Apple Cup 2011

Well the Cougs lost AGAIN, and I was the only WSU fan in our section, but Chad and I had a great time.

Thanksgiving 2011

Here are a few pictures from our Thanksgiving holiday. We had a great time at Aunt Lisa and Uncle Todd's house. And after Thanksgiving Grandma and Grandad kept our kids in Portland so Chad and I could have a few days to ourselves back in Seattle - THANK YOU!! (my house is currently very clean and very quiet...it's a little strange!)

Lisa & Todd

Blake, Jake & Brooklyn

Erica & the boys

Now, I know this is a terrible picture but I had to post it because...my 18 month old daughter is holding a GIANT (play) shotgun. She found it while playing with the big kids and took a liking to it. She's all Pittman! :)

Gage's birthday was on Thanksgiving. I don't have a picture of the actual birthday boy blowing out his candles, but I have pictures of everyone else taking a turn.
Lauren's turn, with lots of help.
So much fun!

Giving Thanks

I have a lot to be thankful for. I am so very thankful for my children's health and the health of my family. But it isn't with out a great deal of guilt that I feel thankful. We found out just before Thanksgiving that Georgia would need to start prednisone. It was as if someone (like Mike Tyson) had punched my sister in the gut. Six months of prednisone is an extension of their isolation for probably close to another year. Some how I've ended back at "why". It's not a good place to hang out. Why Georgia? Alison wouldn't even use the microwave more or less drink a soda when she was pregnant. Why their family? Angelina seems to have quite a few children running around...and plenty of money. (Sorry Pitt/Jolies...no offense of course). I looked back at my Thanksgiving post from last year and it reminded me we have so much to be thankful for, Georgia is in a much better place now. There is still a ways to go and that's the part that is so hard. I want life to be easier for Georgia, Alison and Brian. We are all ready for the finish line so "real life" can begin. So for now I am thankful for the distance Georgia has come and those who have helped her get there (and there is an army of experts, friends, family and strangers to be thanked) and I look forward to the finish line, it just has to be around the next bend.

Karate Kid #2

This video is from last Tuesday evening, just after Blake's karate class. Lauren is showing Daddy her moves :)

Black Belt

At the end of each karate class the child who showed the most focus that day is awarded the black belt. They get to say the closing words in class and have a quick photo op with the prized belt. Today Blake showed the most focus and got to wear the black belt. He was thrilled! The whole way home he talked about "being focused" and couldn't wait to tell Chad about his accomplishment. Way to go buddy! Blake and Sensei Courtney

All Grown Up

Blake has always been a snuggly, sweet boy. From birth he has wanted to be close to me, which I love. He will start our days and end our evenings by saying things like "I love you to Saturn/Jupiter/Mars and back" or "I just want to be close to you" and "I love you with my whole heart". It makes me want to freeze time for a bit it is so sweet. But yesterday we were at the mall and with Lauren on my hip, I reached out to hold Blake's hand. He looked at me and said "Mom, I'm too big for that now, I don't want to hold your hand". WHAT? I laughed and choked back the lump in my throat all at once. I am happy to report he started this morning with "I love you all the way to Hawaii and back" (my favorite) but I think I'm still going to need another box of kleenex...

Happy 2nd Birthday Georgia

We were thrilled to celebrate Georgia's 2nd birthday yesterday. It was so fun to see Georgia so happy. We had cupcakes and opened presents but I think Georgia loved having her cousins over to play most of all, or maybe it was everyone singing "Happy Birthday to you" three times through that was her favorite?? :)

Alison & Georgia

This girl normally doesn't eat sweets, but she seem to really like her cupcake!

Ready to party

Alison and Georgia's cousin Landon...or is it Holden? Two adorable, sweet boys but I'm forgetting which on is which!
After Georgia's birthday party we were off to party #2. We helped our dear friend and neighbor, Calvin, celebrate his 4th birthday. Unfortunately, Calvin and Georgia have more than their birthdays in common. I hate to think of the weeks/months these two have logged at Children's Hospital. The thing that continues to amaze me is the resilience and pure joy both of these kids have after being put through more that anyone should have to endure. To Georgia and Calvin, may this year bring you both good health, peace, and some space to just be kids!

Calvin

Cabin Fever!

We are determined to go to Georgia's birthday party this year. We couldn't go last year and we didn't want to miss this very special event, so we've played hooky from all of our activities this week. Let me tell you I have a whole new respect for how challenging Alison and Georgia's life is. (Not that I thought it was easy to begin with!) Keeping two kids entertained all week when it's cold and rainy outside and we can't go to museums or have playdates, etc. is hard and lonely. We've had dance parties and cleaned out all of the toy boxes. I thought I'd take the kids up to Snoqualmie pass on Wednesday for a little sledding. I packed boots, hats, two pairs of socks for each kid, hot cocoa, snacks and sandwiches. I had thought of everything....but as we pulled off the Hyak exit it hit me, I forgot their COATS. Seriously. (I didn't forget mine though - nice :) Today we made it back up to the pass WITH our coats! Blake had a great time, he didn't want to come home. Lauren was less thrilled with sledding but she humored us for awhile. And for those of you who know how much I just loooooove our dog, you'll be happy to know I brought Louis along on our adventure....I must have been feeling extra nice this morning? Here are a few video/pics from our week. We can't wait to celebrate with Georgia tomorrow!!

Jumping party - Lauren's most favorite pastime. BTW, this is after our botched trip to the pass, I don't usually dress my kids in matching white turtlenecks :)

Blake turned the grocery cart into a scooter...

18 month stats

Lauren is officially 22lbs and in the 20th percentile for weight - no more weight checks, yahoo!! She grew 2.5 inches since our last appointment for a grand total of 32.5 inches, 60th percentile. Lauren still isn't big on sweets, but as you can see she likes turkey!

Another Milestone

Blake tried riding his bike with out training wheels over the summer and he could do it, but preferred his bigger bike with training wheels, until last weekend. Chad and Blake practiced a bunch and Blake really got the hang of it. This week he ventured out into the street (where the "big" kids in the neighborhood ride) and yesterday he was even riding at the park. I'm so proud of him, each time he would get frustrated he'd get right back on the bike and try again. Good job Blake!! PS - he is riding with his ski helmet on, not sure why but he loves that thing.

18 month update....

I knew this was coming. I wouldn't let people talk about it in front of Lauren for fear of giving her ideas, but today it happened. Lauren climbed out of her crib. I have known for sometime she was physically capable, the thought just hadn't occurred to her. When Blake made his exit at 23 months it meant the end of napping and night time battles to keep him in his bed...or at least his room. I would check on him during his "nap" and he would have emptied his entire dresser and climbed so high in his closet I had to help him back down. I'm not ready!!

This is her makeshift bed until the crib tent arrives. Wish me luck, I'm going to need it!

1.5

A year and a half? Really? Lauren you have really come in to your own over the last two weeks. You LOVE to jump! You jump on the ground but you really love to jump off our coffee table, couch and down the stairs. You are quite the thrill seeker. Your language is beginning to expand and you have a new found love of books, particularly books about animals. You make lots of animal noises, especially Moooooooo for the cow :) You really don't like diapers. The second they are a tiny bit wet you bring me a fresh diaper and lay down for a change. I've tried to show you how to use your little potty, but you think you are a boy and won't sit down! Lastly, we've noticed you have a love of shoes. If I pick out your shoes you happily sit in my lap and let me put them on you. Then you pop up, go grab the pair you had in mind, crawl back in my lap and point to your feet. The last video is of your giggle. You have the best laugh and I've tried to capture it on video for months. You have been giggling like this since you were around 8 months old and it makes me laugh every time.

Shapes

This last week was pretty stressful. Georgia was readmitted and the doctors had a hard time determining what was going on for her. I'm happy to report she is back at home tonight, still recovering from whatever she has/had.
Blake always finds a way to make me laugh, even during the most stressful times. Saturday night he and I were looking over the shapes he's been working on at school. "And this one is called a sex-a-gon". It took all I had to say "Are you sure that isn't a hexagon" with a semi-straight face. His reply "No Mom, it's a sexagon, they teach us that stuff at school". I'm glad I'm getting my money's worth out of The Children's Garden!

Huskies

Chad went to the last game at Husky Stadium last night. He returned home around 12:15 a.m. with four seat cushions from the stadium - memorabilia for my sentimental husband. He set one outside Blake's door so he would find it in the morning and then came to bed. He said to me "I got four seat cushions so we could use them with our patio furniture next summer". I rolled my eyes and went back to sleep. This morning I assumed it was the excitement from the game, or maybe a beer or two talking, but I decided to ask Chad about his plan. Nope, Chad still thinks it would be a great idea to use the seat cushions from Husky stadium with our patio furniture next summer. Classy.

Touchdown! She must have been rooting for the ducks :)

School Halloween

Monday morning there was a Halloween celebration at school. The Buzz wings were too big for the classroom so Blake went as a cowboy! He was excited to have two costumes and I have to say he looked pretty cute :) Yee haw!
Blake and Ella
Blake and Ella...again. Every school day I ask him who he sat next to at circle. "Ella." Who sat on the other side of you Blake? "I don't know."
Teacher Kathi doing a little story telling.

Teacher Donna holding the donuts.

Halloween

We had a few friends and all of the grandparents over before heading out to do some trick or treating. Blake was beyond excited, so of course Lauren was super excited too. I think my kids were bouncing off the walls for days in anticipation of the big event.
The night before Halloween - I didn't know Buzz Lightyear had black fingernails...(for the record I didn't know this was going on and my hand towel managed to get trashed in the process!!)

Stories with Grammy and Grandpa

Norah

Lauren, most kids opt for candy. Seriously!!

Kevin
Calvin

Audrey and Caiden...and my child attached to Audrey, as usual :)

She loves trick or treating....can't you tell?

Sunny & Norah

I should have taken a video. Lauren buzzed around our house, happy as could be to have the wings on.

pushing her big brother around - they both thought it was HILARIOUS

Sweet Baby Girl

Lauren recently cut four teeth, she was miserable. In order to help her fall asleep for her nap I snuggled her in our bed for a little bit. She looked so peaceful...finally!