4th of July... Sumas style!

We had our annual BBQ at Tom and Amanda's again this year, with a whopping 15 adults, and 13 kids (I think, you try counting that many moving munchkins!) Every year, I think it gets more wild, but that adds to the fun. At least that's what I keep telling myself. And every year, difficult as it might be, we herd the kids (as many as we can!) into a group photo. It's fun to look at them from one year to the next!

The INFAMOUS annual kid pic... Woo-hoo!!! This first one is from this year, and the indoor picture was taken last August with a lot of the same kids. Crazy, isn't it?

Our boys eating dinner with Isaac and Owen. Weston and Owen were eating as much off of the other's plate as their own, but as long as they eat, Kelli and I don't care!

Grace was sneaking food from Weston. He had such a mess going, there was no way he was going to miss a watermelon or hotdog!
For the first part of the BBQ, many of the Dad's took over "kid patrol" so that the mom's could get food together and visit before the kids got crabby. I love seeing people I grew up with as Dad's... we're getting old.
And later, the girl's moved down the hill and were monitoring, while visiting of course!
Bless Tyler, he was on Weston duty most of the night. Let's just say that with a little more than three weeks until I deliver, Weston's legs are faster than mine these days! Man, that kid can RUN!
Byron and Dana had flown in in the early AM on Saturday, and made it to the BBQ too. We follow their kids on her blog all the time, so seeing them in person was a little strange, because they were oddly familiar! :0)

Wayne spent a good part of the night on this tractor, carrying it to the top of the hill, then riding it down. Thanks Grace for sharing your toys!
Dads on duty... again!
Weston roaming........................again!

After the BBQ, 9 adults and 7 kids walked down to the Sumas ball fields to watch the annual fireworks show. After a good long walk (I swear, if I go into labor early, I owe Tom BIG time!) we settled on a spot. Sorry, no pictures as I was too pooped to get up and get my camera! I snuggled Weston, and Tyler had Wayne. I barely watched the fireworks myself though, because I was enjoying the expressions on Weston's and Wayne's faces waaaay more. Just their excitement and awe, and the HUGE smile on Wayne's face, despite the late night and the rain.... Hard to forget moments like that, and they make the crazyness of the night more than worth it. We are SO blessed with two wonderful little boys, I can't wait for baby #3 to join the crowd!

Supers

Ethan came to spend the night on Friday, and then stayed through Saturday morning. The boys have so much fun playing together, it really is nice that they are so close in age (Ethan is 8 months older.) They played and played, and fought a little, and then played some more! I guess Wayne's watched "The Incredibles" a little too much lately, because he came running up to me with his blankie saying, "You tie it, I be SUPER!" Of course, Ethan was all over that and wanted a cape too, so I was their faithful sidekick and spent the next 30 minutes tying and retying their capes!
When I asked them if they wanted pictures of them being Supers, they both were excited and posed right away. They are well trained, if nothing else!

(Love Wayne's spiky hair in this one.)

Saturday...

It's... Saturday! Even though I don't work much anymore, the weekend is still the weekend, and any Saturday is good, right? This is Tyler's second to last weekend working before the baby comes, so that means ONE MORE LONG WEEKEND to go! I can do that. This weekend is f-u-l-l too. Yesterday was spent chasing the children, trying to keep Weston happy, and catching a nap myself since I didn't get much sleep the night before. Last night Tanya came to watch the boys for 30 minutes before Tyler got home from work, while I went to a bridal shower. There were 45 women invited, it was HUGE! But also very fun, and very nice to visit without an anklebiter around to chase! Ethan also came and spent the night, which apparently was very uneventful. Tyler said the boys played, and then went to bed for the most part. They even slept in until almost 7 this morning, and Weston is still sleeping! (Considering yesterday's 5am wake up call... I'll take today!) Today we have to do a few chores around the house, the boys will play outside, and then Ethan will head home just before naptime. The boys will nap, and Tyler is coming home at 5pm to go to a BBQ with friends at Tom and Amanda's for the Sumas fireworks. Even though it's only 2 hours earlier than usual, I am sooo looking forward to him being here early, because the 5-7pm time slot is usually filled with crabby boys and is BUSY! Tonight will be great too, it's an annual BBQ and really the only time each year we all get together. We didn't have it last year because Amanda had just had Grace, so we're back in action now!

I'm also getting my energy back. The past few weeks I have just been drop dead exhausted! Just like in the early weeks of being pregnant, the last few weeks brought on the bone aching tiredness that won't go away. But, this morning, after sleeping for 8 solid hours (minus one bathroom interuption) I am feeling rather spritely. Hmm... what can I get accomplished today? List making sounds fun.... What to get at Costco, what to do on Tyler's days off, what to do before the baby comes, what to pack for the hospital, what to pack for the boys, what to pack for the baby (heck, I should probably just do that!) doesn't that sound fun? I should throw in there "What I want to eat" too! :0) So far only two things really stand out for me.... my mom's cinnamon rolls and a DQ blizzard! Other than that, I'm fine. Those two things just sound sooooo good!

Well, I'm off to do a few things before Weston wakes up... Be watching for fun BBQ pictures!

for all you baby betters out there....

My appointment went really well today. It took about an hour to have the NST and meet with the doctor. The baby was conked out, sound asleep for the first part of the NST (which they don't like) so they had to put the vibrating buzzer against my stomach to wake he/she up. The sleeping heart rate was in the upper 130's to low 140's for all of you who think that may help with gender guessing! Obviously, after the buzzer, the poor baby woke up and had heart accelerations into the 170's. My blood pressure was great, my blood sugars are good, the baby's movement was great, so all is good for another week!

He's got our whole world in his hands.

entering new territory... 35 weeks and NO BED REST!

Look to the right folks..... ------------------> I am now 35 weeks through this pregnancy! At this point with each of the boys, I've been on bed rest. Bed rest folks! I am happy to say that I am doing well, well, well! Four weeks to go now, and we're in the home stretch. That's what I keep telling myself anyway! We pretty much stay home all day and I just take care of the boys. I have five more days at the office, working Mondays and Wednesdays from 9-12. We go to church on Sunday mornings, and that's about it! Wayne has become my little gofer too... Or golden retriever, which ever you'd prefer! He is a HUGE help, and is great at picking up things off of the floor for me (that's a l-o-n-g way down now folks!) Oh, and for those wondering, I measured around my middle yesterday, and we're at 48 inches, which is about the same as what I was with the boys. I have a doctor's appointment this Wednesday, and from this point forward I'll have weekly appointments with an NST and doctor's appointment at the same time. An NST is a non-stress test where they monitor the baby's heart rate and movements for 20 0r 30 minutes. Let the fun begin!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to any of you out there who are reading this blog. I am sure you are one of only few, and therefore you are special in my eyes! :0)

Father's Day is always special around here. Mainly, I think it's because it's so important to Tyler. It's not the "celebrate him" part that is special, rather it's that he feels so blessed and fortunate to be able to BE a dad to our kids. Tyler's dad died when he was 8 years old, and I know for many years, Father's Day was tough for him. I'll never forget the first year that we had Wayne. I thought that Father's Day was a day to celebrate Tyler being the most amazing Dad, and the best way to do that was to give him a break from the baby and his duties and just let him relax. Tyler's idea of a perfect day was far different.... He wanted to change every diaper, outfit, and do everything with Wayne accept nurse him. What???!!!!??? That to me shows the kind of Dad he is. He would sacrifice and do anything for his kids, as many, many Dads would. For me, what makes him special, is how much he truly appreciates every moment he spends with our boys, and how he soaks up their snuggles, teasing, and laughter. He is such a natural with them, and such a help to me. I feel so undeserving and guilty when I think of what a wonderful husband he is to me, and how blessed I am to have him as the father of my kids. Not only does he make pretty cute little boys (and who knows, maybe soon a girl!) but he has boundless energy and patience with them, and me. He jumps in and helps out constantly. Baby #3 isn't even here yet, and he is already such an amazing Dad to she/he. Folks, I'm embarrassed to say how much he helps me around here, and that I let him so that I can sit down and rest. My blood pressure today was 105/58, which is STINKIN' LOW and I give all credit to him. He helps out so that I can relax, and if he's in charge, I know I don't need to worry about a thing. How many women can say that? I love you Tyler, you are our hero.

And to my Dad, thank you. We bought you the perfect card, but Weston threw it out of the cart before I noticed it was missing. It said something to the effect of, "You've given me all the tools I need to be a successful and happy person, and don't worry, I've put them all back in the garage!" More than anything, I think my Dad has always known and understood my strengths, and encouraged me to use them. He understands how I think. I love that Dad understands some of Tyler's feelings, both of them having had their dads die when they were young. The Lord works in amazing ways, doesn't He? I love seeing my Dad as a Grandpa. The boys adore him, and he is SUCH a softie. And now for a childhood memory.... Every once in awhile on Sunday mornings, it was clippers time. Dad lined all of us kids up on the deck, and clipped all of our fingers and all our toes, and then his own. He counted by 5's and 10's until he had done all 100 fingers and toes! Too funny.... I'm up to 60, and soon to be 80... Like I said, he is my hero!

a day at the bay

On Saturday we went to Birch Bay for the day. Low tide was at 10am, so we left home by 8:15am for a coffee run and then headed out. The Jeep was LOADED! As much as I try to "pack light" living in the Pacific Northwest flies directly in the face of that! The boys were dressed for the beach, and then each had a warm weather and a cold weather outfit to change in to. And their bathing suits and towels in case it was warm enough to go to the pool. And of course, snacks, food for lunch, a stroller to contain Weston if need be, sand toys, shovels, and a bucket for clams and steamers. Hmm... My camera and a change of clothes for Tyler and I.... I think that's it! We got out there around 9:15 and met Tyler's mom and Duane at their little beach house, and then went to the State Park and dug in the sand and rocks for a few hours.

Wayne only made "castles" so that he could be a one man demolition crew on them when he was done!

Checking out the barnacles... Grammie thought she could entertain Weston by having him pull pieces off the big rock, but then he tried to eat them!

Cruisin' the beach!

After initially crying when he plopped down in this tide pool, Weston then decided it was fun and camped out there for 20 minutes!

Oh those Silves boys.... After being out on the beach for a few hours, and hearing Aunitie mention "pottie," of course Wayne had to go. I told him he could go outside (he can't be any worse for the environment than seagull poo!) and helped him whip it out and go on the sand. He was pretty nonchalant about it, and went on playing.

Later on, back at the beach house for lunch, our jaws hit the gravel as Wayne pulled his pants down in the middle of playing, and pee'd on Grammie's driveway. When I told him next time he needed to tell mom and we'd go inside, he told me, "No! I stay right here and go. I do myself!" Lovely. First peeing over the side of boats, now outdoors willy-nilly... it's Tyler and my brothers all over again! To Grammie and the Auntie's.... I'm sorry. He's a boy. I blame Tyler!

After getting up out of the tide pool, of course Weston wanted to snuggle. Who could deny him? Needless to say, I was very wet, salty, and sandy. But he was sooo nice to snuggle!

Back at the ranch.... Tyler was seeing how Weston would handle a "sister" on his lap with him.... Paige is getting so big, isn't she?!? Weston liked her, we just had to keep him from poking her eyes out!Whew.... what a day! We were home around 3:30 and did NOTHING until we went to bed that night! I was tired, the boys were tired, Tyler was tired... but it had been a very fun, wonderful day! Nothing like a little family fun before the baby comes!

paying my photo debt...

My blog posts of late have been far too wordy, so I thought I'd get caught up on some picture posting!


Tyler and Wayne went craw-dad fishing, plunking, hunting, or whatever you want to call it! Wayne was so excited to catch some "crabs." He was a little freaked out, and a lot fascinated by them.

When I asked him to show me how big they were, this was his response! Now THAT'S a fish tale! The big catch.

The next set of pictures is from Ryan's 30th birthday fire up at Mom and Dad's.

So cute! A picture together is rare, since they are both constantly busy!

:-:-:-:-:R-A-I-N:-:-:-:-:

Can you believe it's RAINING? It's been so long, I had to look out the window to see what was making "that" sound. Of course, the boys are sleeping in, and I am up and ready for work. We've got no more than 30 minutes to changes the boys, feed them, and be gone... But right now, in this moment.... I love the sound of the rain. And the feel of the cool breeze coming through the open window... and Wayne shouting, "I waked up!" at the top of the stairs. I love these things, life is G-O-O-D.

addicted, obsessed - I admit it!

I full on admit to each and every one of you crazy people who keep coming back to read what I write (okay... I think to my credit a good many of you are related, so you're already stuck with me!) that I am totally addicted, obsessed and distracted by DIGITAL SCRAPPING! This is a world that will suck you in before you even know it! It started back in January, and I do recall saying "I'll never pay money for a kit when I can get them for free!" Almost every day since then, I neurotically checked the digiscrapdepot website. After a month or so, I expanded my search to include the ikeagoddess daily blog post. Then digifree's search engine. Then a few designer's blogs who I really enjoy for their wit and talent. Then Bethany's word art blog, then..... Are you following the digression? In the midst of all that downloading, I've developed a fail proof organization and digital scrap method that has kept everything organized so I can actually scrap with it all. AND I've caught Weston up on the first 17 months of his life, and almost got Wayne caught up. Who knew? I told you was obsessed!!! While I still get a mass majority of my kits and "embellies" for free, I've also splurged a little into the purchasing world. I only buy kits that are truly unique and specialized, and the little thrill I get inside as they are downloading..... sends chills down my spine! Scrap Orchard had a 35% off sale today, and debuted their new designers.... I love them! Had to pick up a few kits too... couldn't pass up the deals! And with names like "Surfer Dude," "Extreme Little Dude," and "Slice of Summer" how could I pass them up? Now I'm ready to go into scrap overdrive... Too bad I wasn't doing this when I was on bedrest with Wayne and Weston! :-)

Well, I'd love to blog more about my obsession, but I can't. I need to go get my daily fix of freebies/blog posts!

Eggs

The answer to yesterday's blog.... nothing. We didn't really do anything. We ran to the bank and my mom's in the morning, the boys napped for not quite two hours, and the cousins came to play in the backyard. I made dinner. And watched the boys. That's it! We were outside though, so that was great.

Today.... Church, home, naps, and then maybe a run to Walmart. It helps break up the afternoon before Tyler gets home at 7pm, and there are a few things that I should really be the one shopping for (Tyler is taking the boys to Home Depot, Office Depot, and Costco tomorrow, so this way he wouldn't have to go to Walmart too.) I think that there are only two more weekends tht he works before the baby comes, and I am soooo glad. Two full days seems fine, three really tuckers me out. Especially with the heat we've had. I think two weeks ago, I ended up falling asleep by 7:30pm on Sunday night! Crazy!

Back to the eggs. Blagh. I am not typically a big fan of eggs to begin with, and now that they have become a daily staple for me... I'm less of a fan.

I do not like eggs.
I do not like them in a pan.
I do not like them scrambled.
I do not like them fried.
I do not like them on toast
I do not like them in a salad.
I do not like them hot or cold.
I can barely tolerate them in an omelot.
I do not like them in the morning.
I do not like them for lunch.
I won't even consider having them for dinner!
I cannot have them on french toast.
I do not like them hardboiled.
I do not like them overeasy, sunnyside up, or any other of those cute ways to say it.
I do not like them poached.
I do not like eggs.

Saturday, saturday, what to do today?

It's Tyler's long weekend (meaning he works Friday, Saturday and Sunday, leaving around 4:45am and getting back around 7 pm) and the boys and I are on our own. We stayed busy yesterday visiting Auntie Shelly in the morning, napping (I use that word loosely.... if they are in their rooms with the doors closed, that's a "nap" to me!) and then playing outside for a few hours.

When Tyler got home, we went up to Mom and Dad's to have a fire and celebrate Ryan's 30th birthday (it was really one month ago, but that was Uncle Pete's funeral, so it wasn't much of a celebration.) Last night though, was great fun. We had a fire up on the pit, and we all just sat around chatting. Of course, there are always a few family highlights, or moments that will go down in history.... Last night, first it was Dad flinging water on Tyler unexpectedly... Tyler was making a witty comment to Dad, and Dad just looked at him while the rest of us were laughing, and then threw water at him... Of course the rest of us (and Tyler) were really laughing then, and Wayne wanted in on the water throwing action. The second thing.... a marshmallow fight. Dad was pretty proud of his $1 bag of marshmallows from Red Apple, and then Mom had to grab one and throw it at Wayne. Well, it was game on at that point, and the next 10 minutes or so were full of zinging white poofy things flying through the air, and lots of shrieking and giggling. Honestly, Wayne was laughing so hard I'm surprised that he didn't pee his pants!!! We got home late, put the boys to bed, and fell into bed ourselves!

And now today... It's 9am, which leaves us 10 hours until Tyler is home... What should we do? The only things left on my list are to do the front flower beds, and I really can't do that until naptime, and to clean the upstairs, which I really don't feel like doing anway. Digiscrapping would be good too, but I doubt the boys will do that all day! :0) Hmm.. the park? Go for a ride? Run to Bellingham? The options are endless! At 64 degrees right now, it looks like a nice day, but not overly warm. Guess Wayne won't be able to chase Weston with the hose today! Okay, it's time to test and then go do something... Later blog readers! Hope you all have a fun Saturday ahead of you, or at least a productive one!

Baby update

What a busy day! But, Tyler's project at my sister's is done, and he was home ALL DAY LONG! Yippeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Can you see me smiling? We started the day by going to the dentist for cleanings. I go at 8, then come home and watch the boys while he goes at 9. We reconvened and celebrated no cavities with our morning iced coffees (by the way.... what a cruel trick. All my life I've just wanted to go the dentist and not have cavities, and now that my dream is coming true, the dentist tells me that from here on out, I am far more likely to need old fillings repaired than to have any new ones filled! Lovely!) I digress... where was I? Oh yeah, coffee time! I took off for Bellingham to an OB appointment. All is well with the baby, and I am back to measuring right on for the baby's gestation. My blood pressure's are actually DROPPING at this point, which is a wonderful surprise and change from other pregnancies (and makes my doctor shocked and amazed!) The gestational diabetes is well controlled, and hasn't caused any issues whatsoever since getting the nightly dose correct. However, I will say that the nightly shot has needed some adjusting, as the "chubs" that I used to shoot into are now baby/muscle and that stinkin' HURTS! :-) In order to put the needle in the "chubs" I have to go to the very bottom of my stomach, and I can't see that, so I'm shooting blind. Anyway, I'm sure that was FAAAAR to much info for you all, so I'll just move on.... I have another 2 weeks, then I start going in every week for an NST (that's a non stress test for all of you never-had-a-baby'ers or you had-baby-a-long-time-ago'ers.) So then it's every week until the wee one comes! After my appointment, I raced to Lynden for a meeting, then came home. The boys were in bed and Tyler was under the house fixing the back faucet (we have cold water out of the back faucet again, he'll hook up the hot water on his next day off... don't you wish your husband could hook up hot water to your back faucet so your kids don't have to have freezing cold water in their pool? And now I can use the hose to "prewash" Weston before he's allowed back in the house!) I wandered the house aimlessly, then accomplished a few things. When the boys woke up, we had coffee and then went outside. Tyler washed and vacuumed the Jeep, while I washed and hosed down the stroller, highchair, Weston's trike, and the infant carseat. I also made sure that all three carseats really do fit in the back of the Jeep, which they do. More playing and projects, dinner, a little work, and here we are! Tyler works all weekend, but then has Monday and Tuesday off, and will be home BOTH DAYS! I might just run away for one of those days, there's got to be something I need to do before the new baby comes! :-)

Okay, sorry for the one big paragraph above. Hopefully there's no typos, I'm tired and too lazy to go get my reading glasses, so these letters are all a little fuzzy! Don't mock me for needing reading glasses girls... if you don't have them yet, your time will come. Whether we're in our twenties or forties... we all need a little help at some point!

Oh and one more thing.... after being without channel 4 since December.... It's back on! Dishnetwork must have finally negotiated a contract with Komo.... hip-hip hooray! Oh wait, it's just in time for basketball finals. Guess I'll be doing some scrapping in the evenings.

a day in the life... the rest of the day!

Okay, I think we left off around 2:30...

2:30pm - Wayne wakes up, and announces "I waked up!" from the top of the stairs, at which point Weston announces he's awake too. We spend 15 minute snuggling on the couch, the three of us.
2:45- We make iced coffee's for Dad and Uncle Ryan, load up the boys, and head to the construction site. I marinate the steak for dinner.
3:15 - We bring coffee, visit the boys, and get the hairbrained idea that we should have Ryan and Tara for dinner, since I have plenty of steak anyway
3:30 - We head home and call Tara, who after working all day is all for dinner at our house. She offers to bring something, but I tell her I got it covered.
3:35 - I realize that I can't just invite Ryan and Tara, I should invite the rest of the "commune" too (that's what I call the folks who live together on the hill! :0) Mom and Dad have Tyson and Breanne living upstairs for the next few months as Tyson works from the Bellingham office, and Ryan and Tara are still in the shop until their house is done this fall.) I call Mom and Breanne, who offer to bring the carbs (since I don't have any around here!) Garlic bread and garlic mashed potatoes. I realize I need a few more steaks, call Tara, who brings another few steaks, along with ice cream cone fixin's for dessert.
4 to 5pm - The boys and I relax and play a few games, I clean up the backyard.
5pm - I got my fried onions, cauliflour and sauce made up, along with a tossed green salad and make sure the steaks are ready to go.
6:00 - I start getting the veggie's fried up, only to have to little boys crying for me to hold them, grabbing my legs as I'm in front of the stove. Putting safety first, I put them in the playroom and lock the gate. They cry for 2 minutes, then start giggling as they play
6:15 - The family shows up! Everyone helped finalize things, and we spent the next three hours relaxing, eating, laughing and chatting. It was DELIGHTFUL and I even felt like I got a break and a chance to enjoy and visit. Having the boys on their own turf makes things so much easier!
9:15 - Everyone leaves, and I log on to my laptop to finish some work for tomorrow, then give myself a shot.
10:15 - Tyler has showered and I am done blogging with you all, so it's time to fall into my bed. I'll be asleep before the light's out, I'm sure!

a day in the life...

Hey all! I follow a digital scrapper's blog, and she always writes, in DETAIL, everything she does in a day. I thought you might all find that interesting, and plus I'd like to have a typical schedule for our family documented for all eternity, so that someday when I'm old and wonder what I did all day when the kids were young... I can remember!

5:45am - Wayne comes in our room, cheerfully announcing "I waked up!" Really? At 5:45am? I hope he's sleep walking, but then he jumps on our bed and I know he really did "waked up."
5:50am - Weston's screaming bloody murder. I go to get him out of his crib, and as soon as he sees me, he jumps up and down, happy as a clam. I thought he was screaming a second ago....
Both boys snuggle in bed with Tyler and I, while watching a little bit of Handy Manny. Tyler showers while I clean up upstairs, I shower while he takes the boys downstairs, I bring down clothes and other stuff that needs to come down for the boys for the day.
7am - I really am still tired. Tyler has the boys eating breakfast, so I sit down at the computer to read a few blogs and take my morning blood sugars... Tyler makes me an omelet and a piece of toast for breakfast. Very good for my morning blood sugars, that seems to be the magic combo.
7:30 - Tyler takes off to work on a project at my sister's house, the boys and I chase each other for awhile, then when I'm tired we head to the office/toy room to clean it up. After 30 minute and cleaning it twice (Weston keeps "uncleaning" it as we go!") It's time for a break. The boys play toys while I make a list of what I should do today.
8:15 - Tyler calls... he forgot a few things, could we bring them? I load up the boys, head to water flowers at the cemetary and get a much needed coffee from Master's blend, then bring Tyler his things. He is waiting for Ryan to come back with materials, so we sit for 45 minutes and visit, with the boys tied into their carseats. How nice!
10:30 - back home, snack time. The boys eat fishy crackers. I eat nothing! :-) The boys then play and watch a Veggie Tale, while I vacuum, dust, sweep, and sort and start washing laundry. Weston runs around like a wild man screaming with his arms in the air. He's not mad, just being crazy!
11:35 - Wayne announces that his tummy hurts, he is hungry. The boys have quasadilla's and fruit for lunch, then are diaper or pottied, and brought upstairs for a much needed nap by 12pm.
12:05 - I clean up after the boys, transfer and start another load of laundry, eat lunch, then work for 1 1/2 hours.
2:10 - I am done working for awhile, and decide to blog.

And that brings us to the present! What will the afternoon hold? Making dinner, finishing some work, hosing down the highchair and stroller, balancing the checkbook, playing outside with the boys, and whatever else comes our way. Hope you are all having a good day, and I'll be back with more later!

too much for my heart to handle

in one day! Wayne went to the dentist for the very first time today. I was prepared for the worst, which of course meant that it went super smooth! The hygienist was very nice and sweet, and explained everything in great detail to Wayne, he was eating it up and acting like he understood everything. He was very excited when he found out he could watch SuperWhy and wear a special headset to hear! She cleaned all of the fronts of his teeth, flossed, did a flouride treatment, and the dentist counted all of his teeth and completed his exam. Woo-hoo! Best case scenerio, according to the experts at Everson Dental. Wayne has 10 teeth on top, and 10 on bottom. His next molars are starting to make their way in too. Everything was looking good in the little boys mouth, and he'll go back again in six months I think. It was so strange to watch him interact with the tech and dentist, pretending to be such a big boy when he's still a baby! :-)

Here he is, watching TV.
Here's the TV!All the "goodies" he was so excited to learn about...

He LOVED to spit into the sucker straw! Next to the water spray, this was by far his favorite thing. Hey, if the tech has on gloves, Wayne needs them too! He told her, "I like my gloves!" When I told him he needed to wear the bib to stay clean, the tech interupted me to tell Wayne that it was a special bib, not one for babies (like she thought he'd be offended by me calling it a bib.) He looked back at me and said, "I like to be clean, I like my bib!" Precious child! :-)

All ready to go!Playing just before his appointment... he thought it was such a special treat that only he got to go to the dentist, not Weston. He was a little upset that Weston was left at home though.... Those two are inseparable!

The final straw on the "more than my heart can handle" day was hearing that Aunt Tanya caught him going pottie...... STANDING UP! This has been strictly NOT encouraged. My rule has been you can stand and pee when you are old enough to clean the toilet. Argh. Tanya asked him where he learned to go pottie like that, and he said, "My Dad! I no sit on the pot, I stand up!" Dad and Mom will be having a chat tonight when he gets home from work. If Wayne is too young to clean the toilet, another male might have to step in!

"Yew, YUCK!" - Wayne, age 3

Wayne has been really into the "Incredibles" movie. He keeps pulling up the characters on PlayhouseDisney.com, and begging to watch the movie. I ran errands in Bellingham yesterday, and told him if he was good, we could pick up the movie (we have had a gift certificate to the mall for awhile, and I thought that would be a fun thing to use it for!) Of course, I was looking everywhere in Target for it, all while Wayne was telling me, "This way, go this way!" I thought he wanted to go see the books, and wasn't paying much attention to him, until he yelled, "It's RIGHT HERE!" Oh. Guess the little dude's got keener eyes than his mom! :-) Anyhow, we are just relaxing at home this morning (yes, playing hooky... we are exhausted and need a little down time together as a fam!) and there is a scene at the end of the movie where the husband and wife give each other a kiss... to which Wayne responded, "Yew, YUCK!" Good buddy, you just keep on thinking that!

Gardening with Wayne

Today was another nice day, and while the temps were definitely lower (in the mid 70's) the humidity was higher which did NOT agree with me! Tyler was at Ryan and Tara's working on his project, but by 4:30 I had to tell him to come home, I was DONE! The little stinker inside me was trying to get out, I'm convinced. He/she moved positions, and was stretching from one end to the other, and KILLING my sides. Seriously, I couldn't walk standing up! This had been going on for an hour by the time I called him, and continued for another 2 hours or so. Then, of course, Braxton-hicks settled in for the evening, so I put myself on voluntary bed rest for the evening. I got up to pee, and that was it. Go me! :-) Tyler was so understanding and great, and took over dinner and the boys. After Weston went to bed, Wayne asked to go check on his pumpkins. When we planted the garden, Wayne was in charge of the pumpkin seed and mounds, and is VERY proud of them. At least a few times a day we have to go check on them, and he is in charge of watering them too. He also has to check on the beans and the strawberries, and tells us, "No eat yet, still growing!" He is talking more and more each day, and Tyler and I are absolutely blown away at the things he comes up with. I love seeing the world through a three year old's eyes! He is very into "buggies" too, and likes to squish them. (Boys!) He was quite the helper for me today too, I was so proud of him for understanding that I didn't feel good, and pitching in to put dishes in the sink, bring me diapers for Weston, and lots of other little things. I used to think that kids did the most changing between birth and one year, but I now think that it is between ages 2 1/2 and 3 1/2. He is grown, matured, and developed so much over the last 12 months, it's astounding to me. But, he is still the sweet, compassionate boy he's always been, and MUST have plenty of snuggles throughout the day. He asked for something tonight, and I told him, "Sure, but it will cost you!" He leaned right in and planted a kiss on my cheek." I turned the other way and told him, "It will cost you LOTS!" and he proceeded to kiss my other cheek a hundred and one different times. As I soaked in the moment, I could see Tyler watching us out of the corner of my eye, with a big 'ol smile on his face, shaking his head. I love that little boy to pieces!

For Dad...

it's SHUTTERFLY day!

Weston's first year scrapbook is in Bellingham, and was put on the UPS truck at 6:50am... it's in the county folks! Big excitement and anticipation around here.

It's currently 64 degrees, and it's way up to 90 again today. I love nice weather, I love nice weather, I love nice weather.... That's what I keep telling myself anyway. It takes more convincing when my toes look like little sausages at the end of the day! :-)

The boys are doing well. They love the nice weather and have even become used to sunscreen. Wayne saw Uncle Tyson's peeling back last weekend, and I told him that he got the owie because he did not wear sunscreen and that was not safe. Now when I put it on Wayne, he says, "I be safe Mommy?" "Yup" I say, "Thanks for sitting still!" They will have their choice of the slip and slide or the sprinkle today, along with Otter Pops and other ice cold beverages. It's also nice that by 4pm most of the backyard is in shade, which can be a little more pleasant on days like today! Tyler came home from work after the first nice day we'd had, and had this to say about the backyard, "It looks well used." That should give you some idea of the "fun" they can have back there! I think today we should spray the dogs with water too. Might make them feel better! They'll smell like wet dogs, but what do I care? I can't smell them!

Tyler has one more big day left on his project at my sister's house. Yippee!!! He put in two 10 hour days on Monday and Tuesday this week, and is just wanting to get things finished up. Me too! I am sooooo looking forward to having Saturday and Sunday to do a few things around here together, and to have my morning and afternoon coffee buddy back! The boys and I have been bringing him coffee there, but it's just not the same as relaxing in our own backyard.

Hard to believe that we have 7 more weeks of being a 4 person family! It's the little things that hit me when I think of what life will soon be like... Three in the backseat, three in the tub, three to get ready in the morning, three ion my lap, three.... Three.... THREE!!! When I think that they are born in 2006, 2008, and 2009. (Hat's off to the child tax credit!) I am sure that once I've recovered from the C-section things will settle down into a routine. I am PRAYING for a laid back, happy baby. I'm sure we'll have adventurous stories to tell! :-)

Okay, it's off to prepare breakfast for all the kiddos, and mine. I've got to set a little more time aside for food planning and prep for myself today. There are veggies to shop and fruit to slice!

it's HOT!

92 degrees folks. 92 DEGREES! My house, thankfully, is a pleasant 73 degrees, so we are hiding out inside. Other than a little mild ankle swelling for me, we are all weathering the weather quite well. The boys are living in shorts with no shorts, and by late afternoon don't be surprised to find the littlest nudist colony in the backyard! :-) Their issues are mostly related to water and sand. Water is fun, the sand box is fun, but going in water and then the sand box can be a little itchy-itchy scratchy-scratchy down south, which neither is a fan of. They are eating lots of otter pops and water and juice, and food in general. I am resorting to ice chips, as my usual frozen blueberry summer habit is not in my food plan! (Too many carbs in fruit!) Speaking of which... I was having a major oreo blizzard craving, and thought I'd look up how many carbs were in a small.... Over 90! My dinner allotment is 45, and my snack allotment is 15. Needless to say, it is going to be a very, very long time before I get a blizzard "fix" again. *sigh* That's about all for now folks, later!