Monday, February 25

poopy pants

This story is a tad dated.  I think it happened a month ago, but a month ago I didn't have enough time to type stories....

Listen, I've got a problem.  I'm an over eager diaper changer.  If I hear that something has happened, I'm all over getting it cleaned up in helps of preventing diaper rash and keeping Lydia happy. 

So, I hear that it's happened (come one you know what I'm talking about, don't make me spell it out) and I give it another minute, just in case.  I lay her down on the diaper changing part of her pack and play.  I've got all the necessary goods; fresh cloth diaper, load of wipes, good to go.

I open the diaper, it's there as expected.  Then it happens, mid way through this diaper change Lydia makes a little grunt and before I can cover the exposed area poop just SHOOTS all over.  When I say shoots, I really mean it.  This changing area has raised sides all around it, yet I am covered in poop.  Poop on my hand, arm, shirt.  Poop on my pants and socks.  Luckily, I guess, I managed to "catch" all the poop, so there isn't any on the floor.  Also, of course, there is poop all over the dirty diaper and most of Lydia's bottom half. 

Now what?  What does one do when covered in baby poop?  Try not to move to much.  Avoiding poop on the light tan rug is of up most importance.  Off with my poop clothes, wipe the baby down and the affected changing pad.  While all this poop is going on Lydia is cooing and enjoying looking at the over head light.  I guess I'd feel pretty great if I'd just been though what she had. 

I toss my rolled up poop pants (breastfed baby poop doesn't really stain, so no need to wash right now) and socks into my closet, redress and move on with life.  No here is the real problem, a month of so ago when this occurred I was pretty tired and my head was in a pretty thick "mother of an infant and preschooler" fog.  That night or a day later or something I'm wearing some pajama pants and Jim asks "what's that on your pants?"  Yep, I'm that awesome. 

snow day(s)

It doesn't snow in Kansas, well it hasn't snowed more than two inches at a time since I've been here.  Until this winter.  We better take advantage of it...what if it doesn't snow again for another 2-3 years? 

It's a little tricky with Lydia, I don't think she does snow so I play out with Oliver when Jim happens to be home, which is not very often.  Other times I let him play outside when Lydia is sleeping so I can play a little with him and keep popping into the house to make sure she is okay. 


Yesterday we spray painted some snow.

-food coloring
-water
-spray bottles




ready to play






"now I will paint the tree"






shoveling with daddy




We are getting another 8-15 inches of snow this afternoon/evening/tomorrow.  Hopefully we can get some fun sledding and snowman building in.  Then on Thursday the babes and I are road tripping to Texas.  Hello mid 50s, hello IKEA.

Saturday, February 9

baking soda & vinegar

A pinterest inspired project designed to fill 30-45 minutes of afternoon time...

-baking soda (I buy giant bags of it at Sams Club, I also use it for washing cloth diapers)
-vinegar
-droppers
-a tray
-cups (we used ramekins)

the set up


fizzing

ooooo red & yellow makes orange

let's make more orange

after 20 minutes

eventually it all turns brown, the fizz stops,
 and we dump it in the sink

Friday, February 8

valentine project

A simple pinterest inspired snack that we made for Oliver's teachers to enjoy during their staff meeting. 

What you need...
-pretzels
-hershey kisses
-m&ms
-cookie sheet
-parchment paper or a silpat (we had neither this day, which made it a little challenging to remove from the cookie sheet)
-oven (200 degrees)


put your pretzels out on the cookie sheet  

top with hershey kisses (we used hugs)

all lined up
bake at 200 for about 4 minutes

remove from the oven and press an M&M into each chocolate

We popped them into the fridge for faster cooling, which leads to faster consumption!


Thursday, February 7

2years!! happy family day!

Two years ago I walked into Oliver orphanage, changed his clothes, dressed him warmly, and said goodbye.  He became a son, and Jim & I became parents. 



Here are some photos of our second year together. 

march

may

birthday morning

birthday party time

july, maid of the mist

august, first day of preschool

october, boo at the zoo

december, becoming a big brother

january, playing marbles together

To celebrate our special day as a family we simply ask Oliver what he wants to do.  His request "Let's eat pizza at the pizza place next to the ice cream shop."  Will do buddy. 

We mention Russia and adoption often, but we take a little extra time these days to look through pictures of Russia, the orphanage, and our journey to becoming a family. 

Last year's family day post can be found right over here




Small rant...
A few days ago I learned that Oliver's adoption agency has closed.  Most of their income was generated by Russian adoptions and now that Russsia has closed so have they.  See The Russian government has managed to screw over families adopting from Russia and from other contries.  Congratulations.

Wednesday, February 6

2 months!

Sadly back at month one my blog was struggling through some techinacal difficulties and was unable to load photos.  Lame.  So you're going to have to view the month one and month two photos at the same time.  A hardship for you, I'm sure.



Lydia had her two month appointment on the 4th.  She checked in at 9lbs, 12.5oz and 23.6 inches tall.  The 75% for height and the 25% for weight.  The doctor said she is looking great and in perfect health, which is the most important. 

As for sleep, we don't keep a strick daily schedule..she sleeps, wakes and eats as she pleases.  At night she is a bit more scheduled.. gets changed, wrapped up, and nursed around 10pm and is off to dreamland around 10:30.  She sleeps in a pack n play in our room until about 3am, eats for 20 minutes, goes back to sleep until 6am, eats some more, then snuggles in bed with me until Oliver wakes around 8:00am.  I get Oliver ready for the day and she usually wakes again around 9am.  It seems to be working for us. 

Lydia is good at following objects and faces, her favorite things to admire are black and white prints, even if she is crying she will calm right down when I show her some high contrast black and white stuff....so funny.  She is also trying to smile, but it takes a LOT of work to get it out of her. 

All in all things are going great a we couldn't be happier.

Let's see those photos side by side



What a big girl!