Really enjoying Wiggles and Worship

We are really getting into Wiggles and Worship. The kids are making friends and having fun. Here was them dancing to our theme song "Wild about you." It was very cute.

The First official Mommy Daughter Date

I have wanted David to start spending one on one time with the kids, as I think they both need it. I also really would love the opportunity. So we agreed to try to start a new family tradition. Once a month we will swap kids and spend some time doing something special with them individually. We agreed to try it this saturday since Ellie didn't have dance. First up - Mommy and Ellie would spend the day together, while Daddy and Max had a boy's day.

Ellie quickly settled on the activity we have done togehter a few times -she wanted to go see a movie. This is something we've done a few times together. So after a bit of watching movie trailers, we decided on seeing the new Disney movie Chimpanzee. But first, we would visit Fairhaven to take Great Grandpa some birthday cookies.

I must say that Ellie was very excited about this idea, which is quite flattering to me. I can only hope she likes the idea of spending the day with her mother half this much when she's a teenager. The first sign was Ellie waking me up at 6:30 am to ask if she could get into her dress (often on a week day I can find Ellie still sleeping at 7:30 or after). I may have squashed her enthusiasm a bit with my lack of gusto about being wakened so early on a saturday, but I do not believe it damped the day for her.

We first made the cookies and had some breakfast. Ellie was my faithful decorator. She did a fantastic job. Around 10:30 we packed up and left for Fairhaven. We missed Great Grandpa but we did enjoy a nice visit with Great Grandma. She enjoyed seeing Ellie in her pink little dress. She liked talking to her and even showed great interest in the drawing that Ellie gave her. I was impressed she was able to form a few sentences as she tried to speak to Ellie asking her to tell her about the picture. Ellie played with a puzzel for a bit and then passed it along to Grandma to play with. Grandma tried for a while and then had us put it back together for her. I remember lots of time working on puzzels at Grandma's house when I was a child.

After our visit, we high tailed it to the movie theater up the road. My grand plan for some sandwiches before the movie failed, but luckily the menu at the local is expanding quite heavily. We ended up sharing a cheese pizza and some raisinnettes during the movie. Ellie was thrilled with that option and it all worked out nicely. She was so excited to be in the movie theater again. The little smile on her face was highlighted by the red pizza sauce around the edges of her mouth as she laughed at the previews and got excited about seeing the Disney princess castle. She was a happy girl.

The movie was pretty good for her age. There were a couple scenes that begged questions I didn't really want to discuss - such as the Chimpanzees hunt (and supper) of a monkey, and when baby Oscar lost his Mommy to the Leapords. These were both topics of sadness for Ellie and I both. However the movie was amazing. The footage was fantastic and there were very cool images and scenes of the jungle plants and insects to watch. All in all we both really enjoyed the experience.

Ellie was quite tired on the way home and is having a nap on the couch while I do exercises and type a few blog updates. I thought this was an important one to capture. We will hope this continues. Next month would be Mommy and Max day. I hear Daddy and Max had a nice morning at the park, hardware store and the plant farm. We'll see what Max has to say when he wakes from his nap.

A todler's way of using new words

Over the past month or so it's been very obvious Max's vocabulary is growing leaps and bounds. As he learns new words, it is great fun to watch how he tries them out. Some he is more successful with then others. And others, are more funny the way he uses them, then the way they are meant to be used. Here are a couple recent examples that made us laugh when going to sleep last night.

I was carrying Max down the stairs the other morning becuase after much asking, he refused to walk down the stairs for breakfast. After I grabbed him with one arm and held him tight (becuase the other had a stinky diaper) he started yelling, "Stuck. Stuck." I laughed and let him know he wasn't stuck, Mommy meant to be holding him like that. His response was appauled silence.

A little funnier perhaps and a bit more crude is the way he is learning to communicate about going to the bathroom. He now can tell me if he has just "tooted", or needs his diaper changed. He laughs a lot each time he, or anyone else toots. He's clearly a boy. Anyway, the other morning after someone else,  who shall remain nameless, tooted. He laughed and said, "Poop." This was his way of suggesting that the other person required a diaper change like he does. I reminded him that it was only a toot becuase everyone else in the house uses the potty for the other. He looked a bit awestruck for a moment, but then went on about his business.

Hanging out as a family

It's been a great spring with the kids. It's easy to up and go. Tonight we went to the local park and really had a nice time. We then stopped for ice cream. Max had his very first cone tonight. He enjoyed it. Ellie had her first of the season and really enjoyed it too. She was learning how to keep it smooth and organized without dripping.

 

Blood work

I tried once, when Max was around 6 months, to have his blood drawn for some routine testing. It did not go well. After 3 attempts, lots of poking and screaming, the nurses told me that they couldn't do it and I should come back another day. I was not happy and choose not to return, becuase the bottom line was, I didn't think it was that important that it was worth torturing him again. Honestly, there was no treatment if he had lead exposure, so what did it matter.

A few weeks ago I believe Max was bitten by a tick. The doctor said the red spots didn't look traditional of lymes disease, so she didn't want him on the medicine. Instead, we were to wait 2 weeks and get his blood drawn. Despite my reservations, last night we set out on a family adventure to accomplish this task. I knew it would require Daddy and Mommy to get this done. David agreed and we were right.

We got in there and the place was empty. Max was having a blast exploring and smiling. He was being really good. Until the moment when they asked me to sit in the blood drawing chair with Max on my lap. He started crying nearly instantly. The crying didn't stop until we were nearly out the door 20 minutes later. He was still upset for another 5 minutes once he was safely back into his carseat.

I attempted to hold Max in my arms and keep his legs from kicking the nurse, while David held his arm straight. It was a disaster. Max was screaming bloody murder, loudly. He was not pleased. He was pissed. He wanted me to hide him and help him escape. He didn't understand and there was no explaining. (Meanwhile, Ellie wanted to hide under a table in the far corner of the room, but settled for a chair next to us.) It was really horrible. After over 10 minutes and several tries, the nurse told us she just couldn't do it. She said, she guessed we could try the other arm, if we wanted. I wanted to run away with Max into my arms, but logic prevailed for David. So we tried the other arm. After a few minutes reprieve and additional attempts and screaming on the other arm, Max became exhuasted.

In those moments, he stopped screaming and held still. The nurse was able to grab a little bit of his blood, finally. What a relief! (for me, knowing that it was almost over...)

When she finally pulled the needle out of his arm, Max and I were so relieved, it was unreal. I held him, sang to him and promised no more bad things for the night. He could've gotten anything he wanted from me last night!

Delicousness

Tonight after dinner Ellie had an Easter Lollipop. She was very excited. She immediately took a bite out of it, which is unusual. Usually Ellie can make a little lollipop last an hour becuase she will literally lick every bit. Today she announced, "Mommy, I had to bit it to get a mouth full of the deliciousness."

I hate to laugh becuase I understood exactly what she meant. It's the reason I would do the same.

Grandaddy turns 59

Tonight we celebrated Grandaddy's 59th birthday at Jerred and Vicki's. It was a lovely and relaxing evening. Jerred and Vicki were the fabulous gracious hosts that they always are. Dinner was fantastic - steak and shrimp. The kids even seemed a bit easier to allow to just have fun. We actually sat around the family room for nearly an hour just hanging out - the adults that is. Meanwhile, the girls were downstairs getting dressed in different outfits. I believe Ellie had on at least 5 different dresses, just that I saw. I was heard repeating the phrase "Please try to stay mostly dressed down here while play." Only to a bunch of little girls playing dress up does this phase seem okay.

Max had fun playing with Granddaddy and making him laugh. He really gets a kick out of having adults react to him.

There were three different types of birthday cake for my diabetic father. Yes, a bit overboard, but thoroughly enjoyed by all parties. The kids had a special good time with all the singing and the tasting.

Granddaddy looks so good. I'm so proud of him for the hard work he has put into his health over the past year. He's really an inspiration!

Calling Francisca

Ellie has really taken Francisca into her heart. She prays for her almost every night. She colors pictures for her. She wants to meet her really bad. When we first 'adopted' her, Ellie wanted to go visit. Then she wanted me to send money so Francisca's family could come here to visit us.

The other day she asked me, "Please Mommy can we just call her quickly. I really want to hear her voice."

I'm so glad that Ellie has taken her into her heart. I hope that one day she can meet her somehow. It'd be great for the two girls to truly know one another and help each other in life some how.

Growing up so quickly

Last night when we were out in the backyard, Max decided he could swing like a big boy. Watching him with his cute little baby fat arms hold on tight and swing for ten minutes was amazing. He's growing up so fast. He loved swinging gently and watching the fish in the pond. I asked him if he was watching the fish and he responded with a gentle "Ta." He's such a sweet boy.

He and I even sang "In the good ol' summer time" together. He is becoming quite the singer as he approaches two as well.

A evening with the cousins enjoying the backyard

We've worked hard to get a yard we felt the kids could play in. Last night we had Amy and Erika over and gave it the first test run of the season. I was thrilled watching the kids explore the new jungle gym and even attempt T-ball in the back yard. Erika sure has a great swing!  The girls also enjoyed watching the fish from the dock and feeding the fish too. It was a fun evening had by everyone!

Rocks

Max's favorite new "possession" is any found rock. Usually, as soon as we go outside, he walks over to the stash and picks a couple up and puts them in his little hands. He holds them tight the whole time we are outside. He has learned he has to leave them on the porch when we come in. However, if I suggest he needs to put them down for any other reason, a sure fire tantrum occurs. For example, we were at the park and he wanted to climb. I tried explaining Mommy would hold them, or he could put them in his pocket. Both were considered the most horrific offenses his mother could do at the time. We had a good 4 minute tantrum at the playground. We eventually had to continue the walk, because I allow him to walk around carrying them in his little fists.

The mother load of rock stashes is down by the pond. When he gets to pick up two of these big river rocks and hold them in his little hands, he's so happy!

Family Bed Time

 Mommy hasn't been feeling well today. Night time was a bit different then normal and very enjoyable to me. We all hung out in our PJs in Mommy and Daddy's bed. We read a few stories and the kids faught for position to snuggle up next to me. (Didn't really fight, but both snuggled in closer and closer) It was relaxing. We even said prayers together. Then Daddy put Max to bed and Mommy put Ellie to bed. It was a nice end to a tough day for Mommy.

Fun at Will's birthday party

This evening we had a family adventure out at the local Pump It Up to celebrate Will's 5th birthday. This is the third time we have been here. The previous times, Max hasn't really hasn't gotten to enjoy it. Ellie always enjoys it. Tonight, Max got to enjoy it for the first time. I think  this is becuase for the first time, he knows how to jump. He's been perfecting this thanks to Ms. Sarah's help.

The kids had a blast and enjoyed playing with Grannie, Daddy and Mommy. Max was going non-stop. He wasn't afraid of the big obstacle courses. He loved the big climbs and slides. He wasn't even phased by the big boys and their antics. Colin of course, was going to look out for him. He is so sweet and really likes to help Max.

Ellie really enjoyed a familiar setting and found a way to play with some of the other kids near the end. She didn't really know many, but still had a blast. I am proud of her.

Daddy a thousand times a day

I believe Max may say the word Daddy up to a thousand times a day right now. Daddy is the light of his life and it's only intensifying. Last night Colleen and Robert watched the kids. They said Max said Daddy all night long. Robert and I figure out he was telling them about different things Daddy has done, such as put out the humidifier and towels in his room, etc. It's cute, mostly.

Today while Ellie was at dance class, Max and I were shopping in Safeway. Literally, everything we saw, Max would say "Daddy." I think in that 45 minute period he said it 100 times. It's cute for a while, but by the end I told him something along the lines of the fact we were getting groceries for everyone in the family, not just Daddy.

Three blankies

Today Ellie decided she needed three blanky bears. I think she would fill the bed with blankies and also walk around with a backpack full of them. She's a silly girl.

Mommy take two

Today when I got home from a long day of work, Max cried from Grannie's arms "Mommy!" with a pleasant sound in his voice. I loved it!

Mommy

Max has learned to say the full word Mommy recently. He seems to use it to whine for me, as opposed to in any positive way. For example, tonight when he was in time out becuase he refused to pick up the legos and I had to put him in time out 3 times before he actually  cooperated. Each time as he sat in time out with different levels of crying, he would whine "Moooommmmmmyyyyyyy."

Lovely....

Easter Fun

Today was Easter and it was a lot of fun! Both kids were at a good age to enjoy the day. Ellie is even beginning to understand the purpose of the true holiday. We didn't go into all the details, but she knows we are celebrating that Jesus is Alive!

We started the day with a hunt for baskets in the house, followed by breakfast and an egg hunt outside before church. Max didn't take long to catch on the egg hunting and fill the air with many "I do it" sentiments. Ellie was a pro, but also did a good job of sharing with her brother. She really enjoyed the Easter Egg dying as well.

The family outing at church was challenging. Max does not know how to sit still in church. I'm not sure how I will ever teach him. Ellie was good as gold sitting in church, always. It's a bit much to expect; I do realize this. But Ellie spoiled me! We made it through and headed to Starbucks where everyone enjoyed a tasty beverage and Ellie happily wished her friend a Happy Easter.

When we returned from church Grannie introduced the kids to a Scottish tradition of Easter Egg Rolling. We have plenty of hills and were willing to give it a try. Ellie was funny as she really enjoyed busting the eggs completely open, even though that wasn't really Grannie's plan.

We played some at home and enjoyed a special lunch of Easter Pastas. They were actually tasty, natural and a hit. The kids had great naps before we headed out to Mom's for Easter dinner and a few more Egg hunts. It was hopping there. The kids were hopping on sugar. Everyone did have a great time though. Ellie's really catching up to the older kids and enjoys running and playing with her cousins. I have noticed that when Lauren and Ellie are left to play on their own,
they really connect. This makes me really happy to see.

Max is starting to enjoy bonding with his aunts and uncles and Granddaddy a bit too. He had a lot of fun playing with Aunt Katie and teasing her with his water here. Max just loves any opportunity to make people laugh :-)

It was great having Grannie her to celebrate the holiday with us. We all enjoy having her around. It's sad she'll be heading back across the pond in a week. We enjoy her visits and the kids especially love the extra love and attention they get from her. It was a great family day!

Two firsts in one day

Today while I was at work apparently I missed Max's first successful potty adventure! He went poop right before nap. He was very proud and so were Ellie and Grannie. I am very proud of him, but a little sad to have missed celebrating his success!

I did however enjoy his second first with him; After dinner we enjoyed some frozen yogurt together. Max fed himself for the first time and did a pretty good job. He also hasn't liked ice cream for very long. He's just getting used to the cold.