Life of Preston

a quiz

2011-12-20T12:28:00.001-06:00

W was trying to quiz R in the car. Here is the transcript...

W: "What hops?"
R: "tiger"

W: "What has leaves?"
R: "tiger"

W: "What has 8 legs and lives in the water?"
R: "tiger"

love those boys!
{and I WILL start doing this again!}

tonight’s funnies

2011-04-26T21:56:00.001-05:00

Well, hello!

tonight… I let William barricade himself in the kitchen with play dough. I am in the other room and I overhear, “and he took the bread, broke it in half, and told them to eat”; then I hear “and he gave them juice”

that crazy kid is re-creating holy communion with his play dough!

super-cute or super-sacrilegious? you be the judge…

tonight, I was scratching my calf because well, it itched. Ryan walked over and started scratching my calf as well. thanks, kiddo!

did I mention he is in the “mimic everything that everyone does” stage? no? well, there it is.

tonight, William threw a monster cry fit when it was time for him to go to bed and I am D-O-N-E with his little fits waking up Ryan. my solution? I let him cry it out in the garage. (and for the record, I tried this once a few months ago but I put him on the back porch – Mike said that was not good because someone might hear him and call the police). it totally worked! he came back in totally fine.

tonight, I had to put eye drops in the eyes of two people in my house. wanna guess who got eye drops? not me. not William. wanna guess who threw a bigger fit about it? not Ryan.

cooties!

2011-02-08T09:41:00.001-06:00

At the pediatrician yesterday, R was SUPPOSED to have his 15 month check-up.
{We got the check-up and vaccinations, but also came away with a double ear infection diagnosis and an antibiotic prescription.}

At the pediatrician yesterday, W was SUPPOSED to have his hearing rechecked after he failed his hearing screening at his 4 yr check-up and fluid was found in his ear.
{He had been sick all weekend and so the hearing test didn’t happen. Instead, he got a flu test (negative, thank goodness!), a double ear infection diagnosis, and an antibiotic prescription}

Summary:
2 children
4 infected ears
2 antibiotic prescriptions
2 shots (vaccines for R)
2 probable ENT referrals (we will recheck ears in 3 weeks)
2 probable sets of tubes

And while we are talking about things to make our life a little easier, let’s discuss the antibiotics. I LOVE our pediatrician and I know this is the way medicine goes, but it just doesn’t make sense to me:
- the boys are on two different antibiotics
- one has to be refrigerated; the other can’t be refrigerated;
- one is given twice a day; the other is given once a day;
- the dosing for each is 6ml (something the same!); but you know how much the dosing syringe holds? yup. 5ml. nice. reload.

So when W was still running a decent fever last night and I was hacking up all kinds of nastiness (remnants from my weekend cooties), it was decided that I would stay home with W today. Today is Feb. 8. Between the ice, snow, and cooties, he has not been to school since Jan. 31.

The good news? It is supposed to snow and ice again tonight. bring it.

P.S. Everything else checked out great for R at his check-up. Dr. Poole was impressed by his verbal (i.e. shrieking and yelling and pointing) skills. He is 15% for weight, 35% for height, and 75% for his head. Remember when he looked like this?!?!

go ahead and call it

2011-02-04T21:52:00.001-06:00

I gave it a valiant effort. At one point, I thought I might make it to the finish line. In fact, I was actually enjoying myself.

And then, all of a sudden, it was over. At precisely 4:35 this afternoon, the realization of what I was dealing with hit me like a ton of bricks and I was done.

maybe it was the sudden, for-no-reason-at-all allergy attack;
maybe it was the 15 month old screaming bloody murder, then just smiling once you looked at him;
maybe it was the super-awesome idea to make cookies from scratch with the 4 year old;
maybe it was the dog peeing on the carpet;
maybe it was the oh-so-charming sound of Nick Jr. in the background;
maybe it was the impending mark of 96 hours straight with my little lovelies (minus 2 separate 30 minute trips to Target – praise the lord!)

whatever it was, the point was made. Can I PLEEEEEASE go back to work?

To be completely honest, we have had a great time these past few days. There has been cooking, playing, and projecting. The boys have been sleeping relatively late (8:00 is like heaven around here, y’all), taking great naps, and having so much fun playing together. The house has stayed relatively picked up and dishes were done. And looking back, it has been good for us. We haven’t eaten out once. And I have cooked every night + one breakfast. R has worn pajamas for 4 days straight (and yes, he got clean ones every day). W only got dressed because, “Mommy, I want to.” {Poor guy, he hasn’t left the house since Mon. afternoon – I think it was wishful thinking on his part. In fact, W was playing with R and pretending to take him to school.}

But today. Today, I was going to be productive. A shirt project for R was finished. I washed and put away a bunch of dishes. I showered (don’t laugh. it has been a little difficult with Mike at work and me not getting up before the boys). I. Cleaned. Out (and organized). The. Pantry! I thought about doing the taxes (a big step, actually). Cookies were made. from scratch.

And I should have known it would do me in.

Good news: Mike is off tomorrow and can take W out in the snow. We might actually make it above freezing so I might roll the dice and head out for a third trip to Target. watch out!

mo’ mobility, mo’ problems!

2011-01-05T22:44:00.001-06:00

R is a walker… when he wants to. Seriously, this kid will go all the way across the room at his school and the minute I try and get him to do it, he’ll take a couple of steps and then just fall.

Mike got some video of it on his phone and it is on his FB profile. {wow, I sound totally tech-savvy}. at this point, you have to go see it there – sorry.

Apparently, R is of the opinion that his new-found mobility options should also transfer to the bathtub. I am going to have to disagree. This kid was up and down and trying to cruise all over the bathtub tonight. Oh, and he KNOWS what “sit down” means because he does it. Until he doesn’t want to anymore. And then he just grins at you and stand up again.

sigh. this is going to be the crazy kid. you know the one. W was the cautious kid. R is the whatever is opposite of that. When you hold him and he decides he wants down, he basically dive bombs {arms flailing, sharp bend at the waist} out of your arms. I can’t tell you how many times I really thought he was going to fall to the floor! And when you are sitting and holding him face to face, he will suddenly rear his head back and fall backwards. and then laughs. like it is sooooo funny that he nearly bit it onto the hard floor.

Love you, sweet boy!

happy Sunday

2011-01-02T20:35:00.001-06:00

We had a pretty mellow day around here. W and I went to church while Mike stayed home with R, who has a cold.

Today was the first Sunday of the month, Communion Sunday at our church. {As Methodists, we believe that all those who believe in Christ, regardless of age, religion, denomination, church membership, etc. can partake in Communion. With W turning 4, he is officially out of nursery/playroom during service. Normally, the kids leave and go to Children’s Church after the children’s time during service. However, on Communion Sunday, they don’t have Children’s Church.} All this is to explain that W took Communion today. I tried to explain a bit in basic terms but I don’t think he really understood.

When it was his turn, our wonderful Pastor Brady knelt down in front of William, placed a piece of bread in his hand and said simply, “When you dip the bread in the juice and eat it, remember how much God loves you.”

sigh.

that is exactly what it is. and nothing more. remember how much God loves you.

we said a small prayer together at the altar so W could understand and it was the most sincere prayer I have said in a long time. it is amazing how clear everything becomes when you keep it simple.

come home. lunch. naps. Cowboy game (Gig ‘em McGee!). play. dinner. grocery store. boys to bed. and now here. I have to go because Mike and I are starting a workout plan/thing/whatever. yikes!

I leave you with a W pic from our museum trip this past week and R from today:

resolving…

2011-01-01T23:14:00.001-06:00

… to do a better job with this! The boys are full grown and have left the house and mike and I have retired {not really, but it might as well have been that long!}

Some MINOR recent events in the Life of Preston:

Ryan turned 1:

The Rangers had an awesome season!

William turned 4:

and oh yeah, Christmas:

If I get time, I’ll go back and post pictures from the past, oh, 6 months. But I am not going to make any promises. I tend to not do as well when I am trying to “catch-up”.

But I AM going to be updating much more often (every day? gasp!) – so stay tuned!

We really have had a wonderful fall and holiday season. Our little family is growing so fast and if I stop to long to dwell on it, I get a little sad. But I must live in the moment, because they really are wonderful moments!

ryan loves lucy

2010-07-21T09:36:00.000-05:00

brothers?

2010-07-20T21:49:00.001-05:00

you think?!?!

W @ 9 months

R @ 9 months

W @ 9 months

R @ 9 months

at this age,
W wins the teeth race
R wins the hair race

W wins the gross motor award
R wins the fine motor award

they look a lot alike! W’s chin is more square and cleft like Mike’s and R’s chin is longer like mine, but eyes/nose/mouth/cheeks are all the same!

to my…

2010-07-20T21:32:00.001-05:00

To my super-hero-cape-wearing, chicken-hat-loving, binoculars-craft-project-toting, little man – I love you!

and to my pants-on-the-head-wearing, bumpo-sitting, so-tolerant-of-whatever-your-momma-does-to-you, sweet babe – I love you!

final day in Galveston

2010-07-17T08:47:00.000-05:00

it rained. a lot. it was cloudy. all day.

we went to the aquarium!

then we had lunch down at the pier/dock/strand/whatever you want to call it!

4th of July

2010-07-16T11:42:00.000-05:00

were were still in “vacation recovery” mode, so all we managed to do was watch fireworks!

Here’s a pic from that evening:

the good stuff

2010-07-16T09:17:00.000-05:00

So as we were enjoying night two of Awesome Shrimp Boil, watching the bay water creep ever closer to our condo building with the surge from Hurricane Alex, and seeing our perfect picture-taking place slowly become covered in water, Emily and I decided to move our final-night-in-galveston photo shoot to, oh, an hour ago! We realized the weather was just going to get worse {and it did!} so we hustled! {For the record, Em hustled much faster than me – I don’t care what is going, on, that girl can look like a million $$ in just a few minutes.} And this was not just a hang-out-and-take-a-picture kind of moment. There were pre-selected wardrobes, people! And Emily and Nick’s fabulous camera. I even got to snap a few shots with it – so fun! I am really loving all this photo-editing stuff!

{spoiler alert and disclaimer to all relatives – some of these MIGHT end up in a gift of some sort!}

he-men {W is trying to show his muscles…}

don’t ask…

my fave

more vacation!

2010-07-15T10:53:00.000-05:00

The next day started out gray, so I convinced Mike to take W fishing at the “fabulous stocked fishing pond” right next to our condo building instead of doing the beach again – seriously wore me out the first day!!!

um, ew. I had seen this deck/pier the day before and it was covered with seagulls. and you know what seagulls do? they poop. Mike said it was covered and gross and slimy and smelly. but the fishing poles and tackle box had made the trip in the car and they were going to be used, dangit! it didn’t last too long.

Mike and Nick had some quality time on the couch

ah, the pool. the rain cleared off in the afternoon and we were all over it! this pool had a lazy river. not the Wet N Wild kind of lazy river – just a small circle – but you could be in it and move with minimal effort – still a winner in my book!

this kid should never complain about anything. ever.

this just cracks me up!

mohawks are back “in”

Strittmatter family fun!

he said the goggles would help him put his face in the water. um, no.

our only chance at sun

2010-07-14T14:39:00.000-05:00

Day 2 was our only completely sunny day. Hurricane Alex was nowhere hear us yet the rain and wind became ridonculous as the week went on. {yeah, I said it.}

We headed out to the beach in the AM. What a beat-down! Don’t get me wrong – I am soooo glad we made this trip, but you should have seen this production! Four adults, one little dude, two babies, chairs, a pack n play, sand toys, towels, other baby necessities. All I’m sayin’ is that it is a good thing W could walk and carry his own shovel and pail. Otherwise, he might have not made it to the beach. Once we got there {I make it sound like it was soooo far away – we had to drive all of our gear across the street/highway and walk about 50 yards – it could have been worse!} and set up, we managed to enjoy it!

Lunch, nap, then pool time! Much better pictures from day 2 at the pool!

While the kids napped, Mike and Nick went to get shrimp. Those two boys rustled up a real, live shrimp boil for dinner! So delicious! Shrimp, potatoes, corn, onions – all in a big pot with some amazing seasoning! {pics from Emily}

mmmmm, Shrimp! {and the best part? they bought enough for TWO meals!}

chicken hat

2010-07-14T14:08:00.001-05:00

word-for-word, this happened at our house this morning:

scene: mother and child getting ready to go to the library as soon as the baby wakes up; mother in her room, talking to child

mother: “W, I need you to go to your room and take off your shirt and Pull-up so you can get dressed to go to the library,”

child: {as he runs out of the room, with a trailing voice} “OK, but I need to get my chicken hat first!”

and sure enough, he came to his room with a chicken hat.

Thank you all! We’ll be signing autographs in the lobby afterwards.

upon arrival

2010-07-14T07:44:00.000-05:00

These are from our first evening in Galveston. Our condo was literally on the bay. There was a small sandy patch 100 feet from our building so I took W down there to look around. So gorgeous!

there were so many little hermit crabs just hanging out and yes, all those shells still had crabs in them!

W found a stick and was poking it in all the little holes that the water creatures had burrowed. He told me he wanted to make them come out. I told him good luck.

pelican (?) just hanging out – there were so many large birds and it was fun to watch them dive-bomb the water looking for fish

a view from the ground level of our building

view from the balcony – gorgeous sunset!

lame

2010-07-13T21:28:00.000-05:00

ok, let me be honest. I am NOT on board with all the text-ese. You know, all the abbreviations people use when they are texting to make things easier and faster. I get it – everyone uses it and I know I have to understand it and now I feel seriously old!

I’ll admit, when I had ancient-phone that did not have a keyboard and I had to push [1] three times just to get the letter C, I would get annoyed. But even then, I struggled through and spelled it out. And now, most people have phones with a keyboard – it would take one more milli-second to spell it, people!

I WILL admit to using the :) and ;) in my messages – It kills me not to be able to convey some sort of subtlety in my communication. I own-up to all-caps at times and repeated/combined punctuation. But that is where I draw the line.

Here is what I have learned {the oldies}:
OMG – apparently a classic, often used in conversation now as well;
LOL, LMAO, ROFL, ROFLOL – enough already!!! I simply prefer a good “ha” or even the super-sassy “heehee” or heaven-forbid, “that is funny”

ur, 2mrw, u, 2, 2nite, etc – help! I need a translator

recent discoveries {here is the real reason I am lame}:
idk is “I don’t know”; heard some girls at the library – one asked the other something, she replied “idk”. really?

<3 is a heart! kept seeing this around and could NOT figure it out – seriously, so lame;

and the real reason I am lame:
got a text the other day signed “just lmk” WHAT?!?! I don’t get it!!! thought about it for a good 5-10 minutes and then realized “just let me know” geez!!!

and now I must go put on my teacher sweater and rimmed glasses, go sit in a corner of the library with a 1000-page novel and yell at all the young kids that are being too loud.

{just realized I used “btw” in a previous post. maybe there is hope for me yet!}

vacay preview

2010-07-13T15:35:00.001-05:00

I am really loving Photoshop, but for these 2 pics, I didn’t touch them! seriously, all him!

And here is the other little dude:

And the final dude:

Finally finished editing all the awesome pics that Emily took and shared! Just gotta get them all in one post :)

Monday?

2010-07-13T12:00:00.001-05:00

Yes, it was Monday yesterday. My days are blurring because, well, I have no where to be and no major tasks to accomplish. love it!

ran a couple of errands, then came home and projected with W while R took a short nap.
I have been pulling out all my old “I am an awesome kindergarten teacher” stuff and he is doing such a great job. He knows all his letters and sounds, is recognizing about 10 sight words, identifies rhyming words, and is loving all the little level 1 and 2 readers we do!

W also loves to do “projects” as he calls them.
We have painted with colored shaving cream, put food coloring in to bottles of glue and made some pictures, made binoculars from toilet paper rolls, etc. and he loves it!

After R woke up, we played in W’s room. Honestly, his room has been an absolute pit for the past month or so. The clothes in the drawers were too small and all the clothes that were the right size wouldn’t fit in the drawers. They were everywhere. He had toys all jumbled up and it was not pleasant to play in there. Last week I finally got all his clothes switched out, put away, toys sorted and organized and now he can “be busy” in there.
I think we had every possible little toy combined in to a scene that would change direction about every 2 minutes, depending on what object he grabbed next.

‘cause all the Little People sleep in shoes, right?

R tried to grab every to he could get his hands on and put in his mouth

We played this game I found on the cheap one day… so simple and easy for W. No worries about how to play or the rules, just roll the die {just learned a couple of years ago that “dice” is plural and “die” is singular} and go find the color!

pool time

2010-07-12T11:00:00.001-05:00

All I can say is that the Texas heat is only bearable with a pool! Lovin’ it this summer!!!
{edited to add: all these pics are courtesy of Emily and her super-awesome camera and skills! thanks, em!}

blowing bubbles

nice shot!

it’s a rough life…

R and sweet Eli taking a snooze pool-side in the pack ‘n play

and you know when you find one of those pictures that you will absolutely love forever and will end up front and center on your desk at work and also probably prominently displayed in your home, well…
here’s one!

he’s mobile!!!

2010-07-11T13:29:00.001-05:00

It’s not fast and it’s not all the time, but it’s definitely mobile!

R started really scooting this afternoon as we were playing on the floor. I took away his floor blanket awhile back because he never stayed on it anyway and it was annoying to keep the dog off it all the time. and last week, W helped me “upgrade” R’s little toy basket from the baby rattles and little stuffed toys, to all the things the big babies like! Apparently it provided a little motivation because last week he tried to push himself forward with his toes and got a few inches, but nothing dramatic.

But today. What was his motivation to use his little chubby legs like a tadpole and scoot himself across the floor? His loving mother? His charming brother? Handsome father? A precious, beautiful toy we will treasure forever because “It helped you learn to crawl”?

um, no.

It was a plastic lid.

Yes. W was doing a puzzle and had the plastic box of pieces on the floor. R eyed that lid and it was if a light bulb went off. He realized he could get it. And get it he did.

pray for us. not sure our crazy house can handle another thing that moves.

{of course, there are no pictures or video to document this momentous occasion}

waiting…

2010-07-11T09:53:00.000-05:00

… on W at swim lessons.

A sweet mom who had kids in W’s swim classes brought her fan-cee camera one day and in between using her amazing skills on her own adorable kiddos, she sat for about 3 minutes and snapped away at R chillin in his stroller. {btw, longest sentence ever}

Couldn’t decide which I liked best, so you get to see them all!

View Full Album

swimmin’ lessons

2010-07-10T20:15:00.000-05:00

Well, W took swim lessons.

And when I say “swim” lessons, I really mean “learn-to-like-the-water-and-not-freak-out-when-you-get-water-in-your-eyes” lessons.

He told me, “Mommy! I know how to swim now!”.
I thought, “Um, sure. Let’s not sign up for the Olympics quite yet.”
I said, “Of course you do! Good for you, honey!”

Here he is waiting for the lessons:

He is actually floating on his back! His teacher, Abbey, said that she wasn’t supporting him but if he felt her hands move away he would freak out.

Too cool for swim lessons. Notice that no part of his face/head is actually wet.

He got his face wet – accidentally, of course!

W and his sweet teacher, Abbey (seriously, so patient!)

Might sign up for another session at the end of the summer. We’ll see. Watch out, Michael Phelps – he might just put his face in the water all by himself next time!

the post where the pictures speak for themselves

2010-07-10T13:36:00.000-05:00

brothers

2010-07-09T22:55:00.001-05:00

GQ. seriously. sign them up. now.

yikes! maybe not…

old school

2010-07-09T22:28:00.001-05:00

since it’s been fuh-eva, here are some pics to catch you up to date:

Easter!
This was the best I could do to get both boys still at the same time. Can’t believe R was only 6 months – he has already changed so much! Can you tell that W LOVES his outfit?! Whatever. It’s the last year I could even think about getting away with something like this for W, so deal with it :)

Ranger Game!
R sat this one out at GramGram’s house because, well mostly, I am a wuss. A wiggly 6 month old at a professional baseball game does not a calm, enjoyable experience make!
I think we get this pose every year…

Finally get a pic of me and W and the stinker looks away!

There was lots of snack-eating…

and lots of general inattentiveness… (luckily the people around us all had kids and were very understanding)

Go Rangers!

7 months-ish and new tricks!
Here is R at 7 months (yes, I know, I slacked on the monthly photos… he’s cute and fat – enough said!)

Look, mom! A new trick!

awwww, did you miss me?

2010-07-09T16:03:00.001-05:00

yeah. probably not.

anyway, we’ve been busy.
pool, playing, family events, vacation - summer in general will just wear a girl out!

mom – don’t worry beach pics are coming soon!

a few random thoughts on the day:

- i go through phases with this blog thing and I feel another one coming on but I need to try and be more consistent – the boys are doing so much!

- R is doing an apparent colon cleansing without letting me know beforehand – the kids has seriously pooped 4 times today and it’s only 4:00! the most recent one was discovered by W as he was tickling R and inadvertently put his head near the bootie

- have you seen the commercials for “Your Baby Can Read”? Well, W has. he told me as we snuggled after his nap today than when R woke up, we needed to go to Target and get those word cards. of course, I had no idea what he was talking about and his explanation was, “you know, those cards for R so he can speak better” – such a concerned big brother

- while we are on that topic, I’m not sure which troubles me more: the fact that my son is old enough to get sucked in to the ridiculous advertising on TV (oh yes, he would also like a pillow pal because, “Mommy, they are so soft”) OR the fact that he has watched enough tv this summer to completely understand what that baby reading product is supposed to do

- for the record, I think that baby reading stuff is complete garbage.

and finally, drumroll…

I am…

wait for it…

tan! it didn’t peel.

yet. but I still hold out hope that this one might remain.

and now a preview of upcoming topics:

R is almost 9 months! only 2 teeth, refuses to sit up, somewhat scooting with his legs but nothing I would call “mobile” quite yet

W is such a fun kid! little personality quirks and I know I am partial, but the kids remembers stuff like crazy! his first movie/mass marketing obsession has hit us – Toy Story 3

be back soon with pics and details!

makes my heart melt

2010-04-21T21:11:00.001-05:00

Aggie Muster Day

2010-04-21T20:33:00.001-05:00

Softly call the Muster,
Let comrade answer, “Here!”
Their spirits hover ‘round us
As if to bring us cheer!
Mark them ‘present’ in our hearts.
We’ll meet some other day
There is no death, but life etern’
For our old friends such as they!

look out, corporate America!

2010-03-22T00:22:00.002-05:00

I’ve have my tie ready! My experience? Well, mostly there’s eating, sleeping, smiling, and playing. I can stick my hand in my mouth 20 different ways and I’m fluent in squeals. My mom says I have to get a job… so here I am. Do you have any positions available?

cereal? yes, please.

2010-03-21T00:17:00.001-05:00

R started cereal a couple of weeks ago. It’s going well – can’t you tell?

Do you see my hand at the bottom of this picture holding R’s two hands down? That’s what we have to do every time he eats. The kid sticks his fists in his mouth ALL THE TIME, even when eating! At least it’s not boring – ha!

5 months

2010-03-20T16:50:00.000-05:00

Well, the actual taking of the pictures was a little more timely than the posting of the pictures. Nevertheless… ladies and gentlemen, I present Ryan. and his rolls.

(I always forget to do these until the evening and by then the light is just plain stinky – oh well.)

fist. in mouth. all the time.

I am always a little surprised when I look closely at his head and see all the fuzz. Will was completely, and I mean completely, bald until about 18 months. Looks like Ryan may not have the same fate :)

Updates? Eats like a champ. Started on rice cereal. Smiles and grins and puts his fists in his mouth all the time. Rolls from his stomach to his back. Sleeping between 10 and 11 hours at night. Thinks that William is the most hilarious thing ever. Grasping at everything and putting it in his mouth. About to bust out of his 6 month clothes and size 2 diapers – we have to move up soon! Squeals and giggles and coos like it’s going out of style.

Such a beautiful, laid back, easy going baby. We are so blessed!

ahhh, picnic.

2010-03-20T12:36:00.001-05:00

We headed to the park last Sunday evening, thanks to the brilliant suggestion of Emily, and because we were there a little early (I KNOW… early? Don’t ask - I have no idea how it happened.) I wanted to take come pics of my boys.

Here is Mike’s idea of what his best pose with the boys would be (and this TOTALLY makes the list as #321)

Ryan was not impressed by my photo skills

A little baseball. Can you tell that Mike is teaching Will how to lift his leg when he throws and hits? He’s trying, he’s really trying! (And this picture just qualified as #320 on the list)

And of course, what every 3 year old boy should do with their father at the park. love it.

Mr. Fix-It

2010-03-19T23:01:00.000-05:00

We had some guys working on the house a couple of weeks ago repairing some sheetrock inside and painting outside. There was lots of hammering and what-not and Will became obsessed with fixing things. He pulled his workbench (shout-out to Aunt Paige!) into the living room every day for almost a week to “do his work”. He even tried to hammer the wall in his room!

it’s officially over

2010-03-19T01:10:00.001-05:00

That’s it! We’re done! I’m declaring it finished!

William is potty-trained!

He hasn’t had an accident in over two weeks and we are out of the candy we were using as bribes. So it’s done.

Now, this may not seem like much to most people. But FOR REAL. He was 39 months old. Seriously, nothing phased this kid. We tried rewards, wet underwear, little training potty, pull-ups, bribes (and good stuff, too!) but he didn’t care.

He is fiercely independent ( I WONDER where he could have gotten that quality…) and just decided one day that he was going to do it. Now he is a champ about the whole thing and acts like it is no big deal. He just sits on the regular toilet and holds on. He has only fallen in once. ha! One day he told me he wanted to go standing up. I told him no. no way. no how. I am NOT ready to start cleaning that up yet. Mike can teach him that soon enough. (And then Mike can start cleaning it up.)

Still wears a pull-up at night, but I’ve heard that can continue for awhile.

And while we are on the subject… Little boy underwear cracks me up! It is supposed to be a manly thing, I guess. But when it is so tiny and covered in cartoon characters it is just too cute!

chillin’ Bumpo-style

2010-03-19T00:08:00.001-05:00

Oh! Hey, mom! Me? Oh, you know… just chillin’ in my PURPLE (not pink) Bumpo chair

Not now, mom. Can’t talk. I’m busy…

… watching the OLYMPICS!!!! Go Bode! U-S-A! U-S-A!

(I knew you’d be proud.)

peanuts

2010-03-06T22:23:00.001-06:00

Dear can of honey roasted peanuts in my pantry,

I love you. I love you a lot. You are not good for me. And yet, I can’t stop.

I remember purchasing you over a week ago for a party and then putting the leftovers back in the can and returning you to the pantry. How could I go an entire week with out you? I realized today that your label was turned towards the back and I actually forgot about you for several days.

But today? Today you were found. Like a child who has found a lost puppy (or maybe just a lost sock), I greeted you and immediately wanted to become reacquainted. But alas, within 10 minutes, I had eaten half of what remained in the can without even realizing it. I had to put you away.

But just now, I opened your can again and proceeded to tell myself, “Just a couple more. I can stop any time.” But I didn’t. again.

What is it about you that makes you so irresistible? I have had this problem my entire life. I am weak. I cannot be near you at parties. You are definitely not present in my house on a normal basis. I just can’t control myself. Is it the honey? Is it the roasted-ness? I may never know. Actually, I don’t need to know. I just need to stop.

And therefore, can of honey roasted peanuts, I am making a vow today that I will never again purchase your kind. I bid you adieu and may your sweet, honey roasted-ness haunt some other poor soul looking for a snack.

Your friend no more,
Martha

#322

2010-02-21T15:45:00.002-06:00

continuing with the list

he bought me this:

he tried to find me this:

but they were $90 (that is a RIDICULOUS price for a hat!) and all sold out – but he tried, he really tried!!

love you!

stats

2010-02-21T15:29:00.001-06:00

4 month check-up for R on Friday:

over the whole RSV thing – all looks great!

weight – 15lbs 8 oz.!!!! believe it or not, this only puts him in the 75th percentile

height – 25 inches, 50th percentile

head – forgot the #, but in the 75th percentile

drools constantly. always smiling and laughing. can put his fist completely in his mouth. sleeping ~10 hours at night. 2 naps a day

sweet, sweet boy – love you!

just an eency, weency bit…

2010-02-14T22:34:00.001-06:00

… don’t get me wrong! I adore my boys and know I was definitely cut out to be a “boy mom”. pink and frills and sooooo not me. However, there are a certain few things that make me wish just a teeny, tiny, eency, weency bit that I had a little girl.

love them. wish they came in my size.

4 months

2010-02-12T14:54:00.001-06:00

Frank Sinatra has NOTHIN’ on this kiddo. Ryan is the new face of “ol’ blue eyes”

the outtake: he had just finished eating (apparently, quite a large meal for such a little guy…)

it’s february. in texas.

2010-02-12T13:21:00.001-06:00

we are supposed to be wearing shorts and flip-flops by now! seriously! really doesn’t do much for the whole global warming argument, huh?

(Lucy was not impressed.)

snowman. take one.

all Will wanted to do was throw snowballs at Mike.

snowman. take two.

little snowman for Ryan who was inside the whole time

doesn’t everyone have leftover branches form their Christmas tree still in their garage available for snowman arms in February? and doesn’t everyone have shape sorter blocks in a ziploc bag just begging to be used as snowmen eyes and ears?

one ticket to Canton, please

2010-02-10T17:19:00.000-06:00

It’s official. he’s in. I’ve been browsing here. On Saturday, August 7th, you’ll find me here.

“Hey Martha, I’ll be looking for you in Canton!”

Okay, Emmitt. I’ll be there.

#323 and counting!

2010-02-09T10:10:00.001-06:00

I am working on a list. partly for mike - to let him know how much he is loved. and partly for me – to remind me how blessed I am and to never, ever take anything for granted!

Reason #323 can be summed up in one word:

eyes

exhibit #1, as seen in the previous post

exhibit #2, as seen in the previous post

my two beautiful boys have the most gorgeous blue eyes thanks to their father! love you!

Olympics. soon. be ready.

2010-02-08T22:28:00.001-06:00

4 days away.

enough said.

the opening ceremonies will be amazing.

my DVR will explode from the sheer volume of recordings it will take on over the next fortnight (why do they always call the duration of the Olympics a fortnight? yes, I know what a fortnight it, but still…)

gonna need some serious pico de gallo for Friday night.

bye, bye breathing treatments!

2010-02-08T21:55:00.001-06:00

Went to the dr. today to check on R’s RSV – whoo hoo!
no wheezing = no more breathing treatments;
still has a cough that could linger on another week;
has lost 5 oz. because he is not eating as well, but let’s be honest, he had a little to spare!
go back in 10 days for a re-check on his weight and his 4-month (yikes!) check-up/vaccines.

Hello, love!

W is having a Valentine’s Day party at his school on Friday. He signed up to bring candy (because he likes candy) and I signed him up for cookies (because, honestly, I want him to have cutie cookies for his party and how can I ensure that the cutie cookies are present unless I make them?!);
before Friday, I need to make his shirt (“heartbreaker”), make cookies (easy when you buy the pre-made dough!), and get Valentine cards together for his little friends!
I also want to do a little cute shirt for R – just ‘cuz.

Doesn’t everyone need a good wolf/lion/whatever hat?

memos and elephants

2010-02-03T15:26:00.001-06:00

Hey mom! What’s up?!
Me? Oh, nothin’. Just chillin’.

RSV? Whatchoo talkin’ ‘bout?
Must have missed that memo…

Mom, take it easy! No problem! Besides, how can you not smile when you are wearing elephants?!

Happy Wednesday!

a stream…

2010-02-01T21:24:00.001-06:00

… of consciousness (by the way, in 4th grade I won my school’s spelling bee and advanced to the district competition – I got knocked out on the word conscientious! how is a 9 yr old supposed to know that word?! )

LOOK at this gorgeous boy!! Eli was born Saturday, 1/30 – a few weeks early but completely and wonderfully healthy! Congratulations Nick and Emily!!!!

Ryan has RSV – doing ok but on breathing treatments – someone forgot to tell him how sick babies are supposed to act – giggling and cooing, then cough, cough, cough; here are our “supplies”

Will started his new school today – didn’t want to leave so I guessed he liked it – only hiccup was that he ate two lunches (the school didn’t realize eh brought a lunchbox and served him their meal also!)

my employer’s policy on sick days makes no sense – my days are all gone bec. of maternity leave and so now, if I don’t want to have my pay docked, I have to be out at least three consecutive days to qualify for leave pool – sure! I’ll take three days off work so I WON’T loose money

will someone please fix the problem with the cost of prescription drugs? we have really decent insurance and man, am I glad we do!! but what about people who don’t have insurance? I am immensely grateful for sooooo many things!

I have a sticky note sitting right here of some super-cute projects I have seen on blogs/websites that I am dying to try – maybe tomorrow? one of them is a necklace from washers and ribbon. hhhmmmmm…

also have some photo projects I need to attend to

and do our taxes

and make a valentine’s shirt for Ryan – is Will to old to have one too? anyone seen a cute idea for a “big boy” valentine’s shirt?

we were at Ikea a couple of weekends ago and bought some solid pine mini-dressers that we are going to be using as nightstands by the bed – bought the stain a week ago but then, well, the world went crazy for a few days

speaking of… I finally feel calm again today – of course that is easy when I don’t have to go to work

Mike and I are determined to loose weight! I am going shopping for our e-mealz menu tomorrow and we are going to join the Snap Fitness up the street from the house just until summer – the plan is to take turns in the evenings and one person stay here while the other goes to work out, then switch – we’ll see! they have a great deal and it is too good not to at least try it

and look at this! I was going through a bunch of flies the other day and found it – we took Will to Oktoberfest in Addison when he was about 9 months old – I made lederhosen for him! oh my gosh!!! I forgot how cute and round he was – he has changed so much!

found this one too! Will looks miserable! it was soooo cold that morning!

and just so no one feels left out: (Hello, Ryan!)

safe arrival!

2010-01-30T22:46:00.001-06:00

This little man has made his way into the world!!! Congratulations Nick and Emily – you are going to be such amazing parents! We can’t WAIT to see Eli’s sweet little face and give him all kinds of ridiculous hugs and kisses! And when the time is right, introduce him to Monday’s at Desperados!

really?!?!?! (this is mostly whining – beware…)

2010-01-29T22:17:00.001-06:00

Here is a summary of my last 36 hours, starting 10:30am on Thursday:

- get an e-mail (NOT a phone call) from the owner/director of William’s preschool saying they are CLOSING and want everyone to attend the school’s other location in Allen starting MONDAY (yes! that is 2 days notice)

{FREAK OUT!}

- realize we cannot transfer to the other location because it would mean at LEAST an hour round trip in the am and pm to the school

{FREAK OUT!}

- remember a friend had told me about her daughter’s school, call them, they have a spot open – PRAISE THE LORD!

- call Mike, explain everything, a little less freaking out

- leave school in the pm, Mike leaves work early to pick up William, we take him to the new place to see it, feel comfortable, etc. because we have to start there on MONDAY!

- vacuum cleaner issues (remind me about this later – a story which needs it’s own time)

- go eat dinner with Nick and Em, deal with sorta-sick, super-tired baby at dinner, eat a few wings, go home

- have a mentioned it was pouring rain most of this day? no? well it just made things that much easier…

- Mike puts Will to bed, I get Ryan down, then I go to the grocery store because awesome-me agreed earlier in the week to make taco soup and chocolate candies for work on Friday

- come home: bottles, lunches, chocolate candies, pack for school, bed.

- this morning: overslept. awesome. no shower. ew. that’s right.

- baby has gunk – suction a bunch of boogers from his nose at 6am

- make coffee: when I fill up my mug to take to work, all that comes out of the pot is water (ours is stainless and you can’t see into it)… I FORGOT TO PUT THE COFFEE IN THE COFFEE MAKER!

- super late to work. get there and realize it is “bring your dad to school day” and park 2 miles from the school; haul aforementioned chocolate candies and crock pot for soup 2 miles into school

- have I mentioned it was pouring rain all morning? did I fail to tell you it was 35 degrees? no? well, again, it really helped everything tremendously.

- made it through work. plan was to leave early, get Will, go play at the new school for a bit, then get Ryan and head home. um, no.

- Ryan’s sitter calls me at 3:15 saying he had a slight fever. I tell her I’m on my way. new plan: get Ryan first and drag him around in and out of cars/rain for the rest of the afternoon. call pediatrican. can’t get there before they close today, they say to call the on-call dr Sat am.

- get Will at his school. cry with the ladies there that he is leaving (apparently, all the other parents have 3 extra hours a day for driving around and are moving to the other location.). load up.

- go to new school. Will plays, Ryan poops, I change a diaper, Will pees on himself a bit while using the toilet at the new school. and it is still raining outside. and 32 degrees.

- ah, home. Ryan is so tired he goes to bed. Will hangs out with milk, Goldfish crackers, and Tigger and Pooh on tv. I develop a ridiculously awesome headache.

- Will pooped. not in the toilet. enough said.

- Will and I share a bagel for dinner ‘cause I am super-mom. Mike comes home with beer and wine (he has a 6th sense) and amuses Will (God bless that man!). Ryan wakes up and takes half of a bottle, coughing the whole time. both boys to bed. I am here typing. and now I am done.

- Here’s to a new day.

William updates

2010-01-27T22:06:00.001-06:00

in a stream-of-consciousness format, because that is all I can handle right now

randomly, Will just woke up and was super-sweaty from wearing his fleece pjs. I took him in to change his pjs and he was pointing at his initials that are on the wall above his closet. I explained “W” is for William, “L” is for Loy and “P” is for Preston. He went on about his three names for awhile and then said “and I’m sweetie pie – I have FOUR names!” (Gram Gram calls Will sweetie pie all the time)

I borrowed a bunch of level 1 readers from my kinder teacher friends at school and Will and I have been “reading” them – don’t get too excited – they are just the predictable text, sight words, etc. – but it IS a start – he knows all his letters and most of his sounds and I really think I’ll be able to get him going full-blast this summer; anyhoo… we were looking at the word “some” and I was trying to get him to remember what it said (we have read it a million times) by pointing out the beginning sound:
me: “Will, what letter is that?”
W: “S”
me: “and what sound does it make”
W: “me no know” (and that is exactly how he says it)
me: “Sure you do. It is an s for snake. what does a snake say?”
W: “I love you?”

the other day we were driving and Will had sung the alphabet song about 18 ba-jillion times (I am a math specialist – ba-jillion is a real number) so I asked him to sing another song; he busts out with twinkle, twinkle little star.
I’m going to give you a few moments to process that and then realize why I nearly screamed and pulled my hair out!

when you tell a child to put a toy away and he asks, “why?” is it wrong to say, “because it annoys the crap out of me!”?

I am so sick of taking about tee-tee and poo-poo that I might just throw up. seriously. STILL not potty-trained. god bless the ladies at his school – they are just putting him in underwear every day and letting him do his thing. He makes it most of the days without any pee accidents, but every day there is a little ziploc bag in his backpack containing the icky underwear from when he pooped. His backpack every day for school must now include 2 pairs of underwear (he puts them on when he gets there) and an extra pair of pants – this is getting a little old.

Happy almost-Thursday! sooooo ready for the weekend!

3 months - such a fattie!

2010-01-17T22:30:00.005-06:00

Ryan was three months old last week - the pictures were made on time - edited and posted is a whole 'nother story!

(disclaimer: the lighting in these pics is pretty stinky - I can only do them in the evenings now and well, it is January and still dark by 5:30! Looking forward to more daylight during the day!)

Here is our sweet boy:

And his sweet face:

And the outtake - he looks even chubbier from a lower angle!:

EXTREME close-up!

And of course, my favorite part!

I can't wait till the weather is warmer and you can see those cute things in his shorts and rompers!

Ryan is weighing in at about 13 pounds - there are rolls everywhere and I absolutely love it!!!! He is laughing and grinning all the time. He will coo in response to your voice, just like he is having a totally normal conversation with you. The karate kid can kick his legs up in the hair and flip them to the side, almost getting himself rolled to his side - he hasn't made it over completely yet, but I think it is coming soon! He's a fantastic eater and is sleeping from about 8 or 9pm to 6:30am. We wake him up for his last feeding around 10, but he's right back asleep afterwards like it never even happened.
Napping is a little more hit and miss - the adjustment to being full time with the sitter has not enhanced his napping and he is a little crabby in the evenings, but I know he will adjust soon and we'll get our routine settled down again!

Our little family is so very blessed - love to all!!

last week, freezing cold, lazy, failed experiment, and morning chaos

2010-01-11T22:37:00.005-06:00

I'm sort of a list person, so here goes:

1. We made it through last week! Thanks to Mom and Emily, Ryan was well cared for and made my transition back to work soooo much easier! It was seriously freezing, however, and it was NOT fun to return to carpool duty OUTSIDE in the teens and twenties! ha!

2. On the subject of last week, it wiped. me. out. I was so dead on Friday and I was such a lazy bum all weekend! Besides it was too cold to go anywhere! And I have proof:

Instead, we did a little of this:

and a little of this:

3. Mike had to work Saturday so I got a smidge of an inkling of an urge to do something and decided enough was enough. I was going to put William in his underwear and just let him wet himself - surely THAT would get him to use the potty all the time. He put on his Sesame Street underwear, and parked himself on front of the TV on top of a vinyl tablecloth I had spread on the floor. (let's face it - I was hopeful, but not super-optimistic). Sure enough, about 30 minutes in, he had wet himself and we got him all changed and I thought, okay, one more time. When I saw him waddle around the corner another 30 minutes later, I knew we were in trouble. Use your imagination and decide why a toddler not wearing a diaper might walk bowl-legged and avoid eye contact - mmm hmm - poo. I labeled the experiment a failure and returned him promptly to his diaper-wearing self.

4. Saturday night was the Cowboy game and I had dressed Will in his Romo jersey that day. Mike bought this for him for his birthday (Will's, not Mike's) and for each of the games since the birthday when Will was wearing the jersey, the Cowboys have won. Do you sense where this might be going? So of course, he was wearing it for game day. Mike asked if it had been washed between all the wearings. At first, I was offended. But then, I realized it is not completely outside the realm of possibility for our house.
The Cowboys were doing great, but it was definitely Will's bed time. So when Will came in to give good night hugs and kisses after Mike had put his pajamas on him and brushed his teeth, I really wasn't surprised to see him wearing his Romo jersey and his monkey pajama pants. Mike's exact words were, "What?! We're not going to stop the streak now!" and so that is why William slept in his Cowboy jersey.

5. Yesterday, I FINALLY got to some sewing projects I had been meaning to finish for several months. And by sewing projects, I mean lots of straight lines. We don't always get along, my sewing machine and I. I thought I had really messed up the tension, but all I needed was different thread - go figure! LOVE me a zig-zag stitch! And oh yeah, Ryan is THREE MONTHS OLD!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT! He is an absolute angel and so sweet! He laughs all the time and just grins like it is going out of style! Such a sweet baby!

5. This morning was a marathon. Mike had to work early and I had to get both boys to their places complete with first-visit stuff for Ryan and all the Monday things that you moms know have to accompany the child. We made it and I am so proud of myself. We remembered everything and I was only a little bit late to work!
Ryan was so good for Fredes today and Will had a great day as well. Mike was off early, so we went to Chili's for dinner, ran a couple of errands, and now I need to get to bed.
This is our new normal. By my (conservative) estimate we will need at least 2 hours every morning - from the time I wake up to the time we walk out the door. And that is assuming that lunches, bottles, and clothes are all prepared the night before! yikes! The good news is that most mornings, Mike can take Will so I just have to get myself and Ryan out the door. Say a little prayer at 6:50 tomorrow morning :) - that will be the mad last-minute scramble before we hit the road!

This has been lots of rambling, but like I said, all part of the new normal! So blessed we are! (more of this yoda-like speech I will use, I think)

Happy Monday! (and yes, I'll get Ryan's 3 months pics up tomorrow!)

yay me!

2010-01-08T21:59:00.003-06:00

So, I often forget about those silly little trackers I have at the bottom of this page that tell how old Will and Ryan are. I just happened to scroll all the way down and I haven't changed Will's since his birthday last month. Go ahead - scroll to the bottom and read it. no really, do it. then come back up here.

Did you see Will's? "My child is 3 years old. Congratulations!"

"Congratulations?!?!"
for what?
for not going completely bonkers when your child DOES. NOT. STOP. TALKING. for hours on end? for not loosing it when he glares at you, one hand on his hip, the other with a menacing point and says, "Do you understand me?!" for keeping your sanity when he is 37 months old and really does not care a bit about using the toilet? for not dying laughing when he thinks "that's rude" is really "kangaroo-ed"

Well, maybe it's for this :

Yeah, we'll keep him, I guess :)

still standing

2010-01-08T21:33:00.003-06:00

well, actually I am sitting. barely. I really want to by lying down.

made it through the first week back and I am pooped. those 5:15 alarms every morning really caught up with me! I'll summarize the madness tomorrow, but these made me smile - Happy Friday!

survival and THE pictures

2010-01-04T22:18:00.006-06:00

Well, I made it! I survived my first day back to work. I sort of floundered around all day, unable to really focus on what needed to be done because I really couldn't figure out what needed to be done! Give me a week or so and I'll be back into it - I hope! Ryan did great with my mom and Will didn't skip a beat running back into his school this morning. Our only little hiccup was when I was leaving this morning to drop Will off and mom said, "Um, does he need a lunch?" "Um, yes." All in all - a successful day! Here's to another!

Now! On to the promised pics from the Cowboy game!

I ALWAYS have to get a picture of this guy (btw - he did NOT play so well)

They even flashed Stephen McGee on the screen for a second, but my camera skillz were not fast enough!

Gettin' the team all fired up - sometimes I wonder how much of this is just a bunch of show and how much is actually motivating...

This Jerry guy does not miss a thing - even the freakin' flags had sparks coming out of them!

One of Mike's favorite parts (guys are pathetic!):

There is nothing like watching a bunch of 20-something, tan, not-a-spot-of-cellulite-to-be-seen girly-girls on the largest TV screen in the world to make you feel a teency, weency anxious about the baby weight! seriously!

token shot of us. I wanted to ask the guy sitting next to us to take the picture, but Mike was mortified (again, guys are pathetic!) - hence, the hold-your-arm-out-as-far-as-you-can-and-smile-at-the-lens-and-hope-you-get-a-good-shot picture

my two most favorite Cowboys:

And look! There's Troy! Waaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy across the stadium in the Fox booth - the pic is blurry but not bad for a 100 yard+ zoom with a point-and-shoot

and now, my friends, what you have all been waiting for! the moment that made me squeal like a school girl and be "that" girl, sneaking my camera out and obsessively taking pictures of the guy all evening long! I present to you... Emmitt Smith!

sporting the cool shades:

the shades took a break:

more enjoyment of what I am SURE was water!

I just KNOW he was peering around that random, purposefully making eye contact with me, saying "hey! thanks for being a fan! Do you want to come to Canton to see me inducted into the Hall of Fame?"

Martha logic: Martha is 20 feet from Emmitt Smith, Emmitt Smith is on gigantor-TV; therefore, Martha is 20 feet from being on gigantor-TV (the closest I will ever come!)

I told Mike that seeing Emmitt might be the highlight of my year. Considering it was Jan. 3rd, it's going to be a long year!
Go Cowboys!!

let the clown show begin!

2010-01-03T21:53:00.003-06:00

In an effort to really document more of our everyday life, I am trying to give more updates. If you're bored - move on! ha!

This weekend was nice! We started off with a little shin-dig at the Strittmatter casa for New Year's - so fun! but I forgot me camera :( Will went to stay in A-town with Pat and Paige. We were still a little concerned about Ryan and his is-it-or-is-it-not-RSV congestion, so he went with us - we are such party animals! He slept from 11p to 8a, so we got to hang out and have a good time. Nick and Em graciously offered their guest room so all were safe.

Paige had brought over some super-yummy black-eyed pea salad and I think I ate the entire bowl on Friday! Will was still gone so the house was quiet and Mike and I just hung out and rested with Ryan.

Will stayed an extra night in A-town, so Ryan and I had our last alone time on Sat. morning while Mike was at work. I have to go to work Monday morning and it was nice to have that one last quiet time with him.

My rockin' Sat. night consisted of Luby's and a pedicure (thanks, Em!) and if you don't know me, that is super-close to my perfect night - again, such a party animal!

Today, mom and dad came to the house to watch Will and Ryan so we could go to the Cowboy game! So amazing! Go Cowboys - NFC East champs!
And the best part, sitting no less than 20 feet from us (in a suite of course) was EMMITT SMITH! I have an odd, super-fascination with and adoration for this man. I LOVED watching him play, voted like a million times for him on dancing with the stars (the only season I ever watched), and have always been impressed by his character! I went a little star-crazy and that is not like me at all.
I have Ryan in my lap now asleep and so I can't get the pictures on the computer, but don't you worry - you will see Emmitt tomorrow! I think I have about 20 pictures!

Will goes back to school tomorrow and mom is staying with Ryan here at the house. Ryan's sitter is actually out of town this week so we are having to make other plans this week. I go back to work tomorrow after three months off - wish me luck! It is just a work day - no students - so a nice transition into the swing of things. And then the come home, fix dinner, spend quality time, take baths, go to bed cycle begins again! (somewhere in there lunches must be made, laundry done, dishes washed, house cleaned [what?!?!], etc. etc.) - so, LET THE CLOWN SHOW BEGIN!!!

they're almost here!

2010-01-03T21:48:00.002-06:00

squuueeeeeee!!!! the Olympics start in 39 days!!
Clear out the DVR! Get your medal count predictions done! Practice your pronunciation of foreign countries! Take note of the event schedule!

I need to see my doctor because I have the fever - OLYMPIC fever, that is! Do you?!

a little reminder

2010-01-03T05:03:00.000-06:00

because we all need a little reminder sometimes that He is always there...

Many blessings for you all this new year!

only in Texas

2010-01-02T17:00:00.000-06:00

all I can saw is "wow."

Seriously! (and if you call this place because you need gutter work done, tell them I want my referral fee!)

2010-01-01T17:06:00.004-06:00

Back at the beginning of December, Mike and I went to San Antonio for a couple of nights WITHOUT CHILDREN! It was wonderful! Margaritas were consumed on the riverwalk and we actually slept past 8am for 2 mornings in a row! We always stay at La Mansion on the river - love that place

The first night we were there, I made Mike take one of those riverboat cruises with me. I decided I wanted to be a tourist and I had never been down there when the river was all decked out for Christmas - Gorgeous!!!

This is a gingerbread house that made by the pastry chefs at the hotel. It was just beautiful!

(I made Mike do a thumbs-up - remember, I was embracing my inner-tourist!)

There is an amazing walkway that leads from the river, through the Hyatt hotel lobby, and up to street level. I had no idea it was there and basically, it is a huge fountain that stretches about 300 yards and has too many different drops and spillways to count!

Also in the Hyatt lobby, we saw a glass shop with these beautiful glass sculptures hanging in the windows! I would die to have those ornaments in our house (or the other one too!) So pretty!

We went to see A Christmas Carol in 3-D (which, by the way, is NOT for kids!)

a super-cute holiday decoration I saw at the mall

Finally, some views of the Alamo, all decked out! day and night views!

Will's 3rd birthday

2010-01-01T16:37:00.010-06:00

We had Will's party a few weeks ago and he had a blast!

the pre-party:

Will's hair stayed like this for exactly 3.2 seconds and then it was over.

Happy birthday, brother - what's up with your hair?!

For my birthday, I would like to pinch your nose. thank you.

Don't you just love me in my baby jeans?

time to PAR-TAY!
--------------------------------------------------------------------

(we had an excellent babysitting team in place)

(at one point, there was a small amount of pouting, but Mike fixed it!)

super-fast!

he had been practicing for weeks!

showing off the green icing

**** a special shout-out to Nick for taking most all the pics so we could truly enjoy the moment! ****

we're like this:

2009-12-31T01:04:00.004-06:00

the Preston boys and Dr. Poole

I was counting the other day all the visits we have made to the pediatrician in the past couple of months.

Let's see, William had his seasonal flu shot at the beginning of October (that's one, one dr. visit - muah, ah, ah, ahhhhh).

Then Dr. Poole saw Ryan in the hospital - twice! (that's three, three dr. visits - muah, ah, ah, ahhhhhh).

And of course, Ryan had a 2-day and a 2-week check-up. (up to five now!).

At some point in the middle of this, William went in for the first part of his H1N1 shot (six!).

Ryan had a cold at about 6 weeks so we went in just to make sure all was okay (seven dr. visits - muah, ah, ah, ahhhhh).

Then we were back for Ryan's 2 month check-up (EIGHT!).

Then William had a cold that I was SURE had developed into an ear infection cuz they always do (NINE) but of course, it hadn't!

William had a 3-year check-up, but we got to combine that with the second part of the H1N1 shot (TEN). [a sidenote: when we went for the yearly check-up, dr. poole was looking at Will's ears and remarked, "they look a little bit inflamed" That's right! he goes in for a check-up and comes out with an antibiotic prescription for an ear infection! and it's not the first time it has happened...]

And finally (I hope!) we went today for the cold/RSV/what is this? visit

That is ELEVEN doctor visits in the past couple of months. We (well, actually, United Health Insurance) are keeping this place afloat!!!

In all seriousness however, we are so very grateful. There has been nothing dramatic and everyone seems to be healthy as soon as Ryan gets over his icky stuff. I have been off work and was able to get the boys there quickly. The office is super-close to the house and everyone there is just so wonderful!

Here's to springtime soon!

sick baby

2009-12-31T00:59:00.002-06:00

poor Ryan - he has some icky, phlegmy (seriously?! how do you spell that word?!) stuff in his throat and because of his age and the RSV-time-of-year, we went to see Dr. Poole today (again!!! more on that to come!).
Good news: it is not RSV
Bad news: it is not RSV... yet

Doctor said his lungs, chest, and ears are all clear and look wonderful. But then again, she said it might just be starting up. We were sent home with all the signs of RSV to watch for and the list of the 4 different doctors that are available on call for Dr. Poole's patients during Thur/Fri holidays and the weekend.

Here's hoping we don't need them!!!

Christmas in pictures

2009-12-31T00:53:00.004-06:00

visual highlights of our Christmas:

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-23T00:08:00.000-06:00

Merry, merry Christmas!!

and Lucy makes four

2009-12-21T23:41:00.003-06:00

'cause THIS is what happens when three people sit in a chair and no one thinks to include the dog! she comes a runnin'!

(she is sitting literally on top of Will) (she is also quietly cursing Mike in her mind - can you hear it?)

might as well make the most of it and smile for real:

(AND a profile shot)

announcement

2009-12-21T00:02:00.005-06:00

Here is Ryan's announcement and again, something else I forgot to post ...

2 months

2009-12-17T22:45:00.004-06:00

again, a little behind (the pictures were on time! just forgot to post...)
Hope everyone is having a merry holiday season!

He is definitely putting on a few pounds! His 2 month check-up was great - being the bad mom that I am, I don't have the details right in front of me - but he is fabulous!

and here is an outtake:

Did you see it?

That! Right there!

my absolute MOST favorite part of a baby - thigh rolls!! seriously adorable on any baby, not just mine - ha!

What's that? You want to see him again? Well, okay.

and just 'cause I smile every time I see this:

Happy Birthday!!

2009-12-16T13:11:00.002-06:00

William is 3! And yes, technically, his birthday was yesterday :)

Love you, sweet boy!

12-15-2006:

12-15-2007:

12-15-2008:

12-15-2009:

can't BELIEVE I didn't post these yet!!

2009-12-10T23:10:00.005-06:00

maybe you remember this, well...
We have had these for a few weeks and I just realized I never posted them. And yes, he is the. cutest. baby. ever. (tied with William, of course!)

(and again, three cheers for Zoe!)

#326 deserves some explanation

2009-12-06T10:55:00.000-06:00

In my previous post, I mentioned reason #326 that I love Mike. Let's face it, Mike doesn't get a lot of "air time" on this bloggy-thing, between my ranting and two kiddos. So I am going to throw him some props and work backwards from #326 (don't worry - not all at once! I'm sure I might throw-up form all the mushiness and lovey-feelings that would produce!)

#325: His super-fine (not fine like amazing, but fine as in the texture), not easily managed hair that he has passed on to one, and probably two, children. Weird, huh? But every time I am trying to get William's hair to lay down flat on his head, I think of Mike!

#324: He recognizes my lack of morning person-ness and while he often harasses me just for a reaction at 6am, he generally respects the fact that no intelligible words come from my mouth for at least 30 minutes after I wake up.

Good lord! I just realized the amount of stuff I am going to have to write - here's hoping he stays on my good side!

Oh yeah, #323: His laugh when something is genuinely funny and he can't help but die laughing!

more reasons to love this guy!

2009-12-05T10:41:00.000-06:00

Let's be honest, Mike and I are not "mushy". Neither of us really like Valentine's day and we just don't do extravagant gifts, etc.

But this man... I love him like crazy! Here's reason # 326:

I was going through our camera after we got home from the hospital with Ryan and I found this:

This must have been when I was finally able to take a shower and he was alone with Ryan because I did NOT remember it.

I started to ask him what in the heck he was doing and then I remembered this:

This is from when William was born. We laughed about this for awhile afterward. Mike was trying to take a picture of himself with Will in the mirror. Obviously, the flash interfered.

Mike wanted to give Ryan the same opportunity that William had! And so he did this:

And look! He held the camera out to the side of his face :)

love you!

Jesus needs a party!

2009-12-04T22:27:00.005-06:00

With Will's birthday just a couple of weeks away, we have been deep into birthday party discussions and of course, I have been trying to explain the story of Jesus as we get closer and closer to Christmas. The intersection of the two topics provides some super-interesting car ride conversation:

Will has made the connection that your birthday party is for when you were born. We were discussing that Christmas is when Jesus was born and Will decided that Jesus should have a birthday party. I tried to explain that Christmas is the celebration of his birth. Oh no, Christmas is not good enough...

... Will informed me that Jesus should have a Mickey Mouse party. And, apparently, he needs cake too!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In other news, Will would like a "Santa tree" (he will NOT call it a Christmas tree) in his backyard. He was quite confused at the fact that people put trees in their houses. "Trees go outside!"

oh sweet boy! how much fun we are going to have this Christmas!!!

maternity pics

2009-12-04T11:28:00.008-06:00

Zoe did it again! I was a little hesitant about doing these - I find some of the poses I have seen to be a bit cheesy. However, Zoe convinced me and I am so glad we did! We waited 'till right before my due date, so I was already at the oh-my-heavens-when-will-this-pregnancy-end-because-i-am-so-unbelievably-huge-and-uncomfortable stage. Nevertheless, I like them - especially the ones of our little family of three in it's final stages

more pics

2009-12-04T10:27:00.000-06:00

equal opportunity picture-posting ('cause he's cute too!):

one month pictures

2009-12-03T22:12:00.005-06:00

Good heavens! Two posts in a row without pictures! Let's take care of that...

I have seen lots of pics of babies throughout their first year where they wear the same outfit and sit in the same place each month so you get a good visual on their growth. Well, I decided to try it! And THIS is why we asked Zoe to do the newborn pics :) A professional I am not!
(by the way, I bought this cute little knitted hat and diaper cover for his newborn pics, but we didn't end up needing them. so gosh darn it, I am going to get my money's worth!)

This was the one month picture:

and here are the outtakes!

this one says, "Here comes that crazy lady again with the camera!"

and then there is "no pictures, please!"

I can't believe it almost time to do them for two months!

here we go again!

2009-12-03T12:31:00.003-06:00

I know it's been awhile and that does NOT mean that things have not been crazy. In fact, it has been the norm - not the exception. But this morning in particular, I nearly died!!

We were all packed in the car (William, Ryan, diaper bag, backpack, lunch box, and me!), the temperature hovering around 35 degrees (I live in Texas for crying out loud! this is not normal!), ready to pull out and take Will to school this morning when William pipes up from the back seat in his most calm voice, "Mommy, I want to talk to you for a minute."

I had a millisecond thought that my almost-three-year-old-crazy-child had been replaced by a mature, sophisticated adult adult. Then I turned around and saw him sitting there in his fleece hat with ear flaps and snapped back to reality. I politely replied, "What did you want to talk about honey", honestly expecting him to lead off with, "I've decided to pursue my interest in international affairs". Instead, I got...

... "About when I go poo-poo in my diaper."

ah, yes. that's more like it! I said, "What did you want to say about that?" He stayed quiet for a second or two and our conversation digressed to the topic of using the potty instead of diapers, etc,etc. (yes! we are still potty training! any hints?!)

but seriously! "Mommy, I want to talk to you for a minute." Who's kid is this?!

20 questions

2009-12-02T23:42:00.003-06:00

Emily did this awhile back and I have been meaning to join in - so here! (and you should do it too!)

1. What is your favorite thing to snack on while you're blogging?
wine (late night) and Goldfish crackers

2. What is one thing you wouldn't want to live without?
can't name just one: DVR, memory seats in my car, dual sinks in the master bath, camera (and oh yeah, the two most beautiful boys in the world and their amazing daddy!)

3. Beach, Mountains, or Farm?
hhhhmmmm... used to think I was pro-Mountains, but a recent trip to the Dominican (actually it was not so recent - sad...) has started my conversion to pro-Beach

4. What's your least favorite chore/household duty?
cleaning. anything. seriously. I hate it and it hates me.

5. Who do people say you remind them of?
for real, I used to get comments that I looked like Tonya Harding. flattering, isn't it?

6. Prefer parties and socializing or staying home with the fam?
SUCH a homebody - I have been known to fall asleep on someone's shoulder out at the bar (no! not a stranger! a friend)

7. What's your all time favorite movie?
The Cutting Edge (every once in awhile, I have a random D.B. Sweeney sighting on TV - let me know if you see him in something!) - and Star Wars - and James Bond

8. Do you sleep in your make-up or remove it like a good little girl every night?
sleep is waaaaaaay more important that removing make-up

9. Do you have a hidden talent or a deep desire to learn something that you've never had a chance to learn? What is it?
I would love to learn to play tennis - exciting, isn't it? and graphic design.

10. What's one strange thing you're really good at?
I am an expert at grammar. punctuation, no. but grammar, yes. I don't know why - I don't even like to write. I think it has to do with all the logical rules that go with it. But don't even get me started on misplaced apostrophes and dangling participles... (and I am a fluent Spanish-speaker - go figure!)

11. What first attracted you to your spouse?
he is funny and charismatic and such a natural people-person. I, on the other hand, am not.

12. What is something you love to smell?
the beginning of a rain shower, freshly mowed grass, freshly-baked cookies, hubby's aftershave

13. Tell something about you that you know irritates people.
I tend to think I can do anything without any help.

14. When you have extra money, what's the first thing you think to do with it?
uh, spend it.

15. Are you a silent laugher or a loud laugher? What makes you laugh the hardest?
loud. dry, sarcastic humor makes me laugh

16. Where is your favorite place to shop?
'cause I am such the fashionista, I prefer Ann Taylor Loft and Target (that's right, I said it!)

17. What's one thing you'd do more often if you had more time?
sleep. without question. sleep.

18. Are you a big spender or frugal?
let's be honest - I am a spender unfortunately. not a big spender because there is not a lot of extra to spend, but I am trying hard to be more frugal.

19. Who is your favorite character of all time?
(what kind of question is this?!)

20. Would you want to be famous?
not so much. well, maybe... if I could become instantly un-famous whenever I wanted

So, its your turn...tag!

what parent in their right mind...

2009-11-17T10:09:00.002-06:00

... would EVER think it would be "fun" for their kid to have these shoes?!?! And as far as removing the squeaker goes (read on, my friends!), don't we all have the time and patience to chase down a toddler, remove their shoes, remove a part from such shoes, and put shoes on again?

This in an actual product I came across in an e-mail - so crazy!

Squeak Me Shoes

Squeak Me Shoes are high quality, comfortable and flexible squeaky shoes with non-skid soles. They are designed for babies and toddlers and are lots of fun for both parents and children. They are fully lined with a very soft genuine leather, and the uppers are made of composition leather. Squeak Me Shoes encourage proper “heel to toe” walking in early walkers and parents can hear where their children are at all times. For those quiet times, the squeaker can be removed by an adult and reinserted later to squeak once again.

one month!

2009-11-10T13:35:00.004-06:00

This sweet, sweet face is one month old today!

At risk of jinx-ing myself, I will say that he is a pretty good baby - we are definitely getting decent sleep at night and things are being accomplished during the day. He is super-tolerant of William's well-intentioned pats and kisses and really only fusses when he is hungry or trying to go to sleep. In the past couple of days, he has actually taken real naps during the day - not just the doze for awhile, awake for a bit thing that the newborns do.
I can already see he is changing - getting chubbier - and I am a little sad about it!

Happy one-month birthday, sweet Ryan!!

making dinner and attending a birthday party - wow!

2009-11-10T13:26:00.003-06:00

So William and I were discussing Christmas on the way to school this morning. I was trying to explain a little more about the whole "reason for the season", thinking that he might be able to understand a little more.

I was telling him that Christmas is Jesus's birthday. That was a little confusing - both concepts of "a long time ago" and "far, far away" are not fully grasped by an almost 3-yr. old. I went on to explain more that Jesus helps us and all the wonderful things we have are from him.

this is where it gets good...
After hearing the part where Jesus helps us, William promptly informed me that Jesus could help us make dinner.
And the part about all the nice things we have are from him - well, he told me that Jesus could come to his birthday party!

now I'm not saying I expect to see the Holy Spirit appear as I stand next to the stove tonight (or drive through for take out - let's be real!), but it is a nice reminder that Jesus is with us wherever we go and in whatever we are doing!

love that sweet boy! Happy Tuesday!

it's a bird, it's a plane...

2009-11-03T16:13:00.004-06:00

... it's SUUUUU-PER WILLIAM!

pumpkin-head and dragon-head

2009-11-03T15:55:00.004-06:00

Jeopardy - boogers category

2009-11-03T15:47:00.004-06:00

Let's play Jeopardy:

the answer is : "the result of a child licking the black icing off the freshly made pumpkin cookies and getting it up his nose, then waking up the next morning with a runny nose from the aforementioned black icing nostril"

the question is: "What are black boogers?"

Do you see the black icing up his nostril? This was the night before, immediately post-cookie licking.
Who could have predicted we would be greeted by black boogers in the morning?!

yeah, we did it too...

2009-11-03T15:24:00.006-06:00

... seems like the new "do-it-or-you're-a-bad-parent" thing to do is a trip to the pumpkin patch before Halloween. Oh yeah, we went. With our 2-WEEK-OLD BABY! (actually, it went pretty well)

A visual (and slightly verbal) summary for your pleasure

what William did:

what Ryan did:

what William did:

(Ryan was sleeping on the hay ride)

what William did:

are you getting the picture that he ran around crazy for most of the time? it was hard to get a face-shot!

(Ryan was sleeping)

what William did:

who knew that climbing a small mountain of pumpkins could keep a kid entertained for 20 minutes?

(yeah, Ryan was still sleeping)

what William did:

finally, Ryan did something!:

the LAST thing William did:

Do we get our parenting prize now? ha!

2009-10-25T22:49:00.003-05:00

Ryan is definitely a little chunkier thank William was (thank goodness!) but I am daily experiencing a little deja vu!

first bath

2009-10-25T22:44:00.003-05:00

It became quite the family affair.

Contrary to this first picture, Ryan actually mellowed out and just hung out while I wiped him down!

We have been taking LOTS of pictures lately! Will has found a baby toy that we put in Ryan's room and now busts it out whenever he sees lots of pictures being made.

All wrapped up after the bath

and 'cause the black and white version is super-cute too!

yard work

2009-10-25T22:40:00.002-05:00

Will has finally decided he is going to be BFFs with his daddy! He uses his push-popper toy thing as his mower. This, of course, lasted about 5 minutes until he got bored and realized that mowing the yard is not that glamorous!

'cause there's nothing sweeter...

2009-10-25T22:30:00.001-05:00

... than a sleeping baby

sneaky peeky

2009-10-18T19:41:00.003-05:00

Zoe came and did some newborn pics of Ryan and a few with the family this past Saturday. Being the wonderful person she is, she knew we couldn't wait and sent us a few sneak peeks:

Check out my sweet boys :)

this one is a keeper!!!!

2009-10-15T10:46:00.003-05:00

Ryan Weldon Preston arrived this past Saturday, 10-10-09, at 10:48am. He was 7 lbs. 4 oz. and 20 inches long. Labor was actually quite quick and not horrible and things couldn't have gone much better. AND, of course, Ryan is absolutely wonderful, adorable, precious, and just amazing!!!
We have been hibernating for a few days getting things under control and slowly, but surely, we are re-emerging to join the world!
I'm sure I will post more details soon and definitely more pictures, but here are my favorites!

more Photoshop

2009-10-09T10:53:00.004-05:00

found a new button on Photoshop - hello, handsome!

those are NOT sticks!

2009-10-09T09:55:00.003-05:00

So this morning around 7:30, Mike calls to me from the living room, "Martha, come here." I was in the middle of changing Will's diaper (yeah, he STILL wears diapers.... one major life change at a time, please) so I said I would be there in a minute. And his response was, "uh, no. You need to come see this right now."

As I get to the living room, he tells me to look out on the back porch and his only other comment is, "those are NOT sticks!"

Those are earthworms!!!! And this picture does not do it justice - they are COVERING the back patio!!! The only thing I can figure out is that the ground is so saturated from all the recent rain we have had (past weeks, plus ALL last night) that their earthworm holes/colonies/whatever got flooded and they were forced to seek higher ground.

And that is not even the worst "eeewwww" factor.
We are blessed with an original-to-our-25-yr-old-house sliding glass door off the back patio, so you KNOW it doesn't seal the way it should. And of course, some of those suckers had wriggled their slimy, nasty little bodies INTO OUR HOUSE. My only consolation is that as soon as they get in the house out of the rain, they dry up and shrivel and DIE! Of course, Mike did the worm clean-up.

And the best part of this post... Mike calls me from work to take a picture of them because no one at his work believes him!

There - proof that once again, only the super-weird, crazy house stuff happens to us! We have officially been invaded by earthworms!

happy pictures!

2009-09-29T21:20:00.001-05:00

We had a friend from high school, Zoe, take some pictures of William a couple of weeks ago. She is just starting her own photography business and if I may say so, is absolutely fabulous!!!! take a peek! thanks, Zoe!

(and she also convinced me to do some belly pics - more on that to come soon!)

still here... barely!

2009-09-26T20:05:00.008-05:00

Well, we are still here! The due date is 15 days away and CANNOT come soon enough. On a serious note, I will not be completely at ease until we have a screaming baby in the delivery room. However, I am definitely over this whole "pregnant" bit.

We are 0 for 2 as far as our triage visits at the hospital go. I went in at 34 weeks with some very consistent, pretty strong contractions. But apparently, there were no match for modern medicine and a shot of something-or-other stopped it all and we went home.

Then this past week, I woke up Tuesday night with horrible, make-you-want-to-cry, piercing contractions. They continued regularly for an hour, so following WHAT THE DOCTOR TOLD ME TO DO, I called and they said go to triage. The contractions continued, I was at 2 cm, and just assumed that Ryan would be arriving that night or early the next morning. Well, I was checked again and was still at 2 cm. The triage nurse came back in and started, "Well, the doctor feels comfortable..." and I was all excited to hear "... admit you and get this party started!". Instead it finished like this, "... sending you home." You know that movie music where it goes, "wah, wah, wah". Yeah, that is what I heard in my head. I was still contracting and could not believe it. 37 weeks, come on! Close enough, right? The nurse told us we would probably be back later that day or the next for full-on labor. That was a little better and so we went home.

And of course, as soon as we got home, everything stopped and here we are - 2 weeks to go and sooooooo ready to be finished!

There is LOTS of waddling, LOTS of swelling, and LOTS of crabbiness. However, I try not to get too whiny about it and just remember it is all in preparation to meet those 10 tiny toes and 10 tiny fingers and sweet, sweet face.
It is very different, the second time around. I have an idea of what I might feel and the anticipation is overwhelming! Can't wait to meet the beautiful boy I am already so in love with!

William has been great! He is really excited about meeting Ryan and talks about all the things he will do. He talks about being the big brother and changing all the poopy diapers by himself - and I PROMISE I did not coach him to say that! We have been trying to include him in all the baby preparations including all the clothes washing, furniture arranging, and decoration making - he is excited!

In the meantime, here is what we have been up to:

We met one of my good friends from A&M, Megan, for lunch a while back when she was passing through town with her husband, Jon, and their sweet little girl, Emma.

Then, a few weeks ago, this guy:

opened this thing for preseason:

and we were there! (thanks Dad!)

we saw this crazy thing:

and this guy:

and this guy (Gig 'em!)

And of course, William and Lucy continue to bond over Sesame Street books.

Everyone say prayers for a healthy baby arriving very soon! Love to all!

determined to spend more time learning Photoshop...

2009-08-05T22:10:00.006-05:00

... using the "guided edit" and then b&w conversion

Hello, sweet boy!

updates

2009-08-03T21:50:00.005-05:00

Well, I guess I should update on me! 30 weeks today - going to the doctor every 2 weeks now - next appt. is Thursday - have already passed my total weight and size I had the entire time with William - big and fat and exactly how I want to be!!!

I have had a few thoughts lately on what this baby will be like once he arrives and here are my best guesses based on current conditions:

or maybe this:

we are looking for an infant dojo to keep up with his training and a baby Gi to keep him looking the part...

seriously though, this kid is a kicker! all the time! the other day I was holding the remote loosely in my hand and resting it on my belly - he kicked so hard, it knocked the remote out of my hand and that is NOT an exaggeration!
so Dr. Thurston better watch out... this kiddo has the potential to go Chuck Norris-like when he arrives!

ducks?

2009-08-01T09:22:00.005-05:00

So we went to go feed the ducks at Breckinridge Park on Friday. So pretty! And we got there early enough it wasn't super-hot yet! Cimberly and her sweet son, Caiden, met us and we had a fun time!

look closely! this poor duck had a "special" leg - it had to hop around the whole time and I made sure it received its' own special share of the bread!

and then, it was like a scene from a movie, these huge things came flying overhead from somewhere behind us and landed in the pond. I thought to myself, "wow! those are some big ducks!" and then I realized, "no, stupid! those are NOT ducks!"
they came waltzing up the bank of the pond like they owned the place and disrupted our perfect little scene we had going on - big bullies!

yeah, those are geese! and yes, they really do honk!

poor Caiden even tried to chase them at one point and they HISSED at him! who knew a goose could HISS!

moving on, the boys were so sweet about sharing:

and when all the bread was gone, those jokers (all 8 of them!) just settled down at the edge of the pond for a nice drink

finally, what trip to the park would be complete without a good playground picture? sweet boy! he is getting so big!!