Before and current

I just wanted to post a couple pics here of myself. I know this blog is primarily about the kids, but I've been working my butt off trying to lose weight. The bottom picture was August 2010, and the top one was on my 31st birthday in April 2011. A difference of about 20lb. Not huge, but I can really tell the difference in my face when looking at these two pics. I'm feeling great and looking forward to losing the next and final 20!!

The things that come out of Blake's mouth!

"Do they call him Mr. Messing because he messes everything up?" Blake..inquiring about Dave Messing, my co-worker.

Yesterday, Dave and I had to go on a joint farm call, but I had to first pick up Blake from school and take him back to daycare. So, I told Blake there was a surprise in the car. He asks, "Is it a big toy?" I told him no. When we got to the car and saw Dave, he says, "That's not a surprise." Well, after a bit, Dave gave him a pack of M&M's. Blake replies with, "Wow, two surprises....M&M's...and a guy." It was hilarious!!

Miss Cora is starting to try to talk more and more. She really does understand 90% of what we say to her. She still won't say Daddy though! But she will at least try to say everything else. She's doing good and really starting to develop her personality, along with a bit of stubborness! She still absolutely loves to eat though! She is sleeping great....usually 7pm-6am without getting up through the night at all. She does still use her sucky at night time and is still in her crib.

Tom started a new job 4/1/11 at Lincare. He is currently in St. Louis for the next two weeks. He is liking the job so far.

Cookie Monster

So..the other night Tom was changing Cora's messy diaper and asked Blake to go get him a bag to put it in. Blake..always being eager to help, eagerly agreed. Well, he was taking longer than he should have, but finally came back the the living room...with a "shit-eating" grin on his face. He looks as at me and says, "guess what I did mama?" I said "What?" He replies.."I snuck a bite out of all the cookies!" Sure enough..he had opened the Tupperware container and took a bite out of each cookie that was left..and there were about 8-10 cookies! It was impossible not to laugh out loud at that one, while still trying to discipline him..which was very difficult!

We are BORING!

Well, as I beat myself up for not keeping this blog updated the last couple of months, I have come to the conclusion that we are just a very boring family! At least during the winter months. Even going through my pictures, I seem to take very little pictures this time of the year. With us working all week and being gone so much, we really don't mind just staying in on the weekends, even if that means keeping up with housework and laundry. Tom was gone away with the guys this weekend, and I couldn't even think of anything for me and the kids do to, that wouldn't evoke too much stress! But we had fun just staying in, sorting through some toys for the garage sale, watching movies and playing the Wii. Oh well...I wouldn't want my life any other way! Big news here is that Tom starts a new job on Friday, April 1st. He will be a salesman for an oxygen company out of Saginaw called Lincare. I'm sure he will have a fancier title than that, but that's essentially what he will be doing. He will be marketing this business and their products to doctor's offices and hospitals in the thumb area. They sell oxygen products primarily for people who need oxygen in their home. Their goal is to open up a store/office in Bad Axe within a year and Tom would be the manager of that office. We really hope it all works out as planned! We are excited about him starting this new chapter in his life! Congrats and good luck to you dear! The kids are doing well. Cora is trying to talk more but it's pretty much impossible to understand what she's saying. We can usually figure it out...she either wants food, a drink, snuggles, or sleep. :-) She was pretty sick a couple weeks ago...had this RSV virus which is basically a nasty chest cold in babies. Blake ended up with a cold out of the deal. Otherwise the kids were healthy all winter long! Speaking of winter, we have decided that it's probably never going to end. Here we are at the end of March and we had a foot of snow this week! The snow was ALMOST gone prior to this storm. Darn it! We did go on a weekend getaway in February. Mom had gotten all of us a Gift Certificate to Splash Village in Frankenmuth for Christmas. So, Jody & her family, Jeff, Tricia and Robbie and my mom and all of us went there for a weekend in February. It was a nice time. Cora was still much to young to enjoy it...in fact she hated it! Blake did ok, but we realize that we need to either get him some swimming lessons or just get him out swimming more often because he was a bit scared of the water. My job is still going very well. It is amazing to look back and realize how far I've come (skills, knowledge and financially) since I left the bank. It was such a hard decision at the time, but definitely the best decision for the family. I didn't take too many pictures (for other people) throughout the winter, and the break was really nice. I've got a few appointments coming up here in April, but I probably won't do too much after May since we hope to get out and do lots of camping this summer! I keep looking out the window at the camper in longing...can't wait for the weather to turnaround so we can enjoy the sunshine!

Praying

So...we are on our way home from daycare yesterday, after Mary told me that Blake might be grumpy because he refused to nap. I asked him why he didn't sleep. He says, "I just couldn't sleep momma...I couldn't get my eyes rested." I said to him, " Do you know what I do when I can't sleep? I take deep breaths. And if that doesn't work then I pray...I talk to Jesus." He thinks for a second and replies, "But....Jesus lives WWAAAYYYY over there by God, and I would have to pray really loud for him to hear me, and then it would wake the other kids up!" Gotta love his thinking sometimes! :-)

Cora starting to talk...finally!

She is now clearly saying "ma-ma", and will also say "up" and "hop, hop!" She is really starting to finally have an interest in talking and trying to say things...so I'm sure it won't be long and she'll be speaking in full sentences and telling her brother what to do!

Cora's Teeth & Blake's appreciation

Well, I'm behind again. Oh well...

Cora has been teething...has about 3 molars already. She went to the doctor for her 25 month check up and she was 29" and 22lb, 15 oz. Right on track...about 50th percentile for both. She is still not talking, but she understands most things that we say to her. Doc says that is fine...most kids only say about 3-6 words now anyway.

Tonight Blake and I were heading up to bed. Last night he lost his bed time story priveledge because he spit on a girl at daycare. So, tonight on the way up he asks if we can read a book tonight. I said yes. He turns and looks at me and says, "thanks momma...I really appreciate it!" Seriously..he is 3, and to be using words like that! Too funny!!

School is going good for Blake. We had a field trip to the movie theater last week, that was fun. He is still doing well in school.