March 26th

All of the kids were taking a bath the other night, when Pete, after I had just taken off his diaper, stood at the toilet….as any young man should…and peed all over the floor. It was perfect, except he’s about a foot too close to the floor. Maybe he’ll be potty trained before Lucy. ☺

Ella just finished kindergarten roundup. I can't believe she's going to school in the fall, but she'll love it! She is more than ready.

Ella and Lucy got haircuts today from Lori Newton. They were both SO good. It was really cute. Ella had cut a piece of her hair awhile back, and Lucy was in dire need of a trim...and some bangs.

We bought flip flops and bubbles today...and swimsuits are on the way! We are all ready for summer to come.

Andy is officiating college baseball, starting this weekend. He is also working an ISU scrimmage next weekend. We are all excited for him.

The kids are all asleep, and it's only 9:30. They've been coming into our bed a lot at night. There are worse things. Some day they won't want anything to do with us, so we can enjoy this while it lasts. :)

March

Well, it's been quite awhile since I've posted anything here. So much has happened in our lives, which keeps me too busy to write about it.

Andy and I went on a trip to Panama. Seven days of heaven. The food was amazing. The weather was perfect. And our view was beyond description. We went through the Panama Canal, spent a day in the rainforest, saw monkeys and crocodiles, and toured through the city. We even relived a scene right out of the latest James Bond movie. We shopped at some local dive markets, got some souvenirs for the kids, and enjoyed some quality time as a couple. It was amazing in every way.

The kids (and our parents), on the other hand, did not enjoy the week as much. Each got sick, so much so that they consecutively had to see the doctor and were sent home from daycare. We never got a phone call (bless you mom and dad), but everyone was ready for a break by the time we got home.

Pete is walking pretty much all the time now and finally has some teeth. You can see at least 8 bumps but three have popped through so far. He's been waking up a lot at night, so I think they hurt the little guy. Actually, I think he just likes the snuggle time with daddy. :)

The girls pop into our bed quite frequently too, and bedtime is exhausting, but everyone is happy and healthy which is all we could ask for.

Dad has started treatments for his lymphoma and is responding well. It's been a hard winter but spring is almost here, and the end is in sight!

Andy is starting spring scrimmages for football and has already been offered one at ISU which thrills us ISU fans. He's also doing some college baseball games which should be fun. I hope to bring the kids to some games, but that might have to wait until a little further down the road.

Ella has kindergarten roundup on the 23rd. I can't believe she's starting school in the fall. I don't know where the time goes.

Still working on potty training with Lucy, but she's getting the idea. We're batting about 500 on that one, so there is still a ways to go. :)

Pete's first day of school

Pete had his first day of school today.  He was very good but seemed a little shellshocked. :)  He went right to Kimmy but had a very serious look on his face.  He did not eat right away but was tentatively taking pancake in his hand and putting it in his moth as I was leaving.  I'm not sure his eyes ever went smaller than "wow."

Grandpa Phil already stopped by to check on him.  They were holding him as he prepared for a nap.  He was such a good boy and I am so comfortable leaving him there.  I just can't believe my last baby is growing up. :(

Winter fun

With all of the cold weather and snow days from school, we have been finding creative, and often messy ways to pass the time.

Yesterday, the girls each cracked their own egg into a bowl and practiced "painting" with the egg on some pieces of bread, their hands, and the counter. :)  They had so much fun I could hardly get upset about the sticky paste they were leaving everywhere.  A house full of toys, and we spend our time with food. 

I have also been baking like crazy, trying all kinds of new recipes, sending most of my yummies with Andy to work.  Brent is a big fan of my caramels. :)  And the ladies in the office want me to go back to work because I'm ruining their diets.

The kids have been very good.  I think I am the only one suffering from the lack of sunshine and time outdoors.  Anxious to break out the jogger for a second round.  I should really keep track of how many miles I log.

The kids haven't been sleeping well, mostly because of teething issues and then they wake each other up.  Thankfully, we can get a full night of sleep every full days to keep us...me...from going over the edge. :)

Look at Pete go!

Pete is growing so fast! He pulls himself up, walks around the edges of his pack-n-play, and now he's riding a motorcycle, at only 9 months!  He has two sisters to keep up with, so he needs to be ready.  He's going to be on the go before we know it!

Thanksgiving

Saturday, November 29th, 2008

I was driving with the kids today, and Ella asked how babies got into mommies' tummies.  I gave her my poor, unprepared answer, but she seemed satisfied.  She sat a few minutes, then asked, when Pete was in my tummy, was it sausage or turkey?  When I asked for clarification, she got shy and said never mind.  I waited a bit, and then answered, the most correct answer I could conclude, sausage. :)

Pete hit his nose on the glass base of the tv tonight.  He was following Lucy around the house, and somehow he hit his nose, I think.  Lucy did something, there was a bang, then Pete was crying so hard he wouldn't breathe.  I just stared at him, waiting to see where the injury had occurred.  Nothing immediate showed...until the blood began to pour from his nose.  Since I had no idea what had happened, I couldn't be sure if it was just his nose or his head.  I called Jean, since no one else was around, and she was here in a flash, sliding through two stop signs and somehow managing not to fall racing up the icy steps.  By the time she got here, he had calmed down and I was able to more lucidly assess him.  I ran him across the street to have Michelle take a peek before I hauled him out to the emergency room, and she thought he would be fine.  The first of many times I will see my children hurt or bleeding.  At least I handle it better than Daddy. :)

Andy officiated a Division III semi-final game today in Naperville, IL.  We are very proud of him and they didn't know any other official who had gotten that big of a game in only their second year in the league.  His parents went, but I decided to stay home with the kids.  It's just too long of a trip at such a young age.

My parents are in Branson, MO enjoying a much deserved getaway...and shopping like it's going out of style!  Every time I call they are in a different store.  I'm going to need to expand the kids' closet after this trip.

Andy's parents hosted Thanksgiving this year.  I think the final tally was 28.  I was home sick, unfortunately, but I hear they had a great time.  All the kids went to the gym, then we made the ginger bread houses (I had promised to make with them) that night when they got home.  They were both exhausted.  Ella woke up at 5:45 she was so excited for the day.  We never thought she'd make it through the day.  Next time, big plans will be kept a secret. :)

Oh, the little ones

Last night was a trifecta of sleeplessness.

Poor Ella threw up six times, a walking fountain of vomit.  It was on the wall, the door, the chair, the carpet...in her room, the living room, the hallway, our room.  We ended up sleeping for awhile on the cold kitchen floor, she and I, a blanket and a pillow.  I think she still had whole onion rings in there.  Must have been too much celebrating for Grandma Joan's birthday.  MorrisInn is usually better going down than coming up.

Lucy was up several times coughing and crying as if she was in pain.  Poor peanut didn't feel well either, but she made it through the night.  All she wants is "mil-K."

Pete was in bed with me, back and forth throughout this entire ordeal.  Thank goodness both he and Lucy stayed asleep during the cleanup and vomit fest.  He spent the rest of the night in bed with me after we got Ella cleaned up and back to sleep.  She was curled up with her puke bucket when I checked on her this morning.

We had a wonderful time last night for Grandma Joan's 71st birthday.  I can't believe she is that old! (sorry mom) Jean and Harry joined us along with Phil and Nancy.  We had a really nice time, and the kids were great!  This might be the first time we've eaten out with all three.  I can't remember.  Lucy and Pete were both in high chairs.  Ella had a booster.  We had to laugh at how little they all still are.  Lucy and Pete are going to look like twins soon!

We all came back to our house for cake afterward, except Jean and Harry.  They went home to have cake with Jeff's family, who up to that point had forgotten her birthday.  She was wondering when the question of "why are we having cake" would finally kick in.  She shared a story of how when the kids were younger, NO one remembered her birthday, so she baked a cake and plopped it on the table in front of all of them and watched as recognition and horror settled in.  You gotta love Aunt Jean. :)

Andy found out the other day he is officiating a junior college bowl game again this year, on Sunday.  He has moved up very quickly in the officiating ranks, this being only his second year in the league.  And he was told that big plans are in store!  We also found out last week that he qualified for a 7 day trip to Panama for us!!  We are SO excited!  We went and got our passports today.  Seven days away from our kids might be more than we can handle, but we are both really looking forward to a vacation.  The resort is beautiful and we are told to expect all first class.  Everyone once in awhile we just randomly blurt out, "We're going to Panama."  It's become our mantra. :)