Crazy Couple Weeks

I know I've been slacking on the blog. I apologize. It's been a bit hectic around our house this past few weeks. We've got family coming into town, which always sends me into a sickening spiral of obsessive cleaning. Not sure why this happens....probably my unfounded need to be approved of and loved. Just ask Matt....I'm very strange. So on top of that it's spring....and we know what that means.....SPRING CLEANING! Can I just say that spring cleaning was SO much easier when we lived in an 800 sq. ft. apartment. Not so much fun when it's a two story behemoth (in my OCD mind.)

Well, that alone can send me into enough anxiety for me to find a Xanax pusher. But then to make things more fun, I've gone back to work 2 weeks early. What the?!? I know. Not my first choice. But, long story (which I'm not really feeling like typing). They need me, I should be happy about that, and part of me is. Going back to work isn't too bad when you like your job and the people you work with. But it's added another dimension to my life and I'm still working on juggling it.

Then I've been attacked by allergies. I'm not saying an allergy attack....I'm staying I've been ATTACKED! It's been the worst case I've ever had. I'm not going to gross you out by exploring why it's the worst allergy episode, just trust me. In fact, I've completely lost my voice. Not sure is that's ever happened to me. And it happened just in time for me to go back to work....which, just in case you weren't sure, requires me to talk ALL day long. Talk to peers, talk to boss guys, talk to subordinates, talk to customers, talk on the phone, talk on the PA system, talk on the walkies.....TALK! And I could barely get out a squeak. I had to come up with a strange sign language to help me muddle through. The funny thing is, everyone started whispering back to me. I kept having to "whisper" to them that it was my voice that was the problem, NOT my ears.

Now to top it all off....little guy has an ear infection. We caught it pretty quickly, and I'm glad. I don't want it to spoil his Easter and all the fun times he's going to have with family. Plus I don't want to go dump a sick baby on our sitter. Not a good first impression, you know?


So here's a few pictures of the happenings around here:

Matt had his first day ALL alone with the munchkin while I was at work telling people to quit whispering at me. They had a great time.
Chunky baby picture. Need I say more?

He's styling in his uber cool big boy clothes. I just couldn't resist this Hurley shirt. And you can see his little faux-hawk. It just naturally goes that way, his hair is a little bit curly.

Matt being super-handy and putting in ceiling fans we bought with my bonus. SWEET! Summer here we come, and we're gonna be ready this time! He wasn't too sure about putting them in, but he did awesome! He had a few classic "Chris" moments, but he's stepped up to the plate, and I'm so grateful. The fans feels wonderful. I knew he could do it!



Sporting the Laker jersey Papa sent. Still too big, but we couldn't help ourselves.

Disney Kid

It's no suprise that Lucas would love Disney. Matt's family is from Anaheim and LOVE them some Disney. Some siblings worked, or still work (Yay Ricky!) for Disney. We love to go to Disney Land when we visit. And they've even taken use to Disney World! So we're starting early with "tubbers" here, getting him aquainted with what will be a huge part of his childhood. He got cute stuffed toys from his Auntie MaryBeth, and now Nana got him some cute onesies too. So we had to take a picture.....

And he's really flirting with the camera here. He's so much fun!

Happy Birthday Avery

It seems like just yesterday that Avery slipped in and out of our lives so quickly. And every birthday is a bittersweet day for our family. We were so excited for our first child. Everything was new and exciting. Our hearts broke that sad day in March, 4 years ago. But the tender mercies of our Heavenly Father are great. He has helped heal our broken hearts with the knowledge that families can be together forever.




This birthday is especially poignant for me. I finally have a baby to fill my empty arms, but not to fill Avery's special place in my heart. There are times that Lucas looks so much like his big sister. And I cry a little and smile to think what antics they must have gotten into before Lucas came to earth and joined our family.

At her graveside service we played primary songs. I remember one of the sweet helpers from the mortuary getting choked up when "Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam" was playing. He turned to me, smiled and said, "She really is His Sunbeam." And that's how I remember my special baby, she's my sunbeam. My baby on layaway, a promise of eternity.

I love you Avery! Daddy and I think of you everyday. I sing your Sunbeam song to your little brother. And you're forever in our hearts....

Happy Birthday

2 months old!

2 Month Stats:

Head: 15.5

Weight: 14 lbs 1 oz - 90th percentile

Height: 23.5 inches - 70th percentile

(This picture is in a T-shirt Papa Jensen got for him at a Laker game. It says "I might be little, but I'm a HUGE Lakers fan. Awesome! Funny thing is....it's a 2T and it's not as big on him as I would have thought.)


Another month has passed and Lucas is growing like a weed. He's a rolly-polly little boy and so cute that strangers (mostly ladies with blue hair) just have to stop me and coo at him. He's getting super fun right, and I love seeing how his personality is taking shape. Here's a few things I've learned about him this month:

1. He's a morning person. Not that he is all too coherent at 7am. But he's the happiest between 7am and 3pm.

2. He's a really tolerant kid. I can drag him all over creation running errands. And he puts up with it like a sport. I love taking him around and seeing him drink in the world around him.

3. Lucas is very observant. His little eyes roam all over the room. And when he sees something he likes, his eyes pop open really wide.

4. I get the feeling that he's a little cautious. I've tried tossing him in the air a few times with mediocre results. He doesn't cry, but he has a slight panicked look about him. Sounds like the stories I've heard about Matt as a baby.

5. Being put down to nap is a fun thing! Yes for mommy for sure. But Lucas will always smile and laugh at me when I put him in his crib. It really makes me smile. This is a child after my own heart. I love bedtime too! But I think for Lucas the appeal is all the fun things to look at, and then the sleeping of course.

6. He likes to talk when he's really content. And he loves when you mimic the noises he makes back to him.

7. Tummy time is still a struggle. He gets so frustrated that he'll plant his face square down in the floor and scream. Drives me crazy....and poor Tim too.

8. Music, Music, Music! We're big fans. He loves classical especially with piano, his Metallica lullabies, and to Matt's undying disdain.....Donny Osmond! Haha! Now let me be more specific. He loves Donny Osmond in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I think his taste is pretty eclectic.

9. His favorite toy is his stuffed Mickey Mouse. I would say that his favorite would be his pacifier, but that takes the place of...

10. "BEST FRIEND" - his pacifier makes the bad times not so bad, sleepy times more snuggly, and the good times better!

Here's looking towards a great month ahead and more fun times!

Gramps & Gran suprise visit

Gramps and Gran came down to the Phoenix area on 3/16/10 for a quick trip and decided to drop by for a visit. They couldn't believe how big Lucas has gotten. I can't either sometimes. But I can tell you that I sure feel it when I have to lug him around in his car seat.

How long till they learn to walk?



We went for a walk and Gramps helped feed our little Chunky Monkey. But mostly we just chatted. It was nice for us to see them again. Even it they're coming back in 3 weeks for his blessing.

A Smile to Light Up My World!

Stop the presses! I think I've found the cutest baby alive! Okay, I may be a tiny bit biased. But look at this kid. ADORABLE. Here's a few snapshots of him smiling at me. We're playing one of his favorite games that Auntie MaryBeth taught him with his pacifier.

Oh yeah, he's definitely a keeper!

He's really become so much more fun this past week or so. We're having a blast with him.

Here's a picture of Lucas and his current best friend. Say hello to PACIFIER. He's addicted, sort of. But then here's a picture of his future best friend....

Tim can hardly wait....

Good Morning!

And this is how we find him peacefully in the morning. That is unless his tummy wakes him up! Sorry that the blog has been a little slow lately. I've been trying to catch up on all the projects I needed to complete before I go back to work. And there's the small detail of finding a babysitter....AHHHH! Okay, so I've been stressing over that a little. But, don't panic and come racing out here to Queen Creek to apply for the job, I've found one. Whew! Thank goodness. We've got some excitement coming our way soon.

Nana and Aunt Shanny are coming for a visit. Followed by Papa, who's coming for the blessing. And then we're having Grans and Gramps out too, along with Chad, Mary and the boys. Erin and Aric....and hopefully Phil and Summer (and their whole brew...watch out!)

Stay tuned....

Goodnite!

Doesn't his picture just make your heart melt? So dang cute. Little Lucas going to bed. We're working on his routine a little. So we have dinner time at 7pm. Then we read books. Tonight was Berenstein Bears...the same books I read when I was a child. Reading them to my son brings back vivid memories of my childhood. Even Matt has distinct memories of some of the stories. Then it's kisses and we tuck him in with his "tigger" and his pacifier. Then it's lights out by 8:30pm.

Right now he's back in his bassinet. He's having some stuffy nose problems and sleeps better elevated. So we have a little pillow under his mattress and rolled up blankets to keep him from slumping over in the middle of the night. Quite a snug-bug.

This and That

Here's a random sampling of pictures I've taken in the past few days:




This little guy's personality has really blossomed lately. He's cooing when happy and he's giving the most exquisite smiles when you can coax one out. This is a picture of him trying to talk to me. I have video, but I'm having a hard time getting it downloaded on blogspot. Don't worry, I'm working on it.

Gotta love these piggies!

"Thank you Momma!!" His content face after food. And his face is relatively clean too! You wouldn't believe how messy this kiddo is when he eats. I can't even imagine what solid food is going to be like. I'll have to dress him in garbage bags.

His hair is getting a little wave in it. Hard to tell if it's getting curly.....

Me and my little Luigi (my little nickname for him that stuck when I was pregnant with him). He's starting to look more like me the older he gets. Pretty cute kid!

When Mom's Away...

I really do love my dogs. Matt and I consider them our 3 "other" kids. I really do love them....at least that's what I've been telling myself over and over this morning.

Last night was a night of little sleep. And morning came at 4:30am. Lucas just wasn't interested in going back to sleep again till 7:30am. Now, that's normally not a problem, except I had to take Matt to work. I crawled back into bed, and after what felt like 2 seconds it was time to jump out of bed and put Lucas in the car to go. I zombied through the motions and we left.

Normal routine would dictate that I close the baby's room and do a quick walk around before leaving, making sure that there's no contraband left out for curious mouths. Normal Routine. Did I mention that I had about 3 hours sleep last night? Well, a few things were left undone.

Matt was so sweet though. He took us to Dunkin Donuts and got me breakfast. Yum, hot chocolate! And by the time I got home I didn't feel so bad. The dogs were excited to see me. Hmmm.... a little to excited. No, now that my finally awake eyes noticed, it's not excitement. It's nervousness. The hand-caught-in-the-cookie-jar look. I came home a little too early for them. Uh-Oh.


*SIGH*



I couldn't even get all the damage in this one picture. And it was too depressing thinking of all the pictures I would have to take. All naughty and extremely guilty-looking dogs (with the exception of Bruno - he has no shame) were banished outside. Tim, who has little self-control had to take one last nibble of diaper while I cussed him out till next Thursday. So here's the damage:

All stuffed animals were pulled out of bed, slobbered up, and strewn in our bedroom, TV room, and computer room. Blanket pulled off dresser and the mustard spilled on it was sampled. Glider ottoman knocked over. Garbage bag of clothes to be donated was torn open and contents emptied and thoroughly sniffed. And worst of all....diaper genie pulled out of closet, miracuously opened, sausage of dirty diapers taken out, opened, diapers demolished completely. Nasty little diaper crystals EVERYWHERE!! Thank heaven for little miracles...I just emptied it yesterday...no poopy diapers in there. That would've been more than I could bear.


Let me stop here and take a deep breath. "I love my dogs"....



I have to admit the diaper genie was just a matter of time. They love it with the passion of a 1,000 lovers. That's why I had to put it in the closet. Just bad luck I left the closet open just a crack. And the whole this is covered with nasty slobber top to bottom. I'm going to have to wipe it down. Ugh.

But since then, Minnie has come prancing out of the room with the stuffed animals about 4 times. I've chastized her about 10 times - not every attempt was successful. I caught her a few times.

I'm sure I'll laugh about it in a few days. But right now I'll settle for chanting my mantra for the day.....I love my dogs. Now they're all sleeping very repentantly and who knows what the rest of the day will hold.

A little taste of the Midwest

I haven't been back to Rapid City since I was 19. And though the rest of the world has held it's treasures for me, there are times when I still get a little home sick. Whenever I read nursery rhymes I think wistfully of Story Book Island. The smell of lilac blossoms takes me back to spring time. Then there's Sylvan Lake, Dinosaur Hill....I could just keep listing off all of my favorite memories, but that wouldn't really be interesting to anyone but me :)

But I had always thought that I would never find anything in Arizona that would bring back those memories and the sappy nostaglia. I was wrong! One night a few days ago, Matt and I were watching a little TV before bed when a commercial came on for CULVER'S!! I think I almost screamed and jumped off the couch! Are you kidding me?? We HAD to go there. I didn't care that it was a good 40 minute drive....it was going to happen.

Just yesterday Matt had me come pick him up from work and we went to the home of butter burgers, cheese curds, custard, and concrete mixers! *SIGH* It was great. Just like I remembered it. And I got warm and fuzzy all over. What a great night, I didn't even have to cook!

Thanks Matt!

When you cry, I cry!

Sorry I don't have any pictures for this story. They would've been priceless.

We've been working on tummy time for Lucas. And let me tell you it's a chore. He HATES it. I tough through it because I know it's good for him. But apparently it's not just hard for mom.

Tim just goes into a dither when the baby cries. Well, let me clarify.... Lucas goes into his frantic scream/cry of complete and utter panic. He came running into the baby's room with his eyes practically bugging out, nose in the air sniffing. Probably thought the house was on fire and Lucas was letting us all know.

Then he was jumping and trying to scramble his way to the top of the crib to see what his poor baby brother was suffering from. So I bent down the bumper so he could stick his little snout in between the slats. He surely crammed his nose in as far as it would go....looking at his little friend suffering.

That's when the water works started for Tim. He just cried and cried and cried. Then he'd jump back up, cram his nose between the slats, and start all over again. Now, I can take a lot of things. But to see my Baby Lucas, AND my Baby Tim crying was more than I could take.

I pulled Lucas out of the crib and bent down so that Tim could see that he was okay. Well, that little dog sniffed and kissed every square inch of that little boy. So thankful he was okay. Tim to the rescue! Not sure how much tummy time we'll accomplish around this house if that's what I have to go through every time :)

And I couldn't help but smile, and giggle a little bit. If only I had video of that.....