Vino!

Does anyone have any suggestions for a good red wine, keeping in mind that we're cheapskates? Todd decided to start drinking a little with dinner for the health benefits seeing as he has to be around to watch all these kids graduate, (I promise he didn't turn into a lush - I suppose he'd be asking for tequila suggestions if that were the case) but he isn't really crazy about the taste. He seems to have figured out that he doesn't like dry red wine (whatever that means, isn't it a liquid?), so maybe some suggestions for a "beginner?" I'm half Italian, but no help in this department, I'd rather have a Coke.

Baby Belly, Again

This is a week 17 picture, sorry it's a little crooked, my photographer hasn't graduated from
Pre-K yet.I'm happy to say goodbye to the 4th month and hello to the 5th. Just one month closer to snuggling those delicious babies. They are moving around and constantly reminding me that they have taken over my body in every sense of the word, and I think I'm growing by the minute at this point. I had an appointment and ultrasound yesterday, my uterus is measuring about 4-5 weeks ahead of where it would be with just one little baby - yowza. My doc keeps encouraging me to load up on the calories since I haven't gained any weight (I on the other hand am not too concerned, I know how to throw down food), which coincides nicely with my latest craving - the potato. I had the same "problem" when I was pregnant with Dawson. I'll take 'em mashed, baked and of course my favorite, fried. Now I don't consider this an official craving because let's be real, I love french fries even when I'm not with child/children. So I would have to say my first real craving was something I'd never had until last week, Cookie Crisp cereal. I was in Target with the kids and it was as if the sky parted and heaven shone down this glorious light right over that box of chemical laden goodness. I went home and frantically poured a bowl with whole milk (the only way to eat naughty cereal if you ask me) and I have to say, it tasted better in my head then in real life. I haven't had any since, guess I'd just rather throw some chocolate chip cookies in the oven and pour a glass of cold milk to satisfy the need. But I think I know someone that may be interested in my remaining Cookie Crisp cereal...
So now that my tummy is s l o w l y feeling better, I'm just hoping I'm up to my usual churro eating capacity by the time we leave for Disneyland in a few weeks.

Happy Birthday Dad!

I wanted to wish my Dad a happy birthday, a couple of days late.... My Dad was certainly the tough, athletic, macho fire fighter growing up, but he was also the Dad that let us paint his nails and shave designs into his leg hair (as long as it wasn't basketball season when he needed to wear gym shorts). I love so many things about him, but a couple of things stand out in my mind. My Dad is someone you can count on. His yes is yes, his no is no, if he says he'll be somewhere, help you out, pitch in - then you can bet he will. Even if it's a sacrifice, even if it's inconvenient, he's a man of his word and I hope to be like that (except for the man part). Reliable, selfless, dependable. Both of my parents are that way, they don't live their life based on what's convenient for them, or what's "best for us", they really try to be there for other people. My Dad is also the hardest worker I know, and he expected that from his kids. We didn't get handed anything, we worked for it and it made us appreciate things that much more. By the time I was 12 I had saved a thousand dollars to buy my first horse, and I worked for every penny of it - babysitting, cleaning stalls at the stable, stacking wood at Grandpa's, moving rocks for Grandma. I want our kids to learn the value of earning things on their own, even though sometimes it's so easy to indulge them. Another thing I love about my Dad, and the most important, is that he doesn't put up with my crap. It's comforting to know I have someone in my life that calls me on stuff when I need it, but also knows when I just need a soft place to fall. He can call and simply ask "how are you Sugar?" and have me in tears, he's got me pegged for sure. I can count on him to be real with me and to always point me to the Lord and my relationship with Him when I need answers. Now I'm not saying that there aren't times I just want him to tell me how terrible it is or how right I am, but in reality, I really don't want that. I want to hear the truth, even if it hurts. Now there are a few other things my Dad has taught me that may seem a little less important - how to bait a hook with a live grasshopper so it doesn't fall off on the first cast, how to gut a fish, that eating Skittles and drinking a Coke are a must before a spitting contest, that if you're going to rough house you can't cry unless you're bleeding. All good stuff. I love you Daddy, you are my rock.

I think Todd would like to add that he thinks you're great too, but it really ticks him off that you still only have a handful of gray hair, even at your advanced age.

Super Kiddos

My Mom made the kids these capes, Ella's for her 3rd birthday, and Dawson just got his for his 2nd. She is such an awesome seamtress, she has even made wedding gowns, a talent I never inheirited unfortunately. Other than some quilting, curtains, and pillows, I stink at sewing. The kids love their super here duds, and the other night Dawson wore it all evening after bath. Shooting hoops, playing piano, chasing Ella and of course, flying lessons with Dad .... all those super hero duties that need to be completed before bed.

Dawson = Mommy's Sweet Treat

Both of the kids love to help me bake, and I love having the "help." I can't even count how many times a week they push the kitchen chairs over to the counter to be my little sous chefs. Dawson drags my beaters and mixer around saying "cook, cook!" when he's in the mood for a sweet treat - which is often. But lately he can't even stand to leave the kitchen when I have something baking in the oven. Tonight I was making blueberry muffins and he stood watching the stove for the entire 15 minutes, bending down and peering in to check on the progress every minute or two. I love his little profile, chubby cheeks, bottom lip always protruding every so slightly, I just wanted to take a bite....of him, not the muffins.

Baby It's Cold INSIDE!

It's official, our house is turning against us. We came home from our little Christmas holiday to discover that our roof had been leaking the whole time we were gone. Not pretty. The leak damaged all 3 floors of the house, including Todd's beloved basement that he painstakingly finished less than a year ago. So we are slowly going through the process of getting things torn out and fixed up. Paying our home insurance deductable stung a little, but things could always be a lot worse, right?
So the other morning I noticed our heater was acting funny, coming on and turning off, then coming on again just seconds later. I told Todd about it and today he decided we better get someone over to look at it. So while the service man was trying to figure it out, the problem became very apparent as our entire house filled with the smell of noxious smoke and all the smoke alarms went off, scaring the pants off the poor kids. Apparently our furnace motor was overheating and while the repair man was working on it, the sensor blew and what would normally keep the furnace from bursting into flames, well, like I said, it quit working. The best part is that it's only going to be $600 to fix it, "at least." Famous last words. Yikes!! And we just threw caution to the wind and made plans to go to Disneyland before the babies come. Thank goodness we had free plane tickets.
So, it's about 3 hours later and the house is getting chillier by the minute. The kids are bundled up and Todd and I will keep a midnight vigil with mittens and hats in hand to pass out if needed. Glad I have my own personal furnace to sleep next to tonight, I don't call him Hot Toddy for nothing...

I have the best kids. Dawson is on my lap, his head resting on my chest with his arms wrapped tightly around my neck. Ella is in a fairy costume, wearing construction safety goggles and shooting off rockets (thanks to Auntie D and Uncle Richie). Such a normal afternoon, but so perfect when I take the time to notice just how perfect it is.

12 weeks and counting...

Okay, I apologize to the majority of you that are going to be involuntarily subjected to these every month, but my out-of-town fam appreciates it. I don't know how long I'll be brave enough to post my belly shots, a girl has to preserve her dignity you know. I am late (again) posting this, but here's the 3 of us at the 12 week mark.

Potty Talk

I'm so proud of Dawson, he went pee pee in the potty TWICE! I haven't had ANY expectations in this dept, first of all because he turned just turned 2 a couple of weeks ago (Ella basically potty trained herself at 2 years one month, but I realize this is not the norm so I certainly wouldn't expect it), and secondly because, well, he's Dawson. We were just hoping to have him potty trained, out of his crib and not sucking his thumb by kindergarten. So imagine my surprise when he decided he can go potty like a big boy! I'm sure it will be a long time from now before it's official, but still so exciting!
I have the potty chair on the floor of his closet (am I the only one who uses the kids' closets as storage?) and he drug it out about a month or two ago. So before bath he likes to sit on it, and periodically will grab a piece of toilet paper and pat his unit for effect. About 2 weeks ago I took his diaper off for tubby time, and he said "poo poo, poo poo!" and ran to the bathroom and went tinkle in the potty!! Okay, he actually over shot and got the floor, so we'll use the term "went in the potty" loosely. So, he tried again 2 nights ago and sure enough, tinkle again. I'm so proud of you Buddy!