Monday, June 18, 2012

No One Told Me

It is a baby boom out here among my Colorado friends.  So many people Matt and I know have had babies recently.  One friend had her second boy about a month ago (her oldest is a little over 2).  She confided that she couldn't believe how hard it was.  It wasn't like she was a first time mom...but many days it sure seemed like it.  Oh, how I can relate.  Another friend had a super cute baby a few weeks ago.  When we visited, she said, "No one told me it was this hard."  I think she must be going through what every mother goes through in one form or another.  It is such a shift to start taking care of another little human being...and so much time and effort.  Unfortunately, people just don't talk about the struggles new babies bring.  It is somehow taboo.  The posts I mostly see from others are about how wonderful, cute and adorable their little one is.  I do know that Matt and I tried to tell them ahead of time what they might be in for, but in reality, it can't be conveyed.  You don't really know what it's like until you do it.  So, no matter what everyone might have shared, she's right.  No one told her.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Christmas 2011

Matt's parents came and spent Christmas with us.  It was very nice sharing the holiday with them.  We were at home while they were visiting, and then we headed up to Fraser after they left.  There is no way I will remember everything, but here is an attempt at what the kids received, broken up with a few pictures to make it more interesting.  They got WAY too much stuff, of course.


 The tree

Ezra got:  a push popper, a soft color cube, a handmade wooden boat, a push walker with alligators on it, a baby, a ball popper, a ride around car, ornaments, plastic vehicles that snap together, toy horses, and

 
a book for the bath

Grandpa Paul showing Ezra the horses
 
Elias got: cars and trucks, a handmade wooden clock, a snowman puzzle, Hullabaloo, Build a Road Deluxe, Spot It,  a homemade placemat with a big E on it, ornaments, books:  Tickle Monster, Go Dog Go, Sam and the Firefly, Cat and the Hat, There was an Old Lady, and Insect World, and


Elmo

 Matt and Elias made cookies for Santa.  Grandma Marjie helped too.

The boys got a few toys they share: a kitchen, a dollhouse and build a Snowman pieces.  All are big hits.
 Cooking together at the kitchen

 Checking out the dollhouse

Snowman Kiefer

Elias has already started his wish list for next Christmas.  Sure hope he is a good boy.

The Nutcracker


Elias and I went to the Children's Nutcracker (back in December, of course).  I was super excited and had told him all about it.  It was the first "real" show we had gone to together.  He did surprisingly well.  The hardest part was me having to hold the seat down so he didn't get folded up inside it.  I think he enjoyed watching the kids dance.  I was a bit disappointed that the music was recorded, but otherwise it was very cute.  At intermission they had stickers and beads to help entertain the kids.  It was perfect.  During the 2nd half Elias got a bit antsy, but we made it through.  I can't wait until he is old enough to attend an "adult" musical.  We can compete to see who sings along the loudest.

Lovin' the Daycare

Nido (infant) room - January 2012

This is just one of the many reasons I am glad the kids are in daycare.  Who in their right mind would take on a project like this at home?

Monday, June 11, 2012

Infant Teachers



Ezra has moved on to the next class at school (Toddlers), but back in December, these are the folks he hung around with:

Ms. Lorri (Elias' infant teacher too)

 
Ms. Sarah (she has a little one about Ezra's age)

Ms. Chelsie (is still in school)

Ms. Margie (she loves Ezra like no other)

I wanted to do something special for each of these teacher's because both of my kids have had such great care from the school, and our family is all done with the infant classroom.   My Mom helped me make a special gift for each of them.  Lorri got a personalized apron because she likes to cook.  Sarah got a camo fleece sweatshirt with a bear on it for her little boy.  Chelsie got a bag with a big C on it to use for school.  Ms. Margie got a lavender pouch that says, "Ezra loves Margie".  Ezra is one of her all-time favorites.  The feeling is mutual.  

Thanks teachers for helping Ezra grow up!

P.S.  Here is the post I made in 2008 of Elias' teachers from his infant classroom.

Remember the Snow?

It has been hot lately, so it is nice to remember last November when there was still some snow around.

We had visitors:
Matt's parents.

Grandpa Don came and we made a gingerbread house,
 
 and went to Build a Bear and got PawPaw.

Stella came with Grandpa Don and played with the kids up in Fraser.
 
  
My birthday came and went.  I asked for and got these kid's chairs from Mom and Jim.  Matt got the "privilege" of picking them up from Ikea.   Elias loves using his as a drum.

 Elias did more skiing.  His current favorite sport.

 Ezra got all bundled up.

Two of the photos from our holiday card:


Retiring Early

Elias has a giant imagination.  While I remember complaining about it in the past, I am just now starting to appreciate it.  He can play with just about anything and turn it into something fun.  He is also good at playing by himself.

 Elias playing pirate

Elias being goofy

Elias has really gotten settled in at school.  He is often the first kid to arrive, so he gets a little more work time in with his teacher, Ms. Julie.   

Elias and Ms. Julie
He finished his first set of sounds and can tell you what sound a particular letter makes.  He hasn't mastered sounding out words yet, but he can do a few here or there.  He has moved from sounds to math.  He can write his name, write numbers, do addition (with beads), and draws people with heads, arms, legs, eyes and mouths.  Soon, he starts learning to read.  I can't wait.

Elias' math schoolwork

In general, Elias is very helpful.  He helps set up and clean up at school, cleans up at home, and is generally very good natured.  Unfortunately, his favorite person to pick on is Ezra.  I suppose once they aren't brothers anymore, that will lighten up.  Oh, wait.

He loves to cook with Matt, paint, sew, do crafts, and read books.  He often staples papers together to make his own books.  He loves getting new clothes.  At bedtime, instead of getting up 16 times, we just have "talks".  Here is how they go.

Elias:  5 talks.
Me:  OK.  5 talks.  Talk 1.
Elias:  I want to paint pink, purple and gold (his favorite colors).
Me: Talk 2.
Elias:  I want to paint the vacation (meaning the place where we stayed on vacation).
Me: Talk 3.
Elias: I want to paint the condo.
Me: Talk 4.
Elias:  I want to paint the home.
Me:  Talk 5.  Last talk.
Elias:  I want to do the toothbrush painting (I have no idea) and the dot painting.  And when Ezra wakes up, I will wake up.  When someone puts Ezra back to sleep, I will go back to sleep with my Olo, Ronald (thanks for the new addition Grandma Marjie), 2 doggies, PawPaw, and Elmo (I have to say Elmo with him).

It is the same EVERY night, but I'll take it over getting up 16 times.  Awhile back, if you had told me there was a time Elias would go to sleep without much trouble, I never would have believed you.  I guess they do grow up.

Elias still loves music and loves playing his guitar.  He is getting too old for our usual music class, so instead he will be going to school on Fridays.  It works out well because in the summer, they have splash day at school, and he really enjoys the water.  Once he turns 5, he can do the big kids music.  Check out the reason Matt and I are retiring early:


I Like to Play Guitar (as far as I know an original)...and no, you don't have to listen to the whole thing.


When the Sun Comes Out (another original...hard to believe I know)

Oh yeah.  He's going to be big.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Basically in College

So, I know, I know.  The kids are basically in college.  Here's a bit about Ezra now, at 17 months.


-He finally has some teeth:  7th tooth arrived March 28th (top, left, 4th from center), 8th tooth May 12th (bottom, left, 2nd from center), and 9th tooth June 4th (bottom, right, 2nd from center).  Soon it is to the dentist!
-He continues to throw his food on the floor, dump it out on the table, and pretty much just drive me crazy.  Sumo loves him.
-Doctor's checkup April 20th:Weighed 21.2 lbs, was 31.5 " tall.
-Has been sleeping through the night for awhile now.  We quit the 8:30 feeding a long ways back.  Ahhh.  It is nice to have evenings again.
-Often talks to himself in his crib for an hour or more at bedtime.  At school, they say they have caught him sleep walking more than once.  Talking in his sleep?
-Is obsessed with shoes (must have gotten it from Matt).  He always wants to put his shoes on at home, says "shoe" a ton, and takes off his right shoe and sock every time we drive somewhere (but only the right one).  Is basically crazy (also must have come from Matt).
-Ms. Coleen cut his hair on May 12th.  Surprisingly, it was quick and painless.
-Loves to play peak-a-boo, especially while eating.
-Hates getting his nails trimmed and his face wiped.
-Enjoys climbing up on chairs and sitting, sometimes by himself, sometimes next to you on the couch, sometimes in your lap.
-Continues to love water.
-Has lots of words: bye-bye, quack, all done, more, shoe, off, open, wa-wa (water), baby, up, Mama, Dada,  Li (Elias).
-His favorite comfort is to grab his sleeve and suck on it with his thumb.  He is out-of-luck this summer; short sleeves don't stretch far enough.  Lucky for him he can still get at his thumb.