From our babysitter's phone. I can only hope they are this well behaved all the time.
Don't they look like brother and sister?
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Babysitter Cheese
From our babysitter's phone. I can only hope they are this well behaved all the time.
Don't they look like brother and sister?
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Ocean Shores
Mike had some vacation, and we finally got to take a vacation with just the five of us. (The last time we had a vacation was last May...when we adopted Matthew from Vietnam...so two surgeries, one pregnancy, and over 400 diaper-changing days later, I was READY for some relaxation)
We went to Ocean Shores for two days. I'd never been there before; Mike had as a child. The place was perfect for us. It was very down-to-earth (no Target, Wal*Mart, etc., not resorty) with a small town feel. The weather was (surprise, surprise in Pac NW August) rather cool. But we just had a wonderful time. We walked along the beach and flew our Lightning McQueen kite, ate ice cream, swam in the hotel's swimming pool, and watched the Olympics.
A funny story, proving that Matthew may not carry my genes, but he is definitely my son...my first memory was jumping into the pool in Arizona as a 2 1/4 year old while my Grandma and very pregnant Mom were in the far end of the pool. I remember that I had been told to wait for my Dad to jump in, but fearless Dana has a very clear memory of the beautiful water underneath, the panicked look of my Grandma and Mom, and my Dad hauling butt to pick me out of the pool.
Now, fast track to our trip here. At some point Mike went back to the room to get something, and I was holding Kristina in my arms. The boys had been instructed to wait for Daddy to come back before going back in the pool. You know what happened. I stood in disbelief that he did the exact same thing at pretty much the exact same age. With Kristina in my arms, I waded out to get him. And, like me, didn't seem to be all that scared. Believe me, I pray often and hard that God will protect my kids.
Anyways...back to our trip. We really had a great time, and like all family vacations, a depth of bonding and love that I can't wait to repeat in all our family vacations to come (Lord willing).
Mike, however, was pretty disappointed at our attempt to miniature golf. His secret dream (I know its true, but he'd never confess it) is to train his two little boys to be serious, if not PGA, golfers. Let's just say that Caleb and Matthew had no desire, motivation, or interest in hitting the golf ball with the club or finding the whole. Oh well, they are, after all, 2 and 3 years old.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Tenacious
We hung out a bit with Grandpa Marty and Grandma Linda on Tenacious while Dad and brothers (and Uncle Jeff) took the tender out for a bit of fishing.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Various Pictures
I'm trying to learn how to take better photos...and I'm practicing my skills on my very favorite subjects.
Sippycups Prove that Momma Can't Win
Well, I recently decided to buy my two boys two new sippy cups. They have both recently balked at the idea of having to use a sippy cup and love to use a real cup. However, they both can't handle the responsibility that comes with the marriage of liquid and gravity.
Soooo...I think, nothing like a new item to sweeten the deal. So in a recent trip to NewParentsRipOff'R'Us for bottles for baby, I found two new cups with straws...very hip for my "way to cool for baby spout" boys.
So this afternoon when Caleb asked for juice, I look for Caleb's new cup (which he has used for a day). Can't find it. Lost already. So I convince him that the Lightening McQueen sippy that we've had for two years is still cool enough for him...and he takes the bait and goes happily sipping away.
After a few minutes, Matthew comes in and hands me Caleb's now empty Lighting McQueen cup and his new fancy-dancy cup, and says, "Jeu Ca-Chow" which in Matthew-ese means, take my juice out of this boring straw cup and give me some juice in this incredible Lighting McQueen cup.
Just can't win.
Soooo...I think, nothing like a new item to sweeten the deal. So in a recent trip to NewParentsRipOff'R'Us for bottles for baby, I found two new cups with straws...very hip for my "way to cool for baby spout" boys.
So this afternoon when Caleb asked for juice, I look for Caleb's new cup (which he has used for a day). Can't find it. Lost already. So I convince him that the Lightening McQueen sippy that we've had for two years is still cool enough for him...and he takes the bait and goes happily sipping away.
After a few minutes, Matthew comes in and hands me Caleb's now empty Lighting McQueen cup and his new fancy-dancy cup, and says, "Jeu Ca-Chow" which in Matthew-ese means, take my juice out of this boring straw cup and give me some juice in this incredible Lighting McQueen cup.
Just can't win.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Update on the Munchkins
Again, another post more for posterity sake than for entertainment, but I'm going to try to occasionally put down what my kids are doing...cause now I think I'll always remember these delicious things they do, but I am already more or less brain dead (I actually tried to put Matthew in Kristina's car seat yesterday until he talked some sense into me), so I'll probably forget this all by October.
Caleb (3 years 8 months):
My little C man is totally into story telling. He always asks me to relate his life's adventures throughout the day "Mommy, tell me when I spilled my Danimals and got into trouble...yeah, tell me that one!" "Mommy, tell me when I got scared at the Blue Angels!" And then he tells his babysitter stories...this is the literal email she sent me...
So Caleb said " wanna see something crazy? This crazy old woman named Dana. She had a hundred children at the eating place. It was a mess"
Haha.
When I heard it, I cried so hard from laughing. I'm not so sure I should be worried that he thinks I'm crazy, I'm old, or that I've got 97 kids more to go. The mess is the least of my problems.
Caleb and Mike are developing the most touching bond. Caleb adores his father, and whenever they spend time together...oh my goodness, he comes back 2 years older. He also truly enjoys his brother and they are playing very well together, and even have been caught sharing back and forth when I'm not even supposed to be looking. He still throws some nasty fits, but those are getting better.
We've been working on "May I have....please?" instead of "I wanna..." Oh...I have to say, it sounds so much better. I just have to be consistent to make him say it all the time.
And another funny babysitter story...
When Lindsey was babysitting all three kids, Kristina was crying. Caleb told Lindsey to "Give her some of your milk!"
Lindsey explained that she isn't a mommy, and thus has no milk.
"Give her my milk!" Lindsey explained that boys don't make milk.
"My milk in the re-frig-a-la-tor"
Matthew, by this point, has heard this discussion and comes over the solve the problem by lifting up his shirt on one side, is now ready to nurse his sister himself.
Matthew (2 years 2 months):
Matthew is no more baby at all...all big boy. He has grown just a huge amount this past year. He really can wear all the same clothes as his brother.
Matthew is trying hard to talk, and while his vocabulary builds, his pronunciation is only slowly improving. He's been expertly analyzed, and they said he is still in the normal range.
He is really getting much easier and more independent. I can let him out of the stroller most of the time. However, he has become more picky of an eater...the kid will live entirely on rice, milk, and juice if I let him. (oh, and any kind of cookies and candy)
He adores his baby sister. He would pick her up and carry her around the house if he could. He loves to lay along side her and make silly faces at her...which she loves. I think he really enjoys being big brother finally. He is so bossy with her sometimes...he pulls her fingers out of her mouth when she sucks on them. He feeds her with his bottle (until I catch him). He loves to hug and kiss her...it is so cute to watch.
He calls me "me-me", Daddy is "ya-ya", Caleb is "ba-ba" (brother), and Kristina is "be-be" (baby).
He loved to see the Blue Angels on Friday...while Caleb screamed "take me home", he pointed up and shouted "shee ah-pane!"
Kristina (6 months):
Baby girl is growing up fast. She is now eating up a storm, but recently had a rash with milk formula. Ugh...I hope she is not allergic to milk. The soy stuff seems to be okay, and I'm glad to not have to nurse in public as often. I've decided to make baby food this time round instead of buying it...so far so good. I have 32 ice cubes of carrots and 60 of peas. Yummy, huh?
She is rolling over all the time, but not yet sitting.
As mentioned in the camping entry, she has developed a most annoying habit of screaming at the top of her lungs for dear life whenever she is in the car. Goodness, talk about stressing you out! I really hope she outgrows it. However, for now at least, Mike has agreed to let me fly to Idaho next month and avoid the punishing 12 hour trip with the little boys in the car...glad to miss that!
She really is a sweety pie over all. I really enjoy having a little girl, and she is always so ready to smile and giggle. When I pick her up in her crib, she giggles so hard, she gyrates from side to side in excitement. I always describe her as "delicious". Just so enjoyable, and you never feel that you've had enough time with her (unless you've been in the car).
Well, that's all I can think of at nearly 11 at night...these three kids are sure keeping me busy, but I love them more than I can even try to describe. Thank you, God!
Caleb (3 years 8 months):
My little C man is totally into story telling. He always asks me to relate his life's adventures throughout the day "Mommy, tell me when I spilled my Danimals and got into trouble...yeah, tell me that one!" "Mommy, tell me when I got scared at the Blue Angels!" And then he tells his babysitter stories...this is the literal email she sent me...
So Caleb said " wanna see something crazy? This crazy old woman named Dana. She had a hundred children at the eating place. It was a mess"
Haha.
When I heard it, I cried so hard from laughing. I'm not so sure I should be worried that he thinks I'm crazy, I'm old, or that I've got 97 kids more to go. The mess is the least of my problems.
Caleb and Mike are developing the most touching bond. Caleb adores his father, and whenever they spend time together...oh my goodness, he comes back 2 years older. He also truly enjoys his brother and they are playing very well together, and even have been caught sharing back and forth when I'm not even supposed to be looking. He still throws some nasty fits, but those are getting better.
We've been working on "May I have....please?" instead of "I wanna..." Oh...I have to say, it sounds so much better. I just have to be consistent to make him say it all the time.
And another funny babysitter story...
When Lindsey was babysitting all three kids, Kristina was crying. Caleb told Lindsey to "Give her some of your milk!"
Lindsey explained that she isn't a mommy, and thus has no milk.
"Give her my milk!" Lindsey explained that boys don't make milk.
"My milk in the re-frig-a-la-tor"
Matthew, by this point, has heard this discussion and comes over the solve the problem by lifting up his shirt on one side, is now ready to nurse his sister himself.
Matthew (2 years 2 months):
Matthew is no more baby at all...all big boy. He has grown just a huge amount this past year. He really can wear all the same clothes as his brother.
Matthew is trying hard to talk, and while his vocabulary builds, his pronunciation is only slowly improving. He's been expertly analyzed, and they said he is still in the normal range.
He is really getting much easier and more independent. I can let him out of the stroller most of the time. However, he has become more picky of an eater...the kid will live entirely on rice, milk, and juice if I let him. (oh, and any kind of cookies and candy)
He adores his baby sister. He would pick her up and carry her around the house if he could. He loves to lay along side her and make silly faces at her...which she loves. I think he really enjoys being big brother finally. He is so bossy with her sometimes...he pulls her fingers out of her mouth when she sucks on them. He feeds her with his bottle (until I catch him). He loves to hug and kiss her...it is so cute to watch.
He calls me "me-me", Daddy is "ya-ya", Caleb is "ba-ba" (brother), and Kristina is "be-be" (baby).
He loved to see the Blue Angels on Friday...while Caleb screamed "take me home", he pointed up and shouted "shee ah-pane!"
Kristina (6 months):
Baby girl is growing up fast. She is now eating up a storm, but recently had a rash with milk formula. Ugh...I hope she is not allergic to milk. The soy stuff seems to be okay, and I'm glad to not have to nurse in public as often. I've decided to make baby food this time round instead of buying it...so far so good. I have 32 ice cubes of carrots and 60 of peas. Yummy, huh?
She is rolling over all the time, but not yet sitting.
As mentioned in the camping entry, she has developed a most annoying habit of screaming at the top of her lungs for dear life whenever she is in the car. Goodness, talk about stressing you out! I really hope she outgrows it. However, for now at least, Mike has agreed to let me fly to Idaho next month and avoid the punishing 12 hour trip with the little boys in the car...glad to miss that!
She really is a sweety pie over all. I really enjoy having a little girl, and she is always so ready to smile and giggle. When I pick her up in her crib, she giggles so hard, she gyrates from side to side in excitement. I always describe her as "delicious". Just so enjoyable, and you never feel that you've had enough time with her (unless you've been in the car).
Well, that's all I can think of at nearly 11 at night...these three kids are sure keeping me busy, but I love them more than I can even try to describe. Thank you, God!
Camping at Camano
We have a wonderful group of friends from church, who in addition to being a wonderful fount of baby and kiddo tips, a group always ready for chocolate fondue parties, and a great source for pinch-hitting babysitters...they also have a camping trip every year. And they do a great job organizing it. All we have to do is show up, which in the case of having a preschooler, toddler, and baby, is not necessarily an easy thing...especially when baby screams for all but 10 minutes on the way there. Yikes!
However, all you have to do is put this native Seattle girl in front of Pac NW waters for 5 minutes and I'm a new woman. Total recharge of batteries! It was great to just have lots of time with friends and enjoy gorgeous Camano Island.
I hung out for the day...and stayed around to eat my yearly quota of s'mores, then headed back with Kristina and Matthew.
Caleb and Daddy hung around for the night sleeping on an air mattress in the 4Runner. Mike is apparently not a tent guy. Caleb woke up at 7 am, glanced around, and then asked, "Why am I in a car?"
However, we are now officially sold...this camping thing is a "must do" in the future, and next summer, our boys will be a great age to enjoy it.
Our friend, Ramona, always loves to hold Kristina. (Thanks for your help!)
Matthew is just like his Daddy...loves to fish (in fact, he tried to insist that we go fishing instead of going to church this morning)
Caleb tries to "paint" Mommy's face (with a french fry...I dunno.)
See the resemblance in the facial lines?
All the boys playing together...
However, all you have to do is put this native Seattle girl in front of Pac NW waters for 5 minutes and I'm a new woman. Total recharge of batteries! It was great to just have lots of time with friends and enjoy gorgeous Camano Island.
I hung out for the day...and stayed around to eat my yearly quota of s'mores, then headed back with Kristina and Matthew.
Caleb and Daddy hung around for the night sleeping on an air mattress in the 4Runner. Mike is apparently not a tent guy. Caleb woke up at 7 am, glanced around, and then asked, "Why am I in a car?"
However, we are now officially sold...this camping thing is a "must do" in the future, and next summer, our boys will be a great age to enjoy it.
Our friend, Ramona, always loves to hold Kristina. (Thanks for your help!)
Matthew is just like his Daddy...loves to fish (in fact, he tried to insist that we go fishing instead of going to church this morning)
Caleb tries to "paint" Mommy's face (with a french fry...I dunno.)
See the resemblance in the facial lines?
All the boys playing together...
Experiment Complete
Well, the TV experiment is over. Caleb happily announced on August 1 that "July is OVER. No more music!" All this time I thought he had missed the TV, when really, he was just apparently resenting my iPod or tired of listening to kiddie tunes.
Definitely we will do this again. If nothing else, it trained me as mommy to be better at coordinating three kids without depending on my "cable nanny".
However, true confession, though, on Friday I was so relieved to play the Curious George movie...I felt I had all the time in the world to fold laundry. Well, anyways...TV, as in everything, all in moderation.
However, we'll probably lose moderation when the Olympics start, oh yeah, then there is football season, and then "24" and "American Idol". Oh well, okay, so maybe we need this month off more than some of you other families!
Definitely we will do this again. If nothing else, it trained me as mommy to be better at coordinating three kids without depending on my "cable nanny".
However, true confession, though, on Friday I was so relieved to play the Curious George movie...I felt I had all the time in the world to fold laundry. Well, anyways...TV, as in everything, all in moderation.
However, we'll probably lose moderation when the Olympics start, oh yeah, then there is football season, and then "24" and "American Idol". Oh well, okay, so maybe we need this month off more than some of you other families!
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