March Madness

It's me, Nick! Long time no talk! I just got home from going to the dentist for the very first time! I was very very brave. And guess what... I have sparkly teeth now! I love Dr. Ellie! She is so nice! I dont have any cavities or any problems with my teeth or bite at all. They took these really cool pictures of my teeth - called x-rays. They could even see my big teeth up there. I got a new toothbrush, a sticker and a prize. I chose a wibbly wobbly squirmy wormy. It is green and I think it is pretty silly. Then, after my dentist appointment - I had to go and get a haircut. Mommy brings me to Kids Hair. It is loud and busy and I like it! I am a pro at getting my hair cut now. I sit really well. Today they had on my favorite movie, CARS! I should be so lucky! The stylist "oohed and ahhhed" all over my "big brown eyes and long black eyelashes!" What??? Yeah, seriously. What is it about eyelashes that makes them so special. If you ask me, they are always causing trouble getting into my eyes. Eyelashes. Who needs em? I am growing my hair out as you probably can tell from my pictures, but it was getting a bit poofy, which is not cool at all... so snip snip. Haha, mommy let me have a sucker RIGHT after the dentist. Shhhh... Dr. Ellie doesnt need to know about that, okay? Mommy is so bummed because she cant find her camera. Four times this week she needed it, and alas, it is no where to be found. This week we had a playdate with Rylan and Gabriel at Eagles Nest on Tuesday and one with Morgan on Wednesday -- no camera. We went to Pump it Up - which is my new favorite place ever. It is a big gym with huge jumping bags, obstacle courses, slides and it is all soft and jumpy. No camera. And then today - at the Dentist. NO CAMERA! Oh no!

Anyways, it has been a really busy (as usual) month of March. We continue to hope and pray for spring like weather - after we were given a really good taste of it last week in the 60's... then the last few days have been gloomy gloomerson and brrrrr chilly. We make the best of it though! We went on our first spring family walk. We have a new path by our house - most of you know we live on the Rice Creek Nature Reserve - so it was great! Lots of mud and puddles to jump in. AND we saw a Bald Eagle AND 3 deer!

We went to the Science Museum - it was awesome. I saw dinosaurs and huge bears. I also played with balls and made them fly in the sky. I looked through binoculars out at the river. I cannot wait to go back again!

Mia liked the Science Museum too. Every one always tells us how cute Mia is. We know that! (in Nick's adult voice!) Mia loved all the colors and of course, loved the attention of all the people at the museum. She is such a good girl, isn't she? I mean, not many babies can go to the Science Museum. I mean, I just went for the first time and I am three!

When we got home, Mia was tuckered out... heehee! Let me tell you about Mia. The girl LOVES to sleep. She sleeps from 6:30pm until 8:15am almost every day. Mommy thinks it is the best thing ever. You know what else?? Mia sucks her thumb. Daddy says in the middle of the night if Mia wakes up, she just sucks her thumb right back to sleep! Hilarious! I mean, what is so exciting about sleeping or thumb sucking?? If I had it my way, I would never ever sleep!! Mommy had just finished feeding Mia when she fell sound asleep in her high chair at dinner. What a love bug. I just love my sister - even if she likes to sleep a lot.

We have been keeping really busy with play dates. Every day when I wake up this is what I say to Mommy. "what are we doing today?" "then what?" "then what?" I think Mommy does a great job of keeping our calendar booked up. Every morning we get up and after breakfast we go to the gym. Mia and I LOVE it! All of the teachers there really like us, and when we get there they play with us! Every one fights over who will hold Mia, and I get to play with all kinds of fun and new toys. After the gym, we race home so Mommy can get ready for the day! Then, it is usually off to a playdate!

Here we are at Eagles Nest! Mia and Addie were here too -- but they are not in the picture... This is John, Gabrielle, Jeffrey, Grace and me! We have fun at the Eagle's Nest. We go once a week and we usually eat lunch there. This last week we went with Gabriel and Rylan. Also - I have a new friend, actually 4 new friends... Their names are Jordyn, Levi, Anya and Alya. Their mommy Robyn is one of my mommy's oldest and bestest friends from way back when (gotta love facebook! says Mommy) BUT... those pictures are on the lost camera. I wanted to show you all of my new friends. We played at Eagles Nest for 4 hours - mommy must have had a lot to say or something! Hopefully she will find that dumb, I mean stinky camera soon.

On Saturday we went to Gabriel's 3rd birthday party at Chuck E Cheese. First of all, I LOVE that place. Second of all - we got pizza, fruit punch, cake and a whole bunch of tokens... AND a goody bag! Thanks for inviting me Gabriel... I had so much fun. My birthday is coming soon -- and I cant wait for you to come to my party too! Here is a picture of little Miss Mia and Gabriel!

ohh, arent they cute! Rylan and Mia -- in love, staring into each others eyes... I wonder what they are thinking about. Probably thinking about trucks, well Mia is probably thinking about dolls... no, maybe rattles. She loves those the most right now. So, a lot of people keep thinking Mia has a scratch or a bump or something on her head. Let me just explain to you what the little red dot on her head is, okay? It is called a "stork bite" - Mommy told me to tell you this..."Babies are born with an array of different types of markings most of which go under the heading of "birthmark." The stork bite is a very common birthmark found on babies. In fact, it occurs in 30-40% of all newborns, and will go away most likely as she grows." Apparently Mommy told me that I had 3 stork bites on my ankle - and they are all gone! So, no need to worry, Mia does not keep repeatedly scratching herself til she bleeds!

And look! Mia is in MY jump-a-roo! I seriously am the best sharing brother in town, arent I? She adores this... this is how Mommy gets lunch and dinner ready for me and Daddy. Yay!

We also did something very special... For Christmas, Auntie Nicki, Uncle Kyle and Keaten got us tickets to Disney on Ice! It was magical! Thank you!

Our hero's Woody and Buzz Lightyear...

Semi decent family picture... I mean, we cant expect Mia to look at the camera. She is only zero years old afterall... Hmm, I think I was trying to flag down the popcorn guy here...

Ahem... where is the popcorn??

Yep, you guessed it... I got popcorn.

Guess what? Easter is coming. Which means the Easter Bunny will come! And, I am learning the true meaning of Easter too. Auntie Pam came up and visited and told me all about Easter. We colored pictures and watched a movie about Easter! Also, with Easter comes Eggs!

We had Cars and Transformer Easter Eggs... So fun! One thing though - Easter Eggs sure are stinky...

I think Keaten liked the blue dye the best, what do you think?

Auntie Nicki and Uncle Kyle were out celebrating a friend's birthday... So Keaten and I snuggled up on the couch and then Daddy told us stories before we curled up in bed! We had so much fun... giggling and then apparently we were both snoring very loudly! NOT US, I say!

One last thing I want to tell you guys --- Mommy signed me up for preschool through the school district! I will be leaving Jack and Jill on June 1st and starting my summer school on June 22. I will be going on Tues/Thurs from 9-11:30 at Woodcrest Elementary... AND in the fall... I get to go to preschool at Auntie Nicki's school -- Northpoint Elementary. I am going to go on Tues and Thurs afternoons! Auntie Nicki said that once in a while she will be able to eat lunch with me! I would love that! So, yep! That's the scoop around here. Happily busy being the key words!

We are eagerly awaiting Grammie and Grandpa's arrival on Monday - and hoping they bring the sunshine and warm weather from Florida along with them. Grandpa has surgery on Wednesday, please keep him in your thoughts and prayers...

Mia wanted to wish you all a Happy Spring...

See ya later alligators...

Finally Florida!

Happy March everyone!

As usual time is flying by... Mia is now 7 months old, St. Patrick's Day is near, and let us not forget -- Spring is a coming... (or at least we hope!) I am very late in posting this Florida posting - but I figured better late than never. Hopefully now I will be almost all caught up!

Unfortunately I have been sick now for almost a week - I finally went in to the doctor today. I figured a few days with a fever is probably not just a cold. Good thing I went in, I have Bronchitis and a double ear infection! Not the most fun when you are chasing around a busy almost 4 year old and trying to keep up a house, work out, take care of a baby, be a wife, etc... I got 3 antibiotics though and am guessing that I am going to feel human in about 48 hours! Woohoo~! So until that happens, I am going to focus just on resting and taking care of Nick and Mia, loving Dave and the rest will all get done when it gets done!

So, Florida. What a wonderful trip. Lets start at the beginning...

Have you ever felt like a super hero?? I now know what it feels like -- flying solo with 2 kids will make you feel like a super hero! I was so nervous the day we were leaving - filled with apprehension and jitters. I am a pretty good flyer - but have only flown by myself 2 times on business trips - never had to get around the airport or anything alone... Well, lets just say, Im broken in now! Once we passed through security (which was the only tricky thing) I stopped holding my breath! And Nick and Mia were perfect angels all the way there - just as everyone had assured me. The flight went exceptionally fast! When we landed - Nick ran through the airport and right into Grammie and Grandpa's arms!

I have been thinking about the best way to tell everyone about our trip without it taking you about 30 minutes to read... so I have decided to showcase with pictures... Enjoy!

Little Miss Mia in her spring pj's lounging with Grandpa

Grammie and Mia at the "big pool" at the club

Nick LOVES the water - swimming lessons this summer for sure!

Mia taking a nap - poor little thing got the stomach flu while we were there - she was sick for about 3 days. We didnt know she wasnt feeling well until later this night...

Nick enjoying bubbles on Grammie and Grandpas patio - he loved everything in orange this year! Can you tell?!

Nick and I playing in the pool at the house - Unfortunately, but fortunately (if that makes sense), the pool heater broke and the temp got up to 92' - it was amazing, like bath water!!

Mia loved the water too - Nick and Grammie call her their little mermaid!

When she was in the water, she would try and flip onto her stomach and start kicking - it was hilarious. Almost like she knew how to swim... maybe swimming lessons for her this summer too?!

Grammie and Grandpa enjoying the warm pool with the babes...

Nick's big muscles... he got braver and braver everyday in the pool. Here he is barely touching - and he went underwater a couple of times too - no tears! Yay!

Nick and I playing in the "little pool" aka the unheated hot tub at Grammie and Grandpa's -

Nick riding a big boy bike - with a really cool Transformers helmet! Grammie, you sure have good taste!

Our shopping extravaganza at the FABULOUS Fort Meyers Outlet Mall... Oh my. Grammie, Mia and I can do some serious damage in about 2 hours... thank goodness Grandpa came along and entertained Nick - one hot dog, one ice cream cone, playground + grandpa = a very very happy 3 year old. Thanks Grandpa!

Need I say more?? Fresh air and sunshine = the best naps ever!

Apparently Nick really loved these shorts... they are almost in every picture!

Here is Nick playing with his Dino's... this was a major hit! He played with them every single day. Grammie rented The Land Before Time dvd and he watched it about 5 times I think...

Pretty Mia sunbathing

The awesome view I passed everyday on my walk to the gym...

Our make shift bathtub... one of our favorite pictures of the trip!

And -- one of my favorite days of the trip...the ocean!

Naples Zoo- one of our last days...

Mia's first boat ride at the Zoo - the boat takes you out on a little tour of the monkey and ape habitat -- very cool!

When I asked Nick what his favorite parts of the trip were - he said "slumber parties with Grammie, swimming in all the pools, playing with dinosaurs, riding bikes, laughing with Grandpa, and playing kickety kick ball." When I asked Mia what her favorites were, she told me ;-) "Smiling at Grandpa, Shopping, Swimming with Grammie, and stroller rides in the fresh air!" As much as I enjoyed the whole trip, my favorites were being spoiled by Grammie and Grandpa - every morning I woke up there was coffee ready! I had really good meals that I didnt cook! I got to work out every day! I loved playing outside with everyone! Swimming! And of course shopping!

A funny Nickism for you... On the plane ride home, (which went well, not quite as well as the plane there... but probably a 7 out of 10, so cant complain) the beverage cart came through, and the passenger next to us ordered a beer and a snack. As soon as she got all settled Nick lets me know loudly that he has to poop. Great timing. So, we get up and make our way down the aisle, Mia crying, Nick running. And we get to the bathroom, all squeeze in - and I hoist him up onto the toilet. Nick, sensing my stress, says: "Mommy, you are really really strong." Yes, I am! After about 10 minutes, we are finally ready to head back to our seats. We struggle in, get situated and then Nick says the funniest thing to me. "Hey Mommy, where is your arm?" I show him my right arm. "No, your other one?" I show him my left arm. (poor mia, being tassled about... still crying.) Nick says "No your third arm? Where is it?!" Ha! I say "Youre silly! I have 2 arms. Im just that good..." He giggles and says, "Huh, thought you had 3." And every mother knows that 3 arms sure would be nice, ey?? Then, magically both fell asleep - and I ended up waking them up on the way down. Phew...

So, we made it home safe and sound to our David... who missed us terribly and couldnt wait for the noise to be back in the house! What a great trip we had! Thank you Mom and Dad for such a wonderful time. We love you!