Less than 32 minutes

I believe we have been home for 'less than 32 minutes' and I've already yelled at Spencer, oh, probably 4 times. And he was next door part of those 1,920 seconds. My darling husband did the laundry while I was gone. Ahh, how sweet, right? But wait, he informed me that he strategically placed all the clean UNFOLDED laundry on the couch to deter me from watching tv or sleeping before I folded it. He should have left it in front of the computer cabinet! So the mountain that is holding down our couch has become Spencer's perch for jumping, diving, throwing, and fighting with Sophie. My darling, healthy, funny lil Sophie who is of course hungry. Luckily I at least still had the heels of a loaf of bread left, she's little, she doesn't know the difference right? PB&J to the rescue. I called Jason and told him I'm leaving him the kids and heading back to Spokane. He just laughed and said, "Can it really be that bad? You just got home?"

Why is it always so hard to come home? Maybe I just wasn't gone long enough...

And we're off...

We're heading to Spokane for a couple days for Sophie's doctors appointment. She sees a nephrologist (kidney specialist) there to follow the growth and development of the one kidney she has. Hopefully her chubby little body hasn't been growing too fast!

We'll also be shopping for some supplies to make some good stuff for the Summer Garden Boutique. Hopefully I'll post a sneak peek soon! Don't forget to sign up if your interested in selling.

Side Note: My husband is kicking a ball in the house with Spencer right now, not very conducive to writing a peppy post. Why is it sometimes harder to get him to follow the rules (i.e. not kicking or throwing balls in the house, it could knock something down, like the clock. It just happened) than it is my kids? Maybe its because I can't threaten him with things like a time-out, etc. without him gladly taking me up on it!

So I'm off to start laundry...nothing like last minute preparation.

Little Spencerstein!

While downloading pictures from an old camera that we now let Spencer use, I found this video. It was taken about a year ago, and I can't believe how much I miss that little voice!

Just Jason

So, Jason is a funny guy. At least thats his reputation in my family. It takes awhile to get to know him, but once you do, you realize that he's quite laid back and funny. One of the things that I love and hate at the same time about him is his absolute disregard of what others think of him. While his self-confidence is something to be admired, sometimes his lack of caring is annoying. It means I can't ever convince him to wear certain clothing or present himself in a particular manner. Which brings me to the topic of facial hair. And really for that matter, his head of hair, or lack of. When I married this charming young man, I had to accept the fact that he was balding. And that was alright with me. What I didn't agree with was his desire to "Beat the baldness." He had accepted the fact that baldness was in his future but he was determined to do it on his own time, not natures. We fought A LOT about this. I wanted to enjoy "Jason w/hair" for as long as possible. He didn't.

(Jason with hair April '05)
So one fateful morning, I made the mistake of leaving him at home, alone. He picked a perfect day to pull his little stunt. There was a family birthday party that night. I was already there, he was getting a ride. I remember the exact spot I was standing in when I stared at the little red Geo my grandma drives and thought, "Who did she bring with her?!" And then it hit me, she brought Jason. That funky looking bald man climbing out of the car belongs to me. Perfect setting to make a grand entrance, I was shocked and annoyed in front of our entire family.

(Jason 'beating the baldness' June '05)
Since then, I have grown use to the almost hairless Jason. So in an attempt to find something new to annoy me with, and out of boredom he so claims, he tries out new facial hair styles. At first I have to admit that I found it slightly embarrassing. Now, I just laugh it off.



(December '07 w/wig)
I wonder what he will try next to annoy me. Luckily piercings and tattoos aren't an option.

Attention All Crafters, Bakers, Sewers, Shoppers, Etc.

Susan, from Freshly Picked, and I are excited about putting on this super boutique! If you or anyone you know is interested in selling and/or shopping, contact us. We know there are a bunch of you talented chics out there, stop hiding! For all the info and for vendor registration, go here.

Ailments and Annoyances

Or better titled: It's my blog and I'll cry if I want to.

I have not felt good since Friday. And now its Monday. What I thought was an oncoming toothache ended up possibly being a terrible case of 'swimmers ear', or possibly a real ear infection, maybe even mixed in with a little sinus infection. But I won't know until tomorrow when I finally get to see a doctor. The pain radiating from my right ear down my jaw had subsided as of this morning and was replaced by an ever so lovely migraine. Now I've had a few 'migraine' classifiable headaches before, but today, I got the spots. As if doing bills on a Monday morning isn't bad enough, try doing it while you're unable to see straight down the middle. And then the spots moved to the outside of my vision making me feel like I was walking around with a telescope pressed up against my eye. So now the pressure that was once living in my lower right jaw, is now residing above my right eye. Bending over is not so much fun. And then I coughed, and whatta ya know, morning sickness reared its ugly head. Not so much fun losing your breakfast in the kitchen sink. Oh yea, and Sophie is so stuffed up she sounds like Darth Vader. And I have to go to the grocery store.

It's been a terrible, horrible, no good very bad day.

Connections

Since starting my blog just a few mere weeks ago, it's been fun to watch my list of 'readers' grow. It's also been fun to explain to people how everyone is connected. Every time I see Alicia she tries to figure out all the connections. Sometimes its easy to explain, "So and so is my cousin," and sometimes it's more tricky, "I think I met this person..." So I decided I would try my best at explaining who's who on my list of blogs I visit, and those who visit mine.

Rachael and Lisa are pretty easy: Sister and sister-in-law. The only funny thing here is that I was actually a V Teacher to Lisa before she started dating Steve. She always teases me that I didn't like her, but really, I was just jealous of her athleticism, her cuteness, and that she fished!

Next is Jason. All the explanation needed at this time: Husband. If you decide to browse the mere 4 or 5 things he's posted, check out the babysitting one, its the best.

Kimmie, Josh and Co., Jared & Anna, Danielle & Ivan, and Geriann: All cousins, or cousins & spouses. But not just cousins, radical, amazing, humorous, crazy fun cousins.

The Nerd Bird Nest: Collective Cousins blog. If you are snooping around and land on this page, read at your own risk!

Pete and Suzanne: Aunt and Uncle from Oregon. We don't see them as often as we would like so this has been a fun way to stay in touch!

Mitch and Nan: Rachael and Mitch were friends in HS and he truly has a contagious personality. One of those people who has you laughing all the time! And Nan, if you read this, I think I actually met you at the branch before or while you dated Mitch, maybe? I think Mitch met his competition when it came to Nan, she's just as funny and her personality is just as contagious!

Suzy and Michelle: I'm going to group these two together because I really went to school with both of their older siblings, Katie and Tyler, but ended up being best friends with them after HS when we were all at the branch. Sometime soon I'll post some pictures. I love these two girls!

Kim: I dated one of Kim's brothers in highschool. I have always loved how super kind and sweet she is!

Heather: Heather lived in Utah when I was friends with her brother Tyler in HS, and didn't move back until after I was friends with Michelle, her sister. I'm pretty sure that the first time I met Heather was when Michelle called and asked her to save me from yet another bad 'at-home' dye job! She's been my favorite hairdresser ever since. And now, she's one of my sisters closest friends.

Ms Kristen: She is Spencer's fantastic preschool teacher! And now I am lucky enough to consider her a friend. And maybe someday I'll be lucky enough to teach with her.

Alicia: I have actually known who Alicia was for awhile. I was in the same class as her older brother and knew she was Michelle's cousin. Now, she's one of my favorite people to talk to, and I love that she's not afraid to get as loud as me and Rachael!

Debie: I met Debie while I practically lived at the Spurgeon's house since she's Michelle and Heathers sister-in-law. I love how super friendly she has always been and is one of those people who, when asks, "How are you?" you know she really means it.

Donald, Lisa, and Co.: This is probably the most random connection. I met Donald through Kim's brother when we were all in HS. Then, when he met Lisa and she decided to move up here, her and I were roommates for awhile. And he's related to Michelle and Alicia. Now we are in the same ward and I hang out with them in the nursery on Sundays! Oh, and Donald and Lisa, I don't know if you made the connection but Kaitlin is also a cousin of mine, and the younger sister of some of the above mentioned cousins.

So there's all my connections so far. It's crazy to think how long I have known most everyone on here. I especially can't believe that HS was 13 years ago! And thanks also to those I didn't know previous to joining the blogging world who post comments. It always feels good to know that people outside of close friends/family think you're somewhat amusing!

Updated Slideshow

I added some baby pictures of Aubrey, just to make Rachael cry. What a mean sister I am!

Ode to Aubrey

It's finally the last of the April birthdays. It seems that Rachael and I think nothing but birthdays from mid-March to mid-April as we try to plan and cram the 4 kids that were born within 17 days of each other. It also seems that Rachael has become the list maker, Lisa is the poem writer, so I decided I should stick to the slide shows for now. After all, I have at times been appointed the "Sanders Childrens Photographer." Not saying I've done a good job, but sometimes I was the only one with a camera! I am on some serious time limits today so here's a few cute things about Aub's and some pictures of her within the last year or so. I'll try to add her baby pics as soon as I find the disc they're on, so check back, she was one stinkin' cute newborn!

Aubrey is by far the second loudest child I know. She comes in 2nd only to her bro. Colton!
She is official earned the title, "Cupcake Bandit" after we found her stash of licked cupcakes on the floor during Sophie's party.
Her attitude makes her one of the most amusing children to watch, and she has a strut that makes her seem 2 feet taller than she is!
I love her curly hair and how excited she gets to see her "Bo" (Sophie).

Happy Birthday Aubs!

Glue Sticks and Parachutes

So it was one of those mornings when I was hearing, but not listening. We had just cut the weight off of a bouquet of helium balloons and Spencer was carrying them around the house. I was busy doing laundry, the dishes, and trying to shake a little girl off of my legs. Pretty soon, Spencer came in and quite randomly asked me "How do we build a parachute?" I looked at him and gave my auto-response to such scientifically themed questions, "I dunno, wait til dad gets home." More time goes by, I'm still busy, he asks again, "Mom, how do we build a parachute?" Again the response, "I am really not sure, dad will be home for lunch soon, ask him." This happens two more times. Same question, same answer. Now the next question comes, "Mom, where's the tape?"
"I dunno Spence." Again, "Mom, wheres the tape?" as he's rummaging through the junk drawer. "We probably don't have any," I tell him. Now at some point one would think that you would stop and wonder 'why all the questions?' and 'why does he need tape?' but, I'm busy, I don't even pay attention. The next thing I know, Spencer comes proudly around the corner and says, "I couldn't find the tape so I used glue instead!" I look up from the laundry to see this...




He then giggles and declares, "I made a parachute!" Attached to the red ribbon that is glued to his chest is his bouquet of balloons. Whatta ya know, he had made himself a parachute, without my help at all!

Sunburnt and Spent

Fishing on Friday was great.
Getting sunburned, and raccoon eyes, not so great.

For more pictures of our fun trip, click here and here.

Happy Real Birthday, Spencer!

He's already had his big party, but this kid has been driving us crazy with his anticipation of his 'real' birthday. And it's finally here! Spence has many things that make him unique and a total character. I can't believe he's already 4!

Birthday #1

Showing us he's 2

All "3"

Finally Four!

Here's a few fun facts (and a ton of pics because I can't ever just pick a few) about Spencer.

He has always had a major obsession with band-aids.
Loves 'tickets' a.k.a. receipts. I blame this on the original Willie Wonka.
He was bit by a goose last summer.
He is always singing or humming. Or harmonica playing.
He drives us crazy requesting to be told 'stories'. Thank you, Grandma Lo.
He loves some crazy foods for being a little guy: salmon, chicken wings, asparagus, coconut flakes (he eats them with a spoon).
Loves his cousins...young and old.
He named his blanket "Smelly."
Loves puzzles and trips to the Doctors office.
Loves crabbing at the bay with his Grandpa Lo.
He constantly asks questions, it's like being on a quiz show.
Some days spends more time at Grandma Goude's then at home!

Ibexes at 2 a.m.

Last night Jason and I stayed up late and I convinced him to snoop around the blogging world with me instead of working on his homework. We tried out this site and we must be major nerds because we sat there forever! Thanks a lot Suzanne! We managed to make it to a level of 40, and had accumulated 2140 grains of rice. The only thing that concerned me was when the word was "ibex" and with no hesitation whatsoever he says it means "goat". And whatta ya know, he was right. He did grow up in Toppenish.



By the way, it's funny to listen to them pronounce the words!

Good Cut, Bad Color

So, as many of you probably already know, this girl is the best hairstylist around. She's super funny, super cute, and super supportive as I sit there showing her all the parts of my hair that I hate. Oh yea, and she never yells at me when I have to come in admitting that I took the razor to my own hair again. I went in for a cut a few days ago and she rolled her eyes as I said, lets grow this long, cut this short, blah, blah. I say this every other haircut. So, she gives me this super cute cut but now I'm noticing just how bad my grow out from my old highlights are. I'm thinking to myself, "You still haven't gotten Sophie's presents, you need gas and groceries to go fishing on Friday, so, you'll probably have to skip the coloring for now." Here is where I make my mistake. As I'm walking into Fred Meyer in Kennewick I notice the beauty supply store. I go in and explain my obvious dilemma and ask for something a little better than 'beauty in a box'. She holds up a swatch and says, "Oh, this matches your color perfect." I even say, "Should I go a little darker?" Thank goodness she said no. The good news is my grow outs gone. The bad news is probably obvious. But hey, I always wanted to know what I would have looked like had I gone the 'Goth' direction. My only consolation is hoping that as people are staring at the color of my hair they aren't staring at the 'bump' wondering, is she pregnant again? Or just still fat from her last kid? Upon looking at the little wonder I'm toting around I'm sure they're thinking, must be fat, look how little her girl still is. Ha!

I saw Heather last night and had the good mind to forewarn her. She said it was the only thing that spared her from yelling at me. So to all of you who I may see in the next few weeks, I know, I know, it's not THAT bad, but its not that good either.

I Failed 3 Times!

Firstly, I must say that this is being written at 12:21 a.m. I am hoping this explains it all, but I am afraid it won't. Sophie is asleep behind me on our big comfy chair (because it's just too awkward and hard for me to lift her up and over the side of her crib, I always wake her up. And no, the side doesn't go down, its broke). I've had to jump up a few times to catch her from falling off the edge as she's thrashing around. I'm considering it my exercise for the day. My heartbeat is at least elevated. I'm patiently waiting for Jason to get home and snooping around on my favorite blogs (I greatly enjoy noticing who else is usually up this late). So I'm on my cousins new blog, laughing out loud, and posting the longest comment ever (also filled with ()'s I apparently love them tonight) and I find myself staring at the 'word verification' wondering just what letter that is suppose to be. It looked like a g combined with a j. I sat there, staring, wondering if this was some foreign language symbol they just threw in for fun or if I was really just that dumb. After a minute or two, I decided to go with a "c" and an...wait, is that an i or a j? I think I opted for the j. Apparently I was wrong. The next word comes up and again I think, "oh man, this one is hard too!" Failed that time, and the next. Finally, on my fourth try, I got it right. Is it just me? Is it just late? Or are those things really tricky sometimes?

Commander of Speech

So, for some time now I have tried to teach Spencer which words are okay to say and which are not. Too bad I forgot that if he can't say them, I probably shouldn't either. His classic line is "Hey, you not 'pose to say ____". Sometimes it really is a word I shouldn't say, and other times he's way off track. The other day in the car, I was telling Jason about something that I thought was quite "dumb". From the back seat pipes up this little voice, "Mom! You're not 'pose to say dumb!" I thought for a moment and had one of those classic mom moments. I decided to introduce him to the concept of double standards, I was tired of being regulated on. So I said, "Well, don't you think since I'm the mom I should get to say dumb?" He thought for a moment and said, "Yea, but you can't say butt or stupid."

Feelin' Crabby

I just ate a 2.5 x 9 inch strip of chocolate frosted fudge brownies and read this blog. I think I am feeling better. And yes, I really measured.

The Story of Sophie

The arrival of Josephine Louise was extremely surreal for both Jason and me. Our first baby had come quite unexpectedly, and here we found ourselves on the morning of April 6th 'casually' driving to the hospital to deliver baby # 2. We all took bets on what she would look like as we waited for me to be taken to the operating room. I was pleasantly surprised when I got what I had hoped for. Thick, dark hair and chubby cheeks. She was a little smaller than I had guessed, she weighed in at 7 lbs 8 ounces.



During our 2.5 days at the hospital, this little girl never let out a peep. Even right after her delivery she was as quiet as could be. I kept asking over and over, "Are you sure she's okay? You promise she's okay?" I didn't believe them until they brought her over to me. She was unbelievably quiet, until we pulled in the drive way. There is no exaggeration when I say that the moment Jason turned the van off she let out the most piercing scream. Needless to say, she has never stopped since.

The first few months of her life kept us very busy. She was born with only one kidney, had acid reflux as a baby, and at 9 months old ended up with croup. Lucky for us, her health issues have slowed down, but she certainly hasn't. At a year old she is quite the character. She loves to walk around the house carrying things...laundry, balls, tags, or simply following Spencer. She is a major copycat and therefore has caught on to things I wish she hadn't! She's showing some definite girl tendencies when she points at the phone when its ringing and is very attached to her cousin Katie and her Aunt Rachael. She greets her grandma's with great big hugs and loves to be outside. Much to her dad's dismay, she loves having her feet rubbed, just like me. She loves music and is an absolute fanatic for the Backyardigans theme song. She keeps us entertained and wishing that time would slow down.



Here's some pics from her first year...

And now....

I'll be competing with my own mom. She called immediately after taking the typing test to tell me that she scored 69 wpm and that was with my son talking to her the whole time. Can't wait to see what she can do without any distractions. Or maybe I can...

Spirit of Competition

I don't have an ounce of athleticism in my body. Not one bit. So, I have never really considered myself to be very competitive. Until I discovered other types of games. This typing test and the game Brain Age have drawn out the competitiveness in me. Right now, I am competing with my ultra cool cousin Jared, who seems to have found his power, the real reason he is on the 'list'. He slaughtered my original score of 66 with an 89. I have since then improved by a few mere points, but let's face it, a few mere points isn't going to help me at all. But for now, I am not giving up. Though I fear I may have too in a few more days. All this typing is killing my wrists. Maybe I should try a different keyboard...

While browsing...

I found this fun site while 'browsing' (nicer sounding than snooping) on another bloggers page. I love typing fast. I love the sound of the keys clicking on the keyboard. Ironically, I failed typing my sophmore year of highschool. My very first "F". If it's any defense at all, it was not due to poor typing skills, but rather poor attendance. I believe it was the first year Pasco High instituted the 10 absences = Failure, and whatta ya know...I was quite the skipper.

71 words

Speedtest

Spencer's (Not So) Secret Identities

For months, somewhere between turning 2.5 and lasting until he was 3.5 , we didn't live with Spencer, we lived with the following people:



















Now, this wasn't just every once in awhile. We're talking first thing in the morning to forcing him to put real pajamas on (even though most of his pajamas could have doubled as costumes). We would wake up in the morning to a lil boy holding a costume begging us to help him put it on. He would then race out of the room yelling any of the following, "Batman to the rescue", "Ta da daa", "Where's the fire? Mom, do you need help?", "I'm a knight in shining armor", or my favorite "Psshewww!" (the sound one makes when shooting webs from his finger tips). Unmasked, he would correct us if we didn't refer to him as Bruce Wayne, Clark Kent, or Peter Parker if he was still in hero-mode. Needless to say, he learned some self-dressing skills early on after we all refused to help him with his 8th costume change of the day. And, I am truly sorry to his Aunt Rachael and Aunt Lisa for all the times they babysat the little guy who would walk in and immediately say, "Aunt Wesa, where are the costumes?" "Yahee, where are Colton's costumes?"


We seem to have outgrown this phase, but our superhero obsession hasn't decreased. The other day in the car he asks, "Mom, do we have superheroes in our town?" I thought for a minute and said, "Yea, actually we do." I didn't know what to say however when the questioning continued with, "Well, why don't we ever see them?" and "Why don't they ever save the day?"