Thankful Thursday

1.  swimming at the Y - great way to burn off the kids' energy
2.  I don't have to rely on the world's unreliable and ever-changing methods for raising kids.  I can have clear directions from God's Word and wisdom as I pray for answers.
3.  Mara's temperature is gone. 
4.  Phase 2 of the laundry room project is complete.
5.  family day
6.  Kleenex with lotion and Aquaphor - wiping noses and protecting raw noses has been a full time job this week!
7.  free babysitters (our parents!) - They even agree to watch them when they're sick! 
8.  Baldon Hardware Store - Lance teases me about always making lists for everything.  However, he's been keeping our hometown hardware store in business because of his lack of a list when he heads to Menards!
9.  playing outside
10.  library books
11.  my nephew, Landon's, third birthday

He was so sweet.  He let Mara help him open his presents.  

A big birthday hug that ended up.....

on the floor!

Mara's Salon

She can curl, straighten, wash, and brush.  

But don't ask for a cut.  We don't use the word "hair" and "scissors" in the same sentence in this house.  With Mara's curiosity and length of time it took her to grow the hair she has, we just don't go there.  But if you really need a cut, just ask Lance.  He's getting pretty good at hair stuff.

I should warn you that some clients haven't been too happy with their results.....

Thankful Thursday

1.  co-ed volleyball
2.  Micah's little round head
3.  good night of sleep after two rough nights
4.  Lance's dedication to his new exercise and eating plan
5.  a hair cut
6.  toddler talk - Mara's new term is "can't tired" (a combination of "can't sleep" and "not tired")
7.  Waukee Parks and Recreation - We tried a new toddler class called Kid Fit and loved it!
8.  baby initiated kisses
9.  cell phones
10.  Hy-Vee - the best car carts and free cheese from the deli.  We may have to start shopping there more often!
11.  good results from a required health insurance screening

Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.  Proverbs 10:12

You're Doing What?

I walk into the living room to this one day.

Mara had taken of his socks and pants and was attempting to get his shirt off.  When I asked her what she was doing, she said, "I wanna change him!"  She then demanded I bring her a diaper and wipes.  He is so patient with her as he just laid there letting her do her thing. 

This is how I found this guy one morning after a nap.  Not sure what that was about!

I was busy making supper one night.  The kids were laughing and banging around with kitchen utensils like usual, so I guess I wasn't paying much attention.  They came up with a new game.  Beat the bucket on Mara's head with a spatula.  And I mean BEAT!  If you've never seen this kid with a hammer or wooden spoon, watch out!  I did have to intervene in this great game, but they were both thoroughly enjoying beating and getting beaten. 

Big News!

Tip for other bloggers:  I haven't been able to upload pictures for a few days due to some technical problems with Blogger and Internet Explorer.  For now, I downloaded Firefox and that's working.  I read that it should also work using Chrome.

Notice anything different?

 No helmet!  We had his four month appointment last week.  He hadn't grown much at his three month appointment, so I didn't think he would be discharged until at least the five month appointment.  I knew he had been growing in the last month because he's been eating and sleeping more.  When the specialist said he could clinically justify discharging him, the tears almost let loose.  I did hold them in until we got into the van.  We were all pumped to say the least.  He is 2 mm away from what is considered the "perfect" measurement for his age, so we could have left it on a little longer.  However, the helmet was getting pretty snug on his cheekbones, so we felt it was in his best interest to remove the helmet.  He has a few bumps and bruises and didn't sleep well the first two nights, but overall he's adjusting well!  Mara reminded me several times the first day that he didn't have his helmet on, but I think she's already forgotten about it now. 

 His post-helmet present!  He can now fit into a toddler hat.

before and after

 The helmet did provide for some great food storage, but we're very thankful to be snuggling his little noggin.  What an experience it was.  So glad it's over.  So very thankful for the results.

Thankful Thursday

I had a couple of pictures to upload, but the uploader hasn't been working since yesterday. 

1.  Breakfast Hash - Lance's newest meal he created from scratch.  He's so good at throwing things together, and it always tastes amazing!
2.  We have three winter house projects to complete.  Phase 1 is done in all three projects, thanks to my hubs!
3.  Menards - We do appreciate being so close to one, especially for house project supplies. 
4.  a healthy 2012 with lots of memories made
5.  dinner with friends
6.  My cousin and his family had a small house fire, and everyone made it out safely.
7.  my new laminator - I had a couple projects I needed to laminate, so I decided to buy one.  And now I've found several more projects to do!  Yes, I'm now in my 30's.  A new laminator is exciting!
8.  a warm house
9.  Carolyn at Fareway - She is such a sweet lady, and she always makes an effort to make Mara feel special.  On our most recent trip, she gave Mara her own sack with her cheese in it.  This was a really big deal, just ask Mara!  I was not allowed to carry her sack into the house or put her cheese into the fridge.  "Mine!  Do it self!"

Micah - 11 months

My baby will be a toddler in a month.  Geesh.  Just crazy. 

It's been a big month in the communication department for Micah.  He now says "Mama" and "Dada" when referring to us.  His first word was "cah-cah" (cracker).  His second was "bah" (ball).  He gets to practice this word a lot because there are balls all over our living room thanks to Landon and Griffin who got him a ball pit for Christmas.  He's a super eater.  He eats just about anything and lots of it.  He has been sleeping longer in the mornings and taking longer naps.  We're hoping for a big growth spurt, so we will see improvement in his head measurements at his next helmet appointment.  He loves to play with cars and tractors.  He enjoys reading books, especially touch and feel ones. 

 

He has learned how to put things on his head.  He thought this was quite funny. 

Emptying Mara's closet is one of his favorite things to do.  I've told Lance we need to take the doors off the closets for a few months because I'm afraid he's going to get this fingers pinched, but I'm not sure how we're going to keep this from happening every day!