Ticklin' the Ivories

A good friend that moved this summer, tried to sell her piano, then just ended up giving it to me for free nintey nine! Sweet deal! The stipulation.... we had to move it. (Well, I mean, that's a given, right?) It's just that, she lived pretty far away. So Trav enlisted Ryan and Doug M. and off they went. Ryan was also picking up a couch from their house, so it seemed two birds would be killed with one stone. I was bit worried about them managing it into the back of the truck and such, but I figured, they've had some experience with moving... it should be fine. After quite a while I started getting nervous, and gave Trav a call. he said they were on the home stretch... just about a mile away. Then another 20 minutes passed.... hmmmm. Finally they pulled into the driveway. I grabbed my video camera and walked out the front door, ready to welcome the newest member of our family! The boys wore pensive expressions. Then they pointed to the two, new dents adorning the top of Wayne's truck bed. Right after I had hung up with Trav, they took a turn and heard a crash. Without the couch next to it to support it, the two front legs of the piano had collapsed and the piano crashed into the back of the truck. Dang it, dang it, dang it! Oh what the heck.... D#$@ it! And, of course it happened when they were so close to home! I felt terrible. And so much for a "free" piano. Sigh. We were of course willing to pay for whatever it cost to fix it, but regardless, I still wouldn't have faulted the Dobbins for never wanting to talk to us again! Luckily, they happened to be very forgiving people.

So thanks to the Hopkins, for a piano, Ryan, Doug M., Doug S. and hubby for moving it, and Wayne for a transport truck, I'm now the owner of my very own upright!

The only other problem has been finding a time to practice on it. When the boys are awake, there's no way they'll let me near it without pestering me and when they're asleep... well, they're asleep! And it's best not to make noise when babies are sleeping. Needless to say, it's been about a month and I've only played a few times. I'm still determined though! I will not let this opportunity go to waste.

(And no, I did not put the stickers on the keys... but I'm not sayin' they aren't helpful! :)

Bed Head

Some days, the bed head is just phenomenal. Yesterday was one of those days.

(What's funnier is, the little girl I was babysitting was trying to touch his luscious locks and he was getting so mad, telling me, "Momma, no mess it up!". No son, we wouldn't want to mess it up. At all.

 While shopping on my birthday I came to the realization that my wardrobe is seriously outdated. We're not talking, "last season" old... more like 10 seaons ago. So even though the whole, embellished t-shirt fad is sure to fade quick, I had to try my hand at making a ruffled top.

I was pretty happy with the finished product... but I'll have to wait again through the trial of the washing machine to see if my efforts were for naught.

It was kinda fun to wear something I knew I made by myself, and since this baby was on sale at Target and I just used an old, nasty Shade shirt for the ruffles, this little number was only $5! Yahoo!

Yearbook Photo

Last Thursday the school had the big, class yearbook photo at 8am, before clinic opened. They took the first picture of all the students in their white coats, standing on the library steps. I would have taken a picture, but this was back when I was camera-less. (And the Shaws were a little late, so I couldn't bug Rach to do it either! :) Then they had everyone take off their coats, and families (and dogs.. and giant stuffed Mini Mouses- at least last year there was one) could go up for the next picture. When the year book comes out, the first one will be on the inside cover and the family one will be on the back cover. Once again, this was kind of a weird moment.... to be doing what we've seen the past three years do already. When it was all over I asked Rach to take this pic of us. We haven't had a semi-official family pic taken since Weston's blessing day. (Disregard the scrubs in reference to semi-official:) What's funny to me is that stinker boy is actually smiling and sweetie pie is grumpin' it! Ah well, at least now Trav finally has something to fill the frame in his operatory!

Sunday Duds and Eating Rice Cereal

Collin has been rockin' two, 18 month Sunday shirts for the past year. They are worn out to say the least. (And a bit, mid-driftish.) 

It was time for a new look, but I couldn't find any decently priced, white Sunday shirts. (We are kinda weird and prefer him to wear white)

So I broke down and bought him this shirt on clearance at Target.

What's funny was he totally fought it. In fact, the first Sunday I tried to make him wear it, he threw a huge fit and just wanted his white shirt. So he mid-drifted it another week.

Well, last Sunday I put my foot down.

And I thought he looked so cute! All did up.

But you know lately, there has been no posing for pictures. Because that would mean he would be actually doing what I asked!

So this was the best I got.

I'm telling you, he's got the attitude of a 14 year old.

 

And this little sweetie pie got rice cereal for the first time!! He made a funny face on the first bite (but of course I missed it). After that, he chowed down. He's been having a little bit every day since and he actually seems to like it! Go Westy boy!

Love this face!

I found these footsie jammies and I just want to eat him up when he's in them! I don't know if it's the stripes or what, but this kid melts my heart! He is delish!

Camping

Well, It's been a while! My camera bit the dust (Trav wondered why I was so amazed, seeing as how I didn't treat it very well, but you know how it goes... trips to the beach... a week(s) at the bottom of the diaper bag. I guess it's a wonder it lasted 2 years.) It's not like we could really afford another one, but a camera is a MUST HAVE in my life. It's on the same level as toilet paper. So Sam's came through with their bottom level, point and shoot, and I'm a happy camper again. HA! I just realized that's very ironic given the first event it captured! 

First, I had to take a "lets see how these pictures turn out" picture.

I wouldn't have posted it except for what I saw in the background.

A big bag of dirty diapers.

So indicative of my life.

We used to use a diaper genie with Collin, but now with the sheer amount that we go through, grocery bags are just cheaper. And it seems I'm throwing out a full one every day (although in reality it's probably every other day)

On to the task at hand! Our ward had a camp out at Seneca Lake last weekend that Trav was kinda in charge of... at least the Elder's Quorum was.... you know, since now that there isn't an activities committee. And none of the rest of his presidency decided to come. So we headed out after he got home on Friday and were cruisin' down the highway when we suddenly saw break lights. Apparently there was an accident. So that stopped traffic dead for 1/2 hour. If we were literally 30 seconds farther along, we would have missed it... but no. People started getting out of their cars. We even saw a few dart into the trees for potty breaks. I, pulled out the camera! Cuz, ya know, now I can.

Now how many two year olds can say they've driven their toy trucks on the I-90?!

I wonder how many miles of cars there were behind us. I kept imagining what all the people driving on the other side of the freeway were thinking! Some would honk their horns at us. Mocking? Saying, hang in there?

We finally reached our destination and even with the stop, the drive flew by. It was kinda nice to just be able to sit and talk to my hubbie for a couple hours. After setting up the Taj mahal (our massive tent I insisted on buying as newlyweds... I hate being bent over in tiny tents) we headed to the campfire. Adrian brought his guitar and some lyrics so we could sing along to a few songs. Little known fact about me... I LOVE guitar music and camp fire sing a longs. I sing way off tune, but for some reason I lose my shame when sitting in front of the flames. Not too many people sang along, but I was grateful Adrian attempted it anyway. Made my night! 

We put the boys down and made it back to the campfire to visit with some friends for about an hour before Weston woke up and was crying. 

Collin slept really well. Didn't wake up once. Not as lucky with Weston. He slept next to me most of the night, which was a trick on an air mattress. And we also froze. I have so many memories of being freezing cold while camping. Why haven't I learned yet? 

While we were getting settled, we could hear Gavin puking in the distance. (He tends to get worked up when he's crying and mad) Poor Doug! He came alone but was a champ with him.

I was so happy when morning came! We were in charge of doing breakfast. I had shopped for 80 people (as many as signed up), but only half that came, so we had lots of extra food.

Yea for the "Elder's Quorum", aka Young Mens. :) Doug and Chris really pulled through for us. Thanks guys!

The kids were quite taken by the missionaries' golf cart. Collin and Katie left with hands tightly clasped and they came back the same way!

After packing up, a few people went down to the lake. I wished I had brought our suits, but I didn't think we'd actually swim. Here's the best I could do with a self portrait on the paddle boat. (Weston was sleeping in the car). The last time Trav and I went on a paddle boat we were dating and went to Tempe Town Lake. The events that transpired are now a funny joke to us, but you'll have to ask Trav what happened. :) Hint hint, porta-potties were involved and for once it wasn't me! Did I say too much?

Collin just couldn't stand that he was being left out of the swimming fun. So Roland was nice enough to take him out to the floating platform. I'm sure he regretted it though. Collin was a maniac, jumping off and had to literally be held back from jumping when it wasn't his turn.

Check out his diaper. With each jump, it just got bigger and heavier, until it hung so low, it wasn't even covering the intended parts anymore. Luckily the Shaws saved us with an extra swim diaper.

We pulled off the highway in Palmyra to get some McDonald's for lunch before heading home. They didn't have chicken nuggets on the dollar menu and it was almost as expensive to just get a happy meal as to order them separately, so we broke down and bought Collin his first happy meal. I was all excited to give it to him and show him the toy, but literally as we pulled out of the drive through, I turned around and he had zonked out. We tried to wake him, but it was a lost cause. He must have crashed somewhere between paying and getting our food. So here is the happy boy with his first happy meal!

Despite the sleepless night, I'm really glad we went. The people who came were a blast to hang out with and it was a fun memory to make... our first camping trip as a family!

Dressy dress

So I was quite proud of this little old thing on Sunday. I've been wanting a high waisted skirt lately and haven't been able to find one. Then I saw on Pinterest (that site will be the death of me!) a tank top dress similar to this that I decided to copy {Mormon Style}. I don't think I can really say I sewed a dress because the top is just a t-shirt, but I'll say I put a dress together :) And when trying to figure out what jewelry would go with it, I remembered this necklace I made over a year ago! Aye-caramba I was happy!

Then I remembered I am still nursing. Full time.

Ugh! Sigh! Curses.

I have to turn into Houdini just to get in and out of this thing.

No matter.

I may have been half naked while nursing the babers, but that's what a nursing mother's room is for, right?!

Soooo, are you proud of me, Leah?!! Huh, huh, are ya?! :)

Let's just hope it survives the washing machine, cuz let's be honest... my sewing skills are lacking at best.

Last Week of Summer

This was the last week of summer! Shed a tear. It just hit me tonight that summer is coming to a close anyway, because the sun has started going down at 8:30pm instead of 9 or later. Now that's it's over, it seems to have gone too quickly. I'll be honest, it's been incredibly nice to have Travis around. This past week we knocked out a trip to the grocery store in 1/2 hour with both kids. That's epic for me. I'm never out of Wegmans in less than an hour. We haven't had any super fun vacations, but we've done a lot of little outings together. Just last week we fit in two trips to Crystal Beach, a $1 movie at the theater (Shrek Forever After... pretty funny stuff), a whole morning at the Family Room, and a morning out with the ward doing some community service.

Here are some gems of the beach!

Lots of burying going on....

 Trav's abs.... or udders.... you decide.

Proof that I was there!

 Our first trip to Crystal beach, years ago, I posted a naughty pic of thong man.... well it's just been too long. Pretty sure this is a different guy though. Technically, Crystal Beach is a nude beach... those Canadians! And there was a woman thong this time too, but that seems a bit more scandalous. The best part was, he paraded up and down the beach in this blue number, then about 1/2 hour later he was back in a RED superman one. Seriously folks, this guy is all about the presentation.

 The border was crazy long trying to get back in the U.S. and we were trying to keep Collin up with chips... he was lovin' them. Next thing we knew, he was totally zonked out, with chips ALL over him. I love the fat rolls all over his face.

 Well it's the beginning of the end! On Thursday, Trav had orientation and will start back in the clinic on Monday.

Here are some of the guys that drove together on the first day of school, three years ago. Aren't they just widdle babies?! :) I remember taking this picture and thinking, "Man, it will be FOREVER before I'm taking the senior 'first day of school' pic."

 Well, last Thursday was that day. It. was. weird.

Can it really be the last year? I don't even really know how to describe my feelings. Buffalo has been really good to us. These are years I will always think back on and miss. But it does feel markedly different now that the year ahead of us has graduated and moved on. Our ward is completely different. There has to be at least 15 new families or couples that have moved in. It's great to make new friends and meet new, fun people, but we miss those that have left. Our definition of "Buffalo" is changing, and that's hard for me. But I want to make the most of this final year. I think everything we do, I'll be thinking, "This is the last time we do this here." Ha! That will probably get old fast. But I do want to soak it all up. Just not the snow. Please no snow! :)



Cleaning Up

I was going through my pictures and realized I had quite a few that got left out of other posts because of their semi-randomness, so here they are!

We went to a fun splash pad last month (although notice the lack of "pad"... thankfully no one slipped and split their head open).

One day at the beach, after playing hard, Collin wrapped himself up in a towel and fell over on the blanket. Then kept insisting I fix his hat whenver it fell off. These moments of stillness don't come very often. (This also happened to be the day of the blasted speed ticket! Grrr. If I only knew what was coming...)

 We've nearly forgotten we have a zoo pass, so we went last week. One of the zoo keepers invited Collin in to pet the sheep, then had to deal with a massive swarm of kids that saw and wanted in after us! Poor her!

 I love how they're both checking out their band-aids! Gavin got one at our house earlier that morning even though he didn't need one. It made for a fun accessory!

 We've been seeing this face a lot lately. Especially when food is in his mouth. For some reason he always wants to show us..... "See food".

 Watchin' a show during babysitting swap. He saw me whip out my camera and shot me this look. Think I have some 'tude on my hands?!

 A couple weeks ago, the Dobbins had a BBQ in their backyard to welcome a bunch of new families that just moved in. Collin and Gavin were loving the sand box.... a little too much. Collin gave Gavin the albino look first, but Collin matched him not long after.

 A family brought some fireworks that the kids got a kick out of. I was mostly grossed out. For one, you light it on fire and it just grows into poop. Seriously. I wanted to vomit. I guess its a common one, but I'd never seen it in action before. Who thinks these things up anyhow?

 Collin's first sparkler! Happy July 24th! We honor you pioneers by catching things on fire!

 I took this way back when Weston first rolled over in his bed. I went to check on him and found him like this and was so surprised. Now he does it every time I put him down. He's gone from a sole back sleeper, to a tummy sleeper. And no more swaddling! He graduated just before 6 months. I think Collin was 10!

 Man I love those blue eyes!

 For documentation purposes... his flat head. :( On a good note, the ultrasound came back normal. Now we are just waiting for the prior auth and letter of medical necessity to be sent to the insurance company to see if they will cover the helmet. Pray that they do!

Fuzzy Wuzzy

How 'bout that fuzzy hair, huh?! I keep waiting for it to {tame} itself, but nothing yet. It just sticks straight up all the time. I tried the mohawk and it just wasn't gellin. I think his hair might be too thin and fine. A couple of times I've tried the comb over (precious) but most of the time it's just flyin' high! Almost like the top was rubbed with a balloon. I've found it to be kind of enduring to his look.

 He loves his Bumbo and to be a part of dinner with us. He has turned into Mr. Grabby and pulls everything to his mouth for a taste.

 I think my absolute FAVORITE thing in the world is when I smile at Weston and he scrunches his shoulders up and ducks his head, giving me a coy smile like he's turned into Mr. Bashful. Think Thumper on Bambi. It's so sweet I could melt into a puddle on the spot!

 Every day I am grateful for this kid and his sweet, mellow spirit. I think he knew his big brother would need center stage, so he was content to just be present.

Today was a rough day because he finally had his appointment with a neurologist at Women's and Childrens. I've been really worried about his flat head on one side and have been pestering his pediatrician to take it more seriously. They say he has mild torticollis (a condition affecting the muscles in his neck, resulting in limited extension).... basically he always looks to the right. And because of it he now has moderate plagiocephaly (a flat head!). He said he would refer me to get one of those helmets if that's what we chose, so I just have to call the insurance company tomorrow to see if they will cover it. Otherwise it would be about 2,000 dollars. He will also start physical therapy in two weeks to help strengthen his neck muscles.

But that wasn't the rough part! The neurologist also wanted him to get an ultrasound to check his spine, because he was worried about a dimple in his lower back when he checked him. They called over to radiology and they had an opening, so I walked right over to the next building. It's a long story, but he had to be on his stomach (which he HATES, and constantly tries to flip over) and it took two technicians (and the radiologist at one point) about an hour to get all the images they needed. This was all while he SCREAMED bloody murder and struggled until he was red and sweaty and exhausted. I was doing everything I could to distract him and calm him but it just didn't work. And then when they called the radiologist in and started talking it seemed like something was wrong with his spine. I was already nervous, but that's when I started crying. At the very end, it seemed like Weston had given up the fight and fallen asleep, but he kept his eyes open, unblinking, staring at the sheet like he was enduring the worst hour of his life. It broke my heart. And then the second it was over and we rolled him on his back (imprints on his face and everything from being pressed into the sheet) he just lit up with the biggest smile and both women about fell over in twitterpation. Just like a light switch and he was back to his happy self. Now I just need the results before I can relax!