I should finish my Florida post ...

Let's see, after we left Disney we drove to my cousins for a picnic that was really fun. He has 3 kids, and fantastic playroom that the boys loved. So we spent the afternoon there. Then on to spend the night with my parents at Uncle Bob's house. The boys were good until bedtime, of course. We did not have a pack-n-play, we were just going to make Evan a little bed on the floor and then put Nick in bed with us. Well as you can imagine, that was so easy!! Evan did not want to have anything to do with a bed on the floor, the screaming started. I was trying to get him settled, trying to do 6 loads of laundry and trying not to hit my mom over the head with a frying pan. I can type that in here, because she has no idea what a blog is. My mom and dad think that when Mike and I are around, Evan and Nick are the devil children. I wish I had a dime for every time my mom has said to me 'well, every time we put them down to sleep we never have a problem, they just go right to sleep.' Oh brother. And there is no use arguing with my mother because in her memory she raised 4 of the most perfect children on the planet. Now I can remember having lots of fighting and screaming and such going on at HER house, but per her, all of us were perfect. I wonder why then when I was about 5 and Dottie was 4 and we were, probably for the only time ever, fighting. And my dad was watching us, he took Dottie into the bathroom and because she was so little she could fit into the bottom of the linen closet, he put her in there and then flushed the toilet. He then opens the door because I was ready to punch her again or do whatever I was doing. And he calmly explained that he had flushed her down the toilet because he was sick and tired of hearing us fight. Now since I am 5 and Dottie was extremely little, I was convinced that he did just that. I started wailing. I don't remember for how long, probably until Dottie jumped out of the closet laughing. I think I jumped on her again and started punching away, I really can't remember, I was too traumatized. So we were so perfect! Anyway that was a fun evening. Finally around midnight Evan went to sleep in bed with Mike, Nick and I. A double bed no less. I picked him up and put him on the floor on his really cute little bed. When he woke in the morning he was under the night stand! We had a nice breakfast, no crying. Then loaded the mini van and started our drive to Sanibel. Mike will do all the driving and I will keep the boys from screaming. At around 12:30 things are getting dicey. I say to Mike, 'are you planning on a lunch stop?' He looks at me like I am crazy. 'No, I was planning on driving straight through.' ok, here we go. More animal crackers please. When we get to Sanibel, I make him stop for milk and some food to take to Scott and Sandy's house. As soon as we get in the store, there was this little woman giving out samples of bread I think, the boys took to them like they had not eaten in a month. We finally after 5 hours arrive at the house, YEAH. We had such a good visit. Christianna was so excited to see the boys and we were so happy to see her. She is becoming such a little lady. One of the first things I notice about the house, is new living room furniture, 3 pieces, very nice, very clean, will get back to that later. We were having a wonderful visit until Nicky got sick. Poor thing. He was down in his pack-n-play, I thought asleep. But I could hear Evan and Nick both crying out. I ran downstairs and as soon as I opened the door to our room, oh no. Poor little Nicky, there he sat, covered from head to foot. And Evan was standing up in his pack-n-play giving me a play by play. 'Nicky choked, Nicky choked mommy.' So that was a fun night. Then the next morning, Nick is in bed with Mike and I take Evan upstairs to get our day started. I sit him in the new chair with his milk while I get him some breakfast. I come around the corner and he is now sitting in it . . . all over the brand new chair. I about lost it right there. Not because Evan was covering in uck, but because Sandy's brand new chair was covered in uck. I yelled out to Scott for help. I actually was thinking that I needed to put something on the chair, so that it would not stain. I picked Evan up and moved him to a dry area and ran for clean towels. Poor Scott got caught in the mess, he was helping me clean it up like he did it. I thought about it later and he was probably like, what in the hell did I do to get and clean up this mess? We cleaned up the chair and Evan was just standing there the whole time staring at us, I felt so bad for him. What a mess. So of course later on in the day, I had to get it too. I'm not sure what it was, but not a fun day. Especially at someone else's house, not exactly where you want to be sick. We all survived though. But I lost a whole day. I was so mad. There I was laying in bed feeling like crap and I knew that it was so nice and sunny out. Nothing I could do though. The next day I felt fine, our last day of course. We made the most of it. Walked to the beach, went out to lunch at the Bubble Room, hung out with Christianna. We had a great time, just way too short.

Now we are home to the snow!!!!! The boys are napping right now. When they get up, I am putting them both in the tub for a long warm soak. And besides, they need to have different pj's on tonight when Mike gets home from work. They have been in the same ones since Monday!

Evan wants to go out in the snow, but it is just too cold for them. Next year for sure.

There is an Angel in New Buffalo ...

I swear there was just a real Angel in my driveway. You see, I was sitting at my computer, trying to convince myself to go out and shovel the 18 inches of snow out of the driveway, for my dear husband. I just thought maybe I will balance the checkbook one more time, or look through our Florida pictures one more time, then I will get right on that driveway. The boys are both napping, so mommy has tons on energy, right. So I am sitting here trying to think where are my snow pants, my boots, my warmest gloves and hat. And what do I hear, but the sweetest Angel sound you could imagine. It was a snowplow in my driveway! Not just any Angel but the most wonderful Paul Angel. This guy has been such a blessing to us this winter. Here is our house this morning. I am standing in the window with a hot cup of coffee, Mike took this before heading off to work. I had high hopes of taking the boys out today, but stuck my head outside and it is just still too cold. The boys are still not totally back to normal. I don't want them any sicker, trust me. So back to my Angel, what should I do for him? I want to send him something to let him know just how much I appreciate his generosity. I love this town, can you imagine having a snowplow Angel in Chicago?

Wow, we survived Florida or should I say ...

Florida survived us! We are back in the snow! UCK UCK UCK UCK UCK

Can I say that enough?

We had such a great trip. Where should I start? The boys were amazing on the flight down, truly amazing. They both were awake the whole flight, but no crying or screaming from either of them, what a relief for Mike and I.

Mike had reserved a mid-size car for us. Well lets see, one double stroller, 3 suitcases, 2 kids, 2 car seats, 2 adults, 4 carry on bags and we are going to cram all this stuff in a Pinto. After we waited 30 minutes for the second car seat, in the heat, in our long pants, without lunch, with 2 small boys, in a parking garage, I calmly suggested to Mike that maybe we should try and switch to a mini-van. I swear my husband has a good job and is really smart, but sometimes, he is such a guy. Like why would I want to get a bigger car when it will be so much more fun to try and cram all of this stuff into the arrangements that I have already made? The boys were being extremely good, especially since they had been surviving all day on animal crackers and water.

We spent almost 4 days at Disney, the weather was cool when we first arrived. But it was nice enough that we did not need gloves, boots, scarfs, 3 layers and a jacket. So I was able to deal with long sleeves for a few days. Mike had all his work stuff to do, so I decided that since I am a first time mom that I should take both the boys into the Magic Kingdom by myself! Before I had children if someone would have told me that they did that, I would have thought what is the big deal? But since I have become a mom, if someone told me that they did that, I would think I wonder what is wrong with that person? Well, I have become that person. I had the 150 lb double stroller, so that was a giant help. Nick of course fell asleep on the monorail and when we got into the park, Evan said that all of the rides were too scary. But that did not stop me! I quickly decided what we would love to go on. Woke poor little Nicky up and off we went. We went through the Winnie the Pooh ride first, which basically just was sitting in a giant honey pot and listening to Pooh music. After the ride was over, Evan told me it was scary. I can't wait until he is older and I can tell him what a little chicken he was. Since they were out of the stroller, we went on the Dumbo ride, with a 10 minute delay. As soon as we get in an elephant, the ride will not work. I am convinced they are going to go from elephant to elephant and ask our weight. I will then be removed from the ride, forced to get on a giant Disney scale for the whole park to see, to confirm that I actually do weigh 125. But that did not happen, so we just got to sit still for 10 extra minutes. Well, as still as you can get with 2 little ones in an elephant. They liked that ride, thank God. Then we went on the merry-go-round, loved that one. Then the 3d theatre was right there, so we ducked in. That was a long wait, 15 minutes, Evan wanted me to hold him the entire time. Everyone was looking at me, like I wonder when her husband is going to show up, he must have got held up in the bathroom? We finally get into the 3d show. I explain to Evan that he needs to wear these glasses, he puts them on no problem. The show starts, it was pretty cool. Nick did not wear the glasses. He was holding on to me so tight and he was probably watching the show with one eye open. Evan started breathing very heavy, I thought for sure he was falling asleep. All I could think was, how in the heck am I going to get both of these guys out of the theatre. Thankfully he was not asleep, just very excited. About 10 minutes into the show, he took off his glasses, too scary for him. After that show, since we had waited so long and Evan had examined every single thing on the floor, I ran them both to the bathroom. Trying to get some of the scum off of them. I knew there would be some germs at Disney, so I was trying to not be such a freak about it. Ok, I am fine. Then Evan wants to go on the Dumbo again, I can handle that. So we get back in line, no big deal, it says 3 minutes, that means 6. So we are standing there, I am holding Nick the entire time, thank goodness he only weighs 20 pounds. Evan is once again exploring the floor, I keep telling him no. Then he seems to be standing up-right for a time, so I am happy about that. Then I get in front of him and he has the hand rope that EVERY SINGLE GRIMY KID in Disney has had their hands/mouth on in HIS MOUTH. I thought I was going to lose it! OMG Fast forward to Evan, Nick and mommy getting sick in Sanibel! We made it through. I was so tired, we were getting ready to leave the park, and what did Evan spot. The train that goes around the park. My little Thomas guy had to ride the train. So we got on the train, that was a nice 20 minute ride. We sat as close as possible to the engine, so we could see all the smoke and such. He loved that. Then we walked back to the hotel. It was only a 7 minute walk. Or a 35 minute wait for the monorail and then the thought of getting the stroller on there, no thanks.

We arrived back at the hotel at 7, did a quick diaper change. Mike was in the room in 2 minutes telling me that the Lu-al started at 7:30. Oh boy! We made it. The boys crashed around 9, they were so tired, so was mommy.

The best part of the whole day was when we actually walked into the park. I know that the boys had no idea what a big deal Disney is, but I sure do. Here I am, pushing these beautiful boys down such a magical street and it feels like I am in a dream. Just one year ago at Disney, Evan and I were getting ready for breakfast when I received the call that were approved to go and pick up Nick, now here we are one year later walking into the Magic Kingdom. Tears were flowing for me.

I will post more late, I need to go to bed.

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

Just another fun day at the Messingers

Let's see what happened today in the house. Since it is 1 degree outside the boys and I have been camping inside. I think the gas in my car is probably frozen, can't remember the last time I actually drove it someplace. We have been staying close by the fireplace. The boys are currently watching The Polar Express, will Christmas ever end. But gotta tell you about my morning. I had to be on-line at exactly 11:20 this am, per instructions from my husband. I needed to print out our boarding passes. So I call my sister at 11, we are chatting away, well then Evan starts yelling about something. I swear all I have to do is scratch my ear, and he thinks I am on the phone, so he needs my undivided attention. So I am trying to quiet him down while still on the phone with my sister, not wanting to ruin her hearing, I say I had better get off the phone and deal with Evan. I get off the phone lecture him for yelling at me while I was on the phone; tell him that it is not polite. I swear I am gonna beat that word into head if it is the last thing I do! Anyway, he tells me very casually that he has a dirty diaper. Ok, it is now 11:10 I can change a diaper and be on-line at 11:20. I pull off his pajamas, yes he still has his pajamas on, it's not like we are leaving the house, why get another set of clothes dirty. The cleaning lady/laundry lady doesn't come this week, RIGHT! So when I un-zip him, there is no diaper. Oh I know this trick; the diaper comes off, then gets pushed all the way down the pant leg of the pajamas, where it rests. All I can say is Thank God he had on footed pajamas! The diaper was not just wet. Oh brother. So I access the situation. I can just re-zip him and wait for daddy to come home, I can throw him in the tub or I can have a drink, but wait it is 11:15. Oh yeah, I have to be on line at 11:20! So I put on my rubber gloves and then undress Evan, not a pretty site. All the time trying to keep Nick clear of everything. Take him into the tub, run about 1/2 inch of water and put him in. He tells me that it is cold. And I note brown. I tell him that he has to say 'Twas the night before Christmas' poem for me. I figure if I can hear him talking I will know that he is not drowning. Just give me the Mother of the Year award right now! So I run to the computer with Nick on my lap. Get on the website and print out our boarding passes. Don't get the lowest numbers in the world, but we are fine. The whole time I am talking to Evan, so that I know he is above the 1/2 inch of water. When I finish I take Nick in to get him out of the tub. When I round the corner, Evan is laying down in the tub. My freaking heart stops for a split second. Then I hear Evan say, 'now dash away, dash away, dash away all'. He was lying down because there was no water in the tub and he was trying to keep some of his body wet I guess.

Just a normal morning at the Messingers! Sorry I don't have pictures to post.

Can hardly wait for the lines at the airport, the hauling of the bags, the delayed flights (it is snowing right now), the actual flight, the glares from people traveling without 2 small boys, the screaming when their ears are popping, how much further can I go? Really looking forward to some sunshine, but not the trip.

Mike and I are flipping a coin in the morning to see who gets Nick on their lap! Evan gets his very own seat, hopefully we can get him seated behind another kid, one who won't mind his seat being kicked for 2 hours!

I think I served breakfast too late today ...

Well, I am finally trying to get back into a routine, if that is what you call what I do around here. After being gone for 5 days, I am out of sorts. I arrived home on Saturday around 5, I was so happy to see my boys and my wonderful hubby. I was in bed by 9 that evening. Then the next day we had a Superbowl party, because we have to have a party if there is football on the TV. That night I was in bed by 10.
Then Monday it was really foggy outside, but it was even foggier inside! I was exhausted. I moved from one sofa to the next, doing nothing. I let the boys watch a video in the guest room, just so I could keep them both on the bed and I could drift off! Last night the boys went to bed at 8:30, I was in bed at 8:31.

Today is a new day!

I got up and worked out, that always makes me feel better. Came home, actually took a shower today, did 2 loads of laundry, unpacked my suitcase, put everyone's clean clothes away and straightened up the upstairs. Then the boys and I finally headed downstairs for breakfast. Since I am such a wiz in the kitchen, today they were having oatmeal and kiwi. Kiwi on the side, they both love it. Anyway, as I was slaving over the stove to make oatmeal, Nick wants more milk. Evan proceds to hide his sippy so that he cannot get to his milk. I see all this going on even as I am whipping up their delicious breakfast. So I put Evan in a time out. Time outs are so much fun at my house. Now that he is 3, he has to sit still for 3 minutes, which seems more like 30 minutes. He is told over and over that time outs do not start until he is done screaming. I am trying very hard to get the screaming under control. His and mine. Anyway, he finally gets through his time out. I always need to have a talk with him after, so that he knows why he has been sitting. I know he forgets, because he screams for so long and then he forgets. And normally he is taking a time out for something that he did to Nick, and before his time out if over Nick is taking him toys and playing with him. So this is the conversation we had.

Me: Evan you can get up, your time out is over.
Evan: Ok mommy.
Me: Evan do you know why you were taking a time out.
Evan: No mommy. (as sweet as can be)
Me: You were taking a time out because you hid Nick's milk.
Evan: Ok mommy.
Me: You had to sit there longer because you were screaming. Time outs do not start until you are quiet. Do you understand that?
Evan: Ok mommy.
Me: You need to not scream anymore, that just makes you have to sit longer and it is not polite. Do you know what polite means?
Evan: I don't know mommy.
Me: It means you have to be nice. Especially when you are at somebody's house. Next week we will be at somebody's house and you cannot scream there.
Evan: Nicky too, and daddy and you?
Me: Yes, we will all be at their house and you cannot scream there. Do you understand?
Evan: Maybe they will have some food too?

I think I waited to long to feed them breakfast today!

We are back at it today. We are meeting some MOPS moms at McDonald for lunch. Then I have the wonderful treat of grocery shopping.

Maybe tonight, I will start looking for clothes to pack for the boys. I can hardly wait to climb aboard that plane with 2 little boys!