Back in KC

After a fabulous week in Ulysses - the trip was extended a few days when the big U got 16-19 inches of wet wet snow and we made the prudent choice not to try to drive on closed highways - the fam is all back together in KC. Brandon had a great week in Guyana and I think even probably did a little work. After his time there he is quite intrigued at the idea of working as an ex-pat for Seaboard (ex-pat = ex patriot, ie. working in a foreign country). I'm open to the idea as long as Africa is not involved and some sort of house staff is. I think it's probably a long shot, but you never know, it's fun to think it might be an option.

Parker definitely gave me a run for my money last week - I'm pretty sure she pushed every button I have. While she certainly loves her little brother very much, I think we're just seeing her struggling a little with sharing the love. Things seem to be a little better this week as we settle back into a normal routine and I'm sure having Daddy home helps a lot. When Park was a baby we called her pacifier a "Sassy". As she got older and could talk (insert shameful look here as I admit my child had her Sassy until she turned 3---only at night--but she still had it) she called it her "Assy" and we kinda thought it was cute/humorous and never worked too hard to correct her and then we didn't use it anymore and all talk of the Assy disappeared. Well now we are trying to switch the name of the pacifier to Binky due to the fact that it's not as cut/humorous for your 4 year old to be talking about her brother's Assy.

Meyer Dean is getting to be an old man....two months!! On an exciting note, he can roll over now from his tummy to his back---we've of course decided that he must be a super athlete/advanced since he has met this milestone a little early.

On another old man note, Meyer had definitely developed a comb over. Today I gave him his first hair cut and eliminated said comb over...now he mostly just has the reverse male pattern baldness from where he has rubbed off his hair on the back of his head. It's rough being an old man.

bye bye baby comb over

Well, both kids are in bed at a record 8:50 (for them both to be down) - although I'm not sure either one of them is asleep. However they are quiet, so I'm going to go watch The Mentalist with my hubby.

Parker's new do

Parker got a new hair do---well as much of a "do" as I'll allow a 4 year old to have. But she did get about 4 inches cut off her hair and I just think it's too cute....but that's a mommy talking. Also in the spirit of small town fun she was allowed to help wash another patron's hair at the shampoo bowl--too fun!

D**n Dogs

So, I love my dogs.....kinda. They are being kenneled at the vet this week while we are in Ulysses. They are staying in a dog run together and while I was driving over to my Grannie's house to rescue Parker from a Thumb closed in the freezer door incident, the vet called an my dogs got in a huge fight....with each other. So while that is awesome enough, they both needed stitches and would need anesthesia to get them. Awesome. And oh by the way it's going to cost about $900. Oh, and my husband is in South America and I don't know how to get ahold of him. Fabulous. At this point all I can think of is A. Dont throw up, B. In the words of Ms. Hannigan from Annie "kill, kill, kill". But as Parker looked at me with sad eyes and asked me if we were buying new dogs and I was searching the net to try to find a number for the grain mill in Guyana, I got a call from the Vet saying that they had talked to the owners and as a good will gesture they knocked the price down to $350. So long story long, apparently my dogs are worth $350, b/c the vet just called and they came through their procedures just fine. Bailey with 6 stitches, Cream with 12. Guess Bailey won this round!

a little behind...

Well, when you are as far behind in blogging as I am where do you start? I guess there aren't any rules, so here goes!

Parker, Meyer and I spent a week out in Ulysses with my parents when Meyer was about 3 weeks old. My dad came and picked us up in KC and then Brandon came out to Ulysses, stayed for the weekend and then we all headed back to KC. It was nice being out in Ulysses, we had a good time, but we all missed Daddy!

Being at home on maternity leave has been really nice. I've worked on all kinds of projects. I painted 1/2 of our basement and made the workout area a place I actually don't mind going - now if I'll just use the stuff!! Parker and I finally finished taking down the wallpaper (or paperwall as she calls it) in our master bedroom - a project that we half heartedly started about a year ago! and I painted it as well. I cleaned out my pit of dispair AKA the kitchen desk. I also tackled my closet and part of the storage room in basement. Phew, I'm tired just writing about it! But I'm more and more like my momma every day - I have a hard time sitting still!

I worked 1/2 a day last week filling in to help out at the clinic - it was pretty fun being back, but not really being back. I'm sure my feeling will be much more mixed when I return for good, but we're going to try out me working 3/4 time - I'll do 10 hour days Mon, Tues and Thurs and then be a stay at home mom part time! We'll see how this works out. I had daycare all lined up for Meyer, but I got a phone call this weekend and those plans have fallen through. So slightly less than a month before I return to work and I'm searching for new daycare---awesome.

I'm out in Ulysses again this week. Brandon is in Guyana (South America) for business. Sounds like he is having a good time - I'm sure there is a little work thrown in there as well. My parents took pity on us and brought me and the kiddos out here again. The wind is blowing a million miles an hour today, but other than that we are having a great time. Parker and Grannie (my grandmother) have been busy making cookies, Grammy Pammy is spoiling us all rotten and I'm of course getting my fill of Mexican food.

I'm going to try to do better keeping this up to date...but no promises!

Parker's Birthday Bash

On Feb 15th we belatedly celebrated Parker's birthday with a party at Monkey Bizness. It is one of those places people with young children know about - all sorts of blow up bouncy houses and big slides...great fun! It was tons of fun and total chaos!! 25 of your 4 year old's closest friends involves some chaos! She had a great time and I'm sure all the kiddos slept well that night! Her little brother slept through the whole ordeal!