We dig, dig, dig-a, dig, dig...
Monday, June 14, 2010 - Happy 17-months, Silas! I can't believe you are so old! It seems like just a few weeks ago I was holding you in my arms as such a small little guy. You have grown up so fast! I can't believe all the things you can do these days. Your vocabulary and understanding of what I ask you to do blows me away all the time. You just soak everything in. You've really started climbing these days..up on the couches and much to my dismay, the kitchen table! Thankfully (for me), your older brother loves to come tell on you. One of my favorite things about your right now is that you get down and up confused. I love when you walk over to me and say "Down, down!" when you really mean "up, up!" When prompted, you quickly correct yourself but it makes me smile every time. I've heard you practicing in your car seat and in your crib though..."up, down, up, down, up down..." Soon you'll have it straight and this will be just a small blip in your young life.
One of Silas' favorite things..."fives"
Ok...on to the day...Today we finally had Joel's 3 year check. Since the appt was a little later in the morning, we hit up a nearby playground before we went over there. The boys had a great time. Silas even requested to go down the slide....which was wet....but he still had fun. He's getting braver on the playground every time we go.
Joel is such a big boy these days at 38.5 lbs and 39.5 inches, both in the 90-95th percentiles. We started with a new pediatrician a few months ago after we switched to Fuller's insurance. I was very nervous leaving Dr. Schlundt, as I really appreciated the way that he's cared for both of my boys since they were born. He whole-heartedly recommended Dr. Chapman and by the grace of God, we beat the system and she took the boys as patients. Dr. Chapman said that Joel was doing great. He got two shots and didn't cry one bit. When the nurse gave him the first shot, he said, "Ow, Ow, Ow, Ow!" but never anything else. I wasn't sure then, how he would handle the second one, but he had the same reaction. She was as shocked as I was and said, "No tears! That's amazing!" I had to brag a little and told her that amazingly, he's only cried tears during 1 shot in his whole 3 years of life. I don't know how I am so blessed but so far, there is no fear of doctors or needles with either kid. On the way out after I checked out, Silas loudly yelled, "BYE" to the receptionist. All the nurses and staff looked over and he immediately started blowing kisses to everyone. What a charmer!
We stopped by Trader Joe's to pick up a few things. They boys overall did really well. We've been to TJ's enough now that when Joel sees the sample station, he says, "I wonder what they have today...." Today was grapes and bread with brie. The boys shared some grapes and I tasted some yummy brie. The boys took a gloriously long nap....almost 3 hours but woke up a little on the cranky side. I finally got them calm enough to eat snacks and then they were much better. Funny story: After being at the doctor today, Joel found his tools and using a wrench, screw-driver and one of my hair clips, Joel (all by himself and completely un-prompted) created this "tool" to replicate the light the doctor uses to look down your throat. I tried to snap a quick pic of it. Of course, he needed to make sure Silas was a-ok.
Say ahhhh!
We enjoyed a fun dinner outside when David got home, joined by the Wrights and then the Kim busted out one of my favorite desserts...chocolate chip cookie pie! Oh yes...then later that night, I was in the office working on the computer and David was sitting on the couch watching TV. He yelled, "Did you feel that?" "Feel what? Oh, yes, there and there." Yep, we felt about 3 waves of the earth rolling under us as part of the small-ish earthquake on the US/Mexico border. We haven't felt many earthquakes since living here but every one has felt very different. I've learned not to live in fear of them anymore, but I'd still prefer to deal with natural disasters that I can have at least a few minutes warning....like...tornadoes!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 - Well, today has been a day. I don't know if it's just one of those days or if by missing out on the terrible 2's with Joel we have signed up for the trying 3's. Either way, he has been pushing my buttons today. Not to say that he's usually a perfect angel because he's rambunctious and mischievous like all little boys but rarely is he so defiant. Since we did so great last week getting out for some exercise, and since we didn't exercise yesterday, I thought we'd head over to the Rose Bowl for some running/walking and some playground time. There was a major melt-down over spilled raisins before we even left the house. Then again at the RB over getting in the stroller. Then there was the running away to the other playground and the running away in the parking lot. Thankfully, there were a couple of really sweet moments too. We decided to walk over to the other playground and I was pushing the stroller, sans kids. I asked Joel to help Silas get over there. They walked hand in hand the whole way. At one point when Silas stumbled, Joel leaned over and asked, "Are you okay, Guy-wus?" Then Joel wanted to cut across the grass because it was more direct while I stayed on the sidewalk. He let me know..."Momma, this way..." I explained that I was staying on the sidewalk and he said, "Ok, we'll meet you over there." And Joel did so great on the playground. He's gotten especially good at climbing up the "mountains" and "ladders" and he really likes the balancing walks and the monkey bars. He can't really cross the monkey bars by himself yet, but he's able to hang there for quite a while and has learned how to let go and fall safely to the ground. (None of the ones he's hanging from are very high.) After we left the playground, we headed to the grocery store. I thought it would be ok, but by the end, they were testing me again. They each threw their snacks and cups out of the cart and by the end Joel had Silas in a headlock. Thankfully David came home for lunch so he could help me corral them!
Kim found out that there was a Street Feast happening at the Americana in Glendale so we all headed over to check it out. There were 9 food trucks from the LA area parked around the trolley tracks at the Americana. Food trucks have become a huge deal out here and the people were there to support them. The Retts and Wrights got in the long line for the Grilled Cheese truck. David was so jealous (or not) but we chose the Patty Wagon because the line was shorter and we knew the boys wouldn't last too long.
I'll share with you, Mommy....
We finally ordered and then finally got our food. It was pretty good. They focus on using high-quality ingredients and serve only grass-fed beef. The sliders were good and the fries were awesome! (Well, I loved them because they were thin and crispy. David said that they would be more accurately classified as chips. I wouldn't go that far!) Anyway, the boys loved watching the fountains, chasing birds, and saying Hi to all the people. Unfortunately, we left before the others had even ordered their food! It was time though because the boys were falling asleep in the car on the way home. Oh yeah...this afternoon we skyped with my parents and saw Belle, a border collie, and Daisy, a brown mini-dachshund. Silas was enamored Dee-dee (as he calls Daisy) and wanted to see her over and over. Well, when we got on the elevator to leave the Americana tonight, he saw a small brown chihuahua who looked a little bit like Daisy. The entire way to the car and then all the way home, he kept saying excitedly (which = loud!), "Dee-dee! Dee-dee!" Joel kept saying..."That's not Daisy. But Momma, that's not Daisy." How do you convince a 3 year old it's not necessary to correct an almost 1.5 year old?
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 - Today was laundry day so not a lot of excitement here. The boys played around the house all morning and we went outside to play with Zoe and burn some energy. Silas has reached the age where he wants to do whatever Joel and Zoe are doing. He was very excited when they let him play "mountain monster" with them. When David got home he took the boys on a quick walk around the neighborhood while I finished dinner.
Thursday, June 17, 2010 - We met Kara and her boys (J and L) at the Rose Bowl for a walk today. The boys did great. Then, noticing a pattern of playground in the morning = especially long afternoon nap, we headed over to the playground for some fun. Silas loved the swings. Joel helped L and J "make" Kara all kinds of wood-chip food at the little table. They played a little soccer and dug in the dirt. We got ready to chase the birds and Joel got his "binoculars" out. (He puts his hands up to his face like he's looking thru binoculars. It's adorable. It was especially cute because he had dirt all over his hands so there were dirt smudges where his "binoculars" had been. Unfortunately, I didn't get a great picture.
Making "birthday cake"
Big boys digging...Silas to the side looking at the birds
After naps, the pool was set up so Z, Joel and Silas hopped in. They had a blast! At one point, Joel and Z were just pouring buckets of water over Silas; he just laughed! He loved it! I finally had to make them stop because even though he was laughing, he looked like a drowning puppy!
Say Cheese!
We are tough...and silly!
Playing in the boys' closet...one of their new favorite games!
Mike came over to watch Game 7 in the NBA finals. We were all disappointed the Celtics couldn't hang on but we were apparently the only sad ones around here. LA seems to celebrate every Lakers championship like they haven't won in 100 years. It's really odd to me. Anyway, fireworks started and cheers erupted. I think it was chaos in downtown LA.
Friday - June 18, 2010 - Andrew's mom, Sue, has been in town this week watching Evie while Becca finishes her last week at work. Since she doesn't have a car during the day, Kim had the fun idea that we could take Sue and Evie to lunch. We loaded the cars and headed to Camille's. Normally a pretty slow place, it was happening on Friday. But, we had a great lunch and for the most part, the kids did really well. The boys shared a yummy pizza! We figured out soon after Evie was born that we can squeeze her car seat between the boys. They are nice and cozy but the boys love riding with her! Silas has even started saying her name!
E fascinates us!
Saturday, June 19, 2010 - On the menu this morning: Oatmeal Berry Muffins! Joel helped me mix while Silas munched on Cheerios.
"Momma, what's next?"
Then we headed outside to eat our breakfast. When Silas saw them, he started saying "cupcakes! cupcakes!" I had no idea he really knew what a cupcake was! Too cute!
The Finished Product
The rest of the day was spent getting ready for our Chicago-themed going away party for our dear friends, Mike and Annie. They are headed to Illinois next week so Mike can work towards his PhD at Wheaton. We are so sad to see them go but so thankful that we've had the last 2 years to get to know them.
LB, David, Mike, Annie
We will miss you!
I love a themed-party so of course, we went all out. Becca made deep-dish pizza. Kim made Chicago-style hot dogs and a turtle cheesecake. Katie made strawberry cheesecake and green Jell-o. And I made caramel corn and put together a fruit tray. Let me say...the food was amazing. We hung white socks in honor of the Sox, had Gummy Bears ala Da Bears, Teddy Grahams for the Cubs, Red Bull for the Bulls, and Wrigley gum in honor of Wrigley Field and the Wrigley Building. Chris painted an amazing backdrop of the Chicago skyline to set the scene.
The Spread
The Snacks
We had a great evening of food and celebration of friendship and new chapters! They boys did really well. Joel ate quickly and after he got out of his chair seemed a little bored. He quickly found the water dispenser and started asking everyone if he could serve them. He would walk up to people and say, "Excuse me? You need more water?" and then he would carefully walk over and fill up their glass. Someone said he just needed a tux! Too cute!
Joel, E, LB, Silas
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