Staying home

It finally found us--the dreaded winter sickness.  We've been SO healthy all winter with no doctor visits, but all good things must come to an end.  Four of the five of us are sick (Cory hasn't gotten it yet).  It started on Sunday and has worked its way through the family.  Reese & Ryan stayed home from school yesterday and lounged around.  It's mostly a cough with runny noses, mixed in with a bit of fever.  Ryder's got a bit of a barking cough that might land us in the doctor's office.  I'm on the fence about taking him in because I think it might just run its course in a day or two.  The girls are already doing much better today.  I think they're good to go to school.  I know they're chomping at the bit to get back.  Let's pray that Cory can avoid the ickys because he's not a very good patient and my plate is fairly full playing nurse maid to myself and three kids.

The W

We went out for a work function last night to the W hotel in Scottsdale and it was pretty swanky.  We don't get out to Scottsdale much so this was a treat for us.  One of our lenders moved to a different company and celebrated the switch by throwing a party. Grandma & Grandpa were kind enough to watch the kiddos for us and we carpooled with my mom & dad up to Scottsdale.  It was funny because we had no idea what the event was going to be like and what we should wear.  My dad had a brown blazer on and Cory took one look at him when we got out of the car and said, "I'm not dressed up enough".  He had on the perfect outfit and looked great, but I'm sure that it wasn't very helpful of me to tell him that his shirt was slightly wrinkled after we already left the house.  If he said that to me we would be turning around, heading back home for me to change.  Sometimes I need to keep my thoughts to myself.

We got to the event a little after 7 and it there were a bunch of people we knew there.  Cory and my dad were so in their element with the schmoozing and making friends.  They had some OK appetizers and an open bar, which was nice, but I needed waaaay more food than what they had.  I was pretty much starving most of the night.  We ended up staying until midnight and the place was seriously hopping at that point.  My mom was in disbelief of everything she saw.  She just kept saying, "Is this what people do?!?  I am SO old!"


It was a fun night out, but it did make me happy that most nights I get to curl up with my hubby & kids on the couch in my pajamas instead of out frolicking at Scottsdale bars.

January Birchbox

First, a quick thank you to my friends that commented on my last post.  You warmed my heart :)

I've been meaning to post this one for a few days now.  My January Birchbox arrived in the mail about a week ago and it was a good one.  I'm always so excited when this little box arrives mid-month.  I can't wait to open it and see what goodies are inside.  

Inside was a sample of Viva La Juicy perfume that smelled lovely, Borghese serum to smooth out fine lines, Joeur body butter that is awesome, a full size Stila eyeliner that I'm obsessed with, and a sample Larabar.  The Larabar was OK.  Cherry flavor isn't really my thing but it was all natural and other flavors might taste better.  My favorite is the Stila eyeliner for a few reasons:  1) I don't usually wear eyeliner so this is a great excuse to put some on and experiment. 2) The texture is smooth and it glides right over the lid so I don't have to pull my eyelid taut just to get a straight line.  3) The color is kind of a dark olive.  Something I probably wouldn't have picked out but it's surprising how neutral it is.  I'm pretty excited about it.

Weaning a toddler...

It's much harder than it seems.  I didn't have any issues weaning the girls.  When it was over it was over.  Not so much for Ryder boy.  I have heard it all from everyone I know, but they aren't walking in our shoes.  They tell me, "What's hard about it? Just stop nursing".  Going cold turkey is much easier said than done with this child.  Ryder has been nursing 4+times a day for the past two years.  It's a hard habit to break and so very bittersweet in my world.  He's our last child and I know that I'll never ever nurse a child again.  That makes me sad and that's why I have hung on for so long.  He's always been all about it and still doesn't want to stop.  He came out the world's biggest mama's boy and that hasn't changed one bit.  I have to be the one to stop it and I guess I just haven't felt ready.  I wish there wasn't so much external pressure to stop nursing just because he's the age that he is.  I wish I didn't care what people thought.  I know people think it's weird.  He's got a mouth full of teeth, talks up a storm, and is on his way to being potty trained.  I get what it looks like from that perspective, but it's so different when it's your own child.  The day is approaching soon and I will be very sad.  So for anyone that reads this blog, please just offer words of support and don't judge me for still nursing my toddler son.  I don't want to look back and feel like I weaned him because everyone else thought it was time.  I want to wean him when I feel completely 100% done and I'm almost there, but not quite.  I know the feeling.  I felt it with the girls.  I couldn't do it for one more day, but that day is not there for me & Ryder yet.

I have A LOT of photos of me nursing Ryder, but I am fairly certain this is my favorite.  I will cherish this photo for all of my days.  It reminds me that he will forever be my baby and that I loved nursing him every day, multiple times a day until he was two plus years old.

Kids say the darndest things

It seems every time we turn around the kids are spouting off one hilarious line after another.  Mimi will often post them on Facebook or text them to me, but I don't want to forget.  Here are a few that we've heard in the past week:

The girls were getting in the car and Ryan said she was going to buckle up her blanket and Reese said, "But Ryan!  Don't you want to hold it and suck your thumb on the way to school?"  Ryan said, "Yeah, that's right." 

Reese, as she was playing recently: "Ken, do you take Barbie to be your awful wife? Barbie, do you take Ken to be your awful husband?"

When we ask Ryder what Daddy's name is he replies, "Toe-wee Whyte" and just the other day he started saying, 'Awwww, Man!"  Cracks us up every time.

Ryan told us, “I’m going to marry Justin Beaver and anyone else who loves him can help me with the wedding and with my five children.” 

Snow day

The girls had snow day and I completely forgot.  Of course, it was yesterday, on our crazy run around from  gymnastics to dance to school day.  My mom dropped them off and reminded me that it was snow day and I was about to bang my head on the steering wheel for my forgetfulness.  Luckily my mom was OK with going back to school and I told her exactly where our bag of snow gear was.  It was a nice day so they didn't need the full gear, but seriously, they were wearing the wrong shoes and their gloves were too small (we haven't been to the snow since last year).  They said they had a great time and Mimi snapped a few fun photos, but I can't help but feel a bit guilty about my lack of preparation.  Oh well, they survived and had fun with their class.

Oh my, look at those headbands.  They can't hold back the lion's manes.

The zoo

We went to the zoo the other day and had a great time.  I have been feeling guilty because we have a yearly membership that hasn't been used this year to its full potential.  Now that the weather will be warming up soon I'm hoping we can get there a few more times.  I took all 3 kids and we met up with our Baby signs play group.  I'm the only one in the group that has more than one kid, and I think when they watch my fumbling with my double stroller and all the gear it's a great prescription for birth control.  We got there right when they opened but had to leave around 11:45 to get the girls to school.  All 3 kids fell asleep in the car and had a nice nap as we drove to Risen Savior.  I'm hoping next time we go it's on a Friday so we don't have to race out to get to school.

Let it go to voicemail

When a random phone number calls me I am constantly torn between answering my phone or letting it go to voicemail.  Because of our business I usually choose the first option of answering, but there are those moments when I pick up the phone and think to myself, "Man, I should've let it go to voicemail".  Yesterday was one of those moments.

Friday is our only day off from school right now and we've gone back and forth with doing the gymnastic sessions on Fridays at 10am.  The girls really like it and we just got off an 8 week hiatus over the holidays  They've been happy to be back, but yesterday morning was a day that just wasn't working for us.  Ryder had a fever, I had a funeral for my dear friend's father I was trying to get to at 11:30, Cory was trying to save one of our short sale listings from going to auction at 10am, and to top it off the girls were so content at home and said, "We don't want to go to gymnastics today".  DONE, we're staying home.  I usually don't let them skip because the makeup policy is not the best, but I felt a sigh of relief when they said they didn't want to go.  We went about our day and I returned home around 2pm.  We were all happily playing outside when my phone rang.  I answered it and it was their coach from gymnastics.  This has never happened before.

Coach: "Hi Lisa, This is Coach from gymnastics.  Where were Reese & Ryan today?"
Me: "Well we had a really crazy day today and there was no one that could take them to gym class.  Maybe we'll do a makeup with open gym soon."
Coach: "I think they should do a make up with a class." (This is not their policy)
Me: "OK.  What are you thinking?"
Coach: "How about my Monday morning 9am class."
Me: (with hesitation) "Um sure, I think that will work."

Now most parents would be thrilled if they got a personal phone call from the gym coach inviting them to a different class to make-up.  I'm grateful that he took time out of his day to reach out and see if everything was okay, but now I've added an entire level of stress to my day on Monday and it's all because I answered my phone and then didn't have enough juevos to say no to a make-up class that day.

We have Bogusia come on Mondays and it's always my work and catch up on life day.  The girls wanted to do dance and their current session is on Mondays because we thought it would be great if B could stay home with Ryder.  SO, now I will be running out the door at 8:30 on Monday morning with the girls to get to gymnastics, and then change into dance clothes for our 10:30 dance class, then an hour to kill before school starts at 12:30.  Goodbye, productive morning and hello to chaos and running all over town.

I should've let his call to voicemail.

Ryder's best friend

Ask Ryder who his best friend is and he'll tell you it's Rome, but he says, "Mome".  They are attached at the hip when Rome comes over.  He is SO sweet to Ryder and we couldn't ask for a better role model for our baby boy.  They are ten years apart but Ryder doesn't seem to notice.  He thinks that Rome is coming over to play just with him.  I love watching them together and seeing their special bond grow.

Adios, bottom tooth!

Ryan lost her tooth tonight and it was a pretty big deal.  We thought this little sucker was going to fall out about 2 weeks ago, so we've been anxiously awaiting this day.  She was so patient, letting Dad give it a few tugs with his T-shirt.

 

Then there was some blood, which surprised her a bit.

So she chomped on a washcloth for a bit.

 And then we got to see the gaping hole.

 The tooth fairy is coming tonight!!!

Two year old stats

We went to the doctor for Ryder's 2 year check up and everything was perfect.  He's healthy as a horse.    He had to get 2 shots since we've been spacing out the vaccinations.  

He's 23 lbs. 8 oz. (5th%) & 34 1/2 in. tall (50th%).  Still long and lean.  He's wearing 18-24 month pants and can fit in 2T shirts pretty well.  The pants are tricky because he needs the length but has a skinny waist.  He's talking up a storm and the doctor was impressed with his vocabulary and talking in sentences.  It's always fun to go to the Dr. for a great report.  He had fun playing with the sink & paper towels while we were waiting to for the doctor.

Ryder's Pancake Party

If you give Ryder a pancake he's going to ask for some blueberries, and then some milk, and then a donut :)  

Ryder LOVES breakfast foods, so of course we had to celebrate his birthday with our family and some pancakes.  He's really into SpiderMan right now so I got all the party supplies together and we decorated the house.  He loved all of it, especially the balloons that we got at the 11th hour before the party started.  Here are some of the day's highlights:

Ryder with Mimi & Papa.

 Reese & Lexington.  I had to include this one because Reese wore this red and blue outfit so she would 'match' the SpiderMan colors of the party.  She looked SO adorable in her red leggings and blue top.

Gammie made it to the party and we were so happy to have her.  I still can't believe how great she's doing.  She's on oxygen so she had to step outside when it was time to light the candle, but she was such a sport.  She had a great appetite and loved watching Ryder open his presents.  After the scare we had with her in December I am savoring every single moment with her.

 The food turned out great.  I was a bit nervous about the gluten free pancakes, but most people seemed to like them.  We also had a breakfast casserole, fruit kebabs, yogurt/granola parfaits, and good ol' donuts.  I made the poster below at Costco.  They let you upload 30 photos and turn it into a collage. I picked my favorite photos of him from birth to 2 years.  I loved how it turned out.

 Ryder with Grandpa & Grandma.

 Snuggles with Daddy.

 Trying to get a photo of the 5 of us together is challenging.  

What's even more challenging is getting everyone to look at the camera at the same time.

 Ryder boy blowing out his candle on the donut.

 "WOW!! This donut is the best!"

 Little stinker with Mommy & Daddy :)

When the party was over and we were putting him to bed he told us "My Spy man party.  I eat oatmeal."  We were laughing because he kept talking about eating oatmeal (one of his most favorite foods) and that was the one thing I didn't serve.  I thought it would get all gross and clumpy so I just scrapped it all together.  He didn't seem to notice that it was missing and just kept telling us that he ate oatmeal at his SpiderMan party. 

We love you, buddy.  Happy 2nd birthday!  We hope you had as much fun at your pancake party as we did. 

Ryder is TWO!!!

I really can't believe our baby boy is two.  I feel like a broken record when I talk about how time is flies by but it is so very true, especially once you have kids.  

Especially when your baby boy is turning into SUCH a big kid.  It's very surreal to me today.  

I feel like I was just heading to the hospital to deliver this little munchkin.  

How did he go from this...

to this...
in what seems like a blink of an eye.

We had his little breakfast birthday party this morning and it was so sweet.  I will post pictures soon.

It's hard to pick just two, but here are two big reasons why I LOVE our Ryder boy:

1)  He is the funniest little firecracker that keeps us on our toes.  Always.  It's a non-stop adventure when Ryder's around.
2)  He is the world's biggest mama's boy. He clings to me and I truly love it.  The girls were never this way and I think it's so sweet that he adores being with me.  I will soak it up as long as he'll dole it out.  I know the day will come when he'll run from my hugs and kisses, but for now he is my sweetest baby boy and I love him to pieces.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Ryder Louis Whyte!  You are the light of our lives.

Time for a big boy bed?

This kid is really not loving his crib/crib tent.  Can't imagine why (ha!).  I think he feels imprisoned.  We have been all about his safety since he started climbing out at 17 months and this crib tent was the answer to our problems.  I was a big fan but I now think it's causing us way more stress than we need right now.

Ryder has been having a fit at bedtime and not wanting to sleep in his crib.  It's really weird because he will go down great for naps and sleep for hours (some days), but bedtime is an entirely different story.  He's been sleeping in our bed the last few nights, but Cory ends up getting kicked all night long.  We might be mattress shopping this weekend.

12 in 2012

1) A trip for Cory and that consists of getting on an airplane and spending 3 days away.  We've been talking about it for awhile and I want to plan something soon.  I think Seattle would be a fun place to go.  Or San Francisco.

2) Save up a significant chunk of change in the next 4 months.  We have plans for our house and we're working hard on socking the money away that we need.

3) More one on one time with each kid.  We started doing some date nights with our kids but it was hard to be consistent with Cory's soccer schedule and my obligation to the twins club.  My term is ending soon and we should have more free time to spend with each kid.  The goal is one date night a month for Cory and I with each kid.

4) Learning my camera & Photoshop.  I have ordered my new camera and it's coming soon.  There was a Groupon that just came up for a class and I've signed up for March 4th.  I'm really excited.  After that I'm planning on doing the Photoshop class.

5) This one is a rollover from last year, but I want to visit somewhere new in AZ that we haven't been before.  Ryder was a doozy in his car seat last year when we took road trips, so we were NOT jumping at the bit to hop in the car for extended periods of time.  He's gotten much better so we'll add this one back to the list.  I'd like to check out Tubac, Bisbee, & Grand Canyon.  Maybe not all this year, but that's the list I've got.

6) This one can tie in with #2 but I would like to spiff up the house with either a new coat of paint on the inside and redo the carpet in our living room.  It's time for a few updates, but the money plays a big role in making this happen.

7) Stick with my gym schedule of going MWF to the gym at 5:15am. I've been doing really good but got a bit derailed with the holidays.  I'm back on track, but I have to be diligent about staying with it because it's easy to get off track.

8) Take a new parenting class.  There is a speaker that came to our twins club last year to talk about parenting based on the premise of 'Love & Logic'.  It was great stuff and I would love to take a 6 week class for a refresher.

9) Do a couples Bible study with Cory.  We just started going to a new church and we've been pretty happy so far.  I want to get more involved and one of my goals for 2012 is to take a class that we can do together.

10)  Get 2 new real estate designations this year.   Before the girls were born I was on the fast track to getting my CRS designation.  It's kind of like getting a master's degree in the world of real estate.  I'm about halfway finished and I really want to receive that designation in the next year.  The only challenge is that classes aren't offered very often.  I also want to try to obtain my ABR (Accredited Buyer's Representative).

11) This one may seem so trivial and I feel kind of silly writing it down, but I want to try to not buy anything new until I absolutely run out of the current product or item.  Example is shampoo, face products, makeup stuff, etc.  I have SO much of this and when something new goes on sale I find myself digging up a coupon and making up an excuse of why I need it.  Our bathroom is overflowing with crap that is begging to be used up.  I also feel this way about clothes in the closet.  I've received some awesome hand-me-downs from my dear friends and I'm not buying anything new for at least 6 months, maybe even the entire year.

12) SLOW down and smell the roses.  A cliche, I know.  But I tend to go about 90 miles an hour and I really want our family time to be #1 priority.  We only have about 6 months before the girls go to Kindergarten and are gone all day.  I have a bit of anxiety about this but I know they will be ready when the time comes.  I just want to soak up this time with them and enjoy every moment together. 

They speak my language

I read the book The Five Love Languages several months ago and found out that my main love language is acts of service.  Cory's got it down and is so amazing at helping with the kids and around the house when I need it.  Now they girls are picking up on it too.  Last night they surprised me by cleaning up their bedroom and playroom.  They gave me this note and told me to close my eyes.

It was such a sweet gesture that made my heart melt.  Their bedroom and the playroom looked so great and it was wonderful to go to bed with our house just a bit cleaner than usual.

Loose teeth and no wheels

Our barely five year olds seem like such big girls this week.  We started the new year off with a bang and both girls started riding without training wheels.  It's pretty amazing because Cory took the wheels off and they just took off cruising.  It was SO fun to watch.

On another note--Ryan has a tooth that is VERY loose.  I think it's going to fall out within a week or so.    Reese's bottom tooth is loose as well but it's not as wiggly as Ryan's.  The Tooth Fairy will be visiting us very very soon!