Yep- we're alive

So- it's been well over a month since the last blog entry. We are all well and doing fine. Just been a bit crazy. But that story never seems to change-huh? The boys have been sick (either one or both) for over a month.... we are finally on an upswing. I can't wait to open the windows and get some fresh air in the house!
Tommy just realized yesterday that he could walk backwards. It was actually quite funny- he saw me do it and so he tried it and just started laughing- wish I had it on video. He loves to imitate everything you are doing and is starting to try to do that with his speech- which is great. So we've been trying to do lots (and lots and lots) of reading to him. He loves books and will often go and sit w/ a book to look at the pictures.
Timmy is almost 4 (gulp)!! It is hilarious and interesting having conversations with him. Most days we have moved beyond the "why, why, why" stage and he is coming up with some great questions, suggestions and thoughts. Yesterday we were talking about eating fish (tis the season). After he told me he didn't like fish- I said he's never tried it so he really can't say that. His response: "Sure I did Mommy. At the old house I tried it and didn't like it. I thought it was a chicken nuggets but it was fish... yuck!" My jaw dropped- that was over a year and a half ago and he can remember that detail? Oh Lord- please help me to not screw my kids up.... I guess I was hoping they'd forget more than they are :)
I'll be more than happy to upload some pictures- as soon as I find my camera (again)

Pooh has been found!!

Almost a year ago when we moved into our "new" house, Timmy lost his dear friend- Tugs. (a stuffed elephant who became his favorite). Timmy is the type that needs his comfort item in order to settle down- so after a week- EVERYONE was missing Tugs. Timmy found a small little (old fashioned) Pooh Bear in his stuff animal collection who felt a lot like Tugs. So- Pooh bear soon became a close friend.

This all took place during a traumatic time for Timmy- he just gained a new brother (jury was still out on whether or not that was a good thing), we moved from the house he knew & loved to a different one and Gammy & Papa left for their annual trip to FL. Pooh bear was there for Timmy in a time of need and it appeared as if that stuff animal was permanently attached to Timmy.

About 2 months after "losing" Tugs- he was found. And although it was exciting- Pooh bear still remained in the #1 spot. But on those occasions when Pooh bear is lost- Tugs is "the man"... it's so wonderful having 2 comfort pals!

So- this past week, Pooh bear was lost again- this time for a few more days than normal. Tugs was around but yesterday Pooh bear was found (I remembered he went missing the day I exchanged the 18mo for the 24 mo clothes and figured he got mixed in the shuffle... which he did).

I literally started counting and so far today, Timmy has said "I'm so glad Pooh bear is back" (or something close) FIVE times. He also asked to put Tugs on a shelf... we think he gets the fact that it's nice to have one on reserve- just in case.

Here is pic of our happily reunited Pooh Bear & Timmy (w/ Tommy & Tugs too :) ]

A Moment of Parental Genius....

It's a typical scene around here.... we are downstairs and Timmy is playing trains while Tommy is moving around from toy to toy. Until that is- Tommy realizes that Timmy is playing trains. Tommy then "high-tails it" over to the train tracks and makes trouble. It's a matter of seconds before I hear "MOMMY... TOMMY IS BREAKING MY TRAIN TRACKS!" And so it begins... again.

But the other day, I came up with something so brilliant... in the Thomas stories, the diesels are usually causing trouble in the train yard. They like to play tricks on the steam engines and often wreck things. So- I told Timmy that Tommy was like a diesel engine... causing trouble on Timmy's railway. Timmy thought that was hilarious (and Tommy is clueless). So now when Tommy comes over to destroy Timmy's train tracks all I hear is "Diesel Tommy is back!"... with giggles.

Not sure how long this will last- but just let me bask in my brilliance please. It doesn't happen too often.

Boy- That one backfired!

So, it is Timmy's first morning back at school and I decide to take a moment to try to read the newspaper. Tommy is next to me in his high chair eating his breakfast but he sees my cup of coffee. He is pretty darn insistent that he wants some. Timmy did this to me at one time too- so I finally gave in and had him try a little. Timmy spit it out and never, ever asked for my coffee again. That plan worked so well I figured we'd give it a second run. I gave Tommy just a drop or two and waited for that "ICK" face to appear. It never came. Instead- his eyebrows arched, a smile came over him and he gave me the "more" sign. Ugh! So much for winning round two. As of date, the only thing I haven't seen Tommy eat is string cheese. So really- I should have known.


When I picked Timmy up from school, for the first time ever, he came running out to greet me. Normally he shows no interest in the fact that I'm there much less that I'm his Mom. But today, he was in the doorway (of the door leading to the outside), saw me and ran to me yelling... "Mommy!" Can I just say at that moment, I felt so freak'n good!

Talking to Timmy about his day, I asked Timmy if he saw Mrs. Crowley today. Monday is Media Center day when the kids return a book and borrow a new one. Mrs. Crowley is the Media Center teacher whom Timmy LOVES (in fact, he wanted to put two bows on her jar of cocoa but all the other teachers only got one :). Timmy told me that Mrs Crowley wasn't there- he thinks she was hiding or something. And then he says "Or maybe she was with administration.".........WHAT! Did my three year old seriously tell me that a teacher was with administration? I have to concentrate saying that word and yet it rolled off his tounge. And to think he is in speech therapy. I still giggle thinking about it. Administration...


On a side note- we had a grand time celebrating Tim's birthday. Some of my family came down to bring in Tim's 40th year as well as his cousin Maria (and her son Carl- one of Timmy's favorite guys to play with). And Jeff & Brenda Thorpe drove in from Decatur. We broke in our new Wii as well as the new Catchphrase game I gave Tim for Cmas. We made it to the 12am countdown and everyone started getting ready for bed at 12:05am. But we made it- and we are proud :)

The next day, we took the train downtown. It was COLD but fun. Keith & Andy (bro & nephew) only had time to ride the train there & back (but loved it as it's not something you get to do in Oshkosh!) And Eric & Kat (bro & his girlfriend) stayed long after us and went to the Sears uh, I mean, Willis Tower. We really didn't do much w/ the kids but I think w/ the celebration the day before- they were worn out anyway.