Says it All

The picture says it all...

When is Nana Coming?

A constant question around here from Krista, "When is Nana going to be here?" The answer is: two weeks. Her last day of work was yesterday and now she has to pack up her things, pack up a truck and make the long, straight-through road trip north. This move is supposed to help Nana remove the stress in her life. We just need to get through the stress of: packing, a long day of driving, settling in here, finding a new job and ultimately a new place to live (moving permanently, hopefully, to one comfortable place).

Here are a few things Nana can look forward to when she lives here:

- Daily morning cartoons, an hour long showing of one of the several kids' networks; get ready for Disney Playhouse, Max & Ruby, Toot 'n Puddle, Dora, Olivia, or The Wonder Pets (depending what's on when they get up).

- Disney's Cinderella movie at least 2 times a week, during quiet time.

- Gabriel banging one of his toys on any hard surface he can find.

- Gabriel flinging food from his spoon everywhere.

- Krista constantly wanting to play "Cinderella" and wanting you to be Drizella or the Step Mother.

- Holding Logan, at least until he starts crawling for real.

- No more quiet moments, until after bedtime.

- Inability to eat peacefully without being interrupted with, "Can I have a bite?"

- Kids crawling on you like a jungle gym, complete with poking elbows, knees and typically shoes.

- Reading books for hours at a time.

- Toddler tantrums, crying babies and emotional pre-schoolers, oh my!

A Little Help Please

Recently, Gabriel has started to say what sounds like, "I'm Medaling." It's apparently not mowing or measuring or anything I have asked him. I'm not sure where this started, but he "does" it every day. He said that the "Medaling" says "bvvvvm," if that helps.

Anyone got any ideas? I don't know why, but it drives me crazy not knowing what his game is. Right now he is "medaling" a cord... huh? Maybe this video will help?

Grandma Approved

I am positive this story will be Grandma approved. This is because Grandma was right, of course...

Yesterday evening, around 5PM, Krista fell asleep. The night before she had been up late watching the fireworks and she was "not tired" at 10:30PM when I put her in bed. She talked to herself for about a half hour, until I went in and made her lay down and be quiet. The next morning, poor Kyla fell out of the bed they were sleeping in at 5:30AM. They were both up then and it was the start of the day. They played hard the entire day and she just couldn't make it any longer.

She slept straight through us packing her into the car and taking off. Halfway home in the car, she woke up and started crying. Are you sick? Do you have to go potty? Did you have an accident? Are you hungry? thirsty??? After several cranky, "No," answers, she finally calmed down enough to use her words, "I didn't get any cake?!!"

Okay, now Grandma knows the rest. You see, she is the one who MADE me bring home a piece of cake because she said that Krista would miss it. I told her it was no big deal, but I brought the cake with me. You were right, Grandma - but when we got home and had a bite, I was right, she didn't like it!

Double Trouble

Logan and Gabriel had their 9mos and 2.5yr check ups, respectively.

I forewarned Gabriel that he would have to take his shoes off at the doctor's office, but that he could keep his socks on. I was hoping to avoid the meltdown that would inevitably ensue for his weigh-in. He was cool with taking his shoes off when we got there, one tiny victory for me (he wants to wear his shoes ALL the time).

We got to the scale, which has fish stick-on's that he's supposed to step on. He. Freaked. Out. All the terrible two stereotypes rolled into one. He was crying, red faced, saying "no," going stiff, going limp and refusing to step on the scale. This behavior was repeated when they tried to measure his height.

He pulls the shy card when we get into the room. Standing as close to me as possible and trying to bury his head, ostrich-style, into my side. He was finally lured out with the "Pokey Little Puppy" book as the nurses were trying to warm him up a bit. He's calmed down and then we have to take his shirt/shorts off. Like the shoes, this kid loves to be clothed from head to toe. He would wear sweaters and long pants in the sweltering heat, if I would allow it. I was able to get the clothes off pretty easily, with minor complaints.

Our pediatrician came in with her big smile and Gabriel goes into red alert mode. He stiffens up and looks at her cautiously, being silent. Then she dared to listen to his heart/breathing with the stethoscope and he announced, "I want my shirt back on!" The crying ensued, quickly followed by the holding of breath, which created the red face. After checking Logan first, she was able to listen to Gabriel.

During these episodes, Logan sat in the stroller, grinning, drooling and baby-talking the entire time.

The rest of the appointment went smoothly, until the shots. She gave Gabriel his shot first. He tensed up and cried for about 1 minute, tops. Logan cried for about the same amount of time. They both did great and stopped crying relatively soon after the poke. Dramatic Gabriel had to draw out the pity, though. On the way out, he did a sort of leg-drag when he walked. Pulling his "shot" leg behind him as he walked slowly. It was pretty funny.

Otherwise, they are two healthy boys. They are both developing wonderfully and are a good weight/height for their ages. Every day is an adventure with these little guys!