Emotional Milestone??

So I am a little wierd - I dread the "10 month old" birthday with my babies. Not that I miss being pregnant, but its a little sad to think that they have officially spent more time in the world than in my womb. Even though my preganancies are awful - it is an amazing thing to feel someone kicking and hiccuping inside of you - and every month that passes we are farther away from that.
But no matter it really is just as amazing to see how much Maiya learns and how much she grows each day!!

Report Card

Warning: bragging ahead...

Benjamin got his report card today. The last two have had a couple needs improvement areas - so I was hoping for better and got my wish. Benjamin really is getting the hang of this whole school thing. Not only did he have no areas that need improvement but he got and 'E' in counting to 100 by 1's and telling time!! Its a little confusing though - you would think E means excellent but it actually means 'expanding' (a skill beyond the expectations of their grade level).

I am so glad to see him improving!! - Ms. Mason commented on how much he has matured so far this year. Its a nice feeling to think that you may be doing something right every now and then.

Now one issue I am open to suggestions about - How do you teach the value of a nickel and dime? It really throws Benjamin for a loop that the dime is smaller but worth more.

Avon Order going in tomorrow!!

Easter at Nana's

Happy Easter

Cookie?

Kyle made some really good cookies the other night - "thumbprint cookies" - rolled in almonds with a Hershey kiss in the middle.
A few minutes ago Benjamin came upstairs with chocolate all in his teeth and almonds stuck to his lips --
"May I please have a cookie?"
"What did you just eat Benjamin?"
"ummmmmmmmmmmm, ummm, a (long pause) cookie."
"Don't you think your order is wrong -- you forgot to ask FIRST!!"
"Oh Sorry..." as he runs off...

Fight

CHEESE!!

We're loving the Easter baskets Aunt Beth!!
My cool new suit from Grandma!!

Long time no blog...
The girls and I are back from being with my mom during her kidney-stone surgery. A BIG thanks to Ryann and Kristi for helping with the kids!! Everything went real smoothly -- I think even Mom would agree. She seems to be heading for a full recovery; let's just hope those little boogers don't show up again!!
Benjamin really missed us - but I think he missed Maiya the most - she has been getting round the clock kisses and attention from him!
Now Ella on the other hand; they were thrilled to be back together -- but it didn't last too long -- they were sent to naptime today for a big fight that prematurely woke Maiya from her nap. What they forgot was that Kyle and I were still listening to them through the baby monitor:

Benjamin: Its all your fault
Ella: nuh-uh
Benjamin: I don't like you
Ella: I hate you
Benjamin: I'll hate you more days
Ella: I hate you all the days
Benjamin: I'm older than you
Ella: so - I'm big
Benjamin: no, Mommy says your tiny
Ella: Well Maiya grows faster than you and she's a baby, cuz your only 5 and she's almost 10 already (months/years what's the difference?)
Benjamin: I don't care
Ella: (at the top of her lungs) PEE-PEE HEAD!!
Benjamin: STUPID GIRL
Ella: OHHHHHHHHHHHH, you are in big trouble -- we aren't supposed to call people stupid only things stupid.

It was one of those parenting moments, when you know you need to go stop it, but it was quite entertaining listening to them!

Summer Day??

It feels like summer - only not with the baking temps, its really nice out and the Ice cream truck came by... too bad Kyle and I can't really enjoy it - we are trying to finish the bathroom, we can't wait to be done!!!

AVON

I am going to put my Avon order in a little bit earlier this week - So get your orders in by Monday!!!! Don't forget stuff for Easter Baskets!!!

one more translation...

I forgot one to add to the previous post - this happened last week, Ella wanted me to come into her classroom because they had painted a "secret miracle" -- Curious I went and saw a lovely scenic mural, LOL

Bad Mom on Trial...

Do you ever feel like the stars have aligned against you -- last night it started -- first I couldn't sleep so I read until about 12:30 then finally dozed off only to be woke up by Maiya at 1:15 - her fussiness lasted on and off until about 2:40 am and finally ended with a dose of tylenol and 30 minutes of continuous rocking to home and garden television. Needless to say we were running late this morning. I couldn't find a bra to save my life and couldn't even consider a shower -- so off we went. Fast forward to the new dentist's office a couple of hours later (Maiya had continued her fussiness so a late shower was out of the question). Benjamin went first and when the dental hygeinist came out; I asked how it went -- I immediately got that "look", you mom's know it. The "you are not on the ball mother" look. And without stepping into the hallway or anything, right there in front of a full waiting room she says "Well he has THREE cavities and one is serious, you really shouldn't let him have so much root beer." random "What are you talking about?? Root beer??" "He said he drinks root beer everyday" I said "He's FIVE, he also has aliens living inside of him - did he tell you about that, I hardly ever buy root beer, and that's beside the point" I think the real issue is that his teeth are VERY close together and difficult to clean and he grinds his teeth a LOT. Now I could have been sensitive by this point but I am pretty sure she rolled her eyes "All kids grind their teeth, that is very common" and at that very instant I saw myself, my bra-less, sleepy, dirty clothed, snotty nosed baby on hip self and it hit; ohhhh you think I'm that kind of mom - it was like I saw it in her eyes, she probably thought I had never even bought them a toothbrush before...
I suppose if this post had a point it would be: first, I may look like it but I am not that kind of mom - the truth is not many mothers are - we do the best we can with what we got!! Second, if I was I wouldn't have even brought him to the dentist!!! Third, I don't care what kind of insurance I have or don't have, I am your customer -- treat me like it!!!!!!!!!!!

Lip sauce and hot burps

I should have a regular thread of translated terms from the kids... Avon came in today and as I was organizing it, I gave Ella a catalog and told her could pick out something. Well she picked out something on EVERY page, I would like this one, and this one, all the way to page 170-something. It kept her occupied though -- when I broke the news that she would have to pick out her favorite - she said I know what I want-- pink lip sauce!! I assumed she meant gloss...
Then tonight Benjamin said he thought he had a fever, and when he didn't feel warm at all I asked him if something hurt and he said "yeah I have hot burps" -- well honey that's called indigestion, that's what you get for eating too much pizza then running all over the place.
And last but not least, as Ella would say Daddy is going to Teckis (or Texas) again -- but this is a short trip, he'll be back Wed. night.

Side story...
Maiya is h*ll on wheels -- the other night she was literally chasing Benjamin around in her walker, I couldn't believe it but on the kitchen floor she was weaving around after him - Kyle went for the video camera but it was out of juice, Alas the third baby, so much love, so little time on film!!

Gram is home and doing pretty good, we hear she's bruised up pretty well, but getting around a bit. The pacemaker is doing its job -- and Nana even reported Gram being "too warm" -- that says a lot for someone I've seen shiver in 95 degree weather. Keep getting better, we love you Gram!!

God Bless and Get Well Soon...

Gram (Kyle's Grandmother) had a pacemaker implanted yesterday -- you are in our thoughts and prayers, Gram!!!

Baby Pedicure

Campaign 7

AVON orders due by tomorrow morning!!!!!!! Haiku is on sale 9.99 for those of you who are fans!!

Clever Sibling Rivalry

As most of you know Benjamin loves playing on the computer, but Ella also enjoys her games too - Nick Jr's "girlie" games. She gets so annoyed when she steps away for one second and her brother takes over the computer, so yesterday she solved that problem. When she had to go to the bathroom she took the wireless mouse with her. I sat down at the computer and was wondering where in the heck the mouse could be when she walks out of the bathroom with it!!

We are battling illness again - I am just about sure Kindergarten isn't to prepare them academically for first grade its strictly to build up their immune system! The funny thing about the kids though is how even fevers can become a contest. At three in the morning Benjamin's fever went up to 103 and all he could muster to say was "wake up Ella and tell her that I am sick" Then Ella yesterday waited anxiously with the thermometer in her mouth -- "Is it more than Benjamin?"

Where did my 'baby' go?

Baby Olympic Curling

She looovvvves her table Nana!

Maiya start pulling up on her knees yesterday and all the way to standing today!! She "claps" and sometimes waves good-bye and says what we think is mama and dada but we could just be partial to those sounds!! Her crib is now at the lowest level. And don't even think about coming near her with food or drink unless you are planning to share! This is all happening too fast...

MMMMMMMM Cheese...

So we are trying to be better about having Family Home Evening, though its still varies what night that actually happens... But tonight it actually happened on a Monday. Kyle told the kids to decide on a song and snack - Ella immediately picked the song and Benjamin ran off saying he'd do the snack. Then he proceeded to lay out on the table one slice of cheese for each of us. He was very proud of himself. Later we were playing our new favorite board game (Cranium Family Fun -- http://store.cranium.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=1_8&products_id=354
and one of the questions was name 3 of the 5 most spoken languages in the world. I tried to get Benjamin started on the answer -- "What do we speak?" and just as serious as he could be " I know, I know we speak Normal."

PS. To any of my Mom friends who happen to check out this game (we really do love it) it says for ages 8 and up, but with a little adjusting as we go the kids have done great with it - I would even guess that it could get a little boring for kids over eight.

Potpourri

"Mom told a scary ghost story which I LOVED, but now I don't want to go to my bed"
Mobile and loving it -- I can only liken Maiya's joy of crawling to giving a teenager keys to their own sports car.
Already beating up big sister.
Isn't this why I had two girls - to dress them alike?
Someone got grumpy so I took her picture and that made her even more mad...
storming away...

Wow, I am so glad my Mom didn't have the chance to blog my hissy fits ;)

Happy Birthday Nana!!!

"You are only young once, but you can be immature for a lifetime."

John P. Grier

Search, Ponder, and Sleep?

Still recuperating...

Well our trip was wonderful!!!!!!!!!! So much so that we are still sleep deprived 3 days later.
It was nice to be kid free for a while, we ate out at our favorite Richmond restaurants, did a little shopping, had the hotel pool and hot tub to ourselves, then Tuesday we made a trip to the DC Temple. Everything was great, even with a sore throat!! Our favorite part was being at the temple again, it has been way too long since we got to go. It also worked out that we were there exactly on the Anniversary of our Sealing Ceremony!! - That made it even more special to us.
Thanks again to Aunt Beth and Aunt Meg!!!!!!!

Ms. Maiya has almost all four top teeth in now - It seems she is growing too fast, pretty soon she will have a completely toothy grin!! We got her a walker for the trip. The point was to get her out of trouble. She is way fast now and tries to eat everything in sight. Now I know all babies do that, but Maiya takes the cake. For one thing she can choke on her own spit - I am not lying since she was born she will randomly choke for no reason. Now that she can actually find objects to choke on I have had to do the finger sweep way more than any mother should have to. So the walker was a possible solution, but it hasn't worked out that way - now she just scoots around pulling choking hazards off tables and shelves. rrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Seven Years and no itch...

Well we are on our way to Richmond -- Monday night we have reservations at the Crown Plaza;) for our anniversary. And perfect timing I have come down with what the kids had, fever and sore throat. It better be gone by tomorrow!!!!

Ella's Artwork

She specifically asked that these be put on the blog ;)

Just Great!!

Well I guess you could say Kyle was in an accident today, except he was sitting at his desk at the time. Some lady in a brand spanking new SUV (still had 30 day tags) "lost control" of her behemoth in the parking lot at his office, slamming it into another SUV which then slammed into our little KIA. The real kicker about the whole thing, is that the entire time it took people to gather around, the cops to come, the tow trucks, etc. She NEVER ONCE got out of her car -- she didn't check on anybody or anything. She just cried and called people on her cell phone - apparently the only person she would speak to was the cop. No matter, we got her insurance info -- just wish us luck with the rest...

Routines are funny

So Ella is doing much better but still has a runny nose and you are not allowed to bring your kid to preschool with "nasal discharge" so we are in week two of no preschool. Surprisingly even though we hadn't been doing it for long, not going makes me feel like my whole schedule is off kilter. I keep feeling like I am forgetting something or should be somewhere; its weird. Although, it is nice to have my morning buddy again, even if she is a little snotty.
This morning to keep ourselves busy we watched the "baby" shows like we used to do. Now for those of you who don't know the ins and outs of Ella she is determined she is going to be a doctor (a doctor that pulls the babies out to be specific). And anything that is in the medical field will be perfect for her with her fascination with the body and all its functions. She is addicted to the baby shows which is any show involving birthing either "baby story" on TLC or anything on Discovery Health, and she will choose these shows over any cartoons. And she doesn't just watch she studies. Today we started watching mid show and I wasn't sure if the lady was having twins or not. So I asked Ella and she says very seriously "I don't know yet I am watching her belly to see how much down it goes and then I will know" and as soon as the baby was born Ella says "yes there will be another baby" and before Ella finished her statement the doctor told the nurses to get ready for number two. Forget preschool she should start studying for her MCAT's now.

Now other updates;
Benjamin is writing his numbers really well now and counting into the 110's - In fact the other night he said he was going to show me something amazing and he wrote 111. "Isn't that amazing mom one hundred and eleven is all ones."
Maiya is crawling. Really crawling. The baby gate has been installed on the stairs. And she has decided she doesn't like sleeping in the dark. She will still let us lay her down awake, but protests very strongly if we switch off the lights. She is like her big brother in many ways. I have tried to "wean" him off sleeping with his lamp on, so I put a smaller star light on his wall and that didn't do it, so I put a small lamp in the window and that didn't do it, so I put in a night
and that didn't do it either. In fact some nights he will turn them all on - and its like a airport runway -- yet he sleeps so should I complain? I am not the one sleeping in the sun.

Baby Shower

Jill's Baby Shower was on Friday night and everything went great - She got tons of gifts for Connor!! And everyone seemed to have a real good time. Hallie was in town and it was awesome seeing her!!

Cutie Pie

Poor man's playpen ;)

"My babies"

So how long is too long??

Ella is still sick,
She is making improvement everyday, but overall she still has a low grade fever, congested and lays on the sofa way more than a four year old should, but is that enough to warrant a doctor's visit?? On one hand I feel like we are at the tail end of this whole thing, but on the other hand I feel like - four days is too long??

Consummate Homemaker?!?

Well, I am the complete stay at home package now.
I am an official Avon lady!!
So pass the word and send in your orders. You can get catalogs from me or if you have regular things you like just let me know!! -- As most of you know I am a little anal (oops I mean organized-- with stuff like this not my house) so I'll take care of what you want!!

The "campaigns" run every two weeks so I'll post deadlines for ordering on the blog, you can just email me the product number and page number and/or a description of the product, and I'll place the order. You can usually get stuff out of older catalogs too - so just call or email!!

Campaign #5 ends tomorrow -- so get in touch if you want anything!!!!!!!!!!!

PS: Just browse the products on the avon.com link on the right of my blog, but order from me :)
Just give me a brief description of the products you want - and I'll make sure to go through my catalogs and get it for you at the lowest price!!

Sickness

Well we have been dealing with sick kids for the last few days, Benjamin starting running a fever after plans were set for our weekend with my friend Ingrid and her kids visiting. He pretty much kept to himself which was good for the other kids but I feel bad that he essentially "missed" the visit. He started feeling better on Monday and we had a little bit of time outside in the snow that only stayed around for about 25 minutes!!
Monday evening Ella started feeling bad and is still getting over it. No real symptom overall, just fever and achy! But a few comments both of them made cracked me up. During the night Benjamin's fever spiked to 103 and we put him in a lukewarm bath, but the only thing he was concerned with was making sure his sister knew he was sick and getting more attention than him!! "Wake her up and tell her I am sick" Then the next day when I let him eat his sandwich on the sofa he yells "Ella, being sick is cool -- you get to eat on the sofa"
Then Ella when she was feeling particularly bad says "I can't take it anymore" - It was such a grown up statement it broke my heart. So far Maiya has had no signs of being sick, I hope it stays that way!!
My Mom is also experiencing her fair share of illness too, she is on day four of a horrible kidney stone -- You are in our thoughts and prayers Mom!!!!

Snow, or something like it...

All by himself

For those of you who know me well, this whole "teeth falling out" thing has been one of the most dreaded areas of motherhood that I must travel through. Teeth in general gross me out - I think any form of dentistry would be in in the top tens jobs I could never have. So I wasn't happy when Benjamin decided to start working fervently on his tooth at 1 this afternoon - hours before Kyle would get home. In fact as we were walking in walmart I had to beg him to leave it alone - I thought he was going to pull it out right there. He then proceeded to explain to Ella how "wiggly" it had become and that he could get his tongue almost all the way under it. FULL BODY SHIVERS for me!! Then as I am unloading the groceries into the fridge - I hear cheers of joy and I was like a kid afraid to turn around and look. And sure enough there he was bloody grin and all - He looked like he had gone a few rounds with Mike Tyson. So three down - how many more to go???? More than I would prefer to count!
Now onto Maiya's teeth, it appears that she is trying to work on all four front top teeth simultaneously, either that or her "canines" are going to come before her front teeth - is that normal?. None have broken through yet but all are so close her gums are almost transparent. Is this some cruel joke - that I have to face the whole gamut of teeth issues at the same time.

Crying...

Aunt Beth has been visiting with us since Tuesday, and we have really enjoyed the visit. I liked the company during the day, the kids loved having someone else to talk too and Kyle and I got a Valentine's dinner out. This morning when she left the kids were sad and the tears flowed as Ella and I waved good-bye. When Benjamin walked in from school Ella says "Aunt Beth had to go home, she said good-bye and I cried on the inside AND the outside"

Kyle's mini-Christmas

Kyle has been anxiously awaiting his Steelers gear which he ordered seconds after the Steelers won! Now he can't wait for casual Friday at work :)

Cellulite is so adorable!!

I know what Valentines is for...

This morning Benjamin was so sweet. I made everybody a Valentine's breakfast - "pink" waffles with strawberry topping. Afterward Benjamin came up to me and said "Thanks for the waffles, that was so sweet of you to do mommy" - I told Kyle that was cute what he told him to say, but he said " I didn't even tell him to say anything" - its cool that Benjamin is sensitive even though his hyper nature over-rules it by the afternoon. Then on the way to school he said "I know why we have Valentines" Why is that Benjamin? "Because Jesus says we need to love everybody"

Weird animals

Kyle and I have told people before but not everyone seems to believe us. Since we brought Popper home he has at random times nursed on Zeke. Four years later he is still doing it though not as often. He'll lay facing Zeke's chest and just suck away, lifting up little tufts of hair - Zeke almost always obliges - such a sweet dog ;)
I finally got a picture of them doing it when Popper was especially amorous the other day!

Peer pressure

Nerves of steel
"Almost done"
little pink flowers (yes mom they are 14K)
"So Pretty"



Well Ella informed me sometime this morning that she was ready to get her ears pierced. "Yeah I am ready now I am a big girl" -- Well I didn't take her too seriously until she brought it up at dinner and when I laid Maiya down after dinner she said again, "Ok let's go get my ears pierced". You see our neighbor's daughter had her ears pierced about two months ago and just recently she started wearing "dangling" earrings and Ella has been fascinated. I made sure not to sugar coat anything. "Its like a shot, there might be a little blood, it will hurt for a few days, your ears will be a little sore, you have to clean them every morning and every night" So as we drove in the van I went through the entire spiel again fully expecting her to back out and for us to enjoy a lovely little stroll in the mall. But no, she was determined, only a couple minutes of crying before the second ear was done, but all was fine as soon as she was handed the mirror.
I didn't do it when she was a baby because I could hardly handle the vaccines as it was I couldn't bear volunteering my baby girl for more pain - I wanted it to be her decision. I never would have expected it at four. If I had guessed I would have said ten or maybe eight at the earliest. But she was ready and willing. The lady that did it said she was amazing especially for her age.

In the swing of things...

Here they are...

such concentration...

Ella is definitely flourishing at preschool. She loves it. I on the other hand I miss my morning buddy. I enjoyed our lazy mornings, now by time she gets home I am officially in the groove. But she is so proud of herself and even though she is only there for two hours it takes her all day to tell me about it.
Check out her preschool's website, they update it weekly and there are a couple pics of Ella -- they are under "PM" which is a mistake but just scroll down and you'll see her. I tried to move the pictures here but it wasn't working right.

http://www.techcenter.vbschools.com/Childcare/PreschoolWeek.htm

Prune Juice anyone?

Maiya seems to like it, or she likes the concept of her food being mobile like she is! She crawled around with it in her teeth.

Come up for air Ella...

I started officially "carpooling" for preschool today. Friends from church live one street over and the plan is that I will bring their daughter Kylie in the morning with us and her dad will bring Ella home. This will be great for me since I have been interrupting Maiya's morning nap each day to go pick Ella up. Well this morning Benjamin and Ella were absolutely thrilled to have company with us in the van. As soon as Kylie sat down the kids started talking her ears off. The following comment is one full stream of commentary from Ella as best as I can remember it. Now please note she did not stop at all during her ramble, not to breathe, swallow, nothing just talk, talk, talk.

"Kylie, I am going to preschool too we are going to ride together the baby is not here she is at home with daddy he doesn't feel good so he is not going to work on the computoors he is at home babysitting Maiya I didn't feel good once I was sick and I threw up did you ever throw up (at which point Kylie tries to answer but Ella doesn't stop to let her) My Me-maw was sick I miss her because she died and they buried her by flowers but not here it was far away (random subject change at this point) I got lots of make up for Christmas, it was like a million pieces but I lost it (voice raises) mom I can't find my makeup what did you do with it I was a flapper girl for Halloween oh yeah mommy said we can't talk to each other at school because we are (finally getting out of breath......) supposed... to ...be ... learning."

Now she finally pauses to breathe and while she is sucking air Benjamin starts talking, by this point I figure Kylie is missing a quiet ride with her dad. Then Ella starts crying, "Benjamin wont' be quiet, I need to talk to Kylie some more" No Ella I think you have done enough talking...

Happy Birthday Aunt Beth

"To me, old age is always 15 years older than I am."

Bernard Baruch

love ya!

Scrub a dub dub!

"All Clean"

I told you they were buddies.

We had a fun weekend celebrating Grandma and Aunt Beth's birthdays!

Awwwwww... Poor Sweetie

To help speed recovery she had an accupuncture session.