Preschool!

A good breakfast before our big day!

The all important backpack

Had to Check in with the class "fish" nemo!

Playing house already!

There were no tears dropping him off.. and as you can see by the time I left he was already making friends ;) I'm off to pick up my little man!

*I know there are a few posts missing between the last and this... they will be forth coming I promis :)

Cousin Judge Arrives!

Originally I was going to put all kinds of things in this post... I think it's easier if I seperate them out into their own ( more work for me... but a few less pictures per post this way)

Cousin Boog (AKA Justin) just recently went back to California. We had a wonderful visit with him! He got to spend a few nights with just Chris and the kids (while I was at a class) which resulted in a couple adventures of their own. We also took him to the Naval Aviation Muesum here on the base. He was also lucky enough to show up just in time for Juniors birthday party!

Here are a few pictures from his visit:

I got him!

At dinner

wearing Justin's pants on his head Junior's first backpack for school!

Two Year old photos:

Can't forget the little girl too :)

The Mistress of Mayhem has arrived!

Introducing:

Scarlett aka: Mistress of Mayhem

Born: May 27th 12:03pm

Weight: 7lbs 13oz

Length: 19.25"

Brother getting to see "sissy" for the first time

Such a good big brother
Daddy, Jr and Scarlett

Miss Scarlett all ready to go home!

Boy Oh Boy! That's Our Boy!

If you are friends with me on Facebook you know all about my latest experiances with Junior. For those family members who are NOT on facebook... here is what our boy has been up to.

Over the past couple of months Junior has expressed interest in using the potty. We bought him a potty chair and have not made a huge deal about it but have encouraged him to use it ANY time he shows an interest in it. One night he actually peed in it (we think - no one was in the room with him but there was liquid in it when we came back)! At any rate - this applies further as well (his interest in it).

Normally when Jr wakes up he is content to play in his crib for a while. Mom is pretty content with letting him do this because well I try to sleep as late as I can (or just avoid getting up for as long as I can). Last week he started waking up and playing as per his norm. Then it wasn't so normal anymore. He took his clothes off. ALL of his clothes. Diaper included. When I went in to get him up, you could say I was a bit shocked. I didn't know he knew how to get his pants off let alone his shirt with out help (he had slept in a pair of shorts and a toddler sized "A" shirt - also referred to as a "wife beater"). Luckily the bed was dry. (the diaper on the floor however was full as per his norm). That night - I put actual PJ pants and a shirt set on him. The following morning I walked in to find him sans pants & diaper and attempting to get his shirt off. This was becoming a habit I was afraid.

On the weekends Chris normally gets Jr up for the day. Saturday he had a work function he had to attend early so I got Jr up. Fully clothed when I went in, "YAY!" I thought perhaps it was just a couple time thing. Sunday Daddy got him up - fully clothed (or I would have heard about it)! Yay again!

Then there was yesterday. I walked in to find him naked from the waist down. Oh and the bed was NOT dry. Luck me! This morning agian... completely naked, diaper on the floor (diaper was dry) and the bed was SOAKED. This doing laundry thing everyday is starting to suck! Atleast by the time that Baby Scarlett gets to this point I will now have 3 toddler mattress covers!! I am just at a loss as to what to do. Guess it's time to pull out the family standby. Yes that family implement of "re-construction" -

yes duct tape!

As a bonus - this morning while putting him in the bathtub, (he smelled of urine... blech) he expressed intrest in the potty chair. "Go for it!" I told him. He sat there for about 5-10minutes then when I thought he was done (he got up) there wasn't anything in the bowl. "Oh well - atleast he tried!" I thought. Then he tried to climb in the tub. What he had been attempting to do on the potty chair was stuck to his bottom. We had our first attempted poop in the potty chair!!! I think after we get in a routine with baby sister, this is something we will begin persuing with vigor!

Other than that - the bigger mess he can make (like finger painting in oil that daddy drained from his motorcycle or the MGB that daddy is working on) the better! We now have a selection of clothing that is ONLY allowed for garage play - since I can't get the grease/oil out of it!

His "Un"18 Month Birthday

It's "un" because I refuse to admit he's really 18 months old! so instead.... I'm posting this video of how smart my little monkey is :)

Christmas Cookies - Part 1

It is cold and rainy here today, so for some indoor fun we made sugar cookie dough to roll out and make Christmas cookies with. (They will get decorated either tomorrow or at a later date - pictures will follow I promise!)





Helping with the spatula


















Supervising mom (and stealing dough)













Mmm Dough












Helping Dad put cookies on the cookie sheet













Lunch Break - Mac n Cheese for the 1st time!!! (he was diggin it!)













Someone "helped" himself to the cookie cutters and flour when mom and dad weren't looking. The end result...

Photo Blog - First time with a Spoon

First meal with Silverwear........
















Thinks he's funny.....












Food on the spoon...












MMMMM. Mom made baked ziti ALMOST as good as Aunt Jess.

Where oh Where Did a Year go?

This time last year, I was laying in a hospital bed barely able to move my legs after my cesarean section and was hotter then all get out. BUT. I had a brand new baby who was most likely laying in my arms or close by in his bassinet and a worn out wonderful husband who was sacked out on the pull out couch in our room. We became a family a year ago today.

And while our family may be on opposite ends of the continent tonight we are still ever so grateful to have each other in our lives. Chris and I are very grateful for the little boy in our lives and we can't wait to celebrate his life with our friends and family this coming Saturday (as well as his Daddy's homecoming!!!!)

It's amazing how fast this year has gone by!! He has grown by leaps and bounds and started walking just a week ago! (Oh how I wish he had waited for his Daddy to be here for his first steps!) Watching his personality develop has been interesting, and a ride of it's own at times. Who knew such a little person could be such a force in one's life.

Don't grow up too quickly Christopher Junior! We want to savor each and every little moment.

Houston: We Have Toy Acknowledgement!!!

This morning after our attempt at eating cereal (he wasn't into it at the moment & ended up wearing more then was going in so mom gave in for the moment) Jr got to spend some time in his walker: Notice that his feet are touching the floor. He actually WAS kicking at the floor in a walking motion. It was pretty cute. His Auntie Sarah will also be pleased as punch to see him playing with his Eyeore. Which by the way he is still playing with as I type this.
















No he doesn't have teeth yet, thats just a reflection













Letting Eyeore taste him before he starts chewing on Eyeore




He had a tight grip on his tail! I suspect we will soon see Eyeore being swung around by this!

Chomper's New Teether

I bought our little "Chomper" a new teether. It's shaped similar to a paci, but the nipple portion is textured similar to a Raspberry. It is made by RazBaby. So far he's taken to chewing on all parts not normally chewed on. (although the handle is textured too) He seems to enjoy it, however will by pass the teether for flesh any chance he gets!

Reflection...Looking Back A Year Ago Today

A year ago today, pretty close to this time of day (3:30pm) things where drastically different then they are right now.

I was madly finishing up cleaning my house. I was attempting to doll myself up and make it to the airport early. The only person I had to worry about at that moment was me. I was rushing to get everything done before Chris came home from overseas.

Seeing him after six months was going to be awesome and well worth it. He was going to see me with blond hair for the first time in my life (my Halloween costume last year was Marylin Monroe - and I couldn't find a wig that looked right so I bleached mine) and see the weight I had worked hard to loose while he was gone in person.

I know with absolute certainty that the night he came home, Jr was conceived. Looking back Jr was worth the four year wait. I wouldn't change anything in my life right now, although sometimes I wish teething where easier for Jr and for me but I still wouldn't change anything. I love my son, I love my wonderful husband.

How many people can say with ABSOLUTE certainty what day/night their child was conceived? And quite honestly, you can't get much more planned then Jr was. And I am oh so thankful for all the smiles, silly faces and all the little funny things he does (like trying to eat his fingers and a spoon full of cereal at the same time).

My little Man is Growing up :(

Can you believe it?! Our little guy is 6 weeks old today! That makes me incredibely sad, but incredibely happy at the same time! He's getting so big so fast. I'm pretty positive, with his pound a week gain that he's over 12lb's now.

Junior started laughing for the first time the other day. I'm not sure that he knew what he was doing, but it was pretty darn cute. He smiles pretty regularly, except when I'm trying to get a picture of it! Figures doesn't it?!

Currently, Jr is hanging out in his pack 'n play so I could type this blog. (he's learning to hang out w/o hanging ON to mom) I have iTunes playing (actually Chris' and I's song was on when I took this picture - Faithfully by Journey) and it looks like we have another future karaoke star in the family ;)

He's such a stud :)

Twenty Three (23) weeks!

Dang. It's flown by. Can you believe it?! One more week and I'll be six months into this journey. (punctuated by a foot/hand to the bladder). It's all been worth it.

The Things I have learned so far this pregnancy

It doesn't really matter what your pre-pregnancy weight is, or was, but what kind of shape your muscles are in does. (Thank you back pain for teaching me THAT one)

Some food aversions stick around after morning sickness is gone. (fast food is not your friend .... or a replacement for cooking at home to avoid looking at raw meat)

There are wackos out there, and they like to share every scary and terrorfying remotely a pregnancy experiance with you - (kind of like "Don't look Ethel" - or trying not to watch a train wreck in the making - you listen horrified it will happen to you despite your best efforts NOT to)

I thought pregnancy brains or "baby brains" was a myth - you would laugh at the typos I found prior to writing this little jewel out - and it's SOOO not a myth!!

Morning Sickness may be gone, but waiting too long to eat may piss someone off, who will in turn kick your stomach and make you want to vomit. (oh yeah that makes me want to eat!!)

My sense of humor is not what it once was - it's lost and I can't seem to find it. ( I swear I was much more humorus prior to this pregnancy)

Message boards are a godsend and horror all at the same time. I've met some really nice ladies - and seen some really crazy drama on a couple. Kinda makes me want to refer you to item #3 on this list and then pray that the people from the message board who read my blog won't flame me ;) (and most should know what drama I'm talking about)

Blogs are a good form of self-entertainment. (plus as Sarah puts it... she can keep track of me. :D tee hee.

Things I'm still waiting for with this pregnancy

That renewel of energy I was supposed to get almost 3 months ago... I'm still waiting. (and as my OB put it... "It will come in about 18 years" - he's such a wisenhiemer but a good guy ;) )

To see what this little guy looks like.

Heck to see which side he takes after - and not just with the looks. Pray he's laid back like his daddy - please!!! (oh I am sooo screwed)

For my baby shower. I want to go shopping - I want to set stuff up. heck I wanna know when it is. I just like presents :) (and I don't want to get crap for buying Jr something prior to my shower!!!)

To see what my pain tolerance is REALLY like and if I'm going to be as big of a baby as everyone claims I will be. (thanks for the vote of confidence mom! - Nothing like hearing your mom told your husband, "Call me when the baby gets here... you get her for labor". My family..... oh yeah)

To see my papa, my mom, me and JR all in the same place at the same time (and to see my papa hold Jr. (I'd love to see Nana here too, but I believe Jr already knows her!)