Sometimes when I am shopping, I feel as if certain garments just leap off the racks at me, knowing how well they will suit my family. It's as if their designers had my children in mind when creating such pieces of art. Don't you agree....
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Football Frenzy
Last weekend was Homecoming for Ryan's football league. He had a great time at the game on Friday night and enjoyed the fan fair that accompanied it, especially hearing his name called over the PA system during team intros... by yours truly, I might add. Didn't know that was part of TEAM MOM when I signed on! But the most exciting part was rushing to a neighboring high school stadium so that he and his teammates could play in the halftime show. His reaction to the turf was priceless - he kept rubbing his cleats on it, like a bull ready to charge, and bending down to touch it. There were bright lights and a huge field and tons of people watching - it was pure heaven to a 5 yr old flag football player! Equally as exciting was the fact that the night was ALL ABOUT RYAN. We made sure to make it super special for him by leaving his little sister at home (thanks Aunt Janet!) and focusing all of our attention on the little man. And a good time was had by all!
There he is, our # 3!
There he is, our # 3!
So typical, I had to get a picture...
Again, by the second game it was dark and we were in the bleachers so I didn't get the best shots. Santa... are you out there Santa? Mama could sure use a new camera for Christmas (right behind the bb gun, of course). Something simple like this would suffice.
A boy waiting to touch that turf!
Welcome Baby Kylie
Last week we got to meet Kylie Marie, the newest addition to the family! She is so sweet and tiny and has a head of blonde hair. I'm calling 'no fair' on this one.. petite and blonde, how did she get all the good genes? We thought we'd take the kids with us this time to visit, thinking they were old enough and wondering how they would react when they come to visit me in about 6 months.
Emma wasted no time climbing right into Aunt Jen's bed. Clearly there is no sympathy from Emma Grace. She wanted to see her cousin and she needed a close up! Ryan hung back a bit, like he was too cool for a baby. He thought she was cute and that's about that. But Emma, oh the little Mommy in her was dying to come out and she just wanted to touch her and hold her and hug her. We knew we had over-stayed our welcome when the kids had used the bathroom multiple times, ate all of the soft pretzels in the room and Emma was begging for Jen's water. March should prove to be very interesting!
Emma wasted no time securing her front row seat.
Aunt Jen and Baby Kylie
Daddy with Kylie and her cousins
Emma wasted no time climbing right into Aunt Jen's bed. Clearly there is no sympathy from Emma Grace. She wanted to see her cousin and she needed a close up! Ryan hung back a bit, like he was too cool for a baby. He thought she was cute and that's about that. But Emma, oh the little Mommy in her was dying to come out and she just wanted to touch her and hold her and hug her. We knew we had over-stayed our welcome when the kids had used the bathroom multiple times, ate all of the soft pretzels in the room and Emma was begging for Jen's water. March should prove to be very interesting!
Emma wasted no time securing her front row seat.
Aunt Jen and Baby Kylie
Daddy with Kylie and her cousins
A visit with Catie
We were so excited to finally meet Catie Grace! Sure, it only took 2 months, between the debilitating nausea and the household bouts of er, a gastro bug (that's nicey nice for diarrhea), and on top of it she had to come to us. See a pattern here - I'm a procrastinating, slacking, bad friend. Blame it on the fetus - I have! Either way, it was worth the wait because she is just the cutest, teeniest, sweetest little girl - we can't wait to visit again soon!
Here's a picture I snuck while her mommy was in the other room and before I scooped her up!
And here's what Catie thought of all the boring grown-up chatter and the obnoxious loud kids in the room - who are they are where did they come from? 
Tap, Tap, Tap...
... sounds more like STOMP, STOMP, STOMP once ten 3 years old strap on the tap shoes! Emma started her 2nd year of dance class 2 weeks ago and true to form, she's loving it! This year she's in a tap and ballet class and I can really see the difference in the learning progression from last year. I think the observation period is coming up soon so stay tuned for some action shots!
If you look closely, you will see the "temporary" tattoo from her brother's football game. I practically needed a Brillo pad to get it off - she wore it for a week.
If you look closely, you will see the "temporary" tattoo from her brother's football game. I practically needed a Brillo pad to get it off - she wore it for a week.
Friday Night Lights
Recently, Ryan played his first flag football game (ok, and since then his second and soon to be third - I get it, I'm slacking). Since we are new to this and sat on the wrong side of the field (furthest from the kids), my pictures didn't come out so good - my camera can only zoom so far, people. And with all that movement, it was hard on the focus. Here's a few I did manage to get - check him out!
And here is his little sister, showing her team spirit with a temporary (HA!) tattoo. The camera never has a problem focusing on this willing subject.
And here is his little sister, showing her team spirit with a temporary (HA!) tattoo. The camera never has a problem focusing on this willing subject.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Pre-School or Bust!
Wow, I'm really late in the game this year!
Emma experienced her first few days at pre-school 2 weeks ago and loved it! Surprise, surprise! The first day I went with her for the hour, then the next day I dropped her off for an hour. When I picked her up, she was the first to be done snack (again, big surprise) and her teacher laughed at how much she talked that day. I have a feeling she won't be laughing for very long. Then last week, she walked right into the classroom and couldn't wait to tell me about her day when I picked her up. Since then she has loved going to school and even asked her teacher for homework! Two and a half hours sure goes by quickly!
Here's a picture of my little school-girl getting ready for the occasion...a haircut was definitely in order!
This picture is classic and had to be posted. For most kids, it would be the typical first day of school look. But Emma is not most kids and she was so excited for school, so not sure where this look came. It was too fun not to share!
Ahhh, there's my girl who reeks of confidence!
A girl and her backpack... 8 sizes too big! When the lunch pack is attached, it actually hangs well below her knees!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
A Christmas Letter
Dear Santa,
I'll get right to the point. This year for Christmas, I would like a BB Gun. Or an assault rifle, whichever is easier for you. No license necessary. Sure, that probably seems like an odd request coming from a relatively sane mom of 2 (and a half) and I assure you that I don't intend to harm anyone, honest. What I do intend on, however, is to rid my house and my life of squirrels. You see Santa, I despise squirrels. Hate them to the very core and really, the only other thing I feel that harshly about is spiders, but you probably already know that. Since we've lived here, we've had them living in our house, on more than one occasion. Nasty, dirty squirrels.
And when they aren't reeking havoc in my house, they are creating chaos around it. They chew through siding, through screens and mostly, through trashcans. All of that I have dealt with, rather patiently I might add, until the recent and unfortunate maggot incident. I guess replacing my outdoor trashcans with newer, better (read: more expensive) ones proved to be too much a challenge for the little rats, and now, in defiance, they have started to pee on them. Yes Santa, the trashcans I touch on a daily basis are marked with squirrel urine. Gross, I know! So you see, as much as the cayenne pepper will hold them off, it won't do for long. I need something more painful, more permanent. I'm sad that it must come to this, really I am. I used to like squirrels. In fact, my sorority mascot is a squirrel and if word of this gets out, I will be banished for life so lets keep this on the down low, shall we?
Thanks, in advance, for your understanding and not forwarding this to PETA.
Your friend,
-a
I'll get right to the point. This year for Christmas, I would like a BB Gun. Or an assault rifle, whichever is easier for you. No license necessary. Sure, that probably seems like an odd request coming from a relatively sane mom of 2 (and a half) and I assure you that I don't intend to harm anyone, honest. What I do intend on, however, is to rid my house and my life of squirrels. You see Santa, I despise squirrels. Hate them to the very core and really, the only other thing I feel that harshly about is spiders, but you probably already know that. Since we've lived here, we've had them living in our house, on more than one occasion. Nasty, dirty squirrels.
And when they aren't reeking havoc in my house, they are creating chaos around it. They chew through siding, through screens and mostly, through trashcans. All of that I have dealt with, rather patiently I might add, until the recent and unfortunate maggot incident. I guess replacing my outdoor trashcans with newer, better (read: more expensive) ones proved to be too much a challenge for the little rats, and now, in defiance, they have started to pee on them. Yes Santa, the trashcans I touch on a daily basis are marked with squirrel urine. Gross, I know! So you see, as much as the cayenne pepper will hold them off, it won't do for long. I need something more painful, more permanent. I'm sad that it must come to this, really I am. I used to like squirrels. In fact, my sorority mascot is a squirrel and if word of this gets out, I will be banished for life so lets keep this on the down low, shall we?
Thanks, in advance, for your understanding and not forwarding this to PETA.
Your friend,
-a
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
Twas the Night Before Pre-School...
...and all through the house,
The whole family was excited, even the mouse!
The backpack was ready, eight sizes too big,
The girl was in bed, dancing a jig!
She was filled with excitement, she just couldn't rest,
She was ready, no doubt, she would ace this life test!
With excitement she waited for dawns early light,
In the morning she'd meet her, the beloved Mrs. Wright!
The whole family was excited, even the mouse!
The backpack was ready, eight sizes too big,
The girl was in bed, dancing a jig!
She was filled with excitement, she just couldn't rest,
She was ready, no doubt, she would ace this life test!
With excitement she waited for dawns early light,
In the morning she'd meet her, the beloved Mrs. Wright!
There's a Bun in the Oven
For those of you who are oh so smart and caught on right away (and for those of you who didn't), yes, we are adding to the clan and expecting our 3rd child in March. The little bub has caused much tummy distress over the last 7+ weeks, which has been the reason for my absence in e-mail, blogging and life in general. I'm sure many of you have had the Please God, I'll never drink again... just make it stop! scenario, which is what I have felt like every day. Only I never had the fun party experience the night before, which, at least is some reward for the punishment. I'll spare you on the gory details but suffice to say, I'm stopping at 3. Even the anti-nausea meds didn't work this time.
Being nauseous for 14 hours each day (only to feel better when unconscious) has left me alot of time to think about how much pregnancy (mine, specifically) has changed since I am now of "advanced maternal age." Here's a few things I have discovered...
1. The nausea gets worse with each go around. Thankfully I am smart enough to realize this after the 3rd time, and not like college where it took me 4 years to realize Vodka gives me a migraine.
2. I never understood people that would be up peeing all night when they were a mere few weeks pregnant. I mean, it's the size of a grain of rice - how much pressure can there be on your bladder? With the 1st two, I didn't get up to pee at night even when I was 9 months and ready to pop. This time? I have been going like a water buffalo since about 6 weeks. My apologies for being a non-believer.
3. I never thought summer heat would bother me if I was pregnant. I am woman, ROAR! However, being nauseous = not eating/drinking = being dehydrated = being constipated. Add 90+ degrees and a car with broken AC and voila! Just when I thought I couldn't get any sicker...
4. Each day when I pray for the weeks to pass so the nausea can follow, I secretly pray that one day I will be reunited with my long lost love, Diet Coke. Perhaps there will come a day when it won't make me gag at the mere thought. A girl can dream.
5. Third child syndrome has already set in. I forgot my 2nd OB appt. With recent pregnancies, I used to count the days from the time I left the office until I'd be back a month later. Now I wonder how many appts. I will actually make vs. miss.
6. This will be my first time not having maternity leave. So in essence, I will not get a break from my job. It may be time to think about striking.
7. I've resigned to the fact that I will probably never have one of those 'good' babies. You know, the kind that sleep, only cry when they need something and generally don't require meds their first few months of life. Nope, I only grow the colicky, refluxy ones who will only sleep in a crib (their crib) from birth until they leave for college. I find it's better to be prepared.
8. I've also realized that I should start a new account for the baby right away. Not a college savings account like the others have, but a formula fund. See #6 above... colic+reflux= Nutramigen (at double the cost)! I think it's time to bring back the wet nurse.
9. We want to find out the sex of the baby. Well, at least I do - I think my husband could deal with being surprised this time. Hush, all you nay-sayers. If you know me well enough, you know by now that I have a Type A personality. I need to plan. Knowing which gender clothes to wash and which bedding to get out is key for me, never mind I have no idea where the poor child will actually be sleeping. At least it will be dressed appropriately.
10. Nausea is a funny thing, in it's own sick sort of way - no pun intended. I find it best to go with what comes naturally at that particular moment. So if cheese, mustard and pickle sandwiches will keep it at bay, so be it. Who cares if I eat 2 bowls of Ramen noodles in a day and each contains 910 mg of sodium? Sure, I've eaten about 10 rolls of Mentos - what's it to ya? Pre-natal vitamins... what the heck are they? Again, go with what comes naturally. That was a theme my roomies and I had in college and I have to say, it's applicable to most everything I've done since. Except for childbirth. In my opinion, that should NEVER be done naturally.
I guess that about sums it up for now. I'm sure there will be much more to post over the next 6 months as I transform from a relatively healthy person to a house. Oh, we finally told the kids this weekend and Emma is ecstatic and Ryan only wants a brother. Emma said to me the other day, Mommy, maybe the baby will be both - a boy and a girl. And she wasn't referring to twins.
Being nauseous for 14 hours each day (only to feel better when unconscious) has left me alot of time to think about how much pregnancy (mine, specifically) has changed since I am now of "advanced maternal age." Here's a few things I have discovered...
1. The nausea gets worse with each go around. Thankfully I am smart enough to realize this after the 3rd time, and not like college where it took me 4 years to realize Vodka gives me a migraine.
2. I never understood people that would be up peeing all night when they were a mere few weeks pregnant. I mean, it's the size of a grain of rice - how much pressure can there be on your bladder? With the 1st two, I didn't get up to pee at night even when I was 9 months and ready to pop. This time? I have been going like a water buffalo since about 6 weeks. My apologies for being a non-believer.
3. I never thought summer heat would bother me if I was pregnant. I am woman, ROAR! However, being nauseous = not eating/drinking = being dehydrated = being constipated. Add 90+ degrees and a car with broken AC and voila! Just when I thought I couldn't get any sicker...
4. Each day when I pray for the weeks to pass so the nausea can follow, I secretly pray that one day I will be reunited with my long lost love, Diet Coke. Perhaps there will come a day when it won't make me gag at the mere thought. A girl can dream.
5. Third child syndrome has already set in. I forgot my 2nd OB appt. With recent pregnancies, I used to count the days from the time I left the office until I'd be back a month later. Now I wonder how many appts. I will actually make vs. miss.
6. This will be my first time not having maternity leave. So in essence, I will not get a break from my job. It may be time to think about striking.
7. I've resigned to the fact that I will probably never have one of those 'good' babies. You know, the kind that sleep, only cry when they need something and generally don't require meds their first few months of life. Nope, I only grow the colicky, refluxy ones who will only sleep in a crib (their crib) from birth until they leave for college. I find it's better to be prepared.
8. I've also realized that I should start a new account for the baby right away. Not a college savings account like the others have, but a formula fund. See #6 above... colic+reflux= Nutramigen (at double the cost)! I think it's time to bring back the wet nurse.
9. We want to find out the sex of the baby. Well, at least I do - I think my husband could deal with being surprised this time. Hush, all you nay-sayers. If you know me well enough, you know by now that I have a Type A personality. I need to plan. Knowing which gender clothes to wash and which bedding to get out is key for me, never mind I have no idea where the poor child will actually be sleeping. At least it will be dressed appropriately.
10. Nausea is a funny thing, in it's own sick sort of way - no pun intended. I find it best to go with what comes naturally at that particular moment. So if cheese, mustard and pickle sandwiches will keep it at bay, so be it. Who cares if I eat 2 bowls of Ramen noodles in a day and each contains 910 mg of sodium? Sure, I've eaten about 10 rolls of Mentos - what's it to ya? Pre-natal vitamins... what the heck are they? Again, go with what comes naturally. That was a theme my roomies and I had in college and I have to say, it's applicable to most everything I've done since. Except for childbirth. In my opinion, that should NEVER be done naturally.
I guess that about sums it up for now. I'm sure there will be much more to post over the next 6 months as I transform from a relatively healthy person to a house. Oh, we finally told the kids this weekend and Emma is ecstatic and Ryan only wants a brother. Emma said to me the other day, Mommy, maybe the baby will be both - a boy and a girl. And she wasn't referring to twins.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Cha, Cha, Cha, Changes
So, I think that it's time for a change regarding the blog. I've thought long and hard about this and what type of change to instill. I've looked at templates, new blog hosts and everything in-between, and then settled on starting small. Rome wasn't built in a day, people. So for now, I've decided to update with a name change and I am asking for your help. I have a few ideas but would love your thoughts... which one would you vote for? Or, if you have additional suggestions, why not hit me with a comment? I'll be sad to see Double Trouble go but hey, we all have to change sometime, right?
Happy Voting!!
1. Three's a Crowd
2. Triple Threat
3. Oops, they did it again
Happy Voting!!
1. Three's a Crowd
2. Triple Threat
3. Oops, they did it again
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Kindergarten Update
Well today went very well! He got in the car and told me about his day and all of the fun things they did and none of them sounded boring or dull or stupid - go figure! And he didn't have a major attitude this time either (as opposed to yesterday when the teacher showed them how to use the bathroom and wash their hands properly).
Then he said Mom, I got a note. Great, I thought, what could you have done on the 2nd day that gets a note sent home? My mind quickly flashed back to pre-school 2 years ago when, on the very first day, he pulled down his pants and showed his stuff to his friend Ally. Those two have been bathing together since birth so it wasn't THAT unusual but highly inappropriate for a school setting and at their age! But I digress.... my fears were calmed when he handed me the note - a folded up piece of paper covered in a crayon drawing that had his name on it, a pretty picture and lots of RED HEARTS! It was a note from a girl in his class and she made it for him during coloring time. I asked what her name was but typical Ryan, he didn't know. Not only did the girl know his name but she also knew how to spell it - we need to work on our social skills, me thinks. So not a bad second day - a lot of fun and a note from a girl. It must be the long hair... gets them every time!
Then he said Mom, I got a note. Great, I thought, what could you have done on the 2nd day that gets a note sent home? My mind quickly flashed back to pre-school 2 years ago when, on the very first day, he pulled down his pants and showed his stuff to his friend Ally. Those two have been bathing together since birth so it wasn't THAT unusual but highly inappropriate for a school setting and at their age! But I digress.... my fears were calmed when he handed me the note - a folded up piece of paper covered in a crayon drawing that had his name on it, a pretty picture and lots of RED HEARTS! It was a note from a girl in his class and she made it for him during coloring time. I asked what her name was but typical Ryan, he didn't know. Not only did the girl know his name but she also knew how to spell it - we need to work on our social skills, me thinks. So not a bad second day - a lot of fun and a note from a girl. It must be the long hair... gets them every time!
Kindergarten or Bust!
Yesterday was Ryan's Kindergarten Orientation and while it didn't go as well as I had hoped, it wasn't the worst either. The morning started with a very cranky boy who couldn't understand why he had to go to school. Apparently reasons like so you can learn, grow up and get a good job, and because it's the law and Mommy will go to jail if you don't weren't good enough for him. Despite my attempts to ease his mind about being nervous ("I'M NOT NERVOUS, MOM!!!), I think the uncertainty of it all had gotten the best of him and no matter how I tried to spin it, he wasn't biting. I had counted on something like this happening, after all he has gone to the same pre-school since he was 2.5 yrs and his comfort level was high. But after some tears and a chocolate donut from Pop-Pop, we were on our way. It shouldn't have been too traumatic as I was dropping him at his classroom for an hour then going to the library to do paperwork, so I wasn't even leaving the building.
Ryan with his friend Danny, who is also starting kindergarten but is in a different class.
Today went much better (after a pep talk from Daddy last night) and he was happy when he woke up, got dressed well and didn't hesitate to walk out the door. There, however, is where it got a little ugly. Can I help that I am a proud Mama and want a picture of his first REAL day of school? Apparently he didn't like the paparazzi this morning. But after a good scowl for the scrapbooks, we were on our way and he did great! He hopped out of the car at drop off and ran into the building without looking back. Hopefully he will come home with the same enthusiasm.
Ryan with his friend Danny, who is also starting kindergarten but is in a different class.
Today went much better (after a pep talk from Daddy last night) and he was happy when he woke up, got dressed well and didn't hesitate to walk out the door. There, however, is where it got a little ugly. Can I help that I am a proud Mama and want a picture of his first REAL day of school? Apparently he didn't like the paparazzi this morning. But after a good scowl for the scrapbooks, we were on our way and he did great! He hopped out of the car at drop off and ran into the building without looking back. Hopefully he will come home with the same enthusiasm.
Kinder Surprise
Recently, Uncle Mike was in Germany for business (hmmm, if you call drinking lots of German beer "working!") and on his way home, picked up a little treat for the kids called Kinder Surprise. A friend of his also purchased the same yummy treat but opened his and was able to warn Uncle Mike that the surprise inside each chocolate egg is actually a small toy, just tiny enough to pass through your trachea... whether you choke or not is entirely up to chance! So with this warning, I cut open the chocolate egg (which was really very good chocolate, a thin layer of white
and milk) and waited for the surprise.
I was indeed surprised that it came out in a large yellow capsule (at least SOMEONE was thinking when they came up with the great idea of hiding tiny toys in kids chocolate), and even more so that said capsule contained a handful of teeny, tiny parts that were supposed to assemble into something. The directions were in German and the pictures might as well have been hieroglyphics. Maybe if I'd have had a degree in engineering it wouldn't have taken 20 minutes to assemble a toy the size of a thimble. But the kids loved the thrill of the surprise and all that followed (mmm, chocolate) and were very happy in the end. Thanks, Uncle Mike! You always find the coolest things!
Ryan goes fishing
Labor Day around our house was very relaxing this year... probably because we didn't have any kids! Emma was out with Grandmom all day at a downtown parade, followed by a family picnic and swimming for hours. She actually walked in the parade and learned some nifty political chants to humor the crowd... now all daddy has to do is de-program her!
While Emma was rallying, Ryan went fishing with Uncle Eric at Pop's work. They stock the pond there for employees and their families to fish and Ryan's first fishing experience was filled with many catches. He even hooked Uncle Eric once, luckily it was only in the pant leg! Here's a few pictures of him holding up his catch (Sunny's, or 'suns' as Ryan likes to call them). They're pretty dark b/c they were taken with a camera phone and I tried to lighten them but you get the idea.
Wii Rock the Band
For some Labor Day Weekend fun, Aunt Janet and Uncle Adam came over for pizza and brought Rock Band with them. The kids were crazy excited to participate, but didn't realize how hard it actually was and were reluctant to take any help. Except for Emma - she just sang her little heart out at the mic for an hour!
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