da da da da da da da da…MEALS!

Who is that masked baby?  Why it’s Meals!  She loves wearing Carson’s Batman mask.  She saw Carson wearing it one day and after that she would pick it up and try to put it on herself.  She’s not having much luck in that area, but I’m sure she will figure it out soon.

In the picture daddy helped her put on the mask.  She crawled around with it on for quite a while.  I can’t even get her to wear sunglasses!

Houston, We Have a Walker!

That’s right!  Meals has joined the world of the bipeds, or is at least making the transition.  The most consecutive steps she has taken, so far, is 6.  But she is doing a great job!  She still prefers crawling, but I can tell she is so proud of herself when she gets up on the twos and takes those sweet little steps.  I love the look on her face when she walks.  She concentrates so hard, takes a few steps then drops down and crawls the rest of the way.  Crawling enables her to get away from her brother faster, but I know it is just a matter of time. 

Speaking of walking…  We took Carson to see “Walking with Dinosaurs:  Live” on Friday.  It was very cool!  We had a great time.  I’m greatful we had this opportunity and it was nice spending some quality time with Carson.  He was very good, as soon as the show started he was glued to my, or Dan’s, lap.  No bathroom or cotton candy requests were made.  For anyone who is interested in what the show is, here is a link to an article: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=4697747

Things are going very well here.  Classes have started back up, so I’m staying pretty busy.  I really look forward to graduating, but also wonder what I’ll do with all that spare time and extra sleep.  Oh well, I’m sure I’ll figure it out

 

Time has wings!

And it flies!  My baby (Meals) turned 1 on Sunday.  I’m still struggling to believe it!  Where has the time gone?  I feel like she completely skipped being an infant (even though I do remember a lot of sleepless nights).  I don’t know if it’s because we had Carson and Meals and I didn’t get to concentrate solely on Meals, or if it is because I was getting no sleep, in the early months, and pretty much cared for her through sleep laden eyes.  Either way, I feel as though  I was robbed of something.  I look at my beautiful baby girl and can’t stand it! I love her incredibly, even though she is a daddy’s girl   She has such a mischievous personality and I love it!  She’s already rough-housing with her daddy and big brother.  She also likes to tease her big brother with his beloved duck bear.  If she sees duck bear unattended, she will hightail it over to it, grab it and crawl away as fast as possible (giggling the entire time).  Once she’s at a distance from Carson she’ll sit there and wave duck bear at him until he acknowledges her, and champions duck bear’s rescue.  Once Carson starts walking towards Meals, she’ll crawl to safety (Dan or me) giggling all the way.  It’s great!  I think she is going to be my little tom boy.

Her birthday “party” was pretty good.  We had Dan’s parents, grandpa, nieces and nephews over for a bbq.  Dan’s sister also stopped by along with our neighbors Howard and Garlena.  We had cheese burgers, hot dogs and all the normal bbq stuff.  Amelia wasn’t too interested in her cake.  She really didn’t eat any of it.  All she did was wipe some of the blue icing on her face and in her hair because she didn’t want it on her hands.  She received some neat birthday gifts!  Books, clothes and fun toys.  My mom and dad got her a zebra she could ride and she loves it!  We have video, and it is hilarious (by mommy standards).

Carson had a super time playing with his cousins.  Dan’s mom and dad got him some “Hulk Hands” and that seemed to be a great gift!  He wore those things all day, and tried to beat up his cousin Nathan a few times.  Nathan is 14 (I think) and he was really good with Carson.  He let Carson jump on him and punch with the Hulk Hands.  Carson enjoyed it immensely, Nathan I’m not so sure but he took it well.  Carson also had fun with his cousin Katlin.  She’s almost 7. 

All in all it was a good day!  However, I still can’t believe my baby is 1!  I will work on getting some pictures posted.

Career Ambitions

It used to be when someone would ask Carson what he wanted to be when he grew up, he would say “a paleontologist policeman”.  However, it seems he has changed gears and, to Dan’s shigrin, Carson now just wants to be a policeman.  Carson says he wants to be a helicopter policeman like daddy.  Dan has always said he doesn’t want Carson to be a cop when he grows up, but I think it’s normal that a child wants to follow the career path of the parent.  Dan’s dad was a cop (he just retired last month) and Dan is a cop.  So, Carson wants to be a cop.  Of course, Carson is only 4 so I’m sure it will change several times more.  When I was in 3rd grade I wanted to be a truck driver, and now I work in IT.  Not even close to the same thing!

From my standpoint, I want my children to do what makes them happy, as long as it isn’t illegal.  If Carson wants to be a cop when he grows up then he has my support and I know Dan would fall in line as well.   Meals has yet to express interest in things other than food.  She does seem to really enjoy playing with Carson’s dinosaurs and she has a book about colors she loves!  Maybe she will be a truck driver

 

Mother’s day!

Happy Mother’s day Mom!  Thank you for being the best mom ever.  I don’t know how a kid hit it so big in the parent lottery, but I sure did.  I take comfort in the fact that you and dad weren’t perfect, but you loved us and that is what really matters.  You taught me so much and continue to teach me now.  I hold you and your examples in such high regards.  You inspired me to continue with school and taught me that being a good mom does not mean you have to be a perfect mom.  “Perfect” moms are scary, good moms are human!  I love you so much.  So do your grandchildren.  Here they are now…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also, thank you, mom and dad, for the beautiful flowers.  When Carson saw them he said “those are the most beautiful flowers I have ever seen!”  then he said “Can I eat them?”  He especially likes the little berry looking flowers.  He says they look like Truffala fruit (it’s from Dr. Seuss’s “The Lorax”).

Have a great day Mom! 

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Today is my dad’s birthday.  Now, his chronological age deceives his maturity, in a good way.  My dad is 59 today, but you would never think it.  My dad acts more like he’s in his 20s, and I wouldn’t change that for the world.  I am so proud of my dad!  He is one of the most intellient people I know (my mom, dad and brother are all very intelligent people), he’s well read, he always challenged us to learn and he acts half his age.

 

I was the first born, and as far as I know, dad never complained because he wanted a boy (which he did get one later).  He had me in the front yard teaching me how to throw, catch and hit a softball.  Those are some of the best memories of me and my dad.  Dad also always knew how to mend a broken heart.  One day I came home absolutely distraught because my boyfriend, Trent Magsig, had kissed a girl (I was in 4th or 5th grade).  Mom wasn’t home from work yet, but dad was.  I burst in the door crying and dad asked me what was wrong.  I told him about Trent kissing Christy and dad told me to look under the couch.  I went in the living room and looked and there was a wooedn Louisville Slugger.  I was so happy I forgot all about that rotten Trent and skanky Christy.  Ahhhhh, simpler times.  About a year later Trent broke that bat by hitting a baseball on the softspot.  Still, thank you dad!!

I’m so grateful for my dad.  He is a great dad and wonderful grandpa.  Happy birthday dad and I love you! 

 

Oh, my poor stuffy baby!

I don’t know if Meals has a cold or if it is her teeth but she is a stuffy stuffy girl!  I feel so bad for her.  When I got her out of bed this morning, her little nose was caked with boogers.  Not a pretty picture, even on my beautiful baby girl.  Of course, she hates having her nose wiped!  However, she loves smearing the stuff all over her face and hands.  Today she was experiencing the perpetual runny nose which turned into the sticky boogery face!  After she rubs the stuff all over her face and hair, she insists on rubbing her face and hair on me.  But, if she sees me come at her with a kleenex, she crawls away screaming.  What a crazy girl!

She’s been in bed since about 8:30, and just woke up whining.  I went in and checked on her and she’s on her hands and knees looking for her binky.  Who knows where that elusive binky went, luckily we have backup.  I grabbed another binky and gave it to her.  She laid back down, but is having a really hard time breathing out of her nose.  It breaks my heart to see her not feeling well.  I hope she kicks this soon.

I’m going to post a picture of a restful sleeping night.  This was pre-stuffy nose.  She looks so content!

Breath in…..Breath out….

Breathing a partial sigh of relief!  I just finished my paper for my Adult Development and Aging class.  It was 11 pages and included graphs.  Ooooh!  Fancy fancy.  Honestly, I’m just so relieved to have it done.  One paper down, one to go.  I also have a paper due for my Business Ethics class.  That paper is about the legalization of euthanasia.  It’s mostly written, I just need to pretty it up.  I’m very ready for a break.  Finals are next week, then I will have four weeks off.  Did I mention I’m ready for a break?

As promised, here are some pictures from Carson’s birthday party.  The theme was Jurassic Park III and it was at Mercury Gymnastics.  What fun!!  They had trampolines, a foam pit, a rope and all kinds of other cool stuff.  Unfortunately, one of the rules was that the big people weren’t allowed on the fun stuff.  It was still a really good time watching all the little people run around like wild Indians.  We had a great group of kids there.  Rosalynne and Bryan also stopped by.  I was glad that Dan and Bryan had a chance to talk to each other.  They have a lot in common.  And of cours it’s always wonderful to see Rosalynne.

Rosalynne

Bryan and Meals

Olivia, Emily and Carson

Makenna

Logan stuck in the foam pit

Ceci saving Logan from the foam pit

Lulu passed out

 

Ch-ch-ch-changes!

My baby turned 4 yesterday.  I can’t believe it!  It seems like just yesterday I was changing his diapers.  Oh wait!  That was last week.  Just kidding, but we did have a little bit of regression last week.  I’m hoping it was in part due to the excitement of his party and turning 4.  We had a great day yesterday!  I took off half a day and picked Carson and Meals up early.  What a wonderful day for a birthday. It was 78 and sunny.  We bought Carson a bike so he got to ride it for a little bit.  He did great!  I have it all on video, including Daddy riding the bike.  We also had pizza (this was what Carson wanted for dinner) and cake.  On top of a bike, we also got Carson a dinosaur tent, transformer and a Dr. Seuss book.  He seemed the most excited about the Transformer.  He had to sleep with it last night. 

My mom and dad got Carson a subscription to National Geographic Kids.  I think he will love it for two reasons.  One because he is very interested in nature and two because he will be getting a magazine in the mail.  My parents also sent Carson some money.  Yesterday we used part of it to buy him two books and this weekend I’m going to take him to the store to pick out a toy.  Thank you mom and dad.  By the way, that dinosaur card was too cool!!

We had Carson’s friend birthday party on Saturday (4/26).  It was a great time!  I will write more and post pictures later. 

Amelia is 11 months old today!  I can’t believe she will be one in a month.  Time is going so fast.

There is a lot going on around here, and I’ve been thinking about several people lately.

Rosalynne’s husband Bryan left for training on Monday.  He will be deployed to Afghanistan in July and will be gone for 12 to 15 months.  Please keep them close to your heart.  I know they will each face their own challenges over the next few months.

Kelly is getting married on May 17th.  She planned an awesome wedding in a very short amount of time.  I’m excited for her and Eli and know they will be happy together.  They also have a super honeymoon planned.  They will be going on an Alaskan cruise!  I’m jeleous (but in a good way).

My friend Kelly (from Grand Rapids) now has her sweet baby Sienna at home.  Sienna was born with a giant omphalocele on January 28th, 2008.  She finally went home with her mom and dad on April 15th.  I haven’t heard word on how she is doing but I do think about her often.

Dodi will be returning to work, on May 12th, after her maternity leave.  Miss Reagan was born February 18th via emergency C-section.  I know returning to work will be tough because I’ve been through it.  However, if anyone can handle it, it’s Dodi.  I’m sure it will be a bittersweet reunion.

Of course, I’m always thinking of my family.  I miss my mom and dad and look forward to them coming out to visit soon as well as our visit to Michigan in September.  I think about Ben and take comfort in knowing he is happy.  He has been dating a girl named Katie and from what I can tell and what mom has said she is very good for him.  Being a big sister I generally take the attitude that no one is good enough for my baby brother.  However, knowing he is with someone who is smart and very good to him makes me like her already. 

 

What a great day…

…and it’s only 10:00am!  My day started with my sometimes sweet little boy singing Happy Birthday to me.  It was great!  When I told him that was a great birthday gift, he looked at me like I was goofy and said “it was just a song”.  But it was still great!

Then, I get to work and there was a huge box of Hot Tamales and a sugar cookie on my desk.  That was from Mary.  Andy brought be a birthday card that in a twisted scary way was oddly appropriate.  Thank you Andy!  Then Rosalynne, who was actually on vacation this week made a  special trip in to see me.  Along with her came a box of Aunt Mary’s frosted sugar cookies (my favorite), a dinosaur blanket she made for Carson, a birthday card and a gift card for Beauty Brands.  The cookies, card and gift card were from Rosalynne, Kelly and Dodi.  Thank you so much guys, it means a lot that you took the time to do this stuff and thought about me.  Again, thank you!!  Also, thank you mom and dad for the birthday card and the gift card.  It will be great to do some shopping.

Tonight is Bryan’s going away party.  For those of you who don’t know who Bryan is, he is Rosalynne’s hubby (her blogsite is on my blogroll below) and he is in the Navy.  He will be going to Afghanistan in June, but will be leaving for California to begin his training on Sunday.  My heart goes out to them.  I think what he is doing is wonderful and I know Rosalynne is very strong, but it still makes me want to cry.  I’m hoping I can keep my emotions in check tonight.

Tomorrow is Carson’s Jurassic Park birthday party.  He may not be attending, if he doesn’t clean up his act.  I’m hoping his surge or rotteness is due to his birthday and the excitement.  I hope things will go back to our version of normal soon.