Dear January...PLEASE Go Away!

I need a hug...

We are done with January. Other than my anniversary and few good friends' birthdays...it sucks! I can't remember a January in the last 4 winters that we haven't camped out at the pediatrician's office due to asthma or ear infections. Luke has been battling the most stubborn ear infection of his life since we moved (yes, the middle of December). Luckily his tubes are either working or the holes in which they once resided are still open, because he has had some nasty, stinky drainage this entire time. This week was a real doosie. Monday, Blake was home due to asthma. Wednesday, Luke got sent home from school because of his leaky ears and was told not to come back until they quit draining (not sure why they decided this was the week it was a problem when he has been leaky for over a month). Then by Friday, Blake had caught on to the idea of me being home with Luke and decided he was sick too. Oh and did I mention Kurt was traveling Wednesday thru Friday night so I was going it alone this entire time. I've been to the doc 3 times this week with Luke to get antibiotic shots. They finally identified this stubborn little germ today and now we start on a new oral antibiotic that will hopefully kick it to the curb.

The boys continue to entertain each other (aka - fight) and have found a fun new pasttime in running around the island. Luke is learning to run, walk backwards and get down the stairs on his belly (hallelujah). It's fun watching him practice and be so proud of himself. He is saying new words all the time...medi (medicine), blay-lee (blankie), window, door, bird, hat, nose, pillow, water, ju (juice), and the list goes on. He has added to his repertoire of animal sounds with a piggy, bird, and alligator/crocodile. My personal favorite is when he wants some goldfish he makes a fishy face/noise with his mouth. Really cute. We were so excited that our anti-cuddler actually sat on our laps and sat still for about a half hour Tuesday night. It made my day. What didn't make my day was finding out that he and Daddy had been keeping a very naughty secret from Mommy...I mentioned today that we might need to finally break down and get Luke's bangs cut. Not his curls, just his bangs. I'm still not ready to lose the curls even though I said I would let go when he started walking. Well, what response did I get.."oh, I've already cut his bangs a couple of times." What??? How could they do that? And how did I not even notice? I asked Kurt if he saved the hair and he said "no, it wasn't a real haircut." Maybe not technically, but it was still his first and I missed it and I have no hair to show for it. :(

Blake continues to amaze us everyday with thoughtful questions (aka - why, why, why) and a crazy, active imagination. I made the mistake of trying to explain what happened in Haiti to him the other night. After about 5 minutes of questions I realized I could never answer or at least not answer without leaving him traumatized for the rest of his life, I abandoned the conversation and offered him some candy. He loves to build cranes with his new building blocks and is still obsessed with Monkey George. He went on his first movie date last weekend. Michelle and I took he and Chloe to see the "Chipmunks, the Squeakel." It was a lot of fun. Oh and he has all the sudden found a reason to hate his new bedroom and has ended up in our bed about 99% of the last month. What happened? We have always prided ourselves in that our children slept in their cribs and their beds so well! Tomorrow a big group of us are taking the kids bowling. I believe it's a first for everyone and we are very excited to see how it goes.

Feeling a little better...don't I look like trouble?

Rare Edition - Blake smiling for the camera.

Very common pose....fighting over something. At least they are smiling.

Bathtime - always a favorite time in this house.

High Five - they must have just struck a deal on something mischeivous!