Ethan - to color and do art
vs.
vs.
Gavin - as a diving board to jump off into his imaginary pool
2.27.2015
2.26.2015
More School Cancellation & Dr's Visits
This week has really been rough for me and I feel like I've hit a wall. Brian has been pulling an 11-our days all week with no end in sight. And as I've mentioned previously Monday refreeze = two hour delay with school + today's < 1 in of snow = cancellation. The roads were actually fine (like always) and thankfully we at least got out for a few errands. There has been WAY too much energy and boredom around here. Sadly, I have not been the most loving, grace-giving mamma around.
I also took both boys to the dentist today. Ethan was brave and let them take an x-ray of his teeth. Our ped was also appalled that I haven't taken Gavin in to get his teeth clean and made the biggest deal about how I need to take him to a ped dentist. Oh crazy NoVA lady, you just need to relax! Anyway, our family dentist is fine and was great with the boys. Gavin was hesitant at first but surprisingly let her cleaned all of his teeth. The boys were pretty good in the office but were definitely energetic as they kept running back and forth. Thankfully the people there were pretty understanding! Well, so much for my relaxing time away at the dentist. Looking forward to a spontaneous date night on Saturday...if we can make it until then. =0/
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Anyway, I took Gavin to the ENT this week because our new ped was so concerned about the tubes still being in his ears after two years. I went to the appointment feeling nervous because of the possibility of another surgery to remove them. It turned out they are both actually out from his ear drums and just sitting in the ear canals and will eventually come out themselves. That was it. Nothing further for us to do. Praise the Lord, so thankful for that news!I also took both boys to the dentist today. Ethan was brave and let them take an x-ray of his teeth. Our ped was also appalled that I haven't taken Gavin in to get his teeth clean and made the biggest deal about how I need to take him to a ped dentist. Oh crazy NoVA lady, you just need to relax! Anyway, our family dentist is fine and was great with the boys. Gavin was hesitant at first but surprisingly let her cleaned all of his teeth. The boys were pretty good in the office but were definitely energetic as they kept running back and forth. Thankfully the people there were pretty understanding! Well, so much for my relaxing time away at the dentist. Looking forward to a spontaneous date night on Saturday...if we can make it until then. =0/
2.24.2015
2.23.2015
"Twittering" on Blog
Can't.take.it.any.more. After being home bound with two boys for 8 days straight (minus one day of school last week) and another 2 hour delay today. I'm ready to pull out my hair!
Just for Laughs
Last week when Ethan saw that the road was completely white:
Ethan (with excitement): Look snow!!!
Brian: Um, no. That's all salt buddy.
There was not a spec of snow on the ground, but the roads were completely covered with salt. On top of that, people were slowing way down on the on ramp because they thought it was slicked. Oh brother, that's NoVA for you!
2.22.2015
Mamma Wisdom of the Week
So, the bed time saga with Gavin has been and continued to be. We tried to think back and pin point exactly how long this has been going on and honestly, it's a blur. Brian said when small group started in September, but I think it went way back to middle of July when we moved him into the toddler bed. THAT'S when all this craziness began.
Anyway this weekend we decided it was time. Time to do the ultimatum and switch the lock around. No more getting angry, no more spanking, no more sitting outside of his room for hours, and no more putting him back to bed for the umpteen times. Saturday was night #1 and Brian wanted to explain and ease Gavin into it so he understood. After coming out for the third time, Brian locked the door and we started to pray. Bracing ourselves for the crying, screaming, banging/kicking at the door in protests and the possibility of peeing in his pants. Thankfully the drama only lasted about 10 minutes and he got tired and went to sleep. Last night was night #2. After coming out two more times, we locked the door again and the protests lasted about 5 minutes and that was it. Along with that, even though we unlock his door before going to bed ourselves, I don't think Gavin realized it. So apparently it seemed to be helping with the middle of the night waking up, coming out and screaming and waking up early in the morning...at least so far any way. His mood has also definitely improved because he's actually getting a full night's sleep and not feeling so tired.
Well, we're definitely seeing progress and as much as neither one of us really wanted to do this, (something about locking your kids in their room just seemed weird/cruel) we know we have to do it. It seriously has been going on for far too long and this is THE only thing that will keep him in his room. I have to say though the nice thing about this process is that when he cries at the door, he's stuck at the door. It's definitely easier to a) not take it personal vs me sitting outside his room feeling mad that he's testing me again and violating my time and b) move on with my night. Continuing to pray for God's wisdom and that Gavin will learn this quickly and permanently. #smallvictory
Anyway this weekend we decided it was time. Time to do the ultimatum and switch the lock around. No more getting angry, no more spanking, no more sitting outside of his room for hours, and no more putting him back to bed for the umpteen times. Saturday was night #1 and Brian wanted to explain and ease Gavin into it so he understood. After coming out for the third time, Brian locked the door and we started to pray. Bracing ourselves for the crying, screaming, banging/kicking at the door in protests and the possibility of peeing in his pants. Thankfully the drama only lasted about 10 minutes and he got tired and went to sleep. Last night was night #2. After coming out two more times, we locked the door again and the protests lasted about 5 minutes and that was it. Along with that, even though we unlock his door before going to bed ourselves, I don't think Gavin realized it. So apparently it seemed to be helping with the middle of the night waking up, coming out and screaming and waking up early in the morning...at least so far any way. His mood has also definitely improved because he's actually getting a full night's sleep and not feeling so tired.
Well, we're definitely seeing progress and as much as neither one of us really wanted to do this, (something about locking your kids in their room just seemed weird/cruel) we know we have to do it. It seriously has been going on for far too long and this is THE only thing that will keep him in his room. I have to say though the nice thing about this process is that when he cries at the door, he's stuck at the door. It's definitely easier to a) not take it personal vs me sitting outside his room feeling mad that he's testing me again and violating my time and b) move on with my night. Continuing to pray for God's wisdom and that Gavin will learn this quickly and permanently. #smallvictory
2.21.2015
Massanutten Part II
Here are the videos (click on bottom right to make it bigger):
Brian making his debut - a natural huh?
2.20.2015
Gavin's Three & Growing Boy
After our last few visits at the old pediatric (between Dr. Staats & Dr. Murphy), I wasn't impressed and decided to leave their practice and try something else closer to home. I took Gavin into the new ped that our friend had recommended and unfortunately had another bad experience. The entire visit, Dr. Dubinski made me feel like a terrible mom and that essentially every decisions (from vaccination to not going to a ped dentist) I've ever made was wrong. She rudely interrupted me and her mannerism the entire time was awful! So thankful that's over with! As it turned out (according to my friend) every doctors there are great except her. Note to self for next time. Here are his stats:
compared to Ethan at three. Gavin also had to get three shots for preschool in the Fall: Hib, Pneumococcal and Chicken Pox which he was NOT happy about at all!
The next day, the DeMoulins, Ryan & Su came over to help us celebrate a robot party.
Height: 38.5 in
Weight: 33.2 lb
compared to Ethan at three. Gavin also had to get three shots for preschool in the Fall: Hib, Pneumococcal and Chicken Pox which he was NOT happy about at all!
The next day, the DeMoulins, Ryan & Su came over to help us celebrate a robot party.
We love you Gavin!
2.18.2015
Winter Storm Octavia
On President's Day, we took the kids to go see Paddington. It was really cute! Thankfully we got the tickets early since it was a holiday and everyone else had the exact same idea. Since the boys are now older, they're able to sit through the whole thing so this is the first time we were able to all go as a family. Afterwards, we went to pick up some sleds we found on Craigslist in preparation of what's to come.
Tuesday we got about 4 inches of snow which of course means school closure. Brian decided to make a day of it and work from home.
A little bit of work:
Tuesday we got about 4 inches of snow which of course means school closure. Brian decided to make a day of it and work from home.
A little bit of work:
Then a little bit of play:
Ethan
Brian & Gavin
The truth is: Brian bought these just so he could play
2.15.2015
Painting Projects Update
2014
June: accent wall going down the stairs - Behr match to Sherwin William Pennywise in Satin
kitchen - Behr match to Glidden Cranberry Zing in Semi Gloss
July: staircase walls & fireplace room - Behr match to Benjamin Moore Moonshine in Satin
August: Ethan's accent wall - Behr match to Benjamin Moore Mill Springs Blue in Eggshell
-the rest of the walls - Behr match to Benjamin Moore Polar Frost in Eggshell
September: just last week we tackled our 1/2 bath - Behr match to Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue in Satin
October: Gavin's acccent wall is Behr match to Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue in Eggshell
-the rest of the walls - Behr match to Benjamin Moore Polar Frost in Eggshell.
November: master bathroom - Behr match to Benjamin Moore Rockport Gray in Satin.
December: master bedroom - Behr match to Benjamin Moore Moonshine in Eggshell
2015
January: boy's bathroom - repainted with the original color Behr match to Sherwin William Open Seas in Satin.
February: living room & dining room - Behr match to Benjamin Moore Moonshine in Satin.
At this point, the first two levels have been painted. Now we just have the basement, doors and some trim to do.
p.s. One trick we had discovered while painting this house is that if you're not done with your painting project, you can store the brush (in a ziplock bag) and the roller & tray in a garage bag. It'll keep for a few days without drying out and you can continue painting without having to wash everything (which is such a pain in and of itself). Who knew!
June: accent wall going down the stairs - Behr match to Sherwin William Pennywise in Satin
kitchen - Behr match to Glidden Cranberry Zing in Semi Gloss
July: staircase walls & fireplace room - Behr match to Benjamin Moore Moonshine in Satin
August: Ethan's accent wall - Behr match to Benjamin Moore Mill Springs Blue in Eggshell
-the rest of the walls - Behr match to Benjamin Moore Polar Frost in Eggshell
September: just last week we tackled our 1/2 bath - Behr match to Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue in Satin
October: Gavin's acccent wall is Behr match to Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue in Eggshell
-the rest of the walls - Behr match to Benjamin Moore Polar Frost in Eggshell.
November: master bathroom - Behr match to Benjamin Moore Rockport Gray in Satin.
December: master bedroom - Behr match to Benjamin Moore Moonshine in Eggshell
2015
January: boy's bathroom - repainted with the original color Behr match to Sherwin William Open Seas in Satin.
February: living room & dining room - Behr match to Benjamin Moore Moonshine in Satin.
At this point, the first two levels have been painted. Now we just have the basement, doors and some trim to do.
p.s. One trick we had discovered while painting this house is that if you're not done with your painting project, you can store the brush (in a ziplock bag) and the roller & tray in a garage bag. It'll keep for a few days without drying out and you can continue painting without having to wash everything (which is such a pain in and of itself). Who knew!
2.14.2015
You Have My Heart
Valentine's Day cards for Ethan's friends:
Fancy Nancy Tea Party:
Gavin even got to joined in
Valentine's Day breakfast:
On the menu: sausages, pancakes, strawberries, shaved chocolate and whipped cream on top!
If you noticed in this last picture, the living room/dining room area* is partially painted. Well by the end of the day, it was done! Just in time to go on a date night at Plaza Azteca in Sterling. Despite the Iowa-like blizzard condition (haha), we still had a fun night!
*Behr match to Benjamin Moore Moonshine in Eggshell
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On a different note, this Valentine's I'm strongly gripped by God's love for me. I kept thinking of this verse from Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrated his own love for in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" and coming to understand the depth and extent of what it means through the BSF's Life of Moses study this year. For that I am so thankful.
*Behr match to Benjamin Moore Moonshine in Eggshell
2.06.2015
2.05.2015
Ethan Update III
I took Ethan in for a follow up after being on the new meds for a month. Finally something that works and he's finally no longer coughing. Now we're going to slowly take him off everything and he might need to get back on it again in the Spring. Praise God for healing him!!! With that, I also decided it is going to be our last visit there as I'm leaving our ped. I feel like the doctors, their staffing and way of doing things are very slow and inefficient. Despite having the first appointment of the day, we were still waiting for 45 minutes for Dr. Murphy who apparently decided to first patient #3 (who has an appointment after us). Made no sense whatsoever and I ended up leaving the office feeling agitated once AGAIN.
2.04.2015
Massanutten Indoor WaterPark
*videos to come
Last week was a really long week with Brian putting in 55 hours at work and Gavin coming down with an on again off again fever (of 103 degree). So by the end of the week, my typical reaction would be a mamma break down followed by a need to leave for a few hours and be by myself. However, that wasn't the case. Instead the Lord provided strength and sustained me through it all and I was so thankful. By Saturday, Gavin's fever was gone and we were ready to head out for our long awaited get-away to the waterpark. Oh let me tell you how super excited I was! The past holidays were pretty monotonous without family which made the whole month of December super long. Then January seemed even longer with the colder weather (for Virginia standard) and all the school closings and delays. So I was beyond cabin fever and ready to get out of town. Anyway, we all had SO much fun and can't wait to come back for snow tubing maybe next year =0)
Last week was a really long week with Brian putting in 55 hours at work and Gavin coming down with an on again off again fever (of 103 degree). So by the end of the week, my typical reaction would be a mamma break down followed by a need to leave for a few hours and be by myself. However, that wasn't the case. Instead the Lord provided strength and sustained me through it all and I was so thankful. By Saturday, Gavin's fever was gone and we were ready to head out for our long awaited get-away to the waterpark. Oh let me tell you how super excited I was! The past holidays were pretty monotonous without family which made the whole month of December super long. Then January seemed even longer with the colder weather (for Virginia standard) and all the school closings and delays. So I was beyond cabin fever and ready to get out of town. Anyway, we all had SO much fun and can't wait to come back for snow tubing maybe next year =0)
Scooby drink cheers
Baby pool area
Skipped nap and ended up zonking out in the chair
Watching the Super Bowl & chillin' back at the hotel
View from our room
Playing at the arcade before heading out
p.s. It didn't even fazed Gavin at the fact that he had to go down some of the big slides by himself. He's definitely Mr. Little Adventure in our family.
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