HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love Halloween!! I love everything about it. I love all the spooky decorations! I love the tricks and the treats! I especially love all the costumes!!
Today Zayden and I made a spooky edible house (kind of like a gingerbread house). That was fun, but also much work for myself. I had to build and decorate the house quicker than Zayden could eat and destroy. It was some messy fun!! I'll try to post some pics later!
This afternoon we are going to carve a pumpkin. Then tonight of course we are going trick or treating! I can't wait. I just hope Zayden will wear his honey bee costume.
Over a month ago he went on and on for weeks about how he wanted to be a "honey bee" for halloween. I don't know how he got that idea, but he was convinced and talked about it daily. So, I ordered him a honey bee costume like any good mommy would (and a flower costume for Ivy to go along with the theme). Well the day it arrived, I happily looked at Zayden and said, "Now, what do you want to be for halloween?" And Zayden without hesitation answered, "Batman!"

He has gotten over batman though. He then decided he wanted to be spiderman, and then it was a ghost, and then a spider, and then a pirate. A few days ago he went on and on about wanting to be a cow. Yesterday he was adamant that he was going to be a Fireman! Today he tells me he is going to be a witch! So.....I also am a little excited about trying to even get him in this honeybee costume tonight!! If he absolutely refuses to wear it, I think I can put him in his football jersey with helmet as he is all about football right now! I have learned one thing from this experience. Next year we are going to go get his costume the day of Halloween....maybe it'll even be on sale!! Hopefully I'll share pictures of all of our Halloween activities later!!

Happy Halloween!!!

Breakdancing and Backtalking!

Today is a day of milestones. Even though I worked today, I still was able to witness some milestones of both kids today!!

Ivy rolled over from her back to her belly for the first time today!! I was so excited and started cheering so loudly that I scared her and she started crying. Oops! Ivy has been rolling belly to back for awhile, but this was the first time back to belly. When she got on her belly her arms were stuck under her though. I fixed them for her and then she immediately rolled from her belly back to her back!! I can't believe how mobile my 3 month old is! Zayden did NOT move around this much at this age! She also does this thing all the time now that I refer to as breakdancing. When I lay her on her back she starts kicking and twisting, and rolling side to side and spins on her back in circles. She can do like a 180 degree spin in just a couple of minutes!! I told Brian last night that I wanted to get her into breakdancing when she gets just a little older! ;)

Zayden's milestone is not quite the kind to cheer about. He has matured his backtalking. He has been doing the "no", "I don't want to", "It's not a _____", and simply "I don't", etc.. for quite awhile now, but the backtalk today was teenagerish. How did he go from 2 to 13 overnight?? This morning when we were getting ready to leave, I told him he needed to put his shoes on, and he looked at me and said very matter of fact, "I don't have to!!"
Then tonight he was walking around in my boots with heels, and Ivy was on the floor, and I told him if he stepped on the blanket where Ivy was that I was going to take the boots away. He then said, "OH No you Don't!!!"

I am Grateful for............

1. My kids are healthy!!
2. I have a job that I love!
3. Pumpkin Spice Latte's
4. The good friends that I have
5. Times when both kids are napping at the same time!!!

I used to write 3 things daily that I was grateful for in a journal years ago, and it always made me feel better afterwards. I am going to start trying to use this blog to remind myself of all that I am grateful for......at least once a week or so!!

Black Eyes, Pacifiers, and Snoopy!

That title pretty much sums up what's new!

I have started giving Ivy a pacifier at times now, hoping that she will sleep better. However, I still am a little hesitant about this because I have never been a big fan of pacifiers. She is not a good sleeper. She wakes up many times at night still, and was napping pretty badly!! Since I have given in to the pacifier, she is napping a little better, but the night time sleeping is still bad...maybe worse. Last night she "slept" about 10 hours, and was awake 4 times during those 4 hours! The good news though, is that even though she doesn't sleep as well as a typical baby she is a happy baby most of the time, and she is healthy and I just love her to pieces!! She is belly laughing now at times, and I LOVE that so much!! She is becoming so much more fun every day as she coos and interacts more!!

Zayden got his first black eye yesterday morning before I had to drop him off at the in-laws so I could go to work. It wasn't even 7:00 yet, and he had just woken up. He was probably still half asleep and walking with a large fire truck in his hand, when he tripped and fell hitting his head on the bottom of the couch. (Although I told Brian that he got the black eye because Ivy finally decided to hit him back....he's been in a couple time outs lately for hitting(more like tapping) his sister...ugh!) I could see the broken blood vessels immediately!! And it was swelling up within minutes. I felt so bad for him!! He must have asked me to kiss it 50 times, and still has asked me to kiss it a couple times today. I love how he believes in the magic of a kiss that can heal and make pain go away!! This morning he told me "It hurts really bad!" It hurts me every time I look at him!

Part out of guilt, part out of coming home late on Tuesdays, and part for just the greatness and fun of it, we started a new tradition last night. Zayden usually goes to bed at 7:30. Although, last night the Charlie Brown pumpkin special was on at 8:00. I could have taped it, and had him watch it tonight, but that just isn't the same! So, I let him stay up late, and we all watched the cartoon! Ivy was in bed, so I could have attention only on Zayden. Z sat on my lap the entire 30 minutes as we watched and laughed and talked about all the characters and stuff! It was great!! I now can't wait until Christmas time when we will have more holiday specials to watch, when I will let him stay up late again to watch!!

Oh, and yesterday I asked Zayden what we should all be for Halloween and this was his serious response to each person I asked about:

Me: Cow (thanks a lot son!)
Brian: Horse
Kramer: Ghost
Grandma: Pumpkin
Grandpa: Also a ghost
Zayden: Cow
Ivy: Cow (okay now I don't feel so bad since it's a family thing)
Fintan: Skeleton

Mama got some Obama time!!

Obama was here 2 weeks ago and I REALLY wanted to go see and hear him speak, but I couldn't find a sitter, and I debated for a long time on whether or not to take the kids. I finally decided to go for it the night before his rally. However the day of Ivy had to get shots, and was fussy, and it was raining. Plus I hear the traffic was crazy and Ivy hates her carseat. I disappointedly decided to not go, and was really upset of missing out!
However, yesterday I got lucky because my man, Obama, came back to Indy for another rally!! It was a work day for me so the kids were covered. I had a very light workday because it was my evaluation day, and the girl I usually do most of my evals with is on vacation! :) I only had one eval at 9:00, and he was supposed to speak at 11 at a big park/memorial downtown.
I got there right before 11, and soaked up all aspects of the rally! It was just all so cool!! There were thousands and thousands of people trying to get up as close as they could to the tiny little podium off in the distance. Everyone was happy and enthusiastic donning Obama gear! There was loud music playing that had everyone kind of bopping and dancing along while waiting for the speach. The music varied from R&B to old classics to country. I felt like I was at a concert, except there were no "funny smells" in the air!
It seemed for a moment like everyone around me was family! We were all there for the same reason and had the same hopes about our country and Obama. Everyone was just talking to the strangers beside them, and EVERYONE was super friendly and happy!
At one point I looked around and saw these guys on top of a building by the lawn all in black with binoculars looking all around at the people in the lawn. I nudged the very tall older guy beside me and asked him if he thought that was security. He said, "Why do you ask?" as he looked me up and down, "Do I need to keep an eye on you?" I cracked up laughing and couldn't stop laughing for a couple of minutes. He told me he was kidding which I knew, but thought that was hilarious! I felt so emotional being there in this setting, and when I was presented with some humor the emotion came out in roaring laughter with just the small joke!! :)
Obama came on stage at 12:08 and spoke for 30 minutes. I could see him when I stood on my tippy toes, and I could hear him so clearly thanks to many loud speakers! It was simply amazing listening to him speak. Much of it were things I have heard before, but I did hear and learn a couple new things. He is definitely one inspiring wonderful speaker, and I don't think there are many that can argue that! I could have listened to him speak all day!! I screamed and clapped several times while he spoke, and almost felt like jumping up and down! I have NEVER ever been so hopeful or excited about a politician....not even close!
I was sad when it was over, but still had a great sense of pride and happiness as I walked away with the large crowd. I kept smiling and clapping as I walked away, as I still felt so emotinal about it all. I ended up buying a yard sign and a button ($ goes to the campaign) on my way out. As I walked a mile to my car I talked to a couple of other people walking to their cars, and they were also SO hyped and excited!! It was an amazing experience that I will always have!!

GO OBAMA!!

A car ride of Funnies! :D

Sometimes Zayden and I have the best conversations, and he makes me laugh the most when we are just driving in the car. This afternoon we decided to go meet Alina, Fintan, and Coen at an indoor park. On the way there Zayden was cracking me up!

First he said, "I'm a scary guy.....I'm going to scare Fintan". He told me about 50 times he was going to scare Fintan as we were driving, I finally asked How he was going to scare him, and Zayden said, "I scare him real quick!"
Then he started grunting. I asked if he pooped, and he said, "No, I just made a stinker!" I love the honesty! ;)
Then when he could tell we were getting close to the park (which we have been at many times), he said, "We're almost there!". He paused for a moment, and then said, "We're almost there. Stop at that tree. Climb that ladder to the DOG PARTY(quoted from "go dog go") yay!! Mama, I want to go to a dog party!! Happy Birthday to you Happy Birthday to you!!!"

Then as we were pulling in finally, Zayden says, "I'm sorry Baby Ivy! Can I have my boots mommy!, I'm sorry Baby Ivy, Can I have my boots mommy, I'm sorry Baby Ivy, Can I have my boots mommy......" (Zayden had his boots taken away from him earlier in the day for stepping on Ivy!) :D

Zayden Funnies

I haven't had a chance to write all week, and I know I have forgotten so many funnies, but here are a couple I remember that he has said/done in the last couple of days.

Today, he said, "Can I go outside and ride my bike?". It was after his bath and he was wet, so I said, "No, it's cold outside." Z says, "Can I go out FRONT?" I laughed and said, "no, it's cold out front too." Than Z asked "why is it cold?" (he is asking the why ??'s all the time now), and I said, "because winter is coming". Z says, "where did Winter go?" All I could do is laugh, because honestly I don't know where winter goes before it is coming. :)

Z is so literal right now. I think I have told him before that Ivy has spit up or something. Well, Ivy now is drooling a lot, so when Z looks over at her and sees the bubbles or the drool he'll say, "mommy, Ivy is spitting out!" Which really that IS what she is doing.

Zayden loves to play football and asks me to tackle him all day long. Today he had his football and his helmet on and he kept falling down, so I asked him what he was doing and he said, "I'm tackling myself"

Also today once when he fell down he said, "I fall down.....I broke my crown!"

Okay, that's all I can think of for now!

Zayden Funny

Me: Do you remember what we did yesterday?
Z: We went to the park.

Me: No, we went to the hospital and saw the doctor.
Z: The doctor was a guy.

Me: Yes, he was a guy. The doctor was nice to you.
Z: Yes, he was nice. He did not hit or kick me!

Eggstatic!!!

Zayden had his egg challenge today, and I am so happy that he has grown out of the egg allergy!!! Hooray!!

It was such a long test. He had to have a little bit of a powdered egg substance mixed with applesauce, and then wait 15 minutes, and then have a little more egg/sauce combo, wait 15 more min, and then more of the combo. He had 10 portions. He ate a total of 4 apple sauce containers and the equivalent of 2 eggs total.

He had no problems, and he was so good the entire 4 hours we were at the clinic!! We played a lot of football in the hall. We also read and walked around a little, while we would wait. I was so happy he was willing to eat all the sauce/egg combo without any fight at all. If he wouldn't have completed this the allergist wouldn't of let us eat eggs for another year! The nurses kept commenting on how Good Zayden was while we were there.

Our main nurse even said that Zayden was doing better than most 5 year olds she sees. I'm so proud of my boy!! He isn't supposed to have any more egg today. However, tomorrow, I am going to make him French toast for breakfast, and then probably some scrambled eggs at some point during the day!!!

Now if he would just grow out of that darn dairy allergy!! Doc said he may grow out of that one by the time he is 4. We are hopeful!!!

The day has come.....Ivy has moved out!

Last night was Ivy's first night out of our bedroom. It was bittersweet. Yes, she is just down the hall, but she is no longer the tiny baby that laid next to me in the bassinet for 11 weeks. She actually did great in her crib last night. She only woke up 2x, which is about 5x better than the three previous nights when she was up ALL night!! She looks so tiny all alone in that big crib.
I go back to work in 8 days. ugh!! I wanted her to be comfy in her room by then. The good thing about her being in her room is to have our room back. Last night I was able to read in bed with the light on, and not have to tip toe around.
I do miss her though. *sniff*

Zayden funny:

When I typed "comfy" just now it reminded me of something Zayden said yesterday. I was on the couch nursing Ivy, and Zayden sat on another part of the couch (it's a sectional).
He said, "Mommy sit over here". And he patted on the cushion beside him. I told him not right now, and then he said, "There's more room over here......It's comfy!". It totally cracked me up.....just because it was so random and must be words I use er something.

Impersonation

Weeks ago when Obama was still duking it out with Hillary, Zayden would pick up his microphone and say, "I Barack Obama", and crack me up every time. I tried a couple of times one day to get him to say, "I'm Barack Obama and I approve this message." However, he just ignored me so I dropped it (weeks ago!). Well, I don't know if he saw a recent commercial that sparked a memory or what. Yesterday out of the blue he picked up the microphone and did this:

Also, if anyone should ask him who will be the next president his reply is always, "Obama....Yay!!!" :D

Thank you Ivy!

Ivy,

You may not take the longest naps, and you are far from sleeping through the night. However, I want to thank you for ALWAYS waking up with a smile. Even when I am completely worn out and you are crying for me to come get you, when I look down at you and say "hello", and your face lights up with that beautiful big smile with all those dimples I feel so refreshed and lucky!! So, thank you so much for smiling at me! :)

Love Always,

Your mama

He did me proud!

Today my mother in law watched the kids for a short time, so I could run to the gym, which was very nice! Mother in law admitted to me that when Zayden woke up she said to him, "Are you grandma's boy?", and Zayden said, "No, I am mama's boy!". She said she kept asking him if he was sure he wasn't grandmas boy and he insisted he was MY boy!! :)

And a couple recent funnies:

A couple days ago at dinner out of the blue Zayden says, "I'm like a rock star!". I look over at Brian, and he says he didn't learn that from him, and I say me either, then I just look back at Z and tell him that I agree, he is like a rock star!!

Yesterday I was sitting with Ivy on a blanket, and I was holding her in a seated position. Zayden pulled the blanket up and brought it up around Ivy's back and around her shoulders, and then said, "This is Ivy's cape". I guess he realizes already too that she is a super hero!

Today Zayden put a bucket hat on Ivy, stepped back and looked at her and then said, "Ivy is the muffin man!".