A long two week Christmas recap

Oh hello.  I know it's been two weeks.  So sorry.  Christmas really did me in this year.  It seems it did someone else in too.

Although I didn't have something every night, it sure felt that way.  Also, I haven't moved my pictures from the camera to the laptop, but it wouldn't matter anyway...I'm at work right now.  So I'll highlight with what I've got on the phone and them maybe tomorrow I'll just have a post with pictures from the camera.  No words?  Yeah right.

The weekend before Christmas the kids and I went with Mom, Dad, and Ashley to Grandy's for Christmas with Mom's side of the family.  We left on Friday after work and came back on Sunday afternoon.  Luke had a great time with his first presents of the season.  He loved the truck set that Grandy got for him and had fun with Hayden (my cousin's son that is a year older than him) Unfortunately I did not get any pictures with my phone that weekend, that will have to come from the camera later. 

The following Tuesday was Luke's class Christmas party and I was able to attend.  Yay!

I sat with him as he ate lunch, made a snowman, and decorated a cookie.  Which you can see from the photo had a plethora of sprinkles on it.  Dude didn't want any of the choices to feel left out.  Also, the weird smile is all I could get from him when prompted to smile on cue. 

Wednesday there wasn't church or Wednesday Nite Bite, so I was forced to prepare dinner for my family.  By Thursday I was totally over it and just ordered a pizza.  I would like to congratulate myself on how little I actually order pizza.  It's a rare treat in this house, which is odd for someone who hates cooking as much as I do.

We found a movie on tv and settled in. 

Friday the 23rd, I had off of work.  Can I just say hallelujah?!  We stayed in our pj's for awhile, before going shopping with Mom and Ashley. 

While we were still jammie mode, I found the boy playing cars in bed.  We had all reached a new low of lazy that day.  But the shopping more than made up for it.  My mommy bought me a pretty new dress at New York and Company.....

which I wore to dinner that night. 

Normally we do Christmas with my family on Christmas Eve, but Ashley had to work that night this year so we pushed it up to the 23rd.  We had our traditional Macaroni Grill dinner and then presents and dessert at Mom and Dad's.  Again Luke had a great time not only opening his presents, but "helping" Evan with her's and mine.  And whom ever else would let him.  One thing Luke received was a new camo duffel bag with his name emboirdered on it, and he LOVED it.  Isn't that the funniest thing?!  Evan got herself a new pair of TOMS. 

Mom just couldn't resist the silver sparkle.  And I can't resist those fat legs with eye catching glitter.  I'm going to be devastated when all her baby fat is gone. 

The next morning was another lazy one.  We hung around the house on Christmas Eve, playing until it was time to go to my grandmother's for lunch and Christmas with Dad's side of the family.  At one point I walked into Luke's bathroom to find him sitting in tub chowing down on his carton of goldfish Nana had put in his stocking the night before.  Just as natural as if that's what everybody does.  So what did I do?  Plunked Evan girl right in there with him. 

And then that sweet big brother decided that his sister needed a hug.
 

I could just cry over that picture every time I see it.  At Grandmother's I finally took the time to repaint my toes.  And then I got a little carried away.

Girlfriend didn't even know what happened to her.

By dinner time we were back home with left overs.  We fixed Santa's plate and milk and letter, got baths, read Twas the Night Before Christmas, and then it was time.  Time for the magic of Christmas to happen.

Christmas morning came at 7 for us.  Cody wanted to watch the kids open their presents, so I held Luke off until 8:30 when he got there.  Santa only fills the stockings at our house and Luke was THRILLED with this little travel mug that looks like my coffee mugs Santa had brought him.  He's wanted his milk out of it ever since.  I fixed this amazing french toast bake for breakfast, and then (since Christmas fell on a Sunday this year), we went off to church.  Cody took the kids with him after the service for their traditional Christmas at his grandmother's for the rest of the day.  I'm not going to lie and say it wasn't a bit depressing to be by myself on Christmas day (granted, I could have gone to the movies with Mom and Dad).  I sat on the couch the entire day watching tv, reading, eating cold pizza, and napping.  I tried to console myself with the thoughts of blessings that I had a whole day to myself, which never happens, but it didn't help much. They got back about 8:30 that night so it was pretty much straight to bed for both of them.  They had a great day though.  Cody's dad found two little functional railroad crossing signs that Luke has been obsessed with.  They travel from room to room with him.

Monday I had off of work too.  I took down the tree, cleaned up the house, got us ready for the rest of the week.  The only time we left the house was for groceries, which is what Evan was sleeping through in that very first photo up there.  All in all, it was an excellent holiday.  I'm so very thankful that I was able to spend the entire thing at home and not have to travel.  Really made it seem like more of a break.  Thankful for family that showered blessings on me and my kids.  Thankful that we made it through our first post-separation/divorce without any fights or issues or anything.  Hopefully it will continue to be a smooth transition in a rough time.  The only thing I didn't get to do that I wanted was Christmas cards.  First time in 4 years I didn't get around to them, but every time I wanted to take a picture something came up or it was raining or I just forgot.  Maybe I'll send out Valentine's day cards this year instead.

Where's the spirit?

At Nana's before church.  That chubby cheeked little girl is now 17.9 lbs and 26 inches long, per her well check on Monday.  That's 75% for both.  At least she's not the 99% anymore!

Blah, for some reason I have not really been able to get into the Christmas spirit this year.  I kinda miss it.  I think it's mostly due to the non-stop pace of life I seem to be living right now.  Every evening I'm amazed the I've managed to get two kids fed, at least one bathed, and both in bed by 8:30.  The day to day just doesn't seem to have room for the extras like Christmas festivities.  Sure we've seen Santa, Luke and I discuss the same lights on the same houses on our same road routes every day, and I'm trying to have fun with Train the Elf. 

Hanging on Mom's tree- my first Christmas ornament

Except Train hasn't moved in two days.  I forgot Monday night, so yesterday I tried convince Luke that he was playing a trick on us and went back to his same spot.  I forgot again last night to move him.  Whoops.  I don't think Train should play the same trick three days in row, so I'm gonna have to swing by the house and run in before church tonight. 

He just had to be right in the action.

I think a part of my Christmas blah-ness is all this controversy about Santa and whether it's okay or not okay to do it.  First I read this article.  It bummed me out.  We did Santa growing up and it never occurred to me that people had this view.  It also made me think about what I was teaching Luke about the meaning of Christmas.  I asked him if he knew why we had Christmas.  His answer?  Santa. 

Fail.

I gently told him no, it's when we pretend that Jesus was born and we are so thankful that He came to save us that we celebrate each year.  It's almost like a birthday party for Jesus.  And then I read this article.  I felt so much better.  I really like what this girl has to say and am planning to read it frequently to keep it fresh in my mind.  I like how she meshed the two things and really would like to be more like it. 

She's actually asleep, but I thought it was so funny.  Can't you see this expression in 12 years directed pointedly at me?!

So all of that has been weighing my mind.  What else has been going on?  Just the day to day.  We had our company Christmas party on Saturday night and I had the best time.  It was a casino themed party and I won and iPad 2!  So thankful.

(excuse the messy background...but look!  Eyeshadow! And I teased my hair for the first time ever!)

The kids have been up and down health wise. You would never know it looking at Evan (except she doesn't sleep quite as well. Maybe teeth?) Luke has been having tummy troubles that I'm pretty certain is due to excess drainage. We've all been a little stopped up in the nasal area. Just been trying to stay positive about life, trust that I'm being taken care of and recognize when I am, and stay hopeful about the future. The lesson a couple of weeks ago at The Village was about how we are hard wired to live hopefully and it really struck a chord with me.

She just couldn't sleep one night.  :(

Sorry for the bummer of a post.  On a positive note, Luke has been his funny self.  Last night we were going over (again) why we had Christmas and he said it was because Jesus was boring.  Oh I laughed.  And then corrected him that it's just born, not born-ing, which is what he was attempting to say.  There is NOTHING boring about Jesus.  Just look at my life.  He's also convinced himself that going to the doctor is wonderful.  Last night instead of sleeping he was calling me, telling me he needed to go to the doctor because his back hurt and it needed to be looked at and fixed.  Apparently he's 3 going on 60.

Movie night on Friday...all three of us huddled under a blanket.  See, life isn't all blahness.  :)

We saw him

Tonight the kids got to visit Santa.  Luke wasn't scared at all, he knew exactly what he was going to tell him.  I even made sure that he knew it was his job to show Evan what to do since it was her first time and he'd done it three times all ready.  But first.....we had to get through pictures.  Oh the pictures.

What do you think the lesser of two evils are- the one from the place with good lighting but Luke's face looks almost high (similar to last year's picture) and Evan's face says "Oh dear. I'm a bit concerned.":

Or the one I got with my camera that is blurry with off coloring because I wasn't able to check the camera settings while trying to juggle.

I know.  We have a great track record with our pictures.  Luke told Santa all about the "ding dings" that he wants, but when I ushered him away from the big guy he looked up at me with these big eyes and asked "Mom where's my toy?"

Fail.  I didn't make the connection that Santa has to find out what he wants before he can actually bring it.  Broke my heart a little because he was being a really sweet boy the whole time.  Lesson learned for Evan girl.

p.s.- Did you see the 6 month pictures I added to Evan's monthly letter?  The one of her laughing has to be my very favorite picture ever in the whole wide world of pictures ever taken.

Picture and a disaster

This weekend Mom and I took Evan to get her six  month photos for the wall.

Yep. They are still siblings.

I spent most of Saturday afternoon trying to make key lime pie balls....turned out to be a horrible mess.  I got some key steps out of order and made the candy coating too hot so it started seizing up.  They were meant to be a pretty dessert for a baby shower today, and they ended up being ugly ugly clumps.  I didn't end up going to the shower today, but Shae said they were a hit.  I asked her if she was just being nice.  Turns out they tasted much better than they looked and there were none left!  I probably should have kept a couple for myself....

What did I do instead of go to the baby shower?  I cleaned.  The state of my house was starting to mess with my psyche, so I spent the entire day (after church of course) cleaning.  Thankfully I got it all done.

One other thing that we started this weekend was Elf on a Shelf.  I'm sure you've heard of it.  What did Luke name his elf this morning?  Why Train of course.  What else would he pick.  And if we weren't so good friends with a certain Mr. Trane Wyatt, then I probably would have made him pick something else.  And this was before he picked up a couple of pennies on our way out the door for bible class (which I'm teaching Evan's class this quarter, starting today) and said "I got my cash Mom, let's go!"  Tonight he was running around the couch and I asked him what a better choice was than running (he got a giant knot on his head from slamming into a wall after running inside) to which he replied "Oh, I'm just being careful Mom."  Sometimes I have no idea what to do with him.

(it's currently more scabbed over and developing a purplish yellow ring around the edges)

Also, tonight I let Evan have her first taste of jar food.  Green beans.  She liked the taste MUCH better than that of the cereal, we are just going to have to work on her not pushing the food right back out with that little tongue of hers.

Six Months

 
My beloved Evan girl.  You are 6 months old today.  I get a little teary thinking about how much time has already passed so quickly and it's not slowing down.  I can't even wrap my brain around the fact that half of your first year is already gone.  It feels like you just arrived yesterday, yet I have trouble remembering you first hand as a squishy newborn.  I've been trying to just hold you and stare at you in the evenings so maybe in 6 more months I'll still be able to remember you as the sweet baby you are. 

And girlfriend, you are the sweetest baby.  I just can't get over how happy you are, all the time.  Even when you were sick.  It's another thing I'm trying to just drink in.  As that brother of yours runs around like a maniac, says crazy things, gets ornery with me, asserts his budding independence and personal views, I just hold you and cuddle with you, convinced that you will always be this sweet and perfect baby.  It also makes me wonder what is going to happen in your life.  What mistakes you are going to make.  Where your heart will take you.  You are my girl. 

Lovie lou, you are getting bigger every day.  You are firmly in size 6-9 months (and can even wear a few size 12 month things) for clothes and a size 3 for diaper.  You still nurse/take a bottle about 5 times a day.  When you nurse and it's either not letting down fast enough or you have to switch sides, your mad fuss has turned in to this squeally whine that totally fast forwards me 12 years. "Mooooooom, I don't wanna stop for a minuuuuuuuute."  You totally lunge for anything within a 5 mile radius of your arms and.....get this.....you can sit up.  Yep.  You balance with you chubby little arms like a baby bird but can stay up right for a few minutes before you eventually topple over.  You still love your big brother and adore all that he does.  You watch him intently, want his toys, and beam with glee when he gives you attention (which is is still more than happy to do). 

One thing you don't love?  Cereal.  I've tried several times now to get you to take cereal from a spoon, and every time I put a tiny bite in your mouth you give me a snotty look with an air of prissiness as if to say "You've got to be kidding. I am not eating that stuff." before you spit it back out.  Today marks the day that I can technically start you on jar food, so maybe when I remember to get some from the store we'll just jump right into that.  Fingers crossed it goes better.

Something else you've started is not only recognizing me as someone special, but being totally delighted to see me at the end of the day.  Your grandparents were dropping you off on Monday and you practically jumped out of Grandad's arms when I walked up.  Does this Momma heart something good.

So Miss Evan Elaine, that is what you have been up to this last month.  We've had your first encounter with sickness (including first breathing treatments and first oral meds), first time with food, first little kiss (I swear the other day you gave me a kiss....you had big eyes and a wide open mouth on my jaw.  More likely it was the closest thing to chew on, but I believe what I choose to believe.), your first Thanksgiving.  This next month will bring your first Christmas and the close to your birth year.  I love you, my darling, and I'm cherishing every moment with you.

Christmas is coming

So this weekend I decorated the house for Christmas.  And when I say "house", I mean I put up the tree, decorated the fireplace, and changed out the lemons on the formal dining room table for ornaments. 

There was a certain little boy in my house that was totally thrilled.  He must have told me a hundred times on Friday "Thank you Mommy for the Kissmass twee!"  I love that kid.  It's also started some heavy conversation about Santa.  I asked him what he wanted Santa to bring him this year.  His response?  Cookies. 

Okay.  I can handle that.

Then I asked more directly, what toys would he want Santa to bring him?  A ding ding wif a awm and fwashing red lights.  (that would be a functioning railroad crossing arm for those of you that aren't fluent in Luke-speak)  Great.  Where am I supposed to find that?  He's also asked about a million times when Santa was going to come.  I will be making a count-down calender for him soon to help quell the question.

Saturday I didn't need to do my normal housecleaning since I'd taken care of it all before I left town, so I was able to do the things I never ever EVER get around to.  My refrigerator looks brand new.  All bedding from mattress pad to comforter on mine and Luke's bed is clean.  There is nary a dust bunny from the ceiling fans to the carpets.  That would be a big thanks to Mom for that one- my vacuum cleaner died the minute I turned it on that morning, and I called her to see if I could go get theirs while they were still out of town.  Turns out she found one on sale for Black Friday for $36 and snagged it for me.  Whoo hoo!  Do you know how thrilling it is to vacuum and not stink up the house?! 

Saturday night I took the kids to The Village.  We didn't get there late by any means, in fact we were 20 minutes early, but Evan's class was all ready full.  Boo.  That meant I had to bring baby girl into the service with me.  I was afraid the music would be to loud for her, but she was an angel.  Well, an angel up until 10 minutes before the lesson was over and she was so done with being held. 

Sunday I just let us all sleep in.  Next week I start teaching Evan's bible class for the winter quarter, which not only means we must be there but be there early.  Yikes.  Get two kids plus myself up, ready, and out of the door early.  We'll see how this goes.  So this Sunday we just played hooky and to our last chance to relax.  By Sunday night I'd been at the house with the kids for three straight days, only leaving for church Saturday night, and I was super restless.  Thankfully Mom and Dad were home by then and let me bring the kids over while I had dinner with a friend.  There was adult conversation that DIDN'T revolve around when Santa was coming or what the latest status on the train table was.  I love my kids more than anything in the word, but sometimes a girl just has talk about something else for awhile.

Thanksgiving Break

Ahhhh.  I'm sitting here in the living room with only the glow of the Christmas tree lights on and a cup of hot pumpkin spice tea beside me.  Children are not only in bed, but finally quiet.  Luke has taken to narrating his life in song these days, and they can last for hours after the lights go out.

They are finally healthy-ish, I believe.  Luke has had some digestive issues over the last few days, but thankfully today there were no episodes. We'll get to that later.

Tuesday I got off work at 3 and picked up Ashley on my way home.  Mom had the kids that day, so we swung by my house to get my suitcase, then over to Mom's to pack in her new Pilot.  We were headed down the road to Colorado City by 4:30, and we made good time.  We laughed, fiddled around learning all the new tricks the car could do, Luke and I watched Happy Feet on the dvd player, and at one point we stopped at Sonic for dinner.

My sweet happy girl in the car.

The only problem?  Luke talked the entire way there.  Literally.  He talked over the movie.  He echoed the voice commands Mom programed into the car.  He sang his own songs.  His little voice was made known the entire 4 hour trip.  What was one way to combat that?  Turn the music up.  We tried to convince him to move to the music and have a "dance party", but he didn't fall for it for very long.  Ashley even employed a strobe light feature using the flash light feature on her phone. Obviously we know how to have a good time. Eventually we made it to Grandy's.

Wednesday was just a lazy day.  Aunt Patty had already bought most of the fixings for Thursday's big lunch so we just hung around.

   

Maybe he'll be musically inclined like me.

Ashley had never been to the museum where Aunt Patty works, so we headed there after nap time.  Dinner was grilled out side- hamburgers with all the fixings.  I took the kids' back to Grandy's house fairly early for baths and bed, then just enjoyed the quiet for once where there was nothing I felt like I should be doing.

Thursday we again took it easy in the morning.  Layed in bed for awhile (I was on the pull out in the living room, so I could be "in bed" yet in charge of my children at the same time.  Not a terrible concept!)  I got me and the kids ready just in time to be back down the street at Aunt Patty's for our 1:00 lunch.  Lord have mercy did I stuff myself. 

You better believe I ate this ENTIRE plate of food.  Plus a slice of pie.

But then we went down town to a couple of boutiques that were open on Thanksgiving day, and we walked some of it off.  Such a Goodlett tradition.  Girls visit and shop, while all the boys went hunting.  Well, except for Dad.  He took Luke back to Grandy's for a nap.

West Texas: where cotton grows in the street.

We had a grand time, but soon it was time for me to pack up the kids and head home.  Dad had driven out on Wednesday night in my car since he had to work all day that day, which left me free to leave whenever I wanted.  I wanted all day Friday to get the house ready for Christmas so Thursday night I headed back with my babies. 

That's, unfortunately, when Luke's digestive issues decided to kick back in.  We were in a rather desolate stretch of highway that had gone down to one lane due to construction, when he started moaning.  Talk about panic mode.  It was 15 minutes before the highway opened back up and there was a gas station.  Blessedly it was open at 9:30 on Thanksgiving night.  I rushed him inside with Evan in her seat on my arm and then had to WAIT for a stall to open up.  There should be a special bathroom for preschool emergencies.  Thankfully the handicap on the very end opened up first, so I could have Evan up on the sink counter while I helped him and my eyes could be on both while no one walked by.  Whew.  It was great parenting. 

Anyway, we finally made it home that night a little before 11 and I was so glad to see the house.  And seeing how it's taken me three days just to get this much recapped, I'll save the rest of the weekend for another post.

Sickness

Unfortunately this week has been pretty eventful in all the wrong ways.  Last Monday night, at 12:30, Luke woke up whimpering that his ear hurt.  Yay.  So I got him an appointment first thing in the morning, which worked out since Evan was supposed to go in around then for a follow up for her ear infections. 

Turns out he had a double ear infection, which burst one of his ear drums.  While Evan's ears looked okay, she had developed a slight wheeze.  What is with my children?  I was sent home with a trial of Luke's antibiotic since it was late enough that I wouldn't really be able to run to get the prescriptions filled that night.  They had given Evan a breathing treatment at the office to see if it helped and since I hadn't even noticed it, I figured one more day wouldn't make a big difference.

WRONG.  When I picked Evan up from bible class on Wednesday night (with nebulizer vials in hand), she sounded awful.  AWFUL.  I rushed her home and immediately got her going on a treatment.  An hour later she still didn't sound very good.  Her wheeze was still pretty audible and she was retracting some. By then it was approaching 10 and I debated on whether to call her pediatrician on if I could give her another round of treatment or not.  I HATE calling the doctor after hours so I called Shae to confirm I wasn't crazy and needed to call.  I've only called once before for either of my kids, it's not something I generally do.  But Shae said that it indeed was a good reason to call.  I love my pediatrician's office.  While the little girl at the answering service was snippy with me, the doctor was anything but.  She told me I was right in giving her another round of treatment but if it still wasn't better after that I needed to take her to Acute Kids. 

Bad news.  She still wasn't better.  It was 10:30, Luke was asleep, Evan wasn't breathing well, and the urgent care place closed at 11.  I tearfully called my momma and she came right over to stay with Luke.  I made it to Acute Kids with 10 minutes to spare.  They listened to her and watched her breath, confirming that yes, she was in slight distress (although her face never showed it.  Have I told you what an amazing baby I have?  She is so flippin happy.) especially after having two breathing treatments back to back.  They gave her a treatment with different meds and an oral steroid.  She didn't sound 100% but better enough to send us home instead of the hospital.  Which almost happened.  She also had developed a double ear infection within those last 24 hours, so we got another prescription for antibiotics and an oral steroid to give her each day to boost the effects of the breathing treatments. 

The next morning my pediatrician's office called to check in on us and I filled them all in.  20 minutes later he called back again, saying he just kept thinking about her and wanted her to come in to see how she was responding to treatment that day.  I was able to get an appointment for Friday afternoon, and it turns out she STILL was wheezing, even with the oral and inhaled steroids she is on.  No bueno.  She has a doctor's appointment tonight to monitor her lungs, and if she still has even a slight wheeze then we have to start in on x rays to figure out what is going on. 

And yesterday?  Yesterday I don't know what happened.  I walked into the nursery to drop her off at bible class and she puked everywhere.  Evan.  My baby who doesn't even spit up.  I took her home to change her and give her a breathing treatment and in the middle of it she puked again.  So. Much. Vomit. I couldn't get the mask off of her while she kept getting sick.  It was a little scary.  After she finished I surveyed the carnage that was my floor, the couch, my clothes and her body, and I wasn't sure what to do first.  Where to begin. Eventually I just stripped her down and let her play in the bath, laid her down for a nap, then commenced with the cleaning of the living room.  Thankfully there wasn't a boy and a dog to keep out of the mess (Cody took the dog when he moved out).  I could tell she felt totally better right after she was done, but I still limited the volume she took in while nursing, just to make sure she held everything down. 

Watching the Cowboys after she felt better.

My poor baby.  If you are keeping count, that would be 4 doctor visits and 4 different meds within the last week. 

And that brother of hers?  Luke just plain keeps me on my toes.  Last night we were sitting on the couch and he said "Momma, are you kinda like a pwincess?"  I told him sure. I could be a princess and that he was a prince.  His response?  "I not a pwince.  I just a boy.  A big little boy."   He for some reason calls Smarties 'candy smarts' and is still confused as to why Mom's white car is in Papa's garage and we keep taking his blue car home.  I rearranged the living room last night, moving his train table over.  He kept thanking me for it the rest of the evening.  He LOVES to have Evan sit in her bouncy seat and play with her.  He likes to make the songs come on for her and spin the toys.

He's started saying I love you Mom at the most random times, and last night I taught him to blow kisses.  Except, he wouldn't catch my kisses, he would sometimes kiss his hand and then immediatly put it on his own cheek.  I asked him if that was my kiss or his kiss he was putting on, and he said it was just his own.  As long as he grasps the concept I suppose.

A few firsts

Well, several big "firsts" have happened in my house over the last few days.  Going in chronological order (because how else would you do it?):

-I got my first newer car.  Yep.  It's true.  Mom and Dad bought themselves a brand new Pilot, which seats 8 so we call can ride together now that I've got multiple children, and the VERY graciously offered me the Pathfinder.  I don't think you understand what that means.  My little Protege?  We have been together since I was 16.  Well, technically since I was 15 years and 50 weeks old.  They surprised me with it in the parking lot when I returned home from a summer camp two weeks before my birthday.  That old girl and I have been through many a things.  She took me to college.  She brought me home from college.  She watched me get married.  She brought both of my babies home from the hospital.  She saw the end of my marriage. We spent over 128,000 miles on the road together.  And, in a slightly unceremoniously manner, she's been replaced.  Don't worry little lady.  I'll never forget you.  (and don't tell her, but it was apparently way past time.  Plus I LOVE driving the Pathfinder.) (and at this point I have 45 minutes combing my photo albums for the picture of 16 year old me with the Protege, but I can't for the life of me find it)


-Luke spent his first weekend away from me.  I had a hard time with it leading up to the hour before he left.  I worried.  I missed him all ready.  I fretted over his cough and his night time routine and whether he would get enough sleep.  I cried a little.  But then, by the grace of God, he asked 50 BILLION question in the hour right before he got picked up on Thursday night and I realized a tiny break might not be so bad.  I missed my boy terribly.  It was quiet.  Very quiet.  I cleaned my house and it stayed that way.  I spent lots of time with Evan.  We got dressed up on Saturday night and had a fancy sushi dinner.  And Luke had a great time.  I knew he would.  He loves his grandparents and needed all the attention just on him, not shared with the baby. He came back with stories of the hotel and trains and place cards with his name on it (Cody's brother got married on Saturday).  I'm grateful that he has two sets of grandparents willing to spoil and indulge him in his boyish obsessions. 


-I dyed my hair.  WHAT?!  It's true.  I am 28 years old and finally dyed my hair.  You know what I learned?  I've got really dark hair and really stubborn greys.  It took two times to really get them covered, and the grey is still more blond than mahogany. It's okay.  It looks like expensive highlights out of a $6 box.  Well, that's what I'm telling myself anyway.  The best "before" picture I can find is the one I have in my side bar.

And here is a not-so-decent after picture.

Ashley said it's like looking at the 24 year old version of me. 


-Finally, I let Evan girl try some rice cereal last night.  I figured 5 1/5 months was long enough to wait.  I don't know what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn't what I got.  The way she licks her chops and dives after any food within reach I figured Sister Friend would devour whatever I put on that little spoon.  WRONG.  So wrong.  She hated it.  I mean HATED it. I might as well have been poisoning her with pure wretchedness. 

 

 Ooooo, that's for me?  Yes please!

 

First bite: Wait a second...I'm not so sure about this.....

 

Towards the end: No more! No more!

What?!  We have to do this again another time?!

I used formula at first, and I thought that might be the problem.  So I dumped it and tried to mix the cereal with a little expressed milk.  Maybe it was too cold right out of the fridge.  So I tried with room temp tap water.  Still gagged on it.  I hate to make her go through this again tonight, but she's got to learn.  What else should I try?  I feel like I should be more on top of this, be able to give the advice as opposed to asking for it, since she isn't my first babe.  Luke loved the stuff and never almost threw it back up.  Missy Lou is proving to be a bit more high maintenance.

Halloween

I can not believe that it's been a week and a half and I still haven't posted anything about Halloween.  The type-A person in my cringes.  I've always prided myself on doing things right on time, right when it happens.  The working single mom in me is too tired to care anymore.

Who am I?!

Anyway, Luke really enjoyed the whole aspect of Halloween this year, minus the dressing up part. 

Okay.  So mostly he enjoyed the candy.  Or "tweats" as he still calls them.  He asked me for a treat for breakfast this morning.  I told him no.

Sunday night, the 30th, was Trunk or Treat at church.  Poor kid was so overwhelmed by everything that he mostly looked like a deer in the headlights and could barely mumble when prompted.  I think it was all the kids.  When he gets around kids he doesn't know he tends to clam up.  He also had issues with being a little picky about his candy.  It was a hard concept for him to wait until the adult put the candy in his bucket, he tended to go all in and help himself.  And if he didn't like what you put in, the dude wasn't afraid to ask for an exchange.

Thank God he's cute.

He didn't really want to do any of the games inside...

so we just ate a hot dog and some nachos... 

and cotton candy.

Monday night, on actual Halloween, I had planned to just stay home.  Luke didn't know that there was the possiblity of more candy- not being all familiar with the traditions of the holiday and all- so I planned to ride it out as long as possible.  Until he knew to ask to go, I wasn't planning on it.  BUT.  Shae called and asked us to come over and trick or treat with them.

And like a 13 year old girl, I caved to peer pressure.

I'm so glad I did.  The Wyatt's came over too, which meant that Luke, Dakota, and Jadyn had the best little time.

 We went to various houses around the neighborhood for an hour or so before retiring back at the Raymond's to pass out candy.  While he was door to door, Luke did better about his "trick or treat" and "thank you"s, but he still got fussed at for reaching his grubby little hands in other people's candy bowl.  Silly boy.  Evan had her first go in the umbrella stroller and her legs stuck straight out of it.  I'd totally forgotten how Luke's used to do that too.  Kinda makes me wonder what else I've already forgotten.....

Evan:

 

Luke:

 (this was our trip to Fredericksburg in 2009)

I digress.  When we got back to the Raymond's we checked over the candy and let the boys have a few pieces.  Shae also let them help hand out the candy when the door bell rang.  Luke throughtly enjoyed it, and Dakota did good for the first couple of answers, until Big Foot showed up and scared the living beejeezus out of him.  From then on he ran the opposite way when there was a knock.

But the funniest part of the whole evening was my boy's stubborn habbit.  Before we left to go trick or treating, I made him eat some chicken for dinner.  Execpt Luke did not want to eat his chicken for dinner.  So what did he do?  Held his chewed chicken in his mouth the ENTIRE. NIGHT.

Not kidding.  There are some pictures with his mouth open where you can even see it.  You better believe he is every bit as stubborn as I am.  I tried eating his candy in front of him, telling him I needed to eat it since he couldn't have any with food still in his mouth.  I tried giving him water to help him swallow it.  When he complained that it was gross I told him to just swallow it and get it over with.  It finally went down when he got a smoothie back at the Raymond's house after trick or treating.  YEP.  He had that mouth full for at least two hours.  He's not strong willed.  Nope.  Not even a little.

So, we ended up having a great time.  I laughed my head off with my friends, my son got to build memories with his, and Sister Friend got to experience the little stroller.  Not a terrible way to spend a Monday night.