20 weeks!

Is this fetus sucking it's thumb??! It must take after my sister, metta! She was a thumb sucker in utero, too. Oh- and by the way- this fetus is NOT mine. Not a stinking chance. I canNOT believe that I was something like six weeks prego with Ike when Zeb was the age Ike is right now. What was I thinking?!?

It's laney (and taylor's) little creature.  And I swear I've been having sympathy cravings and mood swings the past twenty weeks or so.  All I want is weird things like cheddar pita chips and honey and mustard onion pretzels.  I don't even crave food when I'm preggo. Plus- I've been crabb-o-rama off and on for the past twenty weeks, too. So, laney- let's get this over with quickly so I can be normal again.

It's due this summer some time and the gender is a surprise. That's the only way to go, really.  I've got boxes of adorable baby girl clothes just screaming to be used though, laney!

did you know that toledo is the frog city?!

I didn't either until yesterday. Playgroup was downtown at the froggy museum- and although I wouldn't classify the place as a museum, my kiddos had a blast. Plus- my fickle camera treated me nicely so I got some pictures.

At first I was terrified.  There were just three big rooms full of frog memorabilia- all roped off. There were stuffed frogs, toy frogs, electronic frogs, talking frogs, hopping frogs, and every type of frog imaginable. It was  a parent's worst nightmare!  All I could think was "how am I going to keep my kids from tearing this place apart while Ms. Amy tries to talk to them about frogs?".  Luckily she was very child friendly and after a short presentation said the magic words "it's froggy time" and let the kids go WILD. They got to play to their heart's content with everything they wanted. And they tore that place apart! It was frog toy heaven. They even had a frog train.

Ike just wanted the big purple car- that had nothing to do with frogs by the way.

Toledo has the most interesting little spots. I'm glad we get to experience so many of them.  The actual building where the museum is located was really amazing inside. It had all of this great exposed brick- with cool archways and lots of natural lighting. I'd love to take my kiddos back and get some pictures. We ended up "touring" the whole place in search of froggytown.

Here are the rugrats staring at kent as he's eating breakfast and getting ready to head off to work.  It's like they are smitten by him.  They just wanted to sit/stand at his side the entire time he ate.  For Ike it may have had something to do with the fact that he wanted his food- but nonetheless- these kids sure love Kent. 

Just check out Ike.  There's nothing worse than cold milk running down your double chin, huh? 

He had his 12 month well check last week and performed like a champ. He's finally in perfect health.  He's 22 pounds and at 50th percentile for everything- except head- where he's 75th.  I think Zeb wished it was his appointment, though. When the doctor came in, Zeb asked if he could use her "listenscope" to hear his heart beat- and everytime the doctor checked something on Ike, Zeb would ask, "what about me?". 
Zeb was happy to skip the shots but Ike didn't seem to mind.  At this age doctor's appointments with Zeb were absolute torture.  We couldn't even measure his head or listen to his lungs without a writhing screaming banshee.  And with Ike- I am not exagerrating when I say he didn't even cry for the shots. He hollered out in pain with all four- but then got up and gave the nurse a wave goodbye accompanied by a smile. 

our weeeekend.

We started off with a great Friday night at the roller skating rink. It was crazy. The music, the lights, the skates, even the smells- they all just screamed Junior High at Classic Skating. We even did the hokey pokey and the YMCA.  Plus, my kids loved the evening.  Kent had to work- but we went and celebrated the birthday of a friend.  I was shocked when they said they had skates small enough for Zeb!  He got the hang of it pretty quickly and was able to shuffle around after a bit.  He did complain that the music was too loud, though!  

Ike just ran around like a banshee and I ran around after him making sure he wasn't run over and that he stayed out of the men's restroom.

I took my regular point and shoot camera- and I have to say that it has about bit the dust.  I realize that I am kind of a picture/camera snob now- but it's really having technical difficulties and I can't stand using it!!

Saturday Kent had to work again- but luckily got off mid day so we could celebrate an early Valentines.  Holidays (besides Easter and Christmas) on Sunday are not my favorite thing.  Too bad V day AND my birthday fall on them this year!! grrr.  We ended up going to see Avatar in 3D.  The only movies we've paid to see in the theaters since we've been married have been the Harry Potter movies- and I remember why now!  They are INSANELY expensive.  Plus- since it was 3d - it cost even more!  11 dollars for a matinee?!  ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!  had they offered non 3D I would have taken it merely for the three dollar discount! Plus- once we started watching the movie I realized that 3D is NOT for me. Maybe it was all the hype- but I was a little disappointed in the movie.  I am glad that we saw it on the big screen and not at home, however.  Kent and I decided we would have been super disappointed to watch it on our scrawny tv!  Plus- it was nice to be kidless for three hours :)  and I'm not sure if I've blogged about his before- but Kent and I love this website- kidsinmind.  We usually check it out before we watch any movies because it is so detailed and descriptive about what exactly is in the movies. 

After the movie we came home, put the kids to bed, and ate dinner while we caught up on missed Project Runway episodes. I do love just being at home and cuddling on the couch under a blanket and eating a bowl of brownies and ice cream.

Sunday ended up being really nice for a sunday holiday.  Both kids took looong naps/quiet times and we could just relax.  I love Sundays knowing that we aren't going to do ANYthing. No pressure to go out anywhere- or workout- or get anything done!  Zeb and Kent raced home after church and decorated the living room with balloons and streamers and m&ms.  Zeb was SO excited when I came in the door. He kept telling me it was for me for valentine's day. It's really fun to have him be so "grown up".  He gets so excited for everything and loves to participate in everything that we do.

 And here's Ikey not very excited about the decorations after waking up.  He's such a turkey right now.  He's trying desperately to tell us everything he wants but it all comes out in shrieks and screams and it's getting crazy annoying!!

 And I spent after church finishing off Kent's final Valentine's present.  I did the 14 days of valentines for him and it ended up being crazy long! Over the past 14 days I made him 105 hearts with 105 notes and 105 "gifts".  I did cheat on more than one heart- but it was a lot of work still :)  I've always wanted to try a fruit bouquet.  I lucked out that fruit has been very reasonably priced lately! and that we have a great little fruit market right down the street.  I learned a few things for next time (don't include bananas! they go mushy and brown immediately- and mangoes look like cheddar cheese chunks).  We also made my favorite dip. Cream cheese, marshmallow fluff, and the juice of an orange. And had Cafe Rio Pork Burritos for dinner. mmm. 

happy valentine's day.  I guess having it on a sunday wasn't all that bad because I got kent all day long. I shouldn't complain.

My kids love this place. And so do I! Although ike only has eyes for the foam pit- and it's pretty obnoxious to try and keep him out or watch him like a hawk when he's in so I don't lose him to the bottomlessness of it.  I tried various forms of containment- but he just got angry.

It's the perfect place for zeb, though. He's in pure heaven on the rings and bars and trampoline.

Everybody needs a ymca gymnastics center.

can you see all of his bumps and bruises on his forehead?!

This kid is ALWAYS falling forward onto his little noggin.  He hits wall corners, chairs, people, and sometimes bends over just a little too far and falls directly onto his head. It's ridiculous, but I'll take the bumps and bruises over coughs and not sleeping ANY day.  And both kiddos are healthy right now (cross your fingers) so I am quite pleased.  Ike does have a nasty little diaper rash, though.

It must be really hard to be a kid sometimes. No real conrol over your body,  little ability to comunicate properly, and constant misunderstanding of emotions.  Most of these rugrat's injuries could be prevented if they'd just learn those basics!

me (my craft. my recipe. my award.)

We are set to get one of the "big" storms today and I guess that means the schools decided to take preventative measures and just cancel school before the snow even started.  Too bad they didn't announce that until AFTER six am when seminary had already started!  That's okay though- it was a great morning. And the snow is REALLY coming down now. I love it. I even had to re-scrape my windows after running in to meijer just to get milk!

Yesterday I finally finished my valentines craft. I don't like crafts. I don't do crafts.  But my house was missing it's Christmas decorations and after I'd seen so many "easy" and "doable" valentine's crafts by friends, I decided to take a stab at something myself.  My number one requirement- NO SEWING.  So here is my felt heart banner. I scoured the web forEVER in search of the perfect simple banner and then finally found this one on my friend emilee's blog. Why didn't I just go there first?  She's a craft genius.  And this was super easy. So I stole the idea.  Totally copied it.

I couldn't get a direct shot because of the lighting- and I forgot to take pictures before hanging it- so this will have to do.  I even cut out the letters FREEhand.  no tracing. nothing.  Maybe I am meant to craft.

Oh- and how could I forget.  One of my favorite things about blogging is "meeting" new people.  I've made a few new friends in the blogging world and recently found jessica- from here in toledo! and she nominated me for a blog award -"the beautiful blogger".  It's my first- so thank-you so much jessica. I love meeting new people-  and even better that she's from here.  Jessica- we should definitely be real friends and not just blogging friends ;).  Along with the award I have to list seven unique things about myself.  It's so hard for me to think of things people don't know already.

1. I really really like to do hard work- like physical labor. I love mowing lawns, working out, digging pits, etc.
2. I love to teach. It's one of my favorite things to do in the world.
3. I'm a reality tv junkie- unless it's The Bachelor(ette) or the Amazing Race. They both give me anxiety/drive me crazy.
4. I really wish that I was more organized. My closets are embarassing.
6. I've just recently (within the past year and half) become a daily flosser and it's changed my life. Now I CAN'T go to bed without flossing.
7. I am perfectly happy with my life (even though I complain about rugrats).

I am supposed to nominate seven people- but I am very bad at nominating.  Plus I am a blog addict and can't really just choose seven- so if you need something to blog about- steal this award and post it, please.


And finally- a new recipe.  The crock pot is my go to dinner. It's fast,  it's easy, and you can throw just about anything in it.  Tonight I made my own version of applesauce chicken as found on a year of slow cooking. It's a great site when I have no new ideas and very few unique ingredients.  I didn't include a picture because it isn't a very lovely looking dish.  It did taste pretty good, though.

 

1 1/4 c applesauce (unsweetened)
1/4 cup water
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 tbs cider vinegar
1 small onion diced
garlic
1/2 pack dry onion soup mix
1-2 sweet potatoes chopped small
chicken breasts.

Really I just chucked it all in- frozen chicken and all.  It takes about 2-3 hours on high and 4-5 on low. I served it with my favorite new boxed side- Chicken and Herb Classico Whole Grain mix from rice a roni. You can also add peas (we add peas to almost everything!).

snow weekend.

I'm not entirely sure why I never found time to blog over the weekend.  It certainly wasn't because we were busy with a weekend full of excitement!  It was nice weekend- but pretty mellow. Kent works every saturday this month so things are pretty low key.  We lucked out that one of the other students he's working with classified herself as a "heathen and athiest" and volunteered to take all of the Sunday shifts including Valentine's day! I am pretty grateful. I'd rather have Kent on Sunday than any other day of the week.

We did decide to have a snow day on Saturday afternoon- but it ended up being more like a snow minute. Ike wanted to go back inside as soon as we got out.  Here he is giving kent the pleading face.  Maybe it had to do with the snow on his hands and face.  It was pretty cold out.

Zeb loved it and stayed out with me for awhile. His facial wound is healing nicely and I think the dermabond is going to fall off soon.

They actually spilled some of it right under his eye and it dried immediately so it looks likes he's had toothpaste on his face for a week now.  It makes me look like an even more delinquent mother.  Plus, Ike took a dive onto the corner of a cookie cutter this weekend and also has a face laceration.  At church people kept asking if they'd had some sort of battle.  I'll try and get a picture.

The worst part of the whole thing is the Augmentin they have him (Zeb) on.  He needed antibiotic for the cut- but he also had red ears so the doc prescribed augmentin.  He HATES the stuff. He keeps asking if he can have the "pink stuff" instead.  When Ike was on antibiotic- it was pink. Apparently he thinks it will taste better if it's a different color.  It all smells terrible to me.

Here he is trying to talk me out of the medicine. He's getting pretty good at arguments these days.  Last week driving to the gym he whined- "I can't go the gym, mom!". When I asked why- he responded with, "It's dangerous".  I asked him how it was dangerous and he informed me that "There are jellyfish at the gym. They sting people. And crabs, too. They are dangerous". 

Zeb's trying to steal his thunder!

Zeb got a little jealous of all the attention we were giving Ike for his birthday and decided to take matters into his own hands.  He did a face dive off his bed and on to the sharp corner of a drawer and ended up with all of Kent's attention for the next hour and a half as they waited at urgent care to get stitches! I could tell immediately that it was really deep.  At first all I could see was white stuff (probably his cut facial fat) but then it just filled with blood and started oozing pretty steadily. And actually- since the cut was on his face the doctor decided that dermabond would be a better plan because it makes for less scarring.  Plus it's less painful and lots faster for wiggly whiny two year olds.  I've included the picture of the poor little rugrat right as he was headed off with Kent.  He was actually quite the champ about it and only cried for two or three minutes.  Although that may have something to do with the fact that I turned into a softy and told him he could have his binky.  I just felt so bad for him and wanted him to feel better!!  I stayed home and put Ike to bed while he went with Kent.  In the car he asked- "Kent, where are we going?" to which Kent replied, "to the doctor to fix your face".  He then responded "oh yeah, to fix my face".

 

Up until the injury we'd had a very nice evening.  Ike wanted NOTHING to do with his cake.  We thought if we covered it with Zeb's toys that for sure he'd at least try to destroy it- but no such luck.  It doesn't surprise me though. Zeb didn't want his cake either, if you remember.  My kids aren't crazy sweets eaters.  Zeb did however want this cake.  Here is he lining up Thomas and Percy to check it out. He's got the angry face because we have to keep reminding him that it's for Ike.

 

Ike had his own little spill into a wall corner (check out his forehead!) right before cake time and maybe that's why he was so grumpy towards it.  It may also have been because he was scared of the dinosaurs.

 

And here he is after I force fed him some frosting.  He spit it at me.

                                                                                      

Really- He enjoyed his balloons and chucking his new train tracks with Zeb more than anything else last night.  The two of them just kept throwing things and giggling. Zeb thinks the new tracks are his so it appears we are still going to have battles about tracks- but at least there will be more to battle over.  And thanks for the books and pjs and valentines aunties and gma and gpa!!

And I should include a picture of Kent AND Zeb here.  Zeb licked off the frosting while Kent finished off the cake.

happy number one, kiddo.

it's a birthday miracle.

Both monkeys slept through the night- and I only got up once to check and make sure they were alive!  I think it was Ike's birthday present to me. It's his birthday today- and I've always been one to think that the mother should be the one who receiving gifts on birthdays.  I am, after all, the one who did all the hard work on this day last year.  I'm also the one (with some help from kent) who does the hard work keeping him alive day after day :). So, thanks for the present little man!

We are going to be having a small celebration tonight- but I thought I'd just post a little tribute to him now.

Little Ike- aka Friedrick, freddy, fred, ike, ikey poo, rugrat, monster baby, destroyer- is one year old!  Zeb's first birthday was so exciting and I looked forward to it for weeks! But Ike's kind of just snuck up on me. I think it's because with Zeb he wasn't walking yet and I thought for sure that upon turning one he'd just stand up and become ambulatory. Ike, on the other hand, has been ambulatory for months now and I kind of feel like he's been one for months already.

Ikey is very laid back, almost always happy, and easy to please. He loves to destroy things and finds great pleasure in making Zeb scream. His favorite foods are beans (black and kidney) and cheese.  And he loves more than anything else to be rocked to sleep at night by Kent.

Right now he has eight teeth, a constant runny nose, and lots of bruises on his head.  He loves to clap, wave, shout hooray, point, stomp his feet, and touch his head. He hates sitting still at church, being ignored, and getting the straight arm or an elbow from Zeb.

We love you little turkey- and it's a good thing because we can't return you anymore.

Sometimes I feel like this is all I blog about, but just stop coughing, PLEASE!  For me there is almost nothing worse than coughing children all night long.  We have spent months of the past two years of our lives listening for coughing, hacking, wheezing, sneezing, and sick babies.  And as happy as I am about six more weeks of chilly weather and snowy days, I am afraid we also may have six more weeks of the mucous monsters.

 Here is Zeb mid-cough and Ike mid-sneeze.  They just keep passing it back and forth to each other.  They also wake each other up with it all night long. And to make matters worse than worse, when we do miraculously have a few hours of no coughs- I'm getting up constantly to check and make sure they're still breathing because I just can't believe that they aren't still coughing!!!

Hey- rugrats, please don't make us get up eight times tonight!!!!!

!!

I am a girl of extremes.  My entire life I've been told that I'm one giant superlative. For me it's almost always an ultimate love or an utmost disdain.  My life is full of the MOST ridiculous experiences or the BEST EVER foods or the WORST things ever, etc.  Either I love it or I hate it.  And I think it's what makes my life so great.  I'm a super taster (this article describes me almost to a T- even down to thinking that cilantro tastes like soap) and apparently a super"lifer", too. 

And the whole point of explaining this via blog is so that I can make a list.  A list of the things that I'd die for right now.  That I just love so so much. I've felt myself in a bit of an "extremes" craze lately and I thought I'd share.


1. snyders honey mustard and onion pretzel pieces.  If you haven't tried them you are missing out BIG time. Sure, they look nasty- but they are beyond amazing.

2. hershey's double chocolate nuggets. Smooth and creamy milk chocolate on top with bitter dark chocolate on bottom.  mmmmm.  the perfect little combination.

3. my exersurprize class at the gym. I thought it was going to be my easy day with a name like that- but it turns out this class is harder than hard and it's fantastic. 

4. my husband.  he's astounding. happy first day of valentines, ralph.

5. and finally, this recipe.  It's unreal.  Delicious.  Totally doesn't count as dinner because it's too sweet and treaty- but it's what we had for dinner tonight anyway. oh- and the homemade buttermilk syrup is a MUST.

from "taste of home"

Sourcream Blueberry pancakes! made plenty for us -plus leftovers.

2 c. all-purpose flour
¼ c. sugar
4 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
2 eggs
1 ½ c. milk
1 c. (8-oz) sour cream - this is one of the few things I don't like to go fat free on.  I'll go light, though.

1/3 c. butter, melted
1 c. fresh or frozen blueberries (I use frozen)

Combine dry ingredients in a bowl. In another bowl, beat the eggs. Add milk, sour cream, and butter; mix well. Stir into dry ingredients just until blended. Pour batter by ¼ cupfuls onto a greased hot griddle and drop on blueberries (we cut ours smaller); flip when golden on bottom. Cook until the second side is golden brown.

Buttermilk Syrup ( I halved this and still had plenty left)

• 1.5  cup white sugar ( I reduced this to just one cup)
• 3/4 cup buttermilk (3/4 c milk with 1.5 tsp lemon juice left to sit for 3-4 minutes and then stirred well)
• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 tablespoons corn syrup
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Bring sugar, milk, butter, and corn syrup to a boil and let bubble for seven minutes (stirring regularly).  Remove from heat and add vanilla.  Let cool.