Our Little Smurf

Jacob found blue paint today. He thought it was pretty funny. Me?? Not so much.

Adam turns 4

Adam turned 4 on Thanksgiving day. I cannot believe it! It literally feels like we were just bringing him home from the hospital. Time just flies! Because his birthday fell on Thanksgiving this year, he actually had 2 birthday parties. We had a cake for him with our Thanksgiving dinner, plus we had one at a local pool with some friends. Here are some pictures:

Such a big boy!

On my last nerve

So I might be feeling a little irritable over the past week or so. Some might automatically assume that they know the reason, but I am pretty sure that's not it. It's just a cumulation of many things that are just getting on my nerves. So, lucky for me (and not so lucky for you) I am going to take a few moments and get these things off of my chest. Do I really think that this will help? - Probably not. But I will try it.

• Can anyone really open the macaroni and cheese box by pushing in the little tab and pulling back? I mean, are you for real? You want me to push that thing in with my thumb? What are my thumbs made of? It's enough to make me not want to make macaroni and throw the kids in the car and go to McDonalds. (making something else would be too much effort)
• Really- why is it that I can have every size of battery in the house EXCEPT the ONE SIZE that a new toy requires? (commence the screaming and crying of a 4 year old)
• We have a dish washer, however there are certain things that I prefer to wash by hand. Things like my pans, baby bottles, and tupperware I usually wash by hand. Also I will sometime just wash everything if there isn't very much. So why is it that when I wash dishes, there is always that ONE dish that gets missed? Drives me nuts.
• Stinky little bean beatles.
• Hardee's commercials. They make me want to vomit.

Ok, I can't think of much else right now. If you have anything you would like to add to my list, please feel free. I would love to hear it!

So many thoughts, so little time

Often times I think about random thoughts. I would love to use this blog to rant and rave about these random thoughts, but I am afraid that people might think I am weird. And then I think, who cares if people think I am weird. Maybe I am, so get over it. See, that's a random thought. Like, maybe I want to talk about how I really enjoy watching football and miss the lazy Sunday afternoons when I could sit on the couch all day and do that. Or maybe I want to talk about how people really annoy me when they still act like we are in high school (fresh memory- sorry). Or if I just have a really crappy day. Couldn't I just talk about it on here? I really don't think anyone reads anyway, so that would be ok. See, just random thoughts spewing out of my mind and onto the screen.

This is the weirdest post ever. I'm going to bed.

PS - Did you know that Pierce Brosnan used to be a fire-eater for the circus before he became an actor?

Fall update

Wow, can't believe it has been over one month since I last posted! Time has just flown by. We have been busy, but if you were to ask me what we have been doing, I am pretty sure my answer would be "I don't know. Not much." We are just living day by day, trying not to go insane.

The boys are just incredible. Changing so much. I love to watch them interact. It is so fun to watch them make each other laugh. Jacob just loves his big brother, and Adam loves his little brother just as much - except for when Jacob tries to play with his toys. We could have the floor covered with Jacob's toys, but he wants nothing to do with them. He goes straight to Adam's little cars, tractors, choking hazards, etc. that Adam is playing with. And he is so fast. Just in the last week he has grown an interest in the stairs. Why? Who knows. I think it's time to get the annoying gate out. I really sound like I am complaining - and I am not. Here is a list of my favorite things that are going on right now:

Jacob-
1. He always has a red nose. No matter if he's hot or cold - it's alway red
2. He sucks his thumb - all of the time. Love it.
3. He has very little hair, but has a long patch right on the top of his head and it's curly. I just love to play with it.
4. His belly laugh. Priceless. And he laughs at everything. Of, the squeals of delight are just as great as the belly laugh.
5. Chunky baby legs. Nuf said
6. The large gap in between his 2 front teeth. Then with his big smile - it just cracks me up.
7. He loves bouncing
8. The little slips of "mama" every once in awhile.
9. He thinks its really funny when you chase him when he is about to tumble down the stairs. It's like he knows that your heart is about to jump out of your chest.
10. He's starting to eat more table food. Loves Cheerios and bread. This is one of my faves because this equals less stinky baby food that I have to feed him.

I was going to stop at 10, but I just thought of one more. Maybe one of the best:
11. He likes to cuddle with me in bed and fall asleep in my arms.

My favorite things about Adam:
1. Love it when he says big words like "automatically," and "anhydrous ammonia" (he loves tractors, I know that might sound weird that he knows that)
2. He has such an imagination. He is starting to play on his own and I love listening to him pretend play with his cars and tractors.
3. He learns something new everyday and loves to tell me about it.
4. Only MOM can brush his teeth.
5. Only DAD can lay with him at night. (this is a selfish fave thing on my part because it means I get alone time where no one is bothering me)
6. He sings funny songs
7. He is convinced that the word "tunnel" is pronounced "tinnel" and there is no telling him otherwise.
8. Adam loves to dance with me around the kitchen.
9. Adam likes to read the comics - even though he makes up his own story based on the pictures.
10. He asks me about 10 times a day to: "Scratch my back, scratch my arms, scratch my legs." Annoying, yes. But I wouldn't want it any other way. I think I am paying for all of the times I made my mom scratch my back.

Should I make a list for Jeff? Maybe later. He's awesome all around and he loves me regardless of my oddities. Couldn't ask for a better hubby.

Weekend fun

This weekend was such a nice relaxing couple of days. Yesterday I ran (and walked) in a 5k in the 12:1 Run at Harmony Bible Chuch. Although it was cold and cloudy, it was a nice time. Then me and the kids just hung out at home and played. Today we woke up to SUNSHINE! Haven't seen the sun for awhile so it was nice. Adam picked that he wanted to eat at McDonalds for lunch so we went there and even ate inside - which I normally would not do with 2 kids. But they were both good. Then we went to my favorite store - Target. When we got home we made some cookies. Adam was so hungry that he was saying that his shoulder was growling?! I didn't realize that your shoulder would growl if you got hungry, but apparently it does so beware.

Is she an Angel?

Wow. To see the world through a child's eyes would have to be the most refreshing thing a person could do. If we could all do that, especially when things seem confusing or difficult, I think we would have an awesome perspective. Innocence is just amazing.

Yesterday Adam, Jacob, and I went to the park. It was an absolutely gorgeous day. There were a couple of birthday parties going on in the shelter house and then in the large room, there was a wedding reception. As Adam was playing, I saw the bride walking out in her pretty white dress. I said to Adam, "Look at that pretty lady." He just stared at her and asked, "Is she an angel?" I kind of laughed a little and said, "I don't know. Maybe we should go ask her." He agreed. We got up to go ask her but then she started talking to some of her guests so I figured we better leave her alone. Why would she want some strangers bothering her? It made me think about seeing things through a child's eyes. I wonder why Adam would even think that this is what an angel looks like. I wish that I could look at someone and truly believe they are an angel like Adam did. I think we can learn so much from children. I know mine teach me something pretty much everyday. For instance, last night I learned that if you run down your block with your 3-year old at 8:30 at night people are going to open their doors and wonder what in the heck you are doing. Who would've thought!!

This is my kid on peanuts

Jeff and I have often wondered if Adam's peanut allergy has gone away. The first time he had peanut butter was when he was about 13 months old. He had a peanut butter sandwich at my moms and then had another later on in the evening. That night on the way up for his bath, we noticed a rash all up his back that was spreading all over his body. The hives stuck around for a couple of days until it was all out of his system. We visited an allergy doctor (I'm sure there is an official name for that type of doctor, but whatever) and they tested him for peanut allergy. Of course he tested positive. So, since then he hasn't been exposed to peanuts. Until today.

I received a call from day care a little after noon saying that they "think" Adam might have eaten peanuts. Turns out that there was some candy in the room and he must have eaten some. Whether it was a kid who gave it to him or a teacher, not 100% sure, but I have a feeling I know which one it was. Regardless, Adam was red with hives from head to toe. He was crying and had a small fever. He was itching so bad. He was also swollen, especially his face. It was absolutely awful. He also had a runny nose and they said he had been sneezing. I took him home and laid with him on the couch just scratching his back, arms, and legs for about 45 minutes or so waiting for the Benedryl to kick in. After about an hour and another dose of Benedryl (ordered by the doctor) he was feeling a little better. By about 3:30 he was feeling pretty good wanting to play and eat. We dodged the bullet today, but it makes me scared for what will happen next time. Everyone always tells us that the more they are exposed to peanuts the more severe the reaction will be. Tonight he still has a rash all over his back and stomach, but it's nothing like it was and he isn't itching anymore.

Here are some pictures of what he looked like. Although they really do not do him justice.

Poor little guy. I just felt so bad for him. It kills me to see him suffer like that. Thankfully he is ok and we just need to speak with the day care to make sure this NEVER happens again.

"Turn all your worries over to him. He cares about you. Control yourselves. Be on your guard. Your enemy the devil is like a roaring lion. He prowls around looking for someone to chew up and swallow. Stand up to him. Stand firm in what you believe. All over the world you know that your brothers and sisters are going through the same kind of suffering. God always gives you all the grace you need"(1 Peter 5:7-10a, NIRV).

BINGO Queen

Thursday night a few friends and I went to play Bingo. Wow, was that ever intense! We had a lot of fun. Can't believe no one took their camera. We ate GREASY maidrites, nachos, pie, Pepsi, and Kelly had her favorite: "crack in a bag" (see picture). We all agreed that if we did this on a regular basis that we would all weigh 300 pounds.
We had a great time. I didn't win any money, but a few others did. Each pot was $14. We met a lady named Laura who plays pretty much every night. She gave us some helpful tips. She also had the inside scoop about where the best places to play are and where the crooked places are. Apparently there is a place in Ft. Madison that cheats. Who would have known that there is an underground to bingo!

Jacob's surgery

Yesterday Jacob had his "little" surgery. It was a long day! Poor little guy. We arrived in Peoria around 9:30 after just getting slightly lost. Jeff and I ALWAYS get lost when we are driving places we are not familiar with. Jeff's parents would be able testify to that fact after our trip to Florida. Anyway, we got checked in and went to the surgery area. There we talked with several nurses, support staff, the doctor, and anesthesiologist. Everyone was so nice and understanding. We waited for about 90 minutes or so. Finally, the nurse came and took Jacob. While his surgery was originally scheduled for 11:00, they didn't get him until around noon. I still was not ready to hand him over. He's so little and the thought of having him under general anesthesia made both Jeff and me really nervous.

After they took him, Jeff and I went to the surgery waiting area. Talk about a busy surgery center! That waiting room was extremely busy. We got a pager and a patient number. It was really nice because they had a large tv screen that had the patient numbers listed along with where they were at with the surgery. So the whole time that Jacob was in there, we could tell what stage they were at. So, they started the procedure at 12:25. Around 1:10, the status changed to "closing" and the doctor was with us shortly after that. Then I was able to go see him in Phase 1 Recovery. I met him there with a very welcome bottle. He was so hungry because he hadn't eaten since around 6:45 that morning. He was in Phase 1 for about 30 minutes and then they moved us to Phase 2. That is where Daddy was able to join us. We were there for a little bit. The nurse checked in on him a few times, went over instructions and care with us, then we were off. We were hitting the road around 2:30pm. Then we had about a 2 hour drive home, which Jacob slept the whole time. Thank goodness!

He did really well last night considering. He was a little fussy, but was crawling around some. He was still his smiley little self. Such a happy little boy. We were totally expecting for him to be up a few times last night, but he slept all night without fussing. Jeff and I were excited about that because we were both so exhausted. We had an early morning and an emotionally draining day. Adam got to spend the day with Grandma Pam and Grandpa Greg. They took him to school where he got to go "upstairs to the basement." His words - not mine. He said they would go there if there was a "fire tornado." He cracks me up. If I try to correct him, he gets very annoyed. He knows what he is talking about so don't waste your breath. Adam was a trooper though. He is so concerned with Jacob's oughey. He's such a good big brother and loves Jacob so much.

This picture was taken in the waiting area before surgery. His surgery gown was so little!This picture was taken in the recovery room. He was pretty out of it. He was sucking his thumb A LOT yesterday. The nurses kept asking if he had a special blanket or pacifier. He just wanted his thumb.

Today he has been just great. Almost like nothing happened. He's been playing, crawling and just acting like his usual happy little self. We are so thankful that everything turned out ok and hope that the healing goes fast! Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers. We definitely needed them.

The Big Day

Tuesday was Adam's first day of preschool. He did so wonderful. Jeff and I are so proud of him. He woke up in the morning and was really crabby. He was saying that he didn't want to go. Then after he had a little bit of time to wake up and eat breakfast, he was ready to go. He did so great getting ready and letting mommy take lots of pictures.

When we got to school, he hopped right out of the car and we stood outside and got some more pictures while we waited to school to start. Here are some pics of Adam and a couple of school buddies.

After preschool was over, we went to BK (Adam would be mad if I actually called it by it's real name of Burger King) with FG and Kelly. I think they are destined to be good buddies!

It turned out to be a great day. I was very nervous that Adam would be crying and clinging to our legs. He is just becoming be such a big boy. Jeff and I are so proud of how he is growing and learning. We feel so lucky!

Preschool Orientation

Thursday Adam had his preschool orientation. Jeff and I took Jacob to grandma's house so we could both go and show Adam what a special place he would be going to. He woke up in a horrible mood that morning. Jeff and I were a little nervous thinking that he would be a crab about the whole thing. As the morning went on and Adam had breakfast things got a little better. When we got there, Adam just walked right in to check things out. He wanted to show the teachers his bag and how he colored it. He put his name tag on and washed his hands (the first thing they do when they first arrive at preschool). Then he was off, a little slow at first, to check everything out.

He is being such a big boy. Just in the last few weeks we have noticed a change in him. He is talking more to people he doesn't know very well (he still talks non-stop at home) and he is just being a little more social. He is ok with the idea of going to preschool. I made a calendar where we can cross off the days until his first day of school. Everyday he is asking "Am I going to preschool today?". This Tuesday will be his actual first day. I am sad about taking him, but I know he will have a great time. Here are some pics from his open house plus a family picture that we had to have taken so he can take to school.

Here is Adam with his buddy F.G.. Jeff will be taking both of them to school everyday and picking them up. He is such a good dad! We took a bunch of pictures to try to get one family picture.
There wasn't one of them where we were all looking at the camera.

On the Wings of Angels

My 35 year old cousin Kelly passed away last week on Monday after a long battle with cancer. She has 3 beautiful young children and was truly taken from her family too soon. Her passing has made me think so much about life, death, family, and the legacy that I want to leave. It broke my heart to see her kids say goodbye to their mommy. What were things like the last few weeks when the hope had diminished that things would get better? How do you possibly let go of your children? I can't even imagine how strong she had to be to hug her children and let them go not knowing if she would ever be able to hold them again. I don't know how strong I could be. Her oldest daughter read a poem at the funeral and did a wonderful job. I know her mommy was watching her and was so proud of her for doing this.

So many questions that can never be answered or understood. Things like this just seem so unfair. She still had so much ahead of her. I think we just need to take comfort in the fact that it is ok to not understand. It is ok to question God. It's even ok to be mad at Him. He can take it. In fact, I have a feeling He kind of expects it. The important thing is that while you can be mad, it's important to trust Him - knowing that we could never possibly understand why.

Anyway, on my way home from work this evening this song came on the radio. I have heard it a hundred times, but today it meant something different. Is Kelly really up in Heaven, smiling down on us saying "Don't worry about me."? I think she is. God bless Kelly and her family.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8sWwFIFlK8

Misc Pics

Here are a few pics of the kids over the past few months:

Adam took a nose dive off of the slip and slide right into the mud.

It was all up his nose!

Note the spit up on my shoulder. That is a normal part of my wardrobe.

Adam likes to spike his hair - but it only lasts about 3 seconds.

Playing outside on a beautiful day this summer

Adam took this picture. Not too bad...

Jacob having Fun, Fun, Fun in his bouncer!

When I sleep...

Last night as Jeff and Adam went upstairs to lay down for the night, Adam said to Jeff: "When I go to bed, I sleep with one eye open and one eye closed and keep searching and searching for monsters." How funny! Where did he learn this?

I have pictures that I will post soon. I am a horrible mother!

The Whole D**N Thing

So, people always say you need to record the funny things your kids say. Well tonight Adam said something that I literally had to leave the room because I was needing to laugh. Tonight we went out for pizza with Jeff's family for his mom's birthday and then they all came back to our house for cake. Adam was too distracted at the time to eat his piece of cake. We gave him his bath and to lure him out of the bathtub, we told him he could eat some cake (keep in mind this is around 10:00pm). Not my finest moment. But, hey you do what you gotta do. So he's running around naked and we are trying to get him into his pajamas. Jeff followed him into the kitchen where Adam was looking longingly at the cake sitting on the counter. Adam was saying that he wanted his piece of cake. Jeff was so frustrated and said: "If you get your pajamas on you can have the whole d--n thing." So, of course Adam puts his pajamas right on. Then he comes back into the kitchen and says "I want the whole d--n thing." It was so funny! I had to leave the room.

Wow - Where has the time gone

Since my last post, so much has happened! I can't even believe how much stuff has changed. Jacob turned 4 months yesterday. He is the happiest baby ever. He just smiles all of the time and is truly a joy to be around. Adam is doing so wonderful with him also. He just loves him to death. There are still some moments of jealousy, but I would say that Adam has adjusted so well - a lot better than we thought he would.

Jeff is doing great with them during the week. He thought it was going to be extremely difficult, but he is a superdad and does wonderful. Often, Jeff is with the kids more often than I am. I must say that I am so lucky to have such a wonderful husband who loves to be with his family. Work is also going well for Jeff. Still on weekends (of course) so that stinks, but we are managing.

I have had a change at work and while I still have the same position within the hospital, I now work with a different division. It is a big change and will be a challenge. In the end though, it is going to be just fine. In fact, I kind of like it so far. I have also started personal training with 3 other friends. I will just say that the first 2 sessions have nearly killed me. I am so out of shape. After the first session, I could barely walk. Jeff teased me saying that I was walking like a 90 year old woman. It wasn't pretty.

Here are some new(er) pictures:

Jacob at 3 months

So wrong, but funny

Here is a really funny song that my boss introduced to me when I first found out I was pregnant. If you do not like Bob and Tom, you probably will not like this song. I, on the otherhand, love Bob and Tom and while this song is mean - it is funny.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAP3TEE2MDs

2 Month Pictures

Here are some 2 month pictures of Jacob and a couple with his big brother. I can't believe it has been 2 months! So much has changed. I can't imagine life now without this little guy. He has been such a blessing.

Sorry for the rant

Apparently last night I should have just gone to bed instead of ranting about that book. Maybe I was a little too critical.

I will suggest a great book that I currently reading with a couple of friends. The book is Sacred Parenting by Gary Thomas. It is wonderful and gives a great perspective to raising children. Not an instruction manual, more like a "bring you back to what is really important" type of book. Check it out.

Baby-Wise? I don't think so...

For those of you who have read the book On Becoming Baby Wise by Ezzo and Bucknam, I hope you understand what I am about to say. If you haven't read the book, I would suggest reading it, however be prepared to feel offended. I must say that I read this book feeling like a failure as a mother and a wife. I basically should never nurse or rock my baby to sleep or sleep in the same bed as my baby. Now, I understand this. I know it is not a good habit to nurse or rock a baby to sleep, but I also do not feel that doing this is going to cause them to have behavioral problems when they get older as the authors would have you to believe. Of course I understand the risks of sleeping in the same bed as my baby. I am not an idiot. In my defense, he always starts the night in his bassinet, but sometime in the middle of the night he ends up in bed with us. To tell you the truth I am on auto-pilot in the middle of the night and often do not even remember picking him up and putting him in bed with us. I'm on survival mode.

Now, this book says that sleep is such a natural thing and that by 9 weeks a baby should be sleeping through the night. I would love this, but because I am such a loser and have basically done everything wrong according to the authors, Jacob will probably not be sleeping through the night until he is 2. There are some good points to the book, but I would suggest that a sleep-deprived new mother NOT read this book. Trust me, you won't like it. Read it while you are still pregnant for some good tips, or after your baby turns two - you will at least get a good laugh out of it.

New Pictures

Check out the link to Memories By Brandi on the side of my page to see awesome pictures that Brandi took of Jacob. She is so talented! Thank you Brandi. They are great. Jeff liked the picture of Jacob in the hat even though he thought it was silly looking!

A Fun Vacation

We just returned home on Friday from a vacation. We traveled to Florida for some fun in the sun. It was a very interesting trip. It didn't start out too well with Jeff and I forgetting to put Jacob into the car. We got out to the garage and realized we left him in his car seat on the living room floor! Thank goodness we didn't actually leave. Talk about a real life "Home Alone" movie. Then I left my purse on the plane when we got to Florida. Jeff and I were running back through the airport. Thank goodness I got it back.

Monday we went to Gatorland and saw a bunch of alligators. It was fun. Tuesday we went to Sea World. The weather was chilly and very windy. Then Tuesday evening we ended up taking Jacob to an urgent care clinic because he would not stop crying and we knew something was wrong. He had ear infection in both ears. I felt so bad for him. They drew some blood and gave him an injection of an antibiotic. We were going to leave the next morning for Tampa but the doctor wanted us to come back to the clinic the next day and they do not open until 5:00pm. So we hung out in Orlando for another day and visited the "Ripley's Believe It Or Not" museum and went to a park to enjoy the beautiful weather. It was a relaxing day. We took Jacob back to the clinic and they gave him another injection and gave us a prescription for an oral antibiotic. We left for Tampa after that. So we didn't get there until around 9:00pm or so. Thursday we went to Clearwater Beach. It was crazy with people. We were in traffic for probably an hour and only stayed at the beach for about 30 minutes. The water was freezing! Adam loved the beach though. Friday was pretty much spent traveling back to Orlando to catch the plane.

Here are some pictures from our trip: