Verbally Challenged

Some recent shots of my baby girl – 8 weeks old! She had her 2-month check-up today and weighs 11 pounds now! It’s hard to believe that she started out at only six! And I’m proud knowing that I had a little bit to do with that weight gain! Anyway – the smiles are more frequent, as are the most adorable coos. And she’ll look at Nate or myself while talking – she knows who we are. She knows that nighttime is for sleeping and only wakes up to feed once. She likes her swing AND bouncy seat… she’s just awesome!

A sticker crisis that is.

I’ll explain.

Lately, Liam has been into reading. Loves reading – and he’s getting good at it! He gets books at school to practice at home and we work with him on the computer here at home. There is a great website called Starfall that helps with reading. Anyway, when Liam asks to read, we do. And when he’s done he gets rewarded with a sticker. Easy enough, right? But lately, the stickers are showing up EVERYWHERE!!! On the windows the television, the tables, on HIM (aka the crisis)

– everywhere. So on today’s agenda (since we were literally iced into the house) – a sticker book. Liam was definitely on board and I think that it made him want to read even more, to collect more stickers! It was a simple project but so cute and Liam is thrilled with it!

More later!

His daddy makes the very same face.

I don’t have much to say today so I figured that I’d share a photo. One of my boy. He has perfected the fine art of hiding for the camera so when I get something, it’s a good day (actually YESTER-day). I lucked out, stealing some shots during a game of “Feed the Kitty.” I need to remember that trick!

More later!

Liam loves his little sister.
Loves giving her hugs and kisses.
Loves telling her that she’s pretty.
Makes sure that she’s with us, always.

And I’m pretty sure she loves him right back.

My life is good.

When I picked Liam up from school this morning I was quickly informed that today they celebrated Mardi Gras – fat Tuesday. So they made masks, wore beads and ate donuts. And then they had a parade where they pretended to dress up and Liam decided to be…an angelfish.

Perhaps it’s because of the strips. In which case…smart thinking kid!

More later.

Just sharing a bit today.

First up, doesn’t every girl need a cute pair of shoes…or 50? For now, these are doing just fine. AND they match her hat in the previous post!

And here is Miss Adeline’s 7 week photo. She does smile now…just not always for the camera. She’ll learn! Lovin’ the chubbin’!

And then two layouts that I’ve done so far with the Memory Creators kit for February featuring my boy! Feel the love!!!

More later!

Like my Valentine? I figured that it was appropriate considering the day and all. It’s old…not sure how much though. I got it along with bunches of other “old” cards from an estate sale that I went to while in college. Apparently, I’m not the only one who keeps cards in a box to do who knows what with. Chances are they’ll collect dust and someone will either snag them up years down the road when I’m no longer around and think they’re cool (much like I did) or laugh hysterically at the volume and toss them. Maybe my kids will do a scrapbook page about it.

So this collection of old cards that I got – totally cool. As with just about anything, cards were made so much better years ago! This one has neat little flocking, nice paper – it’s just cute! It doesn’t even come close to the Valentine’s available today (at least from what I’ve seen). This was the first year shopping for Valentine’s with Liam and dang if they aren’t boring and ugly! I want boxes of these little gems! Now that I know better, Liam and I can make them next year (Martha Stewart style). This year…not possible with the baby and all. Something has got to give!

Now back to Valentine’s day. I’m surprised that I’m even addressing it because it’s not a day that I like. Not sure why, New Year’s Eve and Valentine’s Day are not enjoyable for me. I did however get Liam a little heart box of yogurt covered raisins – yeah yeah…my dad is totally saying “oh mooooooom, let the boy have some chocolate.” Liam can still like the day. And I actually have great memories of this day growing up because my sister and I would wake up to little heart boxes of chocolate from my dad. Totally made me feel special. So again, why do I dislike the day? Maybe the retailers are to blame.

And while Liam was ready and rearing to go to school today with his personally signed bug themed Valentine’s:

it was cancelled yet again today. Care to guess why?

Happy Valentine’s Day to you all…if you’re into that kind of thing!

Lysol, Mr. Clean, anti-bacterial wipes…all main staples in my house right now. I’m a germ-fighting queen who is quickly turning into a recluse. January was practically a joke in our house. The domino effect of sickness was in full swing – and boy did it stink! Liam started the whole mess by bringing home a two part virus..which meant sick for a long time. And it was awful taking care of a sick boy home from school for 8 days while caring for a newborn. Until Nate got sick. Then I was caring for a sick boy, sick husband and newborn. But then Addy got sick. Then I was caring for a sick boy (getting better), sick husband and sick newborn (SO bad). The newborn threw me over the edge since it’s a pretty serious thing. She couldn’t breath so she couldn’t nurse – and I was a slave to the pump. Not pretty. And then it happened. I got sick. And you know what, when the kids and husband is sick – mommy has to stick it out! Seriously, I wanted to climb into bed, pull the covers over my head and pretend that the world wasn’t there. But I couldn’t. So I did the next best thing and called for MY mommy – and fortunately my mom was there to make me feel better (but she got sick too…sorry mom). It was a nightmare. And unfortunately, we’re not all healthy yet. I’ll spare you the details and instead share photos!!! That’s more fun right?

Last weekend Nate had the opportunity to do something really fun! The hockey lover that he is, got to play in a fantasy Penguin hockey league with some of the retired Penguins for two solid days. They had drills and games…a total guys weekend. And I of course shot some pictures at one of the games last Saturday night. They turned out pretty well – shot all in manual through that icky Plexiglas.

And then Miss Adeline who is growing like a weed! She’s almost seven weeks already, smiling at us and really showing interest in the world around her. It’s so exciting!

Looking like her daddy here!

And finally, my boy. Well sort of. I love this photo because it captures him right now, busy. He’s not about the camera and I’m not forcing it. That little crab is a sponge that grew out of a capsule – one of 12 that kept him busy for about 2 hours! I found these while cleaning out our art bin in the playroom. My sister put them in his Easter basket last year and I just now found them! He LOVES them! Thanks Colleen!!!

So that’s all for now.

3 weeks
4 family members
6 trips to the doctor
2 trips to the ER
3 ear infections
4 virus’
1 sinus infection
1 smashed finger (stinkin’ car door)
1 attack of the evil kidney stones
0 spare time

My family is falling apart healthwise – all of us. We’re hopefully on an upswing…hopefully.

More from me later.