Our Five Ring Circus: December 2008

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

2008 in review

JANUARY 2008:

Nothing much happened. Other than a few birthdays and anniversaries, January tends to be long, cold, and boring.

It started out with this:

Dylan-Just turned 3

Lexie-11 months




FEBRUARY 2008:

I got my new Nikon DSLR and fell in love with my camera.

Lexie ended up with roseola. She had a really high fever for a week, and broke out in the rash just in time for her birthday.

Lexie turned 1!!!



MARCH 2008:

We had a great Easter! Lexie realized that she still hated the Easter Bunny.



APRIL 2008:

I turned 28...2 years closer to 30. *sigh*



MAY 2008:

My BFF got married! Annie and Rob had a beautiful wedding, despite the rain. I was the matron (that makes me sound old) of honor, Grant was an usher, Dylan was the ringbearer, and Lexie was the flower girl. Lots of fun all around!



JUNE 2008:

Our sweet, adorable ferret, Tweak went to heaven. She is very much missed.

Dylan got a classic strep (scarlett fever) rash. Just in time for vacation.

We vacationed in Mentor, Ohio. I was dreading the trip, but we ended up having a lot of fun, and the beach/park was beautiful. I wouldn't go back for a vacation, but it's a nice place to visit.



JULY 2008:

My parents moved to a new house.

Grant turned 29!!! He's one year closer to 30! (At least he'll beat me to it!)

Dylan's rash issues began (continued). He was covered head to toe in horribly itchy, bloody, bumps. After multiple doctor's visits, we were referred to a pediatric dermatologist.

My sister, Andrea, moved home with her family. YAY! She had been living in Virginia for over 8 years, so it is wonderful having her 10 minutes away!



AUGUST 2008:

Dylan was diagnosed with Papular Acrodermatitis. We were informed that he had one of the worst cases the doctor had ever seen. Lovely.

I started taking my kiddos on weekly visits to see our horse. Lexie is in love with him!

My beautiful niece, Emily Grace, was born!



SEPTEMBER 2008:

September was filled with lots of birthdays and parties!



OCTOBER 2008:

We had a fun Halloween! It was filled with a visit to the pumpkin patch, pumpkin carving, marching in a Halloween parade, and lots of Trick or Treating. We still have more than half of the Halloween candy left!

My best friend, Jocie, announced that she's expecting baby #2. YAY!!! I can't wait to find out what she's having!

Lexie finished teething! All 20 teeth came through-including the 2 year molars. Thank goodness it went quickly, because she was a miserable teether!



NOVEMBER 2008:

We took a trip to eastern PA to meet a friend from my message board. Jen, Mike, Gage, and Lila are awesome, and I feel so blessed to have met them!!! We got along great, and we can't wait to see them again.

Dylan had his first dentist visit and did GREAT! He has perfect teeth, and he can't wait to go back.

Dylan turned 4!!!

Dylan celebrated by tripping, hitting his head on Jocie and Tom's wall, and going on his first ER visit to get stitches.

Dylan's rash FINALLY went away. 5 months later!

We had a really good Thanksgiving. I really do have a lot to be thankful for this year.



DECEMBER 2008:

This has been one of the best holiday's we've ever had. We had so much fun taking the kids to the Christmas parade, taking them to see Santa and the lights, going to see the Celebration of Lights at Hartwood Acres, making cookies, having SugarPlum Saturday with my family, having a Christmas party with friends, having a surprise 30th anniversary party for my inlaws, shopping, decorating...I promise some Christmas details and pictures in the near future!

Christmas Eve and Christmas day were wonderful. We were busy, and things were chaotic, but it was drama free and lots of fun. All of the presents were a big hit, and we have some very happy kids in this house.



It has truly been a wonderful year! I feel very blessed and thankful to have a life filled with amazing family and friends. Here's hoping for the New Year to be just as good as this one!

Monday, December 29, 2008

Not Me Monday-last of 2008 edition



MckMama isn't participating today, but you can still check out her blog by clicking the link above. While there, say a quick prayer for baby Stellan.

So here is my final Not Me! Monday for 2008. This has been fun, and I plan to continue next year. It is great therapy!

It was NOT 70 degrees in PA on Saturday. That would just be absurd.

I did not snap in front of our company, on the day after Christmas. My kids were not over-tired, whining beasts.

I do not have mountains of toys in every room of my house. My house does not look like Toys R Us. Of course, I know exactly where I'm going to put all of this stuff.

I did not briefly entertain the idea of my good friend, Ron, really moving into my house to become my manny.

I did not think that warm, soft sheets were the best thing in the world, as I crawled into bed Saturday night. I did not have to wash said sheets today, even though they had only been on my bed for 12 hours. I did not buy these wonderful, flannel, king size sheets for only $9.99. I am not incredibly eager to snuggle into them tonight.

I didn't go shopping AGAIN today. My almost 2 year old girl did not enjoy herself on this shopping trip. She did not return from the shopping trip in one of the best moods she's ever been in. (Okay, so she loved Old Navy and all the chunky bracelets they had. She did not love the long line at Kohls. Of course, she didn't throw a screaming, crying, smacking mama temper tantrum in my arms as I tried to pay.)

I did not want to go postal on an impatient driver who beeped at me because I wasn't moving fast enough. I did not leave her in a trail of dust, just to prove a point. As I pulled through into a spot, and parked the car, said driver did not stop in front of my spot, put her turn signal on, and act like she was trying to get that spot. I did not back up, just to be nice, only to have the wench hop out of her car, shake her head, and throw up her hands at me.

My 4 year old is not asking for more toys.

I was not in complete disbelief on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day that it was, in fact, Christmas Eve and Christmas was here.

Grant and I were not awake until 3 A.M. Christmas morning, assembling a Rose Petal Cottage and Star Wars tent. Grant did not forget my stocking stuffers at his parents house, and didn't drive to get them at 2 AM. We did not have to drag our butts out of bed at 9 A.M. and wake our kids up on Christmas morning. The kids would not have slept in until 11:30, if we hadn't woken them. Seeing the look on Dylan's face was not completely worth waking up for. (Okay, it was!)

Lexie was not a manic beast, all through the gift unwrapping.

I can totally believe that this year is almost over, that my baby is going to be 2 shortly, and that we will probably be trying to conceive another next year.

I did not have a completely wonderful Christmas. I am not a bit sad that it's over.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Not Me! Monday



It's time for another Not Me! Monday. Check out MckMama's great blog by clicking the Not Me! Monday button above. You will be able to find many more great Not Me! Monday blogs on there.

I did not skip wrapping presents on Monday night, and instead choose to sit in front of the computer, enjoying my time on the internet without constant interruption.

My kids did not sleep until 11:15 on Thursday morning. They did not sit and play quietly on their sick mommy's bed until sick mommy could drag herself out of bed at 1:15 P.M.

No, I did not sleep until 1:15 P.M. Even if I was sick.

It wasn't me who nearly threw a temper tantrum in WalMart when I couldn't locate the photo albums. Seriously, why do they constantly have to move things around? GRRR! Christmas shopper on a mission here!

I did not stare in awe at the ginormous stack of toys that "Santa" is bringing the kids. My husband is NOT going to kill me, even though I stuck to the budget. (Great deals, honey, remember?)

I did not stay up until 2:40 AM last night, wrapping those gifts.

My kids have not slept past 11 almost every day this week. And even if they did, I most certainly did not.

I am not constantly praying that we avoid the stomach flu that we were exposed to on Saturday.

I did not buy Dylan the world's ugliest Christmas pajamas, simply because I slacked off and didn't shop for them until yesterday. Lexie pajama's are not a shirt and pants set.

I sent out Christmas cards. Really, I did. Well, they may end up being Happy New Year cards.

Our great friend, Ron, did not spend a fortune buying Dylan the coolest gift ever-the Star Wars Millennium Falcon. Even if he did, Dylan has not been playing with it since 4:00 yesterday afternoon. I am not overwhelmingly grateful to Ron for providing many hours of entertainment for my son, during these cold, stuck in the house, winter months. (Love you, Ron!)

My eye is not scratched, and I do not have a cold. Okay, wishful thinking.

Lexie was not afraid of Santa Claus, and she, of course, sat on his lap.

I am not ridiculously excited for Christmas.

(And I'm not still praying that we avoid the stomach flu.)

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Lexie Loo Hoo

Over the past year, many people have mentioned that Lexie reminds them of Cindy Loo Who from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." With Christmas upon us, and the movie playing quite often, I have to say I'm starting to see what they see.

Perhaps it's the two ponytails atop her head that resemble antennae. Perhaps it's the big eyes and blond hair. Or perhaps it's the sleep sack that she's always shoved into before bed.

Lexie Loo Who was no more than two....

Monday, December 15, 2008

Not Me!

It's time for some more weekly confessions! Check out MckMama's blog for a great read and while you're there, you'll find many more Not Me! Monday blogs.



First off, I definitely have updated my blog since my Not Me! Monday post last week. I did not go a week without blogging.

Dylan did not knock his 84-year-old Great Grandma over last night, by tackling her with a hug. Grant and I did not flip out on him, and make him sit on the stairs for 20 minutes. We did not later feel guilty over yelling at him, because we didn't ever tell him that his Nannie is too fragile for big hugs like that.

Dylan's room does not look like a tornado ripped through it...it hasn't been a disaster zone all week. We have not been too busy to clean up.

I am not sitting here, blogging...instead, I am in Dylan's room, helping him clean up that disaster.

My house is not overfilled with toys, nor am I contemplating where we are going to put the too many Christmas gifts Santa is bringing.

I am not thinking about where we could possibly put our someday 3rd child. While on that topic, I do not have baby fever. I have my hands full already.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Back to Not Me! Monday



After taking a break for a few weeks, I decided to jump back into it and join in the fun. I've missed posting these, but have been ridiculously busy lately,
and haven't had a chance to blog much. For more Not Me! fun, head on over to MckMama's blog, by clicking the button above.

So, here are the things I most certainly have not done recently.

It wasn't me who ruined Lexie's birthday present, by buying it for Christmas. I did not get overly excited about saving $55 on the Rose Petal Cottage...so excited
that I bought it and decided that I had to give it to her for Christmas. Really, though, you can't beat $30 with free shipping on an $85 toy!

I did not trudge around the cemetary, looking for my Grandma's grave on her birthday, and feel horribly guilty that I couldn't remember where it was because I hadn't
been there in 2 years.

I did not nearly vomit and pass out in the car, as I was holding a towel on Dylan's cut forehead, on the way to the ER. I am a mother. I am supposed to be able to
handle these things.

It wasn't me who enjoyed a 2 hour nap while Lexie was napping, and Grant took Dylan out shopping. Nor was it me who jumped out of bed when I heard the garage door
opening, in complete disbelief that I slept so long.

I wasn't the crazy woman who was secretly disappointed to find out that I really had a stomach bug, and wasn't pregnant. I, of course, did not already have the
due date planned in my head.

It wasn't me who was pleased that my lack of eating due to said stomach bug allowed me to stay off the treadmill for a week. I love running on the treadmill!

I most cetainly did not buy the kids matching Christmas pajamas. Nor did I let them wear the pajamas at the same time. That would just be lame.

I did not laugh at Lexie's reaction when she got her flu shot this week. One minute she was talking nonstop, and the next she was screaming bloody murder.
Of course that's not funny.

I am not the slightest bit amused by my feisty, opinionated daughter, who talks constantly, and lets her feelings be known. Not at all.

Dylan did not attend his first appointment with a new pediatrician, with a stitched up head.

I was not incredibly proud of my big boy for acting perfect and calm while getting his stitches put in, and then removed. So proud that I bought him a toy. 3 weeks before Christmas.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

They melt my heart!


Life as a 4 year old...

...is pretty rough.

Dylan decided to start off life as a 4 year old with a trip to the ER, for some stitches.



It all started while he was playing with Lexie and his friend, Tyler, at Jocie and Tom's house. He somehow tripped and hit his head on the edge of the wall. I saw blood spurting out of his forehead, so I picked him up and ran for the bathroom, calling for Grant on my way. We were luckily just 5 minutes away from the ER, and because he had a bleeding head wound, they took us back immediately.

The nurse put a numbing gel on his head, and within 20 minutes, the pediatrician came back, and stitched him up. Dylan stopped crying just a few minutes after the injury happened, and was perfectly calm in the ER. It was as if nothing happened to him! He didn't even flinch as the doctor stitched him up. It definitely helped that she knew a lot about Dylan's favorite subject: Star Wars! I was amazed and shocked at how well he did! We were out of the ER in about an hour, headed back to pick up Lexie, and Dylan decided he wanted to stay and play for a while. This kid is amazing!

He is now 5 days into this injury, and hasn't complained of any pain. Yesterday, he said it itched, but he doesn't mess around with it. It is healing great, and he gets the stitches removed on Friday.

This was his first ER visit, but his 4th big injury. The other injuries were treated at his doctor's office. We've been through him biting completely through under his bottom lip, getting staples put in a cut on his head, an injured finger, and now his first stitches. I think that's enough!!!

Thanksgiving

Our Thanksgiving was well planned this year! We usually spend the day rushing from house to house, unable to sit back and enjoy the day. We managed to time out our day perfectly this year, and ended up having a great day.

Lexie and I were out of the house at 8 A.M. on Thanksgiving morning. We left the boys sleeping, and we headed over to the stable to spend some time with our horse. Cherokee enjoyed his Thanksgiving feast of 2 pounds of carrots. We enjoyed brushing and petting him as he chowed down. We then made a quick stop at Walgreens for some awesome $5 name brand toy deals. Score!

We made it home in time for the kid's to watch the Macy's parade, while Grant and I made a big breakfast, and then got ready to go.

Our first stop was at Grant's Grandma's house. We got there before dinner, so we were actually able to spend some time with his family. After dinner, we headed out for our second dinner at my sister's house, with some of my family members. We played a very competitive game of CatchPhrase. We had to stop before my mom and sis killed each other!

Finally, it was time for our last stop at Nannie's house for dessert. The kids ran around, completely full of energy, and then Dylan entertained the entire room by jamming on his toy guitar. Lexie joined in by busting a move.

I have so much to be thankful for this year. I am blessed with a healthy, loving family, and wonderful friends.




May the FOURS be with you

Dylan has been 4 for a week and a half now, and it still shocks me! I can't believe I have a 4 year old!

Dylan's birthday was a great day! He woke up incredibly happy and excited for his birthday party. He spotted his presents, and kept begging his daddy to get out of bed so he could open them.

Lexie was eager to give him the gift she picked out (with mommy's help, of course). Dylan loves his Matchbox Power Scouts Skull's Challenge set. As does Lexie.



Finally came the big box from Mommy and Daddy. The look on his face as he spotted Spike the Ultra Dinosaur was priceless!



He adores his new dino friend, and Lexie is in love with it too. The dinosaur got so much use at his birthday party that day, that we had to recharge the battery! Okay, I'll admit that Grant and I love to play with the dinosaur too!





Dylan had a big birthday party and throughout the day, we had over 60 people at our house. There were 15 young kids running around, and it was incredibly chaotic, but everyone had a great time!

The theme of the party was Star Wars: May the FOURS be with you. Witty, huh?



Dylan was spoiled by his generous family and friends. Some of his favorite gifts were the Leapster and games, Star Wars light up pajamas, Star Wars figures, Batman launcher, Shrek operation, Star Wars Light up shirt, Hulk Smash Hands, lightsaber, Matchbox Shark Rig, Matchbox Shuttle mission, Imaginext bat cave, Star Wars legos, and Playmobil sets. His room is exploding with toys and clothes.

He adored the Star Wars cake that his Nina made him. He kept asking for the figures off the cake, so he was very happy when we finally sang to him. He spent the day playing with his cousins and friends, and fell asleep, as a very happy 4 year old, just before midnight. Our last guest left at 1 in the morning! Fun was had by all.

(Until the next morning, when I spent 3 hours cleaning up toys.)

I am so happy my little man had a great birthday!