Before bed cuteness.

Just a couple of shots of the boys tonight before bed. I think the camera was encouraging the bed jumping even though I was repeatedly telling him not to...

Build A Bear.

Today is my niece's birthday- she turns 3! Three years ago, on April 29th, I drove up to Albany from Alexandria with my four month baby boy because I had a sisterly hunch that my sissy would go into labor on April 30th. Adriana's due date was May 2nd but being that it was a 6.5 hour drive, I wanted to be around a couple of days beforehand so that I wouldn't miss it. On April 29th at around 11pm my sister's water broke and after being in labor through the night- just like I guessed -Jocelyn was born on April 30th :) We have a special bond and I get my little girl fix with her.

This morning I helped Braden make her a birthday card. I'm a card person, probably because growing up my mom was big on getting everyone cards. Now as an adult I like recieving cards, I think it's thoughtful and nice. I like the way it feels when you get the mail and there is something in there besides a bill or an ad or some other junk and someone has taken the time to pick out a card for you. And I want to raise boys that are thoughtful and nice- that know the importance of making/buying a card and thinking of someone besides themselves.

Then this afternoon we took the kids to Build A Bear today to celebrate. It was my first time there and it was a cute experience. Braden picked a monkey (which he named Max) and Joce picked an owl (name has to be confirmed) and they got to help stuff them, place hearts in them, give them baths, and they even got birth certificates!

Looking forward to the weekend- great weather and a little party party with yummy food and cake tomorrow.

apples.

Braden will only eat an apple if its peeled and all of the 'boo boos' are cut off. When he's eating it, he examines it closely just to be sure. He's always been this way- since he could hold an apple, if it wasn't peeled he'd bite it and spit the skin off. Sometimes I wonder if i'm aiding him in being a picky eater by peeling his apple and other times I think , hey we all have our preferences and i'm just glad he's eating the apple. Either way, wanted to take a picture so I could remember just in case one day he decides to eat an apple with the peel and the boo boos.

Planting & Painting.

Today was a pretty productive day. We got an area rug for our basement, organized things down there a bit, I went to a planting class type of thing with Braden and Joce, and accomplished two little side projects! Did I mention I also cooked dinner?? Probably could leave that out because it was nothing to brag about- don't you just hate that?!? Boo.

Anyway, back to the more exciting things. My sister's mother in law signed the kids up for a little class at a local farm-Gade Farm. We met in the greenhouse, read some stories about recycling, taking care of the earth and planting things. Afterwards the kids got a chance to plant a couple of different things. It was short but sweet and we got to bring home six pots with cucumbers, beans, peas, sunflowers, squash and corn!

AND, my latest addiction might perhaps be spray paint! I discovered it last week and it's changing my life one household item at a time :) I revamped a little storage cupboard type thing that we had. I had not noticed how dingy, gross, and old it really was until I took it out back to sand and spray. I figured that however it turned out couldn't be much worse! By the way, I failed to take before pictures...i'm sad about that.

Then I also wanted to add a couple of things to the boys room. Just to add some personal things that also had some color. Nothing fancy or difficult- except for when you try to have my one year old cooperate when trying to get his handprint of course. Good thing Rob was around to help, otherwise it might not have happened.

Here are a couple of pics- i'll stop my rambling and get my sick self to bed or something :)

                                                         And this picture is so not perfect but I nearly lost my sight to get it!

Vacation.

Just two weeks after moving into our new place I was packing..I have to admit that even though we were headed to the beach, I had little motivation to pack in the midst of all of the unpacking that I was still doing. Rob wasn't able to go with us so not knowing what a week away with the boys (my family was also going but I was not going to have the spousal/co-parenting support) in a hotel room, traveling by plane with a 1 and 3 yr old was going to look like, I was almost dreading it. I am happy to say that it was a wonderful week-minus the part that Rob wasn't there- the boys did great on the plane both ways and we have a good time away. My parents, sister and hubby were all very helpful so although tiring it worked.

We got to spend a couple of days with my grandparents and that was nice. It's always relieving when they are able to see the kiddos another time because you just never know how many more times it'll be possible.

Every time I go away, especially when we visit Puerto Rico and see my gparents, I always always wish I had taken more pictures. But because I had my DSLR with me, it's just not always practical to lug it around when I'll be chasing two boys around. I've hit a baby or two with that camera when trying to handle them both and it's not pretty!

I have to guiltily admit that the games on my iphone are almost a crutch. Works really well for having a nicer meal at a restaurant...I don't remember what he was pouting about but it was funny.

Sister and Grandma.

I am coming home to more changes...details about that will follow. But hopefully in the midst of all of this I can finally get on a better routine that includes blogging more often again.

Settling In.

So we have been in our new place for a little bit over a week. I have been super focused on getting everything unpacked (or in the basement so its out of the way). Other than just not wanting to stare/ live out of boxes and wanting to see all of my things again, it's just not practical and safe to have tons of boxes everywhere with the kids around. I can say that my focus has payed off! With the exception of a couple of things, everything is out of boxes and we even have some pictures and art up on the walls.
We love the new place and thankfully the boys have adapted very well. There were some expected delays in bedtime the first night but other than a couple of gliches here and there- it has been seemless! I even think that Carter has been sleeping better since we've been here (knock on wood!).
Now my focus is to get into a good routine with the kids here at the new place. I want to be strategic about things. I know that routine/schedules/predicatability works really well with Braden- actually he pretty much needs it- so I want to establish some things from the beginning. Braden's been going through a bit of a rough patch. ALOT of attitude for a little person and some struggles with listening. I need to get to the bottom of it and be consistent [and patient, which if you know me, is not easy]. I'm determined not to be one of the parents that is begging their child to listen/obey, particulary out in public. I want him to listen to me the first time I give some sort of instructions. Anyway, I'll get off my ranting here but expect to hear more about my journey on this...because seriously, parenting is no easy task.
And because I have been such a slacker, here are a couple of pictures. You can even get a glimpse of one of our bold color choices for an accent wall in the living room!

Loving our new throw pillows! They look great with our curtains and the accent wall.

Braden was showing off his drumming skills this morning. Can you see the wall in the background?? I was super nervous about going so bold but am so glad we did. Don't worry, it's just one wall, not the whole living room.

Moving.

We are moving tomorrow. I should be packing but I am SO tired. It's amazing how many things you accumalate in one year- especially when the majority of our things are still in storage. Hopefully I can get some pics of our new place before we get everything set up so I can have before and after. I can't wait to get all of our things set up!

Easter Eggs.

We did Easter eggs with the kiddos the other day. Honestly, it might have been my first time. I know, that's weird. They enjoyed it and didn't even whine and complain too much!