The Boys

Dexter loves to eat people's faces, not in the Hannibal Lecter sense, but in a more playful way. He likes to go straight for the chin and cracks himself up when he gets you right where he wants you. He has been getting into more and more lately. We set him down on the ground and the next thing we know he's in another room. We had to break down and buy a gate. We know we won't be able to keep up with him soon and having the three stairwells means trouble. We will be gating off the basement this week (for our guests that means no more Duke waking you up in the morning). Dexter was mesmerized this week with his reflection in the filthy, dirty trash can, he's discoverd long lost toys under the furniture and is eating everything and anything he can get his little hands on.

Zoe is doing well, she actually wore tennis shoes today! (big day for us). The weather has been nice, so wearing shorts and a t-shirt in 50 degrees has made her life a bit easier. She's still enjoying school and gymnastics once a week. I took an early lunch and went to watch her this week. She's done with Kellan and his video games. Today in the car after another long conversation about Lego Star Wars Wii she yelled "Kellan, I've had enough, stop talking about Star Wars." I'm right there with her.

Sitting here watching the Oscars with Jim, hoping I win a big prize for "predicting" the winners in our work contest (though Jim actually did all the predicting). Love the fact that we can fast forward through 50% of it...and "we" are five for five with our predictions (though most people probably are)...make that six for six.

Olympic Closing Ceremonies?

Another mellow week/weekend around here. Friday night I took Kellan and Zoe to a high school basketball game. Kellan's teacher coaches a girl's team and it was their semi-final game. It was a good game and Kellan was really into it (Zoe not so much). It made for a late night and the rest of the weekend was all R & R. Something seems to be up with Dexter again, another long night Saturday. We appreciate all the good nights with him and know it's an exception when he doesn't sleep, so may be taking him back to the doctor depending on how tonight goes. Not sure if it's his teeth (massive drooling) or continued ear infection.

Kellan has been playing a lot of Lego Star Wars Wii. He's almost completed it and Zoe and I couldn't be happier. Outside of the constant playing there's constant conversation around the game. I may be buying a TV for the basement to banish him. This is how bad it has gotten, he turned to me today, as he's playing and says "I peed my pants." and I said "What?" "I had to go so bad I peed myself." and he continued to play. I'm not talking a little pee, he really peed. I told him to stop playing and go take a shower. When he came back down I asked him why he didn't pause it and go to the bathroom. "I swear, you won't believe me, but I didn't realize I peed." Forget the Lego intervention, we now need a video intervention. I may be exaggerating on how much he plays, homework always comes first and there is a time limit (sometimes we forget though), but not exaggerating about him wetting himself, that really did happen this afternoon. As I said before, slow week.

Not much in the way of pictures either...Zoe was my little model of the week.

Dexter's 7 months old

Big blue eyes

The many faces of Zoe

I've been reluctant to post videos since they have not been working on a regular basis, the one below isn't showing an image right now, but is working - unless something is up with blogger again. Sounds like they continue to work on the issue...so tune in every now and then.

Sick Days

Our home was an infirmary this past three day weekend. Zoe still has her bad cold, Dexter was beside himself Sat. night, barely went to bed. We took him to the doctor Sun. - fever, congestion and a double ear infection. Kellan had bouts of needing to vomit. I ended up with a sore throat and headache. I took a sick day from work on Tues. since I got myself pretty run down. Jim was lucky to escape, but loved living with all the sickness. I feel like most posts are now weather or sick related, can't wait for the summer. Lots of snow heading our way by the end of the week. Kellan has been passionate about school this past month. The focus has been Presidents and DC (specifically monuments). He loves non-fiction books now. He keeps asking to go to DC and was excited when we reminded him that he has cousins and an aunt and uncle that live there, that his mom and G-ma Sue were born there and his great G-pa worked at the Smithsonian.

Follow the link below to one of his school projects. Not too sure about the screaming (he thought it was funny) and he's angry at himself for misspeaking about the President on the five dollar bill. You may need to turn it up to actually hear Kellan's voice. It may also take some time to download and will keep playing over and over until it downloads all the way.

Select the km.mov link
http://schools.dcsdk12.org/education/components/docmgr/default.php?sectiondetailid=151694&catfilter=26851#showDoc

Gotta run, I'm sitting in the loft on the computer, with both the kids' doors open crying saying they're scared of the night and are going to have bad dreams (well Kellan started first and Zoe heard him and has to follow). So much for sleeping tonight...

Last kid's quote:

Mom: "Kellan, you stink."

Kellan: "That's what I do best."

1 yr Blog Anniversary

I had my doubts, but the blog made it, one year. I may not have been as good as I wanted to be at times in updating, and there are definitely things I forgot to write soon after I published, and Lord knows tons of grammatical errors, but still in awe I made it this far (especially with my track record for calling, emailing, writing). In the first post I said Jim would be doing most of the posts, um yeah, he hasn't done one. That will need to change this year.

This year flew by, at least for me. A year ago we found out we were having a baby boy, Kellan started the first grade, played more ball and spent the majority of the time in braces and Zoe, Zoe's had a couple of tough, tough years to the point where we were worried if things were ever going to get better. I couldn't be happier to say, these past two weeks have been great, she's been absolutely great (I'm starting to cry as I type this). I know kids go through tough stuff, but I think this was a little beyond the terrible twos/threes. I'll have to start writing the blog in Spanish one day so the kids won't be able to read what I am writing about them (as Zoe is looking over my shoulder asking me why here name is spelled here). Her new attitude has made life with three kids a bit easier for Jim. Dexter continues to thrive and if you are not sick of me saying it yet, is still very happy and sleeping great (with a bad night here and there). I will gush while I can, who knows what will be around the corner...there's nothing better than happy kids (I'd say and healthy except Kellan puked last night, Dexter puked all day yesterday and Zoe has an awful cold). Life is still good.

We sent Kellan and Zoe off with Uncle Tom and Aunt Jan this weekend to see a Disney stage show. A good time was had by all, until they brought the kids home. Dexter took one look at Uncle Tom and started crying and screaming like we have never heard him before. I don't know who I felt worse for, Dexter or Tom. Jim sent me for a massage, the first one I have ever had in my life. It was great, except that all I wanted to do was go to sleep so when it was time to leave I felt sick from laying down for so long. Not to say I wouldn't go and get another one in the next 37 years. On Sunday we went to a wildlife like museum that Kellan loves (see pictures) then on to Uncle Tom's for a Super Bowl party (yay, Saints). We're all excited for the upcoming three day weekend.

Last kid's quote:

Kellan at Disneyland after he rode Mr. Toad's Wild Ride:

Kellan: "Mom, when I was on the ride, I closed my eyes, concentrated really hard and used The Force to steer the car away from the fire."

Mom: "Oh yeah, you used The Force?"

Kellan: "Yeah, I use The Force a lot now and it really works."

Side note: Every time Kellan and Zoe have to poop, either Jim or I have to go into the bathroom and say "May The Force be with you...always...man.

Butterfly exhibit

Back to the Pool

Our favorite pool has been closed for renovations, so we went to the one with the big slide. I even got in a pseudo bathing suit - woman swim trunks (as Papa Frankie would say). It was anything but attractive, but as I've learned in my old age, the kids only care that I am there and baring cellulite and a "ooey gooey" stomach (as Zoe says) is inconsequential. We'll see if it ever happens again. I even made it down the slide. Jim managed to point out to me the girl who rocked the Roxy bikini. Such a joker.

I wasn't the only one to make it in the pool, Dexter did too. In true Dexter fashion he went nuts and loved every minute of it, splashing water all over himself. Kellan and Zoe even got a chance to hold him which they were really excited about since they have been limited to him sitting in their laps only. They got to stand up in the pool and walk around with him (ok, I was still holding him too). Unfortunately for D he got his mother's complexion.

Dexter added sweet potatoes and bananas to his diet this past week. He loves them both. Unlike the first attempt at feeding him where we tried peas (see vid).; similar expression to his cousin Monty.

A posting isn't the same without a Lego commentary...I've spent hours going through Kellan's Legos and organizing them back into their original sets (they are currently organized by color & size). He's been a bit overwhelmed with having to find the pieces on his own.

All kids have still been sleeping through the night, wish I could!

Ta ta for now.

Dexter is 6 months old!

Dexter had his 6 month birthday yesterday. I wish he would stop growing and stay small forever. (or at least a bit longer). I can't believe we are already half way to his first birthday. He's about ready to crawl. He gets where he wants to by rolling there. The three huge bowls of cereal he eats a day are paying off in the growth department. We were going to start in on vegetables today, but he's been asleep all day after his shots. I'm sure he will be up, wide awake, ready to play at midnight.

He gained 4 lbs and 2 inches since his last appointment.
Height: 27.5 inches (from 55% to 85%)
Weight: 15 lb 13 oz (from 7% to 23%)

Kellan went back to school this week. We think Zoe is better off for it, her mood has been much improved. She's had a tough year and we hope she is finally turning a corner (seems like I have written this before). There's a rumor going around that Kellan's school is going to a traditional schedule. We've enjoyed the year round schedule that lets us travel at cheaper times. We can't imagine Kellan being home for three months straight. These last 5 weeks were tough for us as well as him. We'll see what happens.

I hope everyone is watching Spartacus: Blood and Sand, if you are not, you're missing a lot of explicit sex and gore. I had to keep my eyes covered for at least 90% of the show. Hopefully it will keep me employed for the next several years, so please watch, or better yet just DVR (if you have Starz/Encore or Netflix) and delete without watching, that works too.

From Jim - "Aside from pitchers and catchers reporting, February sucks." Otherwise said, we will be happy when baseball season starts up.

Videos - some things never change...and we are happy for that.

New Face

Not much going on these days. Trying to get the house in order with all the "stuff." Packing away old clothes, organizing X-mas gifts and clearing out every piece of furniture (sans his bed) in Kellan's room to make way for all his Legos. We talked about moving the Legos to the basement, but he really wants them in his room, and it's a nice place to be.

Dexter (aka Charlie Brown) has a new face these days...we think his first tooth may be coming in. He's still as cute as ever. I know I say that a lot but he's such a sweet guy. The whole family came and had lunch with me this week at work and he got passed around (Auntie would've had a heart attack). He loved everyone. His fist now comes out of his mouth, every now and then, only to be replaced by something else...





A small miracle happened this week. All three kids slept through the night three nights in a row. We all know I just cursed tonight and all hell will break loose. I think I just may have slept 8 hours, not positive, but I woke up on my back, drool coming out the side of my mouth and no ear plugs in to mute Jim's snoring. I never sleep on my back (can't say I never drool), so I had to have past out. Can't say I'm well rested for it, but that's OK. Had a great weekend outside with the kids. I attempted to shovel the snow that's been on the ground in our front yard since Oct. and ran around the park for two hours with the kids. Extra Strength Tylenol is in order.

I haven't changed the kid quote lately cause I still get a chuckle out of this one. I realized, and yes it took me awhile that referencing the kid quotes in postings isn't too bright after I replace them. One of these days I'll have to go back and remember them all and post them in one blog - anyone been writing them down? I'll start a section at the end of the next posting: "Last kid quote"...heck I'll go ahead and do that now:

Last kid quote:
Jim was giving Gma-Chloe a hard time for taking awhile to make her taco dinner...Kellan came to her defense.

Kellan: "Leave her alone, she's just an old woman. She's not a person like you."

Two more quotes while we're at it...I can't post them in the kid's quote area because I learned they were plagiarized, but hilarious at the time they were said to me (and still impressive in that Kellan is now quoting others). He was so serious when he said both quotes, interrupting me from doing the dishes...

Kellan: "Mom, did you get hurt when you fell from heaven?"
Mom: (laughing), "Did daddy tell you to say that?"
Kellan: "No" - with Jim in the background saying "no"

A little bit later...
Kellan: "Mom, are you from Tennessee?"
Mom: (suspicious) "?"
Kellan: "Because you are the only Ten I See."

Then I realized he was quoting "Suite Life of Zack & Cody" which basically tells me he's watched it too many times to quote a show and that I must watch it too much too since I recognized the quote.

Hasta