May Recap

Now that I no longer have a pregnancy to recap or a baby to do month-by-month recaps for, I found myself wondering how am I going to keep track of all things we do, the crazy things Tavin says, and the many milestones Livie has yet to hit.  I've decided to write type memories from some of the days.

So here goes for May:

May 5:  Tavin had his first real eye appointment.  The screening exam at his 3 year old check up showed possible issues with his eyes so we were referred to a pediatric ophthalmologist.  The assistant had him do a series of tests.   Match what is on the screen at the end of the room to what is on a board; cover each eye and then do some light tests; and a few other things.  After those tests were done, they dilated his eyes.  Tavin screamed bloody murder as they put the drops in.  We were sent to the waiting room to wait for the dilation.  Tavin was doing good for a while but you could tell the drops were working because he kept rubbing his eyes and trying to focus.  We then got called back to the room and saw the doctor.  She ran through a series of lenses and more light tests to check his eyes.  The good news:  he doesn't need glasses.  His eyes aren't horrible enough and since the eyes are always changing at this age, she doesn't feel he will benefit from them.  They will recheck in 6 months to see if it is getting better or worse.

May 7:  We went out to eat for Leanne's birthday.  While I miss going out with friends, it's not the same anymore.  They don't have kids so don't understand what we are going through and we are in two completely different worlds.

May 8:  Livie had her 1 year check-up.  Doctor has no concerns.  It went very well (except for the wait time and shots).  She is 21 pounds (.9 less than Tavin) and 2'3.75" (Tavin was 2'4.75").

May 9/10:  We went to my parents for Mother's Day.  Didn't do much on Saturday but went out to eat on Sunday with everyone.  Shaun and I contemplated going to a movie but nothing sounded good.

May 16:  I helped Tiff move while Shaun stayed home with the kids.

May 17:  We helped Tiff some more for a couple hours.  After we got home, Shaun ran errands while the kids took naps.  I got supper ready.  We sat down to eat and Tavin FREAKED out that we were not having pizza and then there was a knock at the door.  Grandma and Grandpa stopped by for a surprise visit! Thankfully they averted a major meltdown.  Grandma and the kids were watching Madagascar and started having a dance party!  Livie walked from the TV to the couch all by herself!!

May 23:  Mom, Dad, Ang, Quinton, Keith, Syd, and Griffin came over for Memorial Day. We grilled out. Keith and Syd brought cupcakes from Sweet Lola's which we all shared while the kids were napping.  Ang and I started setting up for the garage sale.  That night, we had our first bonfire of the year and Val and Brad came over.

May 25:  Memorial Day.  It was a dreary morning.  We watched a movie with Tavin (we may have doozed off) while Livie slept.  I made some play dirt so Tavin had something to do.  The sun came out later in the day and we were able to get out and plant the garden.

May 29/30:  Garage sale days.  The weather cooperated and held out but it was a pretty low turnout.

Shaun and Tavin did the Run for Their Lives 5k/1k on Saturday morning and then spent some quality time together the rest of the morning.

After the sale on Saturday, we went out to eat with Mom and Ang.

Dear Tavin: 3 years old!

Dear Tavin,

My sweet, sweet boy.  How is that you are 3!?!?!

I have watched you grow in so many ways.  From saying random words here and there to full blown sentences.

From wearing diapers all day to just when you sleep.

From being an only child to an AMAZING big brother!

You are very sensitive and hesitant around new things.

You lend a helping hand whenever asked.

You are funny without trying to be.

 You love to be outside and just go, go, go.

You are my snugglebug and give the greatest hugs.

You love Buzz, Curious George, Annie, Frozen, and Minions.

Your favorite foods are pizza, broccoli/cauliflower, and ice cream.

You are starting to learn your colors, numbers, and alphabet.

You like to go to "mama's work".  I keep reminding you that you'll have plenty of time to work later

Your love/hate relationship with Daisy continues as we weaned you off your wubba in early January.  We told you that Daisy chewed the top off.  You proceeded to say "Daisy spit it out".  You did better than expected with the transition.

You have been mostly healthy this year.  Just a few colds, one bought of strep throat which resulted in a MAJOR rash.



Your birthday celebration was great!  We had mostly family and a couple friends.

You were so excited to hold your new cousin, Griffin, who will have a birthday just 5 days before yours!

And as a surprise, Elmo showed up to your party!

In this picture you are getting ready to bolt it!

You were TERRIFIED of Elmo.  So we had to show you how cool he was.  That he gives high-fives

That he was ticklish.

Finally you warmed up to him and we were able to get a couple pictures,

And another surprise, your cake--Buzz Lightyear!  We (well Dad and Grandma) worked pretty hard at it.  It turned out awesome!

You are the best little man around!  Thank you for being you and coming into our lives!  We love you more than you know.

Love Always,
Mama

2014: A year in Review

I posted this last year, too, and thought it'd be fun to keep the tradition going.

1. What did you do in 2014 that you’d never done before?  Attempted to raise TWO kids!!

2.  Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next this year?  I don't think I made any resolutions last year because of being pregnant and the chaos that comes after it.  This year I made a couple and am hoping that I stick to them.

3.  Did anyone close to you have a child.  Yep!  Moi!

4.  Did anyone close to you die.  No.  It's been blessed year!

5.  Where did you travel?  Green Bay.  Can't stray too from home with a newborn.

6.  What was the best thing you bought?  Our new kitchen!

7.  Where did most of your money go?  Our new kitchen and daycare!

8.    What did you get really, really excited about?  Our newest bundle of joy.  It still seems surreal that she is here and we are a family of 4.

9.  Compared to this time last year, are you:  a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter?  c) richer or poorer?
a.  Happier, but more stressed.  There's a lot to juggle.
b.  Thinner.  Still have 20 pounds to my goal weight.
c.  Poorer.  Two kids in daycare is seriously a money drainer.

10.  What do you wish you'd done more of?  Getting out of the house more (aka date nights with Shaun)!

11.  What do you wish you'd done less of?  Spending money.  Seems like we are constantly buying something.

12.  What valuable life lesson did you learn in 2013?  Life is good.  We were blessed abundantly with a healthy delivery and baby.

Guess Who's Rocking the Undies!?!?!

You read that right.  Tavin is 98% potty trained!!!

It first started out that he would just go at daycare. (Kudos to them for being able to get it started.) Then one weekend,  I let him run around naked for a day and bribed him with ice cream and he finally decided it was okay to go at our house.

He still has an accident every couple days but he feels bad when he does.  We also are still working on naps and night time.  But I've heard that comes with time so I'm in no rush.

I'm so proud of him!

Now, what to do with our surplus of cloth diapers???