Gearing Up

Today is laundry day, as is every Wednesday. Not sure why I picked Wednesdays, but I prefer to just do all the laundry one day, and be done for the week. You need your jeans washed on Saturday? Too bad, nothing's getting washed till next Wednesday. On top of laundry, it's also packing day since we are getting ready for a long weekend in Chicago with the boys. We are really excited to be taking them to the Windy City. Museums, the Navy Pier, Lincoln Park Zoo- so much to see, and hopefully not so many temper tantrums. While I am running about getting things organized, here are what Grady and Cole are doing:

Grady, feeding himself yogurt while holding onto Beahhhhhh. (Bear). Remember- you can click on the pics to make them bigger!


Cole, doing such a good job of cleaning his room that he put himself into a container.

18 Months

Our boys are 18 months. I can hardly believe it. I am not exaggerating when I say that there was a time we'd never make it through the first year, and then once we did, time started to fly. Just this past weekend I commented to Keith (as we were laying around doing nothing during the boys almost three hour nap) how different our lives were one year ago. Taking care of the boys is still hectic at times, but we have finally found our groove and (knock on wood) it's all more fun than work at this point.


So let's take a look at what 18 month old boys like to do:

1. Shut doors. Any door that is open must be closed. I can be in any room and say "come shut the door!" and one or both boys comes running. I've also figured out that the quickest way to stop a temper tantrum is to open the fridge door, get a bottle of wine out, pour myself a glass and then yell "oooh, the door is open!" while I am putting the wine back. While I chug the wine Pissy Baby becomes enamored with the door and forgets what he was mad about. Here is Cole, shutting the pantry door.

2. Crawl under cribs. For months the boys have watched Madam Fannie take refuge under their cribs. Madam loves her alone time and when we humans get on her nerves she either hides in the closet or under the cribs. C&G used to peer under the crib skirt at Madam, but at some point figured out how to army crawl in there with her. Needless to say, Madam does not go under the cribs much anymore, but look who does!

I love, love a fat baby thigh.

3. Feed himself. Sort of. We're working on this one, but we've definitely made a lot of progress. Messy, messy progress.


4. Find things he should not be using as a toy. Admittedly, all babies do this from the time they can start holding onto items, but this was the first time Grady explored the toiletries in the blue bathroom. Thankfully the cap didn't pop open and spray soap all over the place. Grady was not eager to give up his new found chew toy, but after I opened the pantry door again and remarked (loudly) how the door was still just hanging open and how I would surely appreciate someone shutting the door, he dropped the bottle in favor of the door. Disaster averted!

5. Pretend to be a dog. We took our boys over to the Freeman's for happy hour to catch up and see baby Alex, and what do they do? Act like dogs. I hope this doesn't mean they're going to start peeing on the furniture* and barking at the mailman. Here is Cole, sitting in the Freeman's dog, Ginny's bed. His mouth is open because he is panting like a dog.
6. Roam Naked. Who needs clothes? Not us after a bath! There have been a few peeing on the floor incidents because of naked time, but the Contos reassured us that this is good for potty training in the future.


So there you have it, 18 months. I have to say I love this age, and from what I've heard from friends, it just gets better and better!

Change is a-comin', Part 2

So, we're almost done with the boys room. It's painted, furniture is moved and most of the decor is back on the wall. I have a few more items to add before I show you the entire room, but here's a little tease.

Look! An AYE-P-AINE above Cole's crib! Above is Dada applying airplane to wall.


The boys looking around their changed room. I think they like it. Grady is looking around in amazement (maybe, no telling what he really is thinking), and Cole's leg is stuck under him, so he's just trying not to fall off the chair while he gets his leg unstuck. I helped the little man out. The quilt draped over the little table in front of them will not be staying there, it's going elsewhere.



More later this week, I promise.

School's In!

It's that time of year. You know what I'm talking about. The seasonal section in all the stores have changed from garden equipment to school supplies. Big yellow busses can be spotted in most neighborhoods. Kids are a bit gloomy, and moms are excited. That's right, it's school time. I LOVE school time. Nothing makes me happier than a few aisles of neatly organized school supplies. I don't have any need for school supplies right now, but I still walk the aisle and occasionally buy a fun folder or set of pens. Ah, the smell of a new pencil...anyways, I digress.

Schooltime doesn't mean much in the Ellerman house at this point, but it sure means a lot to Aunt Karen. Her oldest two, Greg and Sara, went back to school this week, leaving Rhett at home with his momma. Here are the school-bound crew, looking a little sleepy.

In a few weeks Rhett turns 4 years, and then he'll be going to a little pre-school near their house. I'm not sure what Aunt Karen will do with herself when she has a whole day to herself after 8 years of having kids milling around her. I'm hoping she makes a pot of coffee and sits to relax on that nice new porch of hers.

Before the Endsley family got back into the school routine, they went on a spur of the moment trip to Navarre, FL. Navarre is also the home of Gran GG and Grampie, but they were in Pennsylvania picking up some retro-chic chairs for us (more on that later), so they did not get to see the Endsleys. Which is a bummer, 'cause they Endsleys were going to the National Naval Aviation Museum, and I hear Grampie gives a mean tour. It seems despite my lack of interest in flying metal, I can't escape pilots or airplane loving people wherever I go. Uncle Scott is a commercial airplane pilot, Grampie flew A-6s in the Navy, Cole can't let an airplane pass by overhead without pointing and saying "aye-puh-aine" and attending the annual airshow in Peachtree City if a major event for my family (uggh). I am sure many a tour through the aviation museum is in our future, but for now I am enjoying the pictures Karen shared of their visit. I like to give equal photo time to all babies involved, but Rhett was suffering from low-blood sugar grumpiness, and only participated in a few photo opportunities. As a fellow low-bloodsugar crank who has snapped at a few people when I'm hungry, I totally understand, Rhett. People should feed us more often.

And now, pictures. Navarre beach! Can't go to the beach without running like mad!

Rhett in a cockpit.

I love this picture. Great color & happy kids.

Three good looking kids!

Change is a-comin'.

And it involves something a little like this.

And one of these. No, I'm not entirely sure which one yet, but I will make up my mind around 1pm tomorrow when I stand before Deryl Our Paint Guy at the Sherwin Williams store.

And I had better like whichever I pick, or else this guy will not be pleased.