12.31.11

Happy New Year!

12.30.11

Paige got this doll for Christmas, and she just loves it. In a really intense (violent?) sort of way, as you can see. The doll giggles when you push on it's stomach, and Paige has figured out if she headbutts her, she can make the doll giggle. It's really quite amusing, and hopefully I can grab a video of it to share too. :)

12.28.11

Well, after several weeks of MANY night time wake-ups and repeated failed attempts to transfer a sleeping baby to her crib, I caved. I'd been trying to put her down drowsy, rub her back, sing to her, etc to no avail. She still screamed - or would try to get up to play. So tonight, I decided I'd try the Ferber method of "crying it out". We tried it with Wyatt and got nowhere (one terrible, terrible night we kept at it for FOUR hours at the urging of my doctor and friends and family to "really try". After four miserable hours, I went in there and he grabbed my hand and fell asleep in less than 3 minutes - so you can understand my resistance to CIO.). I put Paige down, and right away she wanted to play. Gave her a kiss goodnight, turned on her Sleep Sheep, gave her a small blanket and left the room. She cried. I waited. Went back in and repeated that whole she-bang 4 times, and she fell asleep after 45 minutes on her own. Initially I didn't think it was going to work, because after a brief period of silence, she started babbling and giggling...but I guess she babbled and giggled herself to sleep. :)
The real test comes tomorrow when Josh has to do it (I have plans in the evening and won't be home for bedtime). He's a serious softie for his baby girl, but he also was getting frustrated with the 3+ hour long bedtime struggle, so hopefully he remembers that. :)

12.26.11

I hope everyone has recovered from the Christmas madness! We still have one gathering to tackle, but thankfully Josh has the week off, so we can all relax a little longer.

Does anyone else find that Christmas with toddlers/babies is very overwhelming for them? Everyone was so generous to my children, and it really is so appreciated that so many people wanted to give them gifts (even great-great aunts and uncles!!), but I don't think Wyatt even knows where to start. He opened a few small trucks and cars and has been sticking to those for the last few days. Paige, of course, does not discriminate, and has chewed on almost everything we opened for her. :P We put the majority of the toys in the basement and will haul them out later on in the year.

It was lovely to see my brother and sister in law (and niece) again, but I find that once you have toddlers, visiting during family gatherings does not happen! I noticed this at our extended family gathering - after we went home, I realized I had hardly talked to anyone at all. Oh well, in a few years it will be different and the kids will be off in a corner playing while the adults secretly drink Bailey's out of a coffee cup.

12.22.11

Wyatt has really mastered the 2 toddler games that we downloaded for him - a memory card game and a puzzle game. The only thing is, when something does go wrong (he taps something he doesn't want to, for example), he loses his mind. So unfortunately, the last 2 times that he's used the tablet have ended in time outs - even with time limits and warnings before hand. :S
Not sure why the back of his head looks like it's glowing - maybe that's what technology does to 3 year olds.

12.21.11

If there was audio to go with this, it would be: "pbfftttttttthhhhhhhhhhh."

12.19.11

Ooooohhhhh....she's trying SO hard. All the time. ALL THE TIME. She wakes up more now than when she was a few months old. It's awesome.

12.18.11

Paige finally decided to give the sitting thing a try - it seemed as though she had to patience for it before, she'd just turn right onto her belly so she could do something else. Yesterday she sat for a good 10-15 minutes before toppling over. Which she only did so she could grab Wyatt. :P

12.17.11

We went to the Children's Museum today to celebrate Connor's birthday. They did a big reno on it over the past few months, and it really is so much better now! We went last year, and Wyatt was begging to leave after about half an hour. We only gave ourselves about an hour, and it wasn't nearly enough time this time around. He had a blast! We'll take him back another time this winter, seems like a good way to pass a cold afternoon. They also had a neat little play area for 0-2 year olds, lots of room to crawl and soft things to play with, but it was over-run with kids that looked closer to 7 or 8 years old. :( Paige and I did not venture in, especially after seeing one kid roll another up in a mat and then sit on him until the other kid screamed. I'm going to assume they are siblings, because that just seems like such a brotherly thing to do. Maybe just my brother. ;)

12.15.11

PEEK!

12.14.11

I had Paige sitting on my lap, but Wyatt wanted to horn in on the fun. Little did he know that he was placing himself in immediate danger. Paige repeatedly attempted to eat the top of his head...which Josh and I thought was hilarious and took many pictures...and then eventually made her stop. Wyatt was suitably impressed.

12.13.11

We took Wyatt to see Santa last weekend (okay, and Paige too, but she was just there for the photo op). Although he looks rather trepidacious, he was pretty excited to tell Santa what he wanted (a black Jeep) and was freaking thrilled about the candy cane he got afterwards. For those of you who forget how last year went, here's a reminder:

Happy Holidays indeed.

12.11.11

We finally got our tree set up! Only a week of sitting in our house with no decorations. However, I did crop the top off because we have no tree topper! :S I have no idea where it went, but furthermore, I have no idea what we have used in the past. Looking back, last year we just had a little 3 foot tree, and the year before it doesn't look like we had one then either. Wyatt wants a red star....that sounds easy to find.
All I see when I look at this though is our ugly curtains. We have a set of patio doors there, and I don't know what kind of window treatments to use. I think blinds would open the room up, but I don't want mini blinds. I think I found some bamboo roman blinds that will work, but Josh isn't sold. :P

12.10.11

Nom nom nom...this kid'll eat anything within her reach. Including my face (she got a good bite out of my nose!).

12.9.11

Watching a hockey game together (hopefully her interest doesn't last long! :P).

12.8.11

Paige LOVES this activity table (we took the legs off, obviously). Wyatt loves it too, and sings his ABCs along with it. :)

12.7.11

This one's for you, mom. :) We're using it as our Christmas card photo, I think it turned out pretty well, especially considering Wyatt usually resists being that close to Paige most of the time.

12.6.11

Mr. Serious

12.4.11

I made an attempt to get a couple of nice pictures of the kids (okay, just ONE nice one of each of them) today so I could put a Christmas card together. I got this one of Paige, who refused to look at me and kept trying to put the hem of her dress in her mouth. :D Later on, Josh gave me a hand and I think I got a good one of the two of them together.

12.3.11

I was allowed to take a picture of "Soft Bear" tonight, but not Wyatt. Don't tell him, but I think he made it into the picture too. :)

12.2.11

:)

12.1.11

Blogger was being stupid the other night and wouldn't let me upload my photos, so today is another double photo post.

I ended up trimming Paige's hair this morning, it was hanging right in her eyes and it bothered me (and therefore, I'm sure it bothered her). Note: it is damn near impossible to trim the hair of a squirmy 6 month old.

Things have been so busy with this jewellery stuff, as much as I really do appreciate the business and the income it is generating (hello, winter tires!), I cannot wait until I have nothing to do during the day and evenings. I'll be shutting down on the 15th, probably for a month or so. I have a small list of to-do items around the house, unfortunately two of them are my least favorite - painting. Blah. But I am tired of being in Wyatt's old room and it looking like his old room. We still have Seuss-like curtains on the window. I'd like it to feel like MY room. I mean, our room. :P

11.28.11

Oh, the mess she made today! I am pretty sure I have an identical photo of Wyatt, doing the exact same thing. Once they figure out how to splash, it's time to move to the big tub.

Fun fact: if I post after midnight, the post will always be changed to show 11:58PM. :)

11.27.11

I had some help replying to emails today. :)

11.26.11

Now that they are "side by each", can we all agree that they don't actually look alike? I mean, I thought so too, in the beginning....but I just don't see it anymore! Although they are both ridiculously cute. I may be biased, but I am also right.

11.25.11

My motley crew.

11.23.11

Happy 6 months my little chipmunk! No sentimental ramblings here about how quickly the first year goes - it really does fly by (because honestly, did I not JUST bring her home?), but I find the first 6 months to be pretty challenging. Looking forward to the next 6 months (and beyond, obviously)....perhaps I need to start planning her birthday party now. ;)

11.22.11

Okay, I realize this is a picture of the back of her head, but that's not really the point. She's up on her knees! She's been trying pretty hard lately to move, I have a feeling it won't be long now. You can also see the stylish vaccine bandaid she is sporting, her 6 month (!!) needles were today. She apparently did fine (Josh took her in), but has shrunk an inch over the past 2 months, ha ha. I'm not actually concerned that she's shrunk, I could take her to get measured by three different people in one day and get three different measurements. :P

11.21.11

I can't imagine anyone being particularly pleased to be photographed while eating. Regardless, this was a kickass meal. Homemade baking powder biscuits (Grandma Schroeder's recipe, with cheese), and this amazing vegetable chowder recipe. Yes, I just used the words "amazing" and "vegetable" in the same sentence. It really was sooooo good, and it made lots! Can't wait for leftovers. :)

11.20.11

I made an attempt to encourage craft time with Wyatt. My first attempt failed miserably when I used regular corn syrup, not clear corn syrup in an I-Spy "underwater" bottle. Hard to see anything in that murky brown goo. Nicely done, mommy (in my defense, I didn't realize it would be THAT dark...I thought it would just be yellow-ish). Anyway, the pipe cleaners were a much bigger hit, especially when Josh made him a pair of glasses. :)

11.18.11

Just playing around!

11.17.11

Double the photos to make up for my lack of posting. Wyatt is doing so much better, thank you to everyone that said a prayer for him, and sent well wishes his way. He is still limping, but his energy is back and he was in a pretty good mood all day. Hopefully it will all clear out in a few days and he'll be right as rain again. :)

11.14.11

A new hobby: gnawing on Josh's gross hat. Delish!

11.13.11

This picture just makes me smile. :)

11.12.11

Can you feel the attitude radiating from this picture? It's a pretty common thing around here these days unfortunately. I'd take the terrible two's over whatever this garabge is that he's going through now.
Me: "Wyatt, can you please finish your toast?"
Wyatt: "I might."

Me: "Wyatt, please put your cars away."
Wyatt: "Mommy, don't talk to me."

Me: "Wyatt, it's time for bed."
Wyatt: "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! Nooooooooooo!!!!!" (unintelligible hollering) "You don't get to say that! It's NOT time for bed! YOU go to bed!"
Me: *blink* *blink blink* *sloooowwww blink*

Thank goodness he's cute.

11.11.11

He may be looking a little hesitant to smile because he is sick. Again. I am sick. Josh is sick. Somehow Paige needs to be fed, changed and loved without anyone coming into contact with her, ha ha.
Thank goodness we have pictures tomorrow. Oy.

11.09.11

I exist on the other side of the camera! I normally try to avoid it, there is nothing I enjoy about having my photo taken. Wonky eye? Check. Double chin? Check. Rounded shoulders? Check. Awkward hand placement? Check. This one passes my strict criteria though (being - "Do I look like Rita McNeil with her eyes closed?), so you all can revel in it's glory. Although right now you're thinking, "You're in the photo? All I could see were those adorable kids! Oh. There you are."
We have family photos on Saturday, I can honestly say I would much rather get my annual physical instead. Somehow less invasive and painful. And I really hope we can get a normal smile out of Wyatt, as opposed to his painfully strained "cheese" face. He will literally say cheese, no matter what, when the camera is on him. Happy or sad, smiling or through clenched teeth, he says cheese. Even when I say, "Don't say cheese. Just smile!" He gives me a polite smile and I hear this strained, "cheeeeeeeese" as he tries not to move his lips. Promising career in ventriloquism ahead of him.

11.7.11

I'm thinking all of the picture of Paige for the next few months are going to look like that. It's as though someone used a compass to draw her eyeballs. I had wanted to take a picture of Wyatt, but he had a huge meltdown when I took the camera out. He had been at Josh's grandparents and missed his nap, so he was uh...a little on edge this evening.

11.4.11

These two were actually playing together when I came home from work tonight! And from what I understand, no bribery was involved. Shocking!

11.2.11

Hee hee hee....goof! I was trying to get a good shot of her teeth, but she wouldn't crack a smile, even with Josh being completely ridiculous behind me. She was in good spirits today, up until bedtime. She's had 3 (!!) bottles already, instead of the usual 1. During her bath last night I noticed rolls where she previously did not have rolls, so I think she is plumping up for a good ol' fashioned growth spurt. That, combined with teething - I don't imagine there will be a lot of sleeping going on in this house. :(

11.1.11

I'm pretty sure she was praying for pain relief. Paige was screaming (and I do mean screaming) all day today. I finally got a good look in her mouth, and sure enough, 2 bottom teeth! Yikes.

10.31.11

Happy Halloween from our little ladybug and Elmo! After all the tears and tantrums with his firefighter costume, Josh didn't think there was any point in trying to dress Wyatt up. Wyatt still had it in his head that he wanted to go trick or treating, but he wanted to be a monster truck, or Cookie Monster. We went to Walmart this afternoon, and it was so picked over. Superstore had a few more options, and I lucked out with Elmo. It took a little cajoling to get Wyatt into the costume, and a little more to get him to go trick or treating, but once he figured out what happens when you say "trick or treat", he was all for it. :) Josh and Paige went back home, and we hit up about 10 houses. I only brought with a small paper lunch bag for Wyatt, thinking he wouldn't want to be out for very long, but even after his bag was jam-packed, he wanted to keep going! I'm glad he enjoyed it. :)

10.29.11

I call this "The Reluctant Firefighter." He wanted to be a firefighter for Halloween, so I found a costume for him. Then he didn't want to wear the hat or the jacket. I bribed him with Smarties and took a picture because dammit, he looked cute.

10.28.11

This isn't exactly what I had in mind for Paige's Halloween costume! After her nap this afernoon, she was just so incredibly fussy. Then I noticed her eye was getting red, and tearing up even if she wasn't crying. By the time Josh came home from work at 3, it was starting to get swollen too. I quickly brought her into the walk-in, and the doctor swabbed her eye (!) and then put drops in to see if there was a scratch. Sure enough, right across her pupil and iris. So now I have to give her eyedrops (sooooo easy to do on a baby), and she is supposed to wear an eyepatch to keep her from blinking and irritating it further. She's really thrown off by it, and honestly just sad. After we left the clinic she just rested her head on my shoulder and didn't move - and anyone who knows her knows that is not like her at all. Hopefully after a few days it'll be good as new, but we do have to go to the optomestrist for a 2nd look on Monday.

10.27.11

Wyatt loves to make wrinkles in his nose now, and asks me to do it all the time too. I'm just waiting for him to point out the ones I have that I don't have to try to make, ha ha. :P

10.26.11

Sorry kiddo, I don't know how that happened either.