Mirror, Mirror on the wall...

Can you tell whos who? (and no fair going by my hairstyle!! ;)

Jaedon, Owen and Seth is last. I love these pics.

the Golden boy

I never had heard of "golden birthdays" until I married into the Howells family. So for those of you who may also have no idea what I'm talking about - a golden birthday is when you turn the age of your birthdate. This year both Jaedon and Brad had their goldens. I totally missed mine at the age of 10 (didn't know what I was missing I guess! ;) So Brad turned 29 on Monday-

We had the Gurks over on Saturday for some tacos and applecrisp (yumm!) The VERY high quality (dollar store) golden candles I got melted as soon as I put them in the crisp... so no, those are NOT pretzels on top ;)

Every year I ask Brad what he wants for his bday and every year it's the same (more or less) Games, books or music. It's probably been that way since he turned 11. So I got him another Wii game- Mario Kart and he got a second wheel- so GUESS what he and Jaedon have been having way too much fun doing lately. Ok- I'll admit it - it is pretty fun ;)

On Monday he came home feeling kinda sick so we celebrated with Theraflu, a candlelight dinner (which the boys were entirely too anxious to finish so they could blow out the candles ;) some Mario Kart, coffee and ice cream sundaes. I love birthdays!

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!

Two little miracles...

Happy Birthday to my two sweet nephews!!

Speaking of adorable...

Need I say more? ;)

Where did it go?

We've had a busy but not all that eventful September - if that makes any sense.
We've kinda got ourselves into our routine now - give or take ;) We even survived our first sick day this past wednesday. Let's just say- I think I rather enjoy Jaedon being in Kindergarten as a whole. ;)

Brad and Jaedon were playing Mancala and Seth wanted to play- of course. Frankly, I don't even get that game but whatever...
I think Seth is enjoying Owen a bit more now that he is more durable ;) Owen just LOVES anybody looking at him or talking to him so Seth thinks it's a hit when he talks with "NoNen".
He's going to be 4 months old next week!! I can hardly believe it! And, ok, so I'm a BIT biased but I think he's just ADORABLE!

We have a busy weekend ahead full of a Luau at school tonight, a band competition and birthday celebration on Saturday (Brad's bday is Monday) and a reunion in St. Joseph on Sunday. Stay tuned for more pics soon!

So what are some of your favorite Fall adventures?

pooey...

Well, just FYI- I didn't loose ANY extra pounds this week! Isn't that stinky!?? I am back to pre-Owen weight (yay) and hopefully it'll come off eventually. I think my 30 by 30 (30 lbs by my 30th bday in Nov) is not so realistic tho ;)
thanks for checking!

An update

So it seems like it's been awhile since I've written just some basic updates for you (Mom and Dad ;). Here ya go...

Owen Malachi- pushing 4 months old already?!?!!! I had to pack away his 0-3 month clothes yesterday and wash all the 3-6 month stuff. It was a bit weird b/c Seth did not wear a lot of Jaedon's 3-6 mon. clothes b/c of the season difference. Owen, however will be able to wear it - and with the similarities between Jaedon as a baby and Owen, it's going to be fun to see some of these sweaters and such being worn again.... I feel another "whos' who" post in the future ;)

Anywho- he's growing like crazy. I started giving him a bit of formula at night and he's lovin' his rice cereal (what's not to love right? =P ) I feel like I can just keep staring at him and SEE him change.

I think tonight we are going to move him out of his bassinet...*sigh*. Since he's still getting up at 5 am to eat he'll still stay in our room upstairs (the nursery is on the main floor) but there's just SOMETHING about them leaving the bassinet that is a bit sad.

He is a seriously happy baby- giggly and smiley and such a joy to have!

Mr. Independence IS ME-

Oh Seth, Seth, Seth! I love 2 year olds -(if they're mine ;) He is... a very creative blend of fun and frustration! (nicely put eh?) I am really enjoying the one on one time we have in the morning while Jaedon is at school. It's been fun for me to revisit the alphabet and read some stories that haven't been read in awhile. He's gabbing a LOT (altho a lot of it is still up for translation via the Mommy and Daddy dictionary). This picture of him is a bit deceiving. I'm not full blown "potty training" - but he is starting to show more interest. *disclaimer- potty story approaching* Twice yesterday he told me he had to "go rahrree" - which we hurried off to do only to discover he had JUST gone in his diaper. Oh! and since we're celebrating all thing poo- ;) he sat down on the potty last night and peed...well, NEAR the potty! ;) Does that count? Absolutely!

He also has decided that naps are optional as of late...much to my chagrin. He does stay in his room for "rest time" (altho I hear him banging around in there the whole time) and will nap now and then but when he DOESN'T nap he goes to bed quicker at nights. (Like last night he fell asleep at 6:30 and slept until 8! ) Sooo... no naps are kindof nice since Jaedon goes to bed earlier these days as well... altho he's such a grouch in the evenings, I'd rather have him happy and up later!

So that's Seth- he's two and very good at it. Actually, Thursday we will "celebrate" his 2 and a HALF b-day!

My Kindergartner:
Jaedon seems to be really enjoying school. He was chosen to be "Star Student" for this week which means he got to fill out special stars that answered questions about himself. For example: "What is your future goals" (goals? really?!) Anyway, he told me to write that he 1. wanted to be a music teacher like his Dad and 2. he wanted to be able to light matches, "when I'm older." Noble. I took my little parade of men in the school today to see Jaedon's bulletin board. The baby picture up there is actually Owen and it was Jaedon's "O" object to take in to school this week. (the teacher didn't understand when Jaedon tried to explain it to her) Kinda funny.

He is very contentious is becoming very...well, first born! =) He knows all the rules of his class (and his specials) and if you ask he'll be more than willing to share who broke what rule and what their consequence was. oye.

It's a challenge at times to find out exactly what is going on in his day- I'm learning what types of questions to ask to get him talking!

I am enjoying our reading time that we do each day after Seth goes down for his "nap". I found one of the Illustrated Classic books at a goodwill for something like $.29- it was Alice in Wonderland- so I thought we'd try it. It's an easy read (maybe 100 pages but short chapters. I think they advertise them for 8-10 year olds). So okay we plowed thru Alice- has anyone else read that? WeIrD!!! But it was still fun to read together (I read mostly- he's usually just wanting to listen altho once and awhile he'll chime in and read a page). So I found 10 more books on ebay (for $10!). That should keep us busy for awhile! We're reading the story of Hans Brinker right now - never heard of him before but it's a neat story. We also have Robin Hood, Wizard of Oz, Call of the Wild, Red Badge of Courage - I don't remember them all but it's been a fun time to look forward to.

I have been contemplating exercise, eyecream and the eternal - lettme explain...
Exercise: ahh yes... hand in hand with a weigh loss goal - or so it would seem. Which, by the way, I found a blog about the South Beach Diet with lots of new recipes that I'm geeked about...http://kalynskitchen.blogspot.com/ I just made some yummy, flourless and sugarfree peanut butter cookies and mini egg-muffins. I really do enjoy eating this way 1. for the results! and 2. I feel like I'm cooking well for my family. The only seriously downside is how EXPENSIVE it is to eat healthy...why is that anyway?
Ok... I digress...Exercise. I like to exercise- I just FORGET about doing it! It's not a habit (other than walking with the kids which - when you mosey with a toddler anxious to explore every fallen leaf, twig and cigarette butt- can hardly qualify as exercise!) However, as my eyecream contemplation explanation comes to be- I've realized that as my 30th (gulp) bday approaches, exercise really needs to become MUCH more part of my life than just the occasional thing to do. That and after the third baby...let's just say it's NEEDING to become more of a habit ;)
So eyecream...yeah...the big 3-0 is making me feel like an adult so maybe I should start investing (which is my word for anything over $5) in skin care products! Maybe more than Covergirl, less than salons - any suggestions?

More importantly, I've started a new bible study which I am really excited to get into. I've enjoyed the study already but am anxious to see where it's going. It's the Beth Moore study called A Woman's Heart, God's dwelling place. We meet twice a month and have quite a bit of homework to do our own (which I am loving as long as I get up before the boys!) Beth is a dynamic speaker but she's passionate about getting YOU (the participant) into the word for yourself.


So that's our update. Ok, so I didn't post anything about Brad. Hmm... I'll let him do that on his own (yeah right ;)
Thanks for reading!

Week 2 weigh in...

Ok- I promise I won't bore everyone (all 2 of you who read this...) with continual weigh updates....BUT I was excited that one day short of 2 weeks (I've started the second Phase today) I've lost 11 pounds!
I told Brad we need to celebrate-- just not with indulging in pizza or ice cream ;) (altho that sure sounds good!)

Makes you wanna salute-

In Kindergarten there are jobs to do each day. Jaedon informed me that his job on Monday is to be the flag holder. I asked him if they said the pledge (for some reason I thought they stopped doing that or something!). Here's is Jaedon's pledge of Allegiance:
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the Americas states of America and to the repolike for which it stands. One nations, under God, indivikable with jukstise and america for all. Please have a seat."

Thank you, Auntie J ;)

Weigh In...

Well, hey, week one of Phase one is over and done with and the grand weight loss total.... (drum roll please)
7 pounds! Yey! Ok..so it's only 7 pounds BUT at least it's in the right direction right?! =)
I'm beginning to think that this phase is not so great for my little nursing Owen though. He's been quite sensitive to dairy since he's been born so I've tried to avoid it as much as possible. However, CHEESE is a HUGE part of my meals (as in it's in all of them!) or snacks...b/c of the protein (reduced fat cheeses of course:). and...well, he's not taking that so well. Brad recommened just not eating at all for Phase one - I'm sure my results would be different! =P

Character Coins

Ya know how they say kids want attention and they'll take whatever they get...good OR bad? Well, I found myself dishing out a lot of BAD attention lately... ("don't do this... don't do that...DO this... why do you always..." you know the drill). It is so tiring to listen to arguing, copy-catting and babytalking all day between siblings! So my sister in law (Thanks, again, Lisa ;) reminded me of a ...hmm...behavior modification tool...I began last year and actually just stopped using around the time Owen came along. I simply forgot about it!
The Character Coin system works like this: I have a jar of pennies and when I catch Jaedon doing the character -trait- of -the- week, he gets to pick out (X) amount of pennies and put them in his "bank". Last year I began this for a two fold purpose. 1. I'm a goodwill-a-holic and I would find books, computer games, toys etc... and put them in his "store" with each item labeled a certain penny amount. He then would use up his character coins to "buy" the item of choice for himself. It was my feeble attempt at introducing him to money! We're still working on it.
The 2nd reason was to help me focus on Jaedon's POSITIVE behaviors and remember to express appreciation for them TO him...outloud and often.
So last week as I was lamenting the sibling rivalry thing again I decided to pull out the coins and try again. The results have been nothing less than miraculous!
Our character trait of the week (maybe month!) is KINDNESS - in word and deed. I have really been working to "catch" Jaedon especially when he says or does something that is KIND (our definition is "treating others the way we would like to be treated".) I have heard some of the SWEETEST conversations between Seth and Jaedon this week! For example:
J: "Seth! Seth, buddy, do you want me to read this book to you?"
s: "Um...yeah. Gank oo, D" (Seth talk for thank you, Jaedon ;)
J: "You're welcome, Bud. Com'er and sit so we can both see the pictures k?"
S: "Yeah..uh huh...bicktoors too, yea..." ;P

Having said this I realize that my Jaedon is a performer! If he knows I'm looking for something he'll put on the act real well which is why I've been particularly careful in "rewarding" him for the kindness that is out of my sight and (he thought) hearing. He still trys to do or say something kind and then will ask me if he can get a coin but I tell him it's only valid if I catch him in the act ;)
Seth, of course, wanted to start his own bank too.
And just a disclaimer- there still is plenty of arguing! I'm not naive enough to think this is a cure-all. Just a tool that works (80% of the time) right now! =)

There are two things I find humorous about this whole thing.
1. We haven't stated anything the coins are to be used for. There is no "store" or things to buy and no end reward as of yet. So far the coins are reward enough. We'll keep working on the money instruction though ;)
and 2. I love the way our home SOUNDS when I'm not yelling at them to stop yelling (does that ever work anyway?????!) and I truly enjoy looking for the good things in my boys - to encourage them and build them up. Funny thing about God's word- when you follow it's advice...it works! ;)

Owen pictures

LOVES to suck on his fingers...the more the better. oh...and especially RIGHT after a bite of cereal has gone into his mouth ;)

Hey...there's more to this world than a ceiling? Go figure!

I can hardly believe my little Owen is 3 months old already! He's such a joy... SO smiley and he laughs easily. I hope this is a preview of his emerging personality!

He has had a few nights of 4 hour stretches between feedings but the past few days he's been eating every 2 hours! (can we say growth spurt in progress?!). I decided we could try out some formula last night (after I fed him AND rice cereal) and he slept for 6 hours! yay! He was really looking at Brad. Ya gotta wonder what he's thinking...

Newest kitchen addition

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yakW10rgKX0

The night that Brad proposed to me he was trying his best to channel some communication and asked me why I wanted to marry him. I was up for talking (surprised?) and told him several reasons- including "because I want to burn your toast". (Basically, I wanted to have the life we now have... kids screaming, sour milk, pizza by candlelight... the works ;) Ok, I'll admit it the music video (which you've GOT to take the time to listen to and see otherwise this post will make NO sense to you!) does romanticize the craziness of life... but it is also a good reminder to laugh and dance in the midst of chaos. (which we don't do often enough)

We consider this one of "our songs" and thought the newest addition to our kitchen was rather appropriate!

Hittin' the Beach

I hate diets.
I really hate fad diets.
and I hate that I get sucked into them!
When Jaedon was about 9 months old Brad and I decided we NEEDED to do something about our diet. We researched some out there and ended up liking the South Beach Diet. We geared up for it, stuck to it and w/in 2 months I had lost 30 pounds and he lost 25!! (That's like loosing Jaedon! =D )
anyway...
over time (and pregnancies) we got less and less "beachy" and have now found ourselves eating like we used to and...well, LOOKING like we used to ;)
So...we're headin' back to 'the Beach'.
For those of you who don't know the SBD, I'll give you a rundown.
There are 3 phases of this (he doesn't call it a 'diet' but a change of lifestyle)
Phase One lasts for 2 weeks and it's goal is to flush our your body. No bread, no milk, no sugar, no fruit. Just meat (proteins and he recommends lean cuts which...yeah right I can't even afford the regular cuts!) cheese and veggies. mmm... sounds great eh?

After the first 2 weeks (and I can vouch for this) your body doesn't CRAVE the carbs and you (ideally) have gotten rid of them in your house (unless you have small children ...doh ;) and they really don't tempt you anymore. Thus begins phase 2: Re-introducing carbs...only the GOOD ones. Whole grains - oatmeal, brown rice, multi-grain everything and fruits - just very slowly and very limited.

Phase 3 is the maintenance phase where you live the rest of your life (uh...ideally?! ;)
It is actually a very healthy way to live and eat. When we were following it, Brad and I found that we ate less and had more energy too.
Sooo... today is day 2 of Phase 1. ugh. Days 2-5 I think are the hardest. I'm super glad Brad and I can do it together! I'll have to keep you posted about the ...hopeful...success we have!
mmm...
cucumber anyone? ;)

Thus it begins

We have now and forevermore entered the school-age era!
Wow. Seems impossible- yet quite possible.
I am excited for Jaedon to be in school because he's a natural-born student (a trait he got exclusively from his father!) but, of course, anxious for him as he enters THE WORLD. About a million thoughts have crossed my mind this past week as we were preparing him (and us) for school. Did I remember to tell him about what to do about strangers? What about going to the bathroom by himself? Will he be kind to his classmates? What if he gets bullied? What if HE'S the bully?! I kinda wanted to have a "cram" session on life- what if he wasn't ready because I didn't do my job right?! Basically, the "what ifs" were suffocating me.

And I remembered something someone told me - God doesn't give us grace for the 'what ifs'. I had/have two options. 1. Panic and be filled with fear for my childs' well being (tempting option ;) or 2. Be still and know ... God.

Ok- all that said and I haven't mentioned anything ABOUT the first day.

I feel like a "bad mom" - I didn't cry when Jaedon left for school! I didn't even take his pictures- Brad did! (I was nursing Owen at the time). I think it was the preoccupation that I typically feel around here that covered for the lack of emotion - either that or it will hit me later! The fact that Brad took him to school and not a bus I think aided in the "no cry" phenomenon too.

And when I picked Jaedon up he informed me that he didn't even have to go to the principals office yet! *whew* ;)