The first time I ever had to call 911

It was a great Monday morning. Andrew wanted to lift weights; I wanted to go file our taxes. Andrew won. Five minutes later, Maddox was pressing his nose against the screen door, saying, "Daddy needs help." With Jude on my hip, I rounded the corner of the house to see a nightmare under the carport: Andrew lying on his back in pain, unable to get up. The blur started.

-I called 911 and within 10 minutes they were there and had Andrew loaded up on the stretcher (if you want to see your neighbors, call an ambulance. Every pajama-clad neighbor on our street was standing in their front yard eyeballing us.)
-I called Andrew's parents and they arrived that evening in record time
-I took the boys up to the hospital with my neighbor there to help and Jude was a terror (nap time and hungry). I stayed with Andrew a few minutes before I gave up and went home (Jude was very attracted to all the wires and gadgets).
-One hour later, Andrew, who at the time couldn't even sit down without collapsing in pain on the floor, text me, "They are releasing me." Diagnoses: pulled muscle. I was livid. It's true what they say about military doctors.

Like I said, it's been a blur. It's been one week and Andrew is improving, but still having some problems. His parents' help has been a lifesaver! I just really, really hope that a new week brings better things. I've called 911 for the first time...and hopefully the last.

Jude claimed Grandpa as his BFF right away. 

If Grandpa is in the room, that's usually where Jude will be too...or at least closeby.

MiMi has worked her butt off, from entertaining the boys to doing dishes and laundry. 

We got in some good eating at McGuire's Irish Pub in Destin. The waitress said something to Maddox and he his his face. I said, "Oh, he's getting shy!" He piped up, "I'm not shy! I'm FRIENDLY!" He is turning into a little hoot.

Andrew managed to eat all this cheeseburger without puking. 

 And for being so polite, Maddox (and Jude) got complimentary ice cream. I'm not sure what I'm going to do when my two little flirts get bigger.....

Back home, it was back to being couch potatoes (only for the men of course). 

The Old Bay Crapper

Well, this 3-day weekend could take a turn for the worse, depending on the outcome of today. But, so far, so good (unless you count the "crappy" shrimp and poisonous cocktails). We'll get there.

The days have been filled with cartoons, playtime, outside time, girl time, and....

 date time!

I forgot the camera so I have to settle with blurry iPhone pictures. We met Andrew's friend Ric and his wife at Old Bay Steamer (it was Ric's birthday). It was great to get out on the town with no kids (thank you to Yani, Alex and Eva for keeping the boys happy back home!). We started off with a cocktail and usually a cocktail is sweet, yummy and NOT strong (at least the kind I get). But not this one. This baby was $9 (Andrew's was $12!!) and I guess they wanted you to get your money's worth. I knew things were bad when I took a few sips and the room, not to mention everybody's face, started moving up and down. I did the only thing to do: stuffed my face with salad, lots of croutons, crackers, and all my pasta. It helped and by the time I had to get up to walk to the bathroom, all was right with the world again.

The only non-seafood food on the menu was chicken pasta (which I got). Andrew ordered shrimp. Let me tell you, these were the nastiest shrimp I'd ever seen. They all came with their heads on and they had poop on   them (or in them, whatever. It was their digestive tract. Puke!). 

 Andrew said, "Eating those things was more work than food!"

Who eats this stuff for fun?

And then our bill was ridiculous. I guess rich people like to pay a lot to have crap (literally) put on their plate. 

Nevertheless, it was a night out, and that in itself is a good time!

Almost Weekend Time

Well, we are pretty excited around here. We're gearing up for another long weekend (not 4 day this time, but hey, we'll take 3 day).

It's going to include a girl shopping trip and a rare date with Andrew! Oh yea. Good times to come.

Today I raked the whole front yard with the "help" of the boys. Maddox supervised from his bike and Jude raked dirt onto the driveway with his mini rake. The yard doesn't look much different (you know, dirt and weeds) but the trash bin is full of leaves. Yard work always makes me feel good. I need to do it more!

Now, just waiting on the hubby to come home for dinner. I've been craving meat loaf and scalloped potatoes and that's what this girl is getting! I hate it when I pick at dinner while I'm cooking it though and by the time it's ready to eat, I'm already full. Oh well. I'll take seconds anyway.

Somebody just loves peanut butter and raspberry jelly sandwiches. Can you guess who?

Queen of Hearts

Holidays tend to slip up on me before I've had a chance to decorate. But, not Valentine's Day! I'm 100% ready for Cupid to hit.

(The hearts are actually different colors, but you can't tell with the lighting.)

 I thought my Rainbow Living Room needed more colors, hence the yellow hearts. ;)

Oh, and this guy takes on a new look with each holiday. For Christmas, he had jingle bells hanging from his antlers. Now, he has hearts.

Hearts, hearts, hearts. My house has been bombarded. Maybe Jude will know what a heart is by Feb. 14.

 We got a new bike trailer today (well, a pre-loved one, but new to us!) Our other one had a flat tire so we returned it and found this one for a good deal on craigslist. Maddox's first ride (below) and he fell asleep!

Jude has yet to try it out. He was too busy racing around on his Schwinn and eating cheesetoast. 

Cheap Entertainment and Maddox's Bucket List

I found this genius idea online. 

Baby + colander + fuzzy straws = amazing.

Today we attempted a Valentine's Day craft: cards for all of the grandparents. We used pink and red paint and even though they don't look like they are supposed to, I think the grandparents will still love them. Hopefully I can send them out once the globs of paint dry! (...which seems like never. They are still wet.)

Maddox just told me, "When I get big, I'm going to be a rock and roll band."

I guess we will add this to the When I Get Big list, which includes:

-having a fourwheeler (a "loud" one, mind you)

-shooting a gun

-catching a deer

-and driving to Chik-Fil-A "all by myself"

A Poop Story and Other Things

I'm bringing the 50's back! 

Actually, cooking in a cute apron is kind of fun. Thanks to Yani for gifting me with this one!

I made Caribbean Jerk chicken lastnight. Here is a link to the recipe:

http://www.makeaheadmealsforbusymoms.com/caribbean-jerk-chicken-tenders/

Andrew said he would pay $15 for it at a restaurant, so I know I'll be making it again...and again.

Isn't little man adorable? Well, these pictures were taken seconds before he pooped in the tub, so after that...not so adorable. Every Mom has a "poop in the tub" story to share and I have way too many. I rushed him to the toilet mid-poop, hoping for a grand introduction into potty training, but he wanted nothing to do with the toilet. In fact, he went into hysterics. I took him off, he ran onto the carpet, squatted, and tried once again to poop somewhere he shouldn't. 

Luckily, it didn't happen. 

We spent most of the day in Destin. Andrew found some good deals (hello, $6 Gap pants!) and I even scored a $2 fleece jacket for Maddox. Jude is not a shopper, though. At Barnes and Noble, he attempted to pull every teddy bear off the shelf and then drag them around (or lay on them). Target was worse. If I wasn't constantly feeding him, he was screaming. So we went through three Mum Mums, a giant cheesy pretzel, and then I got desperate and gave him a Tootsie Roll. From then on, he was a happy shopper.

Back home, Maddox wanted to do the only thing he wants to do these days: ride his bike with the girls. 

Oh, my. What a little ladies man. 

Let the good times roll

Why do good times go by so fast?

We are Day 3 into our 4 day weekend and it's been a blurry blast.

From the-best-ever-ham-and-cheese-croissant to antiquing and Dunkin Donut-ing (yep, new word) with Yani to Peyton's birthday party (Maddox popped the pinanta!) and Shoreline Sunday...it's been a good time.

I did Tidepools today (the 2 and 3-year-olds) and didn't get peed on. Yay! Maddox is pretty proud of his craft, too (the story of the 5 loaves and 2 fish). The combination of glue, oatmeal, and thousands of pieces of paper is a messy one when it comes to preschoolers, but it turned out cute. It now hangs proudly from our fridge. Jude didn't have such a good day. He was hysterical in the nursery so he ended up in the 2-3 class with me (precisely, on my hip) but it got to be too much, so I was forced to call 911 (aka Daddy). He saved the day (and my class!)!

This is what Daddy's weekend wake-up call looks like. 

Proud!

Our first time playing The Picnic Game. As usual, Maddox won!

4 Day Weekend

4 day weekends are treasures. So are days when the house is quiet (husband and oldest kid at the grocery store; youngest kid fast asleep). I didn't know what to do with myself. Finally, I decided to be a girl and paint my nails and do my hair. Oh snap! 

Maddox is a big hit with the ladies these days. Maybe it's the hot car...or his golden curls...or the way he waves at his entourage and yells, "Hey girlfriends!"

They really do grow up fast huh?

 This week, we've been doing the usual: jumping off the couch into a sea of pillows (my pillows are finally being put to a practical use).

 We've made bread, too. It lasts about a day, if that. Maddox loves it so much that he hugs the bread machine. I let him make his own "baby roll" and he thinks it's the coolest thing ever. He tells me, "I can make bread now because I'm a big boy."

 Another thing to contribute to his new big boy status: he can put on his camo belt, although it may take him half an hour to do it.

 He and Jude tried mini corndogs for the first time at Buffalo Wild Wings this week and they cleaned their plates. Maddox also loves celery...a lot. He could be a vegan kid.

We are still living outside most of the day, riding bikes and exploring parks. I feel like I need two sets of eyes though. The last time at the park I lost sight of Jude while looking at Maddox and then I heard him giggle...from the top of the jungle gym! He is a fast one. And super sneaky.

 And tall!!! 

His current favorite food: blueberries.

Favorite song: Don't Stop by Foster the People. He climbs into my computer chair, punches at the keyboard and yells, "Don't 'Top!" over and over until I play the song. Then he begins his booty bounce and head shaking. I really need to video it and post it. At this age, Maddox's favorite song was "Baby" by Justin Bieber. Good thing he outgrew that one!

What's behind those big, sparkly eyes?