Zeek’s post:

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Translation:

Today, I registered for my first classes in the up-coming season of YMCA programs. From this week until February 14, I will be a little perch on my swim team and a tumble bug in my gym class. My Mama says that I will be making new friends, learning to swim, tumbling, rolling, balancing, dancing, exercising, and having lots of fun!!! I can hardly wait, and I hardly have to because my first gym class is in two nights!

Mama took my gift card from Gra-Gra and Pepere to Once today and bought me some super cool gym clothes and swim trunks. Mama and Daddy are so happy about me that they are acting silly about my new classes. Just imagine when I actually do something!

My Mama also used my Christmas money from Uncle Tony to buy me 10 books on Amazon.com, today! She picked me 8 Bug Buddy books, a children's poetry book that I can also listen to on CD, and a cool bed time story book that Grandma Becky has at her house. (Thank you Uncle Tony.) We also won 11 different Bob the Builder guys, all in one auction, on Ebay last night for just $9.11, plus $6 shipping!!! Mama and Daddy said that we can't buy Bob in the stores anymore because they already sold him so much and other kids have them all! I'm so glad that I have some Bobs coming to my house now, too. I will be very happy to see what comes in the mail each day this week ~lots of nice stuff for me. =)

I'm still having so much fun with my Christmas toys. Tonight I have been playing with my stringing game, chunky puzzles, and weeble castle which are all over the floor in the living room.

Tomorrow, my Jaymee comes back to be at our house all day again. I can’t wait to show her all our new cool toys from Christmas! I have been missing her a lot. I can’t wait to tell her that we get to go to the YMCA to swim and play during the day now, too! She will be so happy!

Mama says that someday it might snow outside, and we will get to play in it. We’re going to make a snow man and take a picture of it...someday.

I’m going to go watch some Bob and have a shake before bed.  

Good night.
Love, Zeek

Sometimes I feel too much like we are suffering the “split homes” scenario that divorced families have to deal with...we don’t have her on the weekends, we lose her for the summer, she takes what she learns here home to her parents and visa-versa when she comes to our home.

Fortunately, Julie and I are in sync with our parenting, spiritual beliefs, and even lifestyles; God, dogs, TV watching, social concepts, over doting-child centered-bias about Zeek and Jaymee’s obvious accelerated growth and progress. =) Yeah, we’re crazy about our babies!

In every sense, we are glad to have Jaymee home. She just makes everything right.

"oh-ohhh!" is Zeek’s word of the week, and let me tell you, who ever taught it to him is going down! =) EVERYTHING is "oh-ohhh!" He drops something, we drop something, you drop something...the phone rings, the timer goes off, he's missing his juice... the dog barks, we turn off the light, his snack "accidentally" spills on the floor...and we hear it,

“Oh-ohhh!”

We've certainly heard our fill of that expression.

He is also talking anew in other ways this week. He just walked up to the TV, pushed the button and yelled, "on!"
He is constantly saying, "dogs bark" over and over and over. I keep assuring people it's not autism. =)
I don't quite understand all the repeating. THE DOGS AREN'T EVEN BARKING when he says it!

He's saying, "chee an cracka'” (cheese and crackers) when we eat them. He’s also been deducing and repeating what we say using the two most pertinent words in a sentence. Sometimes he even throws in a conjunction here and there. Example: I say, “come sit and read a book with Mama” Zeek replies: “book, wi mama!”. Last night I said, “let’s get into your bed” and he said, “my bed”. He’s really catching on! =)

On Tuesday, Zeek and I went to the YMCA to swim. Our cousin Natalie joined us, as she had come over after school to help me out for awhile so I could get some things cleaned up around the house in peace.

Ezekiel has really taken to Natalie the few times he has been around her this past month. He even holds her hand on his own! He's really not a big hand holder.

It was so nice to have her here for him (and me). Not to mention that there is no way I would have been able to take Zeek swimming on my own. What a handful he was.

Natalie spoiled me so much that I dreamed of how nice it would be to have the extra heart and third set of hands and feet to help with our baby. I am strongly considering altering our budget to see if I can buy her nanny services more regularly in the future. =) She was SUCH a big help.  

Tuesday night was the first time Zeek has gone swimming since this summer in Door County. He absolutely loved the water. He kicked his little legs on his own and even tried to steer himself away from us in the water. All I could do was laugh and hold my hand under his cute little belly to hold him up.

He has no idea what to do with his arms yet, but he has absolutely no fear, even when his head is under the water!

His first swim class is on Monday and I have a feeling it won’t be long before he is swimming! Do toddlers swim on their own? We’ll see, I guess.

He had this exact outfit in a 6-9 month which he wore in the beginning of last summer. I was SO excited when I found it again at Once in a 18-24 month last week! I just LOVE it. =)

As for the little Tumble Bug, he was SO awesome in class. He made lots of friends, but mostly enjoyed hanging out with Layla, in pink, of course, and Collyn, who is an adorable mini clone of his friendly, Italian, first-time parents.

Zeek had no problem hopping up the six step slide, scooting to a sit, and pushing off to slide down. Once he was down, he ran around to wait in line all over again until the line got too long. Then he climbed the mountain, rolled on the mats, crossed the bridges, went under the poles, and RAN! I couldn’t believe the way he ran around the gym for our two lap start to the class. He held my hand the whole time and never veered off or stopped once. He's a runner! 

He also liked his sticker at the end of class for a job well done.

He stuck it right on his shirt! =)

It is so good to have Zeek involved in things now that he is big enough. I know that we are just beginning what we have determined will be a healthy balance of social life and secure home-life activities for Zeek. We’re so proud of him. =)

I’m also grateful that we planned ahead for the start of his gym days in asking for mats, climbers, and other gym-like things for his Christmas gifts. He and Jaymee have been enjoying the obstacle course we set up for them in the basement. “Zeek’s Gym” definitely rivals the kid’s gym at the Y. He even has a ball pit to jump in (thanks to Grandma and Gandpa L)! =)    

We returned from the YMCA to a dinner date we had planned at our home with our friends Bill and Teresa and their kids. Zeek enjoyed playing with Mag, Eli, and Grace until bedtime, while the adults talked and ate tasty turkey and pepper roast.

Turkey in the crock pot is divine, by the way. Who would have thought? Julie came in to drop Jaymee off this morning and she could still smell it from last night. Mmmmm. =)  

Tonight, I have girl’s night, and I can’t wait! Hopefully Greg will have a better experience putting Zeek down than we have been having for the past couple of nights. This two to one nap transition is causing quite the rift in our normal night time schedule. Some days it’s smooth and we can clearly see how much nicer things will be when this is complete. Other days are crazy and sure payment for the ease that is to come.
We always try to lay him down at 7-7:30p no matter what. The last couple of nights he hasn’t slept until 9p and 11p!!! =( Yuck.

The one fun part of this mess is that he is reasonable and so cute in the interim. I can tell him to lie down and he will. Last night he took his water sippy and stuck the drinking part on the lips of his mini Abby and made a little sucking motion and sound with his own lips! It was SO sweet. I spend a lot of time giggling and snuggling with him. Greg and I switch off a lot. Zeek has only taken one nap in the daytime for four days straight, so there is progression. =)

Okay, the kids just came to me and Jaymee said that they have made up three songs and one dance for me. So apparently I have a show to attend. =) 

Love

I heard that there was a new organic foods store that opened in our area. 
"Nude Foods", "Foods be Naked", and "something about food and...nakedness???" were some of the interesting names I had heard. No one who told me about this new store knew what it was called, had been there, or even knew where it was for that matter. I just assumed that it was another "Down to Earth" (which has never impressed me) and took my sweet old time getting around to checking it out. 

The first time Zeek and I walked into this new grocery store, two weeks ago, I cried. I know it's dramatic, but seriously, this place is a dream come true! I didn't know it would come to be, much less in our deprived little over-hydrogenated midwestern city of fast foods and butter milk. I mean, Greg and I have talked about whether such a thing would ever happen, but we assumed not, on account that there would be no market for it in this area.

 I was swept right off my feet walking into a Piggly Wiggly sized grocery store to see isles and isles, row after row, deli, bakery, AND A CAFE, of organic and all natural foods, all under one roof.

The sweetest staff EVER met us at the door with dread locks, hemp wear, and great big welcoming smiles to tell me all about their pride and joy of a market. They told me about their all natural guarantee, their plan to grow and fill their shelves as their customer base thickens, their "it's easy to be green" stamp system where customers can earn in store credits by recycling grocery bags and other things as we shop, as well as their fascination with the adorable little boy I brought in with me, and of course, his mohawk. =)  

Zeek and I got our cute little cart which had the perfect little "under cart" for Zeek to hop in and out of as well as a little basket for him add his own grocery pickings into (at least those are the things he chose to do with the cart set up).

It was absolutely precious, seeing all the care and love the staff has put into this place. It's like their baby and they are SO proud. =)

It was at this point that I squirt a few tears, walking through the produce, where you can buy fruits and vegetable that I have never even seen organic, ONE at a time if you'd like. Then we met the staff who works behind the deli, meats, and cheese counter. They have meats and cheese you can ask for cut how ever you want in whatever quantity like a REAL grocery store. Only it's all natural! =) I could hardly stand it!

The guys behind the deli counter love Ezekiel and even let him wear their hats when we are there. =)

We took our time, browsing the isles in awe of low prices and all the new foods we would be able to enjoy! Zeek really likes this store. He walked the whole time and loved being a part of each thing we bought in helping choose which foods he wanted, what color, or what flavor. It's so peaceful and inviting.

Before we checked out, we checked out the cafe, "Earthly Creations". They have an extensive and divine menu along with treats and drinks to die for. I have always said that I wish there was a place that I could take Zeek out to eat with me and not have to worry about what he is putting in his body.

So, I secretly squirt out another little tear, pulled myself together and headed to the registers. All but two of the employees in the store came up to check us out, together. It took them about 15 minutes to ring up our three bags of groceries. They were all so excited and adorable about it. I imagined that I would be quite the same way and patiently waited for them to finish taking turns. =) SO CUTE!

This week Zeek and I went back to Naked Foods where we will ONLY buy our organics from for now on. We were met again by the staff, who this time recognized us and offered even sweeter smiles of "welcome back". We got permission to take pictures for our blog and enjoyed more grocery shopping, praying the whole time that this new establishment be blessed, flourish, and stick around in our little town FOREVER!!!

Naked Foods Natural Market
2638 Tulip Lane
Open 7 days a week
8a to 8p
Grand Opening on Sat. Jan. 20
Huge discounts
Be there!

No I'm not being paid for this. =)

On Thursday, Zeek, Jaymee and I went to the library, which was long overdue. We dropped off our last rented library books before we went on Thanksgiving break, and we hadn’t been back for more since! We got lots of good books, mostly for Jaymee because Zeek is awaiting the many books we ordered for him on Amazon to come in the mail. As soon as we got home with the books, both kids set up their own little reading areas in Zeek’s bedroom and got to reading!

I love getting new books for this same reason. There’s nothing like reading a good new book. (Except maybe starting a new journal or blog space. =))

On Thursday, Ezekiel also got to spend some time with his Grandma Becky. She came over to watch him for me while I had to go out for a bit. He did some more talking for her. They had a great time together. I took lots of pictures of them loving each other as Zeek struggled to stay awake in her arms, of which he did not succeed. =)

On Friday we had a full house! Auntie Pam and company came over for the day. It was a trial run because until now it was just easier for me to go to her place with my two. We were amazed at how wonderful the kids were and how smoothly everything went. Whew! Now we will be alternating our weekly visits between her home and mine. Hooray! =)

At about noon, Teresa came down with her Maggie and Bethany’s Cedar and Afton. Yes, we had NINE kids here! I think we all agreed that this is place to do it if you’re gonna do it. =) We started upstairs with the play room, Zeek’s room, and living room toys, ate lunch, and then moved it downstairs for more active play. We topped it all off with a good movie in the theater, Over the Hedge (my favorite).

When the movie was nearly finished Bethany came to get Cedar and Afton...Teresa and Mags quietly snuck up and out (Zeek was napping)... and eventually Pam and Co. made their way out the door to head off for some quick groceries before home. It was one exciting and social day for us!

I realize that this was all a smidge of a back track, but I wanted to get that in before the new week starts over and I forget to document the momentous occasion of having all those friends over and establishing a change in our weekly tradition with Pam.

This week Zeek and I will be on our own, though we have lots of evenings planned with friends, as Greg and Craig headed off on their third annual “Vegas Geek Fest” early this morn. We will be able to video conference with Greg each night so that he and Zeek can see each other. It will be a lot tougher for Greg and Zeek than it was last year when Zeek was SO young he hardly knew what was going on. He’s already started on me today with “daddy vroom vroom BACK!” which is his way of asking me from the front bay window, when his daddy is coming home! =( Pray for me. =)

I'm sending a snap fish of the week's photos tonight.

I love you so much I woke up hardly breathing. And there you were next to me with your new little Bob doll, Abbers snugged up tight on your Daddy's side of the bed, and of course (your real love) your water sippy tucked under your arm.

I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU ARE REAL.

I laid in bed thinking of the morning when I took that positive test and dragged your Daddy into the bathroom at 4a to tell him that we were having a baby. The way that our whole world changed during that first hug through those giggles and tears, and I immediately became the Precious Princess Incubator. =) No wonder. I thought about how delicate and fragile you were that morning when I first knew that you were really growing in me. 

And then I looked over again in my bed and you're here. Your sweet little sleepy lips all pursed and pouty...soft chubby fingers puffy from the heat of the electric blanket...your big boy feet and long legs sticking out of the bottom of your jams which you've almost outgrown in just two short months. How did this happen? You.
How am I a Mom, much less to the greatest human I have ever known?

Who could sleep? 

Today, your Daddy comes home. PRAISE GOD. This has been the hardest week of your life for me. I was kind of sick at the start, then just tired and sad. To top it all off you are pitiful without your Dad. Each day you wake looking for him. I just kept telling you he went to work, knowing that you have no concept of time. You would go to the bay window at the front of the house and call out, "daddy vroom vroom. daddy vroom vroom back." You would go to the front door and wiggle the door knob, sometimes bringing your car keys from Gra and Pepere, yelling, "daddy keys!" When I put you down to crawl into your bed for nigh-nighs you would run to my room and bedside. You'd reach up and say, "mama, dada" over and over. Of course you slept with me every night. 

Your Dad is my rock. Spiritually, emotionally, and otherwise. Our friends tell me that all the time, and I have seen it in many ways, but this week I have experienced my NEED for all that he is in our lives on a whole new level. I used to be great on my own. Even with you. Not so anymore. Your Dad and I must have just worked things out so that we HAVE to be together as a team to exist. LIFE SUCKS FOR ME WITHOUT HIM. =(

I feel like you have inherited some of that strong, stable, pillar quality from him by the way that you took on "the man of the house" role since he's been gone this time. Our entire dynamic changed after the first day and night. You started treating me like you had to take care of me too. You put your arm around me different, and you started acting so much older. You have been just sitting with me for long periods of time with nothing to do, rubbing my arm or my hair. I have noticed you looking at me for no reason. Just looking, like to see how I am. Like your Dad does. As soon as I have noticed you looking, you smile at me. Again, like your Daddy.

You have been so sweet(minus the screaming stage you have taken back on for a time). As much as I love all your attention and the "big boy" walk, I hope it all goes back to normal when Greg returns. I really like you being able to be the baby and your Daddy being the family pillar. I can't wait for him to come home today! 

I didn't take many pictures this week. In fact, I didn't take any photographs for three entire days! A record I'm sure. It was just that bad for me. I didn't even think of it. 

Things were looking up yesterday though, and I did take some pictures of you with your Bobs and some of you in your Gym Class last night. You love that class, and your friends there.

There was a guy taking pictures of your gym class for next seasons program booklet, and guess who he honed in on right away? The kid with the mohawk who immediately turned on the charm when he saw his Canon flashing his way. =) He told me after the class that I should sign you up for modeling because you are so cute and great in front of a camera. If he only knew.

When we got done with your class and we were on our way out of the Y, you spotted the swimmers and went running and yelling, "simming! simming!" I was sad that you couldn't swim but promised that you could swim in the tub as soon as we got home. I took pics of you during your little bath as well. I had some photo catching up to do. =)

I think we will go somewhere to play today. I'm going to clean the house and run some laundry (deep I know), and then we will go out for a while. Anything to pass the time quickly. Your Daddy will be here at 6p. Not soon enough! 

I love you little man. Mama

Yesterday we decided to do something fun to help pass the time as quickly as we could. Zeek and I couldn't stand to sit at home and wait for Greg to arrive. It was just too many hours to count down. So we went to The Children's Museum in Appleton for the day. It was so much fun!

At the museum, we started at the barn where we read books and identified each farmyard animal. I was surprised at all the animals Zeek could find on his own. And FINALLY, he started making a "moo' sound. We have only been working on it for a year or so! He just picks up only what he wants, I guess. =)

Next, the kids dressed up in wedding clothes. Jaymee had to try on every single wedding dress they had. It was adorable! She was so proud in all those HUGE fancy dresses. =)

After dress up, we grocery shopped at the kid's quick mart.

Each time we left the grocery store room, Zeek would try to run back. I finally found out that he had left some play pizza in the microwave and he just couldn't leave it behind! It all became very clear as to why he kept yelling "peet-zee! peet-zee!" and trying to escape. 

Maybe there is actually reason to all the madness I pass off as toddler insanity. =) 

Jaymee's favorite room was the Hospital where I began to wonder if what I have been thinking would be a little up and coming teacher like her Mama might actually instead be a nurse. Although It may have been about the babies. She sure loves them! =)

Both of the kids were so cute in the big veggie play area.

No, this little sliding excursion didn't turn out so well. It was fun, right up until about 2.5 seconds later when my crazy baby bumble bee smucked his head on the ground. Yeah, I got the photo with the smile, as always. Poor kid.

Zeek and I took our picture in the same pumpkin that we had our picture taken in March of last year when he was just five months old!

  
March 2006                               January 2007

The kids painted kimonos and made bird feeders in the art area...

Of course we HAD to be firefighters!

And they played forever in the tire pieces just like last year!

We played at the museum for about three hours and then we had lunch and headed home. The kids slept the whole way home, of course.

Greg's flight ended up being delayed twice, so Zeek and I went out to dinner and then went for a swim at the Y. I can't believe how fast he is learning in the water. We are going to have to bring him in his floaty suit because he has NO fear, still, and he just jumps in, lets go, and takes off! He freaks me right out in the water. He is a fish! 

Speaking of fish, he was quite excited by the fish in the aquarium at the children's museum yesterday. I have been thinking...

We'll see.

Does anyone want a cute little blue parakeet? 

there will be a snap fish of all our museum fun yesterday.

Okay, we're just not going to do time without Greg anymore. And when we have no choice, we are going to spend that time in complete denial, making plans to do "just too much to spend quality time at home doing the norm". Bottom line,

WE NEEEEEEEEEEEED HIM!!!

It's not that we've never needed Greg in the past; it's just that I have always been able to handle things well enough on my own when he has gone away for work.

Today, Zeek LOVED the snow, and when I tried to take him from it to put him in his car seat for a quick errand, he spazed out like I was trying to hurt him! He screamed and cried, "snoooow", half way to our destination.
My goodness!

Needless to say, we played in the snow again when we got home.

Zeek is in VERY EARLY snow shovel training on account of his Daddy's reluctance to shovel snow. Greg says, "why shovel? It's just gonna to snow again". Zeek proved to me today that it won't be many years before he will be the snow shoveling man of this house. He quickly picked up many shoveling tactics from watching me clear the drive. If nothing else, he is the cutest little snow shoveler I have ever seen.

 
Maybe his Daddy can learn a thing or two from him! =)

When we were all finished outside, we went in for some hot cocoa. It was Zeek's first cup ever. I explained to him, as we snuggled on the couch waiting for "Handy Manny" to start up on TV, that hot cocoa is a mandatory finish to a good wintery play time in the snow. He agreed. =) 

I was hoping to make a snowman today, but the snow is too loose and fluffy still. Soon. We're just happy to have snow, finally! =)

Tonight, we enjoyed our Perch class. Greg even went in the water with us! I have never seen Greg swim in my life. Anything for Zeek! =) It was a very fun time. 

Greg is now at "guys night", and I am just settling in for a good chick flick, some cappuccino, and some chocolate (my current weakness). 

Have a good one.
Love  

Today was Jaymee's second dance class. She was SO beautiful and sweet for her special morning. We did her hair all up on her head with curlies and pretties. Then she got all dressed up in her "bew-a-full" dance outfit. She kept telling me that she was "a very princess".

It's true. She is. =)

She diva-ed her little way out the front door, dance bag, black designer boots, sunglasses and all, assuring me that she would be dancing today and we needed to MOVE! It was TOO cute!

 
"can we like, totally get going already!?"

We got there with 20 minutes to spare giving me plenty of opportunity to get lots of photos.

Jaymee had no problem going right into the dance studio, getting acquainted with her dance instructor and the other princesses in her class, and getting right down to business. She did EVERY single dance move they encouraged with a big smile on her sweet little face. She was precious! I cried like a dork as I watched her through the window outside the room.

What a girl!

I'm so proud of her! I know that she will be checking the site before bed tonight, to see her pictures of her big dance day. Sweet dreams baby girl. You are the very princessest. I love you.
Love, Auntie

Ezekiel has been sick with a nasty little cold. He is doing much better as of yesterday,  but we cleared our busy schedule Tuesday and Wednesday just so he could stay home, snuggle, rest, and get better.

The cold did not help his attitude. He was a crazy hitter (kicker, puncher, grabber, screamer) from Monday to Wednesday. I really did not think I could handle much more sassy behavior. Fortunately, he started to act more like himself yesterday, sparing me the agony of his crazies.

Today, he and Jaymee are crazy in a different way. Between Zeek feeling better, Jaymee's short day, the weekend around the corner, and my "back on the horse" goal setting, I think they are sensing some joy in the air, and they are en-JOY-ing it! =)

They have been running around the house all morning, Jaymee, wearing Zeek's new Bob backpack singing "Bob the Builder. Can we fix it? Yes, we can!" at the top of her lungs. Zeek, having actually left his sox and robeez on thus far, is squealing, giggling, and chasing through the house yelling "Stan-ee! Jim-ee!". What a pair!

We are heading off to the library for some new books this morning, and then I have some goals to tackle. =)

Love

Zeek easily says "stan-lee" more than Mama, Daddy, or even Jaymee! Stanley is pretty much all Zeek talks about aside from "num-nums". 

Greg and I have never heard him giggle the way he does when he's playing with Stanley. He chases him, lays on him, and pulls him in by the head to snuggle.

Stanley takes FAR more abuse than we ever imagined he would. He started by just running away and hiding, as we expected him too with all that not so gentle attention. But more and more lately, he has been showing up and sticking around to spend whatever kind of time he can get with his all too rough playmate. It seems like Stanley may be enjoying this tiny person a lot more than he has ever like anyone before. It's pretty sweet.

The sweetest thing of all is what took place at bed time tonight. Stanley hopped right onto Zeek's bed, which he has done in the past only to leave with me after Zeek is down for the night. Not tonight though. I believe Stan has found his new sleeping spot, with Zeek, among his many, many stuffed friends...

 
Can you spot the little black and white puppy? =)

I guess this means that poor Nemo is out a bed time partner. 

We went to church in the morning, of course. It was amazing! God really moved and revieled some stuff to us (against my will at first) about my role at Adallum.

During our time at church we gave Nemo and Stanley a trial run at rule of the house. We did not kennel Nemo and we did not put either of them behind a gate in the kitchen. We just put a blanket on the couch for them to lie on (because we knew they would in our absence, and they did) and left them free to roam as the chose. They did very well during those couple of hours. NO mischief what-so-ever! We were pleased and shocked.

After church, we came home so Zeek could get in a quick lunch and short nap. It ended up being even shorter than planned because of the weather. It was snowing pretty good, so we packed up and left for Auntie Pam and Uncle Curt's. Again, leaving the dogs out in the house. 

We arrived at Cassie's Birthday party later than planned, but we were able to spend some good time visiting and eating. It was a fun time, as it always is with Pam's family. Comfy and familiar. =) Cassie was so proud of her special day. She looked beautiful and very 12! 

We left the party and headed to Greg's parent's place. They watched Zeek for us while we went to see Natalie in "The Wizard of Oz" at St. Norbert’s. She was wonderful. Although, I felt that she would have made a better Dorothy than Dorothy did, I could see just why they chose Natalie, with all that fancy foot work she preformed so well, as the scarecrow. =)

After the play, Greg and I went out to eat. I know. Call the press! We went out to eat ALONE together. We did go out with our friends one night without Zeek, but this is the first time we have been out to eat alone since Zeek was born. That's 16 months! Too long. We gossiped and laughed our time away. Then we went to Barnes and hung out, looking at books. It was great. Like we were single again...

but of course, we couldn't wait to get back to our little guy who was having a blast with Grandma and Grandpa, refusing to eat dinner, playing, reading books, and making them laugh. They were happy to have had him, another thing that hasn't happened in too long, and we promised we'd do it again soon.

When we returned home to the dogs it had been seven hours that they were out in the house. They had done nothing the entire time, but lie on the couch together. When we got in, they made a mad dash for the kitchen, as if they would be in trouble for being out. Apparently they forgot that we let them stay out in the house. Instead, we rewarded them with lots of praise, snuggles, and treats. 

It was a busy but very fun day.

Just a little Grandma/Auntie fix photo of Zeek from today.

Oh, and this week we are sure that we will continue to grow his hair out (even though I did read on his myspace that he would like us to shave his mohawk back in). =)

He is really looking sweet with hair. You can only get a good idea of what it will look like when it is a little bit darker in the room. It really is so precious. He's just the cutest little guy! We like him. =)

Love

My girlfriend Bethany and I went out for coffee last week with our kids. We bustled in with our abundant gear weighing us down and our five munchkins under toe. We rushed right past everyone to get ourselves and our train wreck into the back playroom. We got the kids all situated around the tiny table and unpacked all their needs. As they whined, hit, and argued with each other (and us), we took turns slipping away for a few minutes each to order our juices, chunky organic cookies for the kids, and caffeine drips for those losing to insanity (that would be us). Bethany went first.

When it was my turn, just as I’d suspected, I was grateful to escape for a moment of repose. As I stood in line waiting for my order I noticed a table of four women in their mid to late 50s playing cards with their teas and serenity at hand. This inspired an instantaneous blissful daydream of a time when I too, will be able to gather with Bethany, Teresa, Holly, Catrina or who ever else we adore, who will one day have grown up babies and all the time in the world on their hands to play cards at 11am in a coffee shop together!!!

I thought of what a wonderful day that will be, and then it hit me...

for the first 10 of the past 12 years I have been meeting people for coffee at this very coffee shop, I watched the beautiful mamas come in with their adorable diaper totes, bottles, sippy cups, cut up fruit in bags, and precious babes under toe. And oh, how I longed for my ticket into that wonderland toy room “just for mamas”. The last couple of years, before Zeek, I would fight back tears and go to God as I desperately sought answers and understanding, sobbing childless into my late.  

And this day I wanted to play cards... ???

We are blessed for the stages of life we are in right now. As I can look back and remember the freedom and timelessness of being without kids, I will too, look back and remember (most fondly I believe) the romance and utter joys of growing up my babies.

Hopefully, I will have these recollections among a table of mamas who’ve all cut their apron strings with me, lived to tell the tails, and are playing cards at a table in the “grown-up’s only room” of a coffee shop at 11 o’clock in the morning on a Thursday!!! ;)

Praise God for all the blessed ages and stages of life...

ketchup

We went to Barnes and Noble's story time right after Jaymee's dance class on Tuesday. There is a new story teller and she was great. The kids loved her, her snacks, her stories, and her art project... We'll be going back to Barnes for story time for awhile, again.

Shiny is precious.

I walked in to this sweet little dancing girl in this princess perfect nap position.

She is becoming a little "me" more and more every day(scary). This week I heard her telling Zeek, 
"ab...so...lutely not!"
when he was trying to do something she didn't think he should.

I also heard her on one of her play phones, saying,
"this child... is drivin' me... crazy!"

My favorite was when she opened the door to come out of the bathroom and the dogs ran in. I heard the most perfect impersonation of myself ever as she commanded,
 “Out.
(pause)
I said, OOOUUUT!
(under her breath)...dogs.”

What a babe.

She has also been getting very serious about her nutrition; eating turkey meatballs, broccoli, and beef willingly this week (this is huge for her!). We are SO proud!

Zeek and Greg went to Tumble Bugs alone on Wednesday. Mama had some baking and cleaning to do.

Getting on their little matching gym shoes, together.

Zeek and Zach had their first official consenting disagreement yesterday. It was just a little war over how much of the piano was Zeek's and how much was Zach's. None-the-less, it was a very special moment for Pam and I, as we've dreamed of the day that our kid's would fight for so long. =) 

The best for last

Sneaky, sassy, surprise Gra-Gra, finally cracked and told us that she will be coming to visit for nearly a week! She will be flying in on Thursday!!! THIS THURSDAY!!! =) Early enough for chick night, too!!! Whoo-hooo!

There are lots of new pics of Zeek and Shoey in the gallery!

Love

He ate pickeled beets today and came back for more! He LOVES them. That's my boy!

And the best for last, he is SINGING our clean up song. It is SO sweet. He does it on his own when we are cleaning up, or when he is doing his own little clean up job. He sings "queen up, queen up..." over and over in his own little melody slightly resembing what Jaymee and I sing. We love it. =) 

This morning I was lying in bed, soaking up a few last minutes with my warm blanket, when I heard Greg tell Zeek that he was going to leave for work and they would have to come find me first. Zeek turned in the hall toward our room and said, "mama seeping!" What a great motivator to get me out of bed. =)

Zeek has been saying SO much. I couldn't possibly keep track of it all to write each thing down, but I've been jotting cute stuff here and there...

When ever I'm on my computer, he comes over and insists "Bob on!" until I pull up his myspace so his Bob the Builder song comes on. Yes, this is happening right now. And yes, I just LOVE the Bob song!  

"Stuck" is a new favorite word. He learned this word from his good buddy Eli who spends a lot of time getting himself stuck in our wooden kid's kitchen. It's amazing how many things actually do get "stuck" in a day. Bob gets wedged between the wall and the bed, a toy won't come out of something, something won't open, Zeek's shoe is caught in the chair rung..."stuck! stuck!"
When I buckled him into his booster last night, so he wouldn't crawl on the table to test all of our foods, he was certain that he was "stuck". And we liked it that way. =)

He says everything that Stanley does. "Stanley bark", "Stanley garage", "Stanley night-night", "Stanley blakie(blanket)" "Stanley down...off...on", and of course, "Stanley stuck!" He's quite obsessed with his puppy, Stan.  

My personal favorite is "no thanks" and "no thank you". Jaymee is very good at always saying "no thank you" or "yes please". We know this is where Zeek picked it up. When we ask him stuff, like if he has poops, or if we can change his diaper, or if he wants to go nigh-night, it's usually "no thanks!". It is the cutest thing in the world!  
I even allowed him to go pantless this morning for awhile, because when I asked if I could put them on him, he so politely responded, "no thanks" and ran off!

He said "no thank you" on the phone with Gra-Gra during his breakfast this morning, and has been dazzling his Daddy with those same cute words since he got home from work. I just asked him if I could feel his head because he's acting like he's tired already, and he smiled and said, "no thank you". 

He annunciates his k's so well. It's kind of amazing. I think he learned it from saying his favorite word, "bark", about a billion times. He's actually very good at annunciating all his letters. There's certainly no "baby talking" around here. =)

Today, Zeek and I went to a craft store and picked out a couple of unfinished wooden stools. I have wanted to get him a stool that he can both sit on and use to get himself up on things. I know, that sounds like a crazy lady’s plan. Moms are usually trying to keep their tots off of things. But Zeek is super careful when he is on a climbing mission. His main derivative is not to jump off where he's climbed (yet), but rather to explore something up high from a closer vantage point. It is perfectly fine with us if he wants "up" on his own. And he surely does as seen in these photos I took of his recent clever ploy to get onto the couch alone. 

There are also pictures from this morning in the gallery of Zeek on the couch with some of his bobs. He threw them on the couch, then used the same blue bin to get himself up there, and then said, "bob on mama!" pointing at the tv. I got him a little snack and turned on bob for him. Who could resist!? =)

Tonight, we went swimming. Next week, Gra-Gra will be joining us for swimming! We can hardly wait. Two and a half more days and she will be here! =)     

I didn't pick it up right away. At first I thought that maybe he had suddenly learned the art of disobedience and was liking it.

On Tuesday, Ezekiel was a psycho. He spent the morning hitting me and screaming in defiance. Nothing worked for him, and everything seemed to be wrecking his day.

We went to Jaymee's dance class, followed by Barnes for story time, and finally, the library to return and pick up new books. Each place we went to Zeek was out of control. He pitched books off of shelves, threw toys at us, and lay on the floor as I tried to walk holding his hand. I didn't know what I was doing trying to be a Mother. I honestly thought about crawling into a corner and "checking out" a number of times.

I wondered what was happening to my good little boy. He didn't seem sick. His nose wasn't running. He wasn't warm. He was way too angry and sassy to be not feeling well. Or so I thought... 
but Tuesday night started the nose, and the sleepy, clingy, quiet, sweet, sadness that broke my heart and led me to believe that the behavioral issues were more than attempts at trouble making. My poor baby was sick after all!

I spent the evening chastising myself for not knowing. For trying to redirect, time out, and scold him into curving his attitude problem. What in the world? Who made me a Mom?

Today, I just joined the kids 100% and allowed the condition of the house to clearly show the pattern of our day. No cleaning until Greg got home. It was a bit chaotic, but I know that Zeek got what he needed, and Jaymee and I sure had fun. We took pictures for their V-day party invites, read all our new library check outs 100 times each, made forts, played Bob and Buggies, watched a movie, danced... we just spent the whole day together, playing and pigging out. 

As the day was coming to an end, I touched base with my center. Pam, mama of four, my living breathing example of Motherhood perfection, assured me that all the crazy and unusual things that were going on in my home were very normal, and so were my feelings of insanity and inadequacy. She assured me that most kids act sassy when they are sick, all good Mamas question their qualifications, and I’m not the only person whose counted my money and considered how far away I could get on it. =)

Pam gave me some examples of her own experiences as well as some brilliant advice having to do with chocolate and hiding. She helped me laugh and exhale. It was so relieving to know that even she has found herself in the same scary, uncertain place I have been in for the past two days. Praise God! I think he gave me Pam to make up for not having given me a manual with my baby. =)

So tomorrow, my own Mama will be here. I’m so excited to see her and for her and Zeek to spend lots of good time together! Sick or not, he will be in heaven. =)

More on Friday.

There are pictures in that gallery under “cute kids”.