Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day weekend was so nice. Ryan had the entire weekend off and we were able to spend some much needed break time together as a family. We spent a lot of time outside--this spring is definitely the best we have had here in Ohio weather wise. We made a trip to the zoo and the animals were definitely entertaining. The otter was swimming all over the place and Jack kept chasing it back and forth. Jack got a kick out of the mother elephant trumpeting at her calf. He even got to pet some miniature goats--one of them actually turned and head butted Jack and he just started to laugh.

We have been promising to take Jack to 2 Toots--a little restaurant here in Toledo where they use an electric train to serve your food. It is a really cute idea but the food is disgusting! We had been warned about the food but really how bad could a hot dog be...really really bad! I think the next time we go will be for dessert only. It is a really fun atmosphere and Jack of course loved it but never again will I eat that greasy junk again!

And to top off the excitement we cut Macie's hair. I have been meaning to do it for a while now but I finally did it. It was so long on top and I couldn't ever get it to lay down so I just cut it. I was sad, I think that I cut it a little too short but Ryan has reassured me that once we put a bow in her hair it will be fine. And he is right--she is so cute! I know I say that a lot but she is such a fun, fat and happy baby.

Macie's first hair cut

Weighing In At...

So Monday we had Macie's 4 month check up and yep you guessed it she is at the top of the charts. She is a whopping 16lbs 8oz and 261/2in--she is in the 100th percentile in both! At least she is tall and chubby and not just chubby. I am so mad at myself--I had the cutest picture of her on the scale at the Dr office but stupid me I erased it. I seem to have a lot of these moments lately and I can't even blame it on being pregnant--oh well. At least I have plenty of pictures of Macie and her rolls--just check out the last post. Anyway obviously she is eating well and I think tonight we are going to try her out on some cereal--wish us luck!

A Super Saturday!

Our not-so-little Macie turned 4 months old on Saturday. She has made it clear that she will no longer tolerate diapers with a number 2 on them. Yes, we have graduated to size 3 diapers in almost half the time it took Jack to get that far. We've tried to explain to Jack not to feel bad but also not to make rude comments about Macie's body habitus - not even "big boned." It has been a lot of fun lately with Macie getting more responsive to her surroundings. She is very smiley and talkative which also makes it fun.

In other news, we had our first "Jack got lost" experience. We hope it's our last, but we're not dumb enough to believe it. We were at Meijer and I was in charge of watching Jack while Candace and Macie did most of the grocery shopping. Well, after several attempts to outrun me down numerous aisles, Jack finally succeeded while Candace was checking out. When I arrived at the end of the aisle, Jack had disappeared. I kept my cool and figured he couldn't be far. After looking around the clothes racks, I decided to check some of Jack's favorite spots in the store. No Jack watching the fishies. No Jack opening and closing the refrigerator doors. No Jack by the Thomas books. I was now beginning to get concerned. But being the guy that I am, I was unwilling to accept defeat. Candace quickly humbled me and somewhat politely told me it was time to ask for help. So with my tail between my legs, I informed one of the employees that I had lost my son - good one Ry! I was impressed by their response, and it was encouragingly clear that people must lose their kids at Meijer all the time. A coded message was heard overhead which informed the employees to monitor the doors for a child with my description. Then other employees started combing the store looking for Jack. I went to see if Jack was "sampling" the cookies from the bulk section but was paged overhead before I got there. The employee handed Jack to me and explained how she found him hiding in one of the clothing racks. Without asking, I assumed he must have been in the women's underwear section -I had neglected searching there because I figured no one would believe me if they saw me looking at lingerie and I said I was looking for my 3-year-old. Then I caught a whiff of Jack' pants, and I realized why he was "hiding." That feeling of anger, frustration, and relief all mixed together is something only parents can understand. We're hoping that once Jack finishes his potty training, we won't have to worry about this event repeating itself. We learned some things we need to start emphasizing with Jack, and I learned I need to get back in shape so that Jack will no longer be able to outrun his old man.

Still Buddies

I Love My Zoo!

Today we had playgroup at the zoo today. I was afraid that it was going to be way cold but it actually wasn't too bad. A little on the cool side but that didn't seem to bother the kids at all. Jack loves going to the zoo and had such a fun time with all the other kids. Plus it is so nice to be able to get out and let Jack use up some of his endless energy.

All the kids loved to climb all over these gorillas like the little monkeys that they are. Even cute little Zeb made it to the top.

A Great Day!

I had such a wonderful mother's day. I woke up to an amazing breakfast in bed prepared by my sweet husband. He has pretty much mastered omelets--yum! Not only was I served breakfast in bed but both Jack and Macie slept in and allowed me to enjoy my breakfast. We had a great day at church and when we returned home our apartment smelled wonderful! Ryan had put together a pot roast before church--breakfast in bed and now a great dinner that I didn't have to worry about. I have such an amazing husband! I truly am blessed to be a mom to two beautiful children and a wife to a wonderful husband. I love them! I also want my mom to know how much I love her. I am so blessed to have a mom like you to look up to and to go to with any questions or problems. You are such an example to me. Thank you, thank you for everything!!! You are a wonderful friend, mother and mimi---We miss you so much! Can't wait to see you in a month.

I am also truly blessed to have an amazing mother-in-law whom I love dearly. She is such an amazing woman and grammie. Thank you Sue for raising such a wonderful son--Ryan is who he is because of you, thank you! We miss you so much and are looking forward to coming to visit in just over a month!

DANCE!

Tonight we had a ward dance--Oh the memories that it brought back of the wonderful days of stake dances! Jack really got into the dancing. We can only hope that he ends up to be a better dancer than Ryan!

As you can see the dancing continued once we got home. Jack loves to dance to Michael Jackson--but who doesn't?

I LOVE PIZZA!!

While at the park after walking group my friend Leisy informed those of us there that you could get a large pizza from Papa Johns for only 23 cents! Can you believe it--that is my favorite pizza! So after burning a few calories walking this morning we decided to reward ourselves with yummy pizza. Holy chaos!! There were about ten or so people in front of us and we were still there waiting for our pizza for an hour!! I don't think that they realized how desperate some of us are for cheap food. Lucky for me Jack and Macie were so good while we waited. Jack had his little buddy Sam to play with and sweet Macie ended up falling asleep in her car seat. I must say that it was totally worth it--Jack was so excited, he loves pepperoni pizza!

One of Those Days

Yesterday was one of those days that I wish I could have back and re-do it. Jack, as most of you know, is in the middle of potty training. Yesterday was not one of our better days. The morning was fine, no accidents and then the afternoon came. He hasn't quite figured out how to poo in the toilet and therefore pooed in his underwear!! Everyone has told me that it usually takes longer to get them to poo in the toilet but will somebody please tell me how to get him to go on the toilet? Please I need some help! Anyway...it didn't end with that. I had just asked him if he needed to go to the bathroom and he said no and then he went on to pee in his pants. So Macie of course had just woken up and was crying and I lost it a little bit. I hate that I am not a patient person. Then while I am cleaning up Jack's mess and he is sitting on the toilet he looks at me with his cute puppy dog eyes and in his cute little voice he says "I'm sorry mommy." How cute is he and how lame am I. I have two amazing kids and a wonderful husband and sometimes I just need to relax, take a breath and remember how blessed I am. I hope that next time I will be able to handle the situation better---but it would be so nice if I didn't have to deal with poopy underwear again.