Tuesday, December 29, 2009

#3

For those of you who don't know yet, Ludlow baby #3 is on his way. Today was my hear the heartbeat appointment, but the doctor couldn't find it. We had a scary few minutes, but the dr. did an ultrasound, and the baby was doing fine as far as he could tell. Even though baby is too small to tell the sex, Than and I both kind of felt like it was another little boy.

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Friday, October 23, 2009

Xander pooped in the potty! All it took was bribing him with the science museum.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

funny!

If you haven't visited this website, you should. It is stinkin' hilarious.

www.peopleofwalmart.com

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Update from last post

Xander only has one sticker left before he gets to ride the train. He will only poop in diapers, but I'm totally okay with that for now. He goes to the bathroom all by himself otherwise.

Monday, August 31, 2009

To poop or not to poop; it's not a question for Xander.

Oh goodness, where to start. Well, as I mentioned before, Xander potty-trained super easy. He peed in the potty just fine after one accident on day #2. He told us when he needed to go. Everything was fine. He wasn't so sure about pooping, but he did it two or three times then he had an accident and has since refused to poop......at all! He won't even go in a diaper. We've given him laxatives. He can hold it with the laxatives in his system. He just asks us to rub is tummy while it hurts, but he won't use the bathroom. We've read stories to him while he's sitting. We've bribed him. We've stopped talking about it. Than gave him a blessing. We did an enema after the first five days and three doses of laxative. After another five days and failed meds, we did a liquid suppository. It's been three days since that. They hurt him so much. We explained why we had to do it, but he just refuses to go. I'm at my wits' end. I don't know what to do. He's in pain on and off throughout every day. He must have to use alot of energy to do what he's doing. Today I set up a chart in the bathroom, so after ten poops he gets to ride on the Amtrak. I also made Than a chart, so he can compete with him. Hey, it got him to eat vegetables, so maybe a competition will work. I doubt it. He really likes to go against everything we tell him to do, so I'm trying telling him I don't want him to go. He told me today that he would poop in a diaper, so I put one on him. I could tell he needed to go, but he still didn't. I'm just so frustrated.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

I'm pretty sure you dont',

but in case you care to read the rantings of an lds southern stay-at-home mom who happens to be too interested in politics and government, follow my new blog at www.valerievents.blogspot.com

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Big Week

Xander is potty-trained except for his near complete lack of pooping. :) We've even had to give the poor boy a laxative. We're not sure if he's holding it on purpose or if it's just coincidence.

Than and I got to go to the temple on Wednesday and make a whole date day out of it while my mom watched the boys.

Than started school on Thursday and is feeling a little overwhelmed, but I think he'll be fine once he gets into the swing of things.

Hylan slept through the night last night. Hooray! (He gets up in the middle of the night sometimes and roams the house in complete silence, so we're super excited about him not getting up....not to mention that we got to sleep.)

Saturday, August 15, 2009

A bit of small news

Xander is potty-training right now. I wasn't really in that big of a hurry bc he seemed to fear the toilet, and I don't mind changing diapers that much, but I finally decided it was time. We put underwear on him Wednesday evening. He had one wet accident on Thursday and has been clean since. Only one problem has occurred: fear of pooping in the potty, but he finally did today. I thought he was going to hold it forever. I know you really don't want to know about this. It's more of a funny reminder for myself. That's our news this week on Xander.
Favorite toys: a net that Grandma and Grandpa got for him a while back, a pair of tongs, and trains

Hylan is talking more and more. He finally started saying Pawpaw which has made my dad super happy. No Mimi yet though. He's obsessed with Barney and likes to throw everything. His terrible 2's stage has begun I'm afraid, but he's just so cute when he's being bad. Xander can't get the best of him anymore. Hylan fights back and now starts alot of the scuffles. They play great together most of the time though.
Favorite toys: DVD and CD cases and trains

Favorite activities together: wrestling on the bed and jumping on pillows.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Pictures on my blog. What??!!!

Here are some pictures of what we've been up to lately. Cliff and Jodie came for a visit, and we've been up to lots. Sorry that they're all mixed up. Xander petting the alligator while during the swamp tour.
A big alligator. We saw tons.

"Super Xander!" He likes to yell that when he jumps, and he jumps off of everything.


They got to help paint their new room. This was actually in the closet.



I just thought this was a nice size comparison of our boys.




He still hasn't gotten a haircut. 18 months old in just a few days.





This was what my mom said when I told her I wanted a picture of her holding the gator. "Ugh, we had these when I was little." Yeah, her dad worked for the government, and they had a few pet baby alligators.






Hylan has no fear. He grabbed it all over. It was nice though.







during the water balloon fight at church








Yes, he did shoot me right after this.









There's Than. He was so excited. I love him.










Cliff and Jodie eating a funnel cake at the exchange club fair.











Our family after fair night #1












Xander will only clean up using tongs (aka pickers).













An old chest of drawers I painted for the boys. I know it's a little crazy looking, but they like it.














Xander and I are in the corner. This was on the roller coaster. He loved it!!!















I love Hylan's face in this picture, and Uncle Cliff is pretty funny too.
















My parents' clan...3 children, 3 in-laws, 2 grandchildren with 2 on the way. I know it looks like I have one on the way, but it's Madeline and Jodie.


































This is when Xander sent them to their room. X and H have since moved in there. Uncle Cliff and Aunt Jodie went back to Idaho. :(



















Wednesday, August 5, 2009

?

Xander has been spending more than his fair share of time in his room lately. Tonight we walked down the hall to find him holding Cliff and Jodie hostage in their bedroom. He said they were being punished. We still don't know why.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Questions about primary

For all of you who are serving in primary, have recently, or have kids in it right now:

Do the kids only sing the songs for the program all year? Do they ever get to sing anything else? That's what's happening in our primary right now, and I feel the kids are missing out, but maybe it's like that everywhere. Please comment and let me know what your primaries are like. What about classroom decorations?

Friday, July 10, 2009

Lots of happenings

1. Than is starting school full time in about a month. We have no idea how we'll pay for everything (really, pay for ANYTHING), but we know it will work out somehow.

2. My mom made it through yet another surgery. She had her thyroid removed , along with the tumor that was on it. The surgeon seems to think it wasn't cancerous after all. So, the biopsy was wrong? What? I think they should have to pay for the lifetime of medication she is now going to have to take.

3. My grandmother is now in an inpatient hospice facility. We will probably lose her in the next few days. I'll have an entire, probably rather interesting post on her in a few days.

4. Happy news. My brother and his wife are expecting a baby and will be visiting at the end of next month. Hooray! My sister and her husband also just found out (yesterday) that they too are expecting. Everyone is guessing that they'll both have girls.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Wonderful Day

Independence Day was really fantastic this year. We usually don't do too much, but Than loves to grill, so we had steak, salmon, burgers, hot dogs, corn, peaches, and garlic bread, all done on the grill. The boys played in their pools all day. I ran into a friend whose husband just got home from Iraq. I was so happy for her, and it was great to meet him. It really was a great day to remember and celebrate what a wonderful country this is ..............................................................................until that little tree incident, but that's okay. I'll remember the good parts of the day.

Than and I have joined the ranks...

.....of drunken rednecks...except we weren't drunk of course. In my defense, I tried to stop him, but there is no stopping Than once he gets his mind set on something.

Now let me tell you this. Together, we have cut down several trees in our yard. It's probably not the smartest thing to do, you know, cut down huge oak trees, but we've done it successfully. I've held a rope and pulled them over before.

So tonight we decided to take down three little ones right in the front. We need some firewood, so I thought, what the heck. The first one came down with no problem. We cut it up and hauled the logs to the backyard. Then I started to really look at the second one. It was leaning at about a 30 to 35 degree angle toward the road (and power lines , yay for safety on our part). I mentioned this to Than about three times, but he decided he could do it.

He could not. After a few minutes of trying desperately to get it to fall the way we wanted, it fell on the power lines and knocked out power to our house and several around us. We did get it off the lines pretty fast though and got it to fall to the side. We got the power company out after about a half hour or so. They asked Than if he'd cut the tree. He said yes. They said our power should be back on in a few minutes. They were right.

I'm calling Monday to see what kind of bill they will be sending.
I'm not sure Than learned his lesson.
Me: "So I guess we won't be cutting down that last tree."
Than:"Naw, I can do it, no problem."
Yippee Skippee am I excited for that one.

I know you've been laughing. I'm not offended. I'll laugh about it myself after the bill is paid...hopefully.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Funny Xander

Irrational fear: band-aids

Funny quote today: I can't go swimming. I don't have wings like a fish.

Favorite activities: having everyone spell everything, counting everything, going everywhere and not staying home, playing with Hylan

Thursday, June 25, 2009

NC Vacation

These are a few highlights from our vacation.

Xander
riding a train
waterfalls
riding other rides
the golfball rollercoasters at the science museum
chickens at the petting farm

Hylan
the entire petting farm
ferris wheel
all the ball stuff at the science museum
fish at the aquarium
extra junk food

We all enjoyed getting to see Uncle Troy, Aunt Robyn, and Marisa. Xander told us how much he liked them as we were walking around wal-mart last night. Mama enjoyed Biltmore Estate above everything else. Than, Xander, and I did a grape juice tasting while we were there. I ended buying three bottles. Than and I went shooting with Troy...lots of fun. We loved seeing all the natural beauty that North Carolina has. I especially loved the craggy gardens in the mountains. Oh, and we also got to see bears in the wild. That was pretty exciting. I will try and post pictures. If you would like to see some now, try this. www.facebook.com/valerie.ludlow I'm not sure it will work, so let me know.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

I JUST CAN'T GET ENOUGH

I really can't get enough of crazy names. Maybe you can, so just don't continue to read if that is the case. I will try to make this my last "names" post.

Okay, to begin: I'm sure you've heard about George Foreman and naming nearly all of his children George or some form of the name like Georgette. Egomaniac maybe? Well, recently I've discovered that this strange practice isn't all that uncommon.

-A certain man named Kobie has one son named Kobie Jr. and another son named JaKobie (they have different last names; I guess one kept the mother's name). His daughters don't have his name, but they are worth mentioning.....Kamyra and Ku'Nyria. BTW, Mr. Kobie goes by the name Nu Nu.
-Twenty years ago my father taught the son of someone he played football with in high school. The man's name was Andrew. His son's name was Andrew. Jump ahead twenty years. Andrew Sr. has gotten divorced and remarried (and since divorced again). He has another son twenty years younger than the first. What do you think his name is? Yep, Andrew.

Alright, now I have a nice list taken mostly from birth announcements. Sorry for any repeats from a previous post.

-Zachiaya -Sen'Torrance -GVontae -CorDarius -Enijah
-Rhontundra -Kartayrious -Kimyreon -Jakden -JaTarion
-NaYanna -Enysia -Tyliyah -DaMarkus -ZyKireah

*I did NOT alter any spelling, capitalization, or punctuation to protect the stupid.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Just some pictures

Xander playing on our wood chopping stump


Xander after he got caught creating a mud puddle for Hylan

the best shot we got. Hylan has such a great smile, and we didn't get it in this picture


Hylan got covered by bubbles by his big brother. He liked it.



Than and the boys after our train ride. That's our train in the background.





Friday, June 5, 2009

Chuckles

My mother is on a major family history kick right now. It's been really interesting learning about people even she never met. She's done a little traveling, finding records and talking to people. She's also visited some cemeteries. The boys, of course, come along when I go on the trips. Maybe we've been hanging out in cemeteries a little too much, and this is why.

On our way to Magee to pick up Than, Xander point out the window and says, "I want to go play over there." I wasn't really paying attention to what was around us, so I looked where he was pointing. I said, "The cemetery?"......"Yeah, the cemetery. I want to play over there."

Okay, so my son would rather hang out in a graveyard than his sandbox. Oh well, I'll worry about that another day. Today it's funny.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Okay, one more round

of what I consider funny names. Okay, here we go!

Recently arrested for murder in a drug deal gone bad, we have TYQWAN.

Twin sisters: PRECIOUS JERRICKA and PRECIOUS JOHNAYA. You read it right folks, they have the same first name.

A possible play on the name Lazarus, we have LAZERIC.

Here's a not so great rhymer: KAGINA (maybe she has a brother name KENIS)

Titles and Sweet: PRINCESS, DIVINE, MISTER, COMMANDER, CZAR

Nicknames based on head shape and used tas their everyday name: SPOON, PUMPKIN, PEANUT

Other nicknames used as everyday names: BOO, POOH, POOKIE (In white families it seems like everyone has an uncle mike or you now of some other common names. In black families, usually there are all three of these)

A couple extra: KENYATTA, KEOSHA

If you think these names are funny, please look up Shirley Q. Liquor's song, Who Is My Baby Daddy? I wish I had a link for you. It is hilarious.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

The Good and the Bad

The GOOD:
Xander had an awesome birthday. He loved every minute of it except being sung to. We had a little family party at home. He had a train cake and got mostly transportation themed gifts. After the party, we took the Amtrak to McComb. Aunt Mad and Uncle Da came with us, so it made it extra special. Xander wanted the train to slow down a bit though. He still loved it. The McComb train station has a huge antique train, so Than and the boys climbed all over it. The rest of the day was filled with other fun. He likes telling everyone about how he got to ride the big train.

Hylan has been saying more words like dog and keys and Sally and making the tongue clicking noise to call her. His sleeping habits have somewhat improved, so he's happier, and we're happier. He loves playing outside, and throws a fit every time someone walks out the door, and he can't go. He has the most infectious smile, and everyone who meets him instantly falls in love.

Today we got to pick blackberries. Xander actually picks one or two every day that are ripe, but today there were lots of ripe ones. It was pretty exciting.


The BAD:

My mom found out that she has thyroid cancer and will have to have her thyroid removed. Luckily though, they don't do chemo with thyroid cancer, so she may not have to have any further treatment after the surgery. The worst case scenario is that she'll have to take some radioactive pill and stay away from everyone for a week.

Than has to work Saturday. He had to work Memorial Day too. I'm just upset.

About two hours ago I kept hearing a car horn. It sounded kind of distant, so I didn't really worry about it....then our dog started barking which is kind of weird. She's really not much of a barker (anymore). I thought another dog was just in the yard or something.....then Than walked into the kitchen and there was a car pulled right up to the house in between two of our cars(okay, our driveway is pretty long, so it's not like they had just pulled over or something).......then Than saw a woman run across our front yard and jump onto the hood then a man got out. They were like arguing or something and yelling up at us through the window. We were just so confused. We have no idea who they were. We called the police, but they left before the police had a chance to send anyone. We figured they were out there for at least ten minutes, walking around our yard and hanging out in our driveway. They didn't look drunk or like they needed help. It was bizarre and scary. I can't go to sleep. Maybe they were the ones who have been stealing from us and were mad that we had added some locks. This was a good neighborhood until the government stepped in and forced the apartment complex down the road to lower their prices because there weren't enough minorities living there. Ugh, I'm just so angry. What if these people come back and break in? What reason could they have for being in our yard, outside of their car? None.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Funny Names

I went to high school with some crazy-named folks. Okay, I hope this doesn't sound racist, but some black people like to make up insane names for their children. Often they are pronounced totally different from what you'd think. I like to find these names in birth announcements, my dad's class roll every year, and the arrest reports. Here is just a small sample of my recent findings.

Orlandas
Undray
Latrez
Demon (I'd bet this one is pronounced Duh-mon)
Casnacita
Panaquad (puh-no-quah...middle syllable short o sound) I went to high school with her. Her siblings and cousins have much funnier names, but I just can't remember them right now.
Charlickia
Chavaqua
Tequilla

Monday, May 18, 2009

AAHHH

Xander: (licked me) "I yicked you, Mama!"

Me: "Why did you lick me?"

Xander: "You dood."

yicked=licked
dood=good

That was Xander.

This is Hylan.

...screaming his lungs out because the only thing that will make him happy right now is turning the lights on and off. He even turned down a powdered donut and my phone. My Smylin' Hylan is now Hylan the Handful.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Picture update

Here are a few pictures for those of you without a facebook or who don't look at it very often. They are way out of order, but here you go. Enjoy.


Hylan decorating an Easter egg



Xander hunting at the Primary egg hunt

the kids and me waiting to hunt


Xander decorating eggs



Hylan hunting




Hylan attempting to eat with a spoon. He does better with a fork.





Xander with the train he made from cars. Btw, the binky is still gone, just an older picture.






the cupcakes I made for the primary egg hunt with a couple that Than and Xander made







All of my boys in the box after we got a new refrigerator








my favorite flower bc it smells like candy






























Wednesday, April 22, 2009

My little reminders

Sorry if some of my posts are a bit boring. Sometimes I write here to make sure I remember to write things down for the boys later.

For example:

Today I was out swinging the boys and I was singing the I'm feelin' HOT HOT HOT song. I don't remember the title right now, but you get the idea....then Xander and Hylan copy me. Xander wasn't a surprise but hearing Ha Ha Ha come out of Hylan's mouth sure was. It was so cute. His favorite words right now are uh-oh and uh-uh. Hylan has been getting better at using a fork lately too. That means total self-feeding is just around the corner. Hooray!

Tomorrow is story time at the library. Xander has been doing better and better. He sits and listens to the stories. Sometimes he tries to pick out books for the librarian to read. It's so nice that she's patient and usually gives in at least once or twice. Xander's birthday is next month, and he is well aware. He tries to convince us that he's already three but then just goes into how he's "getting a Percy for my birthday in May."

Friday, April 17, 2009

These are a few of their favorite things

Xander
no longer having to take a nap
wrestling with Hylan, Parker, and Davis
sneaking his lawnmower inside
saying his alphabet, getting to the end, and replacing Z with F, and laughing
telling me he's not crazy but a wildman instead
ramen noodles
being read to
running around naked
cuddling with Mimi
the new sandbox
Daddy swinging him high since Mommy can't go as high

Hylan
saying new words like dog, bite, and dada
candy
poking Mommy in the eye
belly-buttons (aka pookas)
dogs
pretending to give Xander a toy then yanking it away
pretending to read
finding out how things work and are put together
begging Pawpaw for food, no matter what it is
Daddy coming home from work


I didn't get a picture but visualize. I walked into the bathroom to find Xander trying desperately to hold on to one of Hylan's legs as Hylan is desperately trying to reach into the toilet to splash around. As much as Xander bugs the poo out of Hylan, he still tries to protect him, and that makes me happy.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Binky no more

Well, today was the day I've been dreading. We took away Xander and Hylan's pacifiers. Actually the Binky Fairy took them and gave them to the new babies at the hospital and left gifts for the boys. I really hated lying to them, but it needed to be done. We don't even have Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny at our house.....and no, I don't feel I'm depriving my children of anything by simply not mentioning them. Other people do, so they can make up their own mind.

I digress. Xander cried for about an hour. He got over it and hasn't asked for one since. He took a nap without it. He is now in his room trying to go to sleep. I'm pretty sure he would already be asleep, but his nap was late today. I really can't believe how easy it's been with him. Something said in conference made me realize I could pray about this, that Heavenly Father could help Xander get through it.


Hylan has kind of cried himself to sleep twice today, but I think he'll be okay soon. He didn't understand the binky fairy. He did like getting gifts though. Oh, big news about Hylan. He is walking all over the place. He took his first steps on March 1st, but he just wouldn't get going until about three or four days ago. He actually ran away from Xander today. So exciting!


My mom was the real binky fairy. I was home for the beginning of everything. I helped Xander through his tears but then I had to go pick up Than in Magee, and my parents, my wonderful parents watched the boys for about six hours while Than and I got some much needed time to ourselves. Mama took care of fairy gifts. Daddy rocked Hylan (the one time he didn't cry to sleep). There was no long car ride for them today. It was the perfect day to get rid of those binkies.


Monday, March 30, 2009

Easter is my favorite!

It's nearly two weeks away, but I'm excited. I love Easter. It's Spring; there's lots of candy deliciousness; fun crafts; decorations; and of course the remembrance of the resurrection of our Savior.

The big Primary get-together is the day before Easter at our Primary president's house. She has a nice big yard out in the country, perfect for kids to run around and hunt eggs. I suggested that she have the big kids and little kids hunt in separate areas, and she actually took my suggestion! I noticed there was a problem last year with the older ones being too rough and the little ones not getting many eggs. By golly, my little boys and the other little ones are going to get to hunt eggs too.

I also get to make whatever goodie I want. I'm going to make adorable Easter cupcakes...so excited that I have somewhere to take cupcakes, so I'm not just making them at home for nothing but to add weight to my hips. Than got put in charge of grilling burgers and hot dogs. Yay for Than being married to a primary teacher! He doesn't mind. He loves grilling.

Than and I made paper machet (sp?) eggs yesterday. Xander and I are going to paint them tomorrow, and I found an egg dye that I think Hylan can actually use. I'm excited.

Hopefully the weather will cooperate for a Happy Easter. Cross your fingers.

Friday, March 27, 2009

Oh, I forgot something

It may seem silly to call the police because of food being stolen, but I did it anyway. I felt like our home was invaded. They moved stuff around and went in the garage and laundry room. I don't feel safe anymore. I'm buying new locks. I am locking up everything I can. I'm afraid for my children. I think I've moved from the angry phase to the genuinely scared phase. They could easily come in our house next or one of our neighbors' houses.

I'm angry today, and I don't care what you think.

I have had a couple angry days, angry at the world in general. Well, to tell you the truth, I'm angry at the world alot. I have a really hard time with constant injustice and stupidity, but the past couple of days have been extra angry. I'm working on it.

1. My mother is working for the 2010 census right now. She got hired as a crew leader which pays more than a regular worker. When she got to the workshop they told her along with the whole room that they had hired too many people and that some of them would be assistants. Later they said some of them wouldn't have jobs at all. The boss was a black woman who didn't even understand how to do the job. She said, out loud, who she had picked to be her crew leaders (BEFORE THEY TOOK THE TEST THAT IS SUPPOSED TO, BY SCORE, DETERMINE THAT). She picked the five black people in the room, one of whom was late every day and slept the entire time; the other of whom didn't even come to the last two days of the workshop...when the test was given. Luckily my mother did get an assistant job but a couple of the competetent hard workers did not, just because they weren't dark enough.

2. Our dog who never gets in the road was hit by a car and died yesterday. The speed limit is 30, plenty of time to see a dog or cat. I have never hit one and I've been driving down this road for ten years. I watch for them. People go up and down our child-filled street at 60mph. I've almost been hit getting the mail. I know I shouldn't, but I look to see who the speeders are. They are not the old white people who have been made out to be the villains in our current world.

3. This is silly, but I had a dream about that stupid little kid who stold Than's scriptures and my cd's out of our car while we were giving him a ride home. I have continued to be nice to him, but we refuse to give rides anymore. I don't really like driving in the ghetto anyway.

4. Than has customers who always buy food from him with EBT (food stamp) cards. Now, if you need to use them, that's fine. I really don't have a problem with that, but when you use four different ones with four different names on them, and you are the only one living in the house, I have a problem with that. It's fraud. It's stealing from the government, and you are what's wrong with this country. These are the people who voted for Obama in Mississippi...just had to throw that in there. This has happened to Than along with his coworkers on more than one occasion.

5. We have had bikes stolen out of our back yard and a skilsaw stolen off of our porch (yeah, I know we shouldn't have left it there, but that doesn't give anyone the right to steal from us. ). We saw an African American child riding one of our bikes.

6. Last night, in the middle of a really bad thunderstorm, like really bad, over $200 worth of food was stolen out of our garage freezer. We had just bought it and put it in there the day before, so we are not mistaken. We don't have the money to replace that food. That was our food for the next two weeks. They probably have a food stamp card and make more money than us. Thanks alot jerks. Oh yeah, they didn't just steal "real" food. They also stole quite a bit of ice cream and other sweet products Than had gotten for free, so don't play the hungry card. It won't work.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

I like you

Growing up, my parents almost never or possibly never said I love you to us. We never really noticed because we knew they loved us. They didn't have to say it. Than and I use the phrase more often but maybe we've been slacking off lately. Xander tells us that he likes us but in a very loving tone of voice. It just sounds so sweet. Several times throughout the day I hear, "I like you, Mommy." He also likes Daddy and Baby (he still won't call Hylan by his name) and Mimi and Pawpaw. We're pretty sure he means love although he also "likes" Tina and Sally, our two dogs, and Wal-Mart and Taco Bell. He says likes in a different tone though. I really love my little fella.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

A New One

Okay, so I've decided I have a new pet peeve. Televisions in grocery stores. I don't get it. They make me nervous. Why have a television screen right in front of the Pringles advertising flowers? Does that make sense? It was also a terribly formatted ad. It's just distracting. There was a four foot tall screen right above the meat section. The bottom of the screen was lower than eye level. I felt like I was in some futuristic dumb grocery story movie.....like a big head was about to start talking to all the robot shoppers.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

S.L.U.T.T.Y.

I spent four hours today trying on dresses. I hate shopping. At least it was without children for the most part. Than was wonderful enough to drop me off at a few stores and take the boys to petco and best buy and wherever else they went. I could not find a single modest dress...four hours, five stores, nothing. All the hemlines were two inches higher than last year. All the sleeves were gone, the necks were too wide, and the backs were out. I finally settled on a knit dress from old navy under which I have to wear a tank top and over which I have to wear a cardigan. It's one crazy looking outfit, but I'm twenty pounds lighter than I was this time last year, and I needed something new. I want the modesty trend back.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Mama times

"I like squirrels. I like their fluffy tails. Squirrels eat acorns." "I play with my hair like Daddy." "Let me eat first!" "I want blue cupcakes." Xander has become quite the talker...finally. We love it, and it just adds to his hilarity. Life really is just one big improv show for him. He has a hard time making a mean face without smiling. Hylan is following in his footsteps and now makes the mean smiley face. He still has trouble sleeping. It got better for a while, but he got sick a couple weeks ago and has gone all the way backwards. Sometimes he wakes up about every half hour. Otherwise, he is a very pleasant child. Hylan could play in the sandbox all day if I let him. Well, he could stay outside playing with grass, leaves, acorns, and rocks all day. I'm so grateful for my boys.

Oh, and I gladly made the blue cupcakes.

Friday, February 20, 2009

I'm not that immodest.

Xander sure thinks so though. I sat him down at the dining room table today to do a little coloring/drawing. First, he drew Pawpaw then Mimi then Daddy then Mema. I was nowhere to be found. He then drew me on the next page, but I looked a little different, so I asked Xander what I was wearing. He told me "unnerwear". Okay, so maybe I'm not so into pajamas. I just can't sleep in them, but maybe I should try.

Really though, I don't walk around in my underwear.

Friday, February 13, 2009

mini-update from this morning

A couple of hours ago I got back from a most awful trip to wal-mart, and what do I find on the dining room table? A wonderful bouquet of roses and daisies (my fav combo and tradition since 2004). I sent Than a text really quick to thank him and of course he denied sending them. He fessed up eventually. I love him. He works so hard and such long hours. I don't think he knows how much I appreciate him. Hopefully, the Fun Dip and sausage casserole will let him know.

Hooray!

Hylan now sleeps through the night in his own bed! It's a miracle. We are all much happier people. Than still swaddles him to get him to sleep better. It takes him about 5 hours to mind, then I wake up, unwrap him, and he goes right back to sleep. To celebrate, and hopefully relieve some back pain, Than and I are getting a new mattress! I'm so excited.

Have any of you ever seen the show Between the Lions on PBS? Well, I really don't like it. It just happens to come on right after Sesame Street, so sometimes the boys watch it. It's a bunch of clips that are supposed to flow together but don't at all. One of the recurring clips is called Cliff Hanger. For some unknown reason, Xander is terrified of this cartoon. I have to change the channel or turn off the tv every time it comes on. It's a mystery. I just had to do this.

Yay me! I made my first pretty cupcakes two days ago. I made blue and yellow flowers. I have to say they were pretty cute, not quite worthy to take them for anything but still very cute. I baked and decorated during naptime, so I wouldn't get any "help" this time. Xander got to decorate one and eat FOUR after his nap. Hylan may have eaten a little cupcake paper too. Oopsy.

I've also finally started cooking on a regular basis. I still don't like it, but it makes Than happy. Too bad he doesn't like sweets. I like making those. Oh well, maybe the more I cook, the more I'll like it too. Doubt it, but I'll keep trying. I'm going to make him heart shaped breakfast in the morning. I'm excited. The boys and I are cardmaking today too. Fun fun.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Wet sand under my fingernails

I just really love being a mama. Right now, Hylan is digging through the couch, like really really digging, while Than keeps him from climbing over the back of it. I won't tell you what he's found so far. I'm not the best housekeeper. Xander is asleep now, but I got to build castles with him in the sandbox today. I even sat on the ground! Shocker! The weather was so nice, and we took advantage of it. I just can't believe how much they can change in a matter of days. Hylan is a face-maker now. He's always been pretty laid back and just kind of went between blank look, smiles, and angry face. Now he has many in between. Xander has finally started using I instead of me at the beginning of sentences. I winked at him today, and he told me it was yucky. We also made a quick trip to Home Depot today where the boys must always ride in a car buggy. They hold onto and turn the steering wheels the whole time. They play and laugh with each other and play peek-a-boo. Well, Xander does and Hylan laughs at him. I love them. I love that I have two boys who get along so well with each other. I love that I have a husband who loves them as much as I do. My life is happy. We have fun together.

Monday, February 2, 2009

What we're up to

Hylan hates having his diaper changed more than any baby I've ever changed, and he's really strong, like really really really strong. He flips over and crawls away; he kicks; he grabs; he thrashes. I am not strong enough (or maybe it's my tiny hands) to hold up both of his feet at once, so it's kind of a one at a time thing. He's been sick on and off for about six weeks, so he has not been happy. He says Mama when I walk into a room. He still says bye bye and likes to wave to us as he is pushing his cart. He really thinks he's going places. When my dad came home from work today, he looked up at him and said Pawpaw. He stands on his own, but just won't take that first step. We are looking forward to his first birthday in two weeks. Oh, and his favorite activity is hiding things in Than's shoes.................well, really putting blocks, pacifiers, and other small objects in shoes, cups, buckets, whatever.

Xander loves things that go, trains, helicopters, school buses. He is a little computer whiz, but I'm not sure how I feel about that. He is learning to read. It's my mom's idea, but as long as he has fun, I don't care. His language is definitely catching up. He is still addicted to the pacifier, and I don't know what to do about it. I think he may have a nervous breakdown without it.

We don't have an active nursery leader, so Than and I have pretty much been missing half our meetings each taking turns because our children, at least together, are unmanagable in church. This past Sunday the Primary president watched the two nursery kids, so we got a break. She loved him. I wish he would act as well for us. My mom said I was always good everywhere but church. I guess I'm getting my payback. I'm not sure about Than. I think everything well-behaved in our children came from Than.

Than and I got to go on a mini-date this weekend. We went to dairy queen and got blizzards. It was great. When we came home, we watched Fireproof. It was a bit cheesy but really good. We both recommend it.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

I must be B.A.D.

I just think this is funny. A few minutes ago we were giving the boys a bath. Hylan was out and Than had him, so I was watching Xander. Than came in and asked me what channel ABC was, and then we talked for a couple minutes before I realized that Xander was, over and over, saying B.A.D. B.A.D. I think he must have heard us spell that a few times lately. Uh-oh.