Naps Aren't Going Well

 

Naps are sucking these days for both kids. In particular it was Evan today. I heard a thump, a cry, and then a smiling boy behind the door. Yes, he stuck his hand in and through his shorts. Apparently in doing so he hit his head on the headboard.

Sigh, he's going to hate me someday for this, right?

Sharing Some Sunshine

I'm so excited that I can finally share this package that I completed for my friends. I had to wait until the recipients actually received it though. A while back a fellow December Mama pinned a bloggers idea of giving a "Box Full of Sunshine" to someone who was down or otherwise just needed a pick me up. The concept is simple, you gather yellow "sunshine" items and pack a box full of said items and ship it off to that special person in your life.

I thought now, "Hey that's a pretty cool idea." I didn't realize just how amazing of an idea it would become until the unthinkable occurred. A very close friend, whom I've never met in real life; but trust me that will change, suddenly found herself amidst the hardest thing I can imagine happening. Her mother-in-law passed away, suddenly, and without cause.

It hurt not only her, her husband, their children, her father-in-law, her sister-in-laws and hundreds if not thousands of other loved ones. To hear her tell of this woman's acts of love brings tears to my eyes as I type this. Her family has a special place in my heart and I need her to know that. To know that, no matter the miles between us, I'm always a phone call or text away. That I've not once stopped thinking about "How are they doing? I hope day after day, things are slowly healing." Mama S. left a big gaping hole in their lives, but I'm sure that with the support of friends and loved ones, time will heal that hole. Okay, so enough tears.

 

I found this amazing golden butterfly box at Michael's. I thought that it was the perfect size and gorgeous enough that once empty they can fill it up with their memories of Mama S. to share with the babies when they are older.

For the girls; I had a Taggie blanket made for the little one, and for the older one a few trinkets including an Easter bracelet. The box was jam packed full of delicious, comforting treats for everyone. Now you may be wondering what the 1-800-CALL-OUMA is about, and I'll tell you. Ouma, was the girls name for Grandma. And a fellow December Mama had suggested releasing balloons into the air with a note to Ouma so they can still talk to her. That lovely yellow bag is filled with over 140 yellow balloons so the girls can talk to her anytime they want.

Being that Easter is upon us, there were quite a few yellow items out there right now. So I got each girl a yellow plush animal, some yellow peeps of course and various other yellow snacks. Inside the closed bags they will find malted Easter eggs, chocolate covered pretzels, and yummy butterscotch candies. I enjoyed putting this package together, but not nearly as much as hearing how much it touched my beloved friends heart.

Laura, I meant it. You and your family mean the world to me and to hear you are hurting, hurts my heart. May time pass quickly and heal the void in your hearts. May your family and friends give you the comfort you need. And know that you will see Mama again one day.

Play Date

Barbie & Woody had a playdate. Shhh, don't tell Bo Peep!

Bobbi

Oops, I forgot

I promised to post Bella's pics from the other day after I posted Evan's...forgive me. :D

The wind got in her face. LOL.

The Daddy Tickle Monster showed up.

Spring Time

I Don't Wanna Go!

A couple of days ago we took the kids to swing at the neighbors before nap time. They had a lot of fun, so much fun that Evan threw one of his famous fits when it was time to go home for a nap. I do have pictures of Bella too, but I haven't finished them yet so she'll get her own post later. ;)

 

See, everything was fine and dandy. He was happy just swinging away and then...

He was pulling away from Daddy's hand so hard. :( Eventually he got free and threw himself to the ground in a full fledged fit. It was so sad to watch.

This picture just breaks my heart. Ah, the joys of parenthood.

Krav Maga Day

Today we accompanied Daddy to another one of his self defense classes. However today was a bit more rough as the kids were antsy. Evan was crying because the instructor was bouncing a ball just as the class was starting, as he was putting it away. Evan just went ballistic and the instructor made some rather snide remarks regarding not having crying children in the class. It was a bit off putting, perhaps if he hadn't teased a two year old the incident wouldn't have occurred. I digress, after half of the class was completed I took the kids out side because I couldn't handle telling Bella to sit and stop running, stay off the mat, and attempt to keep Evan quiet. It was rather taxing. Needless to say we won't be attending anymore classes with him.

Thankfully it was nice enough we were able to enjoy the overcast day and get some fresh air. Evan was cooperating with the camera too well. He wanted to take my picture, but I didn't let him. ;) Bella played along as best she could. It was difficult getting her to smile, as usual. But she was at her happiest while picking "flowers." It's a rather lovely bouquet, don't you think? And I really don't know what the look on her face is all about. LOL.

Evan Update

Today Evan had his next evaluation with Parents As Teachers. We were concerned with his lack of vocabulary, so this was also a check up on his progress. We rambled off a few of things we were certain that he has been able to communicate. We just didn't have a grasp on exactly how many words he knew how to say.

Leanne said it would be best if we make a word diary for him. We needed to list all of his sign words and phrases and any vocal words or phrases. We were pleasantly surprised to see that he does have a larger vocabulary than we really thought.

He still doesn't sign or speak over two word phrases, so that's something to work on, but he does have a grasp on the important words. Leanne is also not very concerned with his lack of vocalization because he comprehends everything he is told. His reception skills are outstanding. If he were lacking in that area then she would refer us for the PAT speech program, but at this point Evan would not qualify because of his ability to comprehend. So I suppose there is a silver lining?

She did gives us the contact information for the county's speech department. She believes that we could get him evaluated through the county for free if we felt he needed it. Below is the list I was able to come up with, or at least the things I could remember. #16 & #17 on the vocal list are accompanied with the appropriate signs too.

  

 I'm just relieved to know that there really isn't anything "wrong" with him. He's just moving at his own pace. We will continue to keep an eye on him and we'll probably still check in with our primary doctor in August.

In other Evan news... He's been hit or miss with naps this past month. In fact if he sleeps, Arabella doesn't and it's really wearing on me. I love having some quiet time to myself. But lately I'm usually fighting one or the other to get them to nap. So, a couple of days ago, Evan was fighting it. Getting into everything in his room, just being a general pain. Adam & I were catching up on some DVR shows and we heard a blood curdling scream.

Adam & I ran up and he was curled in a ball on the floor clutching his chest and alternating with grabbing his knee. Fabulous! What did he do now? Of course Mama bird swooped him up and was off to inspect him. His knee instantly bruised up black and blue. :( Then he kept grabbing at his chest, so I removed his shirt to find a blood blister like ouchie. It was scratched and looked like it was bleeding but no blood was flowing from it.

WHAT DID HE DO?

Our best guess is it had something to do with his shoe crate. He had been removing the hand made baby blankets from it and sitting in it while he was supposed to be napping. Finally I bought an under the bed box for his blankets as I do not need those handmade beauties destroyed by a playful little man. Then we started throwing his shoes and slippers in the crate as we had done with his sisters.

I've busted him several times sitting in it. :/ Or at the very least we've found his shoes and slippers in his bed after he gets up from nap time. I'm almost certain that was the culprit. Anyway, so yesterday during lunch he was a little over zealous in his eating efforts and we through him the tub before nap time.

After posting the picture to my 365 project, Adam spoke his opinion and thought I should edit that boo-boo out. Nope, I'm not going to do it. Why? Because he's a little boy and little boys get hurt. They are boisterous, rambunctious little balls of dirt and boo-boos. Why would I want to remove that memory?