My second born

My second born. 

My mom and I were talking about how different each child is. It is a crazy thing to see. I try not to 'compare' them, but it's hard not to. It's hard to not say, "Man, Landon ate anything we put on his plate. We never had to worry about him eating." They really are like night and day. I know since Owen has some one older to look up to and follow, it seems to make him eager to learn and do more. 

Owen was so good on our trip. Bob said to me that he was worried how he was going to be since he's heard the stories about him. He really is a good boy. But of course when you have to be the parent and the 'enforcer' of course they are going to act up. I'm not saying Owen acts up all the time, he is a typical toddler, if he isn't ready to stop playing, or ready to get out of the bath, he is going to be mad. He sure can be ornery, and sweet a second later. I think some of the strawberry blonde is showing.

Owen is my boy boy. He LOVES cars, trucks, tractors, buses, boats, garbage trucks and being outside in the sand box. Landon liked that stuff too, but not as much as Owen. 

Owen is a smarty pants and talks ALL the time. He will pretty much have a conversation with us. Like this:

Owen: "Ma?"

Me: "Yes Owen?"

Owen: " Umm, big truck. (will point) There!" 

Owen: "Mom, yellow bus!"

And of course I answer and talk to him. I know lately he is talking and repeating so much, that it can be exhausting! Especially if we don't answer right away.

Owen's eczema is back. Darn it. It was better. But it's warmering up, so you know what that means. It's mainly on his trunk and legs. Luckily we got lots of creams and lotions to fix it and help.

Since we've been home from California, Owen seems to be eating better. He ate pretty good when we were there as well. He is taking snacks and stuff that he used to like and eating them. Still picky with veggies and meats. But I'm trying. 

Sleeping is terrible again. What's new though. He slept great in CA, but he was with me in the bed. Here he is waking frequently. I've been bringing him in the bed after a while, but he tosses and turns and it's just as exhausting. We aren't getting any good sleep, and he seems to not be either. I am at a loss as to what to do? I'm thinking of setting up the toddler bed. Try that. Maybe it will be more comfy? I took the bumper off his crib the other day, and pushed the crib into the corner, tried to make it not so open. Didn't work. Time to try a pillow too. I'm just at a loss. 

So yeah, that was a weird post. I kinda wanted to do an update on Owen since I don't do monthly posts on him any more. It tuned in to a ramble almost. Not sure if it made any sense? I guess that's what happens when you get lots of interrupted sleep, that is, if I even got any sleep. 

My First Born

Sometimes I look at Landon and I can't believe what a boy he's become. He isn't little any more. He is growing like a weed, his feet will be my size before I know it. He is doing great in school, and he is already SO ready for summer break, I don't blame him.

Today was his first day back after 5 days off. He was NOT ready to go back, he was not a happy camper this morning. He wanted to stay home, his leg hurt from growing pains, and he was tired! haha. Once I got him going, cereal in his belly and some Motrin he was fine. I picked up my happy boy from school and had our normal ride home from school conversation. He asks me what I did, what I had for lunch, if Greg came home, what he ate, and if I went any where. Today he asked if Owen was fussy all day. He must have known! I always ask how his day way, he tells me what color he got on, all the kids that misbehaved, who he sat by at lunch, who he played with at recess, and if he has homework or not. I love our little chat on the way home. Owen chimes in now, usually to point out a bus, or tractor. Now he points out every Jeep he sees because of Poppa's Jeep. 

Today Landon came home with something he made at school. He told me, "I really used my imagination mom, it's a lady bug!"

So cute, definitely more creative than me. 

I also got his school picture back last week. They do them twice a year. I like that, you can compare. But I hate buying the huge packages and having a ton left over. SO I just got an 8x10 to keep. I wish I would have bought a few more. His picture is so funny. I love it. He's got the grin of a life time, and he is looking all suave. I had his hair combed looking nice and shirt buttoned, BUT, they took pictures after lunch and lunch recess......

Isn't it funny? I like it. It's Landon. I know how much he hates to take pictures. I am glad I did get one though!

California

Landon, Owen and myself took a quick trip to California this past week. We headed to Denver Tuesday night and stayed at a hotel since our flight was leaving at 545am. Our alarms went off about 315 to get up and get ready on Wednesday morning. We arrived in Sacramento about 915am! The boys were PERFECT and did a great job the entire time. It's always iffy traveling with an almost 2 year old. But he was such a good boy. Landon was of course easily entertained and played his games.

The boys were happy to see Grammie and Poppa. They fell asleep as soon as we got in the Jeep. We hung out at the house for a little bit, ate In N Out and then went to the Jelly Belly Factory. 

Owen and Landon were in Jelly Bean heaven. I couldn't get any pictures inside, not allowed, and when we were outside, Owen would not look up. He was devouring his free sample of 'beans.'

WE had a local pizza place for dinner. The pizza was GIGANTIC and my mom and I split a meatball sub. My Aunt Ilene came over that night to say hi. 

Thursday we went to the mall and went shopping. The boys played and went on the carousel twice. Then we went to Athenna's in Suisun to have pastrami sandwiches. Ohhhhhh yummmmm. So good. Only got a cell phone picture. 

After nap time we went to feed the ducks, then the park to burn off some steam. We finished our sandwiches for dinner, that's how big they were!

The boys loved it. Owen could have grabbed a duck if he wanted to. It was windy, so it was hard to toss the popcorn. The boys didn't seem to mind though. We also came across some tiny little babies, they were SO cute. 

On Friday morning we hung out at the house and Landon played games with Uncle Jeremiah and Poppa. Owen enjoyed playing with all the trucks and cars, mickey mouse and stuff he shouldn't have been in to around the house. 

It was rainy, so we popped poppers in the garage and made some booby traps. 

We went to Vacaville to the outlets, had In N Out for lunch again, mmmm, thanks Bob and mom, then stopped at Target. After that we went to a local farm stand and got fresh strawberries. Hands down, the BEST strawberries ever. They were SO soft, and tasted like candy. 

I made goulash for dinner with mashed potatoes, and we grilled a pineapple for dessert. YUM O. Jeremiah even ate with us. Owen ran around naked making everyone laugh like crazy. He loved the attention and making us laugh. 

Saturday we had to leave. Luckily it wasn't at the butt crack of dawn. We had time in the morning to pack and hang out, then we headed back to Sacramento. We made a quick stop to get us some lunch, and hopped on our plane. 

The boys were awesome the entire time we were there. They had such a good time. They enjoyed all the attention and getting spoiled rotten. I'm sure the poor dogs were happy to have us gone,  no more loud baby who likes to pull ears and hair and slap instead of petting. He tired to be gentle, it was just hard for an almost 2 year old. 

Since we've been home Owen has been hollering for "pa, Grammie, Fred and Elvis" and the occasional Dauber. We've been munching on Jelly Belly's and unpacking today. We had a quick trip, but I think it was a great one. I know the boys and I had a great time, and I am super happy we went.

Thanks for everything Poppa Bob and Grammie! 

Well Hello

I can't believe tomorrow is Easter! I love Easter. It's one of my favorite holidays. I love the candy, baskets, decorations, the weather...so many fun things.

I've had some emotional days these past few weeks. I found out about 2 weeks ago that my best friend Cindy's mom passed away. She was young, 53 I believe. It came fast. My heart aches for my poor friend. I can't imagine what she is going through. 

A few days later I found out my mom was in the hospital and had an infection. My stomach dropped. Luckily she is better and home now.

Owen finally got off antibiotics from a sinus infection. And then he seemed to be just as sick when we was done. We are still struggling with sleeping, BUT, things are slowly starting to get better. 

I went ahead and bought plane tickets for me, Landon and Owen to go to California to visit my mom. The boys have never been to their house. I've been wanting to go. We leave this coming week. I can't wait. Wish Greg could come.

And tomorrow is Easter, yes, I already said that, but I need to get the boys' baskets done. Procrastinator right here. Things have just been SO busy and have NOT slowed down.

Please say a prayer for my dear friend Cindy and her family. I know this is a tough time for them, and I know it's been hard. I can't stop thinking about them, and thinking about what they are going through. Like I said, my heart just breaks for them. 

Spring?

Spring time in Colorado means it's nice and sunny one day, cool and cloudy the next. Then sunny and warm again, then it's snowy. Yesterday was in the 60's. There was a breeze so it wasn't too warm, but it was nice. Then today we woke up, and saw there was school delays, the base was delayed and the snow had covered everything. 

Now they were saying it was just supposed to snow a light dusting and maybe accumulate about 1/2 inch. We got about 7 inches....

It sure is fluffy and pretty. AND, it wasn't freezing cold out, so it was a normal slush snow. NICE!

My car doesn't fit in the garage yet, so we had to dig it out this morning. We had a nice big snow shovel on base, but we had to leave it. Boy did poor Greg miss that shovel this morning. He used a garden shovel, or a regular shovel. Took him twice the time. 

Greg had a delay, Landon did not. So Greg got to drive us this morning. The roads weren't bad, just nice and wet. The plows were out, and believe it or not, it was working. Mainly because there was NO ice.....

I could get used to snow like this. I just wish it was in the winter time, and not Spring time. 

Now mother nature, it's time to get your you know what together, we need some nice warm sun shinning weather. There was some signs of spring, the grass was starting to have some green in it, stores were putting out flowers and stuff. But, this is Colorado, and seeing mother natures track record from last April and early spring, this is pretty normal. 

Guess we get to build a snow man today after school!

Pediatric Neurologist

On Monday we had Landon's long awaited Pediatric Neurologist appointment. We waited 8 weeks, did lots of waiting, many phone calls, waiting for new referrals, writing down everything he ate for about 3 weeks, keeping a headache journal, and cutting out certain foods. His headaches got few and far between, and he hasn't had one since around 10 February. 

Back on the 3rd of Janurary Landon and I got our flu shots. 2 days later he started with the bad headaches. I noticed it was after the shots, I brought it to the attention of his PCM. She was concerned and wanted to have him checked just to be sure. We had a follow up with her, and his headaches had been getting better.

The appointment went well. The Neurologist was super nice. He was very soft spoken, gentle and kinda goofy. I liked him. He checked Landon out, asked a ton of questions. 

Turns out, Landon suffers from migraines, and the flu shot most likely triggered the headaches. He is sensitive to lots of things, smells, foods, sleep, lights and other things. And since we've figured out pepperoni can give him a headache, and breakfast sausage, we cut those out. He can have them, but no more than one day. We've got to be careful with Nitrates, those are big causes in migraines. He has to drink lots of water and get plenty of sleep.

The Dr. recommended we see him in 4 months, continue to keep the headache journal. Neurologically he checked out great, which was a weight lifted. That is SO good to know. I was so worried. Such a scary thing. 

Landon liked the Doctor, when we were done he said how nice he was. That is always a plus. We had to wait in the room for a while, which is to be expected. There was a ton of papers for certain things, epilepsy, ADHD, Seizures, Migraines and other things. It made me realize, we may not be getting sleep because of Owen, and Landon may be suffering from migraines, but we have it pretty good. I feel so bad for all those people who have serious health issues, or their children. WE had to listen to a child in the room next to us, who had some disabilities, get an EEG done. It was one with only a certain amount of sleep (the RN told us this while she was talking to us in the room because it was so loud, she apologized) It just really sunk in, we are so incredibly lucky and blessed. 

It's hard when things happen to think, Why Me? Like I was of course. And to think negatively. Then you see things and everything is put in to perspective. We have our issues, but compared to what so many others deal with, ours are minor.

So now, like I said, the weight has been lifted. We know just to keep doing what we are doing, and when he starts to get one, we know what to do. And we will always have Motrin on us at all times, just to be safe! 

House

Having extra space is SO super nice. All of our stuff fits in this house. We had to go and buy more things to fill it up. It's nice because I feel like I can breathe, I can stretch out. And like I said, all of our stuff now has a spot, and it's not piled high in the garage, stuffed under a bed, or piled in the sides of closets. I love that!

Everything is out of boxes and put away. Last thing is to decorate and hang stuff. It always takes some time to do that. I find myself walking around the house staring at walls, then going through the stuff I have, and trying to figure out what I want to hang where. I'm not sure why it takes me so long. I really just don't want a cluttered house. 

Any who, here is our guest bedroom. Just waiting for someone to come and visit. Who's going to be our first visitors? 

I still need to get window treatments. I have a hard time deciding on curtains for some reason. Curtains can be pricey. And busy. Too long or too short. It's hard to find the right ones.

This is the window looking out from the loft. Of course you can see the snow we got the first weekend of spring break.

We are still waiting to find a couch for the loft. I think we've found one. But we have the big basketball game on one side, we plan on putting a couch along the window wall, and of course some real curtains, these sheer things came with the house. 

Greg bought a new TV for there, and a stand. This will be the boy's room. They are always in here now, playing basketball and video games. 

This is Landon's room. 

I don't want to bore you with a ton of pictures, but once I am done hanging everything I will take more and blog. Below is our room. I've already hung some different curtains, and we put the mirror back up. Greg's nightstand is still a box. If you know us, you know that we tend to use boxes for furniture in our room. Remember the beautiful box TV stand we used in Texas for YEARS??? hahaha. 

Last week we got a new dining room set. A nice table that extends, has a bench, and we decided to get the buffet. I LOVE it. 

Like I said, a lot of these pictures I took last week, I've been slowly hanging things and trying to get this house put together. I still am loving it. I miss the parks on base, the friends and not worrying about locking a car, leaving your garage door open. But, So far so good!

Now who's coming to visit? We need some visitors.....