Saturday it nearly hit 80 and yesterday and today it barely hit 60....our bodies are in shock and are saying "Hot dog...it's COLD!". We bundled up for baseball tonight in jackets and hoods and still were cold. This is cold enough for me personally, at the start of fall I am all "YAY winter"...and then it hits and I quickly remember why I am positive I would never survive living any further north (aside from TN of course). I like a good snow but then I am good to go....bring back my sunshine and warmth!
I am up to my rerranging antics again, I am wondering if this is seasonal thing for me...temperatures change and I need to change things up in the house....ready the house and furniture for fall? I moved the boys rooms around a bit. Jakeb requested no more bunk beds and I agree it looks better with out the clutter in his little room. Today I struck in the "hearth/toy room" and moved the chair from one corner to the other until it finally landed in the same corner it resided in 6 months ago...back to it's apparent "winter" location. Our living spaces down stairs are not very smart--we have very little space to properly put furniture so I am always moving things around trying to find the best fit. Though honestly even if it was a perfect layout I would still change things up a bit--because it's fun and keeps things new and different.
Nolan is snoozing beside me as I type--he totally should be in his bed but well he's not and I am not sure how to make that happen. I talk a big game all day long and then night falls and I am tired and he wakes up and I just bring him here because it's easy and he's warm and snuggly and cute. And then morning rolls around and I am mad at myself for not getting a good nights sleep again...and then I remember that I am pretty sure I won't stay mad at myself for snuggling this baby for longer than I should in our bed forever, so we just go with it. Saturday Zachary helped another soccer team out by playing goalie--I didn't go because well I just didn't...I wanted to watch him play of course but had the other boys and we had been at a birthday party and I just was ready to be at home...so I went home with them...and darn if I didn't miss the "play of a lifetime" for Zachary. He often plays goalie and has a mean punt--apparently the kid kicked the ball from his goal all the way to the other goal, thus scoring the only point for their team. I reminded him he isn't allowed to do awesome neat things like that when I am not at the game. He was in big trouble for that...or not.
Jakeb told me today that Robert inspires him...later he revised this statement to let me know that he inspires him in sports and things like that and that I inspire him in other things. He was worried he hurt my feelings....he inspires me.
And also Nolan turned 11 months old today and I will hopefully discuss this tomorrow.
Monday, October 8, 2012
Friday, October 5, 2012
Better.
I haven't been here much lately...with baseball and soccer and all things..life. The blog is not happening much there days. Not that I wouldn't like to sit and hammer out a few hey how are ya's...but on top of all of that Nolan isn't much for just hanging out while I do my thing while on the computer. Or rather he is but then I find him turning up floor cleaner like he's in a bar or munching on paper like he wasn't just fed 20 minutes ago or testing out the theories of electricity on his fingers via the outlets in the wall. Needless to say the boy is busy...and it's wonderful. Really...don't take the above as negative because watching him explore is just cool...albeit exhausting at times. He took his first few steps a month ago and basically took a hiatus from that since but in the last week or so he has stepped up his game and is getting braver and braver. He's almost 1 and that's amazing. Part of me wants to be sad but the truth is I, at least right now, am not sad--I am in awe and that a full year has gone by and love that we are fast approaching my favoritist of ages. Toddler hood, the most trying at times but oh how I love a toddler...with their emerging personality and tiny little voice and curiosity. Even the fits of the bizarrist of things...good times, I promise.
And one is SUCH a milestone...that first year. Gone are the sleepless nights {in theory} the newborn worries and the baby blues. And you are left with this little toddling baby full of wonder and curiosity and happy. With each of my boys first birthdays (and honestly every birthday) I got the urge to fist pump the air and shout we made it. That first year is full of so much, so much good and so much not so fun but just so much that I think an audible sigh is warranted--and yet those sweet baby days are gone. Though truth be told I don't miss those when they are gone--at least not terribly. I gobble up every once of those babies that when they are gone I know I enjoyed them to the very last drop. Sure there are moments that I miss....that first moment that you look at that sweet face, those little sweet sleepy snuggles, first milestones...though I imagine I might feel differently in 10 years. For now I am living it up with this snuggly baby who is fast approaching his very 1st birthday and keeping us busy enjoying every last bit of him.
And my 6 year old...fast approaching 7 and the losing of his first tooth. My 8 year old who is closer to 9 than I can believe and is as feisty as ever. And my oldest guy...who is 10 going on 32 and is my pal and my helper and the neatest 10 year old I know.
And one is SUCH a milestone...that first year. Gone are the sleepless nights {in theory} the newborn worries and the baby blues. And you are left with this little toddling baby full of wonder and curiosity and happy. With each of my boys first birthdays (and honestly every birthday) I got the urge to fist pump the air and shout we made it. That first year is full of so much, so much good and so much not so fun but just so much that I think an audible sigh is warranted--and yet those sweet baby days are gone. Though truth be told I don't miss those when they are gone--at least not terribly. I gobble up every once of those babies that when they are gone I know I enjoyed them to the very last drop. Sure there are moments that I miss....that first moment that you look at that sweet face, those little sweet sleepy snuggles, first milestones...though I imagine I might feel differently in 10 years. For now I am living it up with this snuggly baby who is fast approaching his very 1st birthday and keeping us busy enjoying every last bit of him.
And my 6 year old...fast approaching 7 and the losing of his first tooth. My 8 year old who is closer to 9 than I can believe and is as feisty as ever. And my oldest guy...who is 10 going on 32 and is my pal and my helper and the neatest 10 year old I know.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Tuesday Twelve
1. I just wolfed down a bowl of kettle corn. I found massive bags of it at Costco. I love kettle corn. A lot.
2. We got a Costco membership a few weeks ago...I love costco. A lot. They have gallons of milk (in a funky shape!) for $2.19. That alone is awesome sauce. Toss in giant bags of yummy kettle corn...I mean really.
3. Apparently this month is the month of "things that cost"...the boys have pictures, year books, field trips, spirit shirts, book fair, basketball signups, fall festival....Oy oy. Not to mention Halloween and farm trips and then Christmas around the corner...our check book just had a heart attack.
4. The boys and I made a quick trip to the beach for a long weekend with our friends...it was great! I love road trips with my boysies. Especially when they were as fantastic as they were.
5. There is about 20 loads of laundry in our foyer....it always seems like a great idea to toss things over the banister upstairs, until I walk down and assess the mess I made.
6. A big branch fell in our back yard and broke one of our adirondack chairs.
7. I haven't heard any word about our dossier in country yet...
8. Nolan is sleeping...after a epic'ish battle to get him to sleep. My goal over the next however long it takes I guess is to get the wee one falling to sleep on his own--and also sleeping in his room all night. I am not a fan of cold turkey tossing him in the crib so today was some crying, some content crib playing, and ultimately him falling asleep with my sitting by his crib with my hand on his chest--progress on both of our parts. Sleep patience is not something I have much of...so we are both a work in progress!
9. I think I need another bowl of kettle corn.....
10. We have a tree we need cut down...feel free to come do this for us...
11. Gavin is super dee duper excited for basketball....like REALLY excited.
12. Gavin also pretty much taught himself how to play Twinkle Twinkle little start on the piano/keyboard...
2. We got a Costco membership a few weeks ago...I love costco. A lot. They have gallons of milk (in a funky shape!) for $2.19. That alone is awesome sauce. Toss in giant bags of yummy kettle corn...I mean really.
3. Apparently this month is the month of "things that cost"...the boys have pictures, year books, field trips, spirit shirts, book fair, basketball signups, fall festival....Oy oy. Not to mention Halloween and farm trips and then Christmas around the corner...our check book just had a heart attack.
4. The boys and I made a quick trip to the beach for a long weekend with our friends...it was great! I love road trips with my boysies. Especially when they were as fantastic as they were.
5. There is about 20 loads of laundry in our foyer....it always seems like a great idea to toss things over the banister upstairs, until I walk down and assess the mess I made.
6. A big branch fell in our back yard and broke one of our adirondack chairs.
7. I haven't heard any word about our dossier in country yet...
8. Nolan is sleeping...after a epic'ish battle to get him to sleep. My goal over the next however long it takes I guess is to get the wee one falling to sleep on his own--and also sleeping in his room all night. I am not a fan of cold turkey tossing him in the crib so today was some crying, some content crib playing, and ultimately him falling asleep with my sitting by his crib with my hand on his chest--progress on both of our parts. Sleep patience is not something I have much of...so we are both a work in progress!
9. I think I need another bowl of kettle corn.....
10. We have a tree we need cut down...feel free to come do this for us...
11. Gavin is super dee duper excited for basketball....like REALLY excited.
12. Gavin also pretty much taught himself how to play Twinkle Twinkle little start on the piano/keyboard...
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Tuesday Twelve.
1. Sorry for my abrupt departion from the blog recently...I didn't intend on vanishing for 2 weeks.
2. The boys were on fall break last week and we spent the majority of the week out of town romping around the great state of TN. It was very lovely.
3. We spent a couple nights with my mom, a couple with Robert's parents, and a couple with my aunt. It was very nice to visit with everyone.
4. I am majroly struggling with doing anything other than sitting around watching Nolan play and not eat things off the floor or climb on things (and then fall) or play with the outlets...
5. Right before we went out of town I found a snake in my bathroom on the counter. Yes I died a thousand deaths. Yes we found it and yes it's dead. And no I am not kidding.
6. I actually didn't find it ON the counter I found it on the floor at my feet were it landed after I pulled a hair cut cape off to fold it an put it away. Needless to say I am traumitized.
7. We are really enjoying the cooler weather.
8. I finally got my self down to ATL to get our USCIS approval apostilled and then mailed to our agency so it can catch up with our dossier in Russia.
9. Our dossier should be just about finished being translated but I haven't heard word about it just yet.
10. The boys are having fun playing baseball...and we are having fun cheering them on!
11. Jakeb is playing soccer again and it's fun watching him grow with his team.
12. He is also playing piano again and is doing really well and is very eager to go and learn which is wonderful!
2. The boys were on fall break last week and we spent the majority of the week out of town romping around the great state of TN. It was very lovely.
3. We spent a couple nights with my mom, a couple with Robert's parents, and a couple with my aunt. It was very nice to visit with everyone.
4. I am majroly struggling with doing anything other than sitting around watching Nolan play and not eat things off the floor or climb on things (and then fall) or play with the outlets...
5. Right before we went out of town I found a snake in my bathroom on the counter. Yes I died a thousand deaths. Yes we found it and yes it's dead. And no I am not kidding.
6. I actually didn't find it ON the counter I found it on the floor at my feet were it landed after I pulled a hair cut cape off to fold it an put it away. Needless to say I am traumitized.
7. We are really enjoying the cooler weather.
8. I finally got my self down to ATL to get our USCIS approval apostilled and then mailed to our agency so it can catch up with our dossier in Russia.
9. Our dossier should be just about finished being translated but I haven't heard word about it just yet.
10. The boys are having fun playing baseball...and we are having fun cheering them on!
11. Jakeb is playing soccer again and it's fun watching him grow with his team.
12. He is also playing piano again and is doing really well and is very eager to go and learn which is wonderful!
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
10 Months.
Nolan is officially done with single digit months. He hit 10 months old this past Saturday. His 10th month "birthday" was spent at the soccer field and at Ikea. All of which he took in stride and was happy to be along for the ride.
At 10 months our Nolie Bear is still our little snuggly bear. But also he is voicing his opinions and wants much more often and obviously. He still prefers me over nearly everyone. He gets very excited when his brothers get home from school and when his Daddy gets home from work. He waves his arms and kicks his feet with excitement. We call it happy arms! He is slowly but surely getting better at eating solids. He still loves his yogurt and has found a new passion for Mac n' Cheese. Which thus far seems to be his very favorite food. He seems to like blueberries and raisins but most other fruits are hit or miss. Vegetables are pretty much a no thank you at this point. On the 1st he took 2 steps all by himself and did this a couple times over a few days but has thankfully since decided he's good with crawling for a bit longer. He however can stand by himself for a good while and even bounce his little booty around in excitement. He loves to dance! and when music comes on he shakes that little tooshie and knows exactly what "Dance Nolan!!" means. He finally learned to clap but just to make up for his lack of clapping he now tosses in a "YAaaayyyyaaayy" While he claps, which is all sorts of awesome. So "YAY" his officially Nolan's first word and it's so very fitting that it is. Because hello YAY!!
He is a busy busy boy and crawls all over all day long. He is over all contraptions to contain him and would much prefer to climb on them or stand next to them to play rather than actually be IN them. His favorite toy is his Alligator clacker walker and right now the little house thing that we had from Zachary. He is discovering shape sorters and ring stackers and manages to get the rings back on and the occasional shape in the sorter. He can climb on things and thru things with ease. His favorite activity is finding every tiny piece of anything he can and putting it in his mouth. Robert and I don't remember the other boys putting things in their mouths quite so much...but then again there were likely less options for them! He is starting to voice his displeasure in things and often will randomly stop and slam his hands down in his lap all while giving me a look that is meant to let me know he is unhappy. I think he is trying to say "No" as he will put his little mouth in that "o" shape and just look at me. The face is classic and you know he's not happy. He has even "thrown" himself on the floor a time or 2...and by throwing I mean he lays down slowly so he doesn't hit his head and then looks at me with "the not happy face". His personality emerging every month is so neat to watch, because often the unhappy seems more like experimenting with the emotion and actions more than it is an actual unhappy. But unhappy he can be...he is not a fan of being told no and often will just boohoo when he is given a very firm "NO". He is still our little rough boy and loves to smack and pull hair and just be a rough guy!
He is still the easiest baby around and the chattiest. He is obviously making attempts at talking but I haven't heard any for sure words other than YAY just yet. He will yell after us when we call for his brothers or the dogs. And it often sounds like he is trying to say "Jakeb" or "Hush" or "Cat" but I am just not sure yet. Either way he is very close to saying words. His Uncle Michael calls him the baby tyrant (nicely!) because it sounds like he is barking orders at people...it's very funny.
We are all head over heels with this little guy. We are excited to watch him grow and learn and just amazed he's here. YAY for Nolan! Happy 10 months to our awesome little Bear.
ETA: He is also OBSESSED with the house phone, the vacuum cleaner, and the broom.
He is a busy busy boy and crawls all over all day long. He is over all contraptions to contain him and would much prefer to climb on them or stand next to them to play rather than actually be IN them. His favorite toy is his Alligator clacker walker and right now the little house thing that we had from Zachary. He is discovering shape sorters and ring stackers and manages to get the rings back on and the occasional shape in the sorter. He can climb on things and thru things with ease. His favorite activity is finding every tiny piece of anything he can and putting it in his mouth. Robert and I don't remember the other boys putting things in their mouths quite so much...but then again there were likely less options for them! He is starting to voice his displeasure in things and often will randomly stop and slam his hands down in his lap all while giving me a look that is meant to let me know he is unhappy. I think he is trying to say "No" as he will put his little mouth in that "o" shape and just look at me. The face is classic and you know he's not happy. He has even "thrown" himself on the floor a time or 2...and by throwing I mean he lays down slowly so he doesn't hit his head and then looks at me with "the not happy face". His personality emerging every month is so neat to watch, because often the unhappy seems more like experimenting with the emotion and actions more than it is an actual unhappy. But unhappy he can be...he is not a fan of being told no and often will just boohoo when he is given a very firm "NO". He is still our little rough boy and loves to smack and pull hair and just be a rough guy!
He is still the easiest baby around and the chattiest. He is obviously making attempts at talking but I haven't heard any for sure words other than YAY just yet. He will yell after us when we call for his brothers or the dogs. And it often sounds like he is trying to say "Jakeb" or "Hush" or "Cat" but I am just not sure yet. Either way he is very close to saying words. His Uncle Michael calls him the baby tyrant (nicely!) because it sounds like he is barking orders at people...it's very funny.
We are all head over heels with this little guy. We are excited to watch him grow and learn and just amazed he's here. YAY for Nolan! Happy 10 months to our awesome little Bear.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Tuesday Twelve
1. These are the easiest posts to quickly sit and hammer out...
2. Our dossier officially landed in the hands of Russian folks last Thursday.
3. School is continuing to go well for everyone...
4. Tuesday's are our crazy days. 2 piano lessons, 1 soccer practice, and 1 baseball practice. Busy day!
5. Gavin and Zachary are digging baseball....this is the first sport where Zachary is wishing the practices were longer.
6. Zachary is in the shower as I am typing...Gavin and Nolan are snoozing and Jakeb is in his bed reading.
7. I am or was...slowly working on getting Lilac Hill Photo back up and running....I stalled out....
8. I have GOT to get Gavin's 6 year old pictures done.
9. We are heading to TN for several days in a couple weeks.
10. Robert has started a masters program...
11. We have new neighbors and I am excited about this...
12. I am not a fan of later than normal bed times on school nights...
2. Our dossier officially landed in the hands of Russian folks last Thursday.
3. School is continuing to go well for everyone...
4. Tuesday's are our crazy days. 2 piano lessons, 1 soccer practice, and 1 baseball practice. Busy day!
5. Gavin and Zachary are digging baseball....this is the first sport where Zachary is wishing the practices were longer.
6. Zachary is in the shower as I am typing...Gavin and Nolan are snoozing and Jakeb is in his bed reading.
7. I am or was...slowly working on getting Lilac Hill Photo back up and running....I stalled out....
8. I have GOT to get Gavin's 6 year old pictures done.
9. We are heading to TN for several days in a couple weeks.
10. Robert has started a masters program...
11. We have new neighbors and I am excited about this...
12. I am not a fan of later than normal bed times on school nights...
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Tuesday Twelve
1. Hi there.
2. This evening was the "curriculum" night for Jakeb and Zachary's grades....Robert stayed with the boys and I went. I was not able to go to both classes and opted to go to Jakeb's since I have gone thru 3rd before and not 5th...5th has a lot of info. Such as discussions about a graduation, a dance, and a puberty conversation. Eek all around.
3. Despite the Eek I am crazy about this preteen prepubescent boy of mine. I think this is a fun age. While seeing them go from tiny babies to big kids is sometimes sad...I really do enjoy watching them get older and mature and revel at who they are becomming.
4. I am bummed I had to miss Zachary's...however I am a room mom for him and not Jakeb so...it evens out. And always does.
5. OH! We received our USCIS approval yesterday. Holla! Really means not much at this point but that sheet of paper cost us nearly a grand and took over a month to get...so a big step in the right direction.
6. For some reason the cursor is not showing on my screen...annoying. Or as Gavin says ignoying...ignore+annoying He's awesome. And also says susposed to...I don't correct him. I probably should but it's cute so I don't
7. I need a hair cut again....AGAIN. What....I get hair cuts quarterly not monthly. BOO.
8. Um and also...guess who had to get a box of old clothes out tonight to locate jeans that fit...um this girl. Hello favorite prepregnancy jeans--yes I love you. Despite being still 2 sizes bigger than I would like I am very happy to see you again. Even better that I am seeing them on my body. ...without having to wiggling and dance my way into them.
9. I am very sleepy....story of my life...but my clothes fit so you know...it evens out.
10. Nolie Bear's cold is hanging on for like ever....and is trying to dance it's way into my body...so the scratchy throat I am feeling can just go. And it will.
11. I have eaten my weight in sugar over the last 2 weeks. Someone please stop me...must eat cookies, candy, and ice cream...ugh.
12. Oh right and I also cooked dinner at home every single night last week. AND froze dishes. Awesomeness.
2. This evening was the "curriculum" night for Jakeb and Zachary's grades....Robert stayed with the boys and I went. I was not able to go to both classes and opted to go to Jakeb's since I have gone thru 3rd before and not 5th...5th has a lot of info. Such as discussions about a graduation, a dance, and a puberty conversation. Eek all around.
3. Despite the Eek I am crazy about this preteen prepubescent boy of mine. I think this is a fun age. While seeing them go from tiny babies to big kids is sometimes sad...I really do enjoy watching them get older and mature and revel at who they are becomming.
4. I am bummed I had to miss Zachary's...however I am a room mom for him and not Jakeb so...it evens out. And always does.
5. OH! We received our USCIS approval yesterday. Holla! Really means not much at this point but that sheet of paper cost us nearly a grand and took over a month to get...so a big step in the right direction.
6. For some reason the cursor is not showing on my screen...annoying. Or as Gavin says ignoying...ignore+annoying He's awesome. And also says susposed to...I don't correct him. I probably should but it's cute so I don't
7. I need a hair cut again....AGAIN. What....I get hair cuts quarterly not monthly. BOO.
8. Um and also...guess who had to get a box of old clothes out tonight to locate jeans that fit...um this girl. Hello favorite prepregnancy jeans--yes I love you. Despite being still 2 sizes bigger than I would like I am very happy to see you again. Even better that I am seeing them on my body. ...without having to wiggling and dance my way into them.
9. I am very sleepy....story of my life...but my clothes fit so you know...it evens out.
10. Nolie Bear's cold is hanging on for like ever....and is trying to dance it's way into my body...so the scratchy throat I am feeling can just go. And it will.
11. I have eaten my weight in sugar over the last 2 weeks. Someone please stop me...must eat cookies, candy, and ice cream...ugh.
12. Oh right and I also cooked dinner at home every single night last week. AND froze dishes. Awesomeness.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Some things.
I was just sitting here thinking about something to talk about on this here blog and it occurred to me that I would like to jot down a few awesomeness things about the boysies. I talk about them a lot...but you know they are my baaaaabbbbbieees and this is my blog and yeah...I can do that.
Sometimes though when I go to talk about them or tell about them I have a hard time deciding who to start with...like they are going to look back and think gee she always talked about you first or what she says about you is longer or something. When really I struggle with being fair and I try to make sure "it all shakes out in the wash" and it does.
So first off...Gavin that boy. He is seriously a funny guy...I mean here he is our lone blondie little peanut and he has more personality than all of us. First off Gavin is a hit with Every.one. From what I hear from other parents the kids talk about Gavin and just love Gavin...which is just cool. I mean I know what is great about him but it's neat to hear what others see too. He's just a nice kid...he's thoughtful and friendly and just great. However. Gavin is also...hmm well he's like the hulk. Happy friendly easy going one minute and crazy not nice the next. Tonight I read a new Skippyjon Jones book to them (thank you Kohls Cares!) and Gavin decided he needed to sleep in a mask...I told him he could but if they were playing and not sleeping I was going to take it. The of course were playing and not sleeping so it gotten taken away. As I was walking away my little spitfire of a boy slams back into his bed and angrily mutters "screw this". I think we can thank a certain uncle for the use of that term since it's not one we use (another I might claim but not that one ;) ) Of course I giggle and immediately text Robert. Well after I sternly told him that is 100% not something he can say. And also some goods...he can read. Like really really read amazingly well. He started Kindy basically not reading. By Christmas last year he was starting to read more and now 8 months later he can read anything and everything. It's amazing.
My Zman...my party hardy boy. He is such a tender heart but a wild guy. He has decided on his own accord that he is going to "write a book". He has chosen the topic of Bobcats and is looking up info on the computer and pictures and is typing it out in Word. He even got a binder and labeled it "Zachary's research book". I am impressed. I am not impressed that he keeps freezing my computer with his crazy clicking and pasting. He is Nolan's buddy and while Nolan loves Jakeb and Gavin just as much he will sit and snuggle with Zachary...or maybe Zachary snuggles with him more. Zachary is my helper. He will typically help when asked without complaining...he loves helping in the kitchen and loves being with the grown ups. Zachary is really bad about sitting at the table with his knee propped up at the table...it's something I am trying to get him to stop doing so the other night when it was up again I said to him "Where is your leg supposed to bed?" And without missing a beat he straight face responds with "attached to my body". I couldn't help but laugh...He's quick.
Jakey boy...he is my guy I feel the closest to right now. (and that changes all the time!) He will sit and chit chat with me and we can giggle and joke around with each other in a different "more mature" way than I can with his brothers right now. I can walk into a room and dance like a goof and he will look at me crazy and just giggle with a "Moooommm" and I love it. I feel bad for him right now...he is in a boot for 2 weeks for his heel all the while his other heel is hurting a bit too. I hope that this fixes the problem but I am worried it won't. I can't believe he is in 5th grade. He loves his school and his teacher. She seems great and I hope she notices him more than other teachers have in the past. That sounds "harsh" but Jakeb flies below the radar...he doesn't get in trouble and is quiet and because of that he is just a kid in class. Or at least that's how it often seems. I love that he wakes up eager for school and will say in a heartbeat "I love school". He gets up every morning and gets his things done and is ready to go without a struggle. The joys of a 10 year old. I often have to remind myself that his brothers are not 10...I imagine when they are 10 they will be going thru the motions just as smoothly.
These big guys are doing great and they amaze me daily. Sometimes it's nice and good to stop and think about all the things they do that amaze me. It's so easy to get caught up in the day to day and the frustrations that I often don't slow down and appreciate it them or jot down some of the funny things they do. Or even just the mundane things of our days. They are amazing little boys.
Sometimes though when I go to talk about them or tell about them I have a hard time deciding who to start with...like they are going to look back and think gee she always talked about you first or what she says about you is longer or something. When really I struggle with being fair and I try to make sure "it all shakes out in the wash" and it does.
So first off...Gavin that boy. He is seriously a funny guy...I mean here he is our lone blondie little peanut and he has more personality than all of us. First off Gavin is a hit with Every.one. From what I hear from other parents the kids talk about Gavin and just love Gavin...which is just cool. I mean I know what is great about him but it's neat to hear what others see too. He's just a nice kid...he's thoughtful and friendly and just great. However. Gavin is also...hmm well he's like the hulk. Happy friendly easy going one minute and crazy not nice the next. Tonight I read a new Skippyjon Jones book to them (thank you Kohls Cares!) and Gavin decided he needed to sleep in a mask...I told him he could but if they were playing and not sleeping I was going to take it. The of course were playing and not sleeping so it gotten taken away. As I was walking away my little spitfire of a boy slams back into his bed and angrily mutters "screw this". I think we can thank a certain uncle for the use of that term since it's not one we use (another I might claim but not that one ;) ) Of course I giggle and immediately text Robert. Well after I sternly told him that is 100% not something he can say. And also some goods...he can read. Like really really read amazingly well. He started Kindy basically not reading. By Christmas last year he was starting to read more and now 8 months later he can read anything and everything. It's amazing.
My Zman...my party hardy boy. He is such a tender heart but a wild guy. He has decided on his own accord that he is going to "write a book". He has chosen the topic of Bobcats and is looking up info on the computer and pictures and is typing it out in Word. He even got a binder and labeled it "Zachary's research book". I am impressed. I am not impressed that he keeps freezing my computer with his crazy clicking and pasting. He is Nolan's buddy and while Nolan loves Jakeb and Gavin just as much he will sit and snuggle with Zachary...or maybe Zachary snuggles with him more. Zachary is my helper. He will typically help when asked without complaining...he loves helping in the kitchen and loves being with the grown ups. Zachary is really bad about sitting at the table with his knee propped up at the table...it's something I am trying to get him to stop doing so the other night when it was up again I said to him "Where is your leg supposed to bed?" And without missing a beat he straight face responds with "attached to my body". I couldn't help but laugh...He's quick.
Jakey boy...he is my guy I feel the closest to right now. (and that changes all the time!) He will sit and chit chat with me and we can giggle and joke around with each other in a different "more mature" way than I can with his brothers right now. I can walk into a room and dance like a goof and he will look at me crazy and just giggle with a "Moooommm" and I love it. I feel bad for him right now...he is in a boot for 2 weeks for his heel all the while his other heel is hurting a bit too. I hope that this fixes the problem but I am worried it won't. I can't believe he is in 5th grade. He loves his school and his teacher. She seems great and I hope she notices him more than other teachers have in the past. That sounds "harsh" but Jakeb flies below the radar...he doesn't get in trouble and is quiet and because of that he is just a kid in class. Or at least that's how it often seems. I love that he wakes up eager for school and will say in a heartbeat "I love school". He gets up every morning and gets his things done and is ready to go without a struggle. The joys of a 10 year old. I often have to remind myself that his brothers are not 10...I imagine when they are 10 they will be going thru the motions just as smoothly.
These big guys are doing great and they amaze me daily. Sometimes it's nice and good to stop and think about all the things they do that amaze me. It's so easy to get caught up in the day to day and the frustrations that I often don't slow down and appreciate it them or jot down some of the funny things they do. Or even just the mundane things of our days. They are amazing little boys.
A-Game.
Nolan is going to be a bear for Halloween....fitting since we call him bear. I have the costume already...I have had it ready for almost 10 years now. What's funny is I have kept all the big boys 1st costumes. I don't know what but I did...they are cute that's why. This bear costume is to.die.for.cute. But it wasn't Jakeb's first costume it was his 2nd and for some reason I kept it. It dawned on me this morning that I kept it for Nolan. I did. I really did. I knew. Well I didn't know but I couldn't get rid of it and I am so glad I didn't. It's the Gap Bear and I hope it's not 85 degrees Halloween night.
I have no idea what the big boys will be...and really I don't typically plan for Halloween months in advance. It really isn't my holiday...for some reason it stresses me out. I think it's the fuss over the right costume and the wish that I could make them...but also every year I say "we don't make them..." and that's just fine. Plus making sure we get a weekend in at the pumpkin patch before it's too late and fall pictures before the leaves are gone. It's too much pressure...all be it self imposed pressure. But every year I relax a little bit more about it and every year it gets done and every year I say that wasn't that bad.
Despite my whining a few posts back I have had a pretty darn productive week. The house is relatively picked up and there are 3 meals on the ready in the freezer and plenty more left to prepare. We haven't eaten dinner out at all this week and while that's not saying much for some it's a lot for us. Every time I start to cave and order pizza or something easy I think about the $30 I should save for our little one(s) and I get to cooking. And it's working. Last night I whipped up 3 chicken pot pies and they were darn good...next time I will make the crusts because thank you for the "yellow #5 and yellow #23" we were trying to avoid those..didn't know that was in a frozen crust. Anyway the thoughts before I buy things recently are instantly to saving instead and maybe this adoption is better for all of us in more ways than 1.
Gavin managed to get thru his homework yesterday without stomping or huffing or yelling about how stupid it was that he had to write words he already knew. Or busting out the hulk mad voice and snapping at his brothers in the most nasty way possible. We chatted about it the night before and that morning and it worked and I like seeing things work and their processing of what we say. It may not work today but it worked yesterday and that is enough for me. Next up is tackling those darn piano practices...we will get there.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Some 9 month pictures...
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Tuesday Twelve.
1. Today is sheet washing day...I have been doing a superb job staying on top of laundry days. Really. However all other cleaning is not as regular.
2. This is our 3rd full week of school and we are already sporting colds. Thus far I am the last one standing. *knock on wood*
3. Nolan is standing next to me holding on the my leg and laying his head on my knee. It is very close to nap time.
4. I over slept this morning. And somehow managed to sleep thru plates hitting the counter and kids getting ready. What woke me? Robert quietly walking into our room.
5. One routine we have down pat is the morning one...the boys go thru every "step" without batting and eye and could pretty much get ready without me saying a word. In fact they seem to almost do better when I am not there.
6. Fall is fast approaching and I am excited for the season change.
7. The dogs are having a bark off outside...annoying much?
8. Gavin is really struggling with homework. Somehow I am managing to stay relatively patient with his defiance and opposition...
9. Jakeb's orthopedist appt ended with him in a walking boot...he was NOT happy about this option. My poor boy is very worried about what others will think or say. We are working on that but at 10 it's hard...though he went off to school today with no problems.
10. We should receive our approval from the good ole US of A to adopt a foreign child in the next couple weeks.
11. One of the plans for us to raise money is for me to pick back up on my photography...I really need to get on that.
12. Zachary and Gavin had a fantastic time in after school yesterday and requested to stay again today. So maybe we will utilize that option more often. (Not today though).
2. This is our 3rd full week of school and we are already sporting colds. Thus far I am the last one standing. *knock on wood*
3. Nolan is standing next to me holding on the my leg and laying his head on my knee. It is very close to nap time.
4. I over slept this morning. And somehow managed to sleep thru plates hitting the counter and kids getting ready. What woke me? Robert quietly walking into our room.
5. One routine we have down pat is the morning one...the boys go thru every "step" without batting and eye and could pretty much get ready without me saying a word. In fact they seem to almost do better when I am not there.
6. Fall is fast approaching and I am excited for the season change.
7. The dogs are having a bark off outside...annoying much?
8. Gavin is really struggling with homework. Somehow I am managing to stay relatively patient with his defiance and opposition...
9. Jakeb's orthopedist appt ended with him in a walking boot...he was NOT happy about this option. My poor boy is very worried about what others will think or say. We are working on that but at 10 it's hard...though he went off to school today with no problems.
10. We should receive our approval from the good ole US of A to adopt a foreign child in the next couple weeks.
11. One of the plans for us to raise money is for me to pick back up on my photography...I really need to get on that.
12. Zachary and Gavin had a fantastic time in after school yesterday and requested to stay again today. So maybe we will utilize that option more often. (Not today though).
Monday, August 20, 2012
Strugglin'
Some truths...I am seriously not feeling great these days. The lack of sleep and well just lack of sleep and maybe those new no baby makin' candies I am eating are making me a little wonky.
I am a sleep person. I am not a nap person I am a "need a goodnights sleep person" I have not had a good nights sleep in roughly 18 months. This is not good for me. This is not good for anyone around me.
Some days I fair better than others. Today and yesterday are not one of those days. Bad feeling days happen I get that but gah. Life goes on. Fortunately life goes on.
And really life is good...it really is. But when you is vewy vewy exhausted you have a hard time seeing that. SO in light of all that happiness. Well that's it. I pretty much have nothing else to say. At least nothing good.
Well that's not true....hows about this. How about I rocked it out in the kitchen yesterday and made up some freezing food. Breakfast burritos and pancake muffins stuffed with sausage. I had big plans of making a chicken pot pie and freezing that too...but well Target isn't nice and I couldn't find the pans I decided to forgo that activity. But it will happen it will. Because grumpiness aside a good fix for that for me is to be productive. Or at the very least it makes me feel a bit better. Plus I love chicken pot pie.
Jakeb has an appt today with an orthopedist for sever's syndrome. And Zachary and Gavin are staying at after school for the very first time ever. They are excited to stay and want to stay and instead of me being happy for them and all that good stuff I am nervous and anxious about it. I don't know why I am...they are not. And they will be fine.
They have their piano lessons tomorrow and again haven't practiced and gosh darnit their teacher is going to fuss at us about it. But well all excuses aside...we just didn't. The week goes by so quickly and here it is Monday again. Whoops. We will get in a groove with it eventually. I did make sure Gavin had his library book today...he didn't last week which means he doesn't get to participate in library...which is a bummer. He says he was the only one that had to just sit on the rug and well Whoops. I guess maybe he will remember his book eventually too.
Have a good Monday...I am sure trying :)
I am a sleep person. I am not a nap person I am a "need a goodnights sleep person" I have not had a good nights sleep in roughly 18 months. This is not good for me. This is not good for anyone around me.
Some days I fair better than others. Today and yesterday are not one of those days. Bad feeling days happen I get that but gah. Life goes on. Fortunately life goes on.
And really life is good...it really is. But when you is vewy vewy exhausted you have a hard time seeing that. SO in light of all that happiness. Well that's it. I pretty much have nothing else to say. At least nothing good.
Well that's not true....hows about this. How about I rocked it out in the kitchen yesterday and made up some freezing food. Breakfast burritos and pancake muffins stuffed with sausage. I had big plans of making a chicken pot pie and freezing that too...but well Target isn't nice and I couldn't find the pans I decided to forgo that activity. But it will happen it will. Because grumpiness aside a good fix for that for me is to be productive. Or at the very least it makes me feel a bit better. Plus I love chicken pot pie.
Jakeb has an appt today with an orthopedist for sever's syndrome. And Zachary and Gavin are staying at after school for the very first time ever. They are excited to stay and want to stay and instead of me being happy for them and all that good stuff I am nervous and anxious about it. I don't know why I am...they are not. And they will be fine.
They have their piano lessons tomorrow and again haven't practiced and gosh darnit their teacher is going to fuss at us about it. But well all excuses aside...we just didn't. The week goes by so quickly and here it is Monday again. Whoops. We will get in a groove with it eventually. I did make sure Gavin had his library book today...he didn't last week which means he doesn't get to participate in library...which is a bummer. He says he was the only one that had to just sit on the rug and well Whoops. I guess maybe he will remember his book eventually too.
Have a good Monday...I am sure trying :)
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Tuesday Twelve.
1. It seems like it's been a while since I have posted one of these....
2. Our dossier is on it's way to Russia today. Awesomeness. Remember Dossier= big stack of papers telling about us and letting Russia folks know we would really like to parent one of their children....and we would be good at it. The look it over and say OK! and then we wait. Maybe 6 months maybe 18...we shall see.
3. The big boys just headed off to school about 20 minutes ago and I am enjoying my few minutes of quiet...and my coffee.
4. My house smells like a bottle of Eucalyptus...I am tired of calling the bug man to deal with our ants...because they aren't dealing with them. So I am dumping essential oils all over. I haven't read to use that but it's all I have....I figure if anything they smell will keep them away.
5. Nolan is now awake. I swear he hears me sit down...though he is our one child that can actually "sleep in"...granted it's likely because he wakes up 97 times in the night. This too shall pass, This too shall pass.
6. I am looking forward to fall. Yesterday felt almost fall like and it was niiiiicccee.
7. I am starting to think about the baby boy's upcoming birthday...a little less than 3 months away. First birthday's are my fav.
8. It's a rainy dreary morning.
9. I am typing quickly...too late he's now crying....
10. I just walked around and opened up windows....nice and cool this morning.
11. I got the rest of the stain on the stairs...trying to decide if they need a second coat and also not have a stroke trying to keep the dogs, cats, and people off of them.
12. Nolie Bear has a room full of toys he is currently sitting with this back to all of them playing with the dirty broom. All day long I pick him up and stick him in front of a toy and all day he crawls away to mess with something not baby friendly.
2. Our dossier is on it's way to Russia today. Awesomeness. Remember Dossier= big stack of papers telling about us and letting Russia folks know we would really like to parent one of their children....and we would be good at it. The look it over and say OK! and then we wait. Maybe 6 months maybe 18...we shall see.
3. The big boys just headed off to school about 20 minutes ago and I am enjoying my few minutes of quiet...and my coffee.
4. My house smells like a bottle of Eucalyptus...I am tired of calling the bug man to deal with our ants...because they aren't dealing with them. So I am dumping essential oils all over. I haven't read to use that but it's all I have....I figure if anything they smell will keep them away.
5. Nolan is now awake. I swear he hears me sit down...though he is our one child that can actually "sleep in"...granted it's likely because he wakes up 97 times in the night. This too shall pass, This too shall pass.
6. I am looking forward to fall. Yesterday felt almost fall like and it was niiiiicccee.
7. I am starting to think about the baby boy's upcoming birthday...a little less than 3 months away. First birthday's are my fav.
8. It's a rainy dreary morning.
9. I am typing quickly...too late he's now crying....
10. I just walked around and opened up windows....nice and cool this morning.
11. I got the rest of the stain on the stairs...trying to decide if they need a second coat and also not have a stroke trying to keep the dogs, cats, and people off of them.
12. Nolie Bear has a room full of toys he is currently sitting with this back to all of them playing with the dirty broom. All day long I pick him up and stick him in front of a toy and all day he crawls away to mess with something not baby friendly.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Cool Sunshine.
It's a cool bright sunshiney morning here and I have my windows open. It's supposed to hit 90 today but for now it's a cool and windows open kinda morning. Last night I worked on the stair project that I am going to finish...like soon. It's not a difficult process but it does require several steps {no pun intended} that just take time. Granted the amount of time that has lapse since I tore the carpet off is well past a normal waiting period. But anyway....Last night I stained every other step and hopefully it will dry enough so that tonight I can do the remaining steps. Every other again so that we can get up and down stairs without ruining the stain. I was unaware of the drying time for stain...24+ hours. So when we woke this morning to sticky still wet stairs I was disappointed. Patience is not something I have a bountiful amount of...despite popular belief that lots of kids=lots of patience. After staining is done and dry...we get to slap on the the polyurethane. And then it's onto painting the risers and moldings....eventually it will look AWESOME. I promise.
This weekend I tackled a few projects that have been on the list...the stairs being one and also finally getting my chalkboard paint on the wall. We had a wall in our laundry room that was ruined from a sticky poster thing I had put up when we moved in and I also was wanting a chalkboard wall...so that wall needed paint and I needed a chalkboard wall. So there ya have it. Though we need to get used to it because it keeps catching my eye and I think the door is open. It's a black wall right by the door....tricks on the eyes my friends.
My sister in law and I hit up Ikea this past week and I have finally decided on a temporary solution to the no pantry PROBLEM. And am going to buy yet another cabinet to store food and what not in...and seriously I cannot tell you how excited I am about this...do you know the space I will have in my cabinets!! No more breaking of items and jars and things falling out of the cabinet when I open the door. Third world problems here...no pantry...I realize this.
Also bought a few cool hangy uppy thingy's and I am mighty bummed that our screw purchase yesterday did not yield the results I was hoping for and in fact did exactly the opposite. Apparently wood screws are not going to work in dry wall. Wood screws look like regular old screws except the last 1/2 inch or so is smooth therefore when you be-bop it into the drywall the smooth part of it just allows the screw to wiggle all around in there...therefore NOT holding whatever item you may have into place. So lesson to the masses....do not purchase these types of screws when hanging things into drywall....unless of course you will be using one of those support things along with it then I do believe you will be good to go. As will we once I locate those. You like that rant on screws? I knew you would. Moving on....
The sleep battle is going poorly at best. However my new coffee pot is not....so it's all good until about 4pm and then it's a rapid decline. I could drink another cup of joe at this point but then I can't sleep and it's just a vicious sleepy cycle.
Also no worries I will get some pictures up of the recent project tackle. Also according to Kelly Ripa today is National Left Handed day. Yay for lefty's...I am a lefty. I write and eat left handed but I throw a ball and bat and all that good stuff with my right. Did you know that all sorts of awesome amazing people were lefty's? A great many presidents were lefty's....a few famous painters...Da Vinci, Picasso, Michelangelo to name a few...and also um...Einstein. So just sayin'.....you know...maybe...Right so go Lefty's.
Have a great day.
This weekend I tackled a few projects that have been on the list...the stairs being one and also finally getting my chalkboard paint on the wall. We had a wall in our laundry room that was ruined from a sticky poster thing I had put up when we moved in and I also was wanting a chalkboard wall...so that wall needed paint and I needed a chalkboard wall. So there ya have it. Though we need to get used to it because it keeps catching my eye and I think the door is open. It's a black wall right by the door....tricks on the eyes my friends.
My sister in law and I hit up Ikea this past week and I have finally decided on a temporary solution to the no pantry PROBLEM. And am going to buy yet another cabinet to store food and what not in...and seriously I cannot tell you how excited I am about this...do you know the space I will have in my cabinets!! No more breaking of items and jars and things falling out of the cabinet when I open the door. Third world problems here...no pantry...I realize this.
Also bought a few cool hangy uppy thingy's and I am mighty bummed that our screw purchase yesterday did not yield the results I was hoping for and in fact did exactly the opposite. Apparently wood screws are not going to work in dry wall. Wood screws look like regular old screws except the last 1/2 inch or so is smooth therefore when you be-bop it into the drywall the smooth part of it just allows the screw to wiggle all around in there...therefore NOT holding whatever item you may have into place. So lesson to the masses....do not purchase these types of screws when hanging things into drywall....unless of course you will be using one of those support things along with it then I do believe you will be good to go. As will we once I locate those. You like that rant on screws? I knew you would. Moving on....
The sleep battle is going poorly at best. However my new coffee pot is not....so it's all good until about 4pm and then it's a rapid decline. I could drink another cup of joe at this point but then I can't sleep and it's just a vicious sleepy cycle.
Also no worries I will get some pictures up of the recent project tackle. Also according to Kelly Ripa today is National Left Handed day. Yay for lefty's...I am a lefty. I write and eat left handed but I throw a ball and bat and all that good stuff with my right. Did you know that all sorts of awesome amazing people were lefty's? A great many presidents were lefty's....a few famous painters...Da Vinci, Picasso, Michelangelo to name a few...and also um...Einstein. So just sayin'.....you know...maybe...Right so go Lefty's.
Have a great day.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
9 Months.
Time passes so quickly. At 9 months his personality is in full bloom and watching it unfold everyday is wonderful. He is still our laid back boy we can easily take anywhere. He dozes off when he needs to and is content as long as we are around and he has access to his paci. He really is the easiest baby we have had....that is until sleep is involved. What is really interesting about his difficulty with sleep is that he is not hard to get to sleep but he has a hard time staying asleep. As I have mentioned more times than anyone cares....we have tried every way imaginable and it seems that only time is what has helped. This month naps have slowly gotten longer and I can count on at least one lenthy'ish nap a day from him. At 9 months we are still struggling with sleeping thru the night but we are slowly but surely working it out. I am confident that one day it will happen. Because of course it will.
Over this past week it seems he has learned to fake cry and that is his new favorite thing. The other day at dinner we all just looked at him doing it and giggled because every few seconds he would stop open his eyes and make sure we were looking. It's also not funny and can get rather frustrating...but this too shall pass. Sitting still is not his thing. But he still will stop for some snuggle time and loves to give squeezes. Often when I rock him to sleep he is holding tightly to my shirt or smacking me in the face with his other hand. ;) He is still as chatty as ever and it's my very favorite walking thru a store with him yelling and squealing. He is a happy guy and watching him grow and learn is wonderful. We are all just as enamored with him today as we were 9 months ago. Happy 9 months my Nolie Bear.
He was not a fan of picture taking this month...and repeatedly tried to roll away from me. So that made picture taking a bit difficult! You can also see his temper in quite a few of these. Between trying to get him to smile and not roll off the ottoman I worked up a sweat!
He was DONE at this point....
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