Perfect attendence

At Gus' preschool they do not have perfect attendance awards, but of they did he would have gotten one! I am proud to say that he went to school every Tuesday and Thursday from August to May, except for the very last Thursday. He woke up very thirsty and I gave him some water and just as soon as he got down the stairs he began to vomit. I did not want to risk it being a virus or him to get sick in the car so I kept him home. He nearly ate me out of house and home that day.

I think he was weak and his blood sugar may have been low and in turn caused him to vomit because that was the one and only time he got sick. He begged to go to school, but I just wanted to play it safe. We did have a great day hanging in our jammies just enjoying each other!

Gusley, in my eyes you made perfect attendance! You went to school everyday and you learned something new everyday. Mommy and daddy are so very proud of you. And we are so happy that we made it through the first year of preschool relatively germ free! We did get the tummy bug a time or two and a runny nose in the winter, but you still plugged along and took your medicine like a big boy so that you could get well to make it to school!!

Keep up the good work!

Down on the farm

Yesterday I took the wee ones out to the farm to see all the horses! Gus was not in the best of moods, because it was supper time, but he managed to keep himself together and enjoy his time there! We had dinner with nanny and both kids were asleep before we were on the highway! These early nights have really been nice! I feel like I am human again and well rested!

Well blow me down...

Yesterday, all of a sudden this crazy, windy rain storm blew in. I took Gus outside to check out the clouds and watch the system move in. The wind was unbelievable...hurricane type. I showed him that if I stood on one foot it would nearly blow me over so he had to do the same! We had a fun time laughing and being blown around until the lightning rolled in, then we promptly rolled in as well!

I love the sound of his sweet belly laugh. It is just hilarious and contagious! We had fun taking on different voices and saying different lines while being blown around....memories!!

Memorial day fun!

The kids were kind and slept in a little! Mom was nice and kept Gus so Mabel and I could get a good morning nap in then it was off to the races! We headed over to Judi and Krista's for some pony ridin' and BBQ! It was a hot one, but Gus helped to groom Tillie and get her nice and ready for the ride!

He does very well on the pony. He is very confident and he takes his role very serious, as he should! Mabel and Pinki snuck in a nap during the pony rides, but made an appearance for the BBQ!! Everything was yummy and everyone had a real big time! So big that Gus fell asleep on the way home around 7:15 and stayed asleep until 7am this morning!! Little Miss Memorial day had a grand time as well. She had her first pouch of applesauce (the new kind that have a screw top). She sucked all the applesauce right out and was eyeing a second one! Have I mentioned she loves to eat? Well, have I mentioned that both kids love to eat?

Water logged

That is all I have for today....two 2+ hour trips to the pool with two kids and non-stop throwing of a 40lb 4 year old....I am burnt, beat and water logged! A little weepy, but hanging in there. Luigi's Italian Ice has made it officially summertime for us!!

What a day!

We started our day at "Cow's House" for breakfast, then headed to Lowe's to show Gus all the different types of drains for bathtubs. He is currently really into drains and how they work and all the different types. I have been showing him trip levers, spin top and push downs and rubber stoppers on google, but thought a trip to Lowe's for some actual hands on visuals would really help him get it! I was right. It did help! He was so excited in the plumbing department and all the workers came to help him get a better grasp on this obsession! From there we headed to Kroger for my tailbone prescription then home to get cracking on the packing.

Judi, Krista, Pinki and nanny came over to help with all the pictures that we have. What a tremendous help they were! I really appreciate them wrapping all our pictures and prints and labeling same....it will certainly make unpacking that much easier! Gus and Mabel each got a good afternoon nap (not at the same time, of course) but they both slept and woke up in very good moods! This equates to one happy mommy! We wrapped up at the house and headed over to the neighborhood Memorial Day BBQ - or hot dog party as Gus dubbed it! There was music, yummy food and cornhole to be played! We enjoyed the evening then headed down to the pool to cool off and just rest our bones! Gus is doing fantastic jumping in an swimming and Mabel is really digging the water as well! She loves the little float and is happy to do laps at the baby pool with Pinki!!

I think I am getting a grip on this "flying solo" gig....just a little. It is hard, but we are having fun in the process and making lots of memories and not to mention I have also schooled myself on drains and I am pretty well versed in the plumbing world these days!!

Here are a few pictures from our busy, fun day! Poor daddy had to spend his day at the beach ;-)! We love you and miss you very much, daddy!

The family...here and there

This is our weekly family picture we send to daddy! And daddy's picture he sends to us! Man I miss this man! 20 days and we are a unit again! Hip hip hooray!

Cha-Ching

Mabel figures out pops' slot machine!! All smiles :-)

California dreamin'

Rag doll baby!

Mabel can 90% of the time be found holding some sort of rag or soft object like my satin tie for my robe! She loves all things small and soft. Bath time requires two rags. And folding clothes she always claims one. It is really sweet. Mom made her a dress out of some cute cat fabric and she has a few rags in the same print. Everyday we go to her closet to get he clothes and I always know what she will pick...the cat dress!!

This is Mabel and I around the same age....8 months or so....

Mabel's first swim at the big (kiddie) pool

Today I conquered my intimidation and took both kids to the pool alone. It went better than I expected, but it was rather tough. Mabel was fine in the stroller for a while snacking then she was over it so I put on her bottom and just planned to get her feet wet! She wanted in...all the way in! Since I was flying solo there are no pictures but she loved the water and everything about it! I see more trips to the pool in our future, but I will have a floatie for her next time. Gus is doing great and is signed up for swimming lessons so I think that will really do him some good in the coming weeks!

After our pool party we kept the party going to sonic and had a picnic in the van then a bath time party and a bedtime party in the van! Swimming does a momma good...both were fast asleep by 8:30pm!

Gusley's first dentist appointment!

Today was a big day for us! A couple of weeks ago, Gus asked me if i could make him an appointment to go to the dentist. I called. They quoted me $210 and that was with a 10% discount because I was going to pay cash. I nearly choked. I know how important dental hygiene is, but really, $210 for a child? So I did some sloothing. I found a dental hygienist school in Nashville and rang them up. May is free cleaning month SCORE and there is a $1 registration fee! So, for 2 whole dollars Gus and I got our teeth cleaned, polished, examined...the works! It was awesome! He was awesome! He swished for her, asked for and used the water and suction like an old pro and was just all around a good inquisitive patient!! They were awesome and the place was immaculate! The best part? Neither of us had any cavities or sugar bugs like they told Gus! I have to go back because he was quicker than me do she did not get to start on my cleaning, but I was a happy camper!

I wasn't sure how it would go. I was a little nervous, but my baby bear quickly showed me what he was made of and hopped right into the chair!

We have the Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist on DVD and the book. We read them occasionally and watch the DVD every now and then. I can't say one way or the other that it helped, but I personally think that going with my gut and not bringing him until he was ready was the best possible choice. I have been giving myself a hard time for about 2 years now because I have not taken him to the dentist like they recommend at the ripe old age of 2. I just did not want to be that mom for once so I held out. I am so glad I held out. He proved to me that he really knows himself and when he is and is not ready for the next steps. This seems to be a trend, a good trend with sweet baby bear!

Gusley, mommy is so proud of you and your determination! You will do great things in your life with this quality! Keep it up sweet boy!

In the chair all ready to go and the after results with Ms. Bridget who was fantastic!!

Baking buddies

My little partner in crime in the kitchen! He loves to help with the cooking! He is a great and cautious assistant! Today we made our 5th red velvet cake in two weeks! We had a few friends that we needed to give them to and it sure helps to pass the time on the long hot days we have been having!

Don't worry, Mabel is just as great a helper....stuck on my hip! She is not happy if she is not in the loop!! Can't blame her when cake baking is involved :-)

It's a Toyota!!!

Exactly two months ago, 03.24.12, Jake completely surprised me with a minivan!! I am still smiling! I have secretly always wanted a minivan! It is sooo comfy and cozy! The kids love it too!

When we drove up at the house, Jake was showing it to my dad and Gus got out of the car ran to the front of the minivan and so excited and happy yelled "It's a Toyota!" It was adorable...a moment we will never forget!!

He loves cars, trucks and all things that go! He can tell you most makes and models of just about any car and if he doesn't know, rest assured that he will ask you! It truly amazes us. The other day we were at a yard sale and he saw a little car that he thought he might want. I asked him what was it and he, with no hesitation told me a Ford Mustang! He was correct and there was nothing on the car to give it away! Smarty pants!

LOVE

Daily dose

During my computer crash meltdown Gus was busy writing sweet noted on our Sonic survey!

Then he was a cheese cutter and cheese server!

Mabel just as happy as she can be. As long as she has her blue pony tail holder she is just as happy as a clam!!

Wow! Wednesday

Today started early. Both kids up at 6:35am....I had my shower and hair washed and dried and feeding breakfast before 8am! Wow! Long about 10am my main work computer crashed. It went to black and my start menu was gone. I cried. It was an awful feeling. Jake always handles these things for me. I was lost, frozen, paralyzed and just simply about to lose my mind. Of course it happens on the first day that he is not able to answer his phone or text because they are super busy and his job is demanding. I sent him the following, "not urgent, call me when u can my computer crashed." Then I just sat on the floor looking at the damn thing crying. I had no option but to call the local computer guy and see what they said. I started crying on the phone like a huge baby and he assured me they can more than likely fix it. The entire time I know that Jake can fix it too, but what am I to do....he is nearly 600+ miles away. Currently it is at the computer doctor and I am working from my laptop so all is well for the moment.

We headed to Sonic for lunch to meet some friends. It was good fun! Crowded, but good fun! We came home and did some more packing. Gus is really a great helper when it comes to packing. I am beginning to question if we are moving too much too often that he is so good at it?!?

Tonight I had my final bunko before we move and it was fun! I won $12 bucks! Going out with a bang!! Mom and dad kept the kids and Gus really opens up to mom and talks to her. Jake when you read this prepare yourself...I can barely type it. Today he told her That he was ready for his daddy to come home. Really ready and that his daddy would be back to help pack us up and he will ride in the moving truck with his daddy. Mom explained everything to him as this is not the case because Jake's new job is so demanding of him (no surprise there, we knew it would be). Mom told him it was against the law for little kids to ride long distances in moving trucks and that the adult driving could go to jail and if your parents go to jail you have to go live with someone else. Gus replies that he is ok with going love with someone else, someone with NO kids! Poor baby bear is really adjusting to being a big brother. I can imagine it is a hard thing to grapple with. I always wanted siblings...the grass always seems greener!!

To be snuggled with these two each and every night is so worth all the trials and tribulations that we go through each and everyday!

Say What {part 2}

Tonight in the van, Gus out of the blue pipes up with the following: "mommy, why god didn't make Mabel with earring holes?"

My reply was something along the lines of everyone can make earring holes when they feel they are ready to do it. It can be painful!

Mabel's Monday

Sweet darling had a rough start to her day. I got up like I do every morning and went wash my face. She was sound asleep. I put some pillows as a barrier like I do every morning. She must have been reaching trying to nurse and she fell out of the bed. I heard the thump then the screams. My heart dropped and the tears were flowing. It was the worst feeling ever. I was heartbroken. She was heartbroken and in pain. I thoroughly checked her, called mom and just held her tight and sobbed. As the day went on a raspberry developed on her little sweet head. She had some cranky, I just want my mommy moments, today, but that is to be expected. She is seriously the happiest baby ever. It takes a lot to ruffle her little feathers. Gus has been really concerned with her boo-boo and has been helping to keep her "berry, berry safe"!

She ended her day by taking 3, yes that is the number 3, steps tonight! I tried to video, but she would just drop down and scoot to the camera to try to grab at it!! I can't believe little sweetness is attempting to walk already! I don't think it will be very much longer!!

Happy birthday Pops!!

Today was dad's birthday! We headed over when I got off for cake and ice cream and maybe a dip in the pool, but the rain stopped that. We ate supper and then went out for a quick walk. Gus came along with no shoes and literally tripped over his own two feet on the pavement. I heard the thud and immediately turned to him. It was just awful. Baby bear cried the remainder of the walk. He was more upset that his "blood was squirting out of his leg" than anything.

We came home had baths, band aids on the wounds, cake and ice cream then we were headed home for bedtime!

Happy birthday Daddy!! Hope you had a wonderful birthday!!