Cria Cuteness

Did you know a baby alpaca is called a cria?  I didn't know either until we googled it on our way to a farm in Mason County to see two new babies.  My MIL's neighbor and great friend is on the board of trustees of some farm that .... shoot.  He told me what they do.  Something to do with salmon so I wasn't quite sure what the alpacas and goats at the farm had to do with salmon.  I didn't ask how they are connected. 

So I have some pictures of baby alpacas.  And from Thanksgiving, our tree cutting, gingerbread house decorating...  In no particular order.

Enjoy!

The spearmint hard candies have been fashioned into a van.  Gavin wasn't as interested in decorating the house as he was in making vans with which to decorate the side yard of the gingerbread house.  It's our hicksville gingerbread house.  We didn't have any candy that I thought could look like blocks to put the vans on. 

Van #2.  The yellow gum drops in the middle are the seats with the little gum drops being the people. 

Van #3.  We were low on materials so this one takes a little more imagination to visualize.

I found the key to a structurally sound gingerbread house lies in reading AND following the directions.  First put the sides together allowing each side to dry for 1 minute before adding the next.  Then letting the whole thing dry for an hour before adding the roof.  Then one more hour cure time before decorating. 

Gavin could only bring himself to put on the big candies as that was the safest way to ensure his fingers didn't have to touch the frosting.  He didn't know what the white glue was - I didn't tell him. 

He wanted to make more vans. 

Theo wasn't into the photo op. in front of our first Christmas tree at Camp Monten (Ryan's mom & step-dad's house).

Turns out Gavin likes the snow when he gets to sit in a sled and be pushed around by dad and chased by the dog.

12 hour old cria (baby alpaca). 

We tried and tried and tried to get a photo with the mama alpaca but she ducked out with each picture. 

This one was my favorite.  I wanted to hug it but settled for scratching her cute cheeks.  I asked her to not spit on me.  She was nice and complied.

Theo enjoyed the ride, too, although you would never know by the look on his face in this picture.

Gavin was mildly interested in the alpacas.

Apparently Theo didn't think having his head sniffed by an alpaca was as cute as everyone else. 

My niece Laura.  I can't believe she's 12!



Laura & Matthew.  12 years vs. 6 years.  Matthew's gingerbread house had a seismic activity shortly after this photo was taken.  

He was very proud of his house.



After the roof collapsed he decorated the inside of the house.  He was so proud of his gingerbread tree that wasn't broken.  He's so cute! 

Cousins Laura and Matthew playing with Gavin during their dance party.  Everyone likes to dance when Gavin breaks out his dancing skillz.



My brother got after his kids for jumping on Nana's couch not long after this was taken.  Oops.  I mean, Gavin, get off the couch like that! 

A flood of sprinkles came out.  It was quite a challenge to sweep all of the round sugar balls off the hardwood floors.  

Rabbit Hole in my Brain

Sometimes Ryan will give me a bewildered look in the middle of one of my riveting stories and say, "Where on earth did that come from?"  Apparently he doesn't realize I easily fall down rabbit holes in my head with the slightest verbal, olfactory or auditory stimulation.  Take the following hole I fell down tonight. 

While standing in the checkout line at QFC I scanned the freezer case behind me.  Was there anything on sale?  Anything on sale that I wanted?  No.  But I did see a Stouffer's frozen meal that was on sale.  That made me do a quick look for their frozen mac 'n cheese because their frozen mac 'n cheese is AMAZING. 

No joke. 

I became a frozen food connoisseur during our 6 month period of kitchenless living while we were remodeling our kitchen.  I think I also gained 20 pounds but that is neither here nor there.  

Actually, it is here.  I'm sitting on it.

Anyhoo. 

Seeing the Stouffer's frozen food made me think of a frozen lasagna I bought almost two years ago.  It was really gross and I was mortified that it was so gross because it was the dinner I contributed to a weekend away with another couple to Birch Bay.  To make sure the gross meal was completely gross I also bought a flavorless pre-buttered loaf of french bread.  Both items were purchased at my local teeny tiny grocery store. 

That got me to thinking, "Why did I buy that no name brand of lasagna?"  Then I remembered it was because I didn't have time to go to Costco to buy their ginormous fattening and delicious lasagna and make it to the ferry on time.  Or to QFC to buy a normal size, fattening and delicious Stouffer's frozen lasagna. 

Then I remembered I was pregnant with Theo while we were there.  I think I was getting close to feeling him move inside of me because I remember standing in the yard at the cabin looking at the ocean and rubbing my hands on my belly as I swayed from side to side. 

Then a shocking feeling swept over me:  nostalgia.

Blah!  Nostalgic for pregnancy?  Nooooooo!!!!

Slap me. 

If I told Ryan he might.  Just kidding.  He would never do that. 

Granted, Theo's incubation period was nothing like Gavin's.  It was a cake walk in comparison.  But, still, nothing I want to repeat. 

Now baby cuddles.  Those I would like to repeat. 

Sleepless night?

No thanks. 

Getting peed on?

No thanks.

First smiles?

Yes, please.

Seeing your baby throw his blankie and pacifier to the ground as he shrieks in pure delight and runs to you when you first walk in a room. 

Yes, please. 

Gag Me With a Spoon, Like Totally

I couldn't decide on the title of this post.  The other two titles that tempted me were, "Barf" and "Get a Room".

Who wouldn't want to read about barf?  Or be intrigued by someone needing to get a room?

Ryan was gracious enough (or silly, or naive, or plain ol' dumb) to give me a free pass tonight in what was shaping up to be a rough bedtime with Gavin.  And by rough I mean horrible.  We put Theo in the crib tonight because I realized the mattress in the pack 'n play has a lump in the middle and the poor guy probably wasn't comfortable. 

Theo sleeping in the crib upstairs means we have no other place to park Gavin if (when) he decides he would rather not sleep in his bed but would prefer to waltz out into the living room and join Mom and Dad's evening party.  You know, when the kids go to sleep we eat ice cream, play with trains, dance, sing the coolest songs (Are You Sleeping, Mary Had a Little Lamb, BINGO...); all kids know that the real party begins as soon as their eyes close. 

Gavin wouldn't stay in his bed.  Ryan eventually turned off all of the lights so the house was dark - not pitch black because we have lots of street lights to light up the house - but for us city folk it was pretty darn dark.  Gavin didn't care.  So, Ryan and I just sat there and Gavin just stood there trying to engage us.  He came over to me and kissed my stomach because he couldn't reach my face.  His lips made a very audible kissy sound and he announced, "I kiss Mommy."

I slapped my hand over my mouth to help me keep it together.  In the pale moon street light I could see Ryan with his hand over his mouth also trying to keep it together.  It was so hard to not burst out laughing.  Of course, it killed me that I couldn't give him a big fat hug and kiss, either. 

At this point we had already taken away his work bench for the next day, warm milk (he has a problem with the warm moo juice) and his train set.  Oy.  Tomorrow is going to suck.  Hopefully he gets it. 

After a few minutes Ryan told me I could go to Trader Joe's if I wanted to - it was my plan after all, to shop after the kids were asleep. 

So, it was at Trader Joe's that I witnessed the encounter that was straight out of a movie. 

Even though I don't need coffee, tea or hot chocolate I looked at their selection like I always do.  Don't ask me why I look at products I don't need - maybe it's like looking at cookies and ice cream.  I really like them, I don't always buy them but I most certainly will look. 

I swung my cart around from the meat section and turned my gaze to the coffee section when my eyes landed on a woman who was dressed really nice for a shopping trip.  Not Desperate Housewives nice or anything but still, nice.  She immediately caught my attention, not because of her attire but because of her eyes.  They were smoldering. 

She leaned in close, and she was already close, to a guy facing her and said, "I love you."  She was oozing wanton desire for this man.  Oozing it I tell you. 

Since I didn't actually hear her and just read her lips she could have said, "Olive juice" but based on his reaction (which wasn't to point her to the olive section) she was proclaiming her love for him.  Then they cut whatever distance was between them til it was none and kissed. 

And it wasn't just any kiss.  It was a Desperate Housewives kiss.  Really.  Her eyes went all dreamy and she may as well have sighed and put her hand on her forehead as she kissed her lover.

And I do mean lover. 

Yeah, yeah, I know.  Gag me with a spoon, like totally. 

Who knew a couple having their coffee beans ground at Trader Joe's could be so steamy? 

At that point I turned my attention to the display of fancy breads right next to me. 

Lest you think I stood there staring at their over the top display of affection whilst I chowed on popcorn like it was a scene from a movie (it was like a scene from a movie, though), their whole encounter lasted about 2 seconds. 

Two seconds more than I cared to see, though.  We aren't in Europe, people! 
Save your bedroom eyes for... the bedroom.  Really. 

What really shocked me was what I saw at the checkout.  Dreamy Smooching couple was in front of me at the checkout.  Mr. Dreamy Smooching, also dressed nicely, had a cool looking ring on his ring finger on his left hand.  "Hmm," I thought, "could they be married?"

Ms. Dreamy Smooching took her hand out of her coat pocket after what felt like ages so I could see if she had a ring on her left ring finger.  Sure enough, she did.  And it looked like it may have gone with Mr. Dreamy Smooching's ring so my only conclusion was that they were married - and married to each other.

Then I felt bad.

Look at them in that stage of love. 

Ryan would keel over if I planted one on him at the grocery store. 

Then he would grab me by the shoulders and say, "Woman!  Who are you?  Where's my wife?"

You might say neither of us are big on pda. 

For you younger folks, that means public display of affection and for you older folks it can also mean personal data assistant.  I wonder if, since personal data assistants lasted for a nanosecond before phones got all smart 'n stuff, pda again means public display of affection?

Urban Delights

Here are some photos from Ikea (in Renton, so it's not that urban but it is very delightful), the park overlooking the city and a shot of the city on our way home from the park.  Of course, the most delightful parts of this post are my adorable boys.  Adorable!

So goofy.  So cute.

 

Gavin hates to get messy but he will make an exception for ice cream.

 

Tired of my slow pace of shoveling ice cream into his face he swiped the spoon.

A frequent sight in our neck of the woods. 

Gavin loooves the slide.

He really wanted to climb this.

He wanted the sunglasses and mittens on.  It was just as well since it was c-c-c-cold and bright outside.

Theo has a hard time reaching the snack tray (on my to do list:  get a snack tray for Theo's side) so Gavin was handing them to his beloved little brother.  It was SO sweet.  

Watching in complete admiration as big brother prepares to come down the slide.

He tried to climb up the slide.  Don't worry, I didn't let him get more than 3/4 of the way up. 

The only thing this photo doesn't capture is the delighted shrieking sound he's making.



A man on a mission.

Peak-a-boo!



I love to see the city's skyline when we are just in the neighborhood haning out.

Hand in mouth.

Mitten in mouth, hand is free.

Mitten is long gone. 

Sun setting over the Olympic Mountains was a good signal that we should head for home.

Look at that happy boy!  He was running in circles.

Almost home.  I love living in the city.

Garden Gnomes

Here are my two little gnomes. Aren't they adorable?  Their duo of cuteness won runner up in Best Handmade Costume at the Columbia City.  Of course, my first thought was, "Hmmm, it was that obvious their costumes are home made?"  Ha. 

Hard Lesson

Gavin attended a friends birthday party today.  He talked about it all day.  All day I tried to prep him for what happens at a birthday party for someone else.  Namely, the cool presents that are wrapped are for the birthday girl, not the guests.  He is really into presents now.  He totally understands what they are now.  When he plays with his new toys I try to talk about the person who gave them to him. 

His vocabulary has grown to include a little word that I don't like so much:  need. 

From now until who knows when I feel like our job as parents is to teach him the difference between need and want. 

We were at Curious Kids Stuff in West Seattle picking out a toy to contribute the birthday present pool tomorrow at a mom's group brunch.  All of our kids are within 6 weeks of each other and instead of each family buying a gift for every kid we are buying one gender neutral gift and the kids will each get to pick one present.  It's saving everyone a boat load of money and space in our homes, really. 

So, I walk into this wonderful toy store that looks enticing to me - a grown woman.  I can only imagine what it looked like to Gavin.  He planted himself at a table with cars and started playing while a saleswoman was showing me gender neutral toys in my price range. 

After about 15 minutes I made up my mind and made my purchase.  While the present was being gift wrapped - I love Curious Kids Stuff for their free gift wrapping - I told Gavin we were going to be leaving.

It took some convincing and maybe a little bribe of a tasty lunch but after a few tears I managed to get him to leave the store with me.  As we were walking out of the store he was pointing to toys as we were leaving and saying, "I need dis one." 

"You don't need that.  You need food, shelter and love." 

At lunch - which was quite tasty since we ate at Blue Willow in the Junction in West Seattle, their food is always outstanding - Gavin was pawing at one of my coffee cream containers and said, "I need dis one." 
I asked, "You need it or you want it?"

"I want it." 

Ah.  

It was a happy moment even if he was just parroting what he knew the right answer to be.

Now I just need to watch my own consumption so my actions reflect my words.

After lunch we went home.  Theo got a much needed nap and Gavin got some quiet time - he quit napping several weeks ago but he still gets some time in his crib with toys that don't make any sounds or light up in any way shape or form, mostly puzzles and legos.  I lay down or take a shower. 

Today I chose to lay down and do some sudoku puzzles.  I was nodding off a bit when Gavin screamed and started crying.  I threw back the covers and sprang out of bed to see what was the matter.

Poor Gavin jumped a little when I flung open his door; he looked up at me a little scared.  I asked him was what wrong and he pointed at something in his crib and said, "In mouf."  Since I couldn't make out what he was pointing at I grabbed a sock that was laying in the crib to grab the mystery object and while doing so I said, "You put this in your mouth?" 

"Yes," he sobbed.

Upon closer inspection of the brown round thing I saw that it was a snail!  It's little head was moving around and it had some bubbles on it. 

I tossed it in the garbage and went back to console the totally grossed out Gavin and to offer him some warm milk to wash down whatever funk was in his mouth.  That and warm milk is a very comforting drink to the little man. 

Blech. 

After the birthday party which was full of wonderful 3 year old chaos each child got a mood ring, a bag of pretty rocks - it was a themed party at a place ... eh, I don't really know but it was neat, a goody bag and best of all  a helium balloon. 

Oh, the joy of the helium balloon. 

Gavin chose a pink balloon.  I held onto the string and Gavin held onto the string. 

Gavin did not like me holding it.  "Stop holding it, Mommy."

"No.  If you let go the balloon will go up in the air and be gone."

"Stop!"

"Stop holding it!"

I tried to be sneaky about holding it. 

He would have none of me trying to keep his balloon in his possession.  I stopped our walk back to the car so I could tie the string to his pants or wrist.

That really rubbed him the wrong way.  "NO!"  "Stop!"

He would not let me tie the balloon to anything to keep him from losing it.

So I realized I needed to let go of the balloon.  Before I did I told him again that if he let go of the string the balloon would go up in the sky and there would be no getting it back.

"Stop holding it, Mommy!"

So I stopped holding it.

Two seconds later Gavin let go of the string for a split second.  I made a swipe for the string but it was up, up and away.

The devastated look on Gavin's face broke my heart.  But it was also very funny and cute at the same time.  He wailed, "Balloooooon!"  "Get it, Mommy."  "Waaaaaaaa!"

A couple saw him losing the balloon - not the part where I tried very hard to make sure the balloon was tied down - and looked very sad for him.  It was a very pathetic little scene. 

I told Gavin I was sorry but I couldn't get the balloon, it was gone.  No more balloon. 

As he was getting into the van he saw a single white helium balloon tied to a front porch of someone who was clearly having a party.  "Another balloon, Mommy?" 

The whole ride home he said, "It's okay, Mommy."  At one point I asked him if he was sad about the balloon and he said, "No.  I'm upset." 

I love that he can tell us how he feels.  I especially like it when he says, "Gavin's happy." 

It makes me happy. 

3/1

My baby baby is turning one tomorrow.  He's walking and will be one therefore he will be a toddler.  My baby baby will no longer be a baby. 

That makes me very sad. 

My baby will be three on Monday.  THREE!

I know they are young still young but they are no longer babies and since my uterus may be closed for business that makes me really, really sad that my babies are growing up. 

I want to have my babies stay squishy and round and wobbly. 

Although I would like to have them sleep well and not scream and cry when I walk out of the room.

Water

Before I completely forget it ever happened I have to share a few funny stories revolving around water and the boys.

Theo loves to play in the animals water dish.  We have a water table in the back yard that he loves to play in.  He just stands there and splashes and splashes to his hearts content for what feels like an eternity.  Or at least 15 minutes.  Until he spies a juicy blade of grass to eat or a dandelion to eat or dirt to eat. 

Gavin likes sticking his hands in the water table then slurping the water off his hands.  Yuck.  I really have to stay on top of cleaning the table since it gets dirty super fast, what with all the bugs using it as a drinking hole.

The indoor water table (animals water bowl) is the main reason we had to put a baby gate back up across the kitchen since that is the home of the water dish.  Every now and again I forget to close the gate and as soon as Theo realizes his unfettered access to the water his eyes light up and he runs - it's a straight legged run so it's hilarious, to the water dish.  Sometimes you can hear him squealing in anticipation of playing with the water and hope that he gets there before I swoop in and grab him.

Yesterday I caught him playing in the water and instead of grabbing him I went for the camera.  I got some great photos and video of him playing in the water.  Then as I'm recording him playing he leans over and starts to slurp the water out of the bowl! 

Ewwww.....

Each time I pulled him up away from the water he leaned back over to try and get more. 

A few days before that Gavin had his own play time with the water dish. 

Gavin has found a fun new thing to do.  He fills his cup with water at the fridge.  It's great fun to stick your cup to the fridge door and press a button and have water and ice pour out.  He's pretty good at not over filling, too.

He takes a couple of drinks and says, "Mmm. Das delicious," then pours the rest of the cup into the animals water bowl and goes back to the fridge to refill saying, "need fresh walla."

So he's doing his drink 2 sips, pour and refill routine the other day when I turn to watch him in action.

I turned after I heard him say, "get fresh walla" and saw him pulling his cup up from the water dish.  It was full of water.  Murky water with bits of dog food and grass and dirt from the dogs mouth (the animals get fresh water but sometimes it gets yucky if the dog has just been playing outside or drinks right after eating her kibbles).

Gross. 

Gross.

Gross.

And really, really, really funny.