Wednesday, February 8, 2012

January Catch-up & a Fresh Start

It's been awhile since I checked into this blog. Well, over 2 years really, and I guess everything lives on in cyberspace. Even when it's unattended to! And this is great for me, since I can just pick back up on the blogging thing without having to totally start anew!

Since it is February now, I thought I could do a quick review of January & the beginning of February in order to start fresh on weekly blogging. My motivation for blogging this go around is a little different than last time. Although I would love to keep in touch through this blog with the many people I love & have seriously lost touch with now that I am fully in the mommy trenches, I want to use this as a way to remember the things about our lives that so quickly get forgotten in the excitement of the next milestone or day survived. As exhausting as life can be in this season, it is filled to the brim with so many awesome moments. Hopefully, this blog can help me keep track of them! And, keep us in touch with those we have sadly, & never intentionally, lost touch with over the past few years.

The new year got off to a great start - and I am not just saying that. This year felt different. Better. Maybe it was the gorgeous weather or the fun filled celebration of Ryder's 2nd birthday on the 31st, but 2012 started off with lots of joy. In the past month the joy has continued. Mike started a new job & is really happy. We miss having him so close to home that he can pop in for lunch everyday, but we make special trips to see our "Daddy" & the happiness that he comes home with is worth it. I cut back on work & by the end of the month returned to working 2 weekends a month only at Sutter Hospital instead of working the weekends plus two half days during the week. It is amazing how much 8 hours of work can impact your week when you have 2 toddlers. I am happy with the switch. Miles started back at preschool, and after a bumpy start, is loving it as he was before. We adore his teacher, Mrs. Netty Mitchell, & the love and personal attention she shows each of the children. Miles is a lover, especially when he is having a rough day, & she is never resistant to giving him the extra "snuggles" he requests to make his day go a little smoother. Ryder & I are partners in crime while Miles is in school & I am really trying to make sure we do things that are fun for him during that time rather than simply run all mommy's errands. We are both really enjoying this. His little personality is blossoming & it is so fun to watch him interact with other kids sans Miles. Our little Ryder bear is actually quite outgoing & social despite his very laid back disposition. He has started the phase I like to call "I do it", which basically means it takes me an extra 20 minutes (no joke) to get anything done involving him. Getting in & out of the car is quite possibly the worst. We tried a music class & both boys LOVED it. There wasn't room on the days we wanted, so we plan to get the boys signed up for Spring, along with T-ball for Miles & possibly gymnastics for Ryder. The boys are really becoming great friends & playmates as well as little stinkers together. They love to play on the buzz lightyear push toy for 30 minutes at a time; Ryder pushing Miles as fast as he can & occasionally crashing him into pillows or a door only to laugh hysterically together. This is my favorite. They also love to make every shopping trip a living you know what. Screaming, tackling each other, swiping at each other, generally just doing things to annoy the other one which really annoys me. I can seriously lose my cool in these moments (especially if it's 5:00ish) or in times when we are running late (everyday). And when I start to bust out that "Mommy is serious voice", Miles looks at me & says "But, Mommy, wait, wait. I have something to tell you. I love you Mommy" and then he kisses me & flashes a killer smile. I love that boy. And, he sure knows how to work his Mama. With this awesome Winter weather (almost better than our Summers) we have spent tons of time outside & at the park after school & before dinner. It has been wonderful!

This past month, Mike & I squeezed in a much needed date night, we've spent lots of great time outside & with friends on the weekends & took a weekend trip up to Chico to celebrate my Dad's 58th birthday with my Mom, brother & Tory (Toowy). Here are some notable things I really don't want to forget (I am taking note on how to do this from a fellow blogger that I think does this bullet point thing perfectly!):

Miles:
-3.9 years
-39.2 lbs & 40"
-"You're fired"
-"OK, I am throwing a fit now!"
-Very concerned with making good choices & very motivated by treats
-LOVES playing video games with Mike (& he's good!) Daddy is his buddy. I am not a buddy. I cannot play video games.
-Weekends are "buddy days"
-gives Mike a "bash brothers" arm bump before he leaves each day & freaks out if it's forgotten
-loves hamburger helper & coffee (chocolate milk)
-prescribed glasses for farsightedness & "lazy eye". Left more so than right. Not sure if it will be a premanent need.
-taught himself to ride a two wheel bike! He is pretty awesome.
-still has to wear a pull-up to bed - drinks insane amounts of liquid all day long. Perfectly potty trained since 2.5 otherwise.
-recognizes lots of letters & numbers to 10, but can't quite get down the "L-M-N-O-P" part of the alphabet song (super cute, though)
-attempts to write his name; draws really cute people with ears & legs coming out of their heads :)
-really wants a dog. really wants Mommy to stop being allergic.
-great night time sleeper; has not napped since turning 3

Ryder
-height?
-33 lbs
-2 years old
-loves "choo-choos". loves. looks for them everywhere we go.
-loves Lightening McQueen & Francesco Bernoulli. Will watch Cars 2 over & over & over...
-quotes his favorite movies or people & thinks he is so funny! And, he is!
-Loves the song "baby mine" from Dumbo. I sing it to him every night before bed.
-Continues to be an awesome sleeper. Still takes a 2-3 hour nap everyday. Great night time sleeper.
-loves books (brown bear, brown bear, freight train & goodnight moon)
-trying to count: 1, 2, 5, 9...
-a great snuggler & pretty mellow
-wants to be held a lot, if he is not feeling well he is a complete stage 5 clinger
-wants to do everything himself (especially making toast & getting in & out of the car)
-Picky, picky, picky eater! Loves raisin toast, waffles, sausage, cheerios, corn dogs, french fries & coffee (chocolate milk). Hates when I put juice in his water.
-Rides a two wheel razor scooter like a 5 year old. It must be genetic.
-Rides a balance bike like a rock star too!
-Super social & loves big kids at the park.
-talking A LOT; lots of sentences. Catch phrases include "Mommy, where are you?" "No, Mommy, I do it myself" "Oh, Ok, Mommy" "Miles, he hit me" (even when he didn't"
-biting :(
-still has the pouty cheeks to melt your heart


Thursday, August 13, 2009

It's a BOY!!!

So, it's boy #2 for the Chavis Tribe! We found out Tuesday night & I just wanted to share our special news. Will write more later, but it has been a crazy busy week & I just got the 4th Twilight book in my hot little hands ;)...

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Chico Mini-Vacay; the first edition

A week ago, Miles & I headed up to my parents house in Chico along with my cousin Christina & her Lily & Luke for a mini vacay. It was such a grest 3 days, hanging around the house, playing in the pool, going to the park & just CHILL'N! Miles & I don't do that a lot at home! My Mom made my grandma's homemade spaghetti & that seemed to kick my pregnancy appetite into high gear - no joke, I have been an eating machine ever since eating that spaghetti!
We spent at least 3 hours each day in the pool which was awesome & each day Miles got braver & braver in the water. He pretty much hated the pool on day one, but by day 3 he had decided the steps were the place to be & jumping off of them was super fun.

Lily & Miles got along so well and had a blast playing together. There was some hair pulling & toy stealing incidents, but for the most part they just loved each other! It made me so happy to see them getting along so well too since Miles & the new baby will be almost exactly as far apart as Lily & Miles are. So, with any luck, they will be great playmates sooner than I had ever anticipated! I did have some red flags raised about having an infant again, though, as I saw Miles interact with baby Luke. If I was holding baby Luke, Miles was whining at my legs & if baby Luke was laying on his play mat, Miles wanted to lay on the play mat, even if that meant bull dozing baby! And, my favorite - Miles tried to feed Luke a pretzel! Good thing we noticed & got it out of his mouth asap!

With grandma the baby sitter on hand (thanks mom!), I got a girls night out with Jamie so we could celebrate her birthday. It was such a great night, just going to dinner & then watching a chick flick. It reminded how much I love & miss my Jamie Jaims!

All in all, it was the perfect mini-free!-vacation for Miles & I. We only wish daddy could have come too. Stupid job (...that we are very thankful for!). We go up for another mini-chico-vacay on Sunday, this time to be joined by Auntie Carol, Lulu, Christina & the kids. Then it's off to Tahoe with the rest of the whole fam damily. We are so excited! (well, Miles doesn't know it yet, but he is!)

Happy with Lily on Grandpa's chair

Such good buddies!

The happiest, most adaptable baby I have ever met - little Luke!

Mmmm, popsicles by the pool. Could life be better?

Auntie CHristina & Luke looking extra cool

Why are babies in sunglasses so funny?

Lilers

My 16 week preggo belly

Mommy & her baby boy

The mommies & their boys

My little girl in a swim tutu

Uncle Billy's workout ;)

Nice height!

Love

Our new gardener healing our lawn































Tuesday, July 7, 2009

$th of July in the OC

We had a very exciting 4th of July weekend in Orange County! It is hard to believe but it was our first time back to the OC since we moved up North last year in late October. How sad is that? But, with family & friends coming to us over the past months, we just never got down there until now. Needless to say, we were SOOOO stoked to be going back for a visit.

Since it was a quick trip, we spent most of our time with family. It was so nice to have the little indian cousins together & Miles has really taken a fondness to Milan. Morgan, being the oldest of all 4, is amazing with Miles & just loves him to pieces. He seems so proud to have a cousin & dotes on Miles with hugs & silly faces. Mase is kind of at that age where he is indifferent to MIZ, but will come & bring him a toy to show his love from time to time.


I managed to squeeze in a few hours with Shann & Amy between all the family fun. We got (affordable!) pedi's (in NorCal they are a rip off in comparison!!!) and took in happy hour at Beachfire - a former favorite. So amazing to have some girl time! I miss them so much!


Fri-DAY was spent at North Beach in San Clemente. It was a perfect day, & Miles didn't seem overjoyed by the waves, but he didn't break into hysterics either. I think he was very curious about the whole beach thing. He hadn't been since he was 5 months, so it was practically like his first time at the beach. Later, we had an awesome evening in San Clemente with the fam and after lots of sugar, Morgan & Mason came up with some names for the new baby. Among the front runners are: PooPoo Butt, Barack Obama (that was very mature of Morgan to think of - especially since it was said in complete sarcasm - a very witty 5 yr. old!) & Mr. Fluffy (my favorite). I think the naming went on for an hour & Morgan even sang the baby happy birthday just to try out the names.


Lyn & Harlis threw a big BBQ for the 4th on Saturday. It was so great to see so many faces we have missed over the past months & re-introduce everyone to Miles. We had an awesome time pigging out on all the amazing food Lyn made, swimming & chatting. Miles didn't make it to the fireworks after all the sun & fun of the day. Mike & I were bummed, but we half expected he would nod out. Mike & I had some nice "us" time while we enjoyed the show over Mission Viejo Lake in the middle of Munera Street while we kept one ear on Miles in case he woke up in a panic. Slept right through it all though! Awesome!


It was sad leaving on Sunday & I wish we could go back way more than we have been able to this past year. I wish we could stay longer too, because they are so many people that we didn't get to see. which really made me sad. So next time, stay longer, and, oh yeah - drive instead of fly! The flight to OC was unforgettable - Miles kicked & screamed & fussed for at least the last 30 minutes. I think I planned our flight at a really bad time for him, though, so that wasn't completely fair on my part. He did soooo much better on the way back, in part to better timing & to Mike & I having a solid game plan in fear of reliving the previous experience. He was so great on flights before he could walk!


Giving Miles whatever he wants to keep him from screaming...



Look! It worked!



Taking it all in



Beach Buddies



Milan, Auntie Nicole & Morgan James



Testing out the water



Even with a broken wing, Milan is still a happy girl!



Milan & Grammy



Auntie Nicole & the Miles



Mommies & bikini tops are not always a good combo! Good thing I have reflexes like a cat!



Such a stud muffin



Miles had to sit by Milan whenever she was on Papa's chair. He loves her & her nutrigrain bar!



Shann (looking fabulous at 5 months preggers, I might add!), Amy & Moi



Morgan's hairy armpits



Grammy & Morgan



Crazy Uncle Nick! Very festive!



The spa was the kids favorite!



I don't think my husband is capable of taking a serious picture. But, I think he is so handsome even when he is being a weirdo (which is often!)

See? Weirdo & Alberto

Monday, June 29, 2009

BIG news!

So, it's time for Miles to officially announce that he is going to be a BIG brother! Mike & I are so excited to be adding another little indian to our tribe & a little shocked that we became pregnant so fast after deciding that we were ready for "thing 2". It took a looong time for us to actually believe that we were adding another sweet face to our home, but now that we are 13 weeks along & my belly is starting to paunch, the reality is setting in!

So, baby #2, or as Mike has been calling it, Chinsu (?) - it's Mike, remember?- is due to arrive January 4, 2010. I have a feeling that Chinsu will come early like Miles did, & I am just praying that it's not Christmas day. Praying. After would be cool. My first trimester went really well & aside from some early nausea, my biggest complaint was fatigue. Oh, & total bitchiness. Sorry, honey. And, although the fatigue has lessened, the bitchiness continues in it's same extreme severity. Worse this time even than with Miles. I feel uglier than ever this time around too, which motivated my impulsive decision to chop all my hair off to my chin a couple weeks ago. I really would like to chop my entire wardrobe & home decor too, but I know it's just hormones & these feelings will pass. Luckily, I like the hair. I have been eating lots of mexican food & candy & spicy Louisiana hot links. But, luckily, I haven't gained a full pound yet! I say this excitedly because with Miles I had gained 9 by 13 weeks! 9! Hopefully this will be a good sign for the size of my a** over the next 9 months. I am trying to analyze everything I feel in an effort to predict the gender of our baby, but so far, I don't have a clue. I was leaning toward girl because of the ugliness that came over me, but now I think boy. We already have a boy, so I am just assuming it must be another.

I am pretty excited because, of the friends I have made so far in Lincoln, 4 have recently anounced they are pregnant & due within weeks of our baby! It is so fun to be pregnant with friends! I had lots of preggies to chat with in the OC during my preg with Miles, so I am happy to have the same with new friends here. Especially Marissa & Shannon. I am so happy to be going through this with Marissa again because we both view our prgnancies as some kind of science experiment & we can literally talk everyday for hours about it. Although, since she is having twins (!) she is in a whole other league of experimentation! And with Shann, I am just so excited for her & Jared being 1st timers, that it makes me more excited for us! I just wish we didn't live half a state apart now :(

We find out the babies gender August 11, so we'll keep you posted! In the meantime, any bets? Wish I had an ultrasound pic to help you with your guess, but the lovely Nurse practitioner wouldn't give me a 12 week u-sound no matter how much I whined & begged & made up really good medical reasons for why I should get one. Grrrr.

So, that's the BIG news ;)

Father's Day weekend at Bullards Bar

We did it. Not that, dirty people. We went camping! And we survived. And, even better, we had a fabulous time! On Father's day weekend, a huge Lincoln Posse of 11 families rallied their troops for an awesome weekend of camping, boating, jet skiing, wake boarding, tubing & swimming at Bullards Bar camp grounds & Emerald Cove. Although they were a few brave souls who brought their less than 18 month olds (you deserve a medal!), Mike & I chickened out of bringing Miles for the whole weekend, selfishly wanting to enjoy the trip rather than play chase through the woods for 3 days. And, I have to say, it was the best decision EVER! We took Miles up to the campsite to play around & explore on Friday, but then brought him to my Mom & Dad's for the rest of the weekend while we camped & relaxed. You see, Miles is not turning out to be a toddler that just chills. He is an adventurer that only sits still when he is sleeping. I see these babies at play group or the park who sit on their parents lap for almost an hour, exploring a toy or eating a snack & I just have to think, WHAT?! Miles would never do that. Ever. He has a great little personality & is so happy, but at his stage, he is exhausting & a lot to keep up with. Mike & I would look at each other while were riding on the boat, laying around the shore chatting, or making dinner & say, "how much would this suck if Miles was here?". No offense to the little guy, but I think camping will be best suited for him (& us!) next year. At least I think we will give it a shot with him next year. The 2 year olds seemed to do really well during this trip.

So, Mike & I got to spend some time bonding with our new Lincoln friends, enjoying the water & sunshine & just hanging out. It was incredible. Night time around the camp fire was the best - thats when the freaks came out - my husand being the freakiest & most entertaining! The group we went with was great too - everyone was so helpful & giving with each other. And, all the little ones got a long great. I didn't mind the dirt like I thought & I actually loved sleeping in our giant tent. The only part about camping that I wasn't too fond of was packing, setting up & packing again. Oh, and the stomach flu I ended up getting on Sunday night. That really blew - in every way you can think of! It was only a 24 hour thing & thankfully I was in Chico when it hit so my Mom could take care of Miles. At times like that I really have to wonder what do single mom's do?

Our weekend home - please disregard how nasty I look. I plead camping. Way to go Mike (& thanks Leo & Kevin!) for "building" our house!

I love dirt!

Miles LOVES our friends Michelle & Kevin's son Chase. Chase is 2.5 & isn't so sure about befriending a baby yet. It was so cute that Miles sniffed Chase out, though & kept knocking on his kid tent so he could play too.



I have this same picture of me from my first time camping!

Amber & Mase - the calm moments before the night from HELL. Poor Amber wasn't super sold on camping to begin with, so we were all hoping that this would be the trip that convinced her camping was so cool! Well, that plan went out the window when sweet Abigails threw up all over the tent & in Amber's hair the first night at the camp ground. Poor Abby & Amber. Thank goodness Abby was instantly better for the rest of the trip. Sadly, I don't think Amber will ever recover, though.



This man is a camping maniac! We didn't see Brian the first 4 hours of camping because he was super camping man, setting up the perfect camp site!

Hanging out

Beer pong was the nightly game, and...


Mike & Terri were the champions!



I love Michelle!

Camping rocked! We had an awesome time! Thanks to Brooke & Leo for getting everything together & to everyone else for making the trip so amazing!
I wish I had more pics, but of course our camera battery died. Our camera battery sucks. It was newly charged & pooped out after 1 day.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Grandma's B-Day & Bay Area Visit

OK, so I still suck at the blog. Thanks Linny! I just stink at getting on the computer in general. Miles pitches a fit every time I get on the thing during the day, so I have been conditioned just to leave it alone when he is up, and during his naps I have been napping or zoning out to some mindless TLC or Bravo show on the couch before taking a nap. Those New Jersey housewives just tire me out!

So, jumping back a couple weeks, our little tribe had a great weekend in Chico June 6th & 7th. We went up to celebrate my mom's bday, but took advantage of the trip and went up a night early to sneak a date night in. It was much needed & we ended up having an awesome night. It started with dinner at Tres Hambres filled with stimulating conversation between a husband & wife and ended with us meeting up with the Laney's to watch The Hangover. I hate to condone the movie because it was so raunchy, but it was really hilarious. Probably the most I have laughed at a movie in a very long time. Brian decided that it will go down in history among the ranks of Pulp Fiction & Shindlers List. Ooookay Brian, suuuure ;)

The next day we celebrated my Mom's bday with friends & family. We had a great day BBQing & hanging out by the pool - no swimming for Miles yet because the water was a little cold, but Mikey jumped in. Brave, cold soul!




Grandma & Miles just kickin' it


Miles & I took a couple days the next week to visit Christina, Lily & Baby Luke. We were also able to sneak in a visit to Kyra & Joe's & meet baby Abby, who is so precious! Gianna may be Kyra's mini-me, but Abby is definately a Daddy look-a-like in person!

Lilers

Miles on a Big Boy Trike!

Mama Chrissy & Baby Luke

My first flower from Miles ;)

Little face

Channeling Elton John

Big Sis & Little Bro

Abriella Barale - good work Joe & Kyra ;)

Gianna sharing her juice with Miles - what manners!

Air guitar

A paci in the mouth & a nasal aspirator up the nose - whatever works for ya Gi!

I found Mommy's wallet!!!

Playtime with Daddy - why buy toys?

We also got some new patio furniture! It was a house warming gift from NIck & Nicole & we can't thank them both enough! We got an amazing deal on the set & I have to pass on the word. If you need outdoor furniture, go to OSH. They seriously have the best prices I have seen & I am a bargain huntress. This is our first patio furniture ever because we have our first backyard to put it in! I just love being able to sit outside & enjoy the backyard while hanging out with eachother or friends & family. We had our first BBQ & it was so much fun! We are really starting to enjoy the perks of owning a house ;)