kid's hearing VS mother's hearing

Shane hears: a "truck singing"
Mommy hears: a old, rusty truck plowing down the street

...then he mimicks the sound for minutes...as if I maybe missed out on the soothing music!

My Baby's all grown up...

It was a sad moment Sunday evening to take apart the crib and store it. But as much as I was in denial, Shane is 2 and a half and ready to be a big boy...bed and all!

As a mom I find this all bitter and sweet...I hate to see him not be my little baby....but am so relieved to be done with the baby stages. I was certain that we would not have to put away the crib this time...that another baby would come before that moment. Boy was I wrong. I am very grateful that I know my Heavenly Father has a plan for me...because my finite mind often wants things my way on my time...and I am humbled by his all-knowing plan for me and my family. I do hope, however, the time will come shortly for another bunchkin to come....faith and prayers!!

Ike made me do it...

Our buddy IKE made us do a couple things this last week...some we could have done without...some ended up being pretty cool:

BOARD up our casa

Hang out in a hotel...JUMP on beds (luckily no broken heads)

Check out the San Antonio Temple..the boys first time!

S'IKE'...gotcha

It was coming...then it wasn't...then it was coming harder and faster...then maybe not...but maybe so! Dear gracious!! We'd had enough...we boarded up, loaded up our irreplaceables, and left for San Antonio. Ummm....so it still hasn't hit...and is not going to hit here (or so we're told, eh?) and we're home again. Plugging everything back in...tired from the run around that crazy "IKE" has put us through in the last 24-48 hours.
The good news: we are alive...I got to shop the outlets in San Antonio, haven't even seen a fleck of moisture...and our home is safe and dark
The bad news: my home is dark and dungeon-like, I'm tired, I'm a little poorer since IKE came into my life, we took another trip to San Antonio (I'm telling you...we should just invest in a place in SA), it messed up some of our scheduling, and lastly...hurricane season is still going strong thru November.
Lessons Learned: Wait a little longer, get a hotel that you do not get charged a cancellation fee (or preferrably plan to stay with family/friends), get off the gulf coast ASAP...
Long story short...we went and now we're home. Certainly our lives are rarely without adventure!

Look what I can do...

Check out the Shaney-man in action:

Is this good for a 2 year old? I don't think Christian could do this until much later. Maybe a benefit of having an older sib to show him the ropes.

Ghetto mini Golf

Friday Christian had his post-op appointment in San Antonio. So we drove 2 1/2 hours there...saw the doc, who is a great guy and super nice to work with...however, the appointment took all of 10 minutes. So a round trip 5 hour drive for a 10 minute visit. But, somehow I didn't feel it was a waste at all. Christian's ear is healing well. We will go back up at the end of September for another follow-up...but all is well so far. Did I mention I love competent healthcare providers?!!

While we were up in San Antonio, we took advantage and ate some DELICIOUS Cheesecake Factory. Then decided to take the kiddos to a miniGolf /Arcade/FamilyFUn Place to get some energy out before heading home. It was a little ghetto...but we all had fun. Shane was so funny to watch. His determination to use the club and gracefully trip all over the course. Good times!

The Transformation: Curious George to Tazmanian DEVIL

Shane has become the epitome of a smarter and yet more naughty 2 year old. As he nears 3 years of age...still several months away...he follows the same pattern Christian did. Learning lots of cute, fun things....but also learning how to push our buttons and do those things he has clearly learned to be pure NAUGHTINESS!!

Things that have changed:

- Church- especially Sacrament Meeting- he has discovered the power of a shout in an otherwise quiet arena. He consistantly ends up outside in the naughty spot

-Our childproofed home- he is finding little ways to create a dangerous/harmful atmosphere...pulling up chairs, pushing buttons...you name it

-Stores- although parts of this has improved...he has also discovered running away from Mom. Christian never pulled this one on me. Shane, on the other hand, laughs and screams as he taunts his naughtiness.

I could continue the list...but I think I have vented enough. Honestly, he is not without his cutest moments as well. I think its a catch 22 at this point of his learning. In between the naughty, He redeems himself by singing at the top of his lungs, he counts to 20, he proclaims his love, he pulls out the "shake my booty",still sucks his 2 fingers.

I am just taking this stage in because I know I will be sad when it passes...like I was when Christian did. I think thats life....loving and hating the stages your children go through...all the while loving them to death!!

2nd Grade STarts!!

Same school- Webb Elementary- its a comforting thing to be able to start a new school year at the SAME school as last year. This is the first time its happened for Christian. He felt so at ease...this is all old hat by now. He started 2nd grade this morning. His teacher, Mrs. Rodriguez, seems like a very warm, loving teacher. She is the 2nd grade team leader, so I think she is going to be on top of everything. Christian didn't look a bit scared. Maybe a tid bit shy...but mostly because of the ear situation. I am PRAYING the kids at school are kind to him. Its pretty inconspicuous....but kids can be brutal. Christian got a blessing last night from Daddy so I have faith its going to be a great year.

Shane is going to miss his "broba"...but hopefully we can keep him busy. He is doing GREAT on the potty front. I would say he is done...well, except for this morning of excitement. He reverted back to peeing in the pull-up. But I am hoping its because we were really busy and not reminding him. Otherwise, we are excited for his big boy progression.

2008 Questionnaire

1. What time did you get up this morning? around 6:45, initially, then downstairs by 7:20!
2. Diamonds or pearls? DIAMONDS...also my birthstone
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Narnia;Prince Caspian (in the $1 theater)
4. What is your favorite TV show? American Idol or Medium
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? not a breakfast person
6. What is your middle name? Nada~ still think its a lame idea to use maiden name for a middle
7. What food do you dislike? mixed foods...ie fruit salads or hawaiian pizza
8. What is your favorite CD at the moment ? Natasha Beddingfield
9. What kind of car do you drive? Toyota Sequoia
10. Favorite sandwich? Submarina Turkey Avocado
11. What characteristic do you despise? Its a draw betweem hypocrits and self-righteous
12. Favorite item of clothing? denim bermudas
13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Lots of places- Australia, Europe, Costa Rica, Fiji...should i keep going
14. Are you an organized person? I am trying to be more-so
15. Where would you retire to? A small quaint community in So-cal by the beach...hopefully thinking!
16. What was your most recent memorable birthday? my last one was pretty good...Gav stole me for the weekend to a nice hotel on the Riverwalk in San Antonio and Six Flags and lots of good loot.
17. What are you going to do when you finish this? Go run!!
18. Furthest place you are sending this? Who knows, right...it a blog!
19. Person you expect to send it back first? I know Amber & Taryn like to do these sort of things.
20. When is your birthday? Federal Tax Day, April 15th
21. What is your shoe size? before kids= 7 after kids=8
22. Pets? looking for a nice aquarium w/ little upkeep
23. Any new and exciting news? i'm having a laparoscopy on sept 10 to see if we can find out why i am not getting prego
24. What did you want to be when you were little?other than a mom, a brain surgeon (dream big)
25. How are you today? hopeful
26. What is your favorite flower? yellow rose
27. What are you listening to right now? my boys requesting breakfast menus & Disney
28. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? January 2009 match day for Ophthomology...it means all the anxiety & unknown are over
29. What was the last thing you ate? chips & salsa late last night
30. Do you wish on stars? I wish on whatever will give me my dreams
31. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? YELLOW
32. How is the weather right now? Actually sunny...I hope it lasts so we can hit the beach
33. Last person you spoke to on the phone? my sis, De
34. Favorite soft drink? Cherry Coke
35. Favorite restaurant? um...PF CHangs or Sammys
36. Hair color? I go for the platnum blonde
37. What was your favorite toy as a child? our trampoline
38. Summer or Winter? summer in so cal...winter in NY
39. Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla
40. Coffee or tea? neither but i do like the smell of coffee
41. Do you want your friends to email you back? a comment is cool
42. When was the last time you cried? few days ago to my sis
43. What is under your bed? extra blankets, maybe a few stray toys
44. What did you do last night? watch May/Walsh clinch the Gold in beach volleyball!!!
45. What are you afraid of? losing loved ones
46. Salty or sweet? I have a solid sweet tooth ..although I believe the 2 co-exist

Potty Training Take II

I know...I posted a while back that Shane had shown some interest in the potty. But, it was more as a toy and new game than an actual process of maturing.
While we were pretty much house-bound these last weeks with Christian recooping, I decided to capitalize on the situation. Last week I started putting real underwear on him. That approach lasted 2 days with a lot of success but a few accidents that I was getting tired of cleaning up. So, we went the pull-up method. We call them pull-up underwears or underwear diapers....both terms of which Shane feels Bigger with.

During the last several days, we have seen progressive learning. And even though we opt for the real diaper at bedtime, Shane has woken up the last 2 mornings with a completely dry diaper. He manages to only slightly wet one pull-up a day. The rest of the releases have been in the toilet. Then yesterday, he decided to crank it up a notch. He did #2 in the potty...not once...but 2 times!! I am going to give it a couple of more days until I would call this a true success...but its smelling sweet. I would be one happy woman to not have to buy diapers for a while. Of course, I might if we have more kiddos...but to be out of that stage for a while sounds wonderful!
As a reward, Shane got to go to CHuck E CHeeses yesterday!...and Christian was more than happy to celebrate with him. Christian says its awesome to be a big bro because he got his rewards and now he gets to also participate in Shane's rewards. I think this is a win-win-win-win situation!!