A day at the park

My camera is broken, so these are pictures from last Wednesday. We were kicked out of our house for 3 hours so that a bunch of real estate agents could tromp through our house. I drove to 4 different parks before finally settling on this one. They were all have construction work done to them, even this one, but I was tired of driving around. The kids still had a grand time, even though most of the park was fenced off. And poor Super E had to swing on the baby swings because there were no big kid swings. He just barely fit.

A Day at the Lake

We went to Grapevine Lake today. Slathered on the sunscreen and spent a few hours in the sun, hiking around the lake. The guys had a great time throwing rocks and getting dirty. Just a nice beautiful day with my guys.

Ache

Lately, a lot of people have been asking me if I am STILL breastfeeding as if it were some kind of burden to them. Yes I am! Going on 15 months. Even my pediatrician seems to feel the need to talk to me about weaning and stopping (someone who obviously knows very little on the subject)! And just to set the record straight, I am weaning! Just very very s..l..o..w..l..y. I plan on sticking with it for quite a while longer. After all, I'm not working. What else have I got to do that I can't stop for 15 minutes a couple of times a day and spend some one-on-one quiet time with my precious little baby. He won't be this small much longer. It's a perfect way to stop what I'm doing, slow the clock a little, and cherish every moment.

The idea of stopping makes my heart ache so much. I can not bear the thought of not doing it. Stopping means that he is growing up and I want to enjoy his smallness as long as I can. I know after I-guy, I will never breastfeed again and breastfeeding both of my children has been one of the greatest joys in my life. I can't begin to explain the closeness and deep bonding you feel when you snuggle up with your child and began to nourish them in this way. It is my body that fills his body up with delicious nutrients and love. I know I can give them nourishment and love in so many other ways, but nothing is as personal and totally of myself. Super E watches me feed I-guy sometimes and I know he feels the importance of it. He hears the stories of our breastfeeding experience and I hope he will carry it with him always. I can't think of a better gift or more important way to start a babies life out. Giving completely of yourself as a mother, protector and provider.

I know breastfeeding won't last forever, but for now, we are very happy doing what we're doing.

Mama says Om

All boy

My Guys

Another quick post with a few pictures.Here is Super E showing off his new Soccer Trophy. He had his last game last Thursday. Afterwards, they all went out for ice cream. Here is what he had to say about the season.

"I tried really hard all season long to make a goal. I didn't get a single goal in the whole wide world, but I did make two goals at some other games. I did get a trophy and that is something really good for me. "

I was pointing out to him all the chocolate finger prints on it and he said to me, "Well mom, that will be your new job. Just clean it and make it shiny everyday!"



Here is cutie pie little I-guy

He's sporting another item of clothing that mommy decorated with a freezer paper stencil. And just so you know, He climbed up on that chest all by himself.

Happy I-guy

Just a few quick pics of my little I-guy.

A BIG smile.

A really REALLY BIG smile!

Hope everyone has a nice weekend!

A Happier Day

Here is Super-E sportin' his new t-shirts that mommy made using freezer paper and fabric paint. You can see how it's done here. He loves his new shirts screaming, "these are PERFECT!!" when I showed them to him. He has plans for me to make more. I'd like to make some for I-guy too. It's really fun.

As you can see, Super-E is looking a lot happier today. Today he'll be meeting up with his soccer team for a final game against Black Magic (if it doesn't rain) and ice cream at Braum's!! He's very excited about that!! Can you tell?

I-guy is in better spirits today as well. Unfortunately he keeps rubbing snot all over his face with the back of his hand and is not suitable for picture taking (per his request). Maybe tomorrow.

Liquid

Tears, Tears, and More Tears

The first thing I think of when I see the word liquid (relating to family) is breastfeeding (I-guy is going on 14 months-yeah!). But, after a day like today, all I can think of (see and hear), are tears. Not tears of joy- nope tears of.......I don't know what. The guys are just feeling crumby today. I-guy is still a little snotty and congested which I'm sure is not making him feel very well and Super-E is just plain upset because Gracie (our neighbors grandchild) hasn't been able to come over and play. To make matters worse, Ry-daddy and I are starting to feel the stresses of having the house up for sale. Why gosh, I feel like crying right now......bwaaaaaa- waaaaaa-waaaaa.

Okay, sorry. I lost control. When ever the kids are both crying at the same time, sometimes Ry-daddy and I start wailing too(just for fun). Usually I-guy is the first to stop. He just looks at us like "what the heck are these two doing?". Super E usually stops soon after because he has to try not to laugh! Pretty soon we're all laughing. It's a fun game.

Mama Says Om: Liquid

Wild

Just a fun little picture showing how wild my guys can get. In these pictures they are doing a little dance- getting jiggy with it! Don't worry, we weren't playing any country music, they were just taking turns wearing that cowboy hat. It was pretty funny. Oh, and there was no music playing- just me singing. Yeah, I can sing a tune or two. I must be pretty good at it because Super-E kept asking me to sing it over and over! Yes, he's had his hearing checked.

After we did some dancing, there was a little wrestling match between Super E and I-guy. Really it's just them hugging each other and rolling around on the ground screaming. Another pretty funny site.









Sorry about the crazy colors. I guess I got a little wild too!

On the verge

I-guy is all better from his cold, Super-E got sick a couple of nights ago and has been sleeping with me, Ry-Daddy started feeling bad yesterday and is sleeping in the spare bedroom, and now I feel that I am on the verge of getting it too!! It's been a snot-filled past couple of days and I forgot to buy tissue at the store today!!
You can tell that I-guy is feeling much better because he has discovered that he likes running through the curtains. Of course, we don't like him to do this because he could 1) hurt himself and 2) rip the curtains down. He knows this, so he only does it when he thinks we aren't looking. We were able to get this picture by pretending that we were busy talking. He's a sneaky guy. He's a very brave little fellow too. Much more of a climber than Super-E was. He climbs onto Super-E's bed, onto the couch, anywhere he can hike up his little leg up and grab hold of something to yank himself up. A monster I tell you! And if you so much as slightly raise your voice to him, the lip hangs down and he'll give you the saddest cry you ever heard.

Hope everyone has a nice weekend. It looks like we may have a rainy one.

A very nice visit!

We had a very nice visit with Mike & Miya. The weather turned on us a little which is a good thing because it was starting to get humid, sticky and heavy! Ugh! We had no problem getting their RV in the driveway. We had Subey (the car) in the garage and the sub-hog(suburban) parked to the left of the basketball post in the grassy area. Super-E thought they brought the RV for his own play-house pleasure!Auntie Miya read stories, played hide-the-ball, and pretend driving in the RV and Uncle Mike brought his remote-control truck, so Super E had a fine time and didn't want to see them go.

I-guy is wearing the cutest little hat that Mike & Miya brought for him. He actually wears it for more than 10 minutes at a time. He's also feeling much better today.
Thanks Mike & Miya for coming all the way to the Big D! We loved having you here!!

In a bucket

Yesterday we left I-guy in the living room playing with a cake lid/bucket-like bowl. Came back to find this!!! Funny and talented!

Mike & Miya are here in Dallas visiting us. Ethan is having a grand time with Auntie Miya. Today Ryan is giving them the grand tour of the library. I'm stuck here with the kids (just kidding). We might go out later to show them the rest of the BIG D, maybe not. I-guy has a runny nose and isn't feeling too well. Poor guy.

Careworn

Careworn is when your hubby is away in NYC and you are alone with the kids all day with no relief. And you realize that with out this man you'd be a pile of mush because he does so much. Even though he is only away for one night and two days you miss him because he makes life better, easier, happier, funnier.

Careworn is being tired and unable to sleep through a long night of thunderstorms and worrying that the kids will wake and be scared. They don't -they just sleep.

Careworn is tirelessly keeping your home clean and then watching it become a disaster zone within minutes.

Careworn is having to laugh when your child says embarrasing things to strangers.

Careworn is watching your children change right before your very eyes- growing taller, walking, talking, learning- and not wanting to miss a single second.

Careworn is being too tired to play and watching yourself grow old- new grey hairs, saggy boobs, wrinkles, achy back & legs.

Careworn is loving your family so much that is makes your heart, soul, body and head ache. It makes you want to cover them up like a steel blanket to protect them forever. But you just gently hold their hands and guide them with love the best you can. Always wanting to let them be free, enjoy and experience life- having them know that you are always within arms reach.

Careworn is worrying, loving, growing, learning. It can wear you thin. But every second, every smile, every tear, every laugh - it's all worth it!

Mama Says Om

He says the funniest things!!!

Those of you lucky folk who know my little Super-E know what a friendly chap he is. Sooooo talkative and energetic! Where he gets this from we do not know. Here are a couple of stories to tickle your funny bone.

STORY # 1
We went to Whole Foods Market yesterday and here is the conversation that Super-E had with the cashier (who was wearing a wrist splint)

E: Is that an owie? (pointing to her wrist)
Cashier: Oh, yes it is.
E: How did you get it?
Cashier: Um, I think I fell down (obviously wanting to give a simple answer)
E: I have 2 owies on my knees. (shows her his knees with a scrape and a bruise)
Cashier: oh I have a bruise on my knee too (she shows him her knee)
E: How did you get that?
cashier: I probably fell down.
E: Well, you should be more careful!
Cashier: So should you.
E: Yeah but I'm a little kid.

The cashier looks at me laughing and says, "You've got yourself a regular wise-guy on your hands!"

Yep, I sure do!

STORY # 2
This happened today at dinner. Ethan is always saying "huh?" when we are telling him or asking him something. Ry-daddy gets a real kick out of this and will teasingly say "huh?" back repeatedly. Today Ethan was getting a little frustrated with this type of tom-foolery and replied in a very loud voice:

"Sometimes I say huh because I can't hear you and other times I say it because I don't understand what the heck you are talking about!!"

Well, there you have it. Our little funny guy.


I have been trying to write down funny little things that Ethan has said because everyone knows that the human brain grows holes in it as you age and things, like memories, fall out and get lost. I'd like to remember these funny things by posting about them so they don't get lost. Unfortunately, I can't find the paper I had been jotting down his funny stories on. So if you have a funny memory of Super-E saying something cute and/or funny please leave a comment to help us remember. (note- comments will not automatically appear. I have set it up so that I have to moderate the comment first. Trying to keep spam and weirdos off my blog!!) Thank you for participating!!

Hugs & Kisses.

Some Cuteness

We made soft pretzels today. They were super-duper yummy. Super-E rolled and shaped several himself (the ones on his plate). Here he is having a little snack break (pretzel knots and a strawberry smoothie) and he's reading his animal book. He's so sweet and cute! After his snack he decided he wanted to play by himself in the spare bedroom with his puzzles and light bright. After a little while I went in there to see how he was doing and he was passed out- sleeping on top of his puzzles with his legs hanging off the bed. He slept for an hour!

Well, I've been watching Honey We're Killing the Kids, and I have to say that I'm not very impressed and here's why: 1)no one can change their eating and lifestyle in only 3 weeks, 2)the nutritionist doctor is not very likeable, and 3)the rules are pretty harsh and impractical. Big changes take time, effort and little baby steps. Starting with harsh rules only seems to meet huge resistance. Another thing is they never explain why their eating and lifestyle is unhealthy. Sure, most people know that eating high fat, sugary meals and not exercising is bad for you but WHY exactly. It seems like it's losing a big opportunity to teach why these foods are really bad for you. I don't think I'll be watching that show again. It was a good try though.

Lastly, has anyone seen Wallace and Gromit's Curse of the Were-Rabbit? I think it's is the best children's movie I've seen in a long time!! Super E watched it at least 5 times over the weekend and he's still talking about it. There is some great and very sudtle adult humor. Wallace and Gromit are in the business of humanely ridding gardens of veggie loving rabbits. Wallace finds himself in a heap of trouble when he starts messing with the bunny's heads. I loved that Gromit (the dog) puts Wallace on a veg diet because he eats too much cheese! It's really great- You've gotta see it if you haven't already!

A funny bunny-dog day

We hid eggs in the yard today with a bunch of wonderful gifts from memaw & pepaw (thank you!!!) then headed out to the Pooch Parade. We saw lots of funny little pups with their owners all dressed up in festive attire. We even saw a guy wearing a very large hat covered with Peeps! You can see these pictures here. My guys had a fabulous time despite the 95degree weather.

Egg Hunting

We went to an Easter Egg Hunt out in Denton, TX. A little bit of a drive for us, but we needed to get out of the house for the day for house showings.

Here are the eggs (hundreds of them!)
Is this an egg hunt or an egg pick up?

Ready....set.......GO!!!!!!

Get the plastic eggs with the stuff in them E!!!!

I-guy wants to get eggs and candy too!

WHOOOO-HOOOOO!

Look at all the eggs I got!!!
(he actually got a lot more than this, but we threw a bunch of them back)

Say Hi to the Easter Bunny!!

Stopping a while to smell the flowers.

Once Super E realized how disgusting the candy was that he found (those sugary gross candy eggs), he opted for a nice juicy apple and a yummy granola bar! What a good guy!!