Too Tight!

Daddy wears hooded sweatshirts or 3/4 zip sweatshirts to work. I didn't notice what kind Daddy wore yesterday, but I soon realized when VW started going thru his dresser drawers looking for a hooded sweatshirt versus what was laid out for him to wear!

VW: I want a hooded sweatshirt.

Mommy: You wore your only one yesterday.

VW continues to dig thru his dresser drawers adamant that he had another one.

VW: I have a Mickey Mouse sweatshirt.

Mommy: You do, but it is probably too small.

VW: Here it is!!

So, I help put it on him put it on to verify that I was right!

VW: Mommy, you put it on too TIGHT!

Or it is too small; he wore it anyway!

[I headed to my fav second-hand store and picked him up a couple hooded sweatshirts, so he can be like his Daddy!]

January 30th = 67 Degrees?

It was an absolutely beautiful day today! After work we headed out for an wonderful walk! 


Even though VW had his moments...first he wanted to be pushed in the stroller, then he wanted to go to the playground (but not enough time before it got dark), broke down in an all out cry (does this often when he is hungry), then he decided to walk but once I got him out, it was only to push the stroller and then he decided he wanted to play a game on my phone while I pushed him (NO). 


DG enjoyed his new ride.

The part of this amazing, wonderful January day, is that it is supposed to be like this (but I am not complaining!)

Purple Nail Polish

Since picking up VW at buddies Friday afternoon, he has begged to have purple nail polish.

We told him "no".

We told him only girls, like Mommy, wear nail polish.

We asked him if his Cousin I wore nail polish.

And this went on all weekend!

So finally Sunday afternoon I painted VWs toe nails purple after much persuasion that his finger nails shouldn't be painted.

(VW has Mommy's Feet!)

As soon as I finished with the pinky toe, he asked me to take it off!

So off went the purple nail polish [that didn't last long]!

VW prayed tonight: "Thank you for my purple nail polish that we took off!"

Family Friday’s – Princess E

You have the most precious, sweetest, loving 8-year old cousin ever, Cousin E.

She is all “girl”, but completely knows how to handle herself and her ground not only with her brothers, but with VW and DG.

She is appropriately innocent and adorably cuddly.

Aiming to please in all she does and loves being with her family.

She’s not afraid of hard work and practice, because of this she dances beautifully, amazingly, and eloquently (something Mommy and VW are in awe of). At Cousin Es dance contest, VW just stares and takes everything in. When Cousin E is done performing, he isn't even ready to leave (like Cousin Es brothers are)!

And she is a hot shooter on the basketball court.

Number 29 with the ball

When Mommy was pregnant with DG, she hoped you would be a girl, although said she wouldn’t mind being the only princess!

Some of the best parts of Cousin E is how she loves to take care of both of you and has from the first day you were born.

VW the day he was brought home.

DG at the hospital.

When Cousin E is around you are held, read to, rocked, swayed, tickled, protected, and loved like only our favorite (and only) girl cousin, Princess E, can do.

Cousin N and E with DG

Cousin E visiting after dance practice with DG

In charge of DG at the zoo

Showing VW where we are at on the map

Keeping VW safe in the parking lot

We love you Cousin/Niece E and look forward to many more fun times and memories as you continue to grow into a beautiful woman (but you can stay sweet and innocent as long as you want)!

Preparing for MI

Although one of our family vacations is nearly 6-months away, we are starting to prepare for the adventure:

monthly budget – check

lifejacket – check

van – check

Kelty child-carry backpack for DG – check (yeah, ebay)

VW telling us stories and reminiscing about our last trip – priceless

Here is the excerpt from my journal after our trip:

May 21, 2010

We just got back from a wonderful vacation visiting Uncle B and Aunt. It was so fun to see them and where they live, work and play. We made a lot of wonderful memories:

o    VW yelling “truck” or "motorcycle” every time he saw one…which is a lot on an 11-hour drive on the interstate

o    When we got to Uncle B and Aunt R’s house and Aunt R was showing us their home. Aunt R opened the French doors to the sunroom, VW stepped carefully down the stairs ran to the chair in the corner, climbed in, turned around, and smiled so bright…he was so happy and proud…he looked like he owned the place

o    VW playing with his Aunt and Uncle and his magical laugh

o    VW stretching to reach Aunt Rs parents hands walking along the trails

o    VW smile of accomplishment after climbing the last few stairs in the park and gasp of astonishments as the other adventures thought he climbed all 100+ stairs

o    VWs roar every time we drove by the tiger at the entrance to the Potter Park Zoo in their neighborhood

o    VW playing with the fridge magnets…and breaking them L

o    VW playing with the HUGE exercise ball and begging us to go downstairs to play with it

o    VW shrugging his shoulders and saying “where go” every time Uncle B or Aunt R would leave the room

o    VW sleeping in

o    VW sprinting back and forth at Aunt Rs parents condo

o    VW enjoying his first campfire and smores

o    VW running around “the land of K” at Uncle Bs museum…and then hitting the glass display cases (not such a good memory)

o    ICE CREAM

o    VW yelling “hi” to a lady while we were eating ice cream, she yells “hi” back without even turning around and keeps on walking

o    VW trying to catch Uncle B at the MSU ice cream shop and “climb” the walls like him

o    VWs face lighting up and pointing excitedly when we saw all our pictures from our MI trip…his favorites are with Uncle B and Aunt R

"Wish" List ~ Not to be Confused with my Dreams

Life has been crazy lately. I am so ready to take a breathe and exhale.

Between the holidays and having activities planned every weekend the past month to colds and doctor visits to time-off work to care for sick kids to car shopping and buying to birthday celebrating and eating to just living life...

As I start to look towards the weekend ahead, like usual, I mentally plan my activities for the weekend. This activity list stays in my head (typically I would write them down so I can cross them out and revel in my accomplishments), however, this list is different. This is the list of all the things I "wish" we could accomplish in the weekend. For some reason, I put more hours into my Saturdays and Sundays!

So, my list always starts with finding our house back by organizing and cleaning, errands to run, bills to pay, pictures to take and organize, all the places to go (e.g., church, park, zoo, children's museum), in essence, all the catching up I wish we could do.

But my house stays somewhat disorganized and clean, errands are ran between nap times, and we make it to one fun place occasionally.

Yet in all these "wishes," my dreams come true as...VW helps me make waffles or muffins, DG giggles in his high chair, Daddy sleeps in, then joins in the fun and good eating; Daddy and I enjoy coffee and interrupted conversation; we tickle and wrestle; sing songs and dance; play Play-Doh, cars, hide-n-seek, puzzles, and "Buzz and monsters;" DG and VW play in their tunnel communicating in a language only they understand; and at the end of weekend, I cuddle on the couch next to Daddy in awe of our two miracles and the abundant blessing we have and experience every day (even when I don't accomplish my wish list)!

Vitals – 9 Month Comparison

I am not the type to compare the boys, as they are such precious, individual boys; however, after DGs 9-month check-up last night it is fun to compare their growth patterns.

Vitals	Height	Weight	Head Circumference
VW	30”	17 lbs. 8 oz.	45 cm
	92%	7%	38%
DG	29”	20 lbs. 15 oz.	46 cm
	91%	58%	71%

Pretty comparable, except for the weight! DG had a great appointment and had to get two shots. He handled them well, although he turned completely red in the face fighting me when I needed him to lay down for the nurse. VW ended up getting the flu shot while we were there too; Dr. M has seen 3 cases this week already and I had not gotten the boys in earlier. VW screamed and was not happy, limping, and asking to be carried. We told him we could do something special and so we played play-doh together while dinner was baking! All in all good trip! And my are we growing!

The Tradition Continues

Here are Christmas 2011 pictures. Love how you can see each of our personalities shining thru and how you can tell that Mommy and Daddy have their hands full!! Feel the love of 2011!

Balancing Act

All mothers know the balancing act it takes to be a mom…getting kids fed, faces wiped, pants changed, noses wiped, chauffeured, tucked in, free-play, educational play, quiet time, book time, clothes cleaned, house cleaned…however, the newest balancing act I am learning at my house is to do practically anything with an adorable 9-month holding on to my pants. I gently squeeze DG steady between my legs; gracefully keep my draw-string pants up; and cook, do laundry, get ready for work, do dishes…and pray that whatever space we are in, he can remain steady enough to not fall flat on his face, but land happily on his padded bum.

DG Turns 9 Months - Time Flies

Today our little guy turned 9-months old. Time sure flies when you are chasing an adorable little one that enjoys the “chase”, always smiles, has the most precious giggle, has to stand, always curious what his big brother is doing, and rocks out to any music! Love you DG!

The Beloved Family Christmas Photo

Since I can remember Mommy’s family has posed for the traditional family Christmas photo in front of the Christmas tree. The camera delicately balancing on the back of a chair; someone trying to remember how to set the timer and get just the right frame for the picture; people trying to stand in just the right spot so their head doesn’t get cut-off, their good side is showing, and everyone still fits; someone pushing the button and trying to get to their spot before the flash and click of the picture; in the digital age, checking to see if everyone was actually looking when the picture snapped; trying again; some years we even had a girl/boyfriend (sorry Uncle C) take the picture. No matter what craziness developed, the beloved Christmas photo has captured some great moments in time and how our family has grown and changed over the years.

Christmas 2011 (DG 1st Christmas)

Christmas 2010 (pregnant with DG)

In 2009, we celebrated Thankmas, no tree.

Christmas 2008 (VWs first Christmas)

Christmas 2007 (Pregnant with VW.Uncle C may have taken this picture, since he was just the boyfriend)

Christmas 2002 (I will have to find the 5 missing years, but great up the nose, balancing on the back of the chair picture.)

You Love Me?

VW did not have a very good day on Monday; he came home with TWO incident reports! One for slapping and one for punching! Not good and where does this come from?

When we got home, he marched up to his room to wait until dinner was ready. Boy, does he hate not hanging out with his Mommy and Daddy! VW did throw a few things (Mr. Potato Head) and screamed multiple times, but he stayed in his room for 35 minutes! Whew!

He came down for dinner and talked our ears off. After putting the dishes away, VW and Daddy started chatting in the front room, as I did the dishes. I can see them sitting in the wing back chairs, VW occasionally looking at Daddy, but also all over the place like a typical 3-year old. The conversation overheard goes something like this:

Daddy: Not happy. You do not hit, push, or kick your friends.

VW: No, you be nice.

Daddy: Yes. You can only tickle and wrestle with Daddy. No being mean to your friends. (We’ve noticed VW sometimes gets more aggressive after play times with Daddy).

VW: Do you love me?

Daddy: VW we love you so much, we just do not like it your actions of hitting and pushing your friends. I will always love you.

VW: Yes, ‘cuz we are family. DG, Mommy, Daddy, and me…we are a family.

Daddy: Yes. We are a family and Mommy and I love you.

Too precious, sweet, and oh so innocent, within the amazing, yet sinful mind and actions of a three-year old…

VW went to bed without his nigh-nigh TV show (these days that’s Scooby Doo) and prayed that he would be nice to his friends tomorrow, and kissed on the forehead good night. Because do we love you? Of course, we will always love you, even in your not so shining moments.

UPDATE:

How about a not so shiny week! 

Tuesday had a rough morning, but turned it around after nap. No incident report, but VW did say he hit someone.

On Wednesday, VW got more destructive and decided to use a scissors on his friend. He lost having a friend in centers with him...devastating to be by yourself. We made a sticker chart for no hitting and when he can have no incident reports for hitting for 5 days, he gets to play his new Buzz Lightyear Operation game with Mommy and Daddy.

And finally on Thursday, no hitting, but he threw up!

Nana hung out with him on Friday. 

Hopefully this weekend he can turn it around and start to shine bright again!

Badge of Motherhood

We took the plunge and for my birthday (well, it just happened to be my birthday), we got ourselves the great family van. Now this thing is amazing!! Daddy sure knows how to find them and if Mommy gets to drive a van, she gets the best Daddy can afford (Daddy always wants the best for Mommy). This van is like a living room on wheels! I feel very blessed that I now have the “baseball van” to safely travel with my boys and the most exciting part…pick up my niece and nephews, friends, and other family members all in one vehicle! (And I think Daddy is a little happy to takeover Mommy’s SUV; however, Daddy’s truck will be dearly missed!)

So, I consider the new van a badge of motherhood, part of my journey; a journey that I am enjoying every minute! VW most exciting part? He gets to watch movies (although he thought he could watch one on the way to Cousin NRs house 2 blocks away) and when he goes to Nana and Papas house "we will have matching vans!"

On to the next step in my amazing life of motherhood, now if I could only figure out how to open the doors…

Three-Tenths

Seriously people, it is only 3/10ths of snow…this little amount of snow should not also freeze your brain causing you to forget how to drive!! This is Nebraska and it rains, sleets, and snows annually. Be safe out there!

On another note, our hard drive on our computer “froze” with a fatal error…time for a new hard drive. Should be back up and running soon!

Family Friday's - Uncle B

To start off the new year I thought I would take Friday’s to tell you a little bit more about our family. The first lucky family member is your Mommy’s brother, Uncle B.

Now, Uncle B is 2.5 years younger than your Mommy and although some siblings (especially brothers and sisters) don’t always get along, your Uncle B and I have always had a great relationship. From the motherly sister years (which I still have) to some okay times as a pre-teen to adulthood we have had some fun and, should I say, interesting times together.

Except for the fact that VW has my brown eyes, sometimes I catch a glimpse of Uncle B in him. For some reason, this happens most often when he gets that twinkle in his eye and does something somewhat questionable, like run away from me. Because of this, at Aunt K and Uncle C's wedding, I let Uncle B know that if you did anything embarassing, I would say you were his kid! ;-)

I’ve always been a little competitive with your Uncle B and even though he is my younger brother, I’ve often looked up to him (and not just ‘cuz he is taller than me). Some of the fun times I remember (too many to list) are: building forts out of blankets and the couch cushions on Saturday mornings; playing football in the yard; playing dress up with him; making him watch our younger sister (Aunt K); participating in track and musical activities together; working at the pool; karate chopping him; building a miniature golf course in the backyard; playing “Annie, Annie” over; Goonies; watching him run track in college; getting married; and watching him play with my boys.

Uncle B now lives with his wife, Aunt R, in Michigan, so we don’t get to see him that often. However, the times we are together, I greatly enjoy the experiences and opportunities you’ve had.

I just love how you look up to him and have that mischievous, yet admirable, smile on your face.

I love that Uncle B knows how to make life fun!

I love how he takes every opportunity to teach to you, even though some of the stuff is rather strange?

I love that you have great times together and that he is such a great role model!

And you even though we don’t get to see him as often as we would like, may you continue to learn to live life to its fullest, to always have fun, to do things for others because you really enjoy it, to live a life for God, to be willing to try and enjoy new things, to do the best you can at all things…just like your Uncle B!