Back to the Doctor's Office...

Penicillin resistant. I never thought it would affect one of us so soon. Especially the one who in the almost two years of his life has never been sick much less tasted a lick of an antibiotic! How does this happen?

I'll tell you how. They got smart. Real smart.

It's been 82 years since Dr. Fleming discovered penicillin. That's 82 years for the pesky microscopic bacteria to come together and revolt. And revolt they did...

Somehow Connor has the funk that is resistant to penicillin. We went back to the doctor today and once again, double ear infection. The poor kid just can't get a break. Now it's back with a vengeance - fever, cough, runny nose and stomach symptoms that haven't been fun to deal with.

So we've gone from ten days on the pink-bubble-gum tasting stuff to ten days on the new chalky-white-cherry tasting stuff, a 'cousin' of penicillin.

We're crossing our fingers and hoping it works this time. We're also assuming we'll be back to the doctor next week for the same exact thing with Andrew...again. (Especially since I found Connor 'sharing' his cheerios with Andrew while I was turned around for a minute today - and by 'sharing' I mean all three fingers were inside of Andrew's mouth, gently placing the cheerio on his tongue. What a sweet big brother! Thank you Connor...)

Please ignore any boogies you may see in this picture...

He's really not this miserable, he's just too cool to smile these days. I mean, come on, check out the stance...

The Kitchen Floor...

The other day I was making dinner. Andrew was sleeping and Connor was playing in the kitchen. After a few minutes, he looked up at me and put his hands up for me to pick him up. I had just made myself a cup of tea and was waiting for the water in the pot to boil for the pasta. I looked down at him, grabbed my cup of tea and sat down on the kitchen floor. I figured I would sit with my tea and we could play together. He stood there, looked at me, then ran away, into the other room. He then ran back in with his sippy cup and sat down next to me. I sipped my tea, he sipped his sippy cup.

Sitting on the kitchen floor with him I realized a few things:
1. I can't see the dirty dishes sitting in the sink from here
2. My floor is actually cleaner than I think
3. Connor doesn't care about either of these things

I need to do this more often...

It's Happening...

Watching the Backyardigans before bed as they wave good bye on the TV:
Connor: (waving to the TV) Hiiiiiii....Seeeulatrrrrrr

As Daddy puts him to bed:
Mommy: Na-Night Connor. I love you.
Connor: eyyywuvyouuu

On our way to church this morning (Keith and I are talking to each other as we're driving along side the train tracks):
Connor: *Gasps and points* Ttttrrraaaaaaaain. Ttttrrraaaaaaaaaain.

Daddy taking Connor to the store today:
Mommy: Bye, bye Connor. I love you.
Connor: Hiiiii (He still hasn't quite gotten the 'B' down.) Seeeeulatrrrr!

Some things are clear as day, others not so much, but we definitely know what he's trying to say!
Stay tuned folks....we think the language explosion is happening!

On another note, at church this morning, Connor was eating his raisins while sitting between us. When he heard the music start he be-bopped up and down in his seat, dancing along with the music. This music wasn't too be-boppy, if you know what I mean, but somehow he made it seem like it was the best pop song out there. As soon as the lady started singing, so did Connor....throughout the whole song. When the song was over, he clapped for himself and yelled "Yayyyyy, yayyyyy." Keith and I couldn't hide our giggles. It was great.

How Prepared Are You?

My whole theme this year is organization. Decluttering, throwing things out that aren't necessary, organizing and just making sure everything has it's own place...and of course, looks pretty too. We started with our most cluttered room which was the dining room. It was seldom used and easily became the room we put things in that didn't have a place. I hated it. It drove me nuts to look at it. Now, it's pretty much an empty room with toys everywhere...and it still drives me nuts. We're getting there though. It's much better than it was and I actually feel a little lighter because of it.

I've been researching 'organization' for a few weeks now and probably one of the most important finds I've come across is the 'household binder.' What is it, you ask? Well, it's basically a binder with everything that is important to you, nestled into one complete binder, centrally located where everyone can access it. Everyone's is different and you can personalize it to what works best for your family. Some of the tabs that will be going into ours are: emergency information, calendars (school, birthday, and the main calendar to work off of), individual information (including medical), menu planning (grocery lists and dinners) and financial information. It will be kept in our kitchen so that we can access it when needed.

In the process of all of this, I've made two separate binders; one with Connor and Andrew's medical information and one that will go in our fire safe with all of our sensitive information...things like log ins and passwords and account numbers. I've been working on this one for a few weeks now and I must say, I am very overwhelmed. You don't realize how many account numbers and passwords and log ins you have until you try to write them all down!

I think what keeps me going with all of this is knowing that should anything happen to myself or Keith, there will be one central place with all of our information. We never know what tomorrow brings but we can always make it easier on our loved ones should something unexpected happen.

I mean, it IS pretty important for Keith to know that I have an account with Macy's...

Oops...! Sorry honey!

So hopefully I've jogged a few "Mmmm, I need to do that's" with this post. As usual, I've gone to the extreme with word documents, binders, three hole punches and pretty paper, but you really just need to jot down your financial information and throw it in a fire safe. Just in case...

A Family Visit, Updates on our Colds, and Two Historic Events in One Day...

Grammy and PopPop Bob visited us last weekend. It was a great visit but very short. Unfortunately both boys were coughing and sniffling away but we made the best of it. We're still trying to get rid of this funk we all seem to have so hopefully a few more days and we'll be rid of it once and for all?

Two historic events happened today. The first was the inauguration of President Obama. I had chills watching his speech today and I can only hope that this is the change that this country needs. "Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin again the work of remaking America."

The second historic event was that Connor and Andrew got their first taste of snow...and, no, we didn't leave the state! Raleigh got 7 inches of snow today. It was very exciting; all of the schools were closed, all the neighbors were walking in the middle of the street with their sleds heading to our big community hill, mail wasn't delivered, even the doctor's office was closed! I made chicken soup and we had the fireplace on all day. It finally felt like winter. However, by the end of the week temperatures are supposed to be in the 50s so it won't last. At least we'll be able to air out the house a bit then!

Comes with the Territory...

We have our first sick day. I mean, I knew it was bound to happen. I just didn't think it would be this soon. So far, only Connor is affected but he's feeling pretty bad today. Hopefully today is the worst of it. The dreaded 'D' started yesterday, along with a fever and an awful sounding cough. He was pretty much acting himself yesterday but we took it easy anyway. Today, he doesn't want to be out of Mommy's sight and most often wants to be held and cuddled. So it looks like it will be a day spent in front of the TV. Sigh.....

Here's a picture of him a few days ago. Connor decided to try Daddy's shoes on.

As for Andrew, well, along with teething, he has taken to growling. Yes, you read that right. Growling. I first noticed it last week when he was in his Jumperoo. Every time Tayza walked by him he would make this deep-throated noise. After it happened a few times I thought to myself, well I'll be darned, he's growling at Tayza! Sure enough, I got down on my hands and knees, growled at him and he growled back! When Keith came home, he tried it too and Andrew growled back! Unbelievable. I hope to get it on video soon and post it. In the meantime, here's a picture of our little "growler"...

Preschool News...

It's a success. Connor went yesterday to his first day of 'school.' I tried to get a picture of him with his new backpack but the darn thing is bigger than him and I think he's a bit intimidated by it. The night before, Keith got all of his things together and labeled them. Keith mentioned how weird it was and that things will never be the same again, etc. I was working and probably half listening and nodding my head because it didn't really hit me until yesterday when I dropped him off. This IS weird and things never WILL be the same again, I thought. So yeah, I know, it's not like he's going off to college across the country or anything but jeeez, this IS a big step for all of us, I mean Connor, or well, shall we say ummm, me? Anyway...

I walked him into his room, plopped him over the baby gate and he never looked back. I talked with his teacher (who I really like!) for a few minutes, took one last look at him and then I was out the door. He never looked back, never cried, never anything. Fantastic! I hope it continues. He's probably so used to the gym daycare that he just thought I would be gone for an hour or so.

When I went to pick him up, he was waiting at the gate for me and when he saw me he had a HUGE smile on his face and wanted me to pick him up. His teacher said he was wonderful, that he had a great day and that he fit right in with the rest of the class. He even made 2 little friends, Max and Alex. She also mentioned that his gross motor skills are excellent. I think she also mentioned the word 'advanced' a few times too. She couldn't believe how well he ran around, went down the slide and got into his chair. I can't WAIT to see what she says about his climbing abilities...ha ha.

We're looking into a different preschool for September because I've heard some great things about it and it's a bit closer. But we'll see, if he thrives here then he stays here.

So far, so good...

Eagles Win and Lots of Other News...

Off to New York we go...will they blow it again this year? Maybe the curse is over? We'll see.

Here are the pictures of Nanny and Connor I promised. They had so much fun together! Tonight while I was uploading some pictures, Connor was sitting on my lap and when Nanny's

picture came up he *gasped* and pointed! SO sweet!

We celebrated our New Years (a.k.a. Keith's birthday) by going to a Japanese restaurant in Fuquay. Connor was so good I thought martians had taken over. We've had a rough couple of weeks but more on that later...I was especially brave and ordered the duck. I had duck years ago and really liked it. I remember it being very, very tender. The duck they served me the other night was nothing like I remembered. I ordered it fried, mainly because the waitress helped me lean towards that choice. I ended up switching with Keith, who wasn't so fond of his dinner either. He ended up loving the duck so it all worked well. We went back to the house and had cake, spice cake with cream cheese icing to be exact.

The night before Nanny left, Connor was having a hard time going to sleep. He had been up the past two nights whining and crying so we knew it might be another rough night. He eventually fell asleep though and this was how Keith found him when he went to check on him...

It was so stinkin' cute! He loves that darn chair but to fall asleep on it like that was just hilarious. Keith ended up moving him back to his bed where he slept all night. We've come to the conclusion that his two year molars are coming in. He's been pointing to his teeth, chewing on things, whining for no apparent reason and just plain miserable so after doing some research, the molars are what we're attributing it to! From what I gather, these are doozies so I feel for the little guy!

Connor started soccer this past Saturday. He got his little uniform (#2) and was ready to play some soccer! Technically, they're not playing soccer. They play games that encourage them to follow directions and to just have fun. Most of the little ones were picking up the balls and throwing them instead of kicking them.

At one point, everyone was sitting in a circle playing a game and Connor broke away from the crowd. He went up to a ball, kicked it into the net, turned around to look at us and started clapping and saying "Yayyyyy, Yayyyyyy!!!" We were laughing so hard. Keith was following him and I was on the sidelines. Keith said to me, "He doesn't want to play these games, he wants to play soccer!" So cute....we're looking forward to Saturday mornings now!

And last but not least, we have some jealousy issues in the house. Connor has finally started to realize that Andrew takes some of Mommy and Daddy's time away from him! Couple this with his molars coming in and we have T-R-O-U-B-L-E. First we tried a lot of extra love and attention for Connor, then we tried time outs, then we tried telling him in a stern voice, No, and then explaining why he shouldn't do it in a sweeter voice (this apparently teaches him empathy), however, he continues to try to hurt Andrew, particularly headbutting him. We've been using a combination of all three of the above and as long as we're consistent, I'm sure this will pass. However, I really, really hope this is a short phase because my patience has been seriously tested to the hilt these past few weeks. Though now that I realize that his molars are coming in and that is adding to his miserableness, it does make it a little easier to remember that when we're having a particularly bad day. In the meantime, I'll be visiting the library for a few child rearing books to help get us through the next few weeks...and years...The below picture is of Connor learning how to be gentle with Andrew (while we hold our breaths in the background, hoping he doesn't sneak a headbutt in on him. I think Andrew is holding his breath too...) The last picture is of Connor being so very proud of himself for being sweet with Andrew. He's clapping his hands and doing his famous, "Yayyyyyy, Yayyyyy." It always gives us a chuckle.

As for Andrew, he is ALSO teething! I'm pretty sure one of those suckers will be popping out of his gums fairly soon. He still smiles and giggles a lot and loves watching everyone around him but he also has not been himself lately.

So, yeah, it's been pretty fun around here lately:)

This too shall pass...

Happy New Year...

Happy 2009! It's been a busy week. We started organizing, donating, and throwing things away last weekend. We are slowly changing the dining room into a playroom. We just don't use the dining room often enough and it was starting to become our 'crap' room, meaning that's where all of our 'crap' went that didn't have a 'place' anywhere else. I'll post a picture when it's all done but it probably won't be for a few months. I've also been doing some research on organization tools and ways to make our life and house clutter free. It's a slow process but we'll get there.
I think the warmer weather has been helping us with all of the organizing also. It was 76 degrees one day last week! We had the windows open, the birds were singing and it just felt like spring. Spring weather always puts me in the mood to clean.

Nanny is here visiting us this week! It's been so great having her around to help with the boys. I have some great pictures of her and Connor playing in the backyard yesterday. I'll post them over the weekend (once I find the card reader that Connor was playing with!) I also need to do a December slide show which will hopefully be out soon too.

I was thinking about New Years resolutions recently and realized that I haven't made a resolution in a long time. After thinking about it, I realized that the reason New Years resolutions usually don't work is because it's so daunting thinking of it as a whole year's resolution. Ultimately the resolution is so overwhelming that it usually leads to not completing what you started. I like the idea of daily resolutions. I find I'm more apt to follow through on something when I know I can complete it that day. And if for some reason, I don't, I know I can start all over the next day and I'm not as discouraged...just my two cents.

So 2008 has come and gone. Hopefully 2009 brings us all great health, wealth and happiness.

Happy New Year!