Imagination at work

Mike runs every Saturday morning -- for a really long time (like minimum two hours). Unfortunately, that is also the time I find myself most motivated to get things done around the house, which isn't always an easy task with two young children underfoot. However, every once in awhile the boys cooperate by playing nicely and occupying each other while I clean. Today, they concocted some sort of office/work scenario involving the kitchen. Nick was working at his computer while Zander did some work with the computer mouse (which doubles as a dog on most days) on the other side. A few times I heard Nick ask Zander for something through the window. (Please don't mind the mess -- it's impossible to keep up with the devastation these two leave in their wake).



Later, they got out the blocks (there was a bit of a moment there because there is never enough to go around) to build up some cities - they can't work together on one, they each have to have their own. They even turned down a trip to the library to finish up their building endeavors.


Nick finished up his garages and left explicit instructions for no one to touch it until daddy could see it before moving on to the next activity. Zander, however, can build for days and continued on with the blocks for quite awhile before abandoning his town.


Despite the mess they left behind it was a pretty successful morning in my book.

Why bribery sometimes works

Nick went to a hockey game tonight. He had to show off his Black Hawks tattoo and sweatshirt that his Mema got him for Christmas (and the tickets to the game).


Zander didn't get to go.


But, don't let this smiley face make you think he was OK with it. He wasn't. I had to do a lot of bribing to get that kind of grin out of him.

First, there were nuggets (dipped in caramel of all things).


Then there was a hot fudge sundae (a real treat because we never get ice cream/dessert out because of Nick's peanut allergy).



And then there was finger painting. He made pictures for Santa, dad and me!






All in all it was a great night for both kids!

Like father like son

There is no doubt about it -- my boys are going to be techies just like their dad. I'm pretty sure Zander can already operate the iPad almost as well as I can. I know Nick can. And there is another one on the way. I'm doomed.

Just being silly

That happens a lot at our house. Nick and Zander were running around the living room (I love the way Zander attached the camera to his back). Not sure if there was any purpose to this running, but they were getting along and laughing (a rarity these days) so I didn't stop it.




And when they were done running, at least for the moment, they would stop over by the couch for a "shower." Zander kept telling me he was "sweaty." He says that a lot lately and I think it's because of Mike. He's pretty gross when he gets done running (understandably) and Zander always talks about how he needs to shower because he's sweaty. He won't even give Mike fives or fist bumps until he is out of the shower.


Nick was using a foam lace-up thing to wash his body. Hey, at least he has some imagination right?

Happy dance

Zander has been doing a happy dance lately. Sometimes it's because I got him a glass of milk or a piece of string cheese. Sometimes it's because he gets to play with his favorite toy of the day. Other times, it's just because. I think that was one of those cases.




I have a video to go with it, but need to find a way to upload it. It's less than a minute long, but is taking hours to attach to the blog.

Ready for the big leagues

Ok, maybe just the minors? What, you say they need to know how to skate before they can join a real team. And "skating" around my dining room table in his socks or down the aisles of WalMart doesn't count? OK, so how about the pee-wees. Yeah, that's it. He's ready for the pee-wees. Or maybe just a living room league. That sounds safer anyway. I mean, have you seen some of those hockey players? I don't think I want my kid looking like that. I might even take a wrestler's cauliflower ear. Then again, maybe not. Dentists can do amazing things with dentures these days and you can't do anything about that kind of nasty ear.

Week 23 - and counting

I don't remember week 23 being this uncomfortable before. I also don't remember being this big before! I can't believe I'm over halfway there (and maybe a little closer -- the ultrasound put the due date at May 1).



And check out the little man's 'do! I have a post about that, but haven't been in the blogging mood lately, so this will have to do for now.

My little boy is growing up

Yep, that's my Zander with a whole lot less hair!

I usually cut Mike and Nick's hair at home, but since it has been so darn cold we've been going to get them a cheap cut at Great Clips. The first time we did this Zander got his hair trimmed for the second time ever. He wasn't real happy about it, but he finally sat still in the chair and let them shape it up. This time, he remembered the lady that had cut his hair and was begging to get it cut short "like daddy's." I tried to hold out. I didn't want to let go of his curls even though the curls were only cute for about 45 minutes after a bath and then they just turned to a rat's nest the next morning.

Then he threw a fit. Right there. In the middle of Great Clips. And everyone laughed. They thought it was cute that he wanted his hair cut. I thought it was sad. But, finally, I relented. He sat like a little grown-up while another stylist sprayed and cut his little locks off. Somewhere in the middle of the cut a pile of hair had accumulated on the cape and his little hand popped it off from the underside. His command: "Get off haircut." Cracked me and the stylist up. Now, when you ask him where his hair is he says "At the haircut."

Oh, and when I asked if I could take a picture of his new cut this is what he did:



And for the record I'm really glad he fought to get his hair cut now. He is so stinking cute with a big boy cut. Not that I'm biased or anything.

Home at last

After all the trouble getting Mike out of the state I was a little worried about the return flight home. Thankfully, that went off without a hitch. I left work a little early today, grabbed the kids and some lunch. Mike called just as we were pulling away from McDonalds and said they were closing the door to the plane on what was supposed to be a very short flight. So, we skipped heading home for lunch and went directly to the airport. Thankfully the airport kept the lounge area with tables when the restaurant closed.




The kids ate well (after two trips to the bathroom) but then were antsy and anxious waiting another 30 to 45 minutes for the plane to actually land. They passed the time by running around, sprawling on the chairs and floor and just plain driving me crazy. I was pretty excited to see the plane land, but I'm guessing it was for all the wrong reasons.





Nick has met Mike at the airport a few times since he has been old enough to walk and everytime he has failed to do that whole run and jump on you thing because he misses you so much. He's a bit of an introvert in that way. But, after seeing his younger brother take the lead he didn't want to be left out of those first few hugs and took off for Mike too. I felt kind of bad for the people coming out behind him!






I'm pretty sure they are happy he is home. I know I sure am!

Sick again

Zander has been coughing for weeks, but it really wasn't that big of a deal until the last few days. Now, he's waking up in coughing fits in the middle of the night and way too early in the morning. So, I called up the good ol' pediatrician and got an appointment. They are guessing it's bronchitis (sounds about right to me) and gave him the toddler version of a Z-pack, which will hopefully kick it.

We got a blueberry muffin while we were waiting for his prescription to be filled. Zander ate one little piece and then decided he would rather have the apple sucker the doctor gave him. Whatever - more for me! Too bad he couldn't keep the sucker in his mouth and it ended up on the floor and in the garbage before we even paid for the prescription.

Ouch!

Zander whacked his head on the corner of a door at daycare today. Looks like it hurts to me but it is just one of the many bumps and bruises that perpetually cover this kid's body.


Oh, and this picture makes him look way more pathetic than he actually was. He was smiling and laughing just a few seconds before and a few seconds after this photo was shot.

Is it even possible?

Nick is absolutely in love with this game:


We play it at least twice a day. Usually more. Is it possible I have Trouble shoulder? Seriously. My right shoulder has a weird twinge in it. I noticed as we were playing tonight that this muscle seemed to tweak a little bit more every time I popped that pesky die. I think this just goes to show how seriously out of shape I really am.

Finally finished

Remember this from yesterday?


By the end of Saturday morning it looked like this.


I had cleaned the other half of the basement, but, I gave up before I could finish the whole basement. My back ached. My belly ached. The boys were getting cranky and I just couldn't fathom doing anymore in that dang basement.

So, when Zander asked to play downstairs again this morning I figured it was my chance to finish the job. And here is the final result.


Yes, I know, we have a lot of tables/desks. My kids love to color/do art projects/work downstairs and won't let me get rid of any of it. And since we don't need the space for anything else (except holding all the crap we collect) I figure why not? Now, if I can just find a way to keep it this clean.

Making headway

This is embarassing. That's all there is to it. I'm by no means a great housekeeper but my house is usually picked up and mostly clean. Except the basement. It's a nightmare. And it's mostly my fault. The basement becomes a holding spot for all the toys and clothes the boys have outgrown, the pieces of furniture that no longer have a place upstairs and who knows what else. Then, add into the mess a stack of boxes and Rubbermaids from the rooms we emptied to get carpet and it was a recipe for disaster. And it was driving me nuts (apparently the nesting instinct is kicking in a little sooner than usual). This is what my basement looked like Saturday morning.


Yeah, it was that bad. And the rest of it wasn't much better.




But, after just a few hours I could see some serious improvement.


OK, maybe not here, but how about this?




Unfortunately, my pregnant back wouldn't allow me to do any more work on the basement. Or anywhere else for that matter. Seriously. I don't think I did anything else all day. But, hey, two hours of hard work is pretty good for a pregnant women home alone with two young kids. I'll take it.

I'm so lucky

I thought Nick was the easiest child to potty train. He had only a handful (if that) of accidents and was sleeping in underwear overnight within a week. I was prepared for a battle with Zander. First, I figured I couldn't have two kids that were easy to train and second Zander is my wild child. He's stubborn, strong-willed and just so darn cute that sometimes I can't resist him. So, imagine my surprise when just a week after we started potty training him (we've kind of tried in the past, but the attempts never lasted more than a couple hours) he was completely trained. Other than a few accidents at daycare (he likes to poop during naptime) he has been completely dry --- even through the night --- since Friday afternoon. He even cried when I tried to put him in a diaper for naptime on Saturday and again when I put him in a diaper for bed. I admit, I caved at naptime, but I held strong for two nights on the overnight. He woke up dry both mornings and has been dry overnight ever since. Seriously, I'm scared to see what No. 3 brings. I can't be this lucky forever!

Just 5 more minutes

Nick is still not a morning person. Even when I put him to bed at 7 p.m. this is what I face every morning. Unless of course it's Christmas. Or Saturday.

Um ... yum

I like bananas. Unfortunately, I forget to eat them before they go bad. So, banana bread (with chocolate chips) is a regular treat around this house. But, tonight, I wasn't really in the mood for bread. I had found this recipe for chocolate chip banana cookies on Eat at Home a little while ago and thought those three over-ripe bananas on my counter could be put to good use!

They sure looked tasty!


And Nick and Zander quickly gave them the seal of approval.

Halfway there

That's right --- I'm already at 21 weeks and counting. I swore I would take more belly pics this time around, but I'm not doing the best at keeping to my plan. But, nevertheless, here I am in all my third baby glory. Seriously, I think I was this big at about 8 months with Nick! I may have to find old pics before the next belly pic so I can do a comparison.

Silly bandz for silly boys

Nick started liking Silly Bandz when the girls at school started wearing them and a boy handed them out at his birthday party. Zander wanted nothing to do with them ... at first. Now, they are fighting over who gets to wear them and which ones they get to wear! I thought I wouldn't have this kind of accessory drama with boys!

All in a day's work

So, I think I've mentioned before how much Nick likes Legos. Maybe just once or twice, right? This morning he woke up begging to put together his new airplane. I obliged, though all he really needs me for is to keep him company (and correct the occassional mistake). I was quite impressed that within a matter of an hour, maybe a little more, he had created this beast of an airplane.




But, what made me smile even more --- this is what he did with the plane when it was done.


Sure, no one wants to see an airplane getting towed out of the "lake," unless of course you have been reading the Tonka: If I Could Drive a Tow Truck book! A small plane lands in the lake in the book and the tow truck has to come to the rescue.


For my friends with boys: We have the whole Tonka: If I Could Drive series and Nick absolutely loves it.