For My Kids Because My Memory Will Fail....

and I want you both to know how absolutely cute you are:

Jud you are still not walking, but it's okay because you say "duh" at the Rubber Duckie. Plus, you sporadically say "buh" and wave farewell. And it is pretty cool when I ask where Jake the Monkey is and you go looking for him. Throwing yourself on the floor when you're tired is pretty dramatic, but very effective. When your are sixteen and want to use the car, you may want to consider nuzzling your big head on my shoulder and snuggling with me...but please when I ask for a kiss, close your mouth! You have a lot of charm which will only get you so far in this world...so let's hope your body has caught up with your noggin or better yet, that the size of your skull is an indication of your brain power! At your 12 month checkup, you hit the 50th percentile for height and weight (actually lost a pound, probably because you're such a fast crawler and a busybody), while that massive cranium was off the chart. Anyway, keep rockin' little man, we love you!

Scarlett we have our ups and downs because you ARE four...and thanks for reminding me today, it kind of simultaneously melted my heart and made me feel horrible when you said "Mooom, you know I'm just a kid, you don't have to yell and scream at me" (even though THIS time I had not done either). You are a very independent girl with such a big heart. I'm not sure if you just like or really love things because you don't really differentiate...you only love or not. For example, you once broke my heart when you said that "*Hannah doesn't love me." Or you say "I don't really love green beans." You are happy to play by yourself, but you almost always have a stuffed buddy with you. I sense a competitive spirit in you...yeah, I know, duh! So, little girlie, heaven help us all if you really are a cheerleader, but I hope you are putting that will to good use and kicking butt in some other sport...or music...no, math! No matter what, we all love you.
P.S. Please when I ask you to do a chore, salute me and say emphatically, "Yeth thir!"

More Pics.

I really don't have much to write today, but wanted to post a couple more photos. First, we have been enjoying fall...particularly football. At the last game Scarlett just couldn't resist trying out the porta-pot (Really, who can?).

Meanwhile, Jud just looks at us with, as my dad might say, his "s***-eating" grin.

Thank You Big Guy

Just gonna cut to the chase and give the people what they want...and by "people", I mean YOU, DAMIEN.

Posing with the dog, her idea of course.

She set up this shot and then asked me to take a pic of her and the buddies.

Jud, the piano man. Really, he loves it and cars.

Every once in a while they really do try to play together. However, in this photo, Scarlett is really just horning in because she doesn't want Jud to have all the attention. Still, they both enjoyed it and made for a cute pic.

So, again, thank you Damien!

I AM STILL HERE.

So, really, I am alive and well. July? August....September? Where did you go?!?! I don't know where the time went, but I will summarize where I went:

• Was feeling pretty awesome in July because of the comfortable weather, but I nearly melted in August and September.
• Scarlett started preschool three times a week and we both love it!
• Drove to Dallas...twice! Can thank my children for turning a 14 hour drive into 17.
• Was without a computer for almost a month. Now realize keeping a phone book in the house is a good idea.
• Had wisdom teeth pulled out. Will never take Lortab again! Once I recovered from the puking and nausea, the pain was nothing.
• Judson is crawling on his knees and eating bits of finger food.
• Not having a computer for a month can be LIBERATING! But the blog suffers.
• Replaced the internet addiction with BBC type Classic Literature series via Netflix instant streaming. I mean seriously. Just about every book made into a movie or series by Jane Austen, and Charles Dickens.
• Read Wuthering Heights...not quite like the movie.
• Football season is upon us.
• Finally, it feels like autumn.

Projected Projects

Since the creative urge has hit, I am sharing a couple of the projects I hope to create SOON! First, I found this "Oliver and S" pattern online sometime ago and just couldn't let it go. Basically, I think it is a simple pattern idea, but I love it because finding a plain little blouse for a little girl is very difficult, if not impossible. This one has long or short sleeves, mandarin or classic collar with sweet little pin-tuck or gathering details. I love the skirt too, though I think I may want to adjust the proportions a bit. Overall, just adorable!
Then, I was at Hobby Lobby and found this little book and bought it with a 40% off coupon. I love the fabrics used and pictures of all the finished projects. Basically, I bought it because the patterns appear to have the right combination of simple + cute that can be accomplished quickly...we'll see!

Brief Update

Since July 1st:

• No fireworks at my house this year since they moved the show to the fairgrounds. :(
• I've been really wanting a nice camera to take gorgeous photos of my gorgeous kiddos. But, instead, I ended up getting a laptop which I ended up not really needing. Anyone out there interested in buying a barely used, awesome, AND beautiful Toshiba Satellite L655?! Note to future self: Get a second opinion if the Geeks tell you your motherboard is dead, even if you are totally stressing over a final for an online course due that same night!
  
• Scarlett's 4th birthday! We celebrated poolside, no photos because I already have my hands full, but believe me - we had fun! Granny and Grandpa treated her to lunch, her choice - Noodles. Later that evening Aunt Moey took her birthday shopping at Walmart. Scarlett was dressed to the nines in her short jeans-shorts, Lightning McQueen t-shirt, Hannah Montana bedazzled hat and purse. She came home with an alarm clock (so she can get ready for school, of course), a full length wall mirror (so she can see herself when she gets ready for school, of course), and a Barbie bike! Clearly, she had a good day, but still missed seeing Daddy and extended family.
• Scarlett was invited to a friend's birthday party for the first time. She felt so special getting the invitation in the mail and really looked forward to it. Then, on the day of the event, as we were running errands she told every person she could, "Today is Harper's birthday!"
• Jud is still working on those top two teeth! His crawling attempts have progressed into a pretty pathetically-cute "Army" crawl. Otherwise, he continues to charm with his easy and infectious smile...well, at least most people are charmed...
  
• Yesterday morning Scarlett said "We need to trade our baby because he pulls hair."
  
• We also attended the county fair yesterday. It was really fun, but wouldn't have been without Mom. She is my buddy but was also a HUGE help with the kiddos. We enjoyed the animals and exhibits, spent some time on the midway, and hunted down fried food Scarley loved the kid rides and Juddy even got to go on the carousel (with a typical chuckle). Mom and I tasted fried snickers, oreos, and pickles...decided we liked pickles best. For a moment in the cattle barn I thought we were going to have some real excitement, a cow in labor?! No, after inquiring, just an older cow who's delivered a few times showing off a giant hemorrhoid. Normally, I'm pretty indifferent to animals, but I really felt for that old cow. I missed some really good Kodak moments, because again, no camera...on second thought, maybe that was for the best.
• I can't believe August is creeping in! I am still trying to organize my house and have made progress, but I am getting the creative bug. So, hopefully, I will have fun stuff to post soon.
  

Not Too Random-Only Slightly-Ramblings

A few days ago I was thinking, "how do people LIVE without airconditioning?....how did I?!" We have had some hot humid days this summer, lots of storms, lots of bugs. Our nasty, old, clunky airconditioner has been chugging along like The Little Engine that Could, "I think I can, I think I can..." Until I mentioned to my dad how much water was dripping from it down the electrical cord, the wall, and on our floor. He scared me enough about the potential danger that I unplugged it until I could decide what to do. The very next day, the weather let up. Cooler, tolerable temps, nice breezey, gorgeous, sunny days. Almost tricks me into thinking I could live without that clunky old thing. But I know better...I've lived enough Julys and Augusts without. Still, it has been rejuvenating to open the windows, turn off the noise, and air out this crusty old house.

Speaking of becoming one with nature...

I'm in love with Miniwanca and I'll tell it everywhere!

I admit, I have camp fever. It probably doesn't help that I sing the songs to my little ones regularly. Or that one of my nieces is attending the same camp for the first time. This is just a glimpse of the place that I was lucky enough to spend some of my childhood summers...

Would kinda like to go to this reunion, but probably won't! Hope all who do have a blast!

In other news
I am not getting any fun projects done because a.) I am really trying to exercise daily and eat nutritiously (which seems to take all of my energy...and I'm still failing at it, miserably) and b.)my house is a NASTY MESS. Undaunted, I continue to battle the bulge and the stacks!

And in more fun news
Judster is on the verge of crawling. I think he wants to stand more, but he continues to do the rock on all fours, as well as pelvic thrusts. So, I am sure he will be mobile any day. Also, after three months he is finally breaking in some new teeth. Yes, that is correct, his top-right-middle tooth is cutting through. He is taking it like a man this time, with just a little fussing and drooling. Scarlett continues to develop as well. Her latest thing is singing songs. Every once in a while she busts out some new lyrics that I was unaware she even knew. Usually, they are typical kid songs, but somehow she caught a little Bieber Fever like baby, baby, baby. And occassionally she is Janet, Miss Jackson, if you're nasty. So, basically, I am accomplishing all that other parents only dreamed possible. :)

For Teana

Old People. More specifically, Old People at Wal-mart.

I feel compelled to begin with a qualifier...I mean,I am not the one who has a problem with old people. ; ) At least not until today.

Still, I don't think the problem with "old people" is their age. I think some people are just out of touch whether they are young or old.

Take for example the woman I encountered this morning. Typically, I enjoy the relative peace of shopping the super center in the morning. This morning, however, I barely made it past the greeter before my defenseless little Buddy Boy was molested by HER.

You see, my sweet Scarley-girl slept perfectly through her first night without a diaper, hooray! I had just grabbed a nice, cold, celebratory chocolate milk chug from the case, turned around and saw it. There stood a lady wearing a tank top, small shorts, glasses, tight white-haired bun, without teeth, TOUCHING my baby boy. (Okay, not in a pervy way, but still, you don't just touch other people's children!) Well, it didn't end there. Undaunted by me stepping up to push the cart away, this woman proceeded from tickling his fat little feet to literally nibbling on his chunky little toes! Who actually inserts a complete stranger's feet in their mouth (regardless of it being a totally and completely, irresistably chunky, little man)?! GROSS. Poor Judson. Did I mention she had those stubbly white and black walrus hairs around her mouth? Ewww.

See what I mean? She could have been my age and still made it on the "People of Wal-mart" website. Some people just don't get it.

I thought we were on our way. But then we got stopped by the old guy on the Hover Round. He was 84 and looked pretty good for his age. He has been married 62 years which is impressive. But really, all I wanted to do was get my shopping done and get the heck out of there. Seriously, I only have so much time before one or both of my children have a meltdown. But no, he had to get a high five from Scarlett. Well, good luck. She's not that outgoing. So, being a wise 84 year old, he enticed her with a peppermint. You know, the kind that all of the old people at my friend Natalie's church used to bust open immediately after the communion, like a chorus of crackly cellophane. Well, of course, that became a game too. He held it out to her and when she went to grab it he pulled it back again. I'm standing there thinking, "Ugh, how long is this going to go on?" Thankfully, it didn't last much longer than that thought followed by a little awkwardness.

Really, this guy was not THAT bad, he just had the misfortune of being the encore to the toe-gummer.

Oh, man! I almost forgot...one of the best lines from the old lady, who had a cart full of crap, including Little Debbie Nutty Bars, commenting to Scarlett (but we all know the message was for me) about one of our items "That's hard on your waistline honey, I'm not kidding."

Thank you very much, old lady.

And thank you for making me think of my dear friend Teana. It really put a smile on my face.

In other news: BIG props to Wal-mart and FedEx, I just ordered a double jogging stroller on Tuesday evening. Was supposed to arrive (with free shipping, no less) between NEXT Monday and Thursday. Showed up on my porch today!

Calm AFTER The Storm

We've had some kinda big changes in our household, but we are now settling in...still some adjusting to do, but we're now feeling a little calmer.

Sooo, here are a few of our recent happenings:

First, Happy Birthday Daddy!

Scarlett helped make a yummy, yummy cake - all from scratch!

Next, Buddy continues to grow.


The new man of the house. :)

Last, on Thursday night I went to check on Scarlett before going to bed.

This is what I found...
after the camera's flash stirred her...

Cruel Summer

Hot summer streets

and the pavements are burning

I sit around

trying to smile but the air is so heavy and dry

It's a cruel, cruel summer...

If only the air was DRY! Summer is here (though probably not officially), it is hot, and certain to grow hotter and more humid. As a kid I enjoyed summer for obvious reasons, but never really looked forward to it. Fall is still my favorite, but I am growing to love summer too.

I love summer holidays, especially July 4th...no gifts, just fun. And I now realize that nothing can top a summer birthday. Balloons, fireworks, swimming, parks, festive colors, bare feet, cake, ice cream, soda in a sweaty bottle, late nights. Just all around fun.

I love all of my summertime memories...Miniwanca, the Jeep, even sleeping in just sheets with the fan blasting at me, driving and driving and driving. Oh yeah, and nothing beats a good summertime song!

Juddy Buddy's Latest

Judson has been an incredibly happy, sweet baby until....his first tooth! Yep, after all the drooling, screaming, crying, whaling, he is finally able to gnash his teeth. Well, not exactly, I mean the first tooth cut through last week and its partner has peeked out too. From the way he acted, you would think he was being tortured. He literally raged, twisted his body and arched his back for a full day and night. Then the next day he was himself again, but with a little, hard, white spot on his middle lower gums. This same pattern repeated yesterday.

Now, I don't really know much about having more than one child. I am still learning. But I am pretty sure THEY say not to compare children. Just to buck the system, I will say that Judson is a total wimp compared to Scarlett. He is pretty much a spoiled little mamma's boy and we all love him immensely.

Favorite Books

Since Scarlett was very small, yes she is still young, but I mean a very wee lass, we have ended our day with a pretty regular routine. No matter how great or awful our day goes, we pick a couple of books, cozy up on the big bed and read. I am not very familiar with children's books and Scarlett is not very patient at the library, so picking books that we both enjoy can be challenging. For my pleasure, and possibly yours, I am recording some of our very favorites...by "favorite" I mean we have read them A LOT! (Organized in the order that I uploaded the photos)

They say you can't judge a book by its cover, but I do. I love David Shannon's illustrations, love the vibrant colors, but his stories are really fun too. Not too surprisingly, the three year old especially loves 'David' picking his nose.

Madeline is a classic book with great rhythm and rhyme. But for me it is more of a sentimental selection because, like Madeline, on Scarlett's stomach is a scar.

We discovered the "How Do Dinosaurs...?" books during Scarlett's dinosaur infatuation. I love the vivid illustrations. We quickly memorized the whole book and who could resist a 3 year old saying "Does he spit out his bwoccoli pawtially chewed?"
All I can say about the "Little House" books is that I am a sucker for even a small glimpse of life in the "olden days" and we love Pa, Ma, Mary, Half-Pint, Baby Carrie and their good-old bulldog, Jack.
Knuffle Bunny - who hasn't had to deal with a child who goes "boneless"?!

To be honest, I never really liked Dr. Seuss books before. Sure, I thought it was pretty cool to be able to read "Green Eggs and Ham" to my little brother Sam. The thing is, I really don't care for the illustrations, but I tolerate them because I LOVE reading "The Cat in the Hat" and other Seuss stories.

I hate to call out to my "readers", but if you happen by and have a favorite...we are always looking for new selections so please share!

Just A Bit Over-ambitious

The weather has been so nice this week, in the 60s, I think, and sunny. We have spent nearly every day outside and it has really put a spring in my step. Okay, well, maybe not a spring, but at least it got me off of the couch and on my feet.

So, yesterday I decided to take Scarlett and Judson on an adventure. I knew that the temperature was supposed to get up into the 70s so I decided to bust out the jogging stroller (let's not kid ourselves, it will never be jogged, but it sure can handle terrain) and we headed out the door for a 2 mile walk (uphill in every direction) to our local library. On the way we stopped to check out the "Hogs" at our neighborhood Harley Davidson, enjoyed nature, and ate our picnic lunch on the courthouse square. We approve of the changes to the childrens' department at the library and made good use of the facilities.

Scarlett and I love our reading time together. Sometime I will make a list of our favorite books and post them on here.

Anyway, Scarlett was a trooper on our little trek; she ran a lot of the way and I only carried her on my shoulders for a few blocks. I, on the other hand, am shot! My feet are killing me and my body aches...what was I thinking?! Now, lest you be deceived and think I am campaigning for mother of the year...I must explain. The truth is that I make a concerted effort to get out of my house when I am REALLY tired. Otherwise, being at home just makes me feel more tired and then I turn into an impatient, raging, grouch. Besides that, I played volleyball the night before and man, is it fun! I love volleyball. No matter how pathetic I play, in my mind I feel like a star. But since I can't play often I am always sore afterward. Still, it puts me in a mood to start moving my body, which contributed to the spontaneous adventure. To complete the adventure, we rode the transit bus home. Thankfully we didn't have to wait at the depot long because that is its own adventure all together! The moral of the story is that I over-did it and now my body is trying to tell me something. Hmmm, perhaps it is time for me to start listening.

Daylight Saving Time...

how I loathe thee!!!

Why wait until you go to bed to "spring" forward? For all practical purposes, it is now 11:59pm rather than 10:59. Maybe I will be lucky enough to move to Arizona, or better yet, Hawaii.

In Love

My little boy is one of the happiest babies I have ever seen. He has an easy smile that lights up his whole face and he shares it generously, even with strangers. Last week at his four month check up he chuckled as the doctor checked his abdomen. Not only has he reached four months old, but he is now over 17 pounds and 27 inches long. Way to go big boy!

Today Andria called us up for a spontaneous photo shoot and I am posting two of her works.

Here is my other sweetie pie.

I love this photo...it is not a traditionally beautiful photo, but to me it is Scarlett just being Scarlett. She is not an easy subject to capture...ever. She is strong-willed, energetic, independent and imaginative. This is the type of face that she has while she's imploring me to play some character in her pretend world and I know that there will come a time when I will miss it.

Just A Few Thoughts

Well, I'm pretty much getting a whole lotta nothin' done around here. I have begun to understand my "mom" friends on Facebook when they complain about snow days. Not only has Scarlett's preschool been cancelled for the last two weeks, but so have her YMCA gymnastics class. UGH!

There are advantages to living in a Winter Wonderland, however...thanks to Grandpa for the sled and Daddy for taking her sledding!

In other news, we went to Texas for a visit a couple of weekends ago and I feel compelled to report that NOT EVERYTHING IS BIGGER IN TEXAS. Sorry Texans, but the Dallas Childrens' Museum kinda sux. To be fair, the old buildings and grounds were pretty. And we took a little cousin along and we did have fun - because that is how we roll. But still, there is just no comparison to the museums and facilities that we have around here...or even at the MALL IN IOWA. Here are the little cuties taking in the scenery...

On another note, I think I am in a pre-midlife crisis. My symptom is the desire to download hip music from itunes. My name is Stephanie and I want to be cool. I have no shame in admitting that I like oldies, love Neil Diamond, and country! But seriously, Nelly's Country Grammar in 2010!? So, if anyone wants to help me catch up to the current decade (Glee has helped slightly), please feel free to send some recommendations my way.

Lastly, since I am a TV junkie, I have to wonder why certain networks must always speculate on historical and future events as though their speculation is factual...and better yet, why on earth do we have "Tyrannosaurus Sex" on our DVR?!

Roll Along Iowa

If you are ever at the University of Iowa you need to go... to the MALL!

Last weekend I got to add Iowa to the list of states I've visited. Here are some of the highlights:

• found the hairiest hotel room I've ever seen, I mean literally hairy! Okay, it's not a "highlight", but it was remarkable. YUCK!
• Yeah, I know it is not 1991, but I did hang out at the mall:
• bought a sssweet new stroller
• Played in the kids play area for almost two hours, Scarlett decided it would be more fun without her pants
• Chatted with a true-blue Iowan corn farmer
• Had lunch with our new friends (thanks to Scarlett) in the food court
• Watched ice skaters
• Went to a museum -- so much fun, Wonderlab on crack
• Hopped on the carousel

So, if you're ever in Iowa, I hope you have as much fun!

Where DO I Find the Time?

In between molding my butt to the couch as I hold and feed my infant, watching my little girl decorate the house with toys, and observing the natural tendency of a house toward chaos and disorder, I managed to whip up a couple of pretty cute gems thanks to my friend Adrienne.

On a side note, check out Baby Juddy Buddy's sweet dimple...I am pretty pumped about that. Thank goodness both of my babies started smiling not long after birth, it probably saved their lives!!! And yes, that is Scarlett's silly face. Hmmm, not sure that one's gonna fly with the other pre-schoolers, better work on it kid. :)

Oh!, BTW

Over the last several years, Damien has been working, and I mean REALLY working. Here's a list of a few of things he has been up to:

• working nearly full-time, most of that on a night audit
• school full-time
• Boy Scout volunteering
• Reserve Sheriff Deputy for about a year
• 2 of the cutest kids in the world
• about 170,000 miles commuting to and from school
• just about the best cook I know (and I am proof of just how good he is)
• COLLEGE GRADUATE!!!!

Way to go DADDY, we are so proud of you!