Just a couple of mushrooms

Stay with me. There is an analogy somewhere in here.

After having a not so minor argument over the phone with my husband about -- of all things -- bandaides, I was stewing. Mad. Thinking of all the reasons his choice of newfangled, trendy, expensive bandaides is wrong. And disrespectful! Oh, I had a bulleted list in my head, laying it all out:

• I hate the little white tabs you have to pull off. Really convenient when your fingers are slathered with neosporin and you have a moving little boy finger for a target.


• The thin plastic sticks together. And once that happens, forget it.


• The actual cotton part is so miniscule compared to the disproportionately large bandage.


• I JUST want a cotton-picking NORMAL, old-school-style, fleshtoned BandAide brand bandaide for pete's sake!

But dinner needed to be started. And Mr. Fancy Bandaid wasn't here to slough off my responsibility on, so I started in. Marinating the chicken, rinsing the mushrooms in the collander...when I spotted it.

**The guilt-inducing conjoined mushroom**

From the very instant I saw it, I knew.

It was a sign.

I was being petty and shallow.

Even the produce knew it, as it seemed to remind me, "You and Bryan are a couple. Stuck together for life. How could you let something so trivial come between you? How?"

I did what any rational person would do -- went to the office and grabbed my camera.

And that's when I saw the email.

As if the siamese twins on my counter weren't enough, my husband had also taken the time to send me an email, complete with (no doubt) google images of the very little gems I had not so pleasantly described to him on the phone:

Telling me to take my pick since he was stopping at the store on the way home.

So, yeah, I felt like total fungus. But at least I've got my better half. And at least he's got a sense of humor during the occasional times that I ... um ... don't.

Baby it's cold outside.

Seriously cold.

So we are at home where it is warm. Starting the New Year all cozy...here's what we've been up to:

(I like lists, okay? Work with me.)

1. Warren lost another tooth and got his 6 year molars. Oh, and another is loose, this time on top. Lots of happenings in the tooth department.

2. Nolan is eating some baby food. Specifically mashed banana just about every day for breakfast and I am slowly introducing some of the level 1 veggies from the jar. I plan to make my own baby food for him once he gets going and really consuming it regularly.

3. I have ramped up my efforts to shed this last 5 lbs of baby weight (i.e. using the elliptical machine for exercise instead of for hanging clothes to dry.) Man, it is hard to not eat something that you even just kinda want to eat. Finding it best to at least sort of plan what I am going to eat each day so I don't go foraging in the pantry out of boredom. Yes, I said boredom. Staying home with the boys isn't always a three ring circus, I do have some time to feel a little bored.

4. Jack has really taken off and started to write. He writes his name and lots of letters, using his etch-a-sketch even! I love to overreact with enthusiasm each time he brings me his magnadoodle to show me the latest "L" he made. It is just precious to watch him light up with pride.

5. Warren is starting to read! He has been able to recognize lots of words for quite some time and would make some effort to sound out words too. But now, he is really showing signs of being a beginner reader. So proud of him!

6. Bryan has been working so hard to support the family (I like to give him a hard time about how many dependents he has now!) and is just such a stellar bread winner. Couldn't be happier to have such a committed Daddy to the boys and husband.

7. Nolan is really settling in to his schedule. He is sleeping well lately (albeit still in our bed...I think I am finally embracing cosleeping rather than trying to pretend it is a bad thing) and I am thankful for that. Hello, sanity, good to see you again :) He is napping on a regular pattern and eating at the same times every day.

8. The boys still manage to fight, scrap, argue, disagree, battle, antagonize, patronize, tease (sick of it yet, now you know how I feel) each other a good portion of the day. And then when they have to say goodbye to each other for any reason they will full on kiss each other on the lips and then go on and on about how much they miss the other one. Dumbfounding, yes! A phase...hopefully!

9. I have started the loathsome task of pumping again to get a supply back in the freezer for our upcoming trip to Jamaica. I do not like pumping. But I do like a weekend in a tropical locale with no kids, so I can compromise :)

Can't wait to see what this year holds for us! 2010! Wow, it sounds weird still. Think of how wierd it will sound to the boys when they think of 1979, the year their parents were born. The olden days... :)

"December the 30"...

...that's what Jack says if you ask him what his birthday is. Love it!

So here we are, "December the 30".

Even though we already celebrated with a big party, just want to say it again...

{May all your wishes come true!}

We are celebrating again today just our little family.

Going to your favorite restaurant and out to play a friendly game of mini-golf!

We love you SO much, Jack.

Christmas 2009

{Cutest Baby in the Universe, you are.}

{Do or do not, there is no try.}

{Sorry your Daddy and brothers and Star Wars enthusiasts, Nolan. Better get used to it!}

{Warren's favorite toy was the Leapster 2}

{Jack's favortie toy was a submarine}

{But they both LOVED their nerf guns and knight helmets, and matching Christmas jammies}

We had a perfect Christmas.

Nolan chewed on wrapping paper.

We had a decadent meal with Bryan's parents of prime rib and Alaskan King Crab Legs.

We even hit the crazy mall on the day after Christmas.

Today, we already took down the tree and are just running some errands and relaxing.

One Question

Can we leave the tree up all year?

Nolan loves to sleep in the glow of the lights in the evenings.
We are off to get professional pictures of all three boys...together!

Yes, it will certainly take a professional for that.

Special Delivery...

I have so many pictures to sort through from Jack's birthday party, but this one stood out right off of the memory card. Jack had a great party and now we are in full swing of Christmas break. We have lots of fun things planned and even a few days with absolutely nothing planned (like today).

FIVE MONTHS

.MY {Five} Month Old.

You didn't think I could resist stuffing you in your stocking (that your Grandma Caryl made you), did you?

Never.

Or pass by this adorable Santa Claus suit at the store?

Not hardly.

(Who doesn't love a baby in a basketful of clean laundry?)

.YOUR {Newest} Milestones.

You can sit in that typical newly sitting baby tripod fashion,

for a few seconds...and then...

kerplunk!
::

Eating lots of rice cereal and still nursing every 2-3 hours.

::

Not much change in the sleep department, but that will come soon.

::

Gaining more and more control over your arms and hands.

Making deliberate movements and grabbing toys.

You already have a couple favorites.

::

Speaking of hands, you found your fingers and are busy

sucking away on two of them most of the time.

::

Showing some signs of separation anxiety with mommy.

You've got me wrapped around your little finger,

my dear.

I can hardly stand it when you cry after I walk away

from you.

::

.WE {LOVE} you SO very MUCH.

Happy First Christmas, little man!

Hatta Boy!

Nevermind that I had to bribe the boys with lifesavers to get them sit for a few pictures in their new hats:

Today

We got a special package in the mail with adorable handmade hats for all three boys from Bryan's Aunt Linda. I can't wait to take pictures of the boys wearing them, hopefully tomorrow. The boys absolutely love them.

I took all three boys to Pier 1 Imports...and nothing got broken! Ha!

We checked out so many books and DVDs from our library that my arm is sore from carrying the bag to the car.

I worked out the final details for Jack's birthday party this Saturday! Wow, still can't believe he is turning four. Time is simply flying.

I spent some time mentally preparing for the pictures I want to take of Nolan for his 5 month update, on Friday! Now if only the actual pictures will turn out as good as the ones in my head.

We ate lunch at Chic Fil A, and we indulged in a seasonal candycane milk shake...yum-O! No amount of little boy backwash could have dampened my excitement each time it was my turn for a drink.

Warren has his last karate practice as a white belt! That's right, he is testing for the yellow belt tomorrow. We will make a special occasion of that to encourage him...oh and to have an excuse to eat out!

I woke up and took a shower in the a.m. hours, even put on makeup and blowdried my hair...and then put grungy sweats on. Hey, baby steps.

I realized that I had better start wrapping some Christmas gifts or it is gonna be an all nighter on Christmas eve!

THEN & NOW

I used to wait for him at the window in Big Lake, Alaska. Looking for his boat, waiting for him to dock it and then climb the long staircase up to the house that he built. Calling "Papa!, Papa!", when I could finally see his orange and white boat on the water in the distance.

~Now I get to see him with my boys all these years later. ~

I caught him snuggling his newest great-grandson while he visited us recently.

{The tenderest touch}

{I love how Nolan was holding onto Papa's shirt and cooing at him}

I'm that lady:

*the kind that thought she was going to be a fancy career woman, even going so far as getting a Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, only to find out that her heart and passion are at home with her many little children. Oops.

*the kind that laughs easily and often, usually at herself.

*the kind that sometimes throws out all the information from the experts, and just goes with her gut.

*the kind that loves to have a beer every now and then.

*the kind that usually doesn't wear a winter coat, no matter how cold it is, but will make sure her kids are bundled up like the Michelin Man.

*the kind that makes sure to get out with just her husband at least once per month for kid free time. And then usually misses them after an hour.

*the kind that loves to decorate her house just so. And then constantly questions if she actually likes what she's done.

*the kind that doesn't even realize she's incessantly cleaning. And probably annoys those around her by putting their cup in the dishwasher when they weren't done with it.

*the kind that better get off the computer NOW since the boys are eating icecream out of the container!

Something so sweet...

...to warm your heart during this cold snap we're having here.

Enjoy.
***

{'Tis the Season}

***
I've been so busy.

Trimming the Christmas Tree.
Doing the annual toy sort.
Dressing Nolan up in his Santa suit...

...ya know, the usual December stuff.

A Tale of Two Brothers

{Working side by side}

{Getting their hands plenty dirty}
{Using the sticks they gathered from our walk to build a snow garden}

{Which then became a snow pizza, and then finally a snow porcupine}

{And then basking in the sun for a picture by Mommy}

Just another glorious Colorado winter day!