i've moved on to a new blog

hopefully marc will create a blog too, and we will find the time to update this one as a family, but i am going through my own midlife crisis over here.

no apologies, but i can cook!

life is busy, work is crazy, but, i did bake this week.

the other night i made this cake and it was actually very good.

i have read reviews of naysayers out there, but even marc was impressed once he got past the ingredients.

Yes it's true.

He is walking. I wanted to hold out a bit before making the announcement, but couldn't wait any longer. I will post pics and a video as soon as I can figure out how to download it from the camera.
Yay, but said at the same time.

the hike in the forest

last week marc was lucky enough to go on a hike with finn's classroom.
here are some pics from that trip. hopefully he will get some time to add a narrative.

poor finn

last night at about four i was awakened by finn asking to go to the er because his ear hurt. i of course, being sleepy, deferred the situation to marc, who, also being sleepy, defered the situation back to me. we quickly snapped awake and checked in on the little man. he complained of pain, which for finn is a huge deal. he never complains about anything when it hurts. i went through my mom medical rolodex of dangerous things that would need a trip to the er, but no flags went up so we soothed the boys back to sleep and tag teamed it for the rest of the night. at 6 finn woke me up again saying that he was still in pain, but quickly went back to sleep.

i woke up late for work, quickly called in to tell them i would be late, and then let the boys sleep a little longer savoring the brief quiet with a cup of coffee. as soon as 8:30 rolled around, i called into the doctors and scheduled an appointment. the results of the sleepless night: a perforated ear drum and a good ear infection. who knew? last night finn was playing with his brother like a champ before bedtime.

finn has not been up for anything today. i even tried to gage how well he felt by asking if he wanted to go for a ride on the tram after devouring a dinner of burgerville. i got only a faint response. that is how i know he really isn't up for it even if he tells me that his body is feeling better. poor guy. the day was filled with snuggles and hugs when declan wasn't trying to attack us with his newfound body power.

big boys

the boys have been getting so big. i cried the other day on our way home from the beach because i realized that i no longer had a baby. declan is still smaller, but he is not a baby anymore. he is a man on the move. he wants to walk so bad, and is so determined to do whatever he wants. i like to call him my stinker, and it reminds me of a gas station chain in idaho, stinker stations. it surprises me they are still around, their logo used to be a little bit more old school, it has always confused me that people would think a skunk would sell gas. who knew?

about three weekends ago we went down to the coast to help the mundo crew open up their new place. it is beautiful and the love they put into it is inspiring.

marc worked his patutty off, and i watched the kids. sunday morning i got a chance to work, which i was itching to do, and marc got to take care of the kids. marc took them down to the beach because it was crazy beautiful. i guess i missed a sight. declan, no surprise here, really likes sand. when they came back, we had to literally hose him down because he had sand EVERYWHERE! the winking of the eyes is one of his new tricks.

as some of you may know, finn has been sporting a mohawk for awhile. he really likes it, but does not like it when people notice it and comment on it. he gets really confused and does not understand why it is such a big deal. i try to explain to him that not a lot of kids his age sport mohawks on a regular basis, and still, he gets blank. he doesn't like wearing it up much because people say even more then. i find it funny how he gets a little annoyed.

i want to thank all of you who contributed to finn's summer camp fund and his run for the arts fund. both were successful ventures. finn cannot wait to go to camp this summer. tomorrow was an open house at the camp, and after marc being away for almost a week helping take care of his grandma, we can't event think about getting in the car and going somewhere. and, on top of it, it will be raining hard. but, he is signed up, and he can't wait. and for run for the arts, he ran 2 miles in 30 minutes. yay! what a rock star.

oh, and speaking of rock stars. mark down june 2nd on your calendar. we will be hosting the minor thirds new record release party. hopefully it is sunny or else we will have to figure out a way to stick everyone outside in the rain, our house is not big enough for the band....

valentines day and beyond...

We have had a fantastic couple of weeks, other than me being really sick, the kids have been a hoot. Last week I was out of it for a couple of days, Marc even had to stay home one day from work so he could take care of the kids.

But Valentine's day was a blast. The night before, Finn made all of his Valentine's for school, Declan even got in on the fun.
He is crawling like mad. We spent this weekend baby proofing the house. We did a major mop and clean and readjusting things. I have forgotten that the toys get everywhere! Finn is great helping pick up after his brother. Today Declan was pushing a chair around and walking with it. He is waving goodbye and tonight finally used the sign for all done (yeah!). He eats like a champion. We have had some issue with soy products and him. I am really sad because I think tofu is a fantastic baby food, and edamame is one of my favorite snacks to have around the house. But his poor belly does not like them at all. Maybe later he will grow out of it.

Finn recently figured out how to use the video aspect of our camera. As soon as I figure out how to download the videos from our new camera, I will post one of his new videos. They are not oscar material, but I find them funny as all hell. He likes to narrate his thoughts and actions.

Last night Marc and I finally had our Valentine's date. We had a fantastic dinner at Ruth Chris' courtesy of a gift certificate from Amy and Josh from Christmas. It was great fun. We never would be able to eat at a place like that nowadays without the use of gift certificates. We started with a few happy hour tidbits and some wonderful cosmos. I actually could not eat another bite by the end of our meal, and I ordered the petite fillet and Marc had something large and rare. I have enver had a piece of meat that literally tasted like butter. Marc really wanted to have dessert there and try their banana cream pie, he has a thing for banana cream pie, but there was no way I could even attempt it.

We met up with our friend Joey from Newport for a wild ride and some serious dirty boy hanging out, and ended the night with Alisha and a cover band. It is great hanging out with our friends and a night without the kids. I got our dessert (and Alisha's breakfast) on the way home via Voodoo Doughnuts. Marc enjoyed waiting in the car while I plowed through the line and because he got to hear Hells Belles at Dantes for a good ten minutes from outside the club. Worthy of a Valentine's day!

apology

so sorry it has taken so long to get around to updating this. life has been busy and a little more stressful than usual so we are using as much time as possible sleeping.

declan is crawling, trying to walk, and getting two teeth at the same time. he is also giving kisses when he is in the mood and working on high fives. his brother is his favorite play thing. i am not sure, but i feel that he may be maxing out his gumpy alottment in one full swoosh. i am trying everything to make him happy right now, and i thinking of using the old fashioned alcohol on his gums. i don't blame him for being so grumpy, but we need some sleep.

finn is cool and helpful. he favorite subject at school is electives. right now he is in legos and storytime. he used to have super science and word games and puzzles. his reading is going through the roof. i am amazed at all of the stuff he can read. commercials are confusing, because why would you sell something to someone that was not helpful. long discussions ensue after we watch tv. he is the question man.

marc and i are doing well. we are both busy with work and thinking about the next venture on the house. if anyone is interested, the house next door will be up for sale next month. it is four bedrooms with one bath, and of course the biggest perk is living next to us! i mean, there is also some other cool stuff too, as well as another set of super cool neighbors across the street who throw really good grown up parties.

i wanted to post this picture of declan and his uncle from christmas, i know it is aged, but it is my favorite picture from the day.
i promise to do better to update this more often for those of you who actually check. i know we have really dropped the ball. (mom, this line was for you.)