Caillou is banned from our home!

One of the tv shows that Thomas watches is Caillou. If there is someone reading this blog who is not a parent, Caillou is a show about an obnoxious 4 year old little boy and his many adventures. As an added bonus for adults who are forced to watch with their children, he also has the most annoying voice in the history of childrens telivision.

I wrote in a recent post about the problem we were having with Thomas staying in his bed becuase he said there were spiders. Over the past week or so we have had more problems with him staying in bed. The excuses for getting out of bed have now evolved into monsters and strange noises.

This morning, Steve was watching an episode of Caillou we had saved on the TIVO. I have watched these episodes we have saved over and over, but I usually just block them out and work on something else while he is watching. Steve, being the great dad he is, actually watched the episode with him. Guess what it was about? Caillou kept on getting out of bed becuase of spiders, monsters, and strange noises. He was using the same excuses as Thomas has been using this past week. Steve came into the room where I was and announced that Caillou was off limits and has been deleted from the TIVO. Way to go, Dad! I guess we just need to figure out how to break the news to Thomas.

Flu update: Looks like Thomas just had eaten something bad. He is up and playing around and not acting like he is sick at all. Hopfully we have seen the end to puking in this home for a while.

Nothing like the smell of puke to wake you up

This morning I woke up to hearing Thomas crying in his room. I didn't want him to wake up Steve who had to be up early for a meeting, so I stumbled down he hall and went into his room to try and stop him from coming into our room and climbing into bed with us. I opened up his door and was greeted by the wonderful smell of sickness. Poor little Thomas was sitting in his bed covered in puke. I felt so bad for him.

I got him out of bed and took him into the bathroom to clean him up. I was sitting on the toilet and he was standing in front of me. He was just looking at me and still kind of in a daze. At one point he took my knees and pushed them together to create a "lap" and laid his head down on my knees. Poor little guy.

So here it is 8:30 on a Sunday morning (really it is only 7:30 because of daylight savings) and I have been up for quite a while. I have been up long enough to change the sheets, do 2 loads of laundry, run to Smiths to get 7-up and crackers, and put some laundry away - and eat a leftover brownie from last night.

Hopefully, this is just something he ate and not the stomache flu. The last think we need over here is everyone getting sick.

Cute Pictures of Clara

While Thomas and Steve were hiking, these are the shots I was able to get of Clara. I think it is safe to say she is pretty photogenic (spelling?)

Is there a refrigerator?

This past weekend we went to St. George. We were going to be headed up to Nephi for a baby blessing, but those plans didn't work out. Steve and I were in bed on Sunday morning and decided to be spontanious and head to Dixie for a quick trip. We packed up everything and stuck the kids in the car. We didn't tell Thomas where we were going, we just started to drive. He started to get suspicious after getting on the freeway. This was the conversation about 45 minutes into the trip.

Thomas: Dad, what are we going (we are working on correct usage of pronouns)

Mom: it's where are we going

Thomas : WHERE are we going?

Dad: We're going somewhere fun. We are almost there.

Thomas: Can we stay in a hotel?

Dad: Do you want to stay in a hotel?

Thomas: PLLLEEAASSEE!

Dad: okay.

Thomas: Will it have a refrigerator and a microwave?

Mom: Yes it will.

Thomas: Yeah!!! I'm so excited!



I guess we don't need to plan any fun activities, we just need to make sure we have a refrigerator and a microwave in our room. Our son loves to stay in hotels, and loves to play with the room amenities. The first thing he did when he got into the room was run and try to find the refrigerator. He then went through all the drawers and left nothing in the room unexplored. He was having so much fun.



One of the drawers he opened had a Book of Mormon and a Gideon Bible. He knew it was a BOM and started to look at the pictures. I was so excited, he is actually learning things when we tell him Book of Mormon stories! He went through all the pictures with Steve and told us about each one. Great in room entertainment!



One of my favorite things to do in St. George is go to Craker Barrel. The fdod isn't the best ever, but I love the restaurant and the little shop in the front. Steve thought I was going to cry when he was teasing me saying we were not going to go this time. Here is a picture of Thomas and Steve playing at the table.

That was our first night. More to come when I have the time.

Clara enjoying the room

Tulips

My mom bought me some tulips the other day at Costco. There are about a dozen or so inside a large jar that have been forced. They just started to open on Thursday and it has been so much fun to see them grow. The first three pictures were taken within hours of each other. I thought Thomas would have a lot of fun watching them bloom, but I think I am getting more enjoyment from them.

I was quite impressed with the macro feature of my little camera. I love the big picture of the tulip I was able to get.

For the Grandmas and Granddad

One of my flaws (and I do have many) is that I am not really good about emailing pictures to the Grandparents. I love doing this blog because it allows me to keep a family journal, and send pictures at the same time. Two birds with one stone....gotta love it!

These are a few shots from the last couple of days. They are all mixed up because I didn't upload them in the right order, sorry.

1. Yesterday afternoon I finally took Thomas and Clara out for a walk. The weather here has been beautiful. I have been wanting to go on a walk, but we have not bought our double stroller yet. Thomas isn't old enough to go on a long walk and not be in a stroller and Clara didn't like to be in a front pack or sling. I guess it is the age old problem, two kids - one stroller. Yesterday I tried to put her in the front pack one more time. I figured her head is getting strong enough to face front so I tried that. She loved it! I guess that was all I needed to do. I should have known. We went on a walk around the neighborhood and then sat while Thomas played in the park. It was great and we had a fun time.

2. This is our gluttonous little girl. I had just nursed her and laid her down on the chair while I went to get some stuff done. She was all stretched out like this. Before I was able to take a picture, both arms were out like the right one. She is such a little chunk!

3. Thomas, Clara and I went to lunch yesterday with my Aunt Mary, Mom, and cousin Heather. We went over to Kona Grill and had a nice time. Thomas was not as well behaved as he usually is. I think we had been to too many restaurants in the last couple of days. He was done with having to sit still and eat while the adults talk! We took these pictures outside by the fountian.

4. Thursday night we had dinner with Steve's former co-workers from his PT clinic. Thomas was actually really well behaved here. The restaurant was really dark, it was kind of a theme restaurant - like an old speak easy. When you walked into the restuarant, you walk into this entry way that looks like a wooden box and somebody opens a little "window door" to look through. After you "pass inspection" they let you in. Thomas loved it. There was candles on the table for him to play with, live music and tiny pen lights you could use to read the menu with. It was perfect entertainment for a 3 year old, better than Chuck E. Cheese!

Morning Laugh

I found this video this morning and thought it was pretty funny. Enjoy.

Pause the music on my music player before you watch.

Random happenings

This is what my son is doing right now. It is 10:34 am. I have one word - Alleluia! ( I looked up the spelling) He is finally making up for the 2 spider nights we had. Yesterday he needed a nap about 30 minutes after he woke up. He was on the edge all day long! He cried over everything. I even drove around for and hour hoping he would fall asleep. When he wouldn't fall asleep we ended up at Target's Food Alley eating hot dogs. Finally, at 4:30 I got him to take a nap. Unfortunatley, we had to wake him up at 6:30 to go out to dinner with Steve's family. I think he took a long enough nap to take the edge off because he had a great time and was really well behaved the whole night. I am so glad that he is sleeping now. The poor little guy needs his rest. (Not to mention I have been able to get several things done around the house)

Last night as we were driving home from dinner and Thomas was playing with this toy. It is a little matching toy that usually goes on the refigerator. The whole way home from dinner he kept pushing the buttons to play the song. It goes like this...

You made a match

look what you've done

you made a made a match

hear a horse sound.

neigh!

Thomas must have pushed that button and sang along with the song about 20 times. He had a scratchy voice for some reason which made it even sound more cute. He would sing as loud as he could and pump his arms up and down. After the song it says "did you know a baby horse is called a foal?" Thomas would answer back "yes." He is so entertaining!

I need some advice...I can not get Thomas to eat breakfast. He is usually a pretty good eater, but lately he will not eat breakfast. Yesterday, in an attempt to get him to eat, this is what I made for him. It is cheese cut out like numbers, a Nutra-Grain bar cut up like numbers, some grapes, and some peach applesauce. He ate maybe 3-4 grapes, one bite of applesauce, and drank his orange juice. My pediatrician says that they do go through eating phases, but I really feel like he should be eating breakfast. I guess I need to calm down and not worry. He will eat when he is hungry.

Clara at 2 months, 3 weeks

Clara at 2 days old

The other night Clara had on the outfit she wore when she came home. I knew she was much bigger, but this made me kind of sad. She was swimming in the outfit the day we brought her home. Now it is getting kind of small. The sleeves are now 3/4 length instead of long, the top is getting a little snug, and the legs are now capris instead of long pants. It is sad to see her growing so fast, but it is fun becuase she is getting such a little personality. She is smiling and interacting more and more everyday.

I promise, there are no spiders!

The last couple of nights have been pretty rough for Thomas. On Monday night, he woke me up at 3:00 am to let me know there were spiders in his bed. I just pulled him into bed with us and tried to get him to fall asleep. I didn't want him to wake Clara who was in the bassinet next to me, or Steve who had gotten to bed late. He kept sitting up and making the movements like he was brushing bugs off of him. He would not lay still so I ended up taking him into his room. He was quiet for about 10 minutes and then made his way back into our room. Steve took him back and gave him a cracker and a drink and then came back to bed. Again, 10 minutes passed and he was back at my bedside telling me there were spiders in his bed. I took him back to his room and showed hime ther were no spiders. He wanted me to change his sheets, but I was not going to do that at 4:00 in the morning. I ended up getting a blanket and sleeping on his floor until he fell asleep. It was a rough night.

Last night, the same thing happened but he waited until 4:00am to start this time. We went through the same motions as the night before and I started to fall asleep on his floor. At 5:15, Clara started to cry because she was hungry. Thomas had fallen asleep so I went and got her and went to nurse her. About 5 minutes later, Thomas opens his door sobbing that I left him.

I was so frustrated, but I kept my cool. I felt bad for him, I am sure he was having some bad dreams about spiders. I also can relate to him because I was the same way as a kid. I totally remember waking my mom nightly, probably until I was 12 years old (she will tell you older than that I am sure). I was so afraid of the dark and scary night time things. I think Thomas has this same characteristic.

I guess I am learning the definition of "paybacks."

Visit from Granddad

Steve, Chuck and Clara

Last night Steve's dad came to visit. He is in town for a few days. We had Danny, Amy, Erik, and Emily over for dinner and rough-housing last night. It was a lot of fun. Thomas was excited to see everone. Around 4:00, I told them who was coming. He wanted me to list everyone who was going to be there. After I told him everyones' name he looked at me and asked why Grandma Barb wasn't going to be there. He missed her and knew she should have been there too. I told him that she had a cold and had to stay home so she wouldn't get us sick. I don't think he liked that answer too much. Here are a few snaps from the festivities.

Erik and Thomas. We had to trick Thomas into this picture.

Trying to get a shot of all the cousins. I need to learn to take them at the BEGINNING Of the evening and not the END. Notice that Thomas is down to his diaper, T-shirt and one sock. He was fully dressed when eveyone got to the house. I still don't know where his clothes are this morning.

Clara and Emily. Emily is so good with both the kids.

I tried

On Sunday, I dressed the kids in matching outfits. Well, Thomas didn't wear a dress. I guess I should say coordinating outfits. They looked really cute and I wish I could have taken their picture together, but Thomas had a meltdown after church. I took this picture while he was getting ready, and then the picture of Clara was taken after church.

You are going to have to use your imagination to picture how cute they would have looked together. Also, notice Clara's first ponytail.

Family Fun Day

Natalie, Stephen, Thomas and Carolyn

This past Saturday we drove out to see some friends of ours in the valley. It was a fun trip and we had a nice visit with the Jensens and the Robisons. Tim and Katie are going to be packing up and heading back to the east coast to live, so we wanted to see them one more time before they left. We also made a quick stop to see the Jensens. Thomas was thrilled to play with Stephen and Steve and I had a nice chat with Carolyn and Natalie.

Stephen took Thomas outside to play. I tried to get out and take some pictures of the two of them, but Thomas would not give me the ime of day. I asked he to look at me and say "cheese." In this picture he is actually saying "cheese" but would not look at me. He was too busy!

Natalie and Clara. Natalie usually does not wear her hair in a formal up-do. She was having hair practice for her wedding.

The drive out there was a little interesting. I don't know what was in the air that day, but Thomas was pushing all the right buttons. I think 3 year olds must have some kind of sixth sense that allows them to know when to "ambush" their mothers. He has really been on a mission lately to see what he can get away with. On Saturday, while we were driving, Thomas kept on taking his feet and pushing them up against my seat (he sits in back of me in our really cool mini van) and then trying to rock me. I started off being really sweet about it. I told him he needed to stop and that I didn't like being pushed in my seat. He stoped and then a minute or so later he would start up again. After the second round of "lets get mom" I reached back and pushed his legs down and said to stop a little bit more firmly. Again, one or two minutes pass and he starts up again. I about lost it. I whipped the seat belt off and turned around in my seat and told him to stop. I think there was smoke coming out of my ears at this point. When I first turned around he was smiling, but as soon as I opened my mouth to say something he started to cry. I then felt bad, but what can you do? I have got to discipline him.

The other day on Oprah Kate Gosslin was one of the guests. If you are not familiar with her she is a mother to twins and sextuplets. The sextuplets are just a few months older than Thomas. Oprah asked the question, "I'll bet your glad to be out of the terrible twos." Kate laughed and said "oh, threes are much worse than twos. Don't you know threes are the new twos." I laughed out loud. It is so true! Thomas was an angel in his 2's. He is still a really good boy, I have nothing to complain about but he is starting to talk back. We have had to do more time outs lately. I know it is because he is trying to assert his independence. He wants to do more things on his own. I guess this is part of parenting. You have to let them grow up, but it is hard to let your baby turn into a little boy.

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Pictures from our week

Thomas eating a washcloth. I guess I need to feed him more.

Thomas and Clara. She loves her brother and he loves her.

Never before seen! Thomas actually fell asleep watching TV the other day. This has never happened. He must have been really tired.

Clara taking a bath in my bathroom sink. I don't know how much longer she will fit in it. Just like all women, she loves to take baths.

You know your getting old when...

Ashley and Thomas - Feb. 21, 2008

Yesterday Thomas, Clara and I had the opportunity to attend a wedding. The little girl I was a nanny for in High School got married. It is so hard to believe that she is 24 and married now. I remember when she was baptized, how can 16 years pass that fast?

The wedding was really nice and We had a great time. My friend Robyn came with us and helped me with the kids. It was so much fun to see old friends and catch up on things.

Thomas and Clara were quite the hit. Thomas was talking to and hugging everyone while Clara was smiling and flirting with anyone who would look at her. Thomas was such a good boy the entire time. We got to the wedding around 1:15 and left at 4:30, that is a long time to behave for a 3 year old! He sat perfectly still during the wedding, he was really interested in what was going on. While the bride and groom were taking pictures, he sat and drank his "up-up" while talking to several people. I had to go nurse Clara during this time and he was perfectly fine sitting and talking to people he had never even met. He sat at the table to eat dinner and was so polite to people. I was very proud of him.

Thomas is a little carbon copy of his father. A teacher from high school was there. I knew her and babysat for her also. She looked at Thomas and said "he looks just like his father." I couldn't remember her ever meeting Steve, but it ends up she was one of Steve's teachers in high school. I always thought that Steve left an memorable impression, but that just proves the point.

Clara and me. I love this little dress. It had matching shoes and a matching blanket, she looked so cute!

Here is Thomas checking out the dance floor. He danced for about 15 seconds and then said "I don't want to dance with the girls."

I came accross this tonight on the web. I had to laugh becuase before I had kids, this is how I felt about people talking about their kids. I just couldn't understand how wonderful kids were and why everyones' kids were "perfect." I was a teacher - I KNOW FOR A FACT that not all those kids are perfect.

Now the rolls have changed. I am now one of those people who talk about their perfect kids (and just so you know, mine really are perfect). They are wonderful, funny, entertaining and such a joy to be with everyday. I count my blessings. I love being a stay at home mom and I love being married to Steve. I couldn't imagine doing anything else at this point in my life.