Shhh…

So for the past few nights I’ve been successful in getting the kids to bed by 9 pm. That includes asleep. I am so happy, I tend to do a little happy dance. Nicholas still wakes up every hour or two (darn teeth!) but he’s getting there. With them going to bed at such a fabulous time, I actually get the chance to finish my housework, get everything prepped and layed out for the next day AND watch a tv show that is not part of Playhouse Disney or Noggin. Woo Hoo! Also, after a whole lotta months of not being able to do any, I’ve completed 3 whole scrapbook pages. I am so far behind it’s not even funny. In honor of that, I took the time to post them and write a short note for the blog. Alas, now I must run upstairs and the littlest Dady has awoken and is yelling for his Mama. Bye all!

Dr’s Visit - what else is new?

I finally broke down and brought him in. The plus side is that she doesn’t think he has an ear infection. During his exam, he was really angry about her poking in his ears but his yell was way more a “What the **** do you think you’re doing!!” and not an “Ouch that hurts” kind of cry. I’ll be happy when those last two big old molars come in. My poor little bean.

7 More Days

Only 7 more days until Tim comes back from Vancouver. One week has passed and except for being tired because Nicholas still wakes up several times a night and then is fully awake at 6:30-7. Basically, we’re getting by and getting things done. I miss Lis a lot. Her, Todd and Finn are off on their great California adventure which I’m so happy about but at the same time I really miss them. I don’t think it will truly hit me until I get that errant thought of “Let’s see if the Sampson’s want to meet up at XXX” and then realize that it’s not an option. I’m hoping that doesn’t happen until after Tim gets home.

This morning the air is chilly and the kids are bundled up in the living room. I’m working on a project that requires many monitors so I’ve moved work operations into the living room. We have a nice small fire in the fireplace to take some of the chill out of the air. I enjoy having the fireplace. It’s very relaxing, plus you know how we are about staying warm.

I shouldn’t complain about the weather though. It’s been absolutely beautiful. I’ve taken to setting up my computer on the back porch in the afternoons and the kids play in the backyard until the sun goes down. There are some days when they don’t watch tv at all. I’ve got nothing against tv though. I love it, they love it. Nicholas is mesmerized. He discovered the Wiggles a few days ago and was hooked. He dances and “sings” along with them so I guess I’ll be hunting down Wiggles tickets once again. This is the first year we haven’t been to a Wiggles concert since Isabella turned 1. We’ve been to plenty of other shows. I’m a sucker for a live show.

Once Tim gets home, Isabella and I are having a girls night out at Disney for their Pirates and Princesses party. We’re both very excited. She’ll actually get to use one of her school vacation days and we get some good girl time alone. Plus there’s the whole getting dressed up part and staying up WAY past her bedtime without me giving her the “mommy look.” Speaking of Isabella, her reading is improving rapidly these days. She’s moved up to level 2 readers and does a fine job for a 4 year old. She’s also attempting to become an acrobat (her words) as she works on mastering the rings on the jungle gym. She swings really well, swings with one arm really well, and now is attempting the monkey bar move of grabbing the next ring forward with her free hand. She’s got her landing down good. Nicholas is entranced as he watches his sister swing in the sky.

Nicholas has himself figured out that although he can’t quite climb up into the playsets, he can however climb up the slide to get to the top level. Let’s just say I’ve had a few sprints across the yard which amuse him greatly. As he’s laughing hysterically I’m trying to figure out ways to stop him from climbing up there or blocking off the open areas. Bella usually climbs up as soon as he starts going up the slide and meets him at the top. She’s a sweet girl. She looks out for her baby brother. Both of them play more with the playset and playhouse now that we’ve moved than they ever did at the old house.

We’re going to trim up the back area planting beds and put in some flowers of the kids choosing. I’ve been putting it off waiting for the freeze. You know the freeze, don’t you? It comes every year right at the end of January/beginning of February and you get to drive through the neighborhood seeing who forgot to turn off their sprinklers. One year after Bella was born I literally stopped the car, got out with Bella (and Nikki and Laney who were with us) and we took pictures. It was in the upper 70’s but there was so much ice in their lawn and trees that it looked like some sort of surreal winter wonderland dropped down into Florida. I’ll have to dig up those pictures. I know they’re stored on a backup somewhere.

Well that’s all for now. I usually wait until I’ve sorted out photos before I post, but then you’d miss out on all my happy ramblings. LOL. Hope everyone is warm and happy!