Snakes, Snails, & puppy dogtails...

Jordan got to go on his first field trip today with school (daycare). They went to the veterinary hospital here in Puyallup. They got to see dogs being groomed and the teacher told me Jordan covered his ears as it was too loud! I asked Jordan what he saw there and his reply was that he saw kitties, a mouse, puppies, and even 'peaches & Ike' which means that he saw a couple of pugs. Jordan calls every pug he sees 'peaches & Ike'! The teacher leader of the trip said Jordan was just wonderful...good to know he can maintain discipline, order, and happiness when we are not around and he's not in the school environment.

I've reached that point in my parenting of boys the part where you hate say snakes, but you pick one up because your 3-year old wants to put the snake into a bucket...That's right, this past weekend we found two gardener snakes in the back yard; one got away but one didn't:) I REALLY, REALLY hate snakes but I picked it up anyways because Jordan wanted it. We did end up freeing it after a few hours, but the worry was that he wanted to bring it in to his room and the struggle that would ensue when we had to say 'no' but Philip was able to talk Jordan into freeing it because it wanted to 'go home and be with its family'...just like the worms, snails, slugs, 'tato bugs (lots of unknown bugs), and spiders all wanted & did go home to thier families! I've picked up all of these bugs and creatures already and he's only 3, how much bigger will the animals, bugs, and rodents become that I have to pick up and 'save' as Jordan equally grows up? I can now see myself in the future picking up something like a mouse and making it a pet...though if that happens, we're definitely going to the pet store for a gerbil before I bring a mouse into the house!!!

Teething already...

Well if you can believe it or not, Justin is 4 months old this week and has started teething...actually since last week really 'hot and heavy' with hands and fists in his mouth chewing on them and actually created the slight fevers which Jordan never got for any of his teeth. It's crazy because it's so early but the doctor informed me it's not uncommon. You can see the two bottom teeth (well the white part under the skin) very clearly, in fact, the daycare teachers noticed this earlier a couple of weeks ago and said it looked like his teeth were preparing to come in...how fast is he growing up already!!! Needless to say this has made for some sleepless nights since this past Friday. Instead of the usual one time a night, he's worked his way back to two. Maybe in a month and a half when we make our way out to MI, you'll all get to see some teeth:)

Nothing too much more to report for this past week although Philip was able to complete the bathroom cabinet...painting the wood and adding new hardware (just need to replace the sink). I'll have to post a pic soon (hopefully the entire bathroom will be done) to show you all the transformation. Since the 1/2 bath takes approximately 2 1/2 months to finish, when we do ours I can expect it to take 5 months since it has two sinks for twice the cabinet surface:) Philip did do a great job though, you would think the cabinet was white forever!

Update!

Only 1 day after my last post...we have finalized our trip to MI and we will be there from Friday 9/19 - 9/27 (we (Me, Jordan and Justin) actually leave out on the morning of 9/27). Philip actually arrives on Saturday 9/20 at 6p from Chicago. Mom & Dad will have to make two trips to Flint Bishop Airport to pick up the family!

I'm posting this on the blog, but don't fear, Grandma and Grandpa know already...I had to let them know first since they don't have Internet access:)

We are looking forward to seeing everyone since the last time Jordan and I were in MI was Dec 2006 (w/o Philip - still worked at Target). Philip was last there in May 2006 with the fam for Jordan's 1st birthday...everyone remember that?

Coming Home...

We are looking to come to MI in September for about a week...we are choosing September instead of the holiday's because Philip is traveling to Chicago for business in September. Since the majority of his air is covered by work, it's just about one less person to pay for airfare on:)

I'll let you all know if/when once we have it finalized!

That's it for now...

King County Fair...

Well, we ended up deciding to go to the King County Fair today versus our other options because the fair was free admission and free parking...who can beat free! Jordan was able to ride the pony all by hisself, no one walked next to him while the ponies were walking the circle. You can see from the picture below that he had a great time on the pony. He looked so big riding the pony with no help from mommy or daddy except for getting onto and off the horse. Also the picture below with Jordan holding his nose was when we walked into the livestock barn. He was all excited to see the animals, but it was 'too stinky' for him. I don't think Grandpa would like that:) Jordan wouldn't be too good of a helper it would appear on Grandpa's farm! Anyways, we had fun; and this is the 3rd time we've been there in the 4 years we'vet lived here! It wasn't as big as all of the other years, but they still had the Cook's racing pigs. Grandma was there with us two years ago where they give everyone free tickets for betting on which pig will win and then they give out blue ribbons to the winners. So, this year with 4 in the family, we chose one of each color so one of us was bound to win:) See there IS a benefit to having a family of 4:) Anyways, the two races today Philip (blue pig) one both...I think my pig (red one) just wanted to 'hang out' as she came in dead last both races. I think she was running only to get the vanilla ice cream and oreo cookie at the end (all pigs get the treat, not just the winner); why preassure herself:)

Jordan has also now started to help pick up dog poop in the dog run from peaches and Ike. you can see from the picture that he knew exactly what he was doing with the pooper scooper...he in fact was scooping it into the scooper while I held it. He did such a good job, which of course is great because little does he know that that will be his 'job' for $$$ (moneies) as he calls it when he gets a bit bigger!

Philip grilled some AWESOME baby back ribs this weekend as well! They were so yummy! In fact, Jordan got his fix on eating off the bone as well! He did have daddy hold them though because he didn't want to get dirty:) He really hates not to be clean! I guess that's a good thing. It was sunny and in the 80's this weekend. Philip did make progress on our 1/2 bath...he's taken out all of the fixtures, got the cabinets their final coat of paint, and readied the room for painting. Progress is progress...Below are a couple of pictures of Justin, the first one he has just gotten out of the bath tub (with help from big brother Jordan since Jordan helps me wash him; he has to have his own rag with soap on it; he took charge of Justin's legs and feet this time) and I was in the process of drying him off and Jordan had to come lay next to him! I'll treasure times like this forever:) Anyways, another week has come and gone so I'll look forward to chatting again next week...everyone have a great week!

It's just me ranting (and raving)!!!

There always seems to be stuff to be done and not enough time in the day to finish them, for instance, we've been trying to redo our 1/2 bath downstairs for the last 2 months. We are painting the cabinet, changing out the hardware and faucet, and painting the room. You would think it wouldn't be that hard...just trying to find time in the day and on the weekend is a challenge. Once we actually finish our little remodel project, I'll have to attach a couple of photos showing our (well actually Philip's) hard work:)

I'm recording TV shows that I don't get to watch during the week, and I still have been unable to find the time to get caught up on them. My shows will actually be in re-run status before I finally get to watch them:) I think I've actually given up trying to get anything accomplished for myself...this is the realization I've come to since Justin was born. Everything is go, go, go...I know my cousin Sara can vouch for me on this with two boys of her own between the ages of 7 months and two years old!! I'm up at 0400 to leave for work by 0430/0445 to leave work at 3p to get the kids from daycare between 4-4:30pm, then it's playtime, dinnertime, bath time, preparation for the next day (lay out both boys' clothes, prepare bottles for Justin to go to daycare, make/program coffee to come on at 0415, and clean up the house a bit by picking up toys) until Justin gets to be at 7:30p and Jordan at 8p, then Philip and I are right behind Jordan by 9p. Then it's the same thing all over again! You would've thought since I had 12 weeks off on maternity leave I'd be all rested up...who are you kidding!!!:) It's the same routine every weekday non-stop...I need a vacation now from my maternity leave...and can you believe this is only my 2nd full week back at work!

I think this weekend we are going to the King County fair...It is supposed to be close to or just over 80 degrees. Now is the time when you have to get out and do 'stuff' before the rain comes in for the fall/winter time! Jordan loves animals (ALL animals), so anything related to animals is just the coolest thing to him. In fact, about 10-15 miles away from our house is Northwest Trek. It is a very cool "safari' type destination which we've been to a few times by ourselves and also with grandma when she was out here. Below is the link to their website. Jordan just loves riding on the tram where the animals roam free...he calls it a train and reminds us constantly that it is now summertime and we've got to go there again. We've been there once this year so far, and will be back again before the summer's over. It is actually a really cool place and the fact it's only about 15 minutes away from the house makes it even 'cooler'!

http://www.nwtrek.org/

I'll blog again later this weekend with the activities we decided on and how all went...have a great rest of the week!

Making Jam; Jordan is SO big!

Well I've already fallen a couple of days behind in posting my once a week promise to everyone:) Oh well, better late then never.

Last weekend over the 4th of July we went to Spooner Farms for WA grown strawberries and raspberries. Last year was the first time we went to this place. I think we'll go back every year now for fresh berries. Below is the link to the farm which we'll probably take the boys to this fall for the annual pumpkin patch and hay ride so that Jordan can pick his own pumpkin! Anyways, the purpose of the trip was to get berries so that Philip and I could make raspberry and strawberry jam, which we in fact did. We made 2 flats of raspberries and 4 flats of strawberry jam...I'm not sure how much that exactly amounts to, but I do know we've got a lot in the freezer as well as the pantry. We made both cooked and freezer jam thanks to the learnings and teachings of our friend and neighbor next door Mary Kay. Philip and I are going back to Spooner Farms before the summer is out to get blackberries and venture to make some blackberry jam all on our own. We'll have to let you know how that works out! Hopefully we've taken good notes...

http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/farms/farm_profile.asp?farmID=37

Jordan has gotten so big all of a sudden...he has finally started to dress himself. On July 8th, he actually put his spiderman jammies (top and bottoms) and socks on all by himself. It was wonderful to watch to see how big he's gotten and that he's starting to do 'stuff' that big boys should be doing. We are STILL working on potty training...I'm wondering if I'll have a kindergartner in pull-ups!!! If anyone has any ideas, please post some comments on this topic as I'm willing to try anything. It's really the #2 in the potty that is the issue...This is the toughest issue we've had to address and work through; everything else up to this point has seemed so easy, who knew potty training your toddler boy could cause more gray hair and wrinkles!

On Saturday (7/12), our neighbors came over with their girls (Samantha remember the posting below is Jordan's new friend) and we barbecued and hung out on our patio. It was in the 80's and very sunny outside. Since we don't get many of those except during the summer, we try to spend as much time outside now! Jordan and Samantha played in our pool and the grown ups got to chat and relax! I like that we've got a couple right across the street from us who are our age and have one girl that is Jordan's age and the other one is 18-months old so Justin will have someone to play with as well when he gets bigger.

Justin is smiling so much now! He has his 4 month check up in 2 1/2 weeks...I can't believe how fast time is flying. Jordan is always trying to be so close to his little brother that he wants to start picking him up now. We have to really keep our eye on him...in fact, Jordan tried to drag the play mat that Justin was laying on just so he would be closer to him. We were like Jordan you can't just drag your brother around the house...to be closer to him. Jordan is always kissing and hugging up on him...that's great, since I'm sure when the boys are bigger I'll be wishing and remembering back to this time when they couldn't get enough of each other!

My Marketing class in my MBA program just started today for the next 10 weeks...life as I know it just got a lot busier!

July 4th Weekend

Happy 4th of July all!!!

We've had a relaxing weekend thus far and plan too tomorrow as well! Jordan got to stay up late (9:45p) so he could see his first fireworks. He was actually scared and huddled up in the back of my jeep plugging his ears. His favorites were the colored smoke bombs since they were quite and colorful. He was fun to watch. This was actually our first time doing actually doing fireworks since we've been here. Justin was asleep at 7:30p with no 'peep' until he got up at 0330 for some food and a diaper change. He slept right through it all...:) Philip made beef and pineapple shish-ke-bobs on the grill...were they ever yummy! We got to enjoy our first dinner out on the new patio we just had installed over Memorial Day weekend since we finally got patio furniture which we made sure to have it for the 4th of July. Here are a couple of pictures below of the patio. I've also included a few other pictures of Jordan watching the fireworks...as I mentioned he was more scared then not and had a total melt down earlier in the day when daddy bought them because he thought they were toys to be played with. Saying he had to wait until nightime didn't really matter...in fact, nightime couldn't come soon enough:) Which is why he's wearing his jammies for bed and boots the easily go on and off! You wouldn't be able to tell looking at the pictures from the big 'cheesy' smile he's giving!

Otherwise things on the home front have been going great...Justin has started to reach up and grab things with his hands from on his play mat. He is getting so big so fast! I think Philip and I have gotten into a routine now that this past week was the 2nd week I was back at work, still not a full week though, so next week should be challenging since it is a full 5-day work week! I was completely exhausted this past Thursday; I can't imagine what I'll feel like by Friday of next week! Anyways I hope everyone has and did have a great 4th of July...Below are a few more pictures of the boys. In the last one, that is Jordan's new friend Samantha who lives directly across the street. She too is 3 years old, we've been spending a lot of time playing with them playing in their backyard, going for walks, and playing at the park. In fact, one time a couple of weeks ago Jordan tried giving Samantha a kiss...she ran away screaming! I think we've hopefully got a lover, not a fighter on our hand!!!