Monday, September 29, 2008

Manda's Monday Musings

So I guess it's been another week. Where the time goes I have no idea. But I have decided to get better about posting and I guess weekly is good enough right?!

So I'll start with the current status of our family and then get on to the good stuff. For those of you who didn't know (because we didn't make a big deal out of it) the company that Tj was flying for filed for bankruptcy in July. This left Tj without a job and playing Mr. Mom. The boys have been loving it! However, we are happy to say that we have accepted a new job. Tj did a much better job of describing it here. So in a nutshell we are moving to the other side of FL. I have learned a very important lesson regarding prayer in all of this. You see for the last 6 years I have been praying that the way would be made for us to move West. Well apparently I wasn't specific enough because while we are moving West (approximately 280 miles West) it was not exactly what I meant. I will now be providing map coordinates in my prayers to move West. (lol kind of). But really this is a great career opportunity for Tj and we really do feel like it was an answer to many prayers. This also means that I will be retiring from Gambro where I've been employed for the last 6 years and will try my hand at being a full time SAHM.
In the meantime that means we're now looking at quite the list of "To Do's" before December 1st (Tj's official hire date). Included in that is finding a renter for our current house, finding a new place on the other coast of FL, packing and moving, and getting ready for the holidays (including hopefully at least one trip out "West" to see family and friends). It will be an exciting time for us! We're very fortunate to have Tj's parents and they will be making this adventure (and move) with us! So we will at least know two people when we move. It'll be good.

So on to the part that you've all been waiting for- Joel and Vance updates.

So you would think that in a week there wouldn't be THAT much to update but there is. These boys are so funny. I think kids in general are funny but when you're around them 24/7 and are constantly exposed to their antics you start to think that maybe just maybe your kids are the funniest kids.

Anyhow, Vance is a full fledged swimmer. I swear this kid is going to drown himself. In the bath tub he throws himself back in the water and starts kicking his feet and splashing his hands (see photos below). There is no stopping him. He has also figured out the door handles (stupid lever handles!!) although he hasn't quite figured out how to push or pull when twisting the handle (until next week). He continues to add words to his vocabulary and has added nodding his head when you ask him a question he is answering yes to. He also loves to wave bye bye. He continues to be our shoe-a-holic which normally wouldn't be a bad thing except he insists on eating shoes. It really grosses me out. For being such a picky eater he will put just about anything in his mouth. He continues to get more teeth and currently has four top front teeth, 3 1/2 bottom front teeth, and two top molars. He is such an easy teether though. He constantly makes us laugh and LOVES to be the center of attention.


Covered in bubbles! Bath time is his favorite time of day.


Swimmin'


Mean momma making him sit up.


Reaching the front door handle.

Joel is our laid back child. He makes me smile every day. He likes to get into "Love you" wars where he'll tell you "Love you" and then I'll tell him "Love You!" and we go back and forth. He loves "Dino Bites" and cheese. He continues to love trains and Thomas and Friends. Luckily he also is starting to like Bob the Builder and Curious Buddies. Thank goodness for variety! He loves music and is starting to get his own taste in music. He loves playing Nama's piano and singing Primary songs. He is constantly singing and loves when I introduce a new silly song. He loves keys and loves figuring out how to lock and unlock things with keys. He also continues to be my number one helper- especially when it comes to running the electric sweeper. He loves that! He's so easy to please. One of his favorite "treats" are MM's (that is what he calls them- skips the &) and using "Mommy's blankie" (a NAP blanket from Brookstone). Potty training continues. He does really well at home and at Nama's house. Anywhere else it's hit and miss (literally). He's really starting to love trucks and Pa bought him a new remote control dump trunk last weekend. He is really enjoying playing with it! We also had a friend whose son had outgrown a Thomas the Train fold out couch so they gave it to Joel. He LOVES it. Anyhow I think this pictures explains Joel to a "T".


Joel Hanging Out.

And what about Tj and me?! I've started trying Birkham Yoga. I guess I'm going back to my AZ roots. Hanging out in a 100 degree room attempting to contort my body while finding my inner zen. Really though there was a good introductory rate and so my MIL Cindy and I are trying it together. (Although at the end of the trial month I think I'm going to retire from Yoga.) Tj is also trying out new hobbies and is blogging and becoming quite the cook. Tonight he made us White Chili. It was really good. I'm hoping that his interest in cooking dinner continues. : )

Friday, September 19, 2008

Update- with pictures.

So life is getting back to "normal" at least for the time being. The boys continue to make us laugh and keep us entertained.


Even grocery shopping is fun with the boys!

Vance is finally deciding that he will permit us to serve him "regular" food. He is so picky! Joel would eat just about anything we gave him. Vance will put just about anything we give him in his mouth. Then proceed to take it out and fling it across the dining room. Heaven help me. He is getting better though. And when he is in one of his "particular" moods we have an extra set of hands that are willing to help.


Chowing down on spaghetti.


"More!"
(Note to self, remember to put a bib on whenserving spaghetti to the boys.)


Joel feeding Vance.
This is a true win win. Joel loves feeding Vance (it was his idea.)
And Vance will eat things for Joel that he won't for us.
Pure genius!


Joel is just beginning the stages of potty training. (Much to my dismay. I wanted to wait and potty train Joel and Vance at the same time!) Anyhow, it's a work in progress. We wait for him to show interest. We did buy him new underpants. Of course with his new obsession he was thrilled with the Thomas the Train pants. What is it with kids that they just instinctively put underwear on their heads?! Literally I took them out of the package and that is the first thing he did. Crazy kid. At least they were clean, right?!


Our underpants genius.


So proud of those new underwear!


Potty training is fun!
This is not a typical PT session.

Vance is my mischievous little guy. He has no fear and is just so inquisitive. When he empties the box of wipes for the 4th time in 4 boxes of wipes I don't quite appreciate the inquisitiveness of it all. (I know I should just put the wipes away but sometimes I just forget. Pathetic excuse, I know.)


Testing mommy's sanity.


Vance vs the bubbles.
He's just so funny that you've got to love his mischievous streak.

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

Quick Blog Blurb

So it's been a couple of weeks without a blog post. I know this because every time I stalk, I mean visit my friends' and families' blogs I see on their tickers how long it's been since I've posted. And since I have a guilt complex anyhow well......

So in other news things here have been pretty hectic. Well not so much for me but in general. We were minimally affected by Fay. Mostly just rain and a little wind. So far Ike doesn't appear to be a problem but really I haven't been paying a lot of attention.

I am actually on my way to go pick Tj up from the airport. Long story short he is returning from flying a plane down to Africa. He left last Wednesday and yeah is now getting back. Maybe he'll do a guest post about his trip. So it's been an exciting week for us. I got to take a week off from work to hang out with the boys. Tj's parents were celebrating their 30th anniversary on a cruise, Tj was flying around the world and I got to hang out with the boys. Somehow I feel I got a little cheated on the travel portion of that deal but it was a fun week just me and my boys.

The boys are just getting hysterical. I have a feeling we're going to be investing in bandaides and wrestling mats. Joel's favorite thing right now (in addition to Thomas & friends trains and trains in general) is to race. We had a playdate last week and had about 5 little boys racing down a pretty narrow hall. Of course there were tears involved but it was fun while it lasted. He also likes to climb onto things (chairs, toys, couches, beds) and jump off of them. I see skydiving and cliff jumping in his future. Heaven help me. Vance's favorite thing right now is whatever he should not be getting into. Wipes, toilet paper, anything on top of the dresser, toilet, garbage, sinks, dishwasher- well really the list is endless. He is just so mischievous! The other night I was cooking dinner and Vance had locked himself in his room (via the babygate). After I put dinner in the oven I went to check on him. I found him on Joel's bed and attempting to climb onto the dresser. He is just so adventurous. Joel and Vance are like ying and yang. I have a feeling the next 18 years are going to be quite the ride.

PS. You will notice that there are no pictures with this post. That is because as a spectator I am able to take pictures. As the referee not so much. Hopefully new pictures will come soon.