Jeans, Tights, and Long Sleeve Shirts

I walked out of my house on the way to church last Sabbath (October 1) and all I could think was "Finally!"  There was a distinct change in the temperature and even the slightest of breezes.  I was so excited and quickly relayed to the girls that fall had officially begun.  As the girls got into the van, it was obvious that the excitement had reached them too.  Calleigh's voice raised a couple of notches as she said "Aubs, Aubs, we can wear jeans, and tights, and Aubs, long sleeve shirts!!"  Of course, none of that has actually happened yet but it's coming, it's coming.  I'm sure I sound silly when I say it feels like fall because the day time temperature is only 80.  But I'll sure take it.  

I hate having these once a week blog entries because there's just so much to say and inevitably, I'm sure I'll miss something.  Not to mention that it takes forever.  It's now 10:29.  Let's see what time I actually post this.  Anyway, I'm afraid this once a week thing may be the norm for the next, oh, 10 weeks.  Or until I lose 12 pounds if that should come sooner.  

We had an enjoyable Sabbath, if for no other reason, than the weather.  We recently got a new pastor at our church and although we miss Pastor Morris tremendously, we're enjoying the new one,  Pastor Patterson.  He's definitely different but that's okay.  Sabbath School has been so much better the last few weeks because Aubree is completely over her shyness or clinginess or whatever you want to call it.  Thank goodness.  There's a little side room that we go to at the end to do crafts.  At the end of Sabbath School they made an announcement that the room was locked so we couldn't go in there.  A minute or two later, I was looking around and I didn't see Aubree any where but then finally spotted her practically hanging on the door nob to that room.  She yelled out "I want to do a craft."  Yup, she's over it.  

Brady's not quite sure he's ready for sitting in a "big boy" chair.

Aubree participating

Calleigh scored two lollipops in Sabbath School - - specifically as a lesson on how to share.  Check!

Sunday was a pretty low key day for us.  We were contemplating hitting up Sea World with some friends but opted to just stay home and get some things done around the house.  Thankfully one of those things was getting the van cleaned out.  It's amazing how much junk accumulates in it not to mention cracker crumbs, pony tail holders, sippy cups, etc.  Duncan took it over to the car wash place to get it washed and vacuumed and it looks wonderful.  Calleigh even announced to Aubree that they were going to "keep the van clean."  Yeah right. 

Monday my main task of the day was to get over to the Pathfinder store to get Calleigh her Adventurer's uniform.  She already lost out on earning a point on Sabbath because she wasn't in uniform.  I'm such a bad parent - - I just didn't get around to getting the uniform in time.  Anyway, we went to the Pathfinder store (who knew there was such a place?) and despite Calleigh's cranky attitude ("I'm NOT wearing that to church, ever") we managed to get her a white shirt and navy blue skort.  As we were paying, I was pointing out all the ties for sale that they had on display.  One was a particularly garish "Noah's Ark" design that seriously, only someone at least 80 would wear.  And even then, I would question it.  But it was a nice distraction for the kids.  As I was pointing it out to the girls, the lady said with a lovely smile, "It would make a wonderful Christmas present for Daddy."  All I could think of was "Lady, if you can find me a 33-year old man that would be caught DEAD wearing that tie, I can guarantee you he has no wife, girlfriend, or any social life whatsoever."  Of course, I just politely smiled.

Tuesday was time to take advantage of this wonderful weather.  We were off to the wood playground, aka, Phelps Park.  Normally, we would hit up storytime on a Tuesday but it's on a break this week so it worked out well.  While the girls run around, Brady is very content with watching it all from this Baby Bjorn.  It's interesting because I probably wore the thing like two times with Calleigh, a few more times with Aubree, but with Brady, I use it all the time.  Not sure what has changed.

Wednesday, Wednesday.  Hmm, I have no recollection of what we did in the morning.  Oh wait.  I remember now.  We went to Old Time Pottery to get some fall decorations.  The girls loved that.  We made a quick stop, right next to it, at the "movie consignment store" aptly named because they have a little TV that kids can watch.  Calleigh loves to go to this store as you can imagine and it's very nice for me to have them distracted.  After that, we stopped at the library because there's a book that was overdue that I can't find.  I had noted that the book was only $6.95 so I figured I might as well get it done with and pay for it but it turns out there is also a $10 "processing" fee.  In the end, I just renewed it (which I can do two more times).  So hopefully it will magically turn up here at some point.  It's just a little book about squares that Calleigh insisted we check out to teach Aubree her shapes.  It sounds like it may end up being a costly lesson.

Wednesday evening was Adventurers which consisted of a special induction ceremony.  I tell you, getting there is quite an ordeal.  Typically I'm working and Aubree and Brady are sleeping until 4:45. You would think that having an hour plus a few minutes to get ready would be plenty but it somehow goes very quickly (partly because some of the time is taken by feeding Brady).  Everything comes down to the last minute and I've now decided that leaving at 5:55 to get there by 6:30 is just cutting it too close with all the traffic.  On the plus side, the girls at least ate a hot dog for supper this time.  

Figues.  She fell asleep on the way there.

Aubree entertained herself and the twins with a sticker book.  Thank goodness I had the idea to bring it. An induction is not exactly top notch entertainment for a 2-year old.

Watching the Pledge of Allegiance...obviously not familiar with what she's supposed to do.  

The Little Lambs

Finally let me take her picture.  Look at Aubree's funny face!

Anyway, the ceremony was cute.  Everyone was dressed in their uniforms and they all came marching in one by one.  Then each group, with is sorted by age, went up to the front together to pass a candle amongst themselves and to make a pledge (the older ones, at least).  They all sang a couple of songs, said the pledge and law, and also the Pledge of Allegiance.  I know what we need to work on along with our memory verse each day!  At the end, all the Adventurers got a goody bag which had some cookies, a juice box, a lollipop, and a pencil.  Oh boy.  I knew this was going to be trouble.  You can only imagine how this all was going to go over when the 2-year old sister got nothing.  Calleigh was allowed to open the bag of cookies which could be shared and then she got to have the other stuff when Aubree wasn't around (actually, the lollipop is on top of the fridge and I'm hoping she just forgets about it).  

Yesterday Calleigh had Swim & Gym and Aubree, Brady, and I went to Publix as usual.  The last few weeks we've been pulling up in front along side Jennifer's car and then she'll run in to get all the kids while I watch the cars (we aren't supposed to park there).  This saves us the hassle of parking and dragging all the kids in.  Well, we had a little time to kill this week so I ended up parking and going inside to get her.  The look on her face when she saw me, was priceless. Her face just lit up with happiness and she came running out to us.  Ahhh, there's just no feeling better than that.  I know it was only two hours since I had seen her but I had truly missed her.  

This morning we did a few yard sales with the express purpose of getting a new Pack N Play.  We've only have a small one (we had a full size one that I had taken up to my parents and left there) and poor Aubree has been having to contort herself to sleep in it.  Since we'll need one at least two times over the next 5 weeks (camp out and Leadership weekend) I figured it was time to just get one.  Fortunately we found one at the first place.  I also found some decor items for Brady's room at another sale so it was a successful day.  One thing that truly hit home was how much Brady dislikes his car seat.  If he's not asleep, he's usually crying.  This kind of puts a damper on the yard sale festivities.  The real problem will be come December when we do the drive up to my parents.  Should be fun!  

So that's what we've been up to.  Now, a few updates on things.  First, Brady has shown little to no improvement on the coughing/wheezing front.  So that's kind of a downer.  We go on Monday for his four month appointment so we'll see what happens there.  Our friend, the pediatrician, had recommended I take a some supplements that will help Brady via the breastmilk.  Hence, I'm now taking Garden of Life "Raw Green Super Food" and Udo's Oil "3-6-9 Blend."  The bottle of Super Food was $28 for 240 capsules and I thought it was a little pricey but worth it for Brady's sake.  And then I got the bottle and it says to take eight capsules a day!  So yes, this seems like it will be quite a pricey undertaking.  I've taken the pills for the last two days and so far, last night I got a headache and now today I feel like my throat is getting sore again. But other than that, it's been great.  Ha!

Despite Brady's ailment, he's still hitting milestones.  This week he was able to roll over both ways.  At the beginning of the week he rolled over from stomach to back and then yesterday he was finally able to get that darn right arm out of his own way just enough to roll from his back to his stomach.  The sleep is still killing me though and I just don't have the experience to know what to do in these cases.  Both Calleigh and Aubree were sleeping from about 8 pm to 7 am at this point with hardly ever a problem.  He's waking up at all hours of the night (usually after 2:30) and making noises.  Before the noises get to crying, I've been bringing him into my bed but that's just not going well.  My mattress clearly has a dip in it because he keeps rolling right into me when I put him next to me.  And then I get all paranoid that he's going to suffocate himself in my pillow.  So what is the solution to all this?  At what age can you just let a baby cry at least for a  little bit?  I want to put him in his crib and see how that goes but I want to be in the same room with him still and I'm not ready to give up my comfy bed.  I will say that the last two nights I've jiggled the Rock 'n Sleeper around a little bit and that has put him back to sleep. I guess I'll just keep rolling with that.  

Aubree also had some accomplishments.  She's now able to open doors on her own.  This has become a little bit of a problem as far as getting into the food pantry.  She's become very fond of getting in there on her own and getting out snacks.  Clearly, I need to rethink my shelving strategy and try putting the onions and other unappealing things on the racks she can reach.  She's also able to do the stairs now while holding the railing.  I'm not particularly liking this one ever since Calleigh's fiasco.  Calleigh has been so gracious as to go in front of her to "catch" her if she falls which is really quite laughable since I imagine they would both just tumble down together, sort of a two-for-one deal if you will.  The other thing is that she's going # 2 on the potty I would say about 90% of the time.  Although this is definitely nice as far as not having to change poopy diapers (and let me tell you, here have been some doozies), it's created a whole set of other challenges.  For example, I'm feeding Brady on the couch, Aubree sits on her little potty, goes to the bathroom and needs be wiped.  I can't get up so she decides to come to me.  She manages to get to me with her pants around her ankles and then presents her little bottom so that I can somehow manage to wipe # 2 with one hand while at the same time holding Brady's head to my breast.  I can't give her the poopy wipes to throw away so there they sit on the coffee table until I finish up with Brady.  These are priceless moments.  

We may be solving Aubree's binky addiction sooner than later.  She's only down to like one or two more binkies because the rest are "crunchy."  Duncan thought he had solved the mystery as to what exactly constitutes a crunchy binky.  It had water in it.  But no, that isn't right.  It turns out a crunchy binky is one that squeaks.  Sometimes when something is new or really dry, it will make a squeak when you suck on it.  That, is what I believe Aubree has coined "crunchy."  I realized this when we went to Walmart on Thursday to get new binkies since she was down to so few.  But she looked at the new ones at the store and declared that they were all "crunchy."  That's when I knew exactly what she meant.  So we left the store empty handed.  I really don't know what she's going to do when her last remaining binkies get lost.  Go without?  Or will crunchy binkies do in a pinch?  Stay tuned.

Well, as of about 7:40 this morning, I'm the proud, but expectant, owner of a new, black, 32GB Apple iPhone 4S.  I was disappointed when there was not a 5 forthcoming but the 4S is still much better than what I have now so I'm excited.  I was going to stay up until midnight last night to make the purchase when they went on sale but at around 11:30 I realized it was midnight Pacific time they would go on sale.  So that tabled that idea.  Brady woke up at 3:28 and I kicked around the idea of getting up then but I was just too tired.  Fortunately it was still available when I got up to feed Brady shortly after 7.  There I was on my computer, typing with one hand, while feeding Brady with the other.  Hey, it was easier than cleaning poop!  Anyway, after it all went down and I got my confirmation email from Apple, I noticed I had misspelled my name.  Cortney is said. I guess the one handed thing wasn't so smooth after all.  Or maybe it was because my contacts were still stuck to my eyeballs.  Here's hoping that American Express doesn't reject my payment.  Assuming it works out, I'll be getting my phone next Friday, delivered to my front door.  I spoke with my Uncle Terry this evening and he got the exact same one but at 3:04 this morning.  He did get up!

I think that's about it.  The clock has just struck midnight and I'm about to turn into a pumpkin.  Happy Sabbath!

I had bought a kid's croquet set at a yard sale last week.  Daddy tries to teach them how to hit the ball.

There's my little man.  Come on, isn't that an adorable little face??

He's been fond of sucking on his fingers this week.