friday february 20 2009

ok, i'm writing really quickly because buz is watching the end of a movie. so i have a free second.

today was awesome. donut friday was great, as usual. and goo ran in to her class this morning and loved on her teachers. AND she stayed in the same diaper all day. not because she never got changed. but because it was dry every time she sat on the potty. WHAT? so i think i'm deciding to really do it over spring break. clean slate.

panties.

there's that word again.

i kind of want it to write it a couple of times to start getting used to it. but i'm afraid some creepy person will google it and show up here. don't need that.

i picked them up, and they were thrilled to learn that we were off to play with new friends. big h was beside himself. he asked how old they were and how many were boys. and i had to break it to them that they were both girls and they were both quite a bit younger. and his response was, "i can't wait to meet my new friends. i will probably love the little baby."

and the little baby, he loved. and he also loved her older sister. goo was indifferent. sweet. definitely had a great time. but she's a loner sometimes. and today was no different. but she only cried once because she wanted a coveted sand shovel. and then, lucy was sweet enough to give in and give goo what she wanted. and lucy did bat an eye. way to share, lucy.

then, buz showed up and we played for a while and he took the kids home. i got to stay over at kelly's and just do life with her for the afternoon. we went out for sandwiches, and i got to sit next to lucy and talk cheetos with her. she's my new pal. we headed home and she put the girls to bed. and then we got to chat about all things computer, photography, and motherhood. i loved every minute of it. and buz even said when i called on my way home, "didn't think you'd stay so long."

it was such a great night. kelly, i had an awesome time. hope i didn't overstay my welcome.

she took pictures of my kiddos. go over there and check them out.

thursday february 19 2009

i want to be with buz tonight. and after reading missy's blog for a while, i feel like God has been convicting me that buz needs my time more than this blog/the computer. so for a while, i'm just going to post pictures.

tuesday february 17 2009

i wrote out my post for the day (which had no pictures because i didn't really want to get my camera out), which documented my parent/teacher conference this morning. it went awesome, and i can't wait to brag on my little man. it was incredible, and i left crying at all of the things that God is doing in and through my son.

but tonight? i can't. i can't post about that. i have to post about someone who needs prayer.

remember when i posted about the blogs i read? she's one of them. she's a friend from high school, and i have had such a wonderful time reconnecting with her.

today, she and her family got some devastating news. and i can't think about anything else today.

so if you read this blog, i urge you to pray for her and her family. and if you feel comfortable, head over there and leave some words of encouragement. they need it.

i know that God is the ultimate Healer. and i know she knows it too. but i want her and her family to REALLY feel His presence right now.

thanks, in advance.

monday february 16 2009

ok, i've gotta stop writing at night. i am so pooped and really just want to get my post up and hit the hay.

so here's my quick recap.

we played with one of my best friends and her children whom big h has known since both of them were born. old friends. we played and played. and didn't finish one mommy conversation. and have resolved to get together one evening to finish not one but maybe even two conversations. i miss her.

all four of the munchkins together. in motion. hence, the out of focus picture.

what i've named the "rage face." wait. you'll see it later.

i am so in love with my man's beard. look at that stubble. grrr...

i love that big h still plays with toys in the bathtub.

new around our house is nose-honking. i'll be honest. i don't really care for it. mainly because it hurts. but shocker. dad always does it. he's so much more fun.

see the glee in his eyes?

big h going in for the kill.

again...rage face.

oh, and tonight? watched the bachelor. someone tell me your thoughts. why doesn't jason ever say a word after these girls pour their hearts out to him? why does he just awkwardly look at them for what seems like a sweet forever? and then, he just kisses them? it was almost more than i could handle. and i'm a hard core bachelor fan.

i'm thankful for my bff. or as big h calls her, "ee-mee." her friendship has withstood time and children. but i love being with her. she's like an old blanket. always comfortable. (she's going to die when she knows i referred to her as an old blanket.) she is my biggest fan and showers me with compliments and builds my confidence. she is a bold woman of God, and i love that most about her. love you, bff. thanks for always wanting to hang out with us.

sunday february 15 2009

this weekend has been weird. buz has been in a bit of a funk. and he would admit it. probably. but the mood around our house has been less than UPBEAT and PERKY.

started friday when my parade got a bit rained on. remember my cute and fancy valentine treats for my kiddos? yeah, well. mental note: read the note that the school sends home about the peanut/tree nut policy. so, i've known that our school has a VERY strict peanut/tree nut policy. very strict. totally fine. because you know what? if my kid was one of the ones with the peanut/tree nut allergy, i'd want it strictly enforced. so when your child celebrates their birthday at school, you can't bring anything homemade. you have to bring something store bought or snacks that are already pre-made in a box.

yeah, so my precious little white chocolate-covered marshmallows on lollipop sticks with sprinkles? and my white chocolate-covered pretzel rods with sprinkles?

got confiscated before they were ever seen by anyone.

and i was one of the moms working the valentine's party at school. and i had the teacher pull me aside and inform me that they had taken big h's valentine off of the "goodies." i was so embarrassed. i LOVE this teacher, which made it an even worse pill to swallow. and poor big h. when they were ready to pass out the valentine's, he looked at me with puppy dog eyes and asked, "mama, where are my yoyyipops?"

and i had to say, "well, mom was an IDIOT and didn't read the note your teachers sent home that said that your valentine's had to be prepackaged."

(ok, i didn't really say that. but i wanted to.)

and i'll be honest, i was bummed the rest of the day. but we went to the park and had an awesome time. see pictures updated on friday's post.

yesterday, i got to see a very sweet family that i haven't seen in several months. last time we saw each other, their oldest was eighteen months and their youngest was about six months. well, now they are both walking and talking up a storm. will show you sneak peaks soon.

and then, we spent the rest of the day just being together. we headed to souper salad for dinner. yummy.






someone tell me why i'm making this nutty face. and my daughter who made her own tie-dye shirt. she's clever. or just really, really messy all. the. time. she really is the dirtiest, messiest child i've ever known.

also, things have been weird around the house because big h still has his canker sores. yes, multiple ones. pediatrician says there is nothing we can do to prevent them. but the weird part? big h hasn't spoken all weekend. because his mouth hurts. it has been SO quiet around here. and not in a good way. in a "we kind of miss when big h talks so much" kind of way. bless his heart. if they aren't better by tomorrow, we're heading over to see dr. g.

(awkward segue)

when big was ready for a big boy bed, we got him a twin over full bunk bed. he has always slept on the bottom. because when he first got a big boy bed, there was NO WAY he was going to be sleeping near the ceiling. and at one point, he asked if we could take the top bunk off because it was scary. well, this week he asked me if we could put the top back on. so today, we shopped for a mattress and some sheets. the mattress? almost like buying a used car. oh my. luckily, buz did all of it. then, we bought batman sheets at pottery barn kids. big h was so excited.

we got home, and THEY (yes, big h AND goo) had to try it out. we had to be clear with goo about the rules of being on the top bunk. seriously, i feel like such a drag sometimes. with all of my rules and whatnot.

and well, she bonked her head anyway. and because i'm a terrible mom, i took pictures of it. and they're cruddy because i was more interested in capturing the moment vs. capturing the right exposure or whatever.

here she is before the trauma.





la la la. look at us, daddy. we having PUN! just playing on this top bunk up so tall.



hey dad. see us? isn't this fun? (just so you know, i'm so NOT going to sleep here tonight because i will be too scared.) but isn't it a fun place to play?



daddy, i bonk-ud my head. daddy, i have boo boo on my head. i bonk-ud it.



seriously. poor me. why didn't i listen to you or mom? that really hurt. why didn't you tell me not to jump on this bed? oh. you did? oops. guess i should've listened.

at this moment, big h is not sleeping on his brand new mattress and (way too expensive for a five-year-old) sheets. nice. guess goo will have a sweet set-up when she needs a mattress for her big girl bed.

anyway, it hasn't been a bad weekend. just not an unbelievable awesome one. make sense?

and buz goes back to work tomorrow. and i'm sad. and i KNOW big h is sad. and goo. well, she probably doesn't even know to care. that's just how she rolls.

today, i am thankful for the little things that big h does that make him "little" to me still. lately, i have been VERY sad about him getting older. playing with older toys. talking about older things. not talking about things that he used to talk about. :( not cuddling. not wanting to watch a show with goo because "it's kind of for littler kids." and he's growing out of a LOT of his clothes. i have just been really sad. mourning his toddlerhood, really. and so today. all four of us were in his room. goo and i were coloring. yes, i was coloring too. i love to color. so therapeutic. and he and buz were building things with legos. shocker. he left the room for a minute. and all of the sudden, he came back in, sat on my lap, and colored with me. without saying anything. and i SURE didn't say anything either. it was perfection. i knew FULL WELL that it was a little gift that God was handing down to me at that very moment. and buz noticed it too. "best part of your day, right?" he's so insightful.

no school tomorrow, so we're playing with one of my best pals at a park. will be good to be outside.

and tuesday. is big h's parent/teacher conference. really? he's old enough for me to have a parent/teacher conference? praying that i take what they have to say objectively. this will surprise you, but i have a tendency to take things really personally. really, really personally.

and that's about it for a while.

saturday february 14 2009

happy valentine's day.

today is one of those days that i didn't care for so much when i was single. i felt like it was overrated. like it was overdone. like it was too commercial.

and now that i'm married? i like that there is a day to celebrate love in general. but i don't love going and doing grandiose things. when we were first married, i communicated to buz that i didn't really want to spend three hours waiting at a busy and crowded restaurant. i would much rather spend it with him getting good food and doing something quiet together. so the tradition began. (you know how i love me a good tradition.) i LOVE souper salad. buz? does not. and so, every valentine's day, we head to souper salad, and i pile up a big fresh salad with crunchy spicy peanuts and all of the prepared salads and yummy (not-so-hot) blueberry bread. i love it. and buz always jokes that it's the ultimate display of love and affection to take me there on valentine's day. but you know what? there has never (in eight years) been a long line or any kind of wait. :)

and so, that's what we did tonight. because we're romantic like that.

and now, buz and i are going to cuddle and watch a movie together. because i love him. and i love being near him.

oh, and i'm thankful for goo's bedtime routine. i had a bit of an upset tummy. i was able to put her down quickly but just like i always do (with singing and praying and loving on and kissing on). but i was also able to put her down and tell her goodnight and know that that was the end of it. if she wasn't quite sleepy enough yet, she would "read" her books or talk to herself or sing to herself. i know this little bedtime routine will end soon. i know this because big h's bedtime used to be easy. and well now, it's not *quite* as easy. wink.

friday february 13 2009

*** updated: told ya i would post pictures.



goo. she's a delicate thing.




big h wanting to get in on the action.



nothing makes you feel older than when you get to go down a slide.








my happy punkin'.





big h getting tickled.

lovin' on daddy.

looking JUST like daddy.

big h at school at his valentine party.

have been doing a bunch of stuff all night. will post tomorrow with pictures and stories, of course.

thursday february 12 2009

so, i was thinking...want me to start coming up with more creative titles? or stick with the date? even though it says it twice right under the under one? just a thought.

took big h to school and goo and i hung out most of the morning, just kickin' it, having some java. well, i had java. goo rocked it with her OJ. i came to the conclusion this morning. i don't like the tiramisu flavored creamer. even though i like the dessert. the creamer? not so much.

big h has yet another canker sore. on both the top and bottom lip, this time. have talked to the pediatrician several times, and he says there is nothing to prevent them from happening. so we mix our 'swoosh swoosh' (1/2 maalox, 1/2 benadryl) and either apply it by magic wand (q-tip) or swoosh swoosh it. that's a technical term, by the way. and if you're wondering...no, he absolutely does NOT like this one little bit. but once i ask if he'd like to eat or drink anything within the next three days, he usually says 'fine.' way to go, little man.

this afternoon was good. i worked on projects for big h and goo's school. and don't feel sorry for me. i did this to myself. somehow i signed up for the valentine party. for both kids. luckily, i don't actually have to attend goo's party. they are too young to have mommies come. so the other mom is bringing cupcakes and icing for the kiddos to ice themselves. crazy. and then, i am bringing these to have laminated and then the kiddos are going to decorate them with stickers. then, i made valentine's for her class with pretzels and chocolate and sprinkles. then, i am going to actually go to the party for big h's class. they are going to decorate paper bags for their valentines. then, we are reading valentine's books. and i made valentine's for big h with some marshmallows and chocolate and sprinkles.

when i picked big h up from school, i had promised him we would check out this comic book store right by our house. because they had the superman shield and batman symbol in the window. and every. day. big h asks if we can go in because he is just SURE it is a toy store. and because i can, you know, READ, i assured him it was NOT a toy store but a comic book store. but we went anyway because i made a promise to him. um, the comic book store? has "figures." every possible superhero and collectible figurine. and i'll be honest. i love that big h loves batman and spiderman and superman because they defeat the bad guys. but the batman, spiderman, and superman that i love are the ones on gap t-shirts and on pottery barn kids quilts. not the completely freaky, nasty figures that reside on creepy comic book stores that resemble used CD stores. and now...he has determined he LOVES star wars. oh. my. c'mon, big h. what about baby mozart? or blues clues? i mean, i know you're five and all. but this stuff? is almost too much for this doesn't-want-her-baby-boy-to-get-older mama to take. next, he's going to be answering my questions with 'whatever.'

we had dinner with my parents, so my mom could hand off possibly the cutest red and white heart leggings for goo to wear to school tomorrow. tough call...what should she wear with them?

and now i'm doing what i do best. procrastinate and 'work' at night. good times.

what i'm thankful for? a husband who helped me with every part of every project i decided to take on. the marshmallows. the pretzels. cutting the ribbon to tie everything together. helping big h put all of the kids' names on their valentine's. buz, you're the best. i couldn't ask for anything more. seriously. you are IT.

shocker. goo upset by something. it is incredibly hard to be two. just ask her. she'll tell you of her woes.

goo's school valentine.

big h's school valentine.

they're corny. i know.

and an example of what everyone in goo's class will get to decorate.

wednesday february 11 2009

highlight of my day? i got to eat at great outdoors with buz today for lunch today. it felt like we were dating.

have i mentioned how much i LOVE sandwiches?

need to go to bed.

but i was determined to think outside the box today. when we went on our adventure, i decided i was not going to do a SINGLE THING to get them to actually look at the camera. less intrusive, i guess. because i have to admit -- though, i love having pictures of them, i can only imagine what it's like having a black box in your face everyday. especially when the lady behind the box begs and pleads with you to look.

and can i say? i got some of my favorite pictures today. actually, i was able to capture my VERY FAVORITE image today. of all days. it's been a picture i've been wanting to get for a long time. and today. it happened.

not this one. it's coming.

no, he is NOT picking his nose. looks like it. but he's pretending that he has a rock as his nose. actually, i'm not sure which is worse.

still doing it.

goo collecting rocks too.

goo wanted muh in her own photo shoot. i kid you not, goo put her just like this and said, "uh take muh's pee-cher."

hi. who are you? and when did you turn sixteen?

a face that we see SEVERAL times a day. i am SO glad i got it "on film." (and with that face comes a very whiny noise. you know what i'm talking about.)

and the piece de resistance?

the one i've been wanting to capture forever?

are you excited?

am i building this up too much?

a little?

what do you think?