Cleaning House

One of my goals on maternity leave was to clean out the basement. That like many other goals didn't actually happen. Though I did make a good dent in the clutter but the place is still a mess. When I started the process I didn't want to just throw everything away because a lot of it was in good shape but we just didn't use it any more. There are the regular outlets like GoodWill and The Salvation Army but I wanted to see if I could maybe trade a few of these and get something back. Here is a little summary of what I found.

To Donate clothing and housewares:

-Goodwill
-The Salvation Army
-Dress for Success

To donate children's items:

-Newborns in Need - newbornsinneed.org
-Project Night Night - projectnightnight.org

To donate books, CDs, or DVDs:

-Books for Soldiers - booksforsoldiers.org
-Read to Reader - readertoreader.org

To swap items online:

-For clothing and accessories - rehash.com or swapstyle.com
-For children's items - handmedowns.com or thebabychain.com
-For books, CDs, DVDs, and video games - bookins.com, bookmooch.com, chancexchange.com, goozex.com, or swaptree.com
-For everything else - freecycle.org, neighborrow.com, swapthing.com, titletrader.com

I haven't tried all of these but I have use a few and I have gotten rid of a lot of things while helping others or trading to get something that I do want. I also ran into a way to give away gently used shoes. If you go to piperlime.com there is a link in the lower right-hand corner for soles for souls. You send your shoes to them and they distribute them to people worldwide who are in need and they send you a receipt to use for your taxes. I just sent them a big box yesterday.

So get on out there and clean your house out and help someone else out in the process! And reusing is also green!

One, Two, Tres...

Murdoch has learned/is learning to count and say the alphabet. The counting has been going on for awhile. We walk up the stairs and count the stairs so he was counting to 15 pretty well. We count to three for a lot of things - one, two, three, jump, or I am going to count to three and you better stop hitting your sister or you get a timeout - he doesn't really help us when we do that :) Lately instead of saying one, two three, he has started saying one, two, tres. It is cute. It took me a couple of times to realize what he was saying. I guess they count in Spanish at school and he has started to pick some of that up.

I am loving....

That little piece of her head where you can see her heart beating. And it is almost gone...

Nice!

As Murdoch has started to talk more and more you start to realize quickly words that you use often. I never realized how often I use the word 'Nice' until Murdoch started using it all of the time. A couple of months ago we went out to get some new shoes together and he wore them out of the store I guess I said 'Murdoch those are nice shoes!' basically because I didn't want him to take them off. Then he started saying nice shoes to his shoes and everyone elses shoes which was kind of funny. Earlier this week I gave Murdoch a bath and then asked him if he wanted any lotion or cream - often times he enjoys a 'massage' after his bath. So he said yes and I asked him where he wanted the lotion. He told me his left foot and lifted it up in the air so I put lotion on that foot and started to rub it in. After about 5 seconds of that he said 'OOOOOHHHH Nice!' and I started dying laughing. And of course because I laughed at what he said he kept doing it over and over again.

I guess 'Nice' is better for him to pick up from me than compared to a lot of other words!

What doin'?

That is Murdoch's way of asking you what is happening or what is going on. I personally love it. Not sure why but it makes me laugh. Last night we had police cars speed down our street, happens often enough to not make it alarming but not often enough to make it exciting. So three cop cars pull up two houses down, and they get out and start walking up and down the street. Murdoch and I turned out the lights and pulled up the shades so we could see what was happening. Not too much happened - I still don't know why they were there but the whole time Murdoch keep saying 'What doin' Mama?' The kid is leaning over the back of the couch looking outside with his bum up in the air and he is choosing this over Handy Manny! I am not sure if this is the best lesson to teach your children - yes go spy on your neighbors but make sure you turn the lights out so they don't know!

4 Months!

Thayer turned 4 months last week and there are a lot of changes! She can roll over, blow rasberries, she wakes up with a smile (so nice :), and her smile lights up a room. I have been taking lots of pictures and videos - now I just need to download them and post them!

What is it about those Twilight books?

Yes I admit I have read them and I love them! Friday the new movie comes out. I am not going on Friday but maybe in a few weeks when it dies down a little bit. I was totally skeptical of the books and then I couldn't get enough. Well I feel a little better after reading the following article:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Movies/11/16/older.twilight.fans/index.html
It isn't just me. Actually the more I talk about it the more I run into people around the same age that love the books as well. I was a little embarrassed but now I just don't care. I read those while I was pregnant and I loved them! It is just hard to get into new books now but I am sure I will find something. If you haven't read them go out there and read them!

Bribbing your child

I am sure most parents think that they aren't going to bribe their child and then there is lack of sleep, crying, screaming, whining, etc. and suddenly you are bribing your child with anything to get them to do something small that should be easy but isn't because sometimes a toddler just doesn't make sense. Last night Murdoch wasn't eating while we were having dinner and one of the Prius commercials came on. Murdoch loves commercials, especially the Prius ones and the local furniture company ones with stupid jingles. So last night I got him to eat a sandwich by replaying the Prius commercial over and over again. For each bite he got to watch the commercial again. At the time it was a little annoying but I have to say looking back at it, it is kind of funny that a commercial gets your kid to eat a sandwich. Ah the funny things that you can't predict will happen to you as a parent.

Swimming

One thing I really enjoy is working out. It is the one time of my day that is just for me. No kids asking for milk, food, read me a book, etc. And no one is showing up at my office to ask for something, calling me for something, or sending me an email asking me for something. When I was pregnant I got caught up in a boring workout routine which involved a lot of cardio and a lot of watching TV while I did it and not too much work on my part. I think I just did the same machine day in and day out. My body got used to it and it was easy and mindless for me to do.

Now post-baby and knowing that there aren't any more I have decided to re-dedicate myself to working out and really getting in shape. So today I went swimming for the first time in about 15 years. I swam for about 15 years or so before that. I swam about 36 laps and I was tired and it feels like I am going to be sore but it is a good feeling.

I have set a goal for myself - a sprint triathlon in the Spring. I don't really know how to ride a bike very well, I hate running, and I have never done an open water swim. So it is definitely going to be a challenge but having a goal I think will go a long way in getting me back at the gym on a regular basis and really working hard when I go. I will post little updates as I reach more and more goals throughout the process.

The new things they can do!

• Murdoch is now using every other foot to walk up the stairs instead of just the left or just the right
• Thayer loves staring in the mirror and 'chatting' and giggling while do that - Murdoch never really did that so it is so cute!
• The word 'Why' has made a strong appearance in Murdoch's vocabulary
• Murdoch gives you a play by play of everything going on around him and basically anything that pops into his head - it is pretty funny at times.

Nothing else going on here. Just getting used to being back at work and trying to get a routine down and then also trying to have a little downtime and me time.

Welcome Cooper!

One of my best friends had a baby boy on Friday - Cooper! Love the name. I went to visit them at the hospital yesterday and he is so cute and they look great - just a little tired as all new parents are. They started a blog to track the progress of the little guy.

I finally downloaded some pictures!

So these are at least a month old but they are still good.

Here is our Labor Day weekend in Maine.

Here are the pictures from Murdoch's birthday party.

Differences already

I know that my two kids will be/are different but I have to share a difference between the two that is just due to the fact that one is a boy and one is a girl. I went to Target the other day to get some new clothes and I bought Murdoch some new pants and I got some pants for Thayer. I was just searching for 3T and 9M. When I got home I started to take the tags and stickers off to get them ready for the wash and I noticed the funniest thing. Murdoch's pants had a label of 3T, Pants. Thayer's pants said 9M, Boot Cut Pants. Boot cut pants at 9M are you kidding me!? I was not expecting something like that so young. I am clearly not ready for a daughter! :)

First Day Back

Yesterday was my first day back at work. It was like I was starting a new job the night before. But once I arrived it was like I never left. Everyone stopped by to say hello, I visited with people, some projects had moved forward and some where in the same place as they were when I left. I hate getting up that early because it makes for a long day but the day went by quickly and I honestly really enjoyed myself. I got to talk to some adults, I went to the gym, and I felt completely overwhelmed and like there weren't enough hours in the day to get my work done so things are back to normal :) I picked Thayer up and they said that she was smiling and talking to herself in the mirror. I was a little sad to miss that but she was so happy and smiley when I picked her up that it didn't matter. I miss seeing Murdoch in the AM but I had a really nice evening with him. I have started to get caught up in what I am missing and what has already passed me by and I need to remember to enjoy what is going on right now because it will be gone before I know it. Happy Halloween!

Things to remember...

1. She now smiles
2. She loves to have Andy rub his head on her stomach
3. She lifts her legs up and falls to the side - the first step to rolling over!
4. The little lower lip comes out and then her whole face crumbles - I absolutely love it!
5. Huge eyes
6. She likes to look side to side
7. She likes to sleep with one arm in your armpit

Recipe - Tuna Salad

I made this last night for the first time and I love it! It is not your traditional tuna salad. It is still fast and I think way better. Great for a quick dinner on a week night.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/tuna-salad-recipe/index.html

Emily's Visit

My sister headed out for a visit this past weekend and we had a great time. She spent a lot of time with Thayer relaxing and time with Murdoch running around. Just in case you don't think the second child gets a lot of pictures here is a link to way too many pictures of Thayer.

In one week...

I will be back to work. Or I should say I will be back at my office job because being at home with kids isn't exactly a vacation. Thayer is 13 weeks tomorrow so she will be about 14 weeks and just over 3 months. I went back to work when Murdoch was 10 weeks old and I couldn't wait to go back. That leave was much harder for me and I don't know exactly why. He was a good baby, he slept pretty well, I had an easy recovery, etc. I could wait to get back to work and talk to adults again. Now here I am 13 weeks away from work with one more to go and I don't have that same drive. I am not really sure why. One part of me really wants to go back and then there is the other part that doesn't. I have really enjoyed my leave this time though I am not sure why it is so different. Is Thayer easier, did I know what to expect so that made it easier, is it because I know the amount of crazy that is about to happen, is it that I am a little scared to go back to work after being out for some long, is it because I know this is my last maternity leave, is it because I thought I would get so much more done when I was on leave? I really don't know the answer - maybe it is a little bit of all of those and more. Either way next Thursday morning and day is going to be much different than this one. I am going to try and enjoy the last week at home instead of thinking about next week and how crazy things are going to be which would ruin my last week. If I had a week vacation normally I would be thrilled. But right now a week feels like just a blink of an eye and I will be back to the exhaustion and crazy that goes along with work. Here is to the longest week of my life!

Websites I want to remember

I saw these two websites in a magazine article and I want to make sure I remember them. These have coupons for green products and coupon codes good for discount or free shopping.

www.ecobunga.com

www.sustainlane.com

Recipe - Lasagna Rolls

I have started to look at some old recipes now that the weather is getting colder. I don't like the fact that the weather person said don't expect 60's any time soon. I am just not ready for that. But ready or not the cold is coming so I am looking for some comforting recipes. Here is one I really enjoy.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/lasagna-rolls-recipe/index.html

One question I have for you guys, which is better - organic frozen spinach from China or non-organic local frozen spinach? I know the organic is better but what about all of the pollution put into the air getting it here? Is local always better even if it isn't organic compared to organic from half way across the world?

Memories

I have been getting all of Murdoch's old clothes out to wash and either get ready for Thayer or give away to one of our friends. I have so many clothes and there really is no reason to keep them all. After I washed them and finally started to fold them a lot of memories came back to me that were associated to clothes that Murdoch wore and specific events. I remember a particular outfit that he wore during a family trip to Maine, his first Halloween costume, and several others. It was a little depressing and sad to know that my little guy has grown so much. On one hand I want to keep them but that isn't going to bring back my little guy it is just going to junk up my basement a little more and be one more box I need to move in a few years. I know this will happen over and over again - different things that the kids outgrow will hold specific memories for me and it will be a little depressing but there are more memories ahead so I am trying to focus on those.

Recipe - Stomboli

I made this on Saturday night. Two shortcuts - don't make the dough yourself - I buy it at Bertuccis and it works really well. Also you can make the pepper and onion piece ahead of time and just store that in the fridge for later in the day and then you just have to assemble. Great recipe to do with your kids and they will love it!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/stromboli-recipe/index.html

Here is to another good family meal!

Kid stats

Murdoch went in for his 2 year check-up and Thayer went in for her 2 month check-up last week. There were some tears after the vaccinations and Murdoch had his blood drawn but they are both very healthy.

Murdoch

• 38 Inches - 99th percentile
  

• 33.5 pounds - 94th percentile

Thayer

• 24.25 inches - 96th percentile
• 14 pounds, 1 ounce - 98th percentile

So grateful for healthy strong kids!

3 things I learned from my toddler this week....

1. After you eat half of your hot dog bun it becomes a flip phone and you can call everyone in your family.
2. You can have an entire conversation with a hammer that you find outside of school. And you then check for it every time you go to school and leave school for the rest of the week.
3. Don't eat a lollipop before or during your haircut because you end up with a beard made of hair from your head.

PS - He just went pee on the potty - I can't wait until that is no longer and exciting event!

Recipe - Heavenly Broiled Fish

I have been meaning to post recipes for quite awhile and I am finally getting around to it. I like to try new recipes and I think the question 'What should we have for dinner tonight?' to be a really annoying one. So I thought I would post some recipes that I like and I find pretty easy. This one is good for a weeknight and I think kids would like it as well. I got it from my Mom on my last try home. I hope you enjoy it.

Heavenly Broiled Fish

• 2 lb. skinned fish fillets (I used tilapia)
• 2 T. lemon juice
• 1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 c. softened butter
• 3 T. mayo
• 3 T. Chopped green onions
• 1/4 t. salt
• Dash of liquid hot pepper sauce

• Place the fish in a single layer on a well greased baking platter or dish.
• Brush with lemon juice.
• Combine the remaining ingredients.
• Broil fish about 4-6 inches from the heat for 4-6 minutes or until it flakes easily.
• Remove from heat and spread with cheese mixture.
• Broil for additional 2-3 minutes until lightly browned.
• Serve immediately.

Enjoy! I should be organized for some pictures on the next post.

Ask your mother...

One of my goals while being on maternity leave has been to get through my backlog of magazines which is probably around 18 months or so. I found the following articles in on of the magazines and I thought I would share it with you. I plan on sending these to my Mom. The title is '10 questions to ask your mother'. I thought it was a great idea. Here are the questions:

1. What's the one thing you would have done differently as a Mom? (Now that I am a Mom I am guessing that there is probably more than one :)
   
2. Why did you choose to be with my father?
3. In what ways do you think I'm like you? And not like you?
4. Which one of us kids did you like the best?
5. Is there anything you have always wanted to tell me but never have?
6. Do you think it's easier or harder to be a mother now than when you were raising our family?
7. Is there anything you regret not have asked your parents?
8. What's the best thing I can do for you right now?
9. Is there anything that you wish had been different between us - or that you would still like to change?
10. When did you realize you were no longer a child?

I thought it was a good article. Something good to ask your Mom, Grandmother, Aunt, or someone else that is special to you.

Hoping to be a better blogger in October!

No alarm needed

Thayer had her one month appointment yesterday and I was given very good news - not only is she healthy but she is big enough that I can let her sleep at night! Which means no more alarms in the middle of the night reminding me to wake her up.

For the first two weeks I fed her every 2.5 - 3 hours. At her two week appointment the doctor said that I could let her go a little longer at night but that she shouldn't sleep more than 5 hours. So I set my alarm for 4.5 hours. And now she is allowed to sleep as much as she wants at night. That is not to say that she sleep through the night but she slept about 5 hours and then 4 hours which meant only one wake up for me in the middle of the night which was so nice!

I feel like it was about 3 months before the doctor said to let Murdoch go but I am sure it was about the same time period but it just seemed like a really long time. This first month with her has flown by. She has been such a good baby and I am really enjoying my leave. If I don't get anything done one day then that is fine - it was hard to accept that with Murdoch but now it feels pretty normal.

Happy Birthday Emily!

We wanted to wish Emily/Aunt Emily a Happy Birthday!

We hope you are able to get in some relax time just like Thayer:



We hope are able to get out and enjoy the weather as much as Deucey enjoys swimming and chasing the ducks:


And we hope you have a good meal on your special day and enjoy it as much as Murdoch enjoys his spreadable cheese:

We miss you and love you lots! Happy Birthday!

I'm back baby!

It is a little depressing to think that my kids won't get that title as a Seinfeld reference. But there will be a lot of things that they don't get that will just make me feel older and older.

After a nice weekend in Maine something nice happened last night. I put Murdoch to bed, sang him a couple of songs, and then left him while he was still awake. I left the door open and he came right out. I put him back to bed and told him good night again and closed the door. He got right up and opened the door but I was standing there so he closed it, he tried that again and then put himself back to bed without any crying. I know this sound stupid and small but it made me feel great. Not only did he listen to me, which is always a nice feeling, but he went to bed by himself without needing one of us to sit there which is a big step after he moved to his toddler bed. I know there will be nights when we have to stay there longer but at least we are making progress. It is just another light at the end of the tunnel that I can now see, and that I really need now especially with a newborn.

Today Thayer is 1 month old. I feel like maybe her first month has gone by a lot faster than Murdoch's. Everyone says that happens with the second. Probably because you have done it before and you don't have as much time to watch everything that happens with the baby. Maybe I should celebrate with a glass of wine!

Mommy's out gettin' drunk tonight!

Ellen, Andy, the kids, and I went up the street for a drink on Tuesday night around 7. It is a small restaurant/bar that has good drinks so I thought it would be a nice outing on the last night Ellen was hear. It was crowded but not that bad so we took the seats away from the bar where no one was sitting and ordered our drinks. I have to say that both kids were really good. Then we started to notice that the hostess was basically throwing daggers at us the whole time we were there. We had a double stroller but we had it well out of the way. Then these two girls came in and kept staring at us again looking a little annoyed. We continued with our drink and Andy took the kids home so that Ellen and I could stay and talk. Right before Andy left he said that those two girls had left and as they left they said 'Looks like Mommy's out gettin' drunk tonight!' That plus the hostesses behavior really pissed me off. We went out for one drink at 7 PM on a Tuesday night. We have always taken our kids everywhere and we have never been treated like that. We also try to go off hours, not on a Friday or Saturday night, and not to a really nice place. We have taken Murdoch to this bar before with no negative reaction. Maybe it was the double stroller - I don't know. I just found it annoying that someone couldn't tolerate a child for about 40 minutes who wasn't screaming, running around or misbehaving in any way. And the fact that I have one drink doesn't make me drunk. Am I supposed to sit at home until my kids are grown? And we don't have any family for babysitting so it isn't like we can just drop them off somewhere if we decide to do a quick outing on a nice summer evening. At the end of the night it gave us something to talk about I guess.

Ellen - you should be happy you left yesterday morning, Wednesday night Murdoch started vomiting everywhere - Mommy wasn't out at a bar getting drunk last night! :) I hope you had a sage flight.

Ellen arrives today!

And I can't wait!

Doorknobs

The dictator has learned how to open doorknobs. Which is a big deal. Now when he wakes up in the morning we no longer get that 5-10 minutes to adjust to the day while he calls for us in his room. I wake up to a little face saying 'Hi Mama' or I just feel something tickling my hands which is him or just his hair as he stands there. Unfortunately he can also let himself out if he just doesn't want to go to sleep which has been a little annoying. So we took the locking side of the door and that is now facing the hallway and I know it sounds mean but I have locked him in there when he gets a little sassy about going to bed. Usually after 30 seconds or so he settles down and I can go in and put him to bed.

Andy is away for a bachelor party this weekend (next weekend as well) so Bob & Talli came to help out today. And they brought Liam with them - I don't know that I have experiences 3 kids at one time like this - I guess it is good that we have three adults so we are doing pretty well. It is the first time in a long time that I am actually writing down nap times, eating time, diaper time, etc. because it is the only way I can keep up with this many schedules. I got a few cute pictures and I will post those later. I hope you enjoy your weekend.

Some days I feel like a failure

Two days ago Murdoch, Deucey, and I went for a walk to have a little Murdoch alone time - I don't want him to feel like I am always with the baby - and it was also for me - the weather was gorgeous and I could use the exercise to start to tone this body up. Near the end of the walk we were on a steep hill, Murdoch stood up in the stroller, and as he did this I jerked the stroller which them caused him to literally do a somersault from the standing position off the stroller and he landed on his back on the concrete. There were a lot of tears and some scrapes but it wasn't too bad. Of course there was an older woman on her porch enjoying the evening and she screamed 'Oh my God!'. Well as if I didn't feel badly enough about causing him pain then I have this lady screaming and I feel like the worst mother in the world.

And today and many other days this week Murdoch has really been testing his boundaries. I am sure it is the age, the new baby, and whatever else goes on in his head but there are times when this is happening that I feel like a failure. He doesn't mind me, and what makes it worse is the fact that he does mind Andy so much more than me. He used to go to bed no issue with me, now it is a battle. Today I finally just left his bedroom and told Andy to put up a gate outside of his room because he just learned how to open doorknobs. I was trying to get him down for a nap and he just kept giggling and playing with me - which is what he does when he knows he is doing something wrong. I didn't have the patience. I am sure it is the lack of sleep that isn't helping but I left that room feeling like a totally loser that had lost control and basically had no respect in my own house.

I know it will change but right now I am tired and my patience level is short which then annoys me that I can't deal with him at times. I am looking forward to a nice day with him tomorrow. We had an awesome morning together on a walk and at the park but the nap time killed me. Oh well. Tomorrow is another day.

Thayer - The First Week

Finally I downloaded some pictures and I have a little time to do a quick post. We welcomed Thayer Stevens at 1:20 PM on July 24th. She arrived at 7 pounds 15 ounces and 20 1/4 inches. Here is a little summary of her first week:

-I am happy to no longer be pregnant and know I won't be doing it again. Though the memory of the pregnancy has already started to fade.
-The labor and delivery was much easier than Murdoch. The start was a little slow and initially it looked like I might have a C-section but she was a strong little girl that 'loved' the contractions so with a little help from some drugs she popped right out after about 3 pushes. And Andy was happy that there were less 'colors' this time. :) You can ask him about that.
-Thayer is much easier than Murdoch - at least so far. I thought Murdoch was really good but she is even better which still scares me to say that. She is a really good eater, good sleeper, and loves to just look around. I am thinking of asking the doctor if anything is wrong - I am sure he will laugh at me and say enjoy it while you can! :)
-I love the way she looks when she stretches after being swaddled - she looks exactly the same as Murdoch.
-In general she looks exactly the same as Murdoch - it is scary.
-She loves your pinkie finger just like Murdoch - and I love in-between sucking she does this a little thing where she kind of gnaws on your finger about 4 or 5 times quickly and softly - again something Murdoch did but I forgot about.
-She has the dark grayish eyes just like Murdoch so she might end up with brown eyes like her brother.
-Murdoch has been a very good big brother without any major issues. Though when we got home Thayer needed to be changed she we took her up to Murdoch's room and changed her on Murdoch's changing pad. Well let me tell you he lost it! I guess I should have thought about it but the kid hates getting his diapers changed and hates being on the changing pad in general - always has. So what did her want after her diaper was changed - he wanted to lay on the pad. Toddlers are a funny breed.

I am sure that I have already forgotten a lot of other things in just the first week but it is something. Here are some pictures from the hospital and her first week at home including some of Murdoch.

I-Day

So I have moved from D-Day to I-Day(inducement day). I didn't actually think I would make it - I thought for sure that I would have already gone into labor, had the baby, and maybe we would even be home by now and Andy and I would be staring at each other thinking/saying what did we get ourselves into?! So tonight we head to the hospital, the inducement is scheduled for 8:30 PM but I think there are a whole bunch of tests and such that need to happen so I don't see things moving very quickly. I am thinking baby sometime tomorrow or maybe even Saturday. At this point things are really out of my hands. It is very odd thinking that I will be going to the hospital today no matter what. I wasn't expecting this scenario at all. But I guess there really isn't one way to give birth. I am just hoping that it doesn't take too long and that is about it. The rest will just fall into place.

If anyone is reading this please go to the following blog and send out some good and positive thoughts or prayers - which ever you prefer.

http://byronladybugs.blogspot.com/

D-Day

I have made it to D-day. No baby yet and if he/she wants to stay with its due date things will have to start and happen quickly. So I am thinking that this baby will be late as well. This time I was kind of expecting it so it doesn't seem like as big of a deal and maybe the fact that I know what is coming makes me not quite as anxious.

Murdoch was up at 4 AM. Maybe the whole toddler bed isn't going as well as I thought it was. Or maybe he knows something is up because he has been really clingy lately. I started working from home this week looking to avoid being in labor at work. And Talli is staying with us to help out with Murdoch so those are two changes. So I don't know if it is just that or if he would be like this whether or not I was pregnant. I know I am being impatient but I would like this toddler bed to work and get back to sleep before sleep is taken away yet again.

Heading to the doctor tomorrow. She will set my inducement date which was about 10 or so days past my due date so I assume it will be about the same. I am really hoping I don't reach that date. I am hoping it comes on its own schedule which is before that date. And luckily the weather has been pretty nice which makes things easier.

So thank you for all of your emails and phone calls but we are still in a holding pattern. As Andy says that makes scheduling meetings and social outings kind of difficult - tell me about it! :)

Moving on up

At the end of last week we finally went out to get Murdoch a toddler bed. We are going to need the crib for the new baby so we were hoping to get him used to the new bed, and hopefully during that process he would forget about his crib and not feel like the new baby was taking it away from him. So we made a big deal about bringing it in the house, and putting it together - Murdoch assisted with all of the tools and he thought it was awesome!

Initially we thought we would just start out with naps and move to over night later because he would still ask to go in the crib. That hasn't happened and he did the last two nights in the new bed without issue. He actually just stays in the bed in the morning and calls out for us to come and get him out which is kind of nice. You can just hear him playing with all of his toys on his bed.

During one nap he asked to hold my hand while he fell asleep. Normally he is always put to bed awake but I figured why not - plus it was kind of nice for me. I realize that I won't have as much time with him in a week or so. So while I was holding his hand and leaning on his bed, which was really nice, I looked up at his crib and realized that I may never see him in that crib again, jumping up and down and so happy when I go in to get him in the morning or after a nap.

So yet again this may be another exciting first, but at the same time it could be a last that is already gone before I even knew it was going to be the last. I was sad but I need to remember to focus on the present and how proud I am. I am raising him to be an independent individual, some days it is just hard when those types of things slap you in the face and you realize that they are gone before you even know what has happened.

Words to remember

As I get closer and closer to my due date my complaining levels get higher and higher. I am tired, sore, can't sleep, can't eat, etc. I am sure you know what I am talking about if you have had a baby. Then I start to think - this is such a big change, how will I deal with the lack of sleep, entertaining Murdoch while the baby needs something, will Murdoch reject his new sister or brother, etc. Again all of the things that everyone thinks of. Sometimes it is hard to see the silver lining or the light at the end of the tunnel when you are down in the trenches. But I just got an email from a friend at a previous job about something that someone told him when he found out he was having his second child:

'That is the best gift you could ever give your son.'

So I am going to try and remember that when things are tough. I hope that they are good friends but even if they aren't I just hope they are both better people because they have each other.

Things I need to remember!

My last post was pretty negative so I am trying for a more positive outlook on things. It is just hard when you are tired. Here are some things I want to remember about Murdoch. Memories are already fading which I find so depressing. He is so funny, entertaining, frustrating, and so many other things and I find myself enjoying different things he does but I forget to document them and then they are gone and he has moved onto something else that fills that void and I start to lose that memory. So here are a few things that I want to remember:

• They had a fire safety week at school and ever since then he takes anything, such as power cords for your laptop, keys, etc., and uses them as a hose to water things while saying 'We-we-we-we'. He could do that for hours.
• He loves bubbles in the bath and he does this little thing in the bath called 'swimming' where he gets on his stomach and moves back and forth in the bath like a seal - and there is such joy when he does that.
• He has this new Mommy and Daddy book and one of the pages says that Mommies and Daddies love to get kisses, now when we get to that page he stretches his arms really wide and he gives the book a bug and kiss - it brings a smile to my face every time.
• He has started to come over and hold our hands when he wants to show you something.
• He loves cars, trucks, buses, etc. on the road and points them out the whole way home from daycare.
• He loves to chase birds.
• He loves to tickle you - which at times is very painful because it is often like grabbing but he thinks it is the funniest thing.
• He loves getting a massage after his bath - he will show you which arm and/or leg he wants done. I massage his little palms like they do during a manicure and he loves it - those hands are probably really tired.
• Now when the other parents come to daycare it upsets Murdoch if it takes me awhile to get there - I feel horrible for the little guy that it upsets him that I am not there yet. Of course I bend down for my huge hug and usually get is about 6 inches away and goes right for the snack that I have in my hand, he takes that and then my hand like let's get out of here!
• Now when we get home from daycare we have to spend 10-15 minutes in the car so that he can 'drive' and play with all of the buttons and other car parts - he loves it!
• He loves/is scared of the helicopter that Andy bought. He wants Andy to play with it all of the time but when he sees Andy get it out he runs over to me and sits next to me while holdings hands because of the noise. But he asks Andy to fly it over and over again. And he has started to fly it by himself.
• With any loud noises he comes right over to one of us and needs to hold our hand - it makes it all better. That is basically the only time he sits still on the couch with one of us.

I know that there are a ton of other things but I wanted to at least get a few things down. With the baby coming it is going to get harder and harder to remember all of these thing because time will just fly by and we will need to try and capture two sets of memories.

I hope you all enjoy the weekend. It is rainy here but maybe we will get a little break to go outside and play.

The final countdown...

I am due 1 month from today and I am definitely getting to the point is being done being pregnant! I have started to remember the following points that become a little annoying at the end of your pregnancy:

• Leg cramps in the middle of the night that are painful enough to wake you up - check
• Trying to go to bed at 9 in order to get some extra rest and the baby decides that it will dance to Kung Foo Fighting for 90 minutes - check; Oh and they replay that song apparently around 2 AM
• I never know when I am full which then makes me nauseous - check! I can't wait to have a full sized stomach back in order to enjoy a normal sized meal. Though at the same time I am probably eating portions that are more appropriate.
• Inability to rollover at night so there is no way you can stay asleep.
• The reality that wearing Depends is an option that is now appealing.
• At this point elastic waist bands are really the only way to go - I can't breath in anything else.

I know all of this and many other things are very normal - I just had a bad night last night so I am a little tired and cranky. I think also the second time around isn't quite as exciting. Maybe because you have done it before and maybe because you know what is coming. I know once the baby comes I will forget all of these annoyances and think to myself - wouldn't it just be easier to be pregnant again because there will be so much crying and lack of sleep. But really at least you can sleep again even if it is only for small bits of time. I can't wait to sleep on my stomach again!

Sorry for the whining - things are just starting to wear on me a little bit right now. And some of it I would like to look back on and laugh at. I find having a child is such a mixture of opposite emotions and right now happiness/joy/excitement isn't bubbling to the top. Luckily tomorrow is another day for those to win out.

Happy Birthday Dad/Uncle Al!!!!

My Dad turns 65 today! Instead of grandpa or something like that he is hoping that Murdoch will call him Uncle Al instead. For a toddler Al is probably a lot easier than other names so it might work! Murdoch wishes you some quality downtime! You deserve it! Murdoch makes a point of taking a little siesta everyday and he says it works wonders! Enjoy your day! Love Sarah, Andy, Murdoch, and Deucey!

We have royalty in the house...

In the form of a new potty. This is the Fisher-Price Royal Stepstool Potty.



This is our newest purchase! :) Last night Master Murdoch sat on the potty for 5 stories before going to bed. He actually really seems to enjoy his time there - I guess that is something he got from his father :)

When I pick Murdoch up from daycare everyday you get a little piece of paper that tells you what he eat, how long he slept, and then his bathroom routine as well. I noticed about a month or so ago that next to the bathroom details they circled 'TRIED'. So I asked them if they thought I should try at home as well. They said why not. So we bought the potty and he loves sitting on it with his pants up so we have been doing that for a week or so and now we are working it into the nigh time routine. No real action yet but when it does happen a little song plays which should be pretty funny. Hopefully we will hear one of those royal tunes soon :)

And I had to pass along another funny thing from last night. After the potty we went back to get ready for bed and I was walking around with him talking and then started to sing/hum a made-up song. I was doing that for about 3 seconds and he said 'NO!'. I stopped and then started again and this time I got the 'NO!' with a hand on the mouth. I thought this was pretty funny so I tried it one more time and I got the 'NO!' with the hand. So I said what do you want me to sing then? No answer. I tried Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. There was no 'NO!' and he kept his head on my shoulder relaxing. Then when I finished his head flipped off my shoulder and he started saying Yeah while clapping his hands over his head. I got this kind of reaction about 3 more times before I put him to bed. I thought this was pretty funny - I guess he won't tolerate my silly little songs like Andy does :)

What everyone wants for Mother's Day...

...a puddle of urine on the floor! Yes that was my big present at the end of the day on Sunday. Luckily it was tile so the cleanup was easy. I was getting Murdoch undressed for his bath and he couldn't wait to get his clothes and diaper off. So much so that I only got one side of the diaper undone and he just stepped out of the other leg. I turned around to put the diaper in the trash and when I turned around it looked like there was a little bit of water on the floor and the bathmat was a little wet. I thought to myself that is odd because I haven't even started the bath. Then I went over for a closer inspection and found the source. Well Murdoch thought this was so funny that he started to do a little 'dance' with his feet, he then added his hands, and then he wiped out in the puddle and thought it was the funniest thing. I couldn't stop laughing. At least it happened about a foot from the bathtub so cleanup wasn't easy. Maybe playing in the water table outside right before the bath wasn't the best idea :)

Happy Mother's Day to everyone!

Doing well...

Bob's surgery went well and he is resting and recovering. I believe the results of the surgery, as far as what was removed, should be back in a week or so. Hopefully all of the results of those tests are positive and good!

Nothing new from the Suthersons. Andy is leaving today for a wedding in LA so I will have the troops by myself through Sunday. I am crossing my fingers for no rain so that we can get out and go for some walks and such instead of being trapped inside of a dirty house while it rains. Hopefully Murdoch is on his best behavior and there aren't too many temper tantrums this weekend. I am hoping for a nice boring weekend with a little bit of sun and outdoor time.

I hope you all enjoy your weekend. Maybe if Murdoch goes to bed at a decent time I will upload some pictures - hopefully the cheesy face one to make Bob smile.

Good Luck Bob!

Bob, my father in-law, Andy's Dad, and Murdoch & Deucey's grandfather is having surgery for prostate cancer today. I have a really cute picture of Murdoch with spreadable cheese all over his face that I will hopefully post later that I am sure will bring a smile to his face but knowing my track record right now if I waited for that this post may never happen. So I just wanted to get a quick post out saying good luck today! We are thinking of you and sending out good and happy thoughts. We are looking forward to seeing you again soon up and around being chased by your crazy grandchildren! We love you!

It is finally here....

....The word 'NO'! My beautiful, sweet, little boy who answered 'Yeah' to every question has discovered the word 'No' and literally have put it to its fullest use within 3 days - literally! If you had asked me on Friday if he would be saying No this much I would have told you that is crazy. But it is true. Somehow in 3 days he has really changed with this new word. On one hand it is nice because he will actually tell you that he doesn't want something but after a few No's with the swipe of the hand it can get a little obnoxious! I guess this is the start of the terrible 2's. I knew it was going to happen eventually but how quickly he changed was a little shocking.

On a separate note we stayed in a hotel last night which was interesting. The little guy was up way past his bed time - it is kind of hard to settle down when you are in the same room with your parents and all of this stuff is new so we let it slide. He managed to call the front desk right away multiple times and then he got the front desk to call him because he left the phone off the hook. So needless to say I think I would prefer to rent a house and never stay in a hotel with a small child in the future. This time it wasn't an option but I really don't like sleeping in the same room with him. Somehow I got up and ready for work without him completely waking up so hopefully the two of them are still asleep with the room darking shades pulled tight.

April updates

April was going to be my big comeback as far as blog updates go but that obviously hasn't happened. With the addition of the kitchen project to our plates other things have just fallen off the plate and will remain on the floor for a little while.

The kitchen project is actually going really well except for one issue but we have been able to take care of that. The walls are up for the most part and they have been plastered for the most part. We are doing more than just the kitchen in this project but our main concern is to get the kitchen back in working order as soon as possible. So the walls are up, I painted the kitchen yesterday, and the floors guys are there for the next couple of days to do the patching, sanding, and sealing. With the walls up and the floors being completed comes a cleaner house! Which right now is the most exciting thing! We are staying in a hotel the next couple of days while that goes on which will be interesting. I get up a couple of hours before Andy and Murdoch but with all of us in one room I don't know how Murdoch is going to stay asleep so hopefully it isn't too bad.

Getting the floors done is a really big step in my opinion in any project because things look so much better!

This weekend we go to STL to visit my parents and hopefully we get to do a little relaxing! I can't wait. And the cabinets will go up while we are gone so that will be a great treat to see when we get back. We can actually put the stove back in place and start to make a few meals but unfortunately the bathtub will be the sink for several more weeks while we wait for the counter tops. But it is a big step forward.

If I can remember to bring the camera to the hotel I will download the pictures and post them - I have been taking pictures at each step - it is a good reminder of how much you have done when you start to get very frustrated and depressed with your house situation :)

Have a Happy Easter

So this will be a totally random post. Lots little thing going on so I thought I would just put a quick post out there.

Tomorrow is Good Friday and I have a holiday. So I have a 3-day weekend and my son will be at daycare tomorrow and my husband will be at work. I plan on doing some things around the house but I also plan on doing a few things for me, I will have some alone time and I think a pedicure is on the schedule - this is one of my favorite days of the year.

As for actual Easter we aren't doing anything. Maybe we will get Chinese or Indian take-out. No kitchen to cook in so if we ask someone else if they want to do something for Easter we are pretty much inviting ourselves over so I think a meal in the house amongst all of the dust is what we will be doing.

The house is going well. What has been completed - Demo, rough plumbing, rough electrical, and rough framing. The fire stopping was completed yesterday and as long as that inspection is completed today the insulation can start today and continue tomorrow. Our pocket doors were picked up today to be stripped so hopefully they come back today or tomorrow morning and I will either paint or stain those maybe even this weekend. Then when the insulation and a few other details are complete the blue board can be installed which is what I am looking forward to because that really contains the dust. Then plaster on top of that, painting the kitchen, floors redone, and then the cabinets can be installed. Pretty crazy! I think this is the best one of our projects has ever gone so I am waiting for something horrible to happen. So far so good.

One funny thing that Murdoch did last weekend was trying to go down a ramp like it was a slide. Now we do the slides at the play yard and he does them all of the time at daycare so there was this little ramp on the side of a restaurant, I assume for delivers, and he got down and tried to use it like a slide. Ah the simple joys in life! He has also decided that fresh fruit is the new 'in' food so I am excited to get away from crackers and pasta a little bit. Then again we went out to dinner last night and he ate a butter packet, and proceeded to lick the butter off of the table when he spilled it - not our greatest hour but he had such a good time at dinner and so was good which allowed A to take out the pocket doors and have a little downtime.

That is it for our lives. Lots going on but nothing particularly exciting all at the same time. Just hoping for warmer weather - it is supposed to be cooler this weekend which is depressing because that makes for a long day in a dusty and dirty house. Enjoy your Easter!

Happy Birthday Bob!

I don't have any cute pictures so I apologize. We wish we could be there to celebrate your birthday with you but we can do something in May when you pass through the area. Murdoch has gotten very good at hugs and kisses (though the kisses are pretty) wet so I am sure you will be get a lot of those. Enjoy your day!

April 1st - A Great Day!

Due to stresses on the home front and work front I am trying to be more positive. So I decided to pick out reasons why today is such a great day. Here is what I came up with:

1) Today is my 6th engagement anniversary. I know this sounds silly but I like to remember it. 6 years ago we were relaxing in the Caribbean, going scuba diving, diving wine, and then we got engaged on the beach. Maybe on a future April 1st we can redo that engagement - I would love to be on a beach right now! :)

2) Today I am 25 weeks into my second pregnancy. This pregnancy has been harder than the first. I have been sick more often and it is also due to the fact that I can't just come home and lay on the couch after work. There is a very demanding little toddler that wants to play, eat, scream, etc. that doesn't allow that to happen.

3) Street cleaning starts today. I know this sound silly and actually in the past I hated the start of street cleaning. But after watching the snow melt and seeing all of the trash and pieces of asphalt under there I can't wait for the regular cycle of the removal of this dirt. Plus it makes your walk a lot more pleasant.

4) I am getting a new kitchen. Right now this is not a source of joy. With plaster dust everywhere, our kitchen and dining room completely cleared out and housed in our TV room, office, and various bedroom makes this a reason to go into work early every day. Not to mention the additional stress of trying to keep a toddler and a dog out of the work area and trying to keep them relatively clean and occupied during this process which is pretty much impossible - plaster dust is everywhere! But this is needed. We have been in this house for over 2.5 years and our kitchen has basically been a room with appliances. There were a few cabinets in this back pantry like area but that really didn't cut it. So in the end I am hoping the memory and dust are instantly removed when I see the new cabinets, counter tops, and I put my first utensil in a drawer after 2.5 years of no drawers. I am sure these memories will fade but they will come right back when we do our next large project - but that won't be until the next house so I am going to take the time to enjoy it.

5) April seems way closer to Spring than it does in March. Plus on March 1st we got a foot of snow - today it might get to 50 - really I can't ask for more than that.

Enjoy your April Fool's Day!

Bath Time

I am loving these photos! Talli just uploaded them so I wanted to make sure that everyone saw them. Bob & Talli came for a visit a few weeks ago to meet Liam and hang out with us a little. They helped me out with Murdoch on numerous occasions and one night they helped with Murdoch's bath. Right now Murdoch enjoys taking a bath with someone which is a bit of overhead but he really enjoys it and we have found that he is really enjoying the water. Plus now you can just go in for a little while and then he 'swims' around by himself while you just watch. Anyway - Bob took a bath with Murdoch while I cooked dinner which was such a luxury! I hope you enjoy the pictures!

When the walls come tumbling down...

....literally! Today our dining room, kitchen, front hallway, back hallway, and one of the bedrooms in our renters apartment are being gutted. Though thrilling, because I can't wait for a new kitchen that actually has drawers and counter tops, the process is not a pleasant one and I know it because we have done this before. There is dust everywhere - if you have never taken down a wall made of horse hair plaster it is quite a mess task! So it is going to suck to be without a kitchen for awhile and trying to keep a toddler and a dog occupied in only part of the house, especially when the weather isn't great isn't the easiest task but I am going to try and remain positive. But I have a feeling I am going to reach some lows during this process so there will probably be some entries of whining and self-pity so please bare with me. I took before pictures which I will post and I will be taking pictures along the way and then finally there will be after pictures - the best ones of all!

Enjoy your weekend - we are going to be staying in various venues so I don't think it will be the greatest weekend of my life but in no way shape or form will it be my worst.

How you know you are living with a toddler.....

1) When you go to bed you have brush graham cracker crumbs out of your own bed. Yes I said this would never happen and it is yet another thing that I just said who cares to when I was tired. I got home with Murdoch, Andy was installing trim in the bedroom and he really wanted to watch so I got a box of graham crackers and a cup of milk and Murdoch sat in my lap eating away and making little noises as Andy worked with a big smile on his face. It was worth it! I got to just recline in bed for 30 minutes and he barely moved! Nothing a little sheet change won't take care of!

2) Your dog now has to be on a diet because of the carb comma she is in due to a sudden large intake of crackers, cheerios, cheese, and juice! Deucey needs those curves back!

3) Instead of actually asking your husband for the remote control you make a weird noise that is similar to what your son makes when he is pointing at some thing that he wants.

4) Your husband's response to #3 say please and you have to do that in sign language :)

5) Your child says yeah to every question you ask him. I guess this is better than no but I have found this so funny that I started saying it all of the time - including work and I can't stop!

Changes....

So today is the first day of Spring - though it didn't feel like it walking to work in a down coat and mittens. The days are slightly warmer and longer and I am hoping we have seen the last snow of the season.

Starting next Friday our kitchen and dining room will be gutted to begin the lovely process of kitchen renovation. This is our last large project in this house which is awesome but I know the amount of dust that is created, the extra stress on top of normal life that it creates, and just the general annoyance of living without a kitchen. We will still have a fridge and a microwave which is pretty good but losing the stove is going to kill me! Most of the kid meals are fixed on the stove so that is going to be hard. I think there is going to be a lot of yelling and short fuses in the next month or more.

I will post before, during, and after pictures. We definitely need a new kitchen because ours is pretty much a room with appliances in it but because I know what is coming I am totally dreading it. I think I will go to bed desperately holding onto the picture of the new kitchen in order to get through this ordeal. I know others have a much harder cross to bare in life so this isn't the biggest thing ever but I unfortunately am going down the black hole of pity where I will be feeling very sorry for myself once this project starts. Luckily there is light at the end of the tunnel in the form of counter tops, cabinets, and drawers - some very novel ideas to have in your kitchen! :)

Shaving over walking?

I just saw this article:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/03/16/hm.shave.childhood.cancer/index.html
I did the breast cancer 3-day walk a few years ago and it was fun and I had a good time - granted the weather was nice and I decided to stay in a hotel instead of camp out with everyone which made it much nicer at least for me. The walk lasted 3-days and there were many weekends before that of practice walks to make sure that I could actually do the 20 miles though I never practiced 20 miles a day, 3 days in a row. But after the summer of training and then the three days it was over. The actually shaving would be easier - there isn't any training you just go in and get it done - but that bald head is going to last more than 3 days! But I think with all of those kids sitting around cheering you on and knowing how it would help them the joy and gratification would last longer than your bald head.

Which one would you choose?

A nice weekend

The snow is just about melted, the days are longer, and it was near 60 and sunny this weekend! It was great. We all got out and did a little bit of outdoor activity which was awesome! Sunday Murdoch and I headed to the park around the corner. This was the first time to a park for Murdoch, and my first time taking my child to the park. At first he wouldn't leave the stroller and just stared at everyone else there. Then after a granola bar he got out and walked around a little bit. We tried the swings - those were okay. Then we went over to the little jungle gym and tried out the 3 foot slide. After about 10 tries on that a little time later we graduated to the 9 or so foot spiral slide that we did about 30 times and then we followed that up with a decent amount of time on the swings. Hopefully this excitement will continue because this is a convenient place to burn off some extra energy and get out of the house. Here are the rest of the pictures.

We have a problem

You never want to pick up the phone from your spouse/significant other or whatever you want to call that person in your life that knows things about you that no one else does or would want to know but still sticks with you. Andy called yesterday morning and said these words. I immediately think of something totally awful though he sounded calm so I figured it couldn't be too bad. Poor Murdoch woke up with hives all over him. We don't know why, we don't know the source. I called the doctor - they weren't particularly concerned. They went away so Murdoch went to daycare and then they were back later in the day. We are crossing our fingers that this isn't a normal occurrence - that can't be comfortable! Andy emailed me this picture so I had to share.

Bob & Talli are coming this weekend to see Liam but I am sure Murdoch will get a little attention and TLC from them as well. I am sure he will eat that up! Hopefully that produces some good pictures and stories - unlike my story from last weekend! :) Enjoy your weekend.

Then and now

There are days when I think why can't I just go back to the way things were 5 years ago, 10 years, ago, etc. Yesterday was one of those days. I was looking through some old emails and I found from pictures from 2005. I was married, but I was in a different house, I didn't have a kid nor was I really thinking about it. I had this job but I had just started and I had just returned from a month-long vacation to Phoenix for wedding and then we traveling along to Fiji and Australia. I can't help but look at myself in those pictures and think god - I was having fun, I was happy!

I am happy now but it is different and after looking at those pictures I had a day where I just wanted that life back. I personally find the lack of vacation after having a kid very hard and right now when it is cold and dark out and there is snow on the ground a vacation for about 2 weeks somewhere warm with boat drinks I think would be my cure. But that isn't happening. So even though I am happy where I am right now - it is really hard not to look back on these pictures and that part of my life and think god I really wish I could have that back right now!

I could go on and on if I stayed on this subject - I am sure you all know what I mean. So here are the pictures:

Halloween 2005

Frye Island 2005 with Scott & Gary

Sarah's 30th Brithday

Catching up on some photos

So we finally got the pictures on the computer and I organized some of them into sets on flickr. Here is what we have so far:


Early pictures of Deucey - that would be B.M.(Before Murdoch) Deucey really gets the short end of the stick these days so I thought I would post these pictures to remind us of when Deucey was the only baby and she got all of the special attention - even when she ripped up and entire bag of potty soil in the kitchen!


Here are a few random pictures of Murdoch from February that I thought were cute. There are a few of him 'playing' the drums from the Guitar Hero game and he had a little fun with his new stroller.


Ellen came up for a visit in January. I realized at the end that I hadn't taken any pictures! So here are a few.


And finally Christmas. Yes Christmas! I realize that we should be getting our green out for St. Patrick's Day by now but we have just gotten around to downloading pictures from Christmas.


Enjoy all of these! Hopefully it won't be as long until the next download.

How was your weekend?

***WARNING - this post is kind of gross so Dad you may not want to read it***

This past weekend held great promise to be a good weekend for the Suthersons. I have no idea what we did on Friday night which means we probably didn't do much because we were tired which is fine. Saturday we had a trip to the dog park with Murdoch's daycare teacher planned followed by errands or house work and then a 2-year-old birthday party. Murdoch decided to sleep in on Saturday which was fine because he was up late the night before. So I got up to make breakfast to make sure there were no tears while waiting for the oatmeal to cool. I made the oatmeal, had my breakfast, watched some tv and it was now after 9. In order to make it to the dog park by 11 people needed to get out of bed pretty soon. So I checked on Andy and he said Murdoch hadn't been making any noise. We decided we should get him up because it was pretty late and I was starting to think something was very wrong. Well I opened the door and the smell that met me said yes something is wrong. Poor Murdoch had thrown up at some point during the night and was sleeping in it. This is the second time this has happened and neither time he cried, he just throws up and goes back to sleep. This makes me feel horrible! Poor guy sleeping in throw-up. So we got him up, he went into the bathtub, and cleaned up the room and we made it to the dog park but it was more like 12. The rest of the day was fine but Murdoch seemed a little out of it and he really didn't want to eat much and I didn't press the issue.

Sunday - we have breakfast/brunch plans with friends which makes it the best day because I love breakfast and Andy was coming which was very nice because he really doesn't like breakfast. We got up and headed out and my car sounded odd on the way over. It was snowing so we thought it just needed to warm up. We got there parked and as Andy was getting Murdoch out of the car I noticed my tired was low - well that accounts for the sound. We decided to eat and then drive two blocks to use the air at the gas station. We get out of breakfast and the tire is totally flat - so much for running the errands right after breakfast! We got to the gas station and the air was out of order. So Andy changed the tire - in horizontal freezing snow! We headed home, changed cars, and headed to the Expo. The store is closing and we needed things for our new kitchen so we thought we would check it out. While in the Expo Murdoch decided to poop. Which is fine but then there was an odor that followed us around. We decided that we would go across the street and change him at Nordstrom - the bathrooms are much nicer and easier for that type of thing. So we pile into the car drive over there, circle for a parking space, Andy loses it, and parks in a handicapped space and tells us to get out so that I can change the diaper and he will meet us in there. Well I pick up Murdoch and as soon as I get him into my arms I hear 'Oh my god!' I have no idea what is going on my I soon do. Murdoch has had diarrhea and it is all over the car seat, all over him, and now it is all over me. Well I guess we aren't going to Nordstrom :) So I put him back in the seat with a towel between him and the seat and I try to wipe myself down. We go home (I think Andy almost threw up on the way home because of the smell) and Murdoch and I went straight into the shower. That caused a lot of crying because he hates the shower but that was just easier. So he got shower, then he wanted the sippy cup. We played for awhile and he went to bed around 4:30. We debated waking him up but decided to let him sleep.

This morning I work up to about a foot of snow and a horrible commute - definitely a day to work for home! But Murdoch slept through the night, there were no accidents overnight, and Andy said that he is eating a ton this morning so hopefully this is past us. Hopefully next weekend is a better one!

Enjoy your week!

Mom = Enabler?

Murdoch went to the doctor yesterday for his 18 month check-up. He has become a picky eater, he is a lot more clingy, and he has been waking up at night crying - not enough for us to go in but that is not his normal routine. Each of these things on their own really wouldn't mean much to me at all but all of them at once lead me to believe that something might be wrong. So for the past week when he asks to be picked up I do, when he wants a different food, he gets it, etc. I had Andy mention this to the doctor - I wanted to make sure there wasn't something physically wrong with him like an ear infection or something like that. Well apparently we are just enablers according to the doctor and though he didn't say it I think I am the bigger enabler just due to the fact of the way Murdoch acts toward me vs. Andy.

Last night when I picked him up from daycare though he screamed, cried, and threw himself on the floor I didn't carry him out. He refused to hold my hand so I held his wrist and though he screamed the whole time he walked out of daycare to the car - granted everyone was staring at us. He screamed for about 5 blocks and then it just stopped and he was perfectly happy. Okay well I survived that one. We got home and he threw himself on the ground again. I offered him food - all things no. I got out little crackers and put some spreadable cheese on them - no again. I ate them. After about 10 crackers and 10 minutes of screaming in the highchair he was asking for the crackers and other food that I had already offered and go the no. After we finished dinner we had a nice time playing and then a nice time in his room before bed - no more tantrums. Clearly I need thicker skin and I need to get through the tantrum because so far they only last 5-10 minutes which really isn't that long.

I am sure that this is something that a lot of parents go through - maybe not but I have to think there are others out there. My goal will be not to give into his every need because right now he seems to be craving attention and if I give into the screaming it just leads to more screaming. Hopefully with this new approach we will all be a lot happier after a long day at work/school. And I am hoping to learn this lesson now so that in 15-20 years I am not on Intervention saying that my picture should be in the dictionary next to enabler because Murdoch is an alcoholic or addicted to some other drug.

Pictures of Liam and the Family

Here are some more pictures! He is such a cute and perfect guy! Murdoch can't wait for him to grow up a little - he is excited that he can get his gang started!

Introducing Liam Kenneth

Karen and Hugh welcomed a new baby boy late Thursday.

Liam Kenneth
Born Feb 19,2009 at 9:41am
7lbs 13 oz 21 inches

Everyone is doing well though tired. The family went home from the hospital yesterday and I have my fingers crossed that they got some sleep - the first night home from the hospital with Murdoch was a tough one for us so we are hoping it went well for them. Of course we forgot our camera but Andy has one on his phone - I will see if he can email that to me and I will post it.

Congrats to Hugh & Karen!

Random Updates

So we went to Target last night to buy a new iron - I have looked for mine for a week and I can't find it. I am sure as soon as I open the new one and use it the old iron will come out of hiding with a drink in hand knowing that his life of manual labor is over because I think this new one is supposed to be better. While I was there I decided to get Murdoch a new toy. Frequently when I pick him up all of the kids are running around the classroom with baby strollers and Murdoch is very upset when he has to give his up and leave. So I decided why not get him one. The only one I could find, without much searching, was a pink one with a purple cloth seat. I know this needs a picture so I will try to get to that now that I am somewhat set up on a new computer. When I was checking out the early-20's guy said - Please don't tell me that is for him. And I said proudly Yes it is! I think that along with the purple Dora the Explorer chair is funny. Murdoch doesn't watch TV so he has no idea who Dora is and right now he has no idea that pink is usually loved by girls. I am thinking that a tutu is up next :) Ah the pictures we can torture our children with later in life!

On a totally different note I saw this article and I thought it was very interesting. Just a little something to read for a raining and cold Thursday - at least that is how things are looking in our part of the country.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/02/17/dying.green/index.html

New Year's Resolutions - a little late

I read this and enjoyed it, I thought you might as well. New Year's resolutions aren't my thing but this year I decided that I could actually take a calcium and iron supplement without losing too much sleep - and so far it has worked. I am trying to eat less sugar - that is my huge issue - I love sweets! So I am trying to eat them only when they are really good and find ways to cut out sugar in other things. This story is a dramatic change but I think if you just try one or two like a little less sugar and flossing your teeth you are much more likely to stick with it. How much better do you think you would look and feel if you got up in the AM and did 20 push-ups - it makes a difference after the first month. So I am trying for small life changes and when I get off track I will enjoy those 10 cookies and then the next day I will happily eat that apple.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/02/16/oprah.habit.month/index.html

Hello Again!

This isn't the best picture but it is all I have right now. And I am just way behind on the blog - I haven't even posted pictures from Christmas - how sad is that! Oh well. We have made very good house progress so between that and all of us being sick that has taken up most of our time. And the blocked the USB ports on my work laptop so I need to get set-up on our other PC and I just haven't put the time into that.

I hope you all are having a great 2009 and I am hoping for a few more posts in the coming months of 2009. I have so much backlog of pictures and videos that you think it would be easy!

A fun weekend!

Those pictures are from the snow we got last weekend. No snow this weekend, just a slightly warmer start the weekend and the more cold cold temperatures! We are looking forward to March - it won't be warm but it shouldn't be this cold!

We had a pretty good weekend. We took our first trip ever to IKEA. I thought it was going to be horrible - lines at the exit just to get to the store, going in circles looking for a parking space, etc. It wasn't that bad. The store is a little overwhelming but I feel like we were focused on what we wanted so it was a relatively fast trip. We got some new cabinets for our 1/2 bath/laundry room which will be really nice - people won't have to stare at our dirty laundry when they come over and use the bathroom. Andy also got a shelf to go above his desk so we can put things like pictures and such up there to get rid of a little bit of the clutter from the bookshelf. So we are still a long way from being organized but I don't expect to ever be fully organized. Saturday night we had a surprise birthday party and Sunday was Karen & Hugh's baby shower. So it was a busy weekend but while I was at the shower Andy installed half of the cabinets in the bathroom so that mess should be out of the way soon. Now we need to tackle all of the filing clutter to get ready for taxes! Maybe next year we will have some sort of filing system though I doubt it - that takes time and effort, day in and day out - we aren't very good at that. Maybe an decrease in paper clutter of 15% should be our goal.

Now we are back to work! I hope you had a good weekend and you enjoy the week. As always I am looking forward to Friday.

A trip to the hospital anyone?

Just in case you were worried I thought I would say up front Murdoch is not involved in any trip to the hospital. I thought this picture of Murdoch was cute and it would cheer my Mom up.

My Mom had knee surgery on Tuesday. She had her second knee replacement. My Dad said that the surgery went well but it is a long road of lots of pain and PT - she knows this after her experience with her first knee replacement. It is going to be a long road to recovery but in the end she is going to be in a lot less pain.

Apparently I had some sympathy pain - I ended up at the hospital on Tuesday as well - though nothing serious. I cut my finger on a can of diced tomatoes that I had just opened. I didn't have to get stitches because of where the cut was on my finger - too close to the bone - so they used glue. It is basically super glue for your body. So I have that and a splint which makes it very hard to do things because it is my right hand. Only a few days of this though so I really can't complain.

Cold, Tired, and Unmotivated

It is cold out and it is supposed to only get colder - the high on Friday is supposed to be 10! I don't even want to think about the windchill. The commute to work in that isn't pleasant. And getting out of bed in the dark, getting ready in the dark, and getting to work in the dark isn't pleasant either. January and February are definitely my least favorite months of the year. Every year I don't plan a March vacation to a warm destination I kick myself. Two years ago we went to St. Lucia and last year we went to Florida. This year I am just hoping for more sunlight and that these two months fly by. March isn't the best but somehow it seems promising but it is usually a tease.

I need to motivate to get pictures and videos off my camera but right now they are all dead which requires one more step before I can put them on my laptop which just seems like such an obstacle at the end of the day. Maybe it is because I look at a computer most of the day that it makes it hard to do it when I get home.

Thank you for listening to the complaining. I am looking forward to my three-day weekend. Murdoch goes to daycare on Monday and I have the day off which is basically the best day off ever - I know that may seem mean to many of you but I can get some things done and I can pick him up early to see him a little more that day so it is a win-win. Maybe I will actually finish painting one of the bookshelves in his room and we can actually put a few things away - it has only been over a year at this point - we are obviously not behind :) But the office is also screaming to be finished so I will see who screams the loudest over the weekend and on Monday. Maybe the office will get some love this weekend - I don't think I will be traveling outside too much when the windchill has a very good chance of being below 0.

MIA

So I haven't posted in about a month. It was a rough month so I am hoping that things settle down and return to 'normal'. Work has been crazy and then we had the holidays - Murdoch got the stomach flu and gave it to everyone for Christmas. So that really killed us - Murdoch wasn't in bed all day but I sure was. So we got through the holidays and then Ellen was just here for a visit which was great. So hopefully as we get back to our routine there will be more posts. Pictures are coming - again I just need to get organized! I hope you all had a wonder Christmas and Happy New Year! We are looking forward to a great 2009.