"I''m coming to take away your boredom"

Music to my ears on a cold January Saturday.

I'd asked my little sister what she was doing for the day- she had plans, Fred was "Skeeting Shooting" with the Elders Quorum. Tad had screamed because he didn't want to take his naps.

As soon as Fred got home, I escaped to the library for 20 minutes (and found some cute books for Tad & some for me). Later we made a trip to the mall and found a coat for next year for only $13!

I thought I was going to be bored all evening, until my dear sister called and said "Put on your coats, we're going outside. I'm coming to take away your boredom." I have to say I was skeptical of how long she could really entertain me in the snowy yard.

She showed up with Bocce ball. Normally a summer game, very delightful in the snow! It's going to have to become an annual event.

I also have to say (not only because she reads this, but also because it's true).... She definitely takes away my boredom more often than she should have to. :} I have adored having her come spend time with me while Fred works. Just to watch movies, run errands, eat dessert, play games, shop sales, and now our Monday night tv & dinner. I definitely look forward to it each week- so she better not ever move very far away, and when we move, she'll have to come with us, there is no other solution!

Sad that this is the most presentable picture of the 2 of us and it's from 2008!

I never thought I'd see the day...

....when Fred would (without me throwing a fit, encouraging, bribing, etc.) start making a snowman. :}

Saturday we took Tad out to play in the snow. I've been waiting for some new snow to be able to take him out. I'm not sure he loved it, but we made sure he did all of the basic snow activities anyways:
Fred helped him make a snow angel.

I threw him across the yard in a sled. :} (Fred took pictures & said "so I have proof for the authorities." -- Thanks dear.)

I'd only intended to be outside for a little bit- just long enough to get some pictures. :} I was surprised when Fred said he wanted to build Tad a snowman. Tad was sitting in the snow so I pictured a little one that he could look at- maybe 2 feet tall. When I looked back at Fred he was rolling a ball around the yard.
So, while Fred built a snowman, I helped Tad jump in the snow.


And a little while later, we ended up with this!

Oh, the things we learn in one short week.

Tad learned a lot of things my second week home. Me too- but we'll get to those in a minute.

Tad learned a new tongue trick. He's not quite sticking it out, it looks more like he's rubbing it against his gums feeling for a tooth (none yet).

Tad also learned how to turn upside down in his crib. He also likes to roll over, then wakes up crying because he can't roll back over. (We usually lay him down with his head at the other end.)

He learned how to drink from a sippy cup! He'll see a water bottle and grunt and jump like he wants it, so I figured I'd give him his own.

My favorite thing he learned - although it is kind of gross....

One night on the changing table he just started sucking his toes. :}

(Sorry, no pictures for the things I learned.)

I learned that you shouldn't put the fridge shelf in the sink & try to push the glass out to wash underneath it. It will shatter and clog your disposal. :} But I also learned that Fred is a genius about looking stuff up for cheap- only $23 to replace it!

I learned that it's nice to be home, but still stressful. We finally worked out Fred's schedule to fit in class, labs, work, scouts, and MCAT Prep, we'll soon be adding shadowing another doctor.

I learned how great January sales are for baby clothes! $3 for baby jeans at Target & Kohl's! I think we might make January our annual "stock-up on kid clothes" month. I'm going out later today to find a coat for next year for him.

I also learned that I need to get out more. I was so excited to scrub my bathroom. (It looks great! but I probably need to find some real hobbies huh?)

Aggies or Wildcats?

So, one day Tad said "Ahhh" (Side note: We HATE talking babytalk, adding "s" to the end of everything, etc. Cooing was kind of hard for us at first, but once we realized all it took was saying normal words with different voice inflections we were good.)
I thought it sounded like the beginning of "Aggies" (I'm a little biased) so I often say "A- A-A- Aggies". He grins ear to ear. One day when Fred was in the room I decided it was only fair that I say his school mascot. "Wildcat" I said as monotone as I could. Now it's a little game we play around our house. My sister even bought Fred an Aggie t-shirt--- of course it's too small for Fred, just Tad's size! What are we ever going to do when Fred graduates as a "Wildcat" (that was monotone). :} (The purpose of this story is coming.... hang on.)

I took Tad's 5 month pictures today- he got some adorable jammies from his grandma and I knew I needed to take his pictures in them.

Towards the end (he's a very tolerable little boy) I couldn't get him to smile so I tried the "Aggie" thing. Nothing. I looked at Fred, back at Tad and said "Wildcat". I guess it was worth it because this is the smile I got. Cheater!!!

And a few more just cuz I love how they turned out.

And finally, a picture of Tad with his new buddy. It's the mascot for Virginia Tech (courtesy of Aunt Sunny & Uncle Adam- where they currently attend).

Too good to be true?

Day 1 at home- things accomplished:
* Gave Tad a bath
* Rearranged basement family room :}
* Cleaned bathroom
* Loaded & Unloaded dishwasher
* Swept & Vacuumed
* Took out the trash
* Ironed 5 pairs of scrubs for Fred
* Cooked dinner
* Folded 3 batches of laundry (including socks, I usually leave those for a few days hoping a magic fairy will fold them.)
* Read 1/2 a novel
* Played with Tad
* Don't forget blogging!
(Scrapbooking would have been nice, but I spent 1/2 hour working on a puzzle instead.)
Tad was perfect all day long - he didn't even fuss going down for his naps. Okay, he did spit up once. If that's as bad as it gets I'm definitely going to get used to being home.

PS- No, Fred wasn't home helping me. My house is going to be so clean by the end of the month!!!!! Right in time for Tad to start crawling.