Windshield

This morning Noah was up early. He got up as Morry and Evan were getting ready to leave.

This week is finals week so my tutoring schedule is changed. I had a student who needed to meet during the day today, so I brought Noah over to her house. Noah was very good and watched TV while I tutored.

But, on our way there a rock hit our windshield. It seemed to come from the grassy median. I'm thinking maybe it shot off a truck on the other side of the highway. It was a little rock, but still made a chip in the windshield. That was really annoying.

At home, I was about to look up some places to get windows repaired. I saw a post from someone on Facebook. She had just gotten a new windshield and was highly recommended the place if anyone needed it. Nice coincidence! Anyway, the window repair place is coming over tomorrow to fix our windshield.

After picking up Evan from school we met Yenis and Kevin at Ritas.

Noah fell asleep on the way home.

For dinner we had potatoes (sweet potato and baked potato) and brisket.

We just gave the boys baths and now they are in bed.

Grupo Fantasma

This morning we hung out at home. The boys played outside for a while and ate their oatmeal outside too.

Every Friday there is a free concert downtown. This week Grupo Fantasma was playing. They are latin rock/salsa/funk. I’m not sure what kind of music it technically is. I’ve known about the group for a while and even have one of their CDs. Evan teacher from his sports class is in the band, so I thought he’d really enjoy going.

We met Yenis and Kevin there. Evan and Noah had a good time. I brought lunch for them. Noah sat most of the time. Evan was running/dancing a lot. When the band finished Evan went to say hi to Mr. Jose.

When we got home I put Noah down for a nap and made smoothie for Evan and me. Noah ended up not sleeping for some reason. He was just singing, talking, and playing.

When Morry got home we went grocery shopping at HEB and then picked up dinner from Yaghi’s and brought it home. Morry and the boys had pizza. I had salad and ravioli. Evan ate very well. Noah didn’t eat much. We put Noah to bed first so that Evan could eat his dessert (sherbet). Morry is putting Evan to bed now and I still hear Noah playing in his room.

Yenis, Kevin, Evan, and Mr. Jose

Kevin’s House

This morning Evan slept until about 9am. Noah slept late too. It was nice.

For lunch we went over to Yenis and Kevin’s house. I brought over some fruit and she made lunch for us. She had Mickey Mouse chicken nuggets for the kids, which Noah loved. Evan wouldn’t eat anything. The only thing I could get him to eat was the fruit. He just wanted to play.

When we got home I put the boys down for naps.

Blanca came over at 4:00 and I tutored one student.

After tutoring I met Morry, Evan, and Noah at The Little Gym for Evan’s sports class. Evan really enjoyed the class again. Noah and I left before the class was over and Morry brought Evan home.

I got food ready for Evan and Noah for dinner. Morry and I ordered food from Eat Out In from the restaurant Aussie’s. I called during the class and they said it would take an hour and fifteen minutes to an hour and a half to get there. I took the whole hour and a half. We didn’t eat until almost 8pm.

We just put Evan and Noah to bed. Evan is already out of his room. He did come out of his room last night, by the way. Right after Morry posted the blog Evan came out of his room.

Playgroup at our House

This morning Evan and Noah slept until about 8:45am.

We had playgroup at our house this morning. I made blueberry muffins and put out some other snacks. We just had 3 other kids over here. It worked out really well. Bodar, Marissa, and Espen came as well as Yenis and Kevin. All of the kids played really well together. I enjoyed having the playgroup over here again.

Since Evan and Noah ate a lot during playgroup we didn’t have lunch. They went down for naps around 1:30 and slept really well until around 5pm when Morry got home.

For dinner we ate at Hyde Park Grill. The food was good, but the service wasn’t so great. Evan and Noah were very well behaved. Noah ate a ton of food. We ordered a pizza for Evan, but he didn’t touch it. He did eat all of the fruit we got for him though.

We just put the boys to bed. Let’s hope they sleep well tonight.

Neulasta Shot

This morning Kevin and Yenis came over for a few minutes before I needed to leave to the doctor. We gave Kevin his birthday present since we couldn’t make it to his party last weekend.

I started feeling a little achy and nauseous today. It’s not real bad, but I feel like it will be getting worse the next few days.

I had a 1pm doctor’s appointment to get my Neulasta shot. Alena, from the mom’s group, offered to take care of the boys during my appointment, so I dropped them off at her house around 12:15. She has two boys and is a certified home child care provider.

I got to the doctor at 1pm, but they didn’t call me in until 2pm. They were very backed up. It was raining today, so maybe others before me were delayed because of the rain? I got the shot. They said I will most likely have some bone pain from it, just not sure when. Some people get the worst of it around 7 days after their chemo when their white blood cell count is the lowest. We’ll see what happens.

After getting the shot I picked Evan and Noah up from Alena’s. They were coloring with markers when I got there. It seemed like they had a good time.

At home, I put the boys down for naps and we all slept.

When Morry got home we ordered some food from Blue Bamboo and he went to pick it up.

We just put Evan and Noah to bed. Evan is sitting on the stairs now making up excuses about why he’s not going to sleep.

Non-Stop Day

The boys slept well last night, once they actually fell asleep. Evan woke up around 7:45am (late for him). I think it was actually Noah that woke him up. I heard Noah screaming with excitement. I think Noah was excited to wake up and see Evan in his room.

We went grocery shopping at Newflower. Evan and Noah were really good and enjoyed their free sugar cookie at the end of our shopping.

When we got home Yenis and Kevin came over for just a little bit. It was about 11:30 and Blanca was coming at 12. A little before 12, Evan came up to me and told me he pooped. He had pooped in his underwear while playing with Kevin. I had to send them home so I could try and get him cleaned up. It was a mess and I decided just to put him in the shower downstairs. I got the water started, but had not put Evan in the shower yet when Blanca came over. I had Blanca give Evan a quick shower while I got ready to leave to house.

I met Melissa for lunch and tutored.

Blanca had to leave at 4pm, but Morry wasn’t going to be home until 6pm. Luckily Riley was available. She came and babysat from 4-6pm. It worked out well and Noah didn’t cry while she was here.

For dinner Morry had steak, I had salmon, and Evan had shrimp. Noah ate some tortilla and cantaloupe.

We gave the boys baths and now they are both in bed in Noah’s room. They are still playing in there. Hopefully, they go to sleep soon.

Lunch with Morry

Today was a busy day. Of course, Evan got up early. Once Noah got up we went over to HEB for a quick shopping trip.

Shortly after we got home Yenis and Kevin came over. They stayed until 12, when Blanca got here.

Then, I met Morry for lunch. We went to Phil’s Icehouse.

This afternoon I met Melissa at Scooter’s Coffeehouse. I had a coupon for a free smoothie drink, so we both got free drinks.

When I got home Evan was just getting up from a 2 hour nap. Noah slept a little while longer.

For dinner we had leftover cornbread casserole.

I decided I would try running after dinner. I got dressed and was about to go outside, but realized it was raining. I waited about 15 minutes and it cleared up, so I took Lizzy for a 2 mile run.

When I got back we got Evan and Noah ready for bed. Noah is in bed and quiet. Evan is still fighting sleep.

Kevin’s House and Our House

This morning Evan woke up early and Morry started a movie for him in the gameroom.

Blanca was coming at 10 so I planned on running with the boys before she came. Evan was being a pain, so it was taking me a long time to get everything ready for the run and stroller. I ended up not having time to run before Blanca got here. I just ran by myself after she came. I ran 3 miles. It was really hot out.

When I got back I took Evan over to Yenis and Kevin’s house. Evan and Kevin played for about an hour. My plan was to take Evan to his school to drop off some papers and then CVS. We got in the car and he started throwing a fit. He kept saying he wanted something to eat in the diaper bag. He just had fruit at Kevin’s house. Then he was screaming that he wanted a fruit snack, but I was driving. He was crying and kicking. I decided to drop him off at home and then go back out. I felt bad leaving him with Blanca like that, but I had stuff to get done. Evan was trying to climb over the gate to the laundry room when I was leaving. Blanca said she tried to offer him lunch but he didn’t want to eat.

When I got back I made Evan lunch, though he didn’t eat much. I put Evan and Noah down for naps. Noah napped. I think Evan may have napped some too. It was quiet for a little bit.

Oh, I got another free thing to try out today. I was sent a PUR Water Filter Pitcher with Flavor Cartridge to try out. I’ll use it over the next few weeks and then write a review for that too.

On the way home Morry got a haircut.

For dinner we made chicken satay with orange rice.

We just put Evan and Noah to bed. Let’s hope they sleep well.

Shmevan

Well, today Shmevan, Evan’s evil twin, came to visit. He arrived uninvited and stayed until the evening.

Today was a tough day. Evan was really bad. I think he’s just overtired. This morning he kept hitting Noah. Evan spit juice all over the carpet. He wouldn’t stay in time out. We had plans to meet Yenis and Kevin at the mall, but if we hadn’t been meeting someone I wouldn’t have left the house with him like that. Evan was ok at the mall at first, but as soon as Kevin arrived, he was horrible. He was running around like a wild animal and wasn’t listening to me. I had to put Evan in time out in the stroller at one point. Evan threw a fit on the way out. He wanted Chick-Fil-A and a cookie, but I told him he did not behave well and couldn’t have it. I had to strap Evan down to the stroller to get him out of the mall. He was screaming. Noah was screaming. On the way out Evan kicked his shoes off. Not fun.

At home, Evan was not much fun either. Finally, he ate some lunch. He was bad again so this time I went upstairs and took his pacifier away.

I put the boys down for naps around 1pm. Noah slept. Evan screamed and cried until Blanca got here at 2:15. Evan wouldn’t even let Blanca in his room. He closed the gate on her. That’s unusual for him. Evan said wanted me and didn’t want Blanca. I wasn’t sure what was going on, so I took his temperature. It was just barely high at 99 something. I thought about staying home, but Evan seemed to calm down a little and I left.

I tutored and went to the bookstore.

I got home around 6:00.

We had corned beef and potatoes for dinner.

After dinner Morry and Evan ran out to HEB to pick up Mottel’s medicine.

We put the boys to bed around 8:00

I just gave Lizzy a haircut on the upstairs porch.

Hopefully, Shmevan does not return tomorrow.

Smoke Detectors

Last night our smoke detectors went off at two different times during the middle of the night. It’s so annoying. They went off for just a few seconds each time. We had someone come and look at them before when this happened. He said that the smoke detectors have motion sensors and if a bug gets in there it will set it off. That’s most likely what happened last night. We have no idea which smoke detector is was. Because of the baby monitors it makes it even harder to tell where it is coming from. Luckily it didn’t seem to bother Evan and Noah. I’m sure they woke up, but just went back to sleep. It made Lizzy really nervous though.

I was really tired this morning.

Evan and Noah slept until almost 10am. They really needed the sleep.

Yenis and Kevin came over around 10:30 and then we went to the Hill Country Galleria. The kids played in the spray water fountain and then we sat at a table and had snacks. Noah did not really play in the water fountain. He didn’t want to get wet for some reason. Evan and Kevin had a great time though.

When we got home I made a smoothie. Noah drank his pretty quickly so I filled his cup with more. Somehow he managed to get the top off the cup and spilled the whole thing on the carpet.

Evan and Noah took good naps today.

When they woke up I put Sesame Street on for them so I could make dinner.

Morry got home a little after 6:00. We ate pasta salad and then drove to the mall. Morry needed more nice clothes for work. Before leaving I printed out coupons. We got a 15% coupon for Old Navy and a free cookie at The Great American Cookie. Noah was a pain at the mall. He didn’t want to be in the stroller and he was very fussy. He was throwing a fit at the cookie counter. He really wanted a cookie. We let Evan and Noah eat their cookies in the car.

We left the mall around 9 and got home and put the boys to bed. Hopefully they sleep well tonight and hopefully the smoke detectors don’t go off again.

JCC and Panera

This morning there was no playgroup, so I thought we’d just go to the JCC. By the time I was able to get both boys out of the house and get food for lunch in the diaper bag it was after 10:30.

We got to the JCC about 11:00. They had already done the Tot Shabbat. Evan and Noah still had fun just playing. The toys are really for babies or toddlers, but Evan still seemed to find stuff to play with. We only stayed in the room for about 30 minutes and then went outside to the playground. When it was time to leave Evan threw a fit. It was really hard carrying Noah and getting Evan to the car.

We met Yenis and Kevin at Panera. I got there before Yenis and took the boys to the bathroom there. Noah needed a diaper change. I was really having a tough time managing Evan and Noah in the bathroom. There was no changing table, so we took the handicap stall and I had to change Noah on the floor, on top of the diaper pad we have. I had to do this while trying to keep Evan from touching things. He kept touching the toilet or the trashcan. Then, he was unlocking the door. I heard a woman ask me if I needed help. I said, “Thanks, but I’m ok.” She offered to help Evan (must have heard me say Evan’s name a few times) wash his hands. I thanked her, but kept Evan in the stall with me. Somehow, I managed to get all of our hands washed and get out of the bathroom. That was really tough.

While we were in line to order Yenis and Kevin arrived. We ordered and got set up outside. My buzzer went off saying my food was ready, but it was a while before I could get it since it took a while to get all the other stuff to the table and get a high chair. I ended up eating cold soup. Kevin and Evan had a good time playing on the deck outside. Evan didn’t eat much. He just had a blueberry muffin and a yogurt drink. There were two women sitting near us who brought a dog with them. Noah and Evan enjoyed petting it. Noah called the dog Lizzy.

We came home and I put the boys down for naps. Evan did not nap. Noah slept a little bit until the phone rang and woke him up.

After nap time we went out front and Evan rode his “big boy” bike a little. He was very good at going downhill, but he needed me to help push him up the hills.

For dinner, we went to Blue Bamboo, a new restaurant near us. The food was good, but the boys, especially Evan were not well behaved.

We put the boys to bed early. I hope they sleep well tonight.

I have to get up very early in the morning. I’m helping Alissa with her garage sale and I’m going to her house at 5:30am. There are still a lot of things that need to be priced, we need to set up, and signs need to be put out.

An Outside Day

Last night was a better night. Noah woke up at 5am and then again at 6:30am. Evan slept until about 9:00.

This morning we met Yenis and Kevin at the lake. Yenis and I ran most of the way to the Auditorium Shores water fountains. That’s about half way around the lake. We stopped and let the boys play in the water for a while. Noah seemed even more comfortable this time. He went right in the water. Evan and Kevin had a good time splashing each other. After playing in the fountains we made our way back to the trail.

As we were almost back on the trail we heard a train coming over the bridge. Evan, Kevin, and Noah got very excited. We waited for the train to cross the bridge. It even blew its horn. Noah kept saying, “woo, woo!”. We started walking, but both Evan and Kevin wanted us to stop and wait until the whole train had passed before we started again. It was a long train!

Yenis and I ran/walked the rest of the trail to get back to our cars.

Morry worked from home today. He took Mottel to a specialty vet because our regular vet couldn’t figure out why Mottel had lost so much weight. The vet ran another, more sensitive thyroid test just to make sure it really isn’t a thyroid problem. Hopefully we’ll get the test results in a few days.

When we got home from the lake we ate lunch. During lunch we Skyped with Grandma/Lynn and Bubbe. Evan actually ate a really good lunch while we were Skyping. He ate a ton of veggies and all of the leftover shrimp. Evan sang the ABCs with Bubbe. Skype is pretty cool.

The boys took really good naps.

Blanca came at 3:00. I tutored and got home at 7:00. For dinner we had already made HEB hamburgers (we just had to heat them) and a pasta side.

We just put the boys to bed and it seems to be quiet.

Cooling off in the fountain

This morning we met Yenis and Kevin at the lake. Yenis and I ran most of the 3 mile loop with the kids in the stroller. It was pretty hot out. It was a good workout.

After the lake, I took Evan and Noah to the water/spray fountains on the other side of the lake. Last time Noah didn’t want to get wet, but this time he had a good time. He was still kind of timid. It took him a while to get in. He played in the little pools they have around the fountain. Evan had a great time running around. It was tough getting the boys out when it was time to leave.

On the way home, we stopped at KFC and got our free chicken meal.

Evan and I shared the chicken. I tried to get him really excited about eating a drumstick. He thought it was neat eating chicken like ice cream, but he only took a few bites.

Noah fell asleep in the car on the way home. I tried to put him down for a nap when we got home, but he wouldn’t sleep. I tried again around 3:00. Evan took a good nap, but Noah did not nap at all.

Blanca came at 3:00. I tutored 3 students and got home at 7:00. We had hamburgers and corn for dinner.

We just put Evan and Noah to bed. Evan did really well and did not fight going to bed. We believe it was because he took a good nap today.

Kevin’s House and Panera

Last night neither Evan nor Noah slept well for some reason. Noah was up a few times. Evan woke up crying at one point. I’m not sure why. He said he needed a diaper change, but it was just a wet diaper. I didn’t sleep well.

This morning, I thought it would be good to get out of the house. I thought maybe we would go to the mall. The weather still isn’t great. It was supposed to rain on and off all day.

I called Yenis and we originally planned to meet at the mall, but then we started talking and both of us decided the mall might not be a good idea because of the whole Swine Flu scare. She invited us to come over and play.

Yenis has a nice covered back patio. Even though it was humid and a little wet, we were still able to play on the patio. Evan, Noah, and Kevin played well at first. Then, for some reason Evan and Kevin started getting cranky and not playing to well together. We had fed them snacks, but thought maybe they were still hungry. Evan threw a fit when it was time to leave Kevin’s house to get lunch. Evan said, “I don’t want to go to dinner.” He gets lunch and dinner confused some times. We managed to get everyone out of the house and we went to Panera for lunch. The weather had cleared up some and we were able to sit outside. All 3 kids did well. Evan and Kevin played for a while after lunch.

We came home for naps around 2:00. It has just gotten quiet upstairs and Lizzy started barking. It woke or disturbed Evan from almost sleeping. Evan never ended up napping. Noah slept well though.

Blanca came at 4:00. I tutored one student and got home at 6:00.

We had grilled chicken with carrots and celery for a side.

Noah got real cranky, but as soon as Morry cut up watermelon and put in on his tray he calmed down. Both boys ate a ton of watermelon. Morry couldn’t cut it fast enough.

We just gave the boys baths and put them to bed. So far, so good. Let’s hope for a better night tonight.

Potty

This morning we went to playgroup at Marissa’s house. It was a small playgroup today. I guess maybe people already left town for the weekend?

We had a nice time at playgroup. Marissa had one of those fish games where the fish open and close their mouths and you try to use the fishing pole to catch one. Evan really liked that. He got good at catching fish and was really proud each time he got one.

After playgroup, Grandmom/Marilyn, Noah, Evan, and I went to lunch at Panera. On the way there Yenis called and I invited them to join us. We all sat outside. Both boys ate well. Noah ate the whole time we were there. In fact, he was still eating stuff off the plate as we were leaving.

When we got home I put the boys down for nap. They slept really well.

For dinner we met Matt at Joe’s Crab Shack. We ate outside on picnic tables overlooking the lake. The waiters danced and the boys enjoyed all the music playing. Evan ate a ton of my crab. I spent most of my dinner cracking crab for him. Evan and Noah were so well behaved at dinner. They had a lot to entertain them.

After dinner, we came home and gave the boys baths. When Evan got out of the bath he sat on the potty. I read to him while he sat on the potty. At one point Morry walked by and Evan told Morry he was going to poop. We sort of thought, “oh, ok, yeah right.” Well, just a few minutes later Evan had pooped in the potty. The first time ever! We cheered and danced. Evan got a sticker.

When I went to put Evan in his pajamas he said he wanted to put on underwear. He was upset when we said no. We didn’t want him in bed without a diaper. I let him pick out underwear that he could wear tomorrow and that seemed to make him happy.

The boys are in bed and it seems quiet.

The Day After

Today the boys slept late. Well, Noah actually woke up around 7:20am, but I was able to get him back to sleep.

I invited Yenis and Kevin over for lunch. We have a lot of leftovers from the party. Lunch was easy. I just heated food up from Evan’s birthday party. We had pizza, breadsticks, and salad. Evan, Noah, and Kevin enjoyed playing together.

After they left I put the boys down for naps. They both slept for about 2 hours.

For dinner we had grilled chicken and salad.

After dinner we took a walk. We asked Evan if he wanted to walk, ride his old bike, or ride his new bike. He chose to ride the new bike. In the store and at home he has had a hard time figuring out how to petal. Morry walked along side the bike and showed Evan how to petal and brake by pedaling backwards. Evan was doing really well. He still needs to practice, but he was pedaling on his own. About the last ¼ of the walk Evan got of his bike and decided he wanted to walk. Morry pushed the bike while Evan ran ahead. Evan would stop multiple times in front of us, put his hand out, and say, “stop.” He’s make us stop until he said go again.

Both boys are kind of cranky. I think they need to go to bed soon. We’ll head upstairs in a minute and put them to bed.