The SEAKers Crazy Life

Random thoughts

2009-06-10T11:39:00.003-04:00

Today Kaden had his 18 month well baby check. ( A month late...oops!) Praise God he is up to the 45th percentile for his weight. At twelve months he was down below the 10th so we have made some very good progress. We have a couple minor medical procedures coming up over the summer as well.

Cute things Kaden is saying lately include...

Binkie: He calls it "BinkB" but it sounds a lot like baked beans. Aubrie and I laugh about it all the time.

He loves to say "OH NO! A Book!" I have no idea what this means or why he says it 100x a day. It's pretty funny though.

He loves anything that has wheels..."vroom, vrooms" as he calls them.

The other night I took the kids outside to look at the moon and stars...(good mom moment...teaching about God's creation etc) it ended badly though. Kaden REALLY wanted me to reach up and get him a star. He cried and cried and cried...saying "sTar, sTar" over and over. Poor kid. Aubrie (being the awesome sister that she is) decided we should come inside and make Kaden his very own star out of cardboard. So we cut it out and she colored it for him. He toddled around with it in his hand the rest of the night. "sTar!!!"

Aubrie is doing so well. She's happy to be out of school and is enjoying the free time to play. Her toy room is consistently home to many various pet shops, zoos and "aminal" hospitals. She has an amazingly tender heart for animals and for her brother. She is more patient with him than I am. She is truly a wonderful big sister.

Aubrie has also been invited to join the competitive gymnastics team. We are going to try it and see how it goes. She does have some natural ability and talent in that area but does not have a competitive nature. If it stops being fun for her we will pull her out and put her back in regular gymnastics. Oh, I'm sorry..."Gynastics!" She still forgets to put the "M" in that word. She also still says "Aminals" "Yeshterday" and "Worser" I promise I will correct them...soon...but to me they are the last little bit of her little girl words and I can't part with them yet. Sweet girl. What I am ready to part with is her dangling front tooth. She is terrified of having anyone touch it so there it dangles. Uh! Gross! She will lose it soon and spend most of the summer toothless. So cute.

We are still debating our plans for the fall which now include homeschooling...something I swore I would NEVER do. But it is looking like one of our better options. Kind of waiting to see at this point. It would be fun and crazy and hard but really good for me in a lot of ways...I would be forced to keep to a more strict schedule...hmmm...

I'm going to try to get back into my "blogging groove" so I can stay in touch with family/friends far away and also keep track of our life as it flies by so quickly. I was just going through a bin of Aubrie's baby clothes and it brought tears to my eyes (shocker, I know) to see all those sweet little outfits that now fit on her baby doll. How does it go by so fast? I'll never know.

Love to all,
EMT

Too Cute!

2009-06-03T08:43:00.004-04:00

I took two short vidoes with my camera last night and I have to share them. He is so funny and so cute!

Kaden was in his highchair and was using his cut up hot dog pieces as choo-choo trains...I had to run and find my camera to catch this one.

After the choo-choo he started counting backwards (his cute little version anyway) and saying, "Blast Off!" He finished the blast off with the awesome sound effects we have taught him. Hilarious! Often he will count 9, 8, 2, 6, Blast Off...this time he was too excited and only got about two numbers in there...funny kid.

Enjoy!

EMT

FINALLY!!!

2009-05-06T11:54:00.002-04:00

Just a little clip to show you that yes, in fact my handsome, sweet son is FINALLY walking. He was also very busy showing me that he can do "up and down." Yeah!!!!!! Sorry the video is sideways...I don't have the time to mess with it and figure out how to turn it.

:-)

Things I want to remember forever....

2009-01-26T23:21:00.002-05:00

I love so many little things about my family. The simple little everyday things that I think I could never ever forget and yet as the years start to go by I find I don't remember as much as I thought I would. Little things like...

The way Kaden crosses his right foot over his left foot when he is thinking or playing or getting sleepy in his car seat.

His delight when he rolled the ball to me over and over and over saying "ball" each time.

The way Aubrie laughed when Steven let her cut a piece of his hair and the sheer shock and delight on her face.

How she snuggles up and "Koala's Mommy!"

The way Steven smiles when he hears Aubrie say, "Daddy, Let's Wrestle!!!"

The smile on his face when he comes home and how he faithfully tells Aubrie..."Hold on a minute...let me go kiss Mommy."

The way Max looks ever so longingly at our bed hoping for an invitation to jump up and snuggle up with us.

Bailey sleeping on Steven's pillow...much to his disgust!

Kaden's sweet giggle when he's playing with his sister.

Aubrie's amazing imagination and sweet nuturing spirit. She is only six and yet when I had the stomach flu last week she asked me if she could go get me a bucket and told me not to worry...she would take care of me and Kaden.

There are a million small and wonderful things I am privileged to hear, see and experience every day with my amazing family. I wish I could store them all up and remember each one but I know I will start to forget the little things over time. It's life. The great thing is that we are building a bond that will last a lifetime. Each silly joke shared. Each tear cried. The love we share as a family keeps getting stronger even as some of the memories fade. When I'm really old (and Steven's even older!) we won't remember the way Kaden tried to say "Moo" or "Quack, Quack, Quack"...we won't remember that Aubrie used to call McDonald's chicken nuggets, "Chickenfries." We won't remember all the silly things...but we will never forget and never let go of the amazing gift we've been given...the opportunity to love our children with God's help and to the best of our ability and to love each other.
So thankful for my wonderful husband, daughter, son and yes, even my two crazy dogs!
EMT

How can it be this hard.

2009-01-14T14:40:00.002-05:00

It seems so simple. Kids are tired. Sleep is the answer. Nap. End of story.

YEAH RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My friend Tracy is working this week so I agreed to watch her son Thomas for the day. Due to some "interesting" circumstances I also have her daughter Maria. Thomas and Kaden have been playing all morning and for the most part they are having a good time. A couple of sharing issues and some stealing of the sippy cups but otherwise a nice morning. Lunch was served. Kids ate. Diapers were changed. All set to nap.

Why then did it take me an hour and a half to get both boys down for naps??? Kaden usually goes down without a fuss. Thomas has napped at my house before so it's not entirely new to him. What is the deal. By the end of it they were both asleep (finally!) and I am left feeling frazzled and somewhat in need of a nap myself. Oh well. Aubrie will be home from school in 15 minutes and I'm sure the girls will have lots of fun playing.

Maybe I'll go drink some more coffee and clean up the disaster that we affectionately call our toy room.
EMT

231!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-01-10T17:35:00.007-05:00

Okay...let me start out by saying that they are not ALL ours. The big pink care bear belongs to my niece Teagan. So the actual number is somewhere around 230 (although I wouldn't be surprised if we actually have more.)

Ilove stuffed animals. I had quite a collection when I was growing up. In fact one of the bears in the picture belongs to me. His name is "Brownie" and I got him when I was five. The rest of the "aminals" belong to Aubrie and a handful belong to Kaden. I've said before that Aubrie is my little "aminal" lover and she can't get enough of anything soft, furry and sweet. She loves them all and has names for them all and will remember them even after I have hidden them away in the "Go To Salvation Army" bag. It's amazing the memory this child has.

January is a great month for cleaning out the storage room and getting rid of clutter. We have been amazingly blessed with many "aminals" and toys for our children but at some point you have to call a spade a spade. THIS IS INSANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Steven, God bless him, hates stuffed animals and doesn't see the point of having any. He loves his daughter and his wife enough to put up with them, though.

Enjoy the laugh at my expense!

Erin

Christmas pics updates for Mom

2009-01-08T18:46:00.001-05:00

Busy, Busy, Busy

2008-12-08T21:51:00.002-05:00

I'm sorry it has been so long since I have updated. We have been insanely busy with Thanksgiving at our house and then Aubrie's birthday. Now "Grandma and Pop-Pop" are here for a visit and we are greatly enjoying their company and Grandma's tic-tacs!!!

I will be posting pictures soon...I currently can't find my camera...I think it might be in the "dumping ground" otherwise known as my office. The last six weeks I have taken piles of papers and other miscellaneous things and literally dumped them on the floor in my office. What a mess. Hey...I've been keeping up with the basement, the toy room, the piano room, the family room, the kitchen, the breakfast room, the powder room, the guest room, Kaden's room, Aubrie's room, the laundry room, the kids bathroom and sort of my room too! That's a whole lot of house!!! One room to dump my stuff is not too bad...plus it is sort of therapeutic to take a whole pile of stuff...throw it on the floor and walk away. I'm sure I'll be regretting it later when I have to clean it all up but hey...you can only do so much in a day and then you just dump the rest. I'm a Mom, a Wife, a Sister, a Daughter, a Dog-Owner...the list goes on and on but the one thing I definitely am not is "Super Woman!!!" :-)

It's Hard

2008-11-22T08:13:00.002-05:00

My little man went in for his 1 year well-baby appt and it didn't go nearly as well as I expected. We have always been very blessed to have healthy children and I know that I need to keep this all in perspective. The perspective has taken about a week. Kaden isn't growing as well as the doctor's would like and they have some concerns so we had to do bloodwork. I mean to say that I had to hold him down and watch (in horror) as they tried to get blood from his little arm. This process was repeated five days later when I, once again, got to hold him down. Two days after that I had to take him in for a shot. The ENTIRE way home in the car Kaden sat in the backseat saying, "Da-Da-Da-Da-Da-Da!" So...now he wants Daddy because Mommy keeps letting him get stuck with needles. AH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sometimes being the Mommy is just hard. We do what is best (or at least what we think and pray is best) and our kids totally don't understand. Then...our husband's come home and "save the day." There are moments when I want to whine like my almost six year old and say...."IT'S NOT FAIR!!!"

BONK!

2008-11-10T18:43:00.003-05:00

Bonk is a pretty popular word in our family. We are dorks. We know it.

Kaden has entered his second year of life with great gusto and has "bonked" his head so many times today I can't even count. I bonked it once....Oops! I guess I'm out of the running for "mother of the year." I was bending down to pick something up and I had Kaden on my hip and he bent over as I stood up and hit his head on the kitchen counter. Ahhh....I really hate that. I always feel so bad.

It reminded me of the time when Aubrie had just turned 2 and I took her to the doctor to get her shots. She was so brave and didn't cry at all but then I was holding her and AGAIN bent down to pick something up and when I stood up I hit her head on the side of the cabinet in the doctor's office. She SCREAMED. Oops. I didn't win "Mother of the Year" that year either. Oh well. Maybe someday....

Yeah right! :-)

The Remains...

2008-11-09T20:30:00.001-05:00

This is the remains of Kaden's cake after he demolished it...GO KADEN!!!

Kaden's 1st Birthday!!!

2008-11-09T20:16:00.002-05:00

Wow! We had a seriously fun day today! It started with some snuggle time with Mommy in bed at 6:00 a.m. We enjoyed "Mickey Mouse" shaped pancakes with lots of syrup, sprinkles and whipped cream. We opened presents and then down for a nap by 10:15. Kaden (and Mommy) both enjoyed a nice long nap. We woke up and started preparing for the party. Three cake mixes later we were ready for the party to begin. Our small group friends and some neighbors came over to celebrate. My Mom was also here for the weekend to share Kaden's birthday with us. We really had fun. Kaden had the most fun of all. Enjoy the pictures. Sorry there are so many...I just couldn't choose!

Tissues...

2008-11-06T20:11:00.004-05:00

Can be very useful when you have a runny nose. They are also good for picking up dead bugs. Occasionally I use them as wipes (in a pinch). They are wonderful and I've been using a lot of them lately.

Kaden was enjoying them tonight for a completely different reason.

Tissues are amazing. You pull one out of the box and ANOTHER ONE POPS UP!!!! Wow!!! Check out the twinkle in his eyes...he was having FUN!!!

Halloween and other exciting things

2008-11-06T15:54:00.002-05:00

So...it's been far too long since I have updated my blog!!! We had a wonderful time Trick-Or-Treating at my sister's house (thank you, Katie!). Aubrie went as a "Wedding Girl" (i.e. a bride) and Kaden was a "Lion." Very fun and super cute!

We've all been sick for the last week. I have lost my voice on and off all week and Kaden has been miserable with a very stuffy, runny nose and a cough. Mine is indeed a very glamorous life this week as I spend my time wiping noses and coughing. Don't be too jealous...I also get to wipe up puke, clean up poo and do dishes AND sweep the floor. Oh...and don't forget clean Kaden's hands after he has splashed to his heart's content in the dog's water bowl. That is good stuff! :-)

My handsome little man in just days away from turning 1! I fact I still cannot even begin to wrap my head around. How did a whole year go by so quickly? I can't stand it. I want him to stay little forever. Yeah, I know, I know...it doesn't work that way.

My Mom is planning to come down for Kaden's birthday and other than that we aren't doing too much. I'm not as organized as Katie was with her first child's 1st birthday...does anyone remember the duck peanut butter and jelly sandwiches??? My how things have changed....

Well, here are some pics from Halloween...enjoy!

EMT

On The Move

2008-10-27T13:53:00.003-04:00

Well it is official. Kaden is "ON THE MOVE!!!!!!!"

He started crawling yesterday and has taken off. Today he pulled the fan down onto himself. Pulled out DVD's. Played with electrical cords. Pinched his finger in a drawer. Bonked his head. Pulled all of Aubrie's hair accessories out and onto the floor. Played with Aubrie's headbands for about 20 minutes and pretty much exhausted his Mommy! I have a lot of baby proofing to do and my times of sitting and watching him play quietly on the floor are O-V-E-R!!! I'm so excited for him and so excited to see him grow and change. I love him more every day!!! Can't wait for Grandma JT and Pop-Pop to come and see him in December. Grandma is going to have SO MUCH FUN WITH THIS LITTLE BOY!!!

Welcome To The Family

2008-10-27T11:26:00.002-04:00

I would like to take a moment to welcome to additions to our extended family. First we have Grandma and Pop-Pop's new puppy, Herky. He is a Westie-Poo (I think.) Aubrie affectionately refers to him as "Herky The Turkey!" Next we have Nannee's new puppy, Darby. She is a Shih-Tzu. Aubrie affectionately calls her "Darby Kalarby!" I have a picture of Nannee and Darby but unfortunately I don't have one of Herky since he chewed through the camera cord right before Grandma JT could send the picture. Oops! :-) Welcome new puppies!!! Aubrie talks about them every day and has now declared that she needs two new "Stuffed Aminals" to add to her collection. One that looks like Darby and one that looks like Herky!!!

Exciting News

2008-10-14T21:35:00.002-04:00

Well, not really. My sister, Katie, was bored reading the same blog entry so she told me to update...so...here goes.

This past weekend I FINALLY put my maternity clothes away in a big black trash bag in the basement! Yeah! Go Me!!!

Aubrie fell asleep tonight before I could even make it upstairs to kiss her goodnight! Yeah! Go Aubrie!!!

Kaden is super close to crawling. He gets so close and then flops down on his face and looks at me with a big smile. Yeah! Go Kaden!!!

Steven had off on Monday and is taking off on Friday to be with his family. PLUS...he's reading a book...not a magazine...a real book for the first time in years! Yeah! Go Steven!!!

Max...well...he's just Max and we love him! Go Max!!!

Bailey...oh dear. It's a good thing you can't see Bailey. Steven tried to "groom" him this past weekend and it didn't go well so we took him to the real groomers to get "fixed" and he looks absolutely AWFUL! Oh well...we love him anyway! Yeah! Go Bailey!!!

Okay...Katie...is this better??? :-)

New and Improved

2008-10-09T22:05:00.002-04:00

Aubrie has never been a good sleeper. I think she suffers from some kind of insomnia. She DID NOT get that from me!!! I love to sleep.

She's been doing better about going to bed since she started Kindergarten. I would even go as far as saying we have made GREAT strides in simplifying our bedtime routine and encouraging her to stay on a good schedule.

Tonight did not go quite as well...But I did learn something about Aubrie that apparently I did not know before. I understand now that I am not a very observant Mommy. This was our conversation.

Aubrie: (With tears streaming down her face) "Mommy...I need to tell you something I've never told you before."

Mommy: (Feeling that moment of panic that something might be terribly wrong) "What is it honey...you can tell Mommy anything."

Aubrie: "Mommy...I've been sick since I was three years old. That's why I can't go to sleep at night. My nose is stuffy and I keep having to wake up to get tissues. And, Mommy, that is a long time!!!"

Mommy: (Quite relieved and trying hard not to laugh in her face) "Oh dear, it sounds like you are very upset about this. Do you need a tissue now?"

(Aubrie scampers off to the bathroom to get a tissue and Steven and I try not to laugh too loudly.)

Daddy: (After a quick trip to our stockpile of tissues) "Aubrie, I have a box of princess tissues. Would that help you sleep?"

Aubrie: "Yes, but I still don't have anyone to snuggle with...not even Kaden, Max, Bailey, Mommy or Daddy!"

Daddy: (The ever-patient problem solver) "MAX...Go upstairs with Aubrie!!!"

It's so wonderful to see Aubrie using her imagination to create new and improved excuses. It's so sweet to see my husband running to get a box of princess tissues for his little girl and it's so nice to have Max...the ever loyal...ever patient friend to make Aubrie feel special.

Blessed to have a truly wonderful family...and lots of reasons to laugh,
EMT

Saturday Mornings Are For:

2008-09-27T11:49:00.003-04:00

--Snuggling in our pj's till noon

--Painting and making a big mess at the table

--Watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

--Building a fort in the family room with pillows

--Decorating our fort

--Allowing (forcing) Max to join in the fun

--And our favorite---Dress Up!!!

Good Dog Max!!! We love you...even when you are dressed up like Tinkerbell!!!

Mmmmm.....Good!!!!

2008-09-27T11:13:00.004-04:00

Kaden had a big pile of mashed potatoes with peas for dinner this past Thursday night. I put a big spoonful on his highchair tray and let him make a huge mess. And a huge mess it was!!! He definitely needed a bath afterward and the entire highchair had to be taken apart and cleaned. But...these are the good times when we make happy memories!

Love to all,
EMT

A Little Bit Nervous...

2008-09-11T09:27:00.005-04:00

I forgot to mention that Aubrie told me in the car today that she has "plans"....

Aubrie: "Mommy can I tell you something?"

Mommy: "Of course." (why does she ask...I never say no.)

Aubrie: "I know what I'm going to do."

Mommy: "Do about what?"

Aubrie: "When I grow up...I'm going to be a 'Wild Girl' and then get married and have a baby."

Mommy: "Ummm....what exactly is a 'Wild Girl'?"

Aubrie: (Smiling very mischievously) "A 'Wild Girl' gets to do whatever she wants."

Mommy: (Pulling up at school) "Let's talk about that later tonight..."

Aubrie: "Okay."

A Mommy that apparently needs to be on her knees in serious prayer about my "Wild Girl."
EMT

Sweet Heart

2008-09-11T09:27:00.002-04:00

This morning started out so well. The alarm went off. Aubrie and I got up at the same time and she sweetly asked me for a "Minnie Mouse" pancake. So...we trudge downstairs in our pj's and start to make pancakes together. Measure...mix...pour...flip...add butter...add syrup...add chocolate chip eyes, nose, mouth and a chocolate chip "flower" for Minnie's ear. I even let Aubrie watch a 15 minute "WonderPets" show. Go Mommy. This is a great morning I think to myself.

Now things begin to go downhill....very quickly.

Look at the clock. Realize I am running a few minutes behind. Hurry to make the rest of the pancake mix so it doesn't go to waste. The griddle is too hot. Burn pancakes. Stop making pancakes for a few minutes to let it cool down. Feed the dogs. Drop Max's entire cup of food all over the kitchen floor. Sweep it up. Let Max eat off the floor (big mistake). Come back to finish making the pancakes and step (in my bare feet of course) on a big slimy licked section of the floor. GROSS!!! Make a mental note to mop the floor...and clean my feet. Aubrie's show is over. Tell her to get dressed. Run upstairs to find Aubrie in Kaden's crib playing peek-a-boo. Smile at how cute my kids are and then remind Aubrie to get dressed. Come back downstairs. Nurse Kaden. Plop him down on the floor to play with toys. Run upstairs to get dressed. Back downstairs. Change Kaden. Rip a diaper in the process because he's being crazy this morning. I forgot Kaden's clothes...back upstairs. Get him dressed. Plop him on the floor again. Start to do Aubrie's hair....and this is where things REALLY go downhill.

Aubrie: "Mommy can you please not do my hair so I can play?"

Mommy: "No."

Aubrie: "Okay, well can you please do lots and lots of small braids in my hair?"

Mommy: "I can try but I don't know how much time I will have. I might only be able to do a couple."

Aubrie: "Okay...just please don't do one on each side...I want lots."

Mommy: "Okay...well hurry up and sit down."

Aubrie: "Can I please have rainbow twisties at the end of my braids and can I please pick them?"

Mommy: "AUBRIE SIT DOWN SO I CAN GET STARTED!"

Mommy: "Aubrie you have to turn your head. You can't look at Kaden."

Mommy: "Aubrie...please stop moving your head."

Mommy: "AUBRIE! Work with me please...stop moving!!!"

Aubrie: (starting to cry) "Mommy you are doing one on each side aren't you?"

Mommy: (getting annoyed) "No but if you don't sit still I will only have time to do one on each side."

Mommy: "Okay switch sides."

Mommy: "AUBRIE SIT STILL AND STOP MOVING!!!!"

Aubrie: (starting to cry again) "Mommy you are pulling my head when you braid my hair and that's why I'm moving."

Mommy: "Well.....Hold your head still anyway!"

Mommy: "AUBRIE IF YOU KEEP MOVING I WON'T BE ABLE TO FINISH!!!"

Aubrie: (trying very hard not to move)..."Okay Mommy...I'm trying."

Mommy: "Go look in the mirror and see if you like it."

(By the way there are two braids on one side and one on the other...)

Aubrie comes back crying and says she really didn't want me to braid her hair anyway she just wanted to play with her dollhouse. I told her all the reasons I had for needing to "do" her hair (none of which were very important) and then told her to hurry up and brush her teeth and get her back pack.

After a minor scuffle over which shoes to wear we were all piled into the car. Run back into the house for my coffee. Get back out to go over and "untwist" Aubrie's seat belt. Get back in the car and we are off.

Halfway to school I was starting to calm down and feeling kind of bad for being so grumpy with her about her hair. Not wanting to start the day so poorly I turned around (while at a red light) and held her hand and told her I was sorry for being such a grumpy Mommy when I was doing her hair.

And this right here is the part I love about kids...she just looked into my eyes and with complete forgiveness in her heart said, "It's okay Mommy." A lot can be learned from kids when it comes to forgiveness. She is so generous in giving it. So sweet about accepting an apology and so loving.....she's also pretty hilarious because after she accepted my apology she said....

"Mommy...it's a good thing you don't have to do Kaden's hair!!!"

Mommy: (laughing really hard) "You're right Aubrie...it is definitely a good thing!!!"

Blessed to be Aubrie's Mom!
EMT

Clothes

2008-09-07T22:48:00.002-04:00

I love to share Aubrie's clothes with my niece Teagan. It's so fun to see her wear the clothes that Aubrie has outgrown. Occasionally, though, Teagan manages to find an outfit or item of clothing that we have not actually given to her (yet) and she likes to hold onto it. Usually this is a result of one of our many trips to visit family and understandably things get lost along the way. Usually I don't even notice they are missing...but then my sister posts a picture of Teagan wearing the "stolen" item of clothing on her blog and now I remember...hmmmm...So THAT is where that dress went....hmmmmm.....what to do.....

I know...I'll just call my sister and ask her if she could (in her free time) please wash and press the dress and overnight it back to me since she has so much free time and extra money. I mean seriously...have you read her blog? She doesn't have ANYTHING going on in her life. It would actually be kind of me to give her a little "project." You know...something to get her out of the house. I'll call her first thing in the morning. Yeah...good plan.

Never planning to get the dress back but so thankful for my sister,
Erin

Stamina

2008-09-02T20:50:00.002-04:00

How does she do it???

The girl got up before 7:00 a.m. and had an incredibly busy day. She came home from school and played all night. We took a walk and went to the park. We followed our night routine and still she is up in her bed awake.

Aubrie: "Mommy, I can't sleep."

Mommy: "Aubrie you need to close your eyes and be very still and quiet."

Aubrie: "But Mommy I can't stop thinking. My brain and heart are thinking about one and a billion and sixty things. And a hundred more than that too!"

Mommy: "That's a lot of things!!!" (Hiding muffled laughter)

Aubrie: "Mommy, can we just talk for a while?"

Mommy: "Sure."

Aubrie: "I want to tell you something about Kindergarten."

Mommy: "I'm listening." (Ears have perked up with interest)

Aubrie: "I really like nap time the best!"

Mommy: "Oh, really?" (I'm confused...she wouldn't nap when she was at home)

Aubrie: "Only Mommy..."

Mommy: "Yes honey?"

Aubrie: "I really need a pillow because it wasn't very comfy and I couldn't fall asleep and we only had a little bit of time for rest...only like ten minutes or maybe it was twelve, I think."

Mommy: "Did any other kids have a pillow?" (Starting to feel guilty)

Aubrie: "No, but could I please take my big, orange squishy pillow...pleeeeeeeeease?"

Mommy: "No and now it's time to close your eyes."

Aubrie: "Okay...but Mommy..."

Mommy: "Yes Aubrie?" (Starting to get a little bit tired)

Aubrie: "I know I won't fall asleep. AND I PROMISE I WILL COME IN YOUR BED LATER."

Mommy: "Good night, Aubrie, close your eyes." (It is going to be another long night......)

Seriously...how does she do it? The child has an amazing amount of stamina...or insomnia....

Blessed to be the Mommy of such an amazing, smart, funny, creative, playful, imaginative, sensitive, beautiful and sleepless little girl!
EMT

Kindergarten

2008-09-02T10:15:00.003-04:00

I can't believe it but it is true. I just dropped my sweet little Aubrie off at Kindergarten. She was so adorable and so excited and very nervous. She woke up at 6:45 this morning and came into my room and woke me up asking if we were going to be late for school. For those of you that don't know Aubrie well she is NOT a morning person so for her to wake up before 7:00 a.m. is a sign that she was beyond excited!!!

I was so good and didn't cry...today. I cried a little yesterday and got it out of the way. Today I just had butterflies in my stomach and didn't want to leave the parking lot just in case she needed something. It's so hard to let them go...

After a quick trip to the grocery store (and man is it ever easier to go with just one kid) Kaden and I are home and he's happily playing. It's very, very quiet in the house. I think it will take me a while to get used to it. I miss her already! I'm glad she's having fun and I can't wait to see her at 3:30 and hear all about her special 1st day!

Love to all,

EMT

Amazing Family

2008-08-31T22:22:00.003-04:00

I love my family so much!!!

We met at White Marsh, MD for a quick get together to celebrate my niece Rhiannon's 7th birthday and also just to catch up before the school year gets into full swing. We will all be very busy this fall. So for a last summer hurrah we headed up and met at 1:00 sharp at the mall in White Marsh. Well, okay...it wasn't exactly 1:00 sharp. But somewhere between 1:00 and 3:00 we all eventually arrived and got together. After a quick shopping trip (yeah...I got to use 3 coupons and I didn't even spend a dollar) and an inevitable trip to the toy store we left to go to dinner. Jonah and Kaden were so happy to see each other. Well, Jonah was happy anyway. He immediately attacked Kaden by grabbing his hair and yanking. Kaden started to cry. Jonah: Strike 1!!!

Dinner was...well interesting. Despite a "cupcake hostess" that was sending us dirty looks and talking about us to the other servers we had a nice time. But seriously...my sister, Katie's kids really have to go to the bathroom a lot. Jonah eats a lot and stole a french fry right out of Kaden's hand. Kaden looked confused..."Where did my food go?" Jonah: Strike 2!!!

Next we walked over to the fountains and pretended to throw each child into the water but managed to somehow keep everyone relatively dry. A few coins thrown in for good measure and a quick present opening session for Rhia. Loved Aunt Emme's gift. Loved Nannee's gift. Ummm...thanks Aunt Amy. Jonah behaved but only because he was being held.

After being scared away from the fountains by a creepy dude checking out our kids we took a trip to the bookstore and received very strict, VERY LOUD instructions from Aunt Emme that all children were to stay in the kids section and not to leave...EVER...UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY A PARENT. (Steven was at the time walking back and sitting down behind the creepy man and debating if he wanted to punch him out for being so gross. Common sense won and he just stayed long enough to make sure Gross, Creepy Dude wasn't following our kids to the bookstore.) And then...believe it or not...Katie's kids had to go to the bathroom AGAIN. They are little peeing machines. Jonah and Kaden were playing on a blanket. Jonah rolls over to Kaden and physically pummels him down to the ground. Kaden cries. Jonah: Strike 3!!! YOU'RE OUT!!!

After that comes a 45 minute discussion about where to go for ice cream. Seriously...can't we just make up our minds. "I know" says Aunt Emme, "Let's circle the mall and look for the Friendly's or the DQ."......Well, none of that worked. How about Frosty's from Wendy's and a nice spot to loiter in the mall parking lot while the kids run around and we all talk and laugh.

By the way...who's idea was it for us to have a cartwheel exhibition??? I can't do a cartwheel as I so grandly displayed to my whole family....the good news...Kyle and Iain are almost as bad as me and Teagan is even worse!!! Go Mom for showing us all how it's done and Dave...you rock. Don't worry Honey...yours are still my favorite!

I love each member of our family and had so much fun seeing you all. I miss you so much. Thanks for all making the trip to White Marsh for a fun day! I cherish each of you! And Jonah...don't worry Kaden will pay you back someday!!! :-)

Blessed to have such an amazingly fun and awesome family,
EMT

Bedtime

2008-08-28T23:10:00.001-04:00

You dread it when you are a kid. Long for it when you are a parent.

Is it just me or is that totally unfair and completely backward???

Coffee 2

2008-08-27T10:33:00.002-04:00

2nd cup of coffee has kicked in...
TV is off...
Kaden just woke up...
Watch out world...HERE WE COME!!!

Coffee

2008-08-27T09:00:00.002-04:00

It is official...I have joined the world of "coffee drinkers." My kids are responsible for this. I love them dearly and they are the most wonderful blessings in the whole wide world but they are EXHAUSTING!!! I only got three hours of sleep last night. Kaden was awake four times wanting to nurse and just crying miserably. He's teething. Poor baby. Aubrie came in our room around 4:30...Steven carried her back. She came in again around 5:00...I told her to go to Daddy's side of the bed because he was already up and getting ready for work...she started in the middle of the bed and then moved quickly over to my side and ended up sleeping with an arm around me and a leg on top of me. My little Koala Bear! At 8:00 she came in fully dressed and wanted me to check out a game on her Leapster...I could hardly even open my eyes. So here I sit...allowing my daughter to eat her breakfast up in Mommy's room (sorry about the bread crumbs on your side of the bed Honey) while she is entertained by my favorite baby sitter...Mr TV. And what am I doing this morning? Am I emptying the dishwasher, sweeping the floor, vacuuming, cleaning the bathrooms, doing laundry? NO! I am sitting here enjoying a cup of coffee and blogging because I'm not quite awake enough to officially start my day. And let's face it...I will sweep the floor and the dogs will bring in dirt...I will empty the dishwasher but we will quickly fill it up again but for right now I have one sleeping kid, one entertained kid and one hot cup of coffee. What more can I ask for?
EMT

Time

2008-08-22T22:21:00.007-04:00

Time moves so quickly...I cannot believe the summer is almost over. It went by in a whirlwind of activities and company. I am still amazed at how fast my kids are growing and changing. Every time I think I have things figured out they go and change again. For today this is how things are in my world...

Aubrie: Is excited about Kindergarten. CANNOT stop doing cartwheels, handstands and flips. Loves to play with her friends. Adores her brother. Is terrible at cleaning up after herself. Still likes to be Mommy's little snugly girl (but only when she is really tired) and typically changes her dress three or four times a day.

Kaden: Loves his Mommy. Loves to play with his Daddy. Adores his big sister. Is sleeping in his crib and falling asleep by himself (go me!). Is highly entertained by his dogs, his bath and any toy that makes noise. Like his sister the only baby food he doesn't like is peaches. Some things must be genetic...He is the cutest thing...I love having a sweet little boy.

Steven: Gets up early. Drinks too much coffee. Loves his dogs. Goes to work and works very hard to support his family. Can't wait to come home. Adores his kids. Makes me feel so special every day. He is an amazing Daddy and a wonderful husband. He also really loves food, NASCAR, Amp, #88, Ice Hockey, #8, reading the newspaper and reading a lot of magazines (Newsweek, Money Magazine, Consumer Reports).

Bailey: Poor dog. Licks and chews at his poor tail (and other parts we won't mention) all day long. He's so gross that only a mother could love him...and I do. He is still my sweet Boo-Face and I adore him (even though I'm a little embarrassed to take him out in public).

MAX: "The Beast" is happy. Lazy. Smart. Stupid. Barks really loudly. Snores. Is amazingly gentle. Adores Steven. Is incredibly patient when Aubrie and her friends/cousins try to ride him. Always seems to have an ear infection. LOVES to eat Bailey's food. Drinks an impressive amount of water and drools it all over the floor. Good Boy!!!

Erin: Blessed to have such a wonderful family. Enjoying the moments...good and bad. Quiet and loud. Fun and stressful. I love my family with all of my heart and I thank God for each one of them.

My Precious Kids

2008-08-13T09:38:00.003-04:00

I truly do love being a MOM! It is the best job in the whole world and I wouldn't trade it for a thing...a little more sleep would be nice and a few minutes to myself every once in a while would be nice too but these things will come in time I am sure. For now I am blessed to be in great demand and to be very busy caring for my sweet kiddos!

Recovering

2008-08-13T09:25:00.002-04:00

Well, it started in early July and it is finally finished. We are done having company (family and friends) visit for the summer. It was a total blast and we are all exhausted! Aubrie is going to need a serious review of all the house rules after spending time with her best friend Hannah, her Grandma and Pop-Pop, Aunt Katie, Aunt Amy and her five cousins!

Last night I had both of my kids in bed (and asleep) by 10:00 and Steven and I sat down to watch the Olympics and I couldn't believe how quiet the house was with just the two of us! By the way...for those of you that don't know me too well...having my kids in bed and asleep by 10:00 p.m. is quite a victory! AND...Kaden is falling asleep in his crib...BY HIMSELF!!!! Go Me!

Thank you to everyone who came to our house and made our summer fun, fulfilling and exciting. We really do love to have our family and our friends come and be such a big part of our lives! We will miss you all and hope to see you again soon...

Now I'm off to clean the house...YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Six kids and three dogs make such a mess!!!
EMT

Memories

2008-08-09T07:11:00.002-04:00

The Martin clan is here for a visit (minus the commander in chief, J-Mo) and it is crazy busy at our house. Six kids under the age of 9 and we are having so much fun!!! Activities have included running through the sprinkler, sliding down a too small baby pool and making Aunt Emme (my name for those of you that don't know) cringe as they almost break a few bones or get concussions, walks to the park, swinging competitions, a much anticipated purchase from "The Ice Cream Truck" and a fun trip to Pizza Hut (Kyle's favorite pizza that is not available where they live in PA).

More to follow soon!

It's About Time...I Thought I Would DIE!!!

2008-08-02T23:36:00.002-04:00

I have been without my computer for the last five days....AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!

Best Buy's Geek Squad was supposed to be fixing my computer but after five days, five visits to the store, countless phone calls and my favorite part...basically being called an idiot and a liar by a manager I have my computer back...fixed (for now) free of charge and a letter waiting to be written to the Best Buy company.

Anyway, Just wanted to let you know I am back in the land of the living...I don't know how I have survived without my computer...
Love to all,
EMT

Mom needs her "baby fix"

2008-07-28T17:09:00.001-04:00

Here you go Mom...Isn't he so super cute?

Go Ahead And Be Jealous...It's Okay...

2008-07-28T16:53:00.004-04:00

What A Man, What A Man, What A Mighty Good Man...!!!

Steven says changing dirty diapers is the best thing he could do on his anniversary...well, maybe the 2nd BEST! :-)

Happy 7th Anniversary!

2008-07-28T16:31:00.002-04:00

Happy Anniversary Steven!!!

I can't believe it has been seven years already. I knew when I married Steven Thorne that life would be a wild, crazy adventure...and I was right. It is a wonderful, busy, happy, exciting, frustrating, joyful and surprising life. I wouldn't change a thing...I have "My Baby" "My Baby-Girl" (aka "Sunshine Girl", "Pumpkin Pie" or "Aubs") and "My Little Man" (aka "Boo-Boo", "Big Man" or "Little Buddy")...oh yeah...and we have Max (The Beast) and Bailey (Boo-Face). God has truly blessed me with a wonderful and amazing family and I treasure each and every one of them.

Thank you Steven for loving me, working so hard to provide for our family and for being so patient and helpful. Thank you for always making me laugh...listening to me when I need to "vent" and supporting me in every way. It is a gift to be your wife and I am so proud to call you my husband...I love you!
Always Yours,
EMT

Vacation is exhausting!!!

2008-07-24T08:00:00.003-04:00

Our friends are all in town...the old gang is back together and it's tons of fun...however we are all exhausted already! Late nights...early mornings...busy kids...lots of running around. I guess this is what memories are made of...

Check out the birthday cake I made for Aubrie's friends Hannah and Mia. I'm so proud of my cute little panda cake. We decided to make it at 10:00 p.m. and finished sometime around 1:00 a.m. The girls loves it! We had a "Build A Bear" party the next day and the cake was a hit.

Two more days of vacation bible school and the kids are having a blast. Probably going to try to hit the pool and the water park with our friends before the week is out...

Love to all...

So Fun!!!

2008-07-21T08:58:00.000-04:00

Haven't blogged since June...terrible about keeping up with these things. Have our friends from CA here for a week and I'm so happy to be with them again. Makes me miss them all the more...Aubrie lost a tooth...Kaden is still my sweet, happy boy...Steven is working hard and I'm still sneaking naps in whenever I can!
Steven's parents, Bill and Janice...aka Grandma and Pop-Pop arrive later this week along with his sister, Susan...aka Sus-O! We are looking forward to seeing them!
All the kids are in Bible School this week. A few free hours in the evening and we are looking forward to it!
Have to go start the day...My friend Stacey and I already took Max and Kaden for a walk while Aubrie and her friend Hannah and her little sister Ayla were still sleeping and Jeff was here to watch them. It's gonna be another hot, humid day!
Love to all and I'll try to update my blog more often...gotta have some time to figure it all out...
:-)

Trying this out...

2008-06-17T20:36:00.000-04:00

Had to pick pink for the background, of course, because it's Aubrie's favorite color! Going to update this as I have time...hope you all enjoy! By the way...SEAK is S(Steven)E(Erin)A(Aubrie)K(Kaden).