Oreo-tation, Metatarsals and Jumperoos

Brady's pre-school orientation was yesterday - a whole 4 days before school starts but whatever! (Brady called it oreo-tation at the cookie (pronounced tookie) place.) They don't seem very organized this year but we're soooo excited that he'll have the same teacher that he had last year - he loved her; however, as soon as we walked into the classroom and he saw all the other "friends" with their parents he freaked out for some reason. He started crying and wanted Brendan to hold him. A few weeks ago, we ran into his assistant teacher from last year at Kroger - he had the same reaction but we figured that was just because he was confused by seeing her out of 'her element'. Guess we were wrong! He was really upset for 5 or 10 minutes but then he got over it and was running around like a little mad man - typical behavior for Big Boy. When it was time to go, he threw a little fit and didn't want to go - I guess he'll be fine when school starts on Monday!!

I also found out yesterday that my suspected stress fracture is actually a real fracture?!? I had an MRI on Wednesday afternoon because after two weeks in 'the boot' I was still in more pain that my doctor would like....they called on Thursday (while I was mid-pedicure) and left me a message that they had some "concerns" about my MRI - not a good message to leave for someone. So that freaked me out - I immediately thought it was a tumor or something but luckily, it's just a broken bone! I still don't know how I did this but I broke the second metatarsal in my right foot - I've already been wearing this stupid boot for 3.5 weeks......now, not only do I have to still wear it but I also have to use crutches for at least the next 6 weeks. I don't see how this will be possible with a baby but I'll try....kind of. The crutches are killing my armpits so I'm already being a bad patient. It's going to be a long six weeks.

We introduced Mr. Easton to the jumperoo the other night - he's a HUGE fan. He's so cute...jumping like a little....I don't know...something that jumps and has chunky little legs with fat rolls. Anyway - he really likes it....but it makes me sad because he's getting big so fast!

And here is Zachary with his mini me, Easton. We need to recover the pictures from our old laptop so we can do some side-by-side comparisons of these two at the same age....I think they may look a little alike......

Hi Alligator!

We were on our way home from a rare dinner out tonight when Brady, in all of his 3 1/2 years of wisdom, said from the backseat as he looked out the window, "Hi Alligator!" Given that we live in Ohio and don't see many (okay, any) alligators around....especially driving down a somewhat rural road, Brendan and I both looked out the window to try and see if we could figure out where that comment came from. Brady sits on the same side as me so I had a better view. The only thing I could see that could possibly resemble an alligator was a cloud formation that could look like an alligator getting ready to take a BIG bite out of something less fortunate than him/her. As I turned to Brendan to ask him if he thought that was what Brady was referring to Brady said, "Hi Alligator cloud!" He never ceases to amaze me - that's exactly what he was referring to. I'm not sure if I realized he even knew what clouds were before tonight??? I think he's really smart but he just happens to be hampered by speech/sensory delays....of course, I keep finding myself thinking that Zachary's headed for Mensa because he's talking so well when it's just "typical" behavior. Who knows? I just know that last year at this time Brady probably had less than 5 words and he's now talking our ears off which I love. The singing at a very high-pitched 1,000 decibels I could live without! ;)

Evidently, Brady REALLY wanted a banana this morning. He asked for one at breakfast but I explained to him that they "weren't ready yet" and that they were "still green." A couple of hours later, he came into the family room with something brown all over his face. I asked him what he had been eating.....and he said, "bananas." Knowing that he didn't know how to peel a banana, I dreaded what I might find.....

You can see the bite marks in the peeling. It was very hard not to laugh at this. The problem with having an extra large 3 1/2 year old is that he can reach just about every single thing that we keep on the counters.

Yesterday, I heard him doing something in the kitchen but hoped that he was just playing - I was in the family room feeding Easton....you can see half of the kitchen from the family room but all of the crimes that usually take place occur in the half that we can't see of course (our house has a fairly open design on the main floor so we can't really stop them from going into the kitchen.) Anyway, a few minutes later I went into the kitchen to find Zachary sitting in the middle of what I would compare to a sand box made of rice cereal. I made the huge mistake of throwing away a box of Easton's cereal that must have had more in it than I realized - Brady obviously took it out of the trash can. Not only that, but I left the newly opened box of cereal on the counter - I thought I pushed it back far enough so that Brady couldn't reach it but I was clearly wrong! They must have had a little field day - there was cereal EVERYWHERE. Uggh! I didn't take a picture of that because I didn't find it quite as funny.

The one thing that was funny was their reaction to the rarely seen vacuum cleaner that I pulled out to clean up the mess (I'm very lucky to have a cleaning lady so they don't see many cleaning utensils.) I knew that it might upset Brady but I didn't really care because I was pretty irritated at this point. So, I told them both to go into the family room - Brady listened, Zachary didn't. So, on went the vacuum cleaner - Brady stood on the couch and cried a few of those big huge tears that break my heart. Zachary stood completely still in the kitchen and wouldn't move. Pretty funny! He just didn't know what to think!! Hopefully, they learned their lesson - I won't hold my breath, though.

Brady and Daddy's Day of Fun

Brendan took Brady - just Brady - to the zoo last week on a random day off. Since Brady was only an only child for 13 months before becoming a big brother and losing lots of the attention he was getting, it's really important for us to do special things like this for him every once in a while. I think he had tons of fun - I was at work so I don't know but it sounded like he did! All I know is that he rode the train 5 times! :) Which is great given the sensory issues he has!! That was last Wednesday....Brendan took tons of pictures as usual....
This is Brady's prize that he picked out - he picked one out for Easton and Zachary, too and has been very good about making sure that he only plays with HIS bird...even though it's exactly the same as Easton's! He keeps calling the bird Sweet Pea....it took me a while to figure out why he was doing that...his teacher brought her bird in for a show and tell day during the spring semester several months ago. Its name is Sweet Pea. He only saw it once for a little while several months ago. His memory is AMAZING. It took me a while to remember that and I'm an adult!!

It was a hot day so the misting areas were a big hit....

I can't believe he was able to contain himself enough to get this close to a real bird!! You can see the excitement all over his face...

Daddy made a new friend....

So did Brady...ha!

If you look really closely, you can see a baby tiger...

I guess Brady was really annoying this peacock! :) It just kind of wanders around this area of the zoo....

As soon as they got in the car to come home, Brady was out like a light! And of course, all night he talked about going to the zoo the next day like it was a daily activity! :) He's so sweet when he feels like it but man did he have a meltdown tonight! I should take pictures of that to show him when he gets older!!! Geez!

A Few of My Favorite Things

I was thinking of a few of my favorite things today. I figured I should "write" them down so I can remind myself what makes me happy next time I'm not so happy! So, here are (just) a few of those random things....aside from the obvious (family, friends, blah, blah):

• washing my face after a long day
• all 3 boys sleeping peacefully in their respective beds - at the same time
• the sound of any of those boys laughing
• when any of the boys hug/kiss each other without me asking them to (and even when I ask them to but it's way better when they do it on their own)
• reality TV
• the fact that at 3.5 years old, Brady has realized the importance of turning the light off in a room before he shuts the door - he should share this concept with his father who, at 34 years old, still hasn't adopted the concept fully
• removing an uncomfortable bra after a long day (TMI - sorry but it seriously makes me happy)
• my first Coke of the day
• the fact that at 19 months old, Zachary often says 'thank you' without being prompted
• wireless internet
• sound AND video baby monitors
• car seats - not only for the safety purposes, but for whatever it is about them that make kids sit still and be quiet without trying to escape (unlike high chairs??) for sometimes long periods of time - extra bonus....they also make kids sleepy
• DVRs
• pedicures
• shopping
• "monkey kisses" from my boys
• Easton's sweet smiles when he sees/hears me come into the room and when he first wakes up in the morning
• naps
• air conditioners
• my comfy bed
• date nights - I vaguely remember what those are and hope to encounter them again soon
• chips and salsa
• black and white pictures
• there are soooo many more....I could go on and on but I'll have to save some for next time!!

God's Promise

God hath not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways
All our lives through;
God hath not promised
Sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow,
Peace without pain.
But God hath promised
Strength for the day,
Rest for the labor,
Light for the way,
Grace for the trials,
Help from above,
Unfailing sympathy,
Undying love...

When we were going through infertility treatments and waiting to receive a referral for our adoption, I used to read this every day - it's been hanging on our fridge since the summer of 2006. I actually found it on the back of a program at a Memorial Day service we used to always take my grandfather to at the cemetery where lots of our family members were buried. I had never seen it before but really liked it and kept the program. My grandfather unexpectedly died less than a week later after falling and breaking his hip - this will always remind me of him. Sadly, he never got to meet any of my kids but I know they would've loved each other tons!!