sick with two kids-no fun
So we just came back from a week in Utah visiting my husband who is working out there for 3 months. And now I have bronchitus. This is the fourth time being sick in the last 6 months! I had tonsilitus 3 times, back to back and now this. I have an appt to see my doctor and get some test done. I am still breastfeeding my 8 month old. So am I giving all my immunities to the baby and not have any for myself? I drink plenty of water, eat healthy and still take my prenatal vitamins! I did have surgery 3 weeks ago and had a cyst removed from my wrist but dont think that would lower my immune system. This is just weird. I hate being sick. I usually only get sick maybe once a year. I get a flu shot. What else am I not doing?
two kids – one hand
So i am typing with one hand because i had surgery on my right wrist a few days ago. I had a cyst removed and they had to release a tendin that it was attached to. so i have a splint cast and my hand and arm are all wrapped up for two weeks. I have a new respect for people with one arm or one hand. I realize i have taken things for granted. Shaving my legs and arm pits, carrying my 7 mo old baby, feeding the baby, even wiping my tush! I am not left handed but i have had to learn to be! Thank God this is only for two weeks! I am lucky my family and friends really came to my rescue. They cooked, cleaned, bathed my kids, helped with laundry, dishes and everything for the last four days! One of my friends is having serious surgery at the end of the month and I can’t wait to pay her back for all she has done for me. What goes around comes around! Especially the good deeds!
traveling with kids
We just got back from my husband’s side of the family reunion in Vernonia Oregon. I wasn’t sure how it was going to be traveling with a 7 month old and a five year old. I made sure my 5 yr old had a backpack full of things to do. Color books, crayons, Nintendo DS and an Ipod with movies on it. I put all my important purse items like 
wallet, cell phone and GPS in my diaper bag so as to illiminate another bag to carry. I love that I can take the stroller all the way to the boarding gate and then they put it right on the plane for me. Both kids were really good on the plane. The baby slept most of the way both ways. I didnt even give him anything, no benadryl or tylonol. I guess I am just blessed with a really easy going baby! Luke was the same way when he was a baby. Guess they will get their revenge on me when they are teenagers…Good thing thats not for a few years! In a few weeks we are driving out to Utah to visit my husband on his job site so we will see how they do in the car. I may try to drive a good portion of it at night so they can sleep most of the way. I love my boys!
Death makes life more valuable
A few days ago a close friend of mine’s cousin was killed in a car accident. Her aunt was driving and there were too many young adults for the number of seat belts in the car. Three of those young people were killed, including the driver’s son and his girlfriend. She never meant to hurt those kids. She was just taking them down to local watering hole for a swim. She lost control of the vehicle and now her son is gone. I hear that and my heart just breaks! I have two boys and can’t ever imagine losing them at anytime for an reason! It also kills me to see my friend and her family in such grief! It really makes me look at my family and love my kids and husband that much more. No matter how tough it gets sometimes, I am truly blessed to have what i have. None of us are promised tomorrow. We never know when our time is up. So if you are reading this…. make ammends to someone you are fighting with. Hug your family and tell them you love them. You never know how much time you have. Don’t put it off until tomorrow.
Luke says funny things
I think I want to keep a list of the funny things Lukes says. He cracks me up! We were at lunch with my friend and he was playing with his Woody doll from Toy Story and he says to her “What character is your favorite? Me or my mom?” This must be his way of saying that he has been raised at Disneyland his whole life! The whole five years anyways! I used to say “I was raised at Disneyland, thats why I am such a character!” It is amazing the way kids perceive things. There is such an innocence about them I wish we could never outgrow it. I love to observe his fresh perspective.
5 yr old Birthday party
I think 5 is going to be a great age….so far. This year Luke is actually excited about where its going to be and actually has a wish list of presents. I can’t get anything past him this year. I tried to buy presents for him while he was with me and hid them in the cart and i got busted at the checkout! So I told him I was going to wrap them and when he opens them he needs to act surprised….and to my amazement he said “okay mom”! It is so amazing just watching your kids grasp things and grow and learn right before your eyes. Everything is new and an adventure. I experience so much joy through my kids I wonder if there will be a sort of “withdrawl” when they get older. Maybe that is what they call “empty nest syndrome”. Luckily I don’t have to deal with that for a while. I will continue to live and enjoy life with my kids for as long as they will let me. I never imagined motherhood this way. Even in my wildest dreams did I ever think I could have this much joy. I love being a mom!
Things Luke says
So today I am at my mother in law’s house with the boys and Luke is playing with these four containers that all fit inside each other and are all different colors. He is only five years old (he will be next week) but he has the concept of family down. This is the story he told while playing with these containers. “The big one is blue, this is daddy. The next one is red, this one is mommy. This green one is me and the smallest one is yellow for baby brother. (he begins to stack them inside each other while saying this) Luke protects baby brother and mommy protects the boys. Daddy protects mommy. See! That’s my family!” my heart was so full of love and warmth i almost cried. I wish all people would realize how simple it is.
4th of July
So I went to Lake Isabella with my husband’s aunt, uncle, my father in law and the kids. The weather was beautiful and the lake sure put on a great show. Lots of jet skis, wake boarders, parasailers and pontoon boats pulling intertubers. Not to mention a great firework show right on the lake! I finally realized I take the kids to Disneyland way too much when 2 minutes into the firework show, Luke is asking where is the 
music and loses interest after that. He is going to be 5 yrs old next week and he is so stinkin’ smart! I always tell him that when he grows up he is going to love vegetables and when I ask him to try a new one he tells me he is not “grown up enough” to like it.
Finding a baby carrier
Okay, so I have tried almost all of the baby carriers except the one that wraps around. I used a sling when Troy was a newborn until about 3 months old. Then I bought a bijorn style one that straps them on the front but his legs are getting too 
meaty and it makes red marks on his thighs when I take him out.
I was at Target today and got a jelly bean that you can put them on your hip and its kinda like a sling but I am not sure if I like it. I was at USA baby and almost bought one of those wrap around ones but it was $60! That is crazy! Really? Because the material has UV protection, that’s what the sales lady said, anyway.
I’m about to go on eBay and see what I can find. The problem is my 6 month old is 20 lbs! So the sling cuts into my shoulder and that is why I switched to the other one. I guess I just make big babies! He is growing so fast. I am going to have to find one of those wrap around ones for cheaper than $60. So the hunt begins.
My kids hates veggies
So my almost 5 yr old, Luke, hates veggies. I have tried everything, from making funny faces to blackmail to bribery. I puree veggies and put them in his food and he is fine with that. So now I use dessert or cantaloupe (his favorite thing in the world) to bribe him.
Tonight he had to eat 3 kernels of corn and two slices of carrots in order to get a bowl of cantaloupe. Last week I made him at least TRY a piece of broccoli. He put it in his mouth and spit it out! At least he is trying stuff!
I’ve tried ketchup, melted cheese, ranch dressing, to no avail. It’s a battle and darn it, I am going to win this!
