Photos of our busyness

Warning! What you are about to witness is pure hideousness!



A vile trashcan invading possum! I don't understand how anyone could find these animals to be cute--look at it! Gaah! The horror! (To reward you for your bravery, there are pictures of Adrian and Fiona to follow)



Nothin' says "good morning" like a face full of chocolate donut.




Fiona in the exersaucer! She seems to be growing exponentially...click here to compare with Adrian in the same device.


Whoops! Haha... I just realized that this is sideways. Oh well. Here is Adrian's dino costume courtesy of The Dude (Jim King)...although AD puts it on and declares "I'm an inguana!"

So there you have it--photos from the land of busy. Now I have to go and work on a graphic design project for some dudes. Whee!

oi! what a week!

Well! Friends and neighbors, I apologize for being away so long, but we have been BUSY.
Fiona Leigh has been battling the goopy eye--not quite conjunctivitis, but still ick. She's also being trying to roll over.

Adrian Christopher had his very first day of preschool this week! And I got pictures, but not digital ones. He had fun, and was ready to go back on Friday. So we got all dressed and back pack on and went to school and whoops! No school on Friday. Poor Adrian was so excited to go, and so bummed that there was no school. (Bad Mom!)

And what else? We had a hideous awful pair of LIVE possums in our trash can. And what did we learn from this? Our city has no animal control. What is that?! So we let the buggers loose and the very next day our neighbor won the possum roulette. Evil nasty vile beasties.

AD turns 3 in 9 days. Does that seem unreal for anyone else?

Barb & Dave, this one's for you!

As Adrian approaches his 3rd birthday (as the asteroid hurtles towards the Earth), one of the most startling changes he is undergoing would be the development of his imagination. This has resulted in numerous hours spent pretending to be someone else. Most notably Nick (his cousin) or Shana (another cousin).When Adrian is pretending to be Nick he is doing big boy things: playing ball, helping in the kitchen, or watching TV on the couch. Shana, on the other hand, has become a scapegoat for all activities forbidden or dangerous. Example?

Me: Adrian, don't climb the back of the couch.
Adrian: Shana doos that. I'm Shana!

or
Adrian: I'm Shana. Watch me jump on the stairs!
Me: I don't think so, buddy.
Adrian: Shana does do that.

All little boys should be delivered with notices that read:
Upon the approach of my third birthday I will be seized with the need to run, jump, and climb at every available opportunity. It is your responsibility to prevent my untimely end in these matters. Best of luck to you!

Call me...

Call me a bad mother. Not as in bad-mamma-jamma, but bad as in: for shame!

I am having difficulty dealing with Adrian's new spate of little-person behaviors. Maybe it's because I'm used to him being such a compliant happy chap, maybe it's because we're both stubborn, but there are days when I think: I wish I could sign you up for school because you are getting on my nerves.
And it's not that he's mean or bad or even mischievous, it's that he has so much energy and can't seem to put a lid on it when the lid needs to be put on. And the emphatic refusal of any suggestions that might help him to productively spend the energy is quite trying. Example? How about jumping rather than hitting things with toys? How about putting on some music and dancing rather than using baby toys as nunchucks in the vicinity of the cats? How about we go outside and kick the ball around rather than jumping off the couch?

Which brings us to grievance time: some obnoxious neighborhood kids have walked off with Adrian's soccer ball(in addition to his two kickballs). These are probably the same kids that come up into our driveway when we're not here to play in his sand table. Just a tip, kids: if you're going to play with other people's stuff when they're not around you might want to put it back the way you found it. I have a feeling they'd probably make off with the table if they could shift it. It's a pity that I haven't caught them, but I am thinking of posting a large sign in the front yard that says:
NO HALLOWEEN CANDY UNLESS ALL OF ADRIAN'S TOYS ARE RETURNED.

I am prematurely a cranky old lady.

photo-heavy post

Fiona Leigh as of last week. I just can't get enough of those chubby, kissable cheeks! I'm still waiting for her to roll over...and she is showing no inclination to do so. Ah well. All in good time, I guess.


Adrian's new race car apron, made by yours truly. He wears it when he helps me in the kitchen. He is an excellent stirrer, measurer, and dumper of canned things into pots. And to answer the question "who does Adrian look like?" Take at look at this:



Me, circa 1984. (Photo courtesy of Aunt Carmela)

my least favorite phrase

uttered by Adrian, usually from another room:
I spilled just a little bit.

Fiona Leigh and Zombie Boy

Here are my two lovlies yesterday.

Fiona Leigh is an all-night sleeper and a smiley happy baby. She's pushing up on her belly, laughing a little bit, and trying like crazy to get her arms to follow her commands. She loves to watch Adrian, the television, and the cats.

Adrian is...well, he's almost 3. He's willful and determined, curious and fearless. He's remarkably sweet with his sister and crazy wild fool with his best friend. He's also decided that sleeping is for weenies and he's not going have any of it. You can imagine my joy at this new development. He's also decided that he's going to be a superhero when he grows up. Either that or a delivery man.

It's good to have goals.

a little too quiet...

Adrian goes downstairs to amuse himself while I nurse Fiona before her nap. She falls asleep and I put her in bed. Then I realize that I haven't heard a peep out of Adrian for at least 5 minutes...
I creep downstairs and HOLY CRAP THERE'S PAINT ON THE CARPET.
Turns out little man scaled the bar to reach the paint and then decided to empty 5 containers into one cup. When he turned around and saw me he cheerfully announced: I'm mixing the colors!

Yes. Yes you are.

Two is a funny age

This morning Aaron shaved his beard off. Adrian looked at him and asked "what's wrong with your face?"

And more Toddler Translations!

Toddler to English:

Man Book = Guide Book

Arm Clock = Alarm Clock

here I am!

Since we last spoke:

I have turned 27. It's a lot like 26, but closer to 30 and with less alcohol. (who knew?)

Fiona Leigh has turned 9 weeks old and passed her check up with flying colors--she's 11 1/2 pounds and says Iowa. I'm pretty sure that's just a fluke, but Grandparents Flecker seem to enjoy it. She also holds her wee noggin up and is determined to sit up--failing, but persevering.

Adrian has decided that the time for toilet training is now. He has told me that he's learning to go in the potty so he can go to karate chop school. We've had a week in underwear and he's doing very well. I am thrilled that he taking this step forward and even more thrilled that I only have to buy diapers for one now. He's pretty pleased with himself, too. He announced to his art class "I pee in the potty now". All were suitably impressed.

And now it's time for Toddler Translations!

From Toddler to English:

Joy Sauce= Soy Sauce
Fider Man= Spider Man
Anks= Thanks
Fantaskick Four= Fantastic Four
Masstass= Moustache

A month and then some.

Hello to all. Life has been busy busy. I am just starting to get used to sleep deprivation and life with two little ones. And my findings are thus: two children equals four times as much laundry and four times longer to get out the door. It doesn't seem like that would work out mathematically, but that's the reality of it.

Adrian has done very well with his sister, the main problems arising when he's tired and she needs to be fed. He's also decided that he's going to grow up to be a crane operator or Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs.

Fiona mostly does this. She's still spitting up frequently, earning her the moniker: puking princess of the south side. But she's also one of the smilingest babies I've ever known. I guess it's a good balance.
Here's the fearsome duo being all tucked in, at Adrian's request. And that's all I have for now--as I have to go change Adrian's stinky diaper. Fiona, for her part, hasn't pooped in 5 days.

I have no idea when the next installment will be, so just keep checking in.

4 weeks old tomorrow

Little Miss Fiona Leigh, at 3 weeks & 5 days old.

The differences between Fiona and Adrian at this age are astounding.
She is a champeen sleeper. She sleeps through nearly every noise imaginable, she has no trouble sleeping alone in her bed or her playpen, and usually lulls herself to sleep before she has a chance to get overtired and fussy. JOY! Fiona is now smiling, but most of her smiles are reserved for our resident thespian, Adrian Christopher. She LOVES to watch Adrian, and will babble to him more so than to us. And for his part, Adrian tells her (frequently) "I love you, Fiona" in a sweet and gentle voice. (It is at this point that I would like to say that I have the best kids ever) Unlike Adrian at this age, Fiona is not a screamer. She voices her disapproval by grunting, although she will let out a full cry if she's hungry and I'm not making quick enough with the breast milk.
I love how she stares intently at us when we hold her, as if she's trying to memorize our features. I love how she's so laid back and agreeable--it makes dealing with a 2 year old much more tolerable.
This 2-kid thing seems to be pretty spectacular, and although I am loopy from lack of sleep I would do it all over again for sure.

A mini vacation

Adrian has gone to Rock Island for a mini vacation with his grandparents and the house is very quiet...too quiet.
Last night to pass the time, Aaron and I played "find the smell"--there's an odd odor in our dining/kitchen area and we have no idea what it is or where it's coming from. Aaron even pulled out the fridge in case the cats had left us a half-digested treat behind it but no luck. So now in addition to haunted plumbing we have mysterious smells. I think it may be time to move.

Fiona is doing well, sleeping well and is a general joy to be around. Next week marks the first time I will be a mom alone with 2 little ones and I'm very nervous about the whole thing. I'm sure there's some kind of trick to it, but I don't know what that trick is yet. A friend of mine has opted for the never-leave-the-house method of child rearing but that doesn't appeal to me much. I'm sure I'll figure it out as the days tick by....

Sorry there are no pictures today--I'm charging the camera's batteries.

More baby pics if you can stand the cuteness

The Great Train Cake Caper of 2007. Bet you didn't know you could suck sprinkles (or as Adrian says, "fwinkles") right out of the bottle. He's actually cleaner than Grandma. Grandma had cake batter on her pants, and frosting on her shirt. Fwinkle-free though.
Good morning. No cake for me, thanks.
My first whistling lesson. I need more practice.
Another victim of baby sleep fumes. It seems that when an adult is holding a sleeping baby, the adult also falls victim to sleep. Toddlers are unaffected by this phenomenon.

Posted by Grandma. Hopefully mom will get the OK tomorrow to drive and climb stairs!

How to talk like a 2 (and 1/2 ) year old

Child: I don't WANT to go outside. NO. I WANT to go outside. NO. Yes. I want, I don't want... (Child dissolves in tears because now he has 1) forgotten what it was he was talking about, and 2) can't remember if he wants or doesn't want it. Adults are trying not to laugh.)

Repeat for every conceivable notion during the day. (Lemonade, play with blocks, turn off/on TV, etc. Very entertaining, plus, uses up lots of time!

Monkey see, monkey do and other toddler fun

Adrian: My belly hurts. I need staples too. (Staples courtesy of Grandma and an eyeliner pencil)

Watching Fiona sleep...
Adrian: Fiona smiled!
Kara: Do you think she's dreaming?
Adrian: Yes.
Kara: What do you think she's dreaming about?
Adrian: Mommy's boobies.

Kara sets Adrian's dinner plate in front of him at the table. He pats her poochy belly. "Fiona's back inside!"

(Again from Grandma)

Grandma couldn't resist

Cuter every day...

It's somebody's birthday (yesterday)

This is baby Fiona Leigh, born June 14, 2007, 7 lbs 7 oz, 20.5 inches long. Lots of hair. Big brother was more intrigued with the buttons on the hospital bed. Mom doing fine. This is Grandma reporting. Mom will update when she can manage the stairs to get to the computer. She would love to talk to you on the phone. If you have her number, give her a buzz. She'll call you back, eventually!

Reasons why I love summer...

Lets start with 1. wicked cool ladybug hats
2. Lighting bugs (and catching lighting bugs with Adrian)
3. Summer produce: YUM!
4. Playing in the sprinkler with a delighted 2 1/2 year old
5. The way the sunlight streams through the windows in the mornings
6. Popsicles & trips to Baskin-Robbins
7. Gardening
8. Thunderstorms
9. Food off the grill
10. Birthdays! Mine and (in THREE DAYS) baby # 2's!

7 and counting

SEVEN DAYS TO BABY.

And I am remarkably unconcerned about the whole thing, really. Maybe it's because I know what to expect, maybe it's because this time it's scheduled rather than whenever the baby feels like it, maybe it's because I'm too busy with Adrian to really think about anything farther away than two days from now. Whatever the reason, the only thing I feel I really have to do between now and then is get a haircut. And probably schedule one for Adrian, too.

I am losing steam in other areas of my domesticity. For example, I really think that sandwiches for dinner is a fantastic idea. And while I know that the living room floor needs to be vacuumed I just don't feel like picking up all of Adrian's toys to get that accomplished. I am currently trying out for the title of world champion butt-sitter and I have to say I think I'm a contender.