The Promise

It's late and we leave for the U.P. bright and early tomorrow morning, so this will be short. Last night, we had a breakthrough in our relationship. It seems that in Jen's haste to postpone our ante-bedtime discussion, she promised that she would no longer be crabby in the morning. This morning, she was true to her word. This will be a subject of later blogs, I'm sure, and I wouldn't call her a morning person just yet, but she really impressed me this morning.

Nolan, on the other hand, didn't impress me last night. He woke up at 3:00am...and when I say "woke up," I mean he "woke up." He looked like he had just main-vained a mug of espresso (or is it expresso? Sorry, I'm a diet Rockstar fan.). He finally went back to sleep somewhere between 6 and 8am. I don't know when because I think I fell asleep while he was still crying in my arms. In any case, Kyan was up at 8:30am. I thought the day might begin with a game of rock, paper, scissors to decide who would get up with the kids, but, in part because Jen had already demonstrated her lack of crabbiness, I sucked it up and got up. It turned out to be a really fun morning.

I made it a point to play with Nolan while Kyan played by himself in the kitchen. I really feel like Nolan hasn't received his fair share of the attention from Jen and me, and I began today to make a concerted effort to spend more solo time with Nolan, rather than trying to play with both of them all of the time, as Kyan often demands and receives more of the attention when we play with "his" stuff. This sounds harsh, but it actually went over very well with all of us. Jen might argue that I'm jealous because Mr. Pie seems to be sort of a Mama's boy, and she might be right. I think Kyan was born with the "Daddy's boy" gene, but Nolan is going to take some work. I know, I know - we shouldn't be competing for the favor of the kids...but what a sweet competition it is.

P.S.: The boys and I completed Christmas shopping for 7 people tonight in less than 2 hours. To put accomplishment in context - when I grocery shop, I don't use a list; I go up and down every aisle in the store and figure out what I need as I browse.

Christmas Ham (Gravy)

Ok so has anybody ever had Ham Gravy before? (I'm not talking about Olive Oyl's ex ). No? Well I know it was a first for me today and make that a last as well. We had a ham for our Christmas dinner. Mick was busy in the kitchen while I slept after we opened Santa's presents. (I worked last night) Mickey starts saying he's going to make some gravy from the drippings. I tell him, "your making a ham not a turkey" He responds with "yeah I know, haven't you ever had Ham Gravy" in a tone like you can order it off of any American chain restaurants menu ("I'd like that topped with Ham Gravy please!") "Um No" I think he then said he used to make it all the time. This was coming from somebody who stared at the hams in Meijer last year for about 45 min trying to decide if the butt or shoulder is the one your "supposed" to get. So anyway he made Ham Gravy. After all my teasing him I had to try it, I dipped my finger in it and felt my ankles swell from the sodium rush. This brings a question to mind. An average human Na level is about 138 so why is a pig so darn salty, is their level like 590? Anybody know? Does the manufacturer add all the salt? (google search) Ok so I can't find what I'm looking for and don't really want to know to much about the animal I just ate at dinner. Over all the dinner was great without the Ham Gravy. (Ham Gravy..............that could easily be a Dr. Seuss title) MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Another Woman!

Mick and I have an awesome relationship heck I've known the man for more than half my life.... but I am not getting all that I want out of Mickey. Sometimes he just doesn't perform the way I want him to :( This touchy subject is honestly the only thing we argue about. He is a very busy guy and I just don't think he has time to fulfill some of my needs. So I have decided to do some research and introduce a 3rd party to our relationship. I'm going to start off slow, initially I was thinking of once a month but I am considering biweekly depending on how she preforms. I have used the local yellow pages and am waiting back on hourly rates. I cant wait to have a good house cleaning once or twice a month!!!! C'mon get your head out of the gutter!!!!

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood!

As some of you probably know, I am more of a morning person than Jen. Every now and then she'll ask me "How can you be so god damn cheery every god damn morning?" The pictures below are all of the explanation I need. It boils down to this: Every day when I go to sleep, I can look back on the day and, regardless of my shortcomings in other areas [insert penis joke here...I know you did], I can honestly say that, with regard to the fam, that day was the best day of my life. Every day. It's like Groundhog Day, but I don't have to fix anything.

Now, I can't say that everyone else in the family feels the same. There are some days when Jen might go to bed thinking that day was one of the worst of her life. This usually means I forgot to pick up a sock in the living room or that I didn't pick up her dishes from the family room. But even Jennifer, who never got out of bed before 11am when we dated in high school, is susceptible to spontaneous "cheering up" by the kids when they wake up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at 7:30.

Because this is supposed to be a blog about our daily lives, I'll provide an example from today that explains why I can wake up happy every morning. This morning, Jen got home from her first 12 hour night shift at 7:30am. The kids had been awake for about 30 minutes (much to my chagrin). Jen didn't walk in and go to bed; instead she got breakfast ready for the kids and got Kyan ready for school so that I could dick around for longer in the shower and quickly press my collar (because Jen says I look like a tool when it's wrinkly). This followed the 30 minutes of Kyan playing with Nolan in the bed (yes, tsk, tsk, both were sleeping with me by this morning) that I awoke to. Even though I didn't get much sleep, it's hard not to smile when I wake up to both sets of dimples smiling at me. I digress. So we (Kyan, Pie & I) leave to bring Kyan to school. There is a spontaneous rendition of whatever song contains the "Ba-rum-pa-pum-pum...," followed by a slight motion-sickness scare from Kyan as we pass the football stadium. I drop him off at school, realizing that I forgot his book bag and his slippers (his teacher would point out that I forgot his snow pants when I picked him up). Pie and I went to the mall, where I realized that I'm not a very efficient shopper. Before we left, Pie and I played in the front seat of the van for about 20 minutes after I unsuccesfully tried to get him to eat. He sucked on my nose. We picked Kyan up. After missing our exit while talking to Alltel, we made it home at about 1:00pm. Here Jen stepped up again. I was tired, so Jen woke up (note that she had to work tonight at 7pm) and took Nolan so that I could nap for a little while. <--Lucky for you, Honey, I picked a favorable day for you to post my first "log". -- I'll fast-forward through dinner because this is already really long (and by now Jen is probably the only one still reading). I put Nolan to sleep - pretty easy night - then sat down to read to Kyan. We read 3 books, then Kyan asked if I still had a headache. I said I did. He told me to sit up and lean forward on two pillows (which he handed me) and informed me that he was going to give me a massage. It consisted of him rubbing my shirt and my hair for about 10 minutes while we were both totally silent...and it got rid of my headache (after tylenol and Jen's massage failed). More importantly, seeing the look in his eyes when I told him that his massage had fixed my headache cemented in my mind that today was the best day of my life.

Gotta go...cat's scraping on Nolan's door...Friday he gets a bath Honey!

Reindeer Photo Shoot!

Bubble Bath Extravaganza!!!

December 7th is now officially "Day of the Super Dad"

So Mick has been showing off some daddy skills around here lately. He got Mr. Pie to go to sleep by himself around 7:30. The boy slept until 6:00 the next morning!!! I woke up to him crying, looked at my alarm clock and then pinched myself,"I have to be dreaming!" NOPE he slept for over 12 hours straight!!!! Ok, so if that wasn't great enough, I got a call at work from the 3 men around 9:30, turns out Kyan made it though the night with out a pullup!!! So Mickey shining with daddy skills! I say, "I would have been impressed if I came home to all that and the house was clean!" Then I'll call him Super Dad!

RECAP!

Its 0630 (I think, too tired to actually realize real time) Mick brings me a crying baby. Pie nuzzles up to me in bed but isn't interested in eating. I try to swaddle him and make him think going back to sleep is a good idea. BB disagrees with me, mick rolls over and I see a head bob across the foot board. Oh man Kyan is up too :( I still try to convince Nolan to sleep. Mick tells me (as if I don't already know, just in denial) Nolan wants to get up. Kyan is hungry and our day, no matter how much I want to lie to myself, must begin! 0730 The big guys head down stairs for breakfast as I search for my eyes on the night stand and I pick up Mr. Pie. I look at him and wish I could absorb some of his cheerfulness, why can't I be a morning person!? Kyan eats his usual two packs of instant oatmeal and some other stuff (too tired to notice, I promise..it was healthy and edible) Mick is indulging in the OJ we bought yesterday,he's been complaining about his OJ deficiency for about a week now. (a half hour later he complains of heart burn....I call it Karma!) Mick takes a shower and I get Kyan dressed, pack his school bag and help him brush his teeth. Now its my turn to take a shower.....hope this wakes me up! 0830 the big guys head to school. And Nolan and I call our friends Melissa and Gavin to confirm our play date. 0900 head out to CVS and then to play date. 0945 Thank god I made it to Melissa's I know she has some strong #%% coffee bound to wake me up! Here I just get to relax and chit chat a bit. Usually I have to leave by 1145 to pick Ky up at preschool but Its Monday and mick volunteers. So instead they meet me at Melissa's. 1235 we head to lunch at a place Melissa suggests (good call on the french dip Melissa) By this time I have a great deal of energy from the 3 cups of coffee! We make it out of there just in time for Kyans 3 year well child check up at 2:00. In comes a med student....here we go. Seeking medical care for your children in the University of Michigan health system can be bitter sweet. Ever want your ped. to pay extra attention to you? The past 2 appt I've had for the boys have been lead by med students....to make a VERY long story short, we got out out there at 3:35!!!! WHAT THE.... Ok, must hurry and call the lab for my drug screen for new jobby job, they are only open until 4. Drug screen cancelled, something about a water line breaking. I asked the lady if I could just come pee in a cup, I told her I carried purell. She says to me, 3 people just peed in the toilet and well.....I say Ill call tomorrow. Now we drive to my dr. and drop off a form I need from her for my job, kyan unbuckled...carry the car seat in...hand them a paper....walk back out... carrying car seat...."come on kyan" buckle kyan in then mr. p. This routine of care seats, unbuckle, buckle, unbuckle buckle is a killer. 4:00 hhhmm there's the mall (I need to exchange Kyans slippers that I bought to small) We get into JC Penny (me chugging along with the car seat...why am I carrying this thing??) "Come on Kyan" Get to the shoe depart. WHAT? they only make the slippers up to the size I bought! And I don't have my receipt! EEERRRRR! Of course we cant go to the mall and not play at the indoor playground! "Come on Bud!" We play for about 25min....kyan is now on the verge of breaking, lack of nap is NOT a good thing for him...Me too, my caffeine high is dissipating. I need to play my cards right to get back through Penny's and to the car without him having a tantrum! There is no way I could possibly carry the car seat with a 20lb Pie and a 35lb 3 year old kicking a screaming! "Look I want to go up that!" up the escalator we go, walk around the bedding department, down the escalator we go (again on the verge of breaking, you really need to pick your battles....I just want to make it to the car) 4:40 we are in the car and both boys are ZZ ZZZ ZZZ within min! On my 10 mile drive home I envision sleeping in the driveway just so I can get a nap in too! Yes, this is what I'm going to do, I cant wait!!! I exit to find a traffic jam because of 3 stop lights not working....here goes my shut eye :( I decide to drop off a Bday card for my bro at the local post office on the way.....I'm not moving in all this chaos anyway! 520 I'm rounding the last corner and cant wait to shut my eyes in the driveway! WHAT... a solicitor is at my door and approaching the vehicle (damn, have to remember to buy that no soliciting sign) I donate $5 bucks to help keep the Great lakes clean (I'm such a great citizen....tired but great!) Mick calls and tells me he fell asleep in his car in the parking lot waiting for the bus, he got a 3+hr nap....IM SO JEALOUS. and now I feel really bad for keeping Pie in bed this morning and taking an hour of sleep away from him. Ok so now I attempt to bring both kids in and I'm unsuccessful with Mr. Pie. He starts screaming as I walk in with Kyan on my shoulder. I lay kyan down and again try to convince Nolan that his nap time really isn't over.....I promise, its STILL Nap TIME!!!! No luck. Kyan wakes up 1/2 hour later while Im talking to auntie wind. 6:00 Bath time and a talk with Grandma Debbie. Dunk both kids and then its Supper time. Kyan goes out to eat at "Mommy's Kitchen" and Oh Look! Mommy is the waitress tonight. The boy orders EVERYthing on the menu. Chips and salsa, apples and PB, ramon noodles (baked not fried), raisins, ice water, Hot cocoa, and second hot cocoa after baby brother spilled it all over "Mommy's kitchen's" floor:( don't worry it wasn't hot just warm cocoa at this restaurant. Then a second order of Ramon noodles. I'm so glad I was never a real waitress!!!!! This kid has me running my butt off and he's only 3 and I know I'm not getting a good tip! I put Nolan to sleep while he finishes. 8:00 story time by the Christmas tree. Read 3 books then its potty time. We brush our teeth. "SSHHH " don't wake your brother . Kyan climbs in bed and requests a call to daddy at school to say good night. I run down stairs to get the phone. Up the stairs...SH&% the baby's crying! Kyan talks to daddy while I rock Nolan back to sleep. 8:30 tuck Kyan in and get the computer to blog about never ending day! The forecast looks like tomorrow is going to be another crazy one!!!!

On The Eleventh Day Of Chrismas, Mickey Cut a Tree......

As you can see Mr. Pie was delegating all the hard labor.

Because The Chicks Dig It!

Here you go mom, this is a result of the screams you heard over the phone tonight! Kyan fell and smacked his face on the fire place ledge! OUCH! The picture doesnt really show how puffy it got. I will admit, I freaked!

Sick AGAIN!

Yeah so the boys are both struggling with another virus :( I'm hoping this isn't an "every other month" bug that invites itself into our house and takes over all winter! Kyan stayed home from preschool today. Mick says I just wanted to sleep in, yeah I wish Nolan had no intentions in that! I was awake almost every hour last night dealing with one of my sick little men:( Their coughs sound like they hurt so bad and with this whole DXM recall on infant/childrens cough suppressants, whats a mom to do? Tonight I gave them both a vapor bath and rubbed 'um down with vicks but they still sound terrible. I bought some good ol fashion Tussin the pharmacist at Kroger said you still can't go wrong with an expectorant, we'll see.

I resigned at U of M :( Now that I actually have a last day marked, I'm feeling very emotional about it. I guess I'm not going to miss the job (I can do that anywhere) but I will miss the nursing staff. I start my new traveling position on Dec. 10. Its at the hospital that Mr. Pie was born at. I'm very excited for the extra cash to start falling into my bank account! It's going to be so great when mick starts bringing home some bacon!!!!! Speaking of that, he's in Grand Rapids tonight vacationing from sick children! well actually he has another interview with a firm he interviewed with a few weeks back. C'mon Honey!!! Go Get 'um! HOOO HHOOO. I'm really pushing for this area, I would be great to grow old with my greatest pal Amy!

Ambien CRX IS

"Does your baby still wake several times during the night? Is he having trouble falling asleep on his own? Once he falls asleep does he wake every 2 to 3 hours during the night? Introducing Ambien CRX IS (Controlled Release Xtreme Infant Style) The all natural way to help baby fall asleep and stay asleep. No more venturing in dark hallways in the middle of the night. No more howls on the monitor under the moon. Just peace and quiet. That's right, sleep for 8 hours at a time from start to finish! Common side effects include extremely supercharged and energized parents, perma-grin associated with extreme happiness in the mornings (both baby and mom) and obsession with pillows and sheets. Warning, may put coffee companies out of business.

AND THEN I WOKE UP :(

We are on night two of tough love. Actually Mr. Pie is doing quite well with falling asleep on his own. He still insists on eating a few times at night, hey, at least he goes right back to sleep! If he's following in Kyans footstep he should sleep through the night in about 3months and 13 days but whose counting!!!!!!!!

Whew! I need my routine back!!!!

WOW, we have had company for 3 weekends in a row! First it was the big guy's bday with the gradparents. Next we had Micks sis and fam, and friends from (BOOOO Ohio state!) Ohio for extended bday wishes and early christmas and this past weekend we had some friends here from WI and Grand Rapids for the MI vs Ohio state game. We are exhausted, infact all the boys are crashed right now in celebration of quietness in the house!!!! I too am able to relax today (thank you to my BFF Amy for helping me clean up before jettin' the set!!!) And not to mention my wonderful Mickey for letting me sleep in today!

Mr. P is sitting up and able to "scoot" around the room now. Pearly white #2 has also decided to make his appearence! Unfortunaely we still need to work on sleeping in longer blocks at night......Sorry Pie 3 hours at a time just does not cut it for Mom and Dad! And yes Nolans official new name is Pie or Mr. Pie or for short Mr. P. Our friends this weekend really made it official. Mick thinks when he turn 18 he should get a tatoo of a slice of pie on his bicep....hard core baby brother!!!!!

Besides Kyan's meltdown in Meijer last week he remains a compliant 3 year old! He was great with our company this past weekend with the little sleep that he did get (we all know we are strict with his sleep....) He is SO busy our friends say all they have to do is look at the boy and it wears the heck out of them.....I know the feeling!!!!

I have been submitted for 2 traveling positions and am waiting to hear back from them, hopefully in the next week or week after bc of the holiday. So please everybody keep the fingers crossed!

3 YEARS OLD!

I know this is dated material but I have to let you all know how Halloween actually went. Kyan was so entertaining. He started off great all by himself, running as fast as he could up to random houses, ringing the doorbell and yelling "trick or treat?" Then, in his muscle man outfit with his masked flipped up and flashing,he would run as fast as he could back half way down the driveway, set his bucket down, dig for the exact treat that house gave him and yell "Mommy, Daddy! LOOK! WOW! Can I eat it!" This went on house after house, Mick and I loving the entertainment. At about house ~14 Kyan was on the front porch with a few other kids. I heard him start crying and sent mick up there bc I thought he tripped and fell. Then I heard the biggest girl skreek I ever heard my son let out. The kid got his first Halloween spook! Some 7 year old dressed all scary scared the living day lights out of kyan! After that he was a little nervous and needed some assistance with walking up to houses!

Kyan's Bday was a success in fact ever since he turned 3 his behavior has been wonderful! Almost like when he was 2.... Listening like an angel! After weeks of contemplating what to do for his party, I am so happy we had a tiny shindig with just family at the house! It was so relaxing and stress free! He was spoiled rotten by everybody as usual! Kyan also had a bday party at school bringing cupcakes to celebrate! ( I was the lucky one to make them , 1030pm the night before because I forgot veg. oil at the store) He's finally telling people he's 3 and not 6 too! And he is also telling people his name these days instead of,"I don't have a name."

The fam headed to Grand Rapids on Sunday for another interview for Mick. It was nice to see Amy even though we just saw her the day before at Kyans party! Amy and I hung out at Davids Bridal with the boys (kyans was comical here too ," Yes bud you would look adorable in that dress, yes and that one too, yup blue is def. your color )and did some wedding gown shopping! As for Mick's interview, well if he doesn't get this one we will have to blame it on the pink lady shaver he had to use that morning !

My best Halloween EVER! more to come later....Im tired

This marked the first day I had to scrape my windshield before leaving for work WT%! While I'm talking about work, I may leave my current position by the end of next month for a traveling gig in the the ghetto of Detroit. Sounds fun huh? At least with the pay Ill be able to afford The Club. I'm just looking into it, nothing for sure yet but the extra G or so a month would be nice. It would also be great for next summer when/if mick finds an associate position at a firm somewhere, then I could get a contract there. Anyway we'll see. We had some company this weekend. Grandpa Brian, Uncle Brent and Caleb came to see us. Talk about a house full of males. It was 10 v. 1 in the gender ratio (Kyle Osland and his friend came this way from GR too) oh yeah I'm also counting Malachi and Doc. Regardless there was way too much testosterone for this chick!
The Leaf Hog works like a champ! My new neighbors on the other hand suck! I did the nice neighborly thing by offering him to use it, he's been raking his yard everyday for the last week and a half. He gave me some lame ol' excuse....something about "enjoying the cardio" Uh yeah right! Then, after I did round one of my front yard (still lots of leaves on our monster tree) Neighbor and wifey come outside and she had the nerve to say,"so the leaf blower doesn't work so good huh?) WHAT? It worked great! They are so freaking jealous of my new monster machine. They can continue to rake EVERYDAY for the next 3 weeks and "enjoy their cardio". I don't think I have the blowing technique down quite yet. In fact I think I may need some practice. I'll use this as my excuse when I blow all the darn leafs from my driveway into their yard "accidentally" of course! OOO or maybe I'll just tell them I thought they wanted the extra work out! losers


Ok, I really would not do that and the new neighbors are ok ( I did steal their babysitter) but I just need to vent. And besides Hal our old neighbor was the best....I want him back!

Pumpkin Carving.....and a peek at BB's Halloween Costume!

Ramble Ramble Ramble

It's been a minute, but here I am staying faithful to my blog. First and for most, I got a new toy today! Let me paint a picture for you. Last year around this time well maybe more like the begining of November. Me, ~4months prego with Nolan Pie, Kyan's 2nd birthday is approaching, its getting cooler, fall is in the air, and the GIANT, HUMONGOUS, OUT OF THIS WORLD oak trees in our front yard are throwing all their damn leaves all over our yard. Micks very busy with his first year of law school and unable to read thousands of pages and manage a rake at the same time.(yes, I would be able to do this because I am The Queen of Multitasking) Kyan is too short to reach the top of the leaf bags. Well that "leaves" me to do the job! And hell will freeze over before I do that again! This is why today I bought myself the amazing, super, black and orange LEAF HOG by Black and Decor! Yes folks this bad boy does it all! I believe I will be able to blow and vac the entire yard in an ET of less than one hour! (if the children cooperate that is). Meanwhile you can find me in the kitchen painting the cabnets....its gonna look nice!
Baby Bother had his first official play date today! His new friend is an adorable little boy named Gavin! We are going to try to get together with him and his mommy Melissa every Monday while the Monster is in preschool. Nolan finally stomached some baby food. He likes pears! He actually opens his mouth for them its amazing! To back up, this kid would not eat anything for the past month, rice cereal NO, oatmeal NO, bananas No, sweet potatoes NO. Pears YES!!!! I told him no boob juice past ten, I scared him strait.....tough love, ya gotta do it. He's sitting up with very minimal support, but trying to crawl already! He gets up on all fours and starts rockin'! We really need to get on baby http://jenandmick.blogspot.com/2007/10/doctor-j-russel-puppy.html) proofing the house (hope its easier than Doc proofing!!!
We had some company last weekend. Kyans buddy Trev came to visit! Kyan was a monster and acted like a dog with somebody invading its space! The kid trough a fit when Trevor tried to sleep in his room. Well maybe he just isn't ready for sleep overs? Or maybe he's just 3 and a little monster!!!

Who Needs Electricity When You Have a Coleman Charger?

The electricity went out tonight and we had NO idea when it would be repaired. We now know why EVERYbody in our subdivision has a generator! I swear this has happened over 8 times, and we have only been here a year. I'm trying to keep up with feeding BB while managing to work full time. Nolan went down around 8 which means I needed to pump but couldn't because we had no power. All I have to say is I will prevail!

CHAOS

Chaos. The last few days around here have been very unpredictable. Of course it all started with Mr. Pie (micks latest for BB) in the ER. For the update...no chicken pox but he did have Enterovirus, Yuck don't look this one up! The Virus takes its course and then leaves when it wants.

Chaos is what Mick was handed yesterday when I was at work. Little did he know it was going to be a rough day. Mick: "I'm going to paint the closet in vour room today." (don't know what he was thinking) BB of course was miserable, teething and rashy. Our newest house guest who is very contagious had to visit Kyan's GI tract. By the end of the day Kyan was puking all over the house. Being the super daddy that he is, Mick rocked both miserable boy's to sleep..........

Chaos is what I was handed when I walked through the door last night after work. I will not go into detail but it was well...chaos. Ok so now the house is chaotic, I need to go to sleep because I have to work in the morning again. Oh wait I can't see the bed, its barried in clothes from our primed unfinished closet. The couch had to do, Mick got the floor!

After an awesome nights sleep (please hear the sarcasm in my writing) I was off to work. I left a few minutes early to grab some joe and a krispy creme. I drove to work in silence soaking the quietness up like a sponge. Ah Sunday, easy like Sunday morning! Just when I thought my chaotic week was over, right when I thought to myself, "Its a new day, a new week." I freakin show up at work to find out I don't even work! Ugh!

The Verve couldnt have said it better, "Its a bitter sweet symphany this life"

Connect the dots on Baby Brother!

Last night was spent in the ER with Nolan Pie. The little man was covered in a rash that looks like chicken pox! I meant to take a pic but didn't get around to it, baby looked like something out of a Connect the dots coloring book! Poor baby boy:( Really they told me it could be chicken pox, strange because Kyan's Ped. in AZ said babies don't get chicken pox????? I'm gonna have to pull out some good old RN research myself if I want some answers! Thank heavens Baby Brother's 'tude has been great, he's still smiley as can be and minus the smelly REALLY smelly diapers, he's actually been pretty laid back today. I have to call the ER in about a half an hour to get the preliminary results for either chicken pox or folliculitis (a staph infect of the hair follicles) So this just goes down in the ol baby book as reason #546 to why Nolan has been a bit more of a difficult child than Kyan. Ill keep you posted on his results.

OH MY! How could I forget? On top of Nolan's rash, his first little toothy is coming in the bottom left! WHAT A MAN! I think he has micks... I mean MY pain tolerance!

We're Going on a Bear Hunt! I mean... a field trip!

Today was an adventurous day for all, well exept for the dog. (he didnt go ape #$@! while we were away) So anyway Kyan had his first field trip today! It was awesome to see him interact with his peers. Do you know that he's actually quiet and reserved at school? One who just sits there, observes and soaks it all in? An aid/parent at the school was giving me the low down juicy details on him. She thinks he's a bit quiet because he's one of the youngest. Who cares, how many girlfreinds does he have? I know those dimples are driving the 4 and 5 year olds crazy! She also said she was very impressed at how "well adjusted" and "impressed" with the way he talked. Yeah Yeah Yeah..... So, has any girl kissed him? Has he held anybody's hand? I wanna know the good stuff! Mick got to join us for the last half of the field trip and then he was able to come watch Kyan's Hockey for the the first time, he's been dying to do this. Kyan was showing off so bad for Daddy, I've never seen him skate as fast as he did today! Next week, no trainer (walker type thingy to help with balance) just kyan vs. the ice one on one. I started to pump him up about it tonight as I tucked him in, we'll keep you posted! Oh and while were on the Hockey subject the equipment STINKS! Yeah, mick isn't kidding when he says you need to air that stuff out, how do little boys smell so bad?! Nolan's day got exciting when we got home and checked the mail. The last accessory to his Halloween costume arrived! Our baby is going to have The Best Costume this year, we'll keep you posted on that too! (no telling auntie Wind)

Taking Daddy Hostage!

AAAHHHH Sunday! We had a family day today (or a few family hours) Yeah we actually got to borrow Daddy from law school! We had him from when we woke up, until about 3pm!!! WOW! He did however make us rehearse his mock trial with him for a total of 8 min (he had to time it) during our family time. We decided to use our time and go to the Cider Mill and get pumpkins. Today was something like 89 degrees out! That's pretty good for Michigan in Oct. and its suppose to stay this way for most of the week. I must say since moving back to the Midwest, I think fall is my favorite season. Well at least when its in the 80's in October! It took Kyan a good 20 min to pick his pumpkin. After finding the perfect pumpkin, a small round one with no stem, we were on our way to the doughnuts and pony rides. OH WAIT, nope Kyan changes his mind again. This time he made Daddy proud, finding the BIGGEST one he could. Way to get the biggest bang for your buck kido, at $4.99 a crack, who wants to take home a dinky one? Not our boy! After mastering the staw maze, some pony rides and downing some doughnuts we were on our way......Daddy has to get to School ;"( After nap we had a nice visit with good ol' Bennie Hanna! Great reminiscing with you Bennie, those pictures are priceless!

Mom's Overture by Anita Renfroe

Very Cute

Doctor J Russel Puppy

Let me introduce you to our family pet. He was adopted from the AZ humane society back in April of 05. He came to us as "Buddy" a pure bred Boxadore. Who names their dog Buddy these days? (sorry if you do) Mick named him "Doc" a few days after being in our lives. Taylor, my niece started calling him Doc Russel (her dog a Jack Russel terrier...or so they thought, is named Jack Russel) So some how in the making he got his full name, "Dr. "J" Russel Puppy". So this dog has always had foster child, adoptive child, neglected child, red headed child...call it what you want syndrome! Most people who encounter Dr. J (his short name) usually love him and say, "oh don't worry he'll calm down after the puppy years" as he pummels them over and licks them to death. HELLO he was at least 2 when we got him! The reason we know, well he had a history of being locked up, that should have been our first clue!!! So anyway doc has come a long way. NO scratch that! We have adapted our lifestyle to make our dog behave. Choke chain for leash and walks CHECK. Wood case for garbage can when we are away (a very nice one I might add, thanks Grandpa Sullivan!) CHECK. Towel by the patio door for dirty paws CHECK. Forfeiting our king size bed, pillows too CHECK. Enough time and memory to remember to "Doc Proof" the House before leaving.______. Yeah so this is the issue! That darn Dog, the second you leave the house he goes on a mad hunt. Screw getting a Nanny Cam, we need a Doggy Cam! Yeah one with a take along screen and microphone. Seriously, this dog needs 24hr care. I was gone yesterday with the kids to the post office for a mere 15 min. I came home and forgot I left our future dinner thawing on the stove. Doc ate 1.65 lb. of raw burger,chewed a pizza box (left next to the wooden garbage) to sheds all over the living room...I think he swallow half of it, tore up the bathroom garbage (note-need small wooden box for bathroom garbage) and knocked the cat food container on the floor and threw it around the kitchen like confetti! To top it off, we woke up in the middle of the night to him puking in our room, imagine that! NICE DOC NICE. So there you have it that's our family pet "Dr. "J" Russel Puppy". Can anybody dog sit next weekend?

GUESS WHO'S TEETHING?

OK, so I'm guessing that your first guess to this posts title is of course Nolan right? Well your wrong! At Kyan's last dental appt./cleaning in June, the dentist had mentioned that the kid doesn't have his second set of molars. WHAT almost 3 now and not done teething? He wasn't a fussy teether as a baby, at least we have that going for us. So when I was helping him brush his teeth sure enough....the bottom right pearly white is coming through! Nolan... well its hard to tell if he's teething because the baby has ALWAYS needed to be chewing on something, so not quite sure (he's just not an easy man to figure out). But on another note he's sitting up now with almost no support ( can do it with the boppy around him) and he's trying to crawl, he gets up on his hands and feet, its quite the sight!

Amazing men

Kyan was asked to go get dressed a few days ago....and this is what he came downstairs in! Please note, whitey tightey's on backwards! I LOVE THIS MAN!

Today was yet another day our kids amaze us! Kyan is such a little genius his vocabulary just keeps growing and growing, I better start reading the dictionary so I can keep up with him. Yesterday at hockey as I forced him to use the bathroom (BEFORE we get the ten pounds of equipment on and then he says...."MOM I HAVE TO PEE!") he was washing his hands as he faithfully does after each trip to the potty , looks at me with his hands under the running water and says,"Does water work from batteries or from electricity?" My response..........______ Yeah a big pause hhhhmm think quick......ummm oh my, how does it work? QUICK think of something...it works from pressure YEAH son, that's how it works... Water pressure,. Whew that was close. I can't believe the boy, just one month shy of 3 years old almost stumped me. And wait, is that even the correct answer? This scares me that soon, I may need to research my answers but at the same time I am so proud to be bringing up such a curious intellectual child! Kyan continues to love school. Mick said today he didn't even want to leave! He comes home each day singing new songs and talking about a classmate by name. (yet tells people "I dont have a name" himself. Next week there is a field trip so mick and I will be able to meet the little people Ky is talking about everyday, I cant wait!

Today my baby turned into a binge eater! Nolan decided that the 4oz i am able to provide for him every 4 hours just doesn't cut it. Mick called me at work and the little chunk took 8oz in less than an hour. Hopefully this is just a phase so I can "keep up" with him! He continues to make me smile all the time (even at 0300 in the pitch dark) I just wish he'd get the memo on "How to sleep through the night"

The kids are germ free but mick and I struggle to get over this BUG. Mick thinks its bronchitis but I think he's just sick with the common cold and really burnt out from interviews, full time law school, having two kids under 3 and oh yeah if that's not enough why don't you play Hockey 2 times a week? And on a sad note......no Milwaukee in our future:(