Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Checking In...

This will be short and sweet.

We are alive and well - just really busy this week. And tired. And sick (Carla). And working on a rummage sale.


The End.

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Funny Story to Share

So I have a funny story to share…

Saturday, Jaxen and I joined Nik in Rochester. Nik had to be there for a 2 hour meeting that morning. I didn’t want him driving alone and had nothing else to do…so we joined in!

That meant, though, that we had to leave at 6:45am. The night before I got all our stuff together (because I have learned that you do not leave town with out blankets, water, food…etc). So at 6:45 Saturday morning, we pulled Jaxen out of his crib and put him in the car seat (he was wearing footie pajamas).

When we arrived in Rochester Nik pulled him out of the car and it hit me….I forgot his shoes. I packed clothes (plus extra clothes) and even another pajama set (just in case we got home late). I packed everything we could ever need. Like, overpacked. But no shoes! Ha ha!

So we dropped Nik off and I changed Jaxen into regular clothes and we went on our way. In the cold and snow (don’t think I mentioned is was snowing...and I forgot his shoes!) I wanted to stop in at this grocery store, Wegmans, that is amazing and so that was our first stop (thinking I would probably drive by some store to buy Jaxen shoes before I got there - which did not happen). So there we were, in Wegmans, grocery shopping, and Jaxen had no shoes. Of course, he insisted on pushing the cart around the store and I decided to just let him. When his feet got cold - he climbed in the cart!

After our (long) shopping experience we headed back to get Nik. Then we stopped for lunch (still no shoes) and then finally…we made it to a store to purchase Jaxen some shoes. He could finally walk around on his own after that!

We made a few more stops before heading home. We made it home safely, around 6:30pm, after driving most of the trip at 45 mph in a snow storm. The life of a Northern New Yorker!

And because it’s Sunday…our Sunday Selfie!

And currently….
a fire, cute boy and army men!

Good night!


Friday, February 20, 2015

Easy Peasy Dinner

This post is brought to you for a few reasons today…

1) I have been smelling our dinner cooking all day long, and I cannot stop thinking about it. Seriously.

2) I have nothing else to blog about.

3) It’s easy - and who doesn’t like an easy dinner?

This is our dinner. Not much to look at, but trust me.
Roast. That’s what’s for dinner tonight!


So here is the easy peasy part:

1) Buy: a roast, 1 packet of dry Italian dressing mix, 1 packet of dry Ranch dressing mix and 1 packet of brown gravy.

2) Put your roast in the crock pot.

3) Mix the 3 packets of seasonings with 2 cups of water.

4) Pour over roast.

5) Cook in crockpot, on low, all day.

6) For the rest of dinner to be easy peasy… serve with green beans (heated on stove with a beef bouillon cube) and rolls (pop in the oven for 5 minutes to warm).

Wa-la. Dinner.
Easy Peasy. And yummy!

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

We Have a Climber!

We officially have a “climbing toddler”. I am actually surprised it has taken this long. I never showed him he could climb…so I think he just finally figured it out on his own.

It all started with climbing on our furniture - you know, getting up the couch or chairs from the side instead of the front like he has always done. It progressed to climbing on toys, and now taller furniture. Like the bookcase and table in his room.

One day this week Jaxen got mad at something I said so he took off running to his room. I was right behind him and when I walked in he was standing on his table laughing at me. Just standing there laughing.

My days are now filled with “Jaxen - get down.” “Don’t climb on that!” And multiple falls throughout the day.

I knew this day would come.

Thankfully, he has still not figured out that he can climb out of his crib! Ha ha!

We also have an “eater”. Now, Jaxen has been (for the most part) a good eater. But the past 2 weeks…he is going crazy right now for food. Like non stop eating. The other day I sent Nik this text:

“2 apples, 2 cups of milk, 1 granola bar, 1 apple squeeze, 
1 cup of juice and eating a bowl of cereal now - It’s not even 11am yet!”

Seriously. I pretty much refuse to go to the grocery store more than once a week. But I had to break my own rule this week. My boy needed more food.

And here is our Sunday Selfie

He cracks himself up, just like his mama!

Okay. This. One. Right. Here. Kills. Me.

In other news…

Today I told Jaxen (less than 2 minutes apart)
     “Why do you have to make everything so violent?”
     “Sometimes I think you are deaf!”

And that is our life right now…climbing…eating…violence…not listening…

One last thing -

Remember how I told you that sitting in front of the vent was Jaxen’s new favorite spot? Well, it definitely is. Here is more proof:




Everyday. Multiple times a day. This is where you find him.

Oh, see that “pink” rug in the pic above? That is supposed to be white. In all my years of doing laundry, I have never (that I can remember) colored something. Until last Thursday. And this seriously bummed me out. Now I have to buy a new rug.

The End.

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Cold and Snow

Since most of our families live in a (whole different) world where it is in or near the 70’s this week - I thought I would give you a glimpse into our world.

Friday, February 13 - it was announced that Watertown was the coldest place in the US on this particular day.


Isn’t that crazy?! And guess what we were doing? Running errands. We should have been inside, by the fire! But we had a few things to take care of that took us to the Bank, Insurance Office, YMCA, oh - and Starbucks! Because of the cold and with how long we would be at some of these places, I texted my friend Sarah and asked if Jaxen could come hang out for a couple of hours. He did, and he and her kids had a great time. I was sent the following picture:


Love it!

I thought these icicles on the back of our house looked awesome on Friday!

This is the view from our upstairs, looking toward the church.

And this is our neighbors yard. Look at the swing set!

Even if we don’t have snow for a few days or weeks - the snow stays around. It does not melt. It’s too cold.

The snow pile how now reached the top of our neighbors porch.

It’s hard to tell in this picture, but the snow and our front porch are now even on all sides.

And this is my neighbors car - that’s what happens when you let it sit through
multiple snow storms. This was taken after he plowed the snow away to even get to it!

So the snow just sits, getting piled higher and higher - waiting for June (when hopefully, the temps raise enough to melt the snow)!

There are piles of snow like these below, all around town.


 Crazy, huh? That there is just piles of snow everywhere.



Most of the time the roads are pretty clear but there are times (and still some roads) where you cannot see lines. So you just guess that you are in the correct lane!

I heard all about winter before I moved here - but you really can’t understand until you are in it!

I will leave you with one last picture…

This is our friend James, who probably has at least 4 inches on Nik.
Here he is, showing off his snowbank - made from snowplowing his sidewalk.
I think that is fantastic!

Well, I hope you enjoyed getting a glimpse into our world here!

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Happy Valentines Day!

As I was getting ready for our Rummage Sale, I ran across these pictures of Nik and I (taken out of some frames I am now selling). I love these pictures.

Top left: Wedding Day - having a Sonic snack before walking down the aisle. 
Top right: Vacation - a selfie before a night show on our cruise. 
Bottom: End of Summer Party at Bonita Park.

He is my Valentine and I love him so.

I also love this little guy - 


Friday night our church was offering childcare at a fantastic rate so Nik and I got a date night! It was so nice. It had been a few months since we enjoyed a night to ourselves.

I took no pictures of us that night…and I’m not sure why?! I actually got dressed nice, did my hair and had full makeup on! Usually I’m all about this…


But not on our date night! Bummer for no picture!

On Thursday, in honor of Valentines Day, I did a little baking. Strawberry Cream Cheese Cupcakes!


And then I made a special treat for Nik…Dark Chocolate Covered Strawberries!


Jaxen made some Valentines Day Cards for the office staff and Nik took them to work, along with the cupcakes. 


We do not go all out for Valentines Day - but I do enjoy doing things to show people I love them.

Happy Valentines Day!

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Speech Therapy 104

Monday afternoon I met with the Committee on Preschool Education to determine an Individual Evaluation Plan for Jaxen, regarding his speech.

Basically, he will start Speech Therapy twice a week, for a 30-minute session, in our home, the first week of March, for one year. 

Finally!

And now for some pics from our Monday…

I babysat sweet Rachel again on Monday - and Jaxen was so interested in her this time around!

 He loved “patting” her and playing with her feet!


One of Jaxen’s favorite spots in the house is in front of this vent. 
I guess because it is warm?!
Not sure - but he sits here at least a couple times a day!


After Rachel left, Jaxen had his turn in his old bouncy seat. Too funny!


And a throwback picture of Jaxen in his bouncy at probably 3 months old!

 Rachel’s mom was so kind to drop off a huge bag of clothes for Jaxen!
Included were some shorts and tops for this summer, mittens, and a great coat for next winter
(along with some 4 and 5 T clothes). So thankful for these hand-me-downs!!!

While digging through the clothes to pull out what he could wear in the next 6 months,
I found this little gem. It is a cardigan. And it is precious! 
I put it on him, right away, and he wore it all day and night over his jammies!
I love that he is such a little old man!


Giving us a concert, wearing his cardigan!


Monday, February 9, 2015

Sunday Selfies



 




And…a bonus!
This was Nik and I on Sunday night, sitting right in front of the fireplace, trying to stay warm!


And here is a selfie I was sent on Friday morning, as I was out cleaning.


And a few of “Spaghetti Face” from Jaxen on Saturday night...