Things on a DAILY basis...

What is it with little boys and using words when they do not need to be used? Lately my posts have been about my son and not my daughter...Why, you may ask, because she is so stinking cute and you want to hear more? Because my son is driving me CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lately, all that comes out of my son's mouth are these odd words and phrases. And they are for no apparent reason, with complete inappropriateness (is that a word?) and really, why?

Here we go:

butt

poop (not because he just did)

fart (see above)

eyeball (exactly, HUH?!)

poopoo

BLEHHHHH (complete with tongue hanging out)

Phrases include: "Oh my buuuutt." And yes, there is an extension of the letter U. "Oh my eyeball" Not because something is in there either.

And then there's the jumping off EVERYTHING. Running in the house, talking back, getting sent to the corner, often, Saying "What?" waaayyyy to often and just not being a very nice kid. And spitting!! MAN, spitting in any way he can think of. I am sooo incredibly sick of this one. This little thing here is a main reason for the corner chair now.

AND THEN we go to the doctor this past week and she says she is so impressed with how good he is, how polite, how interesting, how calm, how adorable he is. She doesn't have many patients that are as well behaved as him. Did I bring the same kid with me?! Or does she say that to everyone. She said she doesn't...

But, look at that face.

No you're not Mom

Me: making my adorable wipe holders.

Hayden: playing cars on a ramp with the changing table pad.

Me: "Hayden, don't stand on that chair, go get a different one."

Hayden: "No, this one's fine."

Me: "No, go get a different one because that one isn't safe and you can fall."

Hayden: "No, really, this one's fine I didn't fall."

Me: "Well, I said you need to get a different chair and what I say you do because I am Mom."

Hayden: "No, you're not Mom, you're Babe."

Never got a different chair. Didn't fall.

WHAT?!?!? He's 4 already!??

Four years ago....Headed to the hospital at 6:15am. Got the call at 5:30am to come on in to be induced. Prayers were finally answered. Having tried everything possible to get this baby out, it was just going to have to be this way and I was completely fine with that! At 9:13 pm our Hayden James arrived. 8 lbs 4 oz, 21 inches and perfect!

3 weeks

The first year just flew by so dang fast! One minute I was holding him all swaddled up and the next he's zipping around on his little feet. Seriously, SLOW DOWN!

First Birthday

I look at him from time to time and am just amazed that I carried this little baby in my arms and now he's this 'big' little boy who loves Corvettes, Transformers and preschool. He counts, signs the alphabet, remembers the smallest details, swims like a fish, and is in love with his sister.

The last year was a struggle with him. I am hoping he was just "testing the waters" and will start to settle down soon. He is a very sensitive guy but pretty tough when he needs to be.

As I type, he is enthralled in playing with his new Legos he got for his birthday. He is totally fine with Buddy building and himself observing how it's done. These are the little things I love. Playtime with Buddy and his little Buddy. It's quiet and he is playing, perfectly content.

So, now we're off to start his forth year. I cross my fingers tightly that it is the start of a good one!

FOUR YEARS OLD!!

Happy Birthday Grandma Ginny!!!

Today is my Grandma B's 90th birthday!! I can't believe it! She has had so many struggles the last few years, that my family is celebrating whether we are with her or not!

I will be having a glass (or two) of Chardonney this evening to aid in the celebration. That is her favorite. This weekend, she is taking in a show, a little shopping, maybe a movie and a nice hotel stay with her girls; my mom, aunt and a few bottles of Chardonney. She's getting out of "the home" as she likes to call it and enjoying the weekend the way she wants. Wish I could be there...

So, I will raise my glass later on, say "Cheers" and think of all the wonderful times that I have been lucky enough to have with my Grandma in just one third of her lifetime.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA!!!

Four years ago...

Four years ago today was my due date with my Hayden. Four years ago today I was jumping up and down trying to get him out. Four years ago today I was a bloating, water retaining whale who had done EVERYTHING to get this baby out. Okay, maybe not everything, but alot of things. Four years ago today I watched my due date sail past me without even the slightest contraction.
And now, I would do anything to get that time back. Revisit being pregnant with my first baby. Feel those rolls, kicks and hick-ups. Minus the 60 pound weight gain of course.
*Sorry, no picture will accompany this post. It really wasn't a pretty time for me.

My Swimmer!

It is quite amazing to me what the influence of older kids have on younger kids. Hayden's cousins, ages 8 and 5 were here for the weekend and the pool got TONS of use. All the kids were in the water most of Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Hayden pretty much wanted to do everything they did if he could.

At the beginning of the summer, Hayden was so enthused about swimming and taking lessons and being able too roam free in the water. That didn't happen. He didn't get to take swimming lessons because the times conflicted with preschool (summer session) and Maya's naptime. He wasn't bummed about it, but he did talk about wanting to go. Next summer for sure!

Anyway, when he'd get in the pool at the beginning of the summer he wanted nothing to do with going off the big step. He was content playing with cars and what ever he could use on the edge. FORGET kicking while being held. This was just a screaming match.

Then, I bought some "noodles" and he took a step. He would "swim by himself" with the noodle and kick around. This was awesome, he was finally moving! He was so proud of himself and showed off as much as he could. Just last month he would finally jump in by himself with the noodle. He even would move his arms while supported by the noodle. Major progress in June and July.

A couple weeks ago Buddy bought him a kickboard. Hayden took to that thing like a pro! Kicking around the pool, showing off.

And now, we have a fish! With his cousins here, he got to use some waterwings that they had brought! I thought he would be completely uninterested in them. He'd never seen them and they go on the arms. I think had I bought some and stuck them on him he would have thrown a fit. But, his aunt put them on him and sure enough he's jumping in just like his cousins, swimming with both hands and feet in motion and playing in the water like a "big"kid!!!!

And then, yesterday, I asked him if he could swim all by himself without the support of the waterwings just like Blake and Paige do. Ya know what he did? Swam all by himself without the waterwings, just like Blake and Paige!!! Granted not that far. He went from the bench, to me (probably 5 feet) and back again. But he did it alot! He loved practicing swimming.

The last thing he said when he got out of the pool was that he is going to do good in swimming lessons next time!

I just hope this continues into next April! YEAH HAYDEN!

The "sky" is finally clearing

The horrid week is over. My kids are behaving so nicely, with a little attitude thrown in of course. I am sitting here playing the "observant" parent. They are playing on the floor together, both laughing, both having a good time.
Maya is becoming an independent, daring, get into everything child. Hayden is becoming a boss to his sister, but is a protecter. He's loving, observant, sensitive, but his still all boy.
Hayden likes cars. Loves anything with wheels. There is not a day that goes by that there is not a truck, tractor, car, Monster Truck or plane that is not on the floor, table, chair or in his hand. He and Buddy practice the noises of what each vehicle makes. Hayden's faves? Corvette, Ferrari, and motorcycle. Anytime cars are involved, both their faces light up. They sit together on the couch/chair often, flipping through Motor Trend, AutoWeek or Automobile and Buddy tells Hayden all about each and every car. Hayden's favorite movie? Cars or Transformers, he can't decide. He likes to play in the sandbox with his big trucks, jump on the trampoline and loves to swim with Daddy. He is usually all play, all day but can sit back, relax and veg-out when he needs to.
Maya likes getting into everything. She climbs into and onto everything. Her latest discovery is planting herself on the shelf of the console table like she's part of the decor. Last night she wedged herself in the cupboard. Not the ordinary cupboard. The small one with the pull out. I was doing dishes, she was playing with dishes. One second she was sitting on the floor the next I saw a head sticking out of the approx. 18x18 inch space. She bolts for the stairs when she sees the gate is not up. I have found her sitting on top of the little play table the kids have upstairs. I walked into the house on Sunday after I'd been away for a bit to find her sitting on the end table, Hayden laughing at her and Buddy had made a quick trip to the garage!!! She's quick. Somehow, she has yet to fall from a high spot or the stairs. Knock on wood. She's not a cuddler, super bummed about that, but she will already, at age 1, just come to me and give me a hug or a kiss. That, I love.
Where am I going with this? I forgot. I was just thinking of the bad week that just passed. It lasted from Monday to Sunday. I am looking back and remembering all the yelling, crying, NO's that were said and wishing I could have calmed myself down a bit, taken a step back or just left the room for a moment. The last day and a half have been glorious by comparison. We've had a couple downers, but that is to be expected. Right now, both kids are playing, smiling, laughing, Hayden just started singing. I am praying the outlook continues.

Well, that was a bit of a ramble.

Just an overall bad one

I felt like putting them in the corner today. I didn't. I was tired, busy, irritated, crabby, just overall not having a wonderous day. And, I knew she wouldn't stay there.

Another day of Hayden not listening. Another day of yelling by me at this poor little boy. Another day of me screaming at him, asking him why is it so difficult to just pick up his stuff and put it away? Why is it so difficult to lead Maya in another direction than to the dog food bowl? Why is it so difficult to just sit and eat your lunch at one time? Why is it so difficult to stop running so the dog chases you and then grabs onto your shirt creating a hole from her teeth? Why is it so difficult to drink water instead of juice? Why is it so difficult to play where I tell you you can and not on the kitchen counter? Why is it so difficult to just stay downstairs when Maya goes up for a nap? Why is it so frigging difficult to simply stop when I say stop? Why is it so difficult to just say, "Okay mommy I will stop/can do that/will listen/will drink my water/will eat nicely/will do whatever it is that you tell me to do"?!!!

I hope it's because he's three and 11/12ths years old and will diminish these actions upon turning four. I am not asking for it overnight, cuz I know that ain't gonna work. But, geez, I'm ready for a break.

And Maya.... How many times does she need to be pulled away from the dog food bowl? How many times does she need to be pulled out of the bread cupboard? How many times does she need to be yanked from the toilet bowl or toilet paper? How many times does she need to hear NO when her little fingers approach the computer keys? How many times does she need to drop food on the floor only to be yelled at because the dang dog eats what she drops? How many times before all this becomes the past?

I think my kids are swapping issues a little. Neither one listens now. Maya is into waaayyy more stuff than Hayden was at this age (he was no angel don't get me wrong!). Maybe this means Maya will be a listener when she's 3 and 11/12ths? Here's hoping.

Morning Craps

I like to get up before the kids and have a cup of coffe while watching the news and facebooking, checking e-mail, catching up on blogs or just reading. I set my alarm for 6 am thinking that I will be able do all of the above. Most of this summer this hasn't happened. Why, you ask? I know what you're thinking. It's because I continually hit the snooze button to get those extra 9, 18, 27 (good math huh?) more minutes of shuteye. Nope. The reason is (Okay, I hit it once) Miss Maya decided early in the summer, that 6 am is a great time to soil her diaper and wake up.

Is my girl taking some sort of fiber pill at night so she can do this? It never fails. My alarm goes off at 6. I hit snooze and two minutes or so later, I hear talking on the monitor. Crap. No pun intended. To lay there or not to lay there. Laying in bed longer could mean serious diaper rash. Better get up. But what if she didn't and she's just woken up by the sun beaming into her room? I get up.

Yep, just standing in her doorway, the unmistakeable odor has already made its way to the hallway.

Now the big question. How in the world do I stop this so I can selfishly get some alone time? She's lucky she adorable.

Tonight's observing...

I brought my baby girl home from the hospital a year ago. Tonight, I am watching her walk around the living room. She takes 8 or so steps and then either falls on her tush or grabs onto something. She's come up to me now and is playing peek-a-boo from behind the screen. She's walking away and went ahead and took away a monster truck from Hayden's lineup. She's back. Playing peek-a-boo. And now off to the trucks again. Man she's a speed demon! I am typing as she's going. Maybe Mr. Weinrich didn't teach me how to type fast....
Hayden, as I said, has his monster trucks all lined up (she's back) on the crease from the automan and chair. He's gonna be four in less than two months. Augh. I can't get over how fast these kids are growing. I knew they were going to grow up, but geez!
I can tell Maya is learning knew things each day. She loves emptying boxes, tubs, buckets of toys and putting them back inside. She's starting to catch on that the bottle is leaving her and the sippy cup will be taking over soon. She knows the word NO when it's said to her. She puts (she's gotten ahold of 2 monster trucks. Hayden got captivated by the TV), anyway, she puts her baby into it's stroller (okay sometimes head down) and takes it out. She knows Daddy has a bit of a soft spot only for her.
Hayden goes back to preschool next Monday!!! If you are a mom of a three year old, at one time or another, this is the best thing to come around the corner! Hayden loves (OH MY GOSH!! Hayden just gave Maya a big HUG for no reason!!), sorry... Hayden loves preschool! I sometimes threaten him the day before that he can't go if he's not listening or misbehaving. Generally, things get done when those threats are given. Hayden is a great kid. He can be sweet, thoughtful, caring, adorable and the best little boy. He just has those annoying outbursts of whining, likes to irritate and can be a pain in the rear. I am anxiously awaiting age four as I hear that is better. Fingers crossed!
So this ends the story today. I was just observing the kids at play and thought it'd be a good blog time.
Now, I have a bottle of wine calling my name.....

She's 1 today!

Today is the day I have been dreading for exactly one year. A year ago, I was hugely pregnant and just wanting the baby out. Today, I would give anything to have that feeling back again.

Miss Maya is one today. I have so enjoyed having this little sweetheart around. I've wanted to stop time so many times to keep moments alive. Those moments are way gone and now she's just about walking.

Maya was born with a full head of dark hair which is now blonde and curly. She's popped four teeth and is working on another. From just being able to lay on her back and kick her feet, she's a speed demon crawler who is pretty much walking, but still lands on her butt too much to be considered fully walking. She smiled for me on her one month birthday and now she beams showing off those four teeth and squishing up her nose. She's been long out of the infant carrier that she came home in and is now a front facing diva. And to go along with the diva, she has a drama queen side of her that comes out at times.

We didn't know we were having a girl. I always thought this baby was a girl. One year ago, I had a baby girl. She is all girl and we are enjoying her to the hilt!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MISS MAYA!!!!

One of my favorite things

One of my absolute favorite things is hearing my kids laugh and have fun, together. Another is that of Daddy joining in on the fun!
I left my kiddos with a babysitter today to go and get my hair cut and colored. Buddy was going to be home before me. I got home about seven thirty. I walked in the house and only heard the sound of Speed Channel. Hmmm..... No Hayden running to the door to welcome me home. No puppy greeting me. I wasn't expecting to hear Maya, thinking she would be in bed. Nope, gate was still up guarding the stairs. No light on in the bathroom, so they weren't hanging out with Daddy while, well, you know.
Are they outside? It's still over a hundred degrees but there they were. I saw a flash of yellow coming towards me with laughs from Hayden and a HUGE smile from Maya. Then, I hear Buddy telling Hayden to turn around and come back.
This is what they were doing:

In the second video, Buddy comments on Maya being in a parade. I think this girl could be a future beauty queen of some kind! She's got the wave goin!!

A shot glass, a fork and a step back to the 80's

So, our little family went camping this 4th of July weekend! It was a blast! We had much fun taking the Rhino out on extremely dusty trails, building fires, walking in the weeds/grass, sleeping in the trailer and freezing in the morning. But, I am not writing a blog about our camping trip. Sorry to disappoint, I am just really irritated with myself, that I have to write it down somewhere, because Buddy doesn't really get it.

Anyway, we get to camp. We are all excited, ready for the fun that's about to happen. We start to unload, set-up and relax. Well, in order for me to do this, I need a ponytail holder. Now. I head to the trailer where we have stocked up our bags and such. Where's my makeup bag? No, I didn't need makeup, that's just what it's called.... I walk into the trailer, look left, right, left (flashback to driver's ed). What?!?! It's not here!!! WTF!

I left my gosh-darn bag in my house, upstairs, in my bathroom, on my vanity. No big deal, if you're a man! I wasn't bummed about not having mascara, eye-liner, or lotion. I was pissed at my self because I FORGOT a hairband, clip, ponytail holder, brush, shampoo, conditioner, soap, deoderant, razor, toothbrush, contact case/solution and glasses!!!!

This is what happens when you are a mother and have to pack for two kids, a puppy and make sure the hubby has everything.

What did I do, you ask? Well, we had to truck it to the nearest stop, which was 17.4 (we clocked it) miles away. Luckily we were camping with some people and we could leave the kids. Who knows what this place would have in store for me! Dove deoderant? Yep! Toothbrush? Yep! Ponytail holders? Yep, although the old kind with the gold metal thing and gold shiney string. For some this may be fine, but for me, I have thick hair that does not like this kind of band that only winds around twice. 80's childhood flashback huh?

Okay, moving on. Contact solution? Took about five minutes to find, but yes, check! Now, what the heck am I going to put the contacts in when they are not in my eyes? Well, no holder is for sale. Cups aren't really useful, too big. Ah Ha! A "Happy Jack Lodge" shotglass!! I collect them, so why not!

I was able to sort-of shower with Buddy's shampoo/conditioner and Huggies ready to go washclothes. However, riding around on a Rhino/Gator (for you Northerners) does not bode well for the hair, pulled back or not. Dust is a horrible thing. After my shower, my hair was snarled and those snarls were not coming out with fingers. Buddy doesn't have hair, doesn't need a brush or comb. The kids don't need one, really. I usually use my fingers for Maya's. So what to do? Break into song!! "Look at this stuff, isn't it neat? Wouldn't you say my collections complete? Wouldn't you think I'm the girl, the girl who has, everything!?" WTF you may say!! A FORK!! A dinglehopper! The Little Mermaid! I "brushed" my hair with a fork for the first legitimite time in my life!

So, now, sitting home, I am so relieved to have had a real shower, my glasses, a strong/sturdy hair holder and smooth limbs. My gums are sore from the bristle brush I used for my teeth. The hair will need another shampooing to make it feel like normal. My eyes may need to go without contacts for the majority of tomorrow. But, the trip was wonderful! I got what I needed and used what I could. The kids had a blast. Buddy and I loved the time together as a family. I wouldn't give back the time spent for all the makeup bags in the world!

It's getting close...

The days are flying by too fast. We have a camping trip next weekend over the 4th of July, two weeks after that, the kids and I head off to Minnesota for a 10 day vacation. Then, just as we arrive home, Maya turns one.

I am not ready for this!!! It's just about a month away. I didn't have this dread when Hayden turned one. I loved each day as it came and went, anticipating what his next move would be. With Maya, knowing she is probably my last baby, I don't like to see her go to bed at night. I don't like to know that the next day she is older, bigger and on to another adventure. I want to keep her little. I looked through her albums yesterday beginning the day she was born and it's hard to remember holding her so tiny.


I was hugely pregnant at this time last year. I loved being pregnant even if I did complain every day towards the end. It was summer in Arizona and it's not a fun thing to have a barrel on your belly. I miss those kicks and hickups and rolls going on inside. I sometimes find myself just putting my hand on that spot just under my belly button trying to remember what those movements felt like. Sigh.....

I'm gonna need a baby fix soon. My brother and sis-in-law better get going soon...

Happy Father's Day Daddy!!!

The kids and I held onto a surprise for Buddy for two months! I am so shocked that Hayden didn't spill the beans! The surprise was a picture of myself and the kids taken by the wonderful photographer, Jackie Lindfors. I had to get them done in April because Jackie was almost 9 months pregnant at the time and wouldn't be able to take them much later!! So, I figured, great! I can do it for a Mother's Day gift to myself!! And, I got some cute pics of Maya in her yellow tutu that I am using for her birthday invitations.
So, because you are dying to see, here they are!!

A definite favorite forever.....This next one is the one we gave to Buddy for Father's Day. I made it into a little 4x6 card so I didn't have to wrap up the 11x14. ;)So, Happy Father's Day Daddy/Buddy!!!!! We love you!!!

We got him a little something else too. Let's just say Buddy and Hayden are going to have an afternoon of fun and "more than meets the eye..."