We wanted to do something fun this weekend with the boys since we won't be able to next weekend for sure, and the next couple of months are iffy. Unfortunately, it is cold and rainy today, so we could not do anything outside. We had seen that the boat show was in Baton Rouge though. We went to one in Dallas, back when we lived in Texas and the boys really liked it, so we thought we would take them to that.
All four of the boys got a free Scooby-Doo fishing pole (the first 100 kids every day got one). They carried them proudly through the show, checked out all the boats, got free goodies, etc. It was no where near the show that was in Dallas, very small and not many vendors, but the boys still had a good time.
When we got home the older three took their fishing poles out back to practice fishing. Other than one of my brand new rose bushes being caught by Caleb, I don't think there were any problems (which is kind of amazing with three boys ALL casting lines at the same time).
Next weekend we will be taking, what I am sure, will be one of our last road trips until after the baby comes. We are going to Arkansas to do some painting and work at the house. It is going to be a long hard weekend, but I always look forward to going back to Arkansas!!
Our hopes are for nice weather next weekend in Arkansas. I will need the boys to be able to play outside and to have windows open so we don't all get high on paint and cleaning chemical fumes. We also hope that I will not go into labor while we are there!!
Paul has Friday off and is taking Monday off. Hopefully we won't have to spend ALL of the four days there, but we will see.
We are to the point of unpredictability with what our weekends will be like. I did not sleep last night because of horrible backpain, which I am still having. Things like that make it hard to go have "fun" with the kids. Hopefully, they will have some more fun adventures before the baby comes, but we wanted to make sure and get some time in now.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
You Might Be a Mom of Boys...
If your fireplace mantle is "decorated" with about 10 hot wheels, 3 game boys, nightlights, knex (and other small choking hazards), etc.
We won't even discuss all of my husbands fishtank accessories that are littering the mantle.
Those are all the things I just cleaned off the mantle that has been confiscated recently. Andrew likes to drive his cars on my wood coffee table. Does a lot for the finish (but nothing good).
We won't even discuss all of my husbands fishtank accessories that are littering the mantle.
Those are all the things I just cleaned off the mantle that has been confiscated recently. Andrew likes to drive his cars on my wood coffee table. Does a lot for the finish (but nothing good).
Andrew Milestones
I just thought I would post a little about what Andrew is doing. He is doing so many new things at one time now, it is hard to keep up with them all. I think this is the stage where you see the most growth in learning. It is amazing.
He is still interested in potty training, although we are not making it anywhere very fast. He has not actually pottied in the potty since the first day we started, but he IS telling us right after he goes. He will come up and say "peepee YUCK" or "poopoo YUCK" and pull at his diaper. If you don't get it off of him quick enough (like immediately) he will take it off. He is also still asking to sit on the potty all the time and prefers being naked over having anything on. I am not pushing him on this. He is not even two, so I am just going along with him on it.
We have been playing the body part game for some time now. It has been I will ask him where his....(insert body part) is and he would point to it on him. Then it got to where he would point to it on him and everyone else around him. Now, he says the body part and points to it. This morning he was at the table and kept saying "No. No. No. No." over and over. He has been saying no a lot lately, so I thought that was what he was doing, but he was doing it very calmly. Usually if he is saying no to or about something he says it with a lot of feeling. I turned around and he was pointing to his nose. When I acknowledged it was his nose, he started "mou" and "ear" and "belbow" and "knee", etc. After he went through all of it he started doing it to me.
His vocabulary is still growing daily. I can't even keep up with what all he is saying now. "Jo" is a new one, he says for Curious George. He says "I wub you", "ni-ni" (night-night) and waves when it is bed time, he says "byebye" to EVERYONE, not just a collective bye bye. He wants noone to feel left out so as we leave stores or drs or whereever, he says bye bye to EVERY individual person. Of course, he gets a LOT of attention that way. This mornings new word is "alligor oh no!" (alligator)' There are many other words he is saying, but I can't think of them all right now.
He has such expression when he talks. That is one of the things I love to watch about him. He makes a face with everything he says. Frequently, he will just walk up to you and make faces at you and then start giggling and want you to make them back. He is pretty funny!
I think the cutest thing he does at this point is his obsession to my belly and his sister. I absolutely love the way he says Mady's name. He says it with such sweetness and tenderness. He talks to her all the time. He "gives" her his toys (puts his toys in my shirt and says "Maudy") and if I try to give them back to him he yells NO NO at me and puts it back. He loves to lay his head on my belly and get kicked. When she kicks him, he sits up and says "No No Maudy" and then laughs and puts his head back down (harder each time she kicks). It is a game they play with each other. I only hope that when she is OUTSIDE my belly, he loves and adores her as much as he does while she is IN my belly.
I also love that he still loves to cuddle. He is quite content to sit or lay on the couch with me most of the time. Especially if you turn on "Ming Ming" (Wonder Pets), Backyardigans, Curious George or any of the old cartoons (Popeye, Pink Panther, Tom and Jerry). His favorite thing to do it we are watching those is to sit in his DADDY'S lap. I would say out of all of the boys at this age, he is the most a Daddys boy. When he hears Daddy come home he is the first one at the door to greet him and get a foot ride across the kitchen. He gets SO excited when Daddy comes home. He dances at the door yelling DADDY until the door opens.
Now for the not so good stuff.....he can throw some killer temper tantrums! He h as them mastered already. He also says NO at everything, which is very annoying and frustrating to his parents! He likes to go from one thing he knows he is not supposed to do, to another. I think it is his way of keeping us moving and the attention on HIM.
To end it on a good note, he still wants to take the trash out every chance he gets. Gotta love it while it last!!
He is still interested in potty training, although we are not making it anywhere very fast. He has not actually pottied in the potty since the first day we started, but he IS telling us right after he goes. He will come up and say "peepee YUCK" or "poopoo YUCK" and pull at his diaper. If you don't get it off of him quick enough (like immediately) he will take it off. He is also still asking to sit on the potty all the time and prefers being naked over having anything on. I am not pushing him on this. He is not even two, so I am just going along with him on it.
We have been playing the body part game for some time now. It has been I will ask him where his....(insert body part) is and he would point to it on him. Then it got to where he would point to it on him and everyone else around him. Now, he says the body part and points to it. This morning he was at the table and kept saying "No. No. No. No." over and over. He has been saying no a lot lately, so I thought that was what he was doing, but he was doing it very calmly. Usually if he is saying no to or about something he says it with a lot of feeling. I turned around and he was pointing to his nose. When I acknowledged it was his nose, he started "mou" and "ear" and "belbow" and "knee", etc. After he went through all of it he started doing it to me.
His vocabulary is still growing daily. I can't even keep up with what all he is saying now. "Jo" is a new one, he says for Curious George. He says "I wub you", "ni-ni" (night-night) and waves when it is bed time, he says "byebye" to EVERYONE, not just a collective bye bye. He wants noone to feel left out so as we leave stores or drs or whereever, he says bye bye to EVERY individual person. Of course, he gets a LOT of attention that way. This mornings new word is "alligor oh no!" (alligator)' There are many other words he is saying, but I can't think of them all right now.
He has such expression when he talks. That is one of the things I love to watch about him. He makes a face with everything he says. Frequently, he will just walk up to you and make faces at you and then start giggling and want you to make them back. He is pretty funny!
I think the cutest thing he does at this point is his obsession to my belly and his sister. I absolutely love the way he says Mady's name. He says it with such sweetness and tenderness. He talks to her all the time. He "gives" her his toys (puts his toys in my shirt and says "Maudy") and if I try to give them back to him he yells NO NO at me and puts it back. He loves to lay his head on my belly and get kicked. When she kicks him, he sits up and says "No No Maudy" and then laughs and puts his head back down (harder each time she kicks). It is a game they play with each other. I only hope that when she is OUTSIDE my belly, he loves and adores her as much as he does while she is IN my belly.
I also love that he still loves to cuddle. He is quite content to sit or lay on the couch with me most of the time. Especially if you turn on "Ming Ming" (Wonder Pets), Backyardigans, Curious George or any of the old cartoons (Popeye, Pink Panther, Tom and Jerry). His favorite thing to do it we are watching those is to sit in his DADDY'S lap. I would say out of all of the boys at this age, he is the most a Daddys boy. When he hears Daddy come home he is the first one at the door to greet him and get a foot ride across the kitchen. He gets SO excited when Daddy comes home. He dances at the door yelling DADDY until the door opens.
Now for the not so good stuff.....he can throw some killer temper tantrums! He h as them mastered already. He also says NO at everything, which is very annoying and frustrating to his parents! He likes to go from one thing he knows he is not supposed to do, to another. I think it is his way of keeping us moving and the attention on HIM.
To end it on a good note, he still wants to take the trash out every chance he gets. Gotta love it while it last!!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Field Trips
I sure wish I could go on the field trips the boys are going on! Unfortunately, they frown upon siblings going anymore. :(
Isaac is taking his awesome field trip to a wildlife refuge the end of April. He gets to ride on a chartered bus with a tvs and bathrooms. Believe me, the parents are paying for it. It has to be the most expensive field trip I have ever paid for!
Bryce brought home a permission slip today to go to a wildlife refuge the beginning of March. They will get to cane pole fish, see different sizes of alligators, learn water safety, etc (yep....it IS Louisiana) and then enjoy a bbq lunch.
It is frustrating to be a stay-at-home mom and not be able to go. Among the MANY reasons we chose for me to stay home was so that I could do things like this with the kids. The schools make it difficult for parents like me that want to be involved because they want us there all the time, but never with siblings. I don't have the luxury of having someone to send my younger child to while I am doing things like this! It is getting hard to even be able to go to their parties and class "stuff".
Isaac is taking his awesome field trip to a wildlife refuge the end of April. He gets to ride on a chartered bus with a tvs and bathrooms. Believe me, the parents are paying for it. It has to be the most expensive field trip I have ever paid for!
Bryce brought home a permission slip today to go to a wildlife refuge the beginning of March. They will get to cane pole fish, see different sizes of alligators, learn water safety, etc (yep....it IS Louisiana) and then enjoy a bbq lunch.
It is frustrating to be a stay-at-home mom and not be able to go. Among the MANY reasons we chose for me to stay home was so that I could do things like this with the kids. The schools make it difficult for parents like me that want to be involved because they want us there all the time, but never with siblings. I don't have the luxury of having someone to send my younger child to while I am doing things like this! It is getting hard to even be able to go to their parties and class "stuff".
Alien Baby?
Paul says it is gross to watch my stomach. It is constantly moving. It is like someone is pushing it from one side to the other. Oh wait, SOMEONE IS!!!
He says it looks like an alien is trying to push through my stomach. There are times my whole stomach moves and there are times that it is like someone is nervously tapping their fingers from the inside. Maybe she is bored and IS tapping her fingers.
I am making the prediction that she will arrive sometime the week of April 13th. The boys are on Spring Break that week and noone is planned to be here "in case" so she will decide to come early and I will have to deliver by myself!
Paul does not want her to come early. He isn't the one carrying her, so that is easy for him to say. They are doing another turn around at work. I won't get into what that is, but it is when he has to work two to three weeks, 7 days a week, 12 hours a day. No telling what shift he would end up with. Last time he got lucky and had the 5am to 2pm shift. If I have the baby at the scheduled time, he will miss the turn around!
He says it looks like an alien is trying to push through my stomach. There are times my whole stomach moves and there are times that it is like someone is nervously tapping their fingers from the inside. Maybe she is bored and IS tapping her fingers.
I am making the prediction that she will arrive sometime the week of April 13th. The boys are on Spring Break that week and noone is planned to be here "in case" so she will decide to come early and I will have to deliver by myself!
Paul does not want her to come early. He isn't the one carrying her, so that is easy for him to say. They are doing another turn around at work. I won't get into what that is, but it is when he has to work two to three weeks, 7 days a week, 12 hours a day. No telling what shift he would end up with. Last time he got lucky and had the 5am to 2pm shift. If I have the baby at the scheduled time, he will miss the turn around!
Out of the Mouths of Babes....
Bryce got up this morning and said my tummy didn't look as big as it did. Hmmmm.....thanks?
Isaac asked how a girls tummy gets bigger. I said there was a baby getting bigger inside of it and it makes my tummy get bigger to make room for her.
"Yeah, and she is attached to a stem." Bryce added.
Isaac asked how a girls tummy gets bigger. I said there was a baby getting bigger inside of it and it makes my tummy get bigger to make room for her.
"Yeah, and she is attached to a stem." Bryce added.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Alarm Clock in Boys Rooms
As I previously said I was going to do, I got alarm clocks for the boys bedrooms last weekend. I had two boys that had decided to have a race to see who could be up first and they were getting up before Daddy left for work or right after he left (so between 5:30 and 5:45). This was my ONLY quiet, alone time I get and I NEED it!! On top of that, they had too much extra time to fight in the mornings and were cranky at night from being tired.
I set up the alarm clocks and told the boys they could not get out of bed until 7:00. The first morning went pretty well other than Bryce changed the time on his clock and got up, but it was about 6:45. Every morning until this morning they have made it until 7. Andrew is sleeping later (imagine that)! This morning Caleb did not wait until 7. He got up around 6:30 and got in the shower. That would be fine, except when he gets out he has to start antagonizing his brother which makes him scream. So, Bryce AND Andrew were actually sleeping and Caleb came out of the bathroom (right outside their bedroom door) making annoying noises and dancing. Needless to say, he woke them up...BUT THEY STAYED IN THEIR ROOM UNTIL 7!!!!
Caleb said that him getting up at 7 does not give him enough time to get ready for school. Yet, he still had time to mess with his brothers, work on homework (hmmmm???), eat breakfast and stand around for 30 minutes.
I am afraid I will have to stick to my guns on this one. If I can't get away, I at least need some time for me!!
I set up the alarm clocks and told the boys they could not get out of bed until 7:00. The first morning went pretty well other than Bryce changed the time on his clock and got up, but it was about 6:45. Every morning until this morning they have made it until 7. Andrew is sleeping later (imagine that)! This morning Caleb did not wait until 7. He got up around 6:30 and got in the shower. That would be fine, except when he gets out he has to start antagonizing his brother which makes him scream. So, Bryce AND Andrew were actually sleeping and Caleb came out of the bathroom (right outside their bedroom door) making annoying noises and dancing. Needless to say, he woke them up...BUT THEY STAYED IN THEIR ROOM UNTIL 7!!!!
Caleb said that him getting up at 7 does not give him enough time to get ready for school. Yet, he still had time to mess with his brothers, work on homework (hmmmm???), eat breakfast and stand around for 30 minutes.
I am afraid I will have to stick to my guns on this one. If I can't get away, I at least need some time for me!!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Clean Bedroom!
I think I just taught the boys a valuable lesson. Never cross your nesting mother!
After everything we went through yesterday with them misbehaving and fighting, you would think they would have gotten up and been good. I guess they really LOVE their room?
After a lecture about team work and getting their room cleaned up, they finally cleaned their room...kinda. They did their typical throwing stuff in corners and closets and drawers.
Mom took care of that though. They have a closet built into their bunk bed (behind the desk). It is the length of the bed and probably two feet wide. That is one of their prime "cleaning" spots. As in, that is where they throw everything when they are told to clean.
I went and pulled EVERYTHING out of that closet. Then I went to put something in their closet and saw that, although they said it was clean, it was far from it. Pulled EVERYTHING out of there. Then I figured "why stop there?"
By the time I was done, I had pulled everything but their clean clothes out of every nook and cranny in the room and sat there while they cleaned - FOR REAL. I turned around at one point and Caleb quickly closed a drawer. I went and opened it to find that he had put all the toys I had taken OUT of the drawer back in it. Let's just say, I don't think he will try that again.
Caleb is now out pulling weeds so some flowers can be planted in the flowerbed.
If the only way they can behave is to be busy, I can keep them busy. Unfortunately for them, I am nesting AND have spring fever. Good luck boys!
After everything we went through yesterday with them misbehaving and fighting, you would think they would have gotten up and been good. I guess they really LOVE their room?
After a lecture about team work and getting their room cleaned up, they finally cleaned their room...kinda. They did their typical throwing stuff in corners and closets and drawers.
Mom took care of that though. They have a closet built into their bunk bed (behind the desk). It is the length of the bed and probably two feet wide. That is one of their prime "cleaning" spots. As in, that is where they throw everything when they are told to clean.
I went and pulled EVERYTHING out of that closet. Then I went to put something in their closet and saw that, although they said it was clean, it was far from it. Pulled EVERYTHING out of there. Then I figured "why stop there?"
By the time I was done, I had pulled everything but their clean clothes out of every nook and cranny in the room and sat there while they cleaned - FOR REAL. I turned around at one point and Caleb quickly closed a drawer. I went and opened it to find that he had put all the toys I had taken OUT of the drawer back in it. Let's just say, I don't think he will try that again.
Caleb is now out pulling weeds so some flowers can be planted in the flowerbed.
If the only way they can behave is to be busy, I can keep them busy. Unfortunately for them, I am nesting AND have spring fever. Good luck boys!
Getting Andrew Ready for Baby
I wish I knew exactly how much of the baby Andrew understands. He is so sweet the way he loves on my belly and plays on it. He pulls up my shirt and lays his head on my belly, patting it, kissing it and saying different variances of "Mady" (Maudy, Mauny, etc). It is so cute.
Yesterday he had been carrying around a certain car all day. He came up to me and pulled up my shirt. He kissed my belly and said "Maudy car", then he put my shirt down and left the car. When I tried to give it to him, thinking he forgot it, he said "NO, MAUDYS" and put it back.
It might look strange me walking around with a car in my shirt all the time!
I am really trying to explain things to him when I am taking care of her stuff. I have been nesting the last few days, since we went and got the rest of her stuff Friday. When I am washing sheets, clothes, etc or putting together her swing or stroller, we talk about Mady and how she will be a baby sister and coming home soon, etc. She has a pink teddy bear that makes womb sounds that he likes to carry around. I try to keep it away from him because I don't want him to think it is his, but I might have to go get him one of his own! He seems to like the sounds it makes. When we are out and he sees babies he gets excited and talks and points. I also take those times to explain that that is what Mady will be like in a couple of months.
Yesterday he had been carrying around a certain car all day. He came up to me and pulled up my shirt. He kissed my belly and said "Maudy car", then he put my shirt down and left the car. When I tried to give it to him, thinking he forgot it, he said "NO, MAUDYS" and put it back.
It might look strange me walking around with a car in my shirt all the time!
I am really trying to explain things to him when I am taking care of her stuff. I have been nesting the last few days, since we went and got the rest of her stuff Friday. When I am washing sheets, clothes, etc or putting together her swing or stroller, we talk about Mady and how she will be a baby sister and coming home soon, etc. She has a pink teddy bear that makes womb sounds that he likes to carry around. I try to keep it away from him because I don't want him to think it is his, but I might have to go get him one of his own! He seems to like the sounds it makes. When we are out and he sees babies he gets excited and talks and points. I also take those times to explain that that is what Mady will be like in a couple of months.
The Whole Mardi Gras Thing
I would have never known how big Mardi Gras really is until we lived here. I probably STILL DON'T know really how big it is, but I have enough of an idea now. Not only have there been weekends of parades, followed by DAYS of parades (I think there have been numerous parades daily since Friday), but city/parish offices and banks are actually closed today.
This is what I think is the funniest part. So, Mardi Gras is the time leading up to Ash Wednesday and beginning of Lent. The schools, offices, etc are closed for Mardi Gras, but everything opens back up on Ash Wednesday. Closed for the days leading up to the actual holiday this is all for.
I might have a better understanding for WHAT it is, but I don't know that I will ever understand it.
Today is Fat Tuesday. Do you say Happy Fat Tuesday to people? HMMMM....still so much to learn.
This is what I think is the funniest part. So, Mardi Gras is the time leading up to Ash Wednesday and beginning of Lent. The schools, offices, etc are closed for Mardi Gras, but everything opens back up on Ash Wednesday. Closed for the days leading up to the actual holiday this is all for.
I might have a better understanding for WHAT it is, but I don't know that I will ever understand it.
Today is Fat Tuesday. Do you say Happy Fat Tuesday to people? HMMMM....still so much to learn.
Ice Cream for Andrew
Last night Daddy and Bryce went to Sonic (because I wanted a Strawberry shake). They came home with ice cream for both of them and me (the older two boys were already in bed from the BAD day). Daddy decided to let Andrew have some ice cream. This is a rarity, because of his lactose intolerance. He might get a small bite every now and then, but he has not been put in his high chair with a spoon and bowl in over a year.
He loved it. The only problem was that he was SO excited to get to eat ice cream, he was eating it way too fast. He kept grabbing his face and crying. Hard to make an almost two year old that never gets to eat ice cream understand the concept of brain freeze.
After he got all he could get with his spoon, we heard slurping. I looked to see him with the bowl at his face, drinking what he could and then licking the bowl clean. Can we say DEPRIVED?
He took Culturell with the ice cream. We will see how is tummy handles it today!
He loved it. The only problem was that he was SO excited to get to eat ice cream, he was eating it way too fast. He kept grabbing his face and crying. Hard to make an almost two year old that never gets to eat ice cream understand the concept of brain freeze.
After he got all he could get with his spoon, we heard slurping. I looked to see him with the bowl at his face, drinking what he could and then licking the bowl clean. Can we say DEPRIVED?
He took Culturell with the ice cream. We will see how is tummy handles it today!
Monday, February 23, 2009
When Will I Learn?
I bragged this morning to my husband about how good the kids were being, how well they were playing together.
I KNOW NOT to do that.
Either it will jinx it and they will quit behaving or they were not behaving to begin with and I will find what they were doing later.
Today was BOTH!
I told the boys to play quietly while AJ took his nap. After playing quietly all morning, they decided they were done with that. So, I made them lay down for a bit. After lunch, I let them go outside, but told them to stay on the porch because yesterday they were running over the rose bushes Paul had JUST planted for me, among numerous other things they KNOW they are not supposed to do. They sat out there and fought. I made them lay back down so AJ could finish his nap.
I go in to Isaac and Caleb's room because I hear Isaac screaming at Caleb to stop spitting on him. I go in and notice that the CD drive in their computer is partially open. After a quick look, I notice why. When did a 10 or 7 year old (and I KNOW which one did it) decide a CD drive was a good place to hide GUM?
I go back to my work on the kitchen floor. I was mopping and hear a dripping sound. I look under the sink to see that the sink is leaking. Not just a small leak. A very fast leak! The sink was plugged (I was mopping!!) but somehow the water was leaking through that and out the pipe.
This is turning out to be one of THOSE days that you wonder if this was the kind of punishment you had in mind when you decided to have kids.
Is it bedtime yet?
If I am lucky, they are just trying to fit in and do the whole Mardi Gras thing. That means by Wednesday they have to start being angels for Lent.....right?
Updated at 4:20 Let's top it off with Andrew "coloring" my wood coffee table with a SCREW....the sharp pointy end OF COURSE!
I KNOW NOT to do that.
Either it will jinx it and they will quit behaving or they were not behaving to begin with and I will find what they were doing later.
Today was BOTH!
I told the boys to play quietly while AJ took his nap. After playing quietly all morning, they decided they were done with that. So, I made them lay down for a bit. After lunch, I let them go outside, but told them to stay on the porch because yesterday they were running over the rose bushes Paul had JUST planted for me, among numerous other things they KNOW they are not supposed to do. They sat out there and fought. I made them lay back down so AJ could finish his nap.
I go in to Isaac and Caleb's room because I hear Isaac screaming at Caleb to stop spitting on him. I go in and notice that the CD drive in their computer is partially open. After a quick look, I notice why. When did a 10 or 7 year old (and I KNOW which one did it) decide a CD drive was a good place to hide GUM?
I go back to my work on the kitchen floor. I was mopping and hear a dripping sound. I look under the sink to see that the sink is leaking. Not just a small leak. A very fast leak! The sink was plugged (I was mopping!!) but somehow the water was leaking through that and out the pipe.
This is turning out to be one of THOSE days that you wonder if this was the kind of punishment you had in mind when you decided to have kids.
Is it bedtime yet?
If I am lucky, they are just trying to fit in and do the whole Mardi Gras thing. That means by Wednesday they have to start being angels for Lent.....right?
Updated at 4:20 Let's top it off with Andrew "coloring" my wood coffee table with a SCREW....the sharp pointy end OF COURSE!
Name Game
We are to the name-that-body-part period in the pregnancy. She pushes out hard enough and is big enough we can get a pretty good guess of what she is trying to push out of my stomach!
Yesterday I grabbed either her arm or leg. She likes to stick her butt out too!
Yesterday I grabbed either her arm or leg. She likes to stick her butt out too!
Two Big Birthdays Before the BIRTHday
Andrew and Daddy both have birthdays coming up before the scheduled arrival of Mady.
My "baby" turns two on April 11th! It is SO sad! What is sadder is the fact he already acts like he has been two for a while!!
Then, just five days after Andrew turns two, Daddy turns the big 3-0!!
He will be 30 and I will still be a twenty-something!! :)
April is going to be a BUSY month in this house!
My "baby" turns two on April 11th! It is SO sad! What is sadder is the fact he already acts like he has been two for a while!!
Then, just five days after Andrew turns two, Daddy turns the big 3-0!!
He will be 30 and I will still be a twenty-something!! :)
April is going to be a BUSY month in this house!
Duck Lips
Andrew hit an end table last night and gave himself a fat lip. He looks like he has a duck mouth this morning - especially when he is sucking his thumb.
Luckily, he did not hurt his teeth! He was quite annoyed by the swelling though. He spent the evening wiping his lip like he was trying to get something off of it.
Luckily, he did not hurt his teeth! He was quite annoyed by the swelling though. He spent the evening wiping his lip like he was trying to get something off of it.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Our First Mardi Gras in LA
We were leaving Baton Rouge yesterday, headed home from errands, around lunchtime. We got on the interstate to come home and there were cars parked EVERYWHERE. Miles of the shoulder of the interstate, all the entrance/exit ramp shoulders, any grass medians, etc were bumper to bumper cars. This was all for the Mardi Gras parade that was taking place downtown. The interstate does NOT go through downtown, people were hiking because there was no where else to park. Doesn't seem to safe to me!
We heard on the news this morning that there was a guy killed when he fell off his float (after the parade route) and the float ran over him. It sounded like there was some alcohol involved.
These are two reasons enough for us NOT to go to the parades.
We sat down yesterday and explained to the boys why we were not going to the parades. We explained that it is not a typical parade like what they see at Christmas time. There would be people drinking, throwing things, etc and it would be really crazy. We never heard anything else from them about going.
It is celebration enough for THEM that they get the next two days off of school for Mardi Gras.
We heard on the news this morning that there was a guy killed when he fell off his float (after the parade route) and the float ran over him. It sounded like there was some alcohol involved.
These are two reasons enough for us NOT to go to the parades.
We sat down yesterday and explained to the boys why we were not going to the parades. We explained that it is not a typical parade like what they see at Christmas time. There would be people drinking, throwing things, etc and it would be really crazy. We never heard anything else from them about going.
It is celebration enough for THEM that they get the next two days off of school for Mardi Gras.
EIGHT MORE WEEKS!!!
Yes, the countdown has begun (truthfully, it has been going on all along). Eight more weeks (or less) until the baby. I went Friday and finished getting everything we should need for a while as far as the baby goes. I tried to even remember things that Daddy has always had to run out and buy right after we get home with the baby.
I posted the other day all the "symptoms" I was having at this point in the pregnancy. I forgot a big one. I am HOT ALL THE TIME. It does not matter what the temperature in the house is, I am burning up. I cannot sleep with blankets at night and I still wake up hot. You might be saying that is normal, but for me it isn't. With all four boys I was always cold. It could be 80 and I would be under blankets.
I was not going to get a double stroller. We were hoping that we would not have to get one, but Andrew is just too two! I hate double strollers because they are so big! Instead of a typical double stroller, I found one that has the regular seat in the front, that will take and infant car seat and the back has a seat and a place to stand. The seat is like a bench seat, but it has a safety belt. If he wants to stand he can, it has bars for him to hold onto and a belt that goes across the back to keep him from falling out. I chose this one because I compared the length of this one to the length of all the other double strollers and it is quite a bit shorter. Also, without the second normal seat it folds to the size of a regular stroller.
I put it together today to see how Andrew would do with this different type of stroller. I put the baby seat on the front and showed him how he could sit or stand and ride. He kept trying to crawl over the back of the front seat and into the carseat. He likes the standing part, not to keen on the sitting with the belt on, though. We will have to "practice" with it.
I posted the other day all the "symptoms" I was having at this point in the pregnancy. I forgot a big one. I am HOT ALL THE TIME. It does not matter what the temperature in the house is, I am burning up. I cannot sleep with blankets at night and I still wake up hot. You might be saying that is normal, but for me it isn't. With all four boys I was always cold. It could be 80 and I would be under blankets.
I was not going to get a double stroller. We were hoping that we would not have to get one, but Andrew is just too two! I hate double strollers because they are so big! Instead of a typical double stroller, I found one that has the regular seat in the front, that will take and infant car seat and the back has a seat and a place to stand. The seat is like a bench seat, but it has a safety belt. If he wants to stand he can, it has bars for him to hold onto and a belt that goes across the back to keep him from falling out. I chose this one because I compared the length of this one to the length of all the other double strollers and it is quite a bit shorter. Also, without the second normal seat it folds to the size of a regular stroller.
I put it together today to see how Andrew would do with this different type of stroller. I put the baby seat on the front and showed him how he could sit or stand and ride. He kept trying to crawl over the back of the front seat and into the carseat. He likes the standing part, not to keen on the sitting with the belt on, though. We will have to "practice" with it.
Friday, February 20, 2009
First Mardi Gras Experience
The kindergarten class had a Mardi Gras parade this morning. Parents were invited and the first graders went and watched. The kindergarteners threw Mardi Gras beads and candy to those watching.
We (Daddy and I) did not go. They were not letting parents park on campus and there is only a small park close by to park at. Bryce dressed up as a shark (the kids wore costumes). They were allowed to bring decorated wagons to use as "floats" and there were older kids pulling the wagons.
I sent a gallon size Ziploc bag full of Mardi Gras beads. I think the boys brought at least that much home between the two of them. I probably have 10 pounds of beads around MY neck right now. And, if you remember these pictures of Andrew last summer with the beads, he still loves the beads. He immediately started pulling them out of Isaac's bag when he realized he had them.
The boys REALLY want to go to a Mardi Gras parade this weekend, but we aren't. The thought of trying to keep up with four kids in a sea of people that are drunk and crazy does not sound appealing to me. They are all going to be SO crazy and crowded and the mere thought of going exhaust me at this point!
They get off school on Monday and Tuesday for Mardi Gras. TWO DAYS off for Mardi Gras!
We (Daddy and I) did not go. They were not letting parents park on campus and there is only a small park close by to park at. Bryce dressed up as a shark (the kids wore costumes). They were allowed to bring decorated wagons to use as "floats" and there were older kids pulling the wagons.
I sent a gallon size Ziploc bag full of Mardi Gras beads. I think the boys brought at least that much home between the two of them. I probably have 10 pounds of beads around MY neck right now. And, if you remember these pictures of Andrew last summer with the beads, he still loves the beads. He immediately started pulling them out of Isaac's bag when he realized he had them.
The boys REALLY want to go to a Mardi Gras parade this weekend, but we aren't. The thought of trying to keep up with four kids in a sea of people that are drunk and crazy does not sound appealing to me. They are all going to be SO crazy and crowded and the mere thought of going exhaust me at this point!
They get off school on Monday and Tuesday for Mardi Gras. TWO DAYS off for Mardi Gras!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Morning Walks
Monday I took Andrew for a walk around our neighborhood. The road through our neighborhood is one circle, houses on outside and inside of the circle, one entrance/exit and lined with sidewalks. Andrew loves being outside, so I decided it would do us both some good to go for a walk.
We have gone every day since. As soon as we put the last brother on the bus, we do our walk. Andrew trys to walk up every sidewalk and driveway to every house. I just figured out on this mornings walk that the only other time before this week that he has walked the entire neighborhood (as opposed to being in a wagon or on a tricycle being pushed) was Halloween, when they walked up every driveway or sidewalk for candy! Of course, that walk we were spending the whole time TELLING him to walk up to every house!
A lot of the houses in the neighborhood don't have fences around their backyards. Yesterday and today he started noticing EVERY playset in the yards and trying to take off to them, as well as the sidewalks and driveways. Our walks wear me out! We have to get him something to play on outside!
He is so cute though, he runs to the door after Caleb leaves (he leaves first) and starts pulling on the door knob saying "WA" (walk) over and over. He can't wait for his brothers to leave! He spends the walks exploring too. It is not that far of a walk, but it takes us a minimum of 30 minutes. He has to pick every flower weed and stop and look at every bug. If he hears a bird or plane or cow or car he has to stop and look for where the noise is coming from. I love watching the excitement in his face and voice as he explores all the new things he doesn't get to see in the backyard.
He is just growing up too fast!
We have gone every day since. As soon as we put the last brother on the bus, we do our walk. Andrew trys to walk up every sidewalk and driveway to every house. I just figured out on this mornings walk that the only other time before this week that he has walked the entire neighborhood (as opposed to being in a wagon or on a tricycle being pushed) was Halloween, when they walked up every driveway or sidewalk for candy! Of course, that walk we were spending the whole time TELLING him to walk up to every house!
A lot of the houses in the neighborhood don't have fences around their backyards. Yesterday and today he started noticing EVERY playset in the yards and trying to take off to them, as well as the sidewalks and driveways. Our walks wear me out! We have to get him something to play on outside!
He is so cute though, he runs to the door after Caleb leaves (he leaves first) and starts pulling on the door knob saying "WA" (walk) over and over. He can't wait for his brothers to leave! He spends the walks exploring too. It is not that far of a walk, but it takes us a minimum of 30 minutes. He has to pick every flower weed and stop and look at every bug. If he hears a bird or plane or cow or car he has to stop and look for where the noise is coming from. I love watching the excitement in his face and voice as he explores all the new things he doesn't get to see in the backyard.
He is just growing up too fast!
30 Week Update
I have begun sleeping better without the use of the Ambien lately. I was not using it very often, just times I didn't think I would make it another day without some sleep. I think at this point it is just pure exhaustion! I still get up several times throughout the night, but I am usually able to go back to sleep fairly quickly. It is definently not because I am any more comfortable at this point. The exhaustion is catching up with me, I am crabby a lot (yeah, I admit it - four boys, terrible twos, potty training, a five year old that never stops talking, normal daily duties that don't end because I don't feel well, etc...!!). I nap every day that I can when Andrew naps, but it never seems like enough!
She has been pushing outward a lot. My stomach is rock hard most of the time. What are the odds I can keep a rock-hard belly after I have the baby? Yeah, I know...zero, but hey a girl can wish. I am anxious to see how big she is. I was the biggest, most active out of four. She definently fits the most active category, and she feels like she is huge, but that might have something to do with her constant kickboxing and gymnastics she performs inside of ME! She even amazes Daddy with how active she is.
She is also still sitting low. I am just going to assume that she is quite happy there and will remain there until she comes out.
I have been getting nauseaus again, off and on for the last couple of weeks. Nothing too bad though, it is just annoying. I have started my cranberry/apple juice kick that I have always gotten on before I have babies and usually continue well after. Mostly, I have been drinking LOTS of water. I crave it, which is odd because I am not usually a fan of plain water.
Overall everything is going about typical for last trimester. We are all very excited and ready to meet this little girl!
Oh, just a funny tidbit....we were watching Family Guy the other night (one of Paul's favorite shows). The dad was out buying a "car" for his daughter. He opted for a tanker...literally an army tank. Paul looked at me and said "that will be us when we go to get her a car." I pointed out that if she had a car she could see boys. You could see him rethinking her having a car. He said there would be a GPS on her at all times so he always knew where she was.
I wonder if it has really hit him yet that he is about to have a DAUGHTER?
She has been pushing outward a lot. My stomach is rock hard most of the time. What are the odds I can keep a rock-hard belly after I have the baby? Yeah, I know...zero, but hey a girl can wish. I am anxious to see how big she is. I was the biggest, most active out of four. She definently fits the most active category, and she feels like she is huge, but that might have something to do with her constant kickboxing and gymnastics she performs inside of ME! She even amazes Daddy with how active she is.
She is also still sitting low. I am just going to assume that she is quite happy there and will remain there until she comes out.
I have been getting nauseaus again, off and on for the last couple of weeks. Nothing too bad though, it is just annoying. I have started my cranberry/apple juice kick that I have always gotten on before I have babies and usually continue well after. Mostly, I have been drinking LOTS of water. I crave it, which is odd because I am not usually a fan of plain water.
Overall everything is going about typical for last trimester. We are all very excited and ready to meet this little girl!
Oh, just a funny tidbit....we were watching Family Guy the other night (one of Paul's favorite shows). The dad was out buying a "car" for his daughter. He opted for a tanker...literally an army tank. Paul looked at me and said "that will be us when we go to get her a car." I pointed out that if she had a car she could see boys. You could see him rethinking her having a car. He said there would be a GPS on her at all times so he always knew where she was.
I wonder if it has really hit him yet that he is about to have a DAUGHTER?
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