Clean

Zachary is sick with a stomach bug, so we're staying home today. Being stuck indoors makes me want to either cook or clean. Today it was cleaning. It's amazing how throwing things out and re-organizing feels. Especially since I. hate. cleaning! (But I sure do love the results.)

Life around here

She fell asleep on the couch.

Whenever I turn on music, the kids race to the bed and dance. I see no point in making the bed, since this is a daily occurrence around here!

And please, don't try this at home. Falling off the bed is dangerous and strict supervision is required. (There, now no one can sue me.)

Figuring out the camera on our Sunday walk

*Note to self: putting camera on automatic setting results in successful pictures.

*Note to you: All mothers have the most beautiful child (or children) in the world. It's a good thing, because mine are awfully cute. :)

The Park

We went to the park with my friend Sarah and her two adorable kids. We haven't been going much lately, and I always forget how much the kids love it!

Aubrey

Hagen

Zach and Catcher, ten days apart in age

Happy Zach

Content Catcher

Gone for awhile

We're leaving tomorrow. I'll have our laptop but can't guarantee pictures while we're on vacation...take care, blogging friends!

P.S. Thanks for your input on my story...I'll keep you updated.

Saturday

We went swimming at the pool on Saturday. It was Zach's first time!

This is what we did most the time...Aubrey kicked her feet and Zach looked around, splashing. I might have to put Aubrey in swimming lessons so she won't be so scared.

I went to Girls camp on Friday and Bunco on Saturday, so Doug had lots of fun spending time with Aubrey. Above is a tower...

Mr. Elephant

Mr. Elephant's tail

Mr. Bird

And this really entertains Aubrey when I'm making dinner: water and a paintbrush on the patio. Such fun!

90+ weather at the park

We went to the park with friends on Friday morning and couldn't stay out long. The kids were burning up, but that didn't stop them! Zach kept pulling off his hat--don't you love the hat hair?

Don't do this to your child

*I curled Aubrey's hair.
*Unnoticed, the curling iron fell on the floor while I finished getting myself ready.
*Zach crawled over to the curling iron a few minutes after that.
*I picked up a sobbing boy with a VERY badly hurt finger.



Bad, bad mother. Don't do this to your child, please. Learn from my mistake--don't leave ANYTHING on the floor!

*Thank goodness he forgave me.

So many good people

Lately I've been so overwhelmed with how kind people can be. Just have to share a kind deed that happened last week:

Doug went to the bakery to get us some bread, not realizing they only take check or cash. He had neither. The lady behind him said, "Let me pay for you." Of course he said "No, it's okay, I'll just run to an ATM," but she persisted! And all week, the bread we've been enjoying has reminded me of her generosity.

Doug went to NYC for the Morton Gould Competition awards ceremony. Let's just say I'm so glad I'm not a single mother. I HATE killing spiders!!! I can tuck the kids in and take care of the house, but SPIDERS--UGGGH. We're glad he'll be back today!

Less Sugar Update

We've been trying to take these out before dinner when everyone's getting hungry...a healthy, light snack.

See those bananas? They'll be ready for banana bread soon...(smirk)

Chocolate covered pretzels for the sisters I visit teach. Salt and chocolate together: heaven.

We didn't quite go all week with fruit as our only dessert, but we've definitely been eating better. That's the overall goal, right? And it's seemed to help Aubrey. She's been opening up her tastebuds and eating her veggies. It's inspiring us to keep it up.

TMI Take 2

This morning:

I picked up Zach from off the floor and got a handful of poo leaking out of his diaper. Unbeknownst to me, it had also gotten on my toe. As I ran to the changing table, I tracked poo from my toe to the carpet--all across the house.

Then, I changed Aubrey a few minutes later and as I took the diaper out from under her, poo rolled out onto the floor.

We definitely need to clean our carpets SOON.

Happy Late Earth Day

In honor of Earth day, Doug brought me home a flower basket (actually, he just surprised me--so sweet), and I planted some soon-to-be grass. I want to attempt some spices too. And although I don't own my own grocery bag, we're excited to be able to recycle our plastic bags at Kroger.

Loooong week

I owe all of you an update. It's been a busy week.

1. My birthday was last Sunday. It was a warm, inviting day, and we had "home church" (conference) so I even got to sleep in! Doug spoiled me by making me breakfast and lunch and taking care of the kids. I got spoiled with tons of gifts, including an iPod shuffle. We had our good friends the Olsens over for dinner--my favorite lasagna. Then Doug's dad flew in that evening (due to work) and was here just in time for cake and ice cream. He stayed until Wednesday. We had fun going out to dinner one day, Graeter's another, and watching Enchanted for the first time.

At Graeter's

2. Been working on my 8th writing assignment. It's been taking every bit of spare time I can find.

3. Yesterday I did 4 or 5 loads of laundry....I never caught up after being sick. I'm still not caught up.

4. Went to a Bunco party last night. It was my first one. All of us moms joked about how it doesn't take much to entertain us...dice, food, and no kids.

5. I got called as the 1st counselor in YW's, and I'm SOOO excited. Today was my first time and it made me feel young again...that is, until I realized that in 9 years, Aubrey will be in YW's.

6. Been shopping for the kids. I got a whole bunch of clothes for Zach from some friends in the ward, but still need to get Aubrey some summer clothes. They grow out of them so fast!

"Granddad? Help me!"

7. Tried a turkey hamburger recipe from Deceptively Delicious. It was NOT a hit, probably because we don't usually eat ground turkey. I'll try a few more before giving up on the book--the chicken nuggets are next on the list. (Good thing I checked it out from the library before buying)

8. The kids and I substituted at the gym. It makes me appreciate only having two kids full time...

This little piggy went to market...

Wee wee wee all the way home!

Can you tell they're related?

9. Got pulled over in our van, which hasn't been registered since '06. It was given to us by my parents, and they lost the title so we couldn't get it registered. What a big mess! Luckily the policeman gave me a citation. I have to get it fixed, then go to court in 2 weeks or else they impound the car.

10. Aubrey's ready to be potty trained. In nursery today she told the leader she need to go potty. They took her, pulled down her pull-up, then realized it was a diaper, and got me. She loves to sit on the toilet but never does anything. I'm planning on staying home all next week and starting the lovely potty training process. Oh my.

Trying to get the two kids to look at the same time is an endless feat.

11. A few weeks ago, Zach got his shots. He'd only gained 1 oz. in 2 months and still wasn't sitting up. He couldn't quite figure out how to use the spoon. So the doctor was concerned...and needless to say, I was too. I started nursing him more but then got sick and so I don't think he got much. But I'm happy to report that he finally started devouring solids, and now seems much happier (and heavier). He now says Dada, baba, eee, and an occasional "mama", and is sitting up! Still, I'm not sure he's getting enough milk. Anyone out there--do you nurse/feed a bottle before giving solids or after? He's eating 3 meals a day and I'm nursing around 5 times a day.

Okay, there's the update!

All in a Day

Diantha tagged me to post what we do in a day. Mind you, this was before we got sick! We're up and running again now, so I'll be posting more this week.

For my record

Aubrey said, "Mommy, will you put a bandaid on my tummy? Make it all better?"

So I did, and she was "all better". Will a bandaid on my tummy make my flu go away too?

Gifts and snow, snow, snow!

We got 13 inches of snow in the past two days! It's been crazy. Two days last week it was in the 60's, and now it's in the 20's. Doug is like a little kid again with the snow. We went sledding today. We finally bought a sled and wow, this powder is awesome! It's too soft to make a snowman though so we'll be doing that in a few days when it freezes more.

My mom sent the kids a package of goodies and shirts she embroidered. Thanks mom! The kids love them.

Things Aubrey's made

We've been having fun with the books we got at the library: The Playskool Toddler's Busy Play Book and The Toddler's Busy Book. Our latest creations:

A drum/shaker. It's two sturdy paper plates stapled together with beans inside. Try doing the hokey pokey with this!

I love seeing Aubrey so proud of herself.

This is supposed to be a donut. Or it could be a sun...whatever your child wants! We cut out a paper plate and decorated with glitter and some dyed rice for the "sprinkles", then hung it on the window and watched it glow in the sunlight.

This makes me feel better

I started a job today. I'm a substitute for the playland at our gym. I took my kids and played with other kids for four hours, and got paid to have fun. The only thing was that my kids missed their naps, but since lately I don't know the meaning of a schedule, it was no big deal. They're just sleeping now during dinner instead. If only I'd get a free membership because of working there. (I would've if I hadn't signed a contract. When the contract's up I'd get it free, but we'll be out of here by then.) Still, after feeling down and letting the house come to shambles (is that a word?), it was nice to have a reason to get out and go somewhere, and to see Aubrey and Zach enjoying it as well.

Anyway, I just read this and it made me feel much more positive. I love her blog.

I'm nearing my 100th post, so look out because I've got a fun one in store!

That awful feeling

You know those days where you haven't showered at all? Where your house is a mess? Where you're exhausted? Where you wish you hadn't eaten so many desserts last night? And, for those moms out there, where you're covered in spit up? Where your garbage is overloaded with stinky diapers that you haven't taken out? Where you feel like screaming (or maybe do scream)?

That's today.

I guess, once you have kids, you can still go hang out at friends houses and stay up late. But that leaves...consequences. And those can be deadly.

Last week we were gone too much. I never knew a house could fall apart so easily when no one's there to take care of it. You'd think that it would stay clean that way. But no, nature takes its course.

Piles of unfolded laundry. Stacked up dishes because you're on the run before going out the door. Children who are so overtired that they have to be practically forced into bed. Laundry that needs to be done. No milk. No bread. A child who was just bathed and dressed, yet is now drenched in drool and spit up. I thought those days were over.

So what have I done to deal with it? I've been reading and trying to sleep. Haven't cleaned yet. Or showered. And it's 12:15PM. After all, book club is tomorrow night and I can't have the ending spoiled for me. Reading, and letting the kids watch Aristocats over and over. How's that for being a good mom?

I just have to keep reminding myself that someday down the road, I'll look back at these times and miss them. Someday.

P.S. Our new family rule: stock the fridge full of milk and the cars full of gas every weekend.

Our Boy...6 months today

Mommy and Zach

Father and son