Too Many Kisses to Count

First and foremost - I got new glasses. A certain little lady we all know and love mangled mine last summer and I'd had them since 2005, so I just had to wait until it was time for a new pair on insurance. I'm a fan.

So we did it. We took the plunge. We switched the rooms this weekend. Riley has only has her bed, a few babies, and a dresser in her "new" room.  Asher has... EVERYTHING. Ha! It's a hot mess in his room now, but Riley's is spotless.  It's made all of the difference in the world. She is going to sleep within 30 minutes of being put down and she's sleeping later. She slept until 8:00 today... that's later than she has slept in MONTHS. It's a good thing, too, because I accidentally turned off my alarm this a.m. and was able to get ready quickly!

So the other night I was laying in bed with her (don't yell at me... they're only little once...) and she was finally relaxing and super calm.  So she is cuddling in to me while I lay there and she's rubbing my arms and so chill. It was such a sweet and tender moment... one I hope I don't ever forget.  Every few seconds she would lean over and kiss me. She kissed my face, my lips, my arms... anywhere she could reach. It was so sweet. She is such a great little kid when she gets plenty of sleep.  Don't get me wrong... she still throws a temper tantrum if the wind blows the wrong way or screams, "GO AWAY!" if she isn't getting her way... but I'm choosing to cherish those sweet moments. The ones that just melt my heart.

Asher is just so cuddly. I took him to the chiropractor today and when Dr Wimmer held him, Asher just snuggled in. Oh it's so sweet. He's just getting so big so very fast! I can't even believe he'll be 8 months on Sunday! Where did the time go??? It seems like just last week I was screaming, "I CAN'T DO THIS," as I realized he'd be born in just seconds without an epidural! Oh my baby boy.

Now the two of those together... they just make me a big puddle of mush. Riley loves to get on the floor and roll around on him. I choose to ignore the fact that sometimes she lays on top of him. Whatever. Minor detail. Asher likes to pull Riley's hair and, well, that just doesn't work for ANYONE.

Anyways... the part you all care about...

Hands taste so delicious

Big smile

Playing together - Riley was actually sharing her baby doll

So very sweet that little boy is.

So what if there is no snow, Riley is shoveling the sidewalk.

Dirt streaked face... that's how you know she had a good time!

She likes to take herself on a walk with her "child harness" (aka: baby leash)

Those hands are so yummy

(this reminds me... call the guys about cutting our grass this week...)

what in the world has gotten in to this child?

So the sleeping issue has not gotten better with Riley. I gave in tonight and went and laid down with her. Problem solved. I laid with her for about 20 minutes and then told her I needed to go clean up (what a funny joke.) and I'd be back to check on her. Worked like a charm. Mind you, this came after an hr of hysterical crying.

At least we've eliminated the problem of her destroying her room each night! Baby steps, right?

The rooms didn't gt switched. Ryan went to take apart the crib and it turns out the screws/holes are stripped. I have no idea. I just used it as leverage to get a new crib. Asher was using Riley's old crib... which she had so lovingly chewed up the rails... and I was over it. I'm excited for it to come - Walmart site-to-store shipping - and it should be here in about a week.

Now let's discuss the wild woman. Today she pooped on the floor. Um... what? Yes. You most certainly did read that correctly. I have no idea how or why that happened. Then she helped our fabulous nanny clean it up and clogged the toilet with toilet paper. That was just a fantastic text to get at work while I was trying to get a kid calmed down.  Then she was SO MEAN today. However, after nap she ate 2 small bowls of cheerios and a piece of toast... I got home and she was being so mean. No amount of redirections or consequences was working. I gave her some shredded cheese and sat her on the couch... a few of the cookies I was eating... and she was still hungry!!! She then ate some yogurt.  And to top it off, she still ate dinner - well most of it! Zucchini, pork loin with a Ryan created sauce, and rice. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the girl is growing. Once she had a lot to eat, her behavior and attitude improved greatly!

And Asher boy. Oh sweet, sweet Asher. He's feisty, but laid back. The boy knows what he wants, but just rides the wave of this crazy life. I love it. I love that whenever I get home, he gets so excited. I pick him up and he snuggles in.  Oh I love that. He's getting frustrated b/c he wants to get to toys he likes, but can't do it fast enough. Poor guy. lol

Other than that, we've been pretty boring! Life is still wild at work... but that's why I love it. Still missing family. But ya know what? We're making it. We're thriving. We're growing.  I mean, it could be that we were looking at beach houses for September that is motivating us... but whatever. Details!!

Ohhhh... new project alert! Cloth lunch bag!

This is how I'm expected to get things done. Wild girl climbing up my back. What we failed to get in a picture was the seconds later when that front foot was over my shoulder and her whole body was leaning on my head! I was trying to hand stitch something.

After she brought Ryan the camera, she kept saying, "picture Riley! CHEEEEEESE! uh-mile!"

sleep... or lack thereof.

So Riley has ALWAYS been a fabulous sleeper. She napped great, she slept through the night... it was just great all around. Well she has progressively been getting up a little earlier and a little earlier. 7:00 was no big deal... 6:50 wasn't even THAT big of a deal during the week because we were up. But homegirl was even doing this on the weekend. Since she isn't caged up in a crib like her brother, she just rolls on out of bed and comes in to our room.

Well... this week she's been waking up at oh 5:45 or so. WTH child????? No ma'am. That just ain't gonna work! Tuesday morning I put her back in bed, she was quiet,  and I dozed off.  Ryan gets home from the gym and Riley is cleaning the floors with some white vinegar and water spray! Oh and she also had sent an IM to my friend Mollie which, I'm sure, was QUITE confusing to her several hours later. I mean that clearly isn't going to work. Last night she was fighting going to sleep until 11:15! 3 hrs, folks. THREE HOURS.  Everytime I'd think it was quiet and go to head back to the room to tuck her back in before I went to bed... there she was standing in the door way. When I went to sleep I thought, "well at least since she was up so late, she'll hopefully sleep in." NO. No she did not. She was up at 5:40! Ryan put her back in bed... she cried, "no mommy do it!" Dang it. I'm changing my freaking name. I am only responding to mommy during select hours from here on out.  And, FYI, none of those hours will include between midnight and 7 a.m..

So today I played hardball... kind of.  Our fabulous nanny put her down for nap about 1 (of course she was so whiney all morning) and I got home from work early and got her up from nap about 2:55. We played, had a snack (argued about not having 50 million snacks), went to the chiropractor to visit Dr Wimmer to see if we can continue to keep Asher ear infection free, came home to argue some more about how dinner was almost ready and we weren't getting snacks, ate dinner as a family, and then bath time. We had a small injury, but she survived. Then bed time.  I *think* she has finally fallen asleep, but who knows. She SCREAMED at the top of her lungs for an hr and 15 minutes. She got her books taken away (ALL of them) b/c she threw one at me when I said that it was bed time and nearly lost her babies, too.

Let's hope that going to sleep at a reasonable time (8:30, finally) means she will sleep until a reasonable time. I think we're going to get hardcore about shortening nap time or making sure that she is awake before 3 p.m. because these evenings cannot keep on like this. It's exhausting for everyone.  When she is getting her way or not exhausted she is SO much fun to be around. She is sweet and oh so loving. She adores being with people - especially her brother - and absolutely adores making people laugh. She is such a joy.  But then there are nights like this week.

Big changes will be happening this weekend. Hopefully that'll help, too.

Now Asher boy. He's been eating around the clock like CRAZY. He may be going through a growth spurt. Hopefully.  He did ok traveling up to visit my side of the family last weekend. He was very clingy and wanted to be held by me and me only.  However, when I was holding him, feeding him, or he was sleeping... all was well.  Once we got home, he was so happy and happy to be put down. So the constant on the go up there was probably overwhelming.

I adore these babies. (and it's not that I favor Riley... it's that Asher was sleeping during the egg hunt on Easter.  I'll get some pictures when he wears (both of) his Easter outfit(s) again. Don't worry)

Eating an orange

Getting ready...

The egg hunt (yep, yours truly made the dress)

(totally not impressed)

Just Imagine

So on Riley's favorite show... Yo Gabba Gabba (don't even get me started of the level of obnoxious that show is, but whatev) they say, "close your eyes and imaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagine..." So if you tell Riley to imagine, this is what you get. So sweet and so hilarious.

lots of stuff.

I mean, how else can I title this? This one has recipes, links, updates, funny stories, and PICTURES!

First off... Neither of us felt like making dinner tonight, so pancakes it was. Except... we were out of pancake mix AND syrup. So I quick searched allrecipes.com and found 2 that I liked. They were SUPERB.  The syrup recipe, well I wouldn't use it if I wanted the "maple" syrup taste, but it was sweet and delicious. Pancakes... best ever. For real. No more pre-made mix for us. Plus it is cheaper. Who doesn't love cheaper???

Here are the recipes I used (I altered the originals)

• 2 C flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 eggs
• 2 1/4 cups buttermilk
• 4 tablespoons Smart Balance butter, melted

Mix together dry ingredients and then add eggs, buttermilk, and butter.  Batter should be lumpy and appear thick and bubbly. Pour in to skillet and cook! 

(adapted from THIS recipe)

Syrup... copied this almost exactly... except we didn't have maple flavoring, so I left it out. 

• 2 cups white sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon maple flavored extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a saucepan, combine the white sugar, brown sugar and water. Bring to a boil, and cook for about 3 minutes. Stir in the maple extract and vanilla, and remove form the heat. Let cool, and serve at room temperature. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Be aware that it may crystallize a little if the container is not completely airtight.

 So next order of business. I got a new blog. I'm going to keep all of my craft and sewing stuff there. I have had a bunch of crafts lately and I don't want to bog down this site! So feel free to check it out! It's http://pleasecommitme.blogspot.com/ .  I also got a new logo for my ETSY shop.  So check that out. I've been working on getting stuff listed on there again, so that is part of why I have been absent. 


And next...
My grandfather died. It wasn't sudden, but it's still sad. I miss the fun we had when we were little kids... he was so much fun and absolutely loved everyone. Whoever he was with was the most important person in the world. He was suffering from an illness called Cerebral Ataxia. It is a terrible disease. His body was failing him, but his mind was fine. He was in constant pain. He had an amazing home health care provider who shared the Gospel with him often and my brother in law was able to lead him to Salvation. So, while I miss his presence on this earth... I'm rejoicing that he is no longer in pain and that he is worshiping God in heaven right now. 


And next.
This beautiful weather. I just cannot tell you how much I love it. We've had days in the 60's and 70's recently! WONDERFUL! We've been taking the kids outside a whole lot. That means tons of great pics! Riley LOVES being outside. I am pretty sure if we never forced the issue, she'd stay outside all day and night. Too bad this weekend is going to be gross and chilly. Guess I'll be forced to do some cleaning. UGH.

Oh Riley lies now. LIES.  Last weekend Ryan asked her to please come away from Asher's door b/c he was sleeping and he didn't want her to wake the baby up.  She looked at him and said, "mommy said I could!" I assure you, I never said such a thing. Never would I tell her that she could wake the baby up! She also told me Ryan smacked her legs. He did not. I'm not sure where she learned to lie. lol. Oh and everything "here-ts" lately.  She got a rug burn on her knee from throwing a temper tantrum and she keeps saying, "ohhh it here-ts" instead of "hurts". It's so cute. And bugs. Oh the bugs. She searches for them all over the house and outside. Lately every speck is a bug.  She "sees" a bug and then starts screaming and sometimes becomes hysterical. Sigh.

Asher boy. He was 7 months yesterday. When did he get so old? I need it to SLOW DOWN. On Monday we have his "6 month" well-baby visit.  However, I don't think she is going to find him to be "well".  I'm pretty sure she is going to find he has another ear infection. Classic signs today... fussy when laying down (happy when upright), not sleeping, not nursing (but will take the stinkin' bottle), and lots of congestion. I'm really over the ear infections. DONE!! We've started taking him to the chiropractor to see if that'll help. I figure it'll do nothing or it will help. We'll see.  He is rolling all around. Everywhere. In split seconds. He's going to be army crawling soon, too, I think. He is trying his hardest to move all around! I'm not ready!

And some pictures.

An evening outside (that's right... EVENING!!)

From earlier in the month when Ryan's family visited... chillin'

Playing outside...

I wonder if we'll ever get her to look at the camera again?

Always smiling!

St Patricks Day outside at my parents.

Worn out after a fun time playing with her friends Cole, Dean and Rosa.

the close of one chapter, and the beginning of another

Before I start... don't forget to go give me a blog name idea!!!! Post is HERE

So Friday was the kids last day with the daycare provider. We are heartbroken that they are leaving, but every end of a life chapter is the beginning of a new chapter. For a VERY small increase per week, we're going to be able to get a nanny! I cannot tell you how excited I am about this! I mean over the top THRILLED. We had hoped to be able to afford this sort of thing this SUMMER, but weren't really expecting to.

What this means... FAR less stress in the mornings about getting the kids ready and out the door. If they have a runny nose or are just sick enough that we have to consider other kids, not a worry now. We can justify a membership at Amazement Square and the Y because they will actually get USED. We'll be spending less in GAS, but paying more for food in our house. I think it'll cut down on our eating out, too. I won't have to worry about going to pick up the kids, then getting home, getting the dog taken care of, getting the kids settled and THEN starting dinner. I'll be able to come right home, spend time with the kids, and then do dinner. It also means that we can have things that take a little longer in the oven b/c I'll be home so much earlier or if I get it together the night before, I can ask N to put it in for me. I'm just so excited.

The downfall... we'll be back to having no kids Riley's age around. We were already so limited since the only other little kid we are friends with was the sitters son and now we don't have that. However, if we get a Y membership, I'm hoping to do swimming lessons with Riley, so maybe we'll meet friends there. It'll work out just fine.

Now with all that... Friday was their last day, but N doesn't start until the 22nd. So guess who is home with the kids this week? NOT ME! Who cares that tomorrow is Presidents Day and everyone else in the U.S. has off... my work won't close! No, we are THAT dedicated! So... Ryan will be home Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. May the force be with him... and I'll be sure to keep you all posted on the mishaps. Thursday and Friday my absolutely AMAZING in-laws will be here!! Riley is going to be beyond thrilled when she figures it out. Big week ahead of us!

And here are some photos for you...

a little dance w/ some butt crack... (oh yea, she picked out her outfit.)

and a sweet smile (on a beautiful quilt made for him by a family friend!)

new blog help

So, in addition to tracking the adventures of life with 2 kids, a husband, and a crazy job... I'm going to start a crafting blog!!

All (or 99%) of the 'crafts' will be done with fabric.

The problem, you ask? I don't know about a name!!

So post name suggestions in my comments and become a follower! The winning name will get a baby blanket, bib, and burp cloth set. You pick the fabric!!