What keeps us healthy

It's that time of year again. Flu Season that is. No one in our house has ever actually had the flu. I don't think I have ever had it in my entire life in fact. But nonetheless, the news is chalk full of sensational information about H1N1 and vaccines, etc. So, I thought I would share what works for my family to keep us all healthy.

And we ARE a very healthy bunch around here. No major illnesses yet with any of the boys and they have gone to daycare and now public school. So, the potential is there, and yet we manage to come away unscathed. It is rare for any of us to even have a sniffle. Our pediatrician even commented to me at Nolan's recent 2 month appointment that he can't believe how infrequently we are there. Warren and Jack have only been for their regular scheduled check-ups!

Here's how we do it (in my opinion and not in order of importance):

*Frequent hand washing. I make the boys wash their hands A LOT. 'nough said.

*Lots of outside activity. Fresh air and sunshine just plain make you feel good.

*I keep a clean house. Lots of vacuuming. Carpet just grosses me out in general. We buy cheap carpet and have it cleaned every six months and then replaced as often as possible. Cheap carpet with more expensive pad makes it more financially feasible.

*Have a couple of dogs. Research shows that children that live in households with two or more dogs have way less allergies because they get so much exposure to allergens early on from the dogs. Thanks Reagan and Wrigley :)

*Clorox disinfecting wipes. Okay, this might be kind of over the top, but about once a week I go around the entire house and wipe off any and all light switches, door knobs, handles, phone receivers, remotes, and anything I think our hands are contacting regularly with Clorox wipes.

*We all take a simple daily multivitamin year round. I know that technically we don't need to since we eat such a well-rounded diet, but I figure it can't hurt.

*I believe we are healthy. I tell the kids they are healthy and have strong bodies, etc. I do believe in the power of suggestions when it comes to our health and well being. This is called biofeedback.

*We eat everything. All fruits, all veggies, lots of protein and seafood. Yes, our fair share of junk food is included. We go through a tremendous amount of produce each week. There isn't a vegetable that the boys won't eat or at least try. But, I must say we are also huge meat eaters around here. Go meat! :)

*Lots of sleep. The boys sleep nearly 12 hours per night and it is no secret that I need at least 8 hours to feel my best. Bryan tends to need/get a little less, but still more than 6 hours per night.

*We try our hardest to keep stress at bay. Realistically that is not always possible in life, but trying to focus on the positive and make sure you have lots of things that give you joy can really help. We do a lot of fun things like sporting events, little trips, outings, and social events that give us that feeling of an upcoming thing to look forward to and be excited about. When stress does arise, deal with the situation directly and as soon as possible. Also a nice glass of wine doesn't hurt :) Or sometimes I prefer a beer ;)

*We have an electronic air filter and humidifier at our house. It does keep the dust down a little bit and the humidity helps here in super dry Colorado.

*Good oral hygiene is key! Brushing and flossing every day are huge contributors to overall health.

*I DON'T subscribe to any newfangled ideas like not vaccinating (child abuse in my opinion!) We buy organic...sometimes. But I certainly don't obsess over that. I have breastfed all the boys, but not over 6 months due to working. We'll see how it goes with Nolan.

Hmmm...that's all I can think of. Time to run and pick up Warren from school. We are walking in the beautiful sunshine because we just don't know how many more nice days like this we'll have before it gets really cold!

A Week's Worth

Well, I have been busy living life, without much time to blog about life this past week.

But first things first! Nolan cut his first tooth! Already! It is his bottom left tooth and he is really taking it in stride. I noticed that he was drooling so much while we were in Kansas City over the weekend and then sure enough, when I pulled down his bottom lip yesterday I could see just a little white line of the tooth coming through. So, our little guy went on his first airplane ride and got his first tooth, all in one weekend.

We had a great trip! Flew into KC on Friday morning. Spent much of that day at Cabela's (oh joy!). Saturday I completely vegged out with just Nolan in our hosts' (Bryan's Aunt and Uncle that live in Overland Park) basement. It is THE most amazing basement ever. They finished the 2000+ sqft basement like a cabin...only with a walk in wine cellar and premier guest quarters. It was bliss.

Sunday was the Sprint Cup NASCAR race. It was my first time attending a race and -- hmmm, I guess I get it. It was fun and somewhat thrilling to see the sheer power of the cars. I can understand the appeal and could see myself going to maybe one race per year since Bryan likes it so much.


Ya know what else was bliss? Getting amazing meals cooked for us every night we were there by our hosts! Seriously, all we had to do was hold the baby and drink fabulous wine and then voila, dinner was ready! Thanks Margeret and Derito!

Oh! And just to document, we ALL went to the Rockies baseball game the Thursday before our KC trip. The boys had so much fun eating and playing T-ball at the stadium. We lasted through about the 7th inning before succumbing to the wind and heading back to our car.

{Our botched effort at getting a group shot. See Nolan's head at the very bottom?}

{Warren and Jack loved T-ball so much we had to run into Sports Authority on the way home and buy a set. Bryan put it in the basement complete with a hitter's box and a square of tape on the wall for a home run :) }

My only regret in the past week is that I didn't take many pictures and the ones I did take were just with my little point and shoot that lives in my purse. Kind of a bummer, but we have so many great memories instead!

Tids and Tads

In no particular order...

1) Jack loved his piano lesson. So, there you have it. Warren is doing Karate and Jack is doing piano. There. I have successfully avoided soccer for another year. Because I loathe soccer.

2) I have 10 pounds to lose. Ugh. I know it doesn't sound like much, but the scale has not moved at all since 4 weeks postpartum. I am stuck at 120#. And I don't have a game plan for getting this show on the road. I despise going to the gym, and walking the boys to and from school doesn't seem to be quite enough activity. Oh, and the fact that I regularly eat whatever they don't in order to avoid wasting food can't be helping.

SO. Starting today, I am going to be using a food journal to document what I am eating and I am going to make an effort to encorporate a bit more physical activity in my day to day life. Sustainable things like parking further from Target. Because I am so not falling into the trap of claiming I am going to use my gym membership, when I know I am totally not.

3) We are going to a NASCAR race this weekend. Flying to Kansas City with just Nolan and Bryan, and Bryan's dad. I am excited to get away for a few days, and am mostly humoring Bryan by attending the race on Sunday. He likes NASCAR. And Cabella's, both of which are in KS, so this one's for him. I just better get in a few good naps on this vacation :)

4) I cleaned my car out yesterday (see! physical activity!) and came away with a full laundry basket of stuff, mostly from the 3rd row seat where Warren sits. He calls it his office. Momma's gonna have to get back there more frequently and regulate :)

Our Center{Master}Piece

Bryan made a delicious dinner last night of grilled Salmon and Tuna steaks, along with a whole bunch of Quinoa. He is great like that. What did I do...well I set the table...complete with the cutest centerpiece that has ever graced our (huge) table.


It was all good...until our little centerpiece...fell asleep.


That's okay though, he did a good job decorating our table and making his brothers laugh. Thanks to the latest little Lawson masterpiece!

2 Months Old (Already?!)

You had your 2 month check up yesterday at the pediatrician.

He says you are perfect, but we already knew that.

You are 23.5 inches long (75%).

And 10 lbs (25%). Way to grow, Nolan!

You obviously have a healthy appetite.

And now for the good stuff.

At 2 months old, you recognize faces, especially Momma's.

You study the face of whoever is holding you, particularly their hairline.

Your dimple is as cute as ever!

You are smiling lots, even laughing a few times recently.

You coo at me when I talk to you softly.

You are still only sleeping for a few hours at a time. It seems your grumbly tummy wakes you up, demanding milk.

In a Nutshell

This week was kind of an odd one. I can't put my finger on it exactly, but the weather changed dramatically into cooler more fall-like temps and it got noticeably darker earlier. That made me sleepy, oh and the fact that I actually didn't get much sleep this week, with the exception of last night. So, I'll work my way backwards and see if I even remember anything when it comes to Monday.

Today, Friday, Warren is at school. Bryan is going to take him to Dave and Busters this evening since he really made a strong effort to work on one issue at school he had been having (making weapon noises with his mouth sometimes when his teacher was instructing the class...yeah, I can see where it would be annoying to have a little boy making machine gun noises when you are trying to teach). So, since he laid off the noises, we are taking him for a treat where he will most likely learn yet another weapon noise from some game...hmmm, we may need to work on our method of reward. Ya think?

Yesterday I took the boys to the Children's Museum. Gosh we have seriously gotten some mileage out of our membership there. We brought lunch and stayed the majority of the day. Nolan had his two month check-up in the morning. He is just over 10 lbs (25 percentile) and 23.5 inches (75 percentile). A true Lawson boy, long and skinny.

Wednesday we were at the rec center, since we were just about stir crazy from not having outdoor play with the cold weather. We saw three other boys from Warren and Jack's school there, so I was not alone in my thinking. They had a blast, of course.

Tuesday, Warren and Jack had Karate. We are still trying to decide whether to enroll Warren full time and now Jack suddenly wants to do Karate too. I enrolled Jack in piano lessons, since I believe he is "musical", at least compared to the rest of us. Bryan and I never played an instrument so I want to make sure I at least present the opportunity to my boys. Jack always has a song going on in his head, so we'll see. His first lesson is on Monday morning!!

Monday, ... yeah I have no idea what happened that day. :)

And this weekend, we are just relaxing! Hallelujah! We haven't had a weekend with nothing planned since Nolan was born. Speaking of Nolan, I am going to take some pictures of him today for his two month update! Wait for it...

We've got spirit, yes we do!

We've got spirit,

how 'bout you?!


Well thats about all the peppy chearleader I could muster up at the Broncos game on Sunday (they won!) And then on the way home on the bus, I was TIRED. But I could totally be a chearleader...if it entails napping.

Fiesty Firstborn

The leader of the pack.

Who can now go...all...the...way, across the monkey bars.

And is a helluva shot with a nerf gun, turns out.

You amaze me, kiddo! I am so proud to be your Mommy!

Typing and Nursing

Yup, that's what I'm doing right now. At this very moment. Nolan insisted that I take a break from stripping all the beds in the house for wash, so here we are. Having an impromptu feeding/snuggle session, in the midst of my busy time of the day when Warren is at Kindergarten and I clean like a mad-woman. That's okay though -- it is a nice break and I will never turn down an opportunity to hold a baby.

So, since he's still nowhere near done, I'll do a weekly wrap up! This week was fairly busy after all. My mom went back to Anchorage on Sunday, it was sad. Tears were shed, mascara was running, and I can't wait to see her again. We had a great visit and the boys are still talking about her and making me laugh with their recollections of her visit.

The only thing that made the day of her departure better was watching Warren have a neighborhood friend over. They played so hard and had a blast for several hours.

On Monday I took the kids to an awesome park with a lake to feed the birds some bread we had let go bad. We were surrounded by ducks and geese and at one point Warren looked up at me for reassurance that we were safe in the midst of so many very aggressive, hungry fowl...only to find his look of concern equally met by his momma. Yeah, I need to work on my brave face for the kids. Obviously we survived though and in fact Warren made it across the monkey bars at the park for the first time! He has been asking to go back to that park all week so he can do it again. So cute!

Tuesday was a miraculous day! Just kidding, but the cleaning lady came so it felt miraculous. I was in such a good mood that I let the boys go nuts with the play do. Nearly every kitchen utensil was involved and in the end there was more play do on the floor under the table than on it. But the rest of the house was immaculate :)

Wednesday was a lazy day and I am hard pressed to even think of one remarkable thing about it. Except that Grandma Caryl and Auntie Debbie stayed the night since they had to pick up some cabinets early the next morning. Jack went home with Grandma Caryl on Thursday after preschool.

So, here it is Friday. Warren is at school and it is his picture day today. We got his hair cut last night, went to a local favorite restaurant for dinner...ya know since we only had two kids. Stopped by Costco to get Warren's class a snack among other things. Ended up buying Warren and Jack their Halloween costumes :)

Today I need to make my way to buy some more nursing bras (speaking of nursing). And I need to finalize our babysitter arrangements for Sunday's football game, since we have season tickets and will be attending the game at the stadium downtown! We are splitting the boys up, having a babysitter at our house for Jack and Nolan, and having Warren go to a friend's house. Hopefully that's how it will work out.

Jack is coming back home tomorrow since we have a block party to go to in the afternoon (with an air castle) and then a bowling party in the evening with one of Bryan's work colleagues. I imagine the boys will be good and worn out by Saturday night! It should be a really fun day for them.

Well, Nolan is done eating and now just using me as a pacifier. Ah, don't you just love the mundane details of my life?! I thought so...

Signing off for now!

The Gym

One of the (many) great things about having three kids (in my opinion), especially of the same gender, is watching as they each grow through the same wardrobe and play with the same toys.

Take for example, our baby gym. This thing is worth its weight in gold. We got in on clearance when Warren was born and even tried out more expensive, "cooler" gyms...but this one has always reigned supreme. And all the others have quickly been returned or retired.

Warren played under it for hours at a time, most often times eventually falling asleep.


Then along came Jack, who would play so vigorously, kicking his legs and batting his arms, that he would often loose his lunch. Luckily, it is easily washable!


Now, with Nolan (who is almost 2 months old!) I broke out the gym recently and he is following quickly in his older brothers' footsteps, just like we knew he would.


On Tuesdays and Thursdays when both older boys are at school, I like to put him under his gym and just watch him go. You might think I would take that time to clean or do a workout myself...nope! I am mesmerized by the noises he makes, cooing and squealing at the three little animals that come to life when they are jostled. I can't help but just stare at him as he giggles and squirms under this gym.



This amazing little gym, that all three of my boys have gotten so much use out of. Wondering if more of our own babies, or even grandbabies will get to enjoy it.

My Marvelous Middle Man

The only one
who is both a proud big brother and a tolerant little brother.

A rule maker and breaker.

Inquisitive for sure.

Momma's boy and Daddy's pride and joy.

A best buddy.

Silly and sweet.

With a heart of pure gold.

We love you, Jack Dylan.

Good Clean Fun

We have had some good clean fun this past week, visiting some family focused venues in our lovely state of Colorado.

Most recently the White Fence Farm, which boasts some great fried chicken and lots of play areas for the little ones. And it doesn't hurt that they have frozen margaritas! Bummer that I couldn't partake on that portion of the good clean fun, since I am nursing. I'll have to bring Nolan a bottle next time :)

The boys loved to play with all the puzzles on the big overstuffed sofas in the barn loft.



And the tree house is always a hit!




Oh yeah, I was there too! :) On an unrelated topic, I got a great pair of William Rast jeans and am able to squeeze into them, yippee!


Nolan loved to sit on the tractor seat bar stools with Daddy!


We may just have to go back soon on another random Friday night just to hang out!