INFESTED

DISGUSTING!  Yeah, I used to look at a lady bug and think - oh, so adorable, and maybe start singing Lady Bug Lady Bug Fly away Home.... no longer.  These little bugs have decided to infest our windows - particularly in the older part of the house.  No matter how many times you vacuum them up and think you've finally got rid of them...10 minutes later they are back with vengeance!  I hate them - I detest them - If I never see another lady bug it will be too soon!!!!

Best Show Ever

Come One, Come All to the grooviest, rockin'est, DANCE show ever!  The kids, with Sam as orchestrator, put together a killa dance show.  It came with 3 acts, a spot light (via flashlight) and incredible dance technique.  Shawn was eventually coaxed into provided percussion (okay he practically suggested it), drumming out a rhythm you couldn't help but dance to!  I love how the kids always create these shows and productions - it takes me back to the many dances I choreographed as a child.  Sometimes I would love to be a kid again!

*As a side note: Shawn is the greatest dad!  Kids I hope you will always realize what a great father you have.  Not many dads will play hide and seek, tag, sit for hours in Lyv's kitchen, under go several check-up from Doc McStuffins (aka - Lyv) and every other item of play that the kids come up with.  He never complains, or acts like they are putting him out, when I'm sure all he wants to do after a long day is sit and rest.  Sam - Jack - Lyv - Max : your daddy rocks!*

Poor, Poor Max

In an attempt to obey the doctors' orders - we try to do tummy time with Max throughout the day.  The little ones love it - they provide entertainment, love, and WAY too much help.  Max usually only lasts a few minutes (none of my babies have liked tummy time).  I was especially impressed with Max's strength yesterday holding his big ol' head up for so long.  I rush to get the camera and try to take a picture - but Lyv and Jack both insist on helping!  Aye, Yie, Yie!

Max has been going ballistic on his fists the past few days due to teething - but he really gets into it and makes gnawing sounds to boot.  It is adorable.  He loves to gab, and is by far my most vocal baby yet.  He squeals and yelps all morning long.  He makes spit bubbles and kicks and moves all over the place.  This morning we heard this THUD noise coming on the monitor, and I rush downstairs to find Max sideways in the crib kicking the railing.  He looked up and smiled so big - like he knew that would get me down there.

 Poor Max wasn't scheduled to go back into the doctor for a check up until the end of March, but has been in 3 times in the past two weeks!  This last bout was due to horrible eczema on his face.  It has really affected his hemangioma, so we wanted to make sure nothing got infected.  He was treated and is doing better.  The one fun thing about so many doctor's visits it to continue to watch this monster of a boy grow.  The last weigh in: 17.5 pounds!!  Yikes!  He's already doubled his birth weight.  Maybe it's because he's still waking up way too much at night wanting to eat still, but what ever it is, he is packing on the pounds.

The Potty Training Teeter Totter

Don't let the sweet, pink adorableness of this picture fool you.  Behind those beautiful blue peepers is a seesaw, rollercoster of a drama created by Potty Training.  You think as a parent you are teaching your child one of life's greatest lessons, by giving them the gift of a clean bum.  This life lesson has created a monster in our house.  Starting in November, I expected accidents, her needing a lot of help, etc.  What happened was that she decided that she had to do EVERYTHING, and I mean everything ALL BY HERSELF.  There were several times in the wee morning hours where she wailed at the top of her lungs because we had dared, DARED to flush the toilet or turn off the water.  She came unglued.  After a lot of pep talks, many tears, she came to terms with the concept of "team work".  We were thrilled thinking life could only get better.  Two weeks into this bliss, the monster crept back in, and decided that she could no longer go to the potty without HELP, and lots of it!  Instead of running to bathroom and hurrying to get her pants down, she runs around in circles like a chick with its head cut off, squaking and shrieking, and runs to us.  What can I do at this point?  You don't know how many times I've been peed on in the attempt to get her to the toilet!  GRRRR....the frustration continues, and probably will for several more weeks.  We go back and forth between diapers and underwear, doing 3 loads of laundry a day vs. spending $40 on a box a size 4 diapers.  What is to be done I say?  I'm not sure, but I hope both Lyv and I survive!

Grave Digger

You can't say Grave Digger unless you are using your best Monster Truck Rally voice - really deep, really loud, and really macho - "GRAVE DIGGER!" Last Saturday, Shawn took the three olders to Lowe's to there free building projects.  They had a great time hammering away, and came away with some killa free googles, aprons, and of course their own Monster Truck!  Three little builders in the making!

Finally a Real Job - Yakima, Washington

It is finally official - we are heading to Yakima, Washington at the end of June. After 10 years of marriage, 7 years of school, 3 years of surgical residency, and a lot of learning and growing, Shawn has a job!!! We are ecstatic - the job is perfect.

 When Shawn started the job hunting process, I just prayed that he would get the job he wanted. That sounds kind of silly, because isn't that what everyone does? It just seems like with our schooling, with the residency, etc. our life has panned out in a way that sometimes felt out of our control, and at times like settling. However - this job is everything Shawn was looking for, plus he had several other options, so making this decision was such an answer to prayers.

 We've had a great experience here in New York, but I will readily admit that I'm thrilled about moving back West and closer to family(10 hour drive to home). The kids are super excited too - thankfully, they have been so supportive of our life adventure thus far. I am extremely proud of Shawn and his hard work. He amazes me at how he is able to juggle family, work, and church responsibilities and always keeps us as his top priority. I am very VERY lucky girl. Not many men are willing to do this. We love you Shawn and are so excited for this next adventure. Check out the practices website: www.cascadefootandankle.com

Jack Discovers the secret Pocket in his briefs

Jack is the resident comedian at the Summers' house, and I couldn't help but record this story because it was just too Jack not to. To preface this story: we had a Stake Valentine's Dinner that provided babysitting, so Shawn and I decided to go and eat without kids. We were dropping the kids off at the nursery, and had them dressed in pjs since it would be a late night. Jack's pjs didn't have any pockets - and Shawn had just given him a key chain with a scorpion in it from his ACFAS to Las Vegas. Now let's begin - We start to unload the gear that they will need, snacks, etc. and Jack turns to us with this silly grin; reaches into the front of his pants and says, "Hey, I want to show you guys something." Shawn and I literally stand there in pure horror thinking that Jack's going to expose himself to everyone in the room, and we're going to be too late to stop him. He starts to pull something out of his pants, and says "Here's my scorpion" whipping out his new key chain. We start laughing hysterically, and gratefully, that Jack in his usual "I'm going to find a way to make something happen" way had discovered that his underwear had a nice little secret pocket in the front that he could store his wares if he didn't have pockets.