Growing Up Walker Style

Safety First

2010-03-10T19:54:00.000-08:00

This afternoon we headed out of the house and of course, Aydin brings along one of his dinosaurs. I buckled Aydin into his car seat and he immediately began whining. He wanted his dinosaur to be buckled up with him. Well, this wasn't going to work. The dinosaur isn't exactly on the small side. I then came up with a solution. Use the seat belt next to Aydin's seat...

Aydin was happy until I decided to take a picture of this safety moment instead of handing him his drink. Geesh, what was I thinking?

A Conversation of Sorts

2010-03-10T19:42:00.000-08:00

Tonight Codi received the high honor of playing dinosaurs with Aydin. And this is the conversation that took place. Mind you, they are playing dinosaurs and the dino's are doing the talking...for the most part.

Daddy: Hi, what's your name?

Aydin: Dino.

Daddy: My name is Bob. What's your name?

Aydin: No name!

Daddy: I'm Bob. Is that Phil?

Aydin: Yes, Bob.

Daddy: How old are you Phil?

Aydin: No old!

Daddy: How old is the dino?

Aydin: No old!

Daddy: Aydin is two, how old is Phil?

Aydin: No Aydin two!

Daddy: Bob is 8.

Aydin: No old!

Daddy: Where are we going?

Aydin: Mon'

Daddy: Are we going to the dino ball?

Aydin: dino here (pointing to the couch)

Daddy: Are you going to show the dino's how to boogie?

Aydin: No. here now.

Daddy: Is that Phil or Christopherson?

Aydin: No Pil!

Daddy: Christopherson wants to go to the dance.

Aydin: Mon'

I honestly don't know what else to say. I think the conversation they had speaks for itself.

Pictures from yesterday

2010-03-10T08:59:00.001-08:00

This sling is a life-saver.

I LOVE his little leg rolls in this picture!

Monkey has CRAZY bed time hair!

Man, he looks like his DADDY!

Kisses

Yesterday

2010-03-10T08:25:00.000-08:00

Yesterday started out great. I was feeling great and the boys were in fantastic moods. It was just a great start to our day.

Let me give you a run down of our "schedule"; I put it in quotes because it's not really a schedule just a routine of sorts and varies depending on our moods of the day. Anyways, the boys wake up between 6-6:30am. I make them breakfast, and by "make" I don't mean bacon and eggs. That kind of breakfast is a weekend thing. While they're eating I make my coffee (oh how I love thee), and I talk to Aydin about his night of sleep. He's been dreaming quite a bit and talks in his sleep...it's always funny (most of the time) when I wake up to him laughing in his sleep. After breakfast we play, watch a little mickey mouse, and play some more. I have to say, I am so tired of playing dinosaurs though. Those big plastic dinosaurs that he got for Christmas back in 2008 are his little babies. At least one will get slept with and toted around everywhere. He plays doctor with them and for some strange reason likes to take his fake fishing pole and tie them up in the string. I of course have to help untangle the dino.

They go down for naps at 10am and will sleep (on a good day) two hours each. Ah...those quiet moments where I can regain my composure, shower, brush my teeth, and even use the potty without being interrupted. Priceless.

After nap time Jace was a totally different child. He was moody, cranky, and unpleasant. I wanted my sweet little boy back for just a minute. I noticed a tooth butting in from the gums, so I know this is why he was cranky. It's been so long since he's gotten a new tooth (6mos) and they hurt. He would not let me put him down. The little boy we call "monkey" was literally playing monkey with mommy's hip. And if I did put him down, he would scream (an angry scream) and he would pull on my pant leg. Oy. He was like this the rest of the evening. No joke. I ended up pulling out my moby wrap and he sat on my hip all afternoon.

Aydin got jealous because I was holding Jace all afternoon. I felt bad and tried to explain that Jace had "owies" but eh' he didn't care. So Aydin began "fighting" for my attention. He was just pushing those mommy buttons. I am still amazed at how smart kids are. They learn early on how mommy "ticks". But I understood so I tried my best to keep both boys happy but I'm not sure how I did.

Then came dinner time. Now, I can't cook with a toddler in my hands. And by the way, it's so weird calling Jace a toddler. I still think of him as my baby. Jace of course was at my feet the whole time crying. And I'm talking to him, asking him what's wrong, yadayadayada. He would look up at me from the floor, with horse tears in his eyes, and give me a look that said, "what the hell do you think is wrong woman." Once dinner was done I put Jace back in the sling and put a movie on for Aydin. I know you should never use a movie as a "babysitter" but you have to understand that by this point I was getting frustrated. And rather than let Aydin see a frustrated mommy I decided that he could relax and watch a movie while I tried to calm Jace down.

By the time Codi came home it was 6pm and I was no longer patient with Jace. I just let him walk around screaming his little head off. Nothing would make my little man happy. I didn't know what else to do. And I figured at some point he would stop and get tired. But that didn't happen. Codi was home 20 minutes when he started saying, "it's bedtime". HA...if only he had been home earlier. Jace would have been in bed at 1pm.

For those of you wondering, yes, I gave Jace Tylenol to help with the pain. I tried giving him a cold teething ring. I cuddled him as much as he would let me. And I tried food. He just wasn't having any part of his new teeth.

My advice for parents with teething babies. Be patient.

Old Dogs

2010-03-09T19:05:00.000-08:00

Codi and I watched the movie Old Dogs tonight and we laughed our butts off. It was definitely a good ending to a crazy day. It's the new movie with John Travolta and Robin Williams. So the next time you go to rent a movie...this is a must see. Enjoy! We sure did!

Mr. Potato Head

2010-03-09T08:18:00.001-08:00

The past few days have been a little rough with Jace and I being sick. But today we are both feeling better and getting back into our groove.

This was Aydin's Sunday Mr. Potato head configuration:

Aydin received a new "faux hawk" hair cut. Hard to see it in the pic, but it definitely matches his personality!

I call this one the "mobster". And when he put that yellow muscle arm on him, he was showing his big muscles too.

HA! Hmm... how about we call this one "Ernest braces for the cold". Brr.

Poor Ernest.

Are you smiling yet?

What A Mess

2010-03-07T13:10:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we sold our refrigerator, oven and microwave. And since the fridge was being picked up on Friday, Codi decided that the new appliances needed to go in. So it was a busy morning in our house. And on top of this commotion Jace is really sick. I took him to the ER last night because he had a bad case of the runs and on top of that was vomiting. The Dr. gave him some nausea medicine. But today his poor lil butt is so red. We've literally had to change him every 20 minutes. I feel so bad for the little guy! Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day! Fingers crossed. Here are the pics of change...

Out with the Old and in with the new

The door being like this bothered Aydin quite a bit!

I thought Codi was going to break his back bringing this big boy inside!

Big Ol' MESS

I was absolutely disgusted when I saw this! The cabinets covered the top of the microwave. And I would have never guessed that this is what was hiding. Bugs and bug bits that were zapped! EWWWW

Codi trying to figure out where to drill holes....scary!

Can't wait to use these tonight!

Shiny ain't they? :)

Now I am really excited to see the kitchen finished completely!

Finished Product

2010-03-06T10:36:00.001-08:00

I finished my wine set today. Check it out under "crafts".

Tired

2010-03-04T18:50:00.001-08:00

I'm pretty sure I'll be hitting the hay after this post. I am so very tired and in need of DEEP sleep. A sleep where I cannot be awaken numerous times throughout the night...just pure, continuous, deep sleep. Ahh...that would be heaven!

Well, enough day dreaming. Today showed signs that spring is indeed on the way. Yippee! It's supposed to be really nice tomorrow and this weekend so hopefully we'll get lots of outdoor time. Aydin had gymnastics today he did (and quote) "BIG DINO TEP" on the balance beam and swung like a "MONMON" on the bars. His speech is slowly getting better. His main problem is that he jumbles all of his words into one long jibberjabber. So Codi and I work with him on taking it slow and pronouncing words. He's getting better.

Jace is a GOOBER! Man, that boy is so darn funny. He cracks me up...just have to be here to experience his crazzy demeanor. Hard to describe. Just makes you laugh...he's not as serious as Aydin but they definitely have the same temper!!!

I brought out my sewing machine today. I got one for Christmas and today was the first time using it. Love it! I am in the process of making wine bags ( a bag that holds a bottle of wine) and matching coasters. I am just making them for the heck of it. They look so pretty. I don't know who to give them to so if someone would like a set let me know. I promise they're not ugly. lol. And if no one says anything then I am just going to mail them and maybe you'll get one in the mail and maybe you won't. :P

Tomorrow I am going to get batteries for my camera...I should probably invest in rechargeable batteries. Seems like the ones I buy are always dying. But I have a new picture idea post that I think will bring a smile to your face everyday...or until Aydin decides to stop. He loves playing with his Mr. Potato Head...every day he gives them a new face...they crack me up at times. With their mismatched ears, mustaches, and "socks". And I think you all will get a kick out of his creations. And after he's created his NEW potato heads he likes me to take one and he takes the other, and we chase each other and say..."give me my eyes back..." etc, etc. Easy entertainment!

Tomorrow is Friday...wootwoot. Codi is going to the SGT of the Year board next week. It's a week long board. Just when I thought I was done with note cards and questions...here we are again memorizing AR's and countless other information. Oy...wish him luck...think he'll need it.

Off to watch The Mentalist...

Definitely a Monday

2010-03-01T17:07:00.000-08:00

Today Codi returned back to work. We put the boys to bed at 8:30 last night. The good thing about putting them to bed later is that they sleep in just a little bit longer. I am hoping that eventually they will sleep later. As their bodies adjust to the change I'm sure they will. But Aydin woke up this morning at 6:30 the same time he would wake up if he had gone to bed at 7pm. But he doesn't just lay in bed. (By the way, he makes it into our room around midnight)...He plays with my hair and lays his legs on top of me and then he starts talking to me. Ugh...and I am not a morning person...especially when I am woken up with hair being tugged. So we got up, Jace slept until 7:20. Woohoo.

I set up an appointment in the afternoon to pick out our kitchen specifics. I put the boys down for their naps...or so I thought. Jace talked himself to sleep and Aydin was up and about numerous times. And only one of those times had a purpose, and that purpose was to poop. In the end Aydin didn't nap. Which means a moody child.

When the time came to go up the the building company I already had a good idea of what I wanted...and planned on making the trip quick. Jace was the one who gave me trouble. Aydin just stood around and wandered. Jace was knocking over cabinet samples and playing in the trash. I tried to hold him but he would just squirm and wiggle out of my arms. So I did allot of apologizing and laughing. My child was pushing my buttons...and on top of the he pooped himself. Come to think of it, I don't know why I feel the need to apologize when I have to chase after Jace. He is one after all, and once kids learn how to walk there is no stopping them. And once they're Aydin's age they listen. So why I apologize...I don't know. Habit I guess.

After our visit to the store we went to the park downtown...by the river. Aydin loves to look at the water. It was a good time. Aydin didn't want to leave.

Came home and started dinner. We had fajitas tonight. I posted the recipe under the "recipe" page if you're interested. They were yumm-o. I put the boys to bed at 7:30 tonight. They were just whining and driving me crazzy. So nighty night boys...and time for me to relax.

Saturday Already?!

2010-02-27T17:40:00.000-08:00

Codi has been home for a week now. I can't believe it's been that long. It's back to work for him on Monday. Wish he could take a month off...but that's just wishful thinking.

We made a big decision when he got home. We decided to redo our kitchen. New cabinets, appliances, and upgraded counter tops. It's a big decision...one that we're happy with. We had originally planned to remodel through SEARS when Codi decided to call our realtor (the one that sold us the house); he's a builder on the side and we wanted his opinion as a realtor to see if it was "worth" it in the long run. Granted, we will enjoy our new kitchen but we wanted to make sure the "resale" value of the house would increase. He gave us great advice and also gave us the number to a friend of his who is able to do the job for a fraction of the cost. Let's just put it this way; for the amount that sears offered we were getting granite counter tops and new cabinets. But with this new estimate we are able to get everything we wanted, crown molding, granite, and new appliances. Nice! We...well, I am super excited to have more storage space and to cook in a kitchen I LOVE...and Codi is excited to have a new fridge. Ha. I can't wait! I will definitely post before/after pics. So look for those in a few weeks.

As most of our family knows Codi and I have lived on a "budget" since he joined the army. And it's always been a tight one. We have come a long way together since our high school years. And I am so proud of our family. I know we couldn't have done it without help along the way. And for that we are so thankful. And I can honestly say that we have finally reached a point in our lives where we don't have to worry about money. I am not the type to ask for money anyways but it was always a good feeling to know that if we ever needed help that it was there. Thank You everyone for that secure feeling. There were plenty times where we probably should have asked but just didn't...but we made it through and have reached a point in our lives where our savings account will thank us! We are truly blessed as a "whole" family. We love you and miss you all!

On a different note, after shopping for appliances today we went to CiCi's pizza buffet for lunch. Nothing like grubbing down on endless pizza, pasta, and salad. Jace got sidetracked while we were at the buffet. We sat at a booth, Jace in a high-chair, and he was FLIRTING!! No joke, he has a thing for brunettes by the way. With Aydin it's blonde's, Jace brunettes. Anyways, Jace would turn around in his high-chair and smile at this young woman (prob. my age) and then he would turn his head real quick and laugh. He did this the whole 45 minutes we were at CiCi's. The young lady was laughing but I apologized anyways, I wanted her to be able to eat in peace but Jace was all about getting her attention! He's a very outgoing lil one! After that charade we headed home for naps.

After nap time we decided to try and get the boys outside. Aydin and Jace were content playing in the fireplace (BAD!) but we wanted them to get some good ol' exercise. So we told Aydin that his dinosaurs wanted to go for a walk. He totally fell for it too. So...we get coats and shoes on and I strap two of his big plastic dino's into our lightweight stroller. Yup, you read right. The dinos are sitting in the stroller and Aydin is pushing them down the street. HA. Aydin got tired of pushing so I pushed them the rest of the way. Nothing like having cars drive by and the people inside smiling as they drive by. Jace was kicking a ball down the street, he made it about 3/4 the way down when he decided to go on strike. He sat down in the middle of the street. This is when I told Codi that I wish I had batteries for my camera (they died). I'm sure you can picture it though. Pretty funny.

The evening was a normal one, dinner, shower, and "chill-out" time. I slow-danced with Jace while Aydin played. We're trying to get the boys to stay up a little later. Jace made it to 7:30...our little dance made him sleepy. Aydin is still awake. And Codi is off finishing his sleeve...yup his tattoo. Don't ask...he's wanted it for so long...I just hope it turns out nice! That's it for tonight. Good Night All!

The Day Has Come

2010-02-24T17:53:00.000-08:00

For Jace's first hair cut. Yup, we all new this would be one of the first things that would happen when Codi returned home. But there was still a small part of me that believed he would be willing to hold off until summer. I don't like first hair cuts. It's not that they are "hard"; it's just that it turns my babies into little boys. It really "ages" them. They're still cute and adorable...but not in that little baby sort of way. Jace was very well behaved and barely moved. Probably because he had his first lolly pop...he was in heaven. Here is the transformation...oh...and just look at his big ol' belly hangin' over his pants!

My Babies Are Getting Bigger

2010-02-23T09:01:00.000-08:00

I randomly catch myself just staring at the boys and thinking about how big they're getting. Yesterday, I was cleaning out Jace's dresser, moving out the clothes that are too small and making room for the ones that fit. I found his newborn hat that he wore home from the hospital. It's soo teeny tiny compared to his big ol' head now. Ha. And Aydin is just coming into his "own" becoming a young man. Ah, they grow up too fast!

Playtime With Daddy

2010-02-23T08:54:00.000-08:00

CODI IS HOME! Which means lots of overdue daddy and son bonding. The boys are so happy to have their daddy home...and Jace is now a daddy's boy. For the time being anyway...haha...I like to think he'll come back to the other side in due time. :)

Here's some pics of the boys having FUN!

Why I Don't Workout at Home

2010-02-23T08:46:00.001-08:00

Then: Once upon a time, there was a mommy with two young boys. One little boy would copy mommy as she worked out to her DVD and the other little boy would bounce away in his jumper.

Now: Once upon a time, there was a mommy with two young boys. One little boy would copy mommy as she worked out to her DVD and the other little boy would climb all over mommy as she tried (to no avail) to do push ups and lunges.

Hence the reason I now go to a local YMCA. The workout classes are included in the $49/month membership along with childcare for the kiddos. They have a sauna, steam room, kiddie pool and adult pool...the list goes on and on. But the best part is that I get to workout in "peace". I am writing this now because yesterday Codi was on the floor working out, doing push ups and sit ups before his run. And who do you think I caught in the action? Haha...

My Little Helper

2010-02-17T17:42:00.001-08:00

I do a load of laundry just about every day. And once the clothes are dry and I'm in the mode of folding away...along comes a little helper. It's like magic. Abra kadabra!

He did the same thing tonight when I was unloading the dishwasher. Yup, as I pulled the top drawer open to unload he decided he should help by climbing on top of the dishwasher. No pics. But I'm sure your imagination can do the works. :)

Swimming in the Toilet

2010-02-14T17:45:00.000-08:00

My mom, Dan, and Zach came to visit for the weekend. We had a great time. Dan and Zach took Aydin to see the new Alvin and the Chipmunks movie. And Zach and I went and saw Avatar in 3D. (Great movie!) We just played and had a great time. It's nice to see Aydin moving out of his "no" stage and into the sweet little man I know he is. My mom just couldn't believe how "happy" he was. Lol...I told ya'll he's a good boy! :)

Yesterday, while the boys were at the movie I was in the kitchen talking to my mom. Having some girl talk that was very much needed. And I could here Jace in my room. Which is never a good sign. He's a very mischievous little one. But then again, so was Aydin at his age. Anyhow, I went into my room and was horrified when I saw that I had left my bathroom door open.

Let me explain. Bathroom doors in our house stay closed at all times. Jace will follow you into the bathroom and become your own personal "flusher"...and it's free. Sound nice? No, not for my water bill. He will stay in the bathroom and continue to flush the toilet. It's like a game. Not only will he flush the toilet but the other day he dropped his sippy-cup in the toilet and tried to flush it away. He still likes to put anything and everything into things with magic lids.

Well, I walk into the bathroom and I automatically look in the toilet. The lid is up and there it is. One of Jace's socks floating in the toilet...well, sinking at this point. I look at his feet and both of his socks were on. So I then come to the conclusion that he took a dirty sock out of my hamper and decided to wash it himself. At least he didn't flush the toilet.

Lesson #42,000 don't forget to close the bathroom door.

Music Really Is Noise

2010-02-14T17:33:00.000-08:00

I had this brilliant idea. I bought some bathtub music recorders. Everyone knows what a recorder is right? Those pesky little instruments you blow into and loud noise comes out. Yes, those. Well, these bathtub ones can be filled with water and depending on how much water is in them depends on the tone/tune that comes out.

Tonight was a bath night so I got the boys in the tub and filled the recorders with water. Aydin was so excited. He would blow into the recorder two times and then say "CHOO CHOO"! It really was cute. And Jace got the hang of it too. He would blow in it and then put it up against my mouth so I could have a turn. And then we would sing a nursery rhyme and blow in our recorders. It was fun for the 20 minute bath.

What I should have thought of ahead of time was that they would want to take them out of the tub. Yea...didn't think about that part.

So I let Aydin pick one and Jace pick one. And I emptied the water out of them. Well, now Aydin was blowing in this thing like a crazy man and Jace was just so excited; he was walking around making noise with his mouth and then with the recorder.

This went on until bedtime. My ears are still ringing. My little musicians are now in bed and I have discretely hid those pesky noise makers. Shh...don't tell! Hopefully by morning they will have forgotten all about them. Fingers crossed X !!!

Sometimes You Just Need to Unbotton Your Pants

2010-02-14T17:23:00.000-08:00

I know there have been numerous times when I have eaten so much that I just need to undue the button on my pants. You know, so my belly has room to expand. Have you ever had this experience? I'm sure you have. Well, imagine having this feeling 24/7! My lil Jaceroo doesn't quite have a lil belly. It seems to get bigger throughout the day everyday. My boys weren't blessed with height but were blessed with big appetites. One way to look at it I guess. This is probably why Aydin loves to wear his sweat pants and pajamas. Because they have the elastic waist. And I always try and put Jace in clothes with an elastic waist. He seems and looks a lot more comfortable. My poor kids...when they go to sit down the buttons on their pants just push into their bellies; not only does it look weird but it also looks uncomfortable. Which is why when Jace wears jeans and I go to put him in his car seat or if he's just sitting, I always undue his top button.

Comfortable Now! Now just imagine that top button being buttoned...not a comfy site. So my advice for the day...next time you feel the need to unbutton that button...just do it. You'll not only feel more comfortable but probably look like it too.

Critters?!

2010-02-09T18:39:00.000-08:00

Okay, Baby is driving me crazy! Every night she stands by the vent in our room and does a little whine. She scratches at the vent and is completely obsessed with it. She does this everyday. I caught her in the room today after I got out of the shower...

The heat is on and constantly blows out the vent but I'm thinking it's more than just heat. I've lifted the vent but of course can't see anything. I just pray that I don't find any mice hiding in my laundry basket!

Lazzzy Day

2010-02-09T18:23:00.000-08:00

Today was a lazy day. Well, as lazy as it can get with two boys running around the house. Lately, they have decided that they're no longer going to sleep in. No, they would rather wake up between 5-6am and demand that I "et' up". Yup, I have been rolling out of bed half asleep for quite some time. I really do miss that extra hour of sleep. It was my friend. But for some reason it is mad at me. Hmph!

They woke up in great moods. Which is always great. I decided around 10am that it was time for an early nap. I was over-tired and Jace couldn't stop rubbing his eyes. I think we all crashed as soon as we hit the beds. Aydin woke me up an hour later. He didn't talk just nearly squished my head and "pet" my hair. Nothing like being woken up in that manner. But it makes it all okay as soon as he says, "hi mama" and gives me a kiss on the forehead.

The day continued with the usual antics. Playtime galore. We have been playing doctor allot lately. His dinosaurs seem to be our repeating patients. And upstairs his stuffed bear is his little baby. He kisses and disciplines it all at once. Cracks me up when he tells it not to do something. Wonder where he gets that from?

I pulled out their giant play tent and that seemed to entertain them for quite some time. Aydin would take me by the hand and say, "mama mon'". I was chasing him all over the place. He had me panting at one point. I think I should also mention that I was very sore today. Yesterday I did a gym class that left me in pain. I'm talking about sore to the point where it hurt to bend over, reach for a toy and laugh. I looked like a crippled gramma today. But eh' at least the boys couldn't make fun of me. I bet Codi would of had a field day with jokes.

Today was a good day. I just hope the snow melts soon and the boys and I are able to get out and about tomorrow. Not sure where I get that from? Mom? Dad? More than a day inside and I'm going crazy. Always gotta go go go!

Thieves and Spaghetti Sandwiches

2010-02-09T18:02:00.000-08:00

This post is quite embarrassing. The past two days I have just outdone myself in blonde moments. Hopefully tomorrow is a ditz-free day!

For the past week I had been meaning to ask Codi about a transaction on our account. It was a withdrawal for a good amount of money and I hadn't recognized the "credit card" number under the withdrawal. So, I asked Codi if he had made a recent withdrawal. He said "no". I asked him to check our checking account when he had time. He also mentioned that I should call USAA to make sure our account wasn't compromised. A few hours later I checked our account and looked at the transaction one last time. I was certain something wasn't right and I decided to call USAA to get my money back from whomever stole it. The operator (or whatever you call those people) answered and asked what was "wrong" with the transaction. I told him that it was listed as an Internet withdrawal and underneath stated an unknown credit card number. It took him about two minutes to look over my account. He then made me realize how much of an idiot I was. The transaction was for the amount of Jace's new saving's account. And the number under the title "Internet Withdrawal" was Jace's savings account number. Yea, I know. No need to say anything!

I then e-mailed Codi and told him not to worry. I had just clearly had a blonde moment.

Today I wasn't really in the mood for cooking. We got a good amount of snow last night and I had been in my PJ's all day. So I pulled out leftover sloppy joe's from the frezer. I always have leftover's from dinner and 9 times out of 10 most of it ends up in the garbage. And other times I am able to freeze them. It's really a miracle when I am able to get the boys to eat anything other than chicken nuggets and Nutella sandwiches! Anywho, I put some fries in the oven and then headed back upstairs to play with the boys while they cooked. When they were done we all went downstairs and I heated the sloppy joe's in the microwave and made us all nice big plates of yummy food. Aydin of course dug into the fries first. I gave Jace pieces of the sandwich first and after I ate a fry I took a bite of my sammy. Hmm, something wasn't quite right. I took another bite. And what do I discover? I have heated up leftover spaghetti sauce instead of sloppy joe's. My oh my. I was totally not about to eat a spaghetti sandwich. Just not right. But Jace seemed to like it. So who am I to deny a kid food he likes? And Aydin, well, let's just say he ate every part of the bun that didn't have sauce or meat on it. A successful dinner...NOT.

Maybe these are signs that I need more sleep, or maybe just a day's break. I don't know. But I'm quite scared at what the next mishap will be!

Military Wife

2010-02-07T19:13:00.000-08:00

My best friend will be home in 12 days. My best friend has been gone since December 16, 2009. My best friend is my husband. The person I turn to for a hug when I have had a rough day. The person I get aggravated with for leaving toothpaste in the sink. The person our boys call "daddy". They're hero of all time and my one and only.

It is no easy feat being married to the military. The birthdays, anniversaries, and countless holidays that are spent apart are times when "lonely" doesn't even begin to describe how these times are spent. As an Army wife I am strong in my own right. After all, I hold down the "fort" so to speak. I am everyone all rolled into one. As in daddy, mommy, nurse, mechanic, snow shoveler, you name it...that's me. I am all of these out of necessity. I am very gifted in that I can keep my personal chaos inside and appear to be "normal". When in reality my house is chaotic and I'm a tear drop away from breaking down in a corner.

You have the days where you don't get a phone call or an e-mail because of a simple sand storm but the whole time you're going through all the "what ifs" in your head. Now, this can really make a woman crazy. This is when you feel helpless and a lack of control continuously plays a part in your day. And the next day your checking your phone and e-mail every 5 minutes waiting for that special someone to speak to you.

Military spouses are lucky in their own right. As being a part of the military, other spouses are able to understand your hurt, frustrations, and happiness.

I would say that I am the spouse that tends to take on more than I can handle. I am always looking for something to do. I guess it's just to keep my mind busy. As long as I am busy I'm not worried. Every night I lie in bed on my husband's side. Wishing he was in bed with me. No, we don't cuddle, but his very annoying conversations that always seem to happen as soon as I am about to fall asleep are what I miss the most. Instead, I find myself waking up at 1am to my hair being pulled by a two year old.

The boys seem to handle change quite well. They know who their daddy is and they know that he's not home. And that's about the jist of it. You can't sit down with a two year old and a 12 month old and expect them to understand why daddy isn't home. But you know they love their daddy when they pick up their pretend phones and speak to him. And Aydin always ends their pretend conversation with "I uhve yew". It's the sweetest thing in the world.

Keeping life normal isn't easy, because let's face it, military life isn't normal. But I remain strong and supportive because my husband is serving our country out in the middle of a desert. I experience roller coaster emotions everyday but always triumph through life's circumstances.

I am a military wife.

Pictures

2010-02-04T16:59:00.001-08:00

I should say that today was a much better day. My finger is still blue but not as swollen. The kids were great and Aydin did awesome during his gymnastics class today. Thank God days like yesterday are rare! (As I knock on wood) Tomorrow Jace has his 12 month appt. which will include shots...so I'm expecting an unhappy Jace. But hopefully after nap time he'll be better.

In the pics the boys are wearing the super-hero capes I made them a few months ago. Aydin is just now getting into the pretend stage so they're coming in handy. And Jace just likes to mimic everyone.

Wearing mommy's shoes...and proud of it.

I can fly backwards.

Kind of hard to see the bruising blue color. But you get the point. (ring finger).

H-E Double Hockey Sticks

2010-02-04T08:36:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was quite literally a BAD day. I started off the day by going to the gym, trying to relieve some stress. Once we got home the boys went from being happy and singing to the "wiggles" (kids music) in the car to down right cranky. Jace wouldn't stop whining and Aydin was really testing me. I would tell Aydin to stop doing something and he would get close enough to doing what he wasn't supposed to do...but he wasn't "really" doing it type thing. AGH! After a few time-outs I decided that he needed a spanking. Yup, that little monster just pushed my buttons to the max. Jace was scheduled for his 12 month well-baby appointment yesterday at noon. And as I am driving my right ring finger gets a quick cramp and I look at my hand and my finger is swollen and looks bruised. Weird right? So, at this point I'm driving and looking at my finger trying to figure out what the hell just happened. I decide to reschedule Jace's appointment for Friday and go to the ER. I was worried it might be a clot or something. I just need to add that at this time of day is usually when the boys are taking their naps, well, Jace anyway. Sometimes Aydin naps and sometimes he doesn't.

We arrive at the ER and there aren't too many people there, which is good. The nurse says they might want to take an X-ray. And then after taking vitals sends me back to the waiting room. Ok, so just picture Aydin climbing over chairs and Jace walking around and doing his combined happy shriek and loud noise. Yea, a nightmare. I tell Aydin that he needs to sit on his butt in the chairs, and that they are not a playground. And I try and keep Jace close to me because God knows what these are people are in the ER for. Aydin continues to push my buttons, not listening at all! He sits in time-out 3 times in the waiting room. After a good 30 minutes we get called back to a room. Now this room is tiny and of course by now Jace is just tired and Aydin is down right bored. I give them some crackers and milk. Works for about 5 minutes before Aydin is playing in the sink water and Jace is in the garbage. Aydin was put in time-out 5 more times and he was spanked once. I held Jace the whole time having to pretend he was flying and hanging him upside down just so he was entertained. After another 15 minutes the doctor came in and looked at my finger.

Now, this doctor really pissed me off. She looks at my finger and she asks if I have smashed it into anything or hurt it in anyway. I tell her no, and explain that this happened while driving. She looks at me and says, "well, you know, being a mom and all you might have forgotten that you hit your finger on something." Really? Did she just say this to me? Ugh. I told her once again that this happened while driving. She begins pressing on my finger and asking if it hurts. I told her no, it just feels weird from being swollen and I don't have good range of motion. She tells me that since it isn't hurting there is nothing they can do! Ok, so now I am mad at myself because this whole situation was stressful enough and now I find out it was just a waste of time. My kids could have been at home taking a nap. We leave.

I get home and put the boys down for a nap. Jace is zonked but Aydin decides to get out of his bed and go behind his art easel and take a crap. Yup, as I am on the phone with Codi I can hear Aydin in his room. I go and check on him and he's hiding. It's like he just had to add a nice little cherry to top off the afternoon.

The boys slept until 3pm and they didn't wake up in any better of a mood. Let's just say I was praying to the God's for 7pm to roll around very quickly! :)

Around 6pm, after their baths, I was determined to stop all the whining and crying. I took out their "super-hero" capes and I put one on. I was flying mommy. And of course both boys wanted to fly too! Woo hoo. No more tears and I was slowly gaining my sanity back.

7pm rolled around I couldn't have been happier. Sleep is good...for everyone!

Pics will be in a different post...I'll upload them tonight.