We're Back

Too much chaos to blog lately...I apologize! Congratulations are in order -- yes, that's right, all the Christmas decorations are FINALLY put away. HOORAY! I thought they would still be up for Valentine's Day at the rate I was going! ;)

Anyway, I've been jotting down some funny things to share...The pictures above are all the rage around here. It's called "Doin' the Funny Face" and they laugh and laugh when they make this face at one another. :) Here's a sample conversation between Austin and Caitlin: A: "Need go bye bye. Go gas station." C: "Yeah, need gas." Caitlin also shouts "AHBAH" which irritates the living daylights out of Austin. Usually he yells back "NO!" or if he's tired, he'll start crying. Apparently Austin knows what it means even if the rest of us don't.

In another example of sweetness (and how they like to imitate lately)...Austin took Caitlin's doll and attempted to give her a "biebuh dange" (diaper change). He had a diaper, the wipes, and was all set. Then he got distracted. So funny! Caitlin will put her toy stethoscope around her waist and the "listening" part over her heart and tell you, "Listening to heart". Who knew her hips doubled as ears?! :)

Ryan will be home again tomorrow so we are ALL happy for that!!!!!!!! Hoping to post again on Wednesday evening.

Fun Times

They are so happy in this picture because they were sitting in mommy and daddy's chairs for story time. Their new favorite books are "The Snowy Day" and "The Three Bears" (read with different voices, of course!).

Let's see...last night Caitlin puked all over me (and herself) after having a coughing fit. That was fun. Poor girl gets sooooooo upset that she is messy. She's fine today. Even went to school to see how the Thursday class would be. Both kids were awesome...walked right in and were ready to play. It didn't phase them at all when I left, which is a good thing. After watching some of their lesson today, I feel good about the change. It is definitely a higher level group which will prevent boredom and promote growth. It will be interesting to see their progress with this new group. I feel like Austin is way more verbal on the day he goes to school. Maybe it's because Caitlin is "talked out" by the time they get home?! ~lol~ Their teacher (Miss Christine) said Austin was making "snowballs" and throwing them. Too funny b/c I taught him that (all pretend of course) and we do that to entertain ourselves a few times a day...So she said the class had a "snowball fight" for a couple minutes today. The boy is ZESTY!

YAY! Ryan gets home tomorrow! We will all be happy to see him!

Today was Bath Day -- 'Nuff Said...

WOW! Props to "Aunt Bubbles" for helping out with baths today. Caitlin was a handful!!! Poor kid. I sure hope Austin skips this particular "phobia phase". It's not so great. I think all 3 of us are dealing with some sort of sinus issue too, so they were somewhat cranky today. Caitlin told me "Tatin sick. Need to west (rest) on mom." I think she just wanted to cuddle, but maybe she's low on energy too.

Today they enjoyed making "flutes" with their colored pegs and playing with balloons in the basement. Lynn also gave them rides on a blanket around the kitchen and then we swung them back and forth in the blanket. That got some great belly giggles from A & C.

Tomorrow is school so mom gets a break. Yep, that's right...I'm headed to Target and Starbucks. Was supposed to go on a 7 mile hike on Saturday but it's supposed to be 12 degrees for a high or something ridiculous like that. I told Ryan I'd be the dumb hiker who wandered away from the group and ended up with a search party story on the 5 o'clock news. I'll try to do a different hike when it's a bit warmer!

Gonna pack the kids stuff for school and hit the sack...it was a loooooong day! Only one more till my honey comes home!!!

Heard & Seen Today...

A few "Caitlinisms" from our resident chatterbox. Austin is more about the action...

"Hola Aussin!"
"Smells like good!"
"That's MY job!"
"Fun nap mom!"

Tonight Austin tucked in his Diego, Dora, & Tapir figures at bedtime. When all was perfect, he said "Nigh Nigh GoGo (Diego)". Earlier he got his own tissue, wadded it up, held it to his nose and blew (and blew and blew and blew). He was so proud of himself when he saw the "boogies" he put in his kleenex! Also, Austin used his spoon correctly at dinner for the first time. No more inverting it and getting yogurt down the front of his shirt!

AND, at bedtime both kids BEGGED for their "chmismas" blankets...so yes, it's still Christmas here. They love them so much I suspect it will be Christmas all year long! ;) Thanks for making them Gramma Carr.

So far today...

It has been a fun morning around here! Kids woke up happy (which is always a blessing)! Caitlin was singing to Austin and they were just chattering away. I heard Austin say "help" in a quiet voice right before i walked into the room. Poor kid had one arm out of his shirt and through the neck, so he was wearing a lovely, off-the-shoulder number in camo green! He's classic!

We did the normal routine...diapers, "scootch" downstairs, tell doggy good morning & we missed him, Austin distributes milk, Caitlin eats mini waffles, Austin eats "pink bar", watch some cartoons & cuddle so mommy can drink her coffee :), head to the basement and play, play, play. At about noon, it's back upstairs for a nap till about 1:30 or 2pm. Then we begin the whole process again!!

The pics today are from New Year's Eve...they loved the hats, leis, clappers, and horns! It was cute to watch. And NO...they DID NOT make it till midnight ( I don't think the adults did either!). Uncle Clint and his girlfriend, Sarah, were here for a short visit so we ushered in 2008 with them. It was a really great few days and we're looking forward to when they come out again. When we ask the kids, "Where are Uncle Clint and Sarah?" they tell us "On the airplane!" So Clint and Sarah, bet you didn't know you were on such a looooooong flight!?

Oh, and a small disclaimer...I am still trying to figure out how all this blogging stuff works so forgive any mistakes or whatever. Still learning! Anything fancy on here should be credited to Ryan, the resident computer genius! :)

The First of Many Posts?

It has been a long time coming, but here is our little spot on cyberspace to share what is going on with us...Mostly, a place to share how Austin and Caitlin are growing...Hopefully, we can keep it somewhat updated for everyone...

So, here is what they are up to lately-

Caitlin is quite the little song bird...current faves to sing are Row Row Row Your Boat, Baa Baa Blacksheep, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, The Clean Up Song, I'm the Map, Themes from Dora, Diego, and Wonder Pets. Occasionally she'll pipe up with Jingle Bells. :) It is so funny to hear her sing each morning over the monitor...it's her secret weapon to wake up Austin!

Austin could (and usually does) draw ALL DAY!!! He loves coloring at the kitchen table (prefers blank paper rather than coloring books) and he draws on his Magna Doodle in the family room and in the basement (thank goodness they each have 2!). Today he even tried to bring the Magna Doodle into the bathroom for potty practice!!!

They love playing together but watch out when one gets mad! Lots of biting, kicking, hair pulling, and pushing! Some days I feel like I need a striped shirt and whistle (or a good stiff drink!). :) Lots of imaginative play...Caitlin pretends to cook (she especially loves to "cook doggy's dinner") and she loves to parade around with her wand and butterfly wings. Austin likes to dress in his pirate hat and run around. He is very lively and LOVES to go, go, go! My favorite thing is to see them sit at their little table for their snack and milk. They each read a book to themselves or sometimes to each other. It is the sweetest thing!

Currently, Caitlin is scared of lots of things...most notably the bathtub and taking a bath. Bath time is a nightmare. Austin uses the opportunity to comfort her...if you ask him to he will hold her hand (AND she LETS him!) or rub her back and tell her "it's okay, keekee (sissy)." It is neat to watch the love and sibling bonds growing between them.

Well, that is about it for now, but hopefully we can keep this thing updated!