Twins

I really think I was meant to have twins instead of having my boys 15 months apart. I am pretty sure God is having a field day watching all the antics in the Litton household.

For instance, bath night the other night was complete horror. I bathe both the boys at the same time, it's just easier that way and they enjoy each others company. Jacob was finished eating dinner, but Colt wasn't. So I decided that I would start giving Jacob his bath, and my husband could bring COlt in after he got done eating. I was done with Jacob far before Colt was finished with his dinner, so that meant that both boys got a chance to take a bath alone. I thought this would be nice for me, you know..spend some one on one time with each of them. Boy, was I ever wrong...

..Colt got in the bath and immediately started to wail. Nothing had happened, it hadn't tripped, stubbed a toe, or jammed a finger, he was just crying to cry...or so I guessed. The whole time while washing his hair he just cried and cried. I couldn't figure it out. Then, finally, he cried out "bubba!" Then it made since! He is so used to have Jacob by his side in the bath, that he was crying because he was alone! Now, how sweet is that?! Just one thing thought, it can sometimes make it a little difficult to do things when you don't have time to wait.

I love my boys the way they are. It's just crazy how to be 15 months apart, the really act like twins. They have to have the same toy, the same food, the same clothes and even shoes! It's quite sweet. Everything little thing they do is mirroring the other. Like just now?? Jacob is in trouble, and Colt is beside himself to get into the room where Jacob is. They just can't stand to be separated. Like twins, I guess...they usually are inseparable, or have that "twin inkling" that something is wrong with the other. It's crazy stuff, and I just wonder...why God just didn't knock it out and give me twins? LOL! But, he has his reasons. I love my boys, twins or not!

Please, make the squealing stop!

Geez, while my husband ran an errand this morning, I left my boys at the table eating breakfast to take a shower, and what do they do?? SQUEAL like banshees!! It never fails, every single time the squeal at the top of their lungs! I really can't take much more it.

Sad thing is, they do it even when they aren't sitting at the table. You read the vacuum cleaner blog, right? So you see what I am saying. For no reason at all , they will just start running through the house squealing! No matter what I do, they just will not stop! They look at me and laugh...THEY LAUGH!!! That just drives me insane. I go to discipline them, and they laugh in my face! What is that about??? What the heck am I supposed to do?

Is it normal to have that much squealing? I mean really, come on...is it?? Please tell me no, for my sanity sake..and those of my neighbors downstairs! I guess it's a good thing we bought a house, huh?

They'll let anyone be parents!

So on my way out of "Wal-Mart" Jason notices that there is a car in the parking lot that has a child strapped into a car seat, with what looks like NO adult in the car. Granted, it isn't that hot outside, and so the car was running...I guess that was this particular parents' reasoning...even though it was stupid.
So, remembering all the horrible stories that have graced the news, and with Jacob holding onto my hand, I decide to approach the car to make sure it really isn't what it seems. As I was getting closer to the car, I see that there is another SMALL child in a car seat next to him. The two of them not looking more than 2 and 4 years old. I see another arm flailing on the other side of the boy in the middle, but can't make out if it belongs to him or someone else.
I get up to the car, and see that there is a girl slouched down in the seat talking, singing, or whatever..she couldn't have been more than 11, and I think that is pushing it. I get her attention and mouth to her "ARE YOU OKAY?" She mouths back, "YES." So, I just said, "OKAY" and walked off. Now, I would have never walked off had it just been the two small boys. And, I probably shouldn't have walked off even with the girl in the car...at least I don't think I should have. Maybe I should have waited in my car until someone got in the car with them and drove off.
Anyway...it just really pisses me off. If something were to happen, of course the parent(s) would have been beside themselves with grief. And you know what?? It was their fault in the first place. I just don't understand. Until my boys are TEENAGERS, and even then, I don't think I would leave them in the car. You can just never be too sure nowadays. Okay, so it wasn't hot, but what if it had been some deranged idiot or something, HUH??? What if that little girl was so trusting that she opened the car door?? Then what?? It just pisses me off. To be that non-chaulant about things.
Anyone can be parents in this day and age...

What's with the vacuum cleaner?

I just got through vacuuming the house, and my boys went absolutely nuts! They do this every time I, or my husband vacuums. We have no clue what the deal is.

They don't scream in fear, it's almost like it's a game to them. The minute the vacuum cleaner is turned on, Colt starts squealing, then Jacob joins in. They hop up and down squealing louder than the vacuum cleaner an dance around like they are doing some sort of sacred dance! I can't help but laugh every time, even though it is very annoying. I try to quiet them, and so does my husband, but not a darn thing works!

I have no idea where the got this from. It just started to happen one day, and ever since...well..I am sure you can imagine. I swear people on the other side of the world can hear them, I know I can!

A place to call...HOME!

YAY!! We finally did it! My husband and I are now proud home owners! This week we got the call that our loan application went through! We can finally give our boys the home they deserve (okay, and us too) to feel safe and grow in! Not to mention a great backyard for them to run off all their excess energy! LOL!

I can't tel you how much I am looking forward to having a home! As a woman, I think we tend to fantasize about a home, just as much as we do about our wedding day. My husband also is looking forward to putting his special touches on this home. He has worked really hard the last year in getting a few bills paid completely off, so that we could be ready for a house note. So, kudos to him! I am very proud!

To those of you that already have your own home, with a yard for the kids to play in, I hope you never take it for granted. And, to all of those who are still working on purchasing or building your own home, hang in there. The pay off will be just as sweet as you imagine!

Right or wrong?

I wonder, is wrong to let your children see you cry? Rather it is crying at a movie, or crying over a loved one, or just crying out of frustration...is it right, or wrong?

I am an emotional person, so it doesn't really take much for me to cry, especially since I have been through two pregnancies, extremely close together. I guess my hormones never really had a chance to settle down from the first pregnancy, because during the second pregnancy, I was a freaking basket case! I had suffered from post partum depression after the birth of my first son, and took medication to help, which it did. I thought for sure after the birth of my second son, I wouldn't need the medication as much, maybe not even at all. Boy, was I wrong.

Much to my surprise, I needed it more than ever! I will never forget the day I broke down in the shower just days after Colt was born. My parents had come by unexpectedly (no big deal, I like unannounced visitors) and Jason was tending to Jacob and our newborn son. My mom came in to check on me, and we chatted for a second. I know I had a look on my face, because she wouldn't have asked me what she did. "Baby, what's wrong?" Oh that just sent a river of tears down my face! She started to cry too as I told her, "I don't think I can do this!" I was in extreme pain from having labored and dilated to nearly 9 centimeters before pain medication was given, then the site of injection on my back was throbbing as well. She just told me, "yes, you can!" Don't' you worry, I will talk to Jason." Not that he wasn't doing everything he could to help, just that he wasn't fully aware of the toll that these pregnancies had taken on me.

Anyway, back to what I was originally saying, sometimes I just can't help but cry. I feel guilty for doing it in the site of my boys. I don't know, I just feel like their little hearts are hurting too, and the don't even know how to cope with that feeling yet. So, in turn, I feel bad for making them hurt, because I am over on the couch, blubbering like an idiot over cereal commercial!

Just chalk it up to me being a nutcase, I guess. I know my boys will learn that expressing their emotions, what ever they may be at the time, is healthy. Though it can be a scary situation for them, I guess that is when you,...ME, that parent needs to hold them and say, "it's okay to feel this way."

Coming into his own

My sweet little Jacob....is not always as sweet as I'd like for him to be! LOL!

Truth is, the last few months have been filled with a lot of tantrums, and flat out breakdowns..from him...AND me! I guess it is the terrible two's. I was trying to ignore it, but I guess I can't. Although, I do have to say, it isn't near as bad as what I see on Nanny 911! I don't know what I would do if my children were like that...guess I'd call Nanny 911!

Sometimes I just don't know what to do. I don't particularly care for spanking, counting to three works pretty good, and if he doesn't stop whatever action he is doing by that time, I send him to his room and tell him not to come out until I get him. I close the door behind me. He never moves, and never tries to play with his toys. He is so upset that he has been taking out of the fun environment (meaning where everyone else is at) that he doesn't realize he's in his room. On occasion, he will come out. After his time out is up, I sit him on his toy box and explain to him what he did wrong, and why he got in trouble, and always end with " I love you" and a kiss.

He seems to respond to that really well. But there are other types of behavior that I am just at a loss for. Well, not completely...he has spouted out a few "bad words." Now, my husband and I are ordinary people, but on occasion words slip out that shouldn't. My husband lets him slip out a little more. But it doesn't matter, they shouldn't be said, especially around a 2-year-old, whose mind is absorbing EVERY thing it hears, and sees. Gosh, I just don't know what to do sometimes. And, sometimes, when he does something bad, he laughs at me, seriously, he LAUGHS from the BOTTOM OF HIS GUT!! He just makes me all the more mad! How do you control that??

I know it is all normal, but sometimes I ask myself if I am going to have a child with bad behavioral problems on my hands. Jacob probably won't be any different that any other kid out there, but sometimes, I just don't know what to do....or even how to do it!

Poor baby!

Last week, Colt had the worst possible day ever, and it was a Monday to boot! We all know how Monday's go! LOL!

About 10 a.m., I got a call from my mom.. I could hear Colt crying, but didn't think much of it, because well, he's a baby..he crys! My mom proceeds to tell me that my little Colty has been stung 4 times by a wasp! "He's fine, we have given him some benadryl and the redness has started to go away, there's no stingers to be found, just call the pediatrician and ask if there is anything else we can do." So, I do just that, not even questioning my mom.

The nurse calls back and says just to watch for any signs of respiratory distress or allergic reaction. I am happy to report that he had no problems. Thank goodness!

Upon getting home that evening, I noticed a little place between his thumb and pointer finger. I went ahead and got them in the house and set everything down, then went to check out what I had seen. Opening my little boys hand, I see a blister between his thumb and pointer finger, a blister on the pads of his pointer and index finger, and on the front side of his index finger. I call my mom to ask about it. She has never heard of a wasp sting blistering before, and neither have I. I just assumed that it was part of it, and went about the nightly routine, getting dinner fixed and served. Upon cleaning up the boys from dinner, I take another look at Colt's hands and see that the blisters are bigger, and almost look to be water-filled.

I call my mom again to put our heads together to see if we can come up with an answer. The only other thing she could think of was that, while outside with his older brother and Pop, who was doing various yard work, he must have touched the still hot from lawn mowing, lawnmower. My dad had mowed the grass earlier and put the mower up on the side of the house. We called my dad to confirm that this could have been a possibility, and he did just that. So, what we think happened was, in the scheme of getting stung he must have been on the side yard (where the mower was) and somehow touched the hot lawnmower. My dad, seeing that he was surrounded by wasps and hearing the wailing, scooped him up (Jacob followed) and took him inside to have my mom help doctor him up. So, the burn was masked by the fact that he had been stung! The wasps are horrible this year and out in full force.

I have just kept his little hands clean and free from grime and his little blisters seem to be healing. We can only speculate that this is what happened. I am pretty sure I should have taken him to see the doctor after we all came to that realization, but have you ever just had one of those moments where for some ODD reason, you decided not to do what you would normally do? Yeah, that was me. It doesn't look like it needs any special treatment and it seems to be healing properly, so I just make sure to watch it and keep it clean.

My poor Colty had a horrible Monday....talk about a way to start off a week!

It's quiet!

My sister came and got Jacob this morning for a day filled with fun. So it's just me, my husband and Colty. Colt doesn't get much one on one time with us, so we took advantage of this time. Jacob had plenty of time with us before Colt came along, so we feel we need to try our best to give Colt that same attention.

It left me thinking....I thought it was tough back when it was just Jacob! Of course, I was pregnant at the time too, so that could have been why it felt that way. But now, when it's just Colt, I think "gosh, what the heck was I griping about?" Jacob was MUCH more laid back than Colt, so I really have no idea what the problem was. Chalk it up to first mom syndrome I guess. I have mastered my skills now, so I am much more laid back myself. It's so quiet when it's just Colt. Just the same as if we were to only have Jacob. They antagonize each other...they have to, they're brothers!! LOL!

It gives me a lot time to marvel in this little person I helped to make. I just get caught up in all the fuss having two boys run wild. So when one goes to Sugs, or off with Aunt Layla, it gives me time to sit and think about how much I have to be thankful for. Not that I don't know...but sometimes it's easy to get caught up in the busy ways of life.

Colty adores his one on one time with momma and daddy, as do we. Jacob had plenty of that time and now he is getting to where it wants to spend time with the aunts and uncles, which is fine with me! It gives me a chance to catch up on laundry and stuff! LOL! Of course, after about 2 hours... I miss him terribly..would I be a normal mom if I didn't?!

So as I sit here and watch my Colty play, and revel in the silence (somewhat, lol) I know that soon, Jacob will bounce through the door bringing about the run of the mill evening routines...and truth be told....I can't wait!

Instructions, please!

After last weeks frenzy posts, I am left with the nagging question that is on every parents lips...."why don't children come with instruction manuals?"

You may be laughing at me, and that is all fine and good, but seriously, after going back and re-reading my posts, I need one!

No one tells you about the puking in the middle of the night to where you have to strip the bed to make it sleepable once again for your precious baby, or about the countless times you will change a wet diaper, only to have to turn right back around 5 seconds later and change a massive poopy diaper! It leaves you thinking, "hmm, it isn't wet at all, is it possible I can clean the poop out of it good enough to get my moneys worth?" Yeah, don't act like that has never crossed your mind. How come no one tells you when or even IF it is ever appropriate for a child to blow raspberries?? I mean, of course you don't want your children going around blowing raspberries at people, but then again, you don't want to deny them the fun of them! So then, you are left with the decision of "well, if I let them do it at home while their playing, then they'll think they can do it while we are out in public." So you find yourself CONSTANTLY saying, "no, don't do that, quit it, stop it, I said quit, that isn't nice!!"

Then you realize that all your efforts are completely useless, because they NEVER listen to you, and you are frankly, tired of repeating yourself for the GA-ZILLIONTH time! So, you start to tell yourself, "pick your battles." They are still young enough to where they really don't understand every order your bark at them. You convince yourself that you can change them when they get older, say right before the start kindergarten (wait, I have TWO boys, what the heck am I talking about, BOYS never change!) So basically, I am in trouble...nice.

Yeah, so looking back on the birth of my first born, they did send you home with somewhat of an "instruction manual." You all know the one that I am taking about, right? It was pink, and it had different things to expect before, during and after the birth of your child. That is exactly what I told my husband when I saw it,..."hey honey, look, it's an instruction manual!"

They only fail to mention EVERYTHING!!!

Think, next time..

I must admit that two of my latest posts were typed "in the moment." I may have come off a little annoyed, but I promise, I am not!

It just goes to show you that mommies do not take time off. Even if your little ones are content playing, and you THINK you have a few moments to yourself, think again! LOL! Babies are so unpredictable (i.e., m having to take away Windex from one of my boys!) There is never a dull moment around this house!

I just had to make sure that I said something. Looking back at my posts, they seemed a bit hasty, I guess! I just had something to write about and didn't want to forget about it.Silly me, I should have known better than to write while they were still up! LOL!

A new "lovey"

Upon putting Jacob to bed tonight, I found that he just had to take this new security blanket to bed with him....a towel. He has actually been carrying this towel around for about 2 days playing with it, covering himself up with it telling me he was going to sleep. It's just one of those little baby towels not too big not too small, and yellow...one of Jacob's favorite colors!

I think it's sweet! It's way better than the paci, which we have had some minor problems with. He is by no means, back on it, he's just back to throwing fits about having it when he sees his baby brother with one. Now, Jacob has been known to snatch a paci when I am not looking, and of course when I see it, I take it from him.

So, I don't mind him using this towel as his new "lovey." It's do-able for me...and apparently him too!

"Lions and Tigers and....Boys...OH MY!"

Okay, this is in follow-up to my last post. I have no clue why God blessed me with boys, because I am not equipped to handle all that comes with them!

I love my boys, I wanted boys. But, I just have no clue what I am doing, and my husband...well, yes, I know he is a boy too, but since his mother passed when he was young, he didn't retain a lot of helpful information! But he tries, at least I can say that!

I get so easily frustrated with them, as I am sure any parent gets with their young children. But sometimes, I just feel so guilty for getting on to them about something. Later, I go back and tell myself I was way too harsh on them, and that's going to scar them for life! Then, I am just back to square one....let my kids run wild without discipline. Wait, I can't do that, what kind of mother would I be?!

So, tonight as I clean them up from the days events and hold them and tuck them in as they fall asleep, I am reminded that it doesn't matter that I feel I can't handle my boys, what matters is that I spend my time loving, ..(there was a little delay there, one was playing with Windex) hugging and caring for my boys. No matter how hard the days may seem, this is as sweet as it gets!

Help!

I swear, I can't seem to keep my self together! LOL! It has been one cray day after the next! Or, should I say crazy SECOND! I know I am not the only mom out there that has her hands full, bu sometimes I feel that the powers that be are working against me! I love my boys and I wouldn't trade them or trade the time that they came for nothing!

My current battles with my boys are as follows:

-potty training my 2 1/2 year old (that's never gonna happen, and you can't convince me otherwise!)
-teaching my 1 year old the meaning of "NO" (that ain't happening either!)
-gettin my 1 year old to start sleeping though the night again ( I don't see the light at the end of that tunnel...or maybe I do, and that's what's keeping Colt up!)
-getting Jacob to let his daddy do more for him

That's about it...for now...oh, and did I mention finding the energy to follow through with all of my ideas on how to make these things happen.....yeah....it'd be nice If could buy some!

He's a biter, not a fighter!

Geez, Colt has started to get his molars in....FINALLY! But man, oh man does he bite like the dickens!! And, it isn't even with his molars...he still chows down on my skin with his front teeth!

Jacob never went through the biting stage, I guess I was lucky! But Colt, man he has done some serious damage to me, my mom, my hubby and many others! The worst, probably being Jacob! Ah, brotherly love, huh? Not! Colt has gotten to that age where he is fighting back, I think I blogged about it not too long ago. He sure is coming into his own. If he doesn't get what he wants from his brother, he takes to biting him...and he holds NOTHING back! Poor Jacob, now he knows how to fight back (fairly) but nothing compares to a bite from a teething toddler!!

Surely it will pass....I have been waiting for these puppies to come in for quite sometime now. I suspected that they were the reason for his abrupt night wakings between the hours of 2 and 3 a.m., but I never felt anything coming through his gums, let alone any swelling in his gums.

It wasn't until I took him into his 15 month check up that the Dr. discovered them. I've never been so happy to hear about teeth....had I only known how much pain they were going to cause...I may have asked the Dr. to try to shove back into the gums! LOL...ok...not literally...but you know what I mean!

Crib climbing adventures

Last night, as I was putting Jacob to bed, I realized .....neither one of my boys have taken to climbing out of the crib! Okay, well Jacob did once and fell....after that, he was done with it! never tried it again!

But, Colt has never even attempted to try it either! The reason I thought about this was because I was laying in bed with Jacob, while Colt was already fast asleep in his crib (my boys share a room)...and I just thought..."if I fell asleep with Jacob, and Colt woke up and saw me, would he try and climb out of the crib?" Don't ask me why...it was just something that popped into my head. That often happens when I am trying to get Jacob to go to sleep.

I guess I am really lucky that neither one of them were/are, much for that. Now, that isn't to say that they don't climb! I swear, if I didn't know any better, I'd think they were monkeys!!

Getting back on track

Summer sure does take a toll on you! I have been so lost in the heat that I haven't had time to blog about my many adventures! Hopefully now, I will be back on track!

So, in order to beat the heat yesterday, my husband and I decided to take the boys swimming. They have both been in the water a few times, and I have never had a problem with them. My parents came along as well to enjoy the morning sun. My husband sat on the steps with Colt, while Jacob splashed around on the steps, as I walked to the gate to let me parents in. Along my way back, Jacob gets so excited that he is in the pool that he looses his footing while standing next to his daddy and goes down a step and under the water. Well, my husband couldn't get Colt out of the water fast enough, but I was in the pool within seconds, it actually wasn't that bad...he was actually using his arms to swim, but not in a frantic way. After getting him, I think he realized that it was a bit scary, but he didn't get too upset.

We stuck his floaties on him and took him out in the water, where he just held on for dear life! I guess the incident had just left a bad taste in his mouth. He is at the age where he is starting to learn fear. My dad managed to get him to let go of him and hold onto his finger, but Jacob was protesting the entire time! He was fine as long as he was attached to someone like a monkey!

We put Colt in his little floatie toy, but he kept pointing to Jacob's floaties, so since Jacob wasn't using them, we let Colt try them out. I was SO amazed at how well Colt did in the water!! After my dad and my husband worked with him a little bit, he was floating on his back all by himself and he really liked it! It was the sweetest thing!

It was a fun time, and I plan on trying to take them for a little bit every weekend. Being a swimmer, I am determined to teach my boys the skills they need to swim and swim well...with the help of my dad, who also has been a swimmer his entire life!

He packs a mean punch!

Colt sure is a strong thing for being so little! He isn't afraid to go after Jacob if he steals one of his toys, nor is he afraid to take on anyone else! Now, don't think we condone hitting or fighting in our house, but we do teach our boys to stand up for themselves.....well, not so much at this age, but you get the idea!

For instance, Colt is playing with ball, Jacob decides he wants it. Well, what does Jacob do? He goes and snatches it from Colt. What does Colt do? He squeals at the top of his lungs and charges toward Jacob, knocking him over like a set of bowling pins! LOL! Jacob gets right back up and pushes him! Geez, I tell ya.....they are ALL boys! I don't know what I am going to do with them!

Clicks and pops!

For a one year old, Colt sure does know how to make a lot of different sounds! I wouldn't be surprised if he let out a whistle any minute now!

We'll be driving down the road and all of the sudden you hear , "click!" You turn around to find him flicking his tongue off the top of his mouth! I have my husband to thank for that noise. He said he and Colt were going back and forth one day for several minutes. A-ha! So now I know who to blame! LOL!

I swear, Colt cracks me up! He runs around the house breathing in real heavy and making "shushing" noises with his mouth. I never worry about him, I always know where he is at because he is always making an noise! It's when he's quiet that I worry!

So, I guess it's not so bad he makes all those noises after all!

Another try at dinner out!

This past Friday, my husband and I decided to try our hand at eating out in public....after our Olive Garden fiasco.....whew, who could forget that!!

So, we ventured to Applebees' and we had one of the best dinners out in a long time! Our server, Holly was a single mom, raising a 6 year old and an 18 month old, all while working and going to nursing school!

The dinner started off a but hectic, but I ordered the boys food early, so they wouldn't starve. Holly also was gracious enough to bring us chocolate milk labeled as "water" and also, dessert that was made that was the wrong order, for the boys!!! How sweet!

We made it though dinner without too much of a melt down from either of the boys....that was a relief!

"I got a bo-bo, let's go see Dr."

Poor Jacob sure has had his fair share of doctor visits. He being my first born, he was always going to the doctor for something...well that, and he was born in December! Anyway, he was in and out of the doctor probably every week for the first 6 months of his life, no kidding! Most of it was just common cold stuff that kept him up all night, but he did manage to catch a case of RSV.

Fast forward to about a year ago, he was in the ER for croup, then streap throat, and who could forget him cutting his head open on the fireplace, needing staples??? In order to make our ER and doctor trips easier, we always just told him he had a bo-bo, he seemed to understand that a doctor needed to look at that and would let them. It made things much easier on my husband and me to tell him that.

Now that he is older, every time he gets a scrape or cut, he comes running to tell us he has a bo-bo and that he needs to "go see doctor." Now, don't get me wrong, he isn't whining about it, he is just informing us that he got hurt, and I guess since we have always told him a doctor needs to look at a bo-bo and since he has been to the doctor so much, he thinks every time he gets one, that's where he needs to go! LOL! That's kids for ya!

More Spongebob!?

Ugh, my 2-year old LOVES Spongebob Squarepants!!

It's becoming a little annoying, but it is the only thing that calms him down! He will sit on the couch for hours (much like a teen vegging out) watching the Spongebob DVD's that we have. I guess since he doesn't take two naps anymore, it is a good thing. It gives him a chance to rest a bit, and gives me a chance to get his brother down for his first nap.

I swear we have seen EVERY Spongebob episode a thousand times, and I am not exaggerating! It's the first thing he asks about in the morning and the last thing he asks about at night. AHHHH!!! LOL!

He was watching way too much Spongebob for being so young, that I told him it was a privilege. We only let him watch it when I am trying to get Colt down for a nap and when we have a few things that need to be done around the house. Surprisingly, it keeps both my boys entertained long enough to do a load of laundry or fix dinner quickly!

So I guess more Spongebob isn't such a bad thing after all, right?

My apologies...

So, if you were at Olive Garden this past Sunday night, I sincerely apologize!!!

Let me fill those in, who had the pleasure of staying home to eat that night..

Our day began innocently enough as we planned to spend some time with my husband's brother and niece. We set out to eat some lunch and afterwards head to Sci-Port for an afternoon of fun and discovery. I must say, I was very impressed with the place and so were my young boys!

We choose to view an IMAX movie, which I wasn't too sure about because, well...can you really expect a 1 and 2-year old to sit still in the dark for 45 minutes?? Not so much..but I gave in anyway. Within minutes of the film they both were asleep...."good," I told whispered to my husband, "it's their nap time anyway!"

They wake up just as the movie was ending and we set off to explore a little more of Sci-Port before they close. After learning and discovering, we decided to head on out for dinner, but not before making a stop to Kmart to look for something real quick. By the time we finished at Kmart it was right at dinner time. Anxious to feed my kids, my brother-in-law decides Olive Garden....okay...so here we go...

I had an idea it was going to be a little difficult, but no one could prepare me for the battle that lay ahead! We walk into a 25 minute wait....who could have seen that coming?? My husband and brother-in-law sit at the bar (unbeknowst to me) as I sit far away from them with my boys and 12-year old niece. The boys were hungry and tired..and kept wanting to run around. I just held on tight to them. By the time our buzzer went off, my hubby and bro-in-law come happily around the corner....I must have had the most disgusting look on my face, because I was instantly asked, "what's wrong?" Like he didn't know!

Anyway, they sit us at a round table and take our drink orders and soon bring out fresh bread. I couldn't pop it into my boys' mouth's fast enough! They must have eaten a whole basket! Okay, so I am exaggerating, but it seemed like it! After their hunger was subsided a bit, onto the noise making they went. I had Jacob doing a news report with his menu, talking in his regressing baby babble voice and then Colt squealing. Geez...we even had a couple ask not to be seated next to us. I can't blame them, but they could have been just a bit nicer, but oh well!

Two younger couples finally were brave enough to sit near us. I just prayed they didn't get annoyed easily. Our food finally came, fettuccine for the boys. I couldn't get that on the plate fast enough either! My 1-year old ate like a pig, even started to hold it up, as if to say, "look, the almighty noodle is here to feed me!" Just as soon as he did it landed on his face...freaking hilarious! He knew it too! So, guess what?? He did it again....on purpose! The little rascal!

After that, my 2-year old starts to do his news report again...he sees the all the attention going to his brother. It just makes for an interesting dinner, and especially so after a full day!

So, that is why I apologize. I should have known better, but I think I was too pooped to realize that it was a major no-no!

Bathtub dilema!

Okay, I have considered myself lucky to never have too many accidents at bathtime. By accidents, I mean poopy. Yea, that...all you moms out there know what I am talking about! LOL!

Jacob did it only once in his ENTIRE infancy and has never done it since. I was lucky that time, it was after the water had drained..no floatations in the bath! But it did freak me out, not in a bad way, but in the way where I couldn't stop laughing hysterically. Jacob just looked at me funny.

I knew that I would probably encounter more bathtub dilemmas as my 1-year old, Colt would soon be showing me. TWICE, yes twice, in a week he has pooped in the tub!! Now, I bathe him and Jacob together, so you can imagine the warning I get. "Momma, bubba made a stinky!" "Oh geez, is that what all that grunting was about Colty!?" Sure enough! How in the heck do you clean it out when it's floating around in the water?? I drained the tub and it got STUCK in the drain! I had to push it down in there, because I couldn't scoop it out! Again, I get that look from Colt that Jacob gave me not too long ago, as if to say.."what ma? It's just a little poop!"

You can see the look that I got....

What's a mom to do???

To be a kid again...

Ah, the joys of being young. I watch my boys play, and they are so imaginative...even at a young age. It just amazes me at how they play "pretend." Jacob plays in his Little Tikes car and acts like he is going to work. He also likes to fix me burgers, I guess he gets that from his daddy, because we grill burgers quite a bit in the summer!

Colt loves to talk on the phone! He will hold anything up to his ear and jibber jabber away! Then he hangs up on whoever he thinks he is talking to! LOL! Sometimes, you can tell he is telling off someone on the other end...lol!

Another thing that they both love to do, is pretend to be Pop. That's my dad...and he is a voice over artist, you know, the guy you hear on commercials?? Anyway, he has a studio at home, and does his spots there. Well, Jacob and Colt both find something to stand in front of them and put their little headphones on and go to town acting like Pop when he records a spot! It is SO cute!!

I know I had an imagination when I was young, but I don't really remember a whole lot. Having children of my own now, I have to reach back into the files and remind myself of how to play "pretend." It only takes a few minutes for my mind to be refreshed though, after all....what adult doesn't like to drift away to "Imagination Land?"

"No, no. no....no!"

Colt, my 1-year old is quite verbal nowadays! I never thought a 1-year old really understood the meaning of "no," boy was I wrong...

I tried to take away my cell phone from Colt yesterday and he straight up told me, "no, no, no!" I thought maybe it was a fluke, but then later, his brother tried to take away his toy truck and he told him "no, no!" I swear, no, I KNOW he knows what he is saying! It is actually pretty funny to hear him say it...it's real cute.

I just had no idea that at such a young age, they would know how to use a word so correctly!!

Parents - 1, child - 0!

We finally did it.....my husband and I have gotten our 2 1/2-year old off the pacifier!! After many failed attempts, screaming nights and worry, we have finally broken him of the need to have it when he goes to bed! It's been almost a week!

I am sure some are wondering "so, what's the big deal?" Well, it IS a big deal to anyone that has had a child so dependent on it, that they almost throw up from crying so much about it. Don't get me wrong, I didn't put my child through that night after night, but we have had two bad nights.

I didn't even plan this, it just kind of happened. I was tired of keeping up with the pacifier all the time, and was tired of him being so dependent on it. And now, we his "big boy" haircut, it just looked a little odd for him to have a pacifier stuck in his mouth.

I started Sunday night, I just had an idea to take an old pacifier that had been chewed through by Jacob a few months ago. I held onto it, thinking it could come in handy. Anyway, I just decided that I wasn't going to offer a pacifier to him at night time, unless he asked, which he always does. So, when he did, I went and got the one with holes in it. Of course, he tried to suck on it, but realized he couldn't. I told him it was broken and that was the only one I had. (Come to think of it, the whole other reason I did this, is because I had NO clue where the good one was!)

We sat on the couch and watched Spongebob until 10 pm, when he asked to go lay down in bed. So we did. He took the holey pacifier with him. He tossed and turned and tossed and turned, much like he does anyway. He asked a few times for another pacifier, and I just kept telling him that was all we had. He would try to suck on it and then take it out of his mouth. He eventually fell asleep!! I went to bed knowing that the battle wasn't over. I was expecting screaming and crying, if he woke in the middle of the night. Well, midnight came around and he did wake up, looking for his paci. I just took him into out bedroom with the broken paci and we laid down to go back to sleep. Oh, he whined and cried a bit about it, but he eventually went back to sleep. He did that a few more times too, with the same thing happening.

We got up in the morning, and he asked for it. I just kept telling him the same thing, "paci is broken, this is all we have." He would go about his day, maybe asking for it occasionally. I told my parents of the situation and they did pretty good, giving in I think, twice this week. I think Tuesday night, and last night were the bad ones, where he cried so hard, we thought he would get sick. We didn't make him suffer, but we didn't give in either.

He made it through the night, without it. I am sure it is going to take a few more weeks for him to completely get over it. When his baby brother uses the pacifier at night or nap time, I just try and keep his face out of Jacob's site, and when he falls asleep, I take it out of his mouth, one, so Jacob doesn't see it, and two so Colt doesn't get addicted to it!!!

I think it's safe to say that the battle has been won! WHEW! What a relief!

"Did he just say that?"

Colt has become quite the talker lately. I guess he is getting lessons from his big brother...I swear sometimes they talk non-stop!

Colt is all about "momma," you know like, when you are driving in the car and your kid hollers "momma.....momma, MOMMA!" You know what I am talking about, right? The thing is, Colt is only 1 and he does this, like he KNOWS he is playing with me...I think he does.

His favorite word is car...heck, his favorite thing IS a car! Every morning we leave the house, he has another car in his hand! It's quite cute. His new word now is "bubba." Although he can't get it all the way out most of the time, you can tell what he is talking about.

Although it will be a little bit longer until he starts saying actual sentences, this morning, my husband said a "not so nice" word, we swear...Colt said, "you no say that!" CLEAR AS DAY!! If you read through my previous blogs, I think you will read where Jacob was saying that quite a bit....so it doesn't surprise me that Colt would spit it out too....even though I know it was probably just a chance encounter....but I swear, he said it!

It's the enevitable...

Jacob has been sick for about 3 days with a horrible runny nose and congestion, oh you could just tell he was miserable! I was miserable for him! I had just gotten through telling someone that "knock on wood," my boys hadn't gotten sick yet....well, apparently "yet" was the magic word. Jacob came down with fever, then all the cold symptoms, then Colt...now....

me....yep, I guess it was only a matter of time before I came down with it. I NEVER get sick...never...really, I promise! I absolutely miserable myself. My throat is scratchy and my nose is runny. I hate it. How come the daddy gets sick? Is it some cruel trick of mother nature? All I know is I would rather be sick with a tummy virus then have a head cold...yes...I said it. At least I would be able to sleep with a tummy virus, I can't sleep more than an hour at a time with a head cold...I am up blowing my nose, or plugging it up because I am tired of blowing it...which that is more often than not!!

So I guess I am saying...it's just going to happen sometimes...you're just going to get sick! I sure hope it goes away...I am armed with orange juice and tissue....I am all about the natural way to healing..

The troublemaker

I honestly believe that my 1-year old is going to be the troublemaker. Oh, he is all grins and giggles, but you can see him plotting away sometimes!

I swear he jibber jabbers to my 2-year old some scheme he has dreamed up in his head and wants him to follow him in his wild, crazy, and unpredictable adventures. Sometimes he gets so quiet you can just tell that something is about to happen. He keeps me in stitches though, because when you catch him, he turns to look at you and just grins as if to say, "Yeah, I know I am doing something I shouldn't, but why not? I can get away with it because I am so darn cute!" Which, 99% of the time, he is right! A 1-year old this is, people!

Imagine how he will be when he is 6 or 7....or 18 for that matter!! Lord help me!

Brotherly love

The picture you see here is when my youngest was just 2 or 3 months old...

I watch my two boys now and just revel in the love that they have for each other. I know they are only 2 and 1 year old, but you can really tell that they love each other. When Colt was first born, he would cry and cry for something, of course we all rushed to see what he needed. I soon noticed that Jacob was mocking us, doing the same every time Colt made a peep. He would rush over there to the bassinet and say "bubba crying" and pat him on the head..sometimes he got a little rough but his intentions were good!

Fast forward to today, they have both grown so much since then and yes, they did go through a rough patch where there was a lot of pushing, but they have grown out that, although it will probably re-surface when they are 6 or 7 years old, LOL! I watch Jacob and Colt play so well together and giggle and laugh about things that they are doing and it just melts my heart. They give love to each other before bedtime and every morning, if Jacob wakes up before Colt, he asks about him. I am truly blessed to have such sweet boys!

Refelection

My 1-year old found his reflection today!

Okay, well...he found it a long time ago..but now he has found it in the bathtub faucet!! It is the most hilarious thing! He stands up and looks at it and starts talking his baby babble, then..he gets REAL excited and points at it and gets real close to it and goes, "doh, doh, doh!!!!" LOL! It cracks me up! What's even funnier is that he knows his reflection looks all wobbly and not like himself and he cracks up laughing at that! Too cute and funny!!

I tell ya, I don't know where I'd get my kicks from if I didn't have two of the silliest boys in the world!!

Trauma: REAL life in the ER!

Have you ever watched the show, "Trauma: Life in the ER?" I watch it pretty much all the time. It's just something I'm into, I love watching all the crazy stories!

Well, last night..I had my own episode, not literally though..so don't go looking for me on television, LOL! I have had trips to the ER many times before, with my boys...high fevers, falling on there heads...etc., all were really minor things..nothing major. But last night, that changed. I was home by myself, my husband working late, I gave the boys a bath and was getting the house cleaned up so we could settle down for bedtime. My 2-year old, Jacob, was playing on his little car, sitting on it and pretending to drive, when he lost his balance and fell backwards onto his head by the fireplace...

Yep, you guessed it...he had a nice gash on the back of his head just pouring blood! I freaked, he cried! I was home alone! I ran to the bathroom with him and applied some pressure..which didn't last long because he didn't want me touching his head. I called my husband told him to come now, that I was taking him to the ER. I grabbed my 1-year old, and Jacob and left..didn't even lock the door. I raced down the stairs, one on one hip, and one on the other! I was super mom! It didn't matter that I forgot my purse, I sped all the way to Willis Knighton South!

I managed to get the triage nurses' attention, he looked at it and said it was fine, to sit and keep him calm and try to stay calm myself. My husband showed up shortly, along with Papaw. Jacob would let Papaw look at his head, but no one else. The cut seemed to be better than I thought, but I was still unsure of whether or not to go home. We decided to stay...and 2 1/2 hours later, we were finally sent back to the ER. He was so pitiful while waiting to see the doctor, he kept telling us he wanted to "hurry." We did our best to keep him entertained and told him how we were going to have pizza tonight and a special treat for him being so brave. They finally came and numbed his cut up with some gel on a gauze pad, and wrapped a bandage around his head, which he didn't like, so I told him he looked like a pirate...he didn't like that either. So I told him he locked like a rock star and stole some long Q-tips and pretended like they were drumsticks and that kept him from getting any more upset.

The doctor and the nurse finally came to clean and close the cut. As they cleaned it, I got a good luck at it, and I am glad I stayed..it was deeper than I thought. Two staples did the job and while waiting on the discharge, Jacob kept telling me "go, go, go, momma!" We were on our way home 10 minutes later at 1 a.m. The boys went back to sleep by 2, and so did my husband and I. We were all exhausted this morning and slept in..Jacob slept until 8 and that is late for him, no matter how tired he may be! LOL!

I am glad to report that he is fine. Colt, my 1-year old is such a trooper...so well-behaved for having to spend a long night in the ER! Oh, did I mention we are having our pictures made tomorrow...good timing..I can't wash his hair all that well and it's sticking straight up in the back! LOL! Oh well, at least it will be a more memorable portrait!

I usually don't freak out too much, but I guess since I was home alone and this was more of a major accident then I have ever experienced, that is why I was so upset. I kept telling myself to calm down, but it never really worked. Even though Jacob is fine, I am still recovering as we speak!

Take my breath away...

I may get some crazy looks from this, but I don't care ...

Have you ever been holding your babies so close while they sleep that you can feel their breath? I have done this before with my 2-year-old, but tonight, my 1-year-old woke up, so I sat on the couch and cradled him like he was still a tiny infant. I could feel every breath on my face. I leaned in closer to breathe in his sweet breath ... it smelled so sweet ... it was almost like I was stealing his breath ... but in a good way. As I put him back in his crib, I checked on my oldest as well ... leaning in to feel his breath ... so sweet!

It may sound weird, but it really isn't. It is the sweetest thing to feel and smell such a thing ... truly amazing that I helped give these babies breath ...

What a face!

My 1-year old, Colt...is SO animated! I swear, he makes the funniest most precious faces ever! I have never seen a child have so many different looks! He has been this way since the day he was born.

I will never forget the first time I saw him cry...that bottom lip poked out so far, that if he were walking, he would have tripped on it! Oh, it was pitiful!! Ever since, he pouts when he cries, it tears my heart out and makes me laugh all at the same time!

I guess he gets it from me. I have a whole lot more facial expressions than my husband. My oldest son seems to take after his daddy in that department...they pretty much just stare off into space while Colt and I are making all kinds of silly faces!!

I espaically love his pig face! I used to do it when I was little. It's the one where you get so excited, you scrunch your nose up and draw your mouth up and breath really heavy...TOO CUTE! Well, at least for Colt it is...not so much for me anymore! LOL! Hopefully, you will get the idea with the picture that I've attached! Enjoy!


ok...well, I will have to post the picture later...I can't find it on my computer at home!! Sorry!!

Little boys..

I just don't know if I am going to make it through little boy hood! LOL! I love my boys, a lot...I guess just being the mom..well when little boy things happen, I freak out! Don't get me wrong..I love being active and I am not afraid to get dirty, but there are just some things that happen with little boys, that...well...moms aren't programmed for!

I am sure you all know what I am talking about..you know, when little boys discover that they are...little boys!! There is nothing wrong with it at all...it just always happens unexpectadley, and catches me off guard! I am handling it pretty good, but sometimes...I don't know..I just freak out!!

Pooped out!

I have never changed so many poopy diapers, as I did yesterday! Between both of my sons, I probably managed to change more dirty diapers that I ever did in the first few weeks of life!

My 1-year old had it bad! After having the stomach virus all week, he had, well..not so nice dirty diapers! I swear, I'd put a clean diaper on that baby and five mintues later, I 'd be changing another dirty diaper! I have never felt more guilty about throwing something away, than I did when I was throwing those diapers away!

My 2-year old, well I know for a fact I changed more poopy diapers on him yesteday than I have in his eniter 2 years of life! He never was much of a pooper when he was a baby! LOL!

I didn't think I was ever going to catch a break, but I did! I was glad when I didn't see but 2 dirty diapers today...what a relief!

A different kid

I finally did it....I cut my 2-year-old's precious curls!! Ahh!

It had to be done...his hair was a tangled mess!. Using a detangler spray wasn't cutting it anymore, he screamed every time we came near him with a brush! So, we had to cut the hair.

I was fine, until the lady whacked off his curls!! I started to tear up...just that alone made a huge difference! Oh, he was so brave! never made a peep! Sat up real tall and just took it all in. He made me very proud. The lady that cut his hair did a very good job and was real sweet, saving all of his curls for me.

Jacob couldn't be happier, walking around saying, "you lik-a new haircut?" We swear he is Italian!! LOL!

If you have never seen Jacob's locks, you can go to http://www.redrivermoms.com/ and see his picture on the main page, where he was on the cover of January's issue of the magazine.

I never thought the day would come...but it has...he's growing up and looks like a different kid!

"It got me!"

Does your child have a fear of something? I mean, most kids, at least I don't think, freak out like my 2-year old son does!

The stairs to our home are wood, so we have many bumble bees that burrow their little holes in the stair case. Well, trying to get up the stairs is sometimes a battle! He literally freaks out and says "they get me!!" Oh, it is SO pitiful! When I say freak, I mean F-R-E-A-K!!!!!! LOL! It is everything I can do to get him walk up the stairs. If my husband isn't home to help, it can take a good fifteen minutes to get into the house!!

I just calmly tell him that the bees aren't going to hurt him....but Jacob doesn't believe me! Oh, it's so sad, but a little funny too!

What a difference!

It is amazing how your children can be so different from one another. You would think that they would pretty much share a lot of the same traits, especially if they are close in age....at least I kind of thought that.

Nothing could be further from the truth. With Jacob, my oldest, my pregnancy was a breeze! He was such a laid back little peanut, never giving me too much trouble although he did want to come 6 weeks early! As a baby, Jacob never cried unless something was seriously wrong..and that was usually gas. He was very quiet and well behaved in restaurants and shopping malls...always cooperating and drawing tons of attention for his curls and eyelashes. He was a true flirt...taking after his daddy! He was a bit bashful, but never met a stranger. Still, at age 2 he is very quiet and reserves his smiles and conversations for special people. Just like his daddy...

Now, with my youngest, Colt....that pregnancy was different..but not by too much. Not an ounce of morning sickness..although I had a case of the nerves until the doctor confirmed the pregnancy..after all, it had only been 6 months since I last gave birth...wouldn't you be nervous, too?? LOL! Anyway, my pregnancy with Colt was pretty laid back..although he was a bit more active in utero, he still didn't give me too much trouble. The only problem I had was the fact that I was pregnant and taking care of an active baby at the same time! Colt came into this world just like his brother did, at first. Quiet. But it quickly changed. By the time we got him home from the hospital, his temperament had changed! I guess he just knew that things were a little tense..what with having TWO babies and all. Momma was a little nervous, so he picked up on that. Boy, he cried and cried and cried....and CRIED, and for NO reason! But being the baby, he got lots of attention from everyone, just as his brother. Today, he still is a bit of a "whiner" you know crys at little things. He is also very animated. The faces he makes are priceless, and he smiles at everyone he sees....much like his momma!!

While they look a lot alike, they have their own looks and features that make them, them! Their personalities are like night and day..just like their daddy's and mine! Although, each of them can exhibit traits of the other parent at times!

It just amazes me how different they are. But yet, they came from the same place. I always knew children were different from their siblings, but I never really knew just how different siblings could be, until I had children of my own. It will be interesting to see more of their personalities come out, as they continue to grow.

They're smarter than you think!

Sunday has started off a little rough. My 2-year-old is sick with a stomach virus. While it is still sad, I am glad to say he isn't running any fever this time around, so that makes it much more manageable.

He is sleeping right now, and it's much needed. He fell asleep on the floor on a big fluffy blanket right before my 1-year-old woke up from his nap. I brought him into the living room with us, and my husband and I talked to him about lunch and getting ready to eat. I got up to put my son in the bed and as my arms were outstretched to grab him and my 1-year-old sternly said, "NO!" Apparently, he didn't want his brother out of his sight! LOL!

It is amazing to me how he really knows that his brother is sick, he has been very quiet today, not his usual squealing self! In other words, he has been very well behaved.

For now, all is well...Jacob is sleeping and Colt just got through eating lunch. Hoping that the afternoon will be much more smoother.

"I wub you too!!"

My 2-year-old has finally learned how to say "I love you!" Well, he has known how to say it, but would never say it to us, when we told him!

It is the sweetest thing to hear! I dropped him off with my mom this morning and said my "goodbyes" and "I love yous" and he just busted out with, "I wub you too, momma!" Made my heart just melt!!

And the icing on the cake, you ask?? I look down at my feet to see my 1-year-old blowing kisses to me!! Trust me, there is no mistaken that is what he was doing!

Can't you just feel the love?

"There are starving kids in China!!"

Remember when your parents used to tell you that when you were little?? I clearly remember hearing it quite often! I say that, because earlier this week...I threw a WHOLE plate of food in the trash! My 2-year-old didn't touch a THING! I debated on whether or not to throw it away or cover it and save it for later...but I knew that it would still get thrown away...and never eaten.

I stood at the garbage can for a good 5 minutes feeling awful about throwing my son's food away. All I could think about, was there were kids all around the world that night that didn't have enough to eat, if anything. I am not trying to get all sappy or anything, but it just really bothered me.

I have to be honest...I didn't eat well when I was a kid. I was, and still am, a picky eater. I guess that my 2-year old has inherited that from me. Now, my youngest...he has a hollow leg, he definitely gets that from his daddy! LOL!

Anyway...I guess I have now entered the stage of telling my child, "there are starving kids in China, so you better eat!" LOL!

The light bulb has gone off again...

Funny that I mentioned lightbulbs in my last blog...

Why?? Because my boys just broke one! See, we replaced all the lightbulbs in our place with those energy saving ones...so I have the old ones in a bag tucked away in the hall closet. Okay, so maybe not the best place to put them...especially if your 2-year-old can open the door AND you don't have a child safety knob...but back to what I was saying already.

My husband apparently slipped out the patio door located in our bedroom, unknown to me...and I hear CLASH!!!!!!!! I immediately knew what it was...and there in the hallway I find two boys standing in the middle of a shattered light bulb. I scream, to which that doesn't get my a response...so I scream again...and again...AND again! All while trying to keep them from stepping on the broken glass.

I finally found my husband..outside...adn hurry him in to clean it up..geesh....I tell ya...I am pooped! We got the mess cleaned up and they are now sleeping peacefully.

So now, I bid you all adue' for the evening...I am going to hit the sack!

Bubbles!

I had forgotten how much fun bubbles were...until I introduced them to my boys. Tonight, I introduced them to Mr. Bubbles...any grown person knows what I am talking about...the pink bottle with the bubble man on it..you know the one!

My boys truly loved taking a bubble bath, and I loved watching them play with them..putting them all over their face and holding the bubbles in their hands. It was such a sweet site! We also have many assorted bubble blowing bottles and wands to play with as well....call me bias, but I do think I have the smartest 2-year-old around! I have never known one that knew how to blow bubbles so well!

I love just watching them learn and discover new things...nothing is better than watching that light bulb go off in your child's head! It makes you realize that you are doing something right in your life..no matter how much you wish you had the manual to parenting!!

Small things are big blessings

With the news of little Ethan Powell's passing weighing heavily on my mind, I felt compelled to blog about what I was thinking and feeling. I hope you don't mind...

My husband and I have followed the story of Ethan since March of 07, right after he was diagnosed with leukemia. It touched our hearts and souls, that we literally checked the site for updates every day. And I mean every day. With our second son not being too far behind him in age, it really hit us. The other strange thing was Ethan was born on my sister's birthday..I am a sucker for signs and such.

We all lived through the ups and downs of Ethan's battle, some were good days and some were bad. I was amazed at the faith his parents, Ben and Becky had. It gave me more faith than I have ever had. He was such a blessing to his parents and was a blessing to me and my family as well. Reminding me of my own children and to be thankful for all the wonderful things I have in my life. Ben and Becky never once showed signs of anything else other than pure gratefulness for the gift that was Ethan, regardless of what he was going through.

I believe that things happen for a reason. Always have. The sweet little babies that are brought into your life are such a big blessing no matter what there journey may be while on this Earth. I believe Ethan was here to get us one step closer to a cure. He came so far and conquered so many feats. He may have been little, but he was the biggest blessing in his parents lives. Ethan has given so much light to an array of people in the world, more faith and the belief of a miracle and the power of healing, than anyone I can think of.

He may have not survived, but he really is a miracle to have come so far. He beat a lot of odds. God bless his parents for their never-ending faith. I hope they know just how much Ethan's life touched hundreds of thousands of people. He will always remain in my heart. I am so blessed to have my children and am blessed to have known Ethan.

My prayers and heart go out to his family. He still lives in all of us!

SpongeJACOB Squarepants

My 2-year-old, Jacob has become a SPONGE! LOL! We have to be very careful with what we say when he is in earshot! My husband and I have been known to let the occaisional "four-letter word" slip, and when we do...don't think we don't hear an echo!!

Everything we say echoes in our ears! It is quite hilarious to hear a 2-year-old try to say, "that's not necessary!" Jacob has are sides splitting! I can not believe how large his vocabulary has gotten in just a few months. He is able to tell you what he wants and when he wants it (except when it comes to the potty...agh!!)

It is really funny when you are laughing and he says, "that's punny momma!" He says "p's" in place of "F's"!! How cute is that?! So, the name Jeff becomes, Jepp!! Precious! He also says things kind of silly, for instance, we just moved so I ask him if he likes his new house...which he replies, "you like-a new house?" LOL! I mean, too darn cute!! Or "papaw and gigi, wanna go see 'em?" Oh, I tell you...he is something else!

I know before too long, he will be spitting out complete and understandable sentences. So, I am taking in all of the silly, sweet things he says! I love just listening to him talk!

Two steps forward, 3 steps back..

Most of you know that I transitioned my 2-year-old to a toddler bed the week before last. Not one problem did I have. He got out of bed maybe four times the first week...and that was it. Great, right? Well, we moved a week ago and I set his toddler bed back up, knowing that I was soon getting a twin size bed. I was surely excited to have it for my son and was sure he would transition to that easily, as well. After all, he has been sleeping in a regular bed since day one for naps and such.

The move brought on late nights for my husband and me. While my husband was at the other place getting the rest of our stuff, I was at home with the boys getting them to bed. That proved to be a bit difficult, because daddy wasn't home. Jacob, my 2-year-old, would not go to bed until very late, and Colt ended up being in the bed with us by about 1 or 2 in the morning. Jacob would join us at about 6 a.m. My husband successfully got everything to our new place Sunday night so we could have an earlier night and start getting back to normal. Jacob and Colt were still being a bit honorary in the night, but I knew it was because everything was new and different.

I knew my husband was getting ready to leave town for work, Wednesday morning, and would have to pack and load up his equipment before then, but I didn't really think as to how it would effect me and the boys. I got Jacob's twin sized bed Wednesday night and put it all together, excited for him to sleep in it. He had other ideas..as I was trying to put his toddler bed up in storage, he told me "that's Jacob's bed!" At which, I just left it in his bedroom for the time being. He slept in his new bed without a problem, but did come into my bedroom in the middle of the night. He just crawled in bed with me..no big deal. Then of course, the inevitable waking of Colt came. So I put him in bed with us, as well. I was tired.

Last night was a bit more on schedule. Colt was in bed by 8:30, but Jacob didn't got to sleep until 10. I tried to put him in bed, but he wanted to sit on the couch with me. So, I let him...and he fell asleep. I went to bed right after that. Exhausted! In the middle of the night, I hear screaming and crying and I rush to find Jacob crawling off the end of his bed. I guess he was just scared. Heck, I would be too! He is in a new place, with a new bed, daddy hasn't been around much and now he isn't home at all...who wouldn't be scared?! He slept with me, and of course Colt came soon after and they were back to sleeping in no time.

I know it just has a lot to do with everything that has gone on. My husband is due back Sunday, and I couldn't be happier! I just hope that Jacob and Colt go back to sleeping like they were before we moved....they have to, right?

Sweet dreams will come again.....eventually..

*Update* Toddler bed transistion

I am pleased to announce that Jacob has successfully been using the toddler bed for a week and a half! He still gets up sometimes, but it's only early in the morning, which is ok, because my husband and I are usually up.

He has told me a few times, when I go to put Colt in his crib, that "this is Jacob's bed." I just tell him, "yes, it was your bed, but you have grown to be a big boy and have given your baby brother your crib." He just looks at me in agreement and walks off! I am super proud of him and can't believe how big he is! They grow up way too fast!

No laughing matter!

I have a HUGE problem..... when I try and discipline my 2-year-old, he laughs at me!! I don't mean just a sweet little, laugh, I mean like a HUGE, from the bottom of his gut laugh!!! He even does it when I spank him!! I hate spanking, but I have been tested so much this weekend!

My husband has done it a few times, but not near as many as I have this weekend! I feel horrible! All my husband has to do is tell him not to do something, and ask him if he wants a spanking and he will stop. Then, when I try it, he just laughs at me...then when I follow through with a spanking, he laughs even MORE! It is driving me bonkers!

I made a promise to myself, that I would not spank...time outs work somewhat, but not for everything. If you have ANY suggestions, go here: http://forums.redrivermoms.com/viewtopic.php?t=2409

let me know your ways of dealing with this behavior, I would greatly appreciate it...and so would my hand!

Mid-week Mayhem

Wow.

It's Wednseday night and every part of me is truly exhausted.

I have been on vacation all week, so natrually, I am staying at home with my boys. My parents are taking the week off and rightfully so.

Okay, so it isn't that bad...but I am tired. I have a new found appreciation for stay at home moms and daycare workers who teach the toddler class! By no means, am I complaining. I love being at home with my boys, and love that I get to watch them play and play with them. I have no where to be, at no particular time, so I am free to play any and all games with them.

I would like to be a stay at home mom, but truth is, I like working, too. If my husband and I were able to afford me staying at home, I would still have to have some sort of part time job. It's just my make-up. It has nothing to do with not wanting to be with my children at all. But everyone, even June Cleaver needed a break from her pack!

No matter how much chaos has been caused this week, and no matter how exhausted I am, I wouldn't trade it for anything in this world! I am truly blessed to have such great children a loving husband, and most of all parents who would go to the ends of the earth for not only me, but their grand babies!

Now, I am going to bed! :)

Birthday blast!

I had Colt's 1st birthday party this past weekend. Nothing big, family and close friends.

I had it at Barnhill's, in their party room. Very low-key, which is what I wanted. Too much excitement can sometimes be too much for my babies.

We all ate and and I brought out the cake for my angel, we sang "Happy Birthday" to him and and dove right into his cake. There was blue icing everywhere!! What was I thinking?! Blue icing?! I wasn't, that just all there is to it.

What made this even more special, was the staff at the restaurant. Unknown to me, the crew came in clapping and bringing a piece of strawberry shortcake and sang their own version of "Happy Birthday" to Colt. I was blown away! It was very heartwarming and I welled up with tears, because it was done out of shear kindness. No one had asked for them to do that.

I cleaned my baby up and changed his clothes and we opened some gifts, (thanks everyone!) My heart was so full of joy, I watched my baby eat cake and celebrate like a big boy, and my oldest son was so sweet and never took Colt's moment away from him!

I am such a proud momma!

"No say that word!"

My 2-year-old has recently taken up the art of repeating everything my husband and I say...or really anyone for that matter. No big deal, right....it's just part of being two.

Yeah, well..not so much. My husband stayed home with the boys yesterday, since he was off for Good Friday. They came to pick me up from work yesterday afternoon, and as I got settled in the car, I heard some babble, then "shut up." Eek! Yep, my 2-year-old had started talking rude. Now, my husband and I don't go around telling each other to "shut up," but we do say it in a joking manner...which I guess that is where Jacob picked it up from. So, no big deal...I just tell him that is a "yucky word and not nice, we don't say that." He seemed fine with that.

Today, he as added a new word to his vocabulary...."stupid." Fun. No one in our home calls anyone stupid, it is again, just another one of those words that come out. Again, I remind him that we don't say that, and he goes about his business.

You never really know how much you use a word, until your 2-year- old points it out. I can't tell you how many times I used the word "stupid" to describe a situation today, to which Jacob replied, "no say that word!" So, I would tap my hand and correct myself. I must have done that over one hundred times this evening! It was happening so much, my husband and I couldn't contain ourselves!

But, hey...at least I have him not saying those words anymore! He's a pretty smart fellow, if you ask me!

Sweet Dreams...I hope!

I am about to embark on an adventure. Other than potty training and taking away my 2-year olds pacifier, I have only one milestone left.....

...moving him to a big boy bed!!!

So, this is the plan...I will be off ALL next week...so I am planning on transitioning him at this time. I am going to start tonight, actually. I think he is ready for it because he sleeps all night long, and in the event that he does wake up, he doesn't really "wake up," if you know what I mean. Now, that's not to say things won't be different once he realizes he can get out of the bed himself.

I used to let him nap in the toddler bed, which worked out fine. He would sleep for an hour, wake up and and would come into the living room. At that point, I knew he wasn't really ready to sleep in it at night because of that, and because he was still waking in the night, quite often.

I just feel he is ready for the move...I don't know what to expect, but I thought since I was going to be home all week, that it would be the prime time to try and get it done. That way, if he was up all night getting in and out of bed, I wouldn't have to worry about being dog tired in the morning for work!! Nice strategy, huh? I think so...

Now, if I could just accomplish the other two feats, it would be all good...the pacifier was originally supposed to go this coming week...but since we are moving...well, I figured that wouldn't go over well.

Wish me luck!!

Sick babies

Well, it has been an exhausting 2 weeks!! You all know that about 2 weeks ago, both my sons, my husband AND my parents, were violently ill with the stomach bug. That has since, passed and we have now moved on...



..or at least I wanted to think so.



Thursday, my mom called to tell me my oldest was running a temperature of 103. I decided to just ride it out because he often runs a temperature like that when he has a virus. That evening, he seemed fine. He had a little fever, but nothing major. We get up Friday morning (Colt's 1st birthday) I get ready to take Colt in for his check-up and get a call from the doctors' office saying the doctor is sick. So, we re-scheduled for Monday morning. I drop off the boys at my parents and head into work. Around lunch time I got a call from my mom saying Jacob was extremely lethargic and burning up with a temperature of 104. I call and get him in to see one of the doctors that afternoon.



The doctor we saw ruled out all the bad stuff, poked his little finger and said "it's just a viral infection, treat the fever ever 3-4 hours and go to the ER if it gets worse." Phew....awesome. His fever had started to come down and he was begging to eat pizza! I, of course said yes.



I picked up Colt from my parents and met my husband and a friend at the local pizza house. Jacob sat there and didn't touch ANY of his pizza...and when the kid doesn't eat pizza, you know he is sick. I rush him and Colt home, my husband and friend go by the store to pick up Tylenol, Motrin and Sprite to bring home. I got home at 6:30 took his temperature, 104.7. I gave him what medicine I had and stripped him to his t-shirt. Fifteen minutes later, his fever was at 104.8. My husband came home with the goods and I fixed Jacob some Sprite. He drank a little of it, but not much. Another fifteen minutes later, his temperature was at 104.9. I rushed him to the ER with my husband at home to tend to Colt.



I wasn't playing around this time, I was determined to get my son seen the second I got there. I did too! I was back in the ER no more than 30 minutes after I got there. His fever at the time was 105.7 and climbing. I was by myself and Jacob was on edge..crying at everything. They poked on him and shoved medicine down his throat and x-rayed him until there was no tomorrow. He screamed like a banshee during the x-ray...it took three times to get a good picture.



Luckily, my dad had showed up for support. That was nice. He was able to entertain Jacob and stop the crying for a little bit. Did I mention when I got back there, the patient on the other side of the curtain made the comment that she needed earplugs???? Oh yeah, talk about one mad momma! She said it again while being wheeled out for her x-ray in regards to some other baby crying. I have never stared someone down SO hard!



All the results come back negative, it is really just a bad viral infection. After all that....but I understand the need to be cautious. I am glad they took care of my baby. His fever was at a perfect 98.6 by the time we left. We made it home around eleven. He was already asleep, so that made for an easy transition into bed.



I am happy to report that he is fine now. Typical Jacob, he is being. But I have to say, I am completely and utterly ....EXHAUSTED!



But, it is a small price to pay, when your baby's need you.

How can you forget something so special?

Well, one year ago today...almost an hour from now, I had my second son, Colt.

It was a spectacular day! Two days after my birthday, I thought it was a wonderful gift! I did forget my birthday this year because I was so focused on my "speed bump" turning one!

I thought about his birthday all night, during my sleep! My oldest woke up at 6 a.m. and my husband and I weren't ready to get out of bed, so we just laid there...thinking about our youngest and the fact that he was already one!

We all managed to stumble out of bed and start the day and little Colt finally wakes up. We run into the bedroom where daddy is, to say good morning, and the minute we got there daddy says, "Happy Birthday Bubba!" OH NO!!! I FORGOT!!!

Yes, after lying in bed thinking about it all morning...I forgot! Me! The MOM!! I felt horrible! Oh, I snatched him from my husband and kissed and loved on him like there was no tomorrow! I even sang "Happy Birthday" to him on the way out to the car! It still didn't make me feel better.

I finally got over the fact that I kind of forgot...and forgave myself...Colt didn't seem to mind too much. He still loves me. I am so happy and proud of him...he has grown so much in the past year!

Oh yeah, did I mention that he was to have his 1-year checkup this morning? That didn't happen..the doctor's office called and had to reschedule...the doctor is out sick with the stomach virus....crazy, huh?! Colt will go see her Monday though...it's all good!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLTY! Mommy, Daddy and Bubba love you!

Moving day is coming!

I hate moving....with a passion. We are going to be moving at the end of this month. It should be our last time to rent a place. We are hoping to make a big purchase around the end of the year...at least that's the goal...

I don't know how I am going to do it. Pack up this place with two toddling boys chasing after me! Okay, okay..I have said that the last two times we have moved, and I have to say...I managed pretty well. However, I only had ONE toddling boy and the other was still being a "speed bump" as he is so affectionately referred to!!

I dread the packing...I hate it...no, no...I loathe it!! And, with another impending sickness upon one of my boys...I can tell I won't be getting any packing done this weekend, and our move date is at the end of March. Fun.

So, anybody got any ideas on how to cut down on chaos while packing up my house??

...Great...didn't think so...thanks anyway!

Oh well, I am sure I will manage...I am just seriously lacking motivation...did I mention I HATE moving??

Yeah, I do.

Bubba's got a busted nose!

When I got to my parents house yesterday to pick up my boys, I was greeted at the door by my sweeties, Pop, and the dog. They were taking the dog for a walk. I watched my 2-year-old run down the hill, and then the 1-year-old toddled after him. I just knew he was going to fall flat on his face..but he didn't...only on his booty.

I walked in the house to get their bags together and chat with my mom for a few when I heard these high pitched screams from outside. I got to the door, only to be greeted by my 2-year-old who informs me "bubba got a busted nose, momma..it hurt!" Pop brings me my youngest and and I take a look at my nose...it's just pouring blood! Oh, it was horrible! But it's just a scrape.

My oldest tried to tend to him, while I looked for ointment to put on it. He settled down and we got home, had dinner and went to bed...all is fine.

I guess he had nightmares about falling, because the poor thing just wouldn't stop whimpering in his sleep...he was in our bed for most of the night. When he woke up this morning, he looked like Ronald McDonald!!! Poor thing! I just keep putting ointment on it, and it will get better...

..I am just glad I didn't schedule those 1-year-old pictures for this weekend, like I had intended on doing!

Body odor

Okay, the title isn't a sign of a stinky story, it's more of an informative one.

I heard on the news that in some middle schools in Minnesota, they have banned body spray because it has been causing asthma attacks for some students and some boys have been using the spray instead of bathing.

Ew.

My thing is this....this was happening back when I was in school! We just lived with it. I mean, of course, it was horrible, but they never banned the spray! They just told everyone to make sure they shower daily, because it was good hygiene. I mean, who doesn't know that?

And, why would boys NOT want to take a shower? I mean, aren't they at that age in middle school, where they are self-conscious and WANT to smell good?? LOL!

So in order to fix this problem they are just going to ban sprays, and have them stink instead. Nice.

I'm baaaaaccccckk!"

Ok, so the minute I posted the last blog, I went to go read the paper online, only to find that I TOTALLY forget about daylight savings time!! AHHH! I never forget...well, ok...So I forgot this time!

I am at a total loss! I am way behind schedule now! Well, I don't really have a schedule..I just feel like a slob because I usually have been up and going for so long by now! When I said it was 7:30, it was actually 8:30!! I never lollygag until 8:30 in the morning, even if it is the weekend!!

Ok, so now I am going to go make up for lost time! Eek! What am I going to do first??!

It's all good"

Good morning! It is around 7:30 and I am starting my Sunday morning off pretty busy!

As you can guess by the absence of me blogging, my entire family is alive and doing well...Thank goodness! That had to be the worst week EVER!
I am pleased to say that my boys, my husband AND my parents are all over their sickness, and me...well I still have managed to scare off the virus! Yay for me!

On the other hand, I have found myself VERY busy! The little ones sure do make up for lost time! They didn't waste any time getting back to playing and rough-housing! I am glad though, seeing them all pitiful and sick like, really breaks my heart.

Anyway, I better get to going...they have finished breakfast and are screaming at me to come clean up their mess so they can get on to bigger and better things...I'll catch y'all on the flip side! Have a wonderful day!

"Magic Mommy shoes"

For those who have the children who love to stomp in rain and mud puddles right before getting in the car and stepping foot in the house, I think you will find this interesting.

On the way back in the house yesterday, my 2-year-old just HAS to step in the mud. Of course, my husband tells him not to, then turns around only to find that I am stepping in them. Oops! My 2-year old looks at me like, "why can mommy do it and not me." Even though he is only 2, I quickly tell him that I have "magic mommy shoes." He repeats it, well..sorta and goes on about his way. I instantly thought, "this is great!" Moms of children who stomp in mud and rain puddles will LOVE this! Why? Because, you know that you aren't always that careful not to step in mud puddles and let's face it..you probably do it all the time, because YOU remember to wipe your feet, unlike children....and your husband!

So, next time you kid steps in a mud puddle and you tell him not to, only for them to turn around and look at you like you are crazy, because YOU just stepped in one, well...you can tell them you have "magic mommy shoes." Shoes that let you step in anything you want and not get dirty...and only mommies have them!

Disclaimer:
"Magic Mommy shoes" are available at any store that shoes are sold! Go get your pair TODAY!
Besides, this will give you a good excuse to go buy those HOT new pumps you've been eyeing!! LOL!

The joys of being the MOM

Ah!…..Peace and quiet…knock on wood! My boys are taking their afternoon nap, after our outing this morning. See, they have been sick all weekend with the rotavirus, as well as my parents, who keep them…and my husband…no fun.

I just had to go into the office today and since the boys were better (my parents and hubby, not so much), I took them with me. They were fine at the office…it was lunch that turned into a disaster. My 2-year-old wanted a hamburger, so I decided that since he had been keeping everything down, that hamburger, he would have. WRONG!! Sitting there eating, he started to burp, then, the inevitable "splash" came. You guessed it, he got sick. I had to strip him down and immediately carried him and my 1-year-old to the car. I ran back in to grab his clothes and take off to the house.

Of course, after we get home, he is all fine and dandy and wants a pb&j sandwich….he manages to keep that down, thank goodness! After about an hour of playing, it’s naptime, so I tell him to go get on the couch and mommy will soon follow. I went to the restroom and came back to sit down and he was fast asleep.! Poor little guy was tuckered out from his excursion this morning. Soon to follow was my youngest and not a moment too soon! This break has been much needed by the way. After a few nights of rude awakenings (I think you can gather what I mean), I am exhausted myself! It’s a good thing that my husband can pretty much take care of himself.
I have been lucky, haven’t felt the first bit of sickness..and I intend on it staying that way!

I have never really been one to get sick much, and viruses, well…let’s just say I make THEM sick! LOL! I am just ready for ALL my boys to get to feeling better…it makes it no fun when mommy has to clean up everyone’s’ sickness…but that’s what mommies do!