Ages and Stages

Ice Ice Baby

My baby is finally home (and so are we)! But before we left Salt Lake, we went over to my grandparents house and let Ty run around with the dog to get some wiggles out. When we were there- he climbed into a pine tree and got sap all in his eyebrow. I couldn't get it out- so I decided just to leave it there and let it wear off in time. Good plan I thought. But yesterday, when he took a nap, he laid on his head funny and I guess it pressed his eyebrow into the sheet really well, because when he rolled over he ripped out a chunk of his eyebrow. When I went in to see why he was crying- there was a patch of hair on his crib sheet. Poor baby. What's worse- he looks like he's trying to make a Vanilla Ice comeback. Oh well- at least we got a good picture of it!

All By Myself

Okay. I am officially bored. Ty is spending a few days with his Grandma and Grandpa in Salt Lake- and I'm all alone. And let's face it- laundry, homework and mopping the kitchen floor just don't hold a candle to my little monkey. Sure things are easier to get done- but where's the fun in doing laundry when you have to do it yourself? Ty loves being my little helper- and will put the clothes that I hand him from the washer into the dryer. And he always cleans out my lint trap for me. And I literally almost cried when I was folding his pajamas- he's just so cute. Oh well. I know he's having fun. In fact my dad sent me this email, letting me know what everyone was up to:

"Just wanted to give you the play by play. He was so funny in the backyard yesterday!!! He loves his little slide. He stays on there all day. He and Melissa would play hide and seek and he would just cackle. He took a break to pick raspberrys. He loves rasberrys. He would get down low with me and look for them and then say, "Nope", when we didn't find them. Then when we found a few he put his hand out and said, "More". He must have eaten a whole bush!!! I then started to weed and he thought that was great fun, because he could throw the dirt clods that were dug up. Dirt everywhere, especially on him. Then we had to water and he watered everything, especially Grandpa. Then he found he could swing the hose all over and it was really fun until he dumped it on his head. Bath time. Short story and a prayer and he slept like a rock!!!

Its times like this that makes us all realize how great kids and grandkids can be. Thanks for sharing.

Old Man"

Anyway. It sounds like they are having fun- it's just been funny around here. Shaun mopes around here like he's just been told they aren't making potato chips anymore. I guess that little boy has wriggled into our hearts more than we ever thought he could. We love you baby boy! Come home soon!

He Did It!!

So either Ty is very brave- or he has very stupid parents. I haven't totally decided which it is yet. Either way- we sure had a fun weekend! We went down to Declo (again) for Father's Day and spent most of Saturday afternoon playing on the river. Papa brought out his boat again- and we had such a kick! First Jeni and I got on the tube and got the crap beat out of us, then we thought we'd try and talk Ty into getting on the tube with us... to my complete suprise- HE DID!!! Uncle Chad went nice and slow while the three of us were back there- but anytime we went over any bumps, Ty would break into a huge grin and go "bump, bump, bump" while he bobbed his head up and down. Once the tube stopped, I slipped off the back and held out my arms to see if he'd jump in with me- and HE DID!! What two year old (well- I guess he's not even two yet) just jumps into a huge river? I guess that could be construed as some big time trust for mama. Anyway- he splashed and kicked and giggled- he was so cute! I was so proud of him! Once he started to shiver though- it was time for him to jump back into the boat and snuggle with dad in a warm towel. After we got Ty safely back into the boat- Dani got on the tube with Jeni and I and we got to have the crap beat out of us again! Apparently we're gluttons for punishment- but it was just so much fun- when was the last time you got in a tube? I know it's been forever since I have. Anyway- we had a lot of fun and a lot of sun this weekend- maybe we'll go back down next weekend and do it all again!!

A Whole New World

You know what I just LOVE about being a mom? How often is it that you get to look at the world around you and point out the most ordinary things? I love being able to teach my son about trains and birds. When was the last time you stopped to really look at the world around you? Ty is not even two yet- he has so much ahead of him to learn and to see... and I love being a part of it. We went to the park this morning and he was just facinated by the Boise River (it runs along the parkway that goes through the park)- he wanted to just sit and watch the ducks go by and to throw rocks and make them splash! He pointed out the clouds and asked me "What's that?" I know I sound corny- but really- when was the last time you looked around and enjoyed the beautiful simplicity in the ordinary things around you? When was the last time you sat on the grass and dug your toes into the dirt? When was the last time that you found such joy in a rock? I know I'm 23 years older than my son- but sometimes- I think that he's actually the teacher.

Brain Damage?

Do all kids have brain damage? Or is it just mine? Don't get me wrong- there are no flies on Ty, and I think he's smart as a whip... But good grief! Just the other day, he took a car and threw it at his little friend. Whe I asked him why he did it, he looked at me so sweetly and said "I don't know." Yesterday he took apart my vacuum cleaner. When asked why, he replied "I don't know". And this morning- I had given him some Tylenol and was washing off the syringe at the sink. When I turned around, he had taken the bottle of Tylenol off the counter and was attempting to swig the rest. I took it from him and asked why he did it... he told me "I don't know." I know this one could have been partially my fault- but I thought I had put the bottle far enough away from the edge of the counter... but I swear sometimes those little arms just grow and grow. They may only look a few inches long- but in actuality they must be 8 feet or something. So what is it then? Does he really not know why he threw a car? Does he really not know to take things I told him to leave alone? Is it really brain damage? I really want to get irritated at him for it all- but let's face it... he was kind of cute covered in dust from the vacuum... and he looked so guilty with a bottle of Tylenol in his hand... I knew I couldn't laugh because all the books say that just encourages the behavior- but you would have to have a heart of stone not to be able to smile a little.

Playing on the River

This weekend we went down to Declo with Shaun's brothers and their wives to visit Grandma and Papa Kidd. Saturday afternoon we went down to the river (the Snake) and played in the water. Ty was stoked at all the rocks that were there for him to play with and chuck into the river. The water was too cold to really get in and play- but it wasn't bad as long as you were only toe deep. Ty's uncle and cousins were fishing on the river as well- and even caught a couple of fish. When the first one was landed, Ty ran over to see what all the ruckus was about- of course once he actually saw the fish flopping around on the ground- he took off running! He wanted nothing to do with that wet flippery thing! Then Papa put the boat in the water and we all got in to go for a ride. Ty didn't care much for all the wind in his face, and spent a lot of the time with his face buried in my shirt. It was a fun weekend... and Ty came home just pooped!

Memorial Day

This past Memorial Day we drove for a few hours to meet my family at Bear Lake (thank goodness for Elmo DVDs- otherwise, we may have ended up strapping Ty to the roof... traveling with two year olds is something only the mentally challenged attempt). It was nice having the extra day to play with the family- since we've moved to Boise, we don't see everyone as much as we would like to. Ty had a blast going on the four-wheelers- but you definately don't want to leave him unattended anywhere near them. He has figured out how to climb up on the seat, turn it on and hit the gas. And let me tell you... make sure if you are giving him a ride- make sure you have your hand on the brake at all times- we almost ended up in a bush because he was getting antsy- and I didn't hit the gas fast enough for him!! It was fun though- and I can't wait for the next Bear Lake adventure!

Ways Parenthood is Just Like College

1. You feel like you are constantly being tested.
2. Someone's always smarter than you (or at least they think they are).
3. Your roommates are slobs and they steal your food.
4. There's nothing in your bank account.
5. All-nighters.
6. You get kicked out of the library for leaving behind crumbs and creating a ruckus.
7. You never seem to be able to get the place to yourself.
8. Naps.
9. You hate your roommates music and they hate yours.
10. You can neither identify nor locate the source of that funky smell coming from your roommates closet.
11. Five in the morning is really, really early... or really, really late- depending on whether or not you've been to bed yet.
12. People talk to you while you are in the shower.
13. You're too exhausted to retain what you're reading.
14. You're wearing your college sweatshirt again... It's the cleanest thing you could find.
15. Someone always leaves the party crying.
16. Hey! How about pizza again?!
17. You think you're the only one who feels clueless.
18. You haven't had a shower since Sunday morning.

Thick as Thieves

For those of you that don't know, I babysit another little boy a few days a week. He's a month older than Ty- and he's been coming to our house for a little over a year now. He and Ty have become pretty good little buddies and love to play together. Lately they have discovered that they can both fit in Ty's toy bucket... and often do. With the rate that they are both growing though... they may not be able to sit in it at the same time for much longer!!

Also- I just wanted to let you know that Shaun is now officially done with school (YAY!), and the "Great Job Search" has begun. We're hoping to leave Boise, but we're not really sure where we're going to be headed, but we'll keep you updated! Keep your fingers crossed that we can get something for this upcoming school year!

Chocolate Hazelnut Biscotti

I just wanted to share a few recipes... both my new favorites and latest creations. I LOVE to cook (something I never knew about myself- especially since I lived off of soup and cheese quesadillas in college), and this is a fun way to share! I hope you try them and have fun with it!

The New Van Gough?

Today we pulled out the paints! Ty loves to color with markers, crayons and also loves to use his finger-paints (Hooray for Crayola Color Wonder Paper). I tape paper up on the wall and set up a table for him full of his "art supplies" and he just has at it! It did take a while for him to figure out the difference between "color with the" and "eat the"... but I think he's got it down now- he hardly ever tries to eat the crayons now (at least while I'm looking anyway). This is his latest masterpiece... We hope you enjoy it!!