Ready!

Just Nair'ed my legs. I'm ready to go! We will be in Cancun around 8 pm tomorrow night. See you next Wednesday!

Love me tender

You ever have those days? For no reason I was completely out of whack. I just didn't quite feel the usual mojo today. I had no patience and was pretty much frustrated with the boys at least 50% of the time today. I felt bad. It's no fun for me or the boys, I'm sure. I hate when I lose my temper and yell. Sigh.

Anyway, the day is done. My savior, Aaron, spelled me for a run right before dinner that was so great. I love running on the boulevards. My favorite path is around to the end of Logan, back around to Kedzie and then down around Palmer Square and home. It's a great run. I will miss that.

Had Waylon's 18 month check up today. All is well, 25 lb, 29 1/2 in long (25th and 50% respectively). Byron was measured too, 35 lb and 39 in for him. Such big boys.


I'm starting to think that Waylon is Elvis reincarnate. He loves music, the hair, and even has the lip curl sometimes.

So proud

It was a beautiful day in Chicago today, but at least 20 degrees too cold. It was in the 50's with a bitter wind. We did get out to the park this morning, but stayed in this afternoon. It's crazy how 50 seemed so warm in March, but seems so cold now.

We tried an idea for DIY mini-white boards today (CD case) via Quirky Momma. They worked out great. I had these window crayons that I bought for the boys last Christmas before I realized that it wasn't such a good idea for Waylon to think that anything other than paper is fair game for coloring. We've had a few colored walls just this past week as it is. But, they work great with the mini whiteboard. Byron and Waylon both loved them. I did have to end the coloring when Waylon couldn't keep the crayons out of his mouth.

Anywho, Byron loved coloring the animals, but I had the idea that it would be a good way for him to practice his letters. We're slowly starting to introduce some basic writing using Handwriting without Tears. We are not very consistent with it right now. I typed up some word docs with light gray F's and L's which he can trace and put them in the CD case. He was so proud that he wrote these letters on his own.
It wipes off really easy using just a wet paper towel. He could even do it on his own. I think he enjoyed the erasing just as much as the writing, I know Waylon did. I'll let you know how getting the crayons out of the clothes goes. :)

Hmm

What's this you say? Only the pool at the resort we're staying at in Cancun this weekend. He he.. I'm planning on spending all my time under the third umbrella on the bottom left. If I'm not there, check the beach.

I'll try not to be too annoying.

I'm off to make My LIST. I tried packing for both the boys several times, but have forgotten pj's twice and pants once, and then decided that it was insane to try and pack for all of us without a list. After making the list, my packing skills have greatly improved.

Went to the dollar store today to get some necessary items, like sand buckets, coloring books and little figurines for the boys to play with on the plane. Cancun, here we come (on Friday).

Too cool for school

Get your motor running.....

Byron has mad skills on his trike.

Video (click here to see)



We were on the way to the park. Byron loves the gargoyle at the end of the block.

No?

Waylon is starting to communicate more. He's saying, baba (Byron), dada, mama, uhoh, more, duck and doggie and now is shaking his head no. It's the cutest thing.

Waylon shaking his head no (video):
May have to click on blog page here to view.

Regarding his GI issues, all is well but we have an appointment with a specialist May 26th to get him checked out. He's currently on a laxative to make sure things are moving along.

Weekend recap

West of the continental divide:

Love those mountains.

Hanging out in Aspen

A ridiculously huge brownie

(I ate it all!!)Retail therapy in Glenwood, mom got a hat..... I found some beach shoes.

East of the continental divide:

Poor Colty had a rough night on Saturday and Gramps picked Shell up in Blackhawk on Sunday, after a massive sisterly shopping trip on the way to Blackhawk. Shell didn't miss much though, I flew out really early on Monday and we had a relaxed night on Sunday. We only gambled till 2 am (ha ha!!!). Well, it was 2 am somewhere in the world.

The terrific trio

Shell being good and not gambling, just looking cute.

My best hand, note the massive bet!!

We had a wonderful time. We had a late birthday celebration for yours truly and mom got me a new digital camera! I took all the pics above with it. It's a canon elph. I LOVE it!!!... and it's red. Who wouldn't love a red camera. I guess mom kept getting tired of hearing my woes with my old Canon. The flash only worked sporadically.

But, I have to admit, even with all the extra sleep, quiet, relaxing, giggling and un-interrupted chatting, it felt great to get back to this..
.

Definition of a good day

..is a day where the majority of the meals are ate outside.

Off to Colorado tomorrow for my girls weekend. Can't wait!

Not...

....allergic to milk, soy, wheat or eggs.

Definitely a super-baby.

Whew!

Aaron's back! Yay!!!! He was gone all weekend for a guys weekend skiing (or boarding) in California. I was here with the boys, all alone. By myself. Crying and whimpering.

Just kidding. We kept busy. Here are some snippets from our weekend...

Playin on Maggie's porch
Playin in Maggie's yard

Playin in our yard
Such a smile

...and the Craig's list add our weekend spurned, here. sniff sniff

This Thursday, it's time for me to have my girls weekend. I'll be in CO through Monday morning. I have a ton of respect for single mothers. It is so much more tiring when you're solo. I was exhausted at the end of each day, hence the sparse blogging the past couple days.

(In full disclosure, the pictures from Maggie's are actually from the weekend before. We did the same thing this last Friday except we more slightly more clothing and stayed allllll day.)

Before and after

Before
During
After (video, click on blog page to view)

Tote

I finished my latest craft project, a tote bag.... for a GIANT! I have no idea how it got so big. I wanted to make a tote bag for library books. I made a tote bag for the entire library, plus Byron and Waylon. Oops. I think I'll try again and cut it down by at least 1/3. This is the pattern (not my bag, still missing camera):
I got it at CAP's Crochet. I'm going to try it without the "holes" in it this next time too. If it's not so huge, it shouldn't take too long to complete.

Swimmy

I'm so excited. I picked this up for Byron today at Target...The cushions go on either side of his body and the little black strap goes between his legs. He can swim by himself!! Byron and Waylon took turns wearing it around the house today. Sorry, no pics. I left the camera at Maggie's last week.

He likes to tell anyone who will listen that he can swim by himself, but he's not there yet. I'm excited because I think he will be able to swim on his own with this thing. We'll try it out in Cancun and I'll let you know. I'm also all excited because it's got me thinking about spending tons of time in the pool and ocean in Savannah. I can't wait to spend more time in spandex than cotton. :)

We're working on all the details for the house in Savannah. One thing I've recently found is that insurance rates are quite a bit higher on an island. Hmmm. Oh well.

I've also had to re-evaluate my plans for Byron's preschool next year. The one I picked is on Skidaway island which is about 30 minutes drive from our future abode. I talked to one of the ladies (also a mom) that's been helping us at the bank today and got 2 recommendations for great preschools on Wilmington. So, that's what I'll be doing tomorrow morning.

All this has me so excited about the move.

What's up cos..

Here's a one sided view of the chat Byron had with his cousin Kendell earlier today...

-Farmer Jones, oh great
-Maybe we can play mud spud sometime
-Sounds good you silly guy
-Oh sure
-You remember that tiny mouse
-I'm playing now with new toys and hanging out
-Oh ya, oh ya
-Ya, I remember that
-Um ya, I'm just laying and Waylon
-What you up to?
-I'm busy, bye

It was the most adorable thing. Byron hasn't been a big phone talker, but he talked to Kendell for at least 5 minutes. He used his big teenager voice. I wish I recorded it. It was priceless.

Happy Easter to everyone. I hope you all have a wonderful day.

Big News!

Sorry for the delay in posting. We didn't have internet for half of this week. Ack!

So, we got a contract on a house!! It's on Wilmington Island, about 10 miles from Aaron's work and 10 minutes from the beach. ;) It's at the end of a cul-de-sac with three other houses. It's 0.6 miles from the neighborhood playground. We're really excited. It's this one...
This is the view looking out the front door.
This is the master suite (it's sooo huge!!!)...This will probably be the boys room....
Guest room or Nana and Poppa's (Pederson/Christensen) room.....
Nursery.....
Where we veg and watch tv......
Where the boys play.....
and here......
and here......

Last, but not least, my office (where all the magic happens, ha ha)...
We are so very very excited. We close May 31st.