Fun day and fun times

Today was recovery day. We were so tired from the party that we had no idea what we were going to do. After a long nap from Mr. B, we decided to go play at the Simi Valley Mall. It was also going to be 90 degrees and they have a fountain there that kids can romp in. So we put D in her sandals, loaded us all into the van and off we went.

Here is a D romping.



She had a lot of fun playing in the water with the spitting man.



B seemed to enjoy himself too!



A good time was had by all!



Dinnertime was fun. Dad asked if D would like Mahi Mahi. D said "You mean Mommy Mommy?" He said "No, Mahi Mahi." And then for some reason Dad started singing the Smurfs theme song. Next thing I knew, B was bopping up and down in his high chair. TOO CUTE!

**Not sure when it happened and don't remember why but D suddenly ran out of our room yelling "Everyone panic!" It's definitely not as funny out of context but the fact that she yelled it 5 or 6 times and Dad couldn't stop laughing made it hilarious!

Fun times are over. D keeps getting out of bed and is currently driving us crazy. Must go deal with that now.

1st Birthday Bash

So yesterday we celebrated B's 1st birthday with his cousin T. They are 6 weeks apart so we decided to do a joint thing for the family. We did it at our house so that the family could all come. I was surprised that everyone made it since it was Memorial Day weekend. Even Leslye came. So nice. Anyway, lots of preparation over the last couple days but with the house decorated, lots of food to eat and a big cupcake cake, we were ready. Erica had also made 2 smashcakes for the little ones that they definitely enjoyed smashing. It was a big success. D didn't even cry at everyone singing happy birthday! She had a blast with Rachel and Wendie here. Kona was on her best behavior too. It really was a great party. My biggest complaint? Out of 150 pics, I really didn't get any good ones. I can't trust anyone to take pictures of my kids. I'm so bummed! I'm really hoping Molly got some good ones of the kids because the ones I have aren't the greatest. Ergh. Oh well, I will just say that at least the party was a success and we had fun!

B and T in their party shirts. Molly and I didn't even plan this!


B enjoying his cake and D looking, well, not so happy. She just wanted her cupcake!



B and D enjoying their cake!


D finally getting to enjoy her cupcake!



After B had gone to bed, it was cuddle time for D. After such a long and crazy day, I expected her to be a little strung out. Instead she was as cute as ever. I helped her onto our bed and she was lying on top of me. I said "I love you so much." And she said "I know" and kissed me on the nose. Then laid her head back on top of mine and sucked her thumb. When we put her to bed, she sang, or tried to sing anyway, "You are my Sunshine" with us. My sweet 3 year old.

Another day...

B is in his crawling prime. He can cover a room and all the toys in it in seconds flat. Not to mention when he sees the hallway door open, he's a goner. I took a bunch of videos of him today as he canvassed the house. I don't know how to upload the picture yet since it's from the new camera. I can't keep up with the boy. Kona keeps him in check but that's only by licking him to death. And by licking, I mean french kissing him which he LOVES. ICK! But I need to exercise or something because this back of mine just can't keep up. Here's hoping he learns to walk soon.

We are celebrating his birthday tomorrow with his cousin T. She'll be one at the end of June. It will be fun to see them together and all the family too. I hope D is feeling better and she wakes up with no pain in her "bottom." It always makes me sad when she doesn't feel well. And that I had something to do with it really stinks. Let's hope we all get a good night of sleep!!

Tea party princess

Today I had to play dress up with my daughter. Ok, when I had a girl, I thought there might be a chance that she'd be girly but I really didn't give it a second thought until recently. Her favorite color is pink, she likes to wear dresses and skirts, she likes to dance, and here's the kicker, she wanted a princess tea party set from the Disney Store. Oh lord. And what did her Dad do? He promised it to her. Now granted, he promised it to her if she stayed in bed for 4 nights, but he still promised it to her. And now, I had to play dress up/tea party with her today. I had to search in my closet for something to wear. I don't even have something I can wear to play such a game. I had to make it up. I used a swaddling blanket for a shawl!



Someday D will know how much work I put into this. Not just finding something to wear, but dress up has never been something I'm good at. I love you D, but let's play soccer or baseball next time!

Cuddle Time

One thing I love about the end of the day is cuddle time. Reading D a story and then having some special time on our bed or hers with her is so nice. That's usually when all the cute things she says come out. Tonight she had her big stuffed fish on our bed with us and there was all this back and forth on whether or not it was a pillow or a fish. Until you have a conversation with a 3 year old, you never know that such a serious conversation can take place about such a silly thing...like a giant stuffed fish and whether it can be used as a pillow or not. And unfortunately what can't be seen on a blog, is the look on her face when we called it a pillow and she would try to convince us it was a fish. "No Daddy, it's just a fish!"

And like the last several nights, more time was spent with her trying to be the Mommy and telling me that I would earn a star if stayed in bed. Well, that one is working because she stayed in bed again tonight. Phew!

I look forward to when B learns how to talk. I remember all the words that D couldn't pronounce. That will be fun. Cuddle time will certainly be a hoot when both kids are with us in our bed!

Toots

Kona had just blasted us with a stinky one. D and I were playing in the living room and my eyes started to water. I said "Wow! That was a stinky toot!" D totally agreed and went on playing. So later while we were eating dinner, I asked D to stop dropping her vegetables on the floor because it made Kona have stinky toots. A minute later, D said "Mommy, I like your stinky toots." I, of course, had a mouth full of food but could not stop laughing. She sure knows how to make me laugh when I need to!

Think I figured out B's low grade temp. It's been 10 days since his MMR immunization. Apparently that's the typical time in which the reaction happens. I'll call the dr. tomorrow but here's hoping that's all it is because my back is in complete spasm and I can't move. Oh the joy.

Dizzy and Tired

These new headache meds make me loopy. When the label said "dizziness and fatigue," I had no idea I'd feel drunk every morning. Not good when there's two little kids to take care of, especially when I have to breastfeed one of them. This morning I almost fell down trying to sit down in the rocking chair in his room. Don't handle heavy machinery or babies and boobs!

The tired part comes from D playing circus on her bed at 3am. She decided to trampoline herself off of it apparently. I don't know for sure. Dad got up with her because I can't see straight in the middle of the night. We could hear the "boom" when she hit the bed and another "boom" when she hit the floor. When asked if she was standing on the bed, she said "yes." Fortunately, our 3 year old doesn't know how to lie.

B went to bed last night with a low grade temp and seemed to be fine this morning but eventually was running another temp this afternoon. Not sure what is going on with him. He seems fine otherwise. He did not take his morning nap though. A first for him. He was too busy banging on the wall and doing his own acrobatics in his crib. So we got him up. I was going to Jenny's baby shower and D & B were going to hang out with Dad. The shower was nice. It was nice to be away...as away as I can get these days. It was relaxing and fun. Just what I needed. And I got home right in time for naps to be over and I could nurse B. I don't know if it's the temp, teething or what but he's been nursing well again (on both sides and for 3 feedings). Guess he's not done yet.

I didn't have time to blog yesterday but D got a prize for staying in bed a couple times. I took her to Target to pick it out. It's a dinosaur watering can of course! :)

The drooler and his sister

B can not stop drooling. That boy is nonstop. He has 6 teeth with 2 coming in. We could stop the drought in California with his saliva. D was not like this. She drooled for awhile but after her first 4 teeth, stopped. I actually asked D today if she had peed through her undies because I stepped in a wet stop in the family room. It was B's drool! Unbelievable. At least the boy nursed today. Made me feel better! He is crawling so fast now and balancing better when standing. It's only a matter of time before that boy will need a leash. Big difference between B & D. She sure started out slower than he has but I guess that's the difference between boys and girls. He is adorable though. The giggles are contagious and I love it. Why he is constantly sticking his hand down my shirt, I'll never know. I'm sure I'll miss it when it stops. The way he and D communicate - grunt back and forth at each other. Priceless. CUTE!

Not only did D pee in the potty this afternoon, but she only called us in once tonight and never left her room before falling asleep. Hallelujah! Now we'll see what the night brings. I think it helped to cuddle with her in her bed and role play mom and big girl - which she initiated! She kept telling me if I didn't stay in bed and sleep the sun wouldn't come up and then she wouldn't take me to Target for a prize. Perhaps we just need to keep doing that so she can remind herself. I don't want her to grow up too fast but lordy, she needs to grow up a little!

It was fun surprising her tonight. I crawled into her bed while she was brushing her teeth and she didn't know I was there, even when she was getting her book. Dad said, "Where's Mommy" and she said that she thought I was out front. When she saw me she laughed and said "I didn't see you in my bed" with the cutest little grin on her face. Most of the day I wanted to ring her neck as she pushed every button I had. At that moment, I remembered why I hadn't done so.

It will get better, won't it?

D was up a lot last night. And early this morning. The big girl bed thing is wearing on us. Thankfully B continues to sleep despite his congestion and snot.

The funny of the day....we were all in the car on the way home from Farmer's Market and we were talking about the instruments we were hearing on the radio. It went something like this.
Dana: I hear guitars
Mom: I hear drums
Dad: I hear a bass
Mom: I hear a pickle
Dana: No you don't. That's on marching music!

She was referring to piccolos heard on Stars and Stripes Forever. :)

Ok, back to listening for D roaming around the house. Love this.

Long Day

The sitter came so I could run errands with only one child. D didn't have school today. So B and I went to Target. He was fussy. Very congested still with his cold that his loving sister gave him for a birthday present. Came home, did the lunch routine, D peed in the potty (about a tablespoon) and then it was nap time. And before I knew it, nap time for B was over (only 40 minutes). However, D slept for an hour and a half so that was nice. She's doing well in her big bed for naps. Once she was up, we had snack and then went to Whole Foods. We got home and went for a walk. While on our walk, we saw our neighbor Jeanette who I literally haven't talked to since the week we moved into the house (2.5 years ago). D was younger than B is now! We ended up going across the street and D played with her younger son Jasen who is now 4. It was nice to have someone in the neighborhood be so nice! She said anytime we needed someone to watch D, just call. It was so nice to hear. I always feel like we live in a place where relationships like that don't exist and it makes me so cranky!

Fast forward to bedtime....

B didn't want to nurse. I think our BFing days might be coming to an end and I'm so sad.

D got up about 5 times for 3 diaper changes and finally decided she needed to put lotion on. David found her with lotion all over her hands, in her mouth and on the doorknob (she probably tried to get out!). OY! These are the days when I wished she was older. The first time I changed her diaper though, I went in because I heard her moving around on the monitor (while we were making dinner). As I walked down the hallway, I noticed her light was on. I walked into her bedroom and she was looking at the bookshelf. There was a huge bulge in her diaper. I asked her what was going on and she said she had pooped. I asked why she hadn't called for me and she said "I was waiting for you to be done eating." So dang sweet.

Since I just started blogging again, here's a brief update on the kids. B is a year old and is 25lbs, 29.5 inches. D is 3 years 4 months and 41 lbs. Not sure how tall.

Potty Training and Big Girl Bed

The last time I blogged, B was 3 months old. Now he's 12 months old. A lot has happened.

One of those things is that we just put D in her big girl bed in the hopes that it will motivate the potty training. She has peed several times in the potty but it's not consistent and it's quite the control issue. So, the big girl bed. It has its perks. I don't have to lift her in or out. Downside, she is so dang quiet that she sneaks up on us in the family room! She doesn't get up too much but enough and also early in the morning. Drives me crazy!

You can't get mad when the child wants to get out of bed to change her own diaper! Last night, I heard her door so I went back to see what D was up to. As I passed by the bathroom, I noticed there was a diaper in the middle of the floor. When I went into her room, she was standing by the cubby where the diapers are with her pants off and no diaper on. I asked her what she was doing and she said "I tried to go potty and I was going to put on my diaper." So dang cute! Tonight, I heard her doing something and when I went back to see, her light was on with the door open. On the floor was the diaper, the desitin and the wipes. I said, "why are you up now?" She said "I pooped. I got all this out for you." It took all I had not to laugh. I explained to her that she had to stay in bed and call for us. I told her that there are some things she can't do. Changing her diaper is one of them. But you can't get mad at her for stuff like this. She just wants to be helpful and grown-up. A real big girl!