Other August Stuff

I apologize for the lack of content this month. It was atrocious.

It was a triple super-dee-dooper busy month. Totally jam packed with stuff.

Hopefully this post full of ultra-cute pictures will make up for it.

I guarantee that by the time you finish reading this entry, you will forget that I used a totally awesome word in my second sentence.

Wow. I didn't think you would forget that fast. You didn't even see any pictures yet.

On to the post......

Mikey has entered what we like to call around here "The Honeymoon Phase." We've gotten through the boring and even tedious baby months and now everything that he does is cute. He could be covered head to toe in mud, he could be throwing food around the room, he could've just pooped out the back of his diaper and it would still be cute.

Don't mind the cheese stuck to the top of his head. Just bask in the cuteness.

To start off our month, GmaC came for a visit. We had a good time hanging out at home and visiting our favorite Seattle attraction, the zoo.

"I'd like a bagel, a hotdog, some potatoes, carrots, raisins, grapes, a few strawberries, a cup of yogurt, a garden salad with dressing on the side and a fruit smoothie....."

We also took advantage of the spectacular weather by spending some quality outside time. We took a walk......

....and then ate some pretzels.

Sadly, we had to say goodbye to GmaC and to recover we went out and did some blueberry picking. Nothing helps you get over the goodbye blues like hiking out into the middle of a field full of bushes inhabited by lots and lots of spiders.

Mikey tried to pick some berries. The problem is that he doesn't like them. He'd pick one, eat it and then spit it out right onto my chest (he was in the Ergo carrier). Sigh. Another shirt ruined.

Katie had a great time trying to fill up her bucket. I actually think that more blueberries ended up in her tummy than in her bucket. I think the u-pick berry farms should weigh you before you enter the field and weigh you again when you come out. That way they can make sure they are getting the money they are due.

Here is a picture of me at age 4.

Oh wait, that's Katie.

Since you are a loyal reader, you know that I already posted about Katie's birthday exploits. The day after her party, we headed to the local water/amusement park. A good time was had by all, except Mikey who doesn't like cold water and Mommy who is not a big fan of water parks.

Daddy, the water taxi.

"Now this is more like it!"

Go, SpeedRacer, GO!

The next day we headed off to a state park cabin for a two night stay. I have to say, I was impressed with the digs. They weren't too skeevy and were actually quite comfortable.

"Hike you will, Mommy. Find the waterfall, you must."

It was totally worth it.

After the hike, we headed back to the cabin for some crawl around in the dirt time...

...some stair climbing...

...and some marshmallows.

A week or so later, we were off the the county fair in the pouring rain. Believe it or not, there were NO complaints. Katie walked the whole time. Mikey rode most of the time. There were lots of farm animals, lots of mullets and even some dinosaurs.

"Ummmmm. Did you hear something?"

Upon finding out that this cow's name was Princess, Katie told the owner, "I don't think her crown can fit on her head because it's so big."

Katie also got to play her first carnival game. We chose the pop the balloon with the dart game. We got three tries for five bucks.

After a quick dart throwing tutorial by Mommy, she managed to pop one! She was able to select her prize.

Ladies and gentlemen, meet "Wet Duck".

Mikey kept himself busy learning how to walk. Here he is taking Molly for a stroller ride.

Upon being disappointed with the late onset of his walking skills, Mikey decided to bulk up a little by doing some weight training.

As you'll see in a portion of this video, his efforts have paid off.

FOOOOOOOOUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!

Four.

I can't believe it.

She's FOUR.

Wow.

Somedays I just look at her in disbelief. She's so big now. I'm forgetting her baby-hood. I have to go back and look at pictures to remember how small she was. I want to scoop her up and ask her to never get a year older.

Her imagination is on fire. Her emotions run high. She has A LOT of love to give. She is the sweetest little girl, like, ever.

I am so proud to be her mother. You know what? I can't believe that I AM her mother.

In the past couple of days since her birthday there have been times when I look at her and I see a "mini-me". It is the strangest feeling ever.

Ugh. Enough about that stuff. I'm getting all verklempt.

On to the party!!!

The day before her party, Katie helped me make her "birthday treat". She requested chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting and with a little help from Martha Stewart, I delivered. There was a lot of cocoa in dem dere cupcakes.

We held the party at Katie's favorite park. Lots of her preschool buddies came out to celebrate her big day with her. She picked "Star Wars" as her party theme. Ahhhhhhh, chip off the ole blocks. Yes, even the nerd in us seems to have been passed on to our children. And believe me when I say don't get her started on World of Warcraft.

The kids enjoyed the cupcakes and after the gift unwrapping we packed it up. Mikey was SO done and it was getting close to 90 degrees. So, we went home and Katie continued the present unwrapping.

The rest of the birthday weekend was spent at a water/amusement park and then we went camping in a cabin for two nights. I don't know how we are going to top that next year.

And so now we are the parents of a four year old AND a one year old. There's a lot of old going on around here.......

What's A Year?

Shhhhhhhhhhh.

Be vewy, vewy quiet. I'm huntin' cheerios.

Whazzat? You saw me? Darn it all! What good is wearing camo jammies if everyone can still see you? Jeez.

Well, since you found me I guess that means that I have to post an entry or something.

July was a super busy month.

It started off with a march in a parade!

All I know is that my stroller had balloons and pinwheels on it and I was freezing my butt off. Then at the end of the parade it got really loud and big red trucks drove by us. Hmph. I got to eat grapes though. So, it was all good.

Then all of a sudden, the sun came back and it got warm again. I hear that is what is supposed to happen in the summer.

We hit a whole bunch of playgrounds and I got to ride in a swing. It was totally awesome.

It got SO hot, that Mommy put on my swim shorts and plopped me into a pool. I did NOT like the pool.

Here's what I think of YOU, pool!! THBBBBBBBBBPPPPPPPPP!

Here's something I DO like.

Cherries.

I love me some cherries.

Actually, I love me A LOT of cherries. Bags and bags and bags of them.

Here's a look at some of the other goings on in the month of July......

Although I am not walking yet, I get around ya'll. I crawl faster than the cat who sits in our yard runs when the sprinklers go on. That's right. Ludicrous speed, people.

I'm working on the walking, alright? I "cruise" as they say. It's just a matter of time.

So, in the meantime, I've been working on other modes of transportation.

Here's me and Daddy doin' a little biking.

And in case he's busy, I've always got my fall back.

I just have to figure out how to get it to move when I am actually sitting on it.....

We went away last month too. All the way to a place called Portland. Daddy rode to it on his bike. I hear it's a long way. All I know is that I was sitting in the truck a long, long, long time and I was not, not, not very happy. We had to stop at an "Old MacDonalds" parking lot (as Katie calls it) for a little "sanity" break (as Mommy calls it).

But, once we got to Portland it was all good. I tell ya, I had a good time investigating every inch of our hotel room. Here's me and Katie smudging up the closet mirror.

And then, before you know it, someone told me that I was a whole year old.

Huh? I don't even know what a year is.

But, I guess it's good 'cause we had a party. I like parties.

My whole family sang to me and there was this flashy light on a stick and they blew and it disappeared. I was a little creeped out by that. But then, they gave me a taste of the stuff the stick was in and WOW, it was awesome.

After I ate that cake stuff, I got a whole bunch of new toys from all my relatives from all the way across the country. I loved the toys as much as the cake. I play with them every day!

I want these birthday things more often. They totally rock.

Now listen up.

If you for one second think that I am going to disappear just 'cause I've hit one year you've got another thing coming.

With all the cool stuff that's happened in Year One, I can't wait to get to work on Year Two!.

I'm just gettin' started.

Placeholder

We're still here.

Lot's going on.

Stomach bugs, a 1st birthday, a Gramma visit.....

Been too busy to write or to call. I send you all big virtual hugs.

Consider yourself loved.

: )

Ridiculous

I know that I've griped about this before. But, it's bugging me again since I've been trying to find something for Mikey for his birthday.

It's about toys and how their manufacturers have to make sure that you know that they are somehow, someway going to make your kid smarter.

Here's an example from the Fisher-Price website in regards to the Rock-A-Stack......

Developmental Benefits for Baby

Stimulating the Senses

• Bright colors, shiny reflections & swirling beads stimulate visual development.
• Hands-on activities strengthen baby’s sense of touch.

Developing Motor Skills

• Placing rings on post strengthens eye-hand coordination.
• Grasping & sorting rings develops fine motor skills.
• Enhances gross motor skills as baby bats and rocks the toy.

Encouraging Cognitive Abilities

• Fosters problem-solving skills as baby figures out which ring comes next.
• Helps baby learn to differentiate among colors and sizes of rings.

Really? Come on now.

I seriously doubt that Mikey and Katie are destined to be accepted into Ivy league schools because they played with a damn Rock-A-Stack. Do you know what Katie did with them? She threw them around like frisbees and sometimes tried to wear them as bracelets. Do you know what Mikey does with them? He tries to eat them like doughnuts.

Well, ladies and germs, I've found something even MORE ridiculous.

Food companies trying to make each and every food sound like it's healthy in some way.

Here are some examples from things I have around the house:

Honey Maid Graham Crackers - "Made with Real Honey and 5g. of Whole Grain"

Teddy Grahams - "A good source of Calcium, Iron, Zinc to Help Support Kids' Growth and Development"

Whole Grain Goldfish - "Natural. No artificial preservatives. 0g. Trans fat."

Wheat Thins - "With 11g. Whole Grain. No High Fructose Corn Syrup. Always toasted, never fried."

COME ON. Ugh.

There is all this talk nowadays of childhood obesity. This could be a contributing factor. Maybe.

Or maybe this could be....

Nearly 44,900 pacifiers were recalled after discovering that the pacifier does not meet federal safety standards. According to the CPSC, “The nipple can separate from the base easily, the pacifier handle is too long, the mouth guard is too small and there are no ventilation holes on the mouth guard. The pacifier could pose a choking and aspiration hazard to young children.”

The pacifiers have a ring-shaped handle with a round-shaped mouth guard. The word “Kariño” is printed on the handle side of the mouth guard, and “Mygra” is printed on one side of the handle. The pacifier’s nipple is filled with corn syrup.

The recalled baby pacifiers were sold at independent grocery stores across California and Texas from October 2009 to March 2010. The pacifiers sold for about 25 cents.

Letting Go

I swear.

We are even busier during the summer than we were during the preschool year.

Hmmmm. Or maybe it's the whole two kid thing. I'm not sure.

Sheesh.

Anyways, I haven't posted anything in a long time.

Here's an update.....

Katie has soccer every Friday afternoon. It's hell getting her out of the house, but once we get there she has fun.

Huzbend had a birthday. I didn't get him a present and felt like a jerk. I had no idea what to get him. I guess this stuff happens when you become parents. You have no time to talk about anything except your kids, fixing up your house and the Tour de France. Sigh.

Huzbend also rode his bike down to Portland, something like 206 miles. He did it in 12 hours. He is awesome. We met him there and pulled an overnight in a hotel and stopped by their Science museum. We had a good time.

Mikey is doing fine. He's working on standing without support and loves to walk holding on to just about anything. He is also eating us out of house and home. Damn, that kid can eat.

Mikey's birthday is coming up next week. Wha-wha-wha-what??!

Katie has discovered the Wonder Pets. It was my fault really. If you don't know the Wonder Pets - YouTube 'em. It's a duck, a turtle and a hamster that travel the world saving animals while using sing-song operatic voices. Yeah. Preschool opera. It's pretty strange, but Katie loves it.

Me? What about me? I'm trying to focus on what I call "Letting Go." Huzbend has helped me realize that I get too worked up about all sorts of ridiculous stuff. I have to relax a bit more. It's a very hard thing to do for a control freak. "Letting Go" means I lose control. But, really I am delusional thinking that I can control all that happens in this house. Just when I think things are going smoothly, Mikey will crap out the side of his diaper and start crawling toward the carpet and Katie will spill an entire bowl of cereal and milk onto the floor, chair and herself and then start to scream and cry because she is all wet.

These things happen.

Don't they?

Our Camping Trip

Remember how I talked about our camping trip?

Well, here's a little video for ya'll.

Enjoy.

EEEEEEEEEEEE-leven

I got an owee.

Right there. Underneath my nose.

You shoulda seen it when it was bright red. I looked like I had a Charlie Chaplin mustache.

I woulda laughed, if it didn't hurt so much. Jeez.

Who woulda thunk that this standing up thing was so dangerous? Yikes.

I pull up to standing now. All the time. On everything. Freaks my Mommy out something serious. It might be because I frequently pick things that move to practice pulling up on....toy shopping carts, ride-on cars...stuff like that. I pull up. They roll out from under me. I get owees. Such is life.

I'm working hard at figuring out how to get these feet of mine moving. Here. Check it out....

I've also figured out that if I point at stuff, I get it! That is, like, TOTALLY awesome.

I went camping for the first time this past month. It was just okay. I got told "Mikey, no eat." just about a million times. Meanwhile, everyone got to eat marshmallows and I got NADA. Totally unfair.

I did get to play on the beach though. I liked pushing the sand around. And just so you know, sand doesn't taste very good. Also, the rocks at the beach are pretty salty.

Here's a picture of me 'crankin' out'. I do this when I don't get my way. I like to make it easy for people to see that I am not happy. If Mikey is not in a happy place, the world cannot be in a happy place.

Other than moving and grooving, screaming and gabbing, I love to eat.

My favorite thing right now is pasta. I can eat bowls and bowls of the stuff.

The part I don't like about eating pasta....

The clean up.

I also frequently indulge in WAYYYYYY too many cherries. UGH.

I'm not sure if you can see it in the picture or not, but I am very proud of this little gem.

Burpie. All over the sliding door screen.

I've got talent.

I like to keep myself busy. There's always something to do around here.

Here I am arranging my baby food jars. I'm pretty sure Mommy is impressed with my organizational skill since she keeps taking pictures of me doing this type of stuff.

I tell ya, being eleven months old is exhausting. But, man, I've got energy to spare. Sometimes, it feels like I could just keep going and going and.....

............Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.......

A Camping We Will Go

Last weekend, we packed up the car and headed north to Deception Pass for Mikey's first ever and Katie's third ever camping trip.

We had two tents - a four person and a two person.

Mikey and I stayed in the four person. He did pretty good overnight. He woke up just about every two hours, but all I had to do get him to fall back to sleep was to pick him up.

He spent half the night next to me with about six blankets (and my sweatshirt) on him, and the other half of the night on my chest or cuddled in my arms.

Huzbend and Katie were right next door in the two person tent.

We did some hiking, sat on a beach and ate our fair share of marshmallows.

Besides having to go to sleep at, like, 9 pm the only other not-so-good thing that happened was that Huzbend dropped our camera at the beach. Sand and cameras do not mix. Our camera broke, so we only got pics going up till dinner. Oh well.

Here are some pre-camera death photos....

Daddy is good at setting up tents.

I'll just sit here and make sure the rain fly doesn't wander off.

Check it, dudes. Wildlife!

The Awesome Family @ the beach

Hmmmmm. These things sure look yummy.....

Katie & Deception Pass

I love our state.

It's dinner time!

Munchin' and sippin'.

Mmmmmmm. Me likey da pasta.

The Suckiest Suck Day

I feel compelled to tell you all about today. It's like I have to get this weight off of my chest. I just need to get it out and be done with it.

And by it, I mean today.

Today was a shitty day.

It started shitty, the middle was full of shit and it ended pretty shitty too.

Let me begin by saying this all started WITH shit.

Katie has been having off and on diarrhea for about a week now. I finally took her to the doctors on Monday. We weren't sure it was a virus as it kept going away and coming back and thought that it might be another food allergy sneaking up on us.

We thought that that allergy might be milk. So, the doc said no milk for the week. If she got the trots again then we would know it ain't milk. If she didn't get diarrhea, then we could slowly reintroduce milk.

Dammit all. The only thing, ONLY thing that Katie really eats or drinks are dairy products.

It has been a bitch and a half finding things for her to eat this week.

Which brings me to today.

So, we started off the day with an argument about breakfast. We are SO over the no milk thing. There is nothing for her to eat. She eats bread products all day with a little fruit thrown in to mix it up. She complains that she is hungry all day. Okay, not just complains, but whines about it. All day. I feel so guilty and so bad that she can't eat anything. I just want to give in and let her have a piece of cheese so she can just be happy. Do you know what she ate for dinner tonight? A piece of bread with one slice of turkey deli meat and water. Ugh.

But, something happened today that makes me think that the whole milk thing might be completely wrong.

Mikey had diarrhea in the middle of lunch. It was a major blow out. One of the ones where you have to immediately dunk him into a bath. Poop was everywhere.

Then, guess what happened? I got diarrhea. Yeah. Whoooppeee. I've been running to the bathroom just about twice an hour.

Combine hungry, whiny, grumpy kid with poop-master Mike and sick Mommy and you've got yourself one hell of a day.

The kids were fighting, like, all day. You wouldn't think that an almost 4 year old and an almost 1 year old could argue, but they do! Man, they were driving me insane today. Lots of, 'NO MIKEY!!!! YOU'RE HURTING ME!!!" and "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!".

There were lots of "I'm frustrated" and "I'm losing patience" comments today - from both parties, kids and mom. Lots of threats about counting to 10, too.

And here, my friends, is the whip cream on the cow pie.

After dinner, while doing dishes, I had to GO. Katie was eating applesauce. Okay. Mikey was crawling around finding stray Cheerios on the floor. Okay. Everything was good. Off I ran to the toilet.

The whole trip took me maybe less than five minutes.

I came back and Katie is still eating applesauce. Okay. I look over at Mikey.

He's got this great big smile on his face. He's sitting there kicking his feet and rubbing his hands over the floor as if he is painting something.

OH YES, FOLKS!!! He had another huge diaper blow out and since he was wearing shorts, well, it ran out onto the floor.

What would you do if you were 11 months old and you saw this slimy brown stuff all over the ground? Well, you would mush it around and wipe it all over everything! Of course!

It was freakin' disgusting. Bath number two for Mikey; the last shred of patience for Mommy.

When we were done with the bath, we had to go back downstairs to wipe the diarrhea off the kitchen floor. Katie had left her mostly eaten applesauce bowl and spoon on a chair. While I was cleaning, Mikey proceeded to pull up to standing and grab the bowl spilling the remaining applesauce on himself and the floor.

After that, the kids fought their way through the bedtime routine. Mikey was trying to steal Cheerios from Katie. Then he bit me on the leg. I yelled in surprise and scared him. He started crying and then Katie started to yell at him and cry herself because she couldn't hear her bedtime book.

Both kids are asleep...for now.

I am exhausted. Physically and mentally exhausted. Today there were lots of not-so-good-Mommy moments. Things that I should've done differently and the like. I guess tomorrow is another day. I can start over and try to work on the things that bothered me about today.

But, for now, I am going to drink a tall glass of milk (because Katie is asleep and I won't feel guilty about drinking it in front of her) and then I am probably going get the runs.

Shit.

One More For Ya