He went, he really went!!

Okay, so this is a total mom-thing to do...but...Caleb went on the potty!! I mean, he's been peeing on the potty on and off...nothing consistant. I was really late at work tonight...I got home...and Brent says, "Caleb has something to show you." Yes, I know it's a little gross....but Caleb was so proud...and giggling the whole time he showed me that he pooped! I only hope I made a big enough deal about it. We are now going out for ice cream with sprinkles tomorrow. :) Now....to tackle the rest of the training. Oh yeah...Caleb took his Tow Mater underwear to bed with him....not wearing it...just holding it. I had told him that once he goes on the potty a lot he can start wearing it.

So Annoyed!!

Okay, I know I've blogged about this before...but my neighbor's dog is really annoying me. Well, maybe it's more my neighbor's handling of his dog. You see...Maya (our dog) doesn't get along with this dog. It's a long story, but Sunshine (yellow dog) growls at Maya, Maya gets protective and turns into "momma-bear." Of course, our neighbor (not next door) thinks it's all Maya's fault. Even to the point that his girls say that Maya is not a nice dog. Now, Maya gets along with all the other neighbor dogs, every dog that's been at our house, most dogs on walks. K, the neighbor, says things like "well, dogs shouldn't meet on leash, it's not natural and they get defensive." This would be the same neighbor that doesn't keep Sunshine on a leash, despite the leash laws. They take her through the park, right past all big, red signs that specifically say dogs need to be on leash. When they're riding their bikes, Sunshine is off leash, and they let her run through people's yards. They don't keep her on a lead in their yard, and their yard isn't fenced in, not even the invisible fencing. This means that Sunshine is free to go into the other neighbor's yards. Hence what lead to tonight's annoyance. I'm inside...about to start getting the kids ready for bed when I hear what sounds like a dog fight. I realize that Maya is outside and go running to the door. Yeah...Maya's at the fence, and guess what dog is on the other side...no really guess. Now, I didn't see what lead up to it, but the yard that Sunshine is in is not her yard. Our yard doesn't actually border Sunshine's yard. Hmm...gee...I wonder if the fight would have happened if Sunshine was properly restrained. Luckily, K the neighbor yelled for Sunshine and she went back to their yard. Honestly. Keep. Your. Dog. In. Your. Yard. I can't stand it when people act like they know everything, clearly don't, and don't care if they're in the wrong! I'm tempted to call Animal Control and leave an "anonymous" tip. Problem is, with my luck, they'd probably figure out it was me.

Outdoor fun...

Okay, so I don't have a lot to update, but we had fun outside this morning, and I got some fun pictures! :)

Check-up Time!!

Finally...the kids are at a point that I can take them for their checkups on the same day! I was dreading this appointment though. I took the kids by myself, obviously. Brent's out of town for some training for work. Both kids got shots today....Abby got the brunt of it, though! Caleb just got his flu shot. Abby got four different shots and had to have blood drawn. I always come close to crying when they cry with their shots. I've never heard Abby cry like that! She fell asleep as soon as I got her into her carseat.

Okay...here are the stats:

Abby is 24 lb 14 oz (94th percentile), 30.3 inches (86th percentile)

Caleb is 37 lbs, 8 oz (90th percentile), and 38.6 inches (69th percentile).

Now...here's the mildly frustrating thing. We have to get a new pediatrician. Our old one that we really liked is also a pediatric orthopedic specialist. He is no longer going to do general pedatrics. I liked the one that we saw today...but it was mildly frustrating with her not knowing the kids very well. Caleb's BMI is 17.8 which is the 90 percentile for his age. She hinted that it was "a little high" and actually asked me if he was an active child. Okay...this is my child who jumps out of bed running in the morning...and doesn't stop 'til he goes to bed at night. We don't give the kids junk food, unless it's an occasional treat. And...since he was born, Caleb has been in the 90-97th percentile for height and weight (he was 9 12 when he was born)...that is, until his last checkup. He doesn't look chunky. It's not like I'm going to change anything we're doing....but it does bug me when someone says that. Caleb did amazingly well at the appointment. He was very good. We went out for lunch as a reward. The kids both went right to sleep when we got home. It was nice!

Abby has officially refused all baby food. This is good thing. She only wants to eat what we're eating. She just doesn't completely grasp the "food goes in your mouth" concept.



Abby has a new favorite thing to do...



Caleb will NOT be outdone by his sister!



I think Caleb is going to have a run for his money!



Look at those baby blues!

Happy Birthday, Abby!!

I can't believe it's been a year already!! I was a week overdue (go figure...neither kid was anxious to be born!) I was scheduled to be induced, but started having contractions the night before. At about 4am, I called the hospital, my contractions were about 3 minutes apart, and they told me to come in. Of course, by the time I got to the hospital, the contractions had stopped. Since I was already scheduled to get induced, they let me stay. They had barely started the pitocin when the doctor came in and asked if we should break my water to get things going. Since Caleb took 13 hours, I was thinking anything to speed the process up would be great! Then...I pretty much ate my words. An hour after they broke my water, I was holding Abby. The labor went so fast, the pain medicine and epidural didn't kick in until after I was holding her. It's true what they say about not caring about the pain...I didn't even really notice until after she was born (and the medicine started working). That's pretty much it in a nutshell. Abby was a really easy pregnancy, easy delivery, and has been easy-going the entire time! She weighed in at 8 pounds, 4 ounces (lightweight compared to Caleb!!), and measured 19 1/4 inches.

Your Opinion, Please!

Okay, so Caleb proved today that there was no way I was getting him into a photo studio for his 3 year pictures. I had brought both kids. My main goal was to get Abby's 1 year pics taken...she did awesome! Anyway. Here I am, trying to be optimistic, so I put Caleb in picture clothes too. Yeah right. Honestly, it was one of those days that makes you wonder if you're insane for going out in public. And...those "wonderful" little old ladies that think they're helping....not even going to comment. The photographers were wonderful. They really tried. Caleb just had nothing to do with it. I even tried bribing with McDonald's. (he calls it "Old McDonald's). No go. So anyway...I've posted the following pics before, but they were going to be my backup plan for if I couldn't get him to take pictures. I have it in black and white and color. Do you guys think they'd be an okay alternative? Your honest opinion. I can keep trying pics (my own, not a studio)....just wanted to know what you think!

Abby's First Year...

I put together a video of pictures and video footage from Abby's first year. I got the idea from a friend of mine (thanks, T!) Hehe...I got a little carried away and had to cut out almost 8 minutes before I could post it to youtube. Before you listen to it, pause the music thing on the left side of my blog. Thanks!!

Abby's Birthday Party in Pictures...

Don't forget the ice cream!!

A quick note...

Just a quick note to say that the party went really well. It was weird to have all the windows open in the middle of October, but I love it! It was a cozy fit, but we got everyone seated :) The meal went over well...hehe...I don't even have much leftovers! Abby did awesome without getting her usual nap...she decided that the morning one was optional. Caleb, of course, is Caleb, and had a few melt-downs due to the number of people in the house...but he did well after that. He never did nap today. He was so tired by bedtime that he told me he was sleepy. He NEVER admits to that! Anyway...I'm exhausted, so I'm not posting pics or video tonight...I'll try to get them on here for tomorrow! :)

Why do I do this to myself?

Oi! Okay...so we're having Abby's birthday party tomorrow. Yeah, no kidding! She's one at the end of next week! Anyway...in the process of inviting our family and neighbors, we are expecting about 30 people tomorrow. And...that's with some people not being able to make it! Caleb's b-day is in the summer...so we can have it outside, and that helps! Now, I know tomorrow is supposed to be almost 80 degrees, but we're being taken over by lady bugs and yellow jackets. Not thinking outside is an option! So now begins that joyful task of trying to fit enough tables to seat 30 people. Upstairs in my house. I don't want people to have to go up and down the basement stairs (our basement is finished). Hmmmm....and here's the ironic thing. I decided to make a fall-type meal, so I picked chili. Easy to do in a crock pot in large amounts. Great for fall, not 80 degree weather! Oh and...we almost had to cancel....Abby woke up yesterday from her nap with a fever. She's fine today and back to her happy-go-lucky self. Whew!

Look, Mom...no hands!!

Abby's standing on her own!! She'll get herself up pretty easily, but realizes she's doing it, and plop!! Each day she stands a little longer. She's just now standing long enough for me to snap some pictures! Caleb did this a little backwards when he was Abby's age. He started walking first, going between objects, and then figured out the standing thing. Anyway...here is the proof!

See, I'm up!



And then we start realizing what we're doing...



Oh wait...too excited...there goes the balance!

Better video...

So, of course I posted the first video clip that I took....I have one with better light. Look at her go!