The Leprechaun Leap

Dear Noelle,

This weekend we went up to Chicago for the St. Paddy's Day 5k and Leprechaun Leap. It was mommy's first race since the Memorial Day 5k massacre last year and despite the SUPER windy and cold racing conditions, things went well. After the race, you came to me with a big hug and said:

"Mom you did GREAT!"

And you did great in your race too, my sweet little girl. All week, you kept saying how excited you were to run in your "country" race. The cold didn't seem to bother you at all and you ran as fast as your legs could take you. We could not be prouder of all your hard work!!

Love you,

Mommy

Here are some pics from your race:

Who Dat?

Dear Noelle and Ty,

Grandma, Grandpa, AJ and Cully recently came back from visiting family down in New Orleans. They went over Mardi Gras and brought back TONS of toys, beads and Saints gear. Here you are Ty, sportin' the beads...they were so heavy Daddy had to help you walk!! Noelle, you love your beads and your Superbowl champ shirt. Everytime you want to wear it, you always say, "Hey Mom, can I wear my who dat shirt?"

Love ya,

Mom

Story Time, compliments of Noelle

Dear Noelle,

Lately you have been telling some super funny (but sometimes hard to follow) stories. Here you are in your "bathtub":

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Thanks for being such a sweetie! Love ya!

Mommy

Layla Grace- keeping it in perspective

Today I stayed home with Ty, as he was not feeling well. My day consisted of laying in bed with him on my chest from about 8-4:30. He just slept and slept, and any time I tried to lay him down, he would scream. So, I held him and let him sleep on me. Unfortunately, my OCD self could not help but stare at the pile of laundry heaped up in the corner, or think about the million and one things I had to get done: mop the floor, empty the dishwasher, write one of my 3 12 page papers that are due in a month, the list goes on.

Then my mind turned to little Layla Grace. A heart-breaking 2 year old girl whose fight with cancer is almost over. I have been following her mom's blog and unless a miracle happens, sweet Layla will won't make it through the week. Her mom posted this post a few days ago- extremely difficult to read as they walk this unimaginable journey :

http://laylagrace.org/?p=448

It really puts things in perspective. For all the times I complain about not getting stuff done, or having the kids trash their bedrooms just as soon as I walk out from cleaning it. Whatever the scenario, I need to keep it in perspective. Life is not about the pile of laundry that needs washed, the floors that need mopped or the toys that need putting away. Today, I held Ty tight and let the "to do" list go, because really, my only thing to do today was to help him feel better and to be thankful for my healthy family.

Please pray for Layla and her mom, dad, and older sisters. Pray for peace as she prepares to meet Jesus and strength for her family when she is gone.

For the Birds

I don't know where I came up with this idea. I feel like it's a project my mom or nana used to do with us when we were kids (except with pine cones, which is weird because we didn't have pine trees in Chicago, but who knows).

Anyways, Noelle really enjoys "projects" and so I decided to teach her how to make bird treats. They are really, really easy and she had a blast.

First, we set up the supplies: small bowls of peanut butter, bird seed, crackers, and unpopped popcorn. Take note of the cookie sheet to contain the mess- a BRILLIANT idea that I found that works for any project with play-doh, glitter, glue, paint, and of course bird seed. Not only does it contain mess like nothing else, but pop that baby into the dishwasher and clean-up is a piece of cake.

So for the bird treats just follow these three easy steps:

1. Spread peanut butter on the crackers

2. Dip the top in your select toppings

3. Place outside for the birds to enjoy- I tried using string to hang the treats on trees, but it didn't work quite so well. Pine cones would definitely be more sturdy. So we ended up just putting them on the picnic table outside.

***Side note: peanut butter licking likely to occur, so you really gotta watch that there isn't bird seed/popcorn kernels mixed in...otherwise you get a face like this....***

I won't lie though, I do have an ulterior motive. In my ongoing quest to be a better gardener, I read that you should try to attract different types of birds to your yard. This way they help keep the garden insect free, which is always helpful!!!

First of Many

Dear Ty,

Two days ago was Valentine's Day and we spent the morning in the ER with you. You see, you happened to drop a 5 lb. dumbbell on your big toe and it popped the nail off. By nail, I mean the entire left big toenail, it's attached cuticle and the hidden nail under the skin.

As soon as it happened, I was on the phone with the doctor's office, while daddy put the nail back on and held a cold washcloth over it. We were told to head in to the ER, where you sat and smile at all the nurses for about an hour. The tech came in and cleaned it out, put vaseline under the nail, only to have the doctor come in and tell her to take it all off so she could burn a hole in the toe nail. Obviously communication was lacking in the ER.

Anyways, back to burning the hole. The doctor didn't have the foresight to HOLD YOUR FOOT DOWN and instead came at you all reckless. Of course, you flinched as the procedure started, which cause the nail to rip off completely again and bleed everywhere. The doctor, two techs and two nurses couldn't figure out how to get the nail back on and fumbled around frantically as you screamed bloody murder for about five minutes until I finally said: "JUST STOP. Stop trying to get the nail on. It's fine, just wrap it up!!!"

WTF.

Daddy put it pretty much into perspective when he said, "It's not often you leave the ER worse than when you came in."

You are doing okay in spite of the traumatic experience. We've kept you in footie p.j.'s all day and you'll probably be sporting the look all week, but it's the only way you keep can keep a sock on the dressing.

Ugh, it was quite possibly, one of the most horrific things I have seen happen to one of my kids. A Valentine's Day massacre for sure. However, I suspect this was just the first of many trips to the ER for you little man. I better start preparing mentally for the next one!

Love you,
Mommy

Ty's First Year

(don't forget to turn off the blog sound on the lower right side!!)

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Don't Blink

Dear Ty,

Today, my little guy, you are one!! Your busy hands and swift feet have made the last year incredible. You are a walking, running, shouting, laughing, smiling, trouble making, kiss giving, speed-crawling, WWF maneuvering, head bumping, tantrum throwing, mess-making, food devouring, sound sleeping, ball of energy.

We have thoroughly enjoyed all the excitement you have brought to the house and are quickly learning to be one step ahead of you at all times. I remember when we were in the ultrasound room and the tech told us you were a boy. I was shocked. I thought you were a girl because I had been so sick, just like the 9 months with Noelle. Mommy and Daddy were shocked and thrilled all at the same time. We were going to have a son and Noelle was going to have a little brother.

I am going to copy a partial-post from Jill, a fellow blogger at http://babyrabies.com/, because when she wrote about being a "Boy Mom" I couldn't agree with her more. It also helps that she is a fantastic writer who shares my sentiments, but can express it oh-so-much more eloquently than me. Without further ado, some reasons why being a "Boy Mom" is the best:

"You develop a love of "little man" clothes, toy trucks, and OshKosh overalls paired with a toothy grin and muddy knees.

Being a boy mom means slobbery kisses and hugs that start with a running leap.

Being a boy mom means saving hundreds on clothes, even if only to spend that amount or more later in life on ER visits.

Being a boy mom means developing a keen eye for bugs and coming to terms with the fact that sometimes they can just be considered an extra helping of protein.

Being a boy mom means developing a very watchful eye while changing diapers, always on the lookout for the surprise pee stream attack.

Being a boy mom means having the pleasure of watching your son learn from his father.

Being a boy mom means you've been given the tremendous opportunity and challenge to raise someone who will grow up to be a respectful, loving and kind man. He may break hearts, but hopefully, with your guidance, he will do so gently."

Happy Birthday sweet boy,

Mommy

A Comic Genius

Dear Noelle,

The last few weeks, you have been saying the FUNNIEST stuff. Here are a few:

"I love you dad. You're a fresh tomato."

"You're my great good friend."

After sobbing in your bed for an hour one night before bedtime because you didn't want to go to sleep, Daddy finally went in to settle you down. The conversation went like this:

D: "Noelle, what's the problem?"

N: **tears stop immediately** "Member? hee hee hee member when Chompers ate the apple and Chance didn't???"

D: "Yes, I remember, now go to sleep!!"

In like a lion, out like a lamb

Dear Ty,

Tonight is a bittersweet night for me. We have only one week left together until you are completely weaned. We are down to one night feeding and it's one of my favorite parts of the day. It's our time to share a special bond, one that will only last for a short while longer. And while I know that it's time to let go, my heart aches because I know it's your first step towards being independent. No longer will you rely on me to provide for you as only a momma can.

Letting go doesn't come easy for me and this is no exception. I am comforted knowing that the last year has had it's ups and downs with nursing, but I have stuck with it and provided you with the best possible start a baby boy could have.

Our nursing experience hasn't always been the textbook definition of breast feeding. In fact, the beginning months were nothing short of a nightmare. Perhaps those months was a pay back compliments of Karma for me being so cocky. I already went through a tough beginning of nursing with Noelle, as most first moms do. This time, I had not a care in the world. I mean, I'd already been there, done that and so how tough could it possibly be. I'd imagine it'd be like riding a bike...once you learn...you know how it goes.

Boy was I wrong.

Breastfeeding you came in a like a lion. Or like deadly fire breathing dragon who had no mercy for any of us involved-- who's main purpose in life was to push me to the brink of insanity and take the whole family down with me.

It all started when we found out you were tongue-tied shortly after birth. Dr So & So, the pediatrician who was doing the rounds on your birthday, came in and upon peering into your mouth proclaimed you were tongue-tied and would need to have a minor surgery to fix it. How dare she tell me you had a flaw!

It didn't help that I immediately got defensive.

It didn't help that she had the personality of a dead fish.

And it probably didn't help that I stated this fact out loud.

And it definitely didn't help that she heard me.

You had other things to get clipped on your agenda, you didn't need to worry about your tongue too. But alas, we had the surgery done. We couldn't chance our nursing experience to be cut short, or for you to have a speech impediment.

What Dr. Dead Fish failed to tell me was that after the tongue got clipped, it would no longer sit on the bottom of your mouth. Instead it would stick to the roof of your mouth, which you know, make nursing about in-freaking-possible. You see, to be able to nurse, you've got to get the tongue out and under. That's the only way. And I'm sorry that by the time you are old enough to read this, this post may scar you for life (ya, it's about to get graphic, so family and friends, read on with caution).

Anyways, I didn't found out a life-saving tip until we were 4 weeks in and my nipples were red, cracked, and bleeding. Much worse than anything I ever dealt with nursing Noelle. I would cry, and cry, and cry and dread every single nursing session. I would flinch and dig my heels in the ground. I scoured every breastfeeding book I owned, every internet site, and every message board I belonged to. I bought every single cream and product available to help and nothing did.

So, finally I got the nerve to go in to see a lactation consultant ( abbreviated LC). You see, I'm not one for asking for help. Ever. And when it comes something of a private nature, you can bet your ass I'm not going to shout from the rooftops that I need help. I was a second time mom for chrissake, I wasn't about to march in, whip out my boobs, and announce my failures to a total stranger.

That visit saved the future of our nursing relationship. I was so nervous going in that I was in tears. The lady was so wonderful and understanding. She told me all about your tongue and why we couldn't get the latch right. With her guidance, you latched on perfectly. I remember wincing getting ready to cry in her office, but the latch was p.e.r.f.e.c.t. No pain. Nothing. I think I cried again (hey back off, post partum is an emotional time). I think I asked her if she could move in with me so we could get the perfect latch at home too. And Daddy had enough grace not to remind me that had I not been so stubborn, and went in a week ago when he suggested, we could have avoided a lot of pain.

She told me that we would have to do tongue exercises to train your tongue to work like normal. We had to do these exercises before every feeding and as the next few days went on, things got better. Now, I don't know why the &*$@ Dr. Dead Fish couldn't have give me a heads up 4 weeks ago, but don't worry, I ripped her a new one in the survey the hospital sent us.

Then the puking and screaming started.

A few days later, you started puking after every feeding. Not spitting up... full-on vomiting. I had to go buy more bibs because we couldn't keep up with the laundry. You would crunch up your legs, writhe in pain and scream and puke non-stop.

Once again, I scoured every book I owned, every internet site, and every message board I belonged to. I found out I had a forceful let down and an oversupply. To put your nursing sessions into perspective, it was like an adult trying to take a drink from a fire hose. Lots of choking and gagging and drama.

Well, we figured that was the problem, so I called back up the LC and got some tips on how to regulate my supply. However, as the supply slowed down, the puking and screaming sped up at a breakneck speed. We visited our pediatrician and talked about options: colic, gas, etc., all of which I knew it was not. It wasn't until your poop started to have blood in it that we started thinking food allergy.

Long story short, we found out you had a dairy/soy allergy. I changed my diet, which was incredibly difficult for me since I love my dairy; I have been know to eat an entire brick of cheese in one sitting. Combined with the fact that soy is in everything, and I hate cooking, it made for a near impossible situation.

My frozen supply that I worked so hard for was now null and void. I blogged a while back about what I ended up doing with all the frozen milk you couldn't drink. You can read about it at the link here: http://adayinthehunthouse.blogspot.com/2009/07/1489.html

(The donation almost didn't happen because my blood test came back positive for HVLT, some crazy disorder that people in third world countries get. After seeing two doctors, including an infectious disease doctor, I got re-tested and it was negative. A month worth of worrying and tests and dr. visits for a false positive. And the word infectious is just as about skin crawling as it gets. You need to be referred to the infectious disease doctor, oh you're here to see the infectious disease doctor? the infectious disease doctor will see you shortly. Please People. For the love of God, STOP saying the goddamn word INFECTIOUS.)

You see, "in like a lion" doesn't do the first 4 months of nursing justice. But we didn't quit. And now, in one short week we will be done. It was worth every tear, every puked on bib, every sleepless night, every doctor's visit and every minute of craziness.

I will enjoy the next few peaceful nights with you Ty. On Feb. 3rd I will be crying for a different reason. And even though nursing came in like a lion, it's definitely going out like a lamb: peaceful and perfect.

I love you baby boy,
Mommy

The Birthday Girl!

Dear Noelle,

Three years ago today we took this picture of you:

Three years ago today Mommy and Daddy welcomed you into the family with much excitment and love. We became new parents and you captured our hearts from day one. Your tiny little fingers and toes, your sweet, beautiful face, and your special baby smell were some of the many things that fascinated us. How proud we were of you that day.

And how proud we are of you today. Today you turn three and have filled our lives with an infinite amout of love and happiness. You are growing into such a beautiful little girl and we are amazed at all the wonderful things you say and do. No longer a toddler, you have begun your journey into childhood with a fiesty personality, a heart of gold, and enough passion for life to inginte a fire.

We could not be more honored to be your parents and we are looking forward to all the joy that you will continue to bring into our life.

Happy Birthday sweet Noelle. We love you with all our hearts.

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

First Steps

Dear Ty,

Tonight you took your first two steps!!! Mommy and Daddy are sooooo excited for you! We love you bunches!

Merry Christmas!

Dear Ty and Noelle,

Thank you for a wonderful Christmas. The last two days have been a flurry of activity with lots of laughs and love. I enjoyed every minute of it and hope you did too!! As I sit here by the tree, with new toys stacked up everywhere and snow softly falling, I know without a doubt I am the luckiest mommy in the world!!

I love you to pieces,
Mommy

Tails

Dear Noelle,

I just had to write down the latest dialogue between you and daddy:

Daddy: "You better settle down or I'm gonna jerk a knot in your tail

You: "No you not. I don't have a tail. I'm not a dog, I'm Noelle."

And the way you're looking in this pic, it looks like you're gonna jerk a knot in HIS tail!

Love you,

Mommy

Christmas Cards

I gave us ten pics to get it right. Equipped with a camera that won't charge, the photo shoot lasted all of about 12 minutes, with Jeremy yelling "poopy pants" for about 11 of those. Christmas Cards: pass or fail? Check your mailboxes soon and find out!

Does the picture below not say it all? I'm a mess, Jer looks like he is drowning, Noelle is ready to pounce and Ty is being smooshed into the floor.

Full Hands, Full Heart

Dear Noelle and Ty,

There's no doubt that with the last two months, my hands have been full, but so is my heart. I have hardly had time to sit down and catch my breath, let alone get on here and blog about our daily festivities. It's gonna take a while to catch back up....

My sweet little Ty: You have really come into your own and your personality has captured my heart. You are all boy, from your little man laugh, to your messy hands and face, to your never ending pooping, to finding anything, no matter how small or gross, on the floor and eating it. You have developed a love of dog food and can now get 10-15 pieces shoved into your mouth in a matter of seconds. When Daddy or I catch you, you put it into third gear and try to high tail it out of the kitchen. You can say daddy and no, more like nnnnnnno.

You still only have two teeth, but are eating lots of solid foods now. You tend to be a meat and potato guy...and you like your juice too! You are *this close* to walking but are too stubborn to give it a good try. And when you don't get your way...LOOK OUT. Screaming and gnashing of the teeth to follow.

And my little doll Noelle, I have loved every bit of our last two months. You are really into the holidays, and really love the Christmas lights. You are cautiously awaiting Santa's arrival, and I'm not sure I can convince you to go see him at the mall. Sometimes I think you are a 2 going on 15- your current Christmas list includes keys, a phone, and a pink video recorder (mp3 player to the tune of $145). What ever happened to barbies and cabbage patch dolls?

You adore your little brother and are the bests big sis. You are so selfless and sweet and I'm not sure how I got so lucky to be your mama. You are going to be starting pre-school soon and I am so excited for you! I know you will just love it!

Well, I'm signing off for now. I can't seem to get more pics loaded right now...could have something to do with my camera that hasn't been charged in a week, but I'll have to investigate when sleep isn't calling. I will try to get a few catch-up posts written in the next few days, complete with Halloween pictures, and of the Christmas fun we've been having!

I love you both!
-Mommy

7 and 8 months

Dear Ty,

Well you have certainly been keeping us busy. You have been learning all sorts of new stuff these last two months and it's so exciting. You started crawling AND got your first tooth on the SAME day, September 23rd. You love, love, love being mobile and it seriously happened overnight. One day you popped up on all the fours, the next you were on the go. You love putting anything and everything in your mouth and a big fan of pulling mine and Noelle's hair every chance you get.

Your first tooth is on the bottom and it solidifies your cuteness. You have been introduced to some non-baby food and can't ever get enough...crackers, toast, and potato to name a few of your favorites. I know how much you are dreaming of your first bite of steak, but we will have to wait until you get a few more teeth.

You hate, absolutely hate, having your face washed, nose wiped and hand washed.

You are now officially in the big boy car seat due to being so darn chunky! While it stinks not being able to pop you in and out of the car in the infant carrier, I think you enjoy your Cadillac of car seats much better. It's more comfortable and you get a better view of what's going on around you.

Other firsts this month: first ear infection, first time going from belly to sitting up, first time mimicking funny faces, first time pulling up to standing on your knees and first time getting super mad when you don't get your way. Super mad.

I love your little husky laugh and still think you are the sweetest little boy. I'm having fun dressing you up in your fall clothes and you look so handsome in just about everything you own. I stopped by Gymboree the other night and about died with how cute all the Christmas outfits were. You and Noelle are going to be stylin' for sure.

Your smile still melts my heart and there's nothing like a "toothy"smile to brighten my day!!

I love you,

Mommy

Brown Bear, Brown Bear

Dear Noelle,

One of the things I really hope to instill in you is a love for reading and I think we are on the right track. You get super excited when we go to the library and have a blast bringing back the old books and picking out new ones. You are always trying to get us to read "one more please" or keep reading for "just two more minutes".

We have read and re-read your collection of books so many times that you have a few of them memorized. I happened to sneak up on you and Ty in the hallway today and you were reading him Brown Bear, Brown Bear:

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

All was going well until you said " gorange oldfish" and I started laughing. You caught me with the camera and got camera shy shortly after, but these impromptu reading sessions with Ty are happening more and more and I think it's the cutest thing! You're such a good reader AND a good big sister!

I love you little girl,
Mommy

Melting My Heart

Dear Ty,

You are
without a doubt

the cutest,

sweetest,

most adorable little boy

I have ever seen.
I love you!

Mommy

Dark in here!

Dear Noelle,

Had to share the conversation we just had:

You: "Mom, I dropped my nigh-nigh"

Me: "Okay, you can get out of bed and get it."

***you rummage around for a good minute***

You: "Ummmm, mom....it's pretty dark in here." (with the tone of voice that was really saying, DUH, how the heck am I supposed to find anything in the pitch black, can you get off your butt and help me out in here or what.

I love you,
Mommy

Why would you do that?

Dear Noelle,

Tonight we had a great dinner: homemade Italian beef, cucumbers fresh from our garden and french fries. You accidentally knocked your spoon on the floor and as I went to go grab it, you threw a hunk of meat at me. What the heck would possess you to do that? Needless to say, you landed in time out. When I asked you why you would do that, you said, "Cause it's funny!"

Of course.

We then headed out for a bike ride and you can now FLY on your little bike. At one point I was running with Ty to catch up to you, and as you kept going faster and faster, I couldn't help but think of how much your bike riding parallels your growing independence. You are getting to be such a big girl and are a wonderful help (when you're not pelting me with food). I love how your personality is so unique and even when you are testing the limits, I never forget how lucky I am to be your mommy.

When we got home, we started to fill up the tub for bath time. You came up to me, hugged my neck and said, "Mom, I love you. You're my friend."

You're my friend too, baby girl, and I love you infinity!!
Love,
Mommy

Vacation Part 1

Well, we did it. We survived a week long vacation with two little-littles. Despite our best attempts to get out of the house early, we ended up not getting on the road until about 7:30 am. We were aiming for about 5:00 am so the kids could sleep a little on the way up, stop for breakfast, drive, nap, get there. Well you know how it goes: there's always one last thing to pack, gotta do this, do that, check this, check that, next thing you know we're out the door at 7:30. Did I mention we had everything packed and the car loaded the night before?

Yeah, the best laid plans....

Either way, it worked out just fine. Mapquest put us there in 6 hours, and we made it up in about 8.5. The kids did awesome and the stars aligned for us so that we only had to stop a few times and got everything done at each stop (diaper changes, potty breaks, nursing, lunch, gas)... unlike the dreaded 3 hour-turned-6 hour- trip to St. Louis down to Stacy and Hari's where we lucky enough to make individual stops for the above mentioned needs.

We had fun playing flash cards, drawing and singing in the car and stretching our legs with some quick runs when needed. We got to the house, checked out the place, the beach, the boat and headed to the grocery store to stock up for the week. We decided to do most meals at home, and got lots of yummy stuff to BBQ...although I'll admit by the time we got home, we ended up throwing in a pizza and calling it a night. We were all pretty tired from the car ride and wanted to get a good night's sleep for the next day's adventures.

Sunday, August 2nd

We all slept in until about 9:30, which was AWESOME. You just never know how kids will adjust to sleeping in a new place and we really lucked out. Little did we know this was going to become a common theme for our trip, and I was not complaining at all. We cooked a huge breakfast and headed out to the beach to soak up some sun before naptime. Our beach was perfect as could be for a family with an energetic and exploratory toddler. The water was super warm, shallow, clear, in other words: SAFE. Just what a mother with a slight OCD needed. Daddy and Noelle played ball and expored while Ty and myself hung out in the sand.

**I realize it's totally ridiculous that it has taken me a month to get some vaca pictures up, and there are tons more to come!! Things are just TOO BUSY! Plus, Ty's 7 month update is coming too!