Monday, June 09, 2008

Bring the Rain

Lately there have been things in my life that have happened that I thought were blog worthy so this is what Samantha refers to as a "Heinze 57" post.

A couple of weeks ago a pretty bad thunderstorm came through in the late evening. Mark and I were just headed to bed when the lightning and the thunder began. Now, I will have to admit that I love a good rainstorm but thunder and lightning makes me want to hide under the covers. It scares the bah-gee-bees out of me! As it started I thought of my little angels sleeping peacefully in their beds, mainly worrying that it would wake the baby girl who is so high maintenance at getting to bed. So when I heard Aiden screaming I was surprised. He has never woken at a storm, so Mark and I headed in. Aiden was lying in his bed panic stricken as the thunder boomed around him. We consoled him, laid next to him, telling him that it was the rain and with it comes thunder, but that he was safe. I must mention that throughout this conversation lightning is striking it seems right outside his window and the thunder is shaking things in his room, and every-time I nearly jump out of my skin. So he is shaking and now has his fist balled up and is pushing them as hard as he can into his eyes, and all of a sudden he opens his eyes and shout “light-boom!” and covers them back up. We eventually had to pull him out of bed and bring him out of his room because after a good 45 minutes he was still not calm. He finally went back to bed but only after the storm was long gone. A few days later out of nowhere he talked to mark about it. It went something like this:

Aiden: Daddy?
Mark: Yes Aiden
Aiden: Bad Boom Bye Bye
Mark: Yes Aiden Bad boom bye bye.

Now Mark and I never referred to the thunder as a “bad boom” this is just something that Aiden came up with. This was especially sad to me because it made me realize how much that it in fact had scared him. Since then he has asked me at random times about this bad boom to make sure that it is in fact gone.

Taylor is wonderful. If you ask me this at bedtime I might tell you different. She is really difficult to get to go to bed, but when she does she sleeps. Last night made the second night she has slept for 11 hours straight. PRAISE GOD! On other nights when she doesn’t sleep all night she will sleep from 8pm-3am and then to 7am. After she eats then she usually sleeps again until 9 or 10. Pretty good for 8 weeks.

I think that Aiden is getting sick again. He woke up this morning with a fever and has been ever so whiny. Words like “mama” turn into “maaaaamaaaa” and “cereal” turns into “ceeereeeeaaaallll”. When Aiden is sick the number of syllables used around our house increase dramatically. This is nothing that a pallet on the floor with some Little Einstein’s cant fix.

Today we showed our house again. First of all keeping a house show ready with a baby and a toddler is no fun. I find myself putting toys away right up until the last minute and Aiden is still pulling them out. Like I said Aiden woke up with a fever today so I should have taped a sign to his shirt that said “BEWARE.” When the people came to see our house 40 minutes late I scooped up Aiden and took him outside. Taylor was sleeping so she was no problem. As soon as we got outside Aiden started asking for his ball that he likes to play with. Well of course Mark has put all of the toys away. I begin looking for the ball but I hear his whine starting to grow. By this time our big beast of a lab is barking furiously and our beagle is starting her beagle howl/cry. This by the way is my only job: to keep the kids busy and the dogs quiet and so far I am failing. I try to make the dogs get quiet but they are louder when I am near them so I abandon ship and tend to Aiden. He had now given the cat a hug and a kiss and is getting upset because of the amount of cat hair on his face and in his mouth. I clean his face and redirect back to finding the ball. The potential buyers are now outside and the dogs are still barking. Aiden now has hurt his foot and is crying (loudly) and refusing to walk. I check his foot. Nothing. Still crying, still barking, now we are sweating. Finally, the buyers leave. I was about to pull out a popsicle. When all else fails, offer a popsicle. Magically Aiden's foot is healed and the dogs are quiet. JERKS.

Lately I have become what I heard someone once refer to as a blog stalker. It can become addicting because one blog will lead you to another then another. Mark thinks that it is weird to read other peoples blogs that I don’t know but what does he know anyway? One that I was reading was a mommy blog that I found particularly funny called Rocks in my Dryer. This blog had a link the other day to another blog post called a letter to my daughter. After reading this post I then went back and read all of the posts from the beginning. This mommy created a blog to log the story of their dear baby that they found out had a number of problems in utero, and has just recently passed away. In addition to this, her sister in law who had a baby right before her just lost her new baby to SIDS. I am amazed at this woman’s sweet spirit and courage through what can only be described as a nightmare. The numbers of people that comment on her blog and pray for her have been unreal. It is heartwarming. I have found myself praying for this family and for their healing. If you have a few minutes to read or to take a look, or to pray, please do, but remember your Kleenex. The power of prayer is amazing.

Here are my sweet babies. When ever Aiden lays on the floor next to Taylor he tells me "mama picture." I think that he has learned how cute they are together and wants me to take a picture. Notice the orange spaghetti stained face. Aiden enjoyed swimming with YaYa and Taylor was pouting because it was sticky outside. Gross.



Thursday, May 29, 2008

Watching

In the afternoon Aiden often waits for Mark to come home by sitting in the window watching. We see a lot of birds and squirrels, and cars. Yesterday Aiden and Tigerlily (T-lily) formally know as the Demon cat played a cute game of Peekaboo. The second picture shows Aiden giving kisses through the window. When Mark pulls up he screams and pounds on the glass. It is a great way to come home.


Pea Pod

Some people have made requests to see more Taylor... As you can see second babies often have their siblings help them play! Here is Pea Pod...




Tuesday, May 27, 2008

More Vaction Thoughts...

While still reflecting on our week in Orlando I thought of two more interesting points that I would like to comment on.

When Mark was in training during the day Butch, Janie, the kids and I found things to get into. One of the days we spent the morning shopping at Downtown Disney. The weather was nice, and there was not too many people there. Marketing is a powerful thing.With everything you could ever think of that you may want to buy Disney related and the sound of the songs of Mary Poppins and other movies playing in the air, it just makes you want to go to disney world. It also make me dread the future of having a little girl and the disney princess hype.

As we walked around we kept seeing little girls from the age of about 3-12 walking around in princess dresses, pageant sashes, with their hair in up-do's. We wondered what it was about. Well while wandering in one of the store we found the source of this madness. I think it was something called the Bibbidi Bobbidi boutique. Well, basically this is a salon in one of the stores for little girls. The prices rance from about 40 dollars for just hair ( we didn't see many of these girls) to the low price of $225 so your little girl can look like a princess in no time complete with nails, hair (with extensions) makeup and princess dress (we saw LOTS of these girls) Here is the kicker...The salon at 10:00 in the morning was filled and there was a line. Some of the daddies actually looked like they were in pain. They would rather break the bank than so no to their little girls. I only pray that I can stear Taylor clear of this madness.

The other interesting thing that I found was the amount of people from different countries that were in Orlando. Aiden was dumbfounded when I told him our waitor at dinner one night was named Diego, who was from Columbia ( he watched Diego before naptime each day).At our hotel alone, at one point I think that we were the only Americans at the pool. There were many people with British accents and others that were speaking other European languages. I found myself listening to conversations to hear the different accents. I think the red-headed boy from Harry Potter was there, and by the way had no business being in the sun. Oh- and those Europeans love their speedos! Yuck!

Sunday, May 25, 2008

I need a vacation

We are back from Orlando and I am so thankful to be home. We had a week full of both good and bad points. Here are the highlights…

The Good Points:

- Aiden had a great time playing with Nana and Papa
- We visited the Rainforest Café. What a cool place!
- The hotel had a great pool with a beach entry. Aiden could play in the
water and we could play with him without having to get in the water all the
time.
- Mark and I got to go out by ourselves while Nana and Papa watched the kids.
- We explored the many shops of Downtown Disney.
- We made it home safe and sound.

The Not So Good Points:
- Aiden ran a fever of 103 for the first two days, and then recovered for the
rest of the week.
- He screamed all the way to Orlando because he didn’t feel well.
- Anything he said to me for the next couple of days was in a whine.
- We left most of the places we visited the end of the week because Aiden’s
behavior was so horrendous. We tried the outlet mall twice but left with a
child screaming both times after being there only a few minutes.
- Our “suite” was nothing but a hotel room with a wall as a divider.
- That very cool pool gave me a STAPH infection in my left eye!

I am glad to be home. ALthough I feel like now I need a vacation.




Thursday, May 15, 2008

Zionks!

Today we met Aiden's friend Noah and his mommy at Zionks. It is a new place in Tallahassee for kids to go. It is filled with the air bouncers and they also have games. There were some that were huge and had enormous mazes but there were also 3 or 4 that were perfect for Aiden. He played for two hours and took a 3 hour nap afterwards. Money well spent. They also take security measures by tagging you and your child with matching arm bands that are checked and then destroyed on the way out. For parents there is a lounge with leather recliners, flat screen tv's,and internet access. Also next to the tvs there is another screen that is like a security tape with a view of all of the bouncers.

With that little commercial out of the way... I would just like to say we had BIG fun!



It's Hot Already...

Most of the days that we have been having are warm and sunny with a wonderful little breeze, but man, there are some days that it is already HOT! This past Saturday it was 90 degrees. So I decided that I would go ahead and clean Aiden's little pool and let him swim around. I have to say this has been the best $11.00 that I think I have ever spent at Walmart. This is the second year he has used it.

Last night we sat outside while Aiden played in the pool and jumped in the air, yelling "Aiden JUMP!" This went on for a good 45 minutes. I would have thought that it would have hurt, but if it did it did not stop Aiden.He was so eager to get in, I didn't have time to take off his clothes.


Taylor is 5 weeks old today and is smiling all over the place! Her smiles remind me of little Madeleine Walworth with her mouth open big and wide. It is already so sweet. Nightime is getting better but going to bed seems to be worse. I think we have taken 1 step forward and 2 steps back.

I think I will print birth announcements soon. Man- what's my problem?



Thursday, May 01, 2008

Happy May Day!

Taylor is 3 weeks old today and I am wondering when the day will come that she will learn that day=play, and night=sleep. Even though it has only been 2 years you really forget how an infant can quickly zap the energy from your body.

Aiden is smitten with her and just wants to hold her and kiss her. I make sure that I am take plenty of pictures of this so the day that she won't leave his side I can remind him of how much he loves her.

Here is an Aiden/Taylor fix!


Saturday, April 19, 2008

Big Brother

Aiden is such a sweet boy to little Taylor. Most of the time he is listening and he is very in tune to what she is doing or what she needs. While changing her the other day she was crying and he said "baby taylor trying (Crying). He he left the room only to return with a pacifier. In this picture of him laying on the floor he was whispering to her while he petted her head and told her "its okay". He loves to hold her and kiss her head.
This Friday Aiden will be two and I can't believe how much he changes day to day. It is remarkable to look at Taylor and then look at him and know that she will be his age before the blink of an eye. Better get off the computer so I can enjoy it! Hope you enjoy the pictures of my cute kids!

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Taylor is here!

Taylor Grace is here! She came via c-section April 10, 2008 at 6:35pm. She was 8lbs 8oz. We are home and she is a sweet baby! Look back at one of the first posts I ever made and you will see that Aiden also sleeps this way. They make a lot of the same facial expressions, but she is definitely more of a little petite thing. We feel so blessed

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

She'll be here soon

We have decided to go ahead with a c-section. Taylor will be here Thursday at 5 p.m. Keep us in your prayers for a safe delivery and an easy recovery. More to come...

Monday, March 24, 2008

Easter

Our Easter weekend was crazy busy!

It started Saturday morning and did not end until SUnday at midnight when I pulled my aching pregnant body into my soft bed. We had 3 egg hunts, 2 dinners, lots of wiggly kids, a new baby ( not mine), family time, girl time, and a wedding. Whew!

Aiden was very well behaved. I say that because in the land of two's it is sometimes hit or miss. I think he may be over the hunting egg thing, but he was very focused. While hunting for the eggs, he would squat down, and put his pointer finger over his lip, and say " HMMM, let's see."

We had easter lunch at our house with my parents, and then again that afternoon at the park with our buds and the kids.

After the park I got to go see the newest baby to the group Mr. Elias Strickland. He is a handsome little boy! Then, it was off to bible study with the girls.

This is my last week at school, before I begin maternity leave. Thank goodness! With no time to rest at school, I am exhausted at the end of the day. Let's hope this baby gets here sooner rather than later! I feel like the crazy woman inside of me is showing herself more and more each day! Beware.

I posted our pictures here on shutterfly, but here are a few of my favorites...






Monday, March 17, 2008

Lately...

Lately, it seems like we have been so busy. I can't really recall what exactly it is that we have been doing, but I know that it seems like there is never a moment to catch a breath. I have been trying to wrap things up for maternity leave and trying to have conferences with all of the parents at school. I also am taking an online graduate level reading class to renew my teaching certificate. Here is the deal though... it ends April 28th. So I have been staying later than usual and staying extremely busy. I do know that the other weekend we went to my parents house to celebrate my cousin Alexa, and my dad's birthday!







My mom made the bedding for Taylor's room. I love it! Thanks mom. Here is a sneak peek! Pretty funky, huh?




One of the other things that I hung in the room is a piece of art I actually made with my mom in the fourth grade. I made it while I was attending the elementary school that I now teach at. It is pretty off the wall, but I have held onto it for sentimental value, I guess. Mark thinks that it is hideous but I am finding that I am quite fond of it. Here it is



In the midst of all the craziness that is our life right now, I have forgotten that it is almost April which means Aiden will be two! Time flies. He is doing all of the things you would expect a two year old to do... repeating things you say ;-( climbing and jumping on things, stomping his feet when he doesn't get his way, and getting into everything ( I'm sure Julie can relate). He also does some really cute things like singing into things that resemble a microphone, counting to four, sometimes five, saying prayers, and kissing your face at night and saying" love you." He is a sweet boy.





What a sweet kitty, Tigerlily has turned out to be!

Monday, February 25, 2008

2006 Babies

Here are a few pictures of Aiden and his Tallahassee monday night buddies that were all born in 2006. These were taken the other day at Ranen's 2nd birthday at the The pictures are missing the lone girl Nena, but we think of her often. It is so cute to see how they have all grown and changed. I love to see each of their personalities. Aren't they the cutest?!




Thursday, February 14, 2008

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Our family really believes that Valentine's is somewhat overrated but we still celebrate it in some small way. We usually just try to order a pizza ( yummy!) and do something fun together. Last night I made Mark this heart cake. Sorry I cut off some of it, but you get the idea. So what I am about to say is completely from the mouth of Mark. BE WARNED! I showed him the cake and he said "ooh yummy! I think it looks like boobs." Now... really?!!! You be the judge. I think he should write a book- Deep Thoughts by Mark.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Aiden's Big Boy Bed

Sunday afternoon Mark came home with a big boy bed for little man Aiden. We decided that we wanted to go ahead and transition him into this before Baby Taylor came home so that there would be one less thing for him to get used to. We also did not want to risk the idea of him thinking that the stinkin' baby stole his crib. So we skipped the toddler bed thing and just bought a mattress for him to start with. That way a fall would not be so far down.

Last night we moved the crib out- and put a mattress in. He seemed to really like it. Getting the bed ready he would run and fall into it. After the sheets and his entourage of stuffed toys he laid down just fine. We read our books, sang our songs, turned off the light and he was done. He slept the whole night, and was fine this morning. I hope this trend stays the same.

Here is Aiden showing off his new bed during the prep time. He is so proud!




Later I snuck in and took a picture of our sleeping angel.


Friday, February 08, 2008

Aiden the Toddler

I feel like overall I have been blessed with a pretty easy baby. Once Aiden got the hang of feeding and sleeping, he was pretty easy to read. I always knew what he wanted, he is very obedient, and such a loving boy.

Lately I feel like we are headed full steam into the toddler years. We are working on "using our words." Oh for the love of Pete! The Whining! I feel like the grinch. "Oh the noise, the noise, noise noise." The sound of whining is like the sound of nails on a chalkboard to my ears. Soon I fear that we will be headed to the emergency room. The other day we were driving in the car ( the story of my life) and Aiden was eating some snack mix ( Kix cereal, raisins, etc.) and he suddenly begins to start coughing and sneezing. I reach back to wipe his nose and it is brown. I don't think much of this because he has been sick and I think no big deal. Well the coughing and sneezing continue and now I am wondering if I should pull over. I know he is not choking but he getting pretty violent.
Finally he stops and I looks back to see him pulling a RAISIN out of his NOSE!!!

When we get home that night he is pulling packing peanuts out of a box piece by piece and putting them in the garbage. Then he got quiet. I looked over at him and he was staring at me waiting for me to look at him. In his nose was... yes you guessed it... a packing peanut! He began laughing and took off running. I think he has his Dad's sense of humor.

Here are some pictures of Aiden being the toddler that he is...