Homework

Why is it so difficult to get a 4 year old to complete a homework assignment?? I am NOT looking forward to the many years of homework that are in our future.

My rescue heroes

When we got home from picking Jared up from school today, he wanted to play fire fighter. So, out came the "dress up" box (full of masculine uniforms) and Jared and I became fire fighters and Jared wanted Josh to be a police officer. We saved many lives in a matter of minutes.

Jared says . . .

I often wonder if Jared and Josh will grow up to be friends. I get worried because when Josh attempts to play with Jared, Jared gets upset and doesn't want Josh to touch his toys. Jared will even go as far as saying that he doesn't like Josh. Today, on the way to school, Jared asked why Josh's car seat has to face backwards. I gave him the safety explanation and we began talking about how much longer it will be until Josh is able to walk and talk - Jared wanted to know this information. It made me very happy when Jared said he can't wait for Josh to be able to walk and talk because that will be when they can play together.

The next American Idol

Jenny and Robbie gave Josh a piano for Christmas. It has a microphone that Josh figured out how to use. I was in the kitchen and all of a sudden I heard loud "singing". I went into the playroom and there was Josh "singing" in the microphone. He doesn't make me sound too bad!

Visit with Mom Mom Bonnie

Mom Mom Bonnie came to visit this past weekend. The boys were very excited to see her. Jared and Josh had a good time playing, playing and more playing with Mom Mom. They can't wait until the end of April to see her again!!

Play Date

Josh and Kaden wanted to meet their new friend, Liam, so we decided to have a play date at our house today. The boys had a good time playing with the toys and eating lunch. It was a nice time had by everyone! (I think Josh was crying b/c I took him away from a toy he was playing with to take the picture.)

Getting Around

I found Josh sitting in his crib twice now. I also saw him trying to pull himself up at the coffee table today. That means it is only a matter of time before he is moving on his own. He can get around a room by turning and doing somewhat of a scoot. He is still pretty immobile just like Jared was at this age. That makes my life a whole lot easier for a little while longer. Oh if they could only stay little.

Playing Games

It amazes me how kids can learn to navigate their way around a computer. I only had to show Jared how to get onto the internet to play Mickey Mouse games about 2 times and he can do it all by himself. He likes to explore the websites of all of his "shows".

Jared says . . .

Jared and I were playing "cash register" today and I was explaining to him that I used to be a "cashier person girl" (as Jared calls them) when I worked at CVS. He then said, "then how did you become a mommy?" Whenever Drew and I talk about things that happened before he was born Jared always asks us where he was or who watched him while we were doing whatever it was that we were talking about. I guess kids assume that they have been around as long as their parents have been around. Too funny.

I am longing for the warm weather. We are getting stir crazy in the house and cannot wait to get outdoors to run around. I went in the basement today to look at the inventory of spring/summer clothes I have for the boys. When I saw how many articles of clothing I have in the 24 mo. size I was flabbergasted! I had to take pictures so you can see what I am talking about. The pictures just don't do it justice. After I took these pictures, I found about 2 dozen more shirts. There must be at least 60 or so shirts in all. Needless to say, as long as Josh is wearing size 24 mo. this spring/summer he doesn't need any new clothes. Why does one child need 11 bathing suits in the same size?

Nicole had gotten Jared the game, "Guess What I Am" for his birthday. Today was the first time I was able to play it with him. He has played it with Mom Mom Kathy and Jenny and Robbie before but when those people are around I am put on the back burner. So today, while Josh was sleeping, Jared and I decided to play. I found out that I am not very good at guessing what I am but Jared is very good at it.

Pouty Lip

We see this face on a daily basis now. Josh makes this face when Drew takes him away from me. It is sad, but funny at the same time because it is such a classic pouty lip. I hate that he can't be taken from me easily but love it at the same time because it means that he is a momma's boy just like his brother. What mommy doesn't like that??

Bedroom Nook

For Christmas, Kathy gave us money to purchase a bookcase for our room. Drew, Jared and Josh all helped with the assembly. I wanted to be able to use it for storage of scrapbooking supplies as well as a display of some pictures. I am happy with the way it looks. My scrapbooking/craft nook of my bedroom is one of my favorite places in our house. It is my little get away to retreat to after the boys go to bed. I still plan on hanging some more shelves (I love shelves) on the empty wall.

If you haven't seen these, they are sure to put a smile on your face.

Valentine Goodies

I said I wasn't going to send out Valentine cards this year with any type of picture inside like I usually do. As time went by I started feeling guilty about it so I decided to hand make my cards and send them only to family. I am happy with the results.

Jared had a Valentine's party at school so I had an excuse to make goodies. I enjoy making goodies and there aren't many people around here to make them for so I seem to put something together for every one of Jared's preschool parties eventhough I am not the designated goodie person.

Exercising Jared

I mentioned the other day that I need to start exercising and Jared said he wanted to do it "now." I put on Jillian Michaels (on demand) and Jared followed right along. Needless to say I video taped him instead of following right along like I should have been doing.

Jared says . . .

"When I get big I can't wait because I am going to marry Jenny. We are going to go to church and sit there and we are both going to get married."

Jared says . . .

Jared sure does have a lot of humor, or at least I think so. Many times I am sure he doesn't mean to be funny. But, the way some of the things come out of his mouth not only make me smile, but I laugh out loud; sometimes I laugh about it for days when it crosses my mind. I will post "Jared says" a lot because Jared says a lot of funny things. I hope you find some humor in them as well. Last week Jared and I were sitting at the island in the kitchen and Jared looked over at me. I had my hair in a ponytail. He looked at it and said, "Your hair looks cute Mom. I didn't really know you were that cute." I still smile when I think of this conversation :)

Visit to the Allergist

About a month ago we had a scare when Jared took 2 bites of a PB & J sandwich. His lip got swollen and his cheeks got red and blotchy. I gave him benadryl and monitored him to make sure he could breathe and swallow. The swelling and redness cleared up in about an hour or two and he was OK. I assumed a peanut allergy could be added to Jared's list of health issues. Jared's pediatrician referred us to a pediatric allergist that also specializes in pediatric asthma. We went yesterday and Jared had to be tested for both food and environmental allergies. He tested positive for peanut, dog and cat allergies. The testing was a nightmare since Jared's aversion to anything to do with needles is severe. He freaked out so bad with the 2nd, upper arm, testing that a 2nd nurse had to be called in. Needless to say, both myself and Jared were very happy when it was all over (2.5 hours later). This Dr. is the first to have diagnosed Jared with asthma. Both of Jared's peds in both NJ & MA have never said that Jared had asthma - even when I specifically asked. This Dr. said, "If it walk like a duck . . . " so it was nice to have someone admit to his asthma. As a result of his asthma, we need to carry epi-pens with us at all times. Food allergies and asthma just don't mix. Jared was also put back on a daily med for his asthma. It was a scarey but reassuring Dr. visit. I now feel safe having the epi pens in case we ever need to administer them.

Tongue Tied

Josh's new thing is to stick out his tongue . . . constantly. It was easy for me to get a picture of him since he does it all the time. I don't mind, however, because it helps him with the "m" sound so it sounds like he is saying "mom". Jared was behind on some developmental milestones and Josh seems to be following in his footsteps. When I took him for his 9 month checkup the Dr. was concerned with the fact that Josh is not pulling himself up to a standing position. He is able to stand for a very short period of time if you put him in that position. When I am getting his tub ready, however, he will try to pull himself up to stand at the tub so he can see inside. The track gives him something to hold onto. He can't get up but he tries. I am not concerned because I know my boys are just a little slower when it comes to those kinds of things. Josh is content not being able to move around. He does, however, know how to get to his belly from the sitting position and he can turn and push backwards so he can get around somewhat. The longer he is stationary the easier my life will be :)

Clapping Happy

Josh started clapping his hands a few days ago. He was sitting in his high chair and all of a sudden he started clapping his hands. He is getting really good now. He even makes a clapping sound when he does it.

I decided to create a blog to enable friends and family to "keep up" with what is going on in our lives. Being far away :( makes it difficult to share daily happenings. Our busy lives also contribute to this so I hope you will visit every now and then so we can share the exciting, and not so exciting, things that are happening with us.