Random Ramblings

Today is not Monday. I know you know that, but this morning when all heck was breaking loose and I was scrambling to get out of the house at a reasonable time, it didn't feel like Thursday. This is most likely to do with the fact that I took yesterday off to take care of my sick baby (and self too). Needless to say, I'm happy it's Thursday. One more day until the weekend woo hoo! Here are my random thoughts...

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I made yesterday productive, even though I didn't go to work. I had tons of shirts and onesies that I made for craft shows that I have been meaning to get up in my Etsy shop. Not to mention the Baby Bjorn cover that I made for Heather, like a million days ago, and still hadn't taken any (decent) pictures of to post. I took pictures of all of them and got a huge chunk up in my shop! Go check it out! http://www.punchkinwear.etsy.com/

I'll wait....

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This morning, on the way to daycare, we were listening to Natey's Kidz Bop CD. He likes it. I tolerate it. Arielle is too little to care. After I dropped him off I decided I didn't want to listen to Girls Just Wanna Have Fun sung by one adult and a slew of kidz, so I switched to the tuner....only to have it playing the exact same song (this time by Cindi of course). I guess the universe was trying to send me some subliminal message that I just wanna have fun. Who knows.

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I made crack cookies again. Dang it Brooke, why did you ever get me addicted to those things. Of course they aren't really made of crack, but they might as well be. Who knew turning Funfetti Cake mix into cookies and frosting them with sugary goodness would be so harmful to your health diet. Someone knew. Stupid, chubby Dough Boy. Just because you're all squishy, doesn't mean you have to drag us down with your cookies and busciuts. Jerk.

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Ahem, I am done now.

Have you seen her?

No? Not lately. Sorry. I stink at picture taking since I have been back at work. I'm lucky if we get dinner at a reasonable hour these days. So before I have a mutiny on my hands, here are a few photos of some baby who:

...turned 11 weeks old on Monday

...does not have red hair like it seems in this picture

...is smiling more and more each day, just not long enough for me to catch a great shot!

...is starting to reach out and grab things

...gets this look of concern quite often

...is currently fighting a crappy cold that her brother so nicely shared with both of us. Well, at least he shares something, right?

Random Ramblings

Now that I'm back at work, and know what day it is again, I have my Thursday ramblings to look forward too! Here's the stuff that is pinballing around in my noggin.

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First week back at work has been super hectic. I was still not fully adjusted to home time with two kids, let alone getting them ready, hauling them to daycare, getting myself to work on time, picking them up, cooking dinner, doing bedtimes and did I mention I got a cold the 2nd day I was back at work. I have gone to bed at 8 and 9pm the last 2 nights. Hopefully this cold will pass quickly and I can enjoy the time I have home with my kids this weekend.

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On that note, I miss them terribly when I'm at work. When I went back after Nate was born, it didn't seem this bad. I think it was because he was a challenging newborn and I craved adult conversation and loved my job. Now my job is eh, Arielle is such a good baby and I want to be around them all of the time. Well, maybe a night out with some wine would be nice, but you get my point.

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I can't believe that it is February already! Time flies when you are not at work! Three months has never gone by so fast! Only 3 months until baby Lilah makes her appearance and 5 months until we get to make our trip as a family of 4 (God help me, I need a Xanax just thinking about that flight) to WA and OR to see my family! The last time we were all together Heather and I had a boy a piece and now we'll both have one of each!

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I will post some more pictures soon. I have been slacking in the picture taking department!

My son the caveman

My kid is a great eater...for the most part. I don't make separate meals for him if he doesn't want to eat what I prepare. If he doesn't eat, he must not be that hungry. I mean, look at him, he's not starving! Don't get me wrong, if I am cooking something that is not kid friendly, I will modify it for him. I make slammin spicy turkey tacos, but I just take his portion out before I add the jalapenos. I think the biggest fight we have is when it comes to eating meat. If it is all mixed together, like the tacos or cut up small and put in with the rice and veggies for chicken curry, he'll eat it. When it is in pieces and sitting by its lonesome on the plate he wants nothing to do with it. He'll always eat the breaded variety of anything, aka the dreaded chicken nuggets, but that was about it.

Until.....we discovered something by accident. Apparently my kid has a caveman gene. Yup, he'll eat any meat as long as it is attached to the bone. We first discovered this at my BIL's wedding. They had a picnic style lunch after the ceremony and they served smoked chicken legs. At 2 months shy of his 2nd birthday, Nate chowed that thing like there was no tomorrow. I had to wrestle the licked clean leg out of his hand before he started trying to suck the marrow out. {Sorry if I just totally icked out any vegetarians} Had I taken the meat off and offered that to him, he wouldn't have touched it! Next we discovered his love of "BBQ" (ribs) that he will only eat if we hand him the whole kit and caboodle.

The other night we made the discovery that this also applies to lamb. I have tried to serve it to him several times to no avail. I usually don't buy the rib chops, but they only had one pack of loin chops, so I got both. After fighting with him because he only wanted to eat his rice and asparagus, the hubbs suggested handing him the rib chop in its entirety. He ate 2 whole rib chops (not that they're that big) and was asking for more. Who knew that all of this time, the kid just wanted meat that had a handle?!

I'm back

Ok my lovelies, I'm back. Yeah, I know I didn't really leave, but I have been mostly absent. Today is my first day back at work. Isn't it sad when you have to get back to work in order to find the time to blog??!! I thought I would be a blogger extraordinaire when I was on maternity leave, but I found I had lots more to do than park my bum in front of the computer. Much to my chagrin, I have been neglecting my buddies. Fear not, the reading will commence again, the commenting will be back in full force and the crying because I dropped my baby off into someone else's waiting arms will lessen over time.

A gourmet I am not

I am by no means a gourmet chef, but I can hold my own in the kitchen. But just when I think I'm getting good, the universe has a way of humbling me. Last night I decided to make a stir fry. This is one of the few things I can make without sticking to a recipe. I have a wok like pan and I oiled it up and started cooking my veggies. I decided that I'm cool enough now to not need a spoon, I'll just toss the veggies in the pan. A fire ball and slightly singed arm hair later, I had lost half of the veggies to the stove top. Thankfully I had my wits about me to immediately turn the burner off, or a full blown oil fire might have started. I guess I will have to file away my Iron Chef application for a later date. A much later date.

Arielle at 2 months

The two month mark came so fast, I can hardly believe it! With Nate, I felt like a truck plowed over me for the first 6 weeks and they seemed to drag on forever, but you sailed through it with ease! You have such a different temperament than your brother. I am holding out hope that you'll be my calm, introspective child! Here are some of the milestones you have reached this month:

• At your appointment today you weighed in at 13 pounds, 4 ounces and were 24.75 inches long. That puts you in the 75-90th percentile for weight and above the 95th percentile for height! Nate was 11 pounds 7 ounces and 23.75 inches at 2 months. I can't believe you are almost 2 full pounds heavier than he was! I just pulled out all of the 3-6 month clothes as the feet of all of your jams were way too small!
• You are smiling more and more every day. I love the chubby faced grins you give me.
• I swear I heard you laugh yesterday, but I'm not 100% sure.
• You are cooing a lot. We have "conversations" every day. You say goo and oooh and then usually cough from the effort of making your sounds!
• You love the bouncy seat and it is the alternative napping spot if you're not in the bed.
• You still hate the swing and get the hiccups EVERY time I put you in it. I thought this would change by now, but I guess not.
• You hold your head up great and, even though you hate tummy time, can push your head up about 45 degrees when you're on your tummy.
•  You had your first shots today and it was rough, but your chubby legs seem to have enough padding!

I go back to work next Monday. I am so sad that our days, just you and me, are coming to an end. I have really loved these first 2 months home with you and wish I could do it every day.

Natey at 2 years 7 months

Hello, my rough and tumble boy.  Another month has flown right on by and you are growing before my eyes it seems! I was talking to daddy last night about our trip in July and I realized you will be 3 when we go!

You have fully realized that you have choices. You tell me and daddy that you don't like us any more and we aren't your best friend anymore when you get put in timeout. Then, as quickly as it comes, it goes away and you say that we're your best friend again. It hurt my feelings the first few times you said it, but I'm over it now and realize you are just being a 2 year old.

You started resisting putting your shoes on when we had to leave. We took you to get your feet measured for new shoes and realized you were at a 9 and had been wearing size 8! Oops, no wonder you didn't want to put them on! I can't believe how fast your feet grow!

You went for your second cleaning at the dentist and she said you've got all of your baby teeth and they look great! You were so good too. I was surprised!

You are getting too smart for your own britches. You try to change a word you know is naughty, just enough to see if you can get away with saying it. "Dag blammit" has to be the funniest one so far. When you say it, you look over at us so sly with your little smirk to see if we've noticed. I have had to start giving you time outs for these instances so you know I mean business!

Your bed time has been a little rocky as of late, but Grandma gave us a tip to keep you calm when we leave the room. Now that we ask you if you want the door cracked, the battles have stopped...for now!

Your hair is getting really long again, but daddy won't let me do anything about it. He wants to see what it will do if left alone. I still maintain my promise never to cut it myself...we all know how that turned out last time!

When I ask if I can share something with you, you reply, "Of course!!".

Thanks for being my crazy Natey. You and your "sissy" are the reasons I smile every day!

Wordless Wednesday

I'm jealous that my 8 week old has more cleavage than me! Chubba Bubba!!! Oh and if you just wanna die because her head band is so stinking cute, go get one of your own. We'll wait. The cuteness will still be here when you get back!