Wowzers, this has been quite a busy few days. And again, not a photo to be found in this post ... sorry, I'll have to post some later on! (and then all you friends will be inundated with more pics of my family than you'll ever want to see ...) :)
Chad's parents came Thursday night, we spent Friday at BJ's and cleaning up and preparing, and on Saturday we had Chloe's first birthday party. In the 100 degree heat. Probably the 1st of many hot birthday parties - the joys of being born in July, I suppose. But we had a great old time anyhow. It was really fun to have Chad's family and mine together.
This morning we had Chloe dedicated at our church and since we had a TON of food left over, we had another semi-impromptu gathering at our house with all the family that came to the dedication along with the pastor & his wife. Only this time it was only 95 degrees out. :) Boy, am I ready for the fall. Well, at least the fall weather. Anyhow, after lunch I did 4 loads of laundry, gathered clothing for me & the kids, got some food together to bring along, etc. and tomorrow morning we are headed with Chad's parents to Ocean City for "vacation" ... hopefully it will truly be a vacation! I don't know how on earth we are going to fit all of us and all of our stuff in our van ... but one way or another we will get there. I'm looking forward to the beach and boardwalk!
In other news, Chloe is about this close to walking. Today she was taking a lot of steps and I think in the next week or so here we will have a walker. I think those little baby steps are just the cutest!
I don't know if I'll have internet access this week ... if not - see you in a week!
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
If she only knew ...
Today Audrey & Carter were begging to go outside to play. Mind you, we had spent a few hours outside playing with friends midday, but now it was 4:30 and their internal clocks were saying "let us outside!"
I was stalling because, frankly, I did not want to go out into the 90-odd degree heat AGAIN. I finally said - "Audrey, I really don't want to go outside to play again."
Audrey paused and said "You know, Mommy, you can't always get to do everything you want to do all the time."
It was all I could do not to laugh my head off right then and there. Always doing everything I want to do? Oh my. If only ...
And then I took the kids outside to play. She can't claim that I only got to do what I wanted to today!
I was stalling because, frankly, I did not want to go out into the 90-odd degree heat AGAIN. I finally said - "Audrey, I really don't want to go outside to play again."
Audrey paused and said "You know, Mommy, you can't always get to do everything you want to do all the time."
It was all I could do not to laugh my head off right then and there. Always doing everything I want to do? Oh my. If only ...
And then I took the kids outside to play. She can't claim that I only got to do what I wanted to today!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
The dollar store
Yup, another Carter story. They say such funny things at this age!
Yesterday I took Chloe to get some pictures taken and Audrey tagged along to help out. While we were gone Chad & Carter ran a few errands.
When I got home I asked Carter where they went. He said they went to the dollar store (which is not one of the places Chad mentioned heading to).
So I asked Chad - "did you go to the dollar store?" and he said no. I said - "Carter said you went to the dollar store, I wonder why he's mentioning that?" But sometimes Carter says random things about places he went 6 months ago, so I just chalked it up to that.
As I put him to bed last night, I said "Buddy, did you have a fun day today? What was the most fun?"
He usually doesn't answer really because he doesn't have a good sense of what "today" means (again, he might mention something that happened two weeks ago ...) So to jog his memory (and help him understand what "today" means) I brought up his lunch out with Daddy at the pizza place ... and again he brought up the dollar store.
I said, "Carter, Daddy said you didn't go to the dollar store today."
He looked at me and said "Yes, we went to the bank."
Aha. Dollar store = Bank! Chad did mention a trip to the bank ...
It does make sense when you think about it. You go to the grocery store to get groceries, and you go to the "dollar store" to get dollars.
Never know just what he might say next.
Yesterday I took Chloe to get some pictures taken and Audrey tagged along to help out. While we were gone Chad & Carter ran a few errands.
When I got home I asked Carter where they went. He said they went to the dollar store (which is not one of the places Chad mentioned heading to).
So I asked Chad - "did you go to the dollar store?" and he said no. I said - "Carter said you went to the dollar store, I wonder why he's mentioning that?" But sometimes Carter says random things about places he went 6 months ago, so I just chalked it up to that.
As I put him to bed last night, I said "Buddy, did you have a fun day today? What was the most fun?"
He usually doesn't answer really because he doesn't have a good sense of what "today" means (again, he might mention something that happened two weeks ago ...) So to jog his memory (and help him understand what "today" means) I brought up his lunch out with Daddy at the pizza place ... and again he brought up the dollar store.
I said, "Carter, Daddy said you didn't go to the dollar store today."
He looked at me and said "Yes, we went to the bank."
Aha. Dollar store = Bank! Chad did mention a trip to the bank ...
It does make sense when you think about it. You go to the grocery store to get groceries, and you go to the "dollar store" to get dollars.
Never know just what he might say next.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Let her eat cake
Hey, guess what everyone? I'm one!
My big party isn't til next week but we had fun celebrating just the 5 of us today.My family got me a princess cake.
Mommy took all my clothes off because she knew that I was gonna make a big mess!
When I saw that piece of cake, I didn't mess around. I picked up the whole thing and shoved it right into my mouth.
It was really good!
Why is everyone laughing at me?
Hmmm, how much can I fit in my mouth?
Delish.
That was really good, now what else can I eat?
Maybe this plate will taste good too?
Hmm... these hands are feeling pretty disgusting now.
Come on now, clean me up already!
And I mean now! My bozo hair has got to go!
Aaaah, much better now. :)Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Sisters
This morning I saw Chloe and Audrey interacting and I said - "Audrey, I am really happy for you."
She asked why.
I said "Because you have a sister. Now that I am a grown-up, I REALLY wish I had a sister. Some day you and Chloe will be able to share secrets, do each other's hair and nails, share a room, be in each other's weddings, hopefully babysit each other's kids. It will be so great."
She just smiled. [And then added that poor Carter needs a brother ... to which I said - "that would be nice for Carter ... but we are not planning on having any more kids." ]
And sidenote - I am very happy to have a brother. I am just saying I would ALSO like a sister too.
Anyhow, this afternoon, before Chloe's nap, this is what I saw:
It makes my heart so happy. :)
Aren't they a sweet pair?
She asked why.
I said "Because you have a sister. Now that I am a grown-up, I REALLY wish I had a sister. Some day you and Chloe will be able to share secrets, do each other's hair and nails, share a room, be in each other's weddings, hopefully babysit each other's kids. It will be so great."
She just smiled. [And then added that poor Carter needs a brother ... to which I said - "that would be nice for Carter ... but we are not planning on having any more kids." ]
And sidenote - I am very happy to have a brother. I am just saying I would ALSO like a sister too.
Anyhow, this afternoon, before Chloe's nap, this is what I saw:
It makes my heart so happy. :)
Aren't they a sweet pair?Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Today
The bad news today is:
Chad is out of town.
For 5 days.
I didn't sleep well last night.
Carter and Chloe woke up at 6:30 am.
Chloe has come down with a cold.
Carter decided he didn't want to take a nap today.
Chloe has decided that an hour and change is enough of a nap lately.
Audrey talks. a. lot.
Chloe played in the toilet today. Twice. And learned how to flush it too.
It was 90+ and humid, and the kids wanted to play outside.
Chloe choked on part of her dinner and threw it up.
Carter out and out refused to eat his dinner.
I am wiped. out.
The good news is:
Audrey is enjoying her swimming lessons.
I had EXACTLY $1 in change in my wallet to buy us soft pretzels at the Y - 3 for $1.
My friend Patti and her girls came over to play this morning and kept us company.
And they brought homemade granola.
Chad is having a good trip so far.
Chloe is enjoying trying to walk. And we are enjoying watching her!
Audrey and Carter spontaneously played hide-n-seek with each other. Twice.
The kids had fun riding their bikes with our neighbor friends.
Audrey's yucky tooth that has been hanging there for ages finally fell out.
The kids and I had popcorn and giggled through Wipeout this evening.
Oreos are a cure for what ails you.
I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
Monday, July 12, 2010
It's only a matter of time
By the way, have you seen the latest forecast?
Hurricane Chloe has hit our house and is leaving a trail of destruction in her wake.
My pantry may never be the same...Thursday, July 8, 2010
Really long, overdue post
Wow, the past week has been a whirlwind ... but full of great, great times with family and friends. But I feel like I am just coming up for air now. I'd better take a bunch of deep breaths though, because next week I am on my own. Yup, Chad is off to California for 5 days for a work project. Commence praying for me now!
Back to the good times. Quick, before I start to hyperventilate about being alone with the kids from Monday to Friday ... (I know some people's husbands travel all the time. Well, mine doesn't so I'm not used to this!)
Just a warning - this is kind of long with lots of photos.
Last Saturday we piled the kids and half our possessions (well, it seemed like half our possessions) in the car and headed to Long Island to spend the day with family ... and celebrate our niece Brooke's 1st birthday.
Brooke and Chloe were born just 19 days apart. I am hoping that they will be great friends some day ... but for now this is about as close as they came to paying attention to each other. :)
The party started with a dedication ceremony performed by my father in law.
For those readers who may be unfamiliar with a baby dedication, it is simply a time where parents publicly promise to raise their child to know and love God, and ask family, friends and their church to help them to this end. Kind of similar to a baptism, minus the water.
Chad's Mom Peggy, Josh's Mom Magda (party hostess!) and Josh with Brooke and also another cute little family member named Bernadette.
Opening presents.
Brooke with her birthday cupcake. That she could not have cared less about. In fact, she ...
.... threw it over the side of her high chair. I have never seen a baby refuse their cake, but I have now seen it all! :0)
My little fish Audrey enjoyed the pool. A lot.
Chloe spent most of her day charming the pants off of complete strangers. Smiling, giggling, baby talking. Despite very little in the way of naps. I am so thankful that she is such a happy little thing....
...well, usually she is a happy little thing. Apparently she is not a fan of getting her picture taken on the 4th of July. Just keepin' it real here, folks.
On the night of the 4th, some of our best friends, the Voges', came for a visit from Illinois! Yippee! It had been 3 years since we had seen them.
On Monday, we had planned to do something outdoors but 95 degrees and humid put the kibosh on that. We opted for bowling instead.
Audrey and Caleb, who were best buddies for their first 2 years. They don't remember it, but Caleb's mom Heather and I enjoyed so many lunches and playdates together that first few years. Great, great memories for me.
Just for fun:
Here are Audrey & Caleb at Caleb's 1st birthday party! All I have to say is - Wow. Times have changed.
Sweet Jillian, their 5 year old
Later we ate our picnic indoors ... but we still made smores in the backyard despite the heat.
And what 4th of July celebration would be complete without fireworks?
Here is Carter being trained in pyrotechnics from an early age ... yikes.
Yeah, he seems to enjoy it.
Audrey seems to enjoy it too. Remind me to hide all the matches in the house ...
Watching the fireworks with a wee bit of uncertainty ;) Don't worry, we didn't burn anything down.
Happy Belated Independence Day!
Back to the good times. Quick, before I start to hyperventilate about being alone with the kids from Monday to Friday ... (I know some people's husbands travel all the time. Well, mine doesn't so I'm not used to this!)
Just a warning - this is kind of long with lots of photos.
Last Saturday we piled the kids and half our possessions (well, it seemed like half our possessions) in the car and headed to Long Island to spend the day with family ... and celebrate our niece Brooke's 1st birthday.
Brooke and Chloe were born just 19 days apart. I am hoping that they will be great friends some day ... but for now this is about as close as they came to paying attention to each other. :)
The party started with a dedication ceremony performed by my father in law.For those readers who may be unfamiliar with a baby dedication, it is simply a time where parents publicly promise to raise their child to know and love God, and ask family, friends and their church to help them to this end. Kind of similar to a baptism, minus the water.
Chad's Mom Peggy, Josh's Mom Magda (party hostess!) and Josh with Brooke and also another cute little family member named Bernadette.
Opening presents.
Brooke with her birthday cupcake. That she could not have cared less about. In fact, she ...
.... threw it over the side of her high chair. I have never seen a baby refuse their cake, but I have now seen it all! :0)
My little fish Audrey enjoyed the pool. A lot.
Chloe spent most of her day charming the pants off of complete strangers. Smiling, giggling, baby talking. Despite very little in the way of naps. I am so thankful that she is such a happy little thing....
...well, usually she is a happy little thing. Apparently she is not a fan of getting her picture taken on the 4th of July. Just keepin' it real here, folks.On the night of the 4th, some of our best friends, the Voges', came for a visit from Illinois! Yippee! It had been 3 years since we had seen them.
On Monday, we had planned to do something outdoors but 95 degrees and humid put the kibosh on that. We opted for bowling instead.
Audrey and Caleb, who were best buddies for their first 2 years. They don't remember it, but Caleb's mom Heather and I enjoyed so many lunches and playdates together that first few years. Great, great memories for me.
Just for fun:Here are Audrey & Caleb at Caleb's 1st birthday party! All I have to say is - Wow. Times have changed.
Sweet Jillian, their 5 year old
Later we ate our picnic indoors ... but we still made smores in the backyard despite the heat.
And what 4th of July celebration would be complete without fireworks?Here is Carter being trained in pyrotechnics from an early age ... yikes.
Yeah, he seems to enjoy it.
Audrey seems to enjoy it too. Remind me to hide all the matches in the house ...
Watching the fireworks with a wee bit of uncertainty ;) Don't worry, we didn't burn anything down.
Happy Belated Independence Day!Thursday, July 1, 2010
You know summer is off to a good start when ...
... you're eating some corn on the cob.
... you're sporting a chocolate ice cream 'stache and goatee.
... you're spending the night with Daddy in a tent in the backyard.
... when you're making (and eating) some s'mores.
... and best of all - when you're gettin' some love from one of your favorite little people ever. On your new deck. :)I know - no pictures of Chloe. By evening she is happily sleeping away!
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