FINALLY some snow.

We really still didn't get much but it is only the 2nd time this Winter, that I recall, we have had any. Neither were REAL snows. If this sounds AT ALL like I am complaining, I am NOT. There is a sweet little boy though who has been waiting and waiting for that glorious white stuff to fall from the sky.

 

Eli and I were driving to OT yesterday and the weather guy said that they were calling for snow. I said "ELI! DID YOU HEAR THAT? Their is supposed to be snow tomorrow!!" He chimed in from the backseat in his excited little voice "Was he talking to US?!!!"




Needless to say he was really excited and like I said we got a little bit. Enough to appease him for a little while at least.

It has been a nice day home with my kids. One of the things I like about Winter in Michigan is the slower pace. The pace is not always slow, that is for sure, but there are days like this one when it is just me and my babies home together. I love it.

Destruction!

Is five the age when boys just start to destroy things?  We are just a few months away and yesterday, the boys knocked a frame off the wall, broke another frames glass (at two completely different times of the day), broke the knob off our lamp and lost it, AND broke a library CD in two.  It was a $15 disc from 1990 that I thought would be great for night time listening however it was completely cheesy and we listened to 1/2 a song before Eli declared he "hated that one".  I had to agree.  Well, anyways now we paid for it and it is completely unusable (not that we would have used it).  YAY!

Winter weather is here and they are cooped up more so I am guessing the destruction from their play is going to increase. I am going to look into getting them into swimming and try and wear there little bodies out.  I am also thankful for the basement because there is not much other than our TV that they can destroy down there.

I am off to OT with Eli today.  He qualified.  I am planning to get ideas from the session and do them at home with Alex to develop his fine motor also.  We are doing this 2x/wk for the next  weeks.  It is about an hour away so it is quite a commitment, especially at Christmas time.  I am excited though to see what they are able to do and to have some one on one time with my boy.  We also have hair cuts tonight which I am SO excited about, Jared not so much.  He likes it long and shaggy.  I am hoping that we will find a good compromise today.

So that's my day, how bout yours??

The Laundry MUST go on!

Had to find humor in this moment.

Addie wanted a sippy of milk but still doesn't quite grasp the concept of tipping it up. I usually hold her for her milk, which I love, because I know it is only a matter of time before she demands her milk and which glass she'd like it in and then runs off to play. No more snuggles.

 Anyways, today I have a child who is a little under the weather and has those flu like symptoms that require a lot of underwear/pants changes therefor requiring a lot of laundry. This same child wants to be snuggled while he watches cartoons. This leaves me little time apart from him for laundry or time with Addie. Therefore the above was my solution while I threw in and folded laundry.



It is definitely a 3rd child moment. I had to laugh.

Good Morning

I sat down to my computer to check the weather so that I can dress the kids appropriately and now I am bloging. Isn't it crazy how the computer can suck you in? Anyways, This is our morning. We are headed to the park and then to music class for all 3.

On a typical morning Addie is playing under the table. This is her FAVORITE spot. Partly because she gets some pre-meal appetizers like Cheerios from the floor and partly because she can snag her brother's toys and they are none the wiser.

A different perspective: I love Alex's cute little feet and the fact that his head is not even to the top of the chair.

Eli enjoying his breakfast in his FAVORITE way, with a side of TV.

His Cubby craft is hanging on the chair. It says "Jesus Loves Me" which is their Cubby Motto.

Alright, I am off to pack snacks and all the necessary supplies that will allow a peaceful outing, if that is possible.

An Apple a Day

As I've mentioned Jared started school this week and WAS SO THRILLED to have his very own 1st day of school picture taken as he was rushing out the door. He had a good week. They are working into the school year slowly, which, is nice. This week they had 3 days with students, next week is a 4 day week and so is the following due to the holiday. I LOVE long weekends so that will be nice.

The boys enjoyed counting the apples also. Alex is SO into counting. It is fun to watch. I said something the other day about my 3 children though and he said "Mom, you don't have 3 kids, you have 2." I naturally figured he was leaving out Addie but I am pretty sure he was counting Addie and Eli and forgot himself. It was cute.

This morning I "suggested" (begged with pleading eyes) that Jared take the boys on an errand that he had to run so that I could chill while Addie napped. And chill I am. :)

Other than that we are heading to the park and then church tonight. I love these kinds of Saturdays.

I couldn't resist adding these picures of Eli on an 80 degree day. There is no middle ground with Eli; he is either in underwear or winter gear apparently. Thank goodness we are at home often so he can express his "creativity" through clothing, right?

I'm not sure when I am going to break it to him that this snowsuit is a bit small for him this year.

A little update on the fam

I am recovering from round 2 of Essure and it was a success. Yay! I have had my sister in law Grandma Lores and Aunt Linda over here helping with the kiddos.

I told Eli again today that I was going to lay down. He responded: "Mom, you're always feeling yucky!" Great.

He acts as if I've laid in bed for a month straight when in reality it has been on and off for a couple of days.

I have been reminiscing about my bedrest, which, was a year ago at this time. It is so strange that, that was to have a baby and now I have ensured that I am FINISHED having babies. I am good with it though. It feels like a bit of a new start. A new stage in life, I guess.

I have been catching up on my reading and on picture organizing so that I can actually print some.

Jared and I are planning a summer get-a-way with kids, of course. I think the planning is such a fun part of the process.

And that is about it. Here is a recap in pictures of some of what has been going on.

Memorial day with the cousins was fun. (Amanda and Andrew)

Alex and Eli had their last day of cubbies until the fall.

Alex LOVES to try and make me laugh and this was one of his attempts. He makes me laugh until I cry.

Alright, I am going to sleep.

Ahhhh, the joys of a finsihed basement. Let me re-create for you what just took place in my home. The boys immediately following breakfast wondered whether or not they could watch a video. I want to be off "t.v. begging duty" for the weekend therefore I said "Go downstairs and ask Daddy". They did. They haven't come back up. It is quiet. I am drinking coffee. It's been an hour. Ahhhhh.

I have made some blog changes and am now going to blog AGAIN. That is 3 times this weekend. Wow.

Now I will begin the post I just had to share my exciteme with you.

Baking

The boys and I love to bake. We usually do this in the morning because that is when I have the most patience for spills and 55 355 questions.

This is our set up.

Love seeing the concentration and the little hands working hard. They love to dump and pour and use the mixer.

This is what happens when you tell two 3 year old boys to stand still for a picture. They listen....just not at the same time. :)

You can quote me

Some of the entertaining things they've said in the past few weeks.....

"Daddy, I love you and sometimes I may get angry but I just have to get past it." Eli (Wisdom taken from one of their Larryboy videos).

"nagget!" Eli (I think this is swearing, little boy style. He says this when frustrated. A combo of dang it and darn it, if you will.)

"I'm on it". Eli (Ex. "Eli, go potty before nap". Response: "OK Mom, I'm on it".)

Are you seeing a trend here on who these quotes are mainly from. He talks all.the.time.non-stop. My brother in law was in town for the past couple weeks and stayed with us. He referred to it as a running commentary.

Recently, Jared and the boys came home from "Cubby Church". Jared threw me a bag while getting the boys out of the car. It was the "pre-school bag of shame". You know, the wet pants and undies due to an accident. I felt bad for Alex and worried about whether or not he was embarassed at having to wear the "extra pants" provided by our nursery. All this running through my head in 5 seconds. Meanwhile Alex bounds out of the car......"MOM, I got new red pants at Cubbies AND sponge Bob undawear!!!!!!" Ahhhh, crisis averted. Maybe it is a boy thing but he could not have cared less.

After their cashew reaction Eli says to me "Mom I don't eat nuts". You are right Eli, you don't so if anyone tries to give you some or asks that is what you tell them. "Mom?" Yes, Eli. "I don't eat poop either." Yep, Li-li you don't eat poop either. I walked away from this conversation a bit grossed out and strangely, relieved.

One more poop story. The boys came in from playing in the mud, which, has been there favorite past time, although, I wish my floors could say the same. He went to the bathroom and after several minutes I went to check on him. I asked whether or not he was alright and he replied "yeah, mud makes me poop".

To the squeemish, sorry about the poo stories. I have avoided them mainly on the blog but that is IMPOSSIBLE with 2, almost 4 year old boys in the house. Trust me.

Their favorite line in a book right now is "and to the tigers in the zoo Madeline just says pooh-pooh." Herer are a few more pics from the hands on museum...

Back to Blogging

Just needing to get my feet wet in the blogging/computer world again. I have been absent for a bit due to.... well, LIFE. Mom to 3, wife to 1 can be busy enough, right? So in honor of just throwing something on to the ole' blog that I LOVE, I really DO, here are some pictures. My awesome sister Mindy got a new camera because her husband has to upgrade electronics like the rest of us upgrade well I can't think of a comparison but he likes his gadgets and due to this I have her old camera while we save money for my future camera.

Updates:

Alex- is getting sassy (God give me strength) and I think 4 is going to be the year of questions. OH MY WORD. We watched a movie together and he asks the kind of questions you can't answer. I can't think of an example but trust me there are no answers to these questions and they come at rapid fire speed.

Eli- is more manageable currently but every time I say that they decide to pull a 180 so tomorrow he'll probably wake up and be a different kid. He is really big on showing us love lately. He seems as if he might burst if he doesn't tell you he loves you. It is adorable and he has captured many a heart. Jared's brother Steve is here visiting and Eli told him something along the lines of "you're great to hug".

We took him to get glasses tonight. He has REALLY bad vision in his right eye. He was on oxygen for 6 months which can cause vision problems. The eye doctor said if you covered his good eye he wouldn't be able to see accross the street. Insert: preemie mom guilt. It is ridiculous but it rears it's head periodically. Glasses pictures to come after they come in.

Addison- did really well at her developmental assessment and they already discharged her. Yay! I have pics of that too. She is eating solids and loving it. She is tipping the scales at 13lbs. 8oz.

Jared & Becky- Celebrated their 8th Anniversary on March 21st. We had a slightly odd waitress that asked what our "secret" is (consequently this made me feel kind of old) and we were both sort of speechless. Actually Jared said "leave the kids at home". But, after she left we discussed it and I said (as cheesy as it may sound) "marry your best friend". No matter how crazy things are or even how mad I may get at Jared from time to time he's the one I want to talk to and laugh with. We were best friends almost from the time we began "hanging out" and our friendship has only grown. I know his love and friendship is invaluable.

Wow, long post. This is what happens when I stay away from the blog for too long. And I still haven't posted pics. OK here goes.

In this lighting you can see the peach fuzz on top of her head. It's coming!!!!

Eli giving Addie some love. (LOVE this picture.)

Addie getting a little TOO much love.

Me and the boys on a random afternoon. It is possible that that little glimpse of snowflake you see in the corner are my pajama pants. Just keepin' it real, just keepin' it real. I am not a "dress to your shoes" kind of mommy and some days call for pajama pants past noon. :) They just do.

A Glimpse

On this day in February 2011:

We are hunkering down for another winter storm. Actually in Michigan we don't do much hunkering. We are out in it for the most part. We're cool like that. :)

Jared's working.

I bathed the boys this morning and cleaned 2 of the 3 bathrooms. I never go in the basement bathroom and am kind of in denial that it needs to be cleaned. With twin 3 year old BOYS in the house this is a very dangerous decision but I am fearless that way.

The boys are watching a movie downstairs and Addie is sleeping.


I took Adds to the doctor for her 6 month appt even though she is 7 1/2 months. She is a little behind on her shots. She was so tiny they waited on the first round which will back us up for a while. She is well developmentally and weighs 12lbs 12 3/4 ounces.

Out of curiousity I asked the Nurse what the boys weighed at their 6 month appointment and Alex weighed 13 lbs and 13 oz. Eli weighed 14 lbs and 10 oz. Addie was 12 lbs and 1 oz. at 6 months.

She is not on the chart for weight but she is in the 10th percentile for height not corrected (which would be 5 months). Maybe she will be tall and thin. That does run in our family. No, actually, it doesn't but wouldn't that be nice? :)

That is about it on the homefront. I am off to throw in some laundry.

I am going to be so glad that I documented this exciting day. :)

A Glimpse

I like these glimpses. I think someday my memory will fail me and I will wonder what life looked like on a snowy, Saturday morning when the boys were 3 and Addie was 6 months old.

I'd take pics but since I am cameraless currently, I will describe what I see.

There are a pile of pancake dishes in the sink waiting to be washed because Alex and Eli and I made them this morning. Jared loved them and asked what was different. Butter. It makes everything taste better.

There are clothes in the baskets needing to be folded and put away.

There is a pile of clothes at the back door. Gloves, boots, hats, mittens. We all went out and shoveled today and Daddy built the boys a snow slide. Eli stayed out until his lips were blue. Alex lasted about 15 minutes before he wanted to go in. Addie slept in her warm crib. Smart Girl!

Right now the boys are snuggled under a quilt watching a movie and waiting for Mommy to join them. Addie, still in crib sleeping. Smart Girl!

Jared is shoveling snow at the church and wherever else his shovel leads him. He is soon to return for a family afternoon nap. Not together but all at the same time. Ideally, that is. We'll see how that works out.

Tonight we will head to church. Not cubby church, as the boys would say, but reg-a-lur church.

It all sounds so nice and it is, in between the fights and the tantrums, it is quite peaceful. :)

This morning while having pancakes I had to utter these words "Stop stabbing each other with forks!" That is a little more realistic, nowadays. :)

Alright the boys are calling.

Here's a flashback picture. What happened to these baby boys? :)

A Glimpse...

Addie's new feeding schedule is not the most convenient. Her first morning bottle is now at the same time that the boys are waking and need my attention. It involves Morning snuggles for the crankies. Potty trips and clean undies. Breakfast and chocolate rabbit (choc. milk) making. The busyness of the morning. Her 3rd feeding now falls at dinnertime. I need to make a change. In the meantime I will tell you the realities of this morning.

I made cinnamon toast on whole wheat bread which makes up for the fact that you are just pouring sugar on top of it and calling it breakfast. I know it doesn't, actually but let's pretend for my sanity's sake that it does make it "healthier". OK, moving on.

I managed to make the toast and pour the milk before settling down with my Addie and her bottle. This lasted as long as a piece of "sugar toast" lasts in the hand of a 3 1/2 yr old boy. NOT LONG. "I need another one, please" is uttered and I decide to put Addie down and make more. She's not happy. OK boys happy, back to bottle feeding. "I need another one."

At this point I decide that I can bottlefeed a baby and butter toast. I drop said bottle in butter and decide that this feat is physically impossible. You can't hold toast and butter it with one hand. I once again have to set her down. Alex asks AGAIN after this and I say "wait until I am finished feeding your sister".

Then, because he is resourceful, he holds up a piece that was Eli's and asks if he can just eat that. I say "yes". Here is the bad part....I said yes, fully knowing that sweet Eli just likes to eat the top part full of butter, sugar and cinnamon off the top and then licks whatever he didn't manage to eat off on the first round. He then asks for more and discreetly puts his first piece of toast to the side. So, in short, Alex ate toast that had been licked and gnawed on a lot.

Bottom line: Alex was happy, Addie was happy, Eli was happy and although I was slightly grossed out all in all Mama is happy. :)

See, "perfect Mom", I am NOT.

Oh, gotta go Alex's wants more. Sheesh.

let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

Impossible to capture the beauty of this snowstorm on camera. If you look out our kitchen windows it looks like a snow globe. It really is pretty. I tend to romanticize snowstorms in January when we have had hardly any snow and what makes it even more beautiful is the fact that I am not out in it. I am warm and cozy in my house with Addie and the boys and we plan to make homemade mini pizzas and have a movie night. Jared is off to homecoming at the school and the boys are off to bed early tonight (they are completely unaware). I think I hear Netflix calling. Here are a few pics I snagged on the iphone before Jared left.

Isn't he handsome? :) He loves when I take pictures of him.

Lots on my mind today

First of all I have things on my mind because I actually have TIME TO THINK. The boys "rest" time has turned into lengthy naps for the past 2 days!! It is making me thankful for these dreary, dark, cold days. (Talk to me in February and I will be singing a different tune.) It is also making me want to curl up in this warm cozy house and rock some bunny slippers like Miss Addie did this morning. I actually put them on to warm her cute little feet but she enjoyed looking at them which was a bonus.

For some reason today I am thinking about last Christmas. Jared and I thought we kept things really simple as far as gifts for the boys go. We started with the wooden train sets from Nani and Papa and that is as far as we got. When we even suggested that they open something else they cried. I love that. Well, I didn't love it when I wanted them to open gifts because I had this pre-conceived notion of what the day should be but once I chilled out I loved it. I love that as little boys they were saying, "this is enough". I hope this year we will succeed at keeping it simple.

The below picture was an outtake from pictures I took of Addie for our Christmas card. Yay, Christmas card-DONE!

The boys wanted in on the action. This is just such a classic sibling photo.

Had Girl's Night last night and had a lot of fun. We could not all be more different but we have such a blast when we are together and I literally spit out coffee laughing at these girls.

We may still close next week. AHHHHHH! I am excited because we are in such limbo. It is kind of a crazy time to be moving. We haven't put up a tree and the boys keep asking when we are going to. I think we are going to borrow a fake one this week and let them throw a few ornaments on it temporarily. We will see.

We had our home inspection today and we rocked it. Jared maintains our home so nicely. I am proud of him. We had 3 things on the list that are tiny. One for instance is label the circuit box (I think that is what it is called.) When we moved in we had a two page list of things to do just to give you an idea of what we were expecting. We are thrilled.

Anyways, life is crazy as usual and these are my thoughts for the day. Umm, I guess I should get packing! :)

The Weekend

I love the weekends mainly because Jared is home with us. It is not uncommon for him to have to work though. Yesterday he worked and it. was. rough. I have no voice. That in itself is a challenge while trying to instruct 3 year old boys. We had a meltdown of cataclysmic proportions. Truly, worst, EVER. It was both of them. A kind neighbor spotted it happening and offered to help. (That usually makes it more embarrassing.) It was BAD. It left me spent, completely. Today is a new day and although Jared plans to get the leaves done he does not have to work. I am hoping that today holds a lot of relaxation (O.K. a little relaxation).

This was a few weeks ago. Jared had a chance for a Saturday Morning nap and Alex decided that he'd join him. :)
*On a side note: we bought those rings for Addison and Eli calls them his wrinkles. No idea why but now of course the whole family calls them that.

A typical morning

No specific reason to post this morning, not that there is ever anything too earth shattering, I just felt the need and the boys are watching Laurie Berkner Band (their new fav) while Addie naps.

* I told the boys this morning that I didn't feel very well and that my head hurt. SO.....

this sweet little face

who eats muffins like this

said he could kiss my head to feel all better.

LOVE THESE BOYS!

*I was taking pics at the table this morning because, despite me reporting that we were not moving, we are.

*I'm thrilled and am going to have a DREAM kitchen. I am however going to miss this little kitchen that drives me crazy.

*The boys and I have done lots of baking in this kitchen and they ate their first little bites here and took clumsy little steps on this floor and were given first baths in here and I cooked many a gourmet meal in this kitchen.

*OK not so much that last part about the gourmet meals but lots of spaghetti and grilled cheese and other not-so-gourmet meals like chicken pot pie and casseroles. :)

*Nani and Papa have come over for the last couple of weeks to keep an eye on the boys while I attempt to get things done. They take the boys outside and the boys refuse to let them leave until they have played play-doh with them. Nani makes really good coiled snakes. :)

*They also tickle littley piggy toes

and admire litte Addie girl (Does she have these guys wrapped or what?)

*I love that Papa and Eli are in the same exact position.