Wyeth is 27 lbs and 34.3 inches tall....which means he may be 5 foot 9 according to on line calculators.
He is 50% W, 50% H
100% loveable
Friday, December 17, 2010
Show me the Parents
There is no doubt about it- life with two young kids can be tough. It is the physical demands but the emotional demands as well which can be so challenging. The 'are we doing this right' thinking exhausts me. And I think those thoughts on a daily basis.
Often at the end of the day, I feel frustrated. What the heck got done today? Why have I only added to the to-do list? When do we just relax?
And when do I fit in time to just hang with Sam? This is increasingly a concern because he works at night on his part time job. And we are getting used to not hanging out!
So we continue to work to find little slices of time. To sit. To chat. To say, "Hi person I live with. How the heck are you?"
So this 'show me the mommy' post is also 'show me the parents'. Because seriously behind all of this- the work, the preschool decisions, the discipline, the fights about hair, the baths, the tantrums, the dishes, the home renovations, the bills, are two folks who are partners who love each other.
Damn cute, I tell ya. Damn cute.
Often at the end of the day, I feel frustrated. What the heck got done today? Why have I only added to the to-do list? When do we just relax?
And when do I fit in time to just hang with Sam? This is increasingly a concern because he works at night on his part time job. And we are getting used to not hanging out!
So we continue to work to find little slices of time. To sit. To chat. To say, "Hi person I live with. How the heck are you?"
So this 'show me the mommy' post is also 'show me the parents'. Because seriously behind all of this- the work, the preschool decisions, the discipline, the fights about hair, the baths, the tantrums, the dishes, the home renovations, the bills, are two folks who are partners who love each other.
Damn cute, I tell ya. Damn cute.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Come on ride the train, the Choo-Choo Train
For Wyeth's second birthday, we took our family and my parents on a choo-choo train in West Chester, PA. We took him the day after he turned two and we had a blast!
The train wasn't a steam engine like the one we took in Flint but that didn't matter to Wyeth. And it was FREEZING inside the train. The website said it would be 'heated'. And it was, technically. But man, my toes were almost numb by the time we got off the train!
All that being said, we had a wonderful time! Santa and Mrs. Claus joined us on the train and there were some (off key) musical singers as well. The train stopped and everyone got off the train to get a chance to talk with Santa. It was a very beautiful, old station called Glen Mills. Just charming. When Seren saw Santa her face just LIT UP! It was the BEST. What a gorgeous little girl. A true believer this year!
We then finished up our train trip and went to lunch at a local diner.
We then went to my parents home for nap/rest. When Wyeth woke up he was greeted with a wooden train that my father had built for my brother 30 years ago! He loved it! My parents also purchased a Thomas balloon which was the hit of the day for both Wyeth and Seren.
We then had a simple pizza dinner and had cake.
It was a small celebration but it was perfect. He had a blast and we all had a wonderful time! What a great, great way to celebrate TWO!
Picture overload:
And my favorite of the birthday boy himself:
The train wasn't a steam engine like the one we took in Flint but that didn't matter to Wyeth. And it was FREEZING inside the train. The website said it would be 'heated'. And it was, technically. But man, my toes were almost numb by the time we got off the train!
All that being said, we had a wonderful time! Santa and Mrs. Claus joined us on the train and there were some (off key) musical singers as well. The train stopped and everyone got off the train to get a chance to talk with Santa. It was a very beautiful, old station called Glen Mills. Just charming. When Seren saw Santa her face just LIT UP! It was the BEST. What a gorgeous little girl. A true believer this year!
We then finished up our train trip and went to lunch at a local diner.
We then went to my parents home for nap/rest. When Wyeth woke up he was greeted with a wooden train that my father had built for my brother 30 years ago! He loved it! My parents also purchased a Thomas balloon which was the hit of the day for both Wyeth and Seren.
We then had a simple pizza dinner and had cake.
It was a small celebration but it was perfect. He had a blast and we all had a wonderful time! What a great, great way to celebrate TWO!
Picture overload:
And my favorite of the birthday boy himself:
Monday, December 13, 2010
Holidays done right
We have had a busy busy 13 days of December! But we have celebrated the upcoming holidays is so many fun ways!
December 3rd brought Wyeth's Second.
We took him on a choo-choo train to celebrate.
We bought the tree and decorated the tree and the house the following day
We decided on a family pic and puchased the cards
We have taken the kids on fun family drives to look at the lights. Cheap thrills! Seren yells 'INFLATABLES' at every inflatable Santa/elf/train/snowman we see. WYeth yells out WOW! WOAH!
We saw the Nutcracker
We made homemade Christmas cookies and delivered them to neighbors wearing the
Christmas hats my parents bought the kids.
We saw Christmas lights in Flint in November,
We have donated toys for kids that are needy- Seren helped pick them out
We have celebrated the magic of Christmas with Elf on a Shelf
We have done the advent calendar- but often are a day behind
We went to Holly NIghts in Pennsbury Manor- candlelight walks with hot cidar and friends
We bought Christmas presents
We open one holiday book a day. Sam, over the year, has collected 10 cent of 25 cent books at the Thrift Store. A total of 33 books. WE started November 22nd. He has dutifully wrapped this used treasures and the kids trade picking one out to open each night. Then we read that book during family story! Love it!
But we have really just enjoyed being together. No newborn. No bar exam looming. Just the four of us.
And it isn't over yet! As Seren told me yesterday, "I am giving my favorite cookie to our neighbors because Christmas is about giving, Mom."
How right she is! We get caught up in elves and Santa because it is truly a magical age. And we love it too! But I think that Seren is getting the real message in this nuttiness as well. I'm proud of the kind person she is becoming. She is a good friend and a true blessing to us.
Can't wait for more!
December 3rd brought Wyeth's Second.
We took him on a choo-choo train to celebrate.
We bought the tree and decorated the tree and the house the following day
We decided on a family pic and puchased the cards
We have taken the kids on fun family drives to look at the lights. Cheap thrills! Seren yells 'INFLATABLES' at every inflatable Santa/elf/train/snowman we see. WYeth yells out WOW! WOAH!
We saw the Nutcracker
We made homemade Christmas cookies and delivered them to neighbors wearing the
Christmas hats my parents bought the kids.
We saw Christmas lights in Flint in November,
We have donated toys for kids that are needy- Seren helped pick them out
We have celebrated the magic of Christmas with Elf on a Shelf
We have done the advent calendar- but often are a day behind
We went to Holly NIghts in Pennsbury Manor- candlelight walks with hot cidar and friends
We bought Christmas presents
We open one holiday book a day. Sam, over the year, has collected 10 cent of 25 cent books at the Thrift Store. A total of 33 books. WE started November 22nd. He has dutifully wrapped this used treasures and the kids trade picking one out to open each night. Then we read that book during family story! Love it!
But we have really just enjoyed being together. No newborn. No bar exam looming. Just the four of us.
And it isn't over yet! As Seren told me yesterday, "I am giving my favorite cookie to our neighbors because Christmas is about giving, Mom."
How right she is! We get caught up in elves and Santa because it is truly a magical age. And we love it too! But I think that Seren is getting the real message in this nuttiness as well. I'm proud of the kind person she is becoming. She is a good friend and a true blessing to us.
Can't wait for more!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
The Elf on the Shelf
We didn't buy this product last year but this year my mom and dad purchased the Elf for us. And we LOVE it. Absolutely up our alley!
We love this little guy!
The story is that the Elf (who each family has to name) keeps watch over children's behavior every day and goes to Santa during the night to tell him about how the kids have been doing. The Elf comes with a story that lays out the rules. The main rule is that kids can't talk to it. That and that he can't talk back.
The elf arrived on December 4th. Seren named it Beck. The first night I found her talking to it quietly. I felt like saying 'Welcome Beck. Congrats! You picked a verbal house!'
And oh my gosh- we LOVE this elf! We love it because it is fun and magical and SILLY. And we love Beck because he is motivation for behavior modification. Seren screamed (as usual) during our morning hair tussle. I pointed to Beck and said, "Remember! The elf is watching."
Not a peep from her. Not an 'effing peep.
Bless the elf!
She tries it on Wyeth too. "Remember Wyeth! Don't scream and push me. Remember Beck, Wyeth? Do you?" (All while pointing at the elf with one hand and her other hand on her hip).
Beck is less effective with Wyeth.
The first day Seren said to me, "I heard him! I did! I heard him come in the front door! Do you think he is in my room? Let me check to see if my magic wand is where I left it. Oh yup. It is. Never mind. I don't think he is in here...."
And the magic begins. One simple story. One idea about a magical elf and Seren was off and running in her mind! It was simply amazing! She worries about Beck's arms being too weak to hang from the tree/chandelier/bookshelf. She also asks so many questions about how he uses his magic to climb and jump to high places. And when Seren and Wyeth spent a night at my parents' home this past weekend (YAY!), she was very concerned that we would look for him prior to their arrival home.
So far Sam and I have only screwed up once. We were bringing the kids down for breakfast when I realized that Beck hadn't visited the north pole last night!
I yell out, "Sam! E-L-F!"
In a quick minute, Sam grabs the elf, whispers, "shit" and finds a new place for Beck to hang from.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, I distract the kids with the "amazing" new piece of Tupperware. We were all clear.
Whew.
We love the elf! So much fun!
We love this little guy!
The story is that the Elf (who each family has to name) keeps watch over children's behavior every day and goes to Santa during the night to tell him about how the kids have been doing. The Elf comes with a story that lays out the rules. The main rule is that kids can't talk to it. That and that he can't talk back.
The elf arrived on December 4th. Seren named it Beck. The first night I found her talking to it quietly. I felt like saying 'Welcome Beck. Congrats! You picked a verbal house!'
And oh my gosh- we LOVE this elf! We love it because it is fun and magical and SILLY. And we love Beck because he is motivation for behavior modification. Seren screamed (as usual) during our morning hair tussle. I pointed to Beck and said, "Remember! The elf is watching."
Not a peep from her. Not an 'effing peep.
Bless the elf!
She tries it on Wyeth too. "Remember Wyeth! Don't scream and push me. Remember Beck, Wyeth? Do you?" (All while pointing at the elf with one hand and her other hand on her hip).
Beck is less effective with Wyeth.
The first day Seren said to me, "I heard him! I did! I heard him come in the front door! Do you think he is in my room? Let me check to see if my magic wand is where I left it. Oh yup. It is. Never mind. I don't think he is in here...."
And the magic begins. One simple story. One idea about a magical elf and Seren was off and running in her mind! It was simply amazing! She worries about Beck's arms being too weak to hang from the tree/chandelier/bookshelf. She also asks so many questions about how he uses his magic to climb and jump to high places. And when Seren and Wyeth spent a night at my parents' home this past weekend (YAY!), she was very concerned that we would look for him prior to their arrival home.
So far Sam and I have only screwed up once. We were bringing the kids down for breakfast when I realized that Beck hadn't visited the north pole last night!
I yell out, "Sam! E-L-F!"
In a quick minute, Sam grabs the elf, whispers, "shit" and finds a new place for Beck to hang from.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, I distract the kids with the "amazing" new piece of Tupperware. We were all clear.
Whew.
We love the elf! So much fun!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Thanksgiving 2010
Before we race towards Santa and Christmas, I wanted to post about our lovely time in Flint Michigan to celebrate Thanksgiving!
Last year we drove to MI- a long 13 hours one way. Seren loved the hotels we stopped in both ways and so did we but after only an 8 hour car trip with Wyeth which included vomitting due to his own frustration, we took my in-laws generous invitation and flew to Michigan. What a life saver that was!
The trip to MI was great. Wyeth sat on my lap for the two flights. The first flight, he INSISTED on sitting on his own (non existant) part of the seat. We were sitting next to a young 20 year old guy. He was totally cool with the squirming, kicking Wyeth sharing his itty bitty seat. Once Wyeth fell asleep, I dragged his tired tush onto my lap and everyone was cool. The second flight, Wyeth and I sat next to a rathr large woman so there wasn't much 'seat' to share. That was fine with Wyeth- he even proceeded to 'drive' his match box cars all over the woman's leg! I was horrified but again, the woman was gratious and laughed.
We made it! We spent the better part of Thursday through Sunday eating and playing. But mostly eating. My mother and law indulged us with a completely full fridge and sam and I did our best to eat it all! The dinner itself was yummy and heavy on the carbs- just the way we like it!
We had some great evening adventures and were spoiled rotten by dinners out! Sam and I treated the family to an adventure on the Huckleberry Railroad which had to be my personal highlight. What fun! We bundled all up and saw some wonderful light displays aboard this old steam engine! It was a total blast!
We really enjoyed just all being together! Bill, Sam's Dad, also took some great famiily photos. We have so much to be thankful for: our health, our family, and our friends. At the end of each day, that is what life should be about!
We celebrated Thanksgiving!
We sat around and did cozy things:
We watched electric trains!
We trimmed the Angus family tree:
alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548323270386256130" />
We spent time with our family:
We saw a big choo-choo!
We celebrated two milestones! 70! and 2!
We had a great time!!
Last year we drove to MI- a long 13 hours one way. Seren loved the hotels we stopped in both ways and so did we but after only an 8 hour car trip with Wyeth which included vomitting due to his own frustration, we took my in-laws generous invitation and flew to Michigan. What a life saver that was!
The trip to MI was great. Wyeth sat on my lap for the two flights. The first flight, he INSISTED on sitting on his own (non existant) part of the seat. We were sitting next to a young 20 year old guy. He was totally cool with the squirming, kicking Wyeth sharing his itty bitty seat. Once Wyeth fell asleep, I dragged his tired tush onto my lap and everyone was cool. The second flight, Wyeth and I sat next to a rathr large woman so there wasn't much 'seat' to share. That was fine with Wyeth- he even proceeded to 'drive' his match box cars all over the woman's leg! I was horrified but again, the woman was gratious and laughed.
We made it! We spent the better part of Thursday through Sunday eating and playing. But mostly eating. My mother and law indulged us with a completely full fridge and sam and I did our best to eat it all! The dinner itself was yummy and heavy on the carbs- just the way we like it!
We had some great evening adventures and were spoiled rotten by dinners out! Sam and I treated the family to an adventure on the Huckleberry Railroad which had to be my personal highlight. What fun! We bundled all up and saw some wonderful light displays aboard this old steam engine! It was a total blast!
We really enjoyed just all being together! Bill, Sam's Dad, also took some great famiily photos. We have so much to be thankful for: our health, our family, and our friends. At the end of each day, that is what life should be about!
We celebrated Thanksgiving!
We sat around and did cozy things:
We watched electric trains!
We trimmed the Angus family tree:
alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548323270386256130" />
We spent time with our family:
We saw a big choo-choo!
We celebrated two milestones! 70! and 2!
We had a great time!!
Friday, December 3, 2010
Wyeth is 2!
Tonight at 10:53 pm Wyeth will turn two! I have indulged myself by reminiscing about my weeks on bedrest, his awesome birth and the past two years. I simply can't get over the fact that my little man is two today. It seems like just yesterday Seren turned two and we were 8-9 weeks pregnant with Wyeth. And now Wyeth is having his big second birthday!
Wyeth, you continue to be pure light in our lives. Seren made me a mom- birthing me into someone completely different from my old self. But Wyeth, you re-birthed me as a Mom. A Mom who is much more relaxed that the previous version of my Mom self. You helped me enjoy and savor the baby weeks/months because I knew (the second time around) how fleeting the weeks and months would be.
You are all about life. You are not cautious. You live life large. I love that about you. You are also funny. You are quick to smile and laugh. And you are a charmer. Oh my, little man. So outgoing! You blow kisses to the garbage men when they pick up the trash as well as the cashier at the grocery store. You leave little melted hearts in your wake as you seem to have the ability to laugh and charm everyone around you.
You adore your sister. If she raises her hands up and sings, you do. If she tells you to say "Doo-doo", you do. If she tells you to say "Ta-da!", you do. She provides you so much comfort. When the vacuum comes on, you run into her arms for comfort until the vacuuming is complete.
You are a lover of cats. Meow-meows are amazing creatures! Hugging them has become a personal goal of yours.
And you are a lover of buses, cars, and trains. This obsession started 4 weeks ago and there is no end in sight. You will wake up talking about trains 'choo-choo' and go to sleep with cars in your hands. As a mother of a daughter and a son, I'm still surprised by your passion for all things 'transportation'.
You and your sister both love to dress up. Hats and silly princess costumes make you smile wide. Nothing better than being silly!
But Wyeth you really don't eat all that well. We are working on re-programming you from eating 6 foods to you know, eating more than 6!
But don't rush on growing up! You wanted to wear undies this weekend while we were at Grandma's and Granddad's. Your time will come. Please don't rush!
We can't wait to celebrate you this weekend on your birthday Train Adventure. We hope to see Santa Claus at the Holiday Express!
You also continue to be a momma's boy which thrills me to no end. As I held you while you slept on the plane coming back from Michigan, I looked at your face and realized that in the not too distant future, you will be 13 years old and instead of little feet, they will be big stinky feet. And that our time with you as a wee one goes all too quickly. In my mind's eye you were just born and I was gazing at your amazing face for the first time.
Continue to be the sweet, loving, active boy that we know you to be! We love you and are so proud of who you are, Wyeth! Happy, happy 2nd birthday!
Wyeth, you continue to be pure light in our lives. Seren made me a mom- birthing me into someone completely different from my old self. But Wyeth, you re-birthed me as a Mom. A Mom who is much more relaxed that the previous version of my Mom self. You helped me enjoy and savor the baby weeks/months because I knew (the second time around) how fleeting the weeks and months would be.
You are all about life. You are not cautious. You live life large. I love that about you. You are also funny. You are quick to smile and laugh. And you are a charmer. Oh my, little man. So outgoing! You blow kisses to the garbage men when they pick up the trash as well as the cashier at the grocery store. You leave little melted hearts in your wake as you seem to have the ability to laugh and charm everyone around you.
You adore your sister. If she raises her hands up and sings, you do. If she tells you to say "Doo-doo", you do. If she tells you to say "Ta-da!", you do. She provides you so much comfort. When the vacuum comes on, you run into her arms for comfort until the vacuuming is complete.
You are a lover of cats. Meow-meows are amazing creatures! Hugging them has become a personal goal of yours.
And you are a lover of buses, cars, and trains. This obsession started 4 weeks ago and there is no end in sight. You will wake up talking about trains 'choo-choo' and go to sleep with cars in your hands. As a mother of a daughter and a son, I'm still surprised by your passion for all things 'transportation'.
You and your sister both love to dress up. Hats and silly princess costumes make you smile wide. Nothing better than being silly!
But Wyeth you really don't eat all that well. We are working on re-programming you from eating 6 foods to you know, eating more than 6!
But don't rush on growing up! You wanted to wear undies this weekend while we were at Grandma's and Granddad's. Your time will come. Please don't rush!
We can't wait to celebrate you this weekend on your birthday Train Adventure. We hope to see Santa Claus at the Holiday Express!
You also continue to be a momma's boy which thrills me to no end. As I held you while you slept on the plane coming back from Michigan, I looked at your face and realized that in the not too distant future, you will be 13 years old and instead of little feet, they will be big stinky feet. And that our time with you as a wee one goes all too quickly. In my mind's eye you were just born and I was gazing at your amazing face for the first time.
Continue to be the sweet, loving, active boy that we know you to be! We love you and are so proud of who you are, Wyeth! Happy, happy 2nd birthday!
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