Ugh with a big huge capital U.

So much has happened the last two months I don't even know where to start! I have had this post saved for so long, editing/adding/deleting.

Ben — growing up so quickly. He is an excellent counter, can identify letters and is starting to put them together into wee words. He has always quite the memory (I call him my little elephant) but it's sure showing now. Songs, sayings, even clips from his movies — we hear it all! He is in swimming lessons again, repeating his last level as it had been quite a while since his last set, but loving it. One more to go. We have had a private tour of his new elementary school where he will be going to kindergarten full-time in the fall. They are so nice there, introducing him to everyone they met, seeing all the classes.. he is so excited for school! He will be going to a day summer camp here in town, for 5 days in the late afternoon, all Toy Story themed! It's put on by a local church, has a HUGE turn-out (last year was 400 kids) so I know he's gonna love it. Haven't told him yet!


Daisy — our little spit fire, learning her independence (aka stubbornness!). She is talking up a storm, full sentences, and will try to repeat everything. She says "I love you" now (been working on this for a while!) She's doing great potty training, going pee quite often, waking up dry quite a bit, actually pooped on it today for the first time! She is so in love with her baby brother, it's awesome. I was going to try to register her for something this summer, but not sure yet.


Jack — 6.5 months old! He's got two teeth, waiting for more wee teeth buds to show up. He's got great strength, rolling over and able to hold himself in a sitting position for quite a while. He's always got smiles and giggles for his brother & sister, his non-stop entertainment, and he loves to cuddle and hug. His sleeping routine seems to come and go, was good for a while, and then back to the way it was, but I know it could be a lot worse! He's still tiny, just 15 pounds, but healthy. Doctor isn't concerned as he is growing & gaining, just at his own rate. The other kids at this age were pounds heavier. Bonus of having a tiny baby — the clothes fit longer!!


Mike — laid off again, for the third time this year. He would still have a job, if we could afford to just sit around and wait for work to pick up, but that's not the case. Last one hired, first one to go typically. He has been busy around the yard though (aerating, sanding, built an awesome sandbox for the kids) and various things in the shop.

As far as myself goes, when I wasn't being mama, I was working on Delish Magazine! I call it my fourth child ;)

Delish is a free-to-the-reader online publication for women. It shares a credo with the three of us, and that’s “Live like you mean it.” We’re not teenagers, we’re definitely not cougars, we know our own minds and we’re comfortable in our own skin. With that in mind, Delish will focus on what’s real, what’s useful and what’s beautiful.

All in all, we are happy & healthy, the main things.. right?!?

March

Wow! Another month since my last post.. well, sadly, blog has taken a very far back seat in the list of priorities. Sorry, blog. It's me, not you :P

Anyhoo.. here's what has happened the last month:

We had our 8th Wedding Anniversary! Mom and Dad watched all three kids so we could go out for a nice dinner together!

Mmm.. Shirley Temple!

I turned 31, had a lovely birthday. This is the drawing in my card from Ben :) It's a cyclops!


Mike, sadly, is laid off AGAIN. Here's hoping that something bigger & even better comes along.

Daisy & Ben went to the dentist. He had another cleaning (loves the dentist!) and it was her first visit. Her's was basically a chair ride, didn't want to open her mouth LOL! But as long as she isn't afraid, and we have no concerns, who cares!


Daisy turned TWO! What a big girl she is. We had a great party, rainbow themed! The cake was made by moi (YUMMY!) but was an experience to make. Tried to make fancy frosting, measured wrong, burnt out my mixer.. fail! Cool Whip & vanilla pudding to the rescue :) AND she is now in a big girl bed! She had mastered the art of climbing out, so, it was time. She is doing great in it.. so proud of her! Next up - potty training!

Her snazzy PINK run bike!

This one kills me.. I am making a fabric cover for her helmet (a kitty!).
Right now it looks like a piggy :P

Ben was very happy to get back to pre-school after the two week Spring Break. Tomorrow he gets to go on a field trip (with daddy!) to the fish hatchery. He is also going to be starting more swimming lessons next month.



Jack is sure changing! Near rolling to his side, reaching & grabbing for toys, passing from one hand to the other, teething (oh the drool!) and VERY strong. He just had his 4 month shots, took them like a champ (of course!), had the look-over at the doctor. He is a *tiny* guy! So much smaller than the other kids, like, 25th percentile! Daisy & Ben have always been at least 75th or higher, so it's different. Apart from his prolific spitting up, I'm not terribly worried, and the doctor isn't concerned as he is growing, just not as quick as the others/the"norm". His head circumference on the other hand is in the 90's, so it's all going to his brain lol! As a comparison, at this age, Ben was five pounds heavier than Jack, who is just 12.5 pounds right now. I guess he's the runt :) I'll start him on rice cereal in a few weeks I think, see if that gets him growing!




We had a great Easter. Mom & Dad were still here, and Mike's brother brought Granny (GG) out for the weekend as well. We even did a family photo outside!

The Merriman gang!


I soooo wish he was smiling here.. oh well!

Cheese!

Mom made her this fab little dress, using fabric that was from her mom (GG),
so it was probably intended to be used for her or her sister when they were little!

Photo update

No time to post, but here are some pics :)

January came & went...

And what a month! Christmas was great! It was awesome to be able to spend a week at Mom & Dad's, visit with all the family. I am keeping very busy with the kids, work, and home stuff. Mike had a lot of work in the beginning of the month, and now it's tapered off thanks to the Olympics (things shutting down because their won't be access, business actually having to close because of it) and is now laid off and looking for work. Something will come up though, it has to!


Ben is doing wonderful at pre-school. He is writing his name, identifying letters & numbers and can sing the alphabet song all by himself. He is learning his left & rights, being very helpful around the house and getting rewards for doing so. Soon I will be registering him for Kindergarten! Crazy! He LOVES his baby brother, can calm him down when he cries. I was listening to him talk to Jack the other day, when Jack was in his bouncy chair, and he was getting fussy. Ben sat beside him and talked to him *very* quietly, telling him that it was okay and he stopped crying. I commended him later on being so great with Jack and thanked him. Ben said "Ya, I am a baby calmer!". I think he has seen the "Dog Whisperer" show with us too much! He is really great with the dogs, too.Feeding them when we ask him to, lets them outside for a pee, etc. A big helper!

Talking to Granny on the phone :D

Mmm... baking cookies!

Daisy... what a girl! She is smart as a whip. She understands EVERYTHING! Her level of communication astounds us every day, putting two & three words together no problem. She knows so many animal sounds, learning some numbers & letters, and is getting very good at using manners. She is so happy, a wee bit obsessive compulsive (!) and very loving. When she sees Jack in the morning, after naps, etc, it's like she is seeing him for the first time! "JACK!" So cute. She is also very good at pushing Ben's buttons and getting into trouble! The terrible twos have sure been introduced! One of the most exciting things is that she has gone on the potty twice! Tonight she even told Mike that she had to go (they were getting out of the hot tub) and sure enough she went pee!

Mike caught her by surprise.. love it!

And Jack! Our littlest monkey.. he is sure growing. Monday was his 8 week check-up and vaccinations. He is 11.5 pounds and 23.5" long. He did SO great with getting his three needles, just a bit of fussing and then he sucked on my finger and nearly fell asleep. He is smiling all the time, giggles coming out and entertaining us non-stop! Sleeping wise, he is doing great. He falls asleep on me around 8:30 or 9, then I wake him up around 11 for a quick diaper change and feed (he pees a LOT!) and will sleep until 7 or later. Even though he doesn't really nap much during the day, and that's been better the last couple of days, I can't complain.

... you sure do, Jack!

His smirk that came before the smile!

Sleeping on Daddy..

Using his Bumbo chair, smiling at Daisy.

The onesie was a gift from Mike's Nana :P

They snuggled in voluntarily to give Jack loves!