T for Temple U!!!!!! and B's antics.

We have had a few delightful family days lately. We have discovered somethings about our second boy child as well.
Thursday night we met Scott at the mall for dessert and some shopping. I purposefully did not bring the stroller so B could burn some energy walking the mall. We haven't really gone anywhere earlier in the week because Q was recovering from a stomach bug. So we hit the mall. The second I put B down he ran. Just ran everywhere. He was unstoppable. And then the evil laughter began as I would 'chase' after him to stop him from swiping all the sales tables that are in every store. The book store especially called to him, as the sale rack of books stood outside of the store. "BOOKS!" he'd say and he pulled one book after the other off the cart. When did this docile child become the holy terror? Thursday? No before that, thinking back...
Monday I found him sitting in the bathroom sink, turning on and off the faucet. Tuesday he took apart the humidifier in his room and somehow managed to soak the entire shag area rug in there. Side note: Shag carpet takes a long time to dry. Wednesday he and his brother emptied the toy box again and also the cabinet in my kitchen w/ all the 'tupperware' containers. (I had just organized it.). Thursday I caught him just in time to watch him spray himself in the neck w/ soap scum remover. Thursday night we had to leave the house for every one's sake and the mayhem continued at the mall.

Anywhoo...we have had plans all week to do something fun as a family on Friday afternoon. So we decided to try the Discovery Museum in NJ. It was great. Both boys loved it and both were very upset that we had to leave. Because I was in my old stomping grounds from my working days, I got to chose where to go to eat. I wanted to try the Pop Shop, but I knew that my kids are no longer great at restaurants (well, Q is, but B's behavior is atrocious, and Q gets jealous at the attention we give B while yelling at him and trying to distract him , that Q starts acting the same way. NO fun!). I chose to go to Ponzio's which is a huge diner on Rt. 70, and it was good and fast service. Q decided that he had to use the bathroom after we ordered, I wanted to change B's diaper so we left Scott at the table and went to get some business done. No lie, 30 min. later, we returned to the table. (Q takes forever to get his business done...I eventually left Q in the bathroom by himself and took B back to the table.) We survived dinner. We got this awesome red velvet cheesecake for dessert, oh man it was good!
So today, we had tickets for the 4 of us to a Temple University basketball game. I was very apprehensive about this. Knowing that B doesn't sit still anymore and just goes and goes, I didn't see how this event would be an enjoyable time with him along. Scott really wanted him to go though, and my mom skipped town, so I couldn't leave him. We also had brunch at an Alumni "Dunk n Dine" scheduled for before the game. To me, all this was a recipe for disaster, but it actually turned out OK.
We got to the brunch and thankfully there was sausage and french toast and fruit for the kids to eat their fill of. However, after the eating was over, B was off and running laps around the room. Thankfully, we didn't allow much lag time between events and left quickly to go to the game. We were in a Suite and thankfully the rows were sealed off at the ends so he couldn't get away from us there. But oddly enough, once the game started, he sat in Scott's lap and watched 3/4 of the game quietly. Crazy. I kept thinking something was wrong with him, like he was getting sick and had a fever or something. But no. Apparently, watching a sports game live, is like T.V. to the boy. Weird. But nice. He just sat and watched.
Q also watched and cheered. At one point he cheered for the wrong team, and the woman sitting in front of us was offended. Q also asked questions non-stop. Truly the whole time never shut up. The same woman turned around and asked if he ever "didn't ask a question". Then she tried to be nice and say he was a smart kid. I know he must have been annoying. I'm glad I wasn't the one sitting next to him. I know basketball and all the rules, but I'm not great at explaining them, nor do I enjoy explaining them.
We left 5 minutes before the game ended, the Owls won!! But Q was so upset to leave before it was over. I thought he was over it by the time we got to the car. But we got home, had him lay down to rest for a while and he came downstairs SOBBING about an hour later. He told me he missed the Temple's. I haven't seen him cry that hard in a long time, and I couldn't understand why he'd be that upset. Guess my men are big sports fans, and I'll never understand that. Brings back memories of the time Scott and I almost divorced because I begged to go home early from a Phillies game. Seriously, it was probably the worst married fight we have ever had. Who knew leaving a game early could evoke such a response.

In all, we have had a fun two days, and I've learned a lot about my boys.
Mainly that I'm so out numbered by testosterone and sports fans, that I'll probably never get to leave a game early ever again. Wouldn't change a thing though.

Lost

Nope, not a post about my favorite show that only starts in a few weeks, yahoo.
Rather, a post of the things that I have lost in the last week.

*The lock/key for the child lock on my cabinet
*The remote
*And I kid you not, 7 socks. I just did laundry and there are 7 single socks missing their mate. Please tell me how that happens?
*B's snow boots
*Q's sneakers (he's been wearing lime green crocs to school...classy!)
*My patience
*My bible study book (that's been missing for a month)
*A bag of almond crunchy treats (and darn! they're good, I could go for some now!)
*4lbs off my fat self. Yahoo.
*One of B's mittens
*My joy

Yeah, I'm not organized or disciplined to put things away right away, I think that's how I lose most of my stuff. My keys have not been lost this week...which is a miracle in itself. However, I normally leave them in the front door. I'd like to say so I always know where they are, but sadly, I forget that they are there and have often left them there overnight so all the neighborhood thieves have opportunity to get in w/out any trouble.
Yep, I'm getting more and more scatter brain in my old age, yesterday I had to do the math to figure out how old I was. For the life of me, I could not remember if I was 32 or 33.
I don't know what is going on. In addition to losing things this week (and every week), I also feel very down lately, just the past week or so. I'm not sure if its hormonal or not, I just don't feel joyful, or happy or even content. I sorta feel like I'm under attack from Satan himself. Like he's trying to get me, telling me its not worth the effort to try, that I'll just fail anyway. I hate it. I know he's feeding me lies via my own self-consciousness. I'm also gripped w/ fear. With B's mystery throw up events, I have myself convinced that God is going to take him from us. It makes me run into his room at night and sit there for an hour just to pray and listen to him breathe. I finally got up enough courage to ask the women at bible study to pray for me. I hadn't mentioned it previously because I knew I'd embarrass myself and cry. But I did ask, and I did cry. One women reminded me of how God told Abraham to take Issac to be a sacrifice, and the realization that our kids are not ours, they are God's and we only have them on loan. I tell you, that did not comfort me. But it did remind me of how faithful Abraham was. And what kind of sacrifice I would be capable of. I don't know.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51:12

This would be my prayer for this week. For my joy to be restored by just remembering what the Lord has done for me.
That and to at least find the key for my child lock cabinet (there is important stuff in there!).

Observation Notes

B is now 21 months old. I can't imagine that I'll have a two year old in 3 months.
He's awfully cute. And I think his cuteness is making me excuse a lot of bad behavior. I find myself often laughing at B's rudeness, and turning around and scowling at the big brother when he does it. Not fair, I know.

B is loving trains. He loves Toby and Thomas, cause those are the ones he can say. He and Q battle over the trains daily.

Often times, after giving him an instruction he'll say "Okay." And he sounds like a little old man. Its so cute. And not so cute, he says "Why?" now, especially when I tell him he can't have something. ANd the scowl I get when he asks "why?" is so funny. See, I told you, I'm not fair. Seriously, when Q does these things its like plucking my last nerve. I find myself trying not to squeeze B w/ delight when he does such bratty things.

He is seriously good at playing. He figures out how toys work on his own and has really good determination and does not give up quickly on things. He also has great fine motor skills and can manipulate things easily. Just recently he has been asking me to play with him, which is new. He normally likes to play by himself. He also loves being outside and will play outside despite freezing temperatures.

He says, "Nah" instead of no now, and his "thank you" sounds like "welcome".

He gets up really early, like 5am early. Takes a good afternoon nap and mostly sleeps thru the night. Sometimes he'll wake up and scream "Mommy!" until I come in. THen he'll dive back into bed and go back to sleep OR have me hold him a while.

He did NOT cry at his last vaccine visit. My boys are so brave when it comes to shots.

He rocks out to music just like Q and Daddy. He loves music and demands songs at bedtime. We have to limit it to three songs. He even swindled Grammy to sing the other night when she put him to bed.

He still is pretty good at eating, likes a variety of things, loves pickles and bbq chips, and just recently had doritos for breakfast. Yes. Doritos. They were sitting out on the counter and since it was 5am and all, (and I had yet to have my coffee) and in my efforts to keep the house quiet, I let him have the doritios w/ his bagel and ham for breakfast. Gross.

He is quite opinionated and will throw a tantrum when he does not get his way. He does the whole arching of the back and kicking and screaming business. Thankfully he only weighs 24lbs, and I can just scoop him up and put him where he needs to be.

He gives great hugs, but refuses to kiss me. Wonder what thats about?

So thankful for him, as always.

Night-time Prayers

Q was helping me put B to bed tonight because I am solo this evening. Q sang him a song first. His very own rendition of Silent Night, I wish I could remember the words, but it was long and rambling.
Then he prayed for B. "Father, please be with B tonight, help him to feel better and learn not to be weird. Amen."

Fun Times

Yesterday we took to kids to "ice skate" on a pond in Yardley. Q has these bobcat skates that attach to your shoes that are double bladed, and B just slipped across the ice in his sneakers. The results were typical: Q said the ice was too slippery and sat on his bum the whole time. He would not even try to walk across the ice w/ his skates on. B loved it. We took the new hockey net and sticks and B was ALL OVER THE PLACE. I had to walk behind him the entire time and spot him, cause he would wipe out. But he'd scootch over to the puck and hit it and go on and on like that. It was freezing and I was frozen and wanted to go home after about 10minutes. But we stay out there for a while. After a about a half hour, I couldn't handle the cold and being hunched over to help B play (it was killing my back), so we walked along the ponds edge. Or ran along the edge. B was in his glory. After about an hour of the cold, we decided to head back to the car. B was PISSED. Q ran to the car. B kicked and screamed as I wrestled him into the car seat. Q happily hopped into his seat, thankful to be off the slippery ice and in the warm car.
My kids are so different. Q is a lot like me in his hesitation to try. He's always been a cautious kid, and its ok w/ me for the most part. Except in times like these where he just won't try and misses out on potential fun. I know I do the same thing myself. B is much more like Scott. A risk taker when it comes to fun. They will both try about anything.

Afterward, we went to Starbucks for hot chocolate and a special treat of lemon pound cake. I had myself a sugar free Cinnamon Dulce latte and wathced them eat the pound cake, for I was behaving myself. But the latte was less that yummy. I could not drink it. I love sugar. There ain't nothing like the real thing baby.

It was a fun day. I think that I need to brave the cold more often and get the kids outside daily. B loves being outside despite the weather. He loved running around and exploring things.

In other news, the siding was delivered on Friday for our house. I was not expecting it at all. They did tell us originally that installation would begin next week, but I thought with the weather being so cold and rainy, snowy, that the company would be way behind. So I called and in fact, we are still on schedule. However, knowing what I know, I'm still doubtful that it will happen this week as scheduled. But I'm super excited to have new siding!

Oh and more fun news. I awoke this am w/ no voice, and B threw up in his crib again. Argh!

Christmas Recap

Awww, Christmas is over. I love Christmas. All aspects of it. I'm always sad the day after Christmas when its over.
Despite being woken up by a vomitting B on Christmas Eve morning and MIL hacking up a lung on Christmas Day (seriously), it was a great Christmas. Yes, B threw up again and then had blue lips and hands for a while, which freaked me out and sent us to the pediatrician again. On the drive to the ped's office, B threw up again in the car, and I was stopped at a light. I put the flashers on so I could help him out. Well, a police officer pulled up behind me and gave me the lights, then pulled up next to me. He asks me "Are you OK?" I roll down my window and inform him, all is well, my kid is throwing up. He promptly rolls his eyes and exclaims "Happy Festivus!!". I laughed. B ended up being fine. When we were getting back in the car after the Dr. visit, I was mumbling to myself, "Oh Lord help me!" (cause I was trying to clean up the car and wrestle B back into the car seat, and just frustrated that he was sick again. Q very lovingly asked me what was wrong and I told him I was worried about B. Q then says, "It'll be OK mommy, I will pray that B feels better." and then offers up the sweetest prayer. "Heavenly Father, please help B to feel better." My sweet boy. Gotta love him.

Christmas eve evening, we went to church service sans B and Scott. Then went and visited a live Nativity scene, which has been advertised all around the area w/ lawn signs. Well, we get there and its only "Mary" and "Joseph" sitting in the stable, freezing their arses off. Joseph was some teenager who looked less than pleased to be there...I felt bad for them, and didn't have the heart to ask where the animals were. Maybe it was too cold for the animals? Really? Then we went and looked at lights during which the whole time Q was begging to go back home so he could have his milk and cookies. Funny thing is, I remember being a kid and doing the same exact thing to my parents. I just wanted to go home and not drive around in a cold car looking at stupid Christmas lights.
When we did return home we did our Happy Birthday Jesus tradition w/ a Stollen (a German fruit cake). My dad had to go home because he forgot his insulin syringes and refused to buy more at the pharmacy when he had 100 of them at home. When he did drive home, he realized he'd left the alcohol to clean everything at OUR house and ended up going to the pharmacy anyway. This is so typical Karl. But he was back early in the am for the opening of presents to begin.
The kids enjoyed their presents. The big hit was Q's guitar and B loved these Automoblox that my dad got him. The also got a hockey net and sticks, and some other fun things. Scott got me Casting Crown tickets complete w/ an overnight stay!! Awesome!! I can't wait.

Our tree is still up and dropping at least a pound of needles everyday. They accumulate on the wood floor nicely, and then get spread across the whole first floor in a perfect confetti fashion with the help of two cute little boys.
Oh, I'll miss the tree and the lights and the ambiance of all the decorations. But its time they go. Now, all I have to do is figure out where all the new toys will be stored...how bout a new house?

New Year

It has been a year since I started blogging. I think my first blog post was about how I hate New Years. I do, its not a monumental date in my mind in fact, I like to ignore it whenever possible. This year was OK. We hung out with friends and got home in time to put the kids to bed before complete meltdowns occurred and then promptly fell asleep watching garbage on T.V..

I have read many a New Year's Resolution Posts. I refuse to make them,(resolutions that is), and don't even think about it. It really just sets myself up for failure and won't do it. I won't even say I have a goal for the New Year. I have goals for myself all the time. Like right now, I just started phase I for the South Beach diet (meaning no carbs for 2 weeks). Shay is supposed to be doing it with me. I told her if I fall off the wagon, she can subject me to punishment. She just informed me that if I do fail, she will make me join Facebook. I'm not intending on failing, cause I will NOT join Facebook. I have strong convictions against Facebook. Mainly that I will never get anything done if I were to join. But that's a whole nother post.
Anywhoo, my goal w/ the South Beach thing is not so much weight loss, but rather a 'cleansing' from eating so much sugar and junk over the month of December. Heck, who am I kidding, I want to lose the weight that I gained in one month, but really the 2 weeks of no carbs does good things for me including rapid weight loss. It helps me not crave sugar so much and when I do eat a sugar laden treat, it makes it taste too sweet or something.

I have a lot of things I'd love to get done, but they've been on my list for months or years. And I have a lot of things I'd love to change about myself. When I was in grad school, I learned that when trying to decide on a behavior intervention when there were several unwanted behaviors to change, the one behavior you would target first or prioritize would be one that would affect the other behaviors the most. So in my case, I think my relationship with the Lord and desiring His will in my life would effect the rest of me. That's kind of obvious. But I know if I align myself with God and seek his will and obey Him, everything will fall into place. I love this verse, and I want to make it my 2010 verse...

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.

Deuteronomy 6:5-10

To soak in God's word and impress it on my children is my priority. Yes, this would be my priority, or dare I say it, resolution(but its an on going thing for me so not a NY's resolution, thank you verymuch!). To prioritize my relationship with my heavenly Father, and everything else will change for the better. I really believe that.