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..."

Three Year Old Blahs

Is anyone else out there or has anyone else out there gone through the dreaded three's? Terrible two's my foot (or ass, whichever you prefer)!!! I am really getting fed up with H lately. I am surprised I haven't lost my voice yet with the amount of voice raising I have done the last year.

~I can say his name repeatedly when I know he is in earshot and I get no response.
~I ask him to please pick up his toys and put them away. Sometimes I get a good clean up, but it's usually because of a threat. Typically, I have to repeat myself 16 or so times before I am just fed up and pick up everything myself and take them away. They get put up high, in places he can see, but cannot reach. I want him to know I can take things from him for not listening and not give them back until I see fit.
Example: Today I told him at least 20 times to pick up his Lincoln Logs. The last five times or so saying if they weren't picked up, they were going to be gone for awhile. Needless to say, they are on the top shelf of the pantry right now. What does he do? Breaks down crying like the world has ended. This crying is the kind where you just want to put him in a room and shut the door because the sound is so flipping irritating.
~Get out of the kitchen when I tell you! He gets in the way constantly. I love when he wants to help, most of the time, but when I am trying to clean up, why is the kitchen his new playroom?!
~Getting dressed! Just do it. Put your clothes on so we can leave. This is typically only on days that don't include preschool since he loves those days. Any other day, FIGHT!
~Teeth brushing. I made sure the dentist told him that mommy and daddy have to brush them first and then he can. Reminders every stinking night. The whole teeth brushing process takes literally 10 minutes when it should be like, what, three?!
~Taking toys from Maya. A toy will be lying on the floor ALL DAY, the second M picks it up, H was playing with it! WTF? Luckily most of the time she doesn't give a crap and moves on, but he's got to know he can't do that!
~Listening to simple commands is like training the dog. "Get your shoes." The response: "What?" This can sometimes get repeated three times before I flip.
~He talks back. "I don't want to talk to YOU!" (Emphasis on the you all the time!) "I said NO", "Stop Talking to ME (sounds more like meh)"
~Don't push your cars in the dining room. Every other day I have to tell him this. He can remember that Grandma has a yellow kayak that he saw once two years ago, but don't play in the dining room is lost on him.
~Sometimes, when he's trying to tell you something, he just starts crying. No reason, just does. He'll ask for something so simple and just start crying when he asks. This, is so not fun. It's typically when he's already done something wrong and he might just be sad. I don't know.
~ There are more, but these are the ones that really push my buttons.

I have to remind myself that he is only three and this will pass. But, enough already! Hurry four!!


On the other hand, he can be the sweetest kid in the world!
~Out of the blue, in the car or just at home I hear, "Mom? I love you."
~He loves his sister. Loves when she wakes up and they play. Always wants her to be outside to play with him.
~He's hilarious! He just says things that make us laugh, hard.
~He's pretty dang smart and is learning things that just baffle me.
~His teacher at preschool and the people who work at the daycare LOVE HIM! I love to hear what a great kid H is. How he is always so sweet, so helpful and just a fun kid to be around. I then wonder where that kid is on days like today, but I love to hear that I am raising a good kid.
~He thinks he should buy everything he sees, but never really asks for it. It's quite funny when he says this. "Mom, I should buy this." I can totally say, maybe someday, but not today and he's fine. He's been so good about not having to have everything he sees. He's never thrown a fit for not being able to get a toy or treat. He's been upset, but hasn't done the embarassing tantrum throwing in a store. I am sooo thankful for this!
~He is a sweet kid. I am very thankful I have such a great little man in my life. We do have our ups and downs, more of the downs lately, but, he's healthy, handsome and my Hayden.


Thanks for the vent...

Miss Independent 10 Monther

My Maya turned 10 months today. I am so sad that time is flying by so dang fast!! She's such fun baby girl and is growing so freakin fast.

She no longer likes to eat from a spoon and I just stocked up on baby food.... Time for trickery and adding it to pasta as a sauce. She's eaten an entire hotdog in one sitting and three chicken nuggets plus a 1/4 of an avocado in another sitting. Very hard to find meats soft enough for someone with two teeth!

She seems to have no interest in walking just yet. Crawling is so much faster! Babbling is so great!! I love listening to Babababa, Dadada, Mamamama, BAH. And she's a screecher! Man, she's got on high pitch. I think she's a soprano. Her drama queen has started appearing. Walk away from her, and she throws her head back, then forward, arms up and face into the floor in a fit. It's a girl! I wouldn't change anything about her for the world. Okay, I'd make her smaller and younger so I could relive these little things.

Yep, she eats rocks. That's what we get for living in Arizona.

No such thing as a full grass yard here.

Oh, and we got a puppy. This is Prada.

Right now

I have just woken up from a much needed nap. Maya has been under the weather the past couple days and sleep was deprived from both of us last night. I got less than four hours and she didn't come close to her much needed eleven. I don't know if it's teeth or a little viral thing. She's got the bulge of a new tooth showing on her top front left with a slight fever. So I blame that.
Buddy has just put her on the floor for some much needed play time and she's just looking at him like, "why Daddy? Why wouldn't you want to cuddle some more?"
She has been such a cuddlebug since she's been feeling crappy. Which I love. She's such a squirmer normally, it's nice to get this cuddle time in while I can. I hate that she's feeling so icky, but again am still loving the cuddly girl now.
Hayden is getting a good serving of Noggin today. I usually let him watch a couple shows after preschool to wind down and then he does his play time stuff. I slept through most of the annoying shows (not really that many) and now Max and Ruby is on. He's mesmerized by this one. And I do not get why..... A brother and sister bunny where the sister basically becomes Mommy and bosses the brother around.
Toys are scattered all over the living room floor and I am in no mood to have Hayden do clean up. I feel a head pushing up between my legs...
Maya has found me sitting in the chair behind my computer. She's just got a hold of my legs and is doing her puppy face cuddle me look. I believe it's bottle time. She hasn't eaten much today. Yep, there's the pout and a cry.
Gotta jet.

Pool Time!

Mother's Day is really early for me to be in the pool. Our pool isn't heated, we leave that up to the sun. Since it's already been in the 100's, the pool is warm enough to enjoy!

It was Maya's first time in the pool and she LOVED it! Her smile seriously never left her face. She was mostly just floating in her little craft, but she kicked and smiled the entire time!

First "submersion".

Her little craft. It's got a cover on it that we did put on (for you UV ray aversion people! and she is slathered in 50 SPF lotion.) :)


This is Hayden "swimming all by himself". I am going to get him signed up for swimming lessons soon. He mostly loves just hanging out on the big step playing in the water with toys, so we need to get him moving!

I was actually in it a couple days prior to this. Hench the major tan/sunburn lines on me!

So, here in Arizona we've already started our summer. In a couple of months, we will be hermits locked in the house with the safety of air conditioning. So all y'all who complained about the duration of winter, that's exactly what I'll be doing because of the summer here.

Happy Summer!!!

9 months and Growing!

So, I have a nine month old baby girl today! Seriously, where did the time go? Last week she was just, like, born.......

(Okay, so she was three weeks here)

And now, here we are.....

Sitting, crawling, laughing, babbling, two teeth, self-feeding, walking around the furniture.

Augh!! Seriously...SLOW DOWN!!!

Love this scrumptious baby girl though. Everyday is a marvelous treasure!!