Newport Trip

It seems to be a common theme that I'm a few weeks behind in updating my blog. I guess that's life with two little ones for now.

Anyways, we drove down to Newport a few weeks ago for a little trip to the beach with Knute's parents for some fun in the sun (well, it was kind of May Grey, but that didn't stop us from having a great time). The best part for Ellie was a day trip to Disneyland to see all her "friends." She is almost indifferent when it comes to rides and the Princesses, but LOVES all the classic characters. We had to go on a wild goose hunt to find Minnie Mouse, but it was worth it in the end when she got to walk Minnie out.

Good times and priceless memories!

Tater Tot

I just couldn't let this month pass without saying a little something about my precious boy. My sweet, little Rolly Polly baby is 6 months old. I still feel like he is the smallest, newest person in the world until I actually see a newborn and then realize how big he's gotten. I personally feel that Tate is just about the cutest thing since sliced bread. He has two little bottom teeth that make me want to eat him up when he smiles. I think Knute and Ellie would agree that he's the most handsome baby to ever walk (or roll) this planet.

He adores his big sister. She is extremely sweet and nurturing to him. She always lets me know when he wakes up from a nap, and then goes into his room to stand at his crib and talk to him. His eyes follow her wherever she goes. He likes to watch her eat, watch her play, and take a bath with her. I think he kind of worships the ground she walks on. Sometimes it makes me sad because my brother was the same way when we were growing up and I was sometimes mean to him. Ellie is never mean to him (for now). The only problem is that she calls his toys "hers" and says that she will "share them with him." That's obviously going to change one of these days.

He likes to eat. A lot. Prunes are his favorite and I can't shovel it into his mouth fast enough. Gross. If only he knew how good an ice cream sandwich tasted...

We don't have a Dr's appointment until Friday, so I don't know his stats. Knute likes to use words like huge, tank, and bruiser to describe him. He is definitely on the bigger side, but I think Knute likes to inflate things a bit. It must be a guy thing. Whatever...

He is a total Momma's boy (and always will be). Good thing, because it's my turn.

Thanks for blessing our lives little Tater Tot. We love you to the moon and back!

Eric and Diane Tie the Knot

Almost a month ago we headed to the fabulous city of New Orleans to celebrate the marriage of a very special couple. The plane flight was long, the city was full of excitement, Tate and Ellie were cooperative (mostly), the food was yummy (what's not to love about Muffalettas and Beignets?), and most importantly the couple was HAPPY. Actually, everyone was happy. I think the pictures capture it all:

Tate couldn't be happier for his Uncle Buck.

The Bucklew "kids"

The new Mr. and Mrs.

Quite a pair

Isn't she lovely?

Cafe Du Monde was a delicious treat

Auntie and her Tater Tot

A little dancing in the French Quarter

Little Miss Sassy Pants

Two of a kind

My Dad

A couple weeks ago we celebrated my Dad's 60th Birthday in Dallas. Yes, I said 60. I really love my dad. He makes me laugh. Sometimes he likes to tell the same joke over and over again even when I'm the only one that continues to find it funny. One time he was trying to tell a joke and actually had to go pull the written down punch line from his briefcase. He is extremely color blind and owns possibly 20 red shirts that all look the same. He has an appreciation for good art. He is really goofy in general and I think I take after him in that respect. He has a very strange dance move where he uses his pointer fingers and taps his feet in a sort of Irish jig. Even after 30 years I can't quite figure out if he's serious or just trying to be amusing. Surely he's not serious? I think of my Dad ever time I hear Huey Lewis or Roy Orbison. It always makes me smile. He has had many interesting hobbies in the past, including competitive roller skating, riding Harley Davidsons (he rode to Sturgis for several years), hunting, and skiing. He loves ducks and could probably observe them for hours. He always knows really strange trivia. He has lived in many interesting places, including Cuba, and all over the South. When we were little he used to take us roller skating some weekends (this later developed into Roller Blading). He would even enter the competitions (like limbo). On Sunday mornings he would bring home Winchell's donuts. He once paid my brother and I to eat squash. I'm pretty sure this actually happened on a few occasions. He despised any guy who was ever mean to me or broke my heart in High School. He has always supported me in sports, even when I wasn't any good (okay..horrible sometimes). I think he actually had to disqualify me himself when judging a swim meet one time. When I failed my driver's test on my sixteenth birthday, he let me tell people that he forgot the insurance paperwork and I was unable to take it in order to save me from embarrassment. He is one of the hardest working people I know. He has always loved my mother. I will never forget the look on his face before he walked me down the church aisle on my wedding day. I love you Dad. Cheers to many more happy and healthy years! The best is yet to come.*This picture was actually taken at my Dad's birthday celebration and not a 4th of July party. The coordinating outfits were unintentional.

Rudy

His fate didn't turn out to be so good here. Rudy took a permanent vacation to Weldon, California and is now living with his original Breeder and her other dogs. She has a couple families interested in adopting an adult male Boxer. If for some reason that doesn't work out, he will live permanently with her. It's honestly one of the hardest things Knute and I have ever had to do in our marriage. The drive was long with a lot of tears. I have convinced myself that Rudy will be happier there. I imagine him frolicking through the yard with his other Boxer friends. There are many excuses I've made for sending the dog away, but none of them diminish my guilt. Guilt is a powerful thing. Mostly I feel guilty and selfish for taking away one of my daughter's very best friends. I wish she could understand. He made me feel incredibly angry every single day and I yelled at him a lot. No one wants an angry mommy. The truth is that I enjoy my children and husband (and house) a lot more without him here. Farewell Rudy. I will always carry memories of you (both good and bad) in my heart.

Slug Bugs

Once upon a time there were two little Slug Bugs who were sick with icky, yucky colds. Colds of the worst kind thought their Mother. Surely other Slug Bugs who have colds don't act this miserable! The once cheerful, bright nursery suddenly seemed dark and stuffy and was littered with Kleenex, medicine syringes, and assorted nose sprays. The house echoed from floor to ceiling with the terrible sounds of hacking and coughing, then crying and whining. The Mother felt very sorry for the poor, dear Slug Bugs. She especially felt sorry for the smaller one who was too young to whine, demand snacks, beg for more Barney, more juice, MORE JUICE, MORE JUICE! The Mother also felt very sorry for herself. She called and complained to her husband and blamed things on the dog. After all, it had to be someone or something's fault that the Slug Bugs were sick, so naturally it was the dog. The Mother walked around the house in pajamas with greasy hair all day nurturing the Slug Bugs, feeding the Slug Bugs, and picking up after them. She thought to herself,"will this ever end???" Will I ever see outside the confines of this germ infested house? When the Slug Bugs went to bed, their Mother searched the internet for the perfect pair of shoes. This would make her feel better! Temporarily of course. Alas, tomorrow is a new day and the Mother desperately hopes her little Slug Bugs recover soon.

*The older Slug Bug was asleep and therefore unavailable for the photography session. The Mother would like to keep it that way.

January Draws to a Close

It's the last day of my most dreaded month of the year and I have to say that it wasn't so bad at all. As it turns out, January was a refreshing month, other then the unwelcome cold that seems to always linger when you have a toddler.

A few things that made January a happy month:

*The Bachelor (sorry, but it has to be said)

*Little weekend field trips with Ellie to Sky High and Lindsay Wildlife Museum

*A great date "day" with my husband (I dragged him to see Black Swan and then we had appetizers and drinks after).

*The discovery of "Super Suppers"

*American Idol (I love Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez!)

*Microwave Popcorn

*Baby Boot Camp

*Yummy fondue at Cooking Club

*Friends and wine (sometimes there are occasions they go hand in hand)

*Great neighbors

*A quick visit from my Dad

*A fresh haircut and highlight

*Pizza (for some reason we kind of ate a lot of it this month and I think January is supposed to be a month you don't eat a lot of pizza, but it was good).

*My blue rain boots. When it's cold and rainy, why not have something you look forward to wearing, you know?

*Brunch with my favorite Sister-in-Law and dear friend Kelly :)

*Soy Lattes from Starbucks

*A fun night out with friends at Vanessa's Bistro

*My little family (obviously), although I'm not sure we're really considered a "little" family anymore. It certainly doesn't feel that way.

My smiley little boy

Ellie likes to have "Brown Bear" at the center of all pictures recently

It's nearly impossible to get a good picture of both kids together

Just being lazy

I love his little double chin

I love him when he's all sleepy too

A fun visit with cousin Abbie

Friday Night

A good Friday night is pretty simple. All you need is a Chicken Artichoke de LITE pizza from Papa Murphy's, a bit of Chardonnay, and a dance party with a little Stevie Wonder. It really doesn't get much better then that for a January night and I can't complain!

Even the dog was amused...or possibly scared?

Ellie's famous dance moves

Ringing In...A Little Late

It's a rare moment. Both kids are napping and I am sitting at my desk sipping hot tea. Yes, tea. I figure it's better then my addiction to Diet Pepsi. Oh, I have one of those going too. There is so much to say, but.......I hear Ellie. Nap time is over.

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I figure the Wiggles can occupy her for 22 minutes. Yes, she probably watches too much TV these days. Please don't judge. It's a rainy Thursday afternoon. What else is there to do? Make cookies? Read books? Paint? Yes, these are all great ideas too.

Life is good and crazy. Two keeps me busy. I was never much into multi-tasking, but I have had to learn quickly. It constantly amazes me what I can do with only one arm. No, it's probably not always safe. The days go by so quickly. I can't believe Tate is already two months old. This reminds me that I need to take more pictures. I may have already mentioned that, but it is a constant goal of mine. One I can't seem to accomplish nonetheless.

The holidays are a blur, a fun blur. My parents came to visit from Dallas for Christmas. Ellie and Tate were spoiled to death. It was a very special time for everyone. I maintained my sanity by not cooking anything, but there were still plenty of yummy treats. I threw all the sweets out once everyone had left. I was pretty convinced that Ellie had become addicted to sugar and she wound up with stomach "issues" for several days. I hadn't been paying attention to what she had been eating. I felt like a bad mom. Now our house is full of healthy snacks. Don't get me wrong, I keep Popsicles in the freezer and Cheese Nips in the pantry. I use the word "healthy" very loosely. I discovered stale airheads left over from Halloween and chose to save them for myself. Gross. I'm not sure where I was going with that...

Tate is still dreamy. He enjoys sleeping and when he's awake he gives me big, gummy smiles. I like to smell his sweet head. Ellie tries to keep him entertained by bringing him stuffed animals and making sure he always has his "bink." I am in love with my two little people.

That's all for now...