Ok, so it has been a while...

So it has been a while, and well, lots has happened.  For starters, both kids and both adults in the Lowe house have seriously been sick since the last post.  No joke!  I finally asked the doctor if this was for real, and her reply was simple, "This is the worst cold and flu season I have seen, so yes it is for real".  Avery has had bronchitis, ear infections, and the ever popular "Barf-o-Ramma" on top of the various strains of colds and flu's that she has brought home to share.  Such a giver that child is.  Owen has had RSV, an ear infection and well, some sort of bronchial irritation.  Both kids sound more like seals than little monsters.  I feel so bad for them.  Avery has taken to coughing so hard she barfs, so that is fun.  Love cleaning up her barf in the middle of the night and having to bathe her and well, having a 102 fever myself.  That was a hoot.  Wish you all could have been there to join in the fun.  The best part of it all, is that the really nasty-yucky stuff happens when Ian is stuck at work.  Urgh, karma is a, well, you know....worst of all, Franny has slowly learned that her lot in life is at the bottom...such a sad state for her.  She is still such a love though!

We did seem to manage a trip to Big Bear or Big Duck-we like to mix things up a bit.  Avery got to play in the snow but was not a fan of the sled.  Something about it being, "Too Loud".  Ok, so we figured out that that meant scary...took a while but we did eventually figure it out.
Owen started eating solids...ok, so he has gone from cereal to actual baby food in the time it has taken me to get this blog back up and going but you all understand.  I have to say that that kids digs food!  He is now eating 3 meals a day plus nursing-wtf?  He is going to pass Avery up in the L-B department sooner than later.  The best is that the doctor said that he was in the 50th percentile for everything...really?  He is a beef cake!  His next appointment is not until May.  The kids were born such that their appointments actually coincide so they both go at the same time.  Such great planning by their parents, if I do say so myself.Well, I am sure you all remember the last "Pooping in the Showie" experience.  Well, I, yes, it only seems to happen to me, had another bout.  Avery sat there and pooped while I was getting out of the shower.  Really?  She said, "Avery poopied in the showie", like how do you get mad at that?  Still, I had to revert back to my trusty breast pad maneuver...

Both kids seem to really enjoy each other.  The two of them will sit there and laugh at each other until the cows come home.  Avery really has no clue as to how "nice" she needs to be with him.  Today she ran over to him and knocked him right off his seat.  Oh, yeah, he sits now.  He is pretty good.  I am not sure why I sound so surprised.  He is a bit bottom heavy, although, I think that his head is catching up and then some.  I have to admit, I asked Ian the other day if his head looked too big.  Then in asking the question I looked at him and realized that that was just a dumb question.

This picture was a day when both were a bit under the weather, weird I know, and Avery was dragging around this stuffed bunny that was bigger than her.  She and the bunny and Owie watched Dora...haa, I love that Latina.  She can entertain my kid for hours.  We have also branched out, FINALLY, and like Oswald and his pet Wennie; get your mind out of the gutter, it is his Dachshund.I had also started to give them both baths together, that was, before Ian destroyed the bathroom.  Where we both frequently get, "What did daddy do to the bathroom?".  This is said in what one may think is one word, but no, it is 6.  She also likes to throw up her hands to add punctuation.  Ok, just to clarify, we are mid remodel on the main bathroom.  There were holes in the walls because as most of you know, we had a leak in our slab the week before Owen was born and had to get all new plumbing.  Unfortunately, the 70's tile that had once hung so lovely from floor to ceiling is no longer.  I can't wait to begin this evening tradition once again.  Owen is outgrowing the sink and well, he crapped in it the other night and well, that is just gross, bleach or not!

Well, since it has been so long, I won't narrate a bunch of photos, I will just attach a few more.  I will try to be better about "blogging" but it is hard.  I never have time to sit and write...and now look, it is 9:20!  Ok, speed blogging...this next photo is of Avery back in March, just hanging out.  She is so cute and yes, her eyes are always that big.  Her teacher actually commented on how she never blinks...

Owie is just a happy boy.  He is always smiling, well, that is unless he is crying.  But you get the idea.  A far more easy going child than Avery, that is except is does not sleep.  We were actually on our way, finally slept through the night once and then we went camping.  That threw everything off, but we are trying once again, a special bedtime "dance" and maybe back to the once a night feeding and then nothing...here's to hoping!Both of the kids love books; Owen more to eat than to read, but you have to start somewhere right?  Anyway, here is a picture of Ian reading "The Moose Book" (If you give a Moose a Muffin).  He seems to be the only one enjoying the book.  Mom is way more fun than a stupid moose anyway.Ian has wanted one of these bike trailer thingys for ever and he finally got the most amazing deal on Craigslist.  He wanted to use it so badly that he actually hitched it up and road Avery down to the park while Owen and I walked.  Yes, in case you did not know, we live a block away.  Avery seemed fine with it one way or the other but Ian was just tickled pink!This is Owen waiting for daddy to get it together so that he could go "Pinging" with his sister.
Well, that is all for now.  I have a project to finish and I must eat.  Hope this finds everyone out there well.

What a day...

We finally got all of the Christmas stuff out of the attic.  It may take us a while to get it all up but we do have our Christmas tree up!

So last night we had a Danish Smorgasbord to have an early Christmas celebration before Ian's grandma went up north for the holiday.  I put the kids in their holiday best-they were so cute!  Who does not love this time of year?  Ewww, Ian decided that he was going to give Avery liver pate and she ate it...after the third mouthful she decided she was not su

re if she liked it or not.  It was making me sick just watching him give it to her.  

Although we did not do much today, a lot happened.  Let's see, little Miss Jumper was jumping on the couch when I was trying to feed Owen and guess what finally happened-yep, she slid right down the crack and on to her head.  It was inevitable, she just would not listen and there you have it.  It was pretty funny actually, there was no damage done and she kept saying, "boom-head".  

Then let's see, I went to let Frances back in and what did I discover?  Yep, she was digging!  That dog then ran from me for 10 minutes while Owen slept and Avery stood at the kitchen door laughing.  Avery finally, after standing there, for what was probably a century to her, figured out how to open the door and she was off!  I was chasing her down trying to make sure she did not step in dog poop while all the while, trying to wrangle Frances who turned my punishing her into a game.  So Avery under one arm, literally like a sack of potatoes and in the other hand, Frances' collar, twisted (she can get out of it otherwise) I was rubbing her nose in the hole she had just made worse in the middle of the grass and in all the other places I discovered.  Urgh-so frustrating!!!

Yes, it only gets better, so I had to go pee, so kill me.  I put Owen in his crib and turned on the butterfly mobile (yes, I could not stomach spending another $50 on a mobile when it is used for a couple of months) and went into the bathroom...Avery was running around back and forth from her room to Owen's and back.  Meanwhile, Owen's mobile had stopped playing...then, I hear it start going again.  At first I thought that the mobile started going again then I heard the ticking of the knob...no s**t!  Avery had climbed into Owen's crib and was turning the mobile back on for him.  I ran in and she was standing up turning the knob and looked at me and said, "Owen crying"...seriously???  You should have seen the look on Owen's face-I am sure you can guess, wide-eyed!  I caught Avery trying to climb in again and could not help but capture it.  Sorry for the angle, I can't get it to turn.

Let's see, to conclude the day, Owen is so close to turning over from his back to his front.  I caught the attempt on video but it was too dark and you can't see.  He is so cute!

Snip Snip...

Yes, as you may have been made aware, Ian had his little "procedure" on Friday and so we had to find ways to entertain ourselves while taking it easy.  Dad, although unable to really get up and move around, was a great place to park a child while I attempted to make Avery lunch for the fourth time (she is so picky and uninterested half the time it makes us crazy) or play another game of "Let's go poo poo on the potty".  That is really getting old, really, s**t or get off the pot already (what perfect context)!  She does get much of her quality reading in then.

Avery also found many ways of entertaining herself.  Not sure why, but she loves the eye legos.  She dumps them all out and then goes and hunts them down.  Not sure if it is funny, or if we need to be concerned.

As I think I might have mentioned before, Owen loves the floor gym.  He will hang out there and grab at the hanging birds and stare at the flashing/singing star.  Hey, what ever gets him going is fine with me (at least for now).  Avery has always loved that darn thing too...now she lays down next to him and hangs out too...only problem, she has absolutely no concept of where her body is in relation to Owens.  He often has that ever so popular look of total shock on his face when she starts in on him.

Anyway, we were going through the cabinet and found the ever popular hill-billy teeth from last Halloween, just thought that we might do a little side by side or maybe up and down comparison...

Avery at 6 months...

Owen at 3 and a half...those jammies have been retired.  The shirt was like a belly shirt.

The weekend was not a total bust, we went to the park Sunday morning for a little run around with Avery's friend "Guna" and then home again home again for "Hot Dogs" (yes we say the 'g' now) and a nap.  Ian some how managed to get the Christmas lights up on the house, watch football and we even decorated the Christmas tree...the rest of the decorations need to go up and of course, don't forget the menorah. 

Happy Thanksgiving

Well, I have to say that Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday; it does not get much better than friends, family, good food.  It was always our family's biggest holiday.  Ian worked this year and I was really nervous about making mashed potatoes for 16 (my speciality) and getting both kids dressed, myself dressed and all of us over to my moms house-but it all just worked out. 

Avery also decided to demonstrate proficient she has gotten at climbing up and down off the couch.  I know that she has done this before, but she actually had confidence in herself now...not good.  Nothing is sacred.  I had to change Owen's diaper and left Avery in the living room (as I often do) and went and changed Owen's diaper and clothes.  I came back and she was on the couch-had changed the channel on the TV, was drinking water from my water bottle and looked as if she was texting-possibly somewhere in the middle east.  Great!

I then decided to give Avery her new favorite breakfast, Oatmeal!  She loves to eat it herself, urgh, what a sticky mess!

We did make it to my mom's house and I have to say that I was so nervous about drinks being left low and Avery running amuck and getting wasted off low-lying booze.  Nope-no tanked toddler and in fact, everyone was so helpful I can't thank everyone enough.  Everyone wanted to hold Owen and Avery really is so much fun (just requires a little extra watching-she can get into most anything).

The following day Ian was home and we went to the park with the kids, I was really cold!  But Avery had a blast and daddy ran all over with her.  It was a great weekend.

Seriously???

So yesterday we had doctors appointments for both, Avery and Owen.  Ian was home and I met the three of them at the doctors office (remember, I am back at work now).  Can I just say, our doctor rocks!  He does not get excited, listens, calls us at home, and well, basically is the smartest man alive in my book!  He said that Avery is definitely verbally advanced and that the constant running is normal for her, so not to worry, she is just a "High Energy Child"-that can't be good coming from a person who deals with kids constantly!  Thought I would up date everyone on their stats:

Avery-18 months

Weight: 21 pounds 11 ounces (7th percentile)

Height: 31 3/4 inches (48th percentile)

Head: 18 1/2 inches (61st percentile)

*I asked why she is not gaining much weight and he said something to the effect of, "Have you not seen her move?"...point taken.

Owen-3 months

Weight: 13 pounds 12 ounces (29th percentile) *Which seems huge compared to Avery

Height: 24 1/2 inches (52nd percentile)

Head: 16 1/2 inches (54th percentile)

So kids go back and forth on so many things...one thing that she would not wear to save her life when she was younger were hats.  Now, she seems to wear them even when she does not need to. Thanks Uncle Ronna for the beanie-it seems to be part of the required wardrobe for putting Elmo night night (he is under the blanket).

For all those parents out there who don't have one of the floor gyms, you are missing out on at least 30 minutes of straight down time.  You can eat a quick meal while watching a 30 minute DVR-ed show and still have time to go to the bathroom all by yourself!  

What you can't see here is that his legs are kicking and he is talking to the star that is apparently telling him the most amazing story ever-perhaps of a land where milk flows like water?

 Tonight I got home from work just in time for Ian to leave.  He took 12 hours of vacation to watch the kids so that I could go to work.  Sometimes child care is a real challenge but anyway, while we were eating, Avery decided to entertain herself...she is just so cute!

Just in case you could not get the full effect of her "costume"...

Ok, so daddy is off to work and Avery is off to bed, it is time for the Littlest Lowe to get a bath a topper and to get off to bed.  I leave him in the swing (another item any parent must own) and get everything ready...bath time here we come.  So about halfway through our bath, everyone is happy and we are enjoying ourselves, LL decides he is too comfortable and poops everywhere...this is the first time he has made such a performance!  Ironically, Avery only did it when Ian was gone also.  It presents quite a challenge; ok, have to get the kid clean while avoiding the crap in the sling-thingy in the tub.  Everything got wet but the poop remained in the tub-the sling acted much like a siv and filtered it nicely.  I am not sure if we would actually call this a successful bath or not, but I got a clean kid out of it so, why not?

Happy Thanksgiving...I know we have a lot to be thankful for.  

Back to the Grind...

So Avery was sick all last week so no school for her but that is ok, we found stuff to entertain ourselves with...

Grandma Itsy gave Avery a picnic table and we put it in the kitchen for her to color and eat and play at.  She loves it, although we don't, she keeps getting up when she is eating.  I think that I will stick to strapping her down for a while.

This weekend was my mom's birthday and we went to Julian to "hike" but we got there and it was 65 degrees...we left a record breaking Santa Ana day by the beach so we were all wearing shorts and tank-tops.  We got there and it was so cold that Avery was wearing my mom's extra shirt, I was wearing my brother's sweatshirt and Owen was wearing his "in case of an accident" pants.  It turned into an eat, swing and get the heck out of there trip.  I think that we may have actually spent just as much time driving as we did there.  Here is a picture of Owen after he got a freshie...he is just so happy.

When we got home everyone got showers and got ready for bed.  Seriously, if that kid is not smiling he looks shocked.  Not sure if he is just that amazed at the wonderful family he has or scared for his life because of his spastic sister...either way, it is pretty funny.

I started back to work this week, what a disaster.  I just could really do without the whole working thing.  Oh well, money does not grow on trees so until it does, "Hi Ho Hi Ho It's Off To Work I Go..."

Lots to do so little time...2

Ok, this would be the second installment of the two part saga of the last couple of weeks...post our return from NY, Avery got pretty sick so no school, which is a real bummer for me mostly.  We all survived but not without getting whatever Avery had.  We hung out and it even rained on the road to recovery so it felt like we were not missing out on much being stuck at home.

For whatever reason, my son always looks a bit shocked.  I guess I can't blame him considering his company.

I also turned 30 this last week and we decided to have a party to commemorate the occasion.  A lot of planning was done by myself and good ol' Ronna, or Monna if you are Avery.  One of the nights she was over my mom also came over to help chase after the kids and hang out...

Avery's favorite song these days is a modified version of "If You Are Happy And You Know It", I thought that you all should be rewarded for reading this fine work of literature with a little "Happy" (don't mind my lovely voice) from one of those "planning" evenings.

Finally, I will conclude our blog for the last couple of weeks with a story from our evening "showie".  Avery and I took a shower to, well, get us both clean.  It is actually really fun, she loves the water and her "friends" in the shower and I can kill two birds with one stone.  Anyway, so there I am shampooing my hair when I look down to see Avery squatting, which is not out of the ordinary, however...something was not quite right...crap, no really, crap!  Avery was taking a poo in the showie!  I was yelling for Ian to get a little help because I had shampoo dripping down my face.  He never came-he could not hear me-whatever!  Anyway, I turned off the water, grabbed "Ora" (the Dora potty seat) and threw her on there.  I then took the two breast pads that I had taken off prior to jumping in the shower and used them to pick up the log on my shower floor.  We have Bleach Wipes in every bathroom, and I used them to clean the poo-spots and then turned the shower back on to rinse all of the nasty away.  All the while, no more poop from Avery, we got back in the shower and proceeded to complete the task at hand.  No photos of this event for obvious reasons.

Anyway, I hope you all feel as if you have participated in the last couple weeks of craziness.  I go back to work in a week, not sure how I feel about that but I will do what has to be done.