Why, Oh Why?

Here is the question:

Why is it that after a full day, no nap, clean pj's, books, new diaper, and full belly from dinner is Tanner still awake in his bed S.C.R.E.A.M.I.N.G. bloody murder? This kid is developing a penchant for nightlife after the rock solid 8:00pm bedtime he and his brother have always known. I must admit I'm stumped. He's been doing this at bedtime for a week or so now. John and I have been letting him get back up and play for another 30 minutes or so and I'm going to bet that we've helped create the monster that is going bonkers down the hall right now. Well, school starts Monday and this has to stop, so I guess it's time to break out the tough love and let him cry it out. Sounds like he's thrown his pacifier across the room from the volume of his protests now, so maybe I'll go peek. Maybe I'll just finish this post and by then he'll be asleep.



Ryan has been on a roll lately with the comedy. Tonight as we were coming upstairs to go to bed I casually mentioned that my legs hurt and that I was tired. Ryan, ahead of me on the stairs, flatly replys, without even turning around to look at me, "speak for yourself". Um, can I see some ID because the last time I checked, you were only 4 years old? He's tired tonight but quite happy to hit the hay because John left for his annual fishing trip to Alaska this morning and Ryan gets to fill in the empty place on Daddy's side of our bed. He's sound asleep over there despite the Olympics on TV and his brother's continued rampage. Wish I could sleep like that. Perhaps if I had run around all day long, almost nonstop except for the time I was firmly strapped into my carseat, I would be feeling too pooped to participate also. All day long Ryan had this monotone, robot voice that he insisted on speaking to me with. Me-"would you like some milk?".
Ryan-"Yes.Please.May.I.Have.Some.Milk.And.Also.Some.Space.Cheese.Or.Maybe.A.Cookie."
Me-"What are you doing with my purse?". Ryan-"This.Is.Not.A.Purse.This.Is.My.Space.Control.Ship.And.I'm.Leaving.This.Planet.And.Going.Somewhere.That.Has.Cookies."
Me-"Did you wash your hands after you went potty?". Ryan-"I.Don't.Have.Hands.I.Have.Tentacles.And.Yes.I.Washed.Them."

I'm sure you're getting the idea. Hopefully I'll have Ryan back tomorrow and Robo-Ryan will have stayed on the planet with all of the cookies.



So aside from all of that fun today, the long awaited, much anticipated remodel in John's office and office bathroom began today! Yippee. I made some before pictures earlier but haven't been back in there with the camera since they ripped down all of the paneling, shoe molding, baseboards, and crown molding. They will be back with the electrician in the morning to do something. If he told me what, I don't remember. Just let me know when I can decorate! That's what I really care about. I'll post some pictures tomorrow night.

Baby #3 has been busy. Perhaps he or she has been inspired by the likes of Shawn Johnson or Michael Phelps. Whatever the motivation, this kid has some energy to burn! I think there must be a disco ball inside my uterus because it certainly seems like the party is goin' on from about 8pm until 8am. Seriously, I love it. My last peri visit went well. I go to the OB next Monday and back to the peri in 2 weeks. Because I'm old, have hypothyroidism, and high blood pressure, I get to see my baby on the sono screen every four weeks throughout the pregnancy. So far so good.



Well, Tanner has either choked to death on his own tears or he gave up and fell asleep. I'll go check.

Phew. He's asleep. And breathing. And soaking wet with sweat. Poor little dude! Tomorrow I'm taking the boys up to a miniature animal farm/petting zoo for a little field trip. I'm tired of the zoo, aquarium, and our own back yard. Time for a change of scenery. So, with that, I bid you goodnight in the lingual stylings of my oldest, red headed son:

Have.A.Good.Night.And.Check.Back.Soon.For.More.Space.Stories.Before.School.Starts.Monday!!!

Gotta love these crazy kids!!!

Request From a Sweet Family

The family over at My Charming Kids blog needs our thoughts and prayers now. The mom is 24 weeks pregnant with their fourth child and the baby, a little boy they have named Stellan, is in severe heart failure and dysrhythmias. Her doctors seem wonderful and have tried multiple things and run many tests but there is no "easy" answer for why this has happened and the medicines are semi helping the baby but causing major heart problems for the mom. I don't know these people, I only read their blog. They seem like such a happy family and I just feel compelled to help them and ask your help for them. Please include them in your thoughts and prayers as the next 48 hours will be tell tale for them. If things don't turn around by then, there will be nothing more the doctors can do to try to save baby Stellan. Please visit their blog here and remember them as you give thanks for the things you have in life...especially if you have healthy children! Thanks!

Holy Cow, It's HOT!

Well, I just got the bright idea to finish up my outside to-do list this morning while the boys are at camp. I have to pat myself on the back; I got it all done! I hung the boys new swing on the playset (um, that's the one I bought them for Christmas!), filled in dirt on my new shrubs that are seemingly going to live, pulled out the dead snapdragons from the pots on the upper deck, and dragged out the leaf blower and cleaned the deck and furniture out there. Can I just tell you that I am the brightest shade of red I have ever seen! Good thing this isn't a scratch-n-sniff blog. You'd be very unhappy. Oh well. I got it done.

I'm FINALLY feeling free from the nausea and those pregnancy naps that grab you in a head lock and force you to lay down and close your eyes. I've also started feeling the baby move and I LOVE it! One of my favorite things. It's really faint but I'm certain that's what it is. We are cruising past the 18 week mile-marker this week. We go for the "big" sono (20 week) not this coming Monday, but the next. I'll update then. Ryan is super excited to be going to Granny Lin and Granddad's house this Saturday and staying for a week. It will be interesting to see how he and Tanner do apart. They have never really been apart except for a few hours here and there.

We are still learning how to use our new camera, but here are a few amateur shots of the boys being rowdy last Friday night!

We're Back....

but without any pictures to prove it. I never found the camera battery and the one John picked up at Wolf's wouldn't work with the stupid camera. So a whole week of fun, s'mores, and more with no pictures. So sad! The good news is that I have managed to get John excited about getting a new SRL Nikon camera. Yippee! If you know John at all, then you'll know this new toy will require a few more weeks of research, spreadsheets with the different features for the different models, and shopping around at different stores. He is a CPA after all. :) So, hopefully we'll have a great new camera and some adorable new pics of my growing boys up very soon. I'll keep you posted!

We had a great trip to Colorado! The boys LOVED everything about it (except the shower...the water pressure is irregular and Ryan said it was "spitting" on him). We did a lot of fishing, bug collecting, and just hanging out. The boys were so filthy at the end of every day; it was quite a sight. Oh well, my mom always said that when kids are dirty that's the proof they had fun. Well good grief! Mine had more fun than the law allows! We made it home on Monday and the boys started back to their camp yesterday. They are having a blast there. John is working hard and is actually out of town tonight because he has an early morning meeting with a client in Augusta. I'm feeling okay. Still having lots of nausea and fatigue. I thought it was easing up but no dice. Hopefully soon I'll be feeling better. I'm ready!

Hope everyone is doing well! Keep in touch and check back for those pics from the new camera!!! :)

Where in the World

I cannot find the battery charger for the camera to save my life! I looked high and low before we left for Seaworld/Disneyworld and never found it. That's why we have 5 pictures from our first visit there! Anyway, I thought I would have found it by now but that isn't working out like I had planned. I will swing by Wolf camera store later today and get a new one. I promise to get new picutres up of the boys after we get back from Colorado. We are leaving in two days and will be back July 7th. I probably won't post while we're gone because there is only dial up and it would take F.O.R.E.V.E.R. So, have a happy 4th of July and check back after the holiday weekend for a recap of our Rocky Mountain adventure! In the meantime, here are some cute pictures of the boys at their preschool's petting zoo. They had a blast! The one random one is Ryan playing pirates. Oh, and one quick #3 update, the perinatologists office called yesterday and said my bloodwork/sono results were back and combined, the risk of chromosomal abnormalities came back very, very low. Good news! I go back to their office in 6 weeks and back for an OB visit in 4. My full time job of going to doctor's appointments! I wouldn't have it any other way! :)

Tag Along

I saw this over at 4 Little Men's blog and wanted to play!

I am…a happy girl
I want…for my kids to all be healthy and happy
I strongly dislike…the herpaterium at the zoo. yuck!
I miss…my mom
I fear… thunderstorms
I feel…a little nauseated
I hear…my boys playing Star Wars
I smell….the lemon bars here on the counter. yummy!
I crave…french fries!
I search…for ways to get Ryan to eat a broader variety of things. Any help here?
I wonder…how in the world John can be as patient and loving as he is. It is amazing.
I regret…losing touch with friends that I once cherished
I love...SUMMERTIME! bare feet, snowcones, fireflies, swimming, my kids playing to the point of exhaustion...oh yeah! I love summer!
I care...about who will be our next President because it will make a difference for the lives of my kids.
I ache…in my back! Ouch!
I always...wear my seatbelt
I am not…a big reader. Wish I was.
I believe…my kids may very well have more toys than a well-stocked toy store.
I dance…and usually fall down. Three knee surgeries + dancing = me on the floor.
I sing...in the car. Ryan and Tanner don't complain too much.
I cry….easily. And now with these Olympic commercials starting...forget it!
I don’t always...call my family as often as I should.
I fight…with myself to stay positive. I have a bad habit of thinking the worst sometimes.
I write… a blog!!)
I never…take my health for granted anymore. I have before and it never works out well.
I listen…to LOUD music! What's the point if it isn't loud? :)
I need…a massage
I am happy…that I have the life I have with the people who are a part of it!

Big News, Little Energy

We're back! So sorry for the gigantic void in our adventures lately. Where have I been? Well, mostly on the couch. Sitting. Plotting when I can go back to bed next. Why the fatigue? Well, we have some exciting news...baby Lambert #3 is on his/her way! I'm almost done (grin!) with my first trimester and am very ready to say au revior to it! Man, have I been sick and tired. Literally. Anyway, we will pass the 13 week marker this week and look forward to the second trimester. Maybe I'll have some energy to, say, unload the dishwasher or, I don't know...maybe make the bed in the mornings. John probably feels like he already has three kids to tend to. :)

We are in full summer-mode around here. We spent a week over at Hilton Head Island and had a great time. Ryan and Tanner have done three weeks of camp at their school. Ryan loves it! Tanner isn't so impressed with having mommy drop him off. He's getting better. We are heading to Colorado for our annual trip next Sunday for a week. We went to Disneyworld and Sea World a couple of weeks ago and had a blast. Ryan will be heading to Horseshoe Bay for some Granny Lin and Grand Dad time after Colorado. John has his usual fishing trip to Alaska in August. I'm going to try to fit in a trip to Texas sometime around John's trip. My nephew is getting married in August in Abilene, so working on the logistics for that also. In between all of the travels, we do a lot of backyard swimming, playing at the parks, snowcone eating, and just running around having fun. I love the summer!!!

Here are a few random pictures to tide you over until I can do some real blogging. They are from our Hilton Head trip. Hope you are well. Start checking in again for some regular posts!!! Happy Summer!!!

Explaining Things

Today was, as most days are in my house, a day full of questions. Thought you might like a sample.

1. Me trying to explain the National Emergency warning system (you know, that awful EARRAW, EARRAW, EARRAW followed by BEEEP, BEEEP, BEEEEEP) that did a test while we were driving to Whole Foods:

Ryan-What is that terrible noise?

Me-It's the system used to let everyone know if there is an emergency.

Ryan-Like what? Who sings this song?

Me-It's not a song. It lets us know if there is a bad storm or...something bad like a plane crash.

Ryan-OOHHHH! And if big robot dinosaurs attack, right? Someone would need to turn on the volcanoes so the lava could come out and kill them. Like that kind of emergency?

Me-Yes, Ryan. Just like that.

Welcome to my world. :)

Playing Tag

My sweet friend Jacolyn at Lieck Triplets has tagged me to this fun little game.

Here are the rules:

Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog
Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

So here goes...

1. I HATE being home alone while John is out of town. I stay up all night, walking around, relocking doors, with nearly every light in the house on. I've called 911 four times since we've moved into this house because I thought someone was already inside or trying to get inside. It's really obnoxious for me and I hate that I hate it so much.

2. I HATE frogs...nearly as much as I hate being alone. One evening when I was 8 years old, I was running home to be in time for dinner, barefooted, and I stepped right in the middle of one. It was all squished up between all of my toes. I remember my mom laughing at me because I was so upset. Thanks Mom.

3. My BFF for nearly my whole life and I spent one whole evening back in '88 making fun of Roy Orbison. How ugly he was and how stupid his songs were. My BFF's mom scolded us and warned us about doing things like that. The next morning, she walked into the bedroom (I spent the night at her house) and said "I hope you're happy. He's dead.". True story. We felt horrible!

4. My feet are the ugliest thing about me by far. They are really more like hooves. Cracked heels that bleed and toe nails that are gross and thick. And that's when they look good after a pedicure. Sad.

5. I always laugh when anyone falls down. Even if they get hurt. It's not personal. I even laugh when I fall down.

6. I love to take baths. I rarely ever get to take one, but I have fond memories of them.

7. I used to LOVE Bruce Willis! I knew the words to every song he ever recorded and even had dances for most of them. I lived to watch Moonlighting. Ahh, those were the days.

So there it is! I swear I have a lot of friends but only have two that blog...and one of them sent this to me! Here's my tag:
Jayme at brassellsinnyc

If any of my other friends want to play, just leave a comment or email me! Thanks for reading! :)

Oreos

This is what Tanner does with an Oreo...just so you'll know to never turn him lose in your house with one!

Ryan Playing T-Ball

Let's give this a whirl, shall we? Here's a quick video of Ryan at bat last Saturday and of Tanner doing his best to escape our family while we were distracted. Enjoy!

Random Thoughts

1. Sometimes I think it would be easier to raise wolves than to have two kids.

2. If anyone knows of a dishwasher big enough to get 14 dirty sippy cups, 8 Spiderman plates, 5 pacifiers, plus all of the adult things that need to go in there at the end of a day around here, let me know.

3. Do you think my kids "try" to lose their socks or does it just "happen"? I can't decide.

4. How is it that the smallest member of this family generates the most dirty laundry in a week?

5. If I have to be Darth Vader one more time today and fly in my jet destroyer only to lose to Ryan, who is also Darth Vader, in The Great Sky Race, I think I'm gonna start pulling my hair out.

6. Somebody needs to smack Dora in the head with a hammer. She is getting on my nerves as of lately.

7. God, please give me the courage to take my kids car seats out and clean up the spilled Capri Suns, Teddy Grahams, raisins, Happy Meal toys, and God knows what else is lurking under there.

That's about it for now. I'll let you know if I think of anything else. I hear Ryan calling for me. I'm sure Darth Vader needs some chocolate milk.

Lessons From The Laundry Room

I was thinking about some stuff earlier while folding laundry with two wild, little men "helping" me. I have my neat, little, perfect way of folding towels. It's the way Mother did it and the way she taught me and I still do it that way. I had my nice stack going of my perfectly folded towels when Ryan grabbed the last one and announced that he could do it. I watched him lay it down, fuss around trying to get it flat (all the while stepping all over it), and work to get it "folded". He proudly picked it up and laid it on top of my stack. It was all balled up with the corners not matching or anything. Instinctively, I picked it up because I was going to fix it to MY way. After I'd grabbed it, I looked at Ryan. He was staring at me with a sad little look on his beautiful face and he said "did I do it wrong Mommy?". My heart broke. What message was I about to send my little man? He had tried his best. Was I going to tell him that it wasn't good enough...all over a stupid bath towel? Moments like these always make me stand back and think. I put the towel back on top of my pile just the way he had laid it down and I said "you didn't do anything wrong, you just did it differently than I do it, but I like your way, too." His face lit up. I hadn't crushed his little self esteem, in fact I lifted him up. All over a crazy bath towel. Who cares. I don't think I'll ever fuss over the way I fold towels ever again, and I'm just fine with that!

Spring Training

Ryan had his very first t-ball game yesterday. It was a complete riot! The kids were so excited. The coaches did a great job of keeping them all together. Ryan had a great game, offensively speaking. He didn't have such a great time playing defense. He missed a ball and it completely devastated him. He was crying so hard, it was sad. John and I convinced him to go back on the field but he sorta lost focus after that. He wandered up to home plate and was trying to bat. The weather cooperated and the rain held off until the very end of the game. We had to run to the car because it was pouring! Fun stuff! Great way to spend a Saturday!

Bad Blogger

I'm back. Sorry for the lack of posts. If anyone still checks this, I promise to do better. Without going into details, let's just sum up the last couple of weeks with this--depression sucks! That's all I have to say about that!

On to some happier topics, the boys are great. Tanner is a full time walker and can crawl up onto anything. He is a busy little dude. Ryan had a fun time at his Trike a Thon at school, he and Nolan had a great time together, and he's gotten more Easter candy than the law allows. John is on the mend and feeling much better but his cough is lingering. Here are a few of my favorite pics that I've made lately.

Happy Easter!!!

Spring Is Here!!!

And these pictures prove it! Everything is starting to bloom and it's just wonderful. I'm so very ready for Spring and Summer. Winter is just a hard time with little ones. They get tired of being inside. We have some great parks and playgrounds close by. I'm predicting a lots of great times in the coming, warmer months!!! All of these pics are from our yard.

The Home Depot and Tony Stewart--10 Years!

Hello all! Yesterday, John's client, The Home Depot, had a HUGE to-do at their headquarters celebrating 10 years of being a part of Nascar with the #20 car's driver, Tony Stewart. I picked Ryan up early from school and we met John at Panera, ate a quick bite and walked (just around the corner) to the party. It was really neat! The cars were there. The big truck that hauls the car was there. Tony and his entire crew were there. We weren't cool enough to have the armbands to get his autograph. Bummer. You had to actually work FOR THD, and John actually works for KPMG. :( The weather was gorgeous and we had a nice time. Don't you think John looks like an Old Spice man in that one pic? As long as he only LOOKS like one and doesn't SMELL like it, I'll be happy!!! :)

GRRRRRR!

Friday afternoon, Ryan asked if we could eat lunch at Chili's. Great idea! The boys both ate a ton, played together, and we all had a very good time. So after paying and gathering up the 12 Hot Wheels on, and around, the table, we headed outside to get our car. Atlanta is kinda weird...you have to valet park at EVERY restaurant. Even at lunch, at Chili's, we had to valet park. So stupid. Anyway, as the kid is walking towards us, I notice that he is looking at me. Not just looking, but staring. I instantly realized he was about to tell me some crappy news. Sure enough, "I'm so sorry, but I backed your car into a steel beam". Are you kidding me? Okay, let's take a look so he runs across the street into the parking garage and pulls it over. OMG! He must have been backing up really fast. I'm not sure if you can really tell how bad it is from the picture, but it's really bad! The tailgate won't open because the rear panel is so dented. Nice, because I had just bought a dresser for Ryan closet but hadn't gotten it home yet and now it is being held prisoner, courtesy of this ditzy college boy who told me "I just didn't check the right side". Why then, sir, are you working as a valet if you can't remember to check BOTH sides when backing up? My car even has the navigation system and it DINGS AND LIGHTS FLASH when you get close to something in back. All I can say is GRRRRRRR! This car has been injured twice now and I haven't done anything wrong either time. (A few months back, a little old man back into me at the grocery store.) So now we have the fun task of working with this company's insurance to get it all fixed. The only saving grace is that we now have the Jeep, so at least I'll have something to drive while it's in the shop and not have to fool with a rental car.

I know this is a big vehicle. How is it, though, that I drive it everywhere, everyday and never hit anything but this kid couldn't get it across the street without wounding it? Ryan kept asking the kid, while I was filling out paperwork, "why did you hit my Mommy's big, black truck?". Nothing like having a four year old rub it in your face! Way to go, Ryan!!!

To My Future Daughter-In-Laws: You're Welcome!

Yes, I'm sure the girls will be lining up to snag these guys. The big one has decided that anytime the camera comes out, he's supposed to act as if he's swallowed a bunch of crystal meth OR (in another great option) show you his backside. Tanner has made friends with the microwave and puts his face RIGHT ON IT while I'm warming things up. Have they ever linked any sort of harm to people from peering into these things without even blinking for 2-3 minutes? God, I hope not or he won't have enough brain cells left to learn to not eat rocks. Oh well. What do ya do?!?

Here's the transcript of a recent conversation with Ryan that should have all of the ladies swooning:

Me: "Ryan, we need to clean up some toys. It's hard to walk through here".

Ryan: "I can walk around okay".

Me: "Well, it's a mess and we don't have to live like pigs".

Ryan: "I like pigs. I think it's fun".

sigh.

Bedtime Wildness

Am I alone here? Are anyone else's kids so wild before bed that you swear you will go crazy? Either way, I could sell tickets for the show that occurs between 7:00 and 8:00pm EVERY NIGHT around here! After dinner, we head upstairs. Some nights they take a bath or shower and some nights it's straight into jammies. Then the real action starts. Mostly, Tanner finds one car and pushes it around until time for bed. Oh, he does pause to scream bloody murder if Ryan tries to take it away or if it gets stuck somewhere. Most likely, he has pushed it under something on purpose only to create a bit of drama. Ryan runs wildly through the house usually making some awful, high pitched sound that probably drives the neighborhood dogs crazy. It drives me crazy, too. He only pauses to ask for some more food, because he never eats enough at the dinner table. Depending upon my strength left at that point in the day, sometimes he gets more and others I'm able to fight the good fight and explain the difference in meal time and bedtime. We go round and round on food. We always have. I'll post more on this later. For the last 30 minutes or so, they both get so silly that it is impossible to not laugh at them. These pictures are proof of that. I hope you enjoy a small taste of our life. It's not fair that I keep it all to myself!!! :)