Tuesdays With the Family

Let's just pretend this is Tuesday....

So this past week was eventful.  I managed to lose 5 lbs!  The thing is, I didn't need to lose the weight.  I contracted a few illnesses that left my entire body drained.  I'm talking ear and sinus infections along with a stomach and the influenza viruses.  Like at the same time.  Yeah it was pretty miserable.  There were a few days where I just wanted to push my face into a pile of snow and sleep all day long.  Unfortunately, having two babies and a husband working 70 hours did not allow me any breaks.  I'm just glad the kids are still alive after last week.

After starting my new meds, I feel so much more like the person I used to be.  It's wonderful to look at my kids and actually feel the love I have for them.  Now every day I wake up I feel absolutely blessed to have these babies in my life.  I can't kiss, hold, or hug them enough.  I feel so blessed that my little Emily likes to take naps with me and that Andrew enjoys sitting in my lap and slathering my face with his sweet kisses.

I've also fallen in love with Ben all over again.  He is such an incredible person; I believe God blessed me greatly by bringing us together.  

Big news! Ben put his two week's notice in for one of his jobs.  This means we will see him for more than a few hours a week AND have weekends together.  What are we going to do with all that extra time?  

Ben is becoming quite the activist.  He reported the facility he works for to DCFS and our state's representative because they are depriving the boys with a very basic right: religious services.  Seriously? How did I snag this guy?  He is absolutely incredible.  

Last Friday, while I was writhing in pain and fighting dizziness on the couch, Emily came out of our room (where she had been sleeping) and decided to feed herself.  If I hadn't been delirious, the accident that followed might have been avoided.  She climbed on top of the stove, grabbed a rice krispie treat package from the cupboard, picked up a knife, and proceeded to cut open the package.  I woke up to her screaming, "Mommy!"  and found her on the counter top with blood poring out of a wound.  As I wasn't sure where the wound was, I picked her up and called for Ben.  Thank goodness he knows how to fix up wounds!  He found the source--her middle finger had a big gash in it--and quickly wrapped her finger up to stop the bleeding.

She has picked up a few...phrases lately.

"That sucks!" (Really? Where did she learn this?)

"Oh my gosh!" 

I'm just waiting for her to curse.  (Not that I ever do that.) 

This girl is beautiful.  BEAUTIFUL.  She had her first professional haircut on Monday.  The hairstylist didn't change much, just cleaned up Em's bangs and hair.  This girl has the curliest, cutest hair!  

This boy walks all over the place!  It is so adorable!  Watching him walk into the bathroom, the kitchen, our bedrooms, and the living room never fails to elicit a smile.  He has also started talking so much more!  

He now says

"Fituck!" (firetruck)

"Joos!" (juice)

"Do!" (dog)

and knows the sounds of these animals

elephant

dog

lion and tiger (same sound)

and even says the occasional sentence

"I want that!"  

One of his favorite things to do is dance to the Wiggles.  He does the silliest bounce dance.  That's the only way to describe it.  All I know is he makes me laugh every day!

I am sure there are a few things that I've missed today; I blame the lingering sickness.  

Until next week...

Love,

What we've been up to (i.e family update).

So I started working on this on January 6.  January 6. I think that should tell you just how our lives have been.

Let's start with the most interesting news first.

Ben



To begin with, he doesn't have an ulcer.  His symptoms are stress-related.  Heh.

In better news, he is currently hanging out with us for a rare weekend.  A 4-day weekend.  Woot! We were able to go on a date Thursday.  It was amazing.

In even better news, we have changed our plans for medical school.  Sorry Arizona, we love ya but we received an acceptance call from our first choice of medical schools.

Missouri.

I guess that means we will be leaving the west for (at least) 4 years.

In random news, we went to the dentist a couple weeks ago.  Besides a couple cavities, his teeth were great!

Amber




I also don't have an ulcer.  My nurse practitioner (np) is very frustrated by her lack of answers.  After a very long appointment yesterday, she decided to refer me to a neurologist.  I have an appointment set in February and am crossing my fingers for some answers. Seriously, not being able to sleep BECAUSE OF NAUSEA for 4 out of 7 days really sucks.  Especially when it's not pregnancy related.

As for dental work, I only had one cavity.  I know, awesome.  But, I have to get my wisdom teeth removed.  Oh,well.  I would have to do it someday and right now is the best time!

I am super excited for medical school.  That is all.


Emily

I am surprised by how grown-up she seems now!  Her list of words and sentences is far too extensive to post but here is a short list of my favorites.

"Ank u" (Thank you)
"Mommy! I wanna twick oh tweet" (trick or treat, aka candy and said with a beautiful smile)
"Mommy! Stop it!" (When I'm doing something she doesn't like.)
"No! Mines, mines, mines" (mine, used for anything she is currently playing with)
"gippopotomus" (hippopotamus)
"Sebra" (Zebra)
"I'm naked!"

She talks all the time.  And pretty much everything she says is cute.

She labels everything with colors.  Like "blue binky" or "yellow cereal" or "pink blankie."

She counts all the time.  She runs around the house screaming "1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10!"  She also counts objects.  Pretty cool!

She knows "E" is for "Emily" and "A" is for "Andrew."  Though she does mix these two up sometimes.

She dances ballet to The Wiggles.  We love this.  She also knows where her hips are and how to shake them.  She takes after me and it's awesome.

Her potty training is going well.  She did poop in the toilet on day number two, but now is scared to do it again. That's okay.  We figure she'll come around to that when she's ready.  As part of her potty training, she runs around the house naked. Hence why I don't have many videos.

She has started climbing out of her crib (remember, she resides in a pack'n'play which is much harder to escape from) this week.  I'm thinking of trying the big girl bed again.

She now cuddles with us.  She'll climb into my lap, or Ben's, and hug us.  It's so sweet!  I love that she lets me hold her and comfort her.

She is waking up less than she used to, but still wakes up more than I'd like. (Ha!)

Andrew

My little buddy.  If I don't hold him first thing in the morning, I must make it up the rest of the day.  (I'm kind of kidding.)  (And I love it.)

He has started walking so much more!!  I even caught it on video (which I will post later).  He stands up in the middle of the room and takes off, usually with a big grin and squeal of laughter.  It is so cute!

He loves to jump on our bed.  And so does Emily.

He has two more teeth coming through on top.  It's been painful but he's been handling it pretty well.

He loves to play with sunglasses.

He says a few more words.
"Dum" (Jump)
"Uhuhuh" (bark for a dog)
"arrr" (lion and tiger roaring)

He gives open mouth kisses (with an accompanying "ahhh") to all of us.  It is so sweet!

When we run out of his jammies, we dress him in his sister's jammies.  He does look good in pink!

He loves to stand up and dance.  He'll just shake his thang.  He also bangs his head on items as a form of dance expression.  It's pretty awesome.

That's it for our family this week!

Love,

Weekly Update Pt. 5

We are all tired here.  Ben returned from another interview only to work 32 hours straight.  (I am talking from 3pm Sunday until 11 pm Monday.  No break.  Well, except for a small lunch break and the time it took for me to drive him from one job to the next.)

He is tired.  I am tired.  The kids are tired.  Therefore, you should be grateful that I am even posting this today.  Really.  Start sending letters of sincere appreciation immediately.

Or not.

Anyway...let us begin.

Andrew

He loves me so much.  He loves to pat my face, pull my hair, pinch my cheeks, scratch my eyes, and bite my shoulders.  His affection is endearing.  (And painful.)

He is starting to stand without support.  He mostly does this when I'm not looking.  Sneaky little guy.

He really enjoys trash cans.  Especially the bathroom one.  He likes to crawl as fast as he can toward that location while I'm getting ready.  We play a little game every time I'm in the bathroom: He hurriedly crawls toward the garbage, I grab his waist and place him outside the bathroom, I quickly mess with my hair or apply some makeup while he races toward the trash, and I take him out of the bathroom again.  He finds it delightful.

He points out everything.  Dogs, bugs, cats, leaves, planes, firetrucks, and cars.  He says something like "da!"  in reference to all those items, but I know he's really naming them.

His favorite book is "Happy Birthday, Bear!"  I think it is so much fun reading it to him over and over again.  (No hidden sarcasm there. I promise.)

He likes taking walks, eating, being held by momma, and playing with his sister.  

Oh yeah, and he's still in his infant car seat.  Um, too cheap to buy another one considering he fits perfectly in his current one.

As for clothes, he is now wearing 9 month clothes.  I like putting him in 12-18 months, though, because they are bigger and warmer.  Or so I think.

He has a tooth or two breaking in on the top.  This has given him an ear infection, rash, and a cold.  He's pretty miserable these days.  

Emily

She has such an attitude.  I have no idea where she gets that from. 

*Clears throat.* 

Anyway.

I love hearing her talk.  Love, love, love it.  This evening, for instance, she told me, "Mom! I wanna diaper change!"  I said, "Okay!"  And changed her diaper.  

She likes to take off her socks and shoes right after I put them on.  Or after I place her in the car.  Or when she's in the stroller.  I think she either needs a new pair of shoes or she doesn't like to have her feet covered. 

Sometimes her assertion of independence can be hard.  Take this afternoon.  We took a walk to the library so I could replenish my reading supply and the kids could get some fresh air.  The walk to the library was pretty standard.  Once in the library, Emily started screaming, "Out! I want out, Mommy!"  As I really didn't want to chase her around the library, I was reluctant to comply with her wishes.  She was adamant that I do.  So I let her out.  She behaved fairly well, running up and down the aisles and hanging off of the forbidden banisters, so I was pretty relieved.

But when it was time to go, she threw a fit.  A big fit.  Alright, she's two, that's to be expected.  Plus, she was tired and hungry and not in a good mood.  I managed to get her strapped in the stroller and out the door.  

  Scene averted.

But, I had to stop and pick up a blanket off the ground a few blocks later and she had had it.  She cried and sceamed and all sorts of things.  Since she had refused to put her socks and shoes on in the library, her feet were cold and she was not happy about that.  Well, she managed to get herself out of the straps while I was crossing the street and took a face plant onto the cement.

She was bleeding pretty bad from a few cuts and screaming her head off.  I wiped her off and held her.  She let me put her shoes on (finally) and place her back in the stroller.  That is, IF I gave her some chocolate.  I did and we finally made it home.

A pretty typical scenario these days.

Sigh. 

Still.  We have lots of fun.  The good days definitely out number the bad days.

She is learning shapes.  I don't know how, because I don't remember teaching her, but she somehow knows what a circle is.  She's known what a star was for a while now, but watching her point out stars and circles is pretty neat.

   Emily also enjoys when I count with her.  I think her favorite number is 4 because if I skip it she freaks out.  As in, "No, Mommy! Four!"

We haven't moved her to a toddler bed yet.  Hey, she's too short to climb out of her crib yet so I figure, what's the rush?

She doesn't hit her brother nearly as often as she used to.  I'm talking like maybe once a day versus twenty.  A pretty big change, and something I am so glad about!

Though some things are completely frustrating about this independent toddler, she is too cute for me to be mad at for very long.

Amber

I am busy keeping up with these two active and crazy kids!

I have started exercising again.  I really enjoy it!

We had to completely cut off eating out, so I have been making dinners nightly.  Seriously, for two and 1/2 weeks now I have made dinner every night!  I am so proud of myself.  I use my crock pot practically every day.  I turn whatever recipe sounds yummy (lasagna, taco soup, white bean chile) into a crockpot recipe.  It's pretty awesome!

I am doing my best to keep up on housework.  The only thing that eludes me is the basket of clean clothes in my room.  Hmm...maybe by next week?

Pain-wise, um I've seen a doctor and we pretty much determined that I'll have the pain for the rest of my life.  Or something to that effect.

Ben

Between his two jobs, Ben works 70+ hours a week.  Despite being gone a lot, he makes sure the kids and I are his first priority.  I am constantly grateful that though he is dead tired at times, he will still get up with the kids when they cry at night.

He returned from his interview at Missouri in good spirits.


He is also applying for a military scholarship.  We both feel this is right for our family.  I guess we'll see what happens!

Ben is sorely missed when he is gone, but we are very happy when he is home.

T Tuesdays

I am updating on time this week! I'm so proud of myself.

Andrew

 

Obviously the biggest news is he is now one!! Hooray for our big boy!

Today he had his one-year well check-up and, I'm proud to report, he has gotten bigger!  (He also had 5 shots today.  Ouch!)

Weight: 20 lbs (12th percentile)

Height: 28 in. (5th percentile)

Head Circumference: 18.25 in. (50th percentile)

Apparently weaning him was a good idea after all. (Even though I hated it. I loved nursing my little guy.) The doctor suggested we work on his height, I told him we were thinking about buying one of those stretching machines.  He thought that was a fantastic idea.  (If you don't realize by now, the doctor and I were joking.)  

We haven't celebrated his birthday yet because of conflicts with Ben's work schedule, but we plan on having a fun, small party next week.  Andrew did enjoy listening to all the birthday messages and phone calls from everyone!! He feels very blessed to be surrounded by such loving family.  He also liked when Emily and I sang him the "Happy Birthday" song.  He clapped his hands and danced for us.

Andrew is not walking yet.  He isn't really standing by himself either.  Hey, he could wait 2 months if he likes; I'm in no hurry.

He does say random words and phrases.  Like dog (dadad), dad (dada), mom (mama), Emily (mama), more (dadmam grunt grunt *points fingers at food*), and Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! Haha.  Seriously, he does say words, or sounds that could possibly be words, but they aren't clear enough yet for me to catch them. 

He really likes dancing to The Jimmies and The Wiggles with his sister.  He's got some awesome moves. 

He eats just about everything I place in front of him.  If he doesn't like it, he throws it at me, the table, or Emily.  Emily thinks that's hilarious. 

Speaking of his sister, he pretty much adores her.  He wants whatever she has.  Whether it is food, drink, or a toy.  She isn't always thrilled by this attention, but is usually okay with sharing with him.  So sweet, huh?

I think he might be teething as he's having a hard time going down for naps and bedtime.  He still sleeps pretty well, he just cries for 5 to 10 minutes after I place him in his crib.  Well, I sure can't wait until those top teeth break through! 

This boy loves to laugh.  He loves to chase his sister around the house and screams with joy whenever she chases him back.  It makes me smile everytime.  He also likes for me to chase him.   He will cry at his bedroom door until I get down and chase him for a few minutes.  Silly boy.

He gets into everything.  Hey, what else is new?

Emily

She really loved going to the doctor's office with her brother today.  Especially after she was given the Flu shot.  Um, she cried more than Andrew did.  She kept pointing to her leg and crying to, I mean telling Ben, "I hurt, Daddy! My leg hurts.  I want a sticker."  

This girl makes me so happy.  She loves to snuggle next to me while we read stories.  Her favorite story is, "Whose Mouse are You?" I must admit, the story creeped me out at first but now I love it as well.  She can read the story to me, if she wanted, but she prefers that I read it with my very animated voice.  How could I deny her request?  She also loves "Freight Train," "Brown Bear," and the nursery rhymes in "This Little Piggy" and "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star."  She can read and sing almost all the songs/rhymes in those books.  It is super cute.


Emily loves to dance.  She especially loves to dance to the Wiggles and the Jimmies.  She often turns to me and says, while shaking her hips, "Wiggle shake, Mommy!!" I, then, dance with her.  How could I not?  Her favorite Wiggle songs come from the DVD (that we watch via Netflix on-line) "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing."  I also love that DVD.  I know, I'm a sucker for awesome kid's music.  She also loves listening to our iPod nano. 


Meal times with Emily are, um, interesting.  You can read last week's post for more information.  When she doesn't want something she will shove the bowl toward me and yell, "NO" at the top of her lungs.  I don't like that very much.  She also screams NO randomly throughout the day--at her brother, the TV, me, or Ben.  Kinda weird really.


She is picking up on every word imaginable.  We read scriptures with the kids daily and I am now having Emily repeat verses back to me.  Ben thinks its awesome when she reads words like, "harlot," "charlatan," and other words like those.  Very funny Ben.  Emily also offers her own prayer before we do our family prayer.  It usually goes like this, "Mutters something unintelligible, Mommy, Daddy, Bear, Andrew, cake, cupcake, Nana, Papa, Grampa, water, Daddy, Mommy, cracker, froggy, buggy, NameofJesusChrist Amen!" This is followed by, "Daddy's turn!"  We love it.


Her favorite songs are now, "I Am a Child of God," "I Love to See the Temple," and "We Thank Thee, O God, For a Prophet."   I love YouTube.  I put on some version of those songs and Emily listens, enraptured, during all the verses.  She also sings along and fills in the words that she knows. 

She is getting SO big.

Amber
(I think I need to take more pictures of myself with the kids.) 


I never really know what to put here.  Um, I am a busy mom.  End of story.

The pain is still there, it comes and goes.  I only notice it after I've been pretty active during the day.  I started running with Ben a couple weeks ago and that has been really fun.  Ben and I have a good route that we take, it's made a little bit harder because we are pushing the kids in the stroller.  But, hey, our arms are also getting a workout!  We are a buff couple.  Ha.

I'm cooking again and trying new recipes.  I think I may even follow some of my friend's leads and add a Recipe Page to this blog.  We'll see if I follow through.

Ben

 
This guy is busy!  He has his last interview with AT Still in Missouri this weekend.  These are his med school results so far.

AZCOM (Arizona): Accepted
COMP Northwest (Oregon): Accepted as of today.  We got the phone call in the doctor's office, actually!
KCOM (Missouri): Inteview invite
VCOM (Virgina): Interview invite, had to decline
WVSOM (West Virginia): Interview invite, had to decline
CCOM (Chicago): Secondary, pretty sure he will be invited to interview

Because of financial reasons (i.e. medical bills and med school application stuff), Ben needed to find a second job.  He applied to like 3 and was asked to an interview at two today!  He was offered a job at both locations, but chose to take the position as a paraeducator working with Autistic children.  This is full-time day job so he will be gone all day every Monday and Tuesday and every other Wednesday.  I am so glad that he is willing to sacrifice so much for all of us.  I am also grateful that he got this job as I think it will be a good fit for him and the family.  (The other job was a graveyard shift as a security officer.)

A pretty busy past two weeks!

That's it for us.

Peace out,