Amber is 2

How on earth did our little baby get to be 2!!??

Spring is Here

I am in the process of writing out 100 things that I'm thankful for, for my 100th post, but it bogged me down. I guess I'll continue on and post that when it's complete. Meanwhile, nicer weather is here!

Stressed Out

I can't believe how hard it is to keep our house 'show ready' and keep living there. It is really a struggle to keep the house clean, get the kids out the door and get to work. Now, on top of this normally stressful routine, our daycare lady had a heart attach and won't be watching the kids for 2 weeks. She is fine and no permanent damage. She will be ready to go on the 23rd, but we have to find alternatives for the next 2 weeks while at the same time keeping the house clean.

Twin Babies

I saw a mom at the juice joint today carrying two baby carriers. The boys must have been only a few months old. I had to refrain myself from bombarding her with questions. I just smiled. I'm sure she didn't have any clue that I had been there before myself. She looked like she was enjoying herself and her babies.

House on the Market Today

Today our house went on the market. I almost teared up when the guy came out to put the sign up in the front yard. So much as happened in this house. All three of our kids have known nothing else.

Our new house, though, is coming along and it is so exciting. We finished our kitchen design on Friday and it is absolutely beautiful.

Bittersweet, for sure.

Inauguration

Barack Obama was inaugurated as our 44th President yesterday. I am so amazed at the enormity and hopefulness throughout the US today. I have many feelings that I can't seem to muster the words, or even get them out in a coherent fashion. I think he's the right guy for the job. It's a big job, but he's done a heck of a job getting the right people for the position and even reaching over party lines. His speech said it all for me. We have a lot of work to do, but I think he will lead us in the right direction.

Wow, kids, I am hopeful that you are growing up in this age. I know there are a lot of obstacles, but the world is a wonderful place and the US is a great place to grow up.

Trees

We had a conversation about trees on our way home from daycare the other day.

Cory: "I like trees"
Mom: "Yes, they are very nice"
Tyler: "I like all sorts of trees"
Mom: "Yes, there are all different kinds of trees, aren't there?"
Tyler: "Yes, there are even trees in Denver"
Mom: "That's right, even in Africa there are trees"
Cory: "How many trees do they have in Africa?"
Tyler: "There must be millions"

Amber's 18 Month Well Care

Today I took Amber for her 18 month check-up. She is doing so remarkable that there really isn't much to say except that they are very impressed with her temperment and her growth. Here's a summary:

Height: 33 1/2" (90%)
Weight: 27 lbs. 8 oz. (85%)
Head: 18 1/2" (60%)

Compared to Cory and Tyler when they were 18 months (4/28/07):

Cory
Height: 33" (70%)
Weight: 28 lbs. 1 oz. (78%)
Head: 19 1/4" (75%)

Tyler
Height: 34" (90%)
Weight: 29 lbs. 12 oz. (85%)
Head: 20" (>95%)

Precious Memories

Putting cookies out for Santa:

The task.


The walk.

Here we go, just for Santa. Now, is anyone watching?

The cookie looks pretty good.


I'll just see if it's good enough for Santa.


Mmmmmmmm

Holiday Travel

This year traveling with all three has been the easiest in three years. We got to the airport early to avoid the last to check in worry of losing our seats and having to go on the next day's flight. We avoided security by pleading to the officer that we were traveling with 3 small children. We avoided the delays because there was no snow. It was a pleasant trip and the boys were absolutely perfect. They played nicely on the plane the entire time and were absolutely perfect. Amber didn't do so well at the landing for our layover, she cried (read: screamed) the entire 20 min. descent into Dickenson. But, she was OK on takeoff and the landing into Williston.

It has been a nice trip and as always I am ready to get home. Four days trapped inside makes the boys very antsy and into everything. But overall, they are doing great and they very much enjoy spending time with Grandma and Grandpa and Uncle Mark and Aunt Diane.

Tomorrow we head home.

Potty Training Update

Cory has started using the potty and wearing underwear all day with a high level of success. He still goes back and forth on what he wants to do at night, and I'm really all for diapers at night right now. One night he wore underwear and woke up and didn't make it to the bathroom in time. It severely upset him and he had a hard time getting into his day. He eventually came out of it and did fine the rest of the day. Yesterday he even went potty in a public restroom during a shopping outing. He also really enjoys being one of the 'big boys' at daycare and lining up at the bathroom door before lunch time.

Tyler wears underwear at home on the weekends and in the evenings when he thinks about it. He still wants his diaper on when he has to go poop and he will not wear underwear at daycare. I'm not sure if he's worried he'll have an accident, but I think so. He does really well at home so it's probably just a matter of time. He is very aware of the pecking order at daycare and is very sensitive to all the other boys. I think he wants to be confident he can do it before he makes the commitment away from home.

Amber, believe it or not, is also very interested in the potty. I think mostly because she wants to do everything the boys are doing. She has gone a few times, but mostly it's all about doing what the boys are doing. She does have awareness, though. I can tell when she's going and I ask her if she needs her diaper changed and she will say 'yes' when she does. I've read that there is a window of opportunity between 18-24 months and it would be a great thing to get all three done at the same time. I've also read, and experienced, that girls learn before boys.

It's such a big milestone and I can't believe that the kids are learning despite our rookiness!!

Starting the House Project

Today a big front end loader came out to our property to start digging the hole for the basement of the new house. They had to stop because the machine is too heavy and will come out on Monday to finish the hole with a track hoe. (I'm not sure if I spelled that right).

Guess Where We Are?

Christmas Cheer

I have been busy updating our Fossil Ridge Farm blog that I continue to neglect this very important part of me and our family. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with everyone here celebrating our last Thanksgiving in our house on Bluestem. It was sort of nostalgic, but that was certainly overshadowed by the excitment of family and the impending holidays.

After seeing Santa at the mall on Sunday, the kids decided to re-create Santa's sleigh out of our living room chair. The chair is positioned in a corner, so they piled every single toy in the house behind the chair. They piled up and pored over the edge. They informed me that this was Santa's sleigh.

Santa!

Cory and Tyler both sat on Santa's lap. I thought Cory would, but Tyler surprised me by climbing up in his lap. Amber surprised me by not climbing in his lap. They both asked for cuckoo clocks (!?) and 2 wheel bikes (without training wheels). In fact, Cory informed me that he would cry if his bike had training wheels on it.

Family Portrait

I guess we never really need to go to a studio to get a wonderful family picture. Seems like we've got lots of photographers in our family!

Yes, We Can!

This one made me cry. I haven't posted much about my views in this election, my site is about my family, but this struck a chord. I am so happy and proud of our country right now. We have made a statement to the world that we are not happy with what is going on.

Also, I am so happy for people like Joanne.

Happy Birthday!

What a beautiful day in Colorado.

We had Cory and Tyler's birthday party at a pumpkin patch and we couldn't have asked for better weather. After a cool weekend the weekend before, we were worried, but it was 75 degrees and a sunny, glorious fall day.

The boys had a wonderful day jumping around on the hay bale maze and running up and down the dirt pile. They had lots of friends and family to help them celebrate.
Three. I can't believe it!

Walking!

15 months, 2 weeks

The Barn Has Life

Not only do we have 2 (and soon to be 3) horses living in our barn. We also have 2 kittens. The boys named them Taffy and Cookie and they are so cute!! What a difference a living barn makes - it smells so good and feels all right. Everyone is happy.

Life is good.