Time for Sledding

What is the best way to enjoy a new layer of snow on the ground?  Sledding of course!  The boys and girls split up on Sunday afternoon for fun times in snow.

Marie and Mom went to Grandview Park and played on the snowy playground and went down some major hills on our sled.  They boys played in the backyard for Bennett's first sleddng experience.

 

 

It was great to get out and enjoy the weather together. We are hoping to go sledding all together before the winter is over!

SNOW!

Finally we are getting a bunch of snow here...we are in the middle of a snow storm dumping at least 7 inches on us.

Marie was so excited to go help Dad outside tonight.

She stayed out until the work was done...and enjoyed some play time too.  This girl loves the winter weather which makes her parents happy because so do we.  Hopefully Bennett grows up to love it as much as the rest of us!

 

8 months...Where does the time go?

That's right - Bennett Andrew is 8 months old!  I can't believe it. I am typing this and staring at that number 8 and I swear this is a big fat joke....there is no way he is that old, right?  

Bennett LOVES:

his sister and all her craziness that she brings to him including her hair in his face, silly songs, splashing him in the bath, running and pretending to fall near him to get him to laugh, and he would rather have her feed him his food that either of his parents.

He also loves chewing on crackers, dancing, playing with his spikey ball, playing catch, drinking water from his sippy cup, watching games with Dad, and cuddle time with mom. 

 

Bennett doesn't really like to move...he continues to despise any time on his tummy.  He sits up like a champ and reaches for toys when on his tummy but has yet to really get into the moving around the room. Let's face it, he has a lot of body to move so it may take him awhile. 

 

His new trick is shaking his head "no."  He thinks this is pretty funny and really likes to do it when we are feeding him. We offer him another bite and he will giggle and shake is head. 



Birthday Boy

 

Happy Birthday to our Charlie Boy!

 

He is 8 years old this month...and showing.

 

He has had an eventful month with many visits to the vet, medication, acupuncture, and soreness.  We are hoping that we are figuring it all out now so he can feel the best he can at his age.

 

 

He is one of the greatest dogs for so many reasons:

 

Marie says he is great because: He is her dog, he likes to sleep with her, he likes to eat bananas which are healthy, he likes to go for walks and runs, he cuddles with her, and he doesn't bark unless someone is walking by our house.



 

I completely agree with all those reasons and here are a few more:

he is gentle with the kids, he is resiliant with our many life changes throughout his 8 years, he is calm and tough when necessary, he can sense when we need some love and will sit by us when we are sad, and he has taken us on many adventures - some more fun than others...

 

We love you Charlie - Happy Birthday, Bud! 

Our little crafter

Yep - that is a quarter, painted with nail polish, and glued to a dresser drawer.  Marie is REALLY into crafting and DIY projects right now. When you can't find her, she is usually in her room cutting paper into bits and snips, painting, gluing, coloring, etc.  We find pictures and random things glued all over the house. We are going through glue sticks like crazy so if you see a sale on them, let me know!

 

Gramma Nel gave Marie a table that she used to have when she was a little girl.  Marie and Daddy painted it purple to match her room. As you can see - it is usually overflowing with scraps of paper and all her supplies.

 



 

All this practice has paid off however...she cut out her own valentines this year for her class and teachers.  Look at that concentration...we spent over an hour on this and she took it very seriously. No store bought cards for her this year - nope - she even turned down princess cards just so she could do her own crafting.

 

She is also really into pretending to be a teacher...especially "nap time teacher."  Often I find her in her room reading to her class, telling them to sit still and listen, and threatening to call mommies if certain kiddos (Bennett) aren't quiet.

 I absolutely love this about her - her ability to play pretend reminds me of my childhood. I spent hours doing the same  kinds of things.  She gets excited over new markers, pens, or sparkly paper like most kids get excited over video games, play stations, or whatever the new "thing" is.  I am hoping this continues because a few bucks here or there for art supplies is a lot easier on our budget!

Marie Says Volume 6

It's been awhile since I have posted some of Marie's silly sayings but that isn't because she is at a loss for words.  No, she is still keeping us on our toes. It is getting harder to keep track of all the silly, smart, funny, interesting, and sometimes naughty things she says.

 

 

Marie: "I want yogurt!"

Mommy: "Whoa you need to ask in a nicer way that that."

Marie: "I want yogurt, Your Majesty."

 

 

Marie: "Mommy how old is Bennett."

Mommy: "6 months."

Marie: "Oh, how old are you?"

Mommy: "How old do you think I am?"

Marie: "Maybe 150?"

 

 

Marie: "Mom, why don't you live with your mommy anymore."

Mommy: "Because I have my own kids so I have my own house."

Marie: "I am going to have 3 kids and live in Sheldon when I am a mommy."

 

 

And everyday she sings this silly song to Bennett:

Bennett Bennett Boy whatchya gonna do?  Everybody knows that you're such a good boo!"

 

He giggles with delight and laughs at his big silly sister.

one of those weeks...

Why is it that life throws craziness at you all at once?  I never undestand it when it happens and yet I expect it to happen. When it rains it pours...

 

Poor Bennett has been dealing with RSV which means lots of cuddling and sleeping upright in the recliner while he struggles with congestion, breathing treatments, coughing, throwing up snot, etc.  Fun huh?  Even when dealing with this he continues to be such a sweetie pie.

Marie of course is catching a bit of this bug. Thankfully she is a pro at breathing treatments and knows the drill.  She tells me when she feels she needs one and can pretty much do it independently...a blessing for when I am busy doing some spot cleaning on the throw-up carpet marks.

 

Andy is finishing up his pediatric rotation and starting his busiest rotation of medicine. This means later nights, longer hours, and longer weekends of working.

I am in the process of adding another job to the mix. I haven't settled on specifications yet but it will be more hours and a mix of pediatrics and adults which is kind of exciting.  I have been missing doing therapy with kids.  I am nervous about dividing my time between all my obligations and responsibilities with my current job, kids, Hudson, new job, but I am sure it will all be fine.

 

And finally, Charlie boy.  I have been noticing that he has been acting differently lately.  He was tired all the time, lelthargic, not as interested in food or bones, having a difficult time getting comfortable, hiding in unsual spots, etc. I took him to the vet and after 2 1/2 hours and many exams and blood work, the vet decided that arthritis was setting into Char's back and shoulders.  We got some pain meds ane hurried home.  This however didn't explain his hair loss and low heart rate which made me a bit nervous.  That night Andy & I got to have the fun conversation about how long we keep our Charlie around if  something serious shows up in his blood work. We both decided to keep him comfortable but limit the amount of procedures because we didn't want Charlie to go through a lot of stress. 

After a few days of worries, we received a phone call yesterday that explains all of his symptoms - hypo thyroid.  He is going to be on a pill 2x per day for this plus a pain medication for his arthritis. The thought of our home without Charlie is nearly unbearable. Thankfully we don't have to think about that right now.

 

All of this combined was about all I could handle this week. Thankfully we are on the mend and hopefully our next week will be and uneventful and healthy one.