In 2004, I had one love
In 2013, I have three, including this cutie!
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Friday, March 29, 2013
Exhausted
So you know when they tell you when you are pregnant and close to your due date to get your sleep now? The thing about that is that when you are pregnant you think, oh yeah, I know I am going to be really tired for a bit because my kid won't sleep through the night for awhile. Then you have a second kid and you realize that the newborn phase is actually a piece of cake. Because your big kid is now a crazy toddler that runs around like a mad woman and has tantrums and tries to eat everything in sight. Fast forward some more and you realize your kids are 3.5 and almost 1.5 and you haven't had a good night sleep for almost 4 years when you consider pregnancies and everything. Yup, that is where I am today!
Vacation with kids is exhausting. Even when you have 4 adults supervising 2 small kids. Kids are wound up, doing new things, eating special treats, and having lots of fun. Today was a fun day, but included about 12 bathroom breaks, 7 Easter egg hunts, 4 walks/wagon rides with the kids and/or pups, one playground visit, 2 attempts to find and feed turtles, and one unfortunate pee accident. This was all after a night that included sharing my bed with a 3.5 year old who was in half-asleep tears at least six times and a dog who is desperately afraid I will abandon her and run out in the middle of the night never to be seen again. At least Kellen slept all night long. The bad news is that that was probably because he needed his paci to fall asleep, likely because his ear infection seems to be bothering him again.
We have one more day of our short vacation. Then I need another vacation - ideally one alone where I can sleep for a day or two straight! It is a good thing my little people are so cute and sweet!
Vacation with kids is exhausting. Even when you have 4 adults supervising 2 small kids. Kids are wound up, doing new things, eating special treats, and having lots of fun. Today was a fun day, but included about 12 bathroom breaks, 7 Easter egg hunts, 4 walks/wagon rides with the kids and/or pups, one playground visit, 2 attempts to find and feed turtles, and one unfortunate pee accident. This was all after a night that included sharing my bed with a 3.5 year old who was in half-asleep tears at least six times and a dog who is desperately afraid I will abandon her and run out in the middle of the night never to be seen again. At least Kellen slept all night long. The bad news is that that was probably because he needed his paci to fall asleep, likely because his ear infection seems to be bothering him again.
We have one more day of our short vacation. Then I need another vacation - ideally one alone where I can sleep for a day or two straight! It is a good thing my little people are so cute and sweet!
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Ships Crossing In the Night
Well I guess it won't even be many nights. Over the next four weeks, either Bryan or I, and occasionally the kids will be gone at some point. It is kind of crazy that our family that hardly ever travels will do so many jaunts!
First up is our trip to NC. We were supposed to go as a family for Easter but things changed and now I am driving solo with both of the kids and the pup. We'll come back Saturday night so that the Easter bunny can visit us in Maryland and we can spend the holiday with all four of us together. I am a little nervous about the trip. It is our first overnight excursion since Noelle has been wearing big kid underwear 24 hours a day. It is also the first time Kellen will be sleeping in the pack and play since last August. Kel is also basically pacifier-free, even at night, and also still on antibiotics. This all could lead to disaster but I am trying to be optimistic and hope that despite the cool temperatures we will have a great time visiting the beach and my family!
Next up is Bryan's only trip. He'll be flying down to Lousianna to visit with his mom and next oldest brother to take care of some family business they need to do down south. It will be nice for them to all be able to get together and I have some fun stuff planned with the kids and my mom's group mommies while he is out of town.
Third is my trip to San Antonio. I used to joke with my mom that I thought San Antonio was where we were meant to live. This will actually be my first chance to check out that theory since I have never been before! I'll be spending 3 nights and almost 4 days at a science teaching conference next to the River Walk and I am excited to see some sights, eat some good food, do some networking, and ideally, catch up on some sleep! I'll be back Saturday night in time for Bryan to head down to the law school for an event. We do have a family hike and cookout planned for that Sunday to spend some time together!
Last up on our travel agenda is a trip to Ohio for Kellen and I. One of my best friends from graduate school is moving out of the country and we have decided to all get together before she goes. The last time we caught up was in MD shortly after we had Noelle so it has been almost 3 years! I didn't think I could handle both kids for another long, non night-time car ride, so am just taking Kellen with me. My other friend, Jennie, has a little boy that was also born in October 2011 and I am hoping they hit it off! Daddy and Noelle have a fun weekend planned, including her first gymnastics class. Hopefully my little monkey behaves herself and doesn't drive her father totally crazy!
So that is the next four weeks. I am overwhelmed already and we haven't even left for trip one! But this is it for travelling as less than a complete family unit until at least fall. Unless of course someone wants to watch our precious, super well-behaved angels so mommy and daddy can go to Disney or an island or something for a week or two!
First up is our trip to NC. We were supposed to go as a family for Easter but things changed and now I am driving solo with both of the kids and the pup. We'll come back Saturday night so that the Easter bunny can visit us in Maryland and we can spend the holiday with all four of us together. I am a little nervous about the trip. It is our first overnight excursion since Noelle has been wearing big kid underwear 24 hours a day. It is also the first time Kellen will be sleeping in the pack and play since last August. Kel is also basically pacifier-free, even at night, and also still on antibiotics. This all could lead to disaster but I am trying to be optimistic and hope that despite the cool temperatures we will have a great time visiting the beach and my family!
Next up is Bryan's only trip. He'll be flying down to Lousianna to visit with his mom and next oldest brother to take care of some family business they need to do down south. It will be nice for them to all be able to get together and I have some fun stuff planned with the kids and my mom's group mommies while he is out of town.
Third is my trip to San Antonio. I used to joke with my mom that I thought San Antonio was where we were meant to live. This will actually be my first chance to check out that theory since I have never been before! I'll be spending 3 nights and almost 4 days at a science teaching conference next to the River Walk and I am excited to see some sights, eat some good food, do some networking, and ideally, catch up on some sleep! I'll be back Saturday night in time for Bryan to head down to the law school for an event. We do have a family hike and cookout planned for that Sunday to spend some time together!
Last up on our travel agenda is a trip to Ohio for Kellen and I. One of my best friends from graduate school is moving out of the country and we have decided to all get together before she goes. The last time we caught up was in MD shortly after we had Noelle so it has been almost 3 years! I didn't think I could handle both kids for another long, non night-time car ride, so am just taking Kellen with me. My other friend, Jennie, has a little boy that was also born in October 2011 and I am hoping they hit it off! Daddy and Noelle have a fun weekend planned, including her first gymnastics class. Hopefully my little monkey behaves herself and doesn't drive her father totally crazy!
So that is the next four weeks. I am overwhelmed already and we haven't even left for trip one! But this is it for travelling as less than a complete family unit until at least fall. Unless of course someone wants to watch our precious, super well-behaved angels so mommy and daddy can go to Disney or an island or something for a week or two!
Monday, March 25, 2013
Just Monkeying Around
On Saturday Kellen took 6 hours worth of naps in an attempt to recover from his infections and I took my little monkey Noelle to Olney to celebrate my best friend's baby girl turning one. I can't believe how fast time is flying.
I braided Noelle's hair for the first time but couldn't get her to stay still for a picture of the back. I think it was pretty good for a first attempt! Then I took a few pictures of my princess, had her go to the potty again, crossed my fingers that we would make it to Olney without a pitstop, and headed off.
After about 3 hours of playing we headed home. I wasn't as lucky as on the way there and we did make a pitstop at the McDonald's off of 32 but I was just thankful we made it inside in time. Now I just need to figure out how to do bathroom breaks for the trip to NC with me, the kids, and Maddie tomorrow and Saturday. I think I am going to have to go with a diaper or plastic cup if I ever want to get there!
I braided Noelle's hair for the first time but couldn't get her to stay still for a picture of the back. I think it was pretty good for a first attempt! Then I took a few pictures of my princess, had her go to the potty again, crossed my fingers that we would make it to Olney without a pitstop, and headed off.
Catherine did a good job making some monkey cupcakes. Avery was very careful while eating hers. My daughter, on the other hand, took a cupcake and ran. I didn't even see her eat it, but one relative noted that my child clearly doesn't get a lot of dessert in her life. Yes, that would be correct!
After about 3 hours of playing we headed home. I wasn't as lucky as on the way there and we did make a pitstop at the McDonald's off of 32 but I was just thankful we made it inside in time. Now I just need to figure out how to do bathroom breaks for the trip to NC with me, the kids, and Maddie tomorrow and Saturday. I think I am going to have to go with a diaper or plastic cup if I ever want to get there!
Friday, March 22, 2013
Eyes and Ears
And mouth and nose. These are the body parts Kellen has down pat. I wish I could say it is because we sing "Head Shoulders Knees and Toes" all the time. Nope, K has another eye infection. Accompanied by another ear infection. His right eye was a little pussy Wednesday morning. By yesterday at lunchtime his other eye was gunky too. This morning his eyes were crusted shut when he woke up. We know this pattern. So he is back on antibiotics and also has eye drops again. On Tuesday the pediatric center will have seen Saxton's every week of March. Boy did I underfund my health care HSA account this year!
Kel was also measured at 21 pounds fully clothed this morning. He was not being still so I am not convinced that was 100% accurate but he definitely has lost a little the last week. My poor baby! Is it ever going to be real spring?
Kel was also measured at 21 pounds fully clothed this morning. He was not being still so I am not convinced that was 100% accurate but he definitely has lost a little the last week. My poor baby! Is it ever going to be real spring?
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Jump! Jump!
Saturday evening we hit Jump Zone for our first time for a birthday party. I had tried to go once the summer I was pregnant with Kellen and the line was out the door and in the direct 90 degree sun so we skipped it, but it was pretty fun. Noelle and her friends had a blast and Kellen got in on the excitement a bit. I will say it was pretty crazy trying to supervise the kids and I think Pump It Up is less overwhelming as a parent!
As always I think my kids' favorite part of any party is the food involved. Kellen preferred the pizza, while Noelle enjoyed the cake and the juice. Yes, even I am not so mean that I withhold juice at parties when every other kid is drinking it!
And here are my little people, full and ready to go home for baths and bed!
As always I think my kids' favorite part of any party is the food involved. Kellen preferred the pizza, while Noelle enjoyed the cake and the juice. Yes, even I am not so mean that I withhold juice at parties when every other kid is drinking it!
And here are my little people, full and ready to go home for baths and bed!
Happy birthday Hayden! Thanks for inviting us to jump and play!
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Fashion Show
How do you get your 3.5 year old to try on every outfit she owns to figure out what clothes you need to buy for the upcoming season? Convince her it is a fashion show!
The verdict after trying on every pair of pants, shorts, and shirt? Yup, we need to buy a lot of stuff!
Sunday, March 17, 2013
St. Patty's Day
We celebrated our mostly pretend Irish Heritage over the past few days. B and I are each about a tenth Irish but we do have a son who certainly looks like he could pass for being from the rolling green hills!
On Friday we had a St. Patty's themed playdate in the afternoon and Noelle made a shamrock and other related items at school.
On Sunday we feasted on green pancakes, Noelle learned about St. Patrick and made a "leprechaun and pot of gold" picture at Sunday school, and we finished the day off with the Hollywood's with Guinness, pot roast, mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, and dessert. Bryan even dyed his glass of beer green. I only got pictures of the pancakes but everything was yummy and it was a lot less stressful and cheaper than the bar. Bryan does say he is instituting Green Beer Day in Catonsville in 2014 so get ready friends!
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
On Friday we had a St. Patty's themed playdate in the afternoon and Noelle made a shamrock and other related items at school.
Our green food spread - grapes, broccoli, pears, and cookies!
Crafting away with their fruit loops.
My example...
I am fairly certain Noelle takes after her godfather in her crafting ability. Boy does she like glue though!
On Sunday we feasted on green pancakes, Noelle learned about St. Patrick and made a "leprechaun and pot of gold" picture at Sunday school, and we finished the day off with the Hollywood's with Guinness, pot roast, mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, and dessert. Bryan even dyed his glass of beer green. I only got pictures of the pancakes but everything was yummy and it was a lot less stressful and cheaper than the bar. Bryan does say he is instituting Green Beer Day in Catonsville in 2014 so get ready friends!
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Friday, March 15, 2013
More Busy Bags
On Wednesday I swapped busy bags again with a few members of my mom's group. We actually broke the group up in to age groups (1-3 and 3-5) and I participated in the older group to get some things that would challenge Noelle and hold her attention.
I am particularly proud of my creation - letter practice bags. I included some uppercase foam stickers, pipe cleaners cut in to different sizes to make in to letters (or other shapes), and my personal favorite activity, a three-ring laminated alphabet card collection for the kids to use dry erase markers on to trace and write their letters.
We also got some "stained glass" window art in the shape of butterflies, a felt pizza complete with pizza box, and some play dough number design cards. I think Noelle (and eventually Kellen) will love their new bags. And hopefully it will keep them busy!
The younger swap included some cool stuff too. Shape and color sorting, clothespin color and number wheel matching, pom pom container stuffing, pool noodle lacing, pipe cleaner button lacing, and a super cool magntic fishing game. I ams ure my kids are a little dissapointed not to have that last one in particular!
Thanks to the moms in my group for participating and keeping my kids busy with their creativity! And thanks to pinterest for my inspiration!
I am particularly proud of my creation - letter practice bags. I included some uppercase foam stickers, pipe cleaners cut in to different sizes to make in to letters (or other shapes), and my personal favorite activity, a three-ring laminated alphabet card collection for the kids to use dry erase markers on to trace and write their letters.
We also got some "stained glass" window art in the shape of butterflies, a felt pizza complete with pizza box, and some play dough number design cards. I think Noelle (and eventually Kellen) will love their new bags. And hopefully it will keep them busy!
The younger swap included some cool stuff too. Shape and color sorting, clothespin color and number wheel matching, pom pom container stuffing, pool noodle lacing, pipe cleaner button lacing, and a super cool magntic fishing game. I ams ure my kids are a little dissapointed not to have that last one in particular!
Thanks to the moms in my group for participating and keeping my kids busy with their creativity! And thanks to pinterest for my inspiration!
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Our "Snow" Day
The predictions were made. 12-14 inches was thrown around at one point before the forecasters settled on 4-8 in our area and more farther west. It was 53 degrees on Tuesday as I drove home from work so I had my doubts. And yes, turns out I was right. We ended up with about 1-2 inches of snow. On the grass. And totally clear roads. There was hardly any snow even left on the grass Thursday morning.
I am not complaining. JHU closed. I don't have snow boots for me or snow clothes for my kids or a sled for them to play with, and frankly, I don't like the snow or cold. So actually the snow day was my favorite kind. It looked pretty for the day and I got off work, but because it was more raining then snowing most of the day, I could enjoy it from the comforts of my house.
So what did we do? We invited friends over to play. We tried a ziploc bag finger painting project, made homemade pretzels, popped popcorn, watched a little TV, ate a yummy lunch and some great beef stew for dinner, and had generally a great day. Noelle played hard with her friends running around, dressing up as a princess, and getting out every toy in our house for four hours and still didn't nap so the day did end up with Noelle in tears and in bed at 6:45 but life goes on. All in all though it was a pretty great "snow" day!
I am not complaining. JHU closed. I don't have snow boots for me or snow clothes for my kids or a sled for them to play with, and frankly, I don't like the snow or cold. So actually the snow day was my favorite kind. It looked pretty for the day and I got off work, but because it was more raining then snowing most of the day, I could enjoy it from the comforts of my house.
So what did we do? We invited friends over to play. We tried a ziploc bag finger painting project, made homemade pretzels, popped popcorn, watched a little TV, ate a yummy lunch and some great beef stew for dinner, and had generally a great day. Noelle played hard with her friends running around, dressing up as a princess, and getting out every toy in our house for four hours and still didn't nap so the day did end up with Noelle in tears and in bed at 6:45 but life goes on. All in all though it was a pretty great "snow" day!
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Iron Man
Yesterday I took Kellen to the doctor for his second iron follow-up. And four months and another blood draw later we learned my little guy is still anemic. Kellen will actually have another full blood work-up at the lab this weekend, but it looks like despite being basically symptom free, a few more months of iron supplements are in the cards. The good news, besides him looking good, is that K is finally gaining some weight. He was 24 pounds fully clothed with his diaper on, which puts him firmly in the 10-25% range. K has started eating dinner again and seems to have outgrown his picky phase and has probably put on close to 1.5 pounds in the last three weeks. He is an active guy and clearly will never be huge but I am glad he is growing bigger and stronger. He needs some weight on him to help with the daily Noelle wrestling match!
Here is my little guy trying to make a run for it at the doctor!
Here is my little guy trying to make a run for it at the doctor!
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
33 on 3.3
33 was always my favorite number growing up. Pretty much every softball jersey I wore featured it. And since I turned 33 on March 3rd I decided I wanted to celebrate in style.
Ok, the in style thing is maybe not totally accurate. We had 4 families over for brunch. Ten adults, 6 kids three and under, and lots of food made for a yummy and fun, but not exactly stylish or quiet birthday brunch. My, how things have changed. But it was a perfect way to celebrate getting older!
To further celebrate the big 33, I did have a little girl's night on Saturday. Train table turned snack spread plus chatting with some of my favorite moms made for a great night! It is hard to have a bad night when cookie dough dip and wine are involved!
My birthday even included a nap. Sure it was interrupted by two small people but thankfully they are pretty cute!
32 was pretty good. Here is hoping that 33 is even better and healthier for the family!
Ok, the in style thing is maybe not totally accurate. We had 4 families over for brunch. Ten adults, 6 kids three and under, and lots of food made for a yummy and fun, but not exactly stylish or quiet birthday brunch. My, how things have changed. But it was a perfect way to celebrate getting older!
To further celebrate the big 33, I did have a little girl's night on Saturday. Train table turned snack spread plus chatting with some of my favorite moms made for a great night! It is hard to have a bad night when cookie dough dip and wine are involved!
My birthday even included a nap. Sure it was interrupted by two small people but thankfully they are pretty cute!
32 was pretty good. Here is hoping that 33 is even better and healthier for the family!
Monday, March 4, 2013
Vroom!
Saturday was a daddy daughter, mommy son kind of day. Bryan took Noelle back to the Home Depot for their next kid project installment. They made a pretty cool race car and while Ellie was kind of sad it came already painted red, she had a blast with her daddy and friends!
After they built a car, the twosome test drove one at Ford. We get $50 from Ford for test driving since we talked to them at the autoshow which was totally worth their time! Especially since B would really like a car if we can swing another set of payments in the coming months. No pictures from the explorer test drive event but Noelle also apparently "drove" a truck in the showroom.
After their car morning and Kellen and I's 0-2 playdate, we had a family lunch at Peace a Pizza. It was a nice meal together for my birthday weekend. Then the boys napped while the girls crafted and watched Lion King (minus the scary part)! Then Noelle and daddy headed off again for part two of their day together - a free classic rock trial music class. They had a good time although we'll probably spend our money on swim lessons or gymnastics for our little girl instead. Kel and I watched Modern Family and vacuumed the house. Probably the last month or two I can get away with watching mommy shows with him!
After they built a car, the twosome test drove one at Ford. We get $50 from Ford for test driving since we talked to them at the autoshow which was totally worth their time! Especially since B would really like a car if we can swing another set of payments in the coming months. No pictures from the explorer test drive event but Noelle also apparently "drove" a truck in the showroom.
After their car morning and Kellen and I's 0-2 playdate, we had a family lunch at Peace a Pizza. It was a nice meal together for my birthday weekend. Then the boys napped while the girls crafted and watched Lion King (minus the scary part)! Then Noelle and daddy headed off again for part two of their day together - a free classic rock trial music class. They had a good time although we'll probably spend our money on swim lessons or gymnastics for our little girl instead. Kel and I watched Modern Family and vacuumed the house. Probably the last month or two I can get away with watching mommy shows with him!
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