Another tooth

Colin has been working on his second loose tooth.  It was crooked yesterday afternoon and I meant to take a picture since I thought his snaggle tooth looked cute.  Then Brent came home and a wrestling match started in the boys room.  All of a sudden Brent is calling to me saying there's lots of blood come quick. He had knocked out colin's loose tooth in the match and it hadn't been quite ready to come out yet.

 All was fine after a few minutes with a cold wet washcloth

Colin wasn't as excited this time. The blood freaked him out.  And then the fact that we can't find the tooth. Brent told Colin he probably swallowed it. (which was always my biggest fear and i'm not sure why brent told him that)  So then Colin was afraid he would have to poop it out.  I reassured him that it is probably somewhere in his room and that we can't find it because its smaller than the legos all over his floor.

I can't wait to see what he looks like when his adult teeth come in.

Conversations with Joel

 

 Lately my conversations with Joel have gone like this:

Me: Lets go play cars

Joel: who?

Me:  You

Joel: What? 

Me: Cars.Lets go play with your cars

Joel: Who?

Me: Joel - Does Joel want to go play cars with mommy?

Joel: Where?

Me: In your room.

Joel:  What?

Me: cars. lets play cars

Joel:  Who? 

And it goes on and on. Sometimes I give up but it does make me laugh.

6 more weeks

 Baby girl is getting bigger.  Only 6 more weeks to go.  Colin was a week early, Joel was on his due date. I'm predicting this girl to be a week late but I'd really like her to be a little early.  I already feel like she's about to fall out when I walk.  The other day we got surprised by a short storm at the bus stop.  No one had coats, it was literally pouring so hard I couldn't see.  Joel was screaming and clinging to me.  Colin was in the jogger crying about his groundhog hat he made that was just dripping, I'm pushing Colin, holding Joel and trying to walk as fast as I could all the way home (I wish the bus stop was closer) It stopped raining 10 minutes after we got home.  Go figure.  A few more days like that and baby girl will come early. 

 She's measuring right on time.  As large as I look and feel I haven't gained as much weight this time.  In fact a few times I've lost weight recently.  I still can't eat sugary sweets.  I passed my glucose test but I still get sick after eating even 1 M&M - I usually have to follow it up with a carrot or piece of broccoli.  But I do sneak some in. Sometimes its just worth it :) 

And we have finally picked her name.  Norah Grace Goedecke.  Although Colin is still calling her leah :)  That was and still is his top pick.  But Norah just seems to fit her.  Norah means honor and light which we liked.  And now that the kitchen is almost done its time to start thinking baby.  As much as I'd love to be done being pregnant its almost come too fast. There is a lot to get done before she gets here.  I have a feeling these next few weeks will fly by. 

Kitchen demo

 Our kitchen renovation is underway.  Brent and some friends basically gutted the whole kitchen last Friday and today (this Friday) cabinets will be delivered.  I think - I'm still waiting on them to call with a time. Tomorrow the cabinets will be installed.  Our appliances come Monday and then we'll wait I think another week for the sink and counter tops. Once the cabinets go in tomorrow it'll get a lot easier for me to start putting our house back in order.  (oh and in the midst of all this we moved Joel into Colin's room - we're nothing if not ambitious! we just desperately needed sleep that we went ahead and did it.  So far so good.  The kids are enjoying it and Joel is sleeping in his bed longer and longer)

We've had some great friends come out and help.  We couldn't have done it without them.  Tyler even came late two nights to help Brent tile.   Brent has been working hard.  Working all day and then coming home to work all night some nights on the kitchen.  The only complaint from the kids is that they miss daddy since he comes straight from work to do kitchen stuff. The boys have enjoyed the donuts for breakfast every morning and the fun snacks I got them to eat this week. And a dear friend of mine made us dinner one night that has been our lunches every day since.  So it hasn't been too bad.  I think its amazing we can go from gutted to basically done in a week.

 Then there will be painting and backsplash to do and we'll be done.  In time to get ready for our baby girl.  Most of you have been following the process on facebook but don't expect pictures on here until its absolutely done.  I took a ton of before pictures and I'm excited to place them side by side to see the difference. But that will probably come after the painting/backsplash.  We've gotten some amazing deals on all of this stuff so if any of you are looking to redo your kitchen let me know - we have connections.

Colin has made a fort and insists on sleeping like this every night.  since he sleeps all night and actually sleeps in later I have no problem with it. 

Squirrels

Joel is still in love with squirrels.  Joel got this squirrel from Ant Ant for Christmas.  He loves it and carries it all over the house.  He recently found the bowl of cedar balls that were in the bottom of my closet (we had a moth problem a few months ago) and has claimed he balls as his "nuts." They are perfect size for the squirrel to hold and "eat."  The nuts have to go where the squirrel goes.  I have to remember at night to get the bowl out of his bed after he goes to sleep so he wont roll over it at night.

Poor Boy

This has been Colin since Christmas.  His asthma medication isn't working so we're waiting on our appointment to see a specialist to figure out how to control it.  2 more weeks. But lately its not unusual for Colin to just lay on the couch for a little bit.  It will usually last no longer than an hour and then he's back up and bouncing around the house, climbing up the walls (literally) and his normal self.  He has been stuttering a lot lately and having trouble getting words out.  Its almost as bad as it was back at the beginning of school. The speech therapist said a lot of it was stress - but i'm beginning to wonder if its also asthma related.  Although he does have a lot of changes - we're moving joel into his room, getting a new kitchen, and a new baby coming up.  So that could be adding to it.  We're looking forward to the doctors apt but that is also making him nervous about what tests they will do.  I will admit I'm a little worried there is something going on more than his asthma but I guess thats what moms do - worry about our kids. 

But I should've known something when he didn't want to go to a birthday party Saturday.  He seemed fine but said he was achy and just wanted to lay down.  Joel has been snotty for a week now so i figured we'd all stay home.  Turns out they both had red eyes and gunk oozing from their eyes yesterday.  Ear infections.  Both of them.  Colin has a mild case - his first ear infection - Joel has a really really bad case.  The doctor was amazed Joel could hear anything.  (But the best part of all this is that we got the doctor we want. Our favorite doctor moved and we didn't like his replacement so I begged yesterday to see Dr. Dan - who we also liked.  Colin loves him too and was scared of the new guy.  But now we're on Dr. Dan's schedule. I had to ask Dr. Dan to be added but luckily being a Gouger can get you in - he knows my uncle - YAY!!!!)   So we're taking another day off from school today to get better and I'm enjoying some extra snuggles with my boys.  Although my plans of getting everything ready for our kitchen demo tomorrow have gone a lot slower.  It'll all get done. Hopefully :)  And by this afternoon the boys will have enough medicine in them to be chasing each other all over the house and back to wrestling. Right around the time I need a nap :) 

Davy Crockett

 The kids have been playing Davy Crockett off and on since Christmas. 

Colin built the Alamo.  He proudly called me into his room and showed me his fort.  Then said "don't worry mommy - they all die."  (we watched the movie and while they don't show everyone dying the kids picked up on it pretty fast)

And then Davy Crockett has some pretty cute death scenes.  

Lego Club

We don't have a wii or any other video gaming system.  But we do have a computer and Colin loves to play games on Lego Club.  Joel loves to climb up and watch. I love Lego Club because after playing his games or watching the Lego videos, Colin will go in his room and create his own creations for hours.

Last week I was sitting on the couch drinking a cup of tea and Joel climbed up next to Colin.  He reached over, gave Colin a big hug and kiss and whispered "I wuv  you Bubba." Colin replied "I love you too Joel." Joel went on to say "you my best friend Bubba." and Colin said "we're best friends forever."

This now happens almost each time Joel climbs up next to Colin. A hug, a kiss, I love you or a best friends comment. 

I think I have the worlds sweetest boys. 

Flash Light Fun

Happy Monday

Getting too big

 Notice anything different? 

Guess the tooth fairy is coming tonight.

I think the tooth fairy might cry.  I remember when he got that tooth.  It was his first one...can't believe he's old enough to start losing them. Its been loose all week and tonight while eating Apple Jacks it came out.  We have a very excited boy tonight.... and a very teary mommy :)

Jamestowne

 We spent the last day of 2011 at Jamestown with my dad and Uncle Jeff.  The weather was beautiful.  We couldn't ask for a better day.  It was a lot of fun.  The last time I had been was 9 years ago when Brent and I were dating.  I took him there since he had never been and if I remember right that weekend is the weekend Brent claims he knew he wanted to marry me.  It was the first time he came home with me to meet the whole family so it must've been a good visit (although I think thats also the weekend Mary got the flu for the first time and was throwing up everywhere...somehow my charm must've overcome that memory! haha)

 The cannon was a big hit.

Brent got into the cannon too.  While Jeff and Dad were looking at all the historical parts we were near the cannon.

  The kids had fun running around and both were asleep five minutes into our drive home.  Colin wanted to watch the historical video so we stayed and did that and while he wanted to go see the glass blowing again, he was asleep before we got there so we kept driving. 

A fun day. A great way to end the year.

Legos

 Brent and Colin have been doing this a lot this week.  Colin's big Lego set has taken several days and he's done most of it himself. We have several more boxes of legos they got for Christmas we have yet to open.  It'll be fun all winter to get them out to play with. 

 While Brent and Colin are working on one part, Joel is slowly dismantling another part.

 We have to watch Joel so its not totally destroyed.  Colin doesn't get too upset yet.  He'll just put it back together. 

Colin is a very patient older brother.

Rides

 Sometimes a ride on a motorcycle can be really fun

 You might get going fast. So fast you are mostly a blur in most of mommys pictures. 

You might race around the front yard for a long time (since mommy wont let you in the street and go "wheely fast")

And sometimes when you take a pit stop you might see something disturbing...the tail off a beloved squirrel. "Squished Squirrel tail mommy!!!!!!" 

(I wish that picture wasn't blurry.  He was so cute I was trying not to laugh at the horrified,disgusted faces he was making)

Christmas

 Merry Christmas.  We had a fun filled day yesterday and today are enjoying our gifts and relaxing.  The boys slept until 7:30 and I think Colin would've slept longer but Joel woke him up saying "bubba christmas presents" and that got Colin out of bed.  (and the kids didn't really sleep late.  Brent ended up in bed with Joel that night and I brought Colin in bed with me after having him wheezing most of the night so I could keep an eye on him)  

 They both helped the other open their stockings and had fun seeing what was in them.  Then we started opening presents.  

This was brents favorite gift we gave Colin. 

 I dont think he realized how long it would take to put together :)  And I must add that Brent didn't think we should get it at first but I talked him into it and I think Brents played with it more than the boys! 

 Even my grandpa checked it out - I think Colin is telling him how it works. 

 I dont think Batman or Captain Rex have been any cuter. 

Then we went over to my parents to open more presents and then after that went to my grandparents for more Christmas.  It was fun enjoying family, grandparents, cousins, sisters, uncles, aunts.  James used to be Davy Crockett for YEARS!  It brings back many memories of my brother.  Colin loves it. I didn't do very well taking pictures in the afternoon. But I just love this video I took of Colin yesterday.

 This video is priceless.  Since we left right after to go see family he didn't get a chance to open it.  This morning at 6am I heard Colin say "Daddy its Lego time"

 Growing up I always loved looking at all the presents and trying to guess what was in each of them.  Didn't matter if they were mine or not.  It was just fun to guess. Colin may look just like his daddy but he is a lot like me.  He likes to sit under the tree and "inspect" the gifts that have been appearing this week.  The other day he excitedly told Joel to come into the front room with him and he was going to tell him how he knew one of their gifts was a book.

 Joel just likes to lay on the gifts and look up at the lights. Or the toys he's stashed in there.  So far we've had to take out a musket, little people, lego men, a light sabre and probably other toys that Joel has thrown into the tree.  His new "game" to play with Colin is to take the heads and helmets off Bubba's Lego men and then go throw them into the tree. He thinks its great.  Colin not so much....

 Colin talked me into letting him give me his gift today since Christmas is tomorrow. He said he was going to burst and tell me if I didn't open it today. So I did.  And the look on his face while I was opening it was worth it.  Its a heart shaped necklace with the word mom in the middle.  I love it.  And I love this boy.  

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Busy Week

We have had a busy but fun week.  I think we have had something planned every day and night this week.  I didnt do very well taking pictures and I wish I had at some moments.  Laura and I took the kids to the Winter Wonderland Museum in Portsmouth and Joel was in awe.  Joel would say "wow" when he walked into the room.  I loved watching him look at everything. I think he was the perfect age to take.

Our community group went caroling wednesday night and Colin LOVED it.  He would stand right in front with his song sheet out and "read" it.  He tried to follow along and was so proud to get his own song sheet.  He just started learning to read and we knew he couldn't read the words but he was so cute I wish I had gotten a picture of him singing with his song sheet.

But I did get lots of pictures yesterday.  We had our annual gingerbread house party (its now the second year so I think we can start calling it annual)  This year I read on a few blogs that you can build the houses out of graham crackers the night before and they will be sturdy enough to decorate.  I had forgotten to get milk cartons so I tried it this way. 

Not too bad.  They were all a little different because I could only get 1 roof to stay perfectly.  But it was sturdy by the time the kids were ready to decorate. 

 All 5 kids stuffed their faces with candy.  (Next year we are adding 2 more girls to the group.  Laura is due 3 weeks before me with a little girl.  Works out perfectly!)

The older ones got creative with their houses.  Noah had gum drops for lights all around.  They made snowmen out of gum drops and toothpicks.

 I don't even want to know how much sugar Joel ate yesterday :) 

It was fun but I will definitely go back to using milk cartons to support the structure.  20 minutes after they were done the houses mainly looked like this:

They caved in.  And then Joel took a spoon to his because he thought it made it easier to eat.  I felt bad since the big kids had some neat designs on theirs.  Nathan's is the only one that didn't fall apart.  Probably because there are only a few pieces of candy on it. I guess the weight of all the candy and frosting was too much for the graham cracker.  

The kids exchanged gifts and these glasses came in Colin's gift.  He loves them.  Joel does too and we had to tape them together after Joel broke them. 

 Colin walks around holding the glasses and squinting.  (probably since mommy needs new glasses)

I love it. 

Brent took today off and Colin is off for Christmas Break.  Its nice having both of them home. Brent has worked a half day on Christmas eve the past few years so I'm enjoying having him home today.   It was nice having everyone home this morning.  The boys slept until 8.  A wonderful Christmas present to me :) Brent took the boys outside and I'm off to take a nap.