HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY ELLA!!

Ella had her 1 year checkup today so she wasn't thrilled with the birthday present of 3 shots and a finger stick. She did well and took a quick nap afterwards before Mike came home with some Chick-fil-A for lunch. Ella really enjoyed her first chicken nuggets and a french fries too. She topped that off with peas, applesauce and some birthday cake -whew she was hungry. That was most of the celebrating we did today. Mike was gone this evening so we just let Ella eat at her normal time having some baby food and yogurt and then enjoyed a walk around the block. She was dressed in a cute dress and hat, so of course when she was outside all she wanted to do was to play in the dirt....tomboy?. She moved quickly in the dirt but instead of walking or crawling she kind of walked on all fours trying not to rub her knees. After attempting to consume several rocks, I decided it would be easier if we played inside where I can at least know that the worst thing going in her mouth would be a three day old Cheerio that escaped the vacuum cleaner.

Jesus, Look Out for the Snowballs!
Landon enjoys having one toy with him when he naps. After lunch Mike was laying him down when Landon asked "please leave a little light so I can see snowballs hit Jesus".
After what seemed like an eternity of confusion and serious concern, Mike was quite proud of himself for figuring out that Landon was talking about a manger scene sno-globe that Landon had received at Christmas (even though he hadn't played with it in months). How do their minds work like that? Anyway, Mike found the sno-globe, took it to him, and left the blinds cracked just enough so Landon could see the snow. We had a really good laugh about it as Landon fell asleep while pelting baby Jesus with snowballs. Who says God doesn't have a sense of humor?

Tuesday, May 30th

Is it hot or what? Even the heat couldn't keep Landon and Ella from fun at the playground when we met our playgroup this morning. Landon had so much fun in the sand, on the swings and with all of his friends but by the end he was ready to get home to some air conditioning and I was past ready. The rest of the day we played at home and got some rest after a big weekend.

Ella is getting braver each day with her walking and is quickly learning to stand up without holding on to anything and to walk in between toys or furniture a step at a time. I think she will be running before long. She has developed a certain affinity for the bubble wands and if you try to take one she melts down in a tantrum most wouldn't believe for a little sweetheart. (Or at least her Pops wouldn't believe).

Tomorrow Ella has her one year checkup on her actual birthday so I feel kind of bad that she will have shots on her birthday but since she has already celebrated it will be fine.

Monday, Memorial Day

What a great holiday. Mike was home and we had a first birthday celebration for Ella. Of course it was an adventure as Ella didn't take her normal 2 - 3 hour nap in the afternoon so she was in a great mood. We had lots of yummy food, birthday cake, present time, and time outdoors playing. We set Ella up with her very own cake and she loved playing in it but didn't put the first bite in her mouth. Go figure, she will put dirt, bugs, sticks, bubble wands etc... in her mouth but wouldn't put some sweet creamy icing and fluffy cake in.

Landon and his friend Rami enjoyed helping Ella open her presents. One of my favorites was when Rami pulled some clothes out of a gift bag and said "ooh, look - hangers". By the end of the day Ella was ready for bed and fell asleep immediately, three hours later when I checked on her she hadn't moved an inch. Landon also fell asleep quickly, so hard that he was even snoring.

Landon gave Ella a big yellow ball for her birthday, however, when we went to get something for her we told Landon he needed to pick out a present for Ella and not for Landon. He jumped out of the van and said "but all I know is trains". He admired all of the trains in the store but was still able to get Ella something else.

Wednesday, May 24th

YEAH TAYLOR HICKS!! Our American Idol craziness has come to an end - might I add a pleasant end. Chuck, Caroline, Kelli and Sam came over to watch the finale with us and we screamed so loud that I thought for sure we would have woke the whole neighborhood up but luckily not even a baby in the house woke up.

The day was busy with Landon's preschool picnic party, errands, naps, and dinner at church. Landon nor Ella took a great nap so they were very ready for bed and hopefully will sleep in a little as we have a big day tomorrow.

Ella decided today that she really liked blowing kisses but to the man painting and didn't blow any to Mike. Instead she laid some big wet kisses on him. She is waving bye bye, blowing kisses, giving kisses and the other night we were sure she said "night night". Growing up so fast.

Landon is showing his mother's indecisiveness more and more each day. Some might think he is just being considerate but when you ask which Thomas he wants to watch he asks for you to pick, if you ask which game or puzzle he wants and he asks for you to choose, if you ask what he wants for lunch he asks for his options but doesn't like to pick any. I am hoping to get him through this and also help myself in the process. Now I know how frustrated Mike gets with me when I make him choose everything.

Alright - it's way late and I should be in bed.

Tuesday, May 23rd

I had all intentions to post again last night but after a long day of running around (Target, Michaels Craft Store, Costco, the bank, Goodwill, and lastly picking up the camera I left at dinner club for the second month in a row) and taking dinner to a friend who recently had a baby but was also in the hospital for a while for another surgery I didn't do anything once the kids were in bed. Landon and Ella behaved well for me to do all of the errands and we did finish the evening with a lovely walk around the block enjoying the beautiful weather.

Today was Landon's last morning of "young two's" preschool. He has a picnic tomorrow at the park and then no school until September. I am looking forward to having fun together all summer and it seems we have already started filling up our days. His teachers gave him a very sweet photo album of pictures taken throughout the year.

Ella and I went to playgroup this morning and she enjoyed crusing the benches, swinging and pulling up grass and dirt to try and get them in her mouth before I saw her. Right after we picked up Landon we headed to have lunch in "Daddy's tall tower" and Ella was so tired she fell asleep on the 5 minute trip. She nor Landon really sleep well in the car so of course when we parked she woke up. Luckily for me it was enough of a nap that she was happy during our visit. Landon loves to go up and stand on Mike's desk on the 28th floor and look peer out of the window by leaning his body and face against it. I am usually good with heights but something about him leaning on the window and seeing all the cars underneath makes my stomach flip over several times.

Tonight we watched the last competition night for American Idol and I have been trying to vote for Taylor for almost an hour non-stop and only one time was my call put through to vote. I am really hoping he wins and this is the first time I have voted (believe it or not). I think if he doesn't win then I will just commit to not watching it next year and stick to that. I don't like this addicted feeling and fear that it may roll over into some other strange habit or maybe a good one - I could be addicted to cleaning but that would be over the edge! I guess I will put the phone down and go to bed since Taylor won't be getting up with my children tomorrow.

Sunday, May 21st

I know it is Monday afternoon but I had every intention of posting on Sunday and again left my camera at dinner club. It was a busy Sunday for us with church, I had a 2 hour meeting in the afternoon, Mike had a 2 hour meeting following mine and dinner club. Needless to say after all that my brain was fried. Dinner club was great as usual but we were sorry that Amy & Delane couldn't make it. Landon ended up playing with Molly and Emma (both over 5 years old). He really wanted them to play with him but they had fun screaming and running from him. He didn't seem to understand but it didn't interfere with his fun. After he finished his few bites of hotdog and lots of cheetos he was ready to dig into some homemade ice cream (YUMMMMM). He walked up to Brian who was in the rocking chair and said "I am going to wait with you until my mommy gets my ice cream", Brian replied - "I am going to rock in my rocking chair" and Landon said "I will rock in my chair with you". It was quite a cute conversation and made for a great photo opp.

Ella had a blast as well playing in the rocks and trying to eat them. Mike was a champ as I left them asleep at home with him and he was tasked with getting them up from naps and in the van to meet me so he could go to his meeting and we would exchange. Ella woke up with (as Mike puts it) a 9 out of 10 size diaper and she isn't the easiest baby to change as she flips over in .0000001 of a second as soon as you lay her down. He successfully changed her and packed them up and met me on time. Since this was his first time having both by himself to take somewhere I was very impressed and feel very confident that he can handle a trip with them again soon. However, I must say that Mike isn't going to be the best influence on Ella's attire. He can match things fine (I say that even though he brought her with a pastel purple dress and some bright red shoes) but he loves to have all shirts tucked in and pants pulled up as far as they will go..... note the picture of Ella and her pants almost to her armpits. He also told me earlier that Landon's pants were too tight and I informed him that if they weren't around the top of his belly or near his chest that they wouldn't seem so tight. It's all fun and Mike is just preparing Ella for later in life when he wants to make sure she doesn't have any dates that he will have to scare off.

Saturday, May 20th

We were able to go to the golf course today - not really to play golf but our friends live on the golf course and invited us over for a cookout. We enjoyed eating outside and then running on the fairway playing ball tag and having Landon chase us like he is the lion. Landon enjoys playing with his friend Jesse and Ella had fun watching all of the kids. Jesse's dad's name is Neal but Landon always calls him "Nail", I don't know if it is just some of his southern accent coming out or if he prefers the name Nail.

In reverse order, we went to breakfast yesterday to eat with Chuck and Caroline but we really wanted to see Caroline's parents - Amy and E.H.. They are like an extra set of grandparents for Landon and Ella. We hope to be able to visit them at their house soon. They live on a farm and we get to enjoy all of the space and the pond where we can fish.

All in all we had a wonderful day and couldn't have asked for better weather. Saturdays are Landon's favorite, as soon as he wakes he asks "Daddy doesn't have to go to work today, he gets to stay and play with us?". It's my favorite day too - for the same reason.

Thursday, May 19th

Due to Landon's fever we stayed in today and worked around the house. Landon was pretty tired in themorning and just hung out around the couch but by evening he was playing his "scary lion" game where he roars and we have to run away and was running all over the house chasing Mike.

Ella has been trying to grow up fast today. She has been standing on her own a lot and with the little push walker she walked half of the room before falling and busting her lip open. At meal time she has been eating a lot of our food including pasta, strawberries and some chex cereal. Another of her favorite things right now is crawling over, through and under things. She likes to try to crawl over the bars under chairs and she also tried to crawl under her bed today. I can't imagine where I will find her next.

I did laundry all day (or at least it felt like it). It always amazes me how much laundry we can have after just 2 or 3 days. I imagined tonight that the only way to have less laundry is to live in a nudist colony. The only ones in our house that would be comfortable with that living would be the kids as they enjoy to run around without clothes even if it seems like it is 50 degrees in the house. So scrapping that idea I guess I will try to get all of the laundry done tomorrow, or at least get to a breaking point where we can wait another day or two.

Wednesday, May 17th

We just seem to be struggling right now with staying healthy. After a good day and busy one we came home in the evening and Landon had a 103.3 temperature. I have heard that there is a "fever" virus going around in young children that is a fever and just feeling a little yucky for 25 hours but then you are fine. I hope that this is what Landon has as he didn't really complain of any other pains.

We went to the strawberry patch this morning and picked some beautiful strawberries. Landon loved picking them and I was surprised that he didn't ask to eat any before we got back. Caroline taught me how to make jam and I made about 10 jars of jam which I am looking forward to testing Thursday morning.
Ella tried strawberries and just loved them and probably ate about 8 before filling up. It's a great feeling to find some type of food she loves (other than ice cream).

Landon asked me to color with him today and I colored a pretty generic smiley face and he said "I'm going to help you mommy with your smiley face". I thought he would add some hair or something and instead he took the peach crayon and made a couple of swirls which I thought he would describe as the cheeks because it is exactly where he drew them, instead he said "mommy, I made eye LIPS". Too cute.

Mike is went back to work and seems to be doing well.

Tuesday, May 16th

Mike is eating a cheeseburger and some fries so lets all hope that it brings him to feeling better tomorrow. He doesn't seem to feel as bad as I did as a cheeseburger wouldn't have been on my list to eat even two days after being sick. I didn't eat anything the first day and don't think Landon ate for a week.

Landon had fun at preschool this morning and even sat on the potty at school for which he received a certificate and a sticker. No business was done but a lot of "hip hip hooray's". I sure wish I received as much recognition for small accomplishments. Tonight Landon is staying with his Aunt Caroline, Uncle Chuck, Kelli and Sam and I am sure he had a blast. They were so kind to let us come over this evening to hang out while Mike is sick. Later I came home to put Ella to bed and slip on out to my monthly dinner out with friends.

Ella went to bed 30 minutes early so I'm hoping that doesn't mean that she is going to get up hours earlier than normal. She only had one nap today but it was a good one as she woke up laughing and standing in her crib trying to push all of the buttons on her mobile. It often sounds like a carnival in her room as she plays all of her musical crib toys at the same time. There is a little Beethoven, a little twinkle twinkle little star and of course the background sounds of the forest from her noise machine. If she can't grow up with real crickets outside her window I figure I can have them simulated for her, hopefully it drowns out some of the laughing and train noises from Landon.

Since Mike was home I took the opportunity to run some errands while he was here to listen for any waking of children. He sure was a help today even while sick - or shall I say I sure don't help him too much but take advantage of his inability to get out of bed. So off to bed for me and hopes for a healthy Wednesday!

Monday, May 15th

I'm sleeping in the guest room tonight! Can you believe that Mike has some intestinal virus? I guess you probably can if you have been reading our blog lately. His is a bit different than Landon and mine was so far so I am steering clear just in case. I sure hope he feels better soon as we all know being sick is no fun and we have had our fill in this house lately. Right now everyone is asleep except for me and there are so many things I should probably be doing but right now I am kind of enjoying the quiet.

We took the gutters off of our house a couple of weeks ago and have been trying to get the house painted. We also had our basement worked on several months ago and have been trying to get that fixed back to a useable space. Both projects have seemed to drag on. With the gutters gone it has rained about 8 days out of every week and I think we are catching up on the drought that we have been in. The basement work has kept the basement from flooding so that is one thing I am very thankful for. Of course it was never told to us that it had flooded before we bought it and since it seems to have flooded more times than I would like to admit. The worst I must say is when I was 9.5 months pregnant with Landon (actually only 8.5) and Mike was in Europe for school and it started to flood and I could barely bend over to vacuum much less try to figure out why the sump wasn't working. As for the paint, they promise that the painters will be back tomorrow and finished by the end of the week which means next week we can get the gutters back up (I sure hope they put them up during non-napping hours around here). I am really hoping that these timeframes hold up because I am starting to feel like I am in the perpetual state of undone - or maybe that is just motherhood.

Well I guess I will stop complaining and get some sleep - many prayers that Mike's virus is short and that everyone else stays healthy!

Sunday, May 14th

Happy Mother's Day to all of you mothers out there and also to all of those who "mother" children whether they are yours or not. Being a mother has been the most rewarding time in my life and even though some days are hard and I get worn out I love it very much and know that God has blessed me tremendously.

We spent the day together all day and visited Gammy in Stuart. It was a fun time and no car sickness (Mike drove very well) and I at least got to get a glimpse of my mom. She is still sick with the stomach virus and wanted to make sure no germs were spread so she didn't allow me to come in the house. I stood outside in the rain and talked to her through her window but it will be a mother's day memory forever. I do hope that Gammy and my mom realize how special they both are and that we are grateful for their love!

Ella was standing more on her own today and even attempted to take a step to walk towards me. She quickly got "spaghetti legs" and decided to crawl but it was a fun moment to watch. Landon didn't nap all day because I forgot to pack his "pacis" for the day trip and he has never napped without them except in the car. I was pleased at how well he did without having a nap but I will look forward to having him in his room quiet for an hour or two today (it used to always be 3 but I guess I should cut that back since we put him to bed at 8:30 and it is sometimes 10:00 before he falls asleep). He fell asleep on the way home and even stayed mostly asleep as Mike changed his diaper and put his pjs on.

Saturday, May 13th

A great day for everyone in the house. We woke to smiles and laughter and Landon was able to have Uncle Barry here while he ate breakfast. He loves for people to sit with him while he eats his cereal and he really perks up when it is someone other than mommy. We didn't have much planned today as we were supposed to go to VA for a birthday party but Finley was sick - hope you are feeling better buddy!! With no plans we packed a picnic and headed to the lake to eat, feed the ducks and walk on the lake trail. We all had a blast and the ducks had lots to keep them busy. You would have thought we walked up with a box of ritz instead of some old stale bread and airplane pretzels that must have been 2 years old.

After naps for Mike, Ella and Landon we worked in the yard. Landon loves to shovel dirt so he helped me transplant some hostas, Mike cut the grass and Ella walked on all fours trying to keep her knees out of the grass but supervised our work and our neighbors planting of some dogwood trees. Mike and Landon brought me a beautiful pot of daisies (my favorite) and even though he tried to keep me from the surprise he said "you will love them because they are beautiful and that is why you love me too because they put on you a smile". There was so much love floating through the air that I forgot about a stuffy head all day, the time-outs had for misbehaving, and the spit-up from Ella all over both of us.

Now for a quiet evening of baths and Mike watching the race. I think I will turn in now for a couple of extra zzzzzzzs. I did post a couple pictures for the previous days - thanks to Mike for fixing my camera after I left it out in the rain last night (it wasn't supposed to rain at all but I guess I shouldn't have left my camera outside anyway).

Friday, May 12th

Ella now has diapers that fit her instead of a 2.5 year old. We made our trek to Costco and a few other places. Landon didn't want to go but when we got home he did tell me he had fun. Fun wasn't the adjective of my choice for a day fighting crowds and the "can I have one to take home" but I must say that we are lucky to be able to go buy diapers and wipes in quantities of hundreds at a warehouse, as well as gallons of milk below $4.00.

Landon had the most fun at Costco as they have their samples out and he loves to try them. My mom often says that my children may grow up thinking that Costco is where lunch is. Landon ate 2 cups of pasta, 2 pieces of garlic toast, 2 pieces of french bread with spaghetti sauce, once bagel chip with spinach dip, 2 pieces of pound cake, one piece of a tart, one piece of cheesecake, one piece of brownie and one oatmeal cookie. I thought for sure I had accomplished fixing him a well rounded lunch but when we got home he said he wanted lunch before nap time. I gave him a banana since I thought their may be hope for me if I can give him a piece of fruit.

Ella did try a few bites of pound cake but isn't the sampler that Landon tends to be only because of mom not really because she doesn't want it. She is getting a little more secure in her cruising and lets go to stand by herself for a few seconds. I think if she could she would just start running today so that she could get away from me every time I try to take something out of her hands that she would like to eat (rocks, grass, dirt) - she would do well on fear factor as she doesn't seem to be set back by the color or taste for that matter (unless it is green beans).

We had a visit from Uncle Barry in the evening and while Ella was already asleep Landon enjoyed playing the lion and chasing everyone. He can't just chase one person but it has to be everyone up and running. I think Mike thought he was going to get a break for a while but Landon ran up and told him "Daddy you need to get up and run as the lion comes". Looking forward to a morning with Uncle Barry tomorrow.

Thursday, May 11th

I am out of diapers for Ella and she is wearing one of Landon's size 5 diapers on her petite 11 month old bottom. She had just enough diapers to get through tomorrow morning and then she pooped unexpectedly (as if all poops are planned). I am waiting until Friday to make a Costco run, I guess that's pretty sad but I just couldn't go out again today. She doesn't seem to mind that the diaper is all the way up to her underarms. In all honesty I am waiting until tomorrow because I have a coupon that is good starting then for $3.00 off a mega huge warehouse box of diapers. Mike can only laugh at this as he says I am the coupon queen and only buy things if they are on clearance. One time I bought Mike a pair of Banana Republic Jeans at the Junior League Rummage sale and they were truly his nicest pair of jeans. Shortly after that day I caught him outside cutting grass in those jeans and ran up to him screaming "what are you doing wearing your good jeans to cut the grass?". He then reminded me that I only paid $3.00 for the jeans and that they shouldn't qualify as his "good jeans". So my husband and family have to live with my squeakiness and accept me as just one tight person.

As of now I need to go out and buy Mike some new jeans again as he has lost so much weight that all of his jeans fall off of him and he looks like a teenager wearing them around his thighs except he doesn't have the long shirts to go with them. He looks great and if anyone wants to know how he did it - his favorite Atkins diet. It goes against everything I eat but it works for him. I am carbs all the way all the time. I would eat sugary cereal with toast in the morning, a sandwich and pasta for lunch and a big plate of pasta with garlic bread for dinner. I am also a very big ice cream fan and could eat a bowl twice a day most days except it is a bad example for my children. Both Landon and Ella are fans of ice cream too with Landon's favorite being chocolate chip cookie dough and Ella's any ice cream you will give her.

Maybe we will have to go for some this weekend to celebrate mother's day.

Wednesday, May 10th

Happy Birthday Ella Sue!! It was great to spend the day with you and we hope that you enjoyed your birthday.
Gammy still wasn't feeling up to 100% but I think Landon added any extra energy and appetite anyone needed. He had so much fun running around and eating everything in sight. He never wants to leave when it's time to go and that may have to do something with all the attention he receives from both grandmothers. This afternoon Gammy was thanking Landon for using such nice manners and being a good boy and he replied "I appreciate it". Ella enjoyed the freedom to spread legos out everywhere and actually reach the buttons on the TV, luckily she didn't push then but just ran her fingers across them. Again it was wonderful to visit Stuart and get to see Gammy on her birthday, but now it is nice to be back home to see Mike. Ella was full of kisses for her dad and also happy to have her mobile to watch.

Now for some venting. I am so bummed that Chris was voted off of American Idol. I thought for sure it would be him and Taylor in the finals and then neither could lose, however, this has changed my whole desire to watch the program. I am left wondering how we became so involved and addicted to this show and then let down so hard. I do like the other contestants but Chris should have outlasted Katharine and probably Elliott as well. Mike and I have agreed that we aren't sure we want to watch any longer (but I know we will). I wish the best for Chris and that he has a long music career.

Ok - now let me go and see if I can sleep. I have had some difficulty in this area for the last few nights which is really unlike me. I have been working through a very stuffy nose and sinus infection which is the mail culprit but since I have had some antibiotics (Amy - not as good as your drugs) I am feeling like I may be able to sleep well. Good night to all.

Monday, May 8th

Errands - they always pile up. Today we had many to run, including the ever dreaded Wal-Mart run. Every time I get to Wal-Mart I wish I had bought one of those flopsy things that they make for your child to sit in so that they don't end up sucking on the handle that the last kid just licked. I don't know how we ever survived as children (ha ha) but with Ella and Landon having been sick recently I was just a bit more concerned and ended up carrying Ella and letting Landon push the cart, which of course meant that he ran into a lot of unsuspecting shoppers who luckily would just look at him and his big brown eyes and say "oh - that's ok honey". Just like always I got everything I needed in one area then headed across the store when I remembered I needed something else from the section I just left so we have to hike all the way back for that one item - has this ever happened to anyone else? We did survive our trip with only one purchase that wasn't on our list and without having to search for Thomas stuff to keep Landon happy. He was happy just putting the items I needed in the cart and then asking me "what else can I buy mommy?".

Ella isn't eating too well and I think is still a little under the weather. Today she hasn't run a fever and has been a bit happier but still not quite her normal self. Landon, on the other hand, is making up for lost time with his appetite. This morning he ate 3 servings of cereal, a piece of a pop tart, some bites of my bacon and then asked for his own piece of bacon. This didn't send him into a sugar high but he did have plenty energy today unlike the last 6 days. I am still in the salty foods category after being sick - sweet doesn't sound too good to me and I am not hungry at all but have been trying to eat as much as I can to regain some strength, energy, and hopefully some color back in my skin.

My picture today is of Landon's colored tongue. We stopped at the bank and they offered him a green or a blue lolli-pop - guess which one he chose? Anyway he enjoyed it and about an hour or so later he asked out of the blue (no pun intended) "tomorrow can we go and get the green one?". It took me a while to figure out what he was talking about but he wasn't happy when I said we didn't need to go to the bank tomorrow, so we may be stopping by for a free lolli-pop guess it's a good thing Mike works for that bank and probably puts enough hours in to justify a couple of cubes of sugar on a stick.

Sunday, May 7th

Still recovering and poor Ella Sue. We got a call last night that Ella Sue was getting sick and sure enough she caught the wicked stomach virus that we had. She came down here and was such a help to me and I repay her by passing on my germs - pretty nice of me huh? Hopefully it won't take as much out of her as it did me. Yesterday I was able to eat all day and even took Landon to his friend's birthday party. Luckily for me it wasn't a pool party and I could sit down and watch some of the action and take a few pictures. Landon loved the party as it was train themed with lots of Thomas the train toys around. Of course he didn't want to leave when it was over but has decided he would like to go back sometime soon. Mike stayed home and took care of "the Ella" which can be a full time job in itself. I am also sad to report that she ran a small fever and had a yucky cough throughout the day. However, I am very thankful that she isn't sick to her stomach.

This morning we woke to rain and cooler temperatures. It was hard to get anyone going this morning and Ella and I stayed home from church to make sure we weren't still passing any germs. Ella has just recently become a little interested in Baby Einstein which we lovingly called "baby crack" when Landon was small because he would watch it like he was hypnotized until you turned it off. It doesn't seem to have the same effect on Ella but it does keep her attention for a few minutes for me to have the opportunity to type as I am doing. She still continuously is in motion and cruising the whole time but content.

Does anyone know what to do to keep a baby from grinding their teeth. Ella insists on doing it all the time and it is DRIVING ME INSANE! Not really insane but it is a very bad sound that makes me want to pull my hair out or crawl into a corner and beat my head against the wall (maybe that is insane).

Landon's latest saying - thanks to Mike - is "do you want to ride in my love machine, baby? (machine is pronounced ma - cheen instead of ma - sheen). This was an old Mike saying that Frank got a hold of and recently bought Mike a shirt that shows a car with the bold letters "love machine" on it that Mike loves to wear anywhere and everywhere. So this morning when I was sitting with Ella, she stated to get something she shouldn't have and I told her "no baby" and across the room Landon was playing some music and never looked at me or anything but said "do you want to ride in my love machine BABY?".

Friday, May 5th

Feeling a little better today but still not up to par. Landon is still a little pale but seems to act fine. Ella Sue came down this morning to help us all out and boy it was great to have her here. I was able to leave the germ containment area (my bedroom) for a good bit today and even eat some food from lunch on, but I still don't have the energy to keep up with my children.

After lunch Landon had his very first lolli pop! No - I'm not the candy police of a mommy but I haven't ever had him ask for one so I never offered. He was very fascinated with it and tried to bite it immediately. I told him he had to lick it and after a few licks he informed me that "it tastes like candy". Later on in the process he told me he was drinking his lolli pop - which I guess since you don't necessarily bite and chew it that you kind of do drink the slippery saliva sugar goo in your mouth.

Later in the day Landon went to Jackson's birthday party! He was so excited about going and since it was a pool party he kept saying he had to get his "baby suit" on. He also asked Mike if he was going to put on his "baby suit". After some discussion it was moved to the "babing suit". He had a wonderful time at the party and was delighted that he ate cake and a cookie for dinner. Mike had a great time too but said that he was in survival mode and didn't come home with any pictures, pajamas on Landon, or with dinner before cake for Landon. I was just happy that they made it back and had fun.

Hopefully we are all going to continue to feel better!

Another 10:30 AM update.

I thought we were in the clear after a visit to the doc who said that Ella's fever was probably the same virus just different reactions to it and Landon's spewing spell should not last more than 24 hours. He kept everything (a few sips of milk, cereal, and bananas) down yesterday and wanted to venture outside in the evening to swing and play with dad. However, this morning after a good nights sleep Landon downed a cup of milk and a few bites of cereal but shortly after gave it all back to me on the den floor. Right afterwards he cheered - "yeah, my tummy's not sick anymore and I'm all better" this was 15 minutes before the next episode began. After all the breakfast was gone (for the second time) he has seemed like the active child he is besides the pale skin and droopy eyes.

Ella, on the other hand, slept more than 12 hours last night and woke up happy with only a slight fever. She kept herselft busy crawling around the house and excitedly attacked the vacuum cleaner as I tried not to roll over her fingers. I have one child who runs away from the vacuum and one that runs towards it with love - talk about opposites.

So we are going to forgo our trip to Stuart to visit Gammy and Nannie for the day and just stay at home and contain our germs from the outside world or at least to our family. I do have reinforcements coming as Nannie just couldn't stay away from the kids and decided to come see us instead.

Landon is begging for me to play puzzles now and has asked the official question "how many minutes do you have typing". He is all about having a number associated to everything. So my 2 minutes is running out and he is watching the clock. Hopefully we will have more fun soon when the kids are feeling better.

An update to Mike's post.

It's now 10:30 AM on Tuesday and everyone at the moment is content. Mike headed to work around 9 and Landon has been relaxing and watching some videos. He has eaten a little bit of cereal (even though I tried to push the BRATS diet for all of you moms who have been through that discussion) and it seems to have agreed with him. I envy the way he can be so cute and full of life even when he has only had 3 or 4 hours of sleep.

The night turned a little more eventful as Ella woke up at 1:30 with a fever and very unhappy. We tried tylenol and lots of rocking but eventually I felt like I was the one needing the tylenol and rocking. She continued to wake up throughout the night for 30 - 45 minute segments. She is still a little warm this morning and I am completely out of ibuprofen and the tylenol as well. She has shown no signs of the same stomach problems so I hope that it won't happen to her. Landon continued to have spells all night but since all of the blueberries were gone, he wasn't productive except for keeping us on our toes. Mike took over sleeping with him and I stayed with Ella. Just so happens that tonight we were planning a date night and a babysitter for the kids. I think our datenight may just be sitting on the couch dazed and confused from a lack of sleep or a lack of appetite from last nights events.

Anyway - as for Landon's trip to the dentist - it went remarkably well. He went back and was thrilled with all of the toys and video games. He let the dentist count and clean his teeth and tried to talk the whole time. I personally liked the fact that they gave him a pair of sunglasses to wear while they shined the light in his mouth - looked kind of like a bad trip to the pool - colorful chairs, toys, kids in sunglasses and dental tools. On the way to the dentist we dropped Ella off at my sister-in-laws and Landon asked "where's Ella, I miss her?". One day I will be sure to remind him of that, and her too when she is attacking him with wet kisses or maybe some hair pulling. As for now I will soak up their lovey moments in a sponge that I can squeeze in the teen years to get me through.