Nothing much is new with the little guys, but to an outside, they may see more changes than I do since I'm with my boys 24/7. Benjamin has slept through the night twice now, but with all the disorganization of last week and him being sick, I think he did very well. Now, if we can just get his crib moved to the boys' room, all will be well. It's a toss up as to who it is going to be harder for, Benjamin or Mommy. I know both boys will adjust to having a roommate, but it's the going through the adjustment part that I'm dreading. Plus nap times, and when Ben is napping but Alexandar isn't, he can no longer play in his room.... just a lot to adjust to. If we had a bigger house and I could put all toys in a play room, that would be one thing.
My biggest boy (that would be my husband =) ) took me out on a date Saturday night. Woo hoo! He asked me out and everything. We never were able to really date because our relationship was always long distance, but having dated besides Shawn.... it is a lot different dating when you are married. It's next to impossible to get really when you have two small boys clammering for your attention and the eldest watching your every move as you apply make-up and wanting to smear it on his own face. (I'm TOTALLY not worried that he is going to want to cross-dress or whatever.... he's not quite 2 and doesn't understand that it's just for girls... he just wants to do EVERYTHING like Mommy.) And I don't know where all my cute and sexy clothes went to after getting married, but I have nothing to wear! I mean, I have clothes and I do NOT have the "mom jeans" that taper at the ankle and are so high cut around the waist that you nearly cover your entire stomach. I'm thinking that more of the sexy stuff is summer season (which lasts for 3 weeks around here) and that's why I'm not finding much. Anywho.... (sorry for the ramble) we went Christmas browsing and out for dinner. We ate at Buffalo Wild Wings and had some wings (duh) which were a whole lot spicier than I remember. Last time I had the same flavor (Asian Zing) I was pregnant and they did not taste nearly as spicy. They are pretty good as far as wings go, but they just don't compare with the places in Georgia. Anyhow, we had fun and came home to a house of sleeping boys, which was wonderful. And, that was a night Benjamin slept all the way through!!
Monday, November 24, 2008
Interesting Week
I can't even really blog about my last week because if I say too much, it will give away the person that I'm talking about. I had some company last week and this friend of mine needs your prayers. There is a lot going on in this person's life and there doesn't appear to be much hope. There are so many thoughts going through my head about this situation, but there are some who I know read my blog that if I say very much, they will know of whom I'm speaking and I don't want to disclose this person's privacy. So really, just be in prayer for a family and a situation that you probably don't know anything about.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Latest Things
It is amazing how much a (nearly) 2 year old will change in just a week. He is daily adding 2 or 3 words to his vocabulary. Some of my favorites.... "ca-ca-ball" which I haven't figured out if that is basketball or soccerball, since he is familiar with both. "Where are you?" followed him calling out for Papa when there wasn't a response from Papa. He is increasingly unhappy with a wet diaper, even when it is barely wet. He wanted all of his clothes off, no diaper, and didn't want the big boy pants Mommy offered last night. I'm not sure what the deal with no clothes is right now, but he tries, and sometimes succeeds in removing his clothes or will holler until you help him. If it were summer, I wouldn't be very concerned, but it's too cold out for sans clothes. Maybe he's having a hard time adjusting to sleeves and long pants.... who knows at this point!
Benjamin started standing on his own yesterday! He pushed himself up from the floor and stood for 30 seconds or more and balanced with a toy in each hand! I saw him do this 3 or 4 times and it just amazed me that he's strong enough to do that without first pulling himself up to a couch or coffee table. We also started the sleeping all night process last night. We were given the advice and counsel that by 2 months, a baby is able to control sleep patterns more and has the capability to sleep through the night. When they wake up, just let them cry, and within 3 nights, they will have adjusted and will start sleeping through the night. Well, the first time he woke up (around 11 PM) he cried for about 45 minutes. An hour and a half after he fell asleep, he was up again, this time for only 10 minutes. The 3rd time he woke up was 5 AM, which is when I usually let him nurse and then he goes back to sleep until 7, 7:30. I'm hoping tonight goes more smoothly, but overall, I don't think he did too bad!
Benjamin started standing on his own yesterday! He pushed himself up from the floor and stood for 30 seconds or more and balanced with a toy in each hand! I saw him do this 3 or 4 times and it just amazed me that he's strong enough to do that without first pulling himself up to a couch or coffee table. We also started the sleeping all night process last night. We were given the advice and counsel that by 2 months, a baby is able to control sleep patterns more and has the capability to sleep through the night. When they wake up, just let them cry, and within 3 nights, they will have adjusted and will start sleeping through the night. Well, the first time he woke up (around 11 PM) he cried for about 45 minutes. An hour and a half after he fell asleep, he was up again, this time for only 10 minutes. The 3rd time he woke up was 5 AM, which is when I usually let him nurse and then he goes back to sleep until 7, 7:30. I'm hoping tonight goes more smoothly, but overall, I don't think he did too bad!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Miracles from unexpected places
We made the financial decision a few weeks ago to sell the Go-Kart. Shawn took it on trade for some work he did several years ago when he ran a small engine repair shop. It required maybe $50 in repair and we've used it quite a bit at my parents. We didn't necessarily want to sell it, but thought it better to pay off some things than to have it. Well, someone bought it today! He lives on the west side of the state, just driving through today. He offered $200 less than we were asking, and we met in the middle at $600. He asked why we were selling it, and I said for financial reasons. The kids do enjoy it, but we don't need it right now. He decided he did want to purchase it, as long as it wouldn't make our kids upset. I just explained that they would be fine and it wasn't a big deal, we still have a quad they can drive around. When he handed me the cash to count, I just glanced through and thought it was ok. He said he liked the sign on our church, I'm not sure what quote is up there, but talked about his Friday bible study and praying for our country's leaders. I was quite impressed and thought that it isn't often you meet someone in that way who shares your values. A few minutes after he left, I thought I'd count the money for real just to see that it was accurate, and discovered we had $50 too much. I was at my parents' house (they live on a main highway, which is why we put it out for sale there) and didn't have the man's number, so I called Shawn to see if he did on his phone and explained to him what happened. He did, and called the gentleman to let him know of the overage. The explaination he received was that it wasn't a mistake, it was a gift to maybe get something for the boys. Wow. A complete stranger. I am just in awe at the way God answers our prayers, even from a very unexpected place.
Ka-boom!
Ka-boom!! Ka-boom!! This is Alexandar's new word that he repeats all day long. I did not teach him this word, but I think it derived from me saying, "Did you fall down and GO boom?" So, he throws the ball across the room (a soft ball ONLY!) and says, Ka-boom, runs to go get it, and throws it again and again. He'll be 2 in a little less than a month, and is changing so rapidly lately. Once, the ball went behind the couch, (which I have at an angle because there is a built in book shelf behind it, and at an angle it kept him from being able to get behind the couch or reach to pull things off... until he figured out how to climb over it) and he looked at me, put his hands up in the air and said, "ball no more." He's putting words together for sentences quite a bit and just yesterday I thought he had an owie and asked where it was. His reply? "Owie, No-No Mama."
Right now, any dessert is a "cookie" and he recognizes pictures of cookies on anything. He loves loves loves to hide, and anytime he sees a quilt or bigger blanket, he says "hide, hide, hide, hide!" He laughs and giggles and like most children his age, will continue the game until a grown up says stop. The only problem with this game is that he knows how to open the dryer, and just last week, crawled inside and closed the door. Daddy discovered him just moments after he had crawled in, but as soon as the door was opened, he was saying, "hide, hide."
His other favorite thing to do is write!! He will find crayons, colored pencils, ink pens and write on anything, including walls and books. I frequently remind him what is paper and what is a book, but because a book is made of paper, he doesn't quite have this concept down. He had been in trouble for writing on the walls, but it doesn't seem to phase him. Fortunately, I discovered that Bar Keepers Friend sprinkled on a sponge will do the trick to taking it off. I do love the magic erasers, but they are quite a bit more pricey. I considered taking away any and all writing objects, but what if he is our little artist? Hmmm.... maybe and Easle for Christmas...
Right now, any dessert is a "cookie" and he recognizes pictures of cookies on anything. He loves loves loves to hide, and anytime he sees a quilt or bigger blanket, he says "hide, hide, hide, hide!" He laughs and giggles and like most children his age, will continue the game until a grown up says stop. The only problem with this game is that he knows how to open the dryer, and just last week, crawled inside and closed the door. Daddy discovered him just moments after he had crawled in, but as soon as the door was opened, he was saying, "hide, hide."
His other favorite thing to do is write!! He will find crayons, colored pencils, ink pens and write on anything, including walls and books. I frequently remind him what is paper and what is a book, but because a book is made of paper, he doesn't quite have this concept down. He had been in trouble for writing on the walls, but it doesn't seem to phase him. Fortunately, I discovered that Bar Keepers Friend sprinkled on a sponge will do the trick to taking it off. I do love the magic erasers, but they are quite a bit more pricey. I considered taking away any and all writing objects, but what if he is our little artist? Hmmm.... maybe and Easle for Christmas...
9 months and moving!
Mr. Benjamin is very busy these days. He started crawling nearly 2 months ago and picked it up in just a few days. He's been pulling himself up to EVERYTHING and in just the past few days, he started walking around things. I really think he'd love to be walking, but he's just still so chunky that he doesn't have the balance for it yet. A week ago Wednesday, he started to wave. It's the cutest thing. He doesn't do it often or "on request" generally.... just when he feels like it. His timing is off, but he can do it. I read somewhere that by laughing and tickling and smiling, babies learn humor from us, that they aren't born with it. Well, I strongly disagree with that. No one taught Benjamin to take his brother's pacifier, yet he gets this big grin on his face and tries to grab it right out of Alexandar's mouth. :)
I've been a little concerned about weaning him because he is SUCH a mama's boy. He won't allow anyone else to rock him to sleep at night, he would not drink from a bottle, and makes a face when given formula, even from a sippy cup that he'll drink other beverages from. Well, just in the past week, he allowed daddy to put him to bed three nights in a row! Not only that, but he decided a bottle is now acceptable. I know it's early, but I've been giving him whole milk warmed up in a bottle and he's been handling it just fine. He even took a bottle before bedtime last night, which was a first as he's still wanted to nurse for that feeding. I'm hoping that the more he takes the bottle, the less he'll want to nurse and will start sleeping through the night. Right now, I'm still up around 12-1 and 4-5, depending... MOMMY WANTS SLEEP! It's not like the little bugger isn't being fed enough... he'll eat three meals, plus snacks and then will still want to eat from our dinner plates. He has not turned down anything yet! He can see a crumb from across the room and in 2 seconds, is on the other side of the room and is putting it in his mouth. And we thought Alexandar was an eater! Just goes to sow, ya never know!!
I've been a little concerned about weaning him because he is SUCH a mama's boy. He won't allow anyone else to rock him to sleep at night, he would not drink from a bottle, and makes a face when given formula, even from a sippy cup that he'll drink other beverages from. Well, just in the past week, he allowed daddy to put him to bed three nights in a row! Not only that, but he decided a bottle is now acceptable. I know it's early, but I've been giving him whole milk warmed up in a bottle and he's been handling it just fine. He even took a bottle before bedtime last night, which was a first as he's still wanted to nurse for that feeding. I'm hoping that the more he takes the bottle, the less he'll want to nurse and will start sleeping through the night. Right now, I'm still up around 12-1 and 4-5, depending... MOMMY WANTS SLEEP! It's not like the little bugger isn't being fed enough... he'll eat three meals, plus snacks and then will still want to eat from our dinner plates. He has not turned down anything yet! He can see a crumb from across the room and in 2 seconds, is on the other side of the room and is putting it in his mouth. And we thought Alexandar was an eater! Just goes to sow, ya never know!!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Citizen Rights
Well, I undertook my civic duty and did go to the poll to vote yesterday. Right away I was perturbed at the sign posted outside our township hall. "Remember, you only vote every four years, so choose carefully." They might as well have posted an Obama sign instead. Then, as Shawn and I are looking over the ballot, a volunteer starts to go over it with us, even though we have said we didn't need assistance, and tells us that we don't want to fill in the top section, casting our ballot as a straight party ticket. Well, yes.... actually I do want to do that. Don't tell me how to vote, woman! Now that I think about it.... yes, everyone in the room was wearing blue. Grrr, just let me vote, please.
Am I disappointed in the outcomes? Yes, certainly. Not only did America elect Barak Obama, but Michigan sent Carl Levin back to the senate, and he's ssooo liberal. And by the way, if you'd like to smoke a dubie, just drive on up to Michigan.... it's legal here now. For medical purposes only. Yeah. Right. "Officer, I'm not selling this marijuana... it's for my sick grandmother. Uhh, yes... I have to meet her here on this street corner." Michigan also voted in support of stem cell research. The news media fails to mention where the "discarded embryos" are from. However, I can stand tall knowing that I did my part in this election and regardless of the outcome, I voted based on my values and I have nothing for which to be ashamed. Now so even more do we need to pray for our leaders that they will have the wisdom with which to make the right and moral choices for our country.
Am I disappointed in the outcomes? Yes, certainly. Not only did America elect Barak Obama, but Michigan sent Carl Levin back to the senate, and he's ssooo liberal. And by the way, if you'd like to smoke a dubie, just drive on up to Michigan.... it's legal here now. For medical purposes only. Yeah. Right. "Officer, I'm not selling this marijuana... it's for my sick grandmother. Uhh, yes... I have to meet her here on this street corner." Michigan also voted in support of stem cell research. The news media fails to mention where the "discarded embryos" are from. However, I can stand tall knowing that I did my part in this election and regardless of the outcome, I voted based on my values and I have nothing for which to be ashamed. Now so even more do we need to pray for our leaders that they will have the wisdom with which to make the right and moral choices for our country.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Fireproof
Shawn and I were given a fantastic joint birthday gift.... my parents treated us to dinner and a movie and kept the kids! They watched them at their house while we went out, but brought them to our house so they could all go to sleep in their own beds. Shawn got home from work while I was getting ready and I decided we should pick out one another's clothes for the evening. Even though he kinda fussed about it, I think Shawn enjoyed choosing my outfit. =) We had a fabulous dinner and enjoyed one another's company without children!! I seriously cannot remember the last time the two of us went out for an evening alone. With finances being tight, it makes it difficult. And the last time we did go out for a dinner and movie, we were with my brother and his date. That was before Benjamin was born and he's 9 months old now.
The movie we had wanted to see was "Fireproof" which is put out by a church in Georgia that produced another movie with a sports theme a few years ago. I can't remember the title right now, but it was an excellent family film. This movie is definitely for married couples and I would encourage anyone who's married to go and see it. We really enjoyed it and yes, you can tell that it's low budget with some of the acting but all in all, it's fantastic. For the past 3 weeks, it's been in the top 10, just fell to 11 last week and the book that they talk about in the movie is on the New York Times Bestsellers list, but is difficult to find, as it is sold out of many places.
We really had an excellent time and hopefully my new job will allow for a little extra so we can have more opportunities to just be out together.
The movie we had wanted to see was "Fireproof" which is put out by a church in Georgia that produced another movie with a sports theme a few years ago. I can't remember the title right now, but it was an excellent family film. This movie is definitely for married couples and I would encourage anyone who's married to go and see it. We really enjoyed it and yes, you can tell that it's low budget with some of the acting but all in all, it's fantastic. For the past 3 weeks, it's been in the top 10, just fell to 11 last week and the book that they talk about in the movie is on the New York Times Bestsellers list, but is difficult to find, as it is sold out of many places.
We really had an excellent time and hopefully my new job will allow for a little extra so we can have more opportunities to just be out together.
"Treating" without the "Trick"
This Halloween was Alexandar's 2nd, but his first real experience with trick or treating. I tried to get him to say that phrase, but since he already knows the word treat, we just went with that. The boys were teddy bears and looked so cute with their brown noses. The weather was in the high 60s, so all in all, a gorgeous day. We made a stop at Nana's quilt shop earlier in the day to try out this whole concept of trick-or-treating. He carried in his little pumpkin bucket, I got him to say 'treat' and Nana stuck in some candy corn. Well, he thought that was just great and ate those right down. That night when we walked through the neighborhood, he was a little nervous at the first house, and I had to carry him up there. However, once he realized there was candy in his pumpkin, he was running down the driveway to the next house. He became very comfortable with these perfect strangers that had candy and wanted to grab right in the bowls. They thought he was pretty cute, just laughed and usually gave him a second piece. Benjamin rode in the wagon with daddy pulling and didn't seem to realize he was missing all the fun. Next year will be interesting with both of them, as I know Benjamin will not be content on the sidelines then! I just hope that Alexandar was only so trusting of people and the candy because was with Mommy and Mommy said it was ok. That could be a little scary otherwise.
After about 40 minutes of "treating" we had to drive down to pick up Isabelle and then we headed out to a couple in our church's house for a bonfine and Fall Party. They have woods and a nice trail where bags of candy are hidden and the kids go and search. We wait until it's dark, then all the kids draw a number and search for the candy. If they find a bag that isn't their number, they have to put it back. This works well because all the bags are filled equally with a variety so the little kids don't get cheated and with the bags having numbers, you have to keep looking until you find the right now. Alexandar and Izi went out with Nana and Papa to find their bags and just had a lot of fun running around. Saturday Isabelle didn't get up until almost 10 AM... she was just so worn out! Now, if only the other two could have slept that late as well...... =)
After about 40 minutes of "treating" we had to drive down to pick up Isabelle and then we headed out to a couple in our church's house for a bonfine and Fall Party. They have woods and a nice trail where bags of candy are hidden and the kids go and search. We wait until it's dark, then all the kids draw a number and search for the candy. If they find a bag that isn't their number, they have to put it back. This works well because all the bags are filled equally with a variety so the little kids don't get cheated and with the bags having numbers, you have to keep looking until you find the right now. Alexandar and Izi went out with Nana and Papa to find their bags and just had a lot of fun running around. Saturday Isabelle didn't get up until almost 10 AM... she was just so worn out! Now, if only the other two could have slept that late as well...... =)
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