Purging of the Soul

What a frenzied Friday for me. Usually, I spend my days lolly gagging in the house, baking on a whim, and playing on the computer. But, last week I was on a reorganizing, rearranging, and revamping war path. This week it was the resurrection of my cleaning supplies. My house is cleaner than when ....hmmmmm, not sure when I last really cleaned my house.
Maybe it's energy regained after months of producing boob juice. Maybe it's that I have given in to my son, and now, most nights he sleeps with me - because it's just easier. Maybe it is because for the first time since her debut, Charlotte slept for twelve hours last night, bless her heart. For whatever the reason, cleaning my house just makes me feel good deep down to my core. Maybe, just maybe, I should make a habit of it...

She's a Real Wild One

So this morning, Charlotte and I awoke before the boys and went down stairs. Seeing the cat perched on the couch and knowing that Charlotte adores the cat, we plopped down next to Toby for some cuddle time. Toby was very excited, it is written all over her perfect feline face. Charlotte, is undoubtedly excited too.
Just a little further...

You don't have to see her face, her cheeks and chin say it all. And so does Toby's expression...

What's the matter Toby? See my alluring basketball pajama pants? I bought them at Victoria's Secret! Ummm, yeah, really I did...

Awwww, Toby has had enough.

No, wait, come back...

Charlotte knows Toby won't be back for a while.

Who, Who is Responsible for my Sleepless Nights?

Recently, David and I splurged on a new toy. For months I have been stalking this Canon point and shoot camera. David protested stating that I didn't need one (which I never said I needed one), but with some plea bargaining I convinced him of the purchase. This little camera has a 20x optical zoom, my major selling point to David, which allows us to photograph some of the little critters that inhabit our yard. And ever since this little package hit our doorstep, I have been salivating to photograph our yard's most notable inhabitants (other than the children), our owls. Pretty amazing, their "who-whos" and their squawking never cease to pause me in my tracks and make me take note.

The owls seem to own real estate throughout the neighborhood. I don't think our house is the only house they frequent. But yesterday and today, this particular owl was napping in the trees close to our house. In fact, I think he was perched on the same branch two days in a row. I spent quite a while trying to find the best angle to obtain a clear shot, and it was interesting to watch him watching me. Hands down, the owls are one major reason I would think twice about selling our home and moving.

What is it About the ...?

So we have all seen this picture before. Joseph in his cute khaki hat with a dandelion in hand. Today, like most days in the Spring and Summer, Joseph and David play outside, and intermittently I come outside to visit and take pictures.
But then something distracts Joe from our impromptu photo session. It's something a lot of little boys find fascinating. David says, little boys love these because they are big and loud. I think it's because they are stinky...

The trash truck.

Ooooo, awwww, mesmerizing!

Good Friday

Boy, lately, I've been breaking out some original post titles for the blog. I do love Good Friday though. For the past several years I have really cherished the celebration of Easter over Christmas. I won't delve into my rationale, for I am sure to offend someone, but I feel calm over Easter. Over Christmas, I feel many things, least of which are calm.

Maybe it is the beginning of Spring, but I have been slowly rearranging furniture and space around the house. My plan of attack: rearrange old stuff. I took down all the pics over the entertainment center. It was too cluttered. Instead, I propped up our old bathroom mirror and surronded that with some old glass flower vases. Hoping the mirror and the glass would reflect some light and make the room feel more open. Then I went outside and cut off the branches from some obscure bush and stuck then in a vase - to add some seasonal color. In a month or two, I will have to sneak across the street and cut branches from our neighbor's lilac bush.
For those of you who have been to my little home, maybe you noticed what I did to the dining room table. I pulled out the center leaf, and shoved that bad boy up against the wall, cafe style. It sure gives up some space, and looks more at home in our small house.
As you can see, today we colored Easter eggs. Charlotte parked it at the head of the table. Joe's favorite color is purple, so I made purple dye and then kept it simple with some blues and greens. For the first time this year I just used food coloring and loved the results.

Charlotte busy with her blocks.

Joe just loves to play with liquids and pour them back and forth from cup to cup.

By the look on his face you would think I was levitating.

The egg carton was much less messy than the tray that comes with the PAAS kits.

Finally, I get a smile. David had him say some crazy phrase with the word fart in it. How refined.

What an angel... The texture of her hair and skin tone in this picture just makes me want to eat her cheeks.

I hope everyone has a CALM Easter weekend filled with family - and maybe a few Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs.

Thank You Aunt Vonnie

To realize The value of a sister/brother: Ask someone Who doesn't have one.

To realize The value of ten years: Ask a newly Divorced couple.

To realize The value of four years: Ask a graduate.

To realize The value of one year: Ask a student who Has failed a final exam.

To realize The value of nine months: Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.

To realize The value of one month: Ask a mother Who has given birth to A premature baby.

To realize The value of one week: Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize The value of one minute: Ask a person Who has missed the train, bus or plane.

To realize The value of one-second: Ask a person Who has survived an accident.

To realize the value of a friend or family member: LOSE ONE

Time waits for no one.. Treasure every moment you have..

Just Joseph

Mom, "Joseph Toland stinkpot, what are you doing?". Joseph, "I not Joseph Toland stinkpot, I just Joseph!" Now that Joseph is three, the time has come for me to let go. Joseph will start preschool on the Fall. Not sure where yet, but I am sure we'll find something suitable. And not full time, but probably two days a week. Half days in the Fall, and then full days in the Spring. Before preschool starts we need to work on pulling our pants up and down, and using a "big potty". But as far as control goes, we are doing quite well, and I feel very comfortable and pleased with our potty training.
Now, as far as Joseph goes I feel confident enough with this development, with the exception that he wakes up at least twice a night screaming for me or David. Let me stress the phrase AT LEAST. The first time he wakes up I take him potty, but after that I am not playing games, and end up either yelling at him in a sleepy stupor, or carrying him into my bed. He has a night light, I leave KPR on the radio so that there is fairly tame music on in the background. He has water at his bedside, a few stuffed animals, his B, his white car...I am at a loss. I don't know what to do. But the fact that my three year old wakes me more through the night than my infant is perplexing and disheartening. And gosh darn it, it exacerbates my eye redness. I joked with David, that my teeth are yellow and my eyes are red...I truly am a monster.
As for Joe's daily activities, he spends his days playing with cars, trains, in the dirt outside or just hanging out with Mom and Dad. If we're inside he is usually making a mess of my kitchen, or playing with cups and water somewhere in the house. The kid loves to pretend to cook. Friday's he has soccer, and hopefuly if I can plaster on a swimsuit, we'll do swimming lessons.

Just A Little About David and I

Now that I am finished breastfeeding, I feel physically and mentally ready to get into shape. Now whether "get into shape" means lose weight through diet and exercise, or just exercise I am not sure. It has always been fairly easy to maintain a comfortable figure by exercising, and avoiding soda, chips and junk food. Note, junk food does not include homemade desserts. Homemade baked goods are my weakness. A weakness that I have indeed passed along to my son. But, back to "maintaining", I do not have the metabolism of a young twenty something anymore, I need to realize that I am growing older. Finer, but still older, and I can no longer afford the dietary splurges of my youth. So for the time being, I have started walking for at least 40 mintues a day, and then exercising to the 30 Day Shred twice a week (homegirl kicks my butt). To make me accountable, my Mom and I are going to run the Amy Thompson 8K on Memorial Day.
I hope David doesn't mind me speaking on his behalf, but he has been busy in the yard this week, and dreaming of our boating excursions this summer on our little pontoon boat. Being on the boat always makes the kids tired, the good kind of wind blown-fresh air tired. Plus I love Wyandotte Co. Lake, it is WyCo's little jewel, always green and quiet. Not to mention we were married there. This year David is off on Sunday and Monday. So for the next eight months, every Sunday, David will play softball with the Digglers. Yes, as in Dirk Diggler. Anybody, name that movie. Nothing makes my husband happier than playing slow-pitch softball on a Sunday night. Well, happy, as far as playing softball goes.
It has been so long since I have posted a real post I could go on and on and on and on. You get the point.

Half Way There

I always want to post throughout my day. As I meander through my week at home, random thoughts and occurences run through my head, and I always want to share. But, I feel that without pictures what is the point. My camera batteries, have little juice, and seem to be on the charger the majority of the time. Not to mention, our days have been spent inside and my house is a P-I-T, leaving me uninspired to capture the moment. But since I posted the myriad of family photos, I wanted to talk about my children and a little about me.
I can't believe Charlotte is seven and a half months old. It feels like ages since I was pregnant, and home on maternity leave. The sad part is in a mere five months she will be a one year old. Oh my, a one year old's birthday is bittersweet, isn't it? As for milestones, she rolls back and forth, sits fairly well unsupported but not well enough, and occasionally she will "worm" it around on her blanket while she is on the floor. Worm? Think break dancing. As for eating, I waited until six months to start any cereal or babyfood, mainly because that was the impression I received from my pediatrician. So she has only had a few veggies, and this morning I went ahead and gave her a banana, because that was all I had prepared at the time. She's a good eater, no doubt about it. She still wakes up once a night. I was beastfeeding her at the time, but in the last week, I have decided to wean/quit breastfeeding, and of this moment haven't breastfed or pumped for over twenty four hours. So I think it is safe to say we are done. It is an understatement to say that I am sad, but my body was done, that much is clear.
I think I could go on and on about Baby Mae, but will stop for now. Can I just say, that although you want your children to grow and thrive, my heart aches to know that they will never be this sweet, innocent, loving, happy, and enamored with me has they are when they're infants.

SNAP Family Photos

Check out our family photos from SNAP Photography. I have also placed a link to the SNAP blog on my sidebar. I love the photos of Tricia's kids on St. Patty's Day. And if you would be so kind, I need help picking out a family photo of the four of us. So comments are welcome. The more members of the family, the harder it is to capture the perfect picture. I wonder how difficult it would be if we had five members in our family...?