Bike riding

So the other day we were at Walmart and they had all their kids bikes out on the patio. Jarod walked over to one and just got on and started going.

Excuse the quality of this video - it was taken from my mobile AND I was chasing him (turn down your speakers if they are up - it's kind of loud).

Needless to say he's getting a bike for Christmas and has already placed his request with Santa.

Oh the weather outside is frrrrrrrightful!

For I 'think' the 3rd year in a row, we here in the high desert received an early Christmas snow.

We were getting ready for Jarod to go to the babysitters house on Monday morning and he looks out the window and says 'Oh my gosh mommy, it's snowing!!' I said 'oh no it's not'. Then I looked - sure enough the snow was falling, falling, falling. Is there anything more exciting to a 3 year old than snow?? It snowed ALL DAY LONG.

Tuesday morning Jarod can NOT wait to go outside and play. He comes inside eating a snowball and says 'look Mom, Jarod is eating snow, Christmas snow'. It was cute as could be... my floors on the other hand would disagree as he came in and out all day.

Today it's windy and rainy - so maybe we're in for another round. A friend of mine who hails from Utah said she hates it when it snows... I promptly informed her that's because she's from somewhere that GETS snow... here in the desert we love every little drop we get!!

brrrrrrr

A GREAT Saturday!

A couple of weeks ago Sarah said she wanted to take the boys to the Temple to see the Nativity. Later that same day she said "California Pizza Kitchen sounds soooo good". So the following Saturday we loaded up the car and surprised her by going to California Pizza Kitchen. We LOVE that place!!! But it's reserved for only special occasions as it's a little pricey (but the boys LOVE the pizza and chocolate milk).

After we headed over to the Temple to see the Nativity and take some pictures. I think we got several nice pictures and Jarod took some too. Zachary was in a bad mood so we have no smiling pictures. Getting them to look at the camera at the same time was incredibly fun and impossible. Going for family pictures this year is going to be GREAT!!!

Anyway.. enjoy.. I love taking pictures at the temple b/c the scenery is just nice for photo-taking... anytime of year.

The boys trip to the Temple

December Fun

Shoes?! Woah.. you've GOT to be kidding me!

Ok so this post is about something that might have happened oh two months ago. But I've got pictures so I've got to share.

I took Zachary to the gym one morning (this was his first time). He was fully dressed (that hardly ever happens) minus one article of wear - shoes. The nice lady tells me she will let him come in today but in the future he's got to have shoes on. No problem.. I love buying shoes. So for his birthday (sort of late) we hit the shoe store and find the most adorable little shoes.

The following took place when we got him home and put his shoes on:


Now I'm not a proponent of 'crying' pictures... I don't think it's nice.. but this was just to classic to miss:


Please don't think I'm a bad mom.. moments later:


The shoes get put on the dresser - only to be brought out on the 'special' occasion of going to the gym. I sign him in and set him down... 45 minutes later the kid hasn't moved.

I'd like to say the situation has improved.. but I'd be lying. If he has his shoes on in the car - he screams... if he has them on in the house - he screams. I bought him Converse softies - and he tolerates them but in the car he pulls at them and screams.

So I ask: Who needs shoes???? Well evidently if they are MOMMY shoes they are OK...


Silly boy!

Smile!

Probably all toddlers love taking pictures, Jarod is certainly no exception. As I was transferring the pictures from the camera to the computer to post long over-due photo's I was bombarded with pictures of the tile, the couch, the dogs, the cabinets, feet, Jarod's nose, etc. To start the picture extravaganza I thought I should post his pictures.

Funny thing - I'm always the one behind the camera so there are never any pictures of me... well with Jarod at the controls I've suddenly appeared.

As a side note: he will be receiving his very own kid friendly camera for Christmas.. then he can take 'smiles' whenever he likes.

Jarod - the master photog

The bare November

Wow - I did a terrible job in November. I guess my excuse would be - I didn't have anything to say. But I guess that's not exactly true.

My birthday was really good... enough said.

Jake and I celebrated our 7th anniversary on the 16th. In true fashion - we did nothing.... enough said.

My moms birthday was on the 24th - she's old. We had a mini-family gathering on the Sunday before to celebrate... enough said.

On Tuesday the 25th, after a call from my boss I found out I will no longer have my job after Dec. 31st... What can you say?

Thanksgiving was NICE. My mom, dad and Becca all were staying here with us. And of course my brother was over for Thanksgiving dinner. My mom and I made the pies on Tuesday. We sort of went crazy - I think there were 8 pies... and only 6 adults... that was FUN and yummy. I made the turkey - it's actually something I'm pretty good at. Everyone said it was great. I pat myself on the back... good times!

Now we are headed into Christmas and a busy December. Next weekend we are all headed to my parents for the annual Elephant Butte Luminario Festival. Last year the wind was so horrible it didn't happen (first time in 7 years they said). They line the lake with luminario's and the boats all get decorated and they do a floating parade. It should be fun!!

As though Christmas could mean more.. here in the Weeks house it is also the very memorable day of Jarod's birth. Seriously how could 3 years have gone by already? Mostly I'm ready for about 4 1/2. We'll see if we live through 3.

And in case you are wondering 'so mb what are you going to do now'. I just don't know. I have been pondering and praying and talking and doing it all over again. Working outside the home really isn't an option for a few reasons. The biggest being I can't send my kids to daycare 45hours per week. I have been playing with a few ideas that will keep me at home.. we'll see how those ideas develop. If I think back 8 years ago (that's how long I've been with my company)- I can't even begin to put to words how much I've grown in various directions. Professionally I've grown leaps and bounds. Personally who'd have ever thought you'd hear me say 'I want to stay home with my KIDS'.

Hopefully December will be a better posting month. I need to put up pictures of the boys.. they are growing TOOO quickly!

Someone's turning 30!!! tomorrow....

Can you guess who? I'll give you a BIG hint... this person also happens to be the author of this blog.

Did you get it??? ME!! ME!! ME!!

I've been pretty excited about it - for no good reason. When I think 30 I don't think it's any big deal. BUT when I say 'I'm going to be 30' holy cow it sounds old (not as old as my dad old but still pretty old). Sarah has been dating boys and she knows one who is super cute but he's 28 and she says 'that's soooo old'. I said 'that's still younger than I am... do I seem that old?' She says, 'no not really'.

Some years I don't know what I want my family to get me for my birthday (and most years I don't care if I get something or not - but considering the significance of this year.. I've almost demanded gifts). I even knew exactly what I wanted (somethings are going to have to carry over to Christmas - my list was pretty lengthy).

Here's Jake's gift to me:

Let me just say - I LOVE IT!!!!!! I've had a 'smartphone' for about 4 years now and this one is by far the best one. There are a few things I miss about my Windows based phones - but most of the features on this one make it so I don't care. If you even 'think' you want a Blackberry - DO IT!! (BTW I did not get paid to say that - bummer).

My MIL sent me a gift certificate to LL Bean. Little did she know I've been eying a pair of sheepskin slippers at Shoes on a Shoestring and LL Bean has some. So last night I put my order in for:

So does wanting slippers seriously put me in the OLD category? Seems like it's something my Granny would have asked for. TO BAD!!! I'm so excited I can't wait for them to get here.

And finally my parents. Well technically they are going to be a little late - just because my mom won't be here until Friday. But I've requested a large capacity (over 6 quart) pot/steamer (with lid - very important these days). So HOPEFULLY this is what I will get:

I'm also not ashamed to campaign for as many Happy Birthday's as I can get! I will also campaign on my Facebook (Just to make me feel good about myself turning so 'old').

So here's to my first 30 years.. and I guess to my next 30 (may they be better and RICHER than the first 30).

A Walking Zachary

As I posted he took his first steps a little over a week ago. This video was taken on Monday.



And as we sit today he is doing more walking than crawling - even when he wants to get somewhere fast!

WTG Zach-attack!!!

He walked!!! He walked!!!!

Zachary has been cruising on the furniture for months.. we thought for SURE he'd walk before Jarod did (right at his one year birthday). Nope.. has all the balance and strength - just no gumption to do it. Well tonight he was in the kitchen holding a bunch of cups not paying any attention and he took a step. My mom and I both looked at each other like: did you see that??? Then she said 'do some more while you aren't paying attention'. And on queue - about 3 more steps. He then went into the other room and promptly stood up all by himself. He did several more 3ish steps and was so proud when we cheered him on. Papa got home from work and he wouldn't show off his new skill (my dad has been working with him at least 2ce per day since last weekend) he was toooo tired. Of course I left the camcorder at home b/c what exciting could possibly happen while I was out of town for a few days? Argh!! I'll catch it when we get home. He's going to be running down the halls in no time!!!

And... they're off!

I don't know quite what happened. Last week was a little rough - Zachary required ALL the attention and to be carried everywhere making Jarod a little uptight. So I was doing OK until Saturday... sleep had been interrupted all week and the boys were sitting across the couch from each other SCREAMING at the top of their lungs. Luckily Sarah came home while I was in the pit of despair (please re-watch Princess Bride) and volunteered to take Zachary out to the mall.. oh how nice it was! Jarod even went and took a nap with me.

Sunday wasn't much better - Jarod's nose started running and Zachary was STILL screaming. My mom and dad came down as they both had doc appts on Monday. I tried to convince my mom to stay for a few days. She was FULL of excuses about why she couldn't stay... no medicine... didn't bring clothes.. etc. So I told her 'if you don't stay we are going back with you'. So Monday evening I packed up the boys and we left to my parents. Sarah said 'I really thought you were kidding when you said you were going to go'. I told her nope and she says 'yeah I can see that'. She wanted to know how long I was going to stay and I told her til I was tired of being here. She said she'd give me 3 days.. I told her I packed 4 pairs of underwear.

So far we've just been relaxing (as much as you can with 2 small boys who both have severely gross running noses). I've been working... my moms been helping me with the boys. I actually have decided she's going to kick us out b/c we are a NOISY group of folks!

So that's what we are up to.

Thursday, October 9th - 4:30am

There is voluntary activity in the Weeks / Smith household. As was the case 2 years ago when my mother-in law (Julie) and sister-in law (Abby) rolled into town during balloon fiesta, I INSISTED that my visiting mother (Jeanette) we head over to Balloon Fiesta park for the special shapes mass ascension. I advised both parties that it would hurt mightily but it would be completely worthwhile.

This year - I was especially right. It was one of the coolest experiences. There were so many special shapes that at one point I said 'hey mom look there's a something' and she says 'oh yeah I saw that one taking off'. (I'm slow).

The boys both had a great time. Everywhere Jarod looked he'd say 'look there's a something' or 'look mom what's that'. At one point Zachary saw a balloon that was to much for him and he did his I'm completely excited talking and expressions (see pictures).

After the special shapes were all off the ground they cleared the field for competition. The idea was the balloons would take off (from a field just to the north of balloon fiesta park) and they had to pilot to the park where they would drop a flag from the gondola to a designated 'pole'. The pilot who's flag was closest to the pole wins (I think they win money but I really don't know). There was a pole about halfway and the pilots would get close enough to touch it (they won nothing but mighty cheers from the crowd for that). There were HUNDREDS of balloons in this competition... they kept coming and coming and coming. All flying less than 50 feet off the ground in 75% of the cases. Remembering that you can not 'steer' a balloon... there were pilots that came across the field, headed west toward the river, came back north, then east and finally west BACK over balloon fiesta park. That was TRULY amazing. The Albuquerque box is what allows them to fly in a square - but I'd never seen it in action. The skill required to hit the winds going the correct direction at the correct altitude just blows my mind. Seeing all those balloons was just as cool as the special shapes mass ascension.

Of course we couldn't leave without purchasing a big huge bag of cinnamon roasted almonds. mmmm mmmm mmmm Both boys were asleep in the car before we were to far away from the park.

If I had to summarize it.. I'd use Jarod's words: Mommy that was AWESOME!

Balloon Fiesta - Special Shapes

A year in the life of Zachary Aaron Weeks

52 Weeks Ago

I'm almost weepy... At this time 52 weeks ago I think I'd asked my mom about 5 times if my dad was really on his way to my house to watch Jarod so Jacob could come to the hospital and be with me b/c the baby (who was at this point nameless) was causing me pains (no epidural) and he must be on his way.

Wow! Of course weeks, months and years don't line up so Zachary's birthday isn't until Sunday but he was born on a Friday night - the day before Balloon Fiesta kicked off.

Time just flies... more nostalgia to come.

Jarod-isms

This past week has been full of Jarod funnies so I thought I'd post them really quickly:

In the car waiting at Sonic (blurts from the backseat)-
Jarod: Oh my gosh, are you kidding me? Are you KIDDING me?

Outside in the courtyard waiting for me to come get in the car-
Sarah: Zachary stay away from the ants they can bite you. Sarah turns her back.
Jarod: ZACHARY GET AWAY FROM THERE THE ANTS WILL BITE YOU.

Sarah coming out of her room-
Jarod: Wow Sarah, nice glasses

Jarod at church on Sunday (it was testimony meeting which is when members of the congregation can get up and say whatever):
Jarod: Mom I want to go up there and talk

I know there were more - but when I started writing I forgot. So I'll have to remember and come back to it later. The kid is a kick a minute.

The weekend

It's been busy since coming home. My mom stayed until Saturday (thank goodness we just wore her out on Friday and she decided to stay over). We did some shopping and just in general enjoying being home and together as a family.

Then on Saturday was the Young Women in Excellence Luau. I have been so incredibly stressed over the thing that I could hardly stand it. Then throw in our unexpected hospital stay and it was almost to much. But finally Saturday came and when we all got together it was really great. The girls had a nice time (I hope - they wrote thank you notes that said they did). Mostly.. I'm just glad it's over. That's my last major event of this year. I still have a couple of activities to do - but those are typically pretty smooth.

Now we are to Monday. I've been chasing my tail all day. Completely forgot and missed a visiting teaching appointment (after reminding my companion about it earlier in the morning)... I've gotten my floors halfway done - which is a GOOD thing.. they were driving me insane. And now I'm back to working and debating on going to the gym later... something I REALLY need to do - but I'm already just exhausted.

Get me outta here!!!

Just for myself really I'm posting about leaving the hospital....

After 3 days of entertaining I was sooo over it! I was worried about Zach's IV but the nurse said it was fine (it was in his foot). Then about 40 minutes into his IV antibiotics he popped it out. So she stopped it and said we'd wait for the docs to tell us to put it back or not. So about 4 she called the doc to ask what to do (as we STILL hadn't seen them) and they said to leave it out until they came down. About 5:45 they came in (smart me said 'ohhh good morning'!!!) Anyway they looked at him... showed me how to take care of his 'dressing' and told us we could leave. I was soooooooo excited!!! Then I called Jake and said 'take your time but come back up here and get us - we are out of here. However the doctors and nurse were super quick writing up those discharge and they were done within a half hour. I called Jake and he was doing exactly what I said... taking his time - he hadn't even left the house yet! We had to wait for him for about 45 minutes but then all was right with the world as we came home. Whew! Zachary goes in on Thursday for a follow up. But so far I think he's doing great! I'll have to try to get some video of him pushing/being dragged around behind Jarod on his tricycle.

And... we're... HOME!!!

I'll post more jibberish about it tomorrow - but for now I just wanted to update that we blasted out of that joint this evening! YAY for being home. I'm soooooo looking forward to my own bed - and an uninterrupted by noisy nurses sleep!

Deja - Hospital

So last year on September 20th I had to go into the hospital 31 weeks pregnant with Zachary and stayed for 4 days... fast forward almost exactly a year to Monday September 15th:

Zachary has had what the doctor thought was a lymph node infection. He'd been on antibiotics for 11 days yet he still had a huge lump on his left jaw so we headed back to the pediatrician on Monday morning. She looked at him and called up to the University Hospital to talk with the pediatric ENT (ears, nose and throat doctor). The ENT told her Zach should come in and in all likely-hood be admitted for IV antibiotics. So we headed to the pediatric ER at UNMH. Sure enough the ENT came in and said 'yep he's staying and also we need to drain that infection out'. Because Zach is a baby that has to be done in the operating room. So yesterday morning (thank goodness early b/c of course they'd cut him off eating at midnight) he headed into surgery. It was really very quick - I was back with him within an hour of them taking him. He woke up alert and happy and really not a care in the world.

For the surgery they had to make a little incision (now he matches his dad) and they drained out all the yuck. Then they stuffed it full of this stuff that looks like string. The wound has to heal from the inside out (obviously so the infection doesn't come back). He's got this elf hat on so that they don't have to 'tape' anything to his face to cover up the infection site.

So here we sit... he's on IV antibiotics so that's why we haven't left yet. Imagine keeping an 11 month old happy while having an IV in his foot and not letting him on the floor to play (which is life to him). Later this morning the ENT team is coming in to check on him and hopefully the doctors will tell us how much longer he has to be on IV antibiotics - then we can go home!!! I'm expecting that it will be tomorrow - but I do have a secret wish that she'll let us go later tonight after his 6pm antibiotics... all will depend on his culture that they took of the bacteria - as long as the antibiotic is killing it we'll be doing good.

I hope that this hospital trend ends this year!! I sure don't want to spend another 4 days in the hospital next year.

TBC

The Weeks-end on the lake

So last weekend Rebecca had some friends come down to the lake to celebrate her soon to be 16th birthday (Sept 21st - oh my!!). Being the amazing sister I am - I volunteered to taxi them. So we headed down on Friday afternoon and then on Saturday morning we got a boat. Because Rebecca works at the marina (really she's only worked there once but dang the perks you get) she gets to rent boats for free - only pay for the gas. We wanted to get a ski boat but they were all taken - so we got a pontoon boat which turned out to be great b/c we got my mom on the boat too.

I got to learn how to drive (sloooooooooooow boat) but for the first time I guess that was OK. The boys had a great time! Enjoy the pictures!

Zachary on the boat

Jarod out on the boat

Zachary will not be outdone!!

Hello.. my name is MaryBeth and I'm a diet Dr. Pepper-aholic... it's been about 30 minutes since my last can was finished.

Needless to say - I passed on my problem to Jarod... who will ask for a 'pepper drink' when we go to Sonic (or sometimes even when we are driving around and we pass a Sonic and he'll ask 'mom can we get a pepper drink'). Sad.. sad.. sad (I can see my mother-in-law shaking her head).

So the other night Sarah and I were both sitting at the island on our computers and Zachary was just wondering around. I hear the trash next to me crinkle and I look over to this:


A picture is worth a thousand words... but let me just add some of my own... that would be my 11 month old.. in the trash... having found a pepper drink.. and knowing EXACTLY what he's supposed to do to get some of that deliciousness.

And this is mom attempting to take it away:

Jarod's Pictures

The first few are when we got on the bus to go to the fair. As you can see... he does the peace sign great - to bad when you ask him how old he is he pretends he's never practiced!

The others are from the other night when he and DJ got a hold of the camera and took 75 completely random pictures. Please excuse his dirty face - it was dirty but man the camera makes it look waaay worse!!!

Oh and while on the subject of Jarod - he did the greatest thing tonight!!! He went potty in HIS potty!!! I've wanted him to sit to pee - so as not to have to clean up 'oops' well evidently if he's going to pee he's going to do it the 'right' way - upright! He took his diaper off and sat down himself - no prompting (I've given up on trying to coax him into doing it) and then he stood up and low and behold PEE! Now only a mother with 2 young children - both of whom are in diapers can truly appreciate the excitement of the 'first pee'. But since this is technically my 'diary'... I guess you all get to share! LOL (He can beat me later - then apologize when his child does it).

Jarod, Jarod and umm.. more Jarod

Oh see how they've grown!!

Fishing at the Lake

Jarod at the lake

Zachary at the lake - he LOVES the water

Balmorhea - Scuba Class

Stolen from a friends site.. but I thought it was cool!!

visited 37 states (74%)
Create your own visited map of The United States or determine the next president

The long weekend

Ignore the 'timeline' as it's off - I'm just finishing up the post that I started last week...

Really I haven't got a lot to say about the long weekend - mostly I was just going to jabber about various things this past week.

We had a great time at my moms house last weekend. We spent all day Saturday at the lake. Jarod wanted to go ride on a boat soooo badly! But DJ showed up later in the afternoon fishing license and rod in hand and so they went fishing. DJ caught 3 little catfish and Jarod thought that was GREAT. However, the best part were the worms. Jarod took to two of the longest worms in the tub and well - put them through the ringer and had lots of fun talking to them and giving them instructions. Then when it was time to leave - he didn't want to leave them behind. My mother and sister were appalled that I let him bring his 'pets' along for the ride home.. In the car he put them on his blanket and was telling them to go to sleep now (my mother was making snide comments about 'that's the only thing those worms can do now' - meaning they were already dead dead dead). Then he was telling them to wake up and was rolling them around in his hands. It was really a complete riot! I attempted to get him to give me his pets by bribing him with Dairy Queen ice cream - even ice cream wasn't enough temptation to give those worms to me. Finally though he did give in and he traded me his worms for ice cream. Such a BOY!! Fast forward to the current week and he's been asking for worms. So we were at the grocery store and I bought gummy worms. I kept telling him he could eat these worms... and he's telling me 'no mommy'. I told him again when I put him in his car seat that he could eat the worms that they were yummy - he proceeds to tell the worms 'don't worry worms I won't bite you'. I don't know where the kid comes up with this stuff.

We've had a houseful of sickness. The first wave came in the form of ear infections for both boys. Zachary was up ALL night one night so I took him in and drug Jarod with me. So the doc looks at his ears and yep he's got an ear infection. As we were leaving Jarod said 'hey what about looking in my ears'. So she said 'ok I can look'. Then of course he didn't want to let her - but I made him let her and he had one too. Then Monday Zach was acting and sounding still sick. I called the doc and she wasn't terribly concerned so I decided to just wait it out. Tuesday night he was up all night again so back we go (I draw the line at being awake all night). While I was waiting for the doctor I noticed that the left side of his face was completely swollen. I have ZERO idea how I missed that. It was also hard as a golf ball right under his jaw. The doctor thinks it's just an infection in his lymph node there. She gave him a stronger antibotic and had us come back on Friday. He slept Wednesday night and on Thursday was acting way more like himself. His swelling also looked like it was going down and his fever hadn't been so constant. So when we went in she looked him over and double checked her 'books' and said she still thinks it's just an infection and to watch it. Yesterday I sort of freaked out b/c his swelling was back and he was being a cuddle buddy again - but today he's back to being more normal. We'll see how it goes. In the meantime of all that - Jacob decides that he's got to get sick too and came home on Thursday with flu-like symptoms. He stayed home from work Friday and Saturday but didn't have much choice and went back today. I think he's feeling better though - I'm just hoping whatever he had doesn't spread.

Last night Sarah convinced me that we should go to the NM State Fair. I really love the fair - but I'm TERRIFIED of taking my children and loosing them in the crowds. Zach stayed home with Jake (a nice combination they could cuddle each other) and I took Jarod. I told him we were going to go to the fair on the bus when DJ got home (keep in mind he doesn't know what the fair is - he does know bus and he can't wait til DJ comes over). So DJ pulls up and Jarod sees him out the window and runs out and tells him 'common DJ lets go to the fair on the bus'. Of course it was way faster that anyone could make out except for me who'd been telling him for an hour we had to wait for DJ. Jarod thought the bus ride was GREAT! We went straight to the animals and saw bunnies, chickens, horses, cows and sheep (we couldn't find the pigs and Sarah's allergies were so bad by that point that she made us leave the animal area). Jarod stayed in his stroller except to pet the horses. And I'm pleased to report I didn't loose him once! LOL We went to the indian villiage where there was great food, music and dancing. Jarod found a new food to love - beans... from my Navajo indian taco. When we were close to home he says to me 'mommy I'm tired can we go home and go to bed'. Sheesh it only takes a $40 trip to the fair to tire out my kid.

This weekend we have planned to go down to the lake. Rebecca turns 16 on the 21st and has started working at the marina. Part of being employeed there is she gets to rent any type boat she wants. She's going to have her birthday party on a house boat and then on Saturday take out a speed boat and go skiing with some of her friends that I'm taking down with me. It should be fun! I can't wait for Jarod to FINALLY be able to ride in a boat.

Wow! That was a handful! Sorry it's so long.... Enjoy the pictures.

Zachary Walking

I swear it wasn't that long ago that I was posting Zachary's first crawls and already I'm having to post his first walks. This toy is one of Jarod's favorites and it's been put up for over a year - it's fun trying to get Jarod to 'share'.

I figure if Zach is going to walk he might as well get a move on - it's definitely cleaner than crawling.

And so... here's my little boy... learning to walk. (Please excuse his lack of clothing. It was about 730 this morning and he'd just gotten out of the shower).

Will life be normal now?

It seems like the summer has flown by in a huge blur. It's been packed with vacations and moves and work trips and activities. It doesn't appear to be slowing down yet either. This weekend the boys and I are headed to my parents house to have a little 'fun in the sun'.

Last week I headed off to the ATL for work. It was a relatively productive trip. I got some training and cleaned up some things that have been 'dirty' for sometime. I can't say it was nice - but it's always good to go rub noses with my co-workers. They forget I do actually work out here!

On Saturday everyone was up super early and so I decided to take the boys to the zoo - by myself. We were there when the doors opened which was my plan... unfortunately the first series of exhibits were all being cleaned and so we missed all the monkey's. The earth may have stopped turning if the Rhino's had been put away - but thankfully they were out - eating. Then we hit the train and went over to the aquarium. Both great fun for Jarod who loves trains AND fish! Mostly it was just a HUGE accomplishment for me. I took them both myself, and we all survived and we didn't even want to strangle each other when we were done. It was fun to hear Jarod telling his daddy all about it when he got home from work.

Speaking of Jake he's got a panel interview for supervisor tomorrow afternoon. We've been waiting and waiting for this interview. I don't know how long it will be until he hears anything but we are hopeful. Also hopeful that he doesn't get stuck with an evening shift should he get the promotion.

I was prepared to spend some time downloading photo's when I realized my camera is DEAD and my charger is still at the other house. I'll swing by and pick it up at some point and get pictures up soon.

......and time flies

I'm horrible! Here I promised to keep updated and I've let some things slide. I hope you all will forgive me for not having rambled on for a few weeks... especially once I ramble about what's been going on.

As everyone knows my mom, dad and sister have been planning their big move. Well - 2 weeks ago my dad calls me at 10:30pm and tells me that some friends of ours are having a scuba certification training on next Tuesday at the lake - would I like to go. Now that's a really silly question! However, fundage is a problem. After discussing it, my parents graciously give me one of the best presents I've ever gotten! However, that moved our moving time line way up. So we worked and worked at the big house to get them ready to pack up and be at the lake by 3pm Tuesday afternoon. In the midst - my little brother got ants in his pants to move into his new bachelor pad (otherwise known as my old house - with my beautiful lawn). By Monday night he had all of our beds and dressers to the big house... everyone on top of everyone.

Scuba class was great! We started in the water Tuesday night and that was fun watching everyone orientate to life under the water. Rebecca was a natural - all of her set up and movements in the water came super natural. Sarah did great too - although she's more analitical and so she was a little slower. I won't go into me... I've been before, knew I'd love it, and hmmm I 'think' I know my way around the water (at least without a regulator). On Friday we took off to Balmorhea State Park, TX. Jake took off Friday and Saturday so he could keep the boys so I could go play. Balmorhea was NOT what I was expecting. Really I'd pictured something like Bottomless Lakes - a little beachy area, some water, a big hole. Uh think again.. yes.. it's almost really a big swimming pool, with a hole in the middle about 14 feet deep. The days were LONG we were in the water from about 3 until 7 on Friday, then we were back at it at 830 Saturday until almost 4. Then we had to drive the 5 hours back to T or C. But it was still GREAT!!! There were some fish - who think you are going to feed them if you hold your hand out (think trying to make a bird come onto your finger - that's the fish), there were soft shell turtles, and then there was just the awe of being underwater for long minutes at a time. Needless to say now I'm trying to figure out how to make time in my schedule for diving. A little difficult as I'm the mother of 2 small children, work full time and I'm a wife (really need I say more than, wife?)

So now we've been home a week - and things are going. A whole lot of my things are still at the green house. As Ben was in a bit of a hurry he just put all my stuff into my old guest room. We got the majority of my kitchen last week - but there's still a lot left. I haven't really been diligent in going and packing up. Work has crazily picked up and I've just been swamped. I'd planned on getting everything done on Friday and Saturday but then my mom and dad came into town and well we just sailed right threw the weekend and nothing got done.

This week I'm headed to the ATL for work. I thought I'd gotten out of having to go. But then I got an email from my boss summoning me to the mother ship. The same week he told me to come they laid off 7 people in the office - making it more important that I hurry up and get there b/c they need me to take on more work. We'll see how that goes.

I need to post pictures - but I haven't downloaded them off the camera and at this moment I'm pretty tired. When I get back from ATL hopefully things will slow down and I'll be able to catch my breath. Stay tuned...

How could it be?

That my little boy could already be 9 months old?? Wasn't I JUST pregnant??? Oh well - try as I may I guess I have no control over such things.

On Friday he had an appt with his gastro specialist. His spitting up has gotten worse, and it's terrible now that he eats real food. She told me that GERD (reflux) can peak between 8 & 12 months. This seems to be the case. HELP!!! She increased his medicines as he's grown enough to get higher doses. So far - I haven't noticed any difference.

On Saturday morning he went in to his Pediatrician for his 9 month appt. My little man now weighs in at 19lbs 12oz and is 28 1/2 inches long. He didn't have to get any shots and after looking him over she said 'well you can't get much more perfect than that'.

Other than the spitting thing (which I've decided is now full fledged throwing up) he really is doing great. He's mastered crawling and knows when he hears me behind him to speed up. He pulls up to his knees ANYWHERE there's help and up to his feet if he feels comfortable (namely in his crib and some chairs). He loves to walk if you help him. He's also found his vocal chords. His sounds range from flat out screaming when Jarod takes a toy away (and immediate stopage when Jarod gives it back), to a very annoying squak he uses to tell you all about his day, to his ba ba ba's (usually when he's crying) and ma ma ma's. All in all - he's a very busy boy! Oh and I forgot - last week his two top teeth broke through. He's now got 4 teeth and 4 more that'll be coming in any day now.

Which brings us to his big brother. Jarod is just fun (most of the time). He loves going to Donna's house (his babysitter) on Monday's and Friday's. I don't know what she does to him but he always takes an early afternoon nap. As I type he is sitting on the couch eating an ice cream cone - and getting it ALL over. He thinks he's big stuff. He loves going to the pool and to the gym especially when his friends Keegen and Emma go. He thinks they are the best! He also just talks and talks. One night while I was in Mexico it was thundering outside and Sarah's boyfriend DJ told him that the sound was 'tractors in the sky'. Well no when he hears thunder he says 'oh mommy what's that? Is it tractors in the sky?' Today I asked him if he really thought there were tractors in the sky and he basically told me yes because DJ had told him so.

The big moves still loom. But seems like time passes and nothing much gets done. Especially not at my house. I haven't even started thinking about it really. I've convinced myself I don't have all that much stuff to move so it'll be a piece of cake. I'm sure I'll regret thinking that but for now I choose to believe that's the case.

The 4th of July

I might have said I was just going to rest on the 4th after being gone for a solid week. But both boys were up at 730 - and by 8 I decided we were going to the zoo. Called my mom, told her we were getting dressed and going - did she want to come. So off we head to the zoo (forgetting a pair of shoes for Jarod b/c the kid would rather go barefoot).

We had a GREAT time. Normally we go to the zoo and if we spend $5 that's a LOT... I don't know if we were all in the holiday spirit or what but I swear we probably spent over $100 between me, my mom and Rebecca. I bought Zachary a hat (see photo's) and I got myself a hat (which I had wanted to get in Mexico but never found one I liked - who knew all I had to do was go to the Rio Grande Zoo?) (for a peak at the hat see Jarod feeding the Giraffe). Then there was all of the feeding of the animals to pay for, the camel ride, the train ride, ice cream - the list probably is bigger.

It was already hot by the time we got there and a lot of the animals were in the water. Jarod's favorite Rhinocerus were all the way in the back of their exhibit in the shade... no matter how much he called for them they weren't going to come.

We had a great bbq at my parents house. Just the family and we had sooooo much food!! Later we lit off fireworks that Jarod started calling 'fireplace'. Then we walked down the block to watch the city fireworks display. Jarod liked it for about 10 minutes, then he was pretty much done: no more fireplace.. lets go for a walk to trama's (grandmas) house. Might have been he was so exhausted he could hardly stand up! Overall - a great day was had by all.

In other news: my parents finally set the date for their big move. Looks like moving will commence starting August 1st. They are supposed to hire a moving company - so that'll take a lot of stress out of the process but LOTS has to be done before that. We will probably start moving our stuff to the new house the weekend after.

The People on Holiday

Jarod's Camel Ride

Feeding the Giraffe

The Zoo animals on Holiday!

Playing at the Pool in T or C

Zachary Playing Around