Brotherly love

These photos were just so cute I had to share them. It started with Dylan sitting in the rocking chair yelling, "Baby!" I asked if he was asking to hold the baby, and he said, "Ya!" and opened his arms wide. Then Brandon wanted in on the fun. They were all smiling and giggling. It was truely one of those moments I wanted burned into my brain.

Russ is broken / Boys check ups

Well it was bound to happen! After spending most of our vacation carrying Dylan around, Russ's back finally seized up. He ended up at the doctor yesterday and came home with some pretty heavy medication. He's been in bed since yesterday afternoon. He was up for a little while today, but he moves around like his entire upper body is in a cast.

I ended up taking all three boys to the doctor for check ups by myself today. Dylan could have stayed home since his appointment isn't until November, but I wanted Russ to be able to rest. Brandon and Dylan were balls of energy in that lobby. I think they knew I couldn't do much with the baby strapped to the front of me in the Baby Bjorn. When I made them sit down they acted like they were physically in pain. Then when we were called back, Dylan stopped at the front door of the office and wanted to leave. When I told him we couldn't yet, he threw himself on the floor. I did what any outnumbered mother would do. I grabbed his arm just under the armpit and pulled him to his feet (several times) until he was standing, and not letting go, made him walk back to our room. He whined and cried the whole way there.

Brandon did really well, considering he had to get four shots for the start of kindergarten next fall. Dylan watched Brandon as he got his shots, and didn't move a muscle. That was the only time that child stopped moving while we were there. Brandon had a sight test and tested perfect. He also had a hearing test, but was too confused to push the button or raise his hand when he was supposed to. He's a super healthy boy, and so happy to know that he won't have to have another shot until he's 12...oh! I forgot about flu shots! I just lied to my child!!!!

Owen had his check up, as well. He smiled through the whole exam. Brandon got to be the doctor's helper during Owen's exam, and he really enjoyed that. He loves to help out with the baby. Well, Owen is just as big as we thought he was. He was at the high end of the percentage scale for weight and height. He did really well with his shots, too. He turned beet red before he started crying, but stopped as soon as all the shots were over. He was asleep before we even made it to the car.

We all went to preschool after the doctor to drop Brandon off. He made it just in time for the last part of his gymnastics class. He must have told each child individually that he went to the doctor and got four stickers. Funny how they forget the worst part and love to tell about the best part.

Long weekend away

We came back from our vacation yesterday. The boys had sooooooo much fun. We rented a house across the street from Rio Del Mar beach in Aptos, just south of Santa Cruz. (A word of advice: don't rent from Cheshire Rio. Horrible company. Just ask Russ.) Our friends came down for the weekend with their daughter. The kids played, and we tried to relax and hang out after the kids all went to bed in the evenings. We were a little worried that they wouldn't get much time on the beach since there was rain in the forecast. It did rain, but not enough to ruin the vacation. The boys got several days on the beach looking for sea shells, building "sand castles," and chasing waves. The chasing fun was short lived for Deets, though, when Brandon ran him over trying to run away from the waves. In the end, D ended up soaked and miserable. He refused to go near the water again after that fiasco. Not a big deal, since he had a wonderful time playing in the sand and kicking his beach ball.

Saturday afternoon, Russ took Brandon and Dylan to The Boardwalk to play games and walk around. He really wanted them to do more than just play at the beach. Russ said they had so much fun playing games and picking out prizes with their tickets. Unfortunately, I missed that outing because the baby was sleeping, and I didn't want to disturb him. That was ok, I got to play with the boys at the beach when they came back.

Sunday evening we took the boys down to the wharf, mostly because we wanted to have a crab cocktail. We had our little snack, and the boys tried to see the seals barking under the wharf through the viewing holes at the far end. As dark as it was, the boys were very lucky to see the few that they did. We ended the evening with ice creams at Marini's.

Monday, after a bit of shopping, we drove into the hills to visit some friends we haven't seen for a couple of years. They have a beautiful 4 year old girl, and Brandon loved playing with her. Poor Mia was bossed around by Brandon, but luckily she didn't seem to mind. They spent the whole afternoon and evening playing. Dylan spent most of his time going up and down the stairs. He would pop in on Brandon and Mia to see what they were doing, but before long he would be back on the stairs. The look on face when he discovered that he could roll a ball down them was priceless. He looked at me like, "did you just see that?????"

Finally on Tuesday we loaded up the car and drove to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The boys thought the huge tanks of fish were so cool. Brandon asked to see the jellyfish. I have to say the jellyfish exhibits are my favorite, too. Brandon's favorite were the transparent jellies you could only see if the light was turned on. He kept pushing the button to turn the light off, so they would disappear. He was still talking about those jellyfish today. They were fascinated by the kelp forest, the sharks and the gigantic fish. We were thankful that we visited midweek, because the boys were able to experience the touch pools and the kids play areas without a problem. I think Dylan's favorite part was being outside. There wasn't much to see outside, but he loved being out there. And poor Russ, he was wishing we'd unloaded the stroller, because he ended up carrying Dylan around the entire aquarium all day.

All in all, it was a busy vacation because we did so much, but it was fun experiencing it all as a family. We loved watching our kids play and explore these last few days. Can't wait for our next adventure.

Finger food

I remember when I was little, and my parents would put out finger foods for company. I loved to dig into the black olives and stick them on every one of my fingers. Sometimes I would eat them whole right off my finger. Other times I would nibble until they disappeared. Here is Brandon's version since he doesn't like olives (if you click on the picture, you'll see they are strawberries). What weirdo kid doesn't like olives??? Oh...according to Russ, I was the weirdo kid for even liking olives in the first place.

Big day for us all

When I picked Brandon up from preschool today, he was so excited to tell me that he ate all of his lunch and that he went on the potty and got to pick a prize out of the special toy chest. He had a very important day. We called Russ on his cell so Brandon could tell him all about it. We celebrated by making milkshakes, and promised to take him shopping for a special treat this weekend. We kept telling him how proud we were of him. He looked as proud as we felt.


And after months of figuring out what we want and then searching for it, we have finally purchased a Toyota Sequoia. Russ found a really great deal on a 2006, so he drove down to Vacaville to check it out. He came home with it tonight. I love it! It's so much easier to get the kids in and out, and the best part is I can take all three of my kids anywhere now. Brandon hopped into the car when Russ got home and I told him to show me how to drive. It was so cute.

Slumber party in Brandon's bed

Ever since Dylan moved into the bunkbeds, Brandon says, "Deets can sleep with me if he wants," at every bedtime. But we always tell them that they need to sleep in their own beds, that way no one gets kicked or hit or smooshed against the wall. Before we leave their room we always tell them that they need to stay in bed. Dylan is actually really good about staying put. Brandon on the other hand gets up 3 or 4 times to tell us something like having to potty, wanting water, wanting one of us to cuddle in his bed...you get the idea. He's comes out so much that we don't even walk him back to bed anymore. Well tonight when Russ peaked in on them, this is what he found.

Picture day

Today was picture day for the boys. I had to bribe Brandon with a visit to the Disney Store (which we had already planned on anyway) to get him to sort of smile. Dylan didn't want any part of picture taking, that's why you don't see him above. He just wanted to be held by Daddy. And then there was Owen. He was our little ray of sunshine bursting with smiles and coos.

Dylan's a big boy now!

Our little Deeters has graduated to the big boy bed. I've been letting him sleep in Brandon's bed for naps on the days Brandon goes to preschool, and D has done really well. So this weekend while he was at my mom's house, Russ and I went out and bought a new mattress and sheets. He came home tonight to see his crib gone, new artwork on the walls and his trundle bed all made up with his things in it. He was not impressed. It turned out he wanted Brandon's bed, which worked out well, because Brandon wanted the trundle bed. So the boys swapped beds and everyone was happy. (The bed swap will actually make Brandon's future move to the top bunk all that much easier.)

Dylan was so excited about his new bed, he kept playing on it like it was a big toy. Climbing in and out, jumping off of it, jumping to bump his head on the top bunk (on purpose), jumping on his brother's bed. He's never been like that at nap time, so I suggested that Russ rock him to sleep. That did the trick...a little too well since Russ fell asleep, too.

Roll over Big O!

Yes, that baby of ours is a roll over pro now. A few days ago it clicked in his head how to roll and now that's all he does when he's tired of laying on his back. If he's in a good mood, he'll prop up on his elbows and forearms to look around. It's just so cute to see him checking out his surroundings from a different angle. Brandon gets right down on the floor with Owen when he sees him rolling around. I'm surprised Owen doesn't cry, because sometimes Brandon is right there in his face. He's smiling and saying encouraging things to Owen, but has no clue about personal space. It really is sweet.

Another step closer

I know most people don't care to read about my boys going pee pee, but I'm sorry, it's a huge hurdle that were are attempting to clear, and it is WAY over due. Brandon ran to the bathroom today and successfully peed in the the toilet. The look on his face was priceless, as was the, "Look mommy! I'm doing it!" We've had a few accidents over the last week, and I think he's finally figuring out this potty training thing. When my mom came by tonight to help me out with the kids, Brandon called her into the bathroom to show her he knew how to go in the toilet like a big boy. He's so proud of himself. Keep your fingers crossed (and toes too) that we'll be out of pull ups very soon.

Go Diego Go Live!

Today we surprised Brandon and Dylan with the Go Diego Go Live! show at the Memorial Auditorium. We got there early enough to load up on souvenirs, and then we took our seats. The boys had no idea what was going on or what to expect. They just sat in their seats people watching and eating their pretzels. When the show started their eyes were as big as saucers and Brandon's mouth was actually hanging open. The show was pretty interactive. Most of the kids there were jumping, dancing, growling, and answering the questions Diego and Alicia were asking. Not our kids. Brandon has never been one to participate with the cartoon on tv, so it wasn't a surprise that he wasn't going to participate at the theater. Dylan just loved watching everything. In the end, Brandon said the show was too loud and that he liked "parts," but wouldn't elaborate on what those parts were. When we asked Deets if he liked the show, he said yes. The most surprising part of the day was that our kids actually stayed seated and didn't squirm the whole show. Russ and I agreed that the show was entirely too long. I'm sorry, but I don't think kids' shows should be so long that they need an intermission.