Chase's Cheezy Birthday

This past week our first born turned four years old. I can't believe it! He is growing so fast. For the boys' birthdays we've started a tradition to do big birthday party's every other year. Since Chase had his Superhero birthday bash last year, we decided to do a small party at a place we knew he would love, Chuck E. Cheese.

I'm embarrassed to say that I had never been to this mecca of video games and pizza for kids prior to Chase's party. So, needless to say I didn't quite know what to expect. It was fun despite some of the party planning details that a mom planning a party there for the first time would not be aware of. Chase had fun, even though he was not too impressed with Chuck E. himself and all the attention, but he loved playing all the games to get tickets for a prize, the pizza, and of course opening all his presents and that is all that matters. (For example, there are certain cups for kids that adults can not use. If you want cups for water, you do not have to pay for them but they are strictly water cups and cannot be used for other beverages, juice, softdrinks, etc... you have to pay extra for cups to use for those beverages.) Here's the link to photos from Chase's Cheezy party....http://flic.kr/s/aHsjzbAhfV

So, Chase is four. Wow. He's so smart and full of energy... He's a really sweet kid, shy and sensitive. He is a thinker, and always has been since he was born. He also has the best smile and can be sooooo funny. He is inquisitive and asks all sorts of questions about everything...

Chase's birthday party at school. He prefers chocolate chip cookies to cupcakes. 

Silly birthday boy

He is a wonderful big brother always including Colby in the day's big adventures, most of the time. At school he likes to play with his friends and he enjoys learning his letters and numbers.

Chase and Colby so excited to test out Chase's new birthday present before Daddy's finished putting it together

Chase and Colby taking the jeep for a spin around the neighborhood.

He can write his first name all by himself and almost his last name. He knows the alphabet and can count to 100, with a little help on the transitional numbers lik 20 and 30 to get him going...

Chase and Colby enjoying the bath tub crayons from Aunt JJ. Bath time is ALOT of fun these days!

Chase is still in to Superheros, loves Ironman and Spiderman right now as well as all versions of the Power Rangers. He likes to play the Wii and enjoys the Wii sports and resort sports games. He loves baseball and football and can't go a day without asking me or his Daddy to play.

He loves the weekends when we're all together and when we just stay at home. He loves to go to the park and play outside, too. He also loves to cook, well especially bake. He loves making cookies with me especially sugar cookies that we can cut into shapes, although he loves making chocolate chip, his favorite! He also loves making pancakes and waffles, too!

Chase making his birthday breakfast, waffles -- YUM!

Our lives would not be the same without our Chasers. He has brought Scott and me so much joy and love to our lives while teaching about who we are and what life is all about. He has also challenged us more than we realized he would prior to becoming parents. Challenges that can be heart-wrenching, hear-breaking, and stressful but ultimately I feel so blessed to be his Mama.

Happy 4th "Cheezy" Birthday to you, Chase! You are my superhero!

Love,
Mama

Monday Madness: Off without a hitch...

It has all come back to me. My one-on-one days with my kiddos. I forgot just how much I loved our days together until today. It has been just over three months since we've had one of our days together and we had a jam-packed day full of fun and madness. It wasn't quite that chaotic but as I sit here typing this post, my legs feel as if I've just run a half-marathon. I'm fairly exhausted and am not looking forward to my 7:30 a.m. board meeting and 10 hour work day. The icing on the cake is that I will not be able to make class so my day isn't quite as long as normal Tuesdays but I will miss my weekly get together with Sarah at Harmon but we'll pick up next week. :)

One thing that has changed quite a bit since our Wacky Wednesday Days is that Colby has grown a ton in the last few months and is going non-stop. He's full of energy but most of the time he's trying desperately to keep up with his big brother. Although at times, I think Chase tries to keep up with him, too. He's climbing all over the place especially on the stairs, we have to watch him closely, he can actually open the gate sometimes, not all the time but if he hits the bottom railing just right it opens (we have to fix that soon!) 

Our morning started with breakfast, Sesame Street and Curious George. Chase slept in because he's been staying up later than normal. It has been really difficult to get him to bed any earlier than 8:30ish and sometimes it's even 9:00... After checking email and the weather forecast for the day, it was going to be another gorgeous day as it was all weekend, I knew we had to get out of the house. I had plans to start our Valentines cards but that could wait, the sun was shining!!! 

I decided it was time to head to the library and then the park. On Mondays, the library usually has story time and this would be the perfect day to go with the boys and their official first library story time. We've gone to the library a few times before but not for story time. This was sure to be an adventure. Chase was on board after he was dressed in his camo sweatpants and shirt (he absolutely LOVES wearing this outfit! I do not know why this is his favorite but he would wear it everyday if I let him). Colby goes with the flow when it comes to his outfit for the day. I miss those days with Chase and am so grateful I still have them with Colby. I can dress him in cute little shirts and jeans and cords and other outfits I love, he does not care. Chase on the other hand would rather go to school in his just superhero underwear and socks than put on a pair of jeans these days. I'm really bummed about this because he looks super cute in jeans and one of his superhero t-shirts. His black Batman is a favorite of mine and I love it when he wears a long-sleeve tee under a short sleever...totally cute. 

Our library adventure was good, not great. Chase listened to one book, I didn't quite get the official title but it was about a dog named George. It was cute, Chase really liked it. We took seats in the back just in case I needed to run after Colby. Which I did many times especially after he found a ball he proceeded to throw all over narrowly missing innocent library-goers (it was a cushy, soft ball) as they headed out to find their next great story. The librarian also facilitated activities as well as read stories and san songs which was really fun. Chase has always been an observer and demonstrated this yet again which I had a feeling he would. He doesn't often join in unless he knows the kids or feels absolutely comfortable. He wasn't totally shy today but he did not participate with the other kids although he watched them and laughed along at all the funny parts of the stories. He did lose his focus and turned his attention to the computers at the back of the room and the shelves lined with books. He asked me a number of times, "Is storytime almost over?" I was a little sad he didn't join right in and wasn't captivated by all the stories, songs, and activities but I was happy that he lasted as long as he did and was focused on finding books. He actually found eight books he wanted, two Caillou books, "Caillou Makes a Snowman" and "Caillou, where am I?" The other two were pretty random but cute, "The Day Ray Got Away," and "Four Legs Bad, Two Legs Good." We read the two Caillou books tonight and saved the other two for tomorrow. I'm looking forward to our Mondays at the library for storytime and getting both boys more familiar with the library, new activities, and new friends we'll meet there.

After the library we were off to the park. Our most favorite park in Gig Harbor, the Sehmel Homestead Park. We love it even more now that they have swings and picnic benches! It's a gorgeous park and there are always tons of kids there to meet and play with. It has been awhile since we visited the park and both kids were so excited. As soon as Chase could see the park from the car he was super happy, Colby, too, although he was on the verge of a nap, I didn't time this part of the adventure quite right but this trip would ensure without a doubt he would nap later. You could not have asked for a better day. Blue skies, sunshine and upper 50s, perfect weather to be outside getting some Vitamin D. Colby loved going down the slides with Chase. At the park they have side-by-side slides where the boys each have their own slide right next to eachother, they loved sliding together over and over. We played in the sandbox, Colby loved playing in the sand a little too much and took ownership of a little girls shovel. I had to pry it from his fingers when she wanted it back. It was not a pretty sight, and towards the end of our park adventure which was a good thing.

After the park, we ventured home for lunch, did a little cleaning, laundry, and then began our Valentines card project. The photos today are from the project. Unfortunately, I did not capture any from our fabulous, sunny adventure at the park. I am, however, proud of myself for leaving the camera/phone behind and just immersing myself in play with the kids. I find that I am often caught up in capturing the moment to remember than actually living the moment in the moment. Note to self, MUST do that more often. The boys are just growing way to fast as kids do. I'd rather have the memory of whatever we were doing together than remember that I was worried about capturing the photo and not focused on what they were doing. Easier said than done, it's so hard to put the camera down!!! :)

We're baaaaaaaack!

I'm happy to report that instead of Wacky Wednesdays the boys and I will now have Monday Madness! Starting February 1st the museum is adopting winter hours and I will be working Tuesdays through Thursdays with Mondays off! Yea!

Since I began my new job at the museum, not only have I been getting used to a 40+ hour work week, I have really missed my day with the boys (as crazy as that may sound, because those days are quite wacky and mad indeed, thus the name!). I am really looking forward to our Mondays together and posting each week about our mad adventures. Stay tuned, there will be plenty of madness to share very soon!

three2one: Another year has come and gone...

three2one: Another year has come and gone...: I am not usually too excited about New Year's. In the past I've had high expectations for New Year's Eve celebrations and more often than no...

three2one: Christmas Blessings

three2one: Christmas Blessings: Incredible Chase ready to save the world! It is the day after Christmas and we are spending the day at home, thankfully we have no where ...

Wacky Wednesday #10: A Day at Home

Today was a fairly uneventful day with the boys at home. I was really excited to have my schedule back to normal this week. Since we returned from Florida and school has started things have been quite nutty around here...

I always try to get the boys out of the house during our Wednesday adventures but today was one of those days where you just can't get motivated enough to motivate the kids, or at least Chase. Chase just wanted to be home today, at first he refused to take off his PJs then I got him dressed for about 5 minutes and then while I was folding laundry he found another pair of pajamas that he just had to wear and he did for the rest of the day. We actually did a lot of cleaning and housework today, Chase helped with sorting the laundry while Colby preceded to take everything that was sorted and put it back into the basket. We also got reacquainted with Caillou and watched a few episodes of Caillou on apple TV along with a few spiderman episodes. I'll take the good with the bad I guess... Chase is and has been for the last year obsessed with superheros and so we let him watch a little of the superheros shows, the Avengers, Spiderman, and now there's another cartoon called Captain Biceps which he LOVES but I am not a fan. It's innocent enough I guess just loud and sort of annoying.

We spent our time playing downstairs and then upstairs and then downstairs and then upstairs. Colby napped for about an hour. I'm finding that Colby's schedule is really unpredictable and I just can't get him down for another nap when I'm at home with him. He doesn't nap at daycare so that makes sense but he just seems so tired. He has fully recovered from his almost pneumonia, appetite is good and for the most part unless Chase is trying to bop him in the face or take away a toy that he is playing with he is all smiles. While downstairs the boys love to play in my closet and our bathroom. Today they started drumming together on our tub in our bathroom, totally random but so cute because they were playing together and cracking each other up. I just love it when they laugh and are having fun together, it is the best feeling. Chase and I have had some serious conversations about his little brother recently and Chase hasn't been too keen on his brother lately so when they have moments of laughter and joy it is really special.

Chase and Colby playing together

So because our day was so uneventful here's a quick update on how they're doing...

Colby is getting a couple more teeth in addition to his two top and two bottom. The next two are coming in on top both sides. He's been a little fussy because of this, too. He's also started saying a few words though it seems he's a little behind where Chase was in that category, he was ahead of Chase in walking about a month. He can say Da Da or De Da and MMMaMa and Uh-OHHHHH, and OOOH. He's also so fun to watch play with cars or trucks he will make the car or truck noise while pushing them all over. So cute. I had a few moments today where Chase and Colby were parallel playing with trucks or Chase's Thomas Train and it was so fun to watch. Colby's sleeping okay but we're still having to sleep with him and Chase. Not ready to bite the bullet just yet and change this routine. I know, I know it has to be done. Both Scott and I go round and round on when, it just never seems to be the right time. Colby is doing much better at school, I am so relieved. He was having a little trouble with naptime and bottles but things seem to be going well. Drop-off is a challenge. I do the drop and go which is like peeling off a band aid you just have to do it and do it fast. I feel a little guilty but I know that he's fine within minutes of me leaving.

Chase has a Children's appointment next week on Thursday which just happens to be my birthday. Which is a bummer but I'm sure all will be okay I just hate that we'll have to do labs and then be there half the day but as long as he's doing well I'll do whatever we need to do. Chase is no longer taking a BaBa at night, he still has a little milk in a sippy but not in a bottle which is a huge milestone for Chase. He's almost completely potty trained with the exception of night time where he still wears a pull up but we're working on that. He's so inquisitive, asks questions all the time about how things work and why things are the way they are. He's still painfully shy even with family he knows well. He does warm up after awhile but it takes some time to get there. He likes school but it is a challenge to get him up and ready in the morning but once he's dressed and had a little breakfast he's good to go.

Tomorrow is a work/school day as is Friday and then the weekend. I'm looking forward to the weekend as always with all my boys at home with a few events planned. :)

Wacky Wednesday #9: The boys go to the dentist!

It has been awhile since I've had my Wednesday at home with the boys and today was a busy day. I woke up to a big kiss from Colby this morning. He ended up sleeping with me after waking around 3 a.m. because I was too tired. At around 5:30 a.m. I feel Colby stir so I wasn't technically fully asleep but my eyes were closed and I wasn't quite awake. I then feel him come close to me and feel his breath and then I feel his lips, open on mine. He doesn't really know how to kiss, he's doing the big open mouth kisses right now which is so cute but sort of gross at the same time. :-) I opened my eyes and he had the biggest smile on his face. Even though I was hoping he would roll over and give me another hour or even two of sleep, I couldn't resist his big smile and happy face. We cuddled for just a bit and then got up to make coffee.

The big event of the day was Chase's first official dentist appointment. Chase went once when he had a few teeth around 1 yr old but not since. And, I've been a little worried about his two front teethers due to a little discoloration. I think because we've let him have too much juice in a sippy cup which we are slowly trying to break him from, the juice and the sippy -- not an easy task! Colby went, too, and had his teethers checked out (he has four, two top and two bottom).

I started to prep Chase for the appointment a few days ago when I made the appointment by telling him we're going to get his teeth looked at by "the teeth guy." I didn't want to even mention the word doctor because he will immediately think he will get "poked." For the last couple days he seemed really okay with that, understood that we need to get his teeth checked to make sure everything was okay. This morning he started to balk just a bit but got dressed and into the car without a fight. On the way, he asked me if we were seeing the "teeth doctor" and if he was going to get poked. I hadn't said doctor so I was surprised he did but he's so intuitive he knew what I was up to. I said, no that he wouldn't get poked and that "the teeth doctor" was just going to take a peek and it would be a fast and easy appointment. We then practiced opening our mouths really big and wide and showing all our teethers. He laughed and was in a pretty good mood. Colby, of course, went with the flow.

We arrived and all went well as we checked in until Chase peeked around the corner into one of the patient rooms. He could see a patient getting a cleaning and that's when saw the tools and heard the drill. He got a little nervous but didn't quite freak out but didn't want to go and kept saying it to me over and over and over. As I tried my best to balance holding and chasing Colby throughout the waiting room, while filling out the paperwork and comforting Chase, my wonderful husband walks in. I wasn't sure he would be able to make it, and honestly he is so busy this week with school schedules that I didn't think he would but what a relief that he did! He ROCKS! Even though the situation wasn't out of hand (yet) I had the feeling I would need a second pair of hands on this one...

We met Dr. Kao who is so wonderful, talked through some of our concerns and questions and then it was time for the exam. The dental assistant was great, too, she was able to get Chase's attention after blowing up one of the rubber exam gloves into a balloon. That got Colby's attention, too. She also mentioned that after Dr. Kao takes a quick look that he can pick out a treasure from the treasure box. Chase is all about little surprises, treats or treasures so he was happy to hear this. (I had also promised a little something if he was a good boy, I know I have to stop this but it really works and doesn't have to be a big something, just something!) All of this and even sitting on Scott's lap in the exam chair did not motivate him to let Dr. Kao examine him. I have been nervous about this dentist appointment with Chase for awhile and may have procrastinated a bit in scheduling it because I know he can be a challenge. When he doesn't want to do something, he will not do it. And, he is starting to develop a fear of any kind of doctor due to his neutropenia and the dozens if not more times he has had labs done to check his CBCs. I understand this, he's gone through a lot with the many tests we've had done over the last 2+ years, so any kind of dr. appt not only puts him on edge it does us as well, even an easy exam like a dental exam at 3 years old.

Well, after lots of encouragement from us all, I suggested that Colby go first and he found that acceptable and agreed to let Dr. Kao "count" his teeth after he counted Colby's first. Colby seems to always be our little guinea pig when it comes to things like this. He's so brake and open and at this age not scared of people or anything. He sat right in my lap and gave Dr. Kao the biggest grin. Dr. Kao took a look and counted all of his four teeth. It took all of 5 seconds. Colby did great and his teethers are looking good.

Next, came Chase. He got right in my lap without a big fuss and let Dr. Kao count his teeth -- it was just as easy as Colby's! His teeth look good, no issue or real concern from the slight discoloration on his two front teeth but the doctor confirmed what we knew, no more sippy cup and no juice if we can do it. After the appointment and both boys picked out their treasures, we headed to Target to pick up "big boy" cups and Chase was happy. I don't think getting rid of our sippys will be a big deal (fingers crossed!).

The rest of the day was busy, too. When we got home, we made a late breakfast of eggs, waffles and toast. Colby actually ate his eggs! That is the one food we haven't been able to get him to eat but he loved them this morning! We played outside, Chase rode his bike, Colby rode in the blue car, then we went for a walk around the neighborhood. It was a beautiful day today and even though I'm getting eager for Fall to come, I love soaking up the sun and will take an 75+ degrees and sunshine any day! We then watched a little Diego and then made rice krispy treats in the shape of Mickey Mouse from our new Mickey Mouse cookie cutter -- so fun!

All in all another great Wednesday with my boys. Even though later in the day Colby was a little off after we got back from the appointment and had lunch. He napped only 45 min. and was a little cranky after lunch. I think he's trying hard to not nap in the morning due to his new routine at day care even though they try and get him down in the morning and afternoon. It's as if he doesn't want to miss anything but he really does need the sleep. I'm hoping that after a few weeks (yesterday was only his 6th day at his new school) that he'll get into a new routine there and get the naps he needs. His buddy from his old daycare started on Monday so he has a familiar face other than Chase's at school which I think will help with the transition as well. He'll get there he just needs a little time :)