Saturday, November 27, 2010

Christmas Tree Hunting - 2010

The Saturday of Thanksgiving the Beavers played Stanford - away. Grammy and Papa have cable. So, we killed two birds (well we killed the tree and the Beavers killed themselves) w/one trip and got our tree as well. That morning we headed out to our usual patch to see what we could find. Andy started to master walking in rubber boots and Abby mastered posed pictures!




We told Abby that SHE could pick the tree this year. Because really, they all look about the same. Boy, did I not realize how hard of a choice that would be for her. We must have had three finalists. Before it was all said and done her and Grammy walked 1/2 the field. Yeah, I say her and Grammy because I just stayed by where she originally liked the first tree - and the second. Sure enough, we came back, full circle, and picked a tree from that area.

Here are some pictures of Abby and Andy in front of THE tree. The ones above were finalist #1 and #2. See - they all look the same.






Family picture in front of our tree - NOT the Christmas Card photo I was hoping for, but that is okay... I found another. Seems like I'm never at a loss of photos - heehee.




Dad and Charlie had a little "incident" the day before and Dad's hand was out of commission. So, Trav got to cut down the Trees this year. The look on Abby face at seeing Trav run the chainsaw is priceless.






Andy also STOPPED and checked it out as well. Not something he had done since we got there. If Grammy and Abby walked 1/2 the patch, Papa and Andy walked a good 3/4! He had to walk up to each stump and stomp on it. Make sure it was dead I guess?



I love this picture - his reaction to the tree finally coming down in front of him.






Okay, two trees down -now what?
Abby says: "It is too cold out here, let's go get hot cider and candy canes!"





Andy: "Sounds like a plan to me! Let's add a cookie or two while we are at it!"




Then, sadly it was time to go home so we could decorate the tree...
Andy: "What we aren't done? We have to decorate it as well!?!?!?



Don't worry Andy... Abby got it ALL taken care of!



Friday, November 26, 2010

Greeting from Santa!

Abby received a very special email from Santa today....

http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/watch/Y2x_-1l1SseNr2EItYVS8w

Beauty and the Beast... err I mean Andy

I finally got around to scanning in the last two photo collages I got from JCP last month. Enjoy.





Thursday, November 25, 2010

Thanksgiving, Pie, and Babies...

This Thanksgiving was Andy's first REAL Thanksgiving as a miniature man. He got to experience the yummy food, the football on TV, and the nap after to recuperate...




Later that afternoon, the cousins came by for our annual "Babies and Pie" get together. Elizabeth and Abby decided to start w/the Pie portion... Needless to say, there was no Chocolate Pie left over.


Next we got to visit and watch the kids play and interact - always fun. But, before they "broke" we decided to get our annual pictures of the group. We never get that "perfect" picture. But, we always get some funny ones and, as parents, get to experience the enjoyment of trying to get numerous children to look and smile at the same time. The perfect picture doesn't matter - it is the journay that does. Here are some of this year's attempts.
It all started off just fine...



Everyone was looking - no one was smiling. But, in their defense, imagine this scene from their view. Numerous cameras and adults in their faces. We are lucky we didn't get tears! But, we could try a few more, right?


Then Lilly (yes, she started it!) decided to poke at Andy. That, in turn made him decide she needed a hug.



Not to be outdone by the little kids' cuteness, Abby and Elizabeth had to get involved. We pretty much lost all direction at that point...



In the end, Lilly and Andy "hugged it out" and everyone was happy. Well, I'm sure Lilly recovered - eventually. :)



After that, Elizabeth and Abby headed down to Abby's room to read some books and do what little girls do - pretend play.



The evening was rounded out by a viewing of Toy Story 2.



Everyone had a good holiday, ate too much, and got to see their cousins. What more could one ask for?







Wednesday, November 24, 2010

B. R. A. T.

Being Really Awful Today. Thanks to Auntie Marilyn for getting Andy this shirt (which at the time I think she said was for me to use at my discretion). It came in handy the other day....




Now, in my defense... He didn't get this shirt put on him until AFTER I found NINE Alphabet Fridge Magnets in the garbage, he screamed most of the day, refused to eat a proper meal, and pulled Abby's milk down on himself. After all, he needed a new shirt - his was all wet w/milk!

What else has Andy been up to you ask? Well, the other night we caught him drinking out of the dog water bowl. Now, he wasn't putting his hand in it and licking his hand. He was down on all fours w/his mouth ON the rim of the bowl. It was just one of those moments where Trav and I both stopped, looked at him, looked at each other, and just shook our heads...

His newest trick is to WALK down the stairs. Forwards. On two Feet. Holding the open railing bars. I wouldn't mind - and at first I didn't. But, now he is getting confidant and letting go, going to fast, and then falling down. We have hardwood stairs and hardwood floors. Good thing Andy was blessed w/a big, beautiful, hard head. Because so far, he isn't "getting it".

Then, later the SAME evening....






Just as cute as a button and sweet as can be - reading his book quietly on the couch. Apparently, he also cracks himself up and thinks he is pretty cute - Bottom Right photo.



Oh Andy... how I love you. How you stress me out. How you make me laugh, smile, shake my head, and sometimes cry all in the same day. The next 16 1/2 years are going to be something. I hope we both survive... :)



Abby is getting jealous. Her world is "a-changing" now that Andy is getting the smiles and hugs and attention of friends and family. She still gets them as well... But, Andy is at that "entertainer" stage and is getting more of the attention. I have been trying to do some more "one on one" stuff w/her, but I can tell she is having a hard time right now.



Andy easily commands the attention of the entire room by doing something loud, or funny, or demanding attention RIGHT now. Whereas she is old enough she is told to be quiet, use her inside voice, wait her turn, and entertain herself. I feel bad because I know I'm as guilty as everyone else. And, I remember what it was like to have younger siblings and feel that way. But, all I can do is be aware, try harder, and hope I don't permantly damage her!



Anyway - that is what this next picture is all about. I was taking pictures of Andy for this blog, and she wanted hers taken as well. Notice the different emotions all in about 15 seconds.



Welcome to our life these days...









Tuesday, November 23, 2010

SNOW DAY!!!

Okay, so there wasn't much snow to actually speak of - um, like none! But, Hillsboro School District cancelled school that day. Which for us, means there was no Scrapbooking w/Carda and Rachel (because Carda's older kids were home), no Ballet Class, and Daddy got to take Abby to gym class that a.m since he was working from home - the gym has wireless. At gym she was one of two kids that actually came, so she got a ton of personalized attention and Daddy got to see how much she has learned in the last few months.

I got some scrapbooking done, Trav got some work done, Andy never got dressed and got some napping done, and Abby... Well, Abby apparently NEEDS to be over scheduled (See my Nov. 18th post) because she goes a little loopy by Dinner Time if she isn't...




I'm not sure WHAT I was supposed to be capturing here, but she asked me to take some photos, so I did!

Andy - not to be outdone - had some funny faces to share as well... My favorite is actually the top left photo - just sitting there, sweet as can be with his hands folded. What an Angel. Ahem.



Maybe it is a good thing we usually have something to do everyday...




Saturday, November 20, 2010

OSU vs. USC

Another Saturday - another Beaver Game - woot! This week we took on USC - and WON! Thank goodness... after the least few weeks performances, I was nervous. I'll admit it - nervous. It was home, USC was ranked, and we hate their band. I personally think those three things got the crowd behind the game and therefore got the Beavers going. Yep, that's right - I'm taking credit for it. Me and the other 40 some thousand in attendance... :)

It was a 5 o'clock game and it was approx. Zero degrees outside (okay, slight embellish). So, we left the kids at home w/Grammy. They made cookies, watched movies, watched the Beavers on TV, and played. I'm sure they had just as much fun as they would have had at the game - and they stayed warm!

Before we headed down to Mt. Angel, Trav tried to get a few pictures of our little Beaver Believers all decked out - at some point I have to get one good enough for the Christmas Card - right?

We got a few cute ones...




Then, something went terribly wrong. Andy body slammed Abby while she was smiling. So, she in turn, suplex tackled him the next time he tried to get up...



Hardin has nothing on this girl! :)








Anyways... back to our house...


Then, they BOTH Tackled the Camera-man:




As we were loading the car, I got a few more pictures of my little Beaver Princess - she was just so cute, I had to!


Thursday, November 18, 2010

Somedays I think I might be crazy...

Some days I think I might be a little bit crazy. In fact, I'm pretty sure of it. But, then I see the happiness on my kids face and how much fun they are having and I know it is okay - or at least it will be after everyone naps!

I figured I would share w/you a day in the life of ME. Not that you will have any sympathy for me afterwards - because I know it is my own fault. But, you might have a better understanding of "what she does all day". I "event plan" and "project manage" on a MUCH smaller scale now - but I still do!

Last Thursday I over scheduled. Way over scheduled. But, in the moment - it is easier, so I do it. The kids are entertained, I'm getting stuff done, everyone is happy. Then, the next a.m. rolls around and everyone is cranky and I pay for it. But, hey - it was fun in the moment!

Someday I will find the balance, and everyone will be happy, well slept, and perfectly perfect in every way. The house will run smooth, we won't run late anywhere, and the kids will be perfect little angels - yeah right. So, until I find that balance, I guess I won't worry about being over scheduled once in awhile, because hey - we lived thru it. And, it WAS fun in the moment!!! :)

Morning started off baby-sitting the Bex kids while April took Laci to an appointment. Byrnn and Andy were so excited to see each other again - it was A-DOR-ABLE. Andy nearly climbed out of his high chair to get to her! But, I'm not sure that is really out of the ordinary these days!!!!

They had a great time playing "Peek-A-Boo" in my curtains...




From there Andy showed Brynn how to open the pantry, get the Puffs container out, and bring it to me w/sad eyes and grunts until I opened them. So, they got a little snack to refuel...




Next they took their babies on a walk - thank goodness we have TWO strollers!



After that, Andy showed Brynn how to step up and hang on the baby gate like a champ (Above).
Next up? Let's see if we can figure out how to turn on the TV...
Andy: "I don't have much luck turning on the TV w/ONE remote, let's see if we BOTH do it at the same time we will have more luck?"


Then, once Laci's appointment was over, April brought her back here and then left again to go to a meeting. Marshall played w/EVERY single toy in the toy room, the babies continued to follow each other around and try to get into trouble - they are like this little "exploring team" it is SO cute to watch, and the big girls played princesses at the island where they knew the babies couldn't get to them.



Now, if the day would have been done there - we would have been golden. Fun day, good kids, good play date - win, win, win. That's a wrap, right? Wrong!




Next up we headed to "Pizza Planet" for lunch to meet up w/Uncle Trevor, Daddy, and a buncha PS friends - kind of an impromptu play date that stemmed from Trevor wanting to hang w/the kids at Pizza Planet. So, frankly... I blame him. But, there are worse things than some one WANTING to see your kids and having lunch cooked for you right? So, we weren't going to give that up - Win, win!




After that, we headed home for Scrapbooking w/Carda and Rachel - something I do EVERY Tuesday. But, this Tuesday Rachel was sick, so we rescheduled for Thursday. This is something I look forward to every week. Carda and I scrapbook while Andy naps and the girls play. I wasn't going to give THAT up. I could get stuff done, visit w/my good friend, and the girls got to play - win, win, win!



About that time it was 3pm. Carda had to head home to meet her older kids' buses, but the girls were playing SO good. So, I told Carda to leave Rachel at my house until Andy woke up. In that hour and 1/2 I finished up the scrapbooking I started, got some chores done, and baked some Zucchini Bread for a friend. They played GREAT. My favorite was them playing "Dress-up". They got all dolled up and got their babies ready to "go to church". Then they went and sat on the love seat - very quietly - and "listened to church". Next they went out for Hot Chocolate and Pedicures. I love them - they are so cute!



Here is a photo Abby and her buddies playing that day...


After all that, we hired a baby-sitter and went off to see HP7, part I because Intel had given us FREE tickets to see an advanced screening that night only - we couldn't not do that!



Next morning I practically fell asleep at PS drop off - I wonder why I do this stuff to myself.




Being a mommy is a HARD job when you don't leave the house, but even more tiring when I do. But, I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world - I'm grateful I have this opportunity and can give my kids these opportunities and memories. Just know that this is why I'm so tired all the time - I do it to myself!!!!









Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Artistic Andy

This is Trav, my very first Blog post!! :)

I got to take Andy to one of his art classes the other day when we had a scheduling conflict and it worked out I could go. We had a great time! It has been a VERY long time (since Abby was this age) that I had been to one of these classes and I was looking forward to seeing how Andy goes about his artisic process.

It took a while for him to actually get down to the painting. He had to wander around and introduce himself, see what everyone else was doing...maybe get some ideas on what he was going to do himself? I don't know what exactly he was doing, but he eventually stepped on a paintbrush, lost his balance and landed diaper first in a plate of paint! I picked him up and sat him on a page and that finally got him started on his own work of art. The top left picture is him putting his "bottom print" on his picture and the rest are of him alternating between taste testing each color and putting them on the paper.

It was a lot of fun to get to participate in this with him. I'm very thankful that I have the flexibility in my job where I can occasionally take the time to be involved in my kids lives like this. I would hate to miss these moments.






Saturday, November 13, 2010

Come On Beavers!!!

So, it is GAME DAY - Woohoo! The beavs are pretty much self-destructing and loosing to WSU (WSU!??!?!?!) as I type, so I decided to focus on something fun and blog instead.

Travis and Abby headed down to OSU w/the family and Andy and I stayed home to hang out. I had all these grand ideas of all the things I was going to get done. Scrapbooking, walking, showering, cleaning, etc. So far today I have done nothing. Basically nothing.

Andy on the other hand, discovered the candy bowl....




I can't explain how funny and cute it was to watch. So, I got the camera out. He pulled the little white papers out of about ten of them and then tried to unwrap the chocolate w/his little chubby fingers. Then, then mommy took pity on him and let him have one, and then five! Come on - he was cute!

On a side note, I'm glad he is napping right now! I can only imagine how much yelling at the TV he would be doing right now if he could see the Beavers playing this way!

Friday, November 12, 2010

Pizza Rat


Abby and her two best buddies at Chuck E Cheese.


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Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Abby - Oct. 2010 Photos

Not to be outdone by Andy in the cuteness department - here are Abby's most recent photos.

Her Preschool Picture:



Princess Belle and her Buddies:




Andy's 15 Month Photo Shoot

Got Andy's pictures back - he is still cute!

These first ones are my favorites:



Also sweet:


Andy the Puppy and Blue Puppy:



Please submit your requests for photos via email. All requests will be honored - within reason (:


Monday, November 8, 2010

Andy Update - November 8th

Today we went and saw Dr. Dramov (a Naturopath) about Andy’s G.I. issues.

He was referred to me by my friend April who had some similar “we can’t figure it out” issues w/Laci when she was young. He was able to find her “intolerances” thru a blood test – a finger poke. Her G.I. issues have been manageable since. I was willing to try it!


It took us SIX weeks to get in to see him, but we decided to give it a try. We have seen more doctors in the last 3 ½ months than I can even remember now. We have heard different theories, approaches, conclusions, etc. We have been dismissed, taken seriously, then dismissed again. We have gotten conflicting advice and treatment options from every single doctor/nurse we have seen. If I hear “Oh, I wouldn’t have advised that” from one more doctor, I will scream. Mark may words – I will. It has been frustrating to say the least.

I don’t want to “overreact” and spend months chasing a problem that doesn’t exist, but as a mom it just doesn’t sit right with me to ignore it and just dismiss it because no one seems worried – today. They have been worried in the past. What has changed other than they can’t find what the issue is and they have hit too many deadends? That is the part I don’t like. It might be nothing. But, tell me why it is nothing.

This was not a gradual change. It was a drastic one, and it happened right when he started getting a lot of “normal” foods – for a lack of a better term. So, in my mind, it has to be SOMETHING. Or, it WAS something and his system just never fully recovered? I don’t know. That is the problem.

Anyway, I’m getting off topic… We went to see Dr. Dramov today and he is the FIRST doctor that we have seen that actually let me get thru the entire history before interrupting and diagnosing the issue w/out even looking at Andy or getting the entire story. Right there he made me feel more at ease.

I flat out told him that he was our last stop. If he told me that it was “Normal”, I would buy it and accept it and move on. I would feel like I had exhausted all my options - three different types of doctors telling me this is “normal”, I would move on. Right there he could have said a lot of things. He said “this is NOT normal. No one should have to life like this.”

He seems to think we can find a “fix”. My first thought was “cocky”, my second was “good luck”. Then, the more I talked to him, the more I liked what he was saying. He explained to me why things might work, why some things might not have, actually made some connections between some other “symptoms” that Andy has had and what might be the issue given his age, history, even the fact he was a c-section baby. He didn’t order 10,000 tests that he never gave me the names of. He ordered ONE – the food intolerance finger poke. He also gave us some other Probiotic regiments to try while we are waiting for the results of the blood test (3 weeks).

Anyway… that is the update. Nice guy, good appointment, more stuff to try, more tests, etc.
I’m far from optimistic at this point – because it has been so long w/no resolve or explanation. But, I feel that if he doesn’t have the answer, he will tell me why. He also doesn’t strike me as someone that will stop until we are both statisfied – unlike some others I have been dealing with.
His office manager was very helpful as far as what insurance would cover, and would not, given his specialty. I don’t feel like they wanted my money and were going to test the world out of him until they got it all. They recognized that we needed to be very mindful of that and communicating to me on everything before anything was done that would hit our pocket book.

So there you go. There is the update on Andy – nothing new!!! Haha...
But, we did have a positive experience at a Doctor’s Office and that is ½ the battle right now!

We have a follow up appointment on December 1st to find out the results of the intolerance testing and then we will go from there.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Daddy's Day(s) Out

RIGHT after we got back from GWL, Trav took off and went on an ATV trip w/Papa to Christmas Valley. We spent most of Saturday and Sunday just "vegging" and recovering from our few days at GWL.

Apparently, Andy was still tuckered out. He slept until 9am that a.m. and then was asleep, on the floor in the living room, before noon. I covered him up and left him there!




Eventually, he got up and ate lunch and resumed normal Andy activity.

The next a.m. was the "Fall Back" time change. So, he was up by 8am - but that was still sleeping in for him! He played a little game of "peek-a-boo" with the camera and mommy.


Abby spent the morning playing princesses in her jammies. She just sits in there and has a running commentary - it is really cute to listen to!



Andy eventually lost the battle of tiredness again!



It was a nice, quiet weekend w/just me and the babies! It is actually pretty easy when you don't have to get them dressed, get out of the house, and everyone sleeps in!

Friday, November 5, 2010

Great Wolf Lodge - Hooooowl

This last week we went to Great Wolf Lodge w/the Bex Family. We had a BLAST and I have to say I think it was my favorite trip to date. This time we stayed two nights, Andy was a little older and able to enjoy it, and we went w/the Bex Family. All those things made it very enjoyable for ALL!

Staying two nights was nice. No rush, had our room to go back to the second day, and just more relaxing overall.

Andy was old enough to walk around and actually have some fun! Last time we were there (March 2010), he did enjoy the kiddie area some, but he wasn't walking yet, so he was very limited and one of us was always "stuck" holding him for a lack of a better word!

The Bex Family joined us this time. Laci is one of Abby's PS Friends from last year actually. Laci has now gone off to another school (sad), but the girls have both told us that they are BEST friends. So, April and I have been trying to keep them in touch and coordinate play dates as often as our schedules allow. Wasn't it a nice surprise when they decided to join us for the mini vaca!?!?! They have three kids: Marshall (3), Laci (5), and Bryn (16 months). Our kids match up well, and it is always so cute to watch them interact.

None of my pictures turned out great - the lighting in there is not that 'camera friendly' and let's face it - it is wet in there, so you don't want your camera out a ton to actually attempt to get the best shots! But, I did get a lot of shots and you will get the point!

Here are some shots of Andy and Bryn the first day. They found the pool w/the Balls in it and they were in HEAVEN. They sat on that little stump and played catch w/me for a quite awhile! Until Andy fell off - head first - he was done! :)




Abby and Laci are VERY cute together. They hug, they squeal, they hold hands, they whisper in each others ears, it is cute. Here are some photos of them in the pool and coming off of various rides w/their mommies - we are cool moms dang it! :)


Trav spent A LOT of time sliding. I mean A LOT. ALL the kids loved the slide and I swear they spent at least 50% of their time on this slide! Trav was a good sport and slid - about 150 times - in the three days we were there.



Andy and Bryn are CUTE. That is the best I can do to describe them. April and I commented multiple times about how cute they were and how they interacted w/each other. It was like they KNEW that they "belonged together" for a lack of a better term. They would wander around, but always check in with each other, follow each other round, and just reach out and touch each other as if to say "Hey, I know we are supposed to keep an eye on each other. I'm going to wander off here, but I will be back in a few to check in". Like, seriously... it was really cute!
And, of course is there anything cuter than two little babies, wrapped in towels, sharing a snack and water? I don't think so!


They both walked around in the 18" pool like they owned the joint. They would take off to that play structure, climb the stairs (even though they couldn't see their feet and it is apparently HARD to climb stairs when you are 15/16M old and can't see your feet), wander around the play structure, pull the knobs to squirt water, twirl the knobs, etc. Then, all of the sudden they would walk over to the top of the slide and want to go. There was no rhyme or reason to it. One, or both of them would just decide and then go to the top and wait for someone to go w/them or catch them at the bottom. It was so funny. At first I thought it was because they were bored and wanted down. But no... They would immediately take off around the slide and head up the stairs again!



Abby and Laci spent some time going on a "Magic Quest" around the hotel while the little kids (um, and me) had a nap/quiet time back in the room. They are so cute!



Then there was story time. Abby could NOT wait to take Laci to Story Time the first night we were there. I mean, seriously... she asked me no less than 5 times if she could go and if Laci was allowed to go as well. I have NO IDEA what the draw is, but apparently it is cool when you are four! She even had to take Uncle Austy to check it out the second night!


Here are some photos of the girls, and moms. We had a great time having our buddies there w/us! Oh, and NO - April and I DID NOT plan that... But, we have discovered that 1) we shop at the same places, and 2) we have similar taste in clothes! This is the 5th or 6th thing that we have discovered that either we, or the girls, have the same of!



Here are just a few more random shots. It is late, I'm tired, and this is a LONG post! I'm running outta stuff to say! :) The top photos are just some of Trav and the kids. The bottom ones are Andy and Abby on the last evening there. I think Andy was pooped...



We had a GREAT time and can't wait to go back. I personally think GWL is worth every penny you spend there - especially if your kids are water lovers like mine!