Ready...Set...

Practice!!  

Meredith has been getting on her knees lately.  I finally remembered the camera to catch her in position!  She will be crawling after her brother soon enough!  

Yum!

Hello?

Playing together!

Lucas: the Pissy Child

CVS

I am soooo glad that they built a CVS right by my house. I think it is one of my new favorite places. I can develop photos, buy greeting cards, pick up milk, or buy drugs! They even have car carts to push around, so Lucas loves going there.

His daddy introduced him to those giant bulky car carts a long while ago. Ever since, Lucas SCREAMS if I don't put him in one. Those things are a big hassle to push. One time, I was even forced to push one into a different store to please him. Someone had parked the grocery cart next to Bed Bath & Beyond. This man watched me give in to my child and laughed before going inside before me. I am still unsure if he was laughing AT me...

Anywho...
I returned to CVS today to use my extra bucks coupon. In combination with my manufacturer coupon, I walked away with 18 cents a diaper!!
Thanks to my purchase, I was rewarded 10 more extra bucks....
Unfortunately, I have purchased all the diapers they had in my size.
I wonder if they give rainchecks....
I will go back tomorrow to see. Or maybe they will put up new stock.

Either way, I think it is only fair to give me a raincheck on a rainy day.

You may not know that...

• I absolutely hate this weather. I dress my kids in warm clothes since it is 54 degrees when we choose outfits. By the late afternoon, the neighbors are outside with no shirts and bare feet. It is NOT warm enough for that, but I am still the one that feels like an idiot.
• At least once a day, at least one child poops so much that it requires an instant bath and a change of clothes.
• I purchased diapers at $0.20 each yesterday at CVS. That is a steal! I plan to return (you know that whole one coupon per person per day stuff...)
• I am back to my pre-Lucas size....amazing since I am not back to my pre-Lucas weight...but I think they say you keep on 2 pounds for every child you have...
• Six months is too long to go without a good hug....
• I never thought I would find something I hated more than folding clothes....vacuuming steps! Ugh!
• No matter how many times I clean the floor, socks somehow turn out dirty on the bottom.
• Before I met my husband, I used to dress up everyday....he has turned me into a slacker. I feel more comfortable in a sweatshirt and socks these days...
• The candles from Bath and Body Works are so potent that you can smell them on the front porch.
• The bagels at Sam's are not very yummy. Buy Sara Lee instead.
• Soaking in a jetted tub does not make things better. Everything is the same when you are done.
• I absolutely love this weather. There is nothing like a day without humidity! I am so over that!

Meredith's Room

I am thinking of painting flowers along the white strip....Thoughts?

Bucket Head

The neighborhood girls love to play with Lucas. In entertaining him, they decided to make him look like "Abraham Lincoln" with a bucket! Lucas thought it was great fun!

Dancing with the Stars

As today is the first day of Autumn, I realize that this is the third season we have been in our new house. We are creeping up on six months, and it certainly doesn't seem like that much time has passed....
My children are growing up so much each day....Lucas said moon today for the first time.
He is so cute.
He cried and cried, refusing to go to sleep this evening. I tried laying in my bed with him and Meredith, but that didn't work out for me. He had an agenda -- to be awake!

So I toted all the babies downstairs and told Lucas he could eat ice cream with me since he was awake. There was no point in fighting with him to go to sleep. So I scooped him some chocolate chip in a bowl, and as I was dipping my own bowl, he freaking flipped out on me. He wanted the ice cream NOW! He started screaming and throwing a fit. I had already given him a spoon, so he didn't understand why I didn't give him his ice cream.

See I had a plan....to sit in the living room and see what was on TV. He expected me to put him in his chair to eat, so he was sooo pissed at me. So we finally sat down and turned on Dancing with the Stars. I still don't know how that show became so popular - I know the average American has no clue what a ChaCha is really supposed to look like...they are only voting for their favorite celebrity.

Anywho, for a minute I thought I was with Richard. (He used to beg me to eat ice cream and watch TV with him every night....I always gave in willingly :)

Lucas had eaten all his ice cream, and came over to see if he could have any of mine...but my bowl was empty too! So he looks at me, says "All gone" and takes off running toward the kitchen screaming "More!"

I couldn't make him understand that we didn't need anymore -- so I filled up our bowls and we ate more....I guess that satisfied him because he didn't ask for more this time around.

He surprised me with a giant poop before going to bed (fourth one of the day for those interested). I guess he knew there was no point in going to sleep if he was working on that!

I miss my husband...

Without him, there is no one to...

• do the dishes
• put a trashbag in the trashcan
• put the toilet lid down
• fold the clothes
• vaccum the stairs
• mop the floor
• water the plants
• give Dixie a bath
• make the bed
• encourage me to put the sugar snacks back on the grocery shelf

Everything has gone to hell with him gone...Good thing I found someone to do all those things for me...well minus the last one. I am still working on that...

Word of the Day....

I have had many ask me "What new words does Lucas know?"Well....I live with him, so what may be old news to me is possibly new to you. And I know he knows words, but he may not always use them -- he is very tempermental.
I am going to compile a list from what I can remember right now....
I am sleepy, so I may forget some....
Animal Sounds
Cat
Dog
Elephant
Duck
Snake
Skunk
Cow
and he knows ROAR which is the sound of many animals...

Phrases
Where is it?
Where is he?
Who is it?
What is it?
What's that?
Hi Baby!
She's sleeping!
She's crying!
Tickle, Tickle!
Thank you
Shoes On!
Sit Down!
Did you see that?
Oh no!
Uh oh!
PEEE-You!

Words
Sister
Hi
Bye
Dixie
Outside
Cat
Dog
Deer
Bear
Blankie
Momma
Daddy
Dad
Shoe
This
Car
Sit
Duck
Eye
Up
No
Poop
Baby
Balloon
Bubble
Bug
Kiss
Ball
Stick
Meredith
Shhh!
Sleep
Bird
This
That
Juice
Cow
Go!
Wow!
Nose
Down
Cheese
OWWW!
Flower
Elephant (well he says ELA right now)
Alligator (he says ALLL)
Owl
EWWW!
More
Frog
Boo
Stop
Hello
Hey

Dixie Dog

Meredith has begun to show an interest in Dixie Dog. As to not bore those who are uninterested, a video is posted for your viewing pleasure on www.youtube.com/devonrkc

Wagon Rides

I finally pulled the wagon out of the house!!
I wanted to wait until Meredith was old enough to sit up -- and Lucas had finally lost interest in it being his secret indoor clubhouse...so, it was the perfect time!

The funny thing is, the warning tag on the side instructs you to NOT USE on hills! Um, hello! That won't be happening!


That stupid wagon works me harder than the stroller!
At least I am burning off the calories of all those oatmeal creme pies I have been eating....

Sweet Success!

Meredith has successfully given in to people food! She has now eaten sweet potates, peas, bananas, applesauce, yogurt, and mixed fruit! She is incredibly cute eating....

Photo Shoot

Peek-A-Boo with Meredith!

This is Lucas' favorite game right now! It is so cute to watch!

Not Empty

I apologize for the gross exaggeration on my previous posting -- it has left many concerned with my well being.
The only things I need from the store that I did not get were fruit and milk....
They were putting up stock when I was in the store this morning and told me to come back later this afternoon, that they could only do so much at a time.

My refrigerator has more than leftovers in it, I have the standard condiments, butters, jellys, cheese, ect. And I also cook.

We had a yummy dinner of salmon, green beans and mac and cheese.

I went back to the store this afternoon to pick up the milk and fruits.

Thanks for your concern.

Empty

We went out to do our weekly grocery shopping.

You will never believe this, but the store was completely empty....well of people, yes -- that is why I wait until the morning on a weekday to go. But it was empty of food....they had absolutely no fruit, besides one container of raspberries and a few bags of apples. They literally had 2 bags of prewashed lettuce. Oh, and a ton of carrots. I guess no one cares about their eyesight...

No milk, no yogurt, no juice.

I was so upset. I was really looking forward to sprinking some blueberries on some fresh spinach.

They had signs posted that Hanna had prevented their shipments from arriving, and they were unsure when they would be getting new product....

So...My fridge only has a half of a bag of spinach and some leftover chicken & rice casserole. Oh, and some carrots, because I do care about my eyesight.

Oh, what is a mommy to do?

Rock-A-Bye Your Bear

There is a children's show where 40-year old men do silly songs and movements, called The Wiggles. Rich first introduced this show to Lucas when he began waking at 6 am. Lucas loves this show, even though it is completely ridiculous.

A few days ago, I was able to catch Lucas acting out one of the songs! It was the first time I had ever seen him follow along! It was so cute, I kept rewinding it so he would do it again! His movements are a little off, but I hope you enjoy!

I fell in love...

with the shoes worn by the dentist who did Lucas' surgery. I have spent the last 25 minutes (unsuccessfully) searching online for these ridiculous pink shoes. I absolutely have to have them though. I think I am going to call on Monday to see where she bought them.

My house is a wreck. I have my fall decor scattered as I am trying to find places for everything. I still feel odd putting everything out since it is still in the 90's sometimes -- but the leaves are turning and falling. So strange being in a place where that actually happens! Four years of Oklahoma (ie: wake up one day and the leaves mysteriously changed overnight AND fell to the ground) and you forget that fall actually does exist.

I am kind of embarrassed.
I sent Richard a pumpkin - a fake one, of course. I was thinking "He needs a little bit of fall in the desert." I had to seriously stop myself from sending garlands of leaves.

Good thing I didn't.

One of the guys joked that the pumpkin was an IED, and even acted out the proper disposal of it...

I would hate to see what they did if they saw my house.

Victoria's Secret...

keeps sending me free panty coupons. I enjoy it, it gives me a reason to go into town. Having a mission is always better than free floating....

I plan a trip to Charlottesville once a week to give us something different to do.

Lucas enjoys it, and I have certainly seen his progression by taking these trips. He is becoming more patient with being out, and I am learning to be more patient with him and trying to entertain him. So there is no more screaming to get out of the stroller or cart - no screaming if I stop moving - no screaming if I actually go into a store at the mall....

So we enjoy a lunch at Chick-fil-A. Lucas sits like a big boy at the table and dips his nuggets in the ketchup. He is so adorable dipping.
And then he gets to play in the playground at the mall.

You would be surprised how many people I actually have a conversation with while I am out. Of course, they are always elderly people who begin to comment on how beautiful my children are, then go on and on about how 1) they have children as close in age as mine, 2) have grandchildren who are as close in age as mine, 3) how great it must be to have such happy, beautiful children.

The people who don't actually converse with me are the ones who just comment on how full my hands are. I always resist the urge to say something rude. I wish that I could come up with something clever to say to people when they say it....

If you come up with any suggestions, please let me know...

Lucas has also gotten bored with his book selection, so bedtime has become a nightmare. I picked up a couple new books by Sandra Boynton - Blue Hat, Green Hat and Moo, Baa, La La La La, and also What's Up Duck? by Tad Hills.
He is sooo excited to be reading these new books, and I am excited too. There are only so many times you can read But Not the Hippopatomus before you read it with your eyes closed.

Lots of Randomness

As Meredith is whizzing around the kitchen, I am very happy that we decided to hold tight on a kitchen table. She has more room than necessary to strengthen her legs. Since she is already doing her baby push-ups daily, it won't be long before she is chasing after her big brother....

For the past I don't know how many years, I have only drank chocolate milk. I had convienced myself that regular white milk was yucky and I did not like it. Well for some reason, I am now fully capable of drinking it without retching. I realize that I had to set a good example for my baby boy - and since he wants to drink what Mommy drinks, I decided I should try to encourage milk, because he refuses to drink it otherwise. As for now, it seems to be working out well for me.

I am trying the 3-a day diet. 3 glasses of lowfat or nofat milk to a slimmer you....
I sometimes think I am eating too much dairy....

I woke up especially cranky today. I am a believer of keeping the TV out of the bedroom to create a place of relaxation. Here lately, I wonder if you should keep books out of the bedroom as well. I keep having terrible dreams about a book I am reading (The Kite Runner). Good literature should not disturb you that much.

I had other things I was going to ramble about, however, children derailed that for me. So...This is all you get for now....

Cereal

Meredith has shown a great interest in what I am eating and drinking these last few weeks. I thought this interest implied that she was ready to try food of her own.

I think I was wrong.

I have unsuccessfully given her cereal for two weeks now. I try it now and then every couple of days. She rejects it....crinkling her nose and spitting it back at me. I know that the crap is nasty, I have tried it before.

So my question is, should I attempt a different food or just keep on keeping on with nursing until she is 6 months?? (And if your name is SA, please don't answer that! :-P)

Besides that, nothing is relatively new with her. She is still trying to crawl, moving all over the floor constantly. She walks backwards in her walker. She insists on sitting up in the stroller now - she hates lying on her back. When I lay her down for napping, she will roll to her belly! Geez, she is growing up so quickly!

Full of Adventure...

Today, many fun things happened!

After the trip to the dentist, things were pretty quiet....
Until we went outside for a walk! Prior to the walk, Lucas found a frog! Since we first met a frog in the yard, he looks for one every day...asking me where it is....

The neighborhood girls came by and assisted in showing Lucas how to catch him - as I would have no part of that. I am the one

showing him how to terrorize them with rocks and sticks

(I absolutely hate frogs.)

After the walk, Lucas met the neighbor's new puppy, Issac.

Take note of the hot pink crocks!

The dog was scared of Lucas - but he is used to poking and prodding at Dixie, so who can blame him!

Second Trip to the Dentist

July 2008. The last time we saw Lucas' right, front baby tooth was a Wednesday morning.

We were visiting a historic tavern in the area. While waiting for the tour to begin, Lucas wanders around to check out everything. The next thing I know, I hear him crying. He had fallen while crawling up these huge brick steps. We had no idea what damage existed. There was blood, but he wouldn't let us look in his mouth. A huge white mark, similar to one made by chalk, was across the step.

Our baby boy had broken off half of his front tooth. So grateful, as it was a baby tooth....but so sad, as we had no insurance for him.

We worked out the insurance issue and had the tooth repaired today. I think I was more scared than he was at first...mainly because he hadn't eaten anything! I got really tired of watching the same Diego over and over while we were waiting for the Dentist (who I really think was younger than I am!)

Then the same Diego again while we waited for the medicine to kick in. He made a terrible fuss when they took his trucks away from him to take him to do the procedure. He was awake for the whole thing, with only medication to make him woozy.

He was a trooper. No stranger would ever suspect that it is a replacement. He was rewarded with a frog and alligator (or "AL" as he calls it!) He was so freaking cute as he was a chatter box but was completely out of it, like he was on drugs -- well because he was. It reminded me of my college days...okay, not really because I have never done drugs. Okay, back on track.

So I was instructed to not give him anything hard or crunchy, EVER. for as long as he has the tooth! Re-frickin-diculous! He is going to miss out on so many fun kid things. Rich informs me that it is a liability issue and Lucas is still going to eat hard and crunchy things. Being the person that I am, I listen when someone says "Don't do this"

And seriously, I don't want to pitch out the 200+ dollars to have it repaired again.

Good thing for insurance, right?