Pants

All of Bailey's jeans have holes in the knees. I patched them all. Now the patches have ripped or have holes. I went to a kid's consignment store and bought almost all of their 4T pants. I never would have thought Bailey would be so rough on her clothes. The pants hardly fit because she's almost in 5T but I know they will only last a few months, and longer pants will get ruined at the cuffs anyway. I need highwaters with canvas knees for her.

Foster has been saying "ah-bil" lately and I just finally figured out what he's been saying. A Book. He also says hot dog, a-snack, a-drink, lamby, teeth, bye-bye, love you (which he tells me when I put him to bed), and few other words I can hardly understand. It's cute. I love his baby talk. He now likes to sit on the potty and pretend to go. We haven't caught him going yet. I'm not really looking forward to potty training but at least this time around I've got more experience.

Things that are Going On

Last weekend I finally got out to snowboard at Keystone. I was really nervous since it's been about 10 years since I last got on a snowboard. The gear is even a little different from what I was use to. But me and my new board got familiar real quick, and within two hours I was coasting down that mountain so fast that I had to wait for everyone else. Ha! It felt great! I can't wait to go again.

For the last couple of days it's been too cold to even leave the house. The wind chill is -33 right now. It's okay because Foster hasn't been feeling very well anyway. He's got such a sensitive stomach and going through yet another bout with diarrhea. The plus side is that he's been super snuggley, sitting in my arms and even falling asleep on my chest. So sweet. He still doesn't talk much but he understands everything. No lack of communication. Bailey is growing like a weed. She's almost grown out of all her clothes I bought this fall. Every single pair of jeans she owns has holes in the knees from playing so rough outside. I even patched two pair up and she's ripped through the patches. Jeeezzz!

Still waiting to hear about a job I applied for. In the mean time I'm going to be volunteering as leader of the playgroup the kids go to every week. I'm also planning a birthday party for a friend at our house next weekend. It's a birthday/valentine/poker/flapper-gangster party. Jeremy and I don't ever celebrate Valentine's day out so we thought a poker party would be more fun. We'll see how many dress up. Should be fun. I'm also planning to go to Vail this weekend and snowboard with a neighbor who is moving next week. My weekends are always so full of events. My weeks are full of workout schedules, cleaning, cooking, and directing the kids.

The kids still get along pretty good, but lately Foster has hit this stage where he screams at Bailey in a really high pitch when he's not getting his way. He basically wants everything she's playing with. They both couldn't get any pickier when it comes to food either. Meal time is so stressful that I can't even eat with them at the table most of the time. Foster won't eat anything but snack food and if Bailey does eat she takes over an hour before we finally force her to get down from the table. At least when she starts school that will be one meal out of my hands. She can't wait to start kindergarten. I've been working with her on using a pencil, spelling her name, counting to 20, and basic family information. For instance; her full name, our full names, her exact birthday, where she lives, and what to do in an emergency. The best time to do this is during bath time. She's doing pretty good. Next thing I want her to memorize is my cell number. She's not reading yet but I'm not pushing it too hard. She still needs to work on putting letter sounds together. I've been thinking about buying the Leapfrog tag reading system. Hopefully that will jump start her interest.

Oh, so last night Bailey told be she has good dreams. I asked her what she dreams about and she said "Hearts that love and unicorns." Then she asked if she had good dreams would they come true? I just smiled and said "sometimes." I told her she was my flower child, which made me remember, people use to call me the same thing when I was young.

Job Hunt

The hunt is on for a job. Lately the kids have been driving me insane and I told Jeremy that I can't wait until Bailey starts school to look for a job. I need a job now. Jeremy is very supportive of this decision because he's tired of seeing me so miserable anyway. I've already met with a counselor on base who is helping me spice up my resume and giving me advice. Unfortunately there isn't much around here in the fields I want to work in. Most of the jobs being offered are in the I.T. or medical fields. But if I can just get in the federal system starting with anything then I can move to something more interesting when it becomes available. Though I don't want to work directly with kids again, I might have to for a little while. Kinda defeats the purpose of leaving my kids to go work, but if that's what it takes then so be it. I love my kids. I just don't want to spend every minute of my day with them. To be fair I think I annoy my kids as much as they annoy me. So hopefully I will be a working women within the next few months, and my kids' days will be filled with exciting activities and new friends. Until then my kids will just have to deal with me.

At War with Mice

So we discovered a mouse reeking havoc with our guests back in November when Jeremy's family came for Thanksgiving. Housing maintenance came and placed sticky glue traps around the house but the mouse was too smart and just maneuvered around them. Useless. I finally bought the old fashion snap traps at the recommendation of the ACE employee and within two hours of setting we caught the mouse. Summer sausage seems to do the trick. Well then last week I heard a rattling noise coming from the pantry while watching a movie. I said "Jeremy, something is in the pantry, come get it." Of course it was another mouse. We set our trap again with more sausage and the next morning checked for carnage. Meat gone and no mouse. We tried again the next night and again the mouse outsmarted the trap. Then I put peanut butter on the trap to stick the sausage to it. Poor mouse never had a chance.

But that's not the end. This morning I discovered yet another mouse! They seem to be coming from behind the oven. Maybe the gas line? I don't know, it's driving me crazy. Most of our food is on lock down in the fridge. I'm constantly cleaning the kitchen and Koa doesn't let any food be left behind on the floors. I don't get it. Wish I could rent a cat.

It's a New Year

It's a new year and for a lot of people it's time for resolutions. I asked several people what their new year's resolutions are and I got the same answer, "My resolution is to not make any resolutions this year." At first I thought, "Wow, there is nothing you want to do or change about yourself." Then again, I guess you don't need a new year to start change.

The last few years I've tried to keep mine obtainable so as not to disappoint myself. Getting in shape is always at the top of my list but that is something I'm always striving for year around. It's just that I always get out of shape around the holidays so January is a good time to get back into good habits again. Now for me resolutions are more about inner change anyway. It forces me to really face what I don't like about myself. I use to promise myself to paint more, write more, smoke and drink less, or take more walks outside, but life always seems to get in the way (mainly kids or husband's T.D.Y's). I use to think that I would grow stronger to temptation as I got older but I've found just the opposite. Maybe because there is more stress in my life now, I give in to the comfortable even when I know it's not good for me. Hey, everyone has their excuses.

There are always going to be things I want to change for the better in the coming year. We could all use new beginnings; it gives us hope and motivation to keep trying. Why not let the "New Year" be the time to start? Here are five that I'd like to share:

1. Find more happiness in the mundane (well at least more content).

2. Find more humor in the kids' daily annoyances.

3. Bring more intellectual challenges to my life.

4. Find the self-confidence to take on a challenging career in whatever I choose.

Christmas Magic

I was making Bailey practice her writing yesterday, which I haven't done in a while. She gets so frustrated if it's not perfect and always starts to whine and cry. When I told her to just do the best she can she tells me "Mom, I'm only four! I need to get bigger first!" Ha! So dramatic.

Foster has taken to hiding our stuff in the couch and chair cushions. Today we found the TV remote, a sippy cup, my cell phone case, and Jeremy's watch. He also has taken to hitting and throwing heavy objects at people. I recently took a sippy cup to the eye. Ouch. We've started putting him in time-out but I can tell already he's going to be a challenge to discipline. He doesn't take his parents very seriously. It's so hard to stay stern with him smiling and hugging you and saying "Mommy".

It's going to be a quieter Christmas this year. It's just the four of us for Christmas day but we are excited about skyping with the family. Christmas eve we'll have our neighbors over for a ham dinner. I wish there was snow but it doesn't look like that's going to happen so we may even drive up to the mountains for a little snowball fight. I can't wait to watch the kids open their gifts. I probably went a little overboard but I just found so many things that I thought they'd like this year.

Ahhh, the magic of Christmas. One of Bailey's friends has been raised to believe that there is no Santa Claus. He told Bailey that Santa wasn't real. It didn't phase her though. She even asked how Santa was getting into the house since we didn't have a fireplace anymore. I told her he'll just come through the door. In a world that is obsessed with reality I fully intend to fill my kids heads with dilutions of elves, flying reindeer, giant egg-hiding bunnies, and tooth fairies. I see absolutely nothing wrong with feeding the fantasy. Some people may call it lying but I think it's just creating a magical world full of fun and happiness. Kids figure it all out on their own with time and aren't damaged by discovering truth. At least I never was. I was grateful for all those stories and memories. I'm thankful for my parents putting the effort into keeping that magic alive for us. It's tradition; it's building imaginations; it's just plain fun. That "little kid magic" is only alive for such a brief period of time in our lives. I plan on enjoying it with kids a second time around.

Overdue Update

Okay so I know it's been months since my last post. I have been so far behind on all kinds of things as well as communicating with family and friends. Ever since we moved to Denver I feel like my life has been a crazy whirlwind. It hasn't been all exciting, just busy. I also finally got to catch up on three months worth of posts on Kristy's blog. So while Foster is sleeping and Bailey is watching cartoons I'm going to give a little update.

Bailey- She's now in pre-school half days, five days a week. She loves it and gets to do lots of art projects. On Wednesdays she has a ballet/jazz class for an hour. There will be a dance recital sometime in June. On Thursdays I take her and Foster to a playdate with other mom's in base housing. We do a craft with the kids, gossip and drink coffee. In her free time Bailey likes to play with the neighbor's kids, play video games, watch movies, and eat snacks. I've now got enough confidence to allow her to play outside with the kids without my constant supervision. She's only allowed in our next door neighbor's house, the driveway, backyard, or playground. I just check on her every 15 minutes. Of course none of this would work so well if we didn't live on base. And it helps that I know almost all the kids, where they live, and who their parents are. I've become so close to my neighbor that we babysit for each other for free so that we can have a date nights.

Foster- There is always something new going on with him. He never stops eating. His favorite new word is "snack". He can only say a few words (that I understand), but he understands almost everything I ask him and answers with a yes or no shake of the head. He now tells me when he has a dirty diaper, usually when he has a cloth diaper on. I'm going to introduce him to the potty after the holidays. He's curious and dangerous. He loves to climb furniture, jump off furniture, and fall off furniture. Even when he hurts himself and gets back up and does it again. He may be little but he's agile and strong. He gets into every cabinet, drawer, and electronic device in the house. It's been a little manageable until recently, because he can now open doors. And every time I get on to him for something he smiles and gives me a hug (little manipulator). Trouble, trouble, and too clever for his own good. As fast, fearless, and stubborn as he is, he still is so affectionate and quick to give hugs and kisses, especially to his sister. It has become close to impossible to take him anywhere anymore. At the store he just wants to run around. If I put him in the cart he just screams and cries. At the restaurant he throws his food and fusses in the highchair because he wants to get down and explore. Oh well. He's really fun though, and there isn't a day that goes by when he doesn't make me laugh at least once. He also has this fascination with the toilet the last few days and I constantly have found him playing in it. Yuck!

Jeremy- The job he came here to do has changed a few times and he almost had to be reassigned. But it looks like they are able to use him in other ways and he now has work to do. He's been gone TDY (training) at least half the time since we moved here. His schedule is better now and can now be home for all three meals and holidays. He's brewing beer again and recently made his best one yet (in my opinion).

Me- I've been busy with the kids and house. There hasn't been much time for else. I feel like all I do is clean and the house always seems like a mess! Foster keeps me busy by me keeping him out of trouble. I did buy a snowboard but haven't got a chance to go to the resorts yet. I'd have to find someone to go with me because Jeremy would have to stay home with the kids all day. I was running regularly but a string of sicknesses since October has thrown a wrench in my energy. I did run my first 10 miler back in September with excellent results. Hopefully I can get back to that soon. I take the kids to the zoo once a month and usually meet up with an old friend from Up with People there. As a family we are planning a Disney Cruise for April. There are a lot preparations, as you can image with 20 month old, which is exciting and nerve racking at the same time. Now with Christmas around the corner I'm just trying to get it all the shopping and shipping done in time. Doesn't look like I'm going to make it this time. Sorry everybody. Time is relative these days, right?