Nate is Four Years Old

I asked Nate what he wanted people to know about him, now that he is four years old. He said, "I do silly things." And, that pretty much sums it up.

He is our silly guy. He likes to make us laugh-making silly faces or making up silly words for things.  And you should see him dance.  He shakes his booty and twirls is hands around in the air. It is awesome. He is still really sweet and sensitive. Everyone is his best friend.

Right now he is at the stages of being both very independent.  He started taking showers (with some help from Mommy still) but is back to taking baths.  Some days he will pick out his clothes and get himself dressed and other days I have to do it all for him.  He even still wants to be fed sometimes, which is slightly pushing it. :)

He loves: his little guys (action figures), peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (he would eat them for all three meals everyday if I let him), his Daddy (big time Daddy's boy right now), being outside. 

Our First Visit to the Love Chapel

We had our first volunteering experience and it was wonderful!

I meet with an amazing group of ladies each Thursday for a Bible study.  That in itself has been such a blessing.  Encouraged by the church and each other to take our studies one step further with service projects, we found our first opportunity at the Love Chapel.

After study and lunch on Thursday, we headed over to help them out.  The staff and volunteers at the Love Chapel were wonderful.  With all our little kids in tow, we don't know how much of a help we would be (or really were), but they were gracious.  While we desired to help, we also wanted our kids to learn about serving others.  They set up stations for the kids so that they could help.  They could roll up utensils in napkins, sort plastic bags, stacking bread, and help divide dog food into smaller portioned sacks.

Nate did a great job helping.  Maddie did well, for about 2 minutes at each station, but about as well as to be expected. So it was a lot of running around after her and we left with her screaming (granted it was naptime), but it was completely worth it. Being able to bring them there to help other people and talk with Nate afterwards about it will hopefully develop servant's hearts in our children.  I don't think he completely understands at this age why we were doing what we were doing, but my hope is that they will continue to help others and when they are older it will be a part of their life,

as if "they've been going to the Love Chapel as long as they can remember".

 

TN Vacation

It has been a full, crazy year with WOCS, and so instead of getting away this summer we made plans to wait until after Michael graduated to go on a mini vacation.  We set our sights on Tennessee, booked a cabin, and anxiously awaited October.  When the government shut down happened, we questioned whether we should still go, but since the cabin was already reserved and paid for (and we REALLY wanted to get away) we decided to go ahead with our plans.

And boy were we glad we did! We had a wonderful time. 

The trip didn't start off on the best note, with Michael getting bit by a neighbor dog when dropping Sammy off at Jaime's, but the wound wasn't too terrible and ended up healing up without any infection.  The kids were amazing on the way down and back and that's without sleeping much of the time. We packed the car full of books and games and toys and they did a great job entertaining themselves. It wasn't too long of a drive-about 6 hours.

The first day was spent getting there and then settling into our cabin. We stayed outside of Pigeon Forge in Sieverville.  The cabin was adorable!  The kids loved it and wanted to live there and make it our new home. There was a hot tub and gas fireplace (which took a little bit to figure out both). It was a two bedroom but the kids ended up in bed with us most of the time.  We thought we would use the hot tub more but only ended up using it once--it was difficult getting the kids settled down at the end of the night with them sharing a room. But, the fireplace was on if we were there.  It was wonderful starting it up with a flick of a switch!

The first full day there was spent in Gatlinburg at Ober Gatlinburg.  I highly recommend it if you have small kids.  The highlight was the chairlift to the top of the mountain and then the slide on the way back down. Maddie was pretty scared going up the chairlift the first time, just repeating over and over "I don't want it.".  She even tried to climb out at one point so I was pretty stressed out the first ride up, but by the end she was enjoying it and we even went up a couple more times. There was also a human maze, kiddie rides, and pretty neat playground area, mini golf, and a water slide (that Michael talked me into going down with Nate--of course I ended up 3x as soaked as he did!).  It was a very full, very fun day. 

The next day, the state decided to reopen the Great Smoky National Park and so that's exactly where we went!  I was so excited because I thought it was something we were going to miss out on while we were there. Our first little hike was 1.0 mile round trip to a little waterfall.  The kids didn't even make it (possibly worn out from yesterday?) but it was fun to walk the trail and look at the beautiful trees.  We drove around the park and even saw a couple of bears climbing up a tree!  We went to Clingman's Dome and walked up to the tower.  This was tough for the little ones because the walk up, although paved, was quite steep.  So, even tougher for us because they were either on our shoulders or we were carrying them much of the time. We were pretty high up and since it was an overcast day, we were literally up in the clouds.  So we didn't get a great view but still really neat to be in the clouds.

 Our last full day in TN we decided to go to a children's museum.  It was a rainy day and a perfect way to spend the day indoors.  However, when we got there it was closed for construction.  We were going to avoid the tourist traps but we found ourselves with nothing to do and not really wanting to hang out in the cabin the WHOLE day so we hit up a store that had a few bears you could see and feed.  The kids enjoyed that a lot.  And then we went to WonderWorks.  It was fun and the kids are still asking to go back to the "upside down" house.  It was nice to get back to the cabin at a good time to enjoy our last night there.

Halt on Potty Training

We are pausing the potty training and so happy to do so! It was going nowhere fast. :)  Maddie did figure out what the potty was and what to do in it, but didn't quite get that she needed to tell us before she had to go.  She would also only tinkle a little tiny bit and then turn around and have an accidents within seconds of using the potty.  So needless to say I was cleaning a LOT of messes.

The only reason we started was because she was constantly taking off her diaper, knowing she wasn't quite ready yet but moving forward with it anyway.  So, when a couple of weeks ago she decided to start keeping her diaper on we decided to stop the madness and let her keep her diapers!

For now, she uses the potty when she feels like it but it's mostly diaper time. So the Minnie Mouse undies will stay comfortably nestled in her drawer for a bit longer. We will try again when she is ready and I think the process will be a lot smoother. :) 

Michael's WOCS Graduation

Michael is now officially an officer--WO1 Michael Riker! I am so incredibly proud of him.  He finished the process that was started almost a year ago with graduation on Saturday.  He did the in-state program through the RTI at Camp Atterbury, which involved 5 drills and an AT.  It was very intense, a lot of work, challenging, and stressful.  But now we can all move forward and are excited for new opportunities and experiences that this will bring.

Big Girl, Big Changes

A few weeks ago, Maddie decided that she no longer likes to keep her pants or diaper on.  So every opportunity she gets, off they come!  This means finding her with messes. On the floor. She hates the diaper, I hate the mess, so I guess it's time to potty train! YAAAaaaaayyyy......

It has been and continues to be a struggle.  She's not quite ready for it, but with her shredding her diaper all the time we don't really have a choice. She is getting better.  We were changing underwear LOTS throughout the day.  She was good at telling me "potty" after the fact.  She is starting to catch on to telling me beforehand but still needs lots of reminders. And while she has gone #2 in the potty a couple of times, it will not phase her to go in her underpants.  So if I stay on top of it, she is accident free. The biggest problem is she will have an accident immediately after going potty on the toilet because she only tinkles the tiniest little bit. I think she knows how to work the system because she gets marshmallows as a reward for using the potty. The other biggest problem is bedtime. She almost always takes her diaper off during nap time/bedtime and I am washing sheets everyday. Help! And by help, I mean come do my laundry. :)

To keep with the big girl theme, yesterday was day one of no paci. Neither of us are ready for it. At all.  But she keeps chewing on them and biting them up.  We decided when we bought the last pack that would be the last pack.  It has become a choking hazard and so when the start to become worn, I have to throw them away.  As I examined her paci on Tuesday, it had a tear and I knew I needed to throw it away.  She did not sleep at all during nap time yesterday and I don't think she's sleeping at all today (I hear her cry out every so often so either she's not sleeping or won't stay sleeping).  She did end up falling asleep last night, of course, but not without a lot of heart-wrenching pleas for her paci.  It's like her little heart was breaking because she couldn't have it and so of course it broke my heart. I think she stopped crying before I did. I know it's a necessary step and she can't have her paci forever, but I also know it's difficult because that's her piece of comfort.  We struggle as adults if we can't have our comfort things. I know it won't last forever but hopefully within a few days the paci will be but a memory. One can hope.

Homeschool?

We decided not to enroll Nate into 3 year old preschool this year and instead do it at home. I should be capable of doing this, right?  This summer I worked hard on creating a curriculum and lesson plans.  We started last week, and although there were a couple of bumps and issues, I can say that that the kids are learning and we're having fun so it must be working.  At least somewhat! Ha!

We do have to deal with interruptions that probably don't happen in a regular preschool setting.  Like people coming to the door, taking time out for time-outs (not surprising that school at home does NOT prevent tantrums and melt-downs), and Maddie needing to use the potty every 10 minutes.  And like their own mommy teaching them. I think kids are usually so much better behaved for other adults than their own parents. And also just getting used to the idea of it's "school" time not "do whatever you want to do" time. They seem to think they can just quit in the middle of an activity and go play with toys!

I am having to adjust and be flexible as I learn what works and what doesn't and how long certain activities take to do, but I am finding the kids like the structure and activities and even when we're not in school, they are asking to do some of the things we have done (usually the stuff on the computer, but hey, if they're learning while having fun, why not?).

End of Summer Blues

As the end of summer draws near, the kids (and I) are getting more restless with each day.  We have had plenty of fun-filled days this summer, enjoying outside, play dates, parks, the zoo, the pool, just to name a few.  When summer starts we are ready for lazy summer days with no schedules or set plans, but by the end of summer we are more than ready to get back into a routine. 

 

This restlessness has easily translated into naughtiness the last couple of weeks.  And I mean naughty.  Big meltdowns, lots of fighting, and lots of defiance. Which has left me worn out!  But, I will tell you how good God is. Because at that moment when you think you've had just as much as you can take for one day, He gives you a little glimmer of hope that says "hang in there, it's all going to be okay". 

 

For me, this time, the glimmer of hope happened while I was cooking dinner.  I sent the kids outside to get out of my hair, er, play.  I kept stealing glances of them out the window.  Expecting to see them fighting, instead I saw Nate pushing Maddie on the swing as she squealed with delight, shouting "higher".  I saw them running around the yard chasing each other.  I saw them playing together in the sandbox.  I saw them play house and Maddie pour Nate a glass of "lemonade".

 

Seeing those smiles was exactly what I needed at that moment.  Hearing that laughter makes it all better and all the fighting and screaming and tantrums worth it.  Watching them play together just melts my heart.  It's in those moments that I know all the hard work is worth and it WILL be okay.

 

 

Our Feisty Two-Year Old

Maddie is two!

And she's a feisty little girl.  She has so much character and cracks us up that we'll take the naughty with the good. 

She gets into everything.  I mean EVERYTHING.  We have locks on doors we never had with Nate-every door is locked and we also got locks for the oven and fridge (both of which have been broken already).  She is always trying to climb up on the counters so she can get into the cabinets.  She can open child-proof bottles (I have no clue how she does it).  And we have two good stories just in the past couple weeks to paint a picture of our destructive little girl.

One afternoon the kids were playing upstairs while Michael and I were talking downstairs.  We went up to check on them to find Maddie in her room with the bottle of bath bubbles (the bathroom door should have been locked).  She had dumped out the entire contents and was rubbing it into the carpet.  It probably took at least 2 hours to clean that mess up.  At least her room smells bubble gum fresh!

The kids had a particular difficult time going down for their naps one Saturday recently.  Tired of listening to their crying, I shut our bedroom door (we were trying to have a lazy afternoon watching tv in bed).  Some time later, Maddie comes strolling in our room and climbs up in bed.  Instantly I smell her and see she is messy all over her hands and face.  I rush downstairs to find she got into the pantry (also usually locked) and there were chips and cheese balls all over the kitchen and living room floor. 

Moral of the stories: make sure all doors are locked, even if it's nap time and you think your kids are securely in their rooms.

She loves to be girly.  She loves wearing dresses and bows in her hair (when she actually keeps them in). Whenever we tell her she's so pretty she lifts up her toes because we call nail polish "pretties".  She also loves to take care of everybody.  We play house a lot and she makes sure everyone has something to eat and drink.  She's always concerned that everyone has what they need. 

She's not potty trained and hasn't gone on the potty since that first time. Not a concern for me.  Of course having one potty trained I can get anxious to have the other one done too, but it can wait until she's ready.  She sits on the potty and doesn't have a clue what to do.  It might take some time.

She talks like crazy and loves to learn.  She is learning colors and shapes.  She can count to two. But my favorite recent story about her learning is the Bible story lesson.  At church last week, the lesson was about being kind to others.  They had a picture of a bear and were taught to say sorry and give big bear hugs when they hurt someone or do something naughty.  We put the lesson up on the fridge and work on it that week.  So, every time we do something wrong, we hug the other person and say the memory verse, "love is kind".  By Tuesday she had it down.  She said "sorry" and came and gave me a bear hug and then without prompting said, "love kind". 

So even though she's rotten, she's so stinkin' adorable and sweet. 

County Fair 2013

We haven't been to a fair in a couple of years (I was preggo with Maddie the last time).  I don't know why, but we usually don't go.  It's usually super hot and up until this point we had babies that weren't at a fun age to take.  But we decided to go last night.  The weather was perfect and the kids were excited to see what it was all about. We have never been to the Bartholomew County Fair and I must say we had a really good time. 

We started with the animal exhibits.  Nate said the bunnies were his favorite but it was hard to tell.  He had to touch every single one he saw.  Surprisingly none of the animals bit either of them.  We saw a baby cow drinking from the mother.  The kids were in awe and thought it was so neat. 

We went on one ride--the carousel. Thought it'd be the best ride for both of them since we were only doing one ride.  Maddie didn't like it and as soon as it started wanted off the horse, so we sat on the bench.  Nate didn't even want us near him on the ride and told us to go away. So I'm pretty sure he would have done fine on a ride by himself. Oh well, next year I guess.

No games for us. We tried to find one that has a winner every time but the only one like that was throwing darts at a balloon, which I didn't think Nate could handle so we just skipped the games, enjoyed a funnel cake, and headed home.  It was so much fun we will definitely be going every year now.

Playing in the Pool

I can't believe we are into the second week of July and it was our first trip of the summer to the pool, especially after practically living there last summer.  But it has been a cooler summer, but even on those hotter days for some reason we just haven't gotten up there.  With the ominous clouds we probably could have skipped it, but we went and it was fun even if just for an hour or so.  We left before the storm rolled in, but the kids had so much fun-we will definitely be getting in more pool time before the summer ends!

We went with a couple of my friends and their kids so lots of fun and kids to play with (7 kids!).  Nate spent most of the time in the kiddie pool but a lot of the other kids were in the big pool and he wanted to give the slide a try.  My friend Kim had a life jacket for him but I still wasn't sure if he was actually going to do it.  He hesitated for a minute at the top of the slide and then went!  Kim was in the pool to catch him.  He stayed in the big pool for a little bit with her but soon wanted to go back to the kiddie pool. It was very exciting to see him in the big pool and hopefully we can spend some more time in there getting used to it. 

Maddie wanted nothing to do with either pool, which didn't surprise me.  She's never been big on the water, not even with our little tinypool at the house. 

 

I don't think she even put one foot in.  She kept to the perimeter, watching everyone else and eating a snack.  Maybe I can get her toes in the water next time...baby steps, haha!

 

Fireworks At Last

Our 4th of July festivities kicked off on the 3rd.  We had Alex and Mi Kayla over for a cookout and then we went to the fireworks show.  We haven't  been in years together and I haven't been since I was pregnant with Nate.  So I was pretty excited to get back to some traditional 4th of July activities!  I had the kids nap late so they would make it until then (the show didn't start until 10pm), which worked out nicely.  Our friend Wanda and her daughter Corry joined us there as well.  Columbus fireworks are always done on the 3rd, which I like because Michael always has off on the 4th but works the day after.  The local radio channel sets up the fireworks with music and it's an awesome show. Except this year. I hate to even complain because they were still beautiful, but just not quite what we remember. The music was off, the show was short and the finale was anticlimactic. BUT, it was fun, the kids loved it-no tears-and stayed awake the whole time, and it was awesome to have family and friends together and to restart this tradition that has been long overdue.



















On the 4th we had our friends, the Herters, over for a pitch-in dinner. We made pulled pork sandwiches, which I haven't done but maybe once a looong time ago. Dinner turned out great and the kids played outside afterwards so us adults could enjoy a visit.  The weather was perfect too-the rain held out and it wasn't super hot. We did this last year but it was so hot that we stayed inside the entire time. Overall, a pretty good 4th of July!

A Couple of Funnies

I don't know if you'll find them funny, but I do and so here it is!

I heard Nate crying in his room. I went up to check on him and he was telling me "throw up".  I heard "nose" in there too, but when I hear throw up I don't stand still for long.  I quickly ushered him into the bathroom just for him to blow his nose into the toilet. "Whew, mommy, my nose throw up!"

I was making out the shopping list.  I explained to Nate that I was writing down new underwear for him because his are too small.  He replied, "cuz my butt's so big?".

He's constantly saying hilarious or random things. I should have a notebook handy because these are the only two I remember.

Let the Potty Training Begin Again

Maddie peed in the potty tonight! She has been taking steps towards getting ready for potty training for a couple of months. She asks to sit on the potty, usually pushing hard with no results but a bunch of smiles and giggles. She has been telling me lately before she poops or right afterwards. 

Nate never used the floor potty seat, just the one that goes on the toilet seat, however Maddie is younger than he was when he started and therefore smaller.  So I thought it might be a good idea to get the floor potty seat out and see what happens. She thought that it was great fun but for not much more than sitting on. So there it has sat not seeing one tiny little drop.  So last week we went to the store and I bought her some Minnie Mouse underwear. This is a big deal.  She wanted to wear those babies so badly.  We gave it a shot.  First pair ended up in the garbage-I don't think I have to tell you what I won't clean out of underwear.  So we just went back to diapers.  Last night she wanted to wear "mouse" so much that after bath I put a pair on.  Not more than 10 minutes in she's wet and so is our carpet. Still not ready. 

And then there was tonight. Ahhh! {music playing and the town cheering} I was giving her a bath and she kept telling me "potty", so I'd get her out of the tub and on the potty just for her to play around. I was getting tired of it and was ready to just ignore her when she cried "potty" again.  But I didn't. I am so glad. She got out of the tub and sat down and we heard the glorious sound of tinkle in the potty!

Now I know that this is just the start. Nate peed in the potty for the first time in August and wasn't potty trained until October, but THIS IS THE START! We are all very excited and after gobbling down some jelly beans and putting "mouse" on again, she is excited and we are hopeful.

Big Girl Bed

Around March, Maddie climbed out of her crib for the first time. She did a few times but fell out and didn't attempt it again. Until last week.  And now she has the hang of it.  Awesome.

So last weekend we went and got her a big girl bed and some bedding.  She was so excited. Mommy was so sad. Yes, I literally cried. She's been acting like a big girl, but now it's concrete. All that's left is the diapers and she's officially old. (let me be dramatic)

It has been going well in her new bed. She likes it and does really well.  Last night before bed we peeked in her room and she had pulled the changing pad off the table and fell asleep on that.  About 2am she woke up and crawled into her bed. Guess it wasn't that comfortable. 

Blessed

Yesterday I updated my facebook status. I wrote "I am so blessed."  A couple of people thought something big had happened. Really, I just wrote it because the kids and I had a great morning playing out in the sunshine and I just thought, I am SO BLESSED.  I am so blessed to have the opportunity to stay at home while my kids are young. To get cuddles and kisses from them anytime.  To hear their laughter.  To watch them grow and play.  To teach them the things I want them to learn.  To read with them. To dance with them.  Sure I don't get a break from the screams and tantrums.  There's a fair share of messes to clean up and butts to wipe.  It's not always easy but it's always worth it. And yesterday I just stopped and soaked it all in. Blessed.

Giraffe Baby Shower

Baby Boy Shower

Nate's Crazy Faces

Oh, my Nate. Where do I start? He's still funny and likes to be funny.  Still.  And now he likes to make funny faces and poses every time I get my camera out.  I think we are going to have a period of time with some crazy-faced Nate pictures! He's wild and full of energy.  Which other moms of boys say the same but I really think he's got extra wildness in that little body!

He is talking more, which is definitely helping.  He is becoming more independent but still likes a lot of help from Mommy and Daddy. 

He's having some rough days.  Not everyday is rough nor is it all day, but he has had some moments which I need a padded room.  His disobedience is terrible because it's a blatant disregard for orders.  And the fit he can throw is lovely to boot.  He also has been getting into things he's not supposed to (the pantry, Mommy's jewelry box, etc.).  He gets Maddie's pacis down from the shelf which is kind of hard to get mad at.  I secretly watch them play and she will go up to him and ask him to get her paci down.  So really he's just being a good big brother; it's just defying me at the same time.

The other day we were playing in his room and I asked him for a hug.  He told me no and so I made a big pouty face.  He looked at me, sighed, and said, "oh fine!" and gave me a hug.

He is a big helper and loves helping me with cleaning, loading the groceries, and cooking.  He has also started helping Maddie (just a side note: almost every time I start to type "Maddie" I type "baby", think it's time to start calling her by her name!) with things.  The other day I found them on the couch with a book, reading.  Too precious!

It has recently hit me that this is my last year with him at home everyday and it's sad to think about when he starts school.  But the awareness is good because I am going to be trying to take in every moment with this guy!

Mayonnaise

my pretty princess

Maddie is the same age Nate was when she was born (not even really, because she's now 21 months!). I don't know where the time is going, but it is surely going! I'll have to agree with my dear friend that she is no longer a baby-she's really a big girl. 

eating some hot cereal

She's a sassy pants and feisty and I wouldn't change a thing. She loves to have fun and laughs at so much; especially Nate. She's talking like crazy. It's mostly naming items or saying one, sometimes two, words at a time. Her big thing right now is asking "sound?" so every time she hears a noise she asks. We were in the public restroom last week and I was changing her diaper at the changing station.  Someone came in and started tinkling in the toilet and sure enough, Mad's is asking "sound?".  Cracks me up.  She's very independent and has started wanting to dress herself (she is just managing getting her pants on).  She is really getting into playing with her dollies.  She likes to put them in their little bed and she holds them and pats their backs.  She pretends to change their diapers and earlier this week she sat down to change her baby and said, "eww, gross"! She is also the messiest eater on the planet.  This is probably because she eats everything with her hands, even hot cereal. She is now letting me put bows in her hair, which this mama is super excited about!

Oh, and I almost forgot, the title of the post is mayonnaise because when you ask her to say her name, that's how she says it.  It's really so funny and I need to get it on video.
 

I love my babies!

Sometimes I just need to shout it out loud! I love them so much! As they continue to grow I am laughing more and truly enjoying my time with them.  Not that I didn't before, but the first year of Maddie's life was difficult and all my sickness this past year hasn't helped. But they are becoming much more independent and now with adding in conversation that just leaves me laughing.  Our play time is so much fun.  I am just so blessed to be spending these days at home with them.

Nate at 3 years old, so far, is better than 2 years old.  I will probably be eating these words.  He has just entered a very sweet stage.  It's not that he doesn't test us still, but he really enjoys being the big helper and has become sensitive. He doesn't like when we're mad at him and he wants to be a "good boy".  It probably also helps that Maddie is starting her terrible two's and Nate sees her getting in trouble all the time and wants no part in it.  He has developed quite the imagination.  We always have to protect the house from ogres.  When he's calling out for me and doesn't get my attention right away, he calls me "Beckie".  Not loving it but it's kind of funny to hear this little voice say my name. The other day he called out for Daddy and he didn't respond so he said "Beckie" to get his attention too. I don't think he gets that my real name is Beckie and thinks its a term used to get our attention. Afternoon naps are almost completely nonexistent, except the days he is really tired he will lie down and go to sleep.  We are maintaining quiet time though, and he does a good job playing quietly in his room until Maddie wakes up. He loves to be funny and if he does something that makes us laugh (usually a goofy face) then he will continue to do it. He just loves getting laughs out of us.

Maddie is talking up a storm. She loves to learn. The other day she was getting into the dog food. We have a book and in it it says "no no" to eating dog food and "yes yes" to eating a banana.  So when Nate saw her playing in the dog food he told her "no no".  She stopped, ran over to the book shelf and grabbed the book and opened it to that page! She has to copy what big brother does all the time. It's so cute to see them running around and playing together. She can be stubborn, but I guess she just knows what she wants. A couple of weeks ago she woke up in the middle of the night. I am trying my best not to take her back to bed with me (I had gotten into a bad habit when she was teething/sick) so I went in and sat in the chair to rock her. She said "no" and pointed towards our room.  She didn't want to be rocked, she just wanted to go sleep with Mama! She loves to wear her Hello Kitty snow boots, everywhere, everyday. She likes her toenails painted so they're "pretty".  I did it once to see if she would sit still and she did. Now she gets into my nail polish container and picks out the one she wants. She hasn't quite gotten blowing her nose yet. When I hold a tissue up to her nose and tell her to blow, she blows out of her mouth. It's hilarious.

Maddie's 18 Month Wellness

Maddie had her 18 month wellness visit this week.  She's actually 19 months but that's how it goes sometimes with scheduling the visits at the doctor's office.

She is 35 1/2" tall (100%+) and 27lbs 13oz (93%). No surprise there. Other than her ears still having some fluid in them and doing another round of antibiotics to completely clear it up, she is a healthy little girl. 

She talks so much it's crazy.  Most of it is mumbo jumbo but she does repeat so many words. Her independence has not changed, nor has her fiestiness. It is something I've decided I need to really bring in before she gets too much older and it gets out of control.  I've been a little easier with her because she is the baby, but I can tell with her personality that she's going to need me to be firm.  So she has had several time outs today and I can already tell that she is learning to listen a little bit better.

We were upstairs this morning playing and she hit Nate so I put her in her bed for a timeout (I hate lugging the kids all the way downstairs to go to timeout so they have to go to their rooms instead if we are upstairs).  Next thing I know she's walking back in the room!  I couldn't believe it! So now she can go free.  It is naptime and so far she is staying in there.  We will see what happens but once she really gets the hang of it and remembers that she can leave her crib whenever she wants we are going to have to move her.  Boo!

Double-Double Ear Infection

Both kids have a double ear infection.  I took Nate in on Tuesday for a cough.  It was a deep, hoarse cough that started Friday.  Normally I wouldn't have taken him in just for a cough (no other symptoms besides the nearly constant and normal for the season runny nose), but he had the same cough less than two weeks ago.  Thinking that it might be bronchitis, I decided I better take him in just to be safe.  Glad I did!

Maddie hasn't been sleeping well for several days, but I chalked it up to teething.  She always seems to be gnawing on something lately.  But last night she spiked a fever and could not sleep.  We were up almost all night, on and off.  I even brought her to bed with me and gave her Motrin, but nothing was working.  So first thing this morning we headed back to the doctor's office (kicking myself for not having the doctor check her when we were there for Nate as she had a runny nose too) and sure enough, she has a double ear infection too.  Hers is even worse than Nate's.  And you could tell.  She was miserable today (so snotty and gunky around the eyes).  I had to lie with her on the couch all day as she would fall in and out of sleep.  She finally started feeling good enough to get off the couch and play this evening.  Hopefully they both get a good night's sleep and feel better in the morning.

Speech Evaluation

At Nate's 3 year check-up in November, the doctor recommended speech therapy.  After the referral process and finding out the cost of speech therapy ($75/session), we decided to go with special services through the school system. I don't know why I didn't think of this first, having been taught so much about special education during college, but I guess when it's your own kids, you forget the "professional" stuff.  So that's why now, in February, we are finally getting to the evaluation and results.

The speech therapist met with him here at home a couple weeks ago.  It took him a little bit to warm up, but she is very good at what she does and brought her bag of goodies to help open him up.  She had different books and toys to use as tools for the evaluation.  At the end she felt that he was doing well and wouldn't need services at this time.

We met this afternoon to go over the formal results of the evaluation.  I was a little disheartened when I saw how low the scores were, but she assured me that he was doing fine and she also says that a lot of times the scores can be lower because it's the first visit and the child doesn't know her.  She went over everything thoroughly and I probably asked her too many times if she really thought he was okay.  She said that sometimes it's a gut thing and that the scores don't represent what she feels is the child's level.  She really thinks that he is fine and that he will come around.  She is going to check with us again in May to see how he's doing. 

She did make me feel better, and I'm trying not to focus on the scores, but looking at what he can do in each level he is behind his age, just slightly, but still behind. I expressed my concerns about his readiness for school and she doesn't see any reason why he won't be.  I feel better that she is going to keep checking in to make sure he is hitting those benchmarks.  I do think that he has made so much improvement in just the last few months since his doctor appointment and so hopefully he will continue to do so. 

Maddie is 18 Months Old

Maddie is now 18 months! She doesn't have her check-up at the doctor's until March so no stats at this time.

 

She has been babbling for awhile but she has really started saying quite a few words here recently.  She says: ouwy/ouchy, dada, mama, uh-oh, baby, paci (papi), bye bye, juice, mine, hi, please, thank you, boots, shoes, and no (we'll get to that one in a bit).  She is also saying a few other babbles that sort of sound like the word: apple, balloon, dog, and door.

 

So, yes, she's officially telling us "no".  It's great.  And of course it's the word she uses most often.  Enter the defiant stage.  We are definitely at the starting line of the terrible two's.  She is as feisty as can be.  She doesn't want to listen, refuses to do what we tell her to do, and has started hitting-especially Nate.  When she gets made she throws things or knocks things over.  Let's just say that she spends a little bit more time in time-out each day.  This has made it very difficult to take her out in public.

 

But I know that this new behavior is all part of it.  She is really becoming very independent.  She gets around so well.  She can go up and down the stairs (she really has been able to do so for quite some time), she jumps on the trampoline, can jump with both feet off the floor, and loves to tumble.  She loves to do things on her own (feeding herself, brushing her teeth, etc.).  She's still eating really well, which isn't surprising-she loves food and her mood is often dependent on it.  You should see her face when I actually have breakfast waiting for her on the table in the morning.  She literally squeals with delight. It's hilarious.

 

She still loves to read and has several in her favorites list now.  She's starting to really play with her dollies, mostly to take them on "walks" in the baby stroller around the living room.  Today she had a good time with her baby on her lap, playing, as well as hitting her, laughing the whole time. Rotten, I say, just rotten! :)  She loves Potato Head, has to play with it everyday.  She likes doing puzzles, playing with the Little People figures, and building blocks.

 

 

 

 

 

Playing Doctor

 

For Christmas we got the kids a doctor kit, so now we play almost everyday. This works out very well in the morning when I am tired and I can lay down and be the "patient".  It cracks me up to play doctor with them.  Nate will do his examination, and after each test he will say "sick!"--check my temperature-sick! heart beat-sick! knee reflexes-sick! Maddie likes the stethoscope best and will hold it up to my chest and make little "boom boom" sounds for the heartbeat. It's so cute!  

 

Nate's First Visit to the Dentist

Nate had his first visit to the dentist on Tuesday.  One of the things that attracted me to this office was the kid's room.  The room is painted in a jungle theme and there is a TV set up to watch cartoons.  Since it was his first time at the dentist they didn't want to over-do it and make it unpleasant, so they did a simple cleaning with a toothbrush and then the dentist did his exam.  Nate did really well with both.  He even liked the suction tube, which the dental hygienist said a lot of the kids don't like.  And at the end he got to choose a prize from the treasure box.  He knew immediately what he wanted--a small soccer ball and goals.  He keeps telling me he wants to go back to the dentist so I would say this first trip was a success!

 

Starting Off the New Year

It wouldn't be us if we didn't start off the new year with a poop story.  Warning you up front, that's my disclaimer. I'll even start a new paragraph so you have a chance to stop reading now if you want.

Okay, here we go.  We grabbed some Arby's for dinner and then headed to Target to do a little shopping.  It was raining so we ran into the store.  I was setting Maddie in the cart when I notice this oh too familiar substance all over the sleeve of my jacket.  Crap, literally and figuratively.  Sure enough, Maddie dropped a bomb in her diaper that had spread all the way up her back (the running into the store probably did not help). After cleaning her up and putting only her socks and shoes back on (nothing else was wearable) we walked through the store white trash style to find Michael and Nate.  Needless to say, our shopping trip at Target was very short.  I can only imagine what everyone was thinking as Maddie walked through the aisles in a diaper, socks, and shoes.  Wish I had my camera!

And of course, Nate, not to be left out, has poop stories of his own too.  Luckily I will take his over the Target incident any day.  He has only been pooping at nap time when he has a diaper on.  So trying to stop this (for many reasons, but mostly because he will sit in it all through nap time and then his little butt will just be raw by the time we change his diaper) I put him on the toilet before his nap and told him he needs to poop.  I knew he needed to go but just did not want to.  He was telling me his belly hurt so I kneeled in front of him and wrapped my arms around him so he could push against me.  It worked!  And it worked so well that since then this is how he know wants to do his business! Oh joy! But I will take this joint effort if it keeps him from pooping in his diaper. 

And since we're potty talking, one more thing. :)  The last few times Nate has gone potty I've asked Maddie if she needs to as well.  She gets all excited and runs to the bathroom.  This is about the extent of it.  I put her on the potty and she just smiles back at me.  But with a smile like that, it's okay. Nate will come in with us and say "push hard" for encouragement.  And this morning I was going to the bathroom he came in (privacy? what's that?) and told me to "push hard" and added that I would get a "choo choo".  Yep, he is using my stuff on me! So funny!

Christmas 2012

Okay, I'm way overdue with this post! It just gets so crazy around the holidays and I wanted to enjoy the time Michael had off from work, and so I was in no rush to get up to the computer to update the ol' blog. :)  I had great intentions of getting everything done for Christmas.  I even started my shopping early this year.  Last year Maddie was still so little and still not sleeping so I didn't have the time or energy to really get into the Christmas activities.  This year was going to be different! Was is the key word.  While I did have great intentions, my health decided to make different plans for me.  The week before Christmas we all came down with a nasty stomach bug-all on the same day.  Probably the WORST day of our life.  We managed somehow to get through it but the day I started feeling better I got a cold that turned into a sinus infection.  I did not have the energy or motivation to do anything.  It was enough just to hold down the fort everyday.  So I made my m&m kiss pretzels and that's it.  No other candy, no cookies, nothing.  I didn't get my packages sent out on time and it's a good thing I started shopping early or that would have been last minute too.  Kind of a big bummer because I was really looking forward to the baking and making crafts etc. But we did enjoy a few celebrations for the holidays with family and friends.

Christmas eve we always go down to Mitchell for a family reunion (Michael's mom's side of the family).  We thought it started later and so by the time we got there it was basically ending.  No biggie though because we continue the festivities at Michael's aunt's house.  There we snack on treats and the kids open presents.  She has a basement with tons of toys so they spent most of the time down there playing.  We were able to visit with cousins and relatives upstairs, which was nice. We got home pretty late, so we put the kids to bed and put all the presents under the tree and headed to bed ourselves.

Christmas morning was so much fun.  I had anticipated this for so long! Nate is at such a fun age for presents!  He didn't really understand that Santa came and put presents under the tree until he got downstairs and saw them all.  He ripped through the first one and didn't really get excited or pay much attention to the toy, just wanted to get to the next one.  I was a little upset that he didn't care about the toys but he just wanted to open presents!  Once they were all open he was so excited to go back through his pile of toys and play with them all.  Maddie didn't care much about opening her presents and paid more attention to the toys that were already open.  So Nate helped her out some since that was his thing.  We played all morning long and time flew.  We didn't even realize several hours had passed.  That evening we went to Chinese buffet for dinner. We started the tradition last year and this year our friends joined us.  In the words of Yao (their Chinese exchange student) "best tradition ever".  We think so too. :) Afterwards we went back to the house to visit while the kids played with their toys. It's amazing how a new toy can be such a good babysitter. :)

We ended our Christmas celebration on Friday at the Toppe's.  We opened presents, had our big holiday dinner, and played with toys and games (there was also some dancing involved with the xbox).  We decided to spend the night-Maddie is old enough that she's not getting up every 2 hrs anymore, although she did sleep with us of course (there was no way she was going to sleep in the playpen right next to us).  Nate was so excited to not only sleep in Lucas and Landon's room with them, but in the bunk bed too!  I was nervous about him sleeping on the top bunk but he did fine.  After breakfast the kids headed outside to play in the snow.  Looking like fun, Jeremy rounded up a bunch of winter clothing for us adults and Maddie and we all headed out.  We built a snowman, had a snowball fight, and went tubing down a small hill on the side of the house.  Awesome.  Definitely a memory I want to hold onto forever. 

 

So even though I didn't feel as well as I would have liked, this turned out to be another wonderful Christmas.  So very blessed.