Belated Birthday

Alright, I couldn't stand it any longer, I had to get caught up on the blog before I got so far behind that I wouldn't be able to catch up. So, I won't bore you with too many details, but instead will provide you with lots of pictures, which are always way more fun to look at anyway.

Here's a quick rundown of things lately . . . my mom arrived on August 20th, and we pretty much spent the next few days after that getting ready for Zander's big birthday party. For months he has been telling me that he wanted a shark birthday, so that is what he got. It was actually very difficult to find shark party stuff, so a lot of our decorations and ideas were homemade (yes, I tapped into my barely-there Martha Stewart talents). I actually found clip art of sharks on the computer, and made wall art out of these images. I bought plain plates, balloons, etc. in various shades of blue, and I covered as much stuff with shark stickers as I could. Charley and Zander already had a ton of plastic sea animals, so I used these animals to accessorize the party table. I was also able to find a shark pinata, so in the end, it all looked very cute . . . and more importantly, I think Zander was happy.

Here is Zander on the morning of his party, getting his first glimpse of a new basketball hoop he got from his Grammy Bev and Papa Dick for his birthday.

Getting the hang of it . . .
It was finally party time.

This year my mom and I made cupcakes, some with gummy fish, some with a gummy octopus, and some with what looks like a life preserver with a shark bite out of it. We tried to make shark cupcakes from a recipe I found in a magazine, but that didn't go so well, so this is what we ended up with.

Pinata time!
Collecting the goods . . .
Present time!
Shortly after everyone left . . .

So that was the party. Everyone had a fun time and everything went well. The next day we spent the day at the Hale Koa pool, just relaxing after so many days of busy party prep. On Monday, my mom and I took the kids on a drive over the Kolekole Pass, where Charley took her first poop in the woods. She is now officially ready for camping. I know she is going to kill me someday for sharing this, but it's an important milestone, right? :)

On Wednesday, Brian had a work morale day up at Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore. He spent the morning golfing, while we enjoyed their complimentary lunch and headed down to the beach. He later joined us, so I snuck off for a horseback ride that the resort was offering, with my friend Kathy. It was so awesome . . .

On Thursday, Charley was back at school, so we took Zander to a play group that I found, which just happens to be at the same time she's at school. Here is he outside playgroup, acting like one cool dude.

Yesterday was another busy day, as we spent all morning at the lagoons, where we hung out on the beach, went swimming, and snuck over to the hotel to look at their array of sharks, sting rays, and beautiful fish. During the afternoon I found out that one of my very good friends here, Andre, had her third child, a little boy who has yet to be named. Then last night, Brian and I went out to dinner to celebrate our fifth anniversary. The big day is actually not for another week, but Brian is leaving for a two-week deployment on Monday, so he will miss it. :(

I guess that about covers the past week or so. We are really enjoying having my mom here, and I'm so glad that she gets to be with us another few weeks. Thank goodness for mommies!!

Zander-isms

Zander: (pointing at Charley while we were in the pool yesterday) "Charley a fish."

Danielle: "Oh yeah? Is Daddy a fish too?"

Zander: (pointing at Brian) "No, Daddy a dolphin."

Brian: "Well, if I'm a dolphin and Charley is a fish, then what is Mommy?"

Zander: "A whale."

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Zander: "Pew, Charley stinky!"

Danielle: "Did you just say that Charley is stinky?"

Zander: "Yeah. Charley stinky. Mommy stinky too."

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Conclusion based on yesterday's conversations: Daddy is a dolphin, Charley is a stinky fish, and Mom is a stinky whale. Thanks Zander.

Zan Man's 2-Year Stats

Height: BIG (36"--90%)

Weight: BIG (31 lbs.--90%)

Head Circumference: BIG (90%)

Zander weighs almost as much as Charley does, although he is several inches shorter. Hmmm . . . I wonder which kid got which parent's body type? :)

I'm happy to report that Zander is healthy, mostly happy, and right where he should be developmentally. The healthy and happy part is definitely a nice change this past year, especially compared to his first year of life. If you recall, that first year was a rough one, as Zander seemed to catch EVERY little bug floating around (landing him in the hospital twice before he was even six months old), which didn't exactly make him the most content child in the world. But ever since we moved, I can hardly recall even one day that my little dude has been sick . . . and his discontent has also drastically improved. I guess being home with mommy in Hawaii is doing my little man some good!

Birthday, Bouncing, and More Birthday

So where did we leave off . . . ah yes, Zander's birthday. Unfortunately, Brian was in Seattle doing training for work on Zander's big day, so we decided to keep it low key and instead throw him a big party this upcoming weekend. However, I could not let the day pass without a little celebration. First, I just took a brownie and stuck two candles in it, and then Charley and I sang "Happy Birthday." I love this little series of pictures because I think you can tell what Zander is thinking just by the looks on his face. We'll start with the one where he is dumbfounded at our singing . . .







Then it was time to open a couple presents that some Grammy's & Grandpa's sent. Zander was so funny because he opened the wrapping paper just like his dad . . . slow and methodical, with no ripping involved. Here is he admiring a couple new presents.


Later that afternoon, we met up with some friends at a place called "Leapin' Lizards." It is basically just a big warehouse filled with a ton of different bounce houses. My pictures didn't turn out that great because the kids were constantly in motion, but here are a couple of my favorites. Needless to say, both kids had a great time.


The next day we met up with our friends again at this great little park in our neighborhood. There were four mommies, each with two kids, so here is a picture of six of the eight kids. They are quite the cute little bunch! In the back we have Ella and Zander (who fight like cats and dogs), followed by Charley and Liam (her boyfriend,but Daddy approves), and in the front is Charlotte and Cormac (best buds). We are missing the two youngest members, Lucy and Harper.


On Friday night Brian made it home, and the very next day we had another birthday party to go to. Here are my two cool dudes on their way to the party.

Unfortunately, that is where my pictures end. The party we went to was a Spiderman themed birthday, and all was going well until someone dressed like Spiderman showed up. Zander loved him, giving him high fives and hugs, like most of the other kids. Charley, on the other hand, was absolutely TERRIFIED of him, and refused to go anywhere near him. She kept begging me to let her go hide from Spiderman upstairs, but I told her she needed to stay downstairs with the rest of the kids. She eventually decided to just avoid Spiderman all together by going outside to the bounce house in the yard. She was out there playing by herself, when Spiderman and all the other kids decided to go bounce too. Charley did not see Spiderman coming until he was already in the bounce house, and when she realized that he was in there with her, she completely FREAKED OUT. She came barreling out of the bounce house, frantically screaming at the top of her lungs with tears streaming down her bright red face. I don't think I've ever seen her run so fast! And poor Charley, all the adults couldn't help but stand there, laughing their heads off because she was so funny and cute. I really wish I had a picture of the whole thing. She came sobbing into my arms, where she stayed for quite a long time. In fact, she fell asleep that way, and a short time later I woke her up because they were busting out the pinata. She woke up with a jolt, and immediately buried her face back in my neck, hiding from Spiderman. I assured her that he was gone, but it took her awhile to believe me. She kept peeking around corners cautiously just to make sure he wasn't around. Poor Charley, she's probably going to be scarred for life.

Yesterday we went to a pool party with Matt and Heather and another Columbia Falls/Montana military family that also lives out here (what a small world, huh?). We had a good time, but it was sort of a going away party for the other family, who has to move to Alabama in a couple weeks. It's always hard to see friends go.

On a different note, I'm happy to report that my Mom is going to be able to come visit after all. She is arriving Wednesday, and the plan is to have her here for a whole month, so we are all very excited. The more the merrier!

Happy Birthday Zan Man!

Today is my beautiful baby's 2nd birthday, which once again reminds me of how fast time flies.

Two years ago, on this day, we were roasting our tushes off in Arkansas as I waddled my way into the hospital. One year ago today, we barely had our boxes unpacked but squeezed in a party.

Today is going to be kind of quiet day, since Brian is out of town for work and doesn't want to miss out on any of the festivities. So we are just going to go hang out at Leapin' Lizards (a place with tons of bounce houses) with our friends, and later when we get home we'll have brownies and sing "Happy Birthday" and open a few little presents. Next weekend, though, we are going to have a big birthday party, and long ago Zander decided he wanted a shark/sting ray birthday, so that's what he will get. Someone please just tell me, where did my baby go? :)

Pouting

Surprisingly, no, this post regarding "pouting" is not about the kids. It's about me.

For the last two days, I've been puttering around, doing my normal stuff, but also sitting here feeling a little sorry for myself. And the worst part is, I know in my brain that nothing in my life is really that worth feeling sorry for (I don't think so anyway), but nonetheless, this insight does not seem to be changing my mood. The biggest downer at the moment is my mom's potential visit next week. I say "potential" because at this point in may or may not happen. My step-dad injured his knee at work a couple weeks ago, and visits to various doctors have revealed that he needs surgery as soon as possible. However, because the injury took place at work, he has to wait for the workman's comp claim to process properly before the doctors will schedule the surgery. So there he sits, at home with my mom, waiting for the call. Meanwhile, my mom is supposed to fly out here in nine days. Even IF the surgery happens before next week, they still have four horses, two dogs, a cat, and whatever other miscellaneous animals they may have at the moment, that need to be cared for. So at this point, none of us are sure whether my mom coming out here will be feasible, and in the meantime, I can't help but worry that she's not going to be able to make it, or that she may be leaving my dad in a tight spot. Sort of a no-win situation.

I'm also pouting because Brian is gone. Now, as most of you know, I'm not one of those wives who can't live without her husband for a few days . . . I don't sit around and cry, or beg him to call me every minute, or pine away for his companionship every second of every day (no offense, Brian). However, I have definitely noticed that the kids act up quite a bit more when he is gone, which does not make my days easier or make the time fly by any faster. I also don't sleep very well when he is gone because no matter how hard I try not to think about it, I'm always nervous about someone trying to get in the house when it's just me and the kids. So, very little sleep plus naughty kids does not add up to a very cheerful mommy sometimes. Also, we have all come to really enjoy the part of the day when Brian walks in the door. The kids run to him, screaming in excitement, which obviously makes me feel happy too. So all in all, I think we all prefer it when Brian is around.

And you know how it goes . . . when you get in one of these moods, the wheels in your head won't stop moving, and you start to think about EVERYTHING that may or may not be stressful normally, but is definitely stressful at the moment . . . being homesick, worrying about money, all the unfinished projects lying around, all the projects that haven't even been started . . . and on and on.

But tomorrow the pouting must stop. My "mom-tourage" (as we now call ourselves) is coming over. My mom-tourage is a group of ladies that I have come to know and love in the short time I've been here, and it just so happens that our husbands work together. I plan on telling you more about my mom-tourage in another post very soon. But anyway, we are having a ladies' night that involves lots of key lime pie, popcorn, cookies, brownies, and Lord knows what else that will be loaded with calories, plus a little celebrity gossip, Olympics, the season finale of "Tori & Dean," and just some plain old good laughs . . . which is just what I need.

But for now, I'm going to go finish pouting.

One Year Later . . .

Just a little over one year ago we were vacationing at my parents' house, getting ready to complete a very long journey that took us from Arkansas, to Michigan, to Montana, to Seattle, and finally to Hawaii, with two babies and two pets in tow. Zander was less than a year old, Charley was two and a half, and after two months of living out of suitcases, we were ready to settle down.

Brian and the pets came out to Hawaii two weeks ahead of the rest of us in order to get all our stuff moved into our new home and to get things settled before we arrived. On August 4th, he greeted me, the kids, and my mom at the airport with beautiful leis, and thus began our new life in Hawaii.


Here we are, a year later, and it still amazes me how much has changed in such a short time. In just a few short days, my beautiful son will be two years old. Just a year ago he couldn't walk, didn't talk much yet, and was still drinking out of a bottle. Today he runs around as fast as can be, can form near complete sentences, and prides himself on being able to drink out of a "big boy" cup. A year ago, my spirited little Charley was still in diapers, hadn't learned how to wear flip-flops, and was sad that all her friends were left behind. Today diapers are much a thing of the past, she has mastered how to run, jump, and play hopscotch in sandals, and she has made so many new friends that she never has a shortage of companionship. One year ago I would have sworn to you that I would be working by now. And yet here I am, a year later, no longer pondering the possibility of working any time soon, and relishing every minute that I get to spend at home with the kids. One year ago, my kids didn't know much else besides spending their weekdays at daycare. Today my kids don't know anything except spending their days with me. A year ago we all took for granted the easy work schedule Brian enjoyed for three whole years. Today we savor every minute that Brian gets to spend at home. A year ago I would have not considered going anywhere in public by myself with both kids unless I absolutely had to. Today we rarely spend an entire day at home, and I don't think there is anything that I am not brave enough to try on my own with the kids. A year ago I was not very confident in my ability to be a good stay-at-home mom, as I always envisioned myself being the "working mom." Today I am proud to be a stay-at-home mom, and most days I feel like I'm doing an okay job of it. A year ago I had a cleaning lady. Today, I AM the cleaning lady. A year ago we never sat down as a family and ate dinner because the kids always ate an early dinner and Brian and I ate after they went to bed. Today we sit down as a family and eat dinner every night, and we are all eating the same thing. A year ago Zander hated going to the beach and would cry every time a wave splashed him with water. Today we have to tear him away from the water, even after spending three hours at the beach. A year ago Charley and Zander's hair was blonde, but today it's even blonder. They are officially Coppertone beach babies.

Things are definitely different today that they were a year ago . . . more different than I ever imagined.

But looking back, I don't think I would trade even a minute of it for anything else . . .

1st Day of School

Charley started preschool today, and I swear, it was a match made in heaven. She definitely got my nerdy "I love school" gene . . . now let's just hope she gets to skip the whole thick glasses/big hair phase that I suffered through (for way too many years). And true to form, I was there with camera in hand to capture every single second. Here we are loading in the car first thing this morning . . . and if I had to read Charley's face, I'm guessing she was thinking, "Oh great, here's the psycho camera lady again."


We arrived a few minutes early, along with many other parents, so we all took turns sticking our kids in front of the school sign to take pictures. I'm not kidding when I say that EVERY other parent there had a camera too, so I didn't feel so dorky at that point.

Here are Charley and Zander patiently waiting to go inside. I love Charley's little backpack with her name embroidered on it. Unfortunately, Zander thought he was going to school today too.

Here is Miss Chris, Charley's teacher, with her new class. At this point, Miss Chris told all the kids to sit on a shape and say goodbye to their mom or dad. So I said, "Bye Charley." She didn't even look my way. So, I repeated myself. But she still didn't look my way. I was glad that she wasn't upset, but at the same time, I didn't want to leave her there without acknowledging my departure because I didn't want her took look up, see I was gone, and freak out. So once more, I loudly declared, "See you later Charley!" This time she looked up, smiled, and waived . . . and looked at me like, "Okay Mom, time to go."

So I left. I have to admit that as I walked out the door, I got a little lump in my throat and a very small tear behind my eye. I'm not really a cryer, but I just can't believe how fast time flies and how big Charley has gotten. Where did my baby girl go?

As soon as we got in the car, Zander looked around and said, "Mama, where's Char-ee?" I said, "Sorry buddy, Charley's at school." He immediately got sad and declared, "No school! No school! No wike school!"

Sorry buddy, but it's time for sister to go.

Sleepy Head (Part II)

As you may recall, on June 9th I posted an entry about Zander's funny napping habits (i.e. how he tends to fall asleep anywhere but his bed). Well, these habits have continued. Zander WILL NOT take a nap in his crib during the day (he hasn't for months now), but he WILL fall asleep whenever it suits him. Thankfully the kid goes to bed at 7:00 p.m. at night, and usually sleeps until 5:00 a.m., at which time he comes in bed with me and will generally fall back asleep until 6:30 a.m. or so. So it's not all that bad. But it does make for some good pictures. Here are the pictures I've taken just in the last six weeks or so . . . and these aren't even ALL of his random naps.

Here are his Michigan naps:

In this one, he was sitting up on the bed watching T.V., and I walked out of the room for literally ten seconds, and when I came back, he had collapsed face first on the bed.

Here we are back in Hawaii . . .



Yes, he is in fact sleeping standing up . . .

New position . . .

I wish he was this sweet and cute when he wakes up from these naps!

The Dentist Diaries

Today we had the distinct pleasure of taking both kids to the dentist. This was Charley's third visit, but it was Zander's first visit, so we decided that it might be prudent for BOTH of us to attend the appointment. Charley actually really enjoys going to the dentist, either because they have cool toys in the waiting room and T.V.'s attached to the exam chairs, or because she's never had anything traumatic (like a filling) done . . . but either way, she likes it, so she was no problem. She sat in her chair nicely, followed the kind dentist's instructions, and left with a nice sparkly smile. He said her teeth look great (despite the one tooth that got bumped a few weeks ago and hence turned a sort of grayish color, but which will eventually fall out) and to keep up the good work.

Zander, well, not the same story. Zander was not impressed with the waiting room toys enough to want to stay, he hated the exam chair (so I had to sit with him), and he hated the dentist looking in his mouth even more. We had to lay him in my lap, face up, with his head on my knees, arms pinned down, just so the dentist could get a peek in his screaming mouth. It was awesome. Fortunately, the dentist that we go to is a pediatric dentist, so he is totally used to this type of reaction and said that he generally doesn't start cleaning their teeth until age three, when they can understand more of what's going on. Anyway, he got enough of a look in Zander's mouth to determine that Zander will most definitely need braces down the road. He said that Zander's teeth are already crowded and he doesn't even have all his molars yet. I guess I wrongly assumed that what your baby teeth look like didn't necessarily apply to how your permanent ones will turn out, but I guess I was wrong.

So, this whole trip to the dentist got me thinking about genetics and how interesting they are. I have always had perfectly straight and perfectly spaced teeth, hence never needing braces, and I've never had any major dental issues. Brian, on the other hand, not only had braces/head gear/retainers for many years (he's probably going to kill me for publishing that information), but he had to get caps on both his front teeth, and he told me today that he even had to get ten teeth extracted from his mouth (six regular teeth and four wisdom) to make some room, and his teeth are still crowded. So here comes Charley, who seemingly favors Brian in nearly ever way (looks, body type, hair texture, even her fingers and weird pinkie toenails), aside from her blue eyes and her attitude, which clearly come from my gene pool. Then Zander is next, who clearly favors me in the looks department, even down to his pinkie toes, more or less favoring Brian mainly in the personality department (thank God). Yet somehow, in all that mix, Charley got my perfectly spaced teeth, and Zander got Brian's crowded ones. Hmmm, interesting.

Now if we could only explain their very blonde hair . . . .