Cute story about Wilson.

This past Wednesday, I took the kids out for the afternoon to give Andy some time to study for Staff Sgt. Test. 

We stopped at Cullen park and it was really hot and muggy because it was like four in the afternoon and there was hardly any shade. 

The kids didn't really want to play very much because it was just so hot and as we are getting ready to leave Wilson ran over to this big tree and he  noticed that there was a hole  in the base of the tree and he would not leave it alone he was so entranced by it. 

As I got closer he started to tell me he was saying "Mommy, mommy Totoro sleeping! Totoro lives in tree. Where are you Totoro? He sleeping. Come out, come out wherever you are!"

It was super cute watching  him do that and speaking fairly well. The only thing was, I was a little nervous about if there was some wild raccoon or snake in there, so I had to go in there and check it out make sure that there wasn't anything that would attack him. But he  was for sure certain that Totoro was living in that tree. 

Callie at 18 months.

Today Callie had her checkup!  I have been a little worried about her weight, but she gained weight, and actually climbed up the chart scale. So mommy is happy to hear that. 

At 18 months:

your child is 23 pounds, and that is
at the 28th percentile for weight.

your child is 32.5 inches, and that is
at the 70th percentile for height.

your child has a head circumference of 18.9 inches, and that is
at the 85th percentile for head circumference.

So right now she is tallish, and skinny, with a big head! And this I know! I have lots of tops that I have a hard time getting over her big head! 

We had to wait about 20 minutes to get her immunizations, so we walked around.  

I know looks aren't everything, and I hope Callie will grow up and not be obsessed with her looks, but seriously, almost everyone commented on how beautiful she is. 

Of course, had she been screaming and fussing, I doubt I would've gotten as many comments. But, she was happy to be walking all around and smiling and saying "hi!" To everyone. 

Sadly, Callie had to get 5 shots today, and it was so sad! I had to keep from crying too much myself, but I HATED hearing her scream from the pain. 

You know your children's cries, and there have only been very very very few times you hear these cries. I hate the look like "mommy, why is this happening?!" 

Ugh, just breaks my heart! But it's over, she got a lollipop and even told everyone "Bye-bye!" So I know it wasn't that bad. 

She came home and ate, was happy, took her nap, played a lot more. And in general, was a good girl today. Luckily, no adverse reactions, and no fever! 

Wilson got to have some Daddy time today as well! He and daddy went to the pool and swam for a couple hours. Daddy has been studying for a test to hopefully move up in rank. So he took some time off and it has been nice. When he goes back to work after the test, we will be a family trying to survive the dreaded "swing" shift which is 3pm to 11 pm. But since we live out in the boonies it's more like 230 pm to 1130 pm. And on pt days, it's like 1130am-1130 pm. 

This shift really sucks for us as a 1 car family. And it's really hard on me as a parent, I almost feel like I get no break. So 2 months of it to go. *sigh* I think this shift would be hard for older kids too, basically it's just not a good shift for a family. It's a poopy shift. 

Secret playgrounds!

So some lucky people get one thing: no street behind their house so they don't have a neighbor facing the opposite street, which means they actually have a backyard! 

And, some even luckier people, get to have a yard, and their own little playground as well! 

The past couple days, we have been going for a walk, and then stopping and playing at this one particular playground. 

I've walked before and noticed how this sidewalk would go behind a house, but I never went to go see what it led to. Until, 3 days ago. *cue dramatic music* 

What a stroke of fabulous luck! *does a happy dance, while simultaneously, becoming  immediately envious* 

I would sell my firstborn child, if I could have a house with this secret playground/backyard combination. 

Sorry Wilson! 

Anyhoo, it's been a lot of fun for the kids, and pure torture for me! Hey! You try pushing your kids around for an hour in this hot weather! And then go home and slave away, feeding and changing them, and giving them every comfort, all while you are hot, stinky, and sweaty! 

Well, I'm trying to do it, to umm, be in better shape. But seriously, I'd rather just stay at home and play candy crush saga. 

But I need activity. When I stopped breast feeding, I kept eating like I was breast feeding and gained about 8 pounds. Which doesn't seem like a lot. And it's not. But sadly, you don't get to pick weight distribution. (Because I totally would've put those 8 pounds straight to the boobs and booty!) So I hope by practically walking myself into a heat stroke, I will drop a few of those pounds.  

Happy times.

It's starting to be summer. Oh my gosh. Hotness. Took the kids to the park over on the Main Base. And I about died! 

I love air conditioning so much, I wanna take it behind a middle school, and get it pregnant. (30 Rock reference anyone?) 

 I don't know why when I share pictures on my phone they are grainy. So here's hoping they aren't. So you can see all the cuteness radiating from us. Especially me. 

Not everyone can wear no makeup and still be as good looking. Well, some of you can. Maybe all of you. I don't know. Take some selfies of yourself and let's compare? 

Anyways pictures huzzah! 

Wilson is 3!

The birthday party is over. (Thank goodness!) The 3 year checkup is over, complete with an extra shot, that we didn't seem to get last year. He screamed, and then was over it.

Stats:

At 3 years:
your child is 31.4 pounds, and that is
at the 46th percentile for weight.

your child is 37.25 inches, and that is
at the 43rd percentile for height.

3 years ago! Little man was grumpy!

Trying to get him to take a picture with some of his presents.

 I now have a 3 year old! His speech is slowly improving, but I think he could still use some help.
The Dr. put in a referral to get him reevaluated, now that he is 3. To basically check and see if the PDD-NOS  is still an accurate diagnosis. If it is, well then, he will get all the speech and occupational therapy he needs. If he is just an average, if not a slightly delayed little boy, well then, he won't have that diagnosis follow him around into school.

I personally think, he would benefit more getting to be in a more structured setting, with other kids. Unfortunately, now that he is 3, he needs to be potty trained for us to even get him enrolled in anything. And well, potty training, doesn't look like it's going to happen just quite yet.

So we will see!

Party planning... or more like party procrastination.

So we are throwing Wilson's 3rd birthday this Saturday! His actual birthday is on Monday. AHH! Where does the time go??

I decided to be less crafty this time, and bought all the party supplies. There won't be any crazy decorations/favors/handmade things.

Everything was store bought, the party food will be pretty simple. Throwing up some decorations, and no crazy fancy cake. In fact, I won't have any cake, but we will be doing cupcakes.

I LOVE all those beautiful, creative, and expensive birthday parties, I keep seeing and pinning on Pinterest.

They will keep getting pinned, and keep being admired, But I won't be doing it. I'll stick to my more simpler, store bought, party!

Also, I had a nightmare last night, that I wasn't able to do ANYTHING for Wilson's birthday party. I was apparently really mad that it started raining, like in my dream, it got pitch black dark outside, and I don't know what I was doing, but then all of a sudden, it was time for the party and everyone showed up, and I was like "Uhh, I'm sorry."

Clearly, my subconscious is stressing out over this. I know everything will be fine, Wilson is going to be over the moon with his birthday present, that his Uncle James spoiled him with.

I'm not looking forward to putting this together though:

Some random picture on the internet, I think it's even less put together than this though. CRY.

Still though, I KNOW he is going to have a blast with it. Hopefully, he figures out how to steer and drive it. He's been getting a little practice in with his friend's little dune buggy. And if how he plays with that is any indication, I can tell, it's going to be a while.

On a happier note: Husband somehow managed to get 3 days off in a row, starting tomorrow! Who doesn't LOVE 3 day weekends? I know I did, when I used to work at the bank. So hurry up Wednesday! Let's get this 3 day weekend started!!

Eating some bugs...

Mudbugs that is. Which apparently, is a nickname for crawfish. My husband's squadron did a crawfish boil this past Saturday, and we went and got to eat some!

Callie trying a bite of Crawfish.

Not too sure about it.

Bug!

All that work, for a bite.

Last year we went, I wasn't very interested in trying any. It was a bit hotter and muggier last year, so I couldn't wait to go back home and sit in my nice cool house. This year, the weather was perfect!!

Wilson bounced in the bounce house pretty much the whole time, Callie was still too little for the bounce house, so we had to take turns following her around. We ended up taking the kids home for a nap, because they were starting to get really cranky.

When they woke up, we decided to be "those" people, and go back. Really, we just wanted to get Wilson into the bounce house some more to burn off some energy. When we got back, the boil was pretty much winding down. But Wilson got about another hour of bouncing.

We brought home a little more crawfish to eat.

Seriously though, it's so much work for like the tiniest bite of meat. It's still fun to do, when you aren't chasing a 17 month old around. But for a meal? No, this fatty needs a hamburger!