Sorry about the sideways view - not sure yet how to rotate these things on my camera. We also have a 3 year old who has slept in her bed without making a noise for 3 nights straight. Big changes in the Holland household. Big!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
Just call me Earle
For those of you who don’t know who Earl is, he is the guy who the Hollands have called on for years to do various tasks around the house. Such tasks include fixing lawn mowers, helping to move large furniture, helping with landscaping and my personal favorite, putting together Avery’s crib. Yes – that’s right – my husband asked him to put together Avery’s crib – a task that I could have done by myself, but he insisted on asking Earle. One may ask what Earle charges for such services? No idea. I’ve never seen a bill, nor has Josh. I have to imagine that his parents receive some sort of a bill, but have never heard anything from them either. The whole thing is really odd. I don’t get it, but who am I to ask? All that I will say is that when we do receive a bill, Josh will promptly make his way to Home Depot to do a few “do it yourself" trainings so that he too can be like Earle someday.
Well, this weekend? I was Earle. Not only was I Earle, but I was Earle with a 1 year old and a 3 year old, which makes it even more impressive in my book. I decided that the lawn needed some work, as it is 80% weeds and 20% grass, so I took it upon myself to research how to fix this problem and to then take both kids to Home Depot to get the necessary fertilizer. While there, I got sand for the sandbox, birdseed for the poor birds who hadn’t been fed in weeks and weed eater for the weeds growing in the middle of the driveway. Then, on the way home, managed to keep both kids awake so that I wouldn’t ruin nap time. For those of you who have traveled with me around this time of day, you know what a trying task this is. I’ll never forget the day that my mom spent 30 minutes in the back tickling, playing with and singing to Avery to keep her up. Try doing that as you drive – it’s a talent that I’ve mastered. So, I got the kids home, fed them lunch and got them down for a nap. Then, proceeded to fertilize the lawn, spray the weeds in the driveway, fill the sandbox and fill the bird feeder. I’ll be honest – I was really impressed with my ability to get everything done and felt much better afterwards.
That was all on Sunday. On Saturday, we had 2 birthday parties to go to. I took Alex to a friend’s 1 year birthday and then Josh took Avery to her friend’s 3 year birthday. Kids had a great time at both. In fact, when I met Avery at her party, I approached her all excited and I got the “mom – I’m busy playing with my friends, don’t bother me” look. It’s starting already.
Mr. Alex is getting VERY close to crawling. He pushes himself forward and is on one knee and one foot – if he kicks that foot back and gets on both knees, it doesn’t last for long. He either kicks his legs back and falls or he goes back to sitting. But, he is much closer than he has been.
He is also getting to be really good at pulling himself up on things and looks for something to do that with any chance he gets.
And, clearly, he is VERY proud of himself...
Avery is doing well other than the nightmares that she seems to be having nightly. I’m not going to lie – it’s getting old. I would say that we have gotten up with her an average of 2 times a night for the last 4 weeks. I’m not sure what to do about it. But, I’m getting to the point where I really need some sleep and I’m thoroughly annoyed that I’m not getting it. Apparently, during this nap, she got out of bed and got tired of waiting for us to come see her, so she chose to take a nap on her stuffed dog right in the middle of the hallway. I will say, that was a first.
Well, this weekend? I was Earle. Not only was I Earle, but I was Earle with a 1 year old and a 3 year old, which makes it even more impressive in my book. I decided that the lawn needed some work, as it is 80% weeds and 20% grass, so I took it upon myself to research how to fix this problem and to then take both kids to Home Depot to get the necessary fertilizer. While there, I got sand for the sandbox, birdseed for the poor birds who hadn’t been fed in weeks and weed eater for the weeds growing in the middle of the driveway. Then, on the way home, managed to keep both kids awake so that I wouldn’t ruin nap time. For those of you who have traveled with me around this time of day, you know what a trying task this is. I’ll never forget the day that my mom spent 30 minutes in the back tickling, playing with and singing to Avery to keep her up. Try doing that as you drive – it’s a talent that I’ve mastered. So, I got the kids home, fed them lunch and got them down for a nap. Then, proceeded to fertilize the lawn, spray the weeds in the driveway, fill the sandbox and fill the bird feeder. I’ll be honest – I was really impressed with my ability to get everything done and felt much better afterwards.
That was all on Sunday. On Saturday, we had 2 birthday parties to go to. I took Alex to a friend’s 1 year birthday and then Josh took Avery to her friend’s 3 year birthday. Kids had a great time at both. In fact, when I met Avery at her party, I approached her all excited and I got the “mom – I’m busy playing with my friends, don’t bother me” look. It’s starting already.
Mr. Alex is getting VERY close to crawling. He pushes himself forward and is on one knee and one foot – if he kicks that foot back and gets on both knees, it doesn’t last for long. He either kicks his legs back and falls or he goes back to sitting. But, he is much closer than he has been.
He is also getting to be really good at pulling himself up on things and looks for something to do that with any chance he gets.
And, clearly, he is VERY proud of himself...
Avery is doing well other than the nightmares that she seems to be having nightly. I’m not going to lie – it’s getting old. I would say that we have gotten up with her an average of 2 times a night for the last 4 weeks. I’m not sure what to do about it. But, I’m getting to the point where I really need some sleep and I’m thoroughly annoyed that I’m not getting it. Apparently, during this nap, she got out of bed and got tired of waiting for us to come see her, so she chose to take a nap on her stuffed dog right in the middle of the hallway. I will say, that was a first.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Saying good-bye to an old friend, but welcoming a new one...
While we did eventually have to say good-bye to our old friend (and, possibly, my best friend), MiMi, she actually did stick around for longer than expected. It started with my birthday (which is clearly MiMi justified). We had a nice day – took Avery to gymnastics that morning and then we all went to my friend’s son’s 3rd birthday party. Both Avery and Alex had a great time.
Here she is about to swing at her first pinata. She was supposed to have a blindfold on, but was totally freaked out by it, so she was allowed to do it without one...
And, here is Alex sitting. Not crawling, not walking. Sitting. Someday....hopefully.
That night, Josh and I went out to dinner at the place that we went the night that he proposed, which was really nice. It was nice getting out just the two of us – we don’t do that nearly enough. Here we are all ready to go out on our big date...
That following Wednesday, I left for DC for a conference. It was a nice little getaway, but it was also nice getting back and seeing the kids. And this my friends is where MiMi and I said our goodbyes. From what I understand, she is having a wonderful time sightseeing in DC - maybe she'll come back someday soon...
This last weekend was Memorial Day weekend and the weekend that we got our new dog!!!!!!! We picked up Deacon in Putnam, Connecticut on Saturday afternoon.
This is me with him right after getting him off of the truck in CT
Here he is on his first walk on a New England beach. It is going to take some getting used to - he wasn't a huge fan of the rocks or the water, but he'll get there....
This organization that transports the dogs up here from the south is amazing. These guys start in Ohio, drive down and along the south coast picking up dogs and then drive up to New England to drop them off with their new adopted families. The trip takes them three days. I can’t even imagine having to deal with that many dogs – feeding, watering, walking, etc. for that long on the road. It really takes a special person. ANYWAY- he arrived safe and sound and has been awesome. He licked Alex’s toes the entire way home and sniffed Avery. The kids love him and he is great with him. He does still have a bit of puppy in him, which is evident given his totally spaz moments of sprinting through the house with a toy in his mouth playing tug a war with no one but himself. Avery has now been trained to just get up on one of the kitchen chairs when he starts this so that she isn’t trampled. It’s kind of comical, a pain in the ass, and scary all at the same time. Other than that, he’s great. Oh – except for the Barbie that he decided was his chew toy this morning- that wasn’t good. Avery doesn’t know about that one yet and I am not sure she will.
Sunday, we went to a fair at Avery and Alex’s future grammar school with Lindsey and her kids – Avery and Asher had a blast. Avery thought she died and went to heaven when she saw the big blow up slide (which, as it turns out, she was too short to go on, so we settled for the one where you ride on a burlap sack, which was equally as fun). That night, Lindsey and the kids came over for dinner and Josh played golf (see – I’m not the ONLY one with ME time).
Monday, we went to this great little zoo close to our house. It is small enough that you can get through the entire thing in about an hour. Perfect for kids.
Here is Alex on his first train (aka, a tiny little train with wheels that is driven around the zoo by this old lady who, by the way, insisted on spraying tick repelant all over her prior to the drive. One would think we were going into the woods? Nope. Pavement the entire way. Maybe they have different types of ticks who only live on cement in New Bedford, Ma? Odd) ride.
Here is Avery and me on the train...
And, Avery doing her new favorite thing - riding on a pony.
To answer your question, no, she will not be getting one any time soon...
Here she is about to swing at her first pinata. She was supposed to have a blindfold on, but was totally freaked out by it, so she was allowed to do it without one...
And, here is Alex sitting. Not crawling, not walking. Sitting. Someday....hopefully.
That night, Josh and I went out to dinner at the place that we went the night that he proposed, which was really nice. It was nice getting out just the two of us – we don’t do that nearly enough. Here we are all ready to go out on our big date...
That following Wednesday, I left for DC for a conference. It was a nice little getaway, but it was also nice getting back and seeing the kids. And this my friends is where MiMi and I said our goodbyes. From what I understand, she is having a wonderful time sightseeing in DC - maybe she'll come back someday soon...
This last weekend was Memorial Day weekend and the weekend that we got our new dog!!!!!!! We picked up Deacon in Putnam, Connecticut on Saturday afternoon.
This is me with him right after getting him off of the truck in CT
Here he is on his first walk on a New England beach. It is going to take some getting used to - he wasn't a huge fan of the rocks or the water, but he'll get there....
This organization that transports the dogs up here from the south is amazing. These guys start in Ohio, drive down and along the south coast picking up dogs and then drive up to New England to drop them off with their new adopted families. The trip takes them three days. I can’t even imagine having to deal with that many dogs – feeding, watering, walking, etc. for that long on the road. It really takes a special person. ANYWAY- he arrived safe and sound and has been awesome. He licked Alex’s toes the entire way home and sniffed Avery. The kids love him and he is great with him. He does still have a bit of puppy in him, which is evident given his totally spaz moments of sprinting through the house with a toy in his mouth playing tug a war with no one but himself. Avery has now been trained to just get up on one of the kitchen chairs when he starts this so that she isn’t trampled. It’s kind of comical, a pain in the ass, and scary all at the same time. Other than that, he’s great. Oh – except for the Barbie that he decided was his chew toy this morning- that wasn’t good. Avery doesn’t know about that one yet and I am not sure she will.
Sunday, we went to a fair at Avery and Alex’s future grammar school with Lindsey and her kids – Avery and Asher had a blast. Avery thought she died and went to heaven when she saw the big blow up slide (which, as it turns out, she was too short to go on, so we settled for the one where you ride on a burlap sack, which was equally as fun). That night, Lindsey and the kids came over for dinner and Josh played golf (see – I’m not the ONLY one with ME time).
Monday, we went to this great little zoo close to our house. It is small enough that you can get through the entire thing in about an hour. Perfect for kids.
Here is Alex on his first train (aka, a tiny little train with wheels that is driven around the zoo by this old lady who, by the way, insisted on spraying tick repelant all over her prior to the drive. One would think we were going into the woods? Nope. Pavement the entire way. Maybe they have different types of ticks who only live on cement in New Bedford, Ma? Odd) ride.
Here is Avery and me on the train...
And, Avery doing her new favorite thing - riding on a pony.
To answer your question, no, she will not be getting one any time soon...
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