December update

Has it really been that long?!?!  That's crazy.  I know I have been busy but seriously slacking with the blog.

I have a 2 1/2 and a 3 1/2 year old!  What the heck happened?  How did they become so big?  Just like that.  Seriously, it really is going by so quickly.

Let's see what have we been up to.....

John David is catching the ball!  How cool is that?  It's so much fun to play catch with him.  And of course, we all know what an arm he has!  Still not sure if he's a lefty or a righty as he throws with his right but colors and eats with his left.  He's still trying to figure that one out.  We went to my work Christmas party at the zoo and Santa brought him a tball set!  The kid is a natural with the bat.  Swinging like he's the man!  I think in the summer we are going to need to get him in a sports class!

He also does the cutest thing at bed time.  He loves to give kisses.  So he'll give me a kiss on my cheek, then my nose, then my eyes, my hair, etc.  After every kiss he laughs uncontrollably, but it's not his typical funny laugh, this laugh, is the most sweetest laugh ever!   It's hard to actually leave his room because he wants one more kiss all the time!

Austin is still obsessed with clothes.  He knows what he wants to wears, asks for certain shirts and doesn't care if they are too small i.e, John David's.  He is in a jean phase so he'll wear those every day, so at least we are set with everything but the shirt.  Every time we come home from anywhere, he runs into our bedroom and changes into comfy clothes. He does exactly what I do!  He loves to wear shorts and short sleeve shirts!  I've decided to let it go when it comes to picking out his clothes.  It's much easier than fighting with him.  So as long as he will be warm and it's not too far fetched he can wear what he wants.

Austin is quite the mimicker as you know from him changing in to comfy clothes, but I always ask him how his day was or how he slept. So yesterday, when I came home from work, a hard day after finding out grandma died, he came running up to me, huge hug and said, "how your day"  I lied of course, and said good.  He then proceeded to tell me all about his day in high speed mode.  I believe he relived the whole weekend, because this is how it went: daddy went to work, and he's like where did he go, and then he went to grandpa's house and there was a train and it was raining and then mommy went to work, and I ate pizza and so on and so on!  (forgive the run on, that's how he was talking).  Last weekend, Kevin and I took John David for his hair cut (Austin was having a crabby moment so he stayed home with grandma) and when we got home, he ran to the door, opened it, and said "John Babid! How your day"  So cute.

He cracks me up with his bedtime routine.  So, in our living room, he can make the biggest mess ever and not care at all! He will clean it up if we tell him to, but when he is in his room, after daddy plays/reads his stories, all toys that are in his room, need to go in his closet.  All stuffed animals go on his bed with his 6 blankets.  If one his left on the floor, he will freak out.  We need him to care about the cleanliness in the living room!

I'm really looking forward to Christmas.  There is something about having 2 little boys that bring out the magic of Christmas!  Austin loves Santa!  We have seen him twice and each time, he was all smiles when sitting with Santa.  He told Santa he wanted a train for Christmas!  John David loves to talk about Santa, loves to see Santa and give high fives, but do not ask him to get any closer than that, he will not sit on his lap!  We have an Elf, Ellie who appeared one day.  She is an Elf that goes to Santa every night and reports on how the boys are doing, naughty or nice and then every day she comes back and is in a different spot.  One day, she brought cookies from Santa with a letter!  And another she hijacked lovey from Austin's room and was hugging him on our entertainment center!  The boys love finding her!  And they are so sweet when they say "Ellie"


Back tracking a bit.  The boys loved Halloween.  They had a fun time going trick or treating with Grandpa and Mary!  Unfortunately, they didn't really get to eat any candy.  Unfortunately for them, Fortunately for us!  They came down with a stomach bug!  I was the only who didn't get it!  I dodged a bullet there...  I was giving both the boys pedialtye to make sure they had fluids, but John David had a pretty bad reaction.  His face was all puffy and red.  He looked like he had a horrible sunburn!  It was there for a few days even with the benadryl.   Poor guy, I don't think it was anything he ate since it was the BRAT diet and he's eaten all of that before.  No reactions since then either.  We have his 2 1/2 year appointment on Wednesday so I plan on bringing it up with his pediatrician! 

So I mentioned above, that my grandma passed away yesterday.  Such a sad day for her family! But I'm sure she is no longer in pain and reunited with her love, her husband, who she hasn't been with in 31 years!  I'm sure he was there with open arms welcoming her to heaven!  I know my mom and Kevin's dad are there too showing her the ropes!  And if anything, to help get through this difficult time, I will remember all of the good memories I have with her and that she is reunited with her husband.  I'm sure they have a lot to catch up on.  I will miss you, grandma!

I wish all of my friends and family who read my blog a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

October 2012

The boys have been keeping us very busy.  It's good, we do better when we are busy!

We carved our pumpkins last weekend.  The boys did just about NOTHING to help.  They were very into it last year but this year, not so much.  John David colored on my warty pumpkin and Austin wanted to ride his bike.  That's okay, I had fun!  We had a Facebook contest and Morgan, John and Milly won!  Everyone liked her pumpkin the best.  I got one vote (thanks, Jeni!)  and  Kevin got a couple.  I should start thinking about my design for next  year. 

Austin has been doing this new thing and it's driving me CRAZY!  Any helps or advice is much appreciated.  I swear my boy is acting like a girl.  It has to do with clothes. The kid is always changing his clothes, putting on multiple shirts (I have counted 5 shirts on at once) and won't let me decide for the life of me.  He is making a mess with all of these clothes, half the time I don't know if they are clean or not.  his clothes are in my closet, awhile a go, he was taking all his clothes out of his dresser so I moved the clothes, now if I had them in there, he'd never sleep, since he'd put on all of this shirts.  If there are any shirts in his room (like if I left pajamas in there from the night before) they will be on him in the morning.  He even took shirts from other kids bins at school, so that when I picked him up, he was wearing someone else clothes.  I'm just not sure what his clothes obsession means?

I'm happy to brag about Austin and his puzzle skills.  I picked him up from school on Friday and was just in awe when I got there.  He was sitting at the table with 2 other kids and he was working on a puzzle.  And not just the typical baby/toddler puzzle but a real jigsaw puzzle with like 15 pieces.  So we get home and I get out a puzzle that has like 25 pieces and he figured that out too!  So impressed with him!


John David is doing really well too!  Kevin taught him a new thing, daddy "John David, who's the man?", John David, "I da man!"  They have been really cute together.  They are definitely getting a bond and it sure makes me smile.  It doesn't bother me as much as I thought it would that John David requests daddy sometimes, because I know that it makes Kevin's day.  The other night, I had to call daddy because John David wouldn't go to sleep without saying goodnight to him.  So cute.

Looking forward to Trick or Treating this week.  Boys are practicing, "Trick or Treat" and "Happy Halloween"

Fall

I just love this time of year, fall!  We have been having a lot of fun! 


We went apple picking and had an awesome time!  We took a drive out to Harvard, IL last week and just had a blast.  We took a wagon ride out to the apples and we all had fun picking apples.  The boys were really into it and picked a lot of great apples.  We got some apple cider donuts and they were very yummy.

We also went to Sunny Acre's, they have all sorts of fun fall stuff, pumpkins, carnival, petting zoo, pony rides and so much more.  Austin had a blast!  He loved the rides and was so brave!  He wasn't scared at all and just had so much fun.  He loved riding Rosy, the horsey.  John David, on the other hand, didn't want to have anything to do with the rides or horses.  He was content watching!  Smiling and waving at Austin and Morgan and laughing with daddy.  At one point, all three of cousins were on a choo choo train ride, Austin and Morgan were having a blast and John David was screaming!  Poor guy!  Each of them picked out their pumpkins, Austin was putting as many as he could lift into the wagon, but we finally got him to pick just one.  I even got one, a warty one, I NEVER would have picked it before, but now, I don't know, I just really liked it.  Next weekend, we will carve them when Morgan is over.  We had a lot of fun last year carving so I'm sure this year will be fun too.

We have been having a blast feeding the duckies in the nearby pond. Not only do the duckies love the food we bring, but so do the fish. It was so fun seeing all of the fish pop through the water. Seeing the joy on the boys face is priceless!

It has been 6 months since John David got tubes in his ears.  In the past 6 months, he has not had one ear infection!  This is fantastic news!  His 6 month follow up appointment was great, all look good and Dr. Ho said that I could probably shine flash light in his ear and see the little blue dot, so of course, I will be doing that, if he will let me.

It has been amazing seeing the boys grow into kids.  They have friends at school and have even gone to birthday parties.  Last weekend we went to Pump it Up for a 3 year old birthday party.  I didn't even have to be there for Austin, he just ran off and played with his friends.  John David wasn't too interested in the inflatables but loved the balls. So he just stood outside and was throwing and kicking the balls.  he is obsessed with balls.  yesterday at the park, he was sitting on the slide, watching a group of older boys throw the football around.  I truly believe that he will be my sports star.  So back to the party, when we were in the party room, Austin was sitting next to a friend, and they were poking each other and laughing.  I see him interact with JD, obviously, but it's so much fun seeing him interact and play with other boys! 

Reading stories with the boys has been so much fun! I ready "I Love you Through and Through" with JD every night. And we both have the book memorize and just sway back and forth and read the book. It's so cute. And I read Austin, "Moo Baa, La La La" and it's a hoot! We both crack up reading it and he has it memorized with me. I really enjoy our special reading/bonding time.

Kevin has been staying home with the boys on his days off (Monday's and Tuesday's) and they have been having a blast.  They are definitely bonding and now when I go into Austin's room in the morning, he tells me he wants daddy and wants to stay home with daddy.  So cute!

Austin and John David's new thing: Mommy, "Austin, who is your best friend?"  Austin, "John David"  Mommy, "John David, who is your best friend"  John David, "Austin".  This just melts my heart!

September Fun

I can hardly believe it's September.  Where does the time go?!?!  We've been having a blast and the boys have been keeping us quite busy!  We have Halloween Costumes all ready to go, I have a Fireman and Policeman Costume so I think Austin will be the Fireman and John David will be the Policeman!  They were such a good deal, $22.00 at the mall and when I saw them at the Children's Museum Downtown they were nearly double that!  So good deal for me!  They are Melissa and Doug, which I love that brand, they have all sorts of cool puzzles and toys!

So with this great weather we've been having, I've been able to take the boys to the park.  Austin has started playing with other kids, which is really cool to see.  He doesn't really need me to be by his side and in fact he prefers me to not be there, bittersweet yes, but love that he is becoming a little more independent.  Although, I'm still nervous when he is climbing.  It's hard to let go for just a little, I can't even being to imagine, letting go more, going to friends house without me, date nights, staying out late, and this is just a little microscopic dose.  Well at least John David needs me!    Although, you hear, "I do it" a lot from him and tantrums come quickly after if he doesn't get to do it.

So the other day, a little boy comes to the park and off goes Austin, following the boy, playing with rocks, making a circle, hunting for sticks and more rocks.  And then the other day, he was climbing a tree with a little girl.  When it was time go go, Austin had a nice conversation with the girl, it went a little like this A: "bye", Girl: "bye, have fun at the horses"  A: "thanks" "see you later" "have a nice weekend"    It was very cute.

As for my John David, oh my, is he a climber and a jumper.  He has mastered climbing at the park, here is a short video.  Doesn't he look adorable in his Bears Jersey!?!?  I think so too!  Every single time, we get out of the van, he wants to jump, he takes his step stool and stands on it so he can jump,  the kid is constantly jumping.  He is so cute, he say's "I jump"

So it's no secret that both kids love "Rumor Has it" by Adele!  They love to jam and dance to it and we are constantly listenting to it over and over.  Well here is the new thing.  And I tried to get a video but I wasn't able too.  It was just me and John David running an errand.  "Mommy, Rumor Has it"  Okay, put it on, dance to it, fist pump and all.  And then "Set Fire to the Rain" comes on next and my little John David is humming and signing along to the chorus, I hear his sweet voice singing, "to the rain" "watch it pour"  It was so cute and when I tried to capture the video, he said, "let me see the phone"  Busted.

So this past weekend we went to Touch a Truck in Elk Grove Village.  There was a parking lot full of trucks that you could touch and get in!  Fire Trucks, Ambulance, Police Car, Garbage Trucks, Semi Truck, tractors, cars, and many more.  At first, the boys were afraid of the Fire Truck, which killed me, because every day we drive past the fire house to and from day care and they are always looking to see if the garage door is open or closed, and Austin always says, "I want to touch the truck and get in it"  so I thought this would be PERFECT for him!  But no, he said, he was scared.  Okay, so we looked at all of the other trucks and then another fire truck came and parked and Austin wanted to get in that one!  So excited!  So Austin and John David finally got to get in a fire truck.  Morgan and Kathy came with on our adventure and hopefully had as much fun as the boys did.  It was great seeing their faces light up when they got to go in the trucks.  We will definitely go back, especially when Kevin can come with because I'm sure he'd get a kick out of it too!

  We got the boys all dressed in their Bears gear!  We all have jerseys and it's so much fun showing our support and pride.  Since, Kevin and I don't agree on a baseball team, I really think it's fun dressing the boys in a team that we both love!  Austin was very excited to wear his "da bears da bears da bears" shirt and we got a cute video of him saying it!  Bears, win!  Woot woot!  Kevin also taught the boys "Go Blue"  and it's too cute hearing them.  They really are a hoot!

People may think I'm crazy with my pictures and videos, but I just think that my boys are so cute and do fascinating things that I want to remember and look back and see just how cute they were.  So, yes, I constantly have my phone on me, I am constantly taking pictures and snapping videos, so that I can look back and share my world with my friends and family but I do also take a minute to take it all in and live in the moment!

Thanks for reading!

Update

We've been pretty busy the last couple of weeks.  It's hard to believe summer is coming to an end!  It's been a wicked hot summer and I'm looking forward to the fall weather.  Not the snow, or the below degree weather, but the 70's and 60's, most definitely!

I took the boys to the petting zoo, also known as the farm, by Austin.  We bought 2 bags of feed and the boys went to town feeding the animals. They had goats, pigs, donkeys, ducks, fish, deer, cow, horses and other animals that I don't even remember.  They sure were hungry little guys!  They would take your bag if you weren't paying attention.  John David was a little nervous at first, but by the end was a champ, letting the goats eat out of his hands!  Coming out of his shell, that little guy.  As we were leaving, Austin was saying goodbye to each of the animals, and even gave one a kiss.  Ah, innocence!  I tried to stop him but wasn't quick enough.

So separate rooms has been going great!  Boys are going to bed at a decent hour and if Austin wants to stay up for awhile in his room, he can do so and not bother John David.  In the morning, sometimes, I hear Austin first, calling "mommy, mommy" and sometimes it's John David.  But it doesn't matter who is first, the other is quickly up as well by the time they are coming out of their room.  It's like they are in sync!  The new thing that is happening in the Artinghelli household, because it's always something, Austin has figured out how to get the child lock off his door and he opens it, and then springs his brother, and then I hear the pitter patter to our room.  It was cute the first time and at least they are headed to our room!  But now, after this morning, I am well, just plain exhausted.  This morning it was 5:30!  And I gotta admit, 30 minutes makes a huge difference!  I went and purchased an "Okay to wake tot clock" and can't wait for it to arrive in 5-7 days, I probably should have paid extra for next day, eh?!?! but I went with free delivery!  So, I guess you can set a clock to an acceptable time, and you teach the child that this color is associated with okay to call for mommy.  So it's yellow during the night and changes to blue or whatever color is okay to wake color.  Austin officially knows his colors, "woot woot, go Austin, #mommyissoproud, so hopefully he will get it!  A couple of friends have already introduced this concept with their girls and it has worked for them!   I can be hopeful, right?!  I'll let you know in 5-7 days, haha, I sound like the movie "My Girl"

So back to Austin, he knows his colors!  Orange, green, brown, black, red, purple, green, white!  Buster is brown and he know refers his previously known monkey ball blanket as his brown blanket.  Where does the time go, he is so smart!  His new phrase and I have no idea where he learned it, school?  "oh my goodness"  The other day he said, "oh my goodness, mommy"  out of no where, in the right context!  I gotta start filtering what I say, otherwise he will be repeating all of my phrases, uh oh, I'm in trouble.  Well after a few days of reflecting and really listening to myself, I'm fairly certain I taught Austin, "oh my goodness".  I say it all the time didn't even know it!  Wowsers.

 I've been getting great reports on John David.  He is known as a good helper at school.  Always cleaning up after everyone, he helps sweep.  Just like at home!  He is so sweet!  Always sharing his food with me!  But he is obsessed with food, especially applesauce in the packet.  I swear he would eat them all day if I'd let him.  Every time I'm at the store, they are in the cart.  He's always at the pantry looking for something, even if he just ate breakfast, lunch or dinner.  He must be growing.  He's been so much fun in the pool, definitely coming out of his cave!  He even loves jumping off the later!  Next year, I will have 2 fishes in the water!  He is now wanting to dress himself.  I often her "I do it!  And this morning, he put his shirt on all by himself!  He was so proud!  Me too!

Chat soon!

Staycation 2012

The Artinghelli clan had a great staycation!   On Monday, we hit up Pirates Cove in Elk Grove Village.  It's a kids theme park, it's small, but eventful for kids.  Austin especially liked the choo choo train and the bumper boats.  We went on the train a few times and the boats 2 times.  They also had a carousel and a big slide and a park!  It was super hot that day so we didn't stay too long.  John David loved the choo choo train and tried out the boats, but was not a big fan!  He was in there for maybe 2 seconds before he cried to get out.  Poor guy, hey, at least he tried.  That's a big step.

After nap time, we converted John David's crib into a big boy bed.  No more shenanigans for the boys.  I was very nervous that John David wouldn't do well in the big boy bed, but he proved me wrong.  It was like he was a pro, and maybe daycare helps out with that since he sleeps on a cot there.  I guess he is an old pro.  It still took them forever to fall asleep as they were playing in there.

On Tuesday, the boys went to daycare and Kevin and I had an us day.  We went to lunch and looked at mini vans.  We test drove the Chrysler Town and Country and the Toyota Sienna.  Both were nice and but I think we are bigger fans of the Chrysler.  Looks like this momma is getting a mini van soon.  Maybe by the end of the week or next!

On Wednesday, we went to the Naperville Children's museum.  That was a lot of fun!  They boys loved playing with the balls and the water!  They played music too.  we'll definitely go back there!  Wednesday night we went on a Chicago Segway tour.  We knew it was risky as a huge storm was coming in but we went...  we got about 20 minutes in and the sky was flashing with lightening, pretty but not when you are on the segways.  We saw about 5 minutes of the fireworks show before we bolted back.  We got back just in time.  As it started to DOWNPOUR.. Yikes, we got a raincheck.  The segway was hard for me at first, but after a few minutes or so, I got the hang and it was actually fun.  I look forward to our rain check.  It was really freeing when we are riding outside.  I liked it a lot!!!

On Thursday we went to Schaumburg Waterworks.  It's an indoor water park.  Perfect for the kids.  A kid area, water slides, pool, and diving area!  Cool cool cool, we will definitely go back there, especially on a rainy day!    The boys were little fishes.  You can definitely see John David breaking out of his shell.

Friday, the whole family, hit up Italian Fest in Milwaukee. We went there 3 years ago when Austin was 6 weeks and thought it would be fun.  It was quite the adventure!  The food was yummy, especially the ravioli from Carrabbas!  yum!  John David went the whole day with no nap and was a champ!  He was happy most of the day, which is fantastic!  Austin fell asleep in the stroller holding is popcorn in hand!  Too cute!  John David was out within 15 minutes of getting in the car, he sure was exhausted.

Saturday I took Austin to see the movie Ice Age! He just loves movies.  He got his little popcorn and sat in his chair the whole time and ate his popcorn.  This kid was meant for movies!  Saturday night I went and to Country Thunder and saw East Corbin and BLAKE SHELTON.  I just love Blake, love his songs and just had an awesome time. 

Sunday, we just laid low.

So all in all a great vacation!  Loved spending quality time with my family!!!!!!!!!  Loved hearing, "daddy what are you doing" (Austin), "Autin, look it" (John David), "Are we going on an venture" (Austin),

One big thing that happened over the week was we separated the boys, now they each have their own room.  Bittersweet and I hate that it changed so fast.  I hate that what I was use to doing suddenly changed.  But.  We just felt like it was the right thing to do.  I mean, they wouldn't go to sleep until 9, wake up at 6 and were crabsters the whole day.  So we thought we'd try it out and it's working wonderfully!  Such a good decision.  And who knows how long it'll be like this for. Maybe a week, a few, months, years.  we will just go with it and see what works best for our family.   John David is back to bed by 7:30 and Austin by 8.  They were sleeping in (now it's back to 630 since we have to get ready for school/work).  But being together just wasn't working for them.  It's hard because they've been together in the same room since John David was 3 months.  We'll be okay, change is good, right?

Shenanigans

Shenanigans is what the boys have been up to at night!

My good sleepers have quickly turned into nightmare sleepers.  Just like that.  In a blink of an eye.  I used to be able to put them to sleep at 7.  I would start our routine around 645 or so and by 7, they were in bed and just about covered up and ready for slumber.

A few weeks ago, after my trip to Atlanta, we veered from the routine, yes I know, bad idea and now I'm paying.  A few times, it was nearly 9 p.m before they fell asleep in the room by 8:15.  Gotta get back on track, I thought.  Then we had a 4 hour nap, yes, that was lovely, but I did pay for it.  That night I put them down an hour later and it still took an hour to get settled.

This is what we have been up to this week, which is major Shenanigans!!!!  Kevin and I put the boys to sleep  around 7 and then we proceeded to do somethings around the house and outside.  I went downstairs about about 8 and heard something from the boys room.  I thought it was Austin playing quietly with his cars, which he has done before.  I wish I had taken a picture because I don't think my description of the event can do it justice!

Okay so I walk in.....  The boys are on the floor putting change into their piggy banks.  Let's rewind a bit.....John David still sleeps in his crib, and he was on the floor, and 2 the piggy banks are on the tall dresser, which means someone (Austin) had to climb up and get it!  Heavy sigh.....

The best part you ask....every single one of Austins blankets, all 6, all of his stuffed animals (dozen or so), books and puzzles, cars, anything else my little hoarder has hoarded into his bed (see pic below of what his bed looks like on most days) was put into John David's crib. I'm sure all of that stuff helped John David free his crib.

Mommy was not happy!

Daddy was not happy!

The boys were ecstatic!

I put every thing back as it was, minus the piggy banks as they have been relocated to the top of my dresser.

I would like to say they went straight to bed after their little party, but sadly no, I think I went in there a few more times and still shenanigans was occuring.

The next night, it was a little different.

I went in there to find...  All of Austin's belongings in John David's crib as well as Austin!  I totally ruined their little sleepover!  Bad, mommy.  Austin was upset and told me "I want to sleep with John David!"  Cute, huh!

As you can imagine our crib days are just about over.  We will be converting the crib into a toddler bed and I will be loosing one of the last things that makes my baby a baby.  It's very sad for me as officially, I will no longer have a baby, but a toddler who climbs.

I wonder if the boys will sleep together.  Stay tuned to find out. And stay tuned to hear about our staycation which starts on Monday.  Boys will be home from school and both Kevin and I took the week off.  We have a lot of ideas on things to do, so we are super excited!!!!