Quick Notes. . . .

*I was at the grocery store today with Raegan. She said to me, "Mom, you are the bestest of them all of all the mommy's in the whole wide world." Cute, huh? Well, after a cute hug she looked up at me and said, "Can I have some Ice Cream?" We weren't even down the ice cream isle and I didn't think that she was trying to bribe me. Maybe she was? Kids are often smarter than we think.

*Yesterday Cory, the kids, and I went for a walk. The weather was great and we had fun walking around the ATSU campus which has the most beautiful palm trees! Easton woke up at 3 a.m. with a temperature. I checked it at 9 am and it was at 103. I took him in and found out he had an ear infection. The Dr. told me that she thinks one of the tubes is out in the infected ear. We'll just have to watch and hope that they don't keep coming back. The poor kid was so miserable. But, he is extra cuddly when he's sick. It's nice because normally he doesn't like to snuggle. I told the Dr that I have been really concerned about Easton's health. With the viral infection in his lungs 2 weeks ago, tubes in his ears, ear infection now, eye infection when he was little, etc. I have felt like I'm a bad mom. I try my best to feed them good things and keep them away from germs. I've just been really sensitive about it. She made me feel so much better.  She told me to keep making sure that he gets Vitamin C, fruits, veggies, etc. She also told me about this Kifer stuff. It helps boost your immune system. Easton hates it. But, I made him take some.

Just Playin'

Sometimes you've gotta do what you've just gotta do to entertain these little tikes :)

Phoenix

 I was at the Doctor yesterday in Phoenix, about a 20 minute drive away. It was an appointment at an ENT for some sinus problems I've been having for the past, oh about 15 years! Along with a deviated septum and a cyst in the sinus cavity. They think I might have chronic inflamation or allergies which cause the sinus's to swell, become blocked, and then create a lovely sinus infection! I get them often and they are not fun! But, I do feel hopeful about the treatment plan.
Traffic was horrible driving out there and there is an exit to the LEFT on the freeway that I always miss. It's good I still got there on time. So, on top of finding a babysitter for while I was gone, driving out there and missing the left exit a couple times, waiting in the office forever, and then 5:00 traffic on the way home, I was  fine with not doing anything else the rest of the day (plus having the doctor stick a camera up your nose and spray who knows what up there wasn't fun either. But, I put my "big-girl pant" on and was just fine). Well, I got home and all I wanted to do was play with Raegan and Easton. And they, like always, were willing. Their favorite thing is to jump on the bed. So we sat there for an hour reading, playing, and hanging out. It's so nice having those two little bugs to turn my day around. I gave Raegan a cute little cupcake pillow today because she smashed her toe really bad. When she got it, she hugged it really tight, then gave me a hug and said in her tiny little 3 year-old voice, "Thanks mom! YOU"RE THE BEST." Then she said, "I can't wait to show dad!" She is such a darling!

Getting Better

At first, Easton hated getting his breathing treatment. Now, he LOVES it. He even likes to hold the mask up to his face by himself. Cory has been taking care of the kids most this weekend while I've been getting a lot of busy-work stuff done (I've thrown some me-time in there too). I came home before the kids bedtime and started getting Easton's machine set up for him before he went to bed. Cory sat down on the chair with him ready to go. I told him that I'd do it and that he needed to go take a break. He said, "no- it's okay, I'll do it." I thought he was just being nice and told him, "no, go take a break, I'll do it." After going back and forth, I got the idea across that Easton's Daddy wanted and loves to take care of his kids and for me to back off. It's no lie that any parent, not matter how much they love their kids, needs some time away. But, I am amazed and at how much Cory loves and cares for them.

Can Opener

I haven't wanted to get an electric can opener for a lot of reasons.

 1. limited counter space.
 2. I can't handle dealing with cords.
 3. have other things I'd rather spend money on.
 4. pretty much the counter/cupboard space thing.

I do have good amount of space. I just don't want to use it for a can opener. It's a wierd little quirk that I've always had.

So, for the past long long while, I've been using the .88 cent kind from walmart and it'll break. Or, I'll use a more expensive one and then it gets all rusty from me not keeping it dry. I've gone through probably about $25 worth over the years.

 Well, I came home today to see my poor husband scavaging through the kitchen trying to find something to eat. I'm not the best in that department of home-making I have to admit. I try. I really do. Maybe not hard enough. But, I'll get there one day. I did make some yummy stuff this week. But, after teaching Raegan not to color on the walls for the millionth time, Easton to sleep in his new toddler bed, laundry, Cory's school schedule and lots of decisions in that department, and the list could go on and on  I, a lot of the time - use P.B & J as an excuse for dinner. I did try and put V8 in Easton's sippy cup today. That was a definate no-go! He just threw it. All three different times that I tried different mixtures with the water and apple juice. I can't believe that I'm admitting all of this. It's good therapy. I really am trying to be better in this area, though. I think it's important.

ANYWAY, it's taken a long while to get to the point. About the can opener. Cory finaly found something to fit his appetite after a long day of school, cleaning the apt, taking care of the kids, etc. It was a can of chilli. He pulled out the cheap manual can opener from the drawer and started opening the can when it busted in half. That was the end of it. I knew I was in trouble, so I grabbed my purse, drove to walmart, picked a good electric can opener not really looking at the price, and then went to subway and bought us dinner :)

Easton

Easton got a cold a couple days ago. Last night at about 10 p.m. he woke up crying. I went and checked on him and he was really hot and breathing heavily. Cory and I gave eachother the usual, "what do we do?" look. We decided to just see how he was through the night and then take him into the doctor in the morning. So, I rocked him in the chair and finaly got him to sleep for a bit. He seemed to be doing fine. At about 2 a.m. I was so tired and went to ask Cory if we could switch shifts. I fell asleep and Cory came in at 5 a.m.telling me that Easton's fever was bad and he wasn't able to get a good breath. He was wheezing really bad. Raegan and I are both sick so, I stayed at home with her and Cory took him in to the Banner Gateway Hospital just across the street from us. They took a look at him and decided to get a chest x-ray and do a breathing treatment. They gave him some sterioids to help strengthen his lungs. The breathing treatment worked, thankfully so he didn't have to be admitted. Cory said that Easton flipped getting the breathing treatment done. He kept crying for his mom. When I was giving it to him later in the day, I thought it was funny that he kept crying for his dad. While he was at the hospital, Cory said that he was playing with the nurses. Whenever one would walk in he'd cover his face with his hands and then yell, "Peek-a-boo" or "Hi" really loud. Anyway, tuesdays are the longest day for Cory in school. He goes straight through without hardly a breath. Poor thing is exhausted. My mission today was to just keep Easton happy. Which meant, let the tornado tear the house apart. Which is exactly what he did. Cory called me on the way home from school and said that one of his friends was coming to help give Easton a blessing. Although the place was an absolute mess, I was so grateful to have that for my little guy. In the middle of our disaster apartment, I sat on the chair and held Easton while Cory and his friend gave him a priesthood blessing. Peace filled the room. And peace fills my heart thinking about it. I am so blessed, as imperfect as I am, to be where I am in life and to have what I have. This experience turned out for the best and will keep going that direction. Thank you to friends and family who have been there for me today. I am blessed.

I love how he always crosses his feet.

Yes, those are my ginormous shoes he's wearing.

He put them on all by himself.

Best way to entertain a two-year old.

 Opening and shutting the pantry door yelling, "peek-a-boo".

 He took all of these plates apart and then stacked them back together, over and over.

 He didn't like my meatballs and rice. It's okay, bud. I didn't like them either.

Disney on Ice in Phoenix

Getting ready to go see Disney on Ice the Princess Classics.

Where do we go?

Mommy and Me.

I can't tell who's more excited, Cory or Raegan?

Raegan had a great night!

Visitors!

Raegan's Cousin, Amber visiting from Washington

 Raegan's cousin, Spencer.

 Left to Right: My sister Carrie, Raegan, My Bro-in-Law Derek, niece Amber, Easton, nephew Spencer.

 This is what I get to wake up to every day, Palm Trees and Blue Blue Skies! It's starting to get hot here, though!

 Easton has really started to talk a lot the past two weeks. His favorite thing to do now is say "cheese" for the camera. That's what he's doing in this picture right before we were headed out to go swimming.

 It look like he's throwing a fit in this picture but, he's really yelling, "cheese" for the camera. Look at that vein on his neck!

 "Cheese"

 My sister, Carrie, who was here from Washington. Her husband was here interviewing for a job in Prescott (about 2 hours away) and we got to have them over for a bit. So good to see them! Raegan almost fell asleep getting a piggy back ride.

 Okay, so this picture is disgusting and I debated whether or not I should post it. You can tell which one I picked :) Well,  right before company came to stay the night, the toilet stopped working in the guest bathroom. Wonderful, right? Well, after a lot of work (not on my part) this is what was discovered stuck in the pipes - Easton's bath ball. I wonder who flushed it down there?????

 Cory goes to school with someone who has such a neat family! They have been such a blessing for us to get to know. We love having their kids over (Camilla, Tucker, and Hayden). They came over today while their mom and 3 week old little sister were in Safford (a couple hours away). Easton, once again, is saying "cheese" for the camera. I'll never get over how stinkn' cute it is!

No More Crib

The good thing about being a parent is watching your kids grow up. The bad thing about being a parent is watching your kids grow up. Easton graduated from a crib today and I'm not gonna lie, it hit a soft spot for the mom. But, I like that I can sit next to him while he's sleeping. I'm working on getting him a toddler bed. For now, he's doing just fine on his mattress. Cute little guy! ( I like the therapy that blogging does, I feel better about my boy growing up now that I've vented).

The 3 People in My Life Who Make Me Smile the Most. . . . .

Little Miss Raegan likes to climb into Easton's crib with him and play when they're supossed to be napping! It's so cute, though. They jump up and down and when I come in they wonder how I knew. Just because the door is shut, kids, doesn't mean mom can't hear you!

Oh, my. He was in heaven sporting that thing! It only lasted 2 days because he couldn't handle my making fun of it. I couldn't take him seriously with anything! It's not a good look, babe. Loves, though!

I thought if I hid the candy in the cupboard full of canned vegetables and things, she wouldn't find them. Nope, the little stinker is smarter than her mother! And this girl loves to be naked. All the time! And doesn't mind answering the door that way either. I'm trying to teach her. Trying. Trying. Trying.

Bath time is starting to get fun. The kids don't scream and whine about having to wash their hair like they used to. They actually play now! They both hate getting their nails clipped! It's a battle everytime! But, they love our little system we've got going. I wrap them up in their towels, put them on the couch to watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse while I go get all their stuff. I love them!!!!