Sometimes I Fall Down!

John is doing so good at walking. But.... he does fall down sometimes. He usually doesn't hit his head though - which is good. He will fall on his bottom and then sometimes do a face smack- but so far nothing serious. Although- today he hit his head pretty hard on the dishwasher. He gets going so fast that he almost runs the last 2-3 steps. Well he did that today and flew into the edge of the dishwasher. He only had a mark for a little while, but I felt bad. I told myself I should empty the dishwasher when he's sleeping. Oh but that's nearly impossible since 90% pf the time he sleeps on me. Ooops. All the bad habits you start and can't break. No he will sleep in his crib - just not for a long time (for his naps). Anyway- he's a trooper!!! He is 100% off all meds and so far a happy boy. Ok well yesterday he had a high temp and so I had to take him back to the doc. office - but it wasn't his ears. It wasn't anything- so I don't know. He's himself today - so maybe it was just a fluke thing. OK I'm going to bed now. 

School Days

Grace is working hard on her wall alphabet. We were doing so good lately and now we are a tad behind. I guess we've been doing other things!! She loves to say her letters and know most of them. She gets a couple confused - but that's ok for now I guess. We will keep working on them this summer.

Nothing else is new here. We went to the park today. Soooo nice out! I love it when the weather is in the 70's and sunny. John is 99% walking ALL over. He will sometimes crawl but hardly ever! It's fun to take him to the park now b/c he will go where he wants to. Now I don't have to carry him everywhere. Well I guess I do when we go up the stairs or down the slides. He knows how to climb stairs- but I get nervous at parks. Besides being dirty- I don't want him to slip and fall far from the ground. Can't believe it's already Wednesday tomorrow. Wow how the weeks fly!!

Pirate Ship Water Fun

These two need to be kept busy.... so last week I went looking for a water table. I have been looking now for 3 weeks but couldn't seem to find one I liked. A friend of mine had posted her little boy playing with this same one. It looked awesome... so I had to hunt on down!!  I found it, ordered it, and put it together for them. They love it!! We just played with it again today. It was a bit chilly- but that's what they wanted to do. I can't wait for it to warm up so we can actually enjoy getting wet!! Anyway- it came with 2 pirate outfits- so Grace MUST wear one when we go out. It's cute!! I'm also thinking of a small sand box. I don't want to collect a bunch of toys- but they love to play and when you're playing all day... you need a variety!! (Of course we go places and do things- I am just talking about for when we stay around the house!). We'll see!! I may wait on the sandbox.

We went up to my parents house this weekend. Had a great time of course. Played with cousins, caught a fish, danced, went for a boat ride, swam in the pool, ate a ton of yummy food, and on and on!! It's always fun to go visit with family. Again- I am very thankful to be so close to my family!! It's so nice and I love being able to go visit for a weekend and then come back home. Grace loves playing with her cousins and aunts -  and can't get enough of Grammy and Papa - so it's just nice.  OK that's all tonight. 

Pudding Time

This was when we all made pudding. They loved it and yes- it was ALL over!! But we had fun... that's all that matters.  :)



John's Teeth

I finally captured a good picture of his teeth. 4 and counting... as of now. Oh and he is a bitter!! He will bite me out of the blue and it scares me while hurting at the same time. Sometimes I scare him but my reaction and he cries- but sometimes he laughs. Oh boy.... I just hope he doesn't bite his "friends" or sister when he starts a school of some sort. That won't be for a long while- but still, I just hope he doesn't. We are headed up to my parents for the weekend. Just the kids and I. I wanted to give Adeyiza some piece and quiet. Ha ha.... no really just to visit and for something to do. I want to see my nephews and niece too. Seems like a while now. Ok that's all for tonight. I'm tired and will probably go to bed soon.

Happy Kids... Happy Mom!!

As I look at this picture... John looks really tall. His feet look big too!! Ha - maybe he is growing up before my eyes! We went to the park today before the "rain" came. I say "rain" because it never ended up raining. I hurried home from picking Grace up so that we could have some outdoor fun before all the storms- but so far we are in the clear. I think maybe in the middle of the night or something. Anyway- that's about all we did. Oh we started our "school" today. I found some cute stuff at the dollar tree. Today we did letters A - F (ok I just have to throw this in here- she does know most of her letters already- I am just reviewing in a fun way for her sake.) It's a cute wall alphabet that you color yourself. I am sure Adeyiza will look around the house this summer and tell me I need to go back to work. Ha ha!! I am just pretending to have my own classroom with these two. They love it!! Well Grace does anyway- John's attention span is not the best. Hmmm guess he is only 10 months - or is this an indication of a hyper active child. You never know.... Just joking he will be fine!! That's about it. I will post our pudding pictures tomorrow. 

Something New

I don't usually write about anything other than my kids, but today I had a thought that why not write about other things if need be. So.... 2  food things...first- if you've never tried Mc Donald's oatmeal- it's a must!! It's only 260 calories and it's so good. I had to get one today. It truly is the best oatmeal I've ever had. Better than Starbucks oatmeal and that's good too. And second - if you've never tried  Philadelphia cooking cream.... it's a must as well!! It's right next to the cream cheese. I am always looking for new quick and easy recipes- and this by far is super good, quick, and easy!! All you do is buy the cooking cream and add it to a meat / seafood, and pasta. They have many flavors including recipes on the package. What I did.... I sauteed onions and shrimp in olive oil (seasonings of choice), cooked my pasta, added the cooking cream to the shrimp, then dumped my pasta in the sauce. It was so good and again... QUICK!!! OK that's all. I was going to add this to my post below but I forgot.

Walking ALL OVER!!!!

Today by far was the most John has walked out of all the days before. He is almost 100% walking with NO crawling. It is so funny to watch him move across the room. I just love it!! He is so happy now that he can move around. It's interesting  how different John and Grace were at this age. Grace NEVER got into anything - as far as closets, cabinets, drawers, or anything like that. John is in EVERYTHING!! He wants to open all my cabinets and explore. It's good- but just different. I guess they are different in many ways. He is  always on the go- Grace was so laid back. He is such a wiggle worm I can hardly get him changed - Grace would sit calmly. He will sit for 2 seconds to read a book- Grace will sit for the entire book and then ask for me to read it again. (still does!) Anyway- it's just interesting how different they were / are. I always wondered if it was true- the whole boys are different than girls- YUP!! I think so. Plus I probably just described 90% of ALL boys I'm sure. That's about it. Nothing exciting going on here!!

My Ballerina Girl

Grace got a new ballerina outfit today. She loved it!! She wanted to twirl all day. Good thing because this weather is pretty stinky. Rain rain go away!! I think it's suppose to warm up by the end of this week anyway.  We did go out for a bit before nap today. Fresh air always makes the naps longer :) . This afternoon we just played at home.  I will post more pics this week. We made pudding - well and of course played in it!! They loved it and John splashed away in it. It was all over EVERYTHING- but it was fun and I didn't care. I've learned to let it go.... you can always clean it later!!!  

Big Boy

John is doing so good. His skin looks GREAT and his ear infection should be gone. He still has a couple days on his antibiotics - but he's acting just fine. He's even eating his veggies!!! Love it.

We all went to church today and then came home for lunch and a nap. We then went to the park. The weather was so nice today we just had to enjoy ever bit of it. Not too much going on this week. Grace is doing good. Nothing new with her. Ok I will get some more pictures this week to post. Right now I am out again!!!

What are you doing sister???

I just had to post this. John follows Grace wherever she goes. She went to the bathroom then washed her hands. All while John was sitting there watching her. He is so funny to find it so interesting- and Grace just goes about her business. She's naked because she wanted to change her clothes. She ALWAYS wants to change her clothes. So silly!!

John is feeling much better. His skin is cleared up and his fever is gone!! Oh and I forgot to add to the medicine list his steroid cream. He has prescription cream he uses for his eczema. Anyway- he's doing better and much more relax. Thank God!!! 

That's about it tonight. I think I'm going to try to go to bed early. Night night!!!

Poor John

Poor John went to the doctor today and he has an ear infection. I knew something wasn't right- but just not sure. With a high temp. for 4 days- it had to be something. Anyways - I feel bad for him. I wish I took him Friday on the first day of his high temp. but they said not to. Of coarse I called-  I call my doctor about everything! But I would rather be safe and over protective than to miss something. I am thankful they found it though- and I already started him on his antibiotics. So I am hoping he feels better soon. John is on lots of meds right now. Let's see- Tylenol and Motrin for his pain (ear and tooth), Benedryl for his itchy skin, nose spray for his runny nose, and now an antibiotic. Wow- sounds like a lot to me. But I am trying to keep him comfortable during this tough process. He's actually not in bad spirits. Well guess he shouldn't be with all that he's taking. No really- I am pretty careful with giving medicine.  I only do what my doctor tells me to do- and what I think is best. When his skin is really flared up is when he gets benedryl - but that's not a daily thing. I guess most of what he's taking now is temporary- it's just all hitting him at once. His tooth is almost here!! It's soar when I touch it. Oh I forgot to add Oral gel to the list. Ha ha. OK I will keep you posted on my little man. 

My Little Walker

John is surprising us daily. Yesterday he took 4 steps at a time and then would fall. Well today it's even better... he took 8 steps before falling. I was so excited. He has been getting up and trying again. It's so cute.

On the other hand, he's had a fever for the past 4 days. Today is was much better- but Friday and the whole weekend it was 101.7 to 102.3. So I was a little concerned. I really think it's his teeth- but I know what they say.... no fevers with teething. I still believe that kids do get fevers with teeth- but I'm no expert I guess. He's in good spirits for the most part. A tad fussy at times- but other than that eating normal and still playing with his sister.

OK so on with some other news. We have changed our minds about living in Saline. Here is why... first- I thought they had smaller schools than Ann Arbor. But NOT true. The high schools are about the same size since Saline has only 1, and Ann Arbor has 3. So it ends up being the same. Second- DIVERSITY!! I know it will better for our children to be around other cultures. Saline is 92% Caucasian and Ann Arbor is 54% . So that's a HUGE factor. I am confident in this decision and know it will be the best one for our family. SO.. that means NEW school for Grace... and the house hunting is all about to change. I already canceled Grace's registration to that school I thought was the best. I am not going to send her and then possibly pull her in a few months. I can take my time and hunt for a new one in Ann Arbor. Same with houses. We know what we are looking for- so we will take our time to find the right house, right location, and right school district. I better make sure I am 100% sure about the decisions I make before blogging them. Lesson learned!! LOL

Petunia

Petunia is the newest addition to our family. Grace finally has a big girl bike. We gave it to her this morning. She was so excited!!! She rides it all over the house.... for now!!! That is until we put it outside- then no more house riding. We still need to put air in the tires. Once we do that- then outside it goes. For now it's something else to do indoors.

 

Moving All Around!!

John is all over the place. It's so cute.

Grace getting dressed.

It was another beautiful day. We went to a couple parks again today. It started to sprinkle a bit when we were at one, but it didn't stay and cleared up shortly after. We have somewhat of a busy weekend. We have a dinner event for Adeyiza's work tomorrow night and a birthday party on Saturday. Mom and dad are coming to watch the kids tomorrow night. My sitter had plans that night- so I had to go with plan B. Plus I'm sure they would have been down soon anyway. They usually can't stay away too long. Ha ha. Or we would have made a  trip to them. Either way it always works out. I am sure they will be shocked at how much more mobile John is. He's really improved since Easter.

So I said something about Grace being an emotional roller coaster. To make a long story short- she's just been more aggressive towards John recently. Like pushing him down for no reason- hitting him- stepping on his hands- and just stuff like that. I'm thinking to myself this isn't my sweet little Grace... where did she go??? And yes- I give her attention, I have special days where John stays home with the sitter and it's just us.... and on and on.... so I didn't think that was a factor- but it still could be a little one I guess. Sibling jealousy right? I remember posting a while back how at the mall a little boy just ran up and pushed her.... and it seems to happen a lot... so we were at the park yesterday and this little boy right away starts pulling on her, touching her hair, pushing her (not hard- just enough to be annoying to her) and just flat out aggressive. The mom was trying to coach him along to do the "right" things- but of course Grace ended up in tears- and it was just a yucky situation. (They would play every once in a while- until he would do something else.) Anyway- so they left and within 2 seconds Grace started acting like him towards John. I was like Hmmmm so perhaps at school she is getting pushed, shoved, and all that- then coming home and taking it out on John??? It clicked- because honestly she is so shy around ANYONE new to her. She only talks around people she really knows even to this day. So it just dawned on me that this is probably what's happening and making her do that to John. So on one side I'm like man- I really don't want Grace to be the one getting bullied- on the other hand I would not want her to be the one bulling. So it's just something I need to think about and for now I just teach her to use her words and walk away to play with something else. But it's hard as a parent to watch sometimes bc it's my kid who is doing NOTHING and the other kid I could just smack. No not really but Grace is so sweet that it just bothers me. Not saying she is perfect- but I know how she is in public and the teachers have told me the same thing. Plus I know she's gotten her hair pulled and pushed in school- I just thought it all stopped. Anyway- that's what I meant by emotional roller coaster. Because then she turns around and loves her brother. Ha ha .... long road ahead of me I guess!!! I better put her in Karate classes ASAP. 

Good Morning Princess!!!

This was Grace waking up one morning. She's so funny!!! She was saying good morning to John and I. Today was the sweetest thing!!! She leaned her head on John's head and said, "I love you John!" Awe.. one of those "melt your heart" moments.( She's been a roller coaster of emotions - but I'll tell you that story some other night.)  We didn't do much today. Just went to the park after nap and then played outside for a bit. Well I need to relax for a bit. I'm pretty tired tonight. Good night!!

One...Two...Three

John is so funny these days. He's developing his own little personality. I mean.. all kids start to have one early one- but the funny cute things that they start doing comes when they can actually move around to do them. Like as soon as he hears the bath water run- he will come crawling over to the bathroom and hurry to get to the tub. He also makes this cute scrunched up face that I keep trying to get on camera. Oh and now every time he hears music he starts to dance. Today I had to run an errand and once he heard the music playing in a store he starts wiggling and moving his left hand. So funny!!! He also takes towels and covers his face. Then you have to say peek-a-boo and he takes it off. I could go on and on- but I won't!! I always forget what it's like to have a crawling baby. It's like you want them to crawl so bad- but it's like what they say- once they crawl you'll be chasing them all over. TRUE!!! I caught him going up the stairs today. Oooops!! I need to ALWAYS shut the gates. That's why we have them right?? My mistake. It was cute though- he can do it all by himself. I took a pic with my phone- but I couldn't leave him to get the camera. Anyway- nothing new- just another day. We did go to Grace's favorite park today....twice!!! It was so nice out- so I try to stay out a lot!! I hope the nice warm weather sticks around!!!

I Am 10 Months Old Today!!

Can you believe he is already 10 months old today? I just can't believe it. That means in 2 months he will be a year!! Today we celebrated his special day at the mall. I know... the mall. But now that he can stand - he loves to play in the children's area. Plus Grace loves the mall too and it was soooo windy that I had to do something indoors. So we played and then they rode rides. Man I wish I took pictures. They are so funny when they ride rides. They both sit so quietly and enjoy the ride. I will have to take pictures next time. Oh and John woke up with nice looking skin. He's had bright red itchy skin for a while now. Still not gone- and he is still itchy- but today his face was much better and he wasn't nearly as red as he has been. When we came home they both took a nap. After nap time we just played in the house. The wind is still blowing so hard. I was thinking a storm was coming or something. I mean it's windy!!! Anyway- I took some cute pics today. I'll post them soon. Oh can you tell his hair is cut??

John... John... John

Ok so really I'm out of pictures again- this is kind of an old one, but I thought it was better than nothing. I will take more tomorrow.

I told you how on Friday both kids were going to go with me to Bible study - well they did and it turned out great. John was happy for the most part. Now that he's standing and walking from object to object he is much happier. He can actually get to the toys he wants. He even lets go and stands without holding onto anything. He has taken a couple steps but then falls. Very wobbly but I know he will walk before he's 1 for sure!!I think I said this- but he's crawling all over. He follows me to the bathroom- kitchen- and anywhere he wants to go. It's still hard for me to let him explore in our living room since it's hard wood- I'm just nervous he will bump his head or something. So I let him for a little bit and then we go back upstairs.

He is eating MUCH better. Opening his mouth and wanting to eat!! YIPPY!! He ate mac and cheese, all kinds of fruits, beans, and even cereal in the mornings. I was so happy. He's not eating a ton- but I'm happy with ANY progress.

I think I'll go for a run tomorrow and then take the kids to the mall in the afternoon to play. Grace loves it there- and now I am interested to see what John does since he can stand on his own. So that's about it - nothing new. House hunting is at a stand still. We even told our landlord it may be longer than June. So for now we are on a month to month lease. That means we can take our time. I love that!! No pressure. We will wait for the house we want and have patience all while doing so.

Until next time..........

John at the lake!!

John loved being outside at the lake. He is getting stronger each day. He is eating better!!! Yah... he opened his mouth for food today and yesterday. I was soooo happy. I know.. shouldn't be a big deal. But it is!! It's been a battle since day one and it's so much easier just to have him WANT to eat and ACTUALLY eat and not fight me. Imagine fighting your child everyday just to eat. It's not the easiest thing to do- but again- I know it could ALWAYS be worse. His bottle feeding is going good too. He loves to go to the park and play. He holds on to whatever he can and walks all over.

Grace did a great job staying at my gym. I was able to get a quick work out in before our 10:00 play date at a new park. It was such a nice park. Met some new people there too. I love spending one on one time with Grace. I think she likes it too!

Found A School

So yesterday I took a tour at that preschool in Saline. (Close to Ann Arbor) I loved it!! It was inside of a elementary school, possibly the one she will go to, and it was a very nice program all together. It's for 3-5 year olds so she won't start until October, but I know she will just love it. They have 3 different classrooms and 3 different times you can choose from. She will only be going 3 days a week from 9-12 and then eat lunch here at home. It's a bit different from the Montessori approach- but I know she will do fine in either setting. We've had a great week with her home on Spring Break. I have to admit- I like having her here all day but I think she gets board sometimes. ha ha. I mean I try to change things up- but I can only think of so many things. But- tomorrow I'm taking her to the gym with me. I've always wanted to see if she would play while I work out really quick. She's going to have to in the summer- so I might as well try now. I think she will like it. My gym has a cute play room with great staff. Even though John won't stay there- I think Grace would. Then if she likes it - I will bring them both and see if John will stay knowing Grace is staying too. We'll see!!! Then after the gym I am taking her to a new park for a big play date. I hope the weather is nice!! Friday is all booked up too. They are both going with me to my bible study. The host does in home day care- so her house is very kid friendly. I am hoping Grace plays and lets me be with the ladies. Guess we will see about that one too. All in all it's been a busy week. Can't believe it's almost over already. I tell you.... time goes too fast!!