Footprints

From what I understand Thomas had quite a lot of fun making this at school last week. He has been bringing home such great stuff that I have had a hard time picking which things to photograph and share here. Of course this one was easy; largely because of my mom I always think of my Great Grammy Lee when I am reminded of the story of Footprints in the Sand. I know some of you will too.

Just Another Turbulent Tuesday

followed by a Whirlwind Wednesday...

is why I didn't post until today. Holy Moley. (Is there such a thing as a proper way to spell that?)

I clearly can't find time to do my usual internet routine now that I am back at work, but I really want to share some photos!

Tommy had his party last Thursday night, and then Friday after Brian brought both boys for their well doctor visits and I came home from work we left for New Hampshire. We had a great time, but boy were we exhausted by the time we made it back to New York. I didn't think we even did much while we were there, but we sure were tired.

We visited my dad for breakfast on Saturday morning, and my gram came to visit too. It was their first chance to meet Gabriel, so it was special of course. My dad is a great grandpa to all his thirteen grandkids.

Thomas had a great time too. Grandpa has his own workshop under his house, and he likes to show Thomas lots of machines and tricks. He even gave Thomas a real tool box for his birthday, complete with a new screwdriver and level. Thomas went around screwing and unscrewing things all over Grandpa's house before heading downstairs to move a really heavy machine, check out drawers full of tools (some of which Grandpa made himself), and play with the chain fall.

We finally got to see the inside of my sister Becky's new house too, and I must say my favorite part was the beautiful natural light streaming in through the tall windows, revealing simple, quiet, lovely nature outside - and nothing more. Her new Bernese Mountain Dog puppies were amazing too, but I didn't capture any great photos of them this time.

Here's my mom holding Gabriel in front of one of the afore-mentioned windows:

We spent Easter with my mom. She is always very caring and giving and made a wonderful ham dinner before we had to go back. It was really nice to spend a little time with Becky, Scott, Dallas, Brady, Brooke, Mom, and Aunt Bonnie, all at Mom's (even if I did fall asleep on the couch, holding Gabe, after lunch; I told you I was tired... )

Plus Thomas not only enjoyed searching for eggs in the morning but got his first chance to hide some eggs for his cousins after breakfast.

All in all it was a pretty great trip!

I hope you had a great Easter too!

A leprechaun for you!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

It's good to be home.

I could never feel "ready" to go back to work and certainly did not today. On the bright side though I sure did love the feeling that came over me when I came home to my little sweetie and held him in my arms. He got lots of great big momma hugs. Even now I just keep stopping to look at him and find myself overwhelmingly in love. I wonder if he'll ever really know how much I care for him. I just want to hold him in my arms forever.

Happy Birthday Thomas!

Where ever does the time go? I must say that I have loved all of Thomas' ages so far. He is such a fun kid after all.

Though you can't tell from the photo I ended up making him a simple Robin Hood cake. The blue sky and dark green leaves were intended to be part of Sherwood Forest. There were arrows flying around the outside (although they melted a little), and under his name and a big number six were a Robin Hood hat and a pouch with gold coins. Had I more time I would have found something fun to drape between the kitchen and living room to create some atmosphere, and I would have at least picked up some balloons. Thankfully Thomas didn't mind that his at-home birthday was simple this year.

In fact he was still pretty excited!

Not that you can tell or anything. ;)

I'm Smitten

Isn't he just so cute!?!

The poor guy just spit up all over the living room floor while I was holding him, then his changer, and then drenched himself three times. That was all within about five to ten minutes, and let's just say they weren't little dribbles. Somehow I don't think the medicine is quite doing the trick. We have had a horrible time giving it to him too, so it stinks all around. We're giving him little tablets that we dissolve in water and then squirt in his mouth with a syringe. He takes it okay, but it's hard to get all the little granules in his mouth. We have to give it to him on an empty stomach and then wait a half hour to feed him. Not surprisingly, he doesn't tolerate that well. We do it twice a day too, and he wails after. All he wants is to nurse, so he settles right down once it's all over, but I feel like I'm torturing him until then. He's such a sweet little guy. This morning I gave him his medicine on my way out to take Thomas to school, as usual (a good time since he is in the car for a half hour anyway), and he spit it all back up as soon as I set his seat in the car. If we had been inside I would have just given it to him again, but of course I had to get Thomas to school. Ugh. I was really hoping to have this under control by now. It looks like I'll be calling the doctor yet again.

At least you can't tell from his photos that he's having tummy troubles. I mean, really! Just look at my smiling little cutie!

Have I mentioned how much I love him?

What decade is this anyway?

The star shades were a prize at the doctor's office.

The Koosh balls came from my old juggling bag. (Thomas calls them bombs. When they're not bombs they're being thrown at him dodge-ball-style by Brian.)

The silliness is all Thomas.

I love this kid!

My Baby

Guess who didn't hate his bath today! He also slept for two hours straight when I took Thomas to the doctor today and ran a couple of errands. That may not sound like long, but while he does sleep during the day he rarely sleeps well, so it was good. I almost took both boys out for a walk today too, as the sun had been out all day and the temperature was up to 32 degrees this afternoon, but I didn't want to push my luck. (Our little spitter doesn't usually last long in between feedings, and even though 32 degrees is warm enough if I bundle him up I'm certainly not going to nurse out there!) Hopefully soon.

Growing is Tough Stuff

Guess who finally passed the eight pound mark this week! Yay!

Thomas

Thomas' kindergarten class has already learned how to count by two's, five's, and ten's. He multiplies at home without realizing, so I figure at this rate he'll be learning calculus by the sixth grade!

I snapped a couple of photos while he was shooting hoops in his room over the weekend. I shot a few myself, but he was much better at it than was I. He had been practicing for his birthday party. (One of the activities will be shooting hoops while jumping on a trampoline.)

I also had to share this:

Thomas is fascinated with all things scientific, especially relating to outer space and to severe weather. We talk about tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, hail, wind, and volcanoes often. Accordingly, his toys are usually seeking shelter from any number of catastrophes. (Recall this prior post.) The trains above were all looking at a tornado when I walked in. ...As far as I know everyone escaped unharmed. =)