Well, the weekend with Mark away wasn't all that bad. Not that we didn't miss him or anything, because we did, but I'm just saying that I didn't lose my mind - a good thing. I owe that in large part to my parents. My mom came over every day at some point to hang out and give me a hand with bedtime. My dad came over with my mom one night too. That night was fun because we actually played cards after the boys went to bed. I hadn't played Polish Rummy since I was in the hospital and I've really been missing it (the card game, NOT the hospital). So thank you, Mom and Dad, for all your help. I hope you'll always know how much I love and appreciate you both for who you are and all that you do. I couldn't ask for better parents for me or better Grandparents for my boys. I love you both so much. All that aside, we are very glad to have Daddy home - even though he's been lying around napping all day. I don't know why he doesn't just go to bed, but I'm done beating my head against the wall on that topic. I'm glad he had a great time in Texas - too bad he didn't rest up a little though.

Grandma "Mimi" and Nolan

Grandpa and everyone else.

Colvin and Nolan

Colvin

Where did I put my camera?

I know this is going to come as a shock to many of you, but I haven't taken a picture of the boys for several days now. It's a shame. I've been on a reading binge. I decided to go back and re-read all the books from my favorite author, Nevada Barr. It's amazing that I have read them all but I still don't know whodunnit as I'm re-reading them until the events unfold in the end. I guess this total lack of memory is as good a reason as any for keeping this blog. Otherewise, I doubt if I would remember much of the daily going-ons of these amazing years in the boys' lives. Every day has something new and fun.

The boys went swimming for the first time on Wednesday at my friend Vicky's house. The water was fabulous. I guess the last time I went swimming was years ago when my brother-in-law and sister-in-law still lived here and had an awesome pool. Yikes, they've lived in Texas for quite a while now. Anyway, the boys seemed to enjoy the water and playing on the big first step. Then it seemed that they were more interested in climbing out and rearranging the patio furniture. Once we went inside they were bent on making a disaster of Vicky's house. They only broke a couple things. :( Sorry, Vicky. I'm still amazed that she said she wanted us to come back.

Mark left yesterday for a much-needed weekend away in Texas with his brother and sister and their families. He should be reeling in a big one right now since he and Brian were going fishing today. He missed Colvin discovering the joy of sitting on some of the toys they have that are meant for that purpose. They have a couple little planes that they can sit on and push themselves around on. Colvin decided to sit on them for the first time. I also found him sitting in his Bum*bo by himself in the hallway at one point. It was too cute. When Nolan tried to take his turn in the Bum*bo, Colvin pushed him down. It's a good thing he's the more assertive baby since he's so much smaller than Nolan.

The boys are also starting to repeat words or say things that we can imagine actually sound like something out of the english language. Kika is one such thing and I'm pretty sure they are talking about Chipetto, the kitty cat. :)

There hasn't been anything new and exciting today, but there is still time. For now, I will just sit here and enjoy the nice long nap they are taking. Maybe I'll find the camera a little later after they get up and have lunch. Oh yeah, the food subject. Colvin still wants things soft and mushy and he likes baby food. Nolan spits baby food out and wants everything else. Maybe sometime I'll tell you how much I LOVE feeding babies.

The Last One

Well, Colvin's been in bed for the last 2 hours and Nolan is still hanging on to the last wakeful minute. He's been so cute this evening, enjoying some alone time with Mark and me. I couldn't bear to put him in bed and make him cry. Mark's on his way up with him right now to put him in bed. On another subject, the boys finally pulled down the last vertical blind at the arcadia door. Now we have no privacy at all, although I doubt if we've had much for a while now. I guess it's time to start looking into getting a curtain up. Curtains are my worst subject.

Look at Nolan trying to milk the cow. :)

15 months

Let's see. I feel like I'm behind. Friday the boys had their 15 month appointment with the doc. Nolan was 27 pounds, 12 ounces and 32 inches long. He was in the 80th percentile. Colvin was 23 pounds, 6 ounces and 30.5 inches long. He was in the 27th percentile. It seems that Mr. Nolan is stretching out the lead. I thought he had seemed extra heavy lately. Mark was off work so he got to go to the appointment with us. It was one of his forced (non-paid) days off.

My mom came over on Saturday and watched the boys so Mark and I could go see a movie. That was nice. It made me think of the olden days when Mark and I would go see a movie and then sneak into the next one, etc, etc. Those days are over. When Mom came over she brought some fun tubes for the boys to crawl through. They've been having a great time with those.

Today we took the boys to get their first hair cut. Colvin just sat there like he was in a trance and didn't fight it at all. Nolan is the one that had a fit the whole time. I was pretty suprised about that. I miss the curls but the new doos are still pretty cute. After the hair cuts we took the boys to Ik*ea and wondered around for a while. We got them their first tent and they love it. They never really napped today so they were both asleep by 7 tonight. Colvin actually fell asleep in the high chair again. I haven't really known what to do with myself since they went to bed so early. I figured that I really had no excuse not to update the blog for all 2 of you that actually look at it. :) Anyway, the pictures are all below - in reverse order. Hope you enjoy.

Master planning committee.

Hanging out in the new tent (igloo).

Nolan sporting his new doo and none too happy about it.

Not even all the bubbles seemed to help - at least not for long.

About to say goodbye to the curls. :(

What a handsome little Colvin after his haircut.

I'm not sure if Colvin was relaxed or scared.

Sir, yes, sir! Last moments with the curls.

Thumbs up!

Could Colvin and his curls be any cuter?!

Nolan in the tube.

A very mad Colvin.

Colvin hanging in the tube.

A rare picture of me with one of the boys. Nolan was having a great time bouncing on the horse.

About ready for a picnic?

Well, I made it through the weekend away. In fact, I had a fabulous time. I missed the boys, but it wasn't terrible being away from them like I thought it would be. ;) Mark had a good time with the boys without too many troubles. He was very happy when I got home though. :)

Since I've been home the boys have been climbing more and getting into more stuff. I think the next round of baby-proofing is going to start this weekend.

Of course Nolan picked this shirt out.

Colvin didn't take a nap while I was gone so the poor thing fell asleep during his dinner.

Well, it's my last night before I take a weekend in Vegas away from my babies. I cried when they went to bed tonight and I still have half a day tomorrow. I have a feeling I'm going to embarrass myself when Lora picks me up tomorrow.

Colvin

Nolan

Babies in a Bucket

Wow, has it really almost been a week since I've blogged?! I guess that it's just been business as usual around here. The boys are happy and playing alot. Nolan is sleeping better than he had for quite a while. We've let him cry himself to sleep a few times when he hasn't wanted to go to bed. It doesn't take more than 20 minutes and usually less. It makes life so much easier even if it does break my heart. Colvin is doing great and not coughing at all. He went back to the allergy doctor today. They want him to stay on Flo*vent at least until mid-summer. It bums me out to have to give him medicine every day. I hope he outgrows this asthma thing.

I can't really remember what I've been doing. Oh, I guess Mother's Day happened. Yeah - well, the pictures didn't really come out that great (maybe because I was in them) so I'm not posting them. Other than the not-so-great pictures, we had a really nice afternoon at my brother's new house. The boys didn't even break anything or get stung by a scorpion. That was good.

Here's a few pics that I snapped this evening. I went in the living room and Colvin had Nolan held captive under the box. I didn't get any pictures of that but I was able to snap a few after I turned the box over when they were both inside.

Many thanks!

What a wonderful Mother's Day I had today! It wasn't planned - just turned out that way. My wonderful mom took me shopping and bought me a couple pairs of shorts. Thanks, Mom! My dear friend, Mona, came by with some FABULOUSLY yummy bread which my boys and I devoured. And by my boys and I what I really mean is me. She also brought a beautiful hand-made card, gift bag with a new punch inside, and tag. Thanks, Mona! Finally, my brother-in-law, Jeff, and my sister-in-law, Steph, brought food over and cooked a fabulous dinner for Mother's Day. It was delicious and they didn't complain that we didn't even get to eat until 9:00 or so after the boys were taken care of. Thanks, Jeff and Steph! Jeff even did the dishes after dinner. Thanks, Jeff!

We also had a first for Nolan. I've been struggling with him because he normally won't fall asleep unless he's having some milk. He had fallen asleep but he woke up when I tried to put him in his crib. I decided to let him cry while we finally got to eat dinner and then I would go back up and hold him afterwards. He screamed his head off for at least 20 minutes or so but when I went back up he was asleep. I feel like crying that he had to cry himself to sleep - although I know it's what he's going to have to do to get past this milk thing. So, thank you, Nolan, for getting yourself back to sleep. :) Now I shall try to get myself to sleep - just have to peel Mark off the floor, go upstairs, brush, floss, and water pick. Good Night!

The Wagon

I took the boys for a little walk in the wagon this morning. I'm a little nervous about that lately since I saw a huge beehive down the street. Anyway, I was too lazy to put the wagon in the garge after the walk so I just left it in the living room. Those boys spent the entire day playing in and around that wagon. They loved climbing in and out and opening and closing the door. I only had to rescue one or the other several times when that one was getting squashed on the floor of the wagon. I guess it will have a new home in the living room from now on. I can already see that I'm going to have to build them a fort to play in sooner than later.

Nolan

Nolan and little Colvin the climber

Today was pretty low-key. Colvin seems to be feeling much better and the runny noses are gone. Nolan crawled into my lap alot and seemed to just want to cuddle. That is quite unusual for him. He did the same with Mark when he got home from work. We also had a nice little visit from Aunties Barb and Vicky and Kim. Hopefully they will come back again soon. Hint. Hint.

This evening Colvin walked over to Nolan, smacked his face, pulled his hair, and pushed him down. I was about to scold Colvin when Nolan busted out laughing. I guess that's boys for you.

Colvin

Colvin learned how to get down off the couch without falling off today. All he needs if the slightest of boosts to get up. Once up he decided to practice standing on his head. Seems like it would be much nicer there than on the tile - at least until he does a summersault off the other side. Ouch.

I took the baby seat off the rocking horse today. I think Nolan liked that much better. He didn't have any trouble staying on and even rocked it himself. My babies are just growing up so fast.

The Gift

Well, my mom has done it this time. It seems a bit of a splurge in these tough economic times, but I suppose there is no gift too good for these boys.