Ten On Tuesday

1. After last week's Ten on Tuesday, jam packed full of funtivities, this week there is much to report. I got sick again, so that is the least shocking thing ever. I'm back on antibiotics (which are making me feel miserable this time around) and have been wiped out for my past three days off. But by the grace of God, and possibly my googling pressure points that relief sinus pressure, I made it through my three in a row at the end of last week.

2. After not taking Rowan to farm camp to keep him from getting whatever fever bug was going around there, Rowan has managed to get sick all on his own accord. I guess Zane might have brought something back, but he never acted to sick. Istayed home with Rowan today and took him to the doctor who told us he has some virus, akin to hand, foot, and mouth, but different. He has white spots on his throat, a fever, and isn't eating much, but otherwise seems alright. So he is out of daycare for the week, home tomorrow with Daddy. Oh the joys of daycare!

This is actually Rowan on Saturday before he started feeling sick, looking just like his daddy did as a baby!

3. I hear farm camp was a success, even if it did get cut a day short, with multiple illnesses going around. There were turtles, a snake sitting, horse back riding, feeding/petting cows, lots of sheep, and tons of farm fun. I haven't really seen a lot of pictures yet, I'm dying for someone to put them all up on picasa or somewhere. Abbey did this post Sunday with some highlights, looks like lots of fun. Zach took exactly four pictures on the day he was there. So this is all I have, they are pretty entertaining. I love the look on Maggie's face. She is being very brave holding the turtle, but I can tell she would like turtle picture time to be over!

 I hear mom released the turtles into the wild after their fun times with the Blakley Grandkids.

4. Just for fun, here are Maggie and Zane the first year Zane came to farm camp. Turns out Rowan was at that farm camp as well, I just didn't know it yet!

This tiny, red, farm camp shirt is currently in Rowan's rotation of clothes.

 Love those sweet baby faces!

5. In other news we bought a summer swimming pool and it's now boxed back up to be taken back since it didn't hold air. Bringing me back to my motto of "make time to do it twice." The boys did have some fun in it Sunday before realizing it wasn't holding air. Rowan was a real champion, making it through splashes, falling into the water, and hoses directly to his head. He would come over to the side to catch his breath, but then was right back in the thick of things. They had a blast together, now we just need a pool that will last longer than a day.

Rowan's favorite part was spraying his brother!

 I have a beautiful play by play of the first time Zane took the hose to his brother's face. It is a right of passage really, which Rowan did great with.

 Look at that gut folks!

6. In preparation for swimming season Zane went to his first swim lesson last night. I think it went alright, though I don't think he did much more than kick in the water a little bit. He looked very timid and shy sitting on the side of the pool, but he did just what he was told to do and managed to not act like a crazy person, even when the boy sitting next to him was breaking all the rules. I was very proud of him for being so well behaved. Rowan screamed for fifteen minutes in childcare so the ladies came and found me to rescue him. That was less than ideal, but we shall try again. 

7. Grandma came by Sunday night for hamburgers and hot dogs and to watch the swimming fun. She came bearing Cheetos, like everyone should. Rowan loved them and I captured these classic Cheeto face pictures.

 Say Cheeto!!

8. We also got our first squash off our of squash plant Sunday and immediately fried it. It was delicious. Zane did try to eat it like an apple, hence the teeth marks on it. He was very proud, since none of our gardening ever worked in St. Louis! Today we picked our second squash which Zane is going to take to school tomorrow for their healthy eating unit!

9. In what I think might become a weekly installment, here is an adorable photo of Rowan dressed up in clothes that are too big for him. I truly cannot get enough of it and he seems to thoroughly enjoy it as well. This week, Rowan as a fire fighter!

 

This fire fighter must have his binki at all times. Sick boy!

10. Since it is officially June Zane's birthday party plans are coming together. We have landed on a Ninja Turtle themed brunch, in hopes that Uncle Able can come before work. I am pretty sure Zane has really only watched Ninja Turtles about four times, so I lobbied hard for something I liked more, like batman or minions, but he was hearing none of it. So Ninja Turtles it is! He is very excited and really thinks there should be more party prep than buying napkins and plates, but really there isn't. Possibly going to have a pinata and end the day with pizza (Ninja Turtle's favorite) and swimming if anyone wants to come back over. It's sure to be exciting! It's hard to believe he is almost four!

Here is Zane showing off his new Ninja Turtle swimsuit. You really can't get the full effect unless the shirt is pulled up, obviously.

Fun Sick Day

This morning I woke up at four in the morning and realized that there was no way I could join the farm camp festivities today. I was devastated by this, not only because I wanted to be part of the fun, but mainly because I hadn't seen Zane in two days and was missing him dearly. However, I now officially have chronic sinus infections and in the midst of an insurance debacle ( I will spare you the gruesome details and my rage) I didn't get my need antibiotics in time. The infection and sinus pressure had moved to my ears. I was in terrible pain and sat on the couch crying most of the morning, with no relief.

When I thought Zane would be up I called Grandma's to break the news to him. I knew he would be sad since I told him I would be coming to farm came in the morning. After much discussion and realizing Everett was also sick and needing to come back to go the doctor we ended on the plan of Rowan staying here with me and Zach heading to the farm to be a farm camp counselor for the day. I was at Urgent Care bright and early, at 8am, getting yet another (different) round of antibiotics and another steroid shot.

I came back to the house a little leery about how I was going to manage to entertain Rowan all day while feeling completely miserable. But in a wonderful turn of events Rowan and I had a perfectly wonderful day together here, just the two of us. Sure my head felt like it was going to explode, I couldn't sleep while he was sleeping because every time I laid down I thought my ear drums might burst, but it was just little Rowan and I having one year old fun. I don't think I have had a day with just Rowan since I was on maternity leave. It was much needed, even if it meant feeling miserable and missing all the sheep fun that was happening at farm camp.

Rowan and I stomped around the rain forest that is currently our back yard. We played with the bubble machine Grandma left here and tried to learn how to blow bubbles of his own. We played his new baby iPad games, uninterrupted by brother, learning some animals and they sounds they make. We read books of Rowan choosing and he got to sit in the middle of my lap, front of center, holding the book, without having to fight for it. At nap time he let me cuddle him and sing him to sleep. That's right he fell asleep when I was holding him. To be fair I had kept him up pretty late in hopes of a long nap time for me as well. No such luck, but I did get to rest.

In the afternoon we put on our swimsuits and headed out for some water play. He loved sitting in the water table with full run of all the toys and not being splashed. We learned about how to wash off your hands in water when they are dirty, we practiced kicking, we sang songs, and danced. He drove his little car without being abruptly ripped out of it or driven into the fence. Then we came inside and he got the run of Zane's room and all his toys. He even got to play on the train table and in Zane's bed, neither of which Zane lets Rowan do without some physical violence being involved.

Helping my day was the fact that I had zero energy to do anything else but sit and play with Ro.  I had no plans of trying to get anything done around the house, because I felt terrible. So I didn't feel like I should get up from the blocks and go say do the dishes, do the laundry, pay the bills, sweep the floors, or anything else on the long to do list. I gave myself permission to do nothing but play with my little man and it was great. I forgot how the day goes with only one kid at home. They can do whatever they want, whenever they want, with whatever toys they want, with mommy's full attention the whole time. It's nice, for a day here or there, but I could see how only children could start to think the world revolves around them. It's healthy to learn to share and take turns, but also so fun to have a day away from that once in awhile.

Rowan gave me lots of hugs, cuddles, and sloppy wet kisses. He was so genuinely happy, but was constantly looking for his brother. He has been walking around the house saying "bub bub bub bubba" for three days now. He goes and looks in the bathrooms, in Zane's room, all over. Today he was also looking for daddy, with no luck, but he moved on quickly. The best part of the day, however, was when Zane and Daddy finally arrived home. Rowan was over the moon excited. He literally could not stop touching Zane and Zane could not stop hugging Rowan. They were adorable together. Zane was pretty gentle with no real tears involved. He taught Rowan how to play ring around the rosie, he held him in his chair at the table for awhile and let him eat dinner with him, they cuddled on the couch and looked at books. So unbelievably precious, it melted my heart. There was the moment, during nighttime cuddles with Zane, when he told me I "broke his heart" when I didn't come this morning. That was a little rough and definitely very dramatic. So I tried to overlook that.

On a health note I don't feel much better yet and it still hurts a lot when I lay down. I go to see the Allergy specialist on June 20th, at which time my insurance might approve the xray of my sinuses that my doctor originally wanted. I'm hoping this round of doxcycline and steroids will get me to that point without another round of illness, but I'm not holding my breath. However, I do wish that all sick days could be as enjoyable as today. Thanks Rowan for being a wonderful, decently calm, playmate!

Ten On Tuesday

1. On Thursday I turned 31, feels a lot like 30. I got my yearly massage, during which all I can think about is how can I possibly get massages more often. In the morning we went to the park with Grandma, Maggie, and Everett to play and feed the ducks. Rowan learned how to say duck and quack quack (it was a highlight). Then I finished off my day with a taco bar party at Able and Kari's house. It was a wonderful day, full of lots of celebration, and I felt very loved all around. Thanks to everyone who sent me cards, gave me presents, or cooked me food! I had a wonderful birthday! I can't wait to do it again.

 Could not resist this picture. Zane got slightly over heated at the festivities!

Many thanks to our wonderful hostesses, Able and Kari! Aren't they adorable!

2. After all the birthday fun of Thursday, Friday Zane wanted to go to school to go camping. I tried out my new Y membership and went clothes shopping (which I hate doing!) In the afternoon we played at home and this cuteness ensued.  Zane got Rowan dressed up in the police outfit, while he dawned the fireman's outfit. Rowan actually had a pretty good time until Zane started trying to switch hats, which Rowan was having none off. In the midst of the cuteness my camera battery died, but I did get some pretty adorable shots before hand.

 The most classic picture ever!

3. Saturday morning we went to the Chuck Wagon Gathering at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. It was all things cowboy that I remember from my childhood, dad would have loved it! The highlight, besides hot dogs, was the pony rides. Zane got to ride a little paint pony, which was perfect. He also practiced roping, watched Brendan do some leather work, enjoyed campfire food, and got completely hot and tired. This was followed by refusing to nap and a terrible afternoon which I would like to block out forever. 

 He was a natural on his horse.

 

 This is Rowan's new "cheese face." Anytime a camera is around this is what he does. Don't ask me why!

4. Sunday I took Zane to childcare at the Y for the first time, after he asked to go numerous time. He ran into to play with the other kids like it was the best idea ever, but 30 minutes later, when I came to pick him up, he burst into tears. I could never get out of him what actually happened, but suffice it to say it didn't end well. They are both going to have to get use to it and I know Rowan is not going to be a fan. We had planned to go this afternoon, but Rowan fell asleep and didn't want to introduce him to this idea when he was exhausted. We will try again next week. Wish us luck!

5. Sunday evening, after days of rain on and off, our rain table became a water table, and there was lots of puddles to splash in. Rowan is starting to enjoy some water play and thoroughly enjoyed getting soaking wet, splashing in all kinds of water around the yard. The water standing in this random lid was his favorite.

6. Sunday night, after the kids were asleep, I went over to my sister for scrapbooking and Sangria. It was lot of fun, even if I only got three pages done. That's three more than I have done in probably a year. 

7. Monday Zach was off work so we took a family trip to the Science Museum. The key to a successful science museum visit is to arrive at 9am, when the doors open, so you have the run of the place for about an hour. And that is all the longer we need there, so it's perfect. It was lots of fun, as always. 

Both boys love the new Power Play area upstairs.

 Tornado simulator, for the record 40mph winds are just another day in OK.

 Love this shot of Zane in the tree house.

Too many cute pictures to choose from, so glad I took my real camera this time.

8. Then we ended our Memorial Day weekend with a BBQ at Abbey's house. It was a last minute thing, but turned out to be tons of fun. I ate until I couldn't breath, not a great decision, but there was just so much wonderful food. The kids of course had classic cousin time together, including yard races, and Rowan and Everett having a show down over the bicycle. Just another day in the, very soggy, backyard with the cousins. 

 Uncle Zach took part in the races too, of course!

 My sweet baby is growing up too fast.

9. Today it continued to be rainy and gloomy outside. Since we didn't have anything planned to do I struggled to stay awake and couldn't quite remember what I was suppose to be doing, I think I might have been drugged. We ended up taking a trip to the spice shop to see Able. We were going a little stir crazy. I work the next three days and am just sick thinking about how much I will miss my boys. I will also be missing the first day of farm camp, Friday, which is also devistating. 

10. Zane had some very difficult days during all this fun. It was frustrating and sad that so much of the these days I had off work was spent dealing with all kinds of almost four year craziness. I'm not sure what is going on, but Sunday he woke up from nap time proclaiming he was "a new Zane." Praise God, because I was getting very tired old Zane. He can be so sweet and well behaved or he can be none of those things. Today he was lovely, making heading back to work tomorrow very hard. 

Hopefully everyone had a safe, happy holiday weekend!

Rowan at 15 Months

My little Ro baby is fifteen months old. It's really strange how differently I see this age the second time around than the first time. With Zane fifteen months seemed like he was so big, possibly because he was physically so big. But with Ro he still feels like a baby to me, but he is definitely learning a lot and understand so much more of the world around him. In the past few months he has really started to understand what we are saying to him, even if he isn't really verbalizing very many words. He follows our instructions or when he doesn't you can tell that it is a conscious decision not to. For instance, Rowan come here or Rowan come see me is taken as "lets play chase with mommy" not actually coming to see me. He does a slow, ornery back away, followed by a giddy giggle and little baby run the other way. But he will take things to the trash for us, knows where to go for bath time and to brush his teeth, and he knows where his room and Zane's room are.

 

I do love this age, but the not being able to communicate with someone who has very clear cut ideas can be very difficult and frustrating at times. His one major word, used when he wants anything and everything is 'more.' He says it in the most pathetic little voice, very quitely with his hand reaching out, grasping at the air. If I could have one still shot of Rowan at fifteen months that would be it. He can be asking for more food, more milk, his binki, to get out of his crib, his blanket, to get out of his room, you name it, it's summed up by 'more.' He does make B sounds when talking about his binki, bumbles, or his brother. And makes little P sounds when I ask if he is poopy. The newest words to be added are up and down, which I am pretty sure he has backwards, but he's getting it. 

 

 

Rowan and his big brother have quite the love hate relationship now. Rowan has started to have a pretty big mean streak in him. He tries to tackle Zane every chance he gets. Chasing him around, grabbing at his legs. If Zane is lying on the ground Rowan will run and jump on him, pull his hair, hit him in the face, bite him, and has also started throwing stuff at Zane all the time. Don't worry mom and dad get books thrown at them as well and we also get hit in the face, our glasses ripped off, and all sorts of mean fun. There is a constant fight over toys and sippy cups. I should just give up and just make one cup of milk to end the fights, but the nurse in me just can't do it.

 

With all their fighting and difficulties learning to play together there are a lot of adorable, brotherly, moments that just make me melt. For instance, their matching Superman shirts and Zane holding Ro's hand when they walk together

Rowan is a big fan of his belly. He loves to rub it, lift his shirt up and pat it, point to it when he is in trouble in hopes you will forget what he did with the cuteness of it. Very adorable stuff.

 

 

 

Rowan's favorite things at fifteen months can be summed up in one word, technology. Cellphones would be his first choice, followed by the ipad, the computer, tv remotes, anything that vaguely looks like it might be a form of technology he has to have. There are daily huge meltdowns about him not being able to play with my cellphone or walk around all day with it. I'm talking stomping his feet, falling on the floor, head in his hands, go to one year old time out fits! I definitely need to invest in a better phone case for my new phone as it is sure to end up in the toilet or trash can soon. When he can't play with one of our cellphones he has started to enjoy trucks, books, or whatever toy his brother has at that time. He still loves playing outside, but has yet to warm up to summer time water play. Ro spends lots of time sitting in the little red car or randomly in a chair on the deck watching Zane run.

 

I feel like his face is changing, filling out, and turning into that one year old face, still a baby but turning the corner more to little boy. I am starting to think that the flower around his pupil might be starting to turn a little yellow like mine, but still not sure. Maybe something about him will look like me after all. He still is wearing 12 month shorts, that are way to big, and 18 month tops. How crazy is that. Most of Zane's summer shorts that were past down are too big, so he rocks little boy, baggy capri's. The 12 month rompers are what really kill me because I remember them not fitting Zane at all, but Ro can wear them and looks so little and cute in them. 

 

His hair really doesn't part very well, but it had been so long since he got a hair cut that I had to or it reached his nose. He has since gotten a hair cut!

 

Just for kicks, lets compare my two boys at fifteen months old, this is always fun to me. Sorry if no one else finds it entertaining. 

Rowan was blessed with his daddy's dark skin, which little Zane does not have. They both have their own look, but you can definitely tell they are brothers. Nothing cutter than the monkey romper!

Ten on Tuesday

1. Happy birthday week to me! My bday is Thursday! I have my yearly massage scheduled and a birthday dinner planned for the evening. The week has gotten off to a rough start, with yesterday being a parenting nightmare and today being a very busy day at work. I'm hoping it turns around soon. I did get lots of kisses from my baby when I got home this evening, so that was wonderful.

2. I worked over the weekend but Thursday and Friday the boys and I enjoyed the beautiful, unseasonably cool temperatures. Thursday Grandma joined us for our second trip to Hafner park that day. We brought snacks, but forgot bread for the ducks so our goldfish crackers did the trick. I love that park, with lots of trees, a duck pond, multiple playgrounds, walking trails, and lots of picnic tables to enjoy our snacks on.
I kept thinking about how we would be frequenting it this summer, but then I remembered it will literally be 112 degrees outside so we need to get our playtime in now.

This was in the morning when the boys were chasing the geese. There were some mean white geese that came over, I'm pretty sure to eat Rowan, so we made a quick get away.

Rowan, quite proud of himself, for sneaking a sip of mommy's drink.

 The ducks didn't really like our goldfish crackers, but they did come say hello.

3. Some days I have pretty good parenting days, for instance Thursday and Friday were a great parenting days. Everyone was happy, we did multiple fun things, I didn't loose my mind, it was great. On these days, when thing go smoothly I can do fun stuff like make cucumber snakes and hot dog octopuses for lunch. Then there are days like yesterday when both boys are falling apart, whining, throwing fits about everything, and I am pulling my hair out by five. Yesterday ending with Rowan bleeding from the face, just to sum it up. Wish I could figure out what the secret to a good day is?? Taking longer than 40 minute naps would help, but we are struggling with that as of late.

4. Zach is finally starting to feel better after his 22 days of fever. We never figured out what was happening, but at the three week point I started to loose my mind and got enraged with the medical system as a whole. Thanks be to God that he started to get better because there is no way to get anything done in the medical system besides going to the ER. It has been like this for years people, just FYI, no recent legislation made it that way. Ok off my soap box.

5. While I was at work this weekend these are the pictures I received from Zach about their day at home. It pretty much sums up a normal day at our house, someone is bleeding and someone is cheating death.

Zane fell out of a swing and busted his lip at the park. He was really playing up his injury in this shot.

 And this is what Zach found in the kitchen after, mistakenly, trying to go to the bathroom by himself.

6.We finally got Zane signed up for swim lessons for the month of June. Hopefully we can get him to all of them and he can learn something new. I am working most of the days he will have class so will sadly miss most of it, but I'm sure he will have fun in the pool no matter what. We did, finally, join the YMCA by our house so hopefully we can start to frequent that now too.

7. The boys got their pictures taken Friday morning. I think I mentioned their patriotic outfits last week. Well, they were scratched when it was 54 degrees in the morning, but in good news they got to wear their matching Easter outfits, complete with bow ties, so I'm hoping for some really cute pictures. My boys loose concentration with the whole picture thing about thirty minutes into it, so we shall see what we got. So sorry there won't be any Fourth of July cards sent out his year.

8. The fish are doing well. The tank has started to clear up after the initial cloudy phase. We have gotten a filter system so hopefully it will stay that way. Zane religiously feeds them in the morning and at night, never forgets. I find both boys sitting over there watching them swim sometimes throughout the day which is so cute and a very calming activity which they need.

9. Yesterday we got to see Maggie's Mother's Day Out program which was adorable. She has gotten so big and sang her little heart out in her beautiful dress. The boys and I had to make a quick Target run afterwards and Zane had the lovely idea of buying Maggie flowers, and so we did! How sweet of a boy is he?? They were actually really pretty miniature roses that I would have liked to had myself. Zane told her she did a "really good job" and she was so happy and proud of her pretty flowers. I adore them!

10. Lastly, I want to give a big shout out to my best friend Miss Anna Gentry who survived an F5 tornado last year on this day. It was terrifying to me, texting her, as she sat under a table in the hospital, knowing what was coming towards her. I am so grateful that you are still here to make me laugh, listen to all my ranting, and support me through all life brings my way. Praise God for all your powerful guardian angels. I think I might know one guy who flew in to lend you a little extra help. We love you Aunt Anna!!!