News!

It was announced yesterday that the LDS church is building a temple in my hometown (where I grew up, not where I currently live).

Crazy exciting!

See the story here.

The Whole Tooth

So I've posted this on facebook and got some hilarious responses. Now, I'm posing the questions to by blogger buddies. Buggy discovered his first loose tooth yesterday, and today while at the dentist, they found a second one. He was a little freaked out until I assured him that it was normal, and even fun.

So now I must ask: what is the going rate for the tooth fairy nowadays? So far the most common answer I've heard is $1.

Food!

As far as she is concerned...


She is totally ready to start feeding herself.

"Look how good I did Mom!"

This is what I get for seriously underestimating the length of her reach and leaving the bowl where I thought it would be safe while stepping away for a minute.

More Bits & Pieces

Not to jinx myself, but we are on day 3 of strictly underwear (during the day) with no accidents. Obviously we are still using diapers at night, and he still wears a pull-up when we go out, but for the last few days it has stayed dry. I am starting to see a small pinprick of light at the end of this tunnel!

He begged me to let him wear just underwear to church today. I compromised and let him wear them through sacrament meeting, then we went potty and put on a pull-up before he went to primary. He did great. I think sometime this week I may find the courage to let him venture out in just underwear. We'll see if I get brave enough.

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Baby Sister has a CT scan coming up this week. Not super looking forward to this one. I know in theory that there is really nothing to be concerned about with the actual procedure. I just really don't love the idea of having to have her sedated. I'm struggling with that one a little bit.

She also has her first meeting with her "teacher". I'm not sure what else to call her. It isn't really speech therapy that we will be doing, it is more just a program that provides an educator who will come in and help us learn how make the adjustments we need to give Sister her best "hearing" advantages.

This program also includes music classes, playgroups, and other events that allow the kids (all with varying degrees of hearing loss) a chance to interact and socialize. We have a music class this week, but due to the busyness of the week already I'm not sure if I'm going to make it or not. Even so, I'm very excited to be making some progress where her hearing is concerned.

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My husband informed me recently that he hasn't been feeling enough love on my blog. So I am remedying that situation now. He has been busy turning the closet under my stairs into a usable space. The pile of junk that used to occupy it has been organized/tossed and I now have a wonderful pantry with lots of extra storage. My favorite feature is the wall of kid-level hooks and the basket for shoes so that I no longer have to hang up jackets and pick up tossed around sneakers. I really need to take pictures. Thanks Babe! I love it.

He also helped me spring clean the Garage this weekend. It looks fabulous, if I do say so myself.

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Speaking of spring...(this is especially for my Utah readers). We've had a beautiful week here in the great Northwest. We've had at least 2 days that neared (if not reached) 60 degrees, and my boys have been out riding their bikes nearly every afternoon.

Just keep this in mind come June when you are bragging about how great your weather is - and it's raining here. We take it where we can get it.

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I recently started going to the chiropractor. It has taken a lot of courage for me to start going, but my back was hurting to the point that I needed something. My husband has been going multiple times a week for the last year and a half, and it has been working great for him, but anyone who know me very well knows my skittishness around any kind of thing that might be labeled "alternative medicine". I am strictly a doctors and drugs kind of girl.

I have to eat my words a little bit now though, and admit that it is actually working really well. I feel lots better, and I think the adjustments are making a difference. It helps that we have a pretty great chiropractor too.

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And just on a final note, lest Buggy feel left out...I am seeking opinions on 5-year-old boys. I know my son has a tendency to be a bit high strung (he comes about it honestly), but lately it seems like I'm raising a hormonal teenage girl rather than a little boy. He gets upset and starts crying over the silliest things lately. And somehow, he has learned how to pout.

I have have a very, very low tolerance for any form of drama -this is not boding well for him. So, now I just have to ask: Should I be worried, or is this normal/just a stage/hopefully going to pass very soon? Help me out - I'm kind of starting to be concerned here (and my unfeeling -his word, not mine - husband, is not).

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Well that is about all from me for now. Until next time...

Rice Bags

I have this friend that is impossible to buy a gift for. Actually I have a few people in my life like this, but one in particular has a birthday tomorrow.

I found this tutorial for these "rice heat therapy bags" the other day.

Super cute. Problem solved.

Christmas Pictures (I finally emptied my camera)

Pretty Christmas Dress (and hair bow that I'm very proud of).


New Jammies! (thanks Grandma)


Christmas Morning



Modeling their chef hat/apron combos. (also very happy with how these turned out).

I Spoke too Soon.

I should have known not to jinx our successes by talking about them. We had our first poop accident this morning (man I hate cleaning poop out of underwear).

ARRRGGGHHHHHH! (Thanks, I feel better now.)

I wish that there was some magical method that would allow them to be fully potty trained fast (one that really works, not just one that claims to), that would allow little or no effort on my part.

Never again will I take for granted how nice it is that Buggy takes care of all of his bathroom needs on his own.

This Week So Far (Jan 11-17)

**Another bulleted list here, sorry. I'm trying a new technique - if you couldn't already tell. I'm hoping it will encourage me to keep posting, even when there isn't much to add.

• Potty training (if you can really call it that-it's more like just an effort to phase out the diapers) started in earnest on Monday. 3 days, only 1 real accident. Today, we were out a lot, so we took a break and he wore a pull-up. I know some people will be against this technique, but I really think he is the kind of kid who is going to need a break every few days, until he gets the hang of it. One issue though...he holds it, or isn't drinking enough and is only actually "producing" once or twice a day. Ideas?
• Baby Sister had another hearing test this week. About the same as all the others. She wasn't really cooperating well, but it seems that her "good" ear still has normal hearing. We go back in two weeks to do a CT scan (mostly to rule out any structural abnormalities as the cause of her loss). Not really looking forward to it. It means a trip to Seattle early in the morning and a minimum 3-hour appointment, not to mention having to deal with seeing my baby put under anesthesia (yuck!).
  
• The boys got flu vaccines today. Beefy just had to have the H1N1 mist, but Buggy had to get the mist as well as the shot for the seasonal flu. The silly kid had himself so worked up over it, I'm pretty sure I ruined his whole day. He kept trying to convince me that kids in his kindergarten class don't come to school when they're sick, therefore he didn't need to get a flu shot. I'm telling you - future lawyer! That kid tries to argue his way out of everything.
• I've been listening to the Wicked soundtrack this week. (Thanks Kylie!) I LOVE musicals but I have to admit this is one I'd never gotten into before now. Honestly, I read the book and it totally turned me off - It was horrible! But now, I totally understand why the musical so wildly popular. It is super catchy, and I've been singing it in my head for days now. I just have to keep reminding myself that it isn't the same as the book. I would love to be able to see this show now.

Anyway, that's been my week so far. 3 (packed) days to go!

Thankful - Part 6 (The Finale)

• 12/31 - All of my many many blessings. They are innumerable.
• 12/30 - Jump Planet! and more family time.
• 12/29 - Getting some quality "wii" time with my husband, and some friends.
• 12/28 - Family time.
• 12/27 - Good leftovers, and not having to cook.
• 12/26 - Sunny, mid-50's weather in mid-December, allowing me to send my children and husband outside.
• 12/25 - The celebration of the birth of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
• 12/24 - My abundance of blessings.
• 12/23 - being surrounded by really wonderful people, who are so good to me and my family.
• 12/22 - The people at Costco being really nice about my son setting off their alarm.
• 12/21 - Another year of life.

A New Year!

Man I'm a slacker! It has taken me 11 days into 2010 to even start posting. I've even wanted to, but the lack of stuff to post about has hindered me slightly. So, even though you've all heard it before - here I am promising to be a better blogger.

• I think that I've had a sufficient enough break from crafting to get back into it, and start a few new projects again; so, be on the look out for those.

• We are officially hitting potty training with Beefy again. This time I have promised myself that I will not give up. So far, so good, but don't be surprised to see me venting failures/celebrating successes on here.

• We have hearing tests with Baby Sister again this week, and a meeting with the family resource coordinator for early intervention. We have found an agency to go through for her speech/language therapy and should be starting that soon as well.

• My husband has also been working hard on some home improvement/organization projects for us, so I'll be posting those as well as soon as I get some pictures taken.

So there you have it! No more excuses (for now). You'll be hearing from me again soon.