2 years ago today

You'll always be my baby.

2 years ago today I laid in a hospital bed waiting for you to be born; I anticipated your arrival.
2 years ago today I wondered to myself, who will you look like, what color eyes will you have, will you like me and will I be a good mother to you?
2 years ago today I held you for the very first time, tears streaming from my eyes and smiling from ear to ear. I was bursting with love.
2 years ago today I became your mom. It was one of the most happiest days of my life. You changed me. You made me who I am, I am so proud to be your mom.

Today I watched you sleep and cried again, remembering the joy and happiness you have brought.
You're my little boy. You'll always be my baby. I will always love you.

Happy Birthday Bubba T.
Mama loves you!!!! :)

Always start & end with a positive

I am going to start off on a positive note:
Tammy & Ryan: Happy anniversary to you! :)
The sun is shining.
God is Great!
Today is a BEAUTIFUL day! :)
Monday was good, T & E had great days. We played in the pool and T & E took good naps.
E is a big girl. She is now sleeping in the crib. She's fine, I was holding her back in the bassinet, I figured since she still fit she could stay in our room. But alas, I must let her go. She did fine & I only woke up a half a dozen times to check in on her. Silly mama!
Tuesday, K & I have been together for 8 wonderful years.
Boy how things have changed! We have been going to Cattlemens restaurant for 8 years now to celebrate our anniversary. We have not missed one dinner there and always order the same thing. You might think boring, but really it is fun. I look forward to our yearly trip and do enjoy eating lobster tail!!
This year was much different. Really, that is an understatement. This year has changed us and I can not compare this dining experience with any other.
Food was GREAT! (Even though it got cold, my fault)
Service was good. The waiter did his job.
The company was, well, less desirable. Not that I don't love my family, but having 2 kids and trying to eat last night was close to impossible.
All was well until our entrees came. Then the crying choir started. E first, backed up by T. T wanted "Meat mama, meat" while E cried for milk. Silly me, I thought that if I feed everyone before we got there, there would not be a feeding frenzy.
All through out our meal T went back & forth under the table. Yes we told him no, then we would regroup and he would do it anyways. We did not want the wailing of our offspring to scare off any other diners. So, we let him. Also while he was under the table going to the other side we could scramble to eat some food. E was attached most of dinner. That was all I could do to keep her from having a fit. Alas, I told K to eat and I took T & E on my lap and occupied them. When he was done, it was my turn. T & E went for a walk with papa, while I eat in utter silence. At first I must confess it was great, but within a few minutes I missed my people and the chaos that comes with them. The waiter must have checked on my 3 times. When I explained that they went for a little walk while I ate, he told me to enjoy the peace & quite. I did, but I was sad too. After the eating experience, I gave K a card and small token of love (a hand made gift). He opened it and thanked me and ..........Wait for it, are you waiting? Ya, me too.
It was a long ride home.
I think that next year I will beg someone to watch T & E. I do love them, but I think that once in awhile we need to have dinner without the chaos.
As for poo poo, I mean papa. He is so in the dog house.
That is all I want to say about that!

E goes to the DR today, she has a cough, pray that it is nothing serious. It just started this morning.
T is growing so fast. He woke up Tuesday morning and decided to use his words. All the way to bible study that morning, he gave me a play by play of the streets. "House, house, car, tree, house, car, car, tree, tree, house, toot toot, house...." you get the picture. It was a long ride, and I laughed the entire way. You can't help but laugh, it was just too cute.
As T would say at the end of a book: "The End!"

YAY!

YAY! Thomas is now officially 100% or should I say 150%!! He's back and is making up for the lost time. He is eating everything and playing hard. He is super happy to be able to drink milk again and eat his favorite food: Cheese!
This past weekend was busy:
William P. Celebrated his 1st B-Day on Saturday (officially it's the 30th). Boy, that little guy sure likes cake!
Ezekiel B. Was dedicated on Sunday. It was nice to be there and celebrate with his family. He looks a lot like his daddy.

This week:
Tomorrow Keith & I hit the 8 year mark! :)
E goes to the DR for her 4 month well baby check up. Yep! She's 4 whole months. Time sure flies!
Auntie Jen is coming back to Fresno for the weekend! :)
Auntie Kristin is coming too! ( I don't know any details yet) :)
Friday Thomas is 2!! Such a big boy!
Saturday we are having his party. Everyone is welcome! Our place@ 11am RSVP please. Out-of-state/country friends: sorry airfare is not provided. ;)

Other News:
E has discovered her legs and feet. She now kicks me (often in the face) while eating.
E also started the pouting lip. It's pretty cute and heart breaking at the same time.
It's starting to warm in Fresno!! 92 today.
A little over 2 wks of school left for Keith! :)
Pismo camp is in 1 month! (but who's counting?? Me of course, I look forward to it every year)
God is still too good!
God is Great!!
But I am sure you all know the last two, I just like to remind myself.

Side-Bar
An alumni get together would be awesome! Who wants to plan it? I'll help, but I can't commit to organizing it right now. But, like I said, I'll help. My suggestion is let's keep it low key, in one place, cheap, cool, and fun!

Well, that is all the sharing I can do for now, nap time is almost over!

Busy Busy Busy!

Jen visited last Friday!! It was great to sit in person and chat. T & E had a wonderful time too. I think T remembers her. That Saturday we went to a Grad party for Monica & T went over to Jen like they were best friends. I was so nice to have adult conversation with a great friend. It had been so long. I also enjoyed the little break when Jen would hold the children.
You can really tell how much love there is in a friendship when after a long time you can just sit & visit like it was just yesterday. And the messy house doesn't bother either of you, too much anyways. It seemed like Jen went a three day cruise, not a year long one. It was so great to see her and talk. Boy, do I miss everyone. And love them too.

Sunday after church T & E were cranky. We rush them home and later that night T throws up! YUCK! Then he seems fine. Then a bit later, a couple hours or so, blaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh! In the van and all over the car seat. Poor T :(
Since Sunday Night it has been puke & poop extravaganza in the Short House. Poor baby has lost like 5 pounds. He is still not 100%. Lots of cuddles and love are needed. I know that right now I wish he was better, but soon enough, one day he'll be sick and he won't want to cuddle. Praise God he is getting better. And that no one else (YET) seems to be sick.

I think I have done like 10 loads of laundry this week so far. E is being a trooper through this. It's almost like she understands her big brother does not feel good.
Also E is doing better at night, PRAISE GOD!!! :)

We went for a walk today. It's starting to get warm. I thought it would be nice to get some fresh air and blow the sick off of us. It was nice, but by block 7 everyone was ready to be home. Block 8 was a killer. Everybody was crying and mama started to feel the heat. The funny thing is, we were only gone for like 30 minutes.
Lunch time, & nap time are upon us.

Let's try it again

So I wrote this great thing and the system was down and I lost it all.
Thing have been okay this week. Not much is happening.
Highlights include:
-E the rolly polley. She's rolling around and around.
-E started on rice cereal this week.
-E put her pacifier in her mouth all by himself.
-T put his toothbrush away without being told.
-Jen is coming to visit this weekend.
-Shane & Leanna are having another BOY!!! Guess they will have to try again for a girl.
-Bunkco tonight with MOPS
Since we are talking about highlights:
Last Friday I went with the MOPS group to watch a movie in Medera Ranchos. The home owner referred to her house as a cell phone black hole. So I called papa to give him the #. The good papa he is, said he didn't need it, but would take it anyways. When I got home, I asked how things went. Not so great. Turns out he wanted to call me, but couldn't because the # was written on a paper that T colored on. I didn't get it, until he showed me. He wrote the # in yellow highlighted and T colored with the same highlighter. T made the # disappear. Pretty funny, well I thought so.
More highlights include:
-All the toothless grins
-All the giggles
-All the fun
-All the love

Not so highlights:
-poop
Everyone poops, but dang!! I feel like all I do is change poopie diapers. I have poop on the brain. I feel like I am always asking T if he went poop poop, or the child care workers, did he go? Or papa, did T poop yet? Or how many times? E, she pooped again! Does she ever stop? Apparently, if you feed them, they will poop.
I wish T would learn to use the litter box or potty. He's a big boy with big boy poop!
Oh, I never thought in a million years that poop would be such a hot topic in my life.
-Rain, okay stop already!
It's the middle of May and it's still raining and next week too?!!!! Where do I live, Seattle?
-Time
It just goes by so fast. T & E grow and change each day. I know that soon I'll look back and miss these days. Papa & Mama are growing older: worrying about grey hair & wrinkles.

Miss E

I think we know why E is so fussy! Remember how we have tried everything. Well, Oral gel works! This weekend we tried just Oral Gel. She was fine. I think the little Miss is sensitive to her mouth! It's super early for teeth, but all babies are different. She has little bumps and drools. I'll ask the DR when we go at the end of the month. But I really think she is feeling those mean teeth.

Mother's Weekend

Keith really did a great job this weekend. He made it Mother's Weekend, not just a day. Saturday he picked up the house. Made lunch, went with us to see my father. Let me take a really, much needed nap and then he did dinner for me! Then Sunday, he woke up early and made breakfast. He figured that soon enough T & E will be making it. We concluded that breakfast on special days will soon consist of: Coffee with floaties, crunchy eggs and burnt toast. We will have to smile as we choke it down. T & E will be watching to ensure we like it, because they will have worked on it since the night before.
I also got flowers, cards, an orchid to where to church, a cross that Thomas made in Sunday school and a book , "Why God Made Mother's". Then after church I got to go to the grocery store all by myself. I was there for almost 3 hours!!! It was great! It was much need and very relaxing. Strange how going to the store was relaxing. I could take my time, no one complained, cried, whinnied or said I walk too slow. I ever used a ton of coupons.
For dinner Keith when all out and bought it. We had Sonic, my favorite! It was great! It was a great weekend.
But it didn't end there: this morning, T & E slept in until 9am!!!!! So did I! What a wonderful way to end my Weekend! :)

God has truly blessed me! I have such a wonderful husband who loves me. 2 beautiful and healthy children and great friends to share it with!

Thinking

I was thinking this morning and thought I would quickly come and share with you:
I think it's pretty cool that we are all strung throughout the U.S and we keep it touch better than most families.
I think that it's pretty cool that we are all in different places in our lives, yet we are closer with each other than with friends in our own cities. (for the most part)
It's cool to be able to share in each others joy as we open new chapters in our lives.
In college I could not image myself having kids, seeing my friends get married, move to another state, take a cruise for a couple years, and see them have babies. Funny how we use tunnel vision.
I also could not image turning 30, but that will be a whole blog unto it's self.

E did better last night. Praise God!

T is all over the place today. I pick it up and turn around and T the hurricane struck again.
He's all boy!

His ability to speak is becoming clearer each day.
New phrase of the week include:
"Oh, crap, crap crap! "(this is my fault & I am working on it)
"Go outside NOW!" (pounding on the door)
"Baby" (pointing to E)
"Mama" (He has said it before, but now he is using it more :)
"No crying, it's okay." (Anytime anyone is crying)
"Night, night baby" (From a book we read to him at night, this morning I woke up to T reading it to me, saying "night night baby"
"potty" (anytime )
"coloring" (He has coloring soap in the bath tub)
"poo poo" (this is not this weeks, but its on going: anytime he hears a noise the sounds like someone passing gas)
He's a little sponge!
Well, TGIF! Sunday is Mother's Day! Happy M-Day to all the mamma's, (that includes mamma's w/babies still in the tummy) & all the mamma's still in training (that includes all women)
It's time for lunch & T is reminding me by sitting at the table waiting for food.
:)

Part 2

Well, so much for a nap. About the time I fell asleep T woke up, followed shortly by E. Oh, well. Sure was a great 20 minutes of rest.
We so need to find a place to live. I have been waiting for 3 days to use the washer & dryer. The neighbors have been fighting over it all week. Finally tonight it was our turn. 4 people sure make a lot of laundry. I just finished my fifth load. It's done and I don't have to worry about it until Saturday again. :)
E had a not so good night. Nothing was working. Outside, inside, walk, bounce, rock, sway, bump, sing, hush, vacuum, running water, hair dryer, humming, baby music, baby toy noises, Gripe Water, homeopathic Colic medicine, Colic Tablets, Little Tummies, a long worm bath with mama and Bob Marley's Buffalo soldier. Yes Bob!! It has been proved in a scientific study that Buffalo soldier has the same beat as a mothers heart. Actually, Reggae has a beat that is liken to the human heart. Pretty cool. I know a bit of useless information. But you never know when you might be on Jeopardy!

So here I am with E really mad, so I tried everything. She is just not interested. I rubbed oral gel on her bottom gum and that's all she wrote. She was out for a good hour. I am not sure if it was the gel or a combination of all the stuff I tried every 15 minutes. But she finally gave it up. I think. She is stirring in her bed right now. I wonder why? Does she know that we're expecting a big storm? Is she sensing that my hand is driving me nuts? Was it something I ate or drank? I just don't know.

I have been worried,( I worry about just about everything) but someone at bible study said something about that worrying is an insult to God. When someone worries, that are essentially telling God, that He is not in control and basically one does not trust that God has a plan for your life. Let me just say that this is not new information to me, but the lady who said it, said it in such away that I had a Uh, Ha moment. It seems that I often need these reminders. God is so good about placing people with the right words in my life. So, I can totally relate to what Jerelyn was saying in her Blog. God totally knows what He's doing. I just need to stop trying to help Him, He just does not need my help!!!
Now that it is in print, I can come back to read it and remind myself of it.

E is up and smiling! It's the middle of the night, all the other babies in the world are sleeping. She does not seem to care. Her smile just light up the room. I think she just exploded!!! Maybe she does have gas... Poor baby.
Bye for now, God is Blessing you and doesn't need our help today.

Why it is?

It's nap time here and like usual, T finally fell asleep and E is WIDE awake!!!
Why???
I try to get them to nap at the same time but E is sooooo "anti-do what mama would like her to do girl". As I type she is staring at me with that"pick me up mama look, aren't I so cute baby face" look about her. And you guessed it, I gave in. Boy she is getting even stronger! She's holding herself with a lot better control. I think she woke up this morning and said to herself: "self, get control of that head and the rest will follow. Soon I'll be in control of the whole wide world, 'cause I am baby girl, hear me roar!" Really, I think she is going to keep us busy. Where as T is a handful, don't get me wrong, but so easy going. Funny because they both came from the same 2 people and place, yet so opposite. God has such a sense of humor.
Well, last night went smooth. E had a little fit and then was out for the night.

T did his first summer-salt by himself today: Right off the side of my bed. He's okay, nothing a big hug and bunch of kisses couldn't cure. I still can't believe that he'll be 2 soon!

I'm getting good are this one-handed thing. But it's itching pretty good. Oh, how I want to scratch it!
I have a funny story from yesterday...Want to hear it?
No, too bad I'll tell you anyway:
Yesterday when T woke up from his nap he was whinnying. I could not get him to stop. He was hiding under the chair in our room by the computer. I had E on the bed and was changing her. She burped a sailor burp and T laughed and came out of hiding. Then he starts to make a burping sound and laughing. He' s cracking himself up and E is laughing at T and I am laughing at both of them. Then E toots (passes gas). This too is that of a sailor. T is just beside himself. He thinks that bodily functions are just the funniest thing. He is all boy, just like his papa. Goes to show you that God wires boys different from girls. The End ( a story only a Mother can love).
E is a sleep!! No, she's awake. Never mind. All girl, can't make up her mind. Just like her mama.
I think that she is growing so fast. Some of her clothes are getting too small. Seems like just yesterday she came into the world.
Wow, time does fly. My mom told me that the older you get, the faster time goes by. She' s right. In July I will be out of my twenties! Well, I could say that I am twenty ten like Drew Barrymore says in that movie trailer. Then I could be in my twenties until I reach twenty twenty. Okay, maybe I am the only one laughing at that, but that's okay, it's my therapy session. :P
Keith is busy at work with testing this week. It has been pretty draining for him. Pray for him and his energy level or lack there of.
E is asleep again. For real this time. Nap time for mama. night night!

Doing it with one hand tied behind my back!

Ever feel like that? Everything you do or try to do seems harder than it should be, like you have one hand tied behind your back!
For me it has literally been like that.
Let me start by updating you from my last blog.
April 28:
I honestly can't remember what was going on that morning, I have been racking my brain all day. But I do know what happened at about 130pm. I dropped Thomas off at my friends so I could go to a Dr's appointment.
Simple enough, see the Dr about a cyst on my hand that has been bothering me and have him cut it off. I took Miss E with me because she was not in the best of moods. She cried the entire way to the Dr office and most of the time we were there. The receptionist was compassionate and took her while I had the removal procedure done. I was able to have a local because it was going to hurt, but he said that I would have to express my next feeding and throw it out just in case. Once the procedure begins, he tells me he has to make a bigger incision because of the cysts shape. Nothing is ever simple. I walk out with one less cyst and 5 stitches. Still numb, feeling okay. Oh and the best part, really, no dishes or bathes for 2 weeks, or until the stitches dissolve. :) Not too bad. Keith was/is okay with it.
That afternoon, 4ish my Mom arrives. Emily had a rough early evening and Keith had a back to school night until 8pm. We had Taco Bell for dinner. I only mention this because I did not feel all that great after eating it. I should have known better. Every time I eat there I get a icky tummy.
April 29
Keith is off to work and Grandma is home with me and T & E. We fixed T & E's room even more. It looks better and the toys were organized. (Past tense because Thomas is almost 2). Need I say any more? If so, think of a hurricane and name it Thomas. 'nuf said.
That night Keith & I went out to a Grizzley (can't spell) baseball game. He got free tickets from some book company. It included snacks, dinner, beverages, both adult & Rated G beverages. It was great! We were right up the middle in center field, under the score board. Great seats. Great food and good times. Oh, did I mention no children. It was nice to be among the living and be just Keith & Mandy. It has been so long since we have been out, just the two of us, I can not even remember the last time.
April 30
Saturday morning. Did not do much. Hung out and Grandma left. That evening Keith & I had a "melt down" but now all is well. Oh, I finally read my email! "FW:Virtual candle passing" I deleted it because is was so big!! Sorry. But I went back and down loaded it and found out (better late than never) Alisha is getting married!!!!! :)
May 1
Sunday! I can not believe it's May already! Where did April go!?! Went to Sunday School & Church. Things are back to normal, whatever that is. Took a nap & went to the store for milk. Look out! It's getting exciting!!
May 2
Went to MOPS. Great speaker & topic. It was a grief and the loss of a child. Really hard to listen to, but I am glad I did. I learned a whole lot. I was a hot dog dinner day.
May 3
That's today! Went to bible study, the last one until Sept 8. I'll miss those ladies this summer. Kids took nap, mom picked up. I thought about how Thomas is going to be 2! May 27th, my little guy will be 2! And thought about how the 7 year itch is almost over, May 24th will be year 8 for us! Some times it feels like yesterday, and others it feels like eternity.
Went for a walk. Played outside. And updated you! Now I am off to pick up again and start dinner.
I hope you all are well. God is Great! He is good & His love for us is ever lasting. Isn't cool!?!