Shedd aquarium

Went to the aquarium this morning. Had a great time, feeding Byron's obsession with all things aquatic.
Waylon liked the hand washing station:


Spelunking:Playing in the submarine with the boys (they LOVED this, all those switches and knobs):


Rare pic of me with the boys. I like how Waylon is peeking over the top of the stroller.

Our turn

So, I guess it was our turn last weekend to all get sick. We had been having a really good run of healthiness around here. It was not fun. Poor Nana. She comes into town and we proceed to infect her with a nasty stomach flu. Saturday Waylon woke up covered in his meal from the night before. Poor guy. He did cry once or twice during the night, but fell right back asleep so I assumed it was just teething or something like that. Guess not.

By Sunday night, there were three of us taking turns losing our lunch in the bathroom. I cannot wait until we have more than one bathroom. It was miserable. The amount of laundry we did this weekend was unbelievable. Waylon christened our couch and his dad at the same time. FYI, if you ever need to get the vomit smell out of couch, Woolite pet stain and odor remover works wonders!! We did have to disassemble the cushions.

However, we are all feeling better now. It was pretty much a 24 hr bug. Byron and Waylon are back to their old antics. Waylon actually has been pretty clingy and fussy, but I think it's due to his bottom molars coming in. It feels like he's about to birth an alien through his lower gums.

Aaron escaped from the sickness pretty much unscathed. He said he was nauseous for one day and achy for another, but that was it. Lucky guy.

We're going to try and fit as much fun in as possible the last couple days that Nana Renee is here. We went shopping and out to lunch this morning, going to try the aquarium tomorrow, and then Aaron and I have a date for the opera on Friday. Popa Pete and Nana Caroline are also coming up on Friday. So, lots of fun to come.

Since Waylon is a little clingy this week, Byron has had Nana Renee all to himself. Here are some fun pics from this weekend before mom and I were put out of commission.

Shaving cream paint (kids loved it, even W)

Story time with Nana

Hanging with Nana on the couch, watching Land Before Time (I think)
notice cushions are gone. :)

Cute and crazy

Tomorrow my mom is flying in from Colorado. She's staying the whole week! Yay!! Just the thing to fight the winter doldrums.

Although, Chicago, surprisingly hasn't been that bad this last month. Our thermometer on the porch read 40 this afternoon. It was gorgeous out. Almost all of the snow that fell last week has melted.

I know she's just coming out to hang out with these cute and crazy guys.

Here's the cute (not to say he isn't crazy):
and the crazy (not to say he isn't cute):

New Trick

Some one can climb up on all chairs, couches and pretty much anything all by himself now.



No place is safe anymore.

Way

The scene: Byron did not take a nap today. He actually takes naps about 75% of the time now. Waylon, however, took a great 2 hour nap this afternoon.

Byron sitting on the couch.

Waylon wakes up from his nap and I go get him.

Waylon and I walk into the living room.

Waylon's face breaks into a big smile upon seeing Byron sitting on the couch.

I say, " Who's that?"

Byron says "I'm Byron, you remember me Way."

Damn you, president Lincoln!

Headed to the library this morning and guess what? It was CLOSED. Ugh! I was so frustrated. I wasn't long on patience this morning and it took all of it to get the boys dressed and out the door. It actually was really nice out, so we walked. It's still pretty messy with the snow, but it's starting to melt. It wasn't bad, except in the intersections. I was so frustrated when we got to the library, that words can't really describe it. They're closed on Monday too. Slackers. I might have to go buy a book this weekend.

So, on to Starbucks for us after our failed library trip. We played in the backyard and it's 9 in or so of snow and the giant snow pile. It was actually pretty fun.

Our giant snow pile

On a side note, I do think that those who don't shovel their walks should be publicly shot. It's ridiculous that they can afford a two flat on Logan Blvd and then don't shovel. Inexcusable really.

Off to watch the Olympics. So fun.

Sleeping beauty-boy

It's pretty rare that I get to see Waylon sleeping anymore. He really doesn't sleep anywhere except his crib. He doesn't even sleep very well in the car anymore. So, I had to take advantage of it this morning. We were heading to storytime and he just was sleeping away. I love his features when they're completely relaxed and smushed up again the side of the crib.

He's actually usually so active I really don't get many looks at him. They're mostly blurs. That was definitely the case at B and N during storytime. We didn't sit down once, Byron did.

Waylon's at the stage where he thinks it's hilarious to run away from me. He just laughs. I can't decide if he's going to be a comedian or stunt-man. He's always laughing at himself, at me, at Byron, at Dad or even at his books, but I also have a suspicion that he is addicted to adrenalin.

Time Out!

Waylon has received his first time out. Well, second actually. His first was technically last week for hitting his brother.

I found him standing (STANDING!) in the windowsill playing in the dirt of Aaron's Rubber plant.

Yep, up there....

He had some around his mouth so I'm betting he ate some. I am so in trouble.

Snow, snow, snow here today. It's supposed to stop sometime tomorrow, around noon says hubby. Might as well make our last winter in Chicago count. We went out in it twice today. That was a lifesaver. Instead of spinning, I got my workout shoveling this morning and then pulling Waylon around the snow in the wagon.

The Hair

This guyhas the most amazing hair. It is thick and very straight. It's so thick that it takes multiple buckets in the bath to get it wet. We (by this I mean Aaron) buzzed it last summer and it has been growing out since then. The ends are sun bleached and it looks like we payed someone lots of money to get this look.

It sticks out over his ears a bit, and I think that is so cute.
Shaggy and very cute.
That is not only my opinion. I get more comments on his hair. Just the other day at the library, two different people commented on it. He has hair that makes all the babes jealous.

It will break my heart when Aaron buzzes it again. I might collect it and try to weave it into my hair. I could use the extra oomph.

Book-tastrophe

This is what happens to a book when water is dripped ALL OVER it. Over each page even. The pages themselves were ok, just not attached to the book anymore.

I wish I could say I was doing something worthwhile or mom-like while this happened. Nope, I was checking my email. Always beware of maniacal laughing when your attention is diverted. I thought the water bottle was a good idea. Byron seems to old for a sippy cup anymore. Maybe not.

We made a trip to the library this afternoon to apologize to the librarian (and bribe with a check). I also made Byron take back all his library books and didn't let him get any new ones. Grounded from library books for the next week. I'm such a mean mom. He did say sorry when he gave the book back and then burst into tears. Ah, kids.

Had 2 exciting things happen today though. First, we got our tickets to go to Savannah in March. The bad thing was that I bought 2 sets. Oops. Currently on hold with united trying to get one refunded. I am nothing if not the world (or maybe Logan Square's) best multitasker. This is the second time I've attempted this. The first time I was talking to the customer service lady, after waiting bout 20 min, and then went to help Waylon and inadvertently hung up the phone. Oops again. Maybe I'm a good multitasker since I have to repeat so many of my actions time and time again.

Aha! Just talked to them. Problem solved.

Second thing... Aaron got tickets to the Opera (for me)!!! What a great husband. I'm so so so very excited. I'm an opera virgin. I am really glad I won't be when I leave Chicago. It's for Figaro. Figaro, Figaro, Figaro, Figarooooooo.

A couple things

1. Headed over to our (my) favorite thrift store today. Got a couple shirts for B, his are getting too short, and a great tan and black striped long cardigan for me.

2. This guy

3. Loving this song and video by Matt and Kim today. Byron and Waylon were movin and grovin.

4. Had a CRAZY dream last night. Mom, grams, gramps and uncle Dick were all in our new (fictional) house. They were helping me decide what colors to paint. He he

The Boro

We had a great time in the boro this weekend (aka Murphysboro). Although, we went down there to get out of Chicago and the bad weather and it snowed about 5 inches and was in the mid twenties on Saturday. Oh well. It was still really nice to see Poppa Pete and Nana Caroline.

The boys were in seventh heaven. They were very disappointed to wake up this morning and be stuck with me all day. All alone. Sigh.

Just kidding. We actually had a pretty good day. Waylon had a fever after his nap, but he wasn't slowed down by it much. I'm hoping it's a fever that will be slept off.

Aaron got a pair of super duper shit kickers (boots) this weekend. The boys had a great time wearing them yesterday. Waylon couldn't move. He just crouched down and looked like he was skiing.

Byron, well, see for yourself....