Talking Ian

Here is happy Ian. When I talk to him, he seems like he wants to say something. I would love to know what he is thinking about! He is starting to coo and make noises. It's so cute! Notice his belly sticking out of his shirt in the picture. He's my little roly-poly!

Procrastination & Pictures

These are pictures from this morning. Everyone was still in their PJ's. I think Avery and Sterling are finally over the stomach bug. Thank goodness!

I have slowly been working on the taxes the last month or so. I'm almost done--whew! I really don't like doing taxes, but I can't justify paying someone, when I know I can do it, with some help from Turbo Tax. I say every year I'm going to try and be more organized and actually use Quickbooks (throughout the year) for what it's designed for. So, after I e-file, I'm going to start. I just have to commit to working on it a little each month.

I've actually been procrastinating a bit with working on taxes. I started indexing my favorite recipes from my recipe binder that I've had since we were married. I've always wanted to organize the recipes online. So, of course, I picked tax time to start. I still have many more recipes, and I'll have to start taking pictures when I bake or cook. If you are interested, here is the link.
Yummy in the Tummy Recipes

Dad/Daughter Date Night

Avery and Juan had a Dad/Daughter Date night on Saturday thanks to tickets from some friends. It was a Western theme event sponsored by a local church. So, Avery was able to wear her pink Barbie boots, which she loves! Juan has always talked about doing date nights with Avery since she was a baby, so this was a great beginning. They had dinner, dancing, and crafts. Avery especially enjoyed the dancing!

Sterling had a hard time when Avery and Juan left without him. So, I took him to McDonald's for dinner.

Sterling at the Dentist

Sterling had a dentist appointment this morning. I wasn't sure how things were going to work out since he had been sick. And, he could not eat or drink after midnight. He had to have 3 cavities filled so he had to take medicine to make him drowsy.

I feel horrible about the 3 cavities, but he is Mr. Independent and does not like for me to brush his teeth or help him, and it's not like he eats candy all the time. We've tried electric toothbrushes, too, but the dentist said his teeth could just be more suseptible to cavities.

We had to be there at 8:00 a.m. this morning and wait 45 minutes for the medicine to kick in. He took the medicine and said it was "spicy". Then, I told Juan that he was acting drunk. Juan did not like me calling him drunk, but that's how he was acting. He would not stop talking. He even said, "I feel good!" I could not stop laughing. They finally took him back, and about an hour later he was done. They said he fell asleep, and he did great the whole time.

I'm not sure about other children's dentists, but I've always thought it was strange how our dentist takes the children back by themselves (even for cleanings or whatever procedure), and the parent waits in the waiting room. Then, when they are done or if the dentist wants to meet with you, they call you/the parent back. Maybe this is standard, but I sure felt funny the first time Avery went back by herself. I guess it helps them get things done and keeps the child from clinging to the parent.

5 Minute Mug Cake

I'm not sure if you have seen this recipe before, but I received the following recipe in an e-mail yesterday. It says it is the most dangerous cake in the world?
Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night. So, I couldn't resist trying it. Besides, chocolate cake is my favorite dessert. I did make some modifications to the recipe.



5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE
4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa I would use 1 1/2 tablespoons
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips
A small pinch of salt
A small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug extra large if you have one / or a bowl would work, too

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well.

Add the egg and mix thoroughly. A fork works great for mixing.
Pour in the milk and oil and mix well..

Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.



Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. I think my microwave is 1200 watts, so my first one was a little dry.
The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!

Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired. Mine broke in half. I'm not much of an ice cream person (I know how strange is that?), but I'm sure if you like ice cream, this would be great with it.
Then EAT! (This can serve 2). It was actually pretty yummy, and defininately helped with the chocolate cake craving.

Oh What a Night! And a Day!

Avery started complaining that her stomach hurt last night after dinner. She really didn't eat much, so I had her rest on the couch. About an hour later, she threw up again and again and again. By then, it was after 9:00 p.m., and she said she felt better. However, according to school rules, they have to be 24 hours without vomiting, so I figured she would miss school today.

So, we all headed to bed. Ian was still fussy from his shots and was running a low-grade fever. I was just getting him settled upstairs and was finally dozing off when here comes Juan with Sterling. Sterling was now throwing up, and had thrown up all over the bed. So, they were coming to a clean bed upstairs. Well, the clean bed did not last long. And, things did not settle down with him until 5:00 a.m. Oh what a mess I had on my hands. Lots of laundry today--pillows, comforters, towels, and the carpet.

Then, as I was working on the laundry, Ian was sleeping peacefully in the swing (or so I thought). I came into the bedroom and found this (sorry, kind of gross).

He never fussed or I didn't hear him. This really scared me because he could have choked. I'm not sure if this is the virus or reflux from something I ate.

Avery and Sterling are doing better this afternoon, just not eating much. And, I'm almost through with laundry. Whew!

2 Months!

I can't believe it! Ian was two months yesterday! My how time does fly. These pictures are of him in his swing staring at the animals. He loves to look at them and smile. It's so funny. Actually, Sterling and Avery did the exact thing.

Ian is always full of smiles first thing in the morning. It just melts my heart to see him smile. However, come 6:00 p.m., my little man is not happy. It's not every day, but there have been many evenings where he cries and cries. I'm not sure if it's true colic, but he's definitely fussy. He loves to be held. Juan claims I never put him down. He especially likes to be held up on your shoulder, which isn't easy on the back. We tried a sling, but the silly little man doesn't like it. He does ok in the Baby Bjorn sometimes. And, unfortunately, he will not take a pacifier.

Today Ian had his 2-month checkup. He is growing very well. He's becoming a little roly-poly! He now weighs 13 lbs. 5 oz. (90%). He is 23 " long (50%). Poor little man had 2 shots and the oral Rotavirus vaccine, so he's been extra fussy and sleepy this afternoon. Also, I must say, we just love our new pediatrician Dr. K. She is so wonderful!

Flat Stanley

Avery received a project at school about Flat Stanley. Flat Stanley is the character from a book written by Jeff Brown. According to the book (from Wikipedia), Stanley Lambchop and his younger brother Arthur are given a big bulletin board by their Dad for putting pictures and posters on. He hangs it on the wall over Stanley's bed, but during the night the board falls from the wall, flattening Stanley in his sleep. He survives and makes the best of his altered state, and soon he is entering locked rooms by sliding under the door, and playing with his younger brother by being used as a kite. One special advantage is that Flat Stanley can now visit his friends by being mailed in an envelope. So, Avery colored a Flat Stanley and mailed it to her "great" Aunt Karen and Uncle Glen in Weimar.



Stanley had many adventures with Aunt Karen and Uncle Glen. And, they made an awesome book with pictures of their adventures!! They get an A+++ from me!

Stanley went to the Houston Livestock Show with them and tried to ride a bull. He rode on a tractor and learned about cotton. He also rode the huge ferris wheel at the carnival.

Stanley also went to work with Aunt Karen at the hospital. He helped Aunt Karen and did lots of fun things at the hospital. He even had a full checkup with x-rays, stress test, and a CAT scan! They even put his x-ray film in the book.





Flat Stanley also spent the day with Uncle Glen at their office supply store. He made copies of himself, helped with deliveries, and waited on customers.

Stanley also had lots of fun playing with cats and taking naps. He also saw lots of wildflower patches in the country. Flat Stanley had quite a visit with Uncle Glen & Aunt Karen over these last couple of weeks. I only wish we could see them more often like Flat Stanley did.

Aunt Karen and Uncle Glen--Thank you so much for helping Avery with her project. (And, thank you to your co-workers who helped, too!) She is so excited to take her book to school and show all of Flat Stanley's adventures.

Happy Birthday Gaga / Mom / Gina!

Happy Birthday Greetings to you Mom aka Gaga! I was looking at my old baby pictures yesterday and couldn't resist posting these pictures. Avery asked why Pa was wearing his pajamas! He he! And, check out his hair. We hope you have a wonderful day and can relax! You deserve it.

Spring Break

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Avery has been on Spring Break this week. The weather was perfect! I tried to get out as much as I could. Here are some of the things we did this week.
Walk to Neighborhood Park
Painted Ceramics
Picnic Dinner at Park
Lunch with Dad
Mall - Build-a-Bear (this was especially fun for Sterling--it was his first time) / Carousel
Lunch with Gaga
Avery & Sterling love to play Super Mario Bros., so we made new night shirts with iron on transfers.
Avery & Sterling also spent the night with Gaga & Pa in Columbus.

Landscape Lighting

We recently had landscape lighting put in. I wish I had a before picture.

Ian's Birth Announcement

Boots & Spit Happens

I took Ian and Sterling outside for a little while today, since the weather is great!Check out Sterling! He loves his boots. There is just something about a little boy in boots and shorts--he always makes me laugh. And, he always seems to get them on the wrong foot.




I woke up this morning (after a rough night with Ian--more later) and began running around the house like a crazy woman trying to get ready (and everyone else) for my 6 week postpartum doctor visit. Then I got to thinking that I hadn't received a reminder phone call yesterday (as usual). Well, I called, and it turns out to be tomorrow. So, I'm sure I'll have another crazy morning tomorrow.

I believe my little man has reflux. Or, was it something I ate? I don't know, but the past few days have been especially messy with spitting up. And, last night after several episodes of spitting up, Ian was extremely fussy and did not want to settle down. Finally, after 45 minutes of rocking and white noise, he fell asleep. Then he was up several more times. It's so strange, because the night before last, he slept for almost 6 hours straight!! I knew it had to be a fluke.

Mr. Smiley

My little grumpy old man has awakened from his long winter nap. Ian started smiling last Friday, and it seems he is growing out of that newborn phase. He is much more playful and alert.






I've been trying for several weeks to take pictures of Ian by himself and one with Avery & Sterling for Ian's birth announcement. Avery was sick, and I didn't want her to get too close. Or, I would try, and Ian would be grumpy. Hopefully, I will have better luck today with pictures when Avery gets home from school. I feel a little behind, but I should have them out before he is 2 months old. I've been reading on etiquette for birth announcements, and they say 6 months is the maximum, so I guess I'm doing ok.