Eating it Up

Ryan spent the morning running some errands with me and Grandma H. We stopped at a restaurant for lunch - Ryan's first meal out where he sat in a high chair and kind of participated in things. He had a wonderful time looking around the place and he ate two jars of baby food. I think the best part of the meal was watching Ryan play with his spoon and try to feed me. He was so happy and so good. It was wonderful.

Let Him Tell You About It

Two more "what Wesley said" stories from tonight.

The W. family took a family trip to the grocery store tonight. On the way there, Wesley was pretending his bear was a baby. "Mom! Carr (bear) is looking out the window." I made some affirmative noise and Wesley responded, "Yep! He sure is a looker!"

Wesley was doing his nonstop chatterbox thing as I was making him something to eat. "Wow, Wesley, " I said. "You sure talk a lot." Wesley happily replied, "Yep! I say ALL the words!" That he does.

Bouncing Boys

Wesley and Ryan spent some time on the trampoline tonight. Despite the fact that the video looks like Wesley is trying to save his brother from choking, Ryan really does enjoy it.

He Doesn't Get It

Grandma H. and I went to Ash Wednesday service tonight while Duane stayed home with the boys. I got home just as Wesley went to bed. Lucky for me, he forgot his bear on the living room floor, so I picked up the bear and went up to Wesley's room. I sat on the bed and handed Wesley his bear, when I noticed that Wesley was looking at me funny.

Wesley: What's that on your head? (pointing to the cross of ashes on my forehead)

Mommy: I went to church tonight and Pastor Art put a cross on my forehead. (Yes, I know this is a REALLY simple explanation, but Wesley is only three!)

Wesley: (looking confused and touching the cross) Did it hurt?

Seven Months

Please excuse the poor quality of the pictures. They are from my phone.

It hardly seems possible that my little baby boy is seven months old today. Good grief, where has the time gone! I feel like I'm missing his baby days because I'm so busy with two kids. I remember that I used to love taking naps on the couch with Wesley, but I think I've only done that a handful of times with Ryan.

I'm also discovering how hard it is not to compare your kids, despite your best intentions not to. At seven months, Wesley had started to crawl. Ryan literally started doing the army man crawl about 10 minutes ago. Wesley LOVED books and would listen to you read and he'd even turn the pages. Ryan eats books. Wesley was pretty content on his own. Ryan screams if you put him down or step out of his line of sight. Ryan loves to bang toys to see what sound they make, which Wesley never did.

But what's really fun is seeing them together. Ryan adores Wesley. He smiles at his big brother and desperately wants to do whatever Wesley is doing. My favorite time of the night is when Duane rough-houses with the boys and all three of them are laughing. It's wonderful! Like I said, I can't believe Ryan is already seven months old, but I also can't believe there was a time when he wasn't around. We are so blessed.

Hitting the Bottle

In a Haze

I have a cold that just won't quit. The kind where your sinus are so stuffy that your eyes water. Oh yeah, it's great fun. Ryan still has boogers pouring out of his nose and he coughs himself awake every couple of hours at night. Wesley is about over his cold and Duane had his last weekend, so I guess Ryan and I are the hold outs.

So what do you do on a weekend you feel lousy? Well, if you're me, you suck it up and go to work Saturday and Sunday, you host a birthday gathering for some friends and you try to decide if you should attend the Oscar Party you really want to go to. I am slowing down a little though. I left work a little early yesterday, went to bed early (yes, a little rude when we still had people over, but my eyes were so watery from my cold that I couldn't see) and I'm skipping out on church this morning. See, cutting back!

This his how Wesley fell asleep when we got home yesterday. Doesn't look comfortable to me, but he slept this way for over an hour.

I managed to get a couple of shots of Ryan without the booger waterfall. From these pictures you wouldn't know he's pretty miserable and whining almost all the time. Poor Daddy is in for a long day today whether I go to the party tonight or not.

Ray brought Rock Band over last night. Since Uncle Kirk lets Wesley play the drums at his house, Wesley was more than ready to rock out.


Other highlights from yesterday:

• Fluffy (the imaginary cat) has been causing a lot of trouble around the house lately and has been pushing Wesley down and biting him (don't ask.) I finally told Wesley that if Fluffy couldn't be nice, he was going to have to go live with Miss Kate and Colin. We even called them to let them know Fluffy might be coming over. Kate had an imaginary refreshment all ready for Fluffy.....and I won't say what it was, even though I thought it was hilarious!
• Wesley LOVES to help me in the kitchen so I asked him if he was going to be a chef when we grew up. He said yes, but now he's just a cake man. A few hours later, Wesley informed everyone that he wanted to be an astronaut when he grew up. This MORTIFIED me. I've seen too many space disasters to be OK with that choice, so I said, "I thought you wanted to be a chef." Wesley said " I do want to be a chef - after I'm an astronaut. But right now I'm just a boy." What a perfect thing to be!
  

Quarantine

Wesley is sick - runny nose and lots of boogers.

Ryan is really sick - bad cough, constant runny nose, sneezing.

Mommy is sick - headache, stuffy nose, tickly throat. I thought taking a sick day yesterday to rest would wipe it out, but no such luck. Unfortunately, today I have some things I have to do and no help with the kids until Duane gets home. Fun.

Oh Brother(s)!

Do you know how hard it is to get a decent picture of Welsey and Ryan together?

In this picture, Wesley was working up a mouthful of drool so he could be like his brother.

In this picture, Wesley is wearing his goofy smile that he now does anytime you ask him to smile. I guess it's not too bad though.

And this one is pretty cute, but it seems to be missing a brother.

My Son Said What????

Wesley just asked me if he could dump all his memory game cards out into a bowl to "make water." Anticipating the mess this little game would make, I told him no. But Wesley, being a three year old, had to keep asking and I had to keep saying no. Finally, Wesley looked at me and said, "Mom, you're just a girl. You don't know everything!" WHAT!?!

Me and My Shadow

Ryan had his follow up appointment with his surgeon today. Basically, it went EXACTLY as I thought it would. Ryan and I waited for nearly an hour before seeing the doctor for less than two minutes. She literally stepped into the room, said the pathology results were negative, glanced at the stitches and said they'd start to dissolve soon, then left.

It could have been a hellish hour, but Ryan was exceptionally good. He entertained himself by playing with the wonderfully crinkly paper on the exam table. He totally shredded it! All I had to do was watch and make sure he didn't put it in his mouth. When tearing the paper got a little boring, Ryan looked around the room and discovered something else to entertain him. There was a baby on the wall that kind of looked like him. It was grey and didn't have a face, but it did everything he did. Yes folks, Ryan discovered his shadow. He spent LOTS of time playing with the baby on the wall - and trying to feed the crinkly paper to that baby. He'd talk to his shadow and spit at it and wave his little arms. I remembered too late that my new phone takes video, or you could see it for yourself. But it was a pretty entertaining way for me to pass the hour.

Royal Flush

Wesley is finally starting to get the hang of this potty training thing. His accidents are MUCH less frequent than they were less than a month ago and he's even starting to tell us when he has to go! The kid may actually get to go to preschool this year!

Of course there are some down sides to focusing so much on potty training. Wesley just told me to be sure and let him know if I have to go potty and he felt my bottom to see if I was poopy!

It's Hip to Be Square

One of these days I'll remember that 3 year old children hear everything you say, even if they aren't really listening to you. Shortly after we got home today, Sanders made that lovely noise he makes before he starts vomiting. Sanders gets sick more than any cat I have ever met EVER. He'll go for a week or two without puking, then he'll get sick every single day for a while (and yes, I have had him to the vet about this - more than once) So anyway, when Sander's sound effects began I sighed a big "I swear!" while scooping him up and running into the kitchen with him, where the mess would be easier to clean up. I didn't think Wesley was paying a bit of attention to me, but all evening he's been scolding his imaginary cat, Fluffy. Wesley will sigh a big sigh and say, "Fluffy! I square!"

Here's a cute picture of Sanders when he's not redecorating our house. He fell asleep on the new Matthew Van Fleet book called Cat. How appropriate.

Happy Valentines Day

Please forgive me wishing everyone a happy Valentine's Day a little late. I just got back from my wonderful weekend, so this will be a "recap" post.

As I mentioned in my last post, Duane had a romantic Valentine's escape planned for us. We dropped the boys off with Grandma and Grandpa H. around 10:00 on Saturday morning, so we could milk this "no kids" thing for all it was worth. Our first stop was an indoor farmer's market at a church near my mom's. Although everything there looked and smelled delicious, we only bought one thing - a package of Valentine's springerle for Grandma H. See, we know who we need to kiss up too! From there we flitted in and out of stores along High Street and had lunch at Whole World. Yummy!

We headed down to Cincinnati and checked into our hotel with plenty of time for a nap before the big night out. Now I know a nap on Valentine's day sounds lame, but any parent with young children out there knows what a true luxury that is! Besides our room was wonderful. It had a river view and without a doubt the most comfortable bed my little body has ever been in!

Once we were rested and primped it was time to head out to Newport on the Levee. If you're from the central OH area, Newport is basically like Easton and we were there to see the Newport Shadowbox Cabaret. As most of you know, we are HUGE fans of Shadowbox, but we've never been to see the Newport troupe. It was such a treat! As much as I love the Columbus staff, the Newport folks were fantastic! I wish they had sold CDs last night! Oh! And since we were there for Valentine's Day, I received a beautiful rose and we had a delicious dinner buffet there.

This morning we slept in a little bit. Not as much as we probably should have, but when you're used to getting up between 5:30 and 6:30, 7:30 feels pretty lazy! We had breakfast at the hotel then went back to Newport; this time to visit the aquarium. It was really neat, but the whole time we were there, I kept thinking about how much Wesley would like it. I think a family trip might be in store this summer. We did pick a little bucket of plastic turtles up at the gift shop for Wesley. Before heading home we made one more stop - this time to Zip's Cafe for the "best hamburgers in Cincinnati" Not too bad! It was a really neat little place too. Very small, but kid and family friendly.

Wesley and Ryan were pretty happy to see us. Of course, they had a good Valentine's Day too. Wesley helped Grandma decorate cookies and Uncle Kirk and Aunt Susan stopped by to visit them. Here are some of the pictures she took.

Here's sweetie boy Ryan on his first Valentine's Day. Doesn't he just melt your heart?

I know what this picture looks like, but it has nothing to do with potty training. Wesley was probably doing one of his "dances" and this is how he does the Charleston. Perhaps we need to sign him up for dance lessons?

And here's Uncle Kirk with the little guys!

And now we're back to reality. The living room is totally covered with toys. One of the cats threw up. Ryan spit up. Duane is sick (he was fighting a cold all weekend, but the cold is definitely starting to win) and Wesley is pretending to be a baby. As nice as it was to just be a wife this weekend, I'd rather be a family any day - although I'd still really like the hotel bed!

Don't Hate Me Because My Husband is Awesome

I usually don't post anything about Valentine's Day until the actual holiday, but I am so excited about it this year that I'm going to tell you all our plans a little bit early. Duane and I are taking a little get away to Cincinnati - without the boys! We have dinner plans and a suite at a hotel booked!!!! I can't wait!!! I'll post all the gory (romantic and sweet) details later, but doesn't my hubby ROCK!?

Geography

Wesley turned to me this morning and said, "In China there are panda bears and people who say 'Ni hao' " Guess someone has been watching his Kai Lan on Nickelodeon. I told him that he knew someone from China - his Aunt Cathy. His response, "Wow. I never knew that before!"

Oh, and the picture has nothing to do with the post, but look how cute they are!

You're Speaking My Language

Wesley is starting to show a lot more interest in Ryan. Ryan has always been really interested in Wesley, but the tables are starting to turn. I think it's because Ryan is becoming a lot more vocal (go figure) and Wesley can kind of interact with him. Wesley LOVES to make Ryan laugh! I caught him flying toys in front of Ryan's face the other day and Ryan was just giggling away. My favorite brother moment was yesterday on the ride home. Ryan was squeaking and squealing and making happy baby noises. Wesley thought it was funny, so he'd make the exact same noise back to Ryan. Ryan, of course, was so thrilled that his big brother was talking to him, that he'd make a happy baby noise and so on and so forth. It wasn't a quiet ride, but it was wonderful.

Good Thing He's Got a Thick Skull

Wesley was horsing around last night and hit his head on the computer desk. There was no blood, but a bandaid always makes things feel better. The only problem is, now he won't let us take it off.

Saturday Night at the W. House

Love those sweet taters!




Dancing with the star - the video quality is really poor (my camera hates to shoot indoor video) but it's totally worth it if you can see it.

Love of My Life

I know Valentine's Day isn't for another week, but I was inspired by a post on 3 Little Snaps to tell you a little (gush) about Duane.

Of course the hard part about this is knowing where to start. Most of you know that I was married once before. All I can say is the difference between that marriage and my marriage to Duane is like night and day. Duane and I were friends for a long time before we ever thought of each other romantically. Duane was one of a group of friends that helped me through the breakup of my first marriage. They helped me move my things, they took me out when I needed to smile and they listened as I cried. I don't know what I would have done without all these folks (Duane, Keith & Cheryl G., Cheryl C., Rusty & Katie, Ray & Krystal, Brett, Rick & Sasha, and Bruce). Somewhere along the way, I realized that my heart would start to race when Duane walked in the room and that I automatically looked for him in the group.

When Duane and I started dating, it was like slipping into your favorite pair of jeans. By that I mean, it just felt so right, so comfortable, that I wondered why I had ever, figuratively, worn anything else. Being with him was like a natural extension of myself. Duane is romantic and kind and funny. On our first date, he brought my mom flowers (I was temporarily living with my mom and stepdad.) He started going to my church with me, where everyone welcomed him with open arms.

Before Duane proposed to me, he took my father out to dinner to ask permission to marry me. He's said he's never been so nervous in his entire life! My dad thought it was too soon for me to remarry, but said it was ultimately my choice. Duane also asked permission from my mom and stepdad. He was a class act the whole way.

I remember two comments that were made on our wedding day. My dad and I were dancing and he asked me if this one was "going to stick." I remember telling him that it absolutely would. I had no doubt in my mind. I also remember a friend telling me that if I smiled any bigger, my face would split open.

Duane and I are going to celebrate our 5 year anniversary in May. Those 5 years have gone by in the blink of an eye (where the 5 years of my first marriage drug on and on). Every day Duane inspires me to be a better, kinder person. He's the father I dreamed of my children having, the friend I've always needed in my life, the man who understands me, loves me and yes, still makes my heart race. If I'm having a bad day, just hearing his voice, or getting an email from him calms me immediately. He always puts me and the boys first in his life. He loves God and his family. My in-laws are wonderful people I am so proud to be related to.

It's so nice to know that there is love out there that is worth waiting for. When my first marriage ended, I never expected that I could be as happy as I am now. Sometimes, I regret the years we didn't have together and the experiences I wish had been with him instead, but I treasure every moment we have to make new memories. I hope that when Wesley and Ryan grow up, they are the kind of men their daddy is - kind, loving, smart, romantic, and funny. In short, the love of my life.

Hopping Along

Grandpa P. and I took the boys to COSI today to see the frog exhibit. It was really neat, but Wesley couldn't quite decide if he was fascinated by them, or scared. He'd get really close to the glass to look, then suddenly back away or grab my hand. I think "fascination" won out.

Wesley took Grandpa through the tunnel and into space on the rocket ship.







Grandpa and Ryan at the baby water table. I think Ryan was in there for almost 45 minutes and he was NOT happy when I took him out.

Ryan on the top, Wesley at 6 months on the right. Same bib, same water table.




Wesley played for a long time in the big water table. This is the first time in the three years we've been going there that Wesley got so soaking wet that I had to change his clothes.






We made a quick detour to the gift shop before we left. I bought Wesley a little box full of rubber frogs, snakes and lizards. He ran around the gift shop singing "I got this! I got this!" He must of thanked me at least a dozen times for buying him a present. We've been home for half an hour and all he's done is play with them and count them and sort them. I'm thinking it was money well spent.

Missing the Point

I know I have posted before about what a bear Wesley is if you have to wake him. I wish I could just let him wake up on his own every day, but since I have to go to work, I have to haul him out of bed. This morning was an especially big struggle. I was trying to stand him up to take his pajamas off, but he kept sitting/laying down on my lap. I finally said, "Wesley, I need you to stand up!" He never even opened his eyes as he replied, "But I can't sleep standing up!"

Doctor Doctor

Ryan had his six month "well child" exam today. Due to the scheduling of said exam, I ended up going to the peditrician with Ryan, Wesley, Stinky Bear, Fluffy (imaginary cat) and Fergus (stuffed dog from Happy Meal) I'm sure we made quite the entrance as I bumped through the doors of the office with all that plus a diaper bag, car seat and a large purse. Oh well, at least it wasn't snowing!

The people in the waiting room must have thought we were some kind of nutso family. Wesley kept barking to Fergus and meowing to Fluffy and I'd have to ask him not to bark/meow so loud. Of course, Ryan thought this was pretty funny and was just giggling away in his seat. In between asking Wesley to bark/meow a little quieter, I kept asking him if he had to go to the bathroom. He wanted to wear underwear to the doctor's office and I had an awful fear that he was going to have an accident since his change of clothes was in the van.

Luckily we didn't have to wait very long before we were able to go back to a room. Wesley chatted away to the nurse while we got Ryan's "height" (27 inches) and weight (16 pounds, 2 ounces). But the real fun began when the doctor came in. Wesley never ever stopped talking, so the doctor and I had to try and converse over and around Wesley's rambling. Wesley was sure to tell the doctor all about Fluffy and how he (Fluffy) had eaten a lump and it was on his head and he had to go to the hospital. The doctor also had to give Fluffy a check up. He'd look in Ryan's ears, then look in Fluffy's ears. He'd listen to Ryan's heart, then to Fluffy's heart. I bet when Doctor M. woke up this morning he had no idea he'd have to be a veterinarian to an imaginary cat.

Really, the appointment went very well. Ryan got a clean bill of health. He also got five shots that Wesley wanted to help give him. Hummmmm....that might not bode well for their future relationship. We got out of the office without Wesley having an accident and all the luggage we dragged into the building left with us. I guess that's successful.

Yowly Little Baby

It doesn't look like it in this picture, but Ryan has been the yowliest little baby this weekend. I posted the picture to remember what he looks like when he's happy. The worst part about the yowling is that we can't figure out what is wrong with him. Hungry? Don't know for sure - he eats anytime you offer him food anyhow. Tired, maybe, but he won't sleep. Bored? I dunno. Frustrated? Maybe. He wants to stand up all the time and gets very mad if you try to sit him down, but he doesn't want to stand in the exersaucer (baby jail).

The only other thing we can come up with is that maybe he is teething. You'd think I'd remember what teething is like and when kiddos start to teethe, but I am drawing a complete blank. Is 6 months about right? It took Wesley FOREVER to get teeth. I distinctly remember asking his doctor if Wesley would ever get teeth. Ryan is pretty happy chewing on a frozen teething ring this morning, but again, he's 6 months, he's happy chewing on anything.