The Odd "Couple"

Erik LOVES our neighbor Michael. He talks about him all day long, even first thing in the morning sometimes. Michael and his sister Megan are kind, sweet kids that play really nicely with Erik. They are great neighbors!

The odd thing about these pals is that Michael is 10 and Megan is 7. Erik loves them though and at this point it seems as though Megan and Michael enjoy Erik as much as Erik enjoys them. I was a little concerned that Erik might be a bit annoying to the big kids. I was wrong though. Michael told me today, "I told all my friends about Erik and how cute he is!"

Here are a couple of cute pictures of Erik with his buddies, Megan and Michael.

I added both photos since Megan wasn't looking in one and
Michael wasn't in the other. Erik wasn't looking in either. Oh well!

Clemyjontri Park

The weather is perfect here! I really love fall in Virginia -- high of 70 degrees almost daily until November. It is great. I took Erik to a great playground this morning. It is like heaven for toddlers -- the climbing equipment goes on forever.

He loves it. Only downside -- it is 20-30 minutes from here. Erik, my boy who gets carsick, almost didn't make it home without getting sick. We did make it though! Phew!

What Not To Wear

Have you ever seen that show on TLC? I wish I could be nominated! Not only would I get a free fashion consultation and makeover I would also get $5000 to restock my closet!

I have been a stay at home mom for 2 years. I love it, most days. I am feeling as though I need to upgrade my fashion level a bit though. Most of my clothes are very casual and comfortable.

This weekend, Victor and I went on a date. Yeah!!! First time in four months -- where did we go? The mall. Victor was the man of the hour. I had recently purged hundreds (not exaggerating) of old, gross, and over sized clothing items from his closet. Therefore, he was in need of a shopping trip.

I have been wanting to buy one nice (aka sexy) pair of jeans, so that was on the agenda too. Nice (aka sexy) jeans scare me. You see to fit that description the jeans must be somewhat form fitting. I don't have anything of that description in my closet.

I had the salesman help me out -- he picked out the size (a size smaller than I had selected) and cut. I think I like them but I am nervous about wearing them out and about.

I took a few pictures this morning so you can view my new jeans. I am going to have a poll up on the blog too. Could you please vote to let me know what you think. I want honest answers!!! If you lie and say they look nice -- when you really think they are too tight -- I will be pissed (and embarrassed as then I will be walking around in too tight jeans)!

If you have never tried to take a picture of your own butt -- believe me, it is difficult!

Tired

I am worn out

This has been a long, busy, not so fun week. Erik has a cold which he graciously shared with me. Two of our three toilets broke -- one was leaking into the garage. Grout around a the shower tile came loose so now Victor has to get ready in Erik's bathroom. Erik has woken up 4 mornings this week before Victor left for work (6 am). Erik has whined. A lot! He does that when he doesn't feel well. Lainey is growing. She has outgrown her dose of Zantac. She has outgrown her new dose of Zantac. What does that mean? I have a puking, fussy baby who isn't sleeping as well as normal in addition to a whiny toddler in addition to a cold in addition to broken toilets and showers.

I am waiting

Last weekend, we were supposed to go on our first date in four months but our sitter canceled on us when I told her Erik had a cold. I really needed to go on a date. This week I e-mailed many strangers from the internet to see if they want to watch my kids. I met a woman who seems great -- someone my age, someone who wants to babysit (for $15 an hour). I am waiting to hear back from her about sitting this weekend. I am waiting for the plumber to fix our toilets. I am waiting for our landlord to decide what he wants to do about the shower.

I am blessed

Despite all my complaints, I know I have a great life. I am thankful that my complaints are so minor compared to what other people are dealing with. I am not looking for sympathy I just had nothing else to blog about because these are the thoughts that have been consuming me this week.

I am hopeful

For working toilets and showers.
That Erik might actually stay sleeping while the plumber installs our toilets.
For a sleeping baby.
For a date. Soon. With my husband.

I'm So Tired

This definitely applies to Victor and I, however today Erik seems the most worn out. I guess school is hard work!

I was sitting at the table eating lunch with him. He wasn't eating or talking much (he doesn't when he is tired). I looked over and he was laying on the chair -- fast asleep. Cute little boy!

Time out

Erik, so far, does not often need timeouts. This week he pulled Lainey's hair though which sent him to an immediate time out. I even made him sit in the corner for 3 minutes (instead of 2).

He did well in the time out but then got sad when I told him he needed to say sorry to Lainey.Elaina hates loud noises so she thought she would join in the crying party. In the picture above, they are both crying on the floor.

After Erik composed himself he asked me, "Mommy, what's this?"
He still deserved the time out he got for yanking Lainey's hair. However, I can understand why he was confused as to what Lainey is sporting on top of her head. Good thing faux-hawks are fashionable these days.

Creative Play

Erik playing with his new magnet set. Lainey watching and learning.

First Cold of the Season

Erik started school 10 days ago and so did his playgroup friends. Well, first Sean, then James, Katie, and Cullen all developed mild colds. We didn't see them this week since everyone was sick. Well, Erik didn't want to be left out. He has a pretty yucky cold -- yesterday he was just sneezing and had a runny nose. Today he really isn't feeling well. He has had a fever all day (up to 100.7), wet cough, runny nose. He is also saying that his, "Tummy is sick" and has refused to eat all day. We will see what happens. Hopefully, no one else will catch his bug.

It was one of the nicest days ever today -- 75 and sunny. We had lots of fun plans too -- all of which were canceled. Oh well! I am hoping Erik feel better tomorrow as Victor and I are supposed to go on our first date in 4 months. Please, please break fever!
When Erik got up this morning I asked him how he was. He said, "Erik have a cold. Firetruck have a cold too." Misery loves company. :)

3 months Old

Happy 1/4 Birthday Baby Girl!!

When people see you they often say, "Oh what a cute, tiny baby!"
But, you are not tiny anymore.

Above: Erik and Elaina 6/22/09
Below: Erik and Elaina 9/15/09

Look at how you have grown!! You are a good eater. You nurse usually 6 - 7 times in 24 hours. You are a happy, content baby now that you are on Zantac. You love your brother and he adores you. If you are taking a nap in your crib he asks me to, "Go get Lainey, Mommy!" every five minutes or so. He wants to "play" with you.


You are a great sleeper. You are consistently sleeping from 10 pm to 5:30 am now. That is great! You even slept from 10 pm to 8 am one day. I hope you repeat that soon. :)

You are now cooing and smiling a lot. You are able to hold your head up for a long time now. You have just started batting at toys.

This month has been busy. We flew to Kansas to spend a couple of days with my grandma Baker, aunts, uncles, and cousins. My mom and Uncle Colin were there too. You were great on the airplane.


The whole Chen family was here for a week this month too. Hanna Lee (Sonja's sister) got married over Labor Day weekend so everyone was in town for that. You went to your first wedding.


You are a sweet, flexible, happy baby. We love you very much and are so glad that you are part of our family!

Playgroup babies

Remember this post? Well, all of the babies have now arrived.

Hannah (5 1/2 months)
Liam (4 1/2 months)
Abbie (5 1/2 months)
Lainey (3 months)

They seemed to enjoy the birthday party too! We now have 9 kids in playgroup (all 2 and under). Next year we will celebrate 6 birthdays between March 5th and May 7th. Lots of cake!

Hannah and Abbie were the ones in the hospital together!

Happy Birthday!

Erik, James, Katie, Cullen

We had Erik's birthday party with his friends today. It was a lot of fun! His favorite thing right now is trucks, cars, etc. So I threw him a construction party. The internet is great for shopping sometimes. I was able to find road signs, cone shaped cups and hats, truck gift boxes, a great cake idea, etc. All of this without having to drag the kids from place to place. The kids seemed to have a great time and so did I.

Erik with a cone cup. When I ask him to look up
at the camera this is what I get. :)

For food I made an egg bake, pancakes (with eggs), fruit salad, bacon. All easy and tasty -- it is so nice to be able make foods with eggs in it now.

For the cake I just made a dirt cake and put in in the back of Erik's favorite dump truck. Cute and easy!

Our guests were all the kids (except for Sean who was sick) from playgroup. They are a fun group of kids-- I am so thankful to know them.

Here are some photos from our fun day....

Katie

Erik
He LOVES his garbage truck.
He played with it for 45 minutes before falling asleep at his nap today.

James

It's Official

I. AM. OLD.

Tonight, Victor and I took Erik and Elaina to a high school football game. Erik befriended a high school girl who came to talk to us a little bit. She wanted to know if we had a kid who went to the high school.

I. AM. OLD.

Oh well. I am probably twice that girls age, which in her world makes me a dinosaur. At least I have two cute kids that help make the aging process easier.

Preschool

Erik had his first full day of preschool today. He had no problem when I dropped him off -- just walked on in and started playing. There was even a girl screaming really loudly. I thought it might upset him but he just glared at her instead.

When I picked him up he was doing well but started crying when he couldn't get to me immediately. His teacher said that he did well except during transition periods. He was sad when they went to the music room and again when they left that room. He perked back up when they read him a book.

I made some cupcakes for his birthday and left my camera with the teachers. Here are some photos from his birthday celebration at school.

He is busy eating his cupcake but not looking very happy. I hate that he was a little sad today. Hopefully, it will only take a week or two for him to transition. He has been talking positively about school this afternoon.Aren't the nine 2 year old kids cute sitting at their tables for snack?

Side note:
It was pouring on the way to school today. Erik said, " Mommy, the rain is falling from the clouds." I thought that was a pretty impressive thought process.

Erik has also been using the phrase, " Oh, dear!" which I just find comical.

Look At Me!

I can finally pick up my head!

Happy Birthday Erik and Mike

Erik turned 2 today and Uncle Mike turned 31! Erik has been celebrating his birthday for 2 -3 days and the celebrations aren't over yet. He is one lucky boy. Here are a couple of photos from his birthday party yesterday. I will post more tomorrow as I am exhausted tonight and need to get to bed soon.

Erik got a garbage truck, tractor, 2 dump trucks, and a remote control race car for his birthday. He is a happy boy!

A cool ball and magnet set from "aunt" Pat. He likes to figure out how to put them together. He also likes to put the balls in the back of his dump truck and dump them out all over the kitchen floor.

Uncle Mike got a few presents too.

Uncle Mike and Erik blow out the birthday candles! Birthday party number one! "Aunt" Pat was taking the photo.
In the photo is... Victor, Ann, Great Grandma Lee, Uncle Mike, Erik, Aunt Sonja and baby boy to be, Elaina, Grandma Sandy, Irene, and Grandpa Miin
It was a big, fun birthday party!

Don't Forget Me Mom!

A cute photo of Lainey -- I don't want her to feel left out as Erik will be the main star for the next few posts.

First Day of School

We decided to put Erik in a preschool program this fall. He is a little young although in the DC area it seems standard for 2 year old's to go to preschool. Last year he spent 2 mornings in the gym nursery and one morning in the church daycare. He will be in preschool those 3 mornings instead this year. His first day was today. He was really excited. He has a class of 10 kids with 2 teachers. Today was orientation so Victor and I both went with him. He was only alone for an hour today but didn't cry at all. My stomach was in knots -- good thing Erik is too small to be anxious. I was anxious for him.

Here are some photos of my adorable little boy....

All ready for his first day of school!

Cute alligator backpack!

Playing on the preschool playground

Special lunch at Chipotle with mom, dad, and Lainey after his first day

2 year check up

Erik had his 2 year check up yesterday. He did very well -- no developmental concerns. He is right on track -- the doctor said, "He is smart!" I am biased, but I am happy to agree with her assessment. He had to get the HIB, Hepatitis A, and Influenza shot. He also had to have his finger stuck to check his lead and hemoglobin levels. Poor baby! He is very brave but by the third immunization he was crying (not squirming or fighting the shots) really hard and saying, "No mommy, all done with shots! Please!" I hate seeing him so sad. I am so grateful to have healthy children though. I don't know how parents with sick kids can handle seeing their kids hurt and ill.

His hemoglobin level came back a little low at 11.8. The low end of normal is 12. This is not a big deal but I will start him on a multivitamin with iron as the doctor recommended. I think his hemoglobin was 11.3 last year -- but no one recommended iron so he hasn't been on anything. Erik loves to eat. He is very good at eating fruits and vegetables but doesn't like meat much so his dietary iron intake is a little low.

Weight: 27 pounds 6 ounces (45%)
Height: 34.5 inches (55%)

Erik Reading to Elaina

Erik loves Lainey. He was reading her a book here. What a good big brother!