I haven't posted in a bit. Lately I have been thinking about the blog and what I wanted to do with it. I still want to share updates and stories about the boys, but I want to use it for more than just that. Moving forward you may find a post about whatever happens to be on my mind...spiritual thoughts, home projects, decor ideas, particularly interesting or difficult situations, etc. The blog will stay true to its title, but will more fully express the daily happenings of our whole family!
Friday I dropped the boys off at MDO and they didn't cry or even make a peep. Today marked day two of no crying at drop off or pick up! It was a six week process, one of which they were sick and did not go to school. I am actually quite impressed. They are growing and developing right before our eyes. They are communicating so much more. Putting two to three word sentences together and even having short phone conversations with their grandparents. School (MDO) has been a good transition for all of us. Change is not always easy for me, but like most things it works out well in time. Ethan and Aaron typically don't even make it much further than out of the parking lot before they are asleep in the car. All of the crafts, singing, playing, and interacting wears them out!
Since I last posted I participated in The Weekend to End Breast Cancer and turned 30! Both although not equal in impact, were wonderful experiences for me. Thirty is something I am welcoming with open arms...at least now. I was a little hesitant leading up to the day. Women tell me the 30's are fabulous and I am going to take them out their word. I look forward to feeling even more comfortable in my skin and already feel that transition happening. The walk was amazing, eye opening, and hard. A multitude of things were reiterated and learned that weekend. Some of which included:
-invest in good shoes...it is worth the cost
-purchase quality sweat wicking socks
-use Body Glide...you can't be too generous with your applications
-soak in epsom salts following the big event...a little spearmint, rosemary, etc doesn't hurt either (I have sense learned not to do this if you have any acute pain, instead ice)
-training is necessary and pays off
-push through it...the pain is temporary
-with God I am capable of more than I know
-people are surprising in both good and bad ways
-when in doubt go ahead and use the porta potty
-the whole is greater than the sum of its parts
-women in every size, shape, and color are awesome
We were able to go to the pumpkin patch as a family this past Saturday. My mom and grandparents met us for lunch and then went with us. Marc and I have discovered that the boys love pancakes, particularly Cracker Barrel's pancakes. They ate all of an adult order of three pancakes except for two bites. It was a really chilly day, but we enjoyed a wagon ride and picked out two pumpkins. We had to venture out into a muddy field to find our treasures. All the while Ethan repeated yuck, yuck, yuck. Both boys vollied back and forth from daddy, to mamaw, and sometimes me on the wagon ride. Sunday we went to church and then went to some friend's from churches house to paint pumpkins. The boys did quite a nice job. They have become quite the little artists. I even framed some of their artwork!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Mother's Day Out Begins
A& E doing puzzles on their first day of school
E's backpack
A's backpack
We're ready for school!
Mom and E before school!
Mom and A before schoolSince I last updated the blog the boys had a great overnight trip to Mamaw and Papaw Smith's. They took them to Toys R Us, Great Granny and Poppy's and did lots of playing. Marc and a friend put in a sprinkler system and I did lots of cleaning.
Last week the boys were still getting over colds. Thursday and Friday Grandma and Grandpa Rhodes visited. The boys had a wonderful time with them going on walks, playing outside, and so on. I was able to start painting some decorative items and furniture.
This past weekend we went to the Columbus Zoo and COSI (Center of Science and Industry) in Columbus, OH. We had a really nice time. The boys' favorite exhibit at the zoo was the manatee exhibit! It included a large tank with fish and two manatee. They stood with their faces to the tank laughing and yelling. They really enjoyed COSI because it was very hands on. We visited the two exhibits more directed to their ages. One was called little kidspace, which was very similar to the Playscape at the Children's Museum. The other was called Ocean. It was like you were under water and had all kinds of neat things to do with real water. The boys got their feet good and wet. On the way home they slept all but 20 or 30 minutes of the drive and so did I!
E on the slide, E & A driving the ambulance, Dr. A, and Daddy, A,
and E playing the laser harp at COSI!
Today the boys started Mother's Day Out. My neighbor Lisa was nice enough to come over and help take a few pictures. Then the teacher's aide snapped a couple of the boys in class. Both did great when I dropped them off. Neither cried at all! It was a bit of a different story when I picked them up this afternoon. Both cried and A had a fit! A was asleep before we had been in the car 2 minutes. E was so thirsty! I got his milk out and he drank it the whole way home! They colored, played outside, and read The Kissing Hand. Ms. Kelley, their teacher, said they didn't cry until they saw the parents coming in to pick kids up. They didn't eat too well at all. Hopefully they will adjust over time. Overall, I would say the first day went pretty well.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Adventures at the Park
Tuesday night Marc and I ran to over to Clay Terrace to check out Clarks Kids shoes prior to purchasing the boys' next pair of shoes. We stopped at Subway on the way. The boys did really well. It is so fun that they are at an age where it is getting a bit easier to take them places and I even think they enjoy it.
After a terrible experience at Clarks, the boys and I headed back to Stride Rite yesterday morning. E & A got matching shoes, just different colors. Afterwards we played in the play land area at the mall and had lunch. They fell asleep on the way home. After nap we met some friends at Falls Park in Pendleton. The boys are becoming more and more adventurous. They enjoyed climbing, sliding, and playing in the sand.
This morning we met some friends at Holland Park here in Fishers. Their are two separate play areas, one for toddlers and one for bigger kids. Amazingly they are starting to want to play in the big kid's area. They do fairly well, but it is still a little dangerous with both of them and only one of me. A was brave today and did the slides without me. He also climbed to the top of the stairs of one of the big slides, which scared me to death. He decided he wasn't going to go down it though. Ethan climbed a ladder that was for big kids and the rungs were spaced apart quite a bit. He kept wanting to do it over and over. He was fine until he got to the top and then needed some assistance. He clapped for himself when he was done! They are definitely all boy!
After a terrible experience at Clarks, the boys and I headed back to Stride Rite yesterday morning. E & A got matching shoes, just different colors. Afterwards we played in the play land area at the mall and had lunch. They fell asleep on the way home. After nap we met some friends at Falls Park in Pendleton. The boys are becoming more and more adventurous. They enjoyed climbing, sliding, and playing in the sand.
This morning we met some friends at Holland Park here in Fishers. Their are two separate play areas, one for toddlers and one for bigger kids. Amazingly they are starting to want to play in the big kid's area. They do fairly well, but it is still a little dangerous with both of them and only one of me. A was brave today and did the slides without me. He also climbed to the top of the stairs of one of the big slides, which scared me to death. He decided he wasn't going to go down it though. Ethan climbed a ladder that was for big kids and the rungs were spaced apart quite a bit. He kept wanting to do it over and over. He was fine until he got to the top and then needed some assistance. He clapped for himself when he was done! They are definitely all boy!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Backpacks, Lunchboxes, Shoes and Slides...
The boys and I went with the Vanessa, Landon, and Luke (neighbors) to the mall this morning. They needed to get their feet sized because of growth and needing fall shoes. They are wearing 5's and 5 1/2's. They both need 6 1/2's now. Aaron's feet are wide and Ethan's are in between a regular and a wide. Stride Rite is running their shoes buy one get one 1/2 off until 8/31/09 for those interested. If you have multiples, Clarks said they would match the previous mentioned pricing. We went to the Disney store to get place mats for mealtimes. I was so glad we did. They had their lunch boxes and back packs on sale. E & A got a matching lunch boxes and backpacks. One set is Lighting McQueen from Cars and the other is Woody and Buzz from Toy Story. After shopping, we had lunch and played in the mall play area. They had so much fun. It is neat to see their personalities come out in those types of situations. Ethan was on the move. Aaron was on the move as well, but was more timid about the stairs and the small slide. He would get to the 2nd step and just sit there. As he got braver he would go to the 3rd and final step before the slide. He wouldn't go down the slide by himself. From time to time I would go help him down. He also would let other children go in front of him. As kids would go, he would edge closer and closer to the edge of the stairs. Ethan would look at me and clap when he got to the end of the slide. They were out less than 5 minutes into the ride home!
Yesterday we went down to my mom's and then over to visit Great Granny and Poppy. E & A enjoyed playing outside. Granny treated us all to Dairy Queen. Both boys like ice cream, but A loves it. He helped Mamaw eat hers and then wanted to eat mine too! Saturday night the boys went with Daddy to Best Buy to help a friend pick out a receiver and then to McDonalds. I know, I know lots of healthy food choices right!
Friday afternoon we went to the fair. We had a great time. The boys got to see pigs, horses, goats, fish, etc. We were debating on riding the carousel. Marc, Mamaw, Papaw, and I were all nervous it would make us sick, as none of us are great with rides that go in circles. Marc thought we should take them down the really big slides, mind you I am afraid of heights. I agreed I would go. He was in line for the tickets and the slides seemed to get bigger and bigger. I pep talked myself into thinking it would be fine. I had Ethan in my arms and started up the stairs. The higher I got the narrower the steps seemed and I am not sure they didn't get narrower. By half to 3/4's of the way up I wanted to turn back. When I finally got to the top, I didn't know what to even do. Marc and Aaron let go and were on their way down. I thought about heading back down the stairs, but that seemed scary and someone was coming up the stairs now. I asked the attendant what to do since I needed to sit on the slide, but couldn't get positioned holding Ethan and he just gave me a scary look. At that point, I sat Ethan down got positioned and picked him back up. I positioned E on my lap and made sure his arms were tucked beneath mine, which I had wrapped tightly around him. Then...I let go. YUCK! I no longer enjoy the stomach in your chest feeling. It was much faster than I thought it would be as well. All the way down I was thinking what if something happens, what if Ethan would get away from me, etc. We got down the slide safely, but at the end I told Marc I would never do it again!
Yesterday we went down to my mom's and then over to visit Great Granny and Poppy. E & A enjoyed playing outside. Granny treated us all to Dairy Queen. Both boys like ice cream, but A loves it. He helped Mamaw eat hers and then wanted to eat mine too! Saturday night the boys went with Daddy to Best Buy to help a friend pick out a receiver and then to McDonalds. I know, I know lots of healthy food choices right!
Friday afternoon we went to the fair. We had a great time. The boys got to see pigs, horses, goats, fish, etc. We were debating on riding the carousel. Marc, Mamaw, Papaw, and I were all nervous it would make us sick, as none of us are great with rides that go in circles. Marc thought we should take them down the really big slides, mind you I am afraid of heights. I agreed I would go. He was in line for the tickets and the slides seemed to get bigger and bigger. I pep talked myself into thinking it would be fine. I had Ethan in my arms and started up the stairs. The higher I got the narrower the steps seemed and I am not sure they didn't get narrower. By half to 3/4's of the way up I wanted to turn back. When I finally got to the top, I didn't know what to even do. Marc and Aaron let go and were on their way down. I thought about heading back down the stairs, but that seemed scary and someone was coming up the stairs now. I asked the attendant what to do since I needed to sit on the slide, but couldn't get positioned holding Ethan and he just gave me a scary look. At that point, I sat Ethan down got positioned and picked him back up. I positioned E on my lap and made sure his arms were tucked beneath mine, which I had wrapped tightly around him. Then...I let go. YUCK! I no longer enjoy the stomach in your chest feeling. It was much faster than I thought it would be as well. All the way down I was thinking what if something happens, what if Ethan would get away from me, etc. We got down the slide safely, but at the end I told Marc I would never do it again!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
More Pictures
A (in car) and E's first motorized car ride
Grandpa Rhodes, E, and A on the boat(The boys love to honk the boat horn)
E's first pony ride
The Dittmers at the Zoo 7/6/09
A's first pony ride
A feeding E
A and DaddyRecent Pictures
Ethan playing on Grandma & Grandpa Dittmer's beach
Ethan and Aaron on the boat
E the baseball player
E and A playing at Grandma and Grandpa Rhodes
E & A holding hands and A wearing Daddy's shoes
E & A at the Children's Museum (they had the playscape all to themselves)
A & E in the babypool
E at Forest Park
A at Forest Park
A cheesing
A & E in the babypool
E at Forest Park
A at Forest Park
A cheesing Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Where we have been and what we have been doing...
It has been quite some time since my last post. The boys are 19 1/2 months old now. I know I am always talking about how quickly they are growing, but if I weren't living it I wouldn't believe it! They are becoming amazing young men! That may sound funny, but their personalities are developing more and more each day! They are in love with cars and trucks these days. It started within the last few weeks. Daddy got out some of his old toys which included some of his old cars and trucks and the fascination began from there. They have even started their own collection. Mamaw (aka Grammy we are not sure which is going to stick) and Papaw Smith got them each their first car of their very own from the "Cars" movie (which they also love). Marc and I got them each one on our recent trip to South Haven, MI. Today Mamaw and Papaw Smith got them a box of 20 hotwheels at Toys R Us. The boys had only been their once when they were quite a bit younger and we don't really go through the toy isles at other stores. It was such a treat. They were so excited.
We have gotten to do some fun family things and have a few weekends away within the last two months. On the 4th of July the boys participated in a little neighborhood parade and had popsicles at the end. We host a small get together that evening and shot off fireworks. The boys didn't seem to be afraid of them, but Aaron was going through a serious Daddy attachment phase (even stronger than normal) at that time and he was mad because he couldn't be with daddy while he was shooting them off. Sunday Grandma Kay and Grandpa Dick were in town and we had a get together at Aunt Meme's and soon to be Uncle James. Ethan drove a motorized car for the first time that weekend. He had to use the force of his whole body to push the pedal and had no idea how to turn the steering wheel. Aaron didn't quite get the hang of it and therefore was less interested. The following Monday Grandma and Grandpa Rhodes, Marc, the boys, and I went to the zoo. We had a really nice time. It was a beautiful day! The boys even took their first pony rides. They weren't afraid at all and enjoyed it. I'll get some pictures of that posted soon!
The following week the boys and I went swimming with Aunt Megan. Which was only the second time they had been in a big pool all summer. They enjoyed it, but were just as interested in playing outside the pool which can be rather stressful. Friday we went to the Hamilton County Fair. The boys loved all the animals, particularly the bunnies and goats. They even had some funnel cake. That weekend we visited Lynn and Cheryl and Dick and Kay. We got to see Erin, Corey, Mitchell, and Jillian and they got to meet Ethan and Aaron for the first time. Lynn and Cheryl put in a beach this summer and Ethan loved playing in the sand. Aaron on the other hand did not enjoy having his feet in the sand and therefore opted to play on the blanket or the grass. The boys also got to take a boat ride at each grandparents' which they enjoyed very much! In addition, we visited Great Grandma and Grandpa Rhodes. The boys enjoyed exploring their yard and eating ice cream sandwiches. If I remember right it was at about this time that Marc and both boys got sick. Aaron ended up with a fever and a rash and Marc was off work for an extra day. It took Marc over a full week to recover. Luckily it skipped me!
The following weekend I took the boys to my cousin's kids' birthday party. Afterwards they spent the night at Mamaw and Papaw's for the first time since they were much younger. In my mind, it was the first time they had spent the night away, but my mom seemed to remember them staying one other time. I am going to have to verify that! :)
The first weekend in August we went up to Marc's Dad's for a family get together. It was nice to visit with some extended family that we had not seen in sometime. The second half of the weekend we visited Dick and Kay. The next weekend I attended the Women of Faith Conference so it was "Boys" weekend at our house. Much fun was had by E, A, and Daddy! Sunday afternoon Marc and I took E & A to Forest Park in Noblesville. The boys enjoyed playing and to cool down we bought snow cones to share with the boys. Earlier in the week Miss Abigail had her last official day with us. She has watched the boys for the last year on Tuesdays for six hours. She has been such a blessing to me and the boys have really enjoyed her. She will be greatly missed!
Last Monday we went swimming with my friend Lyndsay. Again the boys enjoyed the pool to some degree, but enjoyed being out of the pool just a s much. Last weekend was the Schulte family party at Grandma and Grandpa Rhodes. We again got to visit with extended family and the boys got to meet some of the extended family for the first time. Ethan and Aaron got to spend the night with Grandma and Grandpa by themselves for the first time. Marc and I headed up to South Haven, MI for a night and had a lovely time. It went too quick, but we were ready to pick up the boys! We were so grateful to have a weekend away and I know the boys loved being with Grandma and Grandpa.
Other than that we have done a lot of playing at home, been to Holland Park a few times, and have played in the baby pool at home. The boys are now putting two to three words together from time to time. They do a good bit of climbing and have taken a recent interest in Elmo. They often like to bring their Elmo blankets downstairs with them in the mornings when they get up from bed or after nap. They don't end up hanging on to them for long. Within the last two weeks or so they have gone down to one 2 1/2 hr nap or so. Every once in awhile they are off schedule, but it has become the pattern overall.
This Friday afternoon we are going to the fair and next weekend we plan to take the boys to a car show. The boys will also be starting Mother's Day out on 9/9/09. They will be going on Wednesdays and Friday's from 9am-1pm. I hope to do better about keeping the blog more up to date. I will post some recent pictures in the next few days!
We have gotten to do some fun family things and have a few weekends away within the last two months. On the 4th of July the boys participated in a little neighborhood parade and had popsicles at the end. We host a small get together that evening and shot off fireworks. The boys didn't seem to be afraid of them, but Aaron was going through a serious Daddy attachment phase (even stronger than normal) at that time and he was mad because he couldn't be with daddy while he was shooting them off. Sunday Grandma Kay and Grandpa Dick were in town and we had a get together at Aunt Meme's and soon to be Uncle James. Ethan drove a motorized car for the first time that weekend. He had to use the force of his whole body to push the pedal and had no idea how to turn the steering wheel. Aaron didn't quite get the hang of it and therefore was less interested. The following Monday Grandma and Grandpa Rhodes, Marc, the boys, and I went to the zoo. We had a really nice time. It was a beautiful day! The boys even took their first pony rides. They weren't afraid at all and enjoyed it. I'll get some pictures of that posted soon!
The following week the boys and I went swimming with Aunt Megan. Which was only the second time they had been in a big pool all summer. They enjoyed it, but were just as interested in playing outside the pool which can be rather stressful. Friday we went to the Hamilton County Fair. The boys loved all the animals, particularly the bunnies and goats. They even had some funnel cake. That weekend we visited Lynn and Cheryl and Dick and Kay. We got to see Erin, Corey, Mitchell, and Jillian and they got to meet Ethan and Aaron for the first time. Lynn and Cheryl put in a beach this summer and Ethan loved playing in the sand. Aaron on the other hand did not enjoy having his feet in the sand and therefore opted to play on the blanket or the grass. The boys also got to take a boat ride at each grandparents' which they enjoyed very much! In addition, we visited Great Grandma and Grandpa Rhodes. The boys enjoyed exploring their yard and eating ice cream sandwiches. If I remember right it was at about this time that Marc and both boys got sick. Aaron ended up with a fever and a rash and Marc was off work for an extra day. It took Marc over a full week to recover. Luckily it skipped me!
The following weekend I took the boys to my cousin's kids' birthday party. Afterwards they spent the night at Mamaw and Papaw's for the first time since they were much younger. In my mind, it was the first time they had spent the night away, but my mom seemed to remember them staying one other time. I am going to have to verify that! :)
The first weekend in August we went up to Marc's Dad's for a family get together. It was nice to visit with some extended family that we had not seen in sometime. The second half of the weekend we visited Dick and Kay. The next weekend I attended the Women of Faith Conference so it was "Boys" weekend at our house. Much fun was had by E, A, and Daddy! Sunday afternoon Marc and I took E & A to Forest Park in Noblesville. The boys enjoyed playing and to cool down we bought snow cones to share with the boys. Earlier in the week Miss Abigail had her last official day with us. She has watched the boys for the last year on Tuesdays for six hours. She has been such a blessing to me and the boys have really enjoyed her. She will be greatly missed!
Last Monday we went swimming with my friend Lyndsay. Again the boys enjoyed the pool to some degree, but enjoyed being out of the pool just a s much. Last weekend was the Schulte family party at Grandma and Grandpa Rhodes. We again got to visit with extended family and the boys got to meet some of the extended family for the first time. Ethan and Aaron got to spend the night with Grandma and Grandpa by themselves for the first time. Marc and I headed up to South Haven, MI for a night and had a lovely time. It went too quick, but we were ready to pick up the boys! We were so grateful to have a weekend away and I know the boys loved being with Grandma and Grandpa.
Other than that we have done a lot of playing at home, been to Holland Park a few times, and have played in the baby pool at home. The boys are now putting two to three words together from time to time. They do a good bit of climbing and have taken a recent interest in Elmo. They often like to bring their Elmo blankets downstairs with them in the mornings when they get up from bed or after nap. They don't end up hanging on to them for long. Within the last two weeks or so they have gone down to one 2 1/2 hr nap or so. Every once in awhile they are off schedule, but it has become the pattern overall.
This Friday afternoon we are going to the fair and next weekend we plan to take the boys to a car show. The boys will also be starting Mother's Day out on 9/9/09. They will be going on Wednesdays and Friday's from 9am-1pm. I hope to do better about keeping the blog more up to date. I will post some recent pictures in the next few days!
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