All Nighter

In college it seemed that the cool thing to do was to pull an "all nighter" studying. I wasn't in to being cool, so I never did it. Now that I'm a mom I don't have a choice. Before we moved into this house on Halloween, I could count on one hand how many times Preston had woke up more then one time in a night. He was my perfect sleeper since day one. He would wake up around 4:30 and go back to bed till around 8 or so. Since moving into this house, he wakes up three times a night, every single night. What gives? I've tried to let him cry it out but after 20 minutes, his dad can't take it anymore. Maybe he wants to be back on the floor in my closet rather then in his own room.

I suspected that Michael has had an ear infection too (7th one since getting tubes put in), and after tonight, I'll be making him another appointment with the ENT.

Here's how tonight's schedule has gone so far....
Preston: Asleep at 11
Michael: Awake at 11:15 asleep at 12:15 (hysterical crying, thrashing, etc)
Preston: Awake at 1:45 asleep at 2:30
Michael: Awake at 2:35 asleep TBD

Right now he's watching Bob the Builder and eating mandarin oranges. But really at 3:19 am???? Whenever he wakes up in the night he says in between sobs, "I watch Bob, I watch Bob." Or sometimes it's "I watch Elmo, I watch Elmo."

Michael bit a little girl in nursery today. Seriously I don't know what to do! I didn't find out until after I got home. I called the mom and made Michael apologize to her daughter (not that he understood, but at least it made me feel better). Just a warning to all little girls. If Michael is fighting over a toy with you, he may sink his teeth into your hand or arm. Maybe when you're a teenager you'll like vampires. (Maybe I should read those Twilight books to understand why he likes to bite)

My vampire is requesting another orange....

You'd Never Know

I took Preston to the doctor on Tuesday because I knew something was "off" with him. Even though he was still my sweet, happy baby, he wasn't sleeping like normal (hasn't been since we moved), and had his fussy moments. I suspected an ear infection along with a cold. Sure enough, double ear infection, sinus infection and an eye infection. Really, you'd never know.

Does anyone have a cure for a bad case of eczema under a babies neck (we think it's from drool)? The doctor told us to try Eucerin so he's been on that for a day. Poor guy has got a terrible rash.

Many Thanks

My parents were in HOG HEAVEN. Kyle's nieces and nephews were voluntarily massaging their feet and backs for at least an hour!Michael was loving playing outside with all his cousins and wanted his hat and coat on at all times.
We turned on some Michael Jackson music and Michael was going to town. He kept a serious face the whole time, it was hilarious. I'll see if I can post the video.

The missionaries reacting to Michael's moves.

Pre-Pre and Nana

25 people were here for dinner!

Dog pile on Big D

Michael didn't want to come in to eat the first night his cousins got here, so I put his food outside and he ate it right up.

Enjoying the swing set

Sorry this picture is blurry, but good luck trying to get these two to sit still for a photo op.

Much to be grateful for this year.

• A job after a long search
• Welcoming the sweetest baby to our family
• Moving into a spacious home that can hold 25 people for Thanksgiving dinner!
• Family to help us with the move
• A house full of boys
• Sunshine in the winter
• Pictures to remember life by
• A helpful, industrious, handsome husband
• The Gospel
• In-laws who come to visit us
• Sitting on the 5th row to listen to Elder Holland
• Missionary discussions in our home
• Crib tent and nap time
• Church callings even when they keep us busy
• Preston letting Michael wrestle with him and even laughing in the meantime
• Antibiotics
• Last but not least, thankful that our home phone is finally installed!!!!!!!!!! So now don't call my cell phone because we've burned through all of our minutes.

Before it's TOO late

Our moving date was on Halloween, so things were a little busy to say the least, but we still managed to take the boys trick-or-treating. Most of the pics are from the ward trunk-or-treat. As we were walking out the door Kyle found a deal on a front-load washer and dryer on Craigslist, so he had to bail on me at the last minute (which I'm glad he did), which made for a difficult time at the party. Michael was not a cooperative cowboy. He didn't want to keep his hat or boots on. I guess it's my fault since I bought them way too big so they'd last. Most the of the time he looked like a basketball playing cowboy because of the sweatband I was trying to keep his hat on with. The sweatband stayed on, but not the hat! Preston was a dragon/dinosaur one night, and then a hot dog the next. Thanks to Aunt Andrea for always providing my boys with great costumes!

Kyle probably wouldn't like me putting this picture up because Michael's eye isn't where it's supposed to be, but this is what happens when his glasses aren't adjusted on his nose right. I was so busy with packing/moving that I didn't have time to take him in that day to fix them. Oh well! The next time I went in, I had her tighten them way up, and they have never looked better. (I usually go in at least once a week, but it's already been 12 days)

Rough Housing

These picture sum up perfectly how Michael treats Preston. He wants sooo badly to play rough with him, but he knows that I've got a watchful eye on him! If only there were sound effects to go with these pictures, you would hear me telling Michael 5 million times to be soft (that's why he ended it with a kiss to the forehead).

Big Brown Eyes

Isn't he cute, pacifier rash and all?

One by One

I have spotted my neighbor on more then one occasion over the past week picking up the leaves in his yard by hand with a garbage can. Right now he's sorting through the river rocks beneath his tree looking for little leaves. Mind you there are also bushes there, and I can't even see the leaves. Lucky for him he only has one tree in his front yard and it's a smaller tree with little leaves. Maybe I should go let him know that the infamous Tri-Cities wind will probably come and blow his leaves away tomorrow. And no, he's not retired. Just meticulous I guess.

What should I do???

I found this cabinet in someone's garage when I went to go buy a table (that I didn't end up getting), and they gave this to me for 20 bucks, threw in a bunch of yard tools, another table, some glass canisters that I love, and a bunch of other stuff. Their dad was going into a nursing home and they were getting rid of all of his junk.

I've given this a few good scrub downs, but I can still smell the "old smell" that I hate. It was disgustingly dirty before I started. Any advice? Should I paint it, leave it, toss it, burn it???? It is a very large piece that I can use for toys, games, blankets.....what do you think? For some reason my walls look pink, which they are not. The cabinet is more of a mint color.

To all my friends and readers who are better decorators then me...HELP!

By the way, if anyone is trying to reach us on our home phone it is STILL not set up. Charter is on my bad list right now. They were supposed to come set it up today (after waiting two weeks), but I just called them and they said they don't know why someone didn't come and it will take another 8 days. Seriously people, learn how to run your business.

New Digs

Man it's been a crazy few weeks with moving, packing, cleaning, doctors appointments, painting, craigslisting, Halloween, church and everything else we've had going on. We're finally moved in.....not settled, but getting close. Kyle's mom came to save the day and stayed with us for 9 days! She was a lifesaver, and worked her tail off the entire time she was here painting, cleaning and a million other things. My mom also was a huge help with priming, painting and watching Michael. Not to mention everyone that helped us move, paint, and watch our kids.

I can't wait to show you the before and after pictures. Let's just say there was LOTS and LOTS of dark forest green walls to cover up. However, I can't show you the after pictures when nothing is decorated. We are in serious need of some furniture around this place.

Until then, enjoy my boys. (and not the poor picture quality)

Two Years Old

When people say that time flies when you have kids, they aren't joking. I can't believe it's already been two years since Michael was born (his birthday is on the 19th). Michael has been through a lot in his two years: allergies, weight gain problems, 3 trips to the ER, esotropia, eye glasses, too many ear infections to count (he was up the last two nights for 2-3 hours screaming...ear infection??), asthma, and many more, but let me tell you one thing...none of those things have EVER slowed him down!

Michael is F.U.N. From the time he wakes up till the time he goes to bed, he is one big ball of energy. He is the toughest kid around too. He can fall flat on his face and still won't cry. He can throw a football like no one you've ever seen (and any other object for that matter). Michael is saying lots of words, and for his birthday he learned how to say Happy Birfffday.

We love you Michael. Please make sure the next two years don't go by as fast as the last two.

4 Months Old

Our chubby sweetheart

He really is too good to be true....

Finally!!!

Michael still hasn't learned how to play soft with Preston, but he sure does love his brother. The first thing he asks when he wakes up is, "Where''s Pre Pre?"Preston fell asleep in his jumparoo. Unlike his brother, there's not much jumping going on, but he does love it. See how he's smiling?

Seriously, I can't get enough of this little guy. He's growing up way too fast, way too fast. He's the type of baby that makes you want to have 10 babies. Luckily his brother puts me back into reality!

I've sometimes wondered what happens while I'm at mutual. When I uploaded the pictures from the camera to the computer, I got a little taste of what does happen. At least I didn't have to clean it up (then again not sure if it would have happened if I was home)

• Did I mention we're buying a house ?
• I need to pack in a BIG way, since we're moving in 2 weeks.
• Michael got another ear infection. Someone please tell me why this is happening with tubes in. He's also cutting his two year molars, which is not fun for anyone. Trust me.
• Michael's new fascination is drinking water and then spitting it out at a later time
• Michael loves to copy everything we do and say
• Preston rolled over last Monday for the first time
• Preston sleeps MUCH better if he's on his tummy, especially if he's not feeling good
• I bought Preston 12 month pajamas and they fit. My 3.5 month old baby needs to quit growing so fast!!!!
• I still can't believe how big Preston is with how much he spits up. It seems to be getting worst too. Starting today I'm going off of dairy for 3 weeks to see if it helps him. I'm praying he's not allergic to dairy. Last night Kyle bought ice cream and chocolate bars so that I could live it up one last time.
• I made soup last week for 35 people for Young Women's in Excellence....I actually made enough for 50 people, but better to have too much then not enough!
• My sister Candace had her first baby girl
• I still haven't unpacked my winter/fall wardrobe, but I'm trying to figure out if I even to want to since we're moving in two weeks
• Why does it feel like January, but it's only October?
  

Boys Club

Michael and Preston's birthday's fall on the same day of their birthday month, which makes it easy to remember.


Preston at 3 months:

• Weighs 16 pounds
• Very ticklish and loves to laugh and smile
• Puts up with A LOT from his older brother
• Still is my sleepy baby and loves to cuddle
• Starting to grab on to things
• Has a hard time holding his head up for too long
• Sleeps in our walk-in closet on the floor on some blankets (we need a house!!)
• L0ves the bath
• Stands up on my legs (Michael did this the day he was born...Preston, not so much)
• Has grown out of most of his 3-6 months clothes and is moving on to 6-9 months
• Never fussy....really, he's the perfect baby!
  

Michael at 23 Months


• Weighs 24.5 pounds
• Is talking all the time, and saying sentences
• Can't sit still in church which makes for a long first hour until nursery
• Loves his daddy and asks for him all the time
• Likes to take things apart and put them back together
• He's the happiest when he's outside with his dad, working in the garage
• Knows how to throw a great tantrum
• Obsessed with Preston. Obsessed. All day long he's saying, "Hi Pre, Pre," and up in his face. (That's what he calls Preston and it's so cute)
• Still bites every now and then....and I don't know what to do about it
• Will eat almost anything we feed him
• Loves bath time and floods my bathroom every time
• Takes two good naps a day and sleeps 12 hours at night (thank you crib tent)
• He's very affectionate, always wanting to kiss and hug us
• Loves playing on our bed
• Keeps his glasses on for the most part, except when he is throwing a tantrum or in his carseat

P.S. To all my fellow female coworkers at Enhance/Marchex, remember the "Boys Club?" I used to want to be a member because they got off easy and got to do all of the fun stuff. Now, I'm the president of the Boy's Club at my house. Take that GW!

Seattle

We have to go to Seattle for Michael's eye doctor appointments since there aren't any pediatric ophthalmologists here. I normally would have canceled his appointment because of how sick he was, but I have to schedule three months out, and Kyle had already taken the day off or work. At his appointment the doctor praised his mom (that would be me) for making him wear his glasses because his eyes are perfect when he has his glasses on. So for now, surgery is not necessary, which is a good thing. We headed over to Green Lake Park to meet my old roommate and good friend Ali, her hubby, and new baby Paige who is a few weeks older then Preston. Michael kept himself entertained by throwing bread, chips, paper plates, water bottles and anything else he could find at the ducks. The "duck friendly" people of Seattle didn't appreciate it too much and kept telling Michael to be careful while giving me the evil eye. I kept wanting to tell them to get a life and that he was sick and had been stuck in the car and at the doctor's office all day, but I decided that wouldn't be the best approach. Only in Seattle will you see a man standing on his head like there is nobody else around (the park was PACKED).The couple in the background were the ones scolding Michael. I thought they were going to call PETA on us. On the way home, Michael was more sick then ever with a very high fever and unlucky us got stuck in traffic in the middle of nowhere because of an accident. So a 3.5 hour drive ended up taking 6 hours and he had a fever the entire time despite giving him Motrin. I love changing blowout diapers and nursing in a small car with semi trucks peering down at me while we're at a standstill...NOT. This is what I saw when I looked back to check on Michael. I've never seen him so miserable.

The last week I've been canning peaches, making pear sauce and pear leather and trying to keep my house clean and free of fruit flies, which is a never ending battle. Yesterday and today, Michael has woke up extremely happy and has been in a good mood. We were beginning to wonder if we were going to get our happy boy back, and it looks like that may have happened. His ear infection is still trying to clear itself up, but other then that, the boys are both healthy and Michael has already gained two pounds back.