Santa is almost here

Took this picture the other day in front of our tree, wanted to get a good photo of the boys before Nick knocked it over. He has not done it yet, but sure he is going to sooner or later. He is my wild child. Today I was trying to catch up on laundry, don't know why I ever try to catch up, I am always 6 loads behind. Anyway, I was upstairs and Evan was not feeling so hot, so he was watching Clifford in my room and Nicholas was trying to peel the paint off the walls in my room. So since Evan is not up and moving, Nick decides that he needs to bother him. He starts throwing anything he can get in his hands at Evan. So after 4 time-outs, I am sweating profusely (don't even start to talk to me about freaking hot flashes) and ready to take laundry downstairs to fold. I tell the boys to follow me downstairs, well that is not to Nick's liking. So he stands at the top of the stairs and throws anything in arms reach DOWN the stairs. I have a little bookcase at the top of the staircase, so everything on it is down the stairs. I march upstairs and tell him that he is taking a time out in his crib. He is crying the whole time. It is now 9:30 AM! So in his room he goes. He screams for about 15 minutes, then gets quiet, I figured maybe he went back to sleep. I am doing who knows what downstairs. Then I start hearing noises that do not make sense. I go up to his room, he is trying to turn on the sound machine in his room. He has climbed out of his crib. HOLY CRAP! So I give him this big lecture, I'm sure he heard, blah, blah, blah. Put him back in the crib, I want to see how he got out. As soon as I am out the door, he is yelling and just hikes his leg over and out he goes. Like he has been doing this for months. Probably has been, in the middle of the night, coming down and making PB&J sandwiches, that's who is making the mess in my kitchen! So we get to nap time, both boys are somewhat sick, so they go down with out too much fight, right. Evan wakes from his nap and does his normal 'eek, eeek, eeek', that means he is awake and I yell up the stairs that is ok for him to come downstairs. He usually has to put his pants back on (another story) find his socks and Hop and then he comes down. Of course, talking the whole way, and always waking up Nick. We put Evan in a toddler bed at 2 years, one of those that is 4" off the floor, partial rail, easily he can climb out, but he DOESN'T. Who knows why, I tell everyone that will listen, well aperately Evil Knievel has been listening, because his crib is a jungle gym! Anyway, so today, Evan gets downstairs and then I hear Nick yell out 'mommy.' Now yesterday, I would have let him holler a minute or two, or thirty and then gone up and gotten him out of his crib. But today, I was talking to Evan about going up to get him, when Evan says, 'hey look mom, Nick.' And there he is ... Hi mom, he says. OMG, my easy days are over.

Well, it is 9:00 now, and Mike has put both boys to bed. After a 45 minute time out with Nick, he threw a banana at Evan. I swear that guy is going to be the best little left handed pitcher in Michigan. He can wind up and pitch something so fast, and he normally hits his target. Most of his time-outs are for throwing things. Things at Evan, things at the wall, things at the ceiling.

And everywhere I go, always, people will smile at me, when I have my hands full of whatever and one of the boys is not happy, they always say, 'oh those are the days I miss.' REALLY? I can't even imagine those days ... really ... but I don't want them to end either. People always say, 'wait 'till your kids are driving.' Is that different than a Hot Wheels being hurled at my head????

And then I wonder, how come I didn't blog today? I love my boys, I love my boys, I love my boys . all 3 of them.

Some December fun.

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The boys are still napping!!!! Trying to do some catching up.

Thanksgiving

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We had a great Thanksgiving this year! Thanks to my sister and her hubby for hosting. She had 59 people at her house throughout the weekend, it was crazy at times, but always fun. Besides all the good food, the laughter was the best. I think my favorite time was playing cards with all the cousins, even though I did not know the rules! And then mom, Aunt Sylvia, Uncle Milt and Cathy on the piano, that was a highlight. I wish that was on tape!

Mom and dad always keep the boys when we go to Wabash. It is a special treat for Mike and I and I think my parents enjoy their time alone with the kids, I sure hope so! We left early on Sunday morning, well about 11. Had lunch someplace along the way, the boys then both fell asleep. They were beat!

Now making plans for Christmas!!!!

Messinger Adventures

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I have not been able to post in some days. Busy with school, snow, MOPS, friends, whatever.

Mr. Smarty pants told me yesterday at breakfast that he could not eat with the spoon that says Nicholas on it, he needs to use the one that says Evan. Soon Mike and I will not be spelling, trying to get away with things. Maybe I will have to learn pig Latin. He loves his Thomas computer, the one Rocky is trying to figure out in the pictures!

Need more coffee.

Election Day 2008

Election Day 2008

The boys were so excited, I took them to MOPS and they told all the ladies that they were going to go vote today. I dressed them in stars and striped shirts, they looked so darn cute!! We voted in 2 seconds, no line at all, that was nice. Then went for ice cream for a treat. We were able to walk all day, what a beautiful day.

I was telling Evan that he is living in a very important time in history. I said that when he was older it would be something that he could tell his kids. He just kinda looked at me, then said 'why don't we just get more kids?' RIGHT He decided that 2 more boys would be good and we would name one Evan Michael and the other one Barack.

Halloween 2008

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GOTCHA Day

I haven't posted in forever! What have we been up too? I don't have a clue, but it has kept me very busy. These pictures were taken on 9-23-08, Evan's Gotcha Day. Gotcha Day is adoption lingo for ... "the day we arrived in Guatemala and we Gotcha." One of the very happiest days of my life. I told Evan the story over and over that day, he wanted to hear everything. And now that I have been a mom for 3 years, I can actually tell him without crying my eyes out! That first year he was home, I swear all I had to do was look at him and I was a crying mess. We celebrated his day with cupcakes and a Thomas train washer, notice the fancy wrapping on my part! He was more excited with the Thomas book that comes inside the washer thing, he knows all of his Thomas' and likes to name them over and over. He is such a sweet kid. I always put him in bed at night, it's such a great time of day. He is not moving 100 miles an hour and he is very talkative, he figures the more he talks the longer I will keep him company. We tell a couple of Thomas stories, his always end with a crash and his favorite, 'apply the brakes.' We say a little prayer and then go through every one's name in the family, and any bugs we caught for the day, or anything else that seems important to a 3 year old. Lately after I kiss him goodnight and close his door, he always says one last 'I love you mommy.' Every time I just want to go back into his room and hug him. I am one lucky Mommy!

I love your pieces!

I walked to school to pick Evan up today. We were talking about what he did at school and such, just walking along. He looks up to me and says, 'mom, I love your pieces,' I said you do? 'Yes', he says, 'that is what Grammie always says, I love your pieces.' I think he was trying to say, 'I love you to pieces.'

Thing 1 and 2

Had to post again another picture of Thing 1 and 2. This was taken right before we left for MOPS today. They looked so cute. In the 20 minute drive to MOPS I kept telling them about how much fun they were going to have and did they remember this school from last year, so when we got there, they both went right into their separate classes, no problem at all. Since today was the first day, there was this kiddy carnival planned with popcorn, games, juice boxes and all sorts of fun. So I pick up Evan in his room, he is ready with his tickets, then we go to Nick's room. I can see the teacher has him on her lap and he has his tickets in his hand, they must have told him that I was coming. He had these giant teardrops in his eyes, the teacher said to him 'see I told you mommy was coming back'. He runs for me and turns back to her and says 'thank you, bye', and the whole time he is trying not to cry. It was so precious. He has the best manners, even when he is mad. He will be crying about something and when I finally give in, he will just give me this 'thank you', like it's about time.

Evan is doing great on the poop front! I am so happy to say. I have never been so consumed with someone going to the bathroom. But I think he has it down, he will go #1 by himself and #4 with help. This is all that I have been able to think about lately. I was telling the next door neighbor about him going to school and how much he liked it and we got on the subject of potty training. She wanted to know how often he goes, she meant pre school of course. But I was thinking poop, so I was giving her his whole BM schedule. I finally notice this odd look on her face, holy crap. I'm a girl, we are not consumed with all the sounds and funny things that come out of our bodies, girls don't even toot. So with Evan and all the questions and the explaining constantly, I am consumed with poop.

He didn't even cry!

Well it happened, my little guy went to school today. He was so excited. I had a neighbor watch Nick, in case Evan cried or threw a fit. Not needed, he did not even shed a single tear, guess he was ready. I dressed him all in Thomas, his favorite and off he went. He did want to drive the car today though. I told him that he would have to drive from the backseat. They need to wear tennis shoes to school, in case they play outside. He has lived in his crocs all summer long. So today when he put on regular shoes, he came downstairs and told Mike that he had gotten new shoes for school! I hope he always stays that easy, he has had the Thomas shoes since last summer!

I can't believe that this little person who has been my shadow for so long, is not at my side saying 'read me a book'. I can't wait to get back to the school and pick him up, he will have so much to tell me.

I actually went to Curves today!

Now that summer is over and I will not be hanging out in my bathing suit everyday, I thought I would start back at Curves! Last time I was there was June 5! No wonder I feel like a big fat cow.

Now out to Pizza Hut for lunch!

How did this happen so fast?

How can it be?

We just came home from pre-school orientation for Evum!

When did he get old enough for school?

When did he get potty trained? He loves to tell EVERYONE that he can now poop in the toilet!

When did all of this happen?

Here is a picture taken of him tonight, sitting on Daddy's lap reading a Thomas book. We had just gotten back from school and he was hungry, wanted a PB&J sandwich and milk. He did wear clothes to school, but I made him get undressed to eat, I do enough laundry everyday! This other picture was taken of him at 5 months in Guatemala. It is still one of my favorites of him, he looks so Evan! I thought for sure he would be going through a dozen eggs and a loaf of bread every morning, but he has slimmed down quite a bit. Could be my cooking, nah!!

Today we went to MC to buy supplies for NB, diapers .. but only for Nick, YEAH. So we are at a stop light and there are these motorcycles next to us, so I say to the boys look at the big bikes. One of the guys has a doo-rag thingy on his head, whatever you call those things. Evan looks at him and says, 'he must be going to a pirate ship'. Then we get to the giant grocery store and I am letting both of the boys walk, so Evan is 10 feet in front of me and Nick is just lumbering along, ho-hum. So I get a cart and can still see Evan while Nick just kinda walks around the corner. Well I figure no big deal, he NEVER walks fast. So when I come around the corner all 28" of him has disappeared. I just say 'Nick, where are you', trying to not sound alarmed. Well then 3 seconds have gone by and all of the racks are high and no sight of my little guy. So I say in a much louder voice, 'NICK, NICK, NICK', trying not to totally freak Evan out. I turn around and still no Nick. I see this clerk about 50 feet away, I was just about ready to tell her to do a lock down on this entire store because I can't find my little boy, when he just kinda wanders out from 'somewhere'. Totally freaked me out. I told Mike he was only out of my entire sight for 5 seconds max, but I was ready to shut down the store. Can't imagine if something really scary would happen.

Just thought of something on a lighter note, as I have my little Nicky on my lap as I try to type. We were walking over to the school tonight and my wonderful husband the brain surgeon was telling me a story that happened at work today. It still makes me laugh. He was talking about somebody talking about what their kid learned in kindergarten and the kinds of paperwork they send home for the kids to do. So Mike the brain surgeon tells this guy that Evan can already read! What the heck are you talking about? Mike actually thought that Evan could read, because Evan has so many of his books memorized. OMG, how funny is that?

On a much lighter note, I just noticed that the new shirt I wore to school tonight is not buttoned up in the back. I bet the other moms are still talking about it. Holy crap. I was worried about Evan wetting his pants, and I am half dressed for his new teacher. Thank goodness this is NB!

Gotta get these guys to bed.

Nick is 2!!

Nicholas is 2! And I am finally posting again, we have been so busy, can't imagine if I had a job, would I get anything done??

We had a great party for Nicholas, had to have a Thomas the Train party for him, even though we did the same thing for Evan. Poor little guy will be following in Evan's footsteps for everything, but I guess that is an advantage of having a big brother. We had 12 kids and I lost count of the adults, but I think a good time was had by all. I figured since this house is covered with toys and Nick does not have a clue yet, that we would ask for donations for a needy Guatemalan family instead of more toys. I think it went over great, our guests donated over $300.00!!! I think that is great! I received a very nice thank you from the site www.mayanfamilies.com, $300 goes a long way in Guatemala. Maybe some of it will be used for the family of the little girl that didn't get to grow up in Mayberry. I swear even on my craziest days, which are many, I would still open our home to another Guatemalan angel. But don't let me go there, too depressing. My mom and dad are the best! They gave Nick a check for $50, and in my dad's gruffest, sweetest voice said, 'we are giving him $50 like we do every birthday, you can do with it what you want'. Too funny. If you go to the site, they are posting Nick's picture. She said it would be on by tomorrow.

Mike and the boys walked to the store to get MORE milk. We need to get a cow for the backyard. I swear, these guys drink 1/2 gallon everyday! So we are constantly at the store, oh well, it's good daddy time. Today we caught a caterpillar in the back yard. Evan is all about bugs. We have a giant wasp that is sleeping in the kitchen, that they like to look at. We have a cricket that is actually still alive after 3 days. They have it in this little container and they love to carry it around the house and then show it to everyone who comes over, poor little bug. Then today the caterpillar, it is kinda cool looking. I did a search on the web to see what kind it is and what it would eat, I did not realize there were so many different kind of 'pillars. Evan named him Cal, so we will see how long he lasts. It is always an adventure in the back yard. I told Mike that we used to have fun in the hot tub out there, now we are collecting bugs and playing in the sand box! Oh well, I love it!

Evan's potty training is going great, thanks to my mom. She potty trained him while Mike and I were having fun in Mexico. But he does not like to go #4, that's what he calls #2. So I am dealing with that, but the peeing is a breeze. And he has a million penis questions!!! Everyday, every minute ... and he constantly has to remind me that I do not have one. Lots and lots of questions!

Gotta run, I hear them coming in the back door. Time for dinner!

Potty training??

Well I kinda attempted the potty training thing. We were outside and they were in the sandbox in their diapers, then Evan's diaper just suddenly came off, that is how he puts it. So then they were naked and I talked Evan into going to the bathroom outside, I thought maybe if he could see what was going on ... who knows? Anyway, after he did go, he was very excited, then he wanted big boy underpants on. So I let him pick out what he wanted to wear, he picked Batman. Even though we have Thomas underwear, kinda weird for my totally Thomas boy. Maybe he did not want to get Thomas dirty! So of course, then Nick has to have underwear on too, they were hanging off of his little body! The boys decided it would be fun to get the sand all wet and then throw it all over themselves, so that is what they did. They love to come into the house still wet, so my house is always full of sand. I'm going to replace my dining room table with beach chairs!


Oh well, my house is never clean! Every window has finger smudges starting at about 3 foot and down. Yesterday I was on the couch trying to just relax for 5 minutes before I went to get my pedicure, ha. Anyway, I told the boys 'just play with your trains and let mommy lay here on the couch for 10 minutes.' All was good for about 5 minutes, I was dreaming about Donny Osmond, when I heard what sounded like a big bird hitting the window. They sometimes do that, and then they kinda fall asleep outside the window, so we have to remove them quickly. So I hear this big noise and I get right up, both the boys are standing right there by the french doors and Evan says that there is a bee in the house. So I look at what he is pointing at, it is a fly, rather large, but not a bee. I look down at them and ask them what that loud sound was, Evan says calmly, 'Nicky threw his sippy cup at the bee.' Thank goodness he was not playing with one of his dump trucks at the time. Geez!

Garage sale bargins

We had our big garage sale last weekend, well actually it was a drive way sale, because we do not have a garage, but it is over!!! What a lot of work. We found these 2 hats somewhere, so the boys had to model them for me. I did not get rid of any of there clothes or toys yet, too hard to do. I figure next year I will have a big boy sale and just go through all of their stuff and clean house.

Well today we off on a bunch of errands, getting ready for Nick's 2nd birthday party this weekend. I cannot believe that he is 2 already!! He is trying to talk. I can actually understand when he says some stuff, he and Evan were having a little conversation about a train the other day, and I loved it. He definitely knows, 'Nope'.

Little side note.

I was talking to my parents yesterday, my mom says to me, 'ok your dad and I have a question?' oh boy, this should be good. (of course, they were on the speaker phone and both talking at once, they could be on Seinfeld) I had sent Nick's birthday invite with a website for Mayan families that you can donate to, instead of filling our house up with more toys. So I put a little picture of Nick on the form and an American flag and a Guatemalan flag. So mom thinks that we just picked a random boy out and sent a picture of him. Dad thinks the picture is of Nick. Dad is right. Now the really scary part, they are watching both the boys when Mike and I take a little trip later this month! I hope they remember that the boys are at their house!

Oh brother! And they tell me not to worry!!!

Today at the beach.

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We have been going to the beach for the last couple of days. The weather has been wonderful and the beach is beautiful. Although Evan calls it the pool all day long. Today we went with a friend and her 4 year old daughter, the boys had a blast. I packed peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, apple slices, water and some candies. Evan wanted candy as soon as we arrived at the beach, because as he says 'I have been sooo good.' Then we got around to the apple slices, the PB&J were last. Nick just carries it around the beach and by the time he eats it, it has to be crunchy! I didn't even put a suit on Nick today, he does not like the water at all. Today the waves were not too bad, but it still took Evan several hours to warm up to them, then of course it is time to go and he says no. We walked along the beach and Nick walks up in the soft sand, to make sure he does not get a foot wet. I lather them with sunscreen before we leave the house, maybe that is why so much sand sticks to their bodies, either that or the somersaults they were doing. It's a long haul down to the beach with 25 things to carry, and we have to get by the poison ivy. But at least I do not have to carry either boy down the 75 steps, they do great there. As soon as we hit the sand, Evan's Crocs are off and he is running. I am sweating my ass off and trying to find a spot to unload 25 lbs of stuff. Nick just lumbers along, no hurry to get close to the water. They are covered from head to foot most of the day, I don't even try to rub the sand off of them. When I picked Nick up today it was like a giant luffa! Well, not giant he only weighs 21 lbs. My baby boy is turning 2 tomorrow, how did that happen.

Enjoy the pics, I sure enjoyed taking them.

Nick at the beach

This was taken yesterday at the beach in NB. Nick won't get near the water, but he loves the sand. Evan on the other hand, will not get out of the water!

Going back today.

Nick turns 2 tomorrow!!!

How did that happen??

Summer haircuts

The boys were starting to look very shaggy, so I figured it was time again for a 'mommy haircut'. So after dinner we headed to the backyard. I supplied the boys with some bite size Oreos and mommy had a big glass of wine. I started with Evan, he is easier, he will sit just a little longer and sometimes he will actually listen to me when I threaten to take all of his Thomas toys away. He looked pretty good when he was done.

Now the tiger is up.

Nick hates to have his hair cut, combed, washed ... anything! He looks like a big sheep dog. He has so much hair, it it very thick and he has 4 cowlicks in the back, so it always lays kinda funky. You can see in the picture with him, he has a cookie clutched in his hand and mommy is bleeding. When I was cutting Evan's hair, he moved or jumped or something and I cut my hand, hence the blood. All worked out fine in the long run.

It is the end of June already

I am so behind.

These pics were taken 6-21-08. We went to Grand Rapids to an adoption festival. The boys had an absolute blast. There were so many kids there and all kinds of activities. We took these photos as they were running down the hill. They had on their matching Guatemala t-shirts, and their hair was wild as you can see. We ran into a couple that we met in G while we were on our visit trip with Evan, that was nice.

Then the second round of photos are in the back yard eating ice cream with Grandma Doe. They LOVE ice cream, can you tell. Grandma Doe was here for 6 days, that is why I am so behind. But this week ... I promise ... I will be back on track!

What a great weekend!

We had such a nice weekend, didn't take any pictures to post, but I can tell you all about it.

Started out at 5 PM Friday night, I was headed outside to plant some flowers when Mike came in the house and said that I had better take a shower, we were having guests over at 5:30! Thank God the house was semi clean! I rushed to shower and bathe the boys, get them dressed and back downstairs. I was still sweating when we sat down for dinner at 8. Had a great meal, Mike fixed everything, I just drank yummy sangria, so healthy. We sat outside until it threatened rain, then inside for more drinks and food. Had a great evening!

Saturday morning, we were up and picking up the house and doing laundry. The laundry that I was supposed to do the night before! Anyway, got out of here around 11:30, went to Wabash. They were having their annual Strawberry Fest, yeah. So we went to Diane's store and just sat around. Fed the boys crackers and strawberry cookies for lunch, I am such a good mom! Then we got invited to be in the strawberry parade. So we had to dress up like strawberries and ride in this giant strawberry float. No just kidding. We rode in the back of an antique pick up truck with some friends and threw candy to all the screaming kids along the parade route. Evan could not figure out why we were throwing candy out instead of eating it! It was 100 degrees and we were in the back end of a 'old' truck without a canopy, it was hot. I kept waiting for the truck to break down and then we would be pushing it through the parade! We survived, sugar and all.

Then that night Dimitri had his final dance recital. It was so wonderful. They did a special tribute to Dimitri because it is his senior year. I loved it! He is such a good singer, dancer, actor, everything. His stage presence is amazing. Lots of tears were shed, but I was bursting with pride. I can't even imagine how Diane and Conrad must of felt! Dimitri is such a great kid and so grown up, now he is off to college. And so handsome! Wow, watch out ladies, here he comes!

Sunday we played golf with my dad for Father's Day. The weather was perfect, the company was perfect, it was a great day. Diane played golf for only the second time ever, and she sunk a 35 foot putt!! We played a scramble and beat the guys, yeah for the girls and dad. Then we went back to mom and dad's and ate, and ate, and ate. Mom made her fried chicken, it is so good. I have tried about 7 times to make it like hers, mine usually gets a 'good try honey' from Mike, but it never gets eaten. Oh well, keep trying. We had cake and presents for my birthday and Father's day. Nice day all around. Then we got in the pool. Evan loves the water, so that is a no-brainer. Nick is not such a fan, he just wanders around the outside of the pool. I got in finally, it was so nice. We talked about spending another night, but we decided to head back, it is always so nice to wake up in your own bed after a big weekend.

We watched the weather station and knew that we would be headed into some bad weather, it was really bad. Evan fell asleep as soon as we got into the car. When we got into the really bad part of the storm, I looked back at Nick, his eyes were as big as saucers. I was trying not to puke myself, now I am riding backwards looking at him, trying to sing silly songs about the rain. I was very happy when we were out of the clouds.

So happy to be home in Mayberry. When I put Evan down last night, I was just looking at him and thinking how lucky I was. Here today is my birthday and Father's day and we had such a wonderful time, we are so fortunate. So I read Evan his book, then just sit there and talk a little bit with him. He is fiddling with my watch, no big deal. So I look at him and say, 'do you know what?' He just looks up at me with those giant brown eyes. I say "I love you so much.' He looks at me and says 'I love you wots mommy.' I am so happy, I say to him that I love him lots too. He says, 'no mommy I love you wots.' I tell him that I love him lots too. He says very strongly, No Mommy, I love your wots' and he points to my watch! Oh, true love!

Now I need to get back outside and plant my flowers!!

HOW TRUE!!

Is it Monday already

These were taken over the weekend. We were very busy outside when it was not raining. But the good rains are great for our new front yard. We finally have grass!

How Ironic.

I was at the kitchen table having a bowl of french vanilla ice cream when the UPS man delivered my 'makes you look one size slimmer swimsuit.'

So I put the suit on and had more ice cream!

Of course, I was only eating ice cream because of the boys!!

Last year at this time ...

Here we are a year ago, look how little Nick is. I was showing off my new double stroller!!!! We have put a lot of miles on this stroller, all over town. When both the boys are in it, is weighs about 95 pounds to push. So I always ask Evan if he wants to walk when we are on the way home, because it is all up hill. And mommy is always pooped by then!

Have a good Friday.

Thing 1 and Thing 2

Happy Monday!

Thing 1 and Thing 2 are much better, but Thing 2 is still having some 'issues'. Less frequent, but still there. They just received these new shirts from Ra-ra and Don, we love them! The shirts, the boys and Ra-ra and Don!!

Both boys are on daddy's lap, yeah for mommy!!!

Dinner is almost done, it's chicken ... AGAIN!!!!!

OMG

I have washed my hands 80 times since last post. Poor Nick. Poor mommy.

All I can say is that I am so thankful I left Nick in his zip up pajamas this morning. Evan announced to me that Nick was going to the bathroom. Nick was just kinda standing there. I choose to walk him into the changing room, good decision on my part. I put a towel down on the bed, I must have had this bad look on my face. As soon as I unzipped Nick's pj's he says, 'oh no'. No kidding! I have found that in my new role as a mom, that I have not read enough about baby natural disasters. I just kinda looked at him, like how in the heck are we going to handle this one. Let's see, daddy won't be home for hours (he can't smell remember), it is too early to drink, what to do? I just took him into the tub, took of his pj's in there. Evan says when we first go in to the bathroom, 'can I take a bath too?' Then when I take off the pajamas, he says 'on no.' Poor Nick.

This will be good for my diet today, I don't have an appetite at all. I've got my Dr. Spock book out, seeing what I have to look forward the rest of the day.

I spoke too soon ...

We are staying close to home today.

Nick now has another problem.

I'm sure all you moms can figure it out.

I'm not sure which is worse, this or the vomiting????

I think I smell another one ....

Nicholas is all better!

Today is a new day. Evan is reading 'Goodnight Moon' to Nick. YEAH.

Yesterday both boys were really sick. Evan started in the morning when we were still upstairs, told me that he felt funny. Sure enough he was. Got him almost to the toilet. Then Nick went down for his nap at 1, about 1:30 he was crying. I went up to check and when I opened the door, oh brother. He was just sitting there like help. I didn't even know where to start. I grabbed new pj's and brought him downstairs. Got him cleaned up in new jammies. Went and sat on the couch with him in my lap, I did not have a towel with me, big mistake! He started in again. Back to the bathroom, let him finish, he was crying the whole time. Now he is just in a diaper and wrapped in a fresh towel. Back to the couch, here he goes again. That went on until about 4:15. He was so tired, he kept trying to fall asleep and then he would wake up to yak.

I was scheduled to go to yoga at 3:30 and then a Planning Commission meeting at 7. I called the babysitter at 3 and told her that we would not be going to yoga and I would not need her for babysitting later. Luckily I had purchased pedilite just last week, so I was able to give Nick small amounts of that, but he just brought them right back up. Around 6:45 he started making noises and would actually get off my lap to grab a train, I knew we were on the way to recovery. At 7, the phone rings, I figure it was Mike after his long hard day on the golf course. It was someone from the Planning Commission meeting, asking if there was any way I could make the meeting. You have to be kidding me! I told her that I have been dealing with 2 sick kids all day, she didn't seem to mind. Offered to come over and watch them, so that I could go to the meeting. Now picture this, I have not showered yet today, I am sure that I have more than one vomit splatter on my Stray Dog sweatshirt, I can't remember if I brushed my teeth this morning, or my hair, and she wants me at a meeting. Holy Crap! Needless to say, I did not go. Now you might wonder the urgency in this meeting? Well we are reviewing the site plan for the new dog park! For everyone who knows my love of animals, that is not the way to get me out of the house, not even if I were vomit free.

So we are hanging at the house today, just hanging!

My handsome guy!

Tonight Evan and I went to the Spring Fling. My mom got this jacket for Evan just last week, so it was perfect timing for the big dance. He looked so sweet. When I got him dressed tonight, he told me that he looked distinguished! Gordon from Thomas the Train, always looks distinguished, I think that is where he got that from. Anyway, he was so sweet. I got him all dressed up and told him that Nick was going straight to bed when we left, because I knew if he knew that Nick was going to be digging in the dirt, there would be no way I would get him to a dressed up function! So he was excited to go. He was very shy when we first arrived, although there were hardly any other people there. Anyway, after 3 rice crispy treats and a brownie, he would not get off the dance floor. I felt like I was right back in high school, he was trying to drag me out to dance, and I was pressed up against the wall. He got warm dancing (running in circles) took off the jacket, shirt was un-tucked, he tried to take off his shoes, he was having a blast. Now he is sound asleep, no fighting tonight! Way tired.

A couple of girls came up and tried t get him out on the dance floor, he wanted to stay with mom. What a smart boy! We had a great time!

Happy Day.

Here is Nick having his breakfast. We are headed out for a picnic today, hope the weather holds out for us.

Make it a great day! The boys like to pretend that they are going to work. So when Evan goes, he always brings me home a surprise. He just got back and brought me a toy for my 'gotcha day'.

We spent most of the day outside! It was so beautiful here all day. The boys and I went to Tots then to Timber Town for a picnic. I packed PB & J sandwiches, apple slices and rice crispies treats. Evan ate 1/4 of a sandwich and one apple slice, Nick ate 1/4 of 1/4 of 1/4 of a sandwich and then 2 handfuls of sand! I swear I do not know how that kid survives. We never even made it to the treats, they wanted to play too much. We played until I forced them into the car. Home for naps and then up again and right back outside. I actually went and got my hair cut for 1 hour. When I got home the boys were even dirtier than before, if that is even possible. Mike made dinner on the grill. I stripped the boys down to their diapers outside and chased them into the tub. The water was so dirty! Nick had his first 1/2 ear of corn tonight, well maybe 2 bites. We had a great day. This is going to be one sandy summer!!!

Today when I put the boys into the car to leave for school, Evan looks over at Nick and casually says, 'How is your day Nick?' Nick just looks at him and smiles!

We had a nice Thursday!!!

Spring is in the air

YEAH, finally out in the sunshine and the dirt! I need to add an item to my diaper bag/purse/mini fridge, yesterday Evan got a splinter at the park. So I guess I need to start carrying around some kind of first aid stuff. Evan already loves bandages! He wants them put on everything. But yesterday when he got that splinter, ouch that one hurt. I remember by mom digging splinters out of my fingers or feet, never any fun. And the more you squirm, the bigger it seems to be! But we are happy to be outside again. They were outside a lot yesterday, when I finally got them in the tub, Nick was nodding off, he was so tired. I wish we had an outdoor shower, so I could just hose them off before they come in the house!!! All Boy!

Little Nicky

Here is Nick in Guatemala one year ago and here he is now in our living room. The hat was from our pick up trip and Nick wears it around the house now, too funny.