A Family of Four

We are finally a family of four!!!  Cole arrived home Sunday for his R and R time period.  The morning didn't start off qutie as planned with Sierra vomitting in my bedroom doorway about 6am.  We skipped mass so we wouldn't risk anyone else getting sick and hung out watching cartoons for most of the morning waiting to find out when daddy would arrive.  I didn't bother to get dressed until 10 minutes before heading out the door in fear of being vomitted/spit up on!  We managed to make it through his greeting... and then Weston got me as we were leaving the airport!  Sierra was attached at the hip to daddy as we left the airport and has enjoyed much time with him since.  Cole is enjoying the smiles and giggles from Weston too... and trying to adjust to life without needing to give orders on a constant basis.

And now for the pictures many of you have been waiting for... thanks Melissa!!!

A Cozy Christmas

Well... without daddy home the kids and I ventured to Maryland for Christmas.  Originally the hope was to have daddy home some time around Christmas and when it was clear that wasn't going to happen then we went to plan B.  Originally the intent was to meet up with Papa Steve and Grandma Lulu as they flew cross country so there would be extra adults.  Well... that didn't work out either as the Tehachapi school didn't get out until really late this year.  So off to plan C. 

The kids and I flew out of Colorado Springs so that we could have a friend drop us off and help pick us up to collect baggage.  I booked a flight that went through the Dallas airport knowing that they had a USO and a playground.  This would create to shorter flights and some wiggle time in between for Sierra.  Still not sure whether that was the best route or not verses a direct flight... but it worked out. 

We started our adventured early in the morning... about 4:30.  Got to the airport and all checked in.  Then Sierra was randomly selected for security.  We spent a good deal of time there getting everyone redressed, bags re-packed (the DVD player, bottles, etc. had to all come out and be screened).  The first flight was not too eventful.  Then the layover began... Sierra did a great job pulling her own little suitcase around packed with her toys and goodies.  We finally made it to the playground.... and then had a complete meltdown over having to leave socks on to play.  Ugh... that nearly took up the entire play time. 

Oh... and I have break to mention the handmade baby carrier she received for her birthday.  She had her new baby doll in the carrier and was walking through the airport like that so she could be like mommy.  We passed a group of people and I heard a couple ladies gasp.  Then one of them said to the other, "I don't think it's real.  Really it can't be real!"  Ha ha, they thought she was carrying my baby around for me.  It was funny. 

Okay... made it through that and to the next flight.  Got the stroller broken down, the car seat bagged up and down the jet way.  Onto the plane, in the air and then... before we reached altitude Weston pooped.  What to do.  Didn't want to allow it to completely smell up the plane so I managed to change him on my lap without spreading any unwanted bodily fluids to undesired surfaces/places.  Got that double bagged in the awesome poop bags, only to sit him up and have him spit up down the front of me.  Then as we reached altitude Sierra declared that she too needed to poop.  So off we went to the teeny, tiny airplane bathroom.  Sierra took care of business and then I went in to wipe with Weston strapped to me and Sierra declaring, "There's not enough room, I'm too squished!"  Ah... mission accomplished and back to our seats we went.  Then the rest of the flight seemed to go about like that... spilt goldfish crackers, tears over not being able to eat them off the airplane floors, spilt water, etc.  It didn't take long on that flight for me to think to myself, "What was I thinking!!!??"    At last we made it. 

We did enjoy a wonderful visit and loved getting to meet and play with cousin Sean.  We had a wonderful Christmas surrounded by family and in a new place (although it wasn't a white East Coast Christmas... that was surprising.)  Auntie Aim and Uncle Steve had a park in their neighborhood that was frequented, as well as a Chic Fil A near by for the rainy days.  I got to catch up with a good girlfriend and meet her kids, Sierra saved many worms from drowning meanwhile wearing nothing but pink!  Such a Tom-Boy!  We enjoyed a Christmas Eve Mass service with a children's nativity pageant and choir.  And I will spare you all the details of the trip back as it was much the same... but with a little more help from the kind lady sitting next to us.  She held Weston while I took Sierra to the bathroom that go around!  Things could have been worse, but it was definitely eventful and not something I will take on again until the kids are a bit older or daddy is available to travel. 

And now here are some pictures of our time in Maryland...

Sierra's 4th Birthday

This post is coming a little late... but better late than never! 

Sierra got to milk her birthday this year...  It started with opening some gifts from Aunt Rita and Uncle Chris early in the month before Uncle Chris went afloat.  And her celebrating lasted all the way until our arrival in Maryland where Auntie Aim had a gift waiting! 

The actual day of Sierra's 4th birthday started off with some gifts and an every day breakfast.  We skyped with Grandma Lulu and Papa Steve... and then got to skype with daddy!  Later in the morning we had just a few friends over for a playdate/party.  The kids enjoyed some of Sierra's favorite snacks, cup cakes and some pizza.  Then they ran around some more inside and out to burn off the sugar!  Sierra enjoyed herself and her friends. 

Then we cleaned up a bit and headed over to another friends for a birthday party.  When we returned home we had some adult friends over (Melissa, Jaquelle, and Phil) to enjoy Sierra's choice dinner of pancakes, fruit, and sausage.  I even managed to make Sierra some cute shaped pancakes (a heart, Christmas tree, gingerbread man.)  I used some cookie cutters to pour them into. 

She was awfully spoiled and as a result there has been some clearing out and decisions made around here so that some other children can benefit from some of the things she doesn't use often to make room for the new.  It's great to see her growing with a giving heart (most of the time.)

Here are a few stats on Sierra as she hit the 4 year mark:
approx. 43 lbs. = 92 percentile
43 inches = above the 97 percentile
i.e.  looks more like she's five going on six... have a tall girl on our hands!

And without further ado... Here are some pictures to enjoy =)

Couldn't have said it better...

So today's post is one that I'm stealing.... 

My girlfriend, Keri, is in much the same shoes as I with her little girl and boy.  As I read her post tonight I saw myself in it.  I haven't been so collected in my thoughts to put it down so well... so I'm stealing her post to share with you.  If you're interested in reading it please follow this link:

http://www.theruefamily.blogspot.com/2012/01/grace-for-new-year.html

Also... I know I owe pictures of Sierra's birthday and our Christmas time.  I will also be needing to post pictures of our reunion with Cole very soon... ahhh!  I promise I will get to it.  Hopefully sooner rather than later! 

Our Sunday

It was a rough week around here with some re-emerging biting incidents (help me Lord... I don't want to go back to that phase!)  Trying to help Sierra work through her feelings of frustration, anger, jealousy, etc.  We spent some time Saturday just the two of us as an early birthday celebration.  We went out for a lunch date and then later to see the Muppets (thanks Jaquelle and Julie!)  This morning we got off to a bit of a better start... with the exception of I think 3, yes 3 tantrums before arriving at mass!  Thank the Lord the rest of the day took a different course.

Sierra had Sunday school after mass so Weston and I got some grocery shopping done and filled the van up with gas.  After Sunday school I picked up a different child... despite the fact that they had just frosted and consumed multiple sugar cookies!  She looked quite darling today as well... and my little man was looking cute too (although he slept most of the morning so hardly anyone saw how adorable he looked!)

After lunch we headed out for some sunshine while we have some decent weather.  We started off taking a walk around the block with Weston riding like a big boy in the stroller without the car seat for the first time.  We ran into Dash and his owner, Ms. Judy while we were out.  Dash in the neighborhood baset hound that Sierra loves... although I don't think the feeling is mutual, ha ha!  Just after we were passing the house of another friendly neighbor and Sierra asked where Al and Leo were.  I said I didn't know and she wanted to go knock and say hi.  I let her go up to the door... and I think she rang the doorbell about 3 times before i could stop her.  She was ready to walk off  the porch when Al came out.  Then she became shy and came running back to me.  After a minute she asked where "al'n'leo" was?!  At this point I realized that she thought that was just the dogs name!!!  Much like she refers to A and D ointment as "Andy!"  Silly goose!

Then Sierra wanted to ride her bike and get some more exercise!  Hooray for fresh air!  Look Daddy... she's practicing so she can show you when you get home for your visit.  (I think we may need to raise her seat though... she's grown another inch some time lately!)

After coming back inside we made some muffins together for her birthday snack at school this week, spent some time cuddling, started putting labels on the envelopes for our post-Christmas letter this year, and reviewed the list of things she wants to do with her daddy when he gets home!  It's growing...

So far she wants to:

Wrestle

Cuddle

Go Bowling

Go Fishing

Go Camping

Feed the Ducks

Go for a date... either to Buffalo Wild Wings or Chuck E Cheese

today she threw out... go in a boat?! 

Oh, and while making the muffins she told me she needed to fill the muffin cups because I was hideous!  (A word I've used to describe the paint job on the house across the street!)  I said, well thanks!  You think mommy's hideous... that I'm ugly?  She said, well your gray hairs are hideous.  Gotta love the things that come out of her mind and mouth.  First the gray hairs made me "really old" and now hideous.  Guess I'd better watch my descriptive words!!! 

And here's one more smiling picture to go of the two of them.  Just thought I'd share some of the fun of our day and a few new photos.  Gonna have a crazy busy week and then celebrate Sierra's official birthday before embarking on my first air flight journey with two!

Funny Little Things

Well, I'm super behind around here with blogging... but wanted to take a couple of minutes to share some of the funny little things that have been going on/being said/done by the kiddos.

~Sierra loves to make milk shakes and such in the bath... tonight she made me a turtle snake and bubble gum milk shake... yummy! 

~As we were saying prayers and she was getting ready for bed Sierra said that she wanted to rename her monkey (Curious George) Jesus and then she wanted to pretend to be Mary.

~Weston has discovered his reflection.  As I was burping him in the bathroom while Sierra was bathing I caught him smiling and cooing at himself!

~When Weston is concentrating/pooping his nostrils turn white (like his Papa Steve!)

~Sierra wanted to try ballet again.   Today she was doing some free lance dancing... spun around and fell down!  Meanwhile the other little girl gracefully and artfully pranced around. 

I know there have been several other little things over the last few weeks and I will try to post more when I remember! 

SNOW!!!

We had snow again today... and Weston fell asleep for his nap so Sierra and I bundled up and headed out for some sledding. 

 Sierra even tried some snow surfing =)

 Chasing Bongo...

 Bongo having a blast with us outside.

 Sierra scoring two with a snowball

 Bongo taking a break ... ate some snow shortly after this shot

What a fun morning =)