Memorial Weekend

What an eventful weekend we had. My family is in good ol' Yuma and we decided to go visit. This was our first official trip with two kids. I must say that whoever made the DVD portable is a hero! It makes our trips so much easier. Alexis loves her movies and well Timothy loves his naps. It was a surprisingly easy trip.

The weather was actually cold for May. The highs were only in the 80's! For Yuma that is very unusual. We still got out the slip and slide and inflated the pool to play though. My sisters are younger (12 and 14) so Alexis loves to follow them around. They can match her energy level so they can get into lots of trouble. Timothy put on his swim gear, but we decided to add water to the mix would probably be a bit much for him. Maybe when it warms up more we'll go for a dip.

My mom has an out of control garden too. Alexis helped her pick squash, strawberries and beans. She enjoys the strawberries best, and they never make it to the basket past her mouth. There were also grapes but they weren't quite ripe yet. My parents also have a mini farm as we call it. They now have four chickens they've added to their collection and while we were there two baby doves hatched. So when you add those to two dogs, many fish, and a turtle... it truly is a mini farm... We're just waiting for them to get some mini goats.

It was also my brother-in-laws first birthday in the states, so my sisters wanted to make it a memorable one. They made a pinata and played some games. We also played bingo. My mom uses funny things for prizes like canned chicken and pasta. Good times.

We are now back to reality, but it was a fun relaxing weekend... I think...

Sacred Siesta

Why is it that every time I try to take a nap it seems the world is against me. This morning every child in the house wanted to wake up before the sun. Finally as they are all asleep for naps, I decide to try and catch one myself. As dreams embrace my mind... the phone rings. My husband never calls me (always me calling him), but today, he decided to give me a call... and of all things, he calls to ask if he can go coyote hunting tomorrow. Random! Either way... now my dreams of a nap are shattered.

I wish I could say that this is the only time this has happened... but sadly no. Almost guaranteed, if I try to take a nap, the phone will ring, the doorbell ring, something, anything. But then again, I shouldn't be so surprised this takes place. Pretty much the same thing happens every time I try to eat. I'll finally have everyone asleep or happy and the second food is lifted on a fork, Timothy wakes up or begins crying. I guess this is just one of the joys of parenthood... but if only I had the waistline to prove it.

My goal has been to lose some of the recent baby weight, and David so lovingly says go on a walk at the zoo or something....I can't help but laugh. A walk is more an exercise on my patience than my legs when I am with both children. Alexis loves to stop and look at EVERYTHING! She is in the great age of exploration. She found a butterfly on a flower the other day and we stood for 10 minutes as she proceeded to teach the butterfly to be nice to the flower, place the butterfly on timeout for not being nice to the flower, and then sadly scaring it away as she approached to give it hugs and kisses. Alexis is adorable, but makes a vigorous walk near impossible. If anyone has any ideas on how to lose the baby "lbs" while balancing two kids, one on each hip... I'd love some help / advice.

Well the weather is unusually beautiful for May so I think we'll go outside now. Enjoy!

Oh... and yes, above is a random picture of Alexis trying to fit into her brother's clothes.

Shots of every kind

Today was a tragic day. I had the joy of taking Alexis and Timothy to get shots. The line was crazy long and Alexis was super tired. Usually we get their shots at their doctors office, but apparently their "refrigerator was broken" so we had to go to Pima County Health Office. Good Times! (note sarcasm). I couldn't help but laugh out loud when noticing a sign that read, "Parents, please keep your children under control". If only they knew who really runs the show... especially in public places.

After hours (yes that is plural) we finally got to the "torture room". Alexis was first up with shots. She had to get two (MMR and Hep A). She didn't know what was going on so for the first one she was shocked and screamed in horror. Then when they came back for round two I had to hold on to her with all my might. Poor Kid. I felt like a horrible mother and Alexis just looked at me with those terrified eyes asking me to save her. I wanted to cry with her. She is now sleeping peacefully... but is guarding her arm like a hawk.

Little Timothy on the other hand took his shots in stride. He had to get three shots and was more angry about being waken up than anything else. He is such a trooper. I guess that is one good reason for getting their shots when they are super young... they forget two seconds later what just happened. Unlike Alexis who guaranteed for the next two weeks will whine and moan every time she looks at her arm. Anyone who knows her, knows that she is VERY dramatic.

So that was today's drama...

Now to Sunday's drama. Sunday was mother's day so we of course all called our mothers. David's mom doesn't hear so well, so when you talk to her on the phone you have to talk L-O-U-D. When David calls her he usually goes outside to talk to her for that reason. I also was on the phone with my mom, but in the house. At about 9pm we heard the classic south Tucson "pop-pop-pop-pop"... or in other words a drive by shooting behind the house... AGAIN! What I failed to realize is that David was outside in our backyard at the time. Katelynn (my sister who lives with us) said "David is outside!" My heart about stopped. Luckily he came running in the house un-injured telling his mom that he'd call back... as he needed to call the cops... AGAIN.

Happy Mother's day... huh! I can't wait to leave this place. It makes me sad to think that my two year old can recognize the sound of gunshots and I fear letting her play in our own yard. Luckily everyone is okay, but I don't want to keep pushing our luck. This is just another 9-1-1 call to add to our record of many previous calls. I guess I'm just done.

Other than that all is quiet now. David is finishing his last final tomorrow... so he is out studying again. Tomorrow is a big milestone for us. Yeah... Three years down... one to go.

Vaccinations

Yesterday little Timothy had his two month well visit at the doctor. He is getting so big. He now weighs 12 pounds 2 oz. He sure is packing on the pounds. I think when he eats he just keeps the cream and spits up the rest. I have the spit-up stained shirts to prove it. He is also getting his vaccines started. He cannot, however, get his MMR (Measles, mumps and rubella) shot until his 1 year appointment. This worries me so much because there is a huge measles outbreak here in Tucson, to the point that the CDC has declared it an epidemic here.

I understand how some people may say/believe they don't need to vaccinate their children or some have beliefs about them causing more problems than they are worth... but when you have an epidemic in your town and your child could get it... it will freak you out! The worst part is that there is nothing medically that I could do to prevent Timothy from getting measles. All I can do is keep him away from anyone/everyone. So I guess until this gets under control I will not be leaving the house much. I must say I'm a little annoyed...because if people got their vaccinations this would not be an epidemic right now. So if I get stir crazy... you'll all know why. Fun times! Happy Mother's Day!

Blessed Nap Time

Nap time is a BEAUTIFUL thing, especially when you can get two kids asleep at the same time. It is one of the few times when I can do one of the following: shower or use the bathroom (in privacy), use the computer or nap myself. Today I'm am going to opt for the computer since I showered yesterday. Once a week is good... right?

Recently I've been having a heck of a time keeping Alexis dressed. This is not due to the fact that she has no clothes, but rather her desire to be naked. It is driving me crazy. It was nice when she learned how to dress herself, but I failed to think about her ability to also un-dress herself. I know the weather is warming up, but I don't think that is her reasoning. I would say it has more to do with her being an independent two year old. I've tried letting her pick out her own clothes, but she just doesn't want to wear them. Therefore, she sits in her room screaming until she decides to be decent. Oye! Any suggestions are welcome... otherwise we may just celebrate her third birthday six months early.

Timothy on the other hand is growing up incredibly fast. He'll be two months old on Wednesday and is now smiling and laughing. It is the small things that melt your heart and make you realize why you wanted more kids, even the two year old kids. It is also interesting having a sibling situation this time around. It is incredible to see how Timothy recognizes his sister and will follow her voice until he sees her and then smiles. It will be fun when he is a bit older and they can play together.

In other family news; David starts his FINAL finals ever this week. He is so excited to be finishing the book work part of his schooling. He is a bit nervous though to be starting rotations in a week. He will start at the VA hospital in the surgery department. He has never dealt with the surgery end of pharmacy so he is going to learn lots. The crazy part of him starting his rotations is that I'll see him more than now. I'm looking forward to having dinner as a family again. Yes, again, it is the small things that I cherish.

As for me... I am getting back to work and have to start being the sugar-mama again. I'll be working from home most the time which helps, but I'm already stressing.

We'll the little critters are stirring so Happy Cinco De Mayo!