Madness and Mayhem

We did have a wonderful time at the Houston Children's Museum a couple of weeks ago, but what prompted us to go on Friday's free day???

My sister-in-law and her boys, Caleb and Colin, met us at the museum. David enjoyed his time, but I quickly discovered that he is in the funny in between stage. He is too big for the toddler area (although he loved the cars!!!), but he is still a bit too small for the older kid area. It didn't help trying to keep up with him (out of the stroller--he was not content sitting; who would be?) while pushing a big stroller among the sea of bodies.

I really enjoyed my time-especially with Susan--but next time I will not take the stroller in. And perhaps wait another year or two until David is a bit older?

the curse of smell (and the blessing)

The most common question any woman gets when pregnant is, "How are you feeling?" I always hated that question when pregnant with David. Not only did I feel fine the entire time (except swollen ankles at end), I ran out of creative ways to tell people that nothing had changed-- I still was pregnant and no, I was not feeling bad at all.

On that note, both for my record for the future and to answer the age-old question...

I had an ultrasound and saw the heartbeat at 7 weeks. It was still so hard to imagine that God had answered our prayers. It seemed even less real in some ways since I felt not a bit pregnant and maintained the same weight etc... Then 7 weeks 1 day hit.

I still have nothing to complain about! I have asked for many prayers for strength though. Last time around, I was mainly just more tired than usual at night--beginning as early as 7:00 pm. All at once at 7 weeks 1 day, I found myself winded all the time: carrying David upstairs, lifting him onto his changing table, or even more, fighting him into diaper or clothes. I started eating a bit more and feel a bit better now but still exhausted ALL the time! Perhaps it is as much keeping up with a very active toddler too??? :)

And the smells? Not one minute of nausea with pregnancy #1. This time, I can smell any and everything--and it all smells so strong! I feel a tiny bit nauseous opening the fridge every time I get out David's milk...multiple times a day. (Michael says it does not smell). The smell of dinner, wet wipes (especially at the FLC), air fresheners--it all makes me a bit nauseous since it is so strong. I really know it could be far worse because it is only a mild nausea throughout some times of the day--morning and early evening seem worst. But definitely different than when pregnant with David!

I do crave the same spicy food though! The spicier the better... Other similar things: frequent trips to the bathroom all night (and day) and the tingling in my fingers when I sleep. I have been awoken many nights because my hands have fallen completely asleep too.

So in response to "How are you feeling?", I have felt better but am so blessed to have this little one growing--causing the exhaustion and heightened sense of smell!

According to Seuss

What's wrong with these pictures?

Missing:

...Until Now...

Coming Soon - Spring 2011 (March 12, 2011)

a Super Family

118.00-118.00= FREE

Look what arrived this week from Amazon!

Now it may not look like much (and it is so overpriced for what it is), but it is a $118 piece of equipment that enables my sewing machine to download new embroidery designs.

Now for the best part! It was entirely free! I had accrued $200 worth of gift cards in my Amazon account over the past year...mostly from Swagbucks.

Brief synopsis again...Swagbucks is a website that works as a search engine like Google. There are multiple ways to get Swag"bucks" or points, but four guaranteed ways each day. There are other ways, such as swag codes that are good for only a limited time etc...

1. Searching using their search engine--I normally win 2-3 times a day, often 10 points at a time
2. Polls--answer the 2 second poll and earn a buck
3. Trusted Surveys--you don't even have to do the surveys, just click down to that section of swagbucks
4. Special offers--normally clicking "no thanks" through about 5 offers each day to win another swagbucks

And today is Friday which means that the Swag searching will even better than normal. Sometimes even 30 or more.

I can normally get 2-3 -$5 Amazon gift cards a month. Will not get rich this way, but sure makes for some fun treats!

a cow says "moo"

...unless you ask David at Chick-fil-A appreciation day while wearing his cowboy hat and he will tell you, "yee-haw."

Should I mention that we ate both lunch and dinner there for free? Had to get Michael in on the action of dressing up like a cow! David ate like a champ both meals!

Last month as a baby

You can almost call a one year old a baby still, but at age two?

David,

We have seen some very different emotional changes in you this month. The beginning of the month brought major separation anxiety (which you are still dealing with). No longer will you run into your classroom at church and happily start playing. I have to pry you off of my body and leave with screaming in my ears. (which quickly stops, however)

Perhaps it is this same emotion that causes you to scream at naptime and bedtime now. I admit you nap far worse suddenly...some days you nap for 3 hours still, some days not at all. However, whether tired or not, you are pretty upset when we walk out of the room--fine while we are in it. We have started playing praise music when we leave and this settles you down quickly after we leave.

You have also discovered your terrible two phase this month. You are pretty cheerful most of the time, but when I take something you had or you don't get something you want, BEWARE! You are becoming more obedient though since the spanking spoon has been put to good use regularly this month.

When you are not screaming, you are most often giggling or full of sweet babbling...which day by day becomes a little more distinct. I finally determined that you were talking about a "police car" when you say "pizza." You love police cars!!! You will alert us to all of them along the road with nothing but the siren sound. Very funny. You do get confused sometimes and think that all trucks, taxis etc...with lights on top are police cars, but what do you expect at this age? I love the fact that you say "one more" (with pointer finger to lips) when you want me to sing more or tickle you again or read the same page in a book again.

After getting a puddle jumper flotation device, you absolutely love being in the water! I think you like the freedom that it brings, although you tend to still be a bit cautious.

You still love all things boy: your matchbox cars, your ride on truck, and all balls. I have found that you are partial to golfing though since any ball and almost any type of stick, including hairbrushes, becomes a golf club. You do have a pretty good arm on you though. You do enjoy sitting to read now though. One book after another and if mommy makes enough sounds, you even sit still for the whole book now. Summer reading program prizes include 2 free books, a free t-shirt, and several store credit cards for Half Price Bookstore.

You enjoy hats often now too--instead of just tearing it off of your head. Your cowboy hat ("yee-haw") is your favorite.

You are becoming so much better coordinated. You can handle a fork and spoon moderately successfully now; often ambidextrously but still with the tendency toward left-handedness??? You enjoy your puzzles and can manipulate the pieces within seconds. You have also begun opening all doors! Fortunately, we have the door alarm chime on (and try to keep the back door locked) because you often try/open the back door to go outside.

You have so many more teeth now! Perhaps most of them? It makes it a bit more painful when you gently bite us then; you see it as a "love bite," but you have already gotten a spanking for it. This must not continue! Along with your teeth, you can eat most anything now...whether you will is a different story. You stopped eating peas and hot dogs for a while this month. You would even hide your eyes when I tried to feed you because everyone knows that "if I can't see you, you can't see me!"

It has been interesting this month watching you interact with other kiddos. You don't like being bossed around at all but really enjoyed your time with a boy pal around the same age, even sharing your toys and dancing together (sorry, D, Jackson dances far better than you!)

What a fun month we had--minus a few tantrums. I would take those anyday as long as I can see your little personality forming and able to interact so much better with you!

Much love and can't wait to see my 2 year old!

Love, Mama and Daddy

A night on the town

Michael and I spent 4th of July evening watching very different fireworks as the stars of Wicked, the Musical lit the stage up in a fantastic performance!!! The musical score was catchy and clever and it was lots of fun to watch a play I had never seen before! We enjoyed the evening in black tie attire. Thanks to sister Susan who watched David!