MckLinky

There’s a great new “linky” service available and I wanted to let you know about it. It’s called MckLinky – www.mcklinky.com. After realizing the need for a new, reliable linky capability, Brent Riggs and MckMama got together to create a free, easy to use linky service for all their blog friends.

MckLinky is a free link list feature that allows you to do include lists of other blog links like MckMama does on Not Me! Monday. You can use MckLinky any time you want your blog readers to leave a list of links on your blog. It’s simple, reliable, free...and loads of MckFun!



In baby related news, Jared has taken a few more steps, hit his head extremely hard on the coffee table, causing me to hyperventilate, and cut a new tooth.
Gavin now knows blue and green, and said "drums" today. He continues to call me "Mahee!"

So much to do, and so little time!

5 days left! Oh man, I have got to kill myself packing this week. I'm pretty convinced theres no way I can fit this all in a trailer. Well, a trailer, the trunk of the blazer, a van, and our car. Maybe we can do it. I don't know....
David has another 4 day week, and it's supposed to be cooler this week. (by cooler I mean, like 85 - 90 degrees) so he'll be here to help out on Friday.
Now that I've pretty much got Gavin counting, I'm moving on to colors. Everything is "gween".
Jared continues to get closer to walking everyday. He's now getting into a standing position without hanging on to anything. Scary! Lately he's been climbing everything, and then whining to get down. Frustrating...
I'm still trying to get rid of our Kelly Clarkson tickets, the crib, microwave, and washer and dryer. Hopefully someone will take them this week. Boy, I'm sick of Craigslist!
I tried to get pictures of Gavin too, but he wasn't having it.

Sunday

I realize the child in these pics, is not ours! It's Kieran, our friend Eric's son, whose is super smart, goofy, and in love with spiders, sharks, generally anything horrible! Oh, and Tania's sassy pic!
We had a fun night, the last time I'll see Eric, Tania, or Kieran, for awhile! They are some of the best people we've met down here, and coincidentally just moved into the apartment behind us!
I'm tired today, and a little cranky, but David's getting some food, and we're off to pack up the kitchen so I better buck up!
I took Gavin swimming today - just me and him. It was great! I love having one on one time with either baby. It really lets me focus on just them. I let Gavin climb the stairs in the pool and then jump at me. He was getting pretty brave by the end, even as far as to sit on the bottom step with the water up to his chin!

And another one bites the dust!

Garage sale = over!
Me = exhausted!
Today = not even half over..........

So the big garage sale is done, we didn't make as much as I'd hoped, and hardly anyone bought my baby clothes (what's up with everyone having GIRLS???) but we made some money, and got rid of a lot of things so that's good! The boys had a blast yesterday playing on the trampoline, and in the pool, and were definitely worn out! I got a little sick yesterday afternoon after being outside for so long in 95 degree weather. (105 heat index!!) But today was better, we kept the boys at home, I went over in the morning, and Dave closed up shop. David's mom is having another garage sale this fall, maybe she will be able to sell the rest of our things.
Right now, I'm waiting for David to get back from the store, we will get the boys up and go to his friend Dave Down's house for a little cookout! After a few hours of that, we'll put the kiddos to bed, and Eric and Tania are coming over. Whew. That's a lot to cram into one day, especially when it's so hot and miserable outside. The humidity is at 100%, what is that???
Gavin's speech continues to explode, he is just a little copy-cat! Today is a great day for me, he is now officially referring to me as "Mommy"!!!!! After almost 2 years, I'm finally being recognized! Hooray! It's so cute, I keep asking him who I am. He also told David to "chill" today. Ha!
On another note, people kept thinking Nick was my kid, do I really look old enough to have a 6 year old??? I referred to Brittney, Nick, and me as "kids" today, and realized... hey - I'm the adult here!

When the big hand points to the 12, and the little hand points to the 5???

Oh. My. Gosh. I am sooooo tired right now. I'm waking up, getting ready for the garage sale this morning. David has already gone over there with another load of our stuff. Man, I never realized just how much STUFF we have. Useless stuff. Well, hopefully it will be useful to someone else!
And here it is, not even 6 o'clock, and I hear a little voice in the other room! Lately he's been sleeping in (what we call sleeping in, 7 o'clock!) I wonder if I woke him up. Oh well, I guess that means a better afternoon nap, and most likely a morning nap for bean!
Busy, Busy, Busy!

One more week!

For me and the boys at least! Tomorrow is the big garage sale at David's moms house. I have a lot to do before then! Ack!
Gavin has said a lot more words lately, but hold a gun to my head and I couldn't remember any right now.
As you can tell, I'm a little scattered. And to top it off, it is literally a million degrees down here. I can't wait to go to beach!
David and I have been having a lot of fun together lately, I think it's because we know this part of our lives is over and it's kind of freeing.
Anyhow... I'm eating lunch, about to put Gavin down, and then off to find more stuff to sell!

The Final Countdown....

Big news! Jared took his first few little steps! Oh man, it seems like he was just born and now he's getting so big! Before you know it my little baby will be a toddler just like his brother! It just doesn't seem right...
Gavin said the word "umpire" he got it from Blues Clues, but it's still a very odd word for an almost 2 year old.
In moving news, we are making progress! We managed to get the whole front closet sorted, boxed, and taped up! Our living room is becoming overcrowded with boxes, but yet seeming more empty than ever. The boys room, and our bedroom are seeming bare, but there's still so much to do. Someone is coming to get our entertainment center tomorrow so our TV will be sitting on boxes for the next two weeks.
Well, back to getting ready for our garage sale...

Is Butter Bean ok?

Adding to Jareds list of face injuries, Gavin threw a basket at him and hit him right in the eye! Poor little guy looks like he's really taken a beating. Still as happy and cute as ever though!

Gotta find another paw print....

We've been watching a lot of blues clues. I mean A LOT! There's so much to be done around the house, I just don't have the time to entertain the boys like I usually do. Although Gavin is having the best time ever with the boxes.
I love it when the boys play together. It's so cute, they both get excited! I can't wait until Jared's just a little bigger so they can really play. They already enjoy each other, I'm sure they 'll just be the best of friends!
David has tomorrow off, so today is a good day! It's super hot out today, and the humidity is at 100%. I'm sure David will just collapse when he gets home. He has a meeting at the Mason lodge tonight, so I think I'll just relax, drink some wine, and sort through all my jewelry/hair stuff. One step closer to getting out of here!
Today Gavin has been screaming "pie!" and raising one arm as he turns the light in his room on and off... not quite sure on that one.
He is also saying "ride" quite clearly.

Close enough!

We've been playing Peak-a-boo, and it's so cute to hear Gavin yell "Peaboo", but he's been getting so into it he's just been yelling "poo!!!!!"

And now for something completely different.

Days are really turning into blurs here, even if time just cannot go fast enough! David and I are both sick of waiting, and these last few weeks are agonizing. But all things considered, everything's going rather smoothly. I've managed to sell a few things around the house, and am pretty ready for a garage sale next weekend. The boys are all too happy to "help" pack, and of course, play with cardboard boxes! What's better than that? I swear I must hear the word "box!" a thousand times a day.
Today Gavin has said "please, "Jared", and "pig".
I told Olivia about the move yesterday, and that next month will be our very last visit! Sad!
It sounds like they've also found someone to take David's job.... so that's that!
Jared just smashed his face on the corner of a door a little bit ago. That huge bruise along with a little scrape he had on his cheek from last week, and it looks like something terrible happened to him! Poor little guy, I think it scared me more than him though. Gavin was chasing him up and down that hall when it happened, and he was very shaken up about it. I had to keep saying "you didn't do anything!"
There's a few flies in the house and I keep calling for the dog to get them. :(

A sea of books

That's what our living room is. During the boys nap today I am sorting through the mountainous pile of children's books we have in order to get ready for the garage sale. I am having the hardest time parting with any of them, but in all reality we have no use for so many. There are a lot of duplicates, for example, we have four copies of "Goodnight Moon". So that's my project for this afternoon.
We're actually making some progress in packing. Last night David and I went through all the toys we have, and narrowed it down to ONE box. It's a huge box, but still. It's looking like we actually might make some money from this stuff!
And on the subject of getting rid of things, we gave Max away yesterday. It was sad, and I still keep looking for him around the house, but I think the woman who took him will really love him, and her Grandchildren will play with him.
Gavin has been saying "mouth", "rice", and "phone".
Well, I'm off to sort books, and then make a list of all the food we have in the house and try and come up with a meal plan so I don't have to buy any more food!

Not Me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

This week I did not just give up on my "watching less TV" rule, and let the boys watch as much Blues Clues as they want. This week has been pretty hectic, but I always have the time and energy to engage my children in something more worthwhile, even if it's really cute hearing Gavin yell "clue clue!"

I haven't been letting Jared's meals consist of animal crackers and strawberries all week. I definitely gave him something more interesting than that.

It surely was not me who spent too much time yesterday watching Arrested Development and ran out of time for a shower and just washed my hair and called it good. Nooooo.

And I really haven't been so excited to move that I completely forgot about the lives we have here!

"Sos n Shoos"

Another crazy busy weekend! We did manage to get a little packing done. And by little, I mean nothings actually in boxes, but it is getting organized! We're having a garage sale on the 26th so I have got to get a move on! Literally! This weekend we went to the fountains, the pool, the park to take senior pictures for Chris, and then to Grandma's house for some awesome steak! Pretty good for only 2 days! Gavin spent the entire time at the park opening and closing the gate to the tennis courts, we could not get him to stop!!
In other news, Gavin's vocabulary is continuing to explode. He's not saying "socks" and can count to six. Although I have never heard him say the number "one" but I'm sure it's in his little head somewhere. Jared has discovered that shaking his head back and forth is fun and is finally holding his own bottle!
Today is our last day with Max, and I think Gavin will miss him a lot. It's sad, but I'm trying to concentrate on the fact that it means we're just one step closer to moving home. It's funny, David and I always called Michigan "home", even when we didn't live there.
The first picture is of some pants I made for Gavin out of an old T shirt! Pretty neat huh? They're a little short, but worked out really great!

Whew.

Ok, back to reality! Evan left this morning, and the boys are watching Blues Clues. I had an awesome 3 days hanging out with Evan, and the concert was amazing! My legs are super sore from walking and I'm still tired, but well worth it!
Jared has started standing without support!! It's really crazy to think that the little guy will be walking soon. It seems like he was just born!
Gavin has started finding "coos" on Blues Clues, and must come and alert me every time there's a blue paw print on the screen. It's cute the way he leaves the letter "l" out of every word.
In other news, we have decided to move. Big decision! Henderson is not taking us anywhere, so it's time to go I suppose. Now is as good a time as ever, it's just one of those things we're going to have to do. There's a lot to be done before we go however, and I'm pretty nervous!

Wonderful Weekend!

We took the boys down to the fountains on Sunday, and we all had a great time! The weather is starting to get pretty hot, so it was a great way to enjoy the outdoors without overheating! We hung around the house the rest of the weekend, just enjoying the time together as a family. The boys played in the little pool on the porch and Dave and I relaxed. All in all a fabulous weekend, and neither of us were ready for Monday this morning. I'm pretty tired today, and there's a lot to do since Evan is coming tomorrow and we're going to a Phish concert on Wednesday! So I'll have to stop wasting time on the computer, and get to work!
I found Jared's little jumper at Goodwill last week, it says "Rapid Moving Co." on the back. It's so cute, I'll have to cram it on him once a week before he quickly outgrows it!

Another day in paradise

As you can see, Jared has continued eating like a horse! In this picture he was eating chocolate animal crackers, and boy did he love them! Jared's getting so big, I was looking back at his newborn pictures today, and I'm a little sad he's not small anymore. He'll always be the little one to me though.
Gavin has been a little terror today! He's in an ornery mood, and just can't seem to stop messing with stuff! It's quiet now, Jared's sleeping and Gavin is relaxing watching his favorite movie Toy Story. Our poor dog Max has really taken some abuse today, Gavin has been torturing him!
The boys let David and me sleep in until 6:45 this morning! How nice! I went in there to get them up, and they were both awake, just quietly playing and so happy! I love happy babies in the morning, it's so much nicer than waking up to screaming.
David is going to a party tonight, so it's just me and my boys. I think we'll play in the pool on the porch for awhile and maybe finger paint. Something fun! And when they're asleep I will RELAX!
Gavin said "dude" last night. :)

Rainy days are not getting us down!

Ah, a cool wet day. Dave's loving at work I'm sure, and here inside we're enjoying it too! The boys have been in comfy clothes all day, and we've been taking it easy!
Jared is such a good little eater! He loves everything! Today he's had, a banana, a cup of oatmeal, an avocado, and three honey wheat pretzels! Plus two bottles of formula! Gavin on the other hand, is super picky about everything. It took everything I had to get him to choke down three itty bitty bites of oatmeal this morning. I gave him a bite of smoked salmon, you would've thought it was poison from the look on his face! I did get both of them to drink some vegetable juice, so I guess that counts for something.
The boys have already had one bath today, and I was hoping it would help them sleep at nap time, but I think I can hear Jared still awake in there. Gavin reminds me to brush his teeth at every bath. He says "teeth" and points to his brush, and he actually does a good job! How lucky am I to have a kid who not only remembers, but likes to brush his teeth?
New words I heard from Gavin today: eye, ear, toes, box
I plan on making some trays for the car tonight. We're going to MI in a month, and a 7 hour car ride with two babies is not fun if they're bored! My brother is coming to pick us up, and I don't want to scare him off of ever having kids...

Wait, what day is it?

I keep thinking it's Thursday today, it just feels like a Thursday! I'm tired and Jared is being really fussy. I cancelled my appointment this morning because I just don't feel like going! It's kind of a crummy day, but at least it's not so hot! The house is a mess and we're out of groceries, so I've got a lot to do, but I think I'll put it off for just a bit longer...
I don't know why, but Gavin is obsessed with lying on top of the dog (or Jared), like he's a pillow! Luckily Max is very laid back and doesn't do anything, but Jared doesn't like it! And who could blame him?
For the last two day, everything I ask Gavin "what is that?" he responds "dat bo". I think it's short for Buzz, who he loves. I mean everything is "Bose". Other words I have yet to figure out: Bogouis, Bobus, and Kye.
Man what I wouldn't give for some chocolate right about now....

Ball! Car! Baby! Tree! Juice!

I love the boys in the morning. Babies just wake up so refreshed, and even if the day before wasn't great, they never remember. Gavin is so sweet in the morning, the first thing he does is say ALL the words he can. He loves pointing things out, especially if he knows what they are. Plus, he's still sleepy, and who doesn't love a sleepy baby?
I had a horrible dream in which we were plunged into a river in the winter, I managed to save Gavin, but Jared floated away. I woke up and had to convince myself that I would NEVER just let him float away, but I'm still kind of shaken from it. I have never been so happy to hear him cry in the morning!
We have now been up for an hour and so far, we've played in the tunnel, Gavin has ridden* his tricycle out into the living room, and he's played the guitar. It's supposed to be almost 90 degrees today (I know that from the 5 seconds I was able to watch the news) so I'm sure we'll be spending plenty of time at the pool today. Dave and I are also grilling out tonight, it's going to be a busy day! Now it's time for me to wake up a little and get breakfast going.....


*I'm using the term "ridden" very loosely.

Not Me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.


So this week (my FIRST "not me") I most certainly did NONE of the following!

Last night, I did not count going to the pool as the boy's bath. My kids are always spotless and get a real bath every night!!

While David was out of town Saturday, I definatly didn't let Gavin watch 5 episodes of Blues Clues just because I was so dang tired! I'm way too good for that.

I did blow up their pool out on the porch, but there's just no way I let Gavin drink the dirty water in it, and let Jared chew on an old stick! No way! That would just be gross. And even if I did, I didn't later tell David and say "it won't hurt 'em".

I haven't been walking in circles just to get away from my almost-9-month old who keeps pinching me and pulling at my skirt. I, of course, hold him every second of the day and never get tired of it!

And I most certainly did not upload a video of naked little boys onto Myspace, forgetting that not everyone is used to having tiny naked bodies around all the time!