MN State Fair

Today we took the boys to the MN State Fair. I should have borrowed a camera so I could add some pictures for you guys. I promise to get some the rest of the weekend and post them. Anyhow, we had fun - saw cows, pigs, sheep, horses, petted a llama. Got to be little farmers for a day at this great exhibit for preschoolers. Ate lots of fair food, including pig lickers - chocolate covered bacon! Now I love my bacon and I love my chocolate - but they will forever dwell in separate worlds for me. Andrew really liked it! Strange Minnesota people! :o)! The boys got to see their first parade. They are all tuckered out and sleeping off their big outing. Tonight they get to hang out w/ Nana and Grampa Guido while Mommy and Daddy go out. (I am very excited about time out w/out the boys and alone with my man!) Tomorrow we head up to the cabin for the weekend. Seth and Gavin are looking forward to learning how to fish. I promise to steal a camera if I have to.

Bounce, bounce, bounce...

This is what our van was doing as we were driving through Iowa at the beginning of our vacation trip yesterday. Yup, just like a ball down the highway. We pulled off at a little place, and checked out the van. We have air suspension and something broke and it completely filled up with air. We looked like we were driving a clown car we were riding so high (more than a foot between the top of the tire and the rim of the wheel well.) Andrew had bought me dougnuts and we were in good spirits despite the interuption to our trip. Needless to say we drove back home, switched cars, dropped off the van for a permanant repair and began our trip again - 2 1/2 hours later. We are thankful that it didn't suddenly deflate while we were driving and cause us to lose control of the vehicle - we had prayed for safety, and God heard and answered our prayer.

There is a great halfway stop between our home and Gramma Nana and Grandpa Guido's - Story City, Iowa. We stopped before and I took the boys on the carousel there - they both started crying and I had to take them both off of the pigs and sit on a bench behind while it was moving. Seth ended up loving it, and Gavin cried the whole time. Both boys were excited to go back and take Daddy on the carousel. Seth was going to ride a chicken this time! Not two seconds into the ride, Gavin starts to wail, again. The lady stops for us and we find a bench to ride instead. Seth decides to join us. Gavin clings to me and cries off and on the whole time. We get done, and I ask Seth, "Did you have fun?" Gavin answers with an emphatic, "Un Hunh!!!!" What???? He was insistent that he had fun and wants to go again. I think the noise really bothers him, though. They also have a playground right there, and so we got to get out and run and play for a while. The rest of our trip was uneventful.

Music

In our family Andrew listens to hard rock, and hates country music - I listen to pretty much a little of everything.

The night before we left NE for our vacation here in MN we went to Famous Dave's BBQ for dinner. Gavin could NOT sit still - he just had to move to the music, the country music! He was dancing in his seat so much that I asked him if he wanted to get down and dance. I wish my camera worked to show you a picture of Gavin dancing to the country music in the aisle at Famous Dave's. Of course big brother, Seth, joined in, too! It was a much better time than our last visit, when Mommy took both boys on her own, and it ended up in screaming children that I couldn't get out of there fast enough (the server was flirting with a customer across the room and I couldn't get his attention to get the bill, even!) I think we are going to be listening to more country music around our house. :0)! Love you, Andrew!

Gavin

still loves his salsa.
At 18 months is 55% for his height,
45% for weight,
and 85% for head circumference!
Will be going to physical therapy for monitoring, but most likely won't have to see the neurologist again, even after having a second MRI next spring!
Finally got put on antibiotics and has started feeling better. The doctor said it looked like he might be getting over an ear infection in his right ear because it "looked a little dull" - whatever that means. Too bad the ER doc on Monday couldn't see anything and get him started on meds earlier: that is the ear he has been poking at and now that we are on the antibiotics his nose is clearing up, and he is starting to act more like himself again for the first time in weeks! We are thankful.

My kitchen

is a challenge to put together.

Not enough cupboard or counter space!!!!!!

Sweet Little Man

Today Gavin fell down this afternoon and was crying, it was naptime anyway, so Andrew brought him upstairs to me to put him down for a nap. We were in my bed since Seth was still sleeping in the other room, and Gavin did NOT want to settle down and go to sleep! Then I hear this little voice next to me: "Mommy, this is for Gavin." Seth is there with a pacifier for his brother! So sweet to be woken up by Gavin's screaming and still want to comfort him. I asked Seth if he wanted to come up and get a hug, and he did. He says, "I found it in our bunkbed." (They are both sleeping in the one bunk with rails right now till we get a second mattress.) I asked Seth if he liked sleeping in his new bunkbed. "Not so very much." He just makes me laugh - who knows where he heard that phrase and what he really means by it. :o)! He also made me laugh a couple of other times today. I am trying not to interfere in the boys' tiffs as often, hoping they will learn to work them out. I heard them at it in the other room, then they both appear at the bottom of the stairs. Gavin is crying and a little upset. Seth (without me asking) says, "Gavin is crying because Zebra hit him." So I ask if he was holding Zebra, and he was. Later he lied to me in order to go downstairs while I was in the shower, and when I caught him in his lie gave him a time out. We talked about trust and telling the truth. He then says, "Mommy, I ate a fish." I ask what kind, not sure if he is using his imagination or telling me something for real. He shows me with his fingers that is was 'this big' and red. I realize that while he was being naughty he decided to eat Swedish fish that were on the table downstairs and he had been told not to eat. I love his honesty, and hope that he continues to tell me the truth. It sure cracks me up that he tells on himself, though.

Welcome

Today I got to go to Heartlink - a program designed to welcome new spouses to the Air Force and newcomers to the base. The boys went to childcare for the day and did really well - Seth didn't want to leave to come home. Funny side note - as I was getting ready to leave this morning the daughter of the woman watching my boys comes up and says, "Mommy, he's stinky." I walk over to Gavin who is about to go down their little slide, notice a spot of poop on the floor at the bottom, and grab him. Chunks of poop are all down his leg! I clean off his leg, strip him, and leave the diaper change for the provider since I am now running late! It was good to be on my own for a day. I met some great people today, and had some great conversations. The base commander's wife was there, and sat at my table - very down to earth and welcoming to all of us. She hosted us all for lunch in her home in the historic brick quarters on base. After lunch she gave us a tour of the home. Going down the back stairs (formerly maid stairwell), I slipped, bumped down a couple stairs on my bum, and kicked the General's wife in the butt as I fell! Yes, I did. I have had so many embarrasing moments, that this one hardly hit the radar today - I just think it is hysterically funny and indicative of my life. We got a base tour, and I learned some stuff. This is the first time I felt like an experienced spouse - half of the ladies there have been married less than 6 months. Glad to have made some new friends, I headed home w/ the boys and Andrew took the van to pick up the boys' new Big Boy Bed! It isn't together yet, and we won't bunk it for a while, but they are going to have bunk beds for their room now - we went for as sturdy as possible for some strange reason. Then Andrew let me stop by the Officers Spouses Club introductory meeting. I had all these women greet me and welcome me and introduce me to more people. I spent the whole time visiting with people, and I didn't know anyone walking in (except the few people who had hosted the Heartlink event this morning.) It was humbling to feel so welcomed with open arms. Feeling very encouraged tonight, and with lots of resources to read through and decisions to make about how to best spend my time. We are getting lots of cucumbers and tomatoes from our garden. Boxes are slowly getting unpacked. Kitchen not yet sorted out - it is going to be interesting getting everything to fit in there and be useable. Gavin has his first dr. appt. tomorrow afternoon. He hasn't been doing well, and we don't know what is causing him distress right now. Appreciate prayer for wisdom for us and the doctors. Our camera has pretty much bit the dust, otherwise I would have posted some great pics of Andrew, Seth and Gavin all mowing the lawn last night, and Seth, Seth and Gavin, and Gavin and me playing inside our composting ball before we filled it with grass clippings. You will just have to imagine it for now. :o)! Lots of love to all of you.

Floors Again

DONE!
(except the stairs, which we may carpet for Gavin to be safe...and the kitchen, which is going to be it's own nightmare of a project or be hired out...and no baseboards yet) Done!

Walls in main living areas - mostly done - 2 coats of paint (except the family room), just need trim work done.

Tomorrow is The Day! Our stuff arrives on a big truck, and we find out how it managed in storage and get it all back. Red chairs, new couches, OUR BEDS!!!...

We got the boys a bunk bed - won't be bunked for a while, but Gavin is moving off the floor in a sleeping bag to his very own bed (between the wall and Seth's bed, so he can't fall out yet. :o)!

By the way, Gavin does not have an ear infection (we were suspicious and got sent to Children's ER downtown for that today - they think it is allergies) and he was not injured by the big gorilla ladder that he pulled down on top of himself this morning. Thank you, Lord, for protecting him!

Floors

We have had so many amazing helpers with trying to put in our new floors. The upstairs is almost complete. Then we have the living/dining area to do. The kitchen is going to be a major projcect saved for another day because there are 2 layers of plywood glued and nailed down to raise up the floor level - for ??? reason!!!! Also, we are in quandry about what to do with the stairs. If we level out the fronts to put the laminate on, and also add the nose trim piece we lose a lot of stair tred making them steep and dangerous for Gavin. If we carpet them - it will be the only carpet in the main living spaces, but they will be safer. Any suggestions????
The family room is 2/3 done - it is the most difficult project because of the curved fireplace. Uncle Steve may stay till Monday to help us even more! We are hoping to be in decent shape by the time our stuff is delivered on Tuesday morning...

On a sad note - our camera doesn't seem capable of taking any pictures that aren't corrupted anymore. :o(! I think we will be getting a new one for Christmas this year. It will have to wait because Gavin needs a big boy bed, and soon.

Paint, Animals, Airplanes

Our kitchen is yellow - including ceiling. Thanks, Andrew for all the hard work and for keeping me from electricuting myself.
We took a break from painting today to visit the zoo. It was fun, and we saw some new things.
It is Air Force week, so they had an F-16 there, the AF Honor Guard Drill team, and we got to see a fighter jet Imax movie - Seth loved it, Gavin slept through most of it.

More work to follow. Paint all the main floor and bedrooms... Floors over the weekend. All our stuff delivered next Tuesday!!!!!!!
(Deadlines seem to help me a lot. I am going to go paint now.)

Meltdowns

Both boys have been testing limits a little bit since Daddy got home. We have seen some pretty amazing meltdowns from both of them.

Seth it is usually a crying fit from something that didn't go his way.
Example: Dinner last night. Sitting at the table not really eating. "Mommy what is that on the counter in the jar?" "That is spaghetti water." (Rinsing out the jar of sauce.) "Mommy, I want a drink of spaghetti water." Further insisting, then crying, then complete meltdown. How do you not laugh!

Gavin has a few temper tantrums, full on rages. He flings himself at me, throws food or whatever is handy, screams till he spits up. Not sure what the triggers are, but he seems to not be feeling well so I think that plays into it. It reminds me of what he must have been going through till we figured out all his dietary stuff at 9/10 mo. old, so we need to work on that part of it - some of it is just frustration and trying to get his own way (i.e. terrible twos.) It is pretty spectacular for a 1 1/2 year old to throw such full on tantrums, though. Sometimes you just want to laugh because it seems so ridiculous. He has also figured out that if he says please, looks cute, and gives Mommy kisses she will laugh and he can get away with a lot. He is a little flirt!

Thing about all this is - they just seem to be testing limits. Daddy had both of them to bed and asleep by 8:45 last night, and they are sleeping better. I am glad for a few moments to myself, even if it is just going to the bathroom, running to the mailbox, or running a quick errand. Thanks, Andrew!

So happy.

My man is home.

Fabulous!

Seth was asleep by 9:30 tonight (vs. 11:30 last night).
My amazing neighbor loaned me her lawn mower, and then volunteered to watch the boys while I mowed (they went to visit her fish pond), then we had a nice visit afterwards while I dripped with sweat (my best workout in the last month as I did half the yard without the self-propel - yes, on purpose).
I am goofing off reading blogs online and eating ice cream out of the container just because.
Andrew gets home tomorrow!
I hope it is a good hair day, because he hasn't seen my hair yet in person.
We made it - one month in a new city, camping out in our house without daddy.
Now we just have to get the painting and floors done in the next week, get our stuff delivered, and all will be Home Sweet Home!

A good thing

My new paint in my living room is washable. Good thing since Seth got sent to time out and got the yogert from his shirt on the wall. Story time this morning. We got to feed the fish in our neighbor's pond last night - the boys sure loved that! One day till Andrew gets home!

Facebook

I just joined today to see Julie's pictures and stuff and found a bunch more people I know are on it, so if you are on Facebook you can look for me. If you wandered over here to see my family updates, etc. - Welcome!

Two Days and Counting

Till Daddy gets home!!!!!! It has been a tough week, and we are mostly laying low. I need to borrow a mower and mow tomorrow. We are really looking forward to being together as a family again. Sorry for no pictures - I have some good ones hanging out on my camera, but yall will still have to wait till I find someplace to download them since I lost that cord.

I forgot

I just came across this photo of my red chair that I never posted. I got two, with ottoman, and I am so looking forward to sitting in them in front of the fireplace reading or playing guitar or...

Kids outside playing

While we try to get some painting done today.
Seth and Charity come in. "A bird fell out of the tree."
Now 3 year olds often have their own version of things, so we check it out. Sure enough a bird fell out of the tree - Dead. Who knows how. I tried to move it with some sticks, but it was flopping around too much, so Corine is my new hero! Still working on the great room.

My child (Seth)

now asks "WHY?" about 80 million times a day. I think I need crazy pants, not just crabby ones!

My plans...

...for today - not happening. We are not at the Farmers Market. The boys haven't gotten a bath. Instead they are running circles in their bedroom in their underwear and falling over. This game has been going on for about 45 min. now. At some point we have to grocery shop, do laundry and get the lawn mowed, but for now they are happy. Oh, well.

Dinner

Mommy: Seth, What do you want to eat for dinner?

Seth: Strawberries!!!

Mommy: Ok. What else besides strawberries? You have to eat something else first.

Seth: Chocolate cake... and chocolate cake!!! (Impish grin.)

Green Magic

Dirt + Sunshine + Rain + Seed = Big Cucmbers in our Garden to Eat and Share!

How does this happen??? Absolutely Amazing!