Little Stinkers

Max, October 2011

Sophie, October 2011

Most of you know that I have siblings.  I have two brothers and a sister and they are great people... now.  However I remember when I was growing up that I couldn't stand them.  I kept thinking how great it would be to be an only child.  I wouldn't have to share my toys or my parents attention.  I was not and am not a fan of sharing.  I remember fighting like cats and dogs and driving my poor parents crazy.  My poor mother was constantly trying to keep the peace and she had a fairly hands off approach to dealing with our constant bickering.  I think she only stepped in if there was imminent bloodshed.   Although considering the little hoodlums that we were that was probably fairly often.

Well it's only taken 20 years or so but she has her revenge, because my little angels (I'm using that sarcastically) are at each others throats about 15 times a day.  Sophie has inherited my desire to share none of her possessions with Max and Max has decided that he's big enough to take whatever he wants from Sophie.  It's somewhat funny to watch because they are both holding a toy and screaming in frustration and I think, "Oh, man you guys are cracking me up", but I can't say that or laugh out loud.  Another issue is that Max has decided that no one is allowed to touch me and he gets MAD when I'm holding Sophie or Dave is hugging me. 

Then I turn around and Sophie is reading to Max or she's stroking his head and pretending he's her baby.  I try to remind myself that they are really sweet kids and I hope that in 30 years their kids are giving them the same problems that they are giving me.  We should all be so lucky to have spirited, fierce children who know exactly what they want.

The Great Sprinkler Project

 So several months ago (in the hot summer months to be more exact) Dave and I decided we needed a sprinkler system.  After getting several estimates we decided it was too expensive, so Dave had the idea that he would do it himself.  Now I'd like to preface this with his thought processes.  A) We were saving a LOT of money and B) he'd installed sprinkler systems before, so he already knew how to do it. 

So we rented a trencher, got a shovel and got to work, and it was work, hard work.  The kids and I helped but it was mostly Dave working from sun-up till sundown in the yard.  He did a great job and after we decided to hire someone to come in and finish the wiring and make the yard look a little more presentable we have a functioning sprinkler system.  

I'm so proud of Dave and all his hard work.  Here's some photos of the process.

This photo was taken to show the true gorgeousness of Dave's mustache.

Dave hard at work digging trenches by hand.  We had to dig by hand all around where the utilities are located.

Dave and Sophie

Don't look behind you.

Gotcha!

This is how Max helped, by laying on top of our backs while we dug trenches.

Here's the front yard with the trenches dug.

I'll be sure to add updated photos after the grass grows back in.

First Day of Preschool

 I can't believe I have a preschooler already.  She seems so little some days... and other day's she's going on 17.  Sophie LOVES preschool.  She couldn't wait to go play with her new friends and her teachers.  Sophie was in a word fine and I was a nervous wreck.  You see I love the little bug so much that it terrifies me that people around us won't love Sophie as much as I do.  Will they see her sweet and loving heart.  Will they recognize her propensity for not sharing as the growing pains of a first child.  Will they see that she really only wants people to notice her without drawing attention to her faults.  Being a parent is all about letting go and hoping that the people you allow into your child's life see the same wonder and joy that you see.  I already know that Sophie loves school and I can only hope that her love of school and learning stays with her throughout her life.

Note:  Sophie decided about 15 minutes before we had to leave for school that she HAD to change her outfit.  I was not going to argue with her, so I HAD to redo the first day photos.  We're both crazy.

Update on Max - 18 Months Old

We've been busy lately with getting Sophie ready for school, having some landscaping (drainage) done, and various other things.  Our backyard has some drainage issues during the rainy season which for anyone who has lived in the Pacific Northwest knows that the rainy season lasts most of the year.  However we don't get much rain in the summer and we had the yard leveled and they put in new sod, which makes the rest of our dead grass look horrible. I'd say it's an epic fail, although it better help the drainage or I'm going to have a serious hissy fit.

I can't believe Max is already 18 moths old.  It seems like just yesterday we brought him home from the hospital and welcomed him into our crazy family.  He's changed so much, he's walking, climbing, talking a little bit (although probably not as much as he should be) and he just started running.  The running is hysterical, he looks like he's going to fall on his face and then he fall on his face because he hasn't mastered it yet.

Max started this fun new thing where he glares at me periodically throughout the day.  Whenever I tell him no or don't give him milk fast enough he lowers his brows and scowls.  It's cute on an 18 month old, but not so much a 15 year old, so that will be fun in about 13 years.

 This is his other expression, the one he normally wears.  He is one happy little boy most of the time and he has the sweetest smile.  He's starting to be a little shy around new people.  He's also a great little snuggler and loves to cuddle with me before his nap.

 I'm saving this photo for when he brings his first girlfriend home.  He's looks great in pink.

Shine, Baby, Shine

Sophie and I have had a rough go of it lately. She's the type of kid who wants to push every limit twice just to make sure I'm paying attention. I have to bring my A game with this kid everyday, but the bummed out part, I'm pretty sure I don't have an A game... most days I'm lucky to have an F game. So there is a lot of arguing and her trying to bargain and me losing my temper at about 7pm. This means that she spends a lot of time in time out or missing out on fun stuff because she still doesn't get that no means no. I know she'll figure it out, hopefully sooner rather than later.

It's not all bad, Sophie makes up for it in with her absolute joy in life. She lives and does it full out. I want to be more like her (except for the throwing herself on the ground tantrums, I might mess up my hair). Plus she is so sweet and loving when she's not trying to drive me insane. She loves to tell me, "Mama you are my best girl".

So onto the shiny part of my story. We went to the local County Fair and what did we manage to find? Pony rides. I kid you not pony rides. I don't remeber going to too many fairs so I'm not sure if it's de riguer to have pony rides, but man I was excited. Sophie has been asking to ride a horse for months. It just trips my trigger to be able to give Sophie something that I know she's going to love. You should have seen Sophie light up at the sight of these tiny horses. She about died and then promptly took a nap on my friend Jennifer's shoulder while we waited for our turn.

Then she bravely hopped up on the tiniest little pony and beamed bright enough to light up a night sky.

Then the two guys running the operation took a mental break (one guy started texting, who knew cowboys texted? and the other guy was doing something) so those ponies started to run or gallop or trot, you get my drift. I would have died of fright but Sophie started laughing like a loon.

She had so much fun and she was glowing she was so happy. Which made me happy.


Shine, Baby, Shine!

Why I can't get anything done...

I can't get anything done. No seriously. I start something and then I see this sweet but whiny face. I'm starting to see it in my sleep. Actually he's starting doing this at 3am so I actually am seeing it in my sleep.

Then, next thing I know, I see this face and I just want to squeeze his cheeks.

Which brings me to what I want to talk about this week, cause this is my blog and I can talk about anything I want. You don't have to read it if you don't want to. You can just look at the pretty pictures of my kids.

I've been thinking lately about how as mothers and women we're trained to put others first. Admittedly some women go further in their need to please those around them than other women, but I think that to some extent girls are expected to be pleasant and helpful. "Be a good girl." I tell Sophie this all the time, but I don't say it as often to Max. I've been overwhelmed lately with taking care of the kids and cooking and cleaning that I don't seem to have any time for myself. However, even if I did have some time to myself, I'd still be racked with guilt that I'm not accomplishing something on my mile long to do list, or building a block tower with Max or doing a puzzle with Sophie. You might be wondering what I would do with all this alone time and I have a plan, first I'd pour myself a vat of wine and then I'd sit in my bathtub (with or without water) and think about how quiet the house is, maybe I would read something and paint my toenails. Bliss I tell you, bliss. I also think it's different as a military spouse because a lot of times Dave just isn't around to pitch in. So the kids are so used to Mommy doing everything that they (and I) never think to ask Dave to do things, plus only Mommy can do it right (according to Max and Sophie). All in all I'm pretty lucky, I know that, but I'd like to be lucky and have some "quiet time".

I'm pretty much done with my whine fest for today. On another note, if you've been wondering why there aren't as many pictures of Sophie as usual, this is the reason.

I get about five photos of her making faces...






Before I can get one of these. She's still pretty stinkin' cute though.

Sophie's Room In Our New House

Next on our tour is Sophie's Room. Sophie ended up with the biggest bedroom and she also has the biggest closet. Which turned out to be good since all of the collected baby stuff is sitting in there until Dave and I make a decision on what to do with it all.

Her bed was passed down on Dave's side of the family and was his childhood bed.

We got the desk and bookcase at Target a couple years ago. I've since bought her a new desk at a secondhand store, but I'm planning on refinishing it before I put it in her room. I'm also still looking for a chair and have been since we first bought her desk. I have a very clear vision of what I want and I haven't found it yet.

Dave and Sophie on Dave's most recent birthday celebration.

Max's Room in Our New House

So this post took a little longer than I had planned to get up because a big event happened at our house this past week. Someone decided that now would be a good time to take the crib front off Max's crib and turn it into a toddler bed. For some insane reason I also thought that sounded like a great idea and allowed someone who will remain nameless to proceed. After being woken up at 5:15 am and now 4:50 am for two consecutive days I'm less sure that our bright idea was really all that bright. However, we're working towards Max sleeping in his own big boy bed which is a big step in him becoming more independent. Although I guess I'm not really sure how much help a 16 month old needs in becoming independent. Max is quite sure he can do anything he wants.

Max's changing table/dresser. The rocking chair was a gift from my Aunt and Grandma W. And, yes, Max is checking out the diaper pail in this photo. Boys are yucky.

A little collection of tchokes given to Max. The photo in the frame was taken by the wonderful Gina Geigley when Max was 10 months old.

The infamous crib turned toddler bed.

How Max gets out of bed.


I took Max in for his second haircut yesterday. I was told (by my lovely mother) that he was starting to look like a girl. He had the sweetest little curls, but it's finally getting warm here and I decided he really did need a haircut. Plus Dave was pestering me about it. I guess he didn't want everyone thinking Max was a little girl either. But I say "CURLS". They were too cute.

The Playroom

I just had shelves installed in the playroom. It's by no means done, but it's a lot closer. This is the view looking into the playroom from the hallway. The boards we used were originally Dave's Dad and they look great.
Here's looking at the shelves. The kids table was a Christmas present from my parents. The lowest shelf is at 2 feet. It's tall enough to be used as a table surface for the kids.

Here's the little kitchen that Santa brought Sophie when she was two and her easel.

Another view of the kitchen and the toys along that wall.

Here's the couch. I'd like to put some sort of shelving to the right of the couch where the wire shelves are now. I'd like something with a little more storage. I've been looking at craigslist for the perfect piece.
Sophie showing off her baby waffles. I love her little squinty eye thing she does when I tell her to smile.
Max reading in the tent in the playroom. His hair is getting long... and curly.