Little miracles

My kids are so cute. Something about them today makes me want to squeeze them so tight. Livi's been completely adorable especially in the last few days. I'm starting to realize how much she's growing up. She's really becoming mommy's little helper. Ethan is also so sweet with his personality really starting to come through. He's very determined, will figure out everything he wants to, and he's so caring. Today at dinner, Livi said she wanted a spoon. She was pretty sad and whiney, as I was telling her to please ask nicely, Ethan picked up his purple fork and looked at it, then handed it to Olivia. She was so touched by the gesture, she forgot all about her spoon and graciously accepted it. Then gave him her red one saying, "Ethan can trade with me!". It was so sweet.

Earlier today, too, Livi was eating a banana and Teddy grahams for a snack. I handed her a cup of water when she said, "oh! What happened to my banana?". I said, " I think you ate it, sweetie.". Then she laughed as she said, "oh yeah! It's in my tummy!". Oh these kids. So sweet, so cute. I wouldn't change my life for all the money in the world.

The other day, I was up at my mom's house. I was watching the kids play in the back yard and saw this sweet scenario. Livi was running as fast as she could from one end of the yard (my mom's yard is huge) to the other with Ethan trailing behind saying, "wait! Wait! Wait! Wait!..." the whole way. Once Livi got to the other end, she turned around and stretched her arms out to the side and said, "come eer E Bear!" followed by a sweet little giggle. Ethan would eagerly run into her arms and they would hug and give each other little pats on the back. They did this back and forth for at least 15 minutes. It was one of the sweetest things ever.

Anyway, it's times like these that make me love being a mom. Seriously, what greater call is there?

Rub a dub dub, adorable boy in the tub.

Adorable Smile.
Adorable whisk eating.
Adorable "Ta Dah!"
Adorable kisses

Here are some cute shots taken this last Sunday. The kids were having lots of fun playing...
...smiles all around.
My hair really did look good earlier that day! I was super tired, as you can see. :p
And I had a good time watching and taking pictures. I love these little stinkers.

Such adorability knows no bounds

I'm sitting here typing away to Sammy when, as often happens, my children came running in to sit on my lap, climb all over me, tear everything apart, etc. Olivia brought in her stool (it's a utility step stool with one step on it.) and put it as close to my chair as possible. She stood on it and turned her back to me ordering me to play "disney songs" on pandora and then waved like she was in a parade for about 15 to 20 minutes.
She is very observant in the cars these days. "Mommy! That's a beautiful truck!" And around the house. "I love the colors. My favorite color is red and blue and orange and and and yellow and green and blue and red and blue and orange and orange and green and yellow and purple." "I'm so eskited." (state very matter-of-factly) While she was getting dressed this morning, "I love jeans! Don't hug me, anymore!" and then at night, "Mommy, will you lay by me? Don't sleep in your room, sleep in my room. You need to get off my bed. This is my bed. Not your bed. This is Livi's bed, not mommy's bed." "I not need get off your lap, mommy, I need stay right here." okay now I'm just typing things she's saying right now. I could go on and on.

Ethan--there are just no words. I wish I could describe the cute little nature he has, but there really is no way to do it justifiably. For instance, this may not sound so adorable, but it truly was so much that I rolled in laughter, he walked into the office just now with the stroller, was looking down at the stroller and snuck a peek at me with this devious little look like, "does she see me, yet?" Then I laughed and he laughed and came running over and jumped on Livi's stool to nuzzle then took off again. He loves to cuddle and loves to laugh. He is truly my Cuddle E-Bear. He signs "please" while saying, "eeee!" and "Monny" for "Mommy", he has so many words now. He loves to giggle and dance. We are in constant crack up because of these two little monkeys of ours.

It's interesting to see the difference in my children's personalities. When Olivia was just learning to talk, she would babble babble babble, because she wanted to be a part of the conversation. Even though she has a very strong vocabulary, she still does this and throws in an actual word or idea here or there. Ethan babbles, but it is his real words, like he is really trying to say something. It's not just to make noise and be a part of things. It's the funniest thing I've ever seen. It reminds me of that part on Mary Poppins when Dick Van Dyke sings the love to laugh song, "Then there's the kind what can't make up their mind..." and then he does every kind of laugh possible. That's what it sounds like when Ethan talks only he's really really really trying to communicate something. I really can't describe it. He's adorable.

People used to fuss over Livi and her brilliance and her beauty. They still do, but I think she feels ousted sometimes because Ethan's cuteness is so uncanny. You probably think I'm just being a mom, but if you met him, you'd totally be floored. I have yet to have someone not be. He's just... charming. That really is the best word.

Yeah, I'm sort of on hiatus.

I've been wanting to blog but not feeling up to it. We've had a rough couple of weeks and this week will be the hardest, but after that, I think things will get better. It's not something I'm inclined to share with the world, though a few of you know. I'll leave it at that.

So, I have a cute story to share that happened yesterday.

I went to get Ethan from his highchair and noticed that his hair was completely drenched in ketchup and green bean juice. So, we had a quick bath, which he was more than happy about. I stuck him in the dry tub with all of his clothes on and turned on the faucet to get some warm water running. He loves to put his hands under the tap and it was all I could do to keep him from sitting. He was so upset while I took off his shirt, his pants, and diaper. As soon as I took the diaper off he stopped squirming, just stood there and looked up at me with this guilty look on his face as he said, "Uh oh." I looked at him trying to figure out what he was so sad about and then noticed the yellow arc flying across the tub. It was hilarious! I couldn't stop laughing. I guess recognizing that he needs to go is well on it's way. I can't wait to potty train the little guy, maybe sooner than I'd expected? We'll see. For now, he's just adorable. Cute as a button, though. Through and through.

Another anaphylactic reaction

I hope you enjoy the cute pics of Ethan in the hospital. These were all taken just before they released him. I'm not really of a frame of mind to take pics of him when his face is all swollen and he's rashy, etc. If there is a next time (please no!) I will try to take some so you can see how scary it really is.

This time we don't know what caused it. I made some chicken nuggets (homemade) and used a new seasoning that we'd had in the cupboard. I don't know why I didn't throw it out because we'd used it grilling and it probably got cross contaminated with dairy. BJ was home from work for dinner and was just about to head back out when he went to give Ethan a kiss and saw his face and lips were swelling, his chin and cheeks were bright red and he had hives all over.

He called to me asking what I'd put in dinner and I came out of the bathroom with Olivia to see what was going on. His hands were also red, swollen and covered in hives. He was doing okay, so we weren't in panic mode, but I went to get his EpiPen and had BJ hold him down while I stabbed him in the leg with it.

BJ called into work and stayed home with Olivia. I went to the ER down the street and when they got ready to transport us down to primary children's the fire chief came in to see how Ethan was doing. We were in good company. They all knew who we were after the fire chief informed them. One of the guys used to work at NSL with Charlie and quit after he died. Now he's full time fire/paramedic instead of all three. He also enjoys a game of X-Box with BJ most days, (eye's rolling--j/k). It was nice to see that brotherhood in action again. I don't mention it as often as I should, but that brotherhood of law enforcement really does extend to firefighters and paramedics as well. All are considered first responders. Besides our blood family, we couldn't ask for a better second family. :) The nursins staff at Primary's all fell in love with my little guy. He is quite the charmer.

We had him tested with the seasoning at the NAET doc who said that he was allergic to MSG and modified food starch. We'll see how things go. He also told us that Ethan is clear of eggs and we can try to challenge it now. I'm a little nervous about it, but I'm willing to try! We were going to go to the allergist today to see if they could test the seasoning as well, but the snow prevented me from going down there. We'll try to get in next week. This is very exciting, though! We can't imagine life anymore with eggs for breakfast or baking with eggs. This would open up so many possiblities if it works. Keep your fingers crossed and prayers spoken for us!

Merry Christmas!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

A- is for Adorable

Okay, here are some super duper, cuter than ever stories that are sure to get you rolling.

Olivia loves the moon more than, well, most everything. So everytime she's outside and sees it she says, "Mommy! There's the moon! I see the moon, Mommy! I need to hold it. Will you hand me the moon? I need to stand on the moon. I want to give the moon a "Oh boy"! I love the moon. I see the moon! Look at me mommy! Look at the moon! I need to hold it!" for at least 10 minutes.

Ethan is a tease. Any time he can he tries to play sneekies with me. He'll run around the corner and hide and come out and make a sound similar to "Uh oh" only that's not what he means. Then he runs and giggles as fast as he can (which isn't fast at all, but it's so funny to watch that little hunker march/run).

Olivia was jumping on the guest bed yesterday and I went in and told her to please stop. She kept jumping and after a few attempts at trying to be peaceable about it, I had to get very firm. I took her off the bed and told her she needed to be obedient. I pulled her up on my lap so we could talk. She wailed and said over and over, "Mommy! Go away! Don't see me again! Please don't see me again!" I couldn't help but laugh.

Ethan walks around these days with either his hands stretched as far as they can be behind his back or his arms folded like he's praying. Then be babbles and babbles away while he walks around the house.

He also likes to use anything he can get his hands on as a phone. He puts it up behind his head and says, "Hi! Dis dish disgguisu, eh yah he ho." Then looks around while he waits for the response and continues after a few seconds. This is a constant daily task of his.

My sister, Becky, and my mom were in the office/guest room when Olivia came in and said, "I do believe Ethan is quite poopy, Sweetie."

I was making dinner and Olivia said, "Oh no! Oh no! My nose!" I said, "Is your nose running?" She said, "My nose is going away!"

Halloween

I'm finally getting the pics up for Halloween. I can't believe that was a week ago already! Thanksgiving will be here before I can blink!

BJ had to work and my mom came down to spend the day with us (so fun!). I wanted to get the kids trick or treating out of the way and then go to a pre trick or treat community dinner party at the neighbors house and then put the kids to bed. So we (me, my mom and the kids) went to the hospital first to go trick or treating, but left because they were about out of candy.
We went to Dicks Market in Centerville after that hoping that we hadn't missed their trunk or treat. Luckily we got there just as it was starting.

That was actually a really good way to go. I think I'll be doing that every year while the kids are little. They have a fishing pond and free popcorn and doughnuts and free dinner and drinks.

They had the employees decorate their trunks and dress up. It was really fun and cute. Both of the kids got extra candy for being extra cute :)

After trick or treating we went to our Neighbor's house and got to know a few people and had some more dinner. It was really fun and such a fun idea. They just take care of everything for everyone. Talk about service. I guess her husband had a neighbor that did it when he was a kid and he wanted to adopt the tradition. I loved Halloween as a kid, but don't really want to glorify it beyond a "holiday for fun", so I thought it was a good clean way to keep it low key without taking all of the fun out of it. Afterwards all the neighbors went home to man the doors and the kids rampaged the streets. I really do have a great neighborhood.

The past is passed

I was playing hide and seek with Ethan in his high chair today and realized how nice it is just to play with him once in awhile. Then I starting thinking about the times I had with Olivia just one on one. That was the hardest thing about having my second baby. Every time I looked at Livi I would cry hoping that she knew that she was still just as loved even though 80% of the 100% of my attention that she had been getting was now going to a new person she barely knew. I really missed our little talks and enjoying her cute little antics just because that's what we did. I wish that I could have that again sometimes, and I also wish I could have that with Ethan. Sometimes I wonder what life would have been like if he'd been born first. I wonder how my relationship with him would have been different. Are these bad thoughts? Olivia is one of my best friends and I hope we always are. I'm trying really hard, especially lately, to recognize her cute little personality. Not just her funniness, but her spirituality and her mannerisms. Things that will never change no matter how old she gets, you know? I'm also trying really hard to recognize these things in Ethan. It's not as hard with him because he doesn't talk back, yet :), but I miss a lot of things with him. I think my typed thoughts will end there tonight.

Hairy Scary

Well, last week, we had kind of a landmark day for us. Both of the kiddies got their first official haircuts. Here are a few pics to make it memorable. Ethan went first.  He's happy to see the camera.

Yeah, he's pretty enthused.  Just like his daddy, he really shows that emotion like a man. 

What was that about emotion?
Oh yeah, this kid really isn't like BJ.  He has quite the shrill scream if he wants and the most heartbreaking cry you've ever heard.  I guess it's a good thing I'm not a sucker for whiners.

He really was pretty good.  His cut took all of five minutes.  He doesn't have a lot.

Olivia is ready and excited.

Here is the back before.

Still posing.

Here's the back after I was done.  Livi did pretty good sitting still... until she ran out of suckers.  Then it was like trying to give a squirell a haircut.

Yes, this one is a little creepy.  She looks exactly like I did at her age in this pic.  Almost the same hair and everything!  So crazy!  Anyway, Here it is styled.  She was wiggling and wiggling and wiggling and

pulling away... so I gave up, and fixed it the next day, the best I could. It's just a good thing that choppy is "in".