Potty Time

Potty training started this weekend and it's actually going pretty well. Almost every time Aidan has sat down on the potty he has managed to go, much to his delight! We started a "sticker page" and he gets a sticker if he goes pee in the potty. He L.O.V.E.S. stickers and tattoos, and so far they have been very rewarding for him. Meltdowns ensue if he doesn't go pee because then he doesn't get a sticker. I tried to explain that we don't always have to go potty, even when we try to go. He's not quite getting that part yet. There's also no way he's going poop in the potty (according to him). He very adamantly told me "no" over and over this morning when I asked him if he wanted to poop in the potty (as he was going in his diaper). That part may take a little longer.

Is it weird that I feel like an awesome mom when he goes pee in the potty? It's not like I'm doing anything. It's just so rewarding to have something go how it's supposed to, especially when I thought this whole potty training thing would be an awful experience.

*side note: I did wake up to Aidan, his pj's, and his bed covered in pee because he took off his diaper some time during the night. Point taken. Time to wear training pants day AND night*

Holy Hotness!

Pre-fireworks funnel cake

Stars and Stripes torte that Aidan could not wait to dig into

Aubrey showing her patriotism
(Aidan called her hat a hockey helmet!)

Fun in the pool

A rare moment when Aidan was actually keeping the hose IN the pool

We did our best this weekend to not melt into a puddle of sweat. The weatherman says we have one more day of this oppressive humidity, then by Thursday it should cool down a little bit. The heat couldn't keep us from having fun, though. We played in Aidan's pool, went out to dinner for our anniversary, grilled out with Grandpa and Grandma Finn, and watched fireworks that Aidan is still talking about two days later. Yes, I ignored my brain and went with my gut. My brain told me that 10pm was too late to keep Aidan up, and that I was just asking for a whiny, cranky, perhaps scene-causing toddler at the fireworks. I followed my gut, which was saying that Aidan would really enjoy the fireworks and whining be damned. There was no whining, he DID enjoy the fireworks, and he had his first carousel ride. (which he is calling a pony ride) A fantastic holiday weekend!

Happy Anniversary

Taken 5 years ago, on our honeymoon in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Five years ago, Kyle and I were married on a gorgeous Saturday. Oh, how life has changed! A dog, two kids, different jobs, not to mention the changes in our social life. (what's a social life?) As I was thinking back over the past five years, I realized how fast life is passing by. Next year we will both be 30. Yikes! We discussed taking a trip to celebrate, but we're not sure when that will happen. Hopefully early next summer. We also had the big "we need to save money" talk. So depressing and adult-like to be discussing buying a new house, saving for retirement and college for the kids, and,*deep breath*, sticking to a budget. Not my forte. :) Yes, I realize I just said we wanted to take a trip, and in the next sentence I said we need to save money. Life doesn't need to completely be devoid of fun in order to save money. We'll just plan for it and search for a good deal.

To celebrate five years of marriage, Kyle and I are going out to dinner at Osteria I Nonni while Grandpa and Grandma Finn watch the kids. Delicious Italian food and the best calamari I have ever tasted. I'm looking forward to having a reason to get dressed up and real, adult conversation with my husband! Happy Anniversary, Kyle!

3 Months Old

As promised, here are some new pictures of Aubrey. She loves to smile and jabber away at me, but I guess I'm a little scary with a big, black camera hiding my face. There wasn't a smile to be had while the camera was out.

At 3 months old Aubrey is sitting up well when propped by a pillow or in the Bumbo seat. She heartily dislikes laying down unless she is nursing or sleeping and lets us know it. She'll sit in the swing for short bits of time, but is much happier if she's sitting up on the couch.

I'm thinking she went through a growth spurt this week. Kyle came home one day to find Aubrey sprawled out on the couch with her blanket barely covering her. He made the comment that she looked like she had "that elephantism disease." HaHa! She did look rather large with her chubby legs hanging out of the blanket and her arms above her head. Another clue-in for the growth spurt was my lack of sleep this week. Aubrey was waking up every night at 2 am and again at 5 am for feedings, where as the last few weeks it was just one time around 5 am. Thankfully she slept for 7 1/2 hours last night, so I'm feeling a little more human today. (and have a lot more patience)

Summer Fun

Summer finally arrived this week after taking a leave of absence the first part of June. We took full advantage and played outside. A lot. Like, every day. I took the kids up to the splash park on Thursday for our first Music in the Park of the summer. Aidan stood in the water and jumped around to the music while Aubrey took a nap in the stroller. I got some sun (a little too much on my shoulders) and enjoyed people watching.

Friday was spent at the zoo in the great company of Jackson and Krista. The zoo is always fun, and this trip was no exception. Aidan's new favorite activity is riding the tractor out to the farm. Aidan even branched out and fed the goats this time! After his traumatizing encounter last summer (the goat was just being friendly), he hasn't gone near the goats. Branching out didn't extend to getting wet though. Jackson was much more adventurous than Aidan and got soaking wet in the fountains. Aidan was more interested in eating ice cream.

Aubrey will be 3 months old this coming Saturday, so stay tuned for some new pics of her. She's plumping up nicely. : )

Jackson enjoying the fountains

I can't be cute all the time, Mom.

What Did You Say?

Aidan has been talking up a storm for quite awhile now, and he repeats EVERYTHING we say. He can even read my facial expressions...when I get frustrated he looks at me and says "Mommy ongry" (angry). I say that I am, but have a hard time not smiling when he says things like that. A few of my other favorites right now:

eyebulb (eyeball)
Aidan Mexican (trying to say Aidan Michael Finn)
Cop car (taxi cab)

Aubrey is also cooing away. We sit and have conversations every night after Aidan goes to bed. They usually sound something like this..."Hi, Aubrey" "ahhhh" "What are you trying to tell me?" "ah". That's pretty much the extent of it, and it goes on until she gets hungry. She loves to blow spit bubbles and is already wearing a bib the majority of the time to keep her clothes dry. I don't even want to think about how much spit she's going to produce in a few months when she starts teething!

Baptism

Aubrey was baptized on Saturday night after Mass. Both sides of our family were there, and Uncle BJ, Uncle Kyle, and Aunt Kali stood up as godparents for Aubrey. What a lucky little girl to have such a wonderful family!!! After the baptism we had everyone back to our house for a BBQ. It was a gorgeous evening so we all sat outside on the deck. A fantastic day!

Aidan got to help bless the water

Aunt Kali and Uncle Kyle

Uncle BJ, Aunt Kali, Uncle Kyle

Nana and Poppa

Grandpa and Grandma Finn

The Finn Family

(not sure when I'm going to stop looking so tired all the time...I need some heavy duty make-up and haircut!!!)

Two Months Old

Whew! What a week! Two doctor's appointments, two days of teaching home-bound, lots of cleaning, and here we are, it's finally Friday. I had my postpartum check-up on Monday. All is well and I am healthy. Aubrey had her 8-week appointment on Wednesday and she's growing like a weed. She had two shots in her leg and an oral vaccine. By about 1pm Wednesday, her upper thigh was all red and swollen and she was screaming nonstop, with renewed anguish every time she moved her leg. It wasn't red, she wasn't having a hard time breathing, and she didn't feel hot, so I decided to try to solve the problem on my own. I gave her some Tylenol (generic, since brand name is still on recall) and put a mini-ice pack on the injection site. After about 30 minutes she finally fell asleep. She whimpered when I put her down, but by the time she woke up several hours later she was back to her happy self. Next time I'm going to give her the Tylenol before we get the shots.

2-months stats:
Weight: 11lbs 2oz....58th %-ile
Height: 24 1/2 in...98th %-ile
Head: 15 1/2 in...68th %-ile

Aubrey isn't as skinny as Aidan was, but she's just as long. I had to remind Kyle that Aidan started off really long and then slowed down considerably so that he's just average now. Poor Kyle probably isn't going to get any pro-athletes out of this family.

As if I'm not busy enough, one of the kids in my class at school got kicked out with 3 weeks to go. They asked me to teach him 5 hours a week because the school our district places EBD students at doesn't have any openings right now. I agreed because I really do like this kid. It actually stimulates my brain and I feel much more intelligent on the nights I get home from teaching vs. being home all day, sleep-deprived, with my patience worn thin.

Aubrey is being baptized this weekend, so my family will be coming into town this evening. We're having everyone back to our house Sat. night for a BBQ, so cleaning has been on the agenda every day this week. I've decided that besides a nanny to play with Aidan during the day, we also really need a cleaning lady. I like my mother-in-law's line of "We need another wife."

We're Back

We took a mini-vacation to IL this past weekend for my cousin's wedding and a little quality time with Nana and Poppa. The 6 hour drive went exceptionally well on the way down and mostly okay on the way back...minus Aidan's whining and dropping his pacifier every ten minutes, on purpose, just so I would pick it up. We had a great time and have Aunt Kali to thank for the pictures. Once again, I forgot my camera.

The Albers Clan:
Aunt Cheryl, my dad, Uncle Gary, and Grandma Albers

Kali (28 weeks PG) and Kyle

Kali, Kyle, and Poppa

Nana and Aubrey

Aidan (in the green argyle sweater) getting his groove on

Nana and Great-Uncle Bill showing Aidan the horses and colt
(he was terrified of them up close, but liked looking out the window at them)

Great-Grandma Mosher meeting Aubrey for the first time

Aubrey is finally starting to smile!!!

Being a Mom

Happy Mother's Day to our moms, Theresa and Michele, and to all the other moms and moms-to-be out there reading the blog. As I write this, Kyle and Aidan are out getting me a "surprise". Is it a pony? Is it a boat? It could be anything! That's what I love about surprises.

Things I love about being a mom:

• the weight of a sleeping child in my arms
• when Aidan says "Yay-yah, Ok-ay" like a rapper
• the concern/attention Aidan shows Aubrey
  
• waking up and realizing I've been asleep (the kids have been asleep) for multiple hours in a row
• "me" time...it is precious and not to be squandered
• watching Aidan run around in the backyard, laughing hysterically at Roxie
• talking to Aubrey when she looks me right in the eye, like we might just be having a conversation
  
• playing pretend and watching Aidan's imagination bloom (did you know shopping carts can be motorcycles that you ride to grandma's house?)
• singing any song where Aidan joins in, off-key and totally not making sense, but full of enthusiasm
• getting contraptions that will make my life easier...the new stroller is here...curse the rain that meant we couldn't go outside to use it right away!
• watching Kyle play with Aidan or hold Aubrey