Last day

Well, today is the last day of November! I don't think I have accounted for my life like this in a long time. I can't say for sure that I will continue to write everyday, but it certainly was freeing to write whatever I thought about that day on this blog! The nice thing is that all the bloggers that I read that were also doing NaBloPoMo will also not be writing everyday so that will free up a lot of my time. Man there was a lot to keep up with. I now have to get to the business of Christmas. Picking out pictures and presents and whatnot, well I guess really all I have left are the in-laws. Everyone else is taken care of, I think! So I guess my new business will be writing Christmas cards, and I am the type of person that still hand writes notes and sends pictures of my kids. I am old fashioned that way!
I found the following picture from the Thanksgiving bunch. I think it is so cute of Nate, he is so ready to crawl and get into paper! Blast his love of paper, although that could be a good thing for us, he could limit our paper clutter, which would be a good thing!

The other morning Nate woke up pretty early, so I took him downstairs set a pile of toys in front of him and laid on the couch, hoping he could entertain himself...do you see the pile of toys? Can you see why that didn't work out?He had really backed himself under the table, I thought it was funny, he didn't complain too much, but Eric rescued him...I was hoping he would finally figure out how to go forward, but I guess that is still a little ways off!

I started Nate on pumpkin, not a big fan...I am not sure he is a big fan of this pureed food stuff, big fan of the spoon though.

Double bath

This week we have instituted the double bath. While Eric was gone, I started bathing them in the same bathroom, I still had Nate in the baby bathtub, but Gwen was stripping down and just sitting in the bathtub behind Nate. So, once Eric came back I decided that with 2 pairs of hands we could safely wash both.

Gwen "swims" around and practices her swim class moves. Nate seems to enjoy playing with Gwen toys, and by playing I mean eating! I wash Nate first and hand off to Eric he lotions and dresses Nate while I bathe Gwen. Then I take Nate and nurse and put to sleep, while Eric deals with Gwen who wants to stay in the tub. This extends her bath/play time which she seems to enjoy. I know fascinating, isn't it?

Thanksgiving--the wrap up!

We had a lovely Thanksgiving, we hope you did also. This turkey day seemed to go much smoother than years past. I was much calmer about the food, I spent most of the day bored, thinking I should be doing something food wise. I think most of the difference must be the later eating time. I planned the meal for 4p. We ate at 4:30, not bad really. Also, I didn't make any casseroles. I made my own crescent rolls, because I forgot to pick up rolls, and like I said, what else was I going to do? Hopefully this is a new trend in my holiday cookery!
Our guests, minus their oldest!
She had already found the kids table and was sitting at the table, patiently waiting! I think the girls sat in all the chairs, but since it was just the 2 of them, they could move and sit wherever they wanted! Gwen actually ate some turkey and the cranberry sauce and the marshmallow off her sweet potatoes.

Eric felt like it was important to put the turkey leg in the picture because otherwise it would have just looked like any other day. I am pretty sure Nate would have eaten it if it was any closer to his mouth!
The meal seemed to be a huge success, I tried a new recipe for the gravy and Eric is raving about it to anyone he talks to, so beware, if you talk to him you will hear about my gravy! It was just some giblet gravy, but I have been told I can make it again! All the rest of the sides were apparently yummy also, I notice several people taking seconds and possibly thirds, so that means they were yummy, right? The pie was good also, even though it wasn't pretty, Gwen actually ate the whole thing, which is unusual, she usually just eats the crust, but she actually ate the whole thing.

The girls ran off and played during dinner, it was hilarious to hear them, they are so random at this age. We tried to get a picture of them right before they left, but the law of U. pictures prevailed...the law states that when there are more than 2 people in a picture there will never be a picture where everyone is looking at the camera and smiling! Nate looks the best in this picture, so I went with this one, since he often gets the short end of the stick.

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving, filled with family and/or friends and plenty of yummy foods! I have much to be thankful for:

2 beautiful/healthy children

1 husband that is my perfect for me!

supportive family and friends

and many more things, but I've got to start organizing/cleaning the kitchen up from last night so I can start cooking, so I will leave you with this series of pictures of my kids taken a couple days ago:

We hope your day leaves you feeling like this!
Happy Thanksgiving!

Eating and other things

I have started my dessert and have finished my stuffing. So all's left is to post, while the pumpkin pie is cooking! Eric likes store bought foods, I like to cook...this causes many discussions around holidays. He likes store bought pumkin pie. I would rather have a homemade pumkin pie. This is not to say Eric won't eat my pumpkin pie, he will, happily, but he always wants to pick up the store made pie. This year I decided to go "Betty Crocker" as my girlfriend said and buy a pumpkin and make fresh pumpkin pie. (should I mention here I would prefer Pecan pie altogether, but we don't have enough family for me to justify making 2 desserts for holidays, yet!) I am currently working on the second crust, my first crust failed miserably. I don't know what I was thinking, I make crusts better than that! The second crust is much better, it wasn't falling apart, but part of the crust fell in again, fortunately for me, it is not the look of the pie that Eric likes and just because something is ugly, doesn't mean it isn't edible! So, let's just say if the pie is going to be really ugly, I just hope that the filling doesn't spill over the sides too much! But the great thing about the pumpkin roasting is now I have a bunch of pumpkin puree for Nate to eat. Awesome! Which leads me to my next topic:
Baby Nate eating! Today we started Nate on rice cereal! Now the jury is still out on whether Nate enjoyed this or since he is teething he just wanted the spoon to chew on. But either way, we all seemed to have fun, I will let you be the judge of that!
I did a slideshow of the pics this time, but sadly didn't have the forsight to do the red-eye editing before I uploaded the pictures and I it takes entirely too long to edit in photobucket!

Eric also took a video...

I also took a video tonight; not of eating, but of Nate blowing Raspberries, you will have to pardon hearing me blow them right into the camera trying to get Nate to blow them, but as soon as I pulled out the camera he stopped, until I got him started again!

Turkey day

The day of the turkey is coming. I did all my shopping for it yesterday and was so excited when I got my turkey for $.37/lb! I had to get a 14+lb turkey, for just the 2.5 of us, but I figured for less than $6 it was worth it. There are plenty of things you can do with left over turkey, like freezing! I had made the executive decision that Eric had been gone all last week and Nate needing the 2 naps, it would be best for us to stay home and be low key. So, when my friends were kind enough to offer to have us over I declined, politely saying we were just going to stay home and I wanted to make my own family stuffing recipe, b/c I love it and I didn't get it last year because of this. One of my friends I had told we would try to schedule a playdate for the girls since it was a long weekend. This afternoon she called and said her Mom wasn't coming to visit so we could do Thanksgiving together. My first thought was crap, I just went shopping I didn't get enough for 4 adults and their daughter is an eater, so I should really count her as an adult. I mean we will certainly have enough turkey and dessert, but the sides, dear God, I don't have the right quantity for that. Long story short, I have to go back to the grocery store and get some more sides so I have enough food for our guests! Plus, I kind of have to really commit to a meal time, you know with just the 4 of us I can just slap it together whenever. But, the bottom line is I love to cook, I like to entertain so I get it all together, now if I could just figure out what picture I like from the photographer my day would be complete! Damn cute kids and a good photographer, make me wish I still went to Sears when the choices were awful and you had to decide right then what you wanted!

Exhausted

I am so exhausted right now, I could totally go to sleep, sitting at the computer. Today was not such an eventful day that I need to recover, but maybe last week is finally catching up with me! Gwen is becoming such a chatterbox, and her memory, man is that going to get me into trouble. Mom was asking her about the wedding today and she told her about going to the bathroom with me, I am pretty sure that is not something I would list on the top of my list, but whatever. I think she is becoming more aware of the whole bathroom thing, so if this trend continues we could be trying to potty train again, but I am not going to hold my breath. Nate is really getting grabby, you really have to watch him and he is really perfecting his backwards crawl. He is really moving, he can get side to side, so he can get himself into a circle and usually I find him stuck somewhere 90-180 deg from where I left him. He is still pretty happy and we are gearing up to give him some "solids". I have all the ingredients, I just have to mix and serve, but this is something I think Eric should be around for, so he can feed or take pictures or keep Gwen away, you know whatever is necessary. We think Nate is really going to like this eating thing, he is super interested in getting our plates and I think he won't mind being messy and getting involved, but he could get too excited about it and eat us out of house and home!

The wedding, a story with pictures!

We're back, and we plan to not have another week like last week for a long time! We are glad it is over, not to say we didn't have fun, we did, it was just long and exhausting and...Here are some pictures from the day!

The Church was beautiful, as was the bride...just glowing!

Unfortunately, as you will notice in all of my action shots, the people's eyes are closed...this is why I am not a professional!
Eric and one of the bride's sisters. The bride is the youngest of 10! Let me tell you they know how to party and were a lot of fun! (and you definitely knew who was on her side, not just by where they sat, there was a strong family resemblance!)
Us, at the wedding!
The big man, watching the action, when he wasn't eating the table For some reason, Gwen wanted to dance with Nate, which is kind of a challenge, since Nate can't really move like that under his own power!
But that is not to say he didn't like it!

She got a little braver and let Eric hold her while she danced. At one point she pulled me up in front of the band, while I was holding Nate, I am just hoping this whole experience doesn't ruin his hearing, they were loud...but they were great and they brought their own props...somehow we ended up with a maraca at home!
I wonder who snagged it!? Gwen at one point, while I was holding her and dancing put her arms out for Carissa to hold her and dance with her...she could tell who was having a good time! I think the bride danced the whole night long.
She also did the limbo with the Maid of Honor! But I don't have a picture of that. Gwen wanted no part of these umbrella hats (for "It's raining men")

Daddy didn't mind them!

So Gwen changed her mind!

Nate's power nap!
The bridal party lining up for NY, NYNate playing with the glow necklace!
By the time they cut the cake, we knew it was time to go, actually, Gwen and Nate could have probably left earlier, they were exhausted, I don't think Nate got much sleeping in, he was pretty overstimulated at one point, very fussy. But, they were good, not too embarrassing, and very charming. But who wouldn't be charmed by a shy little sweetheart like Gwen, and a chubby cherub of a baby like Nate! About half way through this post I realized I would have been better served to do a slideshow, but too late now! So, if you make it through to the end, good job, and thanks, I hope you enjoyed the pictures of people who you don't know!

The wedding

A long day...
we went
we partied
it was beautiful
we came home, exhausted!
Good night!

Picture day and panic!

Today I took the kids to get their pictures made for Christmas. I am ahead of the game so far, but that certainly does not mean anything in the coming weeks! I still have to get my list together and decide on a picture when they are sent to me. UGH! I am really excited because we got some naked Nate shots...I think Eric thinks I am slightly crazy on this front, but I love me some naked baby pictures and we never got a chance to do that with Gwen. She said this was our last opportunity to do naked baby shots, so I jumped at it! I get really excited waiting for the pictures to arrive so it is probably good that I am going to be busy tomorrow so I don't keep checking my email obsessively.
I am in a complete state of panic about tomorrow. I know the kids will most likely be fine, but the wedding is right at lunch time, Nate won't be getting proper naps and the wedding is 45 min from our house. The reception doesn't start until 3, so I have approximately 2 hours to drive around B'more!? It is going to be pretty cold tomorrow so I am trying to figure out what I should wear and at 5mon postpartum the possibilities are finite. But I am mostly concerned about lunch and what am I going to do about dinner. Yes, Gwen is eating more foods, but really what if they have really fru-frou wedding foods. I think this is the "be prepared" girl scout in me trying to figure out how I can be prepared for every possibility. Let's face it Nate will likely poop through one outfit, should I bring more than one spare? Gwen is usually very good during Church, will that hold tomorrow, how many snacks am I going to have to bring to hold her through? And, will she freak out and want to sit with Eric...is this going to be a full Catholic Mass...1.5hrs or a blessing? See what I mean? This is going to be an all day affair...one that involves me being packed and ready to go, this with my procrastinating habits does not make for an easy time...does any one wonder why I don't have gray hair and ulcers or worse!? I am beginning to wonder myself.
I am thinking this NaBloPoMo is probably giving you more information about me than you really wanted to know...I have to write something every day...I might win a prize, but who am I kidding, I never win anything. I was listening to the radio this morning and the woman said she just doesn't want her kids to embarrass her in public. I think I could relate to that, as far as it usually goes Gwen leaves her bad behaviour for the home so I am pretty lucky. She acts so shy people think she is charming. But, I just don't want her to be hungry or tired or crazed 'cause she hasn't seen Eric. The only one of those I can "control" is hungry, so I guess that is what I am going with. Wish me luck!
This morning when the kids were getting the pictures made it was flurrying and accumulating, so pretty. Nothing like that is going on here and we don't even live that far away, 15-20 min. I don't think she is that much higher in elevation that I am, it was really pretty and I wish it flurried here. I love the snow...my fam in WI is reading this thinking I am nuts, but I think it is cool and fun, which is why I like living here!

Bathtime!

Nate seems to love bath time. He knows the routine and he knows he will definitely be fed and put in bed soon. Since he is 5 months he loves it! I called Eric upstairs the other night...when he was home and made him take a video of Nate splashing and laughing. Gwen came up also and it was a giggle fest. He just doesn't care and splashes water all up in his face.

Technically the boys are back from their road trip, they arrived back at 6ish this morning, so Eric was pretty dead to the world today. Now he and the boys hopped back in the car and are at the bachelor party. Gwen was super excited to see Eric but she seems to be taking his being gone and coming back a lot better than she used to, oh yeah and she took another nap today. Interesting, just when I think about cutting out naps, she decides to take them!

Today has been a very random day. It is day 2 of my single-ish parent week. Today was a little crazier than yesterday days. Gwen was not listening at all, so I put her down for a nap. Within a half an hour she was out, for almost 3 hours...Alleluia. We had a much better afternoon. After she woke up, she doesn't always wake up well and I usually give her some time to talk to herself but today with the butt issues there was none of that; I had to change her immediately! I have been debating whether it is time for Gwen to give up her nap, today she needed one, but we are getting to the point where I think she might not need one any more. It certainly would be more convenient for us, since Nate is in the 2 nap stage so first thing in the morning they are both up then after that they alternate naps until dinner time when they are both up. This makes my day very challenging to run errands and stuff. I almost feel like we are stranded in the house from about mid-morning. We will see what I think after a few more days. I think I will still demand some quiet bedroom time, especially on the days I need a nap!
Nate was cute and sweet all day, as to be expected, since he is super cute and sweet! I have these pictures from last week to post where you can see how determined he is.

Look at that look he is giving me, sort of I know you are the one responsible for taking the plate away that has food on it. I don't think I trust you lady!
We think that Nate is ready to eat. He almost swiped some chicken from Gwen's hand today. He really wants to test paper and see what that is all about, really the boy wants something in his mouth to chew on. I don't think this is just because he is teething. He is a regular grab and eat kind of a boy. I don't recall Gwen being this way. I am hoping this means Nate won't fight us as much on the food issues!

The boys were in Boston last I heard. They had originally mentioned not staying in Boston overnight because it is about an 8 hour trip home from there and they wanted to be home for a little bit (separated for a couple hours) before they had to drive to Baltimore for the bachelor party. I don't know if they are going to make it though and Gwen will certainly be disappointed if they don't! She wants to see her Daddy tomorrow!

The tooth

I wanted to get a picture of the tooth for Eric since he is not here. But, it is just barely cracked the surface first I got this picture, and I realize that picture is too far away.
Then I got this picture...if you see that bubble in his mouth, if you blow it up and look real close you can see a white speck/tooth. But you've got to believe you can see it.

This is pretty much what Nate wants to do. Well, chewing and drooling, don't forget the drooling.

A new day

Today I was going to post from my backlog of pictures, but something more exciting is going on here...baby Nate's first tooth has finally decided to make an appearance! I will try to take a picture of it, but I can't make any promises. Gwen's but looks much improved to me, I am hoping that we don't have any incidents to make it worse...like forgetting to mention that she pooped! Baby Nate I have noticed, likes to poop when he is wearing overalls...I don't know why, it just seems like he always has blow-outs in them. I know, you probably really didn't want to know, but darn it, you read my website, this is what goes on.
Eric, the godfather and the best man (groom-to-be) have left for their road trip and last I heard they were in NY, but they won't be in NY for long so I suspect they are in CT. I hope that means they are making good time, the first "leg" of the journey is a 10 hr drive. Gwen, Nate and I seem to be surviving, but I do wonder where I left the eggplant in the store. I had it in my hand, I weighed it and have no idea where it went after that, strange. I am hoping this is not some kind of indicator for how things are going to go for me the next couple of days. Currently I am debating whether I should attempt the double bath time, them in the tub together. I am thinking it might not be the best idea since Gwen's butt condition could make her a pain, but we will see how brave I get!

Saga of the butt continues....

will I ever be done dealing with Gwen's butt. Today we had a Dr's appointment because Gwen's butt is on fire with the diaper rash. This darn toilet issue is driving me crazy. I am hoping that the issue is cleared up quickly with the prescription that they gave us. So I guess this means more baths and diaper free time...great more pee on the floor, just what I want to do while Eric is away. Here are some pictures from Eric's birthday. You can see what Gwen's interest is...

she has no eyes for anything else, but that cake.
Nate doesn't have eyes for the cake as you can tell. I know one picture of Nate and Eric would have sufficed but really I couldn't decide which one to work, I think they are all cute.

Still no tooth, but man is that boy a happy little man!

Because of Gwen's butt issues we missed her last swim class. I really wanted to go and talk to the teacher about whether Gwen would be advanced enough for the next class up. As much as I liked how well Gwen did in this class, I feel like the evening classes are terrible for us as a family. Baby Nate didn't like our arrangement, dinner was always late, and everyone was a little tired and cranky. I just read the class description though and it says

Children must be comfortable in the water and able to listen and learn without a parent in the water. Children should be comfortable putting their faces in the water and floating on their back and stomach with some help.

Ok, I don't know that she would listen and learn, I know that she isn't comfortable putting her face in the water. I am not sure this is Gwen, but I have hope that we could try it because I would rather go mid-morning.