My aching heart

My heart is aching because my mom is having surgery next week. Not just any surgery, open heart surgery where they are replacing a value, repairing an aneurysm, and replacing her aortic arch. Not only do they have to break her chest open they actually have to stop her heart and blood flow completely to do some of the repairs. So technically she will die and they will bring her back to life. Pretty scary shit, not to mention recovery will be long. No one would ever want there mom to have to go through something like this so I'm feeling like a bit of an emotional mess. My sister and I and my niece Evie have the same leaky heart value that we'll have to get repaired someday. I haven't had my little ones checked yet which is something I will have to do. If you can try to keep our family in your thoughts and prayers next week.

Ben buns

Few more pics with my new camera.

My little girl

Did I mention I LOVE my new camera!



 Feeding the chickens

One year stats

Poor Ben had to get 4 shots today, but he was a trooper. I Tylenol-ed him when we got home because I have a feeling he's not going to be feeling well later. One year stats-
Weight: 24lbs 14oz (78.6%)
Height: 31" (84.6%)
Head circumference: 47.8 cm (86.5%)
(Apparently he has a large dome)

Abi's one year stats-
Weight: 25lbs 1oz (96%)
Height: 31" (85%)

Abi's new funny thing to say when I ask her if she has to go #2 is that she tells me she "turned it off" so she doesn't have to go anymore. Sounds familar Brad?

Distance makes the heart grow fonder

I always think Maggie is a little more well behaved after we get her back from the kennel and I'm starting to wonder if the same is true for kids. We only left them for a few days (in the lap of luxury with grandma I might add) but since we've been back they both have been so well behaved and both have slept in until 8am (3 days in a row). Abi has willingly cuddled with me every morning (even asked to cuddle!) and Ben starting saying "ma, ma, ma" as he walks to me or when I bend down to scoop him up. I don't even think I've put Abi in 'time out' for 3 whole days! It's a good thing some days are so good because there are a lot of days I choose not to write about or dwell on. I often find myself thinking "it will get easier someday" but when that day comes they won't need me as much so I have to love um to pieces now. This includes smelling Ben every chance I get, he still has some of the baby smell left. Brad laughs because I love to smell his stinky sweaty little feet too :)

Happy 1st b-day Ben!

Ben is such a sweet little guy. He is easy going and happy as can be. If only he slept in a little later, then he'd be the most perfect baby ever. I caught him walking down the hallway to chase the cat earlier today, he is walking a little farther everyday. He loves to follow his big sister around and play with cars and balls. He doesn't talk much just babbles, although everyday we work on words. Now that he's walking I'm sure it won't be long until he's talking too. In the past year he has changed so much and we can't wait to see what the next year will bring. Happy 1st b-day little Benny, we love you!!!!!

 

Movies of the kiddos

A few silly movies of Ben standing, walking, and speed crawling, and Abi being a goof. Ben wouldn't really cooperate when it came to walking :(

Home again

It was so nice to get away...... 3 days WITHOUT diaper changes, bottles, waking up way too early, fighting with Abi, Ben teething, laundry, chores...... ahhhh it was heavenly. Sleeping and laying by the pool were definitely highlights for me, not to mention whatever else happens in Vegas. Although, I couldn't WAIT to get home and life just doesn't seem complete unless we are surrounded by chaos and exhausted. Love my little munchies! Little Benny had to go and get a tooth while we were gone. This is the only picture I took our whole vacation just to prove we were there. I had my buffet friendly shirt on which was good because I ate more crab legs than the boys-yummy!

Good parenting :)

What makes one a "good" parent? Sometimes I wonder if it is purely a measure of love? Or a measure of what you are willing to do for your child? Or a measure of what you are willing to give up for your child? Or even a measure of self control when they are driving you crazy and you want to yell and scream? Somedays I find it hard to have anything nice to say about being parent and wonder if I'm doing a good job.  Somedays being a parent is the best job in the world but it still isn't easy. I may not know what makes one a good parent or if I even qualify but I do know it is the worst feeling in the world to feel like a bad parent and the best feeling in the world to be a parent.

Something new

Hope my new blog template isn't too hard on the eyes :) Just wanted to try something new, I'll probably change it seasonally.

Super human babies

When Brad's and mine DNA combined we created super human babies. I say that because both my kids are strong and tall and just all around giant. Abi is probably the tallest girl in her preschool and Ben is probably the biggest (almost) one year old I have seen. It is a joke in my family that we have a superior gene pool, LOL it may be true!

New camera pics

Weekly funnies

Monday: Abi-"mom, I fixed Ben's hair now it is all smooth!" Me-"what did you put in it lotion?" Abi-"no soap" (and they were not in the bath)

Tuesday: Abi used her step stool to get her hands on my large fat permanent marker, I saw her walking around with one hand all balled up. She colored the whole palm of her hand with permanent marker-could of been worse, mush worse. Nail polish remover got it all off.

Wednesday: Ben decided to start walking while I was at work, little stinker!

Thursday: Abi-"mom get off the couch there's a man at the door!" The mailman was delvering us a package (he rang the door bell twice) and I laughed at the thought of him seeing Abi, Ben, and Maggie peering out the front window at him with no parent in sight. I really was in no condition to answer the door he would have been more worried.

Friday: Came into the kitchen to find that Ben had pulled Abi's cup of milk off the table, opened the lid, and was playing in a huge puddle of milk on the floor. Maggie was happy to help to clean up, how do people have kids without a dog?

Pajama day

The kids and I spent the whole entire day in our pajamas and it was heavenly, minus the awful cold/body ache/chills I have been suffering all day. I could pull myself off the couch to feed everyone and change diapers but that was about it. Finally starting to feel better, still stuffy and sneezy but much better. By the way.................BEN IS WALKING!!!! Just a few steps at a time and if he's in a hurry he still crawls. I'll post a video soon, wasn't up to it today :) 

When I'm feeling awful the kids can still make me smile, today happiness was Ben going MMMMM, MMMMM, MMMMM while he ate apple cinnamon cheerios and Abi dancing in her seat while she ate breakfast.

First week of Preschool

Abi actually did better than I expected when I had to leave her at school this week. Only a few tears and pleading "mom, please don't go" which did break my heart a little. They said we can stay in class with our kids as long as needed the first month but I figure it's better not to drag it out and just let her know I have to go. Next week I'm scheduled to work in the classroom which I'm sure she'll be thrilled about. Since Abi is more adult oriented during class she usually clings to one of the mom classroom helpers but I'm sure she'll be more comfortable interacting with the kids soon. When I pick her up she's in no hurry to leave or race to me and she says she has fun playing with all the toys and doing art projects. So far so good :)

Ben is about to walk, any second really. He can stand without holding on to anything for about 30 seconds, which is really long time to balance. He tried to take a step today without holding on to anything and he just fell back on his bum. Maybe tomorrow.......

First day of Preschool

I should say pre-preschool since she's only 3. I couldn't help but feel a little teary on the way to drop her off. I have never taken her anywhere and just dropped her off, except maybe with the grandparents. Brad went into work late just to come with us and see his little girl on her first day of Preschool. Once we got there Abi didn't want me to leave, I had to sneak off and I heard her cry for a minute but then story time started. I waited in the hallway for another 5 minutes to be sure everything was OK. I will have to say it is really quiet and peaceful around the house with her gone at school and I'm looking forward to lovin on Ben and having some time with just him. 

Cougar football

We had quite the Pullman experience on Friday. We went to Crimson and Grey and got new Coug shirts, went to Ferdinand's for ice cream and cheese, went to the CUB, Bookie, went into the stadium and watched the team practice, all with only a few screaming tantrums from Abi and polite stares/smiles from students (I think it's a good form of birth control). 

COUGAR FOOTBALL SATURDAY!
Ben had his game face and his hawk ready.

 Abi decked out in her Coug cheer leader outfit. 

 The cutest baby Coug, Lucas.

 Owen, Abi, and Hilie

 Ben really enjoyed his first Coug game.

 Proud daddy taking his son to his first Coug game.

 Did I mention it was 102 on the field, by far the hottest Coug game I've ever been too. We had to go hang out in the air conditioned CUB for the second quarter but got to sit in the shade the rest of the game-thank goodness! This picture of Abi was taken with about 3 minutes left in the game.

People watching at the game was great. Apparently the new trend on campus is to make a dress out of an XL Cougar men's t-shirt. We saw cut up home made halter dresses, tube dresses, fringed t-shirts, braided t-shirts, shirts made into tanks with strings holding it all together in the back. Very interesting!

As usual when traveling with children there are moments when I think "Lets just turn around and go home" and "I must be crazy" and the usual "I need a drink" but we survived and really enjoyed ourselves. We tailgated with good friends, I think the number of children may have outnumbered the adults Saturday, but the kids had fun playing and riding bikes and it was a great time.

Lake Easton

On our way to Pullman we decided to break up the drive Thursday night and stay at Lake Easton State Park. It was beautiful although the freeway was an earshot away. The weather was nice and there were very few people camping. Abi loved riding her tricycle around and playing on the play ground.

 Baby gate addition to the trailer, to keep Ben from falling out-again.

Now that's a nice looking truck and trailer, like I said we were really the only people around.