In a Funk...

Every just have that feeling like you are in a funk??? It isn't like there is this huge event that happened that is so terrible you can't go on- but seems like a bunch of little things just keep adding up? 

*Charlie wet the bed last night (after such a long time of not doing it)
*Drop your cell phone (didn't break thank goodness)
*Lunch that I brought literally disintegrated when cooking in the microwave
*spilled water on my desk (2nd day in a row)
*got a popcorn kernel stuck in my tooth
blah blah blah

Just seems like one of those days and I can't get out.

On a good note- seems like a good weekend is planned.  Bday party, dinner and visiting with friends, camping...... should be fun.  Hope I am more fun to be around then! :)

Hope you are all having a great day.

included a few older pics of the kids (from July).  Looking at pictures of them always puts a smile on my face- i hope it does for you too!!

2 months...

Really it has been 2 months since I last posted..... lets update: since the last time I posted I found out where the on button is on the vacuum (see FB status): 
The other night i get the vacuum out, plug it in then realize i do not know how to turn the thing on i wish i could tell you all it is a new cleaner- its not we have had it for months; if mike and the kids not been home i might have just moved the vacuum over the carpet to get the lines so they all thought i did it instead i had to swallow my pride and yell i don't know how to turn this fing thing on.
I also found out what the washing machine sounds like (see FB status):  Last night i heard this really weird noise in the house & freaked out- yelled for mike.... his response: "Jodi that is the washing machine"

I say these things but when I try to do the dishes/vacuum/do the laundry- mike yells "stop ill do it!" 

So a few months ago I got on a kick to redo the house.  We don't particularly like our house but know that we will be there for awhile so might as well try your best to make it something you don't hate- right?  So I took down most of the pictures and things on the wall, made some huge holes, patched them and then called it a night.   That night turned into a few months and here we are today.  So last night my desire to paint my house came up and my mother in law said "I told Mike I would come and paint.  But he told me I couldn't b/c you (meaning me) made the mess of the walls and you (me) would have to look at them until you (me) fixed them."  So what did I start last night- started fixing the walls.  Off to Lowe's we went, paint was bought and the process began.  It is a much bigger job then I thought it was going to be.  And now that the 1st coat is up I'm not sure we love the color but after it is all said and done I think we will come to like it.

Moving on---

Kids are great.  We got them bunk beds and they LOVE them.  Charlie thinks the top bunk is the best thing that could ever happen to him and Emmy is happy to be in the same room as Charlie.  They are keeping us busy and on our toes. 

We went to SC for a family vacation.  It was awesome to be away from work for an entire week.  Emmy loved her 1st experience in the sand and both kids loved being at the beach.  Mike got stung by a jellyfish and charlie came home with swimmers ear- but I think it was all worth it.

I'll add more pictures later today when I get home.

Hope everyone is doing great!!!

Overall things have been good. 

Sorry it has been so long....

It has been a long time since I have posted.....

The kids are keeping us on our toes for sure!

Emilee is growing so fast and her personality sure is starting to come out.  She is becoming so independent, wanting to walk everywhere on her own and do it all with no help.  She loves her brother and wants to follow him everywhere- although she is not always welcoming of all his hugs and kisses.  I'm starting to think that when we aren't looking those hugs and kisses are not so sweet and innocent.  haha.  Emmy is officially an Orange Fish at school, no longer an infant but in fact a toddler.  Although sad- she is so ready and I'm excited to see her continue to grow and learn.  I think she is having some separation anxiety problems.  I'm not completely sure that is what it is- but it seems like has to always make sure I am within 10 feet of her or she starts going crazy.

Charlie... o Charlie..... he has continued to expand his vocabulary.  He told a classmate on Tuesday, "Get your a$$ over here" and on Wednesday said F*C%.  We are so proud!  However the he was checking in on Emmy in the orange room and saw a kid push her down and Charlie walked over to him and told him "No thank you Braden, you don't push my sister." He then insisted on going to tell Braden's mom who works at the school.  Already protecting his sister-- too cute.  This past weekend Charlie has started to question us asking "Are you sure about that?" along with many other "adult" phrases that I am not ready for him to be using.  :)

I can not believe I am the mom of a 3 and 1 year old- the time went so fast.  Although Em will let me rock her every so often- it seems that we no longer have babies in the house.  Here are some updated pics of the kids....

Enjoy!

Onesies....

I love to make things and I love babies-- put the two together and I started to make some baby onesies.  I LOVE doing them and I hope others will love them as much as I do. 

They are Gerber onesies, washable, and adorable (if i do say so myself).


Here are three boy onesies....
I can put anything on them, bow tie, neckties, suspenders, pockets, buttons, letters, numbers.... possibilities are endless.  Any size, short or long sleeve.  They make amazing gifts.  If you are interested - contact me!!!!! mjces4@yahoo.com

GIRLS ONESIES COMING SOON. 

Let me know what you think!!!! Please leave comments.  What would you like to see??

Yep- They belong to me...

So as a parent- you know that your kids are yours.  You can get all technical if you want describing all the "in's and out's" of how it happened.... but there are times when your kid says something or acts in a certain way that you can stop and say "That is my kid"

On Saturday I was talking with Charlie about the Easter bunny coming and what he thought the bunny might bring:
J: Do you think the easter bunny is going to come and hide the eggs?
C: Yeah and bring good stuff.
J: Good stuff?? Like what?
C: Candy... !?
J: Candy huh... yummm, that would be good.
C: Jelly Beans... I love jelly beans
J: oooo Jelly beans... ya!
C: and Toys...!?
J: Maybe toys.
C: AND RANCH!!?!
Yes thats MY son!

Then Sunday (Easter) comes and the easter bunny did bring Charlie his "favorite"... jelly beans! He was so excited about these.  Since they are not something we normally have in the house that is all he wanted to eat all day long.  So we get home in the evening and he got to have a snack/treat for being so good- he picked his jelly beans.  Mike put a hand full in a container and about 20 min. later he still had a ton in his bowl.  At first I thought he didn't like them- so I watched him for awhile and realized that he sucks on them for a few minutes before chewing on them.  WHAT?  Who does that?? Then my eyes drift over to his father.... Yes that is HIS Son!!!


Just this morning Emmy was sassy and wanted her Chocolate Milk right away.  I heard from the other room "You are your mother!!" I smiled!

I love to see us in our kids- the good and the "bad".  Even though we know that there isn't much "bad" when it comes to me!! :)

Make lasting memories....

Too quiet here......

What a week (or so) it has been.  Very long story (and a bit unbelievable) short we are now the proud owners (ish) of a 6 lbs Yorkie.  It was Mike's grandma's dog and now that she is spending some time in CO with his uncle- the dog has found its way to New Lenox.  Now that he got a bath, hair cut and teeth brushing- he is soooo adorable!!!! The kids love him and he is very good with them.  He lets Charlie take the ball out of his mouth and throw it and he brings it right back to him- so charlie thinks that is awesome.  Every morning the kids share a recliner and drink their chocolate milk- Baxter goes outside then runs back in and jumps up on the chair to sit with them.  :) Emmy goes nuts when he does this.  Overall, 1 week in and we are still enjoying him! :)


Tonight Charlie had a sleepover with Grandma & Grandpa.  Mike and I had a whole week to prepare for this- and although the kids have been away from us overnight before- it has never been on a "just because" basis.  We have always had somewhere to be or do.  This was a just because we want to sleep over.  And I know it is healthy and needed- and he will have more and more as he gets older, but this was a hard time for me.  We haven't been so lucky to have the option of one of us staying home with the kids-- and I think Mike and I have come to terms with that- especially now that we have found such an amazing school (daycare) to send them to.  They have their friends, cool projects, parties, etc.  But that being said, when we are not working we want to spend every waking moment with the kids.  They grow so fast- and you always hear everyone talk about how they grow so fast.... so we do love every moment with them- even if some are more challenging then others.  Lucky for us we still had Emmy home to entertain us--and that she did!!! I started a new photo shoot with her but she wasnt really up for it- so take 2 will be tomorrow. :) Around 730pm we got a call from Charlie- he was just telling us GoodNight.  You could still hear his excitement in his voice.  He is sleeping over G'ma & G'pa's on his own, no sister, no mom and dad.  I was able to hold off tears until after I got off the phone with him.  I miss him- i'm sorry it might sound so pathetic but I do. 
One of my biggest fears is my kids being scared.  I know G'ma and G'pa have experienced monsters and the like before- and can calm him down- but as a parent you never want your kid to be scared - let alone when you are not right there to comfort him/her. 
I know tomorrow I will blogging about how much fun he had and he will be asking when he can do it again before he even gets home.  However I think mom and dad (and i'm sure g'ma and g'pa) will need some time to recover!!! :) although it has been nice for us to relax physically- mentally i think we are going nuts. 
I know we are crazy right??

Thank goodness for sweet Emmy for entertaining us so much and allowing me to rock her alittle longer before bed!!! i love you Emmy!!

Another subject-- I have been taking some more pics... I LOVE it!!!! To be able to capture a moment in a picture allows you to hold on to that story forever.  i love that.  :)

Have a great night everyone!!!

Relax

So I had to post this:

Bath time: Charlie starts getting in the tub and is sitting down VERY slowly.  Mike says nicely, "sit down buddy"  and Charlie says, "Relax, I will dad"
Ha!!! :)

I'm adorable!

(Knock on Wood) It seems that we are getting over the sickness in our house.  I'm sure I am too quick to say that since the weather is suppose to be changing back cold yet again this weekend. 

Charlie's current stories that have caught us off guard and laughing...
After leaving the park over the weekend he explains to us that some of the kids were not listening to their parents.  I said that is not nice and when we act like that we do not get to do fun things.  He responded "Ya they are bad news."
The other night at dinner, Charlie finished ALL of his food and wanted more with no push back.  He said "Dad, may i have my Popsicle now?" Mike responded but charlie didn't hear him so he goes "maybe?? yeah???" I said "Yes Charlie you will for sure get a Popsicle tonight because you ate your dinner so well."  Charlie says with the biggest eyes and funny voice "MMMMEEE!!!! One all for Myself?!" I laughed and he said "I'm so adorable!". Haha yes buddy you are!

My new camera is great.  I LOVE IT!!! I haven't started editing my pictures yet- but here are some of the ones I took...

Let me know if you want me to practice on you/your kids/family!! :)  I'm being serious.

My rant:
So on my way from work to pick up the kids I drive down a road that goes from 45mph to 30mph.  Since I am always so excited to get to the kids- you had better be sure I am going the speed limit (and not a mph over ha!)  However it always seems that I am behind the person that doesn't even go 45mph -- they are traveling at 35mph then when it goes down to 30-- they stay at 35.... now does this make sense to anyone else?? you go under the speed limit, then over??? Come on people!!!! Thanks for listening!


I think I just hit a wall... need a nap!!

Everyone watch The Office tonight! :)

Have a great evening.
Jodi

Hello All!

So our house is fighting the sickness-- Charlie started last Friday-- fever lasted until Sunday afternoon; then has had some ups and downs.  Emmy never got the fever but has the cough and snot.  Now Mike seems to have it all too.  However I am hoping that being able to have the windows open and air out the house- we will get rid of all these germs.  As I'm sure everyone has been- this weather could not have come soon enough!!!! We we able to take a trip to the zoo today- the kids loved it. 

One of Charlie's new answers when we ask him a question is "because".  So we have been trying to explain to him that "because" is not an answer.  So today he asked me a question and my answer was "because you were not listen" (or something along those lines).  and Charlie responded back to me "because is not an okay answer!"  How to explain to an almost 3 year old that although I did use the word b/c in my answer- it was a suitable response b/c I followed it up with my reasoning... not sure he fully understood what I was trying to say.

So I finally got my new camera!!! :) I LOVE IT!!! I used it today at the zoo and around the house to start getting use to it.  I haven't gotten into the editing side of it all yet- that will be next. 

I will post some of my new pictures soon!!!

Hope you all had a wonderful day!!!!
Enjoy the weather.

Hug alittle longer....

So long story short I was introduced to a woman’s blog a few weeks ago through a hair bow site on Facebook.  She was doing an auction raising money for Maddie and she posted this blog site to go to in order to learn more about Maddie and the cause.  (http://kandjstaats.blogspot.com/)  They think that Maddie passed from SIDS @ 4 months (I think that is how old she was)... how is that fair?  Why do things like that happen?
I sit and read this blog about a mom having to learn how to live without her little girl and I cry.  I cry for her and I cry with her.  I don't know how you go on with your life when something like this happens. 
I wake up every day with a huge smile on my face knowing I get to see, hold, touch and talk to my kids.  I think about how I get flustered some mornings because we are running late and Charlie wants to put his clothes on himself, or I am asking him to put on his shoes and he is begging for mom/dad to help him.  What is 5 more minutes to let him do it himself or 3 more minutes it would take to sit down with him and help him put on his shoes?  Who cares if you are 5 minutes late for work?
I sit and think what really matters?  Does it matter that the kids want to dump out all the toys we own? No.... Will dumping them all out make them happy? Yes..... Will someone get hurt?  No (well with kids I don’t think you can ever answer that 100% either way).  Toys pick up, carpets/furniture clean, accidents happen. 

Normally you read people say "I always read about it but never thought it would happen to me."  I'm the opposite- I am worried all the time that something like this could happen.  That might sound crazy but its true.  I wonder if that cold that someone got two weeks ago that is still sticking around is actually something more-- etc.

I guess what I am trying to get at is that I know that Mike and I will never relax on teaching our kids to be respectful and to obey the rules.  However, I am trying to take a step back and try to look at the big picture here. 

I know I'm lucky. I'm lucky to have a great husband/dad, two wonderful/adorable kids, great family and friends.  I am thankful for that--
Tonight hold/hug someone a little tighter/longer and give a few more kisses.  Be thankful.  Tomorrow is not guaranteed. 

Sorry to be a bit of a downer here- but these blogs are supposed to be there to vent and talk about your thoughts right??

Have a good night...

So the weekend wasn't exactly as we had planned......

Around 12 on Friday I got a call from the kids’ school- Charlie wasn’t feeling well- complaining that his stomach hurt.  They said they knew something was wrong b/c for the 1^st time ever Charlie Stevens refused lunch.  Lunch is his favorite part of the day (per a questionnaire that he took).  Got him home, relaxed on the bed watching a movie and it seemed like he was getting worse.  Took him to the quick clinic—nothing! By the time we left there seemed like he was feeling better- and by 7:30 that night he says “yeah I think I’m ready for that chicken sandwich (which is what they had at school that day for lunch and were nice enough to wrap his up for him to take home) now.  J The rest of the weekend he was fine! Needless to day I didn’t make my sleepover at my sisters that night L. 

We ordered some really cool canvas pictures a few weeks ago and I have been so excited to hang them.  Mike informs me that the only way we are hanging them is if we repaint our living room—which we have wanted to do for a LONG time now.  Since the pictures will be here soon; I wanted to speed up the painting process and last night we got busy.  I started patching up some of the holes and with hammer in hand decided to pull out all the nails that we no longer used.  Turns out a “nail” with grooves in it that fit a screwdriver is not actually a nail but a screw.  This was also a “special” screw as it was attached to a toggle.  What do I do?? I try to pull it out-- J Thank goodness I had been patching up these holes all evening—it was prep work for having to fill in my crater I created!!! J

If you all could have seen mikes face and how hard he had to try to remain calm!!  And he did. 

In the end our talk about the repaint of the living room turned into ripping down wallpaper in all sorts of rooms, holes, patch work, paint, tape…. I would say we started something here and now there is no turning back!

So although the weekend wasn’t exactly as we planned… it turned out way better!! J

since i try to include pictures- i didnt have one from this weekend- so i thought i would put this one from em's 1st bday!! :) enjoy!

1 year check up....

Although Emmy turned 1 on February 19th-- yesterday was her 1 year check up. 
I took both kids with to the doctors and on the way there we were running a bit behind—Charlie yells from the backseat as we are on the highway “come on people; get out of our way”-- he is always trying to help. :)

Her stats:
27 lbs 12 oz (upper 97%)
32 1/4 inches tall (upper 97%)

The doctor was very happy with her.  Her weight has leveled out and I think we are just going to have a big/tall girl on our hands!  I still cant believe she is 1.  This year has went so fast-- how life has changed in the past year.  And I wouldn't change a thing! :) I love you Emilee Noel!!!!

After the doctor we went to Mike’s basketball game.  Charlie was so excited to be there- he got to play around on the court until the game started and then again at half time.  He kept yelling during the game.....
"hiiii dad" "dad!" "gramps" "come on boys" "lets go dad" befense-- I did correct him in saying defense but he insisted that it is actually befense.”


Should have some more to say later…

Hope you are all having a great day!

What A Weekend....

As you may or may not know I am married to one of the most routine man alive.  So on Saturday when we went to leave the house in the afternoon- it was as much to his surprise as mine that the van keys were not in their proper place (the key hook on the mantle).  The biggest problem with not having the van keys is the van was parked too close to the garage, so we couldn't get our other cars out.  So the search began.  We turned the house upside down.  Mike didn't remember bringing the keys with on our walk to the park-- but couldn't be sure.  So I took Em and we retraced our steps and back to the park we go.  I was unsuccessful-- normally when Mike misplaces something I take pride in finding it.  Maybe its just for the fact of knowing that I found it and he didn't- who knows but it sucked so bad for me not to be able to do my normal--- "I found it"; or just swinging the key (or whatever item it might be) in front of his face with a smirk on mine).  Then Mike and Charlie headed back to the park so they could take a stab at it.  This was suppose to be a date night for us- but originally called the sitter to cancel since we couldn't get a car out to leave the house.  In the end we got one of Mike's parents cars; sitter came, we went to dinner and a movie (let me add i stayed awake for the entire thing- hard to imagine), and Mikes boss had to bring the spare set of keys to our house today.  We have still not found the keys- and maybe we never will.... but if we do- I bet it is the last place we look! :)

Illinois game is starting-- I think I will try to record everything that Mike says during the game.

I just dont want to get killed
My hands are already sweaty
Weber you are about 5 min. too late with that time out
Maybe I should just go to bed now
Grab a notebook and paper, b/c you just got school
Haha that was luck
F'ing Tisdale
Brick
Good save
Dam* - that would have been a big shot
That's offensive- ooo good call ref
That was for no one
Paul cant handle the ball if it were in his pocket
He threw it to the other team- Ya good save- he threw it to the other team
Good job Tesdale
Classic Illinois defense
Tesdall you worthless piece of junk
He is setting records for most fouls- what an idiot
JC
Did you go to Kansas or something- why don't you suck them off some more
Weber wants them to run a triangle- 1/2 the team doesnt even know what a triangle is
JC
Ok the 1st 1/2 isnt over; so you cant compare the 40something to 15 points- we could score some more.. unlikely but we could
O we needed that....
Isn't this the guy that bit somebody?
He's dog shit- I bet when he goes home and looks in the mirror he throws up
Seriously didn't he bite someone?
Remember Nick Smith
Its actually really hard to overthrow a 7 ft man... we manage to do it
Play defense

So 1st 1/2 is over- we actually start to pick things up a bit.  As for me- I'm signing out and watching the 2nd 1/2 from bed.

Hope you all had a good weekend.

lucky girl....

Let me start with a recap of the kids:
So Emmy seems to be better.  She is acting more like herself- but sure enough I get to school yesterday to pick her up and they tell me she has a rash all over her stomach and back.  Doesn't seem to be bothering her- so we will just monitor it.

This weather is awesome- we got to go for a walk last night with Grandma and Grandpa (and Max).  As we were walking; Max needed to stop to do his duty... Mike and Grandpa stop with him and Charlie yells "hey guys, you better hurry up or we are going to leave without you!"


Now I have to make note:
Every day Mike meets me at the kids school to help me pick both of them up and we head for home... when we walk in- I would say every 3rd day the vacuum has been run, EVERYDAY the dishes are done, most days the kids dinner is already started and waiting for them.  This is all after him working himself all day.  Then after a night of playing with the kids- he helps with bath and bedtime! Yesterday on the radio they were talking about a survey that showed the biggest turn on for women is when a man does the dishes-- since it is so out of the ordinary- lucky for me; my guy does it every day (most of the time 2 times a day) without even being asked. 
I have always appreciated everything that Mike does at home but last night we had dinner and he wanted to try White Castle for the 1st time.  I went and got it and we both got fountain pop-- for those of you that don't know I LOVE FOUNTAIN POP!!!!!  After we were done eating ... or lack of eating for Mike since he didn't like it- we both had pop leftover.  Mike said "do you want to save this for tomorrow" Me "YES!" so most would just combine the pop and put it in the fridge.  What does my husband do?  He takes out a funnel and takes out all the ice cubes for me so it doesn't get watered down.  Who thinks to do that?? MIKE  And who had amazing fountain pop again today? ME!!!! :)  It's the little things!! So Thanks!

We are so lucky to have such a great dad/husband!

Have a great day!

What happens when Em is home with Daddy.....

She fell asleep like this....

Mike finally got his wish of putting gel in her hair.

I Love this pic.  :) Emmy and Daddy

My sweet girl!

She loves wearing Daddy's hat. 

Sick baby....

So I was right-- We got the call around 2:30pm yesterday to go get Emmy, who had a 103 fever.  Took her to the doctor and they can't find anything wrong with her.  Ear, nose, throat=clear. 

In the car on the way home; I told charlie that we have to be very nice to Emmy because she is sick.  Charlie responds "ooooo she better drink lots of water and juice"  My little doctor!! :)

Emmy was okay all night although she doesn't want to eat much of anything. 
She didn't even seem warm to me all night and slept through the night in her crib- so i would say it was a successful evening. 

She had to stay home from school today, which I am so lucky that Mike has more of  a flexible schedule and rearranged things in order to be home with Em.  My "emmy update emails" stated that she was doing good all day- so we will see how she is when I get home.

Have a good night...

Stay healthy!!!

Few Pics from the weekend....

Charlie on his tractor-- got to ride it for the 1st time outside on Sunday!

Charlie helping Emmy learn to walk!

They Love Eachother

Weekend...

It was a good weekend overall...

Emmy is getting better and better at walking, and she loves to show off!!! Her new favorite thing to do is walk hand in hand with Charlie around the house.  It's so cute! Although I do think she is coming down with something.  I don't know--- ear infection, more teeth, growing, who knows.  She became so fussy after nap yesterday and it has continued until bedtime tonight.  I hate when she is like that. 

Charlie was his normal pistol self!  He hates when Emmy is crying and 1 of 2 personalities can show up to help her out.  He will either go up to her in a sweet voice and say "your brother is here" "do you want to walk with me?".  Or evil Charlie will come along and either pinch her hand, or run his toys into her.  Not sure what he thinks he will accomplish when doing that-
anyways... Charlie's quotes of the weekend:
"mind your business"
"actually I did think that it is necessary"
Me: "Charlie if you eat all your dinner you can have icecream"
Charlie "BANG!!"

Now its time for Mike and I to relax and enjoy some time together.

Have a great night! Hope you all had a great weekend.

There is a GHOST in our house.....

1st let me start with-- I think we offically have a walker on our hands.  Emmy was walking all over the living room last night even stopped, turned, and continued to walk!!! :) I still can't believe it!  We were so proud of her and you can tell she is proud of herself!! Not to mention, I'm not sure I heard Emmy laugh as much as she did last night while playing with Daddy & Charlie!! :)


Anyways- as we were all playing in the living room last night; Mike was close to the hallway (which leads you down to the 3 bedrooms and bathroom) and he all of a sudden freaks out and crawls over to the other side of the living room and says "i just saw something go from Charlie's room to the bathroom... it was a ghost".  As you may or may not know Mike is a firm believer in ghosts (since he had them in his basement growing up-- which is where is room was).  I also do believe that i see things every once in awhile... so we were freaked out!!! It was a bath night and Mike was not going into the bathroom after what he saw.  We decided to let emmy crawl down there 1st ( i mean have you seen the size of that girl-- she will hold her own) and what does she say when she gets to the bathroom... "de dbadveave WHAT'S THAT?" Haven't you heard that little kids can see ghosts?? I decide to head down there; I turn on the lights in the hall and then in the bathroom and from the doorway I can see something white on the ground by the tub.... I didn't recognize it so I got closer and as I got closer I realized that I had no clue what it was.  I picked it up and it was a small white glove-- Like a cotton glove you would wear with a costume.  I screamed for Mike to come down b/c we have NO costumes in our house that have ever had a white glove.  I was freaking out and so was mike... (i might have had to change my pants after that).
so we are pretty much scared out of our minds and going through all movie situations in which they find an object that isn't theirs.  (YES WE WATCH TOO MANY MOVIES--which is probabaly why we think there are ghosts in our house).  and then in walks Charlie and goes "hey my glove from school" 
M: "WHAT?"
C: "yeah that is from school- from the dress up box-- i put it in my pocket today"

Oh my goodness...

Have a great day.

reflecting on "The Fit"...

So since Charlie's fit last Friday night Mike and I have been reflecting on the different ways we handled it and what worked and what didn't.  Since it was such a long fit- we were able to try out a few different things... here is what we(me) have come up with.....

I would like to start with a for sure positive-- Mike and I do a tag team type of approach.  I will be in with Charlie and when I get to my limit; mike goes in, mike gets to his limit- i go in... that helps to keep us as sane as we can be. 

Here is what else we tried out:
*In a calm voice saying "i understand you are upset but you are not having water/juice and you are not taking a shower tonight and here is why"
Charlie's response (screaming) "don't talk to me like that"  which then we laughed... not exactly what we had in mind.

*Us yelling.... Charlie tried to yell louder - which just made our throat and ears hurt... :(

*this is for sure one for the books... (Mike went old school)
It was Mikes turn in with charlie and i was rocking emmy to sleep (who knows how this girl can fall asleep while this is happening) and i heard mike say "Charlie you don't even know why you are crying... if you want i can give you something to cry about"  I started laughing out loud from Em's room... that one deserved a pat on the back!!! :)  although didn't phase Charlie at all

*We tried to ignore him... he just got louder & with Emmy sleeping... couldn't continue this

*told him we would take away his books... and we did- but never made the crying stop.

*We put Charlie in his room and told him that we were going to shut the door and when he stopped crying we would open it and he could come out....
As I was standing there with his door shut and him crying in there... I pictured 20 years from now and Charlie is in with a therapist telling them that his parents would lock him in his room for hours... :) haha!!!

Open for suggestions on what to try next!!

Have a great day!!!

Terrible Twos....????

So I got home from work yesterday and Mike says "you didn't blog today"-- of course I respond- well i was hard at work honey... (some of my co workers might read this.... i have to say that).  But really I thought well between Thursday night and now nothing too too exciting has happened to blog about-- then the night started and I should have known I spoke too soon.  So dinner and play time went as any normal night would go(only one really good quote from Charlie; Mike tells Charlie to stop doing something; he does it again Mike says "Hey" Charlie "Hey is for horses"-- )  and Charlie was pumped he was going to get to take a shower!! For some reason taking a shower seems like the best thing to him right now, since normally he takes a bath.  So all night he is waiting for Wheel of Fortune to be over so it is shower time and sure enough about 650, Charlie says "i need a drink and starts to run to the kitchen" Mike responds "no charlie you don't get anything else to drink tonight, remember.  you wet the bed the last 2 nights so no more to drink".  Charlie not happy with that response goes to the kitchen and starts to open the fridge.  I go out and decide i will be the nice one for the night and find Emmy's cup that had just a drink of juice left in it and offer it to Charlie.....  and this is where it begins.... (Side note: to make it easier I will put C = Charlie, J=Jodi, M=Mike).
C-i don't want juice, i want water
J- well this is your only option tonight; it is this or nothing
C- throwing the cup on the floor
J-excuse me?
C-I want daddy to do it
J-good  (i then proceed to take emmy into the bathroom for her bath)
from the bathroom i can hear yelling from the kitchen along the lines of
blah blah blah juice, blah water, blah water, no, please, no, shower... i want mommy
okay so i think at this point is when we changed from drinking to shower in which M is carrying C and opens the bathroom door and puts C in on the floor still crying
C-I want to take a shower
J-well i'm sorry you lost that privilege
C-I want to take a shower
J-maybe tomorrow; but since you are crying and throwing a fit you don't get to do fun things and take a shower
C-dont say that i'm not crying i want daddy
J-maybe tomorrow
C-no not tomorrow, right now
blah blah scream; blah blah yell; shower, now, juice, shower, today blah blah yell, cry, daddy
I then take Emmy out of the bath, C doesnt want to leave the bathroom; M takes C to his room to get ready for bed; here we are still on the shower but also back to a drink
C-daddy, i want a drink
M-no
C-i want mommy
J enters
C- i want daddy
M enters
J brings cup with small amount of water
C-no i want juice
I mean you get the point right.... back and forth-- no way to win at this.  Finally Mike was able to get him to stop-- and after he sounded like had been drinking all night at a bar and had no voice. 

today (Saturday) we have been fit free... then again i still have 2 hours to go so i shouldnt speak too soon.  (and yes he is already asleep; but anything can wake the dragon)
however I am expecting a nice note from school on Monday b/c Charlie got to see his cousin and uncle tonight and he learned the following sayings:
"Have an issue, here's a tissue"
"Don't hate me because you ain't me"
Thank you Ben & Dennis.

Overall good day.  Although the drive home from the south was horrible- probably 20 cars in the ditch.  Drive safe!!!!

This gets addicting....

So we picked up the kids yesterday (Wednesday) from school (day care) and they inform us that Charlie wasn't feeling too good all day.  He was complaining about his mouth hurting (while holding his throat) and his ears hurt too.  I was having the exact same problems so off to Walmart we went.  As we walked through he said Hi to everyone, asked some workers "how ya doing" then we go to the check out and charlie says to Jennifer, the cashier, "want to take a bath with me?" what??? who says that??? and as we walked out he says "bye, love your face" 

Thursday:
At drop off this morning, Emmy's teacher informed me that she swears she is holding full conversations with Emmy.  (to which i agree).  I swear I have heard her say "what is that?" multiple times and without me telling her teachers that- Mrs. Peggy said she hear her say it yesterday... I can't wait for when her and Charlie start to have full conversations... I'm sure those will be blog worthy for sure!!!

Have a great day!!!

p.s. everyone should try Apple Crumb Muffins from Costco.... OMG.  Every single day should start and end with one!!! I'm tellin' ya it will make your morning-- and well worth the membership fee!! :)

Taco Bell.....

Oh yeah... for those of you that don't know I LOVE Taco Bell... and this week only they are having Crunchwrap Supremes for $0.88.  :) It is like heaven in your mouth!!!

Enjoy!!!!

Here We Go....

So I decided it might be a fun thing to start a blog... I mean we are interesting people here and everyone is always-- what is going on... so here I am- giving the people what they want! :)

I think that anyone that would be reading this knows who I am, who my family is and all the history.  So I'm going to start current and just move forwards. 

Emmy turned 1, sporting 2 teeth and is ready to walk- although she isnt quiet there yet-- she is so close.  She is really into her baby and giving her lots of kisses! It is so fun to see her personality really starting to come though.  I find it hard to think of new foods for her to try that I think she will like- she is so picky... wonder where she gets that??

Charlie is such a ham.  We had parent teacher conferences last week at his school and he did awesome.  His "needs improvement" was that he plays rough.  :) what 2 year old boy doesn't?  For the conference; his teacher and him had to sit down and do a question and answer....
Question: When is your birthday?
Charlie: Saturday
Question: What is your address?
Charlie: a girl wears it

Last Thursday our furnace went out.... So Monday-today the people have been at our house installing our new furance, A/C, and hot water tank-- we are investing in our house right??? ugh!


So this isnt bad for my 1st one.... it will get better...

There are the kids!!!

hope you enjoyed... stay tuned!