July 2008

July 01

Made it 2 months!

Grace is two months today!  That's pretty exciting!  She is growing (up to 3-6 months clothing wise) and smiling and all around pretty decent kid.
Her brother (I will say) in order to celebrate decided to spray the inside of the dining area with a hose that he was told to keep outside.  I take partial blame for this, as I was working in the kitchen and (heaven forbid) turned my back on him for .00004 seconds, which is apparently enough time to  decide the garden no longer needs water, but the dining room floor (including, but not limited to: the table, three chairs, Grace's car seat, my cell phone, part of this computer, my brand new tennis shoes, and some craft supplies I had on the table.)  I must say that my initial response was that of death to toddler, but I was very impressed with how calm I stayed and I supervised his cleaning up every drop of water.  Grace calmly stayed enthralled by her mobile (I might really have lost it if she were screaming...) while the clean up took place.  Elijah has apologized (and immediately asked to play agua again... don't think so kiddo...maybe when you are 16...) and has given hugs and all is forgiven and I will probably be laughing in a few days time about this...still...  what possesses a almost 2.5 year old to do such things...sigh...
So here are my two favorite pictures of my two favorite kids.
This shirt needs a little change:
Party
in mom's bed
4 AM
At least she's happy at 4, but I would rather it be 7...oh well...beggars can't be choosers right?

Elijah's thing when he sees me feeding Grace, he thinks it's fun to feed his baby "elijah's milk."  How sweet!

I'm uploading pics to the album as well.  Happy Grace's two month birthday!!!!
July 03

Hot, but oh so much fun!

So the rain gods kept the day dry and rather hot, but we had a blast tie dying this morning.  There were seven moms and our kids.  I wasted a ton of water with the sprinkler pool and the baby pool, but it's just one day.  Jerry and I set up the tent and the moms all ended up over there after the dying was done.  I hope that everyone's projects turn out nicely.  It was nice to hang out and talk and not really worry about where the kids were (thank you fence!!!)  Elijah kinda kept to himself and Grace was just as charming as ever winning people over with her smile.  I also got rid of 6 jars of jam!  No one was allowed to leave without taking a jar!
Over all, it was quite fun.  I have a ton of dye left over, so I either have to pour it out or go get some shirt.  Jerry found this new site so maybe I can put some things on there and sell them as a test market.  Though Carmen mentioned that there maybe a place for some tie dyes in her store... we'll see.  I had cobalt blue, fire red, dark purple, and a denim blue.  10 bottles of dye in all.  It was a lot, but I wanted to people to make sure they were able to dye what they wanted.
SO now, I'm exhausted, but I can't sleep.  Elijah is napping peacefully and Grace is here in my lap talking to me, fighting off sleep...silly girl... and that's all she wrote...hehehehe!
July 04

About Elijah -- a 2.5 year retrospective

Conversations in the car:
E: Here comes the choo choo track.
e: 'ijah ride choo choo?
E: One day maybe.  You had your birthday party in a caboose.
e: 'ijah ride choo choo?
E: One day you will ride a choo choo.
e: (long pause) no 'ijah ride caboose choo choo yesterday. (didn't even know he knew the word yesterday.)
E: You rode the caboose yesterday?
e: uh-huh.
E: (giggling) Okay.
e: 'ijah ride engine choo choo NOW.
E: You want to ride in the engine now?
e: uh-huh.
E: Where are you riding the engine to?
e: Ride choo choo to airtport (not a typo, he puts a t in the middle of air port.)
E: That's not a long ride. (as the traintracks run right beside the airport.)
e: Ride choo choo to airtport.  (very final.)
E: Alrighty!
Later while passing a McDonalds:
e:Mommy Mommy Mommy Mommy!!!!
E: Yes Elijah!
e: chickenfries
E: Not today buddy, sorry.
e: (long pause) Mommy? Chinkenfries pleeeease?
E: I like how you asked, but not today buddy.
e: (sighs) okay.
The newest songs:
"The wheels on the bus go round and round, up and down, wah-wah, shhshh, move on back, beep beep. Twinkle Twinkle little staaaaaaaaaaar."
"Row Row Row Your Boat. Twinkle Twinkle Little staaaaaaaar."  (Do you see a pattern?)
"Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping? Twinkle Twinkle Little Staaaaaaaaaaaar."
"Lassy, lassy, this way and that way. twinkle twinkle little staaaaaaaaaar."
"Happy momma (instead of happy birthday) happy momma, twinkle twinkle little staaaaaaaaaar."
Pretty much anything he starts to sing, ends in a rousing rendition of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.  And it's oh so top-of-the-voice-rousing!  But it never fails to crack me up.
He still is having trouble with the beginning sounds of some words.  We thought it was just "ch" "th" and "sh", but it's many letters.  The thing that I don't get is that he can say the letters in other sections of the words.  For example, he says "'uppy" for puppy.  Obviously he can say "p", he just doesn't on the beginning of the word.  He still is new at the whole speaking thing, but we will talk to his doctor about it if it doesn't improve by the time he's 3.
I can't believe that he is going to be 2.5 in 9 days.  It's amazing actually.  So I am including two pics of the kiddo.  One from two years ago, a year ago and one from yesterday...sigh...

July 07

Grace's 2 month well check!

My little girl is 12.6 pounds (90%) and 22.5 inches long (50%) and I don't know about her head circ, but it must be okay since they didn't say anything about it...
She is a healthy little bit.  She has eczema (big surprise there) and cradle cap.  Both are nothing to worry about.  She smiled at the doc the whole time...well, until the doc messed with her hips and then not so much.  She handled her four shots as well as can be expected.  I nursed her immediately after and it was a little pathetic with the sniffling and tears, but she is fine and happy once again.  We didn't dose her with Tylenol and so far she has no fever, so I'm thinking that she may not need any at all, we'll see.  We decided to forego the Roto-Virus oral vaccine.  If she were in childcare or around more children that were, then I might reconsider.  It's a newer vaccine and Elijah didn't get it.  Although, it's not one we can put off.  I don't want her sick and apparently roto virus is highly contagious.  I'm actually wondering if that's what I had last September (when we found out I was preggo with her.)  Elijah and Jerry didn't get it, but I was insane about washing hands during that sickness.  I don't know.  We have a two week window.  But I think we'll just hope for the best.  She is moving her head all around and responding to sound and sight stuff.  So all in all a perfect baby.  The doc did grumble a little about her sleeping in bed with me, but I just brushed by it.  I am aware of her at all times.  Mostly she sleeps on my arm because that's how we fall asleep at those midnight feedings.
So here she is in all her glory.

July 11

Naps, guilt, and growth, oh my!

Naps:
Or lack thereof.  sigh... I have had to fight Elijah down for his nap lately and it's been getting later and later.  Then he totally didn't go down for a nap at all on Wednesday and Thursday.  I need that break.  Both days he ended up in his room until I told him he could come out, but he was not quiet and I got no rest.  I don't need a nap, I just need down time.  Grace is low maintenance.  Even if she isn't sleeping, she is chill... I mean seriously, she's 2 months old... not a whole lot of trouble.  But when she's crying and I'm trying to get Elijah asleep... sigh...
So I was beside myself.  I don't like being in a bad mood in the afternoon and I don't like being snappish toward Elijah, who was crying at the littlest thing because he was soooo tired.  Anyway, Jerry came home today and I took Grace and laid down with her and Jerry got Elijah to fall asleep in his own bed.  Sigh...  At least our afternoon was better because we all three got some rest.
Guilt:
So the issue seems to be that Elijah won't go down for a nap because he wants some undivided attention.  I want to give it to him, but I also want to give undivided attention to Gracie.  I feel very torn.  On one hand, I feel like I haven't gotten to bond with Grace as much as I want and on the other hand when I give her complete attention, I feel like Elijah acts out because I'm not giving him enough.  I know it's not going to be easy.  I know that the kids are fine.  I'm not neglecting either one.  I know that Elijah will get over it, it's an adjustment to suddenly have to share your folks (I had trouble sharing my folks with my friends when I was in middle and high schools, I can't expect a 2 year old to adjust super quick...) but I still feel guilty about it.  I feel like I'm not being the super mom that I should be.  It's an unrealistic standard that I have set for myself.  I did this with Elijah and I've done it again with Grace.  I need to relax and not worry so much about what's going on around me and be the best mom I can be.  There are days when I let Elijah watch too much TV, because I am just beat.  I function best on a schedule and I'm thrown when I have really busy weeks, like we have the last week or so.  But today went well and I hope that these days continue.  I know that eventually the guilt will pass and I'll feel better about being a mom and chill a bit.  Things will either get better or they won't and I will be the one that will adapt.
Growth:
On a MUCH lighter note...the girl child apparently grew overnight... we put her in a sleeper last Friday.  It was a bit big, we had to roll up the feet and the arms.  We put the same sleeper on her on Tuesday and no rolling was required.  I really forgot how fast they grow!!!  I'm going to add a video as soon as it finishes uploading... for now, there are new pics in a new folder...
July 16

Wednesday Friendsday

We have had a great two days!  Yesterday Angela came over and we finished up the dye from the tie dye party.  And today was Wednesday/Friendsday with Kristie and Kate.  We had a very nice time.  We love our Thursday playgroup too, but this is just the three of us (a fourth may be added) and we get a little more of chance to sit and talk.  With our Thursday playgroup it gets a little more difficult to do that, but still it's manageable.
My parents (and possibly my aunt) are coming on Sunday!  I'm excited to see them.  We're going to the beach and play lots while they are here.  I hope the weather holds and nothing tropical comes our way.  They are doing a house exchange with a friend of mine, so it's nice they don't have to pay for a hotel.  Though mom mentioned bunk beds.  Right now we have no place for them.  I think that when Grace is in her own bed we will move her into Elijah's room and move all the toys across the hall as a separate play space...we'll see.
Jerry got his summer bonus at work the other day and we are talking about things we need for around the house.  We both realized that for the past bonuses/tax returns/stimulus checks we have gotten things for the house or for the kids (i.e. fence, play set, yard tools....) and that we should do something for us.  First we are doing something for Grace, by setting up a savings account for her.  Then we are buying something for just us...
i have exciting news, but I'm waiting until my folks get here first...no I'm not pregnant...  I'll post on Sunday I promise!!!

T-minus 4.5 hours and counting....

...I honestly am making this out to be bigger and it is... hehehehehe... I made my mom promise to not look at the blog after tonight, so I'll probably post tomorrow.  It's a big deal to me...probably not so much for the rest of you... but hey, it's my blog!!!!
July 18

Okay... I simply can't wait...

Okay...so the big secret, which in all reality isn't that big...
I decided to donate my hair to Locks of Love.  10 inches.  That's allot for me.  I was really really nervous, but I think it all turned out okay.  I belong to a mom's group that will be doing a fundraiser in March and I think I will donate again. So here are the pics:
BEFORE

DURING (that's 10 inches... doesn't look like it, but it is)

After

After tucked behind the ears.

I like the cut.  I'm a little worried abotu what's going to happen when I wash it and then don't take the morning to flat iron it, but the stylist lady promised it would look okay curly.  So we shall see.  But I'm happy with it.  Jerry likes it and neither of my kids are too scared of me.  Though Elijah kept looking at me all weird when I came home...ahh, well, he'll adapt.
So that's the big news.  I hope it wasn't too anticlimactic.
July 26

What a week!

Okay...
So I got my hair cut on Friday.  We had a tropical wave hit us on Saturday.  In between bans Jerry and I went out to Costco....and.... bought a Wii!!!!!  I'm so freakin' in love with this thing.  It rocks!   We wanted to get something for just us with Jerry's bonus.  The last bonuses/stimulus check/tax refund have gone to the house or things for the kids and we decided to treat ourselves.  We want the Wii Fit too, but it's sold out EVERYWHERE!  But regardless, I have lost 3 pounds on this thing just playing the tennis game.  I love it.  We only use it when the kiddos are asleep.  We are not letting them play...it's ours... not theirs.
Anyway, on Sunday my folks and aunt arrived.  They had been visiting a relative in SC so they only had a 2-ish hour drive up.  They all loved the hair.   And, of course, the kids!  I thought I would get so much done with three helpers here, but I really didn't do that much.  We went to the Blue Moon Galleries on Monday (since it was scorching hot!) and I think that a friend and I might start selling stuff there... we'll see (side story on that: Carmen is not accepting consignment sales anymore, so I had to pull all my stuff out of her shop...sigh... I hope that she can continue to keep the shop open, and I disappointed to not have an outlet anymore, but maybe this is for the best.  Depending on rent at the BMG, I may come out better...we'll see...)   On Tuesday, we hit the beach in the morning.  I'm always so tired after a beach day.  It's exhausting getting up and out the door with two kids.  My folks took all the beach stuff the day before, so it was already set up for us when we got there.  The water was perfect, as was the weather, but it was still tiring.  Our playgroup met there last week, but Elijah is still a little scared of the water, so it was pretty much paying 3 bucks for Elijah to play in the sand.  It's only worth it if I can get in the water...not that possible with two kiddos... but with extra hands to help out, it was worth it.  Wednesday we went to the Farmer's Market and got some yummy fresh veggies to grill out that evening and have with lunch.  Thursday, Jerry had the day off, so he and my dad did stuff in the yard, mom played with Elijah outside, Mavis held Grace and I made Grace a super cute dress!  It was so easy (the dress that is) and it's reversible.  So I will be making them to sell (if we go ahead with the BMG thing) with matching reversible sunhats (how freakin' cute will that be?)  I have a pattern for overalls that I'll make for boys (and girls too!)  Then on Friday they went home.  I was so sad to see them go.  My friend Amy and her fam switched houses with my folks for the week.  It was nice for them to not feel they had to stay in a hotel, and have their own space for sleeping.
After the folks left we took Elijah to Fit For Fun and let him play for a bit, picked up my stuff from Carmen's and came on home.  Today we took the (abundance of) recycling to the drop off and went in search for a Wii Fit.  No luck... but c'est la vie.  We'll get it eventually.
Okay... I'm going to add some pics...and yes, mom I got your e-mails (I wrote the thank you letters already) and the pics are on their way!
July 28

Big Yawn

I guess Miss Grace is hitting a growth spurt.  She wanted to eat alllllll freakin' night last night.  Oh well.  I shouldn't complain.  She went back to sleep after each feeding.  And really how hard is it to roll over and feed the child and then go back to sleep... not so much.  Elijah is still coming into my room to tell me that he's going to sleep with Jerry.  Night before last he came in to tell me it was dark (we usually leave a light on in the kitchen, but didn't that night.)  Last night Jerry left the light on in his room and had put a pillow over his head... Elijah was worried because he couldn't see Jerry... Helllllo do you not hear the snoring?  Silly boy!  Did I mention that Elijah can wink now?  Just one eye, but it's really funny!
ANYWAY, so we all slept in the big bed for nap today and it simply wasn't enough for me.  I'm exhausted.  And I have a heat/sleep headache that won't go away.  I think we will head out to play in the pool in a bit.
This weekend, I put on a piece of clothing that was given to us as a hand me down.  I just forget about our kid's skin issues.  I didn't pre-wash the clothes.  I didn't ask the donor what type laundry detergent they used... Grace broke out EVERYWHERE!   Poor thing.  SO now I am in the middle of a massive clothes washing!  One friend gave us 4 huge boxes of clothes up to 2T, so it's taking a bit.  I'm on the 18 month stuff now.  Sigh...  Oh well, better to do it now than later I guess.
Okay.  That's really it... I added new pics to the month 3 album as the girl child will be 3 months this week!!!!
July 30

Wednesday/Friendsday

We had a great day today!
We'll start with yesterday and move on...
We went to a baby shower yesterday.  It was quite a shower and nice to hang out with other moms in support of a mom to be.  Elijah ate WAY too much sugar, and hence no nap... BOOOO!  I also decided yesterday that I would sell my stuff at The Cape Fear Music and Arts Festival with my friend Kristie.  We will have a booth there and just chill.  I'm excited about it, but I have a ton of stuff to do.  I need to finish sewing on the faces of the snuggle buddies, make some hats to match the super cute new dresses I have, AND I need to sew the buttons on said dresses... then I just have to label and tag everything... Doable, but time consuming.
Anyway, today was a great day.  We met our friends Katie and Kristie at a local pool and had a great time.  I love hanging out with these women and their kiddos.  Elijah is the oldest of the bunch, but he's pretty good around them.  After a GREAT nap today Elijah and Grace and I have been hanging out in the nice AC.  It is just too hot to be outside right now.  I know that sounds horrid, but it really is too HOT!   95 with a heat index way above 100... not so much for the outside.  But we are playing and having fun inside!
Cute Elijah story:
Sometimes on the way home we go by the airport and over railroad tracks. Elijah is well aware of this and points it out every time we go this way.  The other day Elijah was playing with a toy that he was pretending to be an airplane.  Here is the conversation:
E:Where are you flying?
e: To the airport.
E: That's a good place to go.
e: Yup. Over the choo choo tracks and down down down to the airport.
It just tickled me that he thinks there RR tracks in the sky.
I LOVE MY KIDS!!