Christmas Photos

Merry Chris-Chris!

That is what Ace says.

We went with some of mom's friends to a nursing home to hand out blankets for Christmas and Ace went up to every single resident and wished them a Merry Chris-Chris and handed them a blanket. He even hugged a few of the ladies. He did so well and made me so proud. And how all those little ladies fawned over Charlie. I feel truly blessed and am so glad that we were able to bring a little joy. The nurses said there hadn't been children there for months and that none ever visited everyone like that.

Even though our Christmas is a little tight this year, I realize how much we have and am really enjoying the season.

So--Merry Chris-Chris Everyone!

Who needs GPS . . .

when you have ACE!

This boy could tell you how to get anywhere he's been at least once. The other day we were driving home and got to an intersection that we had been through once during a daytime drive from the opposite direction. It was after dark and he still knew which way to turn to go home, and he was very insistent when we went through the intersection that we were going the wrong way. However, when we explained we had to stop at his beloved Wal-Mart, he calmed down.

My child believes that all the world's problems could be solved by a McDonald's chocolate shake, a couple french fries and a stroll through Wal-Mart. Who needs DisneyWorld---

Snow!

So last week it actually snowed in Houston. Big, soft, fluffy snowflakes fell throughout the day. And although there wasn't quite enough sticking around to build a snowball or a snow marble for that matter, it was wonderful and really put me in the mood for Christmas.
Ace has been watching Frosty the Snowman and when I told him it was snowing he was really excited to go outside, but not for the snow. All he wanted was the magic hat. LOL.

We are getting closer and closer to moving into the new house. I'm not sure if we will move before or after Christmas. I'll definitely post pics of the boys new rooms once we get settled.

Ace's 3rd Birthday

Special Birthday Party Moments

Charlie's Godparents Christina and Adeligh with their daughter Mia and our family

Rev. Janet, who baptized Charlie

Ace's Birthday Cake

Brotherly Love

I have more pics on my phone and that I need to get from other people. Hope to get them posted soon.

Ace's Angel Moments

Just two moments of sweetness from my monkey man--

The other day we were at church and were walking toward the door. Ace pointed up at the steeple and said "Cwoss". I said "Yes, that is a cross." He mumbled something else and pointed again. I repeated what I had said before and he said, "No, mama. That's God."

Ace has one of those echo microphones that you get at the bargain bin in Target and it had broken so I bought him a replacement. He had left it by the front door with the diaper bag and we were all getting ready to go out and he had been asking to go to Wal-Mart. We were actually going to church and I told him that. He was waiting for us by the front door and picked up the microphone and said, "Wal-Mart, I love you."

And in those two moments we can see the fight for Christmas between the church and commercialism.

Where did the time go?

So it seems like Ike blew through just yesterday but so much has happened in the last 6 weeks and now I have to condense it all into bite-size pieces.

1) Why I haven't been on --
Well, I have no real excuse except that Charlie has gone from a lovable lump of baby to a mess monster and having 2 mobile kids is quite an adjustment.

2) Halloween --
This year I had a little lion and a mighty knight. An adversarial pair of characters which matches their current relationship. Ace does everything he can to tame the wild beast that is his little brother and usually fails. Ace did go trick or treating this year even though that wasn't the plan. But after the first little kid showed up and "took his candy" out the door we went. Now we can't walk down the street without him wanting to go up to stranger's door and get some candy.

3)Ace's Birthday --

He is no longer a baby or even a toddler, my little man is officially a little boy. And has developed that wonderful trait of all small children -- selective hearing. He is so imaginative and stubborn. It's wonderfully infuriating to experience. His party was a huge success although we had to hold it indoors because of prehistoric sized mosquitoes in the backyard. Blue's Clues was the theme and apparently his obsession with Blue and his clues has ended. It was all he could talk about for months Blue this and Clue that. Paw prints were everywhere to be seen, but now we are on to a toy fit for a "big boy"

4) Trains --

not just any kind--Thomas. That is his big Christmas wish now--Thomas the train. We went to a local park and got to ride the little F scale steamers, he had so much fun.

5) Charlie's Baptism --

Was an experience! Ace was a year old and though large not overly moved one way or the other, just a little whiny. Charlie was a screamer. He wailed and moaned and cried his way through the entire ceremony to the pitying glances and nervous laughter of all.

6)Charlie's Head --

I have previously commented on it's size, propensity to bring an unstable baby to his knees and even its lack of hair. However, today we will have a more serious discussion regarding Charlie and his head. Just 2 weeks after I last posted, we noticed some swelling on Charlie's head, in fact it looked like someone had implanted a Vienna sausage under his scalp. But the next day the swelling was gone and so the next week at the regular checkup for his 6 month appointment I mentioned it and we scheduled a CT scan at the dr.'s recommendation. Well, that took another week and so finally we got a diagnosis of a skull fracture (oddly enough nowhere near where the swelling had been) with no associated bleeds or injuries. The prescription: watch and wait. It should heal in 6 months. So now I have to try and wait calmly while infant son with a skull fracture plays with his hyperactive older brother. LOL. I say "Don't touch your brother" and Ace stands over Charlie waving his hands 4 inches above his head, laughing as he doesn't touch him.

And so, that is pretty much everything. Pics to come as I get them uploaded. And I look forward to the many happy adventures of Christmas with the monkeys and posting them for your pleasure.

After the hurricane

So, I am finally beginning to approach normal around here. It has been over 2 weeks since Ike hit and although we were very lucky and had no damage and were only without power for 1/2 a day, it has been a different sort of reality here in Houston. Groceries became a luxury, gas an extravagance. But the boys have survived and even thrived through the experience. We had an elderly houseguest for 10 days, a family friend who fell and had lost power so couldn't be home alone, and Ace learned a lot more about being gentle. Charlie took all the extra attention and started performing. He is now crawling like a champ and working on pulling himself up on the furniture. Charlie now has 2 teeth and Ace has some new favorite words--"That's mine", "Let me have it", and "Now". The birthday party is fast approaching so that is the next priority in planning. In other words, we are well and happy for the most part.

Another week gone by

So my goal to post more often is being thwarted by changes in sleep schedules and other baby dramas. Ace is doing well but has decided that he needs to stay up late to see more of his "O-ma". Oh well. That just means less me time for me for now.
Charlie has cut his first tooth. Oh the slobber! And he won't have anything to do with a teether. He just wants to chew my thumb or his hand.
My brain is addled by a long night so I will try to come back later (ha ha) and post with more wit.

The Results Are In

Only have a minute, due to tantrums beyond my control. But here is Charlie-bear's vitals:
At 4 month check up he was 15 lbs 15 oz and 25 1/2 in long, and by all accounts hale, hearty and strong. A little eczema on his feet but his cradle cap is clearing well.

I'll be back later to post more if they both take a nap today. Miracles do happen sometimes.

Blue's Clues

Why did I ever let Ace watch Blue's Clues? It's like heroin for preschoolers. All day long he talks about Blue, or sings songs from the show, or sees "clues" everywhere. Any pawprint is a clue now.

Of course, he is now really excited about his alphabet because of Blue. So there are some things to be happy about. But right now, after a really long day of singing the mail song over and over and over and looking for clues in all the wrong places, I'm ready for somebody's bed time.

Charlie-bear is losing hair . . .

but not any weight! He is huge. Last week Charlie had to move up to 9 month size clothes, this week he went up to size 3 diapers, and he won't even be 4 months old until Monday! I am afraid to find out how much he actually weighs when we go to the dr for his check up on Wednesday. Anyone want to take a guess?

Welcome to the Jungle!

Here we are in the wilds of Houston suburbia attempting to tame two little monkeys and grow them into two fine young men.
This is my third attempt at a blog to let all who want to know all that there is to know about our daily trials and accomplishments.
There will undoubtedly be long discussions of Ace's antics, Charlie's ability to gain weight and strength at an almost superhuman rate, and the occasional tirade about politics and current events.
Enjoy!