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Day DreamsLife in the Cornhusker State May 08 What have we been up to lately?Okay, let's take two or three. I can't tell you how many times I have written a post and it has either not posted or been deleted. *sigh* This one had better work. :)
So, we've been absent for a month...what have we been up to?
We've been working on the yard. Nana and Papa came up a cold, wet weekend a couple weeks ago and got the kids a nice, new playset we need to put together. First, we need to level a corner of the yard though. This is something we are slowly working on. Hopefully, we'll get some more done this weekend. The kids are just so excited (they see the slide and parts in the garage)! We are excited to. Right now, they want to be outside, but it's hard to keep them entertained. Well, right now they are digging in the dirt like their dad and loving it! They aren't loving the bath afterwards though. :)
We spent last saturday in Albion, visiting a St Bernard Breeder who just had puppies! The kids did great with the big dogs and the brand new puppies. Charis was very gentle holding and petting the four day old puppies. We were going to get one, but we are mulling it over a little longer. We've done a lot of research, but were thinking it would be longer out and want to make sure Alex isn't going to be allergic to this one. Time will tell.
Kevin and I have thoroughly enjoyed watching the kids learn new songs, phrases, and skills. I am constantly amazed how quickly Alex picks up on things and what a parrott he is! We got the little potty chair out once when he followed Charis and I to the bathroom (she had to go) and since then he runs to that potty seat and sits on it whenever we ask about potties or a new diaper. I hope this bodes well for future potty training endeavors. He is also saying quite a few new phrases. His favorites? "Where's the ball?" "No more monkeys jumping on the bed" The other day he combined them to, "Monkey, where's my ball? Where'd it go?" Kevin and I exchanged little laughs over that one. It was too cute. Now Charis knows every word to every song in Mulan and Cinderella. She LOVES to sing. If we want to get her interested in something, we have learned to put it to music and make a song. It worked well with getting her to pick up her toys. She has been so happy and chatty lately, it warms my heart. I am loving to watch her play and "help" her daddy with the yard. We have heard a lot of "what are you doing?" from her. She is always willing to help (especially if it means getting dirty or eating something yummy like cookie dough).
I hear this week has been nice but I have been stuck inside, sick with the flu. I think I am on the back side of it though so hopefully I will get to enjoy a little of this weekend. So much to do in the yard and we can't do much with only one parent to work and watch the kids! Oh well. We also have a garage sale coming up in a couple weeks, so I am hoping to get some things put in it. Then, before I am ready for it, it will be memorial day weekend and Charis will turn 4!! Where has the time gone? She was asked what she wanted for her birthday and her immediate reply was, "Cake!". I think we can manage that!
Anyway, I am going to try to get some pictures up. Have a great weekend! April 19 This 'n' ThatHello! Sorry I have been absent lately. I have been reading everyone's blogs and trying to keep up though. :) we've been busy with work and the kids. I am hoping to post some pictures soon, but it still takes too long on this blog. If anyone is interested, I am now on facebook, which is where most of my pictures are at the moment. April 04 Our turn for weatherWe are under a severe thunderstorm watch. Nothing unusual about that for April in Nebraska...but we usually aren't also under a blizzard warning! I am curious to see how this plays out. We are stocked up on food and drink. We have plenty of blankets and warm clothes...I guess it was our turn. All iof the recent snow has gone just north and just south of us. Hopefully I will get to take some pictures.
Speaking of pictures, we are supposed to have a family picture taken in the morning....that may not happen either. I have been meaning to have one taken for quite some time but we have been so busy. I guess we still are, but I am finally making the time. I also need to get some of each of the kids. They are growing so fast! I can't believe Charis is going to be 4 and Alex is going to be 18 months next month!
We are thinking about a dog again. This time it would be my dog and I want a St. Bernard. Yes, a big, drooly, lovey St Bernard. I know, I know, what about Alex? Well, we are going to do some testing there. It has come to our attention that it might have been Max that Alex was allergic to. My co-worker and her boyfriend kept Max for a couple of months while her aunt (who took Max for us) was out of the states, and they had a reaction to him as well. They have two other indoor dogs and don't usually have allergy problems with them. We are going to see how Alex does around some other family dogs and see if we can meet with a local St. Bernard breeder to spend some time with the dogs and see how Alex does, as well as get them used to the idea of something so big. It also give Kevin and I a chance to learn some more about the dogs themselves and their habits. In the end, we can hopefully adopt one from a rescue or an animal shelter, rather than buy one, but we shall see how it goes.
Anyway, this weekend...we are resting. I am once again sick with something. I felt fine when I got to work yesterday, but by eleven I was achey, chilled, congested, and exhausted. I am doing better today, but constantly need something for terrible headaches. I think more sleep is in order. Good thing we may get snowed in! I guess it could be the change in the weather coming. I hate to see all of our grass that has started turning green....covered in snow. Ugh. I thought we were done with snow. Anyway, I'll hopefully post some pictures later and get another post in this weekend. Hope everyone is doing well! March 25 I love you threeAs I type tonight I am singing my heart out in an attempt to release some pent-up tension and stress. It seems to attract Charis's attention and make her smile (which if course, makes me smile). Lately I feel like God is testing me and no matter how hard I try, I feel like I am just barely passing. People tell me that I seem to have it all together and they wish they could be more organized as I am. If only they knew I am always one tiny string away from coming unraveled. My children and my competitive nature keep me going from day to day. I never feel that balance between work and family, much less work, family, and school. At the same time, I wouldn't change a thing, because I don't think I would appreciate all I do have as much.
"I love you three." Simple little words spoken by my daughter to her Nana last weekend, but they seem to be burned into my brain and my heart. I can't help but smile when I think about that sweet little phrase (and it is now one of her phrases). How did it start? Well...Nana gave Ms. Charis a hug to which Charis said, "I love you." Nana, with big smiles, said, "I love you, too". Charis, of course, came back with, "I love you three." Three seems to be her limit, but she said it with such sincerity, as though she knew how much her Nana and I needed to hear it. I don't think we even knew we needed it. Since then, she has told it to me several times. The look in her eye and the smile on her face...I will never forget. I'm pretty sure she's one of God's Angel's in disguise. February 24 Another Crazy WeekHello again! I hope everyone is doing well. We are managing just fine around here. Staying busy as always. The kids are learning to play together better and on occasion work together to get something they want. It's pretty darn adorable. So, without further ado, some highlights since my last post:
* Charis taught Alexander how to put a finger to his lips and say "shhhhh." This was priceless. Now, when he is not "shhhh"-ing us, he is blowing beautiful kisses and saying "night-night" and "bye-bye". Lots of little waves and high-five's.
* Charis is growing as a big sister. I regularly hear her encouraging Alex, whether it's climbing up the stairs or climing up on the couch (which is his new talent this week). She gets big grins when he gets something, just as though she were the one to make the accomplishment.
* Alex had his 15 month check-up on monday. My boy is still getting tall (in the 89th percentile) but is maintaining his 24 lb weight. He is pretty active and pretty regularly out-eats his dad! The doctor said he is happy and healthy! Yea!
* Charis has not only learned how to write her name, she can spell it without seeing it as well! What a nice surprise. I am hoping to continue working with her on this writing/spelling thing!
* I am taking a math class through the university (I start tomorrow, with any luck). If I can get an A in algebra, I can get an A in anything...so that is my goal. :)
* New recipes that are a hit with my picky family! I have also been making cookies every weekend with my mixer! The girls at work are loving it and I am enjoying having my little helper (charis)! She looks so darn cute in her little apron!
Hopefully I'll get to post some pictures soon, but for now, enjoy the post and have a great week! February 13 Snow **updated**I got an unexpected day off today due to the snow. There was no school and therefore no daycare...and it is snowing outside. They say we could get anywhere from 4 to 9 inches today. If it continues at it's current pace...I can see that. I had things to get done at work, but I am enjoying the time with my kids. We sang countless rounds of our ABC's; had a nice breakfast with yogurt and toast with jelly; and my big girl got dressed all by herself! She is getting so independent! Alex is talking up a storm with lots of "more, more" phrases (this usually pertains to food though). It's amazing how well he gets his point accross sometimes. If we aren't understanding the words, he takes us where he wants to go and motions as much as he can until we get it. Children are just so darn creative!
Charis is writing her name and drawing some great people at preschool. The teachers are working very hard with her to teach her how to write more and read (as are we at home). I can always get her to go to her classroom just by mentioning writing. She LOVES it! I do tend to think she draws her name more than writes it, but we'll see. She also uses both hands equally well. The teachers aren't sure what to make of that. :)
Alexander will be starting a new classroom on monday which we are all looking forward to. More areas to explore and ways to play without the little babies in the way. As I said he is imitating sounds and "talking" quite a bit. We understand more words and phrases, such as "more"; "bye-bye", "hi"; and "thank you". He tries to get things all by himself although he doesn't yet have the ability to reach most things. He has opened the refrigerator door a coulpe of times, but so far he isn't doing it regularly (which is why we still have food left).
Alexander was sick with what we believe to be RSV, however, after a week on the nebulizer and a change of medicine, he is finally doing better and back to his happy, healthy self! We missed those smiles when he wasn't feeling well. The poor little guy had an ear infection at the same time!
Anyway, after nap, I think we are going to try to go outside for a bit and maybe build a snowman. Charis is itching to play in the snow and I don't think Alex has gotten to experience more than a few seconds running from the car to the door at daycare. Hopefully, the snow won't be coming down quite so hard by then and we can just enjoy!
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
****update***we ended up with 8.3 inches of snow! Whew! My shoulder still hurts after shoveling the driveway yesterday, but the kids has a great time sledding. Kevin and Charis had a snowball fight full of big grins and giggles!  |
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