you know this. About a month ago we were notified by a realtor that our house had been placed on the market. And while there is no reason for us to HAVE to leave until the property has been sold and we would still then have 30 days before we would have to leave, we wanted out as soon as possible. So we set out and found a new place.

We originally wanted a house for a yard for the kids and dog, but after realizing that we could have a nicer place while paying less we agreed to look at condos as well. And we found the perfect place. My only regrets are 1)no yard, and 2)we're moving away from amazing neighbors, but that would have had to happen regardless.

We've been talking about this around the kids, but had yet to actually address the situation with them. Don't get me wrong, they saw the houses with us -- but Kairi seemed to think we were just visiting lots of new places to play. So last night we decided to specifically tell Kairi about it while we were eating dinner. The conversation broke my heart. Here's how it went:

M: Kairi, how would you like to move to a new house?
K: Ummm...
M: You would get a new bedroom and a new bathroom and you would go up and down stairs everyday!
K: Stairs! Yay! I like stairs Mommy.
M: I know you do! It'll be fun!
K: But Mommy, you comin'?
M: Of course baby girl.
K: In a squeaky, almost scared voice, looking seriously at Daddy -- we could tell she was worried.Daddy, you gonna come too?
D: Yes Baby! I'm coming too!
M: Kairi, we're all going. You, me, Daddy... We're all going.
K: Oh no! You not leaving Alex!
M: No! We're not leaving Alex. It'll be you, me, Daddy, and Alex. We're all going.
K: Poor Zoe puppy.
M: What's wrong w/ Zoe?
K: She don't get to go.
M: Yes she will! Kairi, you, Alex, Mommy, Daddy, Zoe AND Aslan are all going to move to a new house. TOGETHER. We're moving together. We all get new bedrooms. And stairs to walk on. And a new living room. And a new kitchen.
K: Ok! I like stairs!
M: I know you do baby. And this is going to be a lot of fun.
K: But Mommy ... what about my house? Where it going?
M: It's going to stay right here. We're going to take our things out of it and move them to our new house.
K: My poor house. Mommy, it gonna miss me.
M: Baby, it'll be ok. And we're going to get a new and more fun house!
K: But my friends are gonna miss me Mommy. Referring to the neighbors I'm sure.
M: Kairi, your friends are going to come see us in our new house. And we'll go see them. I promise.

The conversation went on and on and on like this. Usually she was happy about the stairs and would tell us that she wanted to go up and down the stairs a lot. But then suddenly she'd get concerned -- most of that time it would revolve around making sure that Daddy was moving with us. We frequently heard "Daddy, you wanna come with me? I'm going to a new house. Wanna come? Please?"

Navy life sometimes takes a toll on a child that has a hard time dealing with change. One change and she's suddenly terrified that she's going to lose her Daddy. I hope that moving with Daddy helps her know that he's not leaving her...

Picture Post!

2009-08-28T10:41:00.000-05:00

(Clickable Pics)

Who DOESN'T wear snow hats with kimonos? Kairi thinks everyone should. :)

Say Cheese!

Kairi peeled her lips and then ate mustard. This is after the swelling had gone down significantly.

Ladies' Victorian High Tea Party

Kairi and Sarah love each other.

Look -- Alex has a tiny bit of chunk on him!

Sorry it's a bit blurry, but I love his smirk. :)

And finally, the puppy. I swear she's doubled in size since we got her. And she's gone from the sweet calm puppy to a hyperactive bouncing off the walls puppy that doesn't rest until she crashes. At least we know she's happy here, right? :)

More Dressup

2009-08-21T07:21:00.001-05:00

This morning Kairi wanted to be a princess again. Instead, we're working on the Japanese princess look. Btw, this was supposed to be her Halloween costume last year. Can you see why it wouldn't work? ;)

The Diva Herself

2009-08-20T12:37:00.002-05:00

Did a fashion show for me today. :)

Excuse the pirate tattoo -- We all made mistakes in our younger (1 hour ago) pirate days in order to fit well into the pirate life style, right? :D

Later I turned An American Tale on for the kids as Kairi is convinced that the Fivel I gave to brother shouldn't be named "Fivel". She wants to name him MooseyMouse, and I just can't go along with that. So today was the day to educate her. We watched Fivel. But as all emotional things go for the girl, she became near tears within minutes of the movie beginning. I was able to catch these beautiful expressions of sorrow on her face as she mourned for Fivel's lost family.

Of course she was thrilled at the end when he found his daddy. I found that she was much more worried about finding the daddy than the mommy .... hhmmmmm. I'm certain that that's at least in part due to being able to relate to not being able to find her daddy sometimes. Although, she did make me feel better at lunch today. We were eating when she suddenly looked at me and goes "Mommy's da best!". And then she proceeded to tell me that I'm the best at everything. :D She knows how to make my heart feel warm and fuzzy.

(Reminder: Clickable pics)

2nd Post of the Day -- Kairi's 3rd Birthday Party!

2009-08-18T09:06:00.001-05:00

(Remember, clickable pics)

Less than one hour before naptime (which ended just as the party started), I found Alex like this. Kairi had not been home and therefore can not be blamed. LOL

He was mad at me for taking his picture, so here he is at the start of a fit.

And it begins!

Kairi picked out her bike and helmet/pads with Daddy that morning. She was so excited that she refused to take the helmet off! The next day I had to bribe her to get it to stay at home instead of her wearing it to church.

My handsome pirate!

Chris bought "the coolest kiddie pool ever!" for the kids. They seemed to agree. :)

I love her tongue sticking out here.

He's so cute -- and he knows it.

No, I didn't clean her face before presents. Yes, I probably should have, but I just didn't think about it.

What a diva!

More than just a little tired here.

I just love her chubby little feet.

After the party ended, the neighbors continued to hang out, and we did hamburgers and hot dogs. I love their girls. :)

The Newest Family Member

2009-08-18T07:59:00.003-05:00

Meet Zoe!

She joined our family one week ago tomorrow. She is part border collie - lab, and part something -- maybe dachshund? Zoe has proven to be adorable, lovable, sweet, calm (most of the time) and a general joy to have in our house. I wasn't excited about having 3 things to potty train, but she's doing great regardless. She is very intelligent and has already begun to realize where she's supposed to potty. :)

When she first came home she was very timid. She only wanted to spend time with Chris and I and definitely didn't want to leave our bedroom, but she's warming up to the kids and even made a special appearance at the birthday party Saturday. :)

We're very excited to have her.

Kairi's Biggest Fan

2009-07-11T20:18:00.001-05:00

I have always heard that Mamas are always their child's biggest fan. They will never give up on them or grow tired of watching their children do something they love. They will cheer their kids on through all obstacles, never giving up on them, never growing tired of the act, and always loving them unconditionally.

Ok, so let's be honest here. I am NOT my daughter's biggest fan. I mean, in a sense I am. I will be all those things listed above, except for the "never growing tired of the act". See, I DO grow tired of watching Kairi's performance from time to time. That sounds terrible. Let me explain.

She stands on the hearth singing her heart out for hours on end. And I love it. Except, when I've heard Twinkle Twinkle for the 162nd time in the last hour, I really don't feel like cheering and clapping as loudly as I did the first 161 times.

But I don't feel as badly about that anymore. Because she DOES have a fan that will cheer as loudly the 162nd time as the 1st.

Her biggest fan is Alex. And when I'm more interested in the Bubble Burst game on my phone than cheering again, Alex will sit on the couch watching her dance and sing, and then he will clap and "woohoo!" for her as loudly as he did the last time. Then he will turn to me and tell me "Nonny! Cap Niree! WooHoo!" (Translated: Mommy! Clap for Kairi! WooHoo!)

He always cheers for her, believes in her, supports her, and will even feed her bites of pizza when she's feeling like too much of a diva to feed herself. (Yes, tonight she told him to feed her her pizza b/c it was too yucky for her to touch, and he obliged.)

He follows her around, mimics her, loves on her, and picks on her. Nothing makes either one happier than their sibling. They even have their own language.

In the following pictures, my kids have dirty faces, and dirty clothes. They had just eaten their pizza and neither do a good job at wiping their own faces. I usually put up with their bad job (because at least they tried!) until either we leave or it's bedtime.

Either way ... here's proof of their love for each other:

A glimpse into my house

2009-07-03T07:29:00.000-05:00

Tons of Pictures To Edit

2009-06-26T08:17:00.001-05:00

But in the meantime, here are a few from this last week. All straight from the camera because of a problem w/ editing software.

Hand Me Downs

2009-06-24T08:35:00.001-05:00

It's every mother's dream for their kids to be able to pass their clothes down from one to the other -- to always have cute clothes for their offspring, but to not have to pay for it on a regular basis. (Ok, so it's MOST mothers' dream -- I recognize that there are the crazies out there that believe that their kids are too good for hand me downs. If you're that mom, stop reading now. ;) ) Now when you have two children of the opposite sex, the likely-hood of being able to do that is very slim, even more so when the oldest is the girl.

Don't get me wrong, I had several gender neutral items from when Kairi was a newborn that Alex wore, and she has had some jeans and a few tshirts that were actually from the boys' dept that she's now been able to pass on to her brother. But for the most part, my daughter is a very girly-girl. Her favorite color is pink. Although, purple and red are close runners up. And even before she was showing such preference for pink, I ended up dressing her in pink (despite any original intentions) because I simply got tired of people calling her a boy.

The area I most regret not being able to pass clothes from one child to the other is in shoes. Kairi LOOOOOVES shoes. She has from the time she was 10 months old. If she can get a hold of shoe, it's almost immediately on her foot. And the more sparkly the shoe, the more red or pink a shoe, the happier she is. So as much as I would love to put Kairi's endless array of shoes on Alex's quickly growing feet, I don't. Instead, they all stay in a basket in Kairi's room where she puts them on her dolls feet. Alex usually wears them on his hands.

But this morning, I found that Alex has claimed a pair of Kairi's shoes. When I tried to trade him these shoes for a pair that actually fits (and are brown), he bawled. So I left them on him. I figure that as long as he doesn't insist on wearing them to church tonight, it's not going to hurt anything. And even if he insists on them for church, they have to come off when he sleeps tonight -- right?

Besides, Daddy's not in town right now to complain. For some reason, I don't think he would approve. ;) What do you think?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ETA:

Later this morning, Alex was mad at me. I still have no idea why. This was the first of multiple similar fits. He walked up to me like this, and didn't stop no matter what I asked him. Here's just under 3 of approx 15 minutes of his fit. ;)

Dear Chris,

2009-06-21T22:00:00.002-05:00

You are such an amazing man. You are a great father and a wonderful husband. I probably don't tell you nearly enough how much I appreciate you and the wonderful things you do for our children. I see you in them every day, from their features to little bits of their personalities. It's amazing to watch them grow and know that you're a part of them.

The day Kairi was born, I wasn't prepared to see that instant bond the two of you had. You were amazing those first two weeks. We both needed you so much, and you were everything we could have asked for. It makes my heart so happy when I remember how you held her so close and worked so hard to keep her calm. Thank you for being her "faborite Daddy eber!" I know that she will never be able to doubt your love for her -- and if she ever starts to forget how much she means to you, I'll be there to remind her that you do everything you can for her.

.

I have to admit, I was worried when I was pregnant with Alex. I was worried that neither of us would be able to love him as completely as we do Kairi. I was worried that there wouldn't be that bond with him. And I was worried because you were going to immediately deploy after he was born. But I was wrong about how perfectly he would be able to fit into our lives and complete our family. You are such an amazing Daddy to him. I know that it took some time for him to get to know you again, but he still loves and adores you. Saturday and today he has spent the day taking me through the house and pointing to every picture of you he can find and telling me "Daddy! Daddy! Lub Daddy!". I know that he will grow up to admire, respect, and truly love you. You are the Daddy that he needs. There may not be as many pictures of the two of you together (Kairi does tend to hog you when she's around), but I plan on fixing that.

Thank you for being the Daddy that makes our family complete. :)

Happy Father's Day!

Post 200!

2009-06-11T11:29:00.002-05:00

I think it's only fitting if in this post I tell a funny Alex story. I loved it ... I think you will too.

The kids play out back almost all day long now. It's a tremendous relief for me, and they LOVE it.

Alex was playing out back this morning, and found the empty dog food bag that was going to be used as a trash sack. He drug it behind him and started putting his toys in it. At some point, he decided that he was bringing it inside.

Just as he started to cross the threshold, he started screaming. It was the kind of scream that makes me run for him -- terrified, hurt sounding. I just knew I'd find him bleeding.

I got to him and he was still screaming in short little bursts while pointing to the sack. Scared that something in there has bitten him, I opened up the sack as carefully as possible. Just at that moment, the sack began to jump, and Alex started screaming again.

I opened up the sack, and found a frog.

I showed Alex the frog, but it just made the screams louder.

Mr Frog was dumped by a hole in the fence so he could make his great escape. And Alex won't go anywhere near the sack now. Instead, he's constantly talking about "frugs", "ack", and "scawwy".

My poor baby boy. Mommy's too busy laughing to sympathize.

Kairi's Cute

2009-06-09T08:44:00.001-05:00

Funny Kairi story:

Kairi's cuticles crack quite often. Usually because she spends hours digging in the backyard every day. It bothers her and I end up kiss those booboos multiple times a day. Yesterday she asked me what kind of a booboo it was. She's all about classifying things right now. I told her it was a crack. We had to work hard on how to pronounce it. It was hilarious the way she said it, and I almost told Chris about it, but I'm glad I didn't. If I had, I wouldn't be able to tell you this story about supper.

To set the scene, Chris and Kairi sit on the same side of the table. Kairi dominates Chris' attention through most of the dinner with her description of the day.

K: And Daddy! I have a CRAP!!!
C: (Looking bewildered, amused, angry and confused all at the same time) You have a WHAT?
K: A CRAP! See Daddy! On my finger -- it's a CRAP! Kiss my crap, pwease. It make my crap better.
C: Wait! What?!? Kiss your crap? Kairi! You don't say that word!
Me: (Laughing hysterically) A craCK Daddy. She has a craCK in her finger.
C: She has a what?
Me: A crack in her finger. Well, actually in her cuticle.
K: Yeah! See Daddy -- it's right there. A crap!
C: Kairi, say craCK. Cra-ckkkkkkkkkkkk.
K: Dat's what I said Daddy. A crap-k.
C: No Kairi, listen. CraCK. CraCK. CraCK.
K: Caa-wa-kkkkkkk. Crap-k.
C: (heavy sigh) Kairi, try again. CraCK.
K: (exasperated with her Daddy's obsession over something that she knows she has right)No Daddy. Just kiss my crap booboo and den I eat.
Me: (Still laughing) We've worked on it all day. You're not going to get it any better.
C: (Laughing, but still sort of horrified) I just keep imagining her announcing after church on Sunday in the middle of the chapel that she has a crap and the looks everyone is going to give us!
Me: More hysterical laughter
C: I'm serious Steph! If Joel or an elder hears her, you may never get to teach a class after all!
Me: (Laughing) No, Chris. It'll be fine. Besides, they'll blame you. You're the sailor.
C: (Finally willing to joke with me about this.) Oh yeah, that's comforting.
K: DADDY! You still haven't kissed my crap! I wanna eat! Kiss it!

I would like to introduce

2009-06-03T12:30:00.001-05:00

A new family member. At least for today she is. Kairi was very very upset this morning because this family member was locked outside. Kairi begged and begged and begged for me to let this new person in.

Would you like to meet this person?

Her name is quite strange, so please be polite. Her name is cat-poo. Say it fast like kapoo, but throw a VERY soft t sound in it.

Cat-poo is invisible and was outside this morning. Kairi just wanted me to rescue poor Cat-poo. I just had to open the door a little little bit and Cat-poo would come inside.

"Please please please, Mommy, let Cat-poo inside. I ca-not open da door myself Mommy. So please open it so I can wescue poor Cat-poo! She needs my help! I'm coming Cat-poo! Mommy, hurry! Open da door!"

I'm not sure when Cat-poo will need to be rescued again, or if she's even ever coming back. But today she was here.

My Menu!

2009-06-02T08:06:00.000-05:00

If you'll scroll to the bottom of this page you'll see a calendar. That's my menu! You see, if I don't make a menu plan at the beginning of each pay day, then I spend at least an extra $100 on groceries and $150 on take out -- I don't have that kind of money to spare! So several friends and I started menu planning together in an effort to save money and provide our family with wholesome meals. When I do it, it's awesome. When I don't, I immediately remember why I should. :)

I wanted to give you a tour of the calendar real fast.

First of all, every meal can be clicked on for more details. Those details might include the rest of the name, just in case it was longer than the box. It might include a recipe link for it. Or it might just be what I serve with it. So click each meal for more details.

Second, you may notice that most meals are followed by (CP). That's to remind me that it's a crock pot meal. Because of the fibro, I'm ALWAYS tired -- especially by evening. I don't want to cook then. I am usually excited to cook in the morning, though. So I prepare my food in the AM, throw it in the cp, and call it good. It makes my evenings go sooo much smoother. I have 2 crocks, so if you notice that I have two cp recipes up, it's not because I was brain dead. I really can cook 2 cp meals at a time. Or the timing just works out where I can prepare one after I've finished the 2nd meal.

As noted right above the calendar, I don't usually post breakfast and lunch. That's because they're fairly predictable. The kids want either pigs in a blanket (made w/ beef sausage) or Nutrigrain bars for breakfast. And since that's easy and fast, I'm ok with it. I might make eggs for breakfast as I always have them on hand, but the chances of them eating eggs are slim to none, so I usually stick w/ the other. Lunch is leftovers. If I don't make myself eat them for lunch, then my fridge fills up and food gets wasted. I try to keep everything on hand in order to eat a turkey melt for lunch (bread, turkey, cheese, and tomato) in case supper wasn't good or there weren't leftovers ... but those are few and far between.

What happens when I don't want to do what's on the plan for that day? Either I move things around, OR I have a few frozen meals (like Voila's Garlic Chicken) that I can throw on. I'm in the process of trying to make some more of these on my own so that I can just freeze them for future use and not waste the money, but in the meantime I'll buy the prepackaged stuff.

One last thing ... if there's a recipe up that doesn't have any extra info, that's because it's one that I have in my head and never think about needing a recipe. Just comment or email to get more details (like what in the world IS that? ;) ).

Way to Go Kairi!!!

2009-05-22T08:18:00.001-05:00

Kairi took her diaper off as soon as she got up this morning and threw it away. I warned her that she had to go in the potty. If she went on the floor she'd have to wear a diaper again today. She told me "OK! I go in potty!"

And then ... she really did! She was crawling on me and suddenly looked at me and said "I want go potty." So we set down and she went. :D Hurray! It's not that she doesn't have control or know what to do ... we conquered that a long time ago. It's that she's not had the desire to do it, and I wasn't willing to push her.

Of course, as soon as Alex saw Kairi on the potty he wanted to sit there too. This is his 3rd time to sit on it. Nothing happens when he does, but it's more about letting him get used to it. He's showing interest so much earlier than Kairi did.... Hopefully this means he'll train sooner!

HURRAY! I love feeling like there's an end in sight to diapers. :D

The Monster Has a Name

2009-05-21T07:45:00.000-05:00

The monster I dubbed "pain" was finally named today. To refresh your memory, I talked about it here, here, and here. And then I stopped talking about it.

Basically: my joints hurt. My hands hurt. My feet hurt. Some days are worse than others. Some days I can't move, others I can. Last fall it was theorized that I was experiencing lasting effects from a virus I had when I was in high school. Sorta makes sense -- except for the fact that some of my symptoms started before I had the virus. New doctor I saw last month sent me to a rheumatologist. I saw him today and he was able to put a name to this beast.

And the name of the monster?

Fibromyalgia

From the National Fibromyalgia Association's website:
Fibromyalgia (pronounced fy-bro-my-AL-ja) is a complex chronic pain disorder that affects an estimated 10 million Americans. While it occurs most often in women, it strikes men and children, and all ethnic backgrounds. For those with severe symptoms, fibromyalgia (FM) can be extremely debilitating and interfere with basic daily activities.

I start taking Lyrica tonight and doing yoga every day starting tomorrow. I see the dr again in a month. So between now and then, let's hope that I start seeing some relief. And as I learn more about it, I'll continue to update.

Kairi and Alex interactions

2009-05-15T08:14:00.003-05:00

Kairi and Alex were watching Handy Manny this morning when suddenly that room was quiet. I went in to find out what was going on just in time to hear Kairi tell Alex "Don't push buttons. Go tell Mommy you pushed da button." Alex just looked at her like she was crazy. Quickly I realized that he had turned the satellite box off. Going to correct it, I also told Alex that he doesn't need to push buttons. At which point he looked at me and pointed to the tv and says:

"Uh-ooooooh!"

Then he held his hands up while shrugging his shoulders as if to tell me that he has NOOOO idea how it happened. And then he hugged his sister and walked off grinning.

~~~~~

Yesterday Alex hit Kairi in the head with a toy. Kairi grabbed the toy from him, said "No hitting!" and then ran to me and said "He hit me! Tell Alex say sorry and hug me!".

She knows the process because she's been the culprit waaaay too many times.

~~~~

Because I do make the kids immediately say sorry and hug the other person as soon as they hurt each other, Alex has begun to believe that a hug rights all wrongs and heals all hurts.

Yesterday Alex was trying to get Kairi's attention. He just wanted to play. He was calling "Sis! Sis! Sis!" as he squatted into his concentration-pose looking straight at her, but she wasn't turning around. Probably because it was the first time he'd ever said "sis" and she didn't know that that meant her. She kept playing with her music toys, completely oblivious to the start of of the sound of desperation in his voice. Soon he was sobbing while trying to get her to turn around and pay attention to him. Finally, he walked up to her, bent over so that his face was inches from hers and goes "Sis!!! Hugga!!!!!!!" and then he started crying, until she hugged him. As soon as he got his hug, he grinned and they went hand in hand to her room to play.

Playing with the camera

2009-05-15T06:41:00.001-05:00

Picture Post 5 of the Day

2009-05-11T10:28:00.001-05:00

Here are what I think are the last of them for the day. It's a compilation of pictures stretching from February through the end of March.

What happens when Daddy leaves butter on the island -- Kairi plays.

Big grins

He's so handsome. :)

When you tell Kairi to make funny faces, you get:

He loves that blankey.

Caught tickling Nana. :)

Lounging with Daddy before bed.

I'm cute...

With Nana at Pop-pop's.

With Pop-pop.

About to go to bed....

Arg! I be a tired Pirate!

Every pirate needs her sword.

Mommy! I'm stuck! Don't take pictures of me!

His toy makes farting noises. He loves it. It has to be a boy thing.

Look Mommy, I can stir! lol...

Picture Post 4 of the Day -- Mother's Day

2009-05-11T08:51:00.001-05:00

The Jacksonville Zoo offered free admission to all mom's on Mother's Day yesterday. So Chris and I loaded the kids up, took them out, and completely wore them out. :)

Here's our trip:

Sting Ray Bay

Watching elephants

I see birds!

Look Mommy! That's a BIG snake!

If I hold on real tight, maybe I can get out of this thing.

The jaguar completely fascinated the kids. Especially when he got very close.

Otters!

The water fountain that the kids loved.

I'm telling! She splashed me!

There's also a water park at the Zoo.

Alex thought that this was his personal fountain. :)

Picture Post 3 of the Day

2009-05-11T08:22:00.002-05:00

We made it back home the day before Easter. Here's a few shots from the celebration at church the next day. There's more, of course, but they're currently unavailable on a dead laptop.

Picture Post 2 of the Day

2009-05-11T08:20:00.002-05:00

Over the last month, I've managed to catch a few pictures that I love. There are several of friends from church in this batch. (Clickable pics)

Ms Dee

Look at those tears -- poor baby. ;)

Kairi remains unaffected by his crying. :)

Carter!

Dance, dance, dance!

Mommy, I told you NO pictures!

It's the jump and clap.

Some of my favorite pictures of Kairi are like this -- showing her happy and in motion. That's how we find her 90% of the time. :)

I'm an airplane!

Look! All three are looking in the same direction -- at the same time! It's a miracle!

Grayson

Baby G

Baby Dash

Grayson and Dash

Mommy and Son

Missing In Action

2009-05-11T07:00:00.006-05:00

I've been MIA for a while now. I know. And there are good reasons, but they could take a while to explain. So here's it in the smallest nutshell I can manage:

Chris' grandmother passes away. We went to Texas for her funeral. Less than 2 weeks after getting back from that trip, both of my grandfathers ended up in the hospital. The kids and I flew back to Texas while Chris was underway for a little bit. After both funerals, we eventually came back to Florida. We missed our home, our daddy, and our church. Then I got busy. Busy trying to keep us moving. I'm trying to have something to do every day, preferably something morning and afternoon. It keeps Kairi happier and gives me less time to concentrate on what's not fun in my life. ;)

Now, all that being said, I am MAJORLY behind in photos. I know this. So I'm going to do my best to get them uploaded as soon as possible. Right now, I have the pictures of the Pyle family after Mattie's funeral. I'll post a few of them, and then give a link for the rest if you're interested. :)

(Once again, clickable links. ;) )

To view all 60:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2014848&id=160200749&l=8a7134bab8

Second post of the day ... and It's not even 10am!

2009-05-06T08:45:00.000-05:00

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD.
Isaiah 55:8

I need to remember that ... especially right now. :)

Terrible Twos

2009-05-06T06:15:00.000-05:00

Terrible twos have officially hit our house. They have turned my sweet innocent little boy, into a constantly grumpy and occasionally mean little boy. I know it's 6 months early, but they hit Kairi that early as well.

When he woke up at 6am this morning (at least an hour too soon in my book), I went in and hugged him and then told him that it was still night night time. He told me no, sat down on his bottom, and kicked the side of his crib until I moved him. I did win that argument...he stayed in bed until 6:30a, and he wasn't screaming -- he just talked in his mean babble voice until I finally came and got him.

And have you ever been told off in babble language? I was this morning. While preparing morning "coke cups" and handing out bananas, I apparently did something wrong. Suddenly Alex started yelling "No no no no no no no Nonny!" and from there the angry babble started. I didn't understand a single word, but I do believe that if he talks to me in that same tone of voice in say 10 years, that he'll be getting his butt busted for cussing me out.

When Kairi wouldn't give up her drum last night simply because Alex demanded it, he found a toy and started hitting her over the head with it while yelling no at her.

When I was trying to get supper ready and Alex believed that I wasn't moving fast enough last night, he laid down on the floor and started kicking the cabinets while yelling "eat! eat! eat!".

Yesterday, he hit Kairi in the head with his hands 4 times, a pencil once (and since then he doesn't have the pencil), and at least 6 different toys. And that's just counting from 4:30p on.

Kairi is no longer the bully in our house. That title now belongs to Alex.

The Way a Church SHOULD Look

2009-04-13T07:50:00.001-05:00

One of the things I'm super passionate about correcting is the way most churches respond to single mothers. In God's eyes, a sin is a sin. Each one separates us from God. Each one causes a rift in our relationship with Him. And each one is forgiven with the same grace and by the same act as the others. So when a young woman steps forward, admits she made a mistake, and then has the courage to stand up to the consequences and not discreetly get rid of it, then the church should rise up and support her. It should wrap their arms around her and tell her how much they love her, that they forgive her, and that they are going to help her as much as they can. They should be proud of her bravery and sympathetic with how much of a struggle she's going to go through.

Sunday morning my church was tested, as well as my love for my church. I love my church very much. I brag on what an amazing church family we have. I invite people. I try to get people from Texas to include Sunday mornings in their trip here so that they will have the time to visit our church. Our best friends are there. It is also the only place I'm guaranteed that Kairi will not have any major freak outs. So needless to say, when when this test came up I was terrified.

To protect her privacy, I'm not going to describe in detail the young lady or the family that went forward. But a young woman stepped forward. She had a note written to the congregation stating that she was sorry because she had sinned. She had hurt herself, her relationship with God, and the church. She admitted she was pregnant and asked for forgiveness. Then we prayed over her. One of the elders prayed over her. But before that elder prayed over her, he did something that I will always remember -- he took the story of casting stones, reminded us of it, and then promised her that we were not casting stones. He told her that we love her, that we forgive her, and that we will help her. He reminded her that God can do great things with our mistakes as long as we allow him to. Then he prayed for her, for her child, and for our church.

After the service she was FLOODED with people loving on her. They accepted her. They loved on her. And they held her close. I'm sure that there were a few that raised their eye brows. I'm sure that there are a few that won't treat her the same again. But in the end, the people that are leaders in our church, and most of the rest, stood up and loved her regardless of her mistakes. I know that she will be loved on and helped out and protected and taken care of by my church.

And THAT my friends, is what a church SHOULD look like. I praise God for the way it was handled.

Kairi Finally Grasps Favorites

2009-03-27T18:46:00.001-05:00

Uncle Matt got onto Alex for running on the couch. First of all, note that he did NOT yell. He was firm, but did not yell.

Alex came running into the kitchen where Kairi and I were visiting with family that had come over. He was bawling. Matt followed. We had all heard Matt get onto Alex.

Kairi looked at Alex and began hugging him and pushing Matt away. She then turned to him and yelled:

"No yell at my Alex. He my faborite broffer. NO YELL AT HIM."

Since then we have been introduced to her favorite chair, her favorite blanket, her favorite snack, and her favorite Mimi (my grandmother with Alzheimer's).

Fiddler on the Roof

2009-03-03T23:44:00.000-06:00

is coming to Jacksonville. With Topol. TOPOL PEOPLE! TOPOL! Topol made the movie for me. He made Tevye real.

I've seen Fiddler on stage before. But it wasn't the same. Tevye was flat. Actually, most of the characters were flat. Micah and I sat next to each other through it, quoting lines to each other. Annoyed that it wasn't right, they didn't say it right. They skipped lines. They skipped scenes. They didn't understand the culture they were supposed to be portraying. They didn't understand the depth of the story. They didn't understand that this was a true story in so many ways. They didn't understand that they were not only telling the story of a few girls and their relationship with their father, that they were not only telling the story of a Jewish community before the Russian revolution, but that they were telling the story of anyone that got in the way of the revolutionaries in Russia, they were telling a story of faith and growth, they were telling the story of change, they were telling a story of family, they were telling a story that spoke to my soul. I can identify with so many of the characters. But I couldn't watching it that time. Micah and I had to go find the movie and watch it afterwards. We had to in order to heal our wounds at hearing our Fiddler so tortuously portrayed. They were dead. They made the story feel dead.

But with Topol .... with Topol it should be different. He knows the story. He lives the story. It was as if he was born to play the role of Tevye. I can't even describe what a difference Topol makes when playing in this story. I suppose it IS possible that I just saw a bad cast, but something tells me that Topol playing Tevye would make or break the stage performance for me.

For semi-decent seats, it would cost Chris and I $56.20 to go see it. That's not all that terrible, right? It's not like I'm asking him to spend $100+ on the performance (and that's just for the next level up seats). And I'm not asking him to take me to several showings of it. I'm not asking to go to the theatre ever weekend (but wouldn't that be FUN?). I'm only asking that for one Thursday night, we get someone to watch the kids and we go see Fiddler, we go see Topol in Fiddler.

After all. It's TOPOL. And it's his farewell tour. And it's TOPOL.

Change my diaper -- NOW

2009-02-24T17:49:00.003-06:00

Alex is in disposables while we are traveling. I just couldn't make myself do cloth while on "vacation". He doesn't like disposables. He ESPECIALLY doesn't like disposables when they are wet.

So my Stink has been taking his diapers off the moment he wets them, and bringing them to us. He then lays down and points to his privates as if to say "Ok, put a clean one on me NOW."

He's become quite the insistent little fellow, now hasn't he?

Spices that should always be available if I come to visit....

2009-02-24T17:14:00.002-06:00

I'm currently visiting my mother-in-law's house and have done most of the cooking since I arrived. I'm not complaining about cooking, because we all know I love to. But I would like to tease her a moment for her very lacking spice cabinet! (And since she reads this blog, I don't mind teasing her about it. ;) Love you Becky!) When we first arrived we had to run to the store to buy some things that are considered staples in my home, such as cream cheese and cream of mushroom. But as my time is drawing to a close, I realize that she needs to have a general list of spices and other "things" that should be available anytime I'm here and cooking.

Now, I realize, Becky, that many of these you already have, but I wanted you to have a general list to double check. ;)

Sea Salt
Ground Pepper
Fresh Garlic
Garlic Powder
Onions
Onion Powder (for those dishes Chris insists I cook w/o onions but I know need the onion flavor ;) )
BASIL
Parsley
Oregano
Italian Seasoning
Fennel Seeds
Cayenne
Chili Powder (not the Mexican blend)
Cumin
Lemon Pepper
Thyme
Olive Oil
Red Pepper Flakes
Paprika
Ginger
Nutmeg
Cinnamon
Vanilla Extract
Soy Sauce
Balsamic Vinegar
White Vinegar
Honey
Active Dry Yeast
Cajun Seasoning (But, Becky, you only need one thing of this. You have like 5 in your cabinet. ;) )

Ok, so that's all I'm able to think of off the top of my head. So everyone else share in the comments. What should she ALWAYS have in her spice cabinet -- especially when I come to visit?

You Know You're In Texas When.....

2009-02-19T15:05:00.002-06:00

Two young men in a gas station rush past you just to be sure that someone opens a door for you.

2009-01-28T10:06:00.002-06:00

When Kairi was first born, we placed a cosleeper in our bed and she slept there for a while. We eventually moved her to a bassinet and when she was a few months old I finally consented to putting her in her own room in a crib. I enjoyed sleeping w/ my baby. I just wish she had enjoyed sleeping with me. From the time she was a few weeks old on, every noise in our room woke her up. Chris' snoring, my rolling over, either of us getting out of bed for any reason -- they all woke her up. The day we moved her into her own room, her sleeping times stretched waaaay out. We loved it.

There were times when I tried to take naps with her or would need her to sleep with me because of bed space -- but it never worked out in my favor. She would thrash and yell and scream and cry for her bed. She needed the walls of the bed. She needed her own space. And she needed quiet. Apparently none of those were to be found in my bed.

Fast forward to today. Kairi still loves her bed. She sleeps no where else, except for the occasional moment in her carseat. But this morning, we had to be up at 4am. Chris had to have a ride to work, and he had to be there by 5. We got home shortly after 5am. I knew it wouldn't work, I just knew it, but I had to try.

First, I put Alex in his bed. I didn't think he'd go back to sleep. But he did! I thought about putting Kairi back in her bed, but thought about the amount of toys in her room. I didn't think that that would work. So I did it ... I took a risk.

Mommy: Kairi, would you like to sleep in mommy's bed?
Kairi: No.
Mommy: Are you tired baby?
Kairi: Yes, Mommy, so tired.
Mommy: Do you want to sleep in your bed or mommy's bed?
Kairi: Mommy's bed! Mommy's bed! Mommy's bed!
Mommy: Ok, but you have to be a really big girl. Can you do that?
Kairi: Yes Mommy! I a big girl!
Mommy: Can you hold really still and be quiet?
Kairi: Yes Mommy! I steeeeeel.
Mommy: Ok, we'll try it. Go climb into Mommy's bed.

It was magical. She held more still in my bed than she does in her own. She didn't freak out about the airplanes, or the garbage truck, or the car next door. Instead, she laid there and stroked my face until I went to sleep. A few minutes later I woke up with her hand still on my face, but she was sound asleep. And every time I woke up, she was sound asleep but touching me.

When I finally did wake up for the day, she was wide awake but laying next to me very still. She patted my face one more time, and said "Good. You wake up. Let's play now. Ok?"

I have no idea when my bed transitioned from the evil thing that a year ago she freaked out about having to be in to the amazing experience we had today, but I'm so thankful that that transition happened. And the next time she won't nap in her own bed because of the airplanes or trucks that are "soo scarwy Mommy!" I'm going to snuggle her up in my own bed and we'll take that nap together.

Just In Case You Needed Proof....

2009-01-27T08:10:00.001-06:00

Alex really does know how to throw a fit. He just doesn't do it very often.

Something Terrible Happened....

2009-01-25T07:04:00.001-06:00

Friday I had a baby. He and his sister colored together for a while. They (mainly he, she just took over) even invented a new use for one of Daddy's computer parts. He was such a sweet baby.

Then yesterday -- he suddenly grew up. Here he is this morning. We had dropped Daddy off for duty. We go to Sonic and at least get drinks if not breakfast every time we drop Daddy off for duty. It's our special tradition. One that both kids love, and I have to carefully budget for.

A half-hearted "hi"

Yup, that's right. His hair is cut. It's cute. I like it. But he looks so old!

And for good measure -- Kairi and Alex sharing a laugh.

I have a new love -- stay tuned for details.

It's a Work in Progress

2009-01-24T09:08:00.002-06:00

I'm updating and changing some of the layouts and links. If something turns up missing that you would like added back, just let me know. And please be patient. This may take a little bit to get figured out.

One More Picture

2009-01-23T11:07:00.004-06:00

One more pic to add in addition to the earlier post.

I walked into the kitchen because Alex was suddenly quiet. He had been eating lunch. Not anymore.

Pictures

2009-01-23T09:10:00.002-06:00

Clickable pics

Mommy, pictures were NOT what I had in mind when I asked you to help me. I'm STUCK. Get me out.

Pretending to take a nap.

Seriously, Mom, I'm "seepin" -- Stop the pictures!

Bedhead at it's finest -- on top of Mommy's clean laundry.

An Update of Sorts

2009-01-19T08:33:00.001-06:00

As mentioned before, my laptop is not currently working so my only chance to check in is when Chris isn't home and I can use his desktop. That means that this weekend, I had practically no internet access. That also meant that this weekend I had a million and one blog ideas, most of which I don't remember at the moment. But I do remember one, I wanted to give a short update on both kids.

Alex
1. Alex is now speaking! Not in complete sentences or anything of that nature, but he is saying a few words and a LOT of babble! I cannot describe not only the joy but the relief hearing words and babble come from his lips gives me. His current words are hi (his favorite), bye, none (all done), yay (as in "Yaaaay Alex!" after he says anything), dada, ga (good), na (no), and ni-ni (night-night).
2. He's responding to questions and participating in Bible class! Another huge step for us. He shakes his head yes and no to answer questions, and knows what's expected of him in class. His teachers keep repeating how much more in tune w/ everything he seems to be. :D Nothing makes me happier to hear than to hear that he loves his Bible class and is able to participate.
3. Alex has recently begun to throw fits. I think it's a combination of being frustrated with not being able to talk, and entering the stage where he expects Mommy to immediately obey and doesn't know how to respond when she doesn't. On a similar note, he's beginning to learn the word "obey" and comes at least 50% of the time when I tell him to obey me immediately. We're still working on the other 50%, but it's progress! :D But the point of this bullet to was to share how cute he is when he's throwing a fit. He keeps his feet on the floor, and then puts his hands and head on the floor so that he creates a triangle effect while screaming. Eventually he falls to the floor. And the entire time, Mommy laughs. I think it's cute and compared to his sister's fits (then and now), it's nothing. I love it. ;)

Kairi
1. Kairi's imagination still runs wild! In the past week she has been a kitty, a pig, a cow, a frog, a spider, a princess, and a pirate. My favorite was when she was a princess pirate. She had me put on her tutu and her red princess shoes, and then she grabbed her "sword" (think plastic play shovel that really should be outside) and then she pretended to sword fight with me (I had the vacuum cleaner extension) while she hollered "pincess py-it is hewo! pincess py-it is da besssssst!". Of course in the end, Mommy surrendered her sword and the princess pirate won. She's such a good hero. ;)
2. Potty training is going great! There were next to no accidents yesterday -- she even went potty at church several times! I am so very proud of her. And she's proud of herself which is awesome. I'm going to buy her a ring to sit on the big potty as that's the next step in this process. I can't wait till I'm not dumping potty seats anymore. :)

Ok, that's as far as I'm going to get it looks like as I need to get dishes washed and toys put away so that I can go grocery shopping -- let's see how far I can make this money stretch!

Pictures!

2009-01-16T08:35:00.003-06:00

But not nearly as many as planned. My laptop is no longer in commission. The cord has split and until Chris fixes it, it's not able to stay powered for more than about 30 seconds. (Yeah, I need a new battery too.) All the pictures saved there are not accessible at the moment, but I do have some pictures that I hadn't taken off the camera, and a couple from last night that I can share today. :)

So without further ado:

Alex in sepia to help the grossness of food not be so gross ... but what a cute smile!

Pouty face!

There's that pretty grin!

Kairi as a kitty cat! I'll tell this story after the pictures.

Meeeooooowwww!

Here kitty kitty!

Gramma, you kept commenting on her long hair, here's a better picture of it!

Last night we joined some friends at Zaxby's for supper. Thursday nights are kids eat free nights, and they bring in a face painter. Carter went first, but refused to have his face painted -- he wanted it on his hand. Kairi crawled up next.

Lady painting faces: Hi! How are you?
Kairi is all business: I Keye-wee. Paint!
Lady looks at me for interpretation. I explain that her name is Kairi.
Lady to Kairi: Hi Kairi, my name is xxxx. Do you want me to paint your face or your hand.
Kairi patting her face, again very serious: FACE. Paint.
Lady to Kairi: Do you want to be a kitty or a butterfly or ...
Kairi interupts: KITTY.
Lady to Kairi: Or you could be a puppy...
Kairi: KITTY PAINT!

Kairi did really well and followed directions as best as she could. I was really proud of her. Afterwards she ran to her daddy telling everyone in between her and him that she was a kitty. On the way home she repeated over and over:

K: Hi Mommy!
M: Hi Kairi!
K: No Mommy, I kitty!
M: Ok, kitty.
K: Hi Mommy!
M: Hi Kitty Kairi!
K: Good job Mommy!
repeat

SUCCESS!

2009-01-12T13:11:00.000-06:00

Kairi has not had an accident all day and went poop in the potty today as well!

YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pictures (not of poop or potty) to come soon. :)

"Truth Truck" -- Let's have some honesty here

2009-01-10T08:16:00.000-06:00

My mother has been volunteering at the Crisis Pregnancy Center (now known as The Life Center) in Midland since I was in high school. Maybe before that even, but I can't say that with certainty. I remember volunteering there in high school and even doing a little bit of data entry for them in college. My youngest brother still dedicates time whenever he's able to helping out there. To say that my family wholeheartedly supports The Life Center and believes in their cause would be an understatement. We are committed to doing what we can to help those girls that are considering abortion in order to change their minds. The Life Center focuses on loving their clients, promoting sexual purity, and educating teens and parents on sexual purity, stds and abortion.

The preacher at my church has recently been talking on truthful grace. It is the balance of standing up for what is right, standing firm on our values, while still showing the grace and compassion that Christ showed us to the rest of the world. None of us are righteous on our own in the eyes of God. It is only through the blood of Christ which was spilled because of His LOVE for us, that we are able to have a relationship with God and to be called His children. Truthful grace -- what a concept.

Where is this coming from? Why all the information?

I am furious.

I recently learned of a "ministry" called Operation Rescue. I use the term ministry lightly as I believe that a true ministry is devoted to showing others the love of Christ and to reaching them through that love. This ministry has created a truck called the Truth Truck. It is based on the theory that when people are faced with the truth about abortion through pictures of aborted babies, that they will have no choice but to change their mind and not support abortion. And it's probably right. But they put it into practice by plastering pictures of aborted babies all over a cargo truck, and then driving that truck through major cities. BAD PRACTICE.

Visit www.truthtruck.com in order to see pictures of this truck. WARNING -- VERY VERY VERY GRAPHIC.

To me, this sounds exactly like something that an overzealous teenager would dream up. I say teenager, because only a teenager would not think through the consequences of such an action:

~Young children will see this. Can you imagine driving through traffic in Sacramento and your 2 year old son being terrified by this truck, and then being stuck NEXT to the truck for over 20 minutes? Can you hear him crying for you to save him and help him because of the "scawy tuck Mommy! Scawy tuck!"? Can you imagine not being able to hold him and tell him it's ok because you're on the freeway stuck in traffic? And that, my friends, is a true story. A friend of mine was on her way home when her 2 year old alerted her to the truck with his tears. And it's through her that I now know of this truck.

~Parents are going to have to explain to 4-10+ year olds who are much too young to have to face the horrors of abortion what it is and try to explain to them that we love the people but hate the action -- something that a child that young cannot understand. It should be a parent's choice to decide when to explain abortion to their child. Most children that young will not be able to comprehend that a baby in a mommy's tummy is not equivalent to a baby outside mommy's tummy and may feel threatened themselves. It is one thing to show these pictures to a grown adult that has the emotional maturity to handle it -- it is another thing entirely to force those pictures on a young child.

~Women that have already had abortions and are in severely depressed states because of it (and research shows that most women go through major depression as a result of their abortions) are going to see these pictures. Maybe to a few it will be an eye opener of what really happened (which will simply force them into a severe depression without them knowing what resources are available to help them through it), but most others could be sent into a downward spiral with no one there to help them. We should be striving to provide support, education, and showing compassion to these women. It would be an even greater tragedy than already exists if the mothers hurt themselves or committed suicide because of something that a follower of Christ did, especially when all that Christ wants is to show these women how much he loves them and is willing to forgive them. Jesus preached against leading others into temptation, as did Paul ... we need to remember that that goes for ALL sinners. A mother who had an abortion's sin is no greater than my own in the eyes of God.

~It hurts the pro-Life cause rather than helps it because it associates all pro-Life people with this truck. It tells the world that pro-Life advocates have no problem terrifying people, as long as they get their message across. It reflects condemnation rather than compassion.

I suppose what set me off on this is that MY children should not be held as collateral damage in this "ministries" zeal to end abortion.

Is abortion wrong? YES
Does God hate abortion? YES
Does abortion break his heart? YES
Do we need to educate people on abortion? YES
Is the world wrong on when life truly begins? YES
Does legislation need to be corrected? YES

But do I believe for one moment that the "Truth Truck" honors God? NO!!!

I am praying that this organization takes this truck off the streets. I want your help in trying to get rid of it. I emailed them last night explaining why I firmly believed that this was not honoring God and how hurtful it could be. I asked them to end this crusade. Please join me in pressuring them to take it down. I know that California's legislature is being contacted by the previously mentioned mother and they are taking steps to try to stop this organization, but I would hope that with enough pressure from fellow pro-Life Christians that the organization would recognize their errors and end it on their own.

Their contact information (taken from their website):

Operation Rescue West
PO Box 601150
Sacramento, CA 95860

Phone: 800-705-1175
Fax: 916-244-2636

info@operationrescue.org

A Work in Progress

2009-01-08T15:50:00.001-06:00

We began potty training Monday. It's been a long week, but every day this week Kairi's peed in the potty once! We are going through all of her panties every day, but at least she's beginning to get the idea.

Right before going out, I decided that Kairi had peed so much in the last 30 minutes that she could not have any more pee in her system. I dressed her in a cute skirt and boots (although the "Brobee shirt" was NOT coming off she said). I was pleased and chased her w/ the camera for about 2 minutes.

First decent shot:

Last picture:

Click on that picture. See exactly what she's doing.

Apparently, Mommy was wrong. Kairi had more pee left in her.

We went to the bank in a diaper.

Another Picture for the Day

2009-01-03T08:04:00.002-06:00

This was given to Chris in August. I'm just now getting it up here because I lost the sd card that I had scanned it onto. Now that the card has been found again, I was able to upload it.

Not being certain what info is acceptable to post and what is not, I have edited out anything that seems like it could possibly be asked to not be posted.

Click to enlarge.

My Son

2009-01-03T07:16:00.001-06:00

Alex walked up to me holding Sister's bow. He hit his head with it several times. I put it in his hair expecting him to immediately pull it out, afterall Kairi did at that age.

Instead, 30 minutes later I was able to get this picture.

A Year of Change

2008-12-31T21:48:00.003-06:00

As this past year ends and the new one begins, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on all the changes that we experienced this last year.

For instance, this is the first year of my marriage that I have gone an entire year NOT pregnant! That, ladies and gentlemen, is a miracle. Ok, so it also probably has something to do with my having a tubal ligation done at the same time as my last c-section, but either way, it's been a nice change.

My husband has been home for most of the last 6 months! That's been a big change.

And we've moved from Texas back to Florida, where everything we knew had changed as well! The city is growing. And our church's dynamics changed -- more younger couples and many of them new parents!

Kairi has gone from a toddler to a very vocal 2 1/2 year old.

Alex has gone from being a tiny newborn to a full-fledged walking toddler! (Now, if we could just get him to talk on a regular basis.)

My marriage has changed as well. For the better I believe. We are taking the time to put each other first and spend time together just the two of us.

I have read a few books this year! That's a change from the last.

There are seriously so many other changes that I can't even begin to list them all. And overall, I think that they have been for the better. This year hasn't been easy, but it's been worth it. So as I enter the next year, I'm going to cling to the promise that God has been reminding me of this entire year "Just trust me. I'm taking care of you." I'm going to remember the good that's been done in my family. And I'm going to enjoy having a figurative fresh start to rededicate my energies towards taking care of my family and myself.

Kairi Cuteness

2008-12-31T08:21:00.001-06:00

A couple of cute Kairi stories for the morning.

1. We have been getting up way too early this week. Combine that with Alex still not sleeping through the night, and I feel like I'm dieing. To help myself survive, after I dole out bananas, cereals bars, and cups of (Silk)Milk I turn on Noggin, shut all the other doors in house to limit the kids to the living room area, and then curl up on the couch and doze. Kairi will frequently shout to Alex through my morning nap "SSSHHHHH! MOMMY SEEPIN'!"

This morning it happened a little differently, though. I sat down on the couch trying to decide if I could make it through the day without a nap when Kairi shouts "Ready Mommy? Ready?!? Lay down!" As soon as I was laying down she pulled Brother's newest piano over next to the couch and began to sing while playing it "Go to sleep Mommy, Go to sleep Mommy, Go to sleep Mommy, Close your eyes Mommy, Go to sleep!".

Ten minutes later she woke me up to sing me back to sleep again. And again. And again.

2. Yesterday during Alex's morning naptime (which I'm afraid is about to cease), Kairi started looking for him. Of course hearing his name shouted through the house woke him up. I went in to cuddle him for a moment and lay him back down. He was more than willing to go back to sleep. UNTIL Kairi burst into the room, grabbed his brand new toy truck, and ran out of the room saying "Come on Fruffer! Let's share da tuck! VRooom! Share da tuck! VRooooooom vroooom vrooooom! Hurry Fruffer hurry! Share da tuck with me!"

Yeah, Alex didn't go back to sleep.

She's cuter than should be allowed. :) Even when she's not helping at all, she's adorable.

Despite my eyeshadow being all over her face.....

2008-12-26T21:09:00.001-06:00

Isn't this a beautiful picture?

Pictures and Videos

2008-12-26T09:28:00.002-06:00

Some I tried to post before and couldn't. Some are from yesterday. And there may be one or two random ones thrown in there. :)

Help! I'm stuck:

The Christmas Presents -- Daddy manned the camera while Mommy helped with presents!

Merry Christmas!

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Jingle Bells!

Yesterday ...

2008-12-24T09:36:00.002-06:00

Yesterday was my 3rd anniversary. I had fully intended to write a sweet post about how much I love my husband and our life together. And that post will come -- eventually. But instead I spent the day cleaning up puke and diarrhea. The whole family had it.

Today we're all physically spent. Tired and dehydrated and achy, but our stomachs are calm. So today I'll spend the day sterilizing everything and running the errands I had intended to run yesterday, so that tomorrow still comes off without too many problems. I just have to gather the energy to get it all done. Wish me luck!

Our Christmas Tree

2008-12-22T15:00:00.002-06:00

***Blogger is not cooperating.***

There were supposed to be Christmas tree pictures here, but as blogger isn't letting me upload them, and since photobucket takes forever to upload pictures as well, I'm going to call it a night. They'll get added whenever I find the time.

In the meantime....CHRIS IS HOME! YAY!!! So go enjoy time w/ your loved ones as I'll be spending the evening with mine.

He'll be back in 5 days....

2008-12-18T20:45:00.006-06:00

I was recently reminded of a concept that is very important to Chris and I. Our marriage comes before our children. We both believe it is important that we model affection and love for our children. We want them to grow up knowing what a healthy marriage looks like so that they are are more likely to have one themselves. Part of modeling that for our children, is to make time for each other, to spend time talking and truly enjoy each others company. We never wanted to stop "dating". Despite being married, our courtship doesn't end. We need to make time for each other, time without children so that we can talk and laugh without worrying about being interrupted or summoned to another room because a child is screaming in their bed.

Here's the problem with that. How do you find time to be alone when you have two children two and under, and you live 1400 miles away from most of your family? You rely on your "new family" -- your church. If you know me at all, you know that I hate asking for favors, and I've had to do it all too often in my life. So if I can avoid it, I do. And I continue to avoid it until I feel like I'm at a breaking point and have no other choice. I'm not saying that this is a good trait -- it just is the way I am. And unfortunately, I have had to face this situation way too many times recently. Add that to the fact that I know exactly what my kids are like every single day -- I would rather not inflict that on an unsuspecting friend. So I have been extremely hesitant to ask someone to watch the kids in order for Chris and I to go out together. Because of these traits, until last week Chris and I had gone out twice alone since I was about 7 months pregnant with Alex. A reminder, he's 13 1/2 months old now.

When I was 7 1/2 months pregnant, Chris and I went to dinner and a movie while the Macon's watched Kairi. They were always very good about volunteering to care for her, despite the fact that she probably screamed the entire time. She was a fussy baby. Any change in her routine bothered her. And nights were the worst. So I was very grateful for the breaks. Especially being that pregnant. One night after Alex was born, my grandmother stayed home with Kairi while the ~~two~~ three of us went to a movie. Alex slept through the movie, but he did come with us. Chris then deployed. He came back in June.

Fast forward to October 2-- a year after our last date, Jenny stayed at home with the kids while Chris and I went to dinner and a book store. It was a good night. And we really enjoyed it. But it didn't take any stress off our relationship. Two months later I can recognize that we really didn't know how to talk to each other any more. It was as stressfull as a first date! I know that I was as jittery as I was on our "first date".

Last week we had no choice, we HAD to have a babysitter for 4 days in a row. One of those days we didn't spend alone as we had Alex, but the other 3 days we had plenty of time together. The first night we didn't do a ton of talking, but by the second and third nights things were great.

I have thoroughly enjoyed talking and spending time with my friend again. It's not that he was ever NOT my friend. But when the world revolves around your children, it's hard to not allow your marriage, your friendship, to fall through the cracks. Even when you plan for it to not, you have to make a conscious decision to talk, to spend time together, to get away. Chris and I are going to be doing this more often...at least once a month.

Yesterday I dropped him off at the airport to fly out to see his parents. I'm fairly accustomed to him being gone for anywhere from a couple of days to a few weeks at a time. But this time it's different. Maybe it's because I know he's in a spot where he can communicate with me. More likely, it's because we enjoyed our time together so very much. I just wasn't ready to give it up quite this soon! I'm anxious for him to be back home. I miss him. He'll be home Monday, and I can't wait!

Tuesday night, before he left, he gave me my anniversary/Christmas present because he was afraid that it was too big and I would need it adjusted. It's not so I don't. Here's what he gave me. (And before you see it, know that he got it on an AMAZING sale, and used a Sears gift card that Heroes at Home gave us to buy it.)

Pictures enlarge when you click them.

It's a sterling silver 1 ct diamond bracelet! Didn't he do well!?!

A few more pictures and a short update

2008-12-15T09:15:00.002-06:00

Alex and Lauryn playing together -- They adore each other!

Miss Lauryn!

That's it picture-wise for now.

This week has flown by! Thank you for all your prayers, thoughts, and phone calls about Alex. After his surgery he was a little grumpy but is now completely fine. It's nice to see him respond to my voice and to know that he can hear me! Now we just need to work on the responding when you're being spoken to thing. He's good at ignoring me.

Thursday night was so much fun! Chris won an IPod Shuffle and the kids had a blast with Kate, Heath, and Carter. We have such good friends here! Chris and I really did need our time together. It was great to be able to complete a conversation without being interrupted by a screaming child, or a child crawling on top of one of us, or one child hurting the other. We really do need more of those evenings to how much we love each other. :) The party itself wasn't a ton of fun, but spending time with Chris was, and that made it worth it.

Friday night was great as well! We thoroughly enjoyed spending time with friends. Chris was part of a quartet that performed and we have not stopped hearing compliments on his voice. Again, it was great to get to spend time sans children where we could complete thoughts -- not to mention have entire conversations! Kathy stayed with the kids at our house and has no idea how much we appreciate her having volunteered to do so!

Saturday night Kathy must really have been looking for torture because she volunteered to keep our kids that night as well. We went to a "A World of Christmas" at Creekside Christian Church. It was such a great experience. They had 3 life size areas set up that looked like a village from Germany, Ghana, and Mexico and at each place they talked about Christmas in that country. Afterwards they had a musical/drama in which a friend of Chris' from work was singing. It was really good! I was very impressed with how well they did. The story focused around a boy that had lost both of his parents. It got Chris and I talking on the way home. Something we had discussed but not set in stone before was what would happen to our children if something were to happen to us, or to happen to one of us while the other couldn't immediately be there. (Like I end up in the hospital or worse while Chris is overseas.) We finally made a plan. The biggest part of that plan is that we have asked Micah to be they're godfather. We're going to draw up legal documents that give him full parental rights should something happen to both of us or to one of us while the other is unavailable. We completely trust his judgement to make good decisions for our children and to make sure that they are brought up in a Christian home -- whether that means that he be the person that cares for them, or simply places them in someone else's home until he feels that he can care for them, we know that he would make the best judgement call. And he wouldn't care about offending someone in our family when it came to putting the needs of our kids above all else. It was so hard to pick someone, because there are soooo many people in our family that I know would open up their homes to our kids. And we are going to talk to Micah more in depth later about the decision and who else we would want considered if he felt that he couldn't keep them himself. But if definitely feels good to know that we have a plan in place and are going to make it as well-documented and legal as possible so that there are no "Oh dear, what do we do now?" if that situation ever occured. Just as a side-note, we're also asking a couple here in Jax to take care of them should anything happen until Micah could arrive and make arrangements for the kids. They will also have (limited) custodial rights to care for the little ones. They will help Micah make the decision as they know our children so well as they live here and see them every week.

Yesterday the kids had fun at the Children's Christmas Party at church! Kairi spent most of the day coloring her Christmas card for the elderly at Avante Nursing Home (where our church ministers) and didn't even notice Santa. We were a little nervous about the party since Santa was going to be there since we aren't "doing" Santa. (The kids will still recieve presents, they just will always know that they're from us. But don't worry, I won't allow them to ruin your child's Santa fun.) But since Alex is too young for it to matter and Kairi had no clue that Santa was even in the room, it wasn't a problem! Instead, after he left I took my kids aside and gave them presents from Chris and I. We all really enjoyed ourselves. But I left my camera there, so until I get it back, you'll have to go without new pictures!

I hope you all have a great day today!

Surgery Update and Pictures

2008-12-10T20:14:00.006-06:00

I'm going back to the previous post tomorrow and am captioning those pictures.

Alex's surgery was today and he did great! His right ear drum was crusted over with blood and mucous, and his left ear with just mucous. The doctor got all of it off, and said that that should clear up his hearing! YAY!

He did fairly well with the entire procceedure. He was grumpy and clingy today as he was recovering from the anesthsia, but by the time he went to bed he was in a good mood. :D

Come on, Mommy. Let's go. I wanna get out of this place. NOW.

Ooo...This floor is slick. I can do the splits. See?!? (He went much farther than I could imagine being comfortable before he stopped and ran off giggling.)

Too many nurses keep running by my room. I'd rather stay close to blankie and Daddy.

Dr. Wohl scared me by trying to make me laugh before surgery. Daddy tried to calm me down, but just barely succeeded.

Coloring always takes my mind off doctors' offices!

The nurse carried me back to the OR.

When he's feeling better tomorrow, I'll snap some smiling pictures!

Pictures -- Round 1

2008-12-09T12:49:00.001-06:00

I have lots of pictures to upload. I'm sure you're thinking it's about since there are no pictures on my whole front page.... BUT I've been busy. And I'm still too busy to sort through them all for you. So here's the first glimpse of the day. I'm sure I'll be back a few times throughout the day/night to share some more.

Alex on all fours -- a rare sight these days

Kairi's pretty smile

This was last year's Christmas dress! See how much she's grown!!!

Yes, that would be lipstick on her face.

She was angry that I made her hold still for a picture.

Yup, still angry.

Kairi and Carter! See how much they adore each other!

Mystery Solved

2008-12-05T12:12:00.003-06:00

Kairi's hair almost always looks greasy in the back. I could wash her hair 3 times a day and it'd still be greasy.

Anytime I sit down at the computer desk, Kairi runs over to me asking for "hands" also known as lotion on her hands. I have watched her rub it into her hands several times, but it's been a while since I've insisted on watching her. Today I turned around just in time to find her rubbing her "hands" into her hair instead of her skin!

Mystery solved. And just so you know, that lotion is HARD to get out of hair, but very conditioning.

Things my daugther said today:

2008-12-04T18:06:00.005-06:00

I hewo Mommy! *Began running in circles.* I wescue! Wescue! Wescue!

Mommy! I tired. Sleep? YAY!

I a kigah! ROOOAAARRR! Kigah! Kigah eat Mommy! ROAAR! YUMMMMM!

Ribbit! Ribbit! Kairi a petty frog.

Yay! Eat cheese! Mouse eat cheese! Mommy!!!!!!! I a mouse!

Wiggle in you chair Mommy! Wiggle wiggle! Dance dance! Mommy! You not dancin'! DANCE!

*In the most serious of voices* Mommy. Awix nasty. He nose nasty. He mouth nasty. Mommy, his body nasty. Wash he. Now. (His nose was running, he was drooling, and he was covered in the food he was eating at supper.)

Kissing BooBoos

2008-12-03T13:30:00.004-06:00

I remember when I was little thinking that those children around me that needed their booboos kissed on a regular basis were stupid. I couldn't understand how kissing booboos helped. A "booboo" (which I remember thinking that just the word was strange) either needed medicine or wasn't bad enough to whine about. Kissing it certainly was NOT going to help. And my mother never catered to the idea that she could kiss it and make it magically better. Instead, I remember countless lectures on the number of germs in a human mouth, hearing about how dogs and cats have cleaner mouths than people (I think that this was to discourage kissing, btw), and hearing how kissing a "booboo" would really only make it worse not better.

I also remember as I grew believing that I would NEVER kiss a booboo. The idea was preposterous. And then I had Kairi.

My daughter is a drama queen. There's no two ways about it. She will lightly tap her hand against the door and then cry as if it was broken. This being the same child that has given herself a knot on her forehead from dancing on the hearth, but not blinked. It all completely depends on how much attention she is already receiving. Recently (just over a month or so ago)someone told her that she had a booboo on her hand. I have no idea who, although I'm fairly certain it was someone at church, and I really don't care who it was that said it either. What I do care about, though is the OBSESSION with booboos. I already mentioned her noticing my "booboos" on my stomach. She also notices booboos on Brother, on Daddy, on toys, on dolls, on random strangers in Publix that have birthmarks on their face.... She notices them.

If the booboo happens to belong to her, though, she has a meltdown. Within moments tears are pouring, her chest is heaving with sobs, and she is shoving said booboo in my face. It could be the same booboo that she showed me 10 minutes ago, doesn't matter as long as it's a booboo, she's in a panic. The ONLY thing that calms this girl down is to hold whatever appendage has been hurt and then to kiss it. That calms the tears and sobs. Ask her if she's ok, and between sobs "Yes, I fine" will escape her lips. And she will hug you, and then walk away letting the sobs slowly die out on their own. You can prevent said meltdown if the very instant she notices the booboo, you grab her and kiss it and tell her it's all better, but if you're late in noticing, beware.

Today after preventing several meltdowns in a row (4 which concerned the same booboo), I got to thinking about the things I do differently now than I ever thought I would. I love kissing booboos and making them better. Even if I do think the entire time about the number of germs in my mouth (ThankyouverymuchMama). And there's other things I love to do that I never thought I would. I never thought I'd enjoy formula feeding, but I did with Kairi. And then after her I never thought I'd enjoy breastfeeding, but I loved it with Alex. I never thought I'd be passionate about the kinds of cleaners in my house, but I am and I really do enjoy finding new alternatives to keeping my house clean. I never thought I would enjoy sewing and crafts, but I do. I never thought I'd cosleep with a child, but I wouldn't have traded a single night I got to sleep with Alex for the world. I have so many "I never thoughts" that I'm proud that I at least allowed myself a chance to try them.

Especially because I will forever treasure this time when kissing booboos truly makes it all better.

I'll be around again, eventually...

2008-11-30T20:23:00.004-06:00

The next two weeks are going to fly by. This week is going to be spent preparing for next week. Before the 8th, my house needs to be spotless, all the meals for the next week need to be planned out and prepared for as much as possible, I have to buy the kids' their Christmas outfits, and I need a dress for 3 parties/events. I also have to finish lining up babysitters for the next week.

And then, the madness begins.

8th: Alex's pre-surgery physical, ear recheck, and flu shot.

9th: Between 3 and 4 we'll be told what time Alex's surgery the next day is going to be held at. Then we have the Life Group's Christmas party. It's being held at Kate's house. We'll put Princess to bed there and leave her there that night.

10th: Kate will take Kairi to whomever's house she will be spending the day with. We're close to knowing who that will be, but nothing definite yet. Alex will have surgery. That night is church, but we'll decide how the family's doing that afternoon before we all head out there.

11th: Ship's Christmas party. Looks like Kate to the rescue again, because she just volunteered to keep them as late as we need her to that night. Semi-formal event held in a ballroom. I need a nice dress.

12th: Church's Christmas party. Formal event. Wearing the same dress as I did at the ship's party. Chris is singing in a quartet. Kate and I are discussing a possible skit.... We'll see. It's a child-free event, so we're trying to arrange childcare to be held at the church so that we can all go. Otherwise, they'll find that most of the young adults can't attend -- we all have kids!

13th: Chris is taking me to dinner and then to a musical. We still need childcare for this night as well.

14th: Chris has duty.

So as you can tell, unless we have things perfectly prepared for that week, life's going to fall apart! Wish us luck in getting ready for the holiday whirlwind!

ETA: As of this morning (the 1st), Chris will be out of town until Friday. Leaves again the following Monday, and comes back that Tuesday. Any one else want to throw some more into this week?

Alex saw the ENT

2008-11-25T19:27:00.002-06:00

Alex has temporary mild to moderate hearing loss caused by the multiple ear infections. There's quite a bit of fluid on his ears. We will have tubes put in his ears on the 10th. After that, he should regain his hearing and make a full recovery! We suspected that he had muffled hearing. He barely responds and just is not speaking. The only time he babbles is when he doesn't have a cold (which is near never). I was shocked to hear the words "hearing loss" but not about what caused it. And I'm thankful that it's not permanent.

He also has moderate reflux. We're treating it w/ prevacid solutabs.

Can you guess?

2008-11-22T20:50:00.000-06:00

Name that child:

Alex Update

2008-11-21T16:25:00.002-06:00

I had Alex checked out again today because he just wasn't acting much better.

He has a double ei. The worst yet. He received 2 shots today and was prescribed a medicine that's so new on the market that TriCare won't pay for it. Luckily, he had samples for us. He's meeting us at the office tomorrow morning to check him out again.

And we have to see an ENT because Alex needs tubes.

Thankfully, Chris made it home just in time for the appt. And I will spare you the details of most of it, b/c it involved a lot of crying from a baby and Mommy near tears because of Alex's discomfort. Dr. Weiss does his best, but it still hurts and that makes Mommy want to cry.

I'm happy that we're on the road to get him better. But I want to cry at the thought of tubes.

:(

EDIT: Saturday, November 22
Alex's left ear is clear! His right ear is still yucky, but thank God for progress!

Several more serious updates....

2008-11-20T20:40:00.003-06:00

I've been avoiding writing these, but I need to get them down before I forget to altogether. I'll include a cute story at the bottom of the post to make up for it. ;)

1) "The Pain"
I saw the doctor on Friday, the 14th. The same day that Chris' ship set out of a week long "cruise" so I was praying for good news that wouldn't take much adjusting to.

I have markers for Epstein-Barr Virus. It's related to mono somehow. When you get mono, you get EBV or something like that. In any case, in rare cases EBV can cause severe joint pain. And after the acute case is over, the pain will come and go but never completely leave. I blamed it all on my brother b/c he's the one that gave me mono when we were younger. ;D

I am taking Celebrex (and had been for 2 weeks before the appointment) to help control the swelling in my joints, and will experiment with other joint pain remedies until I find something that works.

Anyway, it's been wearing me down, and really affecting my mood as well as my energy level. I'm happy in some ways for this diagnosis as it's not something as severe as Lupus or RA as both were on the list of possibilities, but it's also frustrating because there's not much to do with it.

I've begun taking Move Free (thank you Mama!) and will be adding tart cherry extract to the list soon to supplement my medication. Hopefully one day soon I can say that that day was a truly "pain free" day!

2) Alex was diagnosed with what "might be" an ear infection Monday. It was red and obviously irritated, but there was no fluid in the ear yet. The key word being yet. Due to his history, chances were REALLY high that it'd turn into an EI. So we started treatment Monday.

Today he's still unbearably grumpy, dizzy, and pulling at his ears. We're going back to the dr tomorrow. While there we're also going to discuss the terrible rash that the antibiotics gave him. Poor baby fights me over diaper changes now where as he has NEVER done that before.

3) My landlord has raised my rent. It's not worth what she's asking. We're moving. Hey, that was an easy one! ;) Seriously, I'm happy about this for the most part. It means that we'll have a chance to save some money. I think we're looking at base housing so that'll be good too. I am sad about losing our fireplace. But at least we'll not be dying every month!

Ok, the funny story.... Hmmmmmmmmmmmm. Lemme think. Here's one to make you smile.

Kairi has quite an attitude at times. For being only 2 years old, she certainly talks back like a 12 year old. Today it started after lunch. I told her to throw something away. She told me no. I insisted. She SLOWLY complied. And then it came.
"Mommy, say thank you Kairi. You welcome Mommy. See? Not hard."
Yes, that came from my daughter. And, yes, I am smiling because as frustrating as that was at the time, it is now funny. She perfectly mimicked my tone of voice in saying it as well.

The "smartness" continued this evening as I was getting children ready for bed. Right before I began to pray with Alex I told Kairi to go to bed. She made it clear she didn't want to go. I laid Alex down and went in her room to get her ready for bed. There I was told:
"Not yet Mom. YOU go bed. Not me. NO."
She went to bed. "Mom" won.

You know it's time to Potty Train

2008-11-19T16:27:00.001-06:00

When your 2 year old takes off her diaper and presents it to you saying that it's a stinky mess. She's done it twice in a row now.

We've been doing a little bit of potty training up till now, but I think it's time to really hit it hard.

Thank goodness she doesn't know how to take her jeans off yet. I can at least put those on her for now and expect the diaper to stay.

Princess Shoes

2008-11-16T07:20:00.002-06:00

Yesterday I ran to Target to buy more diapers for Kairi.

While there I decided that I needed to buy the kids the shoes. Alex no longer has any that fit (other than one pair of sandals) and Kairi needed black shoes to wear w/ her winter dresses.

First I look for Kairi, I find a style I love, but the 6 1/2 they had it in was almost too small, and no 7s. While I was still searching for a 7 in it, my mom called. Kairi suddenly yelled "Pincess Shoes!!! Mommy! Look! Pincess shoes!!! Pincess shoes!!!" Every one in hearing range turned around to look at her. My mom heard her. I whipped around to see what she was talking about. There were red sparkly shoes on the rack. And apparently they were princess shoes. I decided that we would NOT be getting them b/c where in the world was she going to wear red sparkly shoes? My mom decided that Kairi had to have them though. She's sending us $12 to reimburse us. In the end, the other pair of shoes she got were black sparkly shoes, b/c it was the only black pair of dress shoes that were in a size that'd fit her. In my mom's defense, she started naming all the dresses in Kairi's closet that would go w/ the red shoes and once I thought about it, there are more than I originally thought.

And then I looked for Alex. I wanted soft soled shoes that looked like real shoes. They had converses for $15. They're soft soled and REALLY cute. (I still haven't found hard soled shoes that will work for him besides sandals though.) And when I bought them, I got a free $5 gc from Target. Which the cashier was nice. She immediately rung up everything up to that point, I paid it. And then we rung up the diapers and Alex's onesie separately and paid for that so that I could use the gc on some of it.

I may go back after I get paid Monday and buy another pair of them in a larger size so that he has ones to wear when he outgrows the 3's. Oh, and Kairi wanted me to buy the black sparkly shoes that matched hers but in my size. She told me that they were Mommy-pincess shoes.

I Quit!

2008-11-15T17:06:00.002-06:00

You had a glimpse of Kairi's most frequent pose in Alex's birthday pictures, but here's a reminder:

She makes that face with her arms folded and declares for the world to hear "I QUIT!". She most frequently "quits" when she's told that she can't have what she wants to eat for supper. Here's how this evening's dinner went:

K: Mommy, No. I wan pie.
M: No pie. Eat your supper.
K: I QUIT!
takes a small bite of her food after scowling for a few minutes
K: Mommy. Pie, now.
M: No pie.
K: I QUIT!
M: Fine, go to bed.
K: NO! I QUIT!
M: If you're going to quit, then quit in your bed. Otherwise, eat your food.
K: No, Mommy.
takes another bite
K: Mommy, where pie? I wan pie.
M: Kairi, you're not getting any pie. Eat your rice.
K: I QUIT!
Mommy ignores.
Kairi takes another bite.
K: Mommy, it no good. I wan pie.
M: Kairi. There is NO pie. Stop asking. Take a bite of spinach.
K: NO! I QUIT!
takes another bite of food
M: Kairi, if you say that you quit one more time you're going to bed. Got it? Good.
K: Mommy, no bed. No tired. Mommy, I eat.
M: Good job Kairi.
K: Mommy, pie peez? Pate empy ... see?
Mommy looks over to see an empty plate with food scattered all over the table.
M: Kairi, you are not getting pie. You are not done with your food. Eat your food or else go to bed.
K: I QUIT! Mommy, I go to bed.

She's in bed. She did not take herself there as she implied she would, but Mommy insisted.

I don't know where either the pie or the quitting obsessions started. I do know, though, that when she decided that her enchiladas were pie Thursday, that I allowed her to continue to believe that they were. She ate them, and that was the important thing. I also didn't correct her when she declared her breakfast pie yesterday morning, or her grilled cheese for lunch today. So what makes something worthy of being called pie? Most days she loves swiss steak (our supper this evening), but it certainly didn't qualify as pie....

If you have my phone number....

2008-11-15T08:59:00.001-06:00

Call me.

I can't find my phone. I need to find my phone. Chris isn't home to call my phone for me. He won't be home for over a week. I need it before he'll be back.

Thank you!

And yes I feel ridiculous posting this, but it's that important.

I'll update when I find it again.

***EDIT: Phone's been found! THANK YOU!***

The things my daughter says

2008-11-13T14:58:00.003-06:00

I love listening to Kairi talk. She astounds me every day. It's hard to believe that a year ago today I could barely understand her. She had maybe 20 words in her vocabulary.

Moments ago she ran up to me holding a turtle we bought for her at the Dallas Aquarium.
"Look Mommy! It's a turtle!"
Now, turtle doesn't exactly sound right, but such a good try!

My favorite, though, was last night when she announced:
Mommy! I a pincess!
You're a princess?
Yes, Mommy, I a pincess.
Are you Mommy's princess?
Yes! And Mommy pincess. Kairi and Mommy pincess!
I'm a princess too?!?
Yes Mommy! You pincess. Kairi pincess! Like spider pincess. (Miss Spider's Sunny Patch -- watch the princess episode and you'll understand)
And then we talked about how princesses are nice and loving and take care of other people. Princesses share and help everyone they know.

She talks constantly. And I love to listen to it. *sigh* :) What a wonderful way to spend my day.

The Boy Just Can't Get a Break

2008-11-12T07:41:00.002-06:00

Alex has had a cold for over a week now. He's been snotty, and grumpy, and sleepless. At first I thought it was related to his shots, but within 2 days I realized that it was a sickness that we were all getting. The rest of us feel crummy as well, but it's not been as bad for us as it was for him. The worst part was that he couldn't breathe at night, so he wasn't sleeping. I have his mattress elevated on one end at all times because he's obviously prone to this. I can not begin to count the number of times he woke up and just couldn't go back to sleep. It's been a long couple of weeks.

Then it happened, he had a full night of sleep! HURRAY! That was Monday night. Last night it happened again! TWO NIGHTS IN A ROW -- I'M IN HEAVEN!!! He still had a snotty nose, but it wasn't as bad so I was satisfied that he was getting better.

But this morning he woke up in a terrible mood. Very unlike him. Even with double ear infections he's in a good mood 90% of the time. I got him a cracker and cup of juice and set down to check my email when it happened. He vomited. EVERYWHERE. I got him cleaned up, my newly steam cleaned floor mopped up, and calmed him down. That's when I noticed it. He was burning up. Temped him and yup, he's running a fever. *sigh* My poor baby. Will he ever be NOT sick?

Alex's 1st Birthday Party!

2008-11-10T11:20:00.003-06:00

Uncaptioned pictures.
They're clickable again.

Lauren and Kairi both received presents as well.

First remember,
in the hospital:

first day home:

Pretty BooBoos

2008-11-08T10:47:00.003-06:00

One of the many "blessings" of childbearing is that most mothers end up with a roadmap of stretchmarks across their stomach. I have no need of a map to get from my house in Florida to my parents' house in Texas as I have a permanent map on my stomach. And no matter how much weight I lose, the marks are still there--fading with time, but there nevertheless.

This morning was hectic. Shoot, it still is hectic. I am simply taking a small break in the insanity before I forget this moment. I wasn't able to grab a shower until 11:30, despite having been awake since 6:10am. After my shower, Kairi was talking to me as I got dressed. Suddenly she noticed the scars from my gallbladder surgery.

Booboo Mommy?
Yes baby. Mommy had surgery there.
I sorry Mommy.
It's ok baby. It doesn't hurt anymore.
Nudder booboo Mommy? (Pointing to another gallbladder scar.)
Yes baby, another booboo.
I sorry Mommy.
It's ok baby. That one doesn't hurt anymore either.
Oooo ... Mommy, another booboo? (Pointing to a stretchmark.)
Yes Kairi. That's another booboo.
Mommy, is petty.
It's pretty?
Yes Mommy. And dat one and dat one and dat one and dat one and dat.....
Ok! I get it. Mommy's stretchmarks are pretty. And there's a lot of them.
silence for a moment
Mommy?
What Princess?
I like petty booboos. Kiss it?

Kairi kissed several of my pretty booboos while I desperately tried to not laugh from her ticklish kisses.

What a perspective she has though...I usually look at them as pesky unattractive marks. But they are a symbol of the things I went through while carrying both of my babies. And for that reason, they really are "pretty booboos".

Alex's First Haircut!

2008-11-05T10:16:00.001-06:00

Alex had his first haircut yesterday! :cry: When did my baby get so big?

Before (1 week ago):

After-- I took them with my phone so they're not amazing. I'll get better ones later.:

And I just realized that he's wearing the same shirt in the pictures. ;D

It's both an exciting and a sad day for our country

2008-11-04T21:36:00.006-06:00

*WARNING -- POLITICS TO FOLLOW! You probably won't agree with my statements. I'm certain that family will soon be calling to gripe at me for my thoughts. But these thoughts had to be posted somewhere and I have no censure hwere other than myself.*

I'm writing this long before a winner is declared in today's race, so no I'm not sad about the outcome. I may be by the time you read this, but as I write this, I'm not.

What I AM talking about is what both candidates mean for our history. Neither truly represent our Founding Fathers' values for our country. And I'm not talking about religion. I fully recognize that the majority of our "big name" Founding Fathers were deists. Instead, I am talking about their beliefs on government. They had a clear intent when they wrote the Constitution to provide the most freedoms to the average citizen as possible without infringing on the rights of others. This meant that the government stayed out of everyone's business, including their fiances, health, religion, etc. They made basic laws that prevented anarchy and supported unity among the states (primarily in order to prevent England or another country from trying to take back over) but they kept legislation from going farther than that.

Perhaps it was inevitable, as the nature of man is to always seek more power, but as time went on, future presidents and Congresses began to claim more and more and more power. But inevitable or not, that doesn't make it right. And due to that, in the truest form of being a Constitutionalist, I do not support anyone that continues to grow our government. Instead, in order to get back to the true nature of our government, in order to make it work the way it was supposed to, our government must decrease itself, significantly. Not that that will ever truly happen because no one wishes to shrink nor volunteers to fire themselves -- but it still should happen.

And by that measure, I have to say that neither candidate is a good choice. When I voted, I chose the one that I believed would grow us the least.

I do believe that it's important to vote. It's not a hopeless cause to strive to restore our country to the original intent. And it's something that we should teach our children about.

So I hope that today (or at least in this election) that you went out and voted. But in the end, I have to say that I'm sad for what it means when neither of our candidates truly represents the Constitution.

Pain Update

2008-11-02T15:03:00.003-06:00

I mentioned before that I've been in a bit of pain recently. I saw the doctor Friday morning. After the physical (I'll save you the gory details), we went over my bloodwork results.

First the good news:
I'm not diabetic.
My kidneys and liver are fine.
All my results look normal EXCEPT for the ANA (antinuclear antibodies) which is speckled 1:130. Anything more than 1:80 is considered positive. And I can't explain what the speckled means. I did all the research I can stomach and still don't understand it.

This means that I could have a variety of things. I'm not going to list them all. Lupus, RA, and EBV are on that list.

In the end, they drew 8 tubes of blood Friday morning, and I was told to schedule another appointment to go over the results.

I see the doctor November 14. I'll update when I know something.

2008-10-28T06:13:00.002-05:00

Saturday morning I made sure that we had an empty sd card because I knew we'd be busy. Yesterday when I went to upload them, I realized I had 261 pictures to upload! We went to the Air Show and to Spooktacular at the zoo with friends from church on Saturday, and Sunday we celebrated Alex's birthday because Chris has duty tomorrow.

Are you ready to see each and every one of them?

Nah, I won't do that to you. But here's several of them. :D

First, the air show. We can see more through the pictures than we could in real life. lol ... I love my camera.

Spooktacular -- Gary, Amy and Baby Garret; Heath, Kate and Carter; Chris, Kairi and Alex; and of course I was there as well.
(I'm adding in two more pictures as soon as I get photobucket to load. They are of Baby Garret.)

And finally, Sunday's celebration of Alex's birthday. Just as I asked Alex to come to me so that we could open presents, he stood up and started walking. I was glad I had the camera there to catch it on film. He also didn't understand why we were letting him rip the paper when Sister kept getting in trouble for it, so he was super hesitant to touch it. I threw in several pictures of Kairi with Chris because they melted my heart to see them together that night.

Pictures, finally

2008-10-23T19:40:00.001-05:00

I'm not adding pictures to the previous post (a few days back or so). Instead, I'll insert them here. It's just easier that way.

His shirt reads "Lock up your daughters" ;D

She was too busy "coloring" to smile for the camera. I tricked her into smiling in one of them.

The day before he started walking full-time!

Hair pics

She looks like she's three in this one. :'(

Meet Lauren. Moments before this picture she had decided to be my second Kairi. She pulled my purse off the kitchen island, opened my compact and decorated herself. I know it was her and not Kairi, b/c she had the majority of the makeup in her lap when I found them. Kairi held the blush.
Aren't they pretty? ;D

And finally, Kairi decided yesterday that hairbands are fun to wear afterall.

Picture post not happening....

2008-10-21T20:46:00.002-05:00

Not tonight at least. Lauren was super clingy this afternoon. She will probably be this way for a week or so and I'm ok with that. But that meant that there was no time to load pictures today.

Then we had to go grocery shopping. We didn't get home until 8:00. At which point I remembered that the kids had been up since 5:30am. They were exhausted, and who can blame them? I was exhausted and I don't need (quite) as much sleep as them.

Now groceries are put away, I'm about to do dishes, and then I'm collapsing in bed. I have to give blood tomorrow -- yuk -- so we have to be up by 6:30 so that we can be on base by 7:30. And I have to fast from now until then. Wish me luck........

Have a good evening! I'll be back tomorrow with pictures. At least, I hope so! :)

He Walked!

2008-10-21T08:50:00.005-05:00

I have a blog saved to post later. As in, when I finally get pictures and a video uploaded to photobucket. But in the meantime I needed to share:

Alex walked Sunday night! He's still not primarily walking, but he's going 15-20 feet at a time and then crawling when he gets tired of falling! WHO-RAY! He started at Lifegroup and has been practicing like crazy ever since!

Yesterday we started watching another little girl named Lauren. She's a sweetheart. She is 10 days younger than Alex but is already walking and speaks much more than he does. I'm hoping that their time together will spur Alex to action and that before long he'll be keeping up with her no problem! However, I never thought that another little one his age could make him look big since he's so small. But she's even smaller! I need to get pictures of them this afternoon side by side.

I'll be back this afternoon with pictures and the other post!

Isa Tea Pahty!

2008-10-18T11:56:00.001-05:00

My daughter is a fan of tea parties. I have no idea where she learned about tea parties from originally b/c I had never heard of such a thing at her age. But none the less I have drank 20+ cups of "tea" today. Each cup is apparently a new tea party.

And the funny thing is .... She doesn't really like tea!

:D

Diapers.com

2008-10-17T18:02:00.003-05:00

Diapers.com -- First of all, if you need something from there, I have a $10 off coupon for your first order from there!

My mom gave me money for Alex's birthday present. Money for 2 more BG's. I was super excited and knew that I could get free shipping from diapers.com if I spent $49. That is NO problem for me. lol

I ordered more of Kairi's diaper rash cream and wet wipes, a roll of diaper liners (in the hope that it's easier to deal w/ Alex poops), and the two new diapers. They were to arrive today.

At 6:41, they finally showed. I was starting to get worried!

I opened the box:
rash cream -- check!
wet wipes -- check!
diaper liners -- check!
bumGenius diapers -- ????
nursing pads??? -- how did I get NURSING PADS?

I had two boxes of nursing pads delivered to me. I checked the invoice, it read diapers. So I called them up.

My diapers will be here Tuesday, I get to keep the nursing pads (not that I need them), and they're giving me a $5 credit. All in all, I guess I came out on top. And I will definitely continue to use them. They had extremely fast shipping and they were super nice when I called about the shipping error. She apologized and quickly worked to make it right.

In the meantime, I can't wait to use the liners! No more spending 5 minutes a diaper trying to get the poop off! (Alex apparently has super sticky poop.) No more dunking diapers in toilets! Just peel and flush! In Kairi-speak: WHO-RAY WHO-RAY WHO-RAY!!!

The Sheriffi's Office visited me today

2008-10-16T09:31:00.001-05:00

I was changing Dash's diaper and looked up to see to see 2 strange men in my backyard!

I stuck my head out the door and asked what they thought they were doing. A guy on the other side of the fence stuck his head over and told me that they were surveyors inspecting the neighbor's house and trying to identify the property line. When I asked why I hadn't been informed that they would be in my backyard, he told me that they "didn't want to disturb you. You might have been asleep."

I call bullshit. It was almost 9am. You knock on the freaking door. If Tiger had been in the backyard she would have bitten them, and it would have been their fault. They opened my LOCKED gate.

They offered me a business card. I called the number and after way too many rings I got "This wireless costumer cannot be reached at this time. Please try your call again later."

So I locked the doors, turned on the alarm system and called the cops. The deputy showed up, and agreed that I needed to call. He did verify that the van in the neighbor's yard had the same name and logo as the business card, and that they had surveyor's equipment in it. But he also agreed that I needed to be careful since it was just me and three babies alone in the house. He then promised to talk to them.

I'm considering still trying to reach someone at the number listed on the business card and telling them what I thought about strange people being in my backyard unannounced. And I think I'm going to file a complaint with the BBB.

I'm still totally freaked out and refuse to turn off the alarm system for anything other than me going to change the laundry. *shudder*

Dear Sleep,

2008-10-15T22:08:00.000-05:00

I would kindly like to inform you that you shall NOT escape me tonight.

Sincerely,
Stephanie

Jacobe is doing better!

2008-10-14T12:30:00.003-05:00

I just wanted to update from HERE that Jacobe is doing MUCH better! He was able to go home last Friday! I started this post the day before he went home, so the news is a little late in coming, but at least I remembered to post it!

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Kairi is an ar-teest. :D

In the post linked above, I mentioned that Chris bought Kairi a doodle pad. She takes it everywhere and works very hard at forming shapes. Today on Yo Gabba Gabba the artist man (I can't remember his name) drew a fish, so she had me draw a fish and then she tried to copy it. She talked about drawing the tail and fins and the bubbles. She also has been big recently on having me draw (and then she copy) Bibles, apples, smiles, and cats with smiles, ears and hats. I am in no way artistically talented, but for now she's satisfied with it.

On another Kairi note, she does NOT appreciate my singing. Anytime I sing along w/ one of her shows or cds, I get told "No, Mommy, No. Hush Mommy. Don' sing." Then she covers my mouth to make me hush. Now, if it's a song that she has only heard ME sing, then that's fine. But apparently I am far too off pitch the rest of the time for her to appreciate my singing. LOL

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Picture will be added here of Alex walking later today. :)

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Kairi's hair goes into a pony tail! And picture proof will be added sometime today. Hopefully.

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This post was started a long time ago, but I needed to get it published. I'll add pictures and do a new post this evening I hope.

Part 2!

2008-10-11T17:23:00.001-05:00

The video is finally uploaded! YAY!

A long post.....

2008-10-11T11:22:00.003-05:00

I have so many things to update you all on, but first I need to ask for prayers.

First things first, please pray for Jacobe Paul Tanton. He was born Thursday, October 9. He's had many struggles since then and is now in the NICU. I'm not going into all the details at this moment, but this family is so very important to me. You can see pictures of their family HERE when we got to meet up with them at the Dallas Aquarium.

Please keep them in your prayers!

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Second, before I forget, Kairi has done several cute things recently that I wanted to record before I forgot about them.

~Without being asked, she's throwing her banana peels away every morning!
~She shares with brother EVERYTHING. If it's something that she's not supposed to share with him, then I have to just not allow her to have it.
~Yesterday she started finally connecting the word "name" with people/animals! She has always had a hard time understanding what the word "name" meant. That is a purely developmental task, which explains why it took her longer than others her age since she was premature. So it's exciting to see it click! :D
~Kairi now counts on a regular basis! She is fairly accurate when she does as well!

I know that there's others, but I can't remember off the top of my head.

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Chris had another medical appt recently. He officially does not have asthma. We don't know what specifically IS wrong, but as of yesterday, it's not asthma. He's having a ct scan soon. Hopefully we'll have more info after that.

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Alex has gone 2 weeks in a row without an ear infection!!! HURRAY HURRAY HURRAY! (Said like Kairi -- hooooo ray :D )

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Alex's first birthday present arrived recently! We were blessed with two more BG diapers! Thank you Nana and Papa!

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Chris has been taking Kairi on special trips "sopping". They go together to run whatever errands Chris has to run. She's such a happy person after having shopping time with Daddy. Every time she ends up w/ a special treat. Once it was a mouse pad. Another time it was gummy Life Savers. And today it was a Barbie Doodle Pro sketch pad! She is IN LOVE with the thing! She was so excited about it, that she laid down in the middle of the sidewalk to play with it some more before coming inside. LOL ... Silly girl!

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"Chuch peez!" Kairi ran up to me Thursday night screaming that she wanted to go to church. "Chuch peez! Chuch peez! Mommy peez! Go chuch now!" We had missed church the night before, and she obviously missed it so much that it was bothering her. She bawled when I told her that no one was at church that night.

I don't think that we'll be missing church again for a very long time....

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And whenever I get this video finally compiled, I'll post it. So look for Part II!

If you need ...

2008-10-09T07:11:00.002-05:00

A coupon code for ThanksMama.com (cloth diapers ... like the ones we're using on Alex ;) ) then email, call, comment, find a way to let me know and I'll send it to you! It's for 5% off all purchases.